February 2012
Investiture and Beyond
Dear Friends,
Beyond the impressive Ceremony of Investiture on Republic Day this year, the appointments to the Student Council at Indus International School are the first steps in the race of life. This race does not go to sprinters for the 100 meters, or those who look for a quick victory, but to those who have the stamina, the persistence and the endurance of the marathon runner.
Life is not a 100 metres sprint: it does not assure success in terms of quick money and fame. Sprints are short distance races call for high bursts of speed and energy, with no chance for pause.
The marathon winners are characterized by their stamina, endurance and mental robustness. Said Paavo Nurmi, the Olympic Gold medalist known as the “Flying Finn”, “Mind is everything: muscle--pieces of rubber…” Control of Mind over body is the essence of success here.
Endurance, stamina and excellence depend on self-discipline of mind, thought, and action. The best dancers, teachers, engineers or scientists are the products of years of study, experience and reflection.
Personal and professional goals set one on the right track and direct and motivate the leader. Goal-setting enables us to exercise choices, take decisions, and give us not only more control over our lives, but the ability to reflect, evaluate ourselves and improve ourselves.
The Reading habit is indispensible and critical to the leader in the making and best cultivated early in life. It brings the experiences of great, successful people into our world. It facilitates the expansion of knowledge which feeds the competencies and skills which we need to thrive in this busy, transient world and the constant changes we must deal with.
Making one’s brain smarter is really up to us, ourselves. The plasticity of the human brain is a fact, backed by a breakthrough in scientific research. This can and must be used to advantage, by constantly nurturing one’s mind through exercising and stretching its capacity to learn and imbibe new knowledge and skills. I.Q can be increased through deliberate pursuit of cognitive activity. This will lead to better academic performance, improved memory, enhanced creativity and the ability to detect and read patterns and analyze data.
Mindfulness, reading, reflection, aerobic exercise and neural engage-ment are some of the brain activities recommended for leaders. The opportunity for leadership implies the need to train oneself. Leadership, success and happiness are another name for opportunity.
With warm regards,
Lieutenant General (Retd) Arjun Ray, PVSM, VSM
Chief Executive Officer
Indus Trust
(This is the essence of the message brought to newly elected Leaders of The Indus Student Council at Bangalore, by Lt. Gen. Arjun Ray (Retd.), CEO of the Indus Trust on the occasion of The Ceremony of Investiture on January 26th, 2012)
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