Category: Ali’s Corner

Time is the one resource that never comes back if it is lost. Hence those who value time know that it should be treasured. Managing one’s own time is definitely a great skill and asset, but we also need to evaluate whether we are giving our time to others who need…

I was once invited to the Bengali Association to give a talk. I reached a little early and I had the opportunity to listen to a soulful rendering of “Rabindra Sangeet”, the poetry of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, by a lady who enthralled the audience, and yet was lost in her own world…

I ask my new counseling students to write down a few things they received in life without having to work for them. The answers, as expected, vary widely – but many of them inevitably mention their parents, spouse or children. Whatever may be their answer, the reason for stirring their mind…

I find many of my friends losing out on the joy and serenity of the ‘evening’. For them the day just plunges headlong into the darkness (and bright artificial lights) of the night. The slowly fading sunlight, the birds flying to their nests, the gentle cloud formations, and of course the “go-dhooli” of…

Do you trust people or are you very cautious? I generally trust people. Due that of course I get cheated occasionally – but more often than not, people live up to my expectations. I prefer not to dwell on the small minority who at times let me down or betray…

How many people do you think feel so comfortable with you that they know when there is a need they can just pick up the phone and talk to you? Whether you actually do anything for them or not, if they have the confidence that you will be there for…

In the morning when everyone is either getting depressed reading news headlines of corruption, violence and politics, or is madly rushing off through traffic jams for work, one ordinary gentleman comes to the courtyard of our BDA Shopping Complex on his scooter, spreads out some eats on the parapet wall for…

I read a nice quote the other day: “Education is Head, Heart and Hands.” I often keep wondering at the education system and how we have been blindly following it for decades. Many generations have gone through the rote-learning techniques. The world has changed, needs have undergone tremendous alterations, but year…

A sea of humanity, most of them with a far-away look, moving like robots following the arrows on the walls. Some have a worried look, some are in a hurry, others have the resigned look of having to wait for hours. All of them are travelers. The mode of travel…

Why not extend that to create a much larger distance by just getting away from the crowded city?  At a time like this nature can teach us so much in terms of balancing life, delaying gratification, creating harmony between all living beings, experiencing change and unexpected challenges. I admire the…