To You, Aunty
I’ve met a great number of inspiring people in my life - successful businessman, sports stars, models, writers and actors. All of them were extremely humble, generous and confident. However, there is one person who has left an indelible impression on me. She is the most soft spoken, poised, intelligent and wise human being I know. She is my mother-in-law’s friend - Harjit Kaur.
When I met her and had a one-to-one conversation, she told me about her husband who was paralyzed while dealing with chemicals in the laboratory. She took him to Delhi and stayed there for six months constantly working on his well being. I know, every wife does this, but her resolute and courage is mixed with a wave of positivity. No, she doesn’t portray it. She is positive from within. Words like pity and misery take a backseat in her dictionary. She redefines grace. From her, I’ve learned not only to face problems with courage, but also to embrace everything with a smile. A rare quality which is often penned in books. Many would stop at this point - they deal with a problem and move on. She doesn’t. She learns from it and shares her learnings with everyone. And, she is not preachy while doing so - a quality I absolutely adore.
Like every wise person, she exuberates positive vibes. There was a time when things were unsavory and in just one conversation, she gave me a gentle nudge towards the sunny side. First she admired me for the good things I was doing and applauded my spirit. Then she made me realize my inner strengths and how I was just a step away from overcoming my problems and realizing my dreams. That conversation is embedded in my memory. When you are with her, lessons are not a sermon - she brings forth your goodness and motivates you to harness it.
Her goodness doesn’t end in philosophy. I have seen her dealing with money and she is very wise in matters of money too. Once her husband donated six lacs to a Gurudwara in his native village. She was extremely graceful while dealing with it, as he donated it without discussing first. For her, wisdom is not in matters of managing money, it is the amount of happiness one derives from it. Trust me, that was the most toned down reaction I’ve seen from a wife. She is not only generous, but she reasons with other person’s feelings and respects them, and that too even in the matters of money.
This is not the end. Last year after her retirement, she learnt to operate internet and smartphone to be in touch with everybody. She is always on the lookout to learn and adapt to the modern times. She is constantly in touch with everyone on whatsapp. She sends messages to my husband every day. She even sends beautiful videos and ecards on special occasions. I wonder, would I have this passion when I will be of her age? She is a true example of aging gracefully.
Here's a snapshot of one of her messages -
To you Aunty or Rana Mausi, as you are lovingly called - you are #MadeOfGreat. I’ve learnt the true way of life from you. I adore and respect you, and this post is a gentle ‘thank you’ from my side for being there for us.
http://madeofgreat.tatamotors.com/
P. S. - What do you think of Tata Motors association with Lionel Messi? Share your views and the best comment wins.
P. S. - What do you think of Tata Motors association with Lionel Messi? Share your views and the best comment wins.
She seems wonderful Saru. Indeed made of great!
ReplyDeleteShe is... Thanks for reading, Kiran.
Deleteit's so wonderful to have such an inspiring women in life. A beautiful dedication to a wonderful lady.
ReplyDeleteThanks Raj :)
DeleteReading the whole stuff was pleasure Saru :) Wonderful lady..
ReplyDeleteThanks Anjali :)
DeleteEvery day heroes like Rana Mausi are there to remind us that there are still good and positive people around us,Saru:)
ReplyDeleteVery true :)
DeleteI think it's important for all of us to look around and hunt for inspiration...there's plenty of them lying around. I think the fact that she is not preachy re-emphasizes on the very aspect that there's a fine line of difference between being inspired and being influenced. An ode to our real life "heroes" indeed! :) I have always loved your blog-posts and this is no exception.
ReplyDeleteAlso, when it comes to any association or collaboration, I feel it's in effect mutual sharing of credentials. Messi is nothing less than a glowing epitome when it comes to foot-work and Tata Motors excels in the field of auto-mobiles, that's nothing less than sheer dominance in their respective areas of strength. The best in the business coming together does harbinger excellence of the highest order. It's a welcome move, and I am looking forward to this alliance :) All the best Saru!
You are so right about Messi. He is a perfect brand ambassador for them. Thank you for those charming words and for your wishes, Sammya. :)
DeleteShe seems very inspiring !
ReplyDeleteShe is :)
DeleteGreat to read.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes.
