It’s hard to rock the boat;
It’s taking you nowhere;
Yet you challenge any opportunity for change.

It’s a miserable existence;
Breathing, but not living.

The toughest journey is changing course
To an unknown destination.

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Srikanth, directed by Tushar Hiranandani, is a biopic that chronicles the life of Srikanth Bolla, a visually-impaired entrepreneur who overcame immense challenges to achieve success.

The film delves into Srikanth’s journey from a small village in Andhra Pradesh to becoming the founder of Bollant Industries, a company that provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities.

The pacing is well-balanced, and the dialogues are thoughtfully written, reflecting the protagonist’s internal and external conflicts. The cinematography is visually appealing, particularly in its use of light and shadow. The music complements the narrative, with a score that enhances the emotional undertones of the story.

What I loved most about the film was the beautifully-portrayed student-teacher relationship between Rajkummar Rao and Jyothika.

The film deals with the themes of perseverance and inclusivity and the importance of believing in oneself, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

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For the past year and a half, I’ve focused on improvement rather than dwelling on setbacks. But yesterday was different. A classmate sitting next to me tried to console me, reminding me that I could improve. My teacher also came over, offering the warmest hug and reassuring words. She reminded me of my past successes and assured me that she believed in my efforts, even when I didn’t believe in myself.

At that moment, it was hard to see the positives. But my classmates were understanding and supportive, creating a comfortable environment for me. As the day progressed, my chest and head ached from crying, and I wanted to go home.

However, my coordinator insisted I stay, a decision I now appreciate because it taught me resilience.

Later, I also received my literature grades. Holding the paper for five minutes, I hesitated to look. When I finally did, I saw that I had scored well. This boosted my confidence and transformed my mood from grumpy to happy. I realized how lucky I am to have such supportive teachers and classmates.

Reflecting on the day, I see how everyone told me, “You’ll do better next time; don’t worry.” It’s funny now to think about how much I cried. Not a single person said anything negative, so why did I let it affect me so deeply? This incident taught me to look for the positives even in the worst situations.

And you know what? I’m going to remember this next time I face a challenge.

Because if I can survive a bad grade and come out laughing, I can handle anything life throws my way. So, here’s to embracing setbacks with a smile and a laugh – and maybe a little less crying next time!

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Chetan Bhagat’s 11 Rules For Life is a compelling guide that offers practical advice on how to navigate life’s challenges and achieve personal growth.

Through a blend of personal anecdotes, insightful observations, and actionable tips, Bhagat presents a roadmap for readers to level up in various aspects of their lives. Whether it’s setting goals, cultivating positive habits, or fostering meaningful relationships, this book provides valuable insights that can help readers lead a more fulfilling life.

Bhagat’s conversational writing style makes the book easy to read and relatable, making it a must-read for teenagers looking to make positive changes in their life.

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People in Japan are fond of keeping plants in their houses. As houses in Japan are relatively smaller, they have developed bonsai plants — miniatures of large plants. In fact, bonsai plants look like dwarfed copies of real plants. Cutting and trimming the plant roots produces these plants.

The bonsai experiment has been carried out on crocodiles. Crocodiles hatched from two eggs from the same parents, possessing the same genes, were subjected to different environments in which to grow. One was kept confined to a small tank and the other was left free to grow in a large lake. Over time, the crocodile in the lake grew to be a healthy, giant crocodile and the one in the tank had a comparatively dwarfed growth.

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A few days ago, I got a note from a reader, saying, “Bob, I long for the day when I won’t have any more problems!”

And I thought of Mr Pointed Ears!

Some ten years ago, a new dog, with long pointed ears, entered the colony I live in. Nobody wanted the new stray to stay on the premises, and so all the watchmen were kept very busy chasing it out of the gates, but somehow it managed to outwit them and enter again. I marvelled at its perseverance. 

Not only did it have to contend with the watchmen, the pump man and all the sweepers who ran after it with their brooms and sometimes empty dustbins, but it also had to deal with the three existing strays in the colony.

These three dogs, who were a gang, ran after this fellow and there wasn’t a day when there wasn’t a dog fight. But this fellow was big and strong, and soon I found that the lead black dog and this chap had become friends, and he was soon part of their gang.

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Chai is a composition that transcends musical genres, weaving together bossa nova, soft rock and indie elements. It is a poignant reflection on resilience and finding tranquillity amidst life’s challenges. Each verse delves into the intricacies of an existential crisis, articulating a range of life’s adversities. The chorus, however, stands as Jewel Lasrado’s steadfast declaration: “When the world’s on fire, I’ll be sipping chai.” This refrain encapsulates the core message of the song — the ability to seek solace and embrace a carefree spirit even in the face of adversity. Jewel penned the song during an evening marked by challenges, yet found solace in the simple act of sipping chai.

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Many times we find ourselves caught in the trap of striving to be the best. We confuse ‘being the best’ with ‘doing our best’, and this subtle difference can lead to profound consequences. Striving to be the best often invites comparison, ego and a sense of competition that can result in struggles, instability, non-cooperation from others, and frustration. It creates a win-lose situation where someone must lose for someone to win.

In contrast, doing our best focuses on challenging our own capabilities, bringing out our full potential, and engaging in productive work with a positive frame of mind. It is about creating a win-win situation, not just for ourselves but also for those around us. Doing your best means being in a forward, active mode that is constantly refreshing and self-renewing.

So dare to challenge yourself to do your best in everything you choose to undertake. Give your full 100% to the task at hand each time. Break out of your comfort zone and empower yourself to go full throttle, putting all of your potential into action.

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Work like the ants, hard and steady,
Challenges will come; you must be ready.
The lightning will strike; storms will rage,
You must fight with faith and with courage.

Move like the wind; swift and fast,
Bad days are temporary, they will never last,
Rise up now, get inspiration from nature;
Rise up today, towards the future!

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