'We Indians must learn how to strike a balance between globalization and our cultural values', says Lifestyle Coach Shri Gaur Gopal Das. A session was hosted this evening by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Young Indians (Yi) Coimbatore chapter with Lifestyle Coach, Shri Gaur Gopal Das, which was indeed very special.
This talk on ‘We in a transforming world negotiating traditions, identities and authorities’ was truly exceptional. With an audience of over 300, that included fellow CII, Yi members and the public, this talk by this lifestyle coach left the audience thinking about life on the whole.
“Indians are known for three Ss. They are known for their Smartness in earning money, Indians are well known for Saving their money and they are also known for Sharing their money. The very fact that Indians support several NGOs and social service organisations is a testimony to this.” Shri Gaur Gopal Das told his audience.
The audience burst into laughter when he told them that Indians especially the Marwaris, Gujaratis, Sindhis in general and Tamils from Coimbatore are well known for mastering the art of earning and saving money. The session turned interactive with this lifestyle coach asking his audience to be honest and lift up their hands if they ever had used the rolling pin to squeeze out the left-over toothpaste from the tube. Several of them put up their hands. Then came the next question, how many of you have tried to empty the little shampoo that is stuck in the bottle by pouring water into it? asked Shri Gaur Gopal Das. Again a reasonable number of people from the audience put up their hands.
“An Indian is someone who will never give up on his t-shirt that is torn. He will first use it as his nightdress, he would use it while he celebrates holi, the festival of colours and an Indian is someone who would use his torn t-shirt to mop his home. While Indians are known for saving their money, they are also known for sharing their money.” Shri Gaur Gopal Das reiterated. He told his audience how a group of people who beg for a living made a contribution for the family of soldiers who lost their life in the Kargil war.
Moving on with the subject, Shri Gaur Gopal Das went on to ask his audience the Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of every nation. America is known for its liberty, while Britain is known for the supremacy of its queen. Similarly, the Middle East is known for its oil reserves and Japan has a reputation of its excellence in technology. So what is the USP of India asked Shri Gaur Gopal Das.
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“India’s USP is spiritual identity, family culture and traditional values. This is what sets us apart from the rest of the world. We are no longer an isolated entity. We are global Indians. We have all the big brands in our reach in India. At the same time we are getting influenced in this global culture and in the bargain, we Indians are losing our cultural identities. We must be able to strike a balance.” Shri Gaur Gopal Das said.
Giving the example of an air craft, he said “The take off and control is beyond the control of the passengers of the aircraft, the journey however, is for the passengers to enjoy. Similarly, our birth and death is beyond our control. Yet, we have our life to enjoy.” He received an applause from the audience when he asked “When we cannot laugh at the same joke why do we cry and feel sad thinking about the same problem?” Throughout this talk several aspects were brought out that left the audience thinking. An eye opener for many, his audience did go home with a message.
This talk was hosted at Hotel Radisson Blu in the city. Shri Gaur Gopal Das is an engineer by profession quit his plum paying job with Hewlett Packard (HP) and is now a full time lifestyle coach He has been associated with The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) since 1996.