All posts by : ShyamalB

“You’re so far away from me
You’re so far, I just can’t see” Dire Straits https://share.google/95Wojowwbsii3k6FE

After 53 days, we were together again. Service life is as such, 2026 has been so happening, my transfer to Corporate Office, located at the capital city of my country, my wife’s transfer to the capital city of my state, all this within a month and it was so hectic that we didn’t get enough time to be sad, but just went on to get separated due to work, our means of livelihood.
It was a one night trip and as I landed, the outside rain made it more romantic and also nostalgic. As I passed through the known landscape, days spent during my student days, I was impatient to reach to my better half.
God was always there, and I am grateful that even after the heavy showers, water logging which has become so common these days in this city, we sailed through smoothly and I reached on time. 
A cup of black coffee with Pitha made by her was the added pleasure. My brother called and informed that he is coming for lunch with his wife, cooking my favourite dish, which I miss so much in my new place of work. 
As there was time, we decided to go to a nursery to buy some saplings, so that I can plant them along with the ones that I have brought. So we visited the old famous nursery, but unluckily the flowering creepers we were looking for was unavailable and only one was available. The price was unbelievable, dejected we came out and just saw a makeshift nursery with their plants being displayed in the footpath. A bit skeptical, we went inside to be greeted with warm by two persons. As rain began to pour, they offered their chairs for us. Surprisingly we found most of our requirements there except one and few other varieties too. Good people are difficult to find but when you find them you have to just appreciate them. I am so grateful to have found them and their warm, respectful nature made it so enjoyable, we didn’t have to bargain, the owner offered some very useful tips and prevented us from buying certain manure, which were recommended in social media, even he could have been benefitted. May God bless them. 
The lunch was stupendous, enjoying it together with near and dear ones is another added spice. A long gossip and after a simple dinner it is bed time.
We spoke about life, the emptiness, compulsions and way forward. Sometimes you have give time, time to heal, time pass by and look out for the positivity only. Easier said than done. 
The need for us is to relook, rethink and reinvent. Time waits for none, some sacrifices are to be made, before it’s too late. 
We believe that what God has done for us has done for our good and what will happen will also happen for good. 
There has to be a balance between money, work and life. 
Separation even temporary, is painful, maybe God is testing us and we definitely will survive, we believe that we will overcome and come out with flying colours…
As I pen my feelings in my flight to my place of work, I am so grateful to God that I am blessed… 
In my return flight, the seats near me are vacant and I am so thankful and grateful…
God always has surprises and plans for you.

Legacy of Grace: My Mother, The Ultimate Giver

The name of the book, the author and the tagline; just as it goes it’s so true, unbelievably true. “Give and Take” byAdam Grant is in true sense ‘A Revolutionary Approach to Success.‘

I finished reading Give and Take in January 2026, and and I admit that I was late, late in buying and reading. But ‘better late than never.’ While I felt a pang of regret for not finding these words sooner, the clarity they provided was profound. The concept of “Givers” is very nicely elaborated as those rare individuals who contribute to the world without expecting anything in return. It took me until 2026 to fully find the words, but looking back, I realize, I was raised by the ‘Ultimate Giver‘.

The Audacity of Sacrifice

My mother’s entire life was a masterclass in the “Giver” philosophy, even when it cost her everything.

As, I enrolled in Engineering, she decided to quit her teacher job in a government school which was her permanent source of income and decided open a college for the girls students of our locality. At the time, as a student with two younger siblings, I’ll admit I was frustrated. I worried about our dwindling resources and the weight on my father’s shoulders.

I saw the Risk; she saw a Mission.

With no income in her hands, with her willpower and strong belief in her ownself, her journey to cater to the needs of a section of the society was successfully accomplished. For two decades, she poured her life into that noble cause, sacrificing her own comfort to ensure other daughters had a future.

Reflecting on a Life of Radical Giving 🤍

To many, she was a teacher, a leader, and a visionary. To me, she was the woman who walked away from the security of a government job, saw a need for a girls’ college in our locality and she traded her own comfort for their future.

The Heart Above the Self – Altruism Without Borders

Even after I entered the workforce and began giving her money, her hands remained “empty”, not because she lacked, but because she couldn’t stop sharing. She would immediately redirect my gifts to those she deemed more in need. I used to get frustrated to find out that she had given it away to someone she felt needed it more. We had our arguments, but she would just smile, fold her hands, and change the subject. Her values were a fortress that no logic of mine could breach. She didn’t need “things”; she needed to be of service.

For twenty years, her journey was never easy. It was often painful and filled with sacrifice. I’ll admit, I didn’t always understand it.

Leadership Without Ego with The Power of Humility

Her leadership was defined by a rare lack of ego. I still think about the day she was unanimously nominated as President of the Sadau Assam Lekhika Samaroh Samiti. Instead of taking the crown, she stepped aside for an elder, pleading with the committee to honor seniority first. “I have time,” she said. Even when political conspiracies tried to block her path two years later, her integrity was an impenetrable shield. She eventually led, not because she sought power, but because she had earned the absolute trust of her community.

