Sports, films and NGOs

Snippets from a talk by Rahul Bose at Lamakaan

My  memories of Rahul Bose:

We enjoyed ‘Everyone Says I am Fine’, one of us did not recognize Rahul Bose when he comes towards the end and in recent months I have unsuccessfully searched it on You–tube. Then there was Shaurya which I had enjoyed. The first movie though was the stunner Bombay Boys with him singing on the road at night. Other than ‘Matunga’ we got most of the lyrics wrong then! And yes there was an interview during Doordarshan days where he talked of walking, climbing in Panchgini where I got to know he was our rugby captain!

How he began:

He talked of his visits to his masi’s home at Bombay and how people used to come for not only chai and conversations but also to sleep. On days that he too slept there, he could see – early in the day – 14 bodies lying in the morning in the ten feet by ten feet room. The single room home – as if – used to expand at night. Lamakaan too gave him this feel.  When hearts are large enough walls are pushed behind and food somehow makes its way to kitchen.

Image: Kranti

On films:

He talked of harrowing experiences during the making of one of his initial films including neither being offered chair to sit nor getting adequate sleep. Talking of the director (he did not use names here) said it is such a myth to assume that creative people are usually large-hearted and that he is aware of a few who have almost driven others to the point of suicide.

One of the questions was what should bollywood do support regional cinema and he promptly replied, ‘well, stop making films’. Full to the brim (or should I say overflowing) audience had questions on specific films as well. He was quick (to put it mildly) with his replies and was helped not only by his experience in theatre but also naughty eyes.

On sports:

He narrated the experience of his last game and how it motivated him to work hard and get back to the Indian team. Rugby – for him – brought out the value of team–work. If we think we are doing it all alone, we are seriously deluded. Also how he looks up to people like Rahul Dravid and Abhinav Bindra.

To the questions on teamwork he responded by saying – Always go with someone who gets on well with all in the team even if you have to go with the second best – and – Team work is not only doing our bit well but also trusting the other person to do his/her bit well.

Image: Kranti

One liners:

They were a plenty. Place few below.

v Dream, make mistakes, make an ass of yourself. The only reason to live is your dream.

v Shame the system with such superiority that it cannot touch you.

v You can teach someone to be better but not to eat their ego.

v Previously we used to hide our identity and love (send flowers, notes anonymously); how we enjoy hating in anonymity today!

v If you do not have a vision it will never work. If you do not see it – it will never happen.

On not–for–profit:

And here I take the liberty to bring in my thoughts as well.

When you are working with people always under-promise and over-deliver he said. While I agreed with him I also got on to thinking how so much in not-for-profits is about numbers today. Numbers that show us in the good; at-least on paper.

Taking of his experiences in Andaman Islands he said of the 50 plus trips in 12 odd years and no image from islands. His language was starkly and refreshingly different from that of the conventional not-for-profits. Was reminded of how I was once starkly told to not feel altruistic about what little we were doing.  What we do we do for ourselves and not for others.

Image: Kranti

To a question on practicality he replied saying I am completely impractical. How I agree; how so many of us – in not–for–profits – in becoming practical are moving farther and farther from the final goal. On similar lines he had added once dead, I am done, there is nothing after that!

One question on why the work he does is not upped in scale got the reply that he worked more on micro issues, at depth and not at scale. Again an issue that resonates. So many of us in pursuing scale lose the essence, the crux and some of us even end up becoming top-heavy and having little connect with ground.

There was a question also on what we can do for climate change. I wonder on the point of asking such questions – in gatherings of this nature. So much of it is up in print, online and else; what steps have we taken thus far? Some of them are not at all a big deal if we are willing to that that extra step for our planet. How does one bring in change in one’s life was another question. I have a 24 hour gift rule; anything that comes to me is passed within 24 hours – came the reply. Reminded me of a rule on similar lines I follow. There’s much we can do; the beginning is ever with small steps.

Many thanks to Subba Reddy, Nayeem and Kranti.