Shine on, diamond

Rubbishing great people, by citing rules, is a familiar pattern in this world. The rule and legality may be right and hence courts and administrative bodies may have to uphold such things. But what gets missed out in the process is much grace and gratitude for these people, who themselves built the institution which has now gone against them. But looking at it differently, maybe it is a sign of their greatness which is getting displayed, when they themselves get taken for granted in their own organizations. A true example of servant leadership.

This is what Dr. Yunus is facing now in Bangladesh. Varghese Kurian of Amul in India had similar experience. He built the great organization called Amul, and brought in levelness in the society of Gujarat, and subsequently the whole social fabric of India. More about his story is in the book written by him titled "I too had a dream". But finally he had to step down.

If our leaders had the wisdom of saints like Sri Buddha or Jesus Christ, then things would have been indeed different. Someone said to Buddha, “The things you teach, sir, are not to be found in Scripture”. “Then put them there”, said Buddha. After an embarassed pause, the man went on to say, “May I dare to suggest, sir, that some of the things you teach actually contradict the Scriptures?” Buddha smiled and replied, “Then the Scriptures need amending”. Jesus once said, “Sabbath is made for man, not man for Sabbath”. But of course, these are great people who lived on the earth, and not even their followers in the religions practice these principles. Then why do we expect better things from administrative leaders of the country!

I think, the experience of being rubbished by an organization you built only enhances your greatness. You only enhance the lustre of the diamond by rubbing it harder.