Decided forum

 I was part of a two day meeting recently. Most of the meeting comprised of presentations and videos of various achievements and strategies of the various provinces across the region.  However, there were two sessions, in the afternoons, titled 'Open Forum'. 

Most of the participants were familiar with one another, and attending this programme for the second time in as many years.  As for me, I was attending this gathering for the first time, outside the Province. At one point, during the Open forum, I made a proposal citing a similar effort already underway, as the same initiative proposed earlier in the day.  I did not oppose the initiative proposed or negate the plan.  All that I proposed was that we could converge efforts and minds, because the methodology and the end result were exactly - EXACTLY - the same!  

However, what happened immediately after I made the proposal was really something I was not prepared for.  The reaction to that proposal soon made it clear to me that the planned initiative and the whole meeting was a highly isolated and individual effort.  This enterprise spanned everything but did not want anyone or anything else to touch it - leave alone, assist or impact it.   

Far from being a Open forum, it appeared to me as a 'Decided Forum'! 

Different purposes

 On my recent flight from Hyderabad to Delhi, I couldn't but pay attention to the in-flight announcements, especially by the Captain and the flight crew head.  While I barely could understand what the Captain spoke, the crew head's message was a little more understandable.  I couldn't help but compare the announcements with newsreading. 

A newsreader spells out the words in order for the hearer to grasp and understand.  An inflight announcement is to fulfill an obligation.  The former's whole endeavour is to articulate the message in as clear way as possible.  The latter has no such responsibility to articulate a communication (flight safety and convenience, being the priorities).  

Output to outcome!

 I'm attending the Mission Poverty Eradication, Rewind 2026 episode in Delhi since yesterday. 

Among the few significant aspects that the learnings of the two year enterprise that have struck me, the one that really caught my attention is the following fact: reflection. 

Although not still clear of the focus of this initiative, at least in terms of the methodology and procedure, more than the goal, I should say I'm fully with the ultimate purpose of this initiative: that we need to focus our attention on the poorest of the poor. 

Another aspect: Shifting from output to outcome.  The shift from asking "How many have we trained?" (output) to asking, "What has changed in the lives of those we have trained?" (outcome)

Morning miracle

 On 8 September 2026, the birthday of Mother Mary, three miracles happened in my own personal life: 

1. I woke up (thanks be to God, for the gift of life!) 
2. I woke up, by myself, without the alarm ringing (that has rarely happened!) 
3. I woke up, by myself, in time for Mass (that's the real miracle!)

Values and context in Vocation Promotion

 For quite some time a thought has been doing the rounds in my own mind, with regard to vocation promotion.  In particular, vocation promotion by myself, close at home!  I've been asking myself if I'd feel comfortable and confident to invite my own nephew or niece to join the Salesians, as a Priest or Brother and Sister.  

To be honest, I am neither comfortable nor confident in offering that invitation.  Nonetheless, I would still not mind speaking about this possibility to them, but with a rider: Join, only if you are willing to be true to your basic values and not fold up to the pressures which are in plenty and enticing too!  

Looking back and counting my blessings, especially those which have helped me keep myself steady and strong, I count the values inculcated in me by my parents and the context in which this was done as one of the most powerful one. While my parents hard work and determination was inspirational, their struggles were not hidden from my brother and I.  Their example and the financial situation of the times helped me grow without being shy of engaging in hard manual work.  

While I have no doubt about the values my nephew and niece witness at home, I seriously wonder if they are used to living a hard difficult life, not just without moaning about it, but joyfully embracing it as an opportunity for growth. That they may actually embrace the challenge is a possibility; but I also fear our present comfort level in the religious life is too enticing and tempting. 

I also need to remind myself that a vocation is initially God's call. So He who calls, also equips! 

AI and the mosquito bat

 A few months ago, I bought a tennis bat sold on street corners to kill mosquitoes. Those who have used these bats know that this can be electrically charged and used to 'shock and awe' mosquitoes.  However, prior to this purchase and use, I've spent days and months and years killing mosquitoes with hands... at times with just one hand. And I was good at this hand-killing!! 

But of late I noticed, that my hand-killing skill has gone dull or weak.  Relying on the electric bat has significantly reduced my reliance on using hands alone to catch and kill mosquitoes.  What began as an added tool, soon became the only 'skill' I knew.  

I guess this same is what can be applied to incessant use of AI in life and works. Using the support of AI certainly enhances the quality of our work; but relying solely on AI for any specific task or all tasks, severely hampers natural skills and talents.  

The calculator was an additional tool to help us calculate large numbers and figures.  Unfortunately, some of us now reach for the calculator to calculate 8 times 8!! Heavy and total reliance on the calculator has divested us of our ability to calculate even simple sums and mathematical calculations.  Let it not be said of our generation that complete reliance on AI has cost us our ability to think and reflect.  