Thank you :)
DeleteIt was wonderful to know about this lovely lady. I loved the message that you have shared. Such a positive and endearing person! :)
ReplyDeleteHere’s my answer:
The association of Tata Motors and Lionel Messi is indeed an amazing one.When two heroes combine together, the result will surely be an extravagant one. Moreover, the name of Lionel Messi will instill a lot of trust and reliability in the mind of customers for Tata Motors because Messi is a great, dedicated and a hardworking sportsperson. People love and admire Messi for his single minded focus.
Therefore, the collaboration will surely be very beneficial for Tata Motors. With Messi's name associated with Tata Motors, people will find this brand more trustworthy for sure.
Well said, Purba. Thanks a bunch for reading and sharing your views. :)
DeleteYet another inspirational read, Saru.
ReplyDeleteMore so, because this one exudes positivism.
It is rare to come across such a gem of a person. :)
As for the expression of views towards the question, I would like to answer through a stanza or two of verse:
—
‘What drives us from within is what makes us great’
Belief in oneself, the zeal to put up a brave face,
In the face of adversity, to stand strong against fate,
That’s how life is – it’s an excellent goal to chase!
To create a name for oneself, from the soil your feet dampen,
To let critics enhance your effort, not let your spirits dampen,
It’s the journey that counts, more than having scaled the peak,
To persevere so that it’s your actions that have the loudest shriek!
—
To sum up, I feel that this age old adage rings true whenever I think of this beautiful alliance of an Indian Global Brand – Tata Motors and a Global Argentinian Sportsperson – Lionel Messi
“Our Similarities bring us to a common ground; Our Differences allow us to be fascinated”
That realization is truly #madeofgreat. :)
WOW, what a beautiful way to answer that question.
DeleteThank you so much for sharing your views, Poonam :)
'Iron lady' huh! Great. She definitely inspire many souls, with her powerful qualities. You are very lucky to have such a company.
ReplyDeleteFor the question,
Passion is a driving force behind both Messi and Tata motors. It energises the former to be a passionate footballer, scoring goals and winning matches for his country and pushes the latter to come up with innovative yet technocratic machines enabling the racers to hit the roads with unexplainable happiness.
'Iron Lady' was the working title. :)
DeleteAnd well said about the association, Gowthama!
Hi Saru you have indeed portrayed the lady so well and indeed the lady is #MadeOfGreat The post is very inspirational
ReplyDeleteReading your post and that is not for the first time I must confess that you seem to have a X-Ray vision the way you scan, analyze and portray people its amazing with this trait of yours every post becomes interesting
As for my answer
The association of Tata Motors with Lionel Messi is that of two greats just like Like Lionel Messi has been exceptionally talented who with his hard work, determination and sacrifices has got better and tougher in his chosen sport so is the Image, reputation and quality of TATA Motors that have transformed brilliant ideas into masterpieces of engineering and created a brand and products that we are so proud of as Indians. Lionel Messi has transformed his body and the mind body co-ordination into a masterpiece of precision and excellence it would not be wrong to say that Lionel Messi is the TATA Motors of sports where as TATA Motors is the Lionel Messi of vehicles both giants in their own spheres driven by the drive to excel and lead by example.
That's a very well crafter reply. And thanks a bunch for your kind words, Alok :)
DeleteThere are so many characters like aunty ji who think , who dares for others but we can not recognize them . The people like her makes the world beautiful and a place to live happily.
ReplyDeleteTrue that, they are real heroes. Thanks for reading.
DeleteYour aunt is awesome.
ReplyDeleteAlso i feel every know Lionel Messi has a global impact.Even if you are not a football fan,you accept he is a great hardworking man. Tata Motors has surely taken a great step.
Right, we all appreciate with hardworking people. Thanks for reading. :)
DeleteYour Mausi seems awesome Saru di. People like her make lives for many easy and make world a beautiful place. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the answer to the contest question:
Lionel Messi, currently the undisputed king of the football arena, (ronaldo is awesome but Messi seems to be winning the battle these days) faced a significant challenge to his footie future while growing up.At the age of 13 he was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency which threatened his professional career even before it began. But with a bit of barca support and a lot of belief in his capability, Messi did reach where he once dreamed of reaching - Best player in the world. His passion for football drove him to excellence and that is exactly why TATA Motor's has associated with Messi for the Made of Great campaign. The campaign stands for 'What drives us from within is what makes us great' and who could be a better face to this campaign than Messi specially if you wish to appeal the youth today.
True that, Vaisakhi. And thank you so much for a beautiful answer.
DeleteGood people deserve to be respected and remembered throughout our lives.
