Tillitonse - A Transformational Journey Together

  “You must go to Bir.” That’s what I told a friend visiting from South Africa, eyes lit up like a Diwali sparkler. Bir — a small Himalayan town I’ve spent time in over the past year — feels like a secret portal to another way of being. There’s the buzz of youthful energy, the hush of monasteries, snow-capped mountains in the distance… and somehow, in that mix, I always feel lighter, freer, more  me . Naturally, I waxed eloquent. Possibly even poetic. He nodded along with genuine interest. Then I flipped the script: “So how’s your time in Chennai been?” And that’s when things got interesting. He’d spent a month here — in  my  hometown — and spoke of hopping local trains to corners of the city I’d never seen, meeting communities I’d never heard of, and sampling foods I’d need Google Translate just to pronounce. Chennai — which I’ve occasionally (and unfairly) dismissed as “a bit boring” — had become a playground of wonder and novelty. I was floored. When I s...

The Lens We See Through  Yesterday, at a gathering of my social voluntary organization, a senior member gently chastised me for not continuing my leadership role for another year. He emphasized the importance of sustaining efforts over time. As he spoke, I felt a sense of defensiveness rising within me. My instinct was to justify my actions, to explain why I had chosen to step away. I started to do so...But then, another voice within me nudged me to simply listen instead. So, I did. I just listened. After a moment, I responded with, “I can see your perspective.” Not “I agree with you,” but “I can see your perspective.” As the conversation continued, he shared something interesting: “You know, I’ve been part of one committee for the last 13 years. That’s how I’ve been sustaining my contribution.” This morning, as I reflected on that conversation, I was reminded of an insight:  We see the world not as it is, but as we are. For him, sustained commitment over a long period is like...

 JUTE MILLS AND PERSPECTIVES Last week, I was on a very comfortable holiday. The kind with beautiful scenery, exotic wildlife, delicious food, and just enough cultural exposure to feel worldly but not overwhelmed. In short, an absolute treat. And then, right at the end, they took us to a jute factory. Now, I’ll be honest. Factories are not my idea of a grand finale. But, like any good sport (and someone who had already eaten way too well on the trip), I went along. Before we entered, our guide pulled aside a few of us and gave a quiet warning: A QUIET HEADS UP “You’re about to see some tough conditions. But keep in mind—this is a worker-owned cooperative. This factory provides employment to people who would otherwise have no work. And because it’s here, in their own town, they get to live with their families instead of migrating to harsher, privately owned jute mills elsewhere.” Duly noted. And then we walked in. Imagine stepping into what feels like the Industrial Revolution—only ...

  THE BUSYNESS TRAP “Hello, Sanjay,” she said. Firm but polite. Like a principal about to give me a life lesson. I had planned to write this week about another topic, but, well,  life had other plans. Let’s continue the story. “Hello,” she said again, looking at me intently.  Uh-oh,  I thought.  What did I do now? Then came the verdict: “You always seem so busy.” And, just as I was scrambling for a witty comeback, she  apologized. “I’m sorry for speaking my mind,” she said. I paused. For once, I actually  paused. And then it hit me—I wasn’t even  doing  anything important! I wasn’t racing to a life-saving operation, wasn’t late for a UN peace negotiation, wasn’t even hurrying to catch a train. Nope. I was just… walking really, really fast. For absolutely no reason. Like some kind of  gold-medal  Olympic walker, speeding past people I  actually  know, without so much as a nod. So, I put on my  coaching hat  and lo...

  When Passion Goes Rogue Let me share a story that’s part comedy, part cringe-worthy life lesson, and all about how I let passion turn into petulance. (Spoiler alert: I am not the hero here.) Picture this: For nine months, I’d been leading a project that was going  really  well. We’d hit some big milestones, gotten lots of kudos, and I was feeling like the proud parent of a very successful group baby. So, naturally, I was thrilled when the team agreed to have a celebratory event at a venue I’d recommended. Everything was coming up roses. Then, things shifted. Out of nowhere (or so it seemed), the event started to feel like an afterthought to some of the other stakeholders. Cue my inner dramatic narrator: “How  dare  they?” I began obsessing over what felt like a lack of respect for the project and—let’s be honest—my hard work. This is where things got messy. In my flurry of frustration, I lashed out at one of the stakeholders. And let’s be clear: this person di...

 When One Door Closes As we step into a fresh year, it’s natural to map out grand plans and set ambitious goals. You know, the kind where you confidently imagine everything going smoothly, like a movie montage with upbeat music in the background. But life? Life prefers plot twists. It’s like a scriptwriter who loves drama and keeps forgetting to warn you about rewrites. Take me, for instance. A few months ago, in a group I volunteer with, an important team leader—someone who had just taken on their role—resigned within weeks. Since they reported to me, guess who had to deal with the fallout? Yours truly. My first reaction wasn’t exactly calm or composed. Picture me staring at my to-do list with a mixture of panic and the vague hope that someone else would magically handle it. Spoiler: they didn’t. In desperation, I called a senior member of the team and asked if they’d step in. To my immense relief, they said yes. And within days, it became clear that they were exactly what we ne...

  As I look back on 2024, three dominant themes emerged—each shaping the year in significant ways. Alongside these themes, three additional reflections stood out, all of which I have tried to capture authentically.  1. Navigating A Destructive Emotional Pattern One of the most important themes of 2024 was my effort to manage my emotions, particularly a recurring pattern that has shaped my reactions over the years. Early in the year, I lost my temper lashing out at people close to me. The outburst was exacerbated by having a few drinks. Upon reflection in the weeks and months that followed, I recognized this as part of a deeper pattern—triggered by feeling rejected, undervalued, or treated insensitively in situations that mattered deeply to me. The “volcano” of emotions that erupted during such moments was destructive for me and my relationships with others.  After that incident, I looked within - It was clear to that it up to me to work on this issue without ex...