Today I enjoyed a slow walk on Boat Club Road. I observed the majestic trees which I did not pay attention to for the last 20 years of walking on the same street. Each tree expresses itself uniquely through its solid trunks, strong branches and their direction, exotic leaves and then beautifully designed flowers. Some of the trees act as large ‘hotels’ for insects and birds. Some trees provide their shoulders to other weaker plant that have weaker trunks. The sleek and weaker creepers are able to climb up to 40 feet and are able to get their food from sun.
I touched 14 trees and tried to feel them. Some trees are over 100 years or 200 years old. They have seen and experienced more history than most of us and kept secrets within themselves.
I experience the power of a slow walk with no pressure on counting steps. I just sat down looking up to see the beauty of each tree. They have grown over 50 feet high. Some are growing upwards and some are growing horizontally to provide shade to humans. They just stand there without any expectation, contributing to humanity year after year.
This morning, I started with a cloudy day and we were enjoying our morning tea with rusks. The weather turned better and it started raining.
I was amazed to observe the cycle of rains resulting in great crops in the field. I admired the cycle of nature – sun’s energy along with water and the natural force of plants, produces so much for humanity.
The thoughts further created a question – What is wealth and how did it get created? 1. All wealth is created by nature. 2. Nature creates wealth through agriculture and minerals. There is no other way to create primary wealth. 3. Trading of this primary wealth by multiple transactions creates secondary wealth. 4. Secondary wealth surplus gets invested into building safety and home conveniences. 5. Secondary wealth surplus invested in education, research and innovation have created multiple technologies resulting in various professions and industries. Each profession and industry then started driving Tertiary wealth.
This means all the wealth in the world gets created by farming and mineral extraction from Mother Nature. The irony is that today a farmer is the most poor of this chain while all wealth is residing in the hands of ‘Value adders’.
1. School Teacher – 40,000 to 80,000 2. Teaching Assistant – 50,000 to 60,000 3. Assistant Professor – 90,000 to 110,000 4. Associate Professor – 130,000 to 150,000 5. Tenured Professor – 175,000 to 195,000 6. Doctor – 225,000 to 275,000 7. Specialist Doctor – 250,000 to 400,000 8. Lawyer – 250,000 to 400,000
These are the average salaries varying from $40,000 to $400,000.
Does it have any relation to the beginning of inequalities in our society?
Does it have any relation to modern caste/race system in framing?
A young man in his mid-twenties knocks on the door of a renowned Guru. He says: “I’ve come to you because I wish to study the Vedas.”
“Do you know Sanskrit?” the Guru asks.
“No,” replies the young man.
“Have you studied any Indian philosophy?”
“No. But don’t worry. I just finished my doctoral dissertation at Harvard on logic. So now, I would just like to round up my education with a little study of the Vedas.”
Article: Published on June 1, 2020 Amazing story of ‘what is the right problem?’
A young man in his mid-twenties knocks on the door of a renowned Guru. He says: “I’ve come to you because I wish to study Vedas.”
“Do you know Sanskrit?” the Guru asks.
“No,” replies the young man.
“Have you studied any Indian philosophy?”
“No. But don’t worry. I just finished my doctoral dissertation at Harvard on logic. So now, I would just like to round up my education with a little study of the Vedas.”
“I doubt,” the Guru says, “that you are ready to study the Vedas. It is the deepest knowledge ever known. If you wish, however, I am willing to examine you in logic, and if you pass that test I will teach you the Vedas.”
The young man agrees.
The Guru holds up two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face; the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
The young man stares at the Guru. “Is that really a test in logic?”
The Guru nods.
“The one with the dirty face washes his face,” he answers confidently.
“Wrong. The one with the clean face washes his face. Examine the logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So, the one with the clean face washes his face.”
“Very clever,” the young man says. “Give me another test.”
The Guru again holds up two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face and the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
“We have already established that. The one with the clean face washes his face.”