ReplyDeleteAnd I appreciate you for for not just limiting your love for them by keeping it in your heart, but making them famous also...!
Very true and thanks for a lovely comment.
DeleteSo well presented the Post describing the greatness of the very much loved personality.. The description just fits in the deepest feeling you carry for her within.. As usual this is one of the Classic Presentations of your Writings.. Best wishes to all of you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Sir. :)
DeleteYour post describes #madeofgreat so well that it has winner written all over it. Good luck for your entry.
ReplyDeleteHere is my answer.
Like minds think and act alike looking at the track record of TATA Motors it has stood the test of time and built a business that was built using bricks of hard work on a foundation of trust. Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the trademarks of brand TATA Motors. These same qualities are present in Lionel Messi who with his immense talent has made a mark for himself on the international football field .Facing all hardships he has worked hard toiling on the fields and in training sessions facing injuries and pressure to come out trumps and be a winner. Thus these two greats Lionel Messi and TATA Motors are made for each other .There association is a bond of two legends
In case you pick me a winner my email id is : princess09hema@gmail.com
Fingers crossed :)
Hemaa, you have summarized it so well. Thanks for sharing your views and your wishes.
Deletethat was a nice write up about your driving and inspiring force.
ReplyDeleteThen, here’s my answer for the legendary assioction between Tata Motors and Lionel Messie:
Tata motors being the first Indian brand to associate itself with an international sports icon is truly being envied!. Yes! When two people with identical qualities merge, the brand power increases enormously. Just as expected Tata Motors is tasting it by the reach and vibrations it has created with its association with Lionel Messie.
With both’s determination, dedication and power to conquer in their respective fields- their collaboration is surely a big hit and #madeofgreat indeed
and if you haven't read mine..please drop in at
https://wordpress.com/post/jeydv.wordpress.com/620 and comment
Indeed, when two brands come together, it's huge. Thanks for reading.
DeleteShe sounds like a great person.
ReplyDeleteShe is. :)
DeleteTruly stumped by her positivity. Something to learn today :) I feel lucky to have such people in my life too
ReplyDeleteHer msgs exude her vibrancy + positivity
Hope her husband gets better soon...
He is better now. Not fully recovered though.
Deleteshe is an inspiring personality, mostly elder people think they are neglected as they fail to adept to new ways, she learned new things and became a person 'jo hamesha yaad aa jaate hain'
ReplyDeleteMessi and Tata Motors both are driven by a promise to excel and give their 100% on the field, their association is like a football and sport shoe which if joined in right direction a goal is evident. They are perfect match for each other owing to international acceptance of both the brands i.e Tata Motors and Lionel Messi.
My #madeofgreat post The Teacher From Bihar
Yes, they do have international acceptance. And both are huge brands. Thanks a ton for reading.
DeleteYours is a very well written post your .Its is a very nice description of #madeofgreat
ReplyDeleteTATA Motors is a brand associated with performance, endurance and excellence. These words are also synonymous with Lionel Messi who plays as a forward and weaves his magic on the football field.Just as Lionel Messi is considered the best footballer in the world ,TATA motors which is Indias premier automotive manufacturer gives wheels to the people of India with its wide range of vehicles. Both believe in excelling in whatever they do and set examples for others to follow. They compliment each other as both are reliable trustworthy and leaders thus Lionel Messi is the natural choice as the brand ambassador of TATA Motors
Please consider me as a winner
Email: yagneshbjoshi10099@gmail.com
They do complement each other. Thanks for reading.
DeleteYour post defines #madeofgreat to the hilt.Very well written and interesting post indeed.
ReplyDeleteMy Answer
Tata Motors is a brand that makes durable vehicles, with its MADE IN INDIA mark makes every Indian proud. It is a brand seen globally as Trusted, Reliable, Innovative and at the forefront of technology. In its journey since inception it has overcome all odds, competition, and adversities with grit and determination. These same qualities are associated with Lionel Messi who was very talented and hardworking from a very early age. With each game that he played he kept improving his skills and built a career to become one of the best player of professional football. There qualities make both TATA Motors and Lionel Messi giants who perfectly compliment each other and Lionel Messi the right and perfect Ambassador who stands for the same values that TATA Motors does.
Contact : bhuwan198grover@gmail.com
That's a very well crafted answer. Thanks a ton for sharing your views.
