Reunions and Reflections

BOND over Platforms

Wish you a Happy New Year 2024.

It has been am interesting year and I am glad to have remained in touch with you through my reflections on Platform Businesses in India.

The above picture is from my school reunion where we participated in the school assembly after 30 years and did not skip a beat for the school prayer and other activities. In fact, the current school principal compared our enthusiasm to his current primary students and found us more enthusiastic than the 10 years olds.

This bring me to the concept of muscle memory and what practice does to your goal achievement. We swear by muscle memory in running and trust that our training over shorter distances would create enough muscle memory to take us over the finish line in a scheduled marathon. More about it later.

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DTW

During the Week, I got many social media posts, emails and newsletters talking about the achievements and accomplishments of the respective senders. It set me thinking about the year gone and I sort of came round the idea that for me connections matter. As I reflect on the year 2023, I am filled with gratitude and hope. I would like to use the BOND framework to reflect on reunions and reflections.

B - Begin with Gratitude: I would like to start with expressing gratitude to everybody who has been part of this year’s interesting journey and even earlier.

I have been fortunate to have been blessed by wonderful teachers who continue to shower their love even after 30 years of leaving school. Shyla Ma’m, our English teacher in class Xth , could not make it to the reunion because of earlier commitments but still juggled her schedule to treat us to a sumptuous breakfast of South Indian delicacies and fond memories of her classes.

It is another matter that she drives a Mini Cooper and we found it apt to take a picture with her car before she left us in a daze.

Needless to say, she still exudes charm and grace even after 30 years and all of us are still awestruck.

O - Open Conversations: Reunions provide a chance to strike conversation which might open up new possibilities.

• Old Stories, New Perspectives: Reunions provide a space for Open Conversations, where old stories are retold with newfound wisdom.

• Opportunities for Growth: Reflecting on personal journeys, open dialogues uncover lessons learned and opportunities for individual and collective growth.

N - Nostalgic Connections: Participating in the reunion at my school at Air Force Station, Sambra, Belgaum created a flood of memories both in school and in residential areas. I am so glad to have finally made it to the reunion and reignite the bonds. Not surprisingly, most of the planning for the reunion happened over WhatsApp messages and it continues to provide a platform to relive those memories.

No school reunion plan is complete without ticking off at least one of the school time bucket list item. All through the three years of schooling at KV-1 Sambra, Belgaum- 1989-1992-, we had planned for a Goa Trip with friends and it finally fructified in 2023 after 31 years. Better late than never!

Another shorter reunion at Goa Institute of Management involved catching up with another college friend Prof Divya and the lovely couple, Prof Kanupriya and Prof Jagrook Dawra. It triggered another round of memories and discussion about serendipitous events/conversations which determine our life and career trajectories.

• Nurturing Relationships: Platforms nurture Nostalgic Connections, reigniting the bonds that might have faded over time.

• Navigating Life's Changes: Reflections on life's twists and turns highlight the resilience of relationships, showcasing the enduring power of shared history.

D - Discovering Shared Values:

• Diverse Paths, Common Values: Reunions showcase how paths diverge but also emphasize Discovering Shared Values that form the heart of lasting connections.

• Defining Moments: Reflecting on pivotal moments, individuals find common ground in the shared values that define their journeys.

This BOND framework celebrates the essence of reunions and reflections, emphasizing gratitude, open conversations, nostalgic connections, and the discovery of shared values that bind individuals across time and distance.

OTW

Over the Weekend, we caught up with more friends and family in Pune. Thanks to Sonika and Neeraj for hosting us to a grand and long new year celebrations at their sprawling house in Khidki cantonment.

It was weekend of fun and food. It reminded me that we are still loved by lot of people and fills me with gratitude.

Wishing you and your family a very happy and prosperous New Year 2024.

I Love You

Shailendra