A Piece Of My Learning

Namaste and Welcome to "A Piece of My Learning."

First and foremost, thank you for being here and taking the time to read my blog. If this is your first visit, welcome to this journey of learning and reflection.

Let me tell you a little about myself and how this blog started. A few years ago, I developed a love for reading books and interesting content. Over time, I learned to filter out what was truly relevant to me. This is an important skill. Today, we are surrounded by countless perspectives from different sources, but not all of them apply to us. Learning to pick what matters and apply it in our lives has been a key lesson for me.

One day, I was discussing this with a friend who writes a Marathi newsletter (you can check it out if you enjoy weekly Marathi content - Mazavyapar blog). That conversation made me realize something profound:

In life, we are always striving to reach the next milestone. But in that pursuit, we often forget that many people are still struggling to take the first step—maybe due to a lack of motivation, resources, or both. I felt a strong urge to help others move forward, to extend a hand and pull people up to where I am, or better yet, push them beyond me so they can achieve even more.

This is the cause I believe in: Helping people. No matter how often I write or how much I share, I want to keep learning and passing on that knowledge to others.

With that in mind, today I bring you something new to add to your watchlist! Sounds fun, right? Sometimes, we don’t have the time or patience to read long articles or books, but watching videos can be easier and just as impactful. So, let me suggest something that might give you that 1% push you need today.

I’m sure many of you who read my blog are avid readers and already know about one of the greatest leaders in Indian history—Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Now, some may argue that India (Bharat) as a nation was established much later, but for the purpose of this blog, let's keep it simple.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was not just a historical figure; he was an ideology.

What do I mean by that? An ideology is a set of principles that shape a movement or policy. Shivaji Maharaj laid the foundation of Hindavi Swarajya—self-rule based on justice, governance, and ethical leadership. His legacy goes beyond battles and conquests; his values continue to inspire generations.

But was Swarajya achieved by one man alone? No.

Maharaj had his teachers, his mother (Rajmata Jijabai), who was his biggest inspiration, and most importantly, his trusted warriors—the Mavle. Among them were a few key commanders who played a crucial role in military campaigns and kingdom defense. These warriors were called Shiledars.

You may have heard of some of them:
🔥 Tanaji Malusare
🔥 Netaji Palkar
🔥 Baji Prabhu Deshpande
🔥 Kanhoji Jedhe
🔥 Yesaji Kank

One thing I have learned from reading about them is that they were more than just fighters—they were protectors of a cause, of an ideology. Even years after Maharaj’s passing, these Shiledars upheld and defended his vision, despite countless challenges. They were brave, intelligent, strategic, well-read, and willing to sacrifice everything for their mission.

I could write endlessly about their achievements, but words will never fully capture the magnitude of their contributions.

So, here’s a question for you:

💭 If you respect and want to protect this ideology, how do you plan to pass it on to the next generation?
💭 How would you explain the courage, intelligence, and leadership of Shivaji Maharaj and his Shiledars to your children and grandchildren?

This brings me to something you must watch!

Watch "The Secrets of Shiledars" & "Chaava"

As I mentioned at the beginning, I like to focus on actionable steps. If you're wondering how to connect with this history, I highly recommend watching:

🎥 "The Secrets of Shiledars" – A new series on Disney+ Hotstar that brings to life the incredible stories of Shivaji Maharaj’s trusted commanders.

🎥 "Chaava" – A new movie releasing this week, which adds another powerful perspective on our rich history.

These stories will not only educate but also inspire you. They will help you understand the depth of Shivaji Maharaj’s vision and the warriors who stood by him.

Final Takeaway – What Is Your Cause?

Before I wrap up, I want to leave you with one final thought:

👉 What is the cause you believe in?
👉 What do you want to protect, support, or pass on to future generations?

It’s okay to have multiple causes. But the important thing is to identify them and take real steps to pass them forward.

Share your thoughts in the comments! Let me know what causes matter to you—whether simple or as grand as the Shiledars’ mission. Take a moment to reflect today. 🙌

Until next time, keep learning and sharing!

Thank you once again for being a kind reader!

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   Hello readers? How have you been? I know it has been a long time since my last blog. But here I am with another one.I know what you’re thinking after reading the title: “Another article about AI.” But hear me out—this one offers a fresh and interesting take.

