Our strange security rituals

 Hotels, Malls, Banks — The Great Indian Security Ritual

How often have you walked into a bank and seen an ageing security guard quietly doing his duty? Or stood in a queue outside a mall, waiting to pass through a metal detector? Or driven into a hotel and watched the familiar security routine unfold around your car?

We have all seen it, experienced it and, for the most part, simply accepted it as part of everyday life.

I was recently on holiday in India and found myself wondering whether some of these familiar security rituals have become more about following a routine than actually improving protection.

Let me make one thing clear: this is not a criticism of the security personnel. Most are simply doing what they have been instructed to do. Many work long hours for modest salaries and in difficult conditions. They deserve our respect.

My question is whether the systems behind them are keeping pace with the threats they are supposed to address.

Enter almost any decent hotel with your car and luggage and the routine begins. At the gate, the guard asks you to open the bonnet and the boot — or “dicky”, as we call it in India. He peers inside both, while nobody seems particularly interested in looking inside the car itself.

Then comes the dog, wandering around the vehicle, followed by the familiar small mirror on a long pole, pushed underneath the car.

I am sure these checks have a purpose. But when the same procedure is repeated thousands of times, you cannot help wondering whether it is still effective or simply a ritual everyone has become accustomed to.

The same happens at shopping malls. You queue, reach the metal detector and the scanner beeps. Keys come out, then the phone, then the belt, until eventually you are practically empty-handed.

And I wonder: how many criminals are going to patiently stand in a queue of 40 people waiting for their turn?

To be fair, Indian airport security is a different matter altogether. At least with me, they are extremely stringent. I sometimes wonder whether they have information that I don't have. Perhaps I look dangerous. Or suspicious. Or maybe I simply have an honest face that requires further investigation!

But there is another question that troubles me far more.

What happens if a security guard actually finds something dangerous?

At a hotel or mall, if a scanner indicates something genuinely suspicious, or a guard discovers something concerning, does he know what to do next? Who does he call? Whom does he inform? Does he know how to isolate the area, alert the right people and keep others away?

These are ordinary people trying to earn a living. They may have limited education, long working hours and difficult circumstances. Yet we place them at the front line of our security systems.

Have we given them enough training to deal with the one situation we hope they never encounter?

Then there are banks, where an elderly security guard often sits at the entrance holding a rifle that sometimes looks as though it has been there since the days of fountain pens and handwritten cheques.

Again, I am not making fun of the guard. I am questioning whether the system is giving him the tools, training and support he needs.

Security is important, and the people carrying out these checks are doing a necessary and often thankless job. But systems cannot remain unchanged simply because they have always been followed.

Security procedures need to be reviewed, updated and made more intelligent. A routine that everyone knows and mechanically follows can gradually lose its effectiveness.

The people doing these jobs are clearly trying their best. But is trying your best enough to keep a place secure?

That is the real question.

The system must give them the right training, technology and information, along with a clear understanding of what to do when something genuinely goes wrong.

Because security matters too much to become a ritual.

The people may be doing their best. But is the system doing its best to keep us safe?

The power of quiet confidence

 Have you ever noticed how real strength often shows up quietly?

The Power of Quiet Confidence

Real strength is often quiet. It doesn’t need attention or approval. It comes from knowing yourself and trusting your judgment, even when no one is watching. Like an eagle, it doesn’t announce where it’s going—it just moves, steady and focused.

A lion doesn’t have to prove it’s a lion. It just is—calm, aware, and not easily shaken. It doesn’t act out of insecurity or a need to be seen.

A lot in life works better when kept to yourself at first. Not every plan needs sharing right away. Some things grow better in private, without outside opinions getting in too soon.

When you talk about goals too soon, you open the door to doubt, pressure, and others’ expectations. But when you keep them to yourself, you give them space to develop without interference—like something taking shape before it’s ready to be seen.

Knowing when to speak and when to stay quiet is maturity. It’s about acting with intention instead of reacting emotionally. When you’re clear on your direction, you don’t need constant reassurance.

Even in chess, the best players don’t reveal everything at once. They watch, wait, and move when the timing is right.

Most real progress happens quietly, through consistent effort no one sees at first. In the end, your results matter more than how much you spoke about them.

So move at your own pace. Keep things simple. Trust what you’re building, even if it’s not visible yet. When the time is right, it will speak for itself.

The power of Consistency

 The Power of Consistency

When I look back at my professional journey, I often ask myself what truly contributed to the progress and success I have experienced.

