Adult Education – A Story

ADULT EDUCATION

An Apocryphal Teaching Story

Short Fiction

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Here is an apocryphal story I conjured up long back when I worked in Human Resource (HR) Management and Training. 

I used to narrate this story to my trainees in order to emphasize the importance of “work life balance” . 

I called the story ADULT EDUCATION.

Do tell me if you like it. 

I will look forward to your comments and feedback.

ADULT EDUCATION – an apocryphal teaching story

A passionate HR Trainer once conducted an Adult Education Programme for semi-literate and poorly educated workers in his industrial organization.

The programme was conducted in the evenings after working hours. 

In order to ensure success of this adult education programme – both the trainees and the trainer were motivated by giving them generous amounts of financial incentives like overtime allowance for participation. 

This incentive of extra money ensured maximum attendance from the workers.

The trainer too got a handsome amount of money as incentive. 

Yes – the trainer got a generous amount of overtime for conducting Adult Education Classes. 

Also – in addition to overtime – he was paid an additional bonus per worker attending his classes.

All workers enthusiastically attended the Adult Education classes – except one.

His name was Sukhi Lal. 

Sukhi Lal was the only person who never attended Adult Education Classes despite the huge monetary incentives.

Sukhi Lal would rush home after work the moment the siren rang in the evening. 

Sukhi Lal was almost illiterate but he was not interested in learning anything. 

The Trainer was very disappointed with Sukhi Lal and he decided to motivate Sukhi Lal to join his Adult Education Programme.

One day the Trainer called Sukhi Lal to his office and asked him: “Why don’t you attend the Adult Education classes?”

“What is the use...?” asked Sukhi Lal.

“You will gain more knowledge...” said the wise trainer.

“I am not interested in gaining more knowledge...” said Sukhi Lal, “I am quite happy with whatever I know.”

Observing that the man in front of him was not interested in intellectual enhancement – the trainer tried to lure him with financial motivation.

So the trainer said: “Sukhi Lal. Think of the Money. Yes – you will earn a lot of money. You earn while you learn. You will get plenty of overtime payment plus a generous attendance bonus. You will make lots of extra money if you attend these adult education classes.”

“I am not interested in making more money. I am quite happy and content with what I get...” Sukhi Lal said.

The exasperated trainer then resorted to a last tactic to get him to attend the adult education classes. 

He decided to humiliate Sukhi Lal in front of his co-workers – the trainer decided to publicly shame Sukhi Lal.

Yes – shame is a great motivator. 

The trainer was sure this would hurt Sukhi Lal’s ego – and the public humiliation would surely motivate him to attend the adult education programme. 

At lunchtime – in the canteen – the trainer called Sukhi Lal and all the other workers who attended adult education classes. 

The trainer indicated to everyone else to keep silent. 

Then – in the presence of all the “educated” co-workers – the trainer asked Sukhi Lal: “Who was Issac Newton...?”

“I don’t know...” Sukhi Lal said.

“See. Everyone knows this and you don’t know. Just see how ignorant you are...” the trainer ridiculed Sukhi Lal while all the co-workers shook their heads in agreement and mocked at the ignorance of the clueless Sukhi Lal.

“Who was Albert Einstein...?” the Trainer asked Sukhi Lal. 

“I don’t know...” Sukhi Lal said. 

“Who was CV Raman...?” the Trainer asked Sukhi Lal. 

“I don’t know...” Sukhi Lal said. 

Everyone laughed and jeered at Sukhi Lal’s ignorance and made fun of him. 

But – the trainer was unrelenting – and he kept on asking a hapless Sukhi Lal question after question: 

“Who was Galileo… Faraday… Edison… Bhabha…?”

The barrage of questions and torment went on and on for a long time – until Sukhi Lal got fed up – and he decided not to take the humiliation any more. 

Sukhi Lal suddenly stood up and asked the trainer: “Tell me Who is Chhote Lal...?”

“Chhote Lal...? Never heard of him...” snapped the trainer angrily, “Who is Chhote Lal...?”

“See. You don’t know who Chhote Lal is. But I know who he is...” Sukhi Lal said to the trainer with an  air of superiority, “Chhote Lal is the man who makes love to your wife every evening in your bedroom while you are busy out here conducting these Adult Education Classes. It is you who requires Adult Education – not me.” 

MORAL OF THE STORY (4 Morals of the Story)

1. Educate yourself first – before you embark on trying to educate others

2. Distant Vision sometimes obscures Near Vision 

If you are a “visionary” – you always tend to look too far – and sometimes – you cannot see what is going on under your very own nose

3. Physician – heal thyself

4. Have your priorities right and make sure you pay attention to your “work-life balance”.

Yes – WORK LIFE BALANCE means getting a full value from life – by ensuring a balance between achievement and enjoyment in each of the four quadrants of your life:

1. WORK

2. FAMILY

3. FRIENDS

4. SELF 

On a daily basis – every morning – you must tell yourself:

1. I want to achieve something today – and I want to enjoy something today. 

2. I must manage to do both these things today. Then – for me – it is going to be a good day. 

3. Through “work-life balance” – I must manage to do both of these things each day of my life. 

4. Yes – I must achieve something daily – and – I must enjoy something daily – in all four aspects of my life (work, family, friends, self) – each and every day – for the rest of my life.