   Everyone is worried about how AI is going to change the world. Will AI steal my job? These concerns aren’t baseless. AI is redefining industries, from manufacturing and marketing to creative fields like writing. The fear of losing jobs to AI is mixed with uncertainty about the future of work. While AI brings incredible potential for automation and efficiency, it also challenges traditional ideas about employment, leaving many to wonder about their place in a world increasingly driven by intelligent machines.

   At the same time, many households are now equipped with smart home assistants like Google Home and Alexa. If you’re a user, you’re probably familiar with their limitations. How often do you have to repeat commands before they respond correctly? My mom, frustrated, has even called Alexa "मठ्ठ” (which translates to “stupid”). It’s sometimes hilarious to hear these genuine, exasperated conversations with AI.

   While AI will undoubtedly change how we work, it’s still tough for it to fully replace humans. AI is excellent at tasks involving data analysis and pattern recognition but struggles with things like human intuition, emotional intelligence, and deep creativity. Jobs will evolve to integrate AI as a tool, focusing more on skills like critical thinking and empathy that are uniquely human.

   Cadbury has once again wowed us with a brilliant advertisement. Known for its creative and impactful campaigns, Cadbury has created an ad that cleverly combines humor with a thought-provoking message. It highlights a growing issue in today’s fast-evolving world, showcasing the brand’s knack for staying culturally and socially relevant while keeping us entertained. If you haven’t seen it yet, take a quick minute to watch it.

   Cadbury’s ad humorously explores the tension between AI and human creativity, presenting a satirical solution to the challenge of staying authentic in a digital age dominated by algorithms. The ad suggests an unusual approach to outsmart AI—deliberately creating bad content. It’s a quirky, absurd idea that playfully pokes fun at over-optimized systems.

   But is this solution even feasible? The ad proposes flooding the internet with poor-quality content to confuse AI models. While funny, the idea raises serious questions. Would such a flood harm the quality of online information? Could it derail the advanced mechanisms of AI trained to process massive data sets?

   On the surface, creating bad content might seem like a clever way to outwit AI, but it could have unintended consequences. An internet overloaded with low-quality material could hurt user experience and worsen problems like misinformation and spam. Additionally, AI systems are designed to adapt and learn—they might eventually get even better at separating valuable content from noise.

   Do you think this strategy could break the internet or stop these intelligent models? While it’s unlikely, the idea sparks an important conversation about the balance between humans, AI, and creativity. Instead of trying to sabotage AI, the focus should be on developing ethical AI systems, fostering human-machine collaboration, and maintaining the quality of online content. Cadbury’s ad, with its playful and imaginative take, reminds us that amidst all the advancements in AI, keeping a sense of humor and perspective is key. What do you think about all this? You can comment down below.

If you want to join the whatsapp group with my latest blogs and content, here is the link for that.

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Namaste and welcome to 'A piece of my learning.' I want to talk about the next segment from the book - Life's Amazing Secrets by author Gaur Gopal Das. This one is quite relatable as it speaks about work life. Let me summarize what I learned from a couple of chapters related to third wheel called work life.

Navigating Competition:

While talking about the workplace, author talks about workplace politics and how we navigate in such environments. Sometimes, we compare ourselves with others in a way that makes us feel bad about ourselves. This happens when we want what others have or when we want to be better than them.

It's always better to focus on becoming the best version of ourselves rather than trying to beat others. In the places where we work, there can be a lot of politics, but we should try to deal with them fairly and honestly. If we engage in unfair practices then you will feel the effect of that down the line in your life.

Discovering Yourself:

Figuring out what we want to do with our lives takes time and thinking. The Japanese have a concept called 'ikigai,' which is about finding what makes us happy, what we're good at, what the world needs, and what we can get paid for has been addressed in this chapter.

You must be wondering how to be sure about your life's purpose at a younger age. Even if we're not sure about our purpose yet, we can start by doing things we enjoy and finding meaning in them.

Understanding Spirituality at Work:

Some people think that being spiritual means you don't care about success, but that's not true. Spirituality can actually make us want to be successful so we can help others. This was a clicking point. A lot of people think that having a lot of money or success makes them forget their humanity but there are a lot of people who feel like they can help others after being successful.

It's important to stick to our values even in business, like being honest and fair. But we also need to be careful that chasing money doesn't distract us from what really matters.