DeleteYour post defines #madeofgreat to the hilt. Goodluck for the contest
ReplyDeleteMy answer is:
Authenticity, reliability, simplicity, as well as its commitment to innovation are the pillars of strength on which TATA have built a brand that has put India on the global map. It is a brand that has stood the test of time just like Lionel Messi who tackles opposition on the field with his skill,agility,strategy,brilliance and raw power to reach and score a goal so has been the track record of TATA motors who has become a brand leader and a global giant. These qualities make TATA Motors and Lionel Messi perfect partners who stand for the same set of values thus Lionel Messi is the perfect brand ambassador to represent TATA Motors.
Hope my best to be a winner here; do contact me for the prize at mahima2014j@gmail.com
fingers crossed
Yeah, both share same positive values. Thanks for sharing your views, Mahima.
DeleteTata Motors has earned the goodwill from giving the best and innovative Automobiles and it is also known as one the best Automobile Manufactures. And if you see the Lionel Messi , his throughout dedication, zeal , targeted goal of life and technically soundness make him big, achiever and remarkable position in the world.
ReplyDeleteAs per me, the association of Tata Motors and Messi is a grand amalgamation of two legendary entities of the world, and their amalgamation will definitely break down the clutters and affect the cut throat competition of Tata Motors. Tata motors will sure get a huge preference by the fans of Messi. This will sure make a record of Tata motors in the world of production or may be the highest selling automobiles.
Tata motor’s main target is to give an impression on the large amount of crowd and this can be achieved only through the Messi, because the youth generation is crazy for MESSI and this can be smart move and a great achievement for Tata Motors they positioned MESSI as their BRAND AMBASSADOR .
In the nutshell, Tata Motors , Messi joining hands will definitely give more soundness in technicality of promotional strategies and Messi’s influence will influence the audience for choosing Tata Motors and expand the business drastically.
And Best of luck for you.
Thanks for a wonderful comment and for your wishes. Fingers crossed.
DeleteTata Motors, born in 1945, 60,000 employee strength, $42 billion turnover, is a part of $100 billion Tata group found by Jamsetji Tata in 1868. Tata Motors motto of sustainability and the spirit of 'giving back to society' is a core philosophy.
ReplyDeleteLionel Messi, born in 1987, was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency as a child but did not take it as a disadvantage but made it his advantage. With his relatively short height, Messi enjoys a lower center of gravity compared to the tall players and with this he changes directions quickly, dribble at speed and thus score at will. Tata Motors with Nano on one end of the price spectrum and JLR on the end of spectrum, has a similar ability of agility in product segmentation, and thus scoring at will.
Both Tata Motor and Lionel Messi have philanthropy as their common DNA. While everyone in India knows about the generosity of the Tata group not many are aware of the generous side of Messi who has contributed time and finance for UNICEF and also has founded the Leo Messi Foundation, which supports access to health care, education, and sport for children.
Both Lionel Messi and Tata Motors are honest in their approach and neither Lionel Messi will start biting nor will Tata Motors manipulate emission norms for a few more goals or a little more profit.
So, my opinion the coming together of the two is greatness attracts greatness to achieve greater success, and make the world a much better place.
I was not aware of these many facts about Tata Motors. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteShe seems to be awesome lady Saru :) All the best!
ReplyDeleteShe is and thanks Saurabh. I hope I win, fingers crossed.
DeleteAn awesome story indeed! Thanks for sharing. As for my thoughts on the partnership-
ReplyDeleteInspiration,
Dedication,
Discipline,
Commitment,
Trust,
Loyalty,
Excellence,
Legacy,
Immortality.
These are not mere words but a part of our soul. Not just the ones that we carry around in our individual bodies but that supreme soul that binds us all together in this universe. That is why we teach our children values and morals so that these little pockets of our souls do not die away. But when we look around at our modern day lifestyle and society,it leaves a lot to be desired, right? Wrong :) I would say,as long as we have even 1 shred of humanity left,there is a ray of sunshine and that is what we see here.
I am inspired by your story just as I am inspired by the stories of Tata Motors and Lionel Messi. As I said above about humanity and ray of sunshine, it is very few icons left in this world who make me feel that way. Both Tata and Messi definitely make it to this short list.