5. Then – I am going to have a good life - a happy, satisfying and fulfilling life – well lived.

Dear Reader: Do you agree...? 

Please comment. I look forward to your views and feedback. 

VIKRAM KARVE 

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 
© vikram karve., all rights reserved. 

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved)

This Story Posted Earlier in my blogs a number of times earlier inculding at URL: https://karvediat.blogspot.com/2012/12/achievement-and-enjoyment-work-life.html etc 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

 

What are you doing after retirement...?

A few days ago – on Sunday – we had a Navy Veterans Get-Together in NDA Khadakwasla Pune. 

I met many of my erstwhile Navy Colleagues and Shipmates – all Navy Veterans – some Senior to me – and some Junior to me – in Service and Age – but most of them were Senior Citizens. 

When I interacted with them – I realised two things: 

1. Everyone else was a “Success

”

 – and – I seemed to be the only “Failure

” (aka 

“Loser

”)

2. 

I was the only one 

“Doing Nothing” 

Let me dwell on the second point – “Doing Nothing”

Many of my fellow Navy Veterans were busy with their “Second Innings

”.

Most of them said that t

hey were “working” (or had worked) 

after retirement in various careers. 

A

ll had “Success Stories

”. 

M

ost had “succeeded

” in the Navy. 

Many had “succeeded” 

after retirement from the Navy

 – 

in their post-retirement second careers in the civilian world. 

I seemed to be the only 

“Failure

” 

– a consistent “Failure

”. 

I had consistently “succeeded” at “Failure” – both – before retirement (in the Navy) – and – after retirement (as a Navy Veteran). 

Yes – I seem to have a talent on “how to fail consistently

 ”. 

Am

ong my fellow Navy Veterans – I am probably the only one who excels at “Doing Nothing”. 

During our Navy Veterans Meets – or whenever the meet me – many Officers 

– serving and retired 

 – they a

sk me the same 

quintessential question:  

“What are you doing after retirement...?” 

And –

 I give them the same answer

 : 

“Nothing. I am 

“

doing nothing

 

 

...”

  

Hearing my 

 

truthful answer that I am 

“

doing nothing

”

 

after retirement 

– they seemed perplexed. 

With a look of disbelief on their faces 

– they ask me: 

“But 

– how can you 

“

do nothing

”

...? 

Sometimes 

– in jest – I say tongue-in-cheek: 

“I practised “

doing nothing

” when I was “working”. Then 

– 

I used to “

do nothing

” in uniform. Now 

– 

I “

do nothing

” in “civvies” (civilian clothes)...!”

A few years after my retirement 

– I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from one my students – a Scientist. 

I had taught her at IAT Pune in 1985/86 (at the Post Graduate Masters in Engineering level). 

She was now in a Senior Position in a Research Laboratory and she wanted to invite me to deliver a lecture. 

“Actually 

– after retirement – I am quite out-of-touch with the state-of-the-art...” I said, honestly. 

“Sir – please hear the topic...” she said, mischievously. 

“What topic do want me to speak on...?” I asked her. 

“The Topic is: “How to Enjoy Retirement”...!!! Sir – we want you to speak on “How to Enjoy Retirement”...” she said, “I have been following you on Social Media and read your stories on your blog. I particularly liked your your blog post on “

doing nothing

”. I can see that you are really enjoying retired life. We have organised a seminar for Senior Scientists of “Work Life Balance” and I have scheduled your lecture as the Keynote Address – Sir – you have to come and speak...”

My lecture on 

“How to Enjoy Retirement” 

was well received and appreciated. 

By the way 

– a few days later 

– 

after hearing about my lecture (and reading the same article) 

– a

 “Head Honcho” of a premier organisation invited me to deliver a lecture to his senior executives on “The Art of Retirement”. 

Word spread 

 – and I got frequent invitations to deliver this lecture on 

“How to Enjoy Retired Life”. 

Ha Ha 

– it seems most people do not know: 

H

ow to 

“Do Nothing” 

Dear Reader

 

– I am posting below

 the 

article 

titled 

 

“Retirement” means “Doing Nothing” which motivated my student to invite me to deliver the lecture. 

I had written this article many years ago 

– soon 

after my retirement 

– and have suitably updated and edited it for easy reading on the digital screen and smartphone. 

