Wednesday, July 16, 2025

The Final Word

The meeting room looked fancy—glass walls, shiny wood table, and a feeling so tense you could almost hear it crackle. Three clients sat on one side of the long table. They wore sharp suits and had serious looks on their faces. Across from them sat an older white man in a neat navy-blue suit. His white hair was combed perfectly, and he sat up straight, calm and confident. 

Next to him sat a young woman, probably in her late twenties. She was well-dressed and quiet, but there was something strong about her presence. She listened carefully, took notes, and watched everything. 

The clients asked all their questions to the older man—about numbers, partners, future plans. He answered smoothly, clearly experienced. The woman didn’t speak—just kept writing and paying attention. 

Then one of the clients leaned forward. “Last question,” he said. “Before we sign, we want to know how your company plans to grow and change over the next five years. We’re not just buying what you’ve done—we want to believe in where you’re going.” 

The room went quiet. 

The older man smiled and nodded. Then he turned to the young woman and said, “That’s not for me to answer. It’s for my CEO.” 

He motioned toward her. 

The clients looked surprised. The young woman straightened up, put her pen down, and looked each of them in the eye. 

“Innovation,” she said calmly, “doesn’t come from the past. It comes from looking forward. And here’s what we see coming…” 

Then she laid out bold plans: smarter use of AI, going green, choosing honest suppliers, and building a company that values speed and new ideas over old rules. She spoke clearly, for four full minutes. Nobody interrupted. When she finished, she folded her hands and waited.

Silence. 

Then the lead client nodded slowly, clearly impressed. “Well,” he said, signing the deal, “I guess that’s our answer.” As everyone stood up to leave, the older man leaned toward the young woman and whispered with a proud smile, “You always know the perfect time to speak up.” 

She didn’t say anything back. She just smiled.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

English Language

The Liberian President Joseph Boakai visited President Trump in the White House. After they spoke. President Boakai said: 

"Liberia is a longtime friend of the United States, and we believe in your policy of making America great again,” 

Trump replied: "Well, thank you, and such good English,” "That's beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Where were you educated? Where? In Liberia?" 

That shows Trump's knowledge of world affairs and countries and leaders

Liberia’s national language is English since 1847. 

A few world leaders speak in their country’s popular language when speaking with Trump even though they know English. (I would cite Mr. Modi for example. He can speak fluent English but spoke in Hindi. In my opinion that shows his arrogance. I would have appreciated and applauded him if he spoke in Gujrati, his mother tongue. (Trump does not know either Hindi or Gujrati.) 

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of having a translator. 

Advantages: Accurate Communication. Inclusivity and Respect. Time to Think and Strategize 

Disadvantages: Loss of Nuance and tone. Reduced personal connection. Slower communication. 

Long time ago, Dr. M. S. Venkataramani, who was a Professor at Jawarharlal Nehru University and established American studies department said: 

“Americans hate Indian leaders because when they (the Americans) say something the Indian leaders immediately reply in English. There was no waiting period like the leader waiting and smiling till the translator translate and he replies in his native langue and the translator translates in English and the leader is still smiling (instead of immediately getting angry and retorting). There is no body language of  retaliation when you have a translator".

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Untold Story

Flight Lieutenant James Carter was in the Britain’s Royal Airforce. He generally flew the F-35 stealth plane. He was young, sharp and quiet. He had an ordinary uncomplicated life. But everything changed when he met Anjali, a Nurse from Kerala, at a small hospital in Norfolk where he had gone for a minor injury. 

Anjali was calm with a soft smile and warm eyes. Carter found more comfort in her presence than he had in the skies. They grew close. He realized he is falling in love with her. Anjali told him she is going to Kerala on vacation to see her mother. 

He missed her a lot. One morning he made a decision that was not in a training manual. He took off his F-35 on a routine mission. Half way through he reported a “technical issue” and asked for permission to make an emergency landing in Thiruvananthapuram Airport. 

Immediately, the Indian Air Force and the British High Commission were involved. But Lt. Carter slipped away from the airport with the help of a local police officer. 

He found Anjali in her neighborhood. Anjali was pleasantly surprised. She whispered “what are you doing here honey" 

They sat under the mango tree all night. No longer needed any word.

PS: This post is to make lite of British Royal Airforce's F.35 Stealth Fighter landing in Thiruvananthapuram due to some technical problem.