A Final Testimony

She lived her life for the “other.” She proved that you don’t need a massive bank account to be the wealthiest person in the room, you just need a heart that knows no limits.

She didn’t leave behind an estate; she left behind a generation of empowered women and a community that was better because she breathed. Her journey was never easy, it was often paved with pain and struggle, but it was never aimless. She lived with a willpower that defied logic and a belief in others that defied cynicism. The massive crowd that poured in on the day of her passing was the only testimony she ever needed. They didn’t just come to mourn; they came to honor a woman who had spent her life building bridges for others to cross.

She was a Giver in the truest, most divine sense of the word.

Rest in peace, Maa. I finally understand. 🕊️

With so much of Gratitude to #Adam Grant # for the wonderful book…May God Bless.

#Legacy #Giver #WomenEmpowerment #Inspiration #Assam #Motherhood #Adam Grant #Give and Take #Women Education #Moran

Dr Sukha Baruah, founder Principal of Moran Mahila Mahividlaya, the pioneer institution for higher education of the women was established by Dr Sukha Baruah in the year 1992. A woman with a vision to empower women, she thought that society can progress only if we are able to educate women. As she was working in a government recognized girl’s school, she could see the plight of the girl students who couldn’t avail higher education  due to various reasons. After a careful grassroot level analysis spanning for a few years, she could realize that a college particularly for the girls will serve the purpose. So, she left her job, pursued her dream single handedly and with the able support of like minded people of the locality and society at large she was able to start  Moran Mahila Mahividlaya in the midst of Moran Town. She offered her services as Principal of the college for continuous 21 years without taking remuneration till the year 2013. She left for heavenly abode on 3rd September 2023. 

In memory of her contribution to the upliftment and empowerment of women, specially in the area of education, we the the family members instituted two awards of Merit Scholarships; 01 for the student securing highest marks in Higher Secondary (HS) Final Examination and 01 for the student securing highest marks in Degree Final Examination.

The Merit Scholarships comprises of a citation and a cash amount of Rs. 10,000/- each. We believe that this initiate of our Family Members will provide encouragement to the students of the college to strive for achieving more. 

On behalf of the family members, the awards were presented to the meritorious students by Dr Shyamal Baruah, eldest son and Mrs Maususmi Baruah, daughter-in-law.

Dr Sukha Baruah, founder Principal of Moran Mahila Mahividlaya, the pioneer institution for higher education of the women was established by Dr Sukha Baruah in the year 1992. A woman with a vision to empower women, she thought that society can progress only if we are able to educate women. As she was working in a government recognized girl’s school, she could see the plight of the girl students who couldn’t avail higher education  due to various reasons. After a careful grassroot level analysis spanning for a few years, she could realize that a college particularly for the girls will serve the purpose. So, she left her job, pursued her dream single handedly and with the able support of like minded people of the locality and society at large she was able to start  Moran Mahila Mahividlaya in the midst of Moran Town. She offered her services as Principal of the college for continuous 21 years without taking remuneration till the year 2013. She left for heavenly abode on 3rd September 2023. 

In memory of her contribution to the upliftment and empowerment of women, specially in the area of education, we the the family members ably encouraged and supported by our father Shri Binanda Chandra Baruah, Retd. Inspector of Schools, instituted two awards of Merit Scholarships; 01 for the student securing highest marks in Higher Secondary (HS) Final Examination and 01 for the student securing highest marks in Degree Final Examination.

The Merit Scholarships comprises of a citation and a cash amount of Rs. 10,000/- each. We believe that this initiate of our Family Members will provide encouragement to the students of the college to strive for achieving more. 

These 02 Merit Scholarships will be awarded annually to 02 meritorious students of Moran Mahila Mahividlaya.

The first 02 Merit Scholarships were presented to Miss Pankhi Priya Gogoi for securing the highest marks amongst the degree students and Miss Bristimoyee Changmai for for securing the highest marks amongst the HS students on 23rd August 2024.

The awards were presented by Dr Shyamal Baruah, Eldest Son and Mrs Mausumi Baruah, Eldest Daughter-in-law in a function organized at Moran Mahila Mahividlaya in which the Mrs Joyshree Phukan, Principal and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Borthakur, President, Governing Body of  Moran Mahila Mahividlaya were also present. 

The next day was Friday and we found the streets with people already on the holiday mode. We made our scheduled bus journey to Navi Pier. Navy Pier is a 1,010 m long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan built in 1916. Built primarily as a cargo facility for lake freighters, it was also designed to accommodate warehouses and provide docking space for passenger excursion steamers. Latter on it became a major tourist hub with recreational facilities like picnicking areas, dining pavilions, a dance hall, auditorium, and children’s playground. Today the pier has a 46 m tall Ferris Wheel ( 15 storey tall), an IMAX theater with a seat capacity of 440 persons , the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Amazing Chicago’s Funhouse Maze, the Chicago Children’s Museum , the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows along with fast-food kiosks and shops. In the large front lawn are numerous larger-than-life public art sculptures and an interactive animated fountain. 