RETIREMENT MEANS “DOING NOTHING”

Musings on WORK LIFE AND BEYOND

By

VIKRAM KARVE 

A few days after I retired – a ex-Navy friend of mine offered me a job in “Civvy Street

 ”.

I politely declined the job offer. 

So – he asked me:

  

“Have you taken up some job...?

 

” 

“No...

  ” I said.

“Oh 

– 

so you must be doing some business...?

” he asked.

“No...

” I said.

“Then – what are you doing after retirement...?” he asked. 

“Nothing. I am “doing nothing”...” I said. 

“But 

– how can you 

“

do nothing

 ”

...?

 

” he said. 

“It is easy 

–

 

I practised 

“doing nothing” 

 

when I was in service...” I said.

“What...?

” 

“Yes. Earlier 

– before retirement – I was “doing nothing” wearing uniform. Now – after retirement – I “do nothing” wearing civilian clothes

...

 ” I said. 

The word spread that I had gone crazy. 

So 

– the post-retirement job-offers stopped. 

At the Navy Veterans Meet – a fellow Navy Veteran asked me same 

quintessential question that everyone asks me: 

“What are you doing after retirement...?” 

And –

 I gave him the same answer

: 

“Nothing. I am 

“

doing nothing

”

 

...”

 

This answer lead to an admonishment: 

“Why are you 

 

“

doing nothing

”

 

after retirement...?” 

I wonder why a truthful answer that I am 

“

doing nothing

”

 

after retirement results in disbelief and admonishment 

– 

as if I was doing something wrong

...?

I retired on superannuation from the Navy many years ago 

– 

and

 

–

 

since then 

–

 

I am leading a truly retired life 

– 

“doing nothing”.

Yes 

–

  

I am “doing nothing”. 

But 

–

 

isn’t that what I am supposed to do...?

Tell me 

–

 

what is the definition and meaning of 

 

“RETIREMENT

 

”...

 

?

“Retirement” means “Doing Nothing” – isn’t it...?

Many persons don’t seem to understand this. 

So whenever I meet my erstwhile colleagues 

–

 and young officers too 

– 

they all ask me what I am doing after my retirement. 

And 

– 

they seem perplexed 

–

 when I honestly answer that I am “doing nothing” after my retirement.

Of course 

–

  

most of my retired colleagues are actually doing nothing.

B

ut 

–

 they try to put on a pretence as if they are very busy. 

T

hey try to masquerade as if they are doing something very important after retirement. 

Maybe 

– 

they indulge in this charade because they feel embarrassed to speak the truth. 

Or 

–

 maybe 

– they 

 

think that they will 

“

lose face

”

 if they truthfully say that they are 

“doing nothing”

.

MILITARY LIFE AND BEYOND – The Retired Veteran

Now let me talk a bit about the topic – RETIREMENT – and discuss some tips on retirement for Military Officers belonging to the Army, Navy and Air Force.

In most jobs you retire at the age of 60.

Sometimes – the retirement age is 65 or 70 – if you are a Professor or a Judge – or you are a Bureaucrat who has managed to get an “extension” – or a cushy post retirement job.

In some vocations – like business and politics – you never retire – and you keep on working incessantly till your death.

However – if you happen to serve in the Defence Services – in the Army, Navy or Air Force – you retire early. 

If you are an officer – it is most likely you will retire on superannuation at the age of 54 – a few lucky ones may pull on to 56.

Only those who attain Flag Rank (and become Generals, Admirals or Air Marshals) – only Flag Officers can remain in service beyond that age – and retire at 58 or 60 – like their civilian counterparts. 

However – owing to the steep pyramidal hierarchical organisational structure – a very small percentage get promoted to Flag Rank.

In the Civil Services 

–

  

you have Assured Career Progression (or ACP).

In the Defence Services 

–

  

owing to the poor career prospects due to the high possibility of supersession and consequent early retirement 

–

  

you have Assured Career Truncation (or ACT).

I do not have the exact figures 

–

 

but 

–

 

from what I have observed 

 

–

  

 

it seems that hardly 1% of the officers who join the Defence Services finally get promoted to Flag Rank

 

– 

whereas 

–

 

due to ACP and NFU 

–

 

in the Civil Services 

–

 

almost everyone becomes a Joint Secretary (equivalent to Flag Rank) before he or she retires 

– and gets monetary benefits too 

due to ACP and NFU.

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen retire much earlier – most retire after 15 years service at the prime of their life – in their mid-thirties – at around 35 years of age. 

It is not feasible to “settle” your children and complete your familial responsibilities at this young age – so they have no choice – and they have to take up a second career in the “civvy street”.

Officers are caught midway. 

If you want to truly “retire” on your superannuation date – then you must ensure that all your domestic commitments and familial obligations are complete well before you are 54 years of age.  

You must have your own “retirement home” to live in – and you must have enough savings to lead a decent retired life in these days of burgeoning inflation. 