It was not one big achievement, one moment of brilliance, or a sudden breakthrough.

It was consistency.

Over the years, I have come to believe that success is rarely built through dramatic moments. It is built quietly through commitment, discipline, and the willingness to keep doing the right things, day after day, even when there is little recognition.

In leadership, especially, consistency matters. People do not build trust with a single speech, a single decision, or a single success. Trust is earned through the patterns people observe over time.

They notice whether you remain committed during challenges, whether your standards remain high when nobody is watching, and whether your actions match your words.

A consistent person becomes someone others can depend on. And reliability is one of the most valuable qualities in any organisation. People naturally gravitate towards those who bring stability, fairness, and a sense of assurance.

I have seen many talented people with exceptional ideas and great potential. But talent alone is not enough. Without perseverance and the discipline to keep going, potential often remains unfulfilled.

A flash of brilliance may create attention for a moment. Consistent excellence creates respect over a lifetime.

Looking back, I am grateful for the opportunities, mentors, colleagues, and experiences that have shaped my journey. But I also recognise the importance of the simple habits that made the difference — staying curious, remaining committed, learning continuously, and never losing sight of the purpose behind the work.

Success is not built in a single moment of inspiration.

It is built in the thousands of ordinary moments when we choose to show up, contribute, and give our best.

Consistency may be quiet, but its impact is lasting.

The Uber Driver in Zurich

 THE UBER DRIVER IN ZURICH 

Yesterday, something very ordinary happened. Yet I have a feeling I will remember it for a very long time.

We had just come out of a large shopping complex in Zurich. The next task seemed simple enough—get an Uber back to the hotel.

Simple? Not quite.

The place had exits everywhere. Different levels, different directions, signs that seemed to create more confusion than clarity. Finding the right pickup point felt like solving a puzzle without all the pieces.

And before anyone suggests it, no, I am not one of those people who can effortlessly move the pin on a map and place it exactly where the driver should arrive. Maps and I have maintained a respectful distance throughout my life.

I asked a few people for help. Most gave me vague directions with great confidence. There is something refreshing about someone simply saying, "Sorry, I don't know." At least you know where you stand.

Eventually, one gentleman pointed us in the right direction.

Feeling relieved, I turned around and started walking. Unfortunately, solving one problem did not mean I had become more alert. Within seconds, I almost tripped over a low stone bench and banged my shin.

A small reminder that life has a way of keeping us humble.

We stood there, bags in hand, waiting.

I booked the Uber.

Nine minutes.

When I told my wife, she gave me that look. Married couples will understand. The look that says, "After all this effort, this is your plan?"

I was carrying two shopping bags, the afternoon was warm, and I prepared myself for the wait.

Then something unexpected happened.

The nine minutes disappeared.

The screen read:

"Your driver YOHANNES is here."

The car pulled up just a few feet behind me. Two passengers stepped out.

It was my Uber.

For a moment, I simply stood there, slightly stunned.

I cannot explain why, but it felt like one of those quiet moments when life reminds you that sometimes our worries are unnecessary. We do what we can, say a silent prayer, and the answer arrives at exactly the right moment.

We got into the car.

The journey to the hotel was only about fifteen minutes. But Yohannes made those minutes memorable.

From the moment he greeted us, there was a warmth about him. No forced conversation. No artificial friendliness. Just genuine kindness.

He told us he was from Eritrea and had been living in Switzerland for almost twenty years. As we spoke, you could sense the journey behind those years. Here was a man who had worked hard to build a life for his wife and children.

There was no complaining. No bitterness. No desire to impress.

Just quiet dignity.

We spoke about families, countries, travel and life. We exchanged stories, laughed at the similarities between our experiences, and discovered how quickly strangers can connect when they simply take the time to listen.

Before long, it felt less like a passenger and a driver and more like two people who had known each other much longer.

Some people have that rare quality. They make you comfortable almost immediately. They leave you feeling that a simple conversation has somehow become meaningful.

When we reached the hotel, I gave him a tip with the small change I had in my pocket. It was not much, but it came with genuine gratitude.

Then I surprised myself.

I asked him if we could take a photograph together.

I have never done that with an Uber driver before.

We shook hands, exchanged blessings and thanks, smiled for the picture, and then he drove away.

The chances are that I will never see Yohannes again.

Yet I woke briefly during the night and found myself thinking about him.

He was also the first person who came to mind this morning.

Strange, isn't it?

Some people are part of our lives for years and leave little impression.