Building Integrity and Character:

What we do is more important than what we say. Our actions show what kind of person we are. You know the phrase - Action speaks louder than words. We should follow our beliefs, act on them, and show them to the world. By doing this, we leave behind a positive impact on others. That's the way to build our integrity and character.

Then we focus on the fourth wheel essential for achieving the perfect balance in life’s journey: social contribution.

The Philosophy of Selfless Sacrifice

Gaur Gopal Das presents a profound philosophy on selfless sacrifice. He juxtaposes the philosophy of an ice cream, which is to savor life before it melts away, with that of a candle, which illuminates others before it is consumed. To attain true happiness, we must transition from being like ice cream (selfish) to being like a candle (selfless), embodying this shift through acts of service.

Ice cream (Selfish) and Candle (selfless) philosophy

The Battle Between Selfishness and Selflessness

Many of us grapple with the ongoing conflict between selfishness and selflessness, particularly in scenarios that evoke a virtuous versus vicious cycle. When faced with unjust behavior, the temptation to perpetuate the vicious cycle is strong. However, the benevolent voice within urges us to break this cycle and initiate a virtuous one through acts of kindness.

Balancing Selflessness with Self-Care

In our pursuit of selflessness, it is crucial to be wary of compassion fatigue. Maintaining a balance in our lives epitomizes the principle of being "selfishly selfless." This balance is achieved not through grand gestures, but through consistent, meaningful contributions to the well-being of those around us. But how can ordinary individuals like us begin practicing this?

Family First

Daily Acts of Kindness

Listening and Supporting: Actively listen to family members, providing emotional support and understanding.
Sharing Responsibilities: Participate in household chores to alleviate the burden on others.
Celebrating Successes: Acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and milestones of family members, fostering a supportive environment.

Quality fam time!

Sacrifices for Family

Well-being Time and Attention: Devote quality time to family, setting aside personal distractions and work commitments.
Financial Support: Contribute to family finances, assisting with expenses, education, and healthcare.
Personal Growth: Encourage and support the personal and professional development of family members.

Expanding Selflessness to the Nation

Our selflessness should extend beyond our immediate family to encompass our community and nation. By broadening this circle, we can serve effectively, much like the dedicated efforts of soldiers and civil servants.

Community Service

Volunteering: Engage in local community projects such as cleaning drives, educational programs, or assisting at food banks.
Mentoring: Provide guidance and mentorship to young people in the community, helping them develop skills and confidence.
Supporting Local Businesses: Promote and support local enterprises, thereby contributing to the local economy and community well-being.

National Service

Civic Engagement: Stay informed about national issues and participate in civic duties like voting and attending town hall meetings.
Supporting Veterans and Soldiers: Participate in initiatives that support veterans and active-duty soldiers, such as writing letters, fundraising, or volunteering at veteran support organizations.
Public Service Careers: Consider careers in public service, such as teaching, healthcare, or civil service, where the focus is on serving the public good.

The Joy of Service

In Sanskrit, the concept of service is known as "seva," and adding a spiritual element can enhance its fulfillment. By connecting with the divine, we utilize our skills to serve others.

Incorporating Seva

Understanding Seva: Embrace "seva" (selfless service) as a spiritual practice, recognizing the profound fulfillment it brings.
Service with Intention: Perform acts of service with genuine intention and compassion, aiming to alleviate the suffering of others.
Connecting with Spirituality: Draw strength and inspiration from spiritual practices and beliefs, using them to fuel your commitment to selflessness.

Balancing Selflessness and Self-Care

A harmonious balance between serving others and tending to your own needs is essential to avoid burnout and prevent compassion fatigue. Here are some strategies:

Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your actions and intentions, ensuring they align with your values and capacities.
Seeking Support: Don’t hesitate to seek support from others when needed, acknowledging that self-care is crucial for sustained service.

By integrating these principles into our lives, we can embark on a journey from selfishness to selflessness, enriching not only our own lives but also the lives of those around us.

This summary barely scratches the surface. This book is full of wisdom put forth in the best possible way. If you like my blog, please share it with your friends and comment below so we can have a conversation about it. Thank you for being a kind reader and supporter.

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A Piece Of My Learning

Namaste and Welcome to "A Piece of My Learning."

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