And of course – most importantly – your children should have completed their studies – and must be settled in life.

If you can achieve all this before you retire – then you can indulge in the luxury of “doing nothing” after retirement – and lead a truly blissful retired life.

If you are in the Navy (or Army or Air Force) – it is best not to marry. 

If you are a Bachelor – you will be well looked after by the service. 

But if you do want to get married – please marry early – and have all your children as early as possible.

Calculating backwards – all your children must be settled in life by the time you reach the retirement age of 54.

This means that you must have all your kids before you reach the age of 30 (assuming that your youngest kid will complete his or her education and get a job by the age of 24).

This is the best case optimistic scenario – assuming that your children study well and are good at academics.

So – you must get married at the stipulated age of 25 (or even earlier if possible). 

Yes – for 

 

“doing nothing” after retirement 

–

 Army, Navy and Air Force Officers must get married as early as possible. 

And – they must have all their children as early as possible too.

Remember – for every child you have after you are 30 – you are putting pressure on your retired life – and you may not be able to afford the luxury of “doing nothing” after retirement.

Some officers marry late or have children late in life. 

I have seen a situation where children were still in school when an officer retired at the age of 54. 

The poor guy had no choice but to take up a job and spend many years of his retired life slogging it out in the “civvy street”.

Of course – if you are married to a “career woman” – then it is really great.

You can enjoy your retirement “doing nothing” while your “breadwinner” wife – she “brings home the bacon” and “puts bread on the table” – to speak metaphorically.

In this respect – Lady Defence Officers are luckier. 

At least in the contemporary societal context in India – where the concept of a “homemaker husband” is yet to take root – a Lady Officer is likely to be married to a “career man” – and she has the luxury of choosing when to “retire” and start “doing nothing”. 

It makes sense for Lady Officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force to marry Civilians – who will keep working till 60 years of age. 

Of course – even for Gentlemen Military Officers who choose to marry a career woman – it is better to marry someone outside the military profession – at least from the retirement point of view. 

The moral of the story is that military officers are at a disadvantage vis-à-vis their civilian counterparts – as far as retirement age is concerned.

If you are a civilian – you will retire at 60 – or later – and by that age – all your familial commitments are likely to be over  –and you can look forward to a blissful retired life – and you will get a higher pension too – due to the additional years of service you enjoy vis-à-vis your disadvantaged military counterpart.

There is great advantage for a military service officer to marry a civil services (IAS, IPS, IRS etc) lady officer – so that he can continue to enjoy benefits and perks of his spouse for a number of years after his own retirement.

Dear Reader – if you are a Military Officer – or are planning to join the Army, Navy or Air Force – remember that you are going to retire early.

It will be good if you can plan your life accordingly – so that you can enjoy the indulgence of “doing nothing” after your retirement.

And when people have the audacity to ask you the quintessential question: 

“What are you doing after retirement...?” 

You can nonchalantly, truthfully and matter-of-factly say: 

“I am doing nothing...”.

AFTERTHOUGHT 

WHY DO “FINANCIALLY SECURE” MILITARY VETERANS “WORK” AFTER RETIREMENT...?

There are some retired officers who are “financially secure” and who have completed all their familial obligations.

They can easily “make ends meet” within their pension.

But – they continue to work even after retirement.

Why is this...? 

Why do financially secure retired officers – who do not financially need to work to earn money – continue to work after retirement...?

I feel that there are 3 reasons why financially secure military veterans keep working after retirement:

1. They are “workaholics” – so – they are incapable of “doing nothing”.

2. They are “greedy” – and do not know when to say “enough is enough” as far as money is concerned. They are never happy with whatever material possessions they have got.

3. They are “not content” with what they have achieved in life – and they want to keep chasing elusive dreams and keep aspiring for more and more “success”. These persons are forever in the “rat race” constantly comparing with others – and either – they have “unrealistic expectations” of themselves – or – they suffer from an “inferiority complex”.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion from this afterthought is:

To be able to “do nothing” after retirement – you must be “happy” wherever you are – and – you must be “content” with whatever you have got.

Wish You a Happy Retired Life “Doing Nothing”.

Let Every Day of your Retired Life be a Blissful Holiday.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This is based on my personal experience. It may or may not work for you. So please do due diligence before trying out this technique or following this philosophy of life.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

Link to my source blog post: http://karvediat.blogspot.com/2017/12/retirement-means-doing-nothing.html 

This is a Revised, Updated and Abridged Version of My Lecture written more than 12 Years Ago and my Article Posted by me Vikram Karve at 1/21/2013 02:27:00 PM at url: http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2013/01/how-to-enjoy-retirement.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2014/11/fauji-life-early-retirement.html  and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2015/01/art-of-retirement.html and http://karvediat.blogspot.in/2017/01/retirement-means-doing-nothing.html