Others enter our story for just fifteen minutes and somehow leave a lasting mark.

Perhaps that is one of life's quiet lessons.

Every person we meet is carrying a story we know nothing about. Behind every job, every smile, every journey, there is a life filled with hopes, struggles, sacrifices and dreams.

In our busy lives, we often rush past people without ever knowing their story.

Sometimes, if we slow down long enough, we are given a glimpse.

Yesterday I booked an Uber.

What I remember today is not the ride or the destination.

I remember a man named Yohannes from Eritrea, a simple conversation, and a reminder that the most meaningful connections often come when we least expect them.

Some people leave a mark you cannot explain .

The NEET FIASCO

 Must add my bit.....

When Democracy Responds: The NEET Controversy and the Power of Peaceful Protest

The NEET controversy has reaffirmed that democracy is strongest when citizens refuse to accept injustice in silence. Students, parents, teachers and concerned citizens across India raised serious questions about alleged paper leaks and examination irregularities that threatened confidence in one of the country's most important examinations. Their response was overwhelmingly peaceful, rooted in the Gandhian belief that change is achieved through reason rather than confrontation.

 They sought neither favours nor exceptions—only a fair investigation, transparency and accountability. The authorities were compelled to act, demonstrating that peaceful public engagement remains one of democracy's greatest strengths.

This was never just about an examination. It was about the hopes of millions of young people whose futures depend on a system that rewards merit and inspires trust. The tragic suicides associated with the immense pressures of competitive examinations were a sobering reminder of the human cost when confidence in that system is shaken.

 Anyone found responsible for wrongdoing must be identified through due process and, where the evidence warrants, prosecuted and held accountable. The lasting measure of success will not be the exposure of those who betrayed the system, but the restoration of every student's faith that honesty, hard work and ability—not dishonesty—determine success.

Don't crave the applause

 Don’t Uproot Your Garden to Prove It Is Growing

Maybe your garden isn’t flourishing because every time a plant begins to grow, you pull it out of the soil to show your neighbours how strong its roots have become.

It sounds strange, doesn’t it? Yet, in many ways, we do the same in life.

A garden does not grow because the gardener keeps digging around the roots to check the progress. It grows because the gardener has patience — watering it, caring for it, removing the weeds, and trusting that the work being done beneath the surface will eventually show.

The roots are invisible, but they are the reason the plant stands tall.

Sometimes we forget this. We become so eager to prove that we are succeeding that we interrupt our own growth. We want people to notice the flowers before the roots are strong. We seek recognition before the foundation is ready.

But true growth takes time. Whether it is our character, relationships, knowledge, or dreams, the most important work often happens quietly, away from the eyes of others.

A wise gardener does not keep pulling out plants to prove they are growing. They nurture them patiently and allow them to become what they were meant to be.

Perhaps life is the same.

Tend to your garden. Give it time. Trust the process. Let it grow.

Because the most beautiful gardens are not the ones that constantly seek attention.

They are the ones that quietly bloom.

Mentor or Coach

 Someone recently asked me, “Are you a mentor or a coach?”

After 4 decades in education, and most of those years in leadership, I would say I am probably a bit of both.

Having said that, if I had to put a number to it, I would probably say I am 90% mentor and 10% coach. The years of experience, the lessons learnt and the situations I have faced naturally make me lean towards mentoring. But coaching is important too — helping people think, question and find their own answers.

I have always believed that helping people starts with listening. Ask the right questions, understand their thinking, share experiences and help them find their own way forward.

I have never been one for fancy words or modern-day jargon that sometimes makes simple things complicated. I believe in keeping things clear and practical — understand the situation, find solutions, get the job done and help others do the same.

I know some people may feel a little uncomfortable when I interview them because I tend to ask direct questions. It is not about putting anyone on the spot. It is because I value honest conversations and want to understand the person behind the answers — their thinking, their approach and what really drives them.

I can be direct. I can be impatient at times. But it comes from wanting things to improve and wanting people to succeed. I believe in giving honest feedback, even when it is difficult, but always with respect and the intention to help.

I try to keep learning, reading widely and staying aware of what is happening around me. I don’t have all the answers — none of us do. The day we stop learning is the day we stop growing.

After all these years, what I value most is the journey — the people I have met, the challenges that have tested me, the lessons I have learnt and the privilege of helping others grow.

So, am I a mentor or a coach? Perhaps a little of both. I believe in keeping things simple, treating people with respect, asking honest questions and, when needed, having the courage to say things as they are.