Last 2-3 weeks were really hectic. I changed the job and that sums it all.

Both, handing over the responsibilities in the previous job and taking over in the new one, have their serious and fun aspects. The unforgettable bits were those few minutes of send-off that one gets from those dear colleagues with whom one has built relationships over the period of work engagement.

I was known for not ever giving straight answers to “extra-curricular” questions, but I was also known to be a very “sensible” person that can be trusted for his judgement (I can proudly say so) in official matters! I had my own outlandish views too which used to entertain colleagues during fun interactions.

So, will they lose a chance of “leg pulling” at my send off? No way! They insisted that I answered some of the questions that I had always avoided answering.

Oh yes, I said, but I will only answer five. No more, no less.
Ok, they said.

Didn’t know they were prepared with their list. So I stood up to bat the bouncers. Yet, on hind sight, they must have been considerate about what was to be pitched at me. I didn’t know, until a week later, that my replies were recorded and circulated .. wow!

Here’s the synopsis of the recording I got from a close pal.

· You always talked about “Good Sense”. What’s “nonsense” for you?

Hmm, nonsense for me is someone else’s good sense that makes no sense to me. Ok ok, jokes apart, I will rephrase it thus : for any given situation, it’s a misplaced sense that will be “good sense” in another situation. You get the sense?

· If you had the sixth sense, what would it be ?

It would be sort of Sense of Wisdom that will tell me at any time in any situation what to do in line with my persona, how to be at peace with myself and the prevalent surroundings, and how to journey the path of happiness. I will surely not want sixth sense to read unexpressed minds of others because that will lead me along the path of confusion and unhappiness.

· Do you support Women's Liberation ?

Hey,what age you guys belong to? Ask this question to Libbers' MCP.

· Just answer the question. Forget about piggish attitude!

Ok, Ok .. I support not only women's but everyone's liberation from the notional barriers imposed by people on themselves. Women's Liberation movement was started with a focus on social equality and justice for women. But I think we need to go much beyond that. To achieve what the movement aimed at, it would be essential to liberate men too from their thinking and behavioral barriers. In fact, everyone needs to liberate themselves for self actualisation.

· What's self actualisation ?

Self actualisation means functioning to one's potential while being true to one's persona and soul, and without feelings of fear, guilt, shame or false pride. People like Sant Meerabai, Mahatma Gandhi, Baba Amte are classic examples how one can achieve self actualisation.

· Do you believe that "Ignorance is Bliss"?

Well, yes and no. It is not possible not to be ignorant in a huge ocean of knowledge. Ignorance is a bliss where half knowledge might be dangerous or misleading. It is a bliss when knowledge generates negative or destructive emotions. But it is not a bliss if it comes to hurt someone badly. It is not a bliss if ignorance stunts one's mental and spiritual growth. And it's surely not a bliss if one is not enlightened even when they can and should.

Hey, this is what I had blurted out, unprepared. Couldn’t be as relaxed as I would have been normally. There was an emotional pressure at those moments. Please try to make some sense out of it, your way, if possible. It wasn’t easy at the time of send-off.

You gotta trust me .. I am a sensible guy otherwise!