“Wrong. Each one washes his face. Examine the logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. So, the one with the clean face washes his face. When the one with the dirty face sees the one with the clean face wash his face, he also washes his face. So, each one washes his face.”
“I didn’t think of that,” says the young man. It’s shocking to me that I could make an error in logic. Test me again.”
The Guru holds up two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face; the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
“Each one washes his face.”
“Wrong. Neither one washes his face. Examine the logic. The one with the dirty face looks at the one with the clean face and thinks his face is clean. The one with the clean face looks at the one with the dirty face and thinks his face is dirty. But when the one with the clean face sees the one with the dirty face doesn’t wash his face, he also doesn’t wash his face. So, neither one washes his face.”
The young man is desperate. “I am qualified to study the Vedas. Please give me one more test.”
He groans, though, when the Guru lifts two fingers. “Two men come down a chimney. One comes out with a clean face; the other comes out with a dirty face. Which one washes his face?”
“Neither one washes his face.”
*“Wrong. Do you now see why logic is an insufficient basis for studying the Vedas? Tell me, how is it possible for two men to come down the same chimney, and for one to come out with a clean face and the other with a dirty face? Don’t you see? The whole question is nonsense, foolishness, and if you spend your whole life trying to answer foolish questions, all your answers will be foolish, too.”*
That’s why having wisdom is more important than having logic…
One of the greatest creations of humankind is language. Language is by itself complex, comprising multiple grammatical rules, writing techniques, and different writing styles such as poetry and prose.
Language is the outcome of wonderful design. The greatness of its design is that it is sustainable and indeed, future-proof. An apt example of such sustainable timeless designs is that of the Indian languages. They are quite extraordinary and unique when compared to the other languages spoken across the world.
#design #designthinking #sodt
Article: Published on May 7, 2020 Codifying language
Bringing order to sound
One of the greatest creations of humankind is language. Language is by itself complex, comprising multiple grammatical rules, writing techniques, and different writing styles such as poetry and prose.
Language is the outcome of wonderful design. The greatness of its design is that it is sustainable and indeed, future-proof. An apt example of such sustainable timeless designs is that of the Indian languages. They are quite extraordinary and unique when compared to the other languages spoken across the world.
Language groups in the Indian subcontinent
The languages spoken in this subcontinent, especially their written form, can be grouped into two broad categories. Devanagiri script, that is popularly seen in languages such as Sanskrit, Hindi, Marathi and other languages, has its origins from the Brahmi script. Interestingly, it is said to be visually similar to the script of South Indian languages that are said to be based on Nandinagari script.
If you observe any language closely, you would notice that they consist of several vowels and many consonants. For example, almost all Indian languages have vowels such as A, Aa, E, Ee, U, Ooh and consonants that include Ka, Kha, Ga, Gha and so on.
An interesting pattern
Have you noticed an interesting pattern here? This is about grouping certain consonants in one sequence and grouping few others in the next. This grouping is done based on what parts of the vocal chords are used to utter the consonants.
For example, the first sequence involves consonants such as Ka, Kha, Ga, and Gha. A major effort here involves the usage of the epiglottis only and not the tongue.
The next sequence involves consonants such as Cha, ChCha, Ja, and Jha. To utter every consonant, you have to hit the tongue to the roof of the mouth. The next sequence involves the consonants Ṭa, Ṭha, Ḍa, and Ḍha. A substantial effort will involve using the epiglottis as well as the tongue to hit the roof of the mouth hard. The next sequence is Ta, Tha, Da, and Dha. All of these consonants require more or less similar effort. The final piece involves the consonants Pa, Pha, Ba, Bha, and Ma. Here there is a need to open and close the lips each time to utter these consonants.
The creator of the language system has observed this carefully and placed similar consonants together so as to improve the receptivity of the learner.
Indian languages were developed thousands of years ago but imagine how a simple design phenomenon of patterns has gone into its genesis! Languages have not only flourished for ages, but have helped in the creation of timeless literature, novels and epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana and holy books like the Bhagwad Gita, to name a few.