When we talk about Tata Motors,we talk about the pride that every Indian feels because this is our truly global brand, a brand with a soul, with every product made to help us fly. This is a corporate behemoth that has not amassed its fortunes at the cost of the little man but by being a part of the very grassroots. The legacy of excellence and giving back to the society selflessly is so ingrained in Tata DNA that it has become part of folklore. Even today,in any Indian home, the moment a son/daughter gains employment in a Tata company, nobody talks about salary or CTC, they just thank their lucky stars that they are a part of Tata family. The very soul of India resides in Tata. Tata Motors has taken these very same values global, making Indians proud of what they represent. 'Look,we represent excellence, with a dollop of old world values, with love and respect' !
When we look at Messi, we see a boy with dreams in his eyes and a man who has put everything he had in making them come true, and he did! With singleminded focus,dedication and hardwork, he has managed to outdo every obstacle he faced since his birth personally, healthwise and family financial situation wise. Every obstacle became just another step for him to grow and reach up the sky. And still, every time he walks out on the field, he plays with the same agility, alarcity and a a hunger to prove himself as if it is his first game! He hasn't achieved his demi-God status without superhuman efforts.
When these two demi-Gods of their respective fields come together, there are bound to be fireworks and that is exactly what it is! Purely from a corporate point of view, there are rare instances when we see such a perfect fit form. It can be called a divine sign that a symbol of vibrancy and dynamism like no other has taken shape with the partnership of Tata Motors and Lionel Messi. More than a mere advertising gambit,it is an amalgamation of those perhaps 'lost' values that the world needs more of,now more than ever. Maybe the Gods are finally happy!
Prajakta Sinha
sinpra11@gmail.com
WOW, you have worded it so beautifully. Thanks for sharing your views.
DeleteSaru, It was nice knowing your Mausi. She truly is #madeofgreat.
ReplyDelete‘What drives us from within is what makes us great’, This is the founding principle behind the overall brand association between Argentinian Football Maestro Lionel Messi and Automobile Giant Tata Motors. The overall #madeofgreat campaign is made upon a clear cut vision of seeking excellence along with self-belief.
Tata Motors and Lionel Messi, both are the ones people look up to get inspired. Lionel Messi is an amazingly renowned player with huge fan following across the world While Tata Motors is an Indian company which has achieved global distinction in past decades and appeals as a company with immense potential. Tata Motors stands at a path defining phase of its evolution story with some overwhelming produts planned in future. Lionel Messi with a global appeal complements Tata Motors.
Thus the association is truly #madeofgreat. Legend and Talent have come together to make a truly fantastic combination. The collaboration will be a win-win for both.
I may be reached at https://twitter.com/adityakt
She is and thanks for a beautiful comment.
DeleteBeautiful post!
ReplyDeleteIt's quite amaing where they all find their strength, no? We have a lot to learn and at that age, i hope, i will have the power and mind to be going as well as they do!
here's to more amazing posts! :)
Now onto why tata choice is top notch:
I think Tata have hit their ace game with this association with Messi!
There is no better footballer in the world today than Messi himself, likewise there is no better company worldwide that is better than tata!
Messi's ability to quickly maneuver with the ball past the other team' defence is just as slick as the tata cars' ability to easily maneuver past all the other cars in road race.
Just like messi's vision, to see a player making a run, to play the perfect ball to create a goal scoring opportunity, Tata's ability to envision the future and see what people will want and deliver it every single time is amazing!
Just like how Messi has won multiple player of the year awards, tata has also won multiple awards over the years for amazing performance.
And last but not the least, just like how messi never gets tired on the field, tata keeps going and never stops !
Messi, for sure, IS the BEST choice tata could have gone with :)
mail ID is : anush.rajasekaran@gmail.com
We find at places we least expect. Or, atleast that was in my case.
DeleteThanks for a lovely answer.
Tata Motors' association with Lionel Messi spells a significantly notable alliance that will steer the company towards favourable benefits. I always acknowledge Tata Motors as a distinctive name in Auto industry, which will not let the success 'larger-than life' elude from its fate now with a timeless guild with iconic figure Messi. I don't see this union of Tata Motors as an aspirational effort for garnering some quick publicity and evoke specific reaction from myriad crowd with Celeb branding, but is rightly an embellished handshake for keeping up the pace to get to the pinnacle of success graph. To sum things up, I am joyous to see the brand and the star uniting for 'One in a Million' #madeofgreat power-packed drive ahead :)
ReplyDeleteShilpa Bindlish
shilpa.bindlish@gmail.com
I agree on this 'One in a Million' drive. Thanks for reading, Shilpa.
DeleteShe seems like a really lovely and inspirational lady :). Truly Made of Great :D.
ReplyDeleteShe is truly great!
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ReplyDelete