Shrinking attention span

 The human capacity for paying attention has been shrinking rapidly, furthered to a great extent by the great advances made in communication technology.  

In cricket, Test matches running into 5 days were the craze.  Then came the One-day matches.  That transition took some time.  But the next phase of T20 was quick and brutal.  While those who love cricket genuinely and play the game know the worth of a Test match endurance and quality, most spectators would any day prefer a T20 game over a Test. 

In the entertainment field there were long movies, screened only in theatres.  That was the only place one could watch movies.  Then came the television and other platforms where one could watch old movies from the comfort of one's living room.  Then came sweeping the 'reels-era'. Now most people are addicted to scrolling reels on their mobile phones.  Not just in one's own living room, but anywhere and everywhere and every given time!  Movies lasted 2 to 3 hours. Now reels last not more than a minute.  

For information, one had to read newspapers.  Today printed newspapers are hardly subscribed for.  There are ample apps which provide 'news bits'. Just a para or a couple of lines.  That is sufficient.  From leading lengthy news articles to news slightly longer than the headlines, information grasping has shortened.  

The worse hit has been book-reading. Except, perhaps research scholars, and ardent book lovers, there are hardly any people who 'have the time' to read a book!  

More than the decline in attention span, the speed at which that span is declining is alarming.  Dopomine acceleration is indeed sabotaging the deepening of wisdom.  Information is today the biggest risk to knowledge and wisdom. 

Responsibility

 Some old friends who meet after a long gap, or those who care about me most, knowing my present responsibility in the Province, at times ask how is it going?  

Like every responsibility, this role too has its ups and downs. But I firmly believe and have lived out this responsibility like every and any other responsibility I've taken up.  This task is no different or special to me.  I've never craved for position or honour; so I don't have to constantly carry that burden of retaining the post or seeking approval.  But love giving tasks I take up, my best - at least most of the times! 

So, honestly, this role is just another of the responsibility.  I'd be giving my best, in any responsibility I would have been engaged with.  The only question I care about is, if I've giving this task my best. And that I can state, proudly, that I am! 

Having said that, one great blessing that I truly am grateful for is that due to this responsibility, I am gaining the experience of engaging in policy decision-making.  More than the decisions themselves, the rationale and the process that I let myself be guided by and what I push for.  That has been one truly great self-test.  Being able to affect policy decisions, have I let myself be guided by the heart and the head.  I'd say, more by the head than the heart.  But that is what this role demands too!  More head, than the heart.  

Value addition

 In my life over the years, I have seen plenty of young people, especially young seminarians and Salesians.  To be honest, most of them are floaters! Only some are passionate and determined, for the right reasons.  

Floaters or drifters themselves are not bad. They neither do much good nor serious harm.  But if in bad company or in times of decision making or crisis they tilt towards the not-so-good, then it is often downhill from there on.  

As in every group, there are those who are an outright burden on the earth! Real plague! 

Then there are those who show promise.  They are a finders keeper!  They not just complete the given tasks diligently but add value to the place and apostolate they engage themselves in.  They find ways and means of enriching the lives of those around them and in the process add a distinctive flavour to the whole atmosphere.  Living and working with such individuals is more than just a pleasure; it is an inspiration and a challenge.  

Barefoot mum runs 3k race for daughters education

 Ms Ramabai Ranvir, a working mother of two daughters, in Pune (Maharashtra, India), and a widow for the last 14 years, single handedly supporting the education of her daughters, worked another miracle (besides the consistent one already mentioned, as do most mothers!) a few days ago.  

She heard of a prize money of Rs 3,000 (Euros 30) for a race being organised in her vicinity, from her employer (the Police academy).  The previous day her younger daughter, studying in another town, had called her asking for some money to pay her food and rent - and Ms Ramabai had none to spare! So when she heard of the prize money, she hopped onto the pickup vehicle transporting the police aspirants to the race venue.  No prior running practice or experience, wearing a saree, being the only one running without shoes, her slippers giving way during the race forcing her to run barefoot, aged 40+, no breaks on the course... none of these mattered.  Nothing at all! All that mattered was her daughters education, for which the immediate focus was the finish line and the prize! 

And she won!!! She was awarded Rs 5,000/- (Euros 50) instead!

A single parent slogging day and night, saving every penny for her children, with the sole dream of educating them for a better life and future, is itself no ordinary miracle in everyday life.  A miracle most mothers perform, everyday, everywhere, at all times, even without realizing it.  Add this incident to that L  O   N   G  and INVALUABLE miracle list of a mothers determination and courage!