For anything to become sustainable and flourish for ages to come, design is critical.
The author is also a deep researcher of culture, tradition and social fabric that shaped the thinking of different communities and faith systems. He works closely with the Gram Panchayat system to bring a design mindset for sustainable change. His years of research work in connecting Design Thinking elements in various sectors is now captured in a comprehensive book UnMukt: Science and Art of Design Thinking which can be downloaded for free
Today, I was conducting a Design Thinking Workshop for one of the top law firms in Mumbai. In Design Thinking, we identify 5 frictional forces that need awareness for effective problem solving – DCAFE – Doubt, Conflict, Anger, Fear and Ego.
We define Conflict as
A. Difference of Opinion
B. Difference of Perspective
C. Difference of Expectations
We also understand that for any creativity, we need all the above three ingredients in a team.
Thus, creativity and conflict are two sides of the same coin.
Then why should we call it Dispute Management Practice, when it accentuates a ‘win-lose’ mindset in both parties.
Why can’t we call it ‘Creative Solutioning for Managing Differences’?
Today is a significant day as we celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day to commemorate the historic Constitution Act (73rd Amendment) passed in 1992 which came into existence a year later on April 24, 1993. The launch of the e-GramSwaraj portal and app today makes this a doubly important day. The portal shows us the vastness of India’s local governance framework.
We have over 2.66 lakh Gram Panchayats across the length and breadth of our country. This is where ‘the rubber hits the road’ and this is where, as Gandhiji said, India lives. On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we at #MissionSamriddhi launched the India Panchayat Forum (IPF) at Gandhi Ashram, Sewagram in Wardha. I felt that the 73rd Amendment that provided a Constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institution is yet to realise its full potential.
On this significant day, let us work with them and help them achieve effective local governance, and become examples to the world.
#ruralindia #IndiaPanchayatForum
Article: Published on April 24, 2020 National Panchayati Raj Day
Today is a significant day as we celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day to commemorate the historic Constitution Act (73rd Amendment) passed in 1992 which came into existence a year later on April 24, 1993. The launch of the e-GramSwaraj portal and app today makes this a doubly important day. The portal shows us the vastness of India’s local governance framework.
We have over 2.66 lakh Gram Panchayats across the length and breadth of our country. This is where ‘the rubber hits the road’ and this is where, as Gandhiji said, India lives. On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, we at #MissionSamriddhi launched the India Panchayat Forum (IPF) at Gandhi Ashram, Sewagram in Wardha. I felt that the 73rd Amendment that provided a Constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institution is yet to realise its full potential. The need for the India Panchayat Forum stems from this gap and is envisioned to promote the Gandhian vision of Panchayat Raj. This upholds the constitutional values, social justice and the highest standards of governance with a special focus on Antyodaya.
In our federal structure, our Gram Panchayats are the unsung heroes. Devolution of power to local government continues to be a contentious issue, but the launch of this portal ensures transparency, and thereby a level playing field. Each Panchayat has different challenges, and most do come up with innovative solutions.
On this significant day, let us work with them and help them achieve effective local governance, and become examples to the world.
Today is a great day as Tamil Nadu celebrates Tamil New Year, Kerala celebrates Vishu and Punjab celebrates Baisakhi. The day is also celebrated as Pana Sankranti in Odisha, Pohela Boishakh in West Bengal and Bihu in Assam. Some of these States also celebrate the harvest festival today.
When we think of festivals and celebrations, the thought of food cannot be far behind. However, in this time of national lockdown due to the global pandemic, food sources have become scarce. While for many people, this period allows them to spend quality time with their families, it has also increased the efforts of women who ‘work for home’ and ‘who work from home’, and thus juggle their time between the kitchen and the laptop.
I am reminded of a wonderful Design analogy that I have shared in my Design Thinking workshops. In the current context, this analogy seems appropriate to be shared with you again.
