Satish Jayaram - From Kanagam To Kinship
From Kanagam to Kinship | A Futuring journey for MadCats in 2023
Prof. Satish Jayaram, PhD
Futuring is the field of using a systematic process for thinking about, picturing possible outcomes and
planning for the future. And hindsight provides great perspective, because three decades and more
down the line, it all starts to make sense. I wish it was earlier, that everything we seeded in animated
discussions over countless kattan kaapis in Kanagam, now finally falls in place.
In my own journey as it may hold true for many, the answers appeared narrow. And that is precisely the point - where you must stretch the limits of your imagination to begin with. It will have an effect on your resultant aspiration. If the possibilities are plotted right in the beginning, the mapping of your journey becomes meaningful.
For many of us three decades ago, improvisation and opportunism were key to our survival and potential success. But having said that, a MadCat is quintessentially a survivor, that belongs, participates and thrives on chaos. Your journey to being part of this powerful, never-say-die community of MadCats, who create impact in one way or another, must be celebrated each day.
This journey can espouse more meaning, if you structure life’s typical student queries in a sequential
manner. The reality check for a student - who is battling the uncertainty of a restricted existence, must be seen in the light of transformation. This is where possibility thinking allows you to imaginatively log into the creation or contribution to a global value delivery network. This is how one leverages the collective kinship of MadCats by aligning with that one vision - to make a difference.
Over the next few paragraphs, I will be suggesting a structure to align your thoughts, values and ideals towards the results that you expect, both from your personal and professional lives. (Success is a subjective word).
Where Am I Now?
Are you bounded by the limitations of a short-term line of sight or anxious about long-term possibility? While your immediate reality may need you to seek a job, the multiple options open to you must be a part of your thinking heat map. While some of you may be career seekers, prepare for the bounty of your ability to create impact and make a difference. Try preparing to achieve your goals by doing small projects, that will lead you there. For some with resources, the limitation may be in the mindset.
Opportunity sometimes knocks, but you can certainly go out there and seek problems or challenges
in the Universe, that you can creatively address. Remember that you can develop the competence to
be a job seeker, because there is a premium on talent today, you truly are in demand. The future will
belong to challenge seekers, so the idea is to believe that you have the potential to be a job-creator.
Where Do I Want To Go?
It is perfectly fine, not to have a grand vision or structured approach, so long as you have a broad
direction of where you see your-self going. Goal setting is a crucial part of the process, even if direction is to be established. To think without limitations on what you could be is the first step. I have enjoyed the good fortune of being in each of the four quadrants below, at various points. In the beginning, one is limited by scarcity thinking because finding a job, may be - the be-all and end-all of all priorities.
Trust me, so long as you have your wits about you, this milestone is not difficult to achieve with some
diligence. While the present appears to be restrictive, remember that the future is limitless. Start
creating reasonable milestones to reach, within respectable time and space limitations. Remember
that human beings change, even as your capability appears limited today. Change IS the only constant!
You have the power to change your present by building con-current, non-traditional intelligences to
create the future of your dreams. The mantra that worked for me, is never stop believing in the
possibilities of an abundant future. Passion, dedication and commitment are crucial ingredients in a
fulfilling life recipe. In all honesty, you never win it all, so be realistic and rational. And trade-offs are
a reality, so learn to accept them gracefully.
While there are milestones and markers, there is an ultimate credo of one’s life. It sometimes takes a lifetime getting there, so patience and pragmatism are key. I adopted an attitude of doing everything within my limited resources and means, to align with the larger purpose of the Tata Group. This is to improve the quality of life, for every person in India. It has remained an enduring destination, never-ending, all-encompassing and unbounded. The journey truly becomes the destination, when you immerse yourself in your work with real passion.
How Am I Going To Get There?
Well, to be or not to be? I answered this what the 5-Bs, it worked for me! Trust these snippets of
wisdom work for you too. So remember that each of those vibrant conversations in Kanagam matter!
1. Banter: Never dismiss any free-flowing conversation, wanting to change the world is a valid
assumption. Owning your own hotel chain, start-up, café, restaurant or even being the CEO
of a futuristic enterprise, all par for the course! These powerful affirmations have the potential
to pan out into reality. Encourage yourself and your friends to dream big, it is only the
beginning of a great life journey. Enjoy every moment of this banter as it shapes new thoughts.
2. Bonding: Your attraction to these thoughts may initially appear frivolous, but do trust me
when I say, powerful ideas attract each other as do vibrant people. The Universe is quietly
mapping your dreams and aspirations, to create a future reality for you. You must bond with
ideas and thoughts that empower you and give flight to your dreams. Owners, operators and
functionaries, can come together to start building a new future, even in their minds early on.
3. Believing: If you thought it, you need to believe in it. Haven’t you heard people say, faith can
move mountains? You can make your wildest ideas come true, only if you fuel them with your
constant thoughts. Remember that thoughts become deeds and deeds become actions. And
all it takes is your own belief in yourself, your ideas and the goals that you dreamt of together.
The powerful notion about belief is that it has the potential to enhance your vision of yourself.
4. Building: This is the next stage where you actually start raising up the scaffolding. to build
your dreams on. It takes time, perseverance and commitment, first to yourself, then to your
vision. You have to garner resources, the most valuable one being time. Your network starts
getting built in Kanagam, so never undermine the value of a connection, that will only flourish.
Remember to reach-out, stay connected and celebrate the joy of building from Kanagam Café!
5. Bequeathing: Once you have achieved your life goals, aspirations, joys, sorrows, agonies and
ecstasies, you must share them – purely for the love of humanity. The most important part of
retaining a great legacy is to bequeath it to the next generation. Prepare the next line of
leadership, deploy situational expertise, make a solid second line to take it forward. The only
prevailing mandate, is to create a culture of giving back. Once you bequeath your knowledge
and experiences, you empower the next generation with your only asset, your deep thoughts.
Well, this is what I did. When I went through many days of struggle at Taramani, the only thought that kept me going, was an unrelenting faith in my talents and abilities (even if the mark-sheets did not say so). Each one of you is special, so remember that if you don’t celebrate yourself, nobody will.
Remember that every person in this Campus contributed to your success. Your teachers did this
because they were committed to creating a new you. The support team did what they did, because it
was a means of gaining purpose for them. You probably do not know how much impact you created!
You friends, mates, seniors have an uncanny ability to detect talent. And I promise you, nobody ever
forgets a talented MadCat. Above everything else, you are the irreplaceable element in the secret
sauce of your life. Use the finest ingredients, follow the recipe carefully, practice-practice-practice.
Sometimes, you have to improvise, don’t get caught up with dogma. Believe in your recipe, it may alter, but you will deliver. Let there be no doubt, that each one of you was made unique and special.
Celebrate yourself and the opportunity to be part of such a momentous diamond jubilee celebration.
We are all fortunate that one of the finest institutions in the world, groomed us to be what we are
today. Count your blessings, the biggest one being life at IHMCT&AN, Chennai. Cheers and best wishes to each one who is seeking to be the next best version of yourself in time. Godspeed and return safely.
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