Star Strikers

Munnar, in Idukki district of Kerala is a breathtakingly beautiful haven of peace and tranquility set at an altitude of approximately 6000 ft. It was the favored summer resort for the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air – all joined together makes Munnar an always inviting tourist destination. A friend of mine, a Company Secretary with MBA feathers on his cap, was sharing with us his experiences of a short visit there. We were over a cup of tea. Together with us was an industrialist, who generally was busy round the clock.  That Sunday evening seemed to me as if he is deliberately trying to relax. 

Any story on organic India is always a refreshing dose for me. Incidentally, the CS valla told us about a piece of bath soap which he bought from Munnar. He said that he was pulled in for a purchase mostly because of the box made of shredded bark of areca nut (supari) tree in which it was sealed. He told us that the aroma of that soap and the natural packing arrangement really attracted him and he suggested that if this is converted into a large scale business, it could fetch one a beautiful living. I understood that he was earnestly thinking of a planned production line and a wonderful market. Just then came into my mind the name of Sri Rohit Sharma, an Indian Youngster from Lucknow, who could build a million dollar business, ‘Simply Natural’, on supari leaves. I looked into the face of my industrialist friend, who I thought might help the CS man to invoke the risk passions in him. However, he looked at us with a helpless sharpness and told us that successful business is always exposure of hidden talents and continuation of long withheld aspirations within. He said that he doesn’t ever go after lucrative ideas unless it does fall within his interest/aptitude range.

All the day, I was on this Insight. I connected it with a recent article on Arvind Kejariwal the new AAP Chief Minister of Delhi. Kejariwal was not a professional politician. There were a lot of articles on him dissecting all possibilities which lead to his massive victory. One of the write ups said that there were and still there are identical people who also recite the same slogans every day. The article but continued saying that the factor which made Kejariwal different is that he did it a few more years longer. The writer, I remember, also said that it is how Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi became Gandhiji and Martin Luther King became King Martin Luther. 

India is full of vibrant entrepreneurs. A silent survey will show that the percentage of startups that fall shattered within two years is as big as 75%. The industrialist friend who sat with us was pointing to the big factor behind this. Look at the studies. An entrepreneur who identifies his interests and talents and hold on to that line with perfect consistency is the one destined to win. Most fortunate are the parents with children who have dared to choose a career for themselves. They have clearly spotted their interests and aptitudes and thus confirmed their position among the star strikers.

Joseph Mattappally