Let’s start with a question Can we utilize constraints for a positive outcome? I believe we definitely can! Design Thinking advocates see constraints as friends when leveraged effectively.
Much of South Indian food is based on flour-based batter that ferments pretty soon due to the temperature. However, South Indians have come up with a unique process of using batter across extended periods just by changing the design of food around this.
Make friends with fermentation!
Let me expand this further.
What are the possible design objectives of the food chain? It should have (a) Nutrition (b) Variety in taste (c) Ease of cooking (d) Easy to digest and (e) Minimum wastage.
A deeper look at South Indian food Let’s examine some food varieties such as dosa, idli, utthapam, different varieties of rice and gravies such as sambhar, in the light of the above parameters. There are insightful observations that revolve around interesting innovations and design elements.
The Dosa batter has the right mix of proteins and carbohydrates with pre-mixed portions of 1/3 dal and 2/3 rice as input/ingredients and this gives the essential nutrition
In Sambhar, one can mix any kind of vegetable from potato, tomato, pumpkin to okra along with spices. These items not only impart taste to the food but also provide essential nutritional value.
Variety is the spice of life, right? The same dosa batter can later be used to create other items, such as idli, utthapam, paniyaram and so on, based on the fermentation level – and as the days go by.
Simplicity is component based cooking. For example, when you cook rice, you can make multiple varieties of flavoured rice, such as curd rice, tamarind rice, sambhar rice, coconut rice, lemon rice, etc. The major part of cooking is done once in the morning and for each serving of a meal, very little work is left to be completed.
Easy on digestion: Pre-fermentation of proteins and carbohydrates help in easy digestion. The job is already half done even before it enters the mouth!
Almost zero wastage: The dosa batter can be used for multiple days till it is exhausted. Boiled left over rice can be used for multiple recipes including recipes for the next morning. One can even just add a single okra into Sambhar without it getting wasted.
The chances of so many design elements coming together cannot be a part of the evolution of food chain. Initial thinkers, who simplified many elements in human lives, must have applied their thinking in simplifying the food chain.
Food is essential to sustain life. In the current scenario, where food is scarce, leveraging batter-based foods like idly, dosa and utthapam helps in cutting down on boredom by bringing variety and helps the women at home.
Have you relished any food or heard about any cuisine that has an interesting design aspect to it? I would like to hear your thoughts
And people stayed home and read books and listened and rested and exercised and made art and played and learned new ways of being and stopped and listened deeper someone meditated someone prayed someone danced someone met their shadow and people began to think differently and people healed and in the absence of people who lived in ignorant ways, dangerous, meaningless and heartless, even the earth began to heal and when the danger ended and people found each other grieved for the dead people and they made new choices and dreamed of new visions and created new ways of life and healed the earth completely just as they were healed themselves.
Kathleen O’Meara, pen name Grace Ramsay, was an Irish-French Catholic writer and biographer during the late Victorian era.
This poem appeared in her second novel ‘Iza’s Story’, which was about the struggle of Polish patriots against Russian, Austrian and German occupation. The book compares the Polish-Russian situation to the Irish-British situation and praises the revolt of a small nation against a great neighbour.
1. Must think about perpetuity… Many a times, we don’t think from that perspective. 2. Any initiative should be self-propelled by the community, perhaps after an initial catalysing effort. 3. For it to be self-propelled, the initiative should have an overarching purity of purpose that is inclusive. 4. So, it is very essential to identify those forces that propel the initiative. There are 3 forces that drive human beings: a. Economic returns b. Social contribution/Recognition c. Spiritual/Compassion. 5. This ‘purity of purpose’ is what is of a higher nature because it addresses a greater problem that affects the majority. 6. Finally, such a perpetual initiative and self-propelling are embraced by all because its impact strikingly touches everyone – beneficiary and contributor alike.
Hello, my name is Arun Jain. I am a design thinker living in Chennai, India. This is my blog, where I post my thoughts, technology trends and tips about the fintech world and many more.