The pier continues to be used as an embarkation point for tour and excursion boats. 

The Ferris wheel, named after George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr. a Pennsylvania bridge-builder provides a food view of the Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline. The slow pace of movement of the wheel with each box having a seat capacity of four seats is a worth while ride for the $ 14 ticket. 

Chicago Architectural boat tour; the tour starts from the Navi Pier and extends for about an hour. A guided tour in a boat which is mostly less crowded takes one through the river Chicago deep inside the town. One can see the landmarks of Chicago – 77 West   Wacker Drive , Sears’s tower, Tribune Building, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Lake Point Tower, Marina City Towers, Carbide  & Carbon Building, Smurfit-Stone Building, Park Tower, AT&T Corporate Center, John Hancock Center, Chase Tower, to name a few and numerous architectural landscapes during the boat tour. One of the most fascinating aspects of the tour is that one can see the Chicago Railways which passes beneath those giant building. The inhabitants of those buildings are not disturbed by the noise of the trains running underneath them. Also one can see the vehicles parked in the Marina City Towers. One has to pass under various iron bridges, numerous riverside cafes which makes the tour really a worth while visit. It is rightly said that a tour to Chicago is incomplete without the ‘Chicago Architectural boat tour.’

This 90-minute cruise highlights 53 historic and architecturally significant sites including: the Trump Tower, Merchandise Mart, 333 W. Wacker, the Wrigley Building, the Tribune Tower, the Sears Tower, River City, Marina City and the site of the Spire. Offered aboard Chicago’s First Lady Cruises, it is led by trained volunteer docents. Cruises depart from the lower level/southeast corner of the Michigan Ave Bridge at Wacker Dr. Individual tickets are available by phone at 312-902-1500, or online. Snacks/beverages may be purchased.

KMART is a departmental store more suitable for budget travelers like us for marketing. 

Lake Michigan — the primary source of fresh water for the city is the fifth largest lake in the world. It is 494 km long, 190 km wide with a shoreline of 2,633 km. The lake’s average depth is 85 m with maximum depth of 281 m.  The volume of water is 4,918 km³ and water surface is about 176 m above the sea level. It is believed that the French explorer Jean Nicolet was the first non-Native American to discover Lake Michigan in 1634 or 1638 and the first permanent settlement on the Lake Michigan shoreline was made in 1779 at the site of present-day Chicago by Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, who had been born in Santo Domingo.

In 1855, Chicago constructed the first comprehensive sewer system in the U.S. Chicago’s water and sewage systems were publicly managed, a model soon followed by other cities. In 1900 the problem of sewage was solved by reversing the direction of the River’s flow with the construction of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal leading to the Illinois River.

Weather -June to September is the best time to visit Chicago with temperatures ranging from 40 degree F to 90 degree F. From November to March winter starts and the temperature comes down with an average of 30 inches of snow.

Trivia: On December 2, 1942, the world’s first controlled nuclear reaction was conducted at the University of Chicago as part of the top secret Manhattan Project. 

How to get there: Air India operates directs flights from Kolkata, New Delhi to Chicago. Jet Airways also has a flight to Chicago. All other major airlines have good connection to Chicago. One has the option for a direct flight or a stopover flight.

Next on our agenda was the Sears Tower, the tallest skyscraper in the United States is also the fifth tallest building in the world. The 108 story, 442 meter high skyscraper was completed in 1973 and is now known as the “Willis Tower”. This skyscraper was made to accommodate about 350,000 employees of Sears, Roebuck & Co. designed by chief architect Mr. Bruce Graham and head structural engineer Mr. Fazlur Khan. With the antenna the building stands at 527 meter. Lightening stuck these antennas about 700 times in a year.The Sears Tower observation deck ‘Skydeck ‘is located on the 103rd floor and takes about 60 seconds to reach the skydeck in the Schindler Groupelevators. Glass Balconies of about four feet are in the process of installation scheduled to be opened for public on July 2, 2009. There is another Skydeck on the 99th floor, which is used when the 103rdfloor one is closed. We didn’t go to the skydeck to make the experience of Hancock Observatory nearer to the Lake unique. 

We proceeded to the Millennium Park, a 24.5-acre Park featuring the work of world-renowned architects, planners, artists and designers. It is a center for art, music, architecture and landscape design. The major attraction of the park is – Cloud Gate sculpture designed by British artist Anish Kapoor, the interactive Crown Fountain designed by Jaume Plensa, Jay Pritzker Pavilion designed by Frank Gehry and the BP Bridge.

Cloud Gate is a 66-feet long, 33-feet high, 110-ton elliptical sculpture of seamless and highly polished stainless steel plates, which reflect the city’s famous skyline and the clouds above. One can go through a 12 foot high gate to the concave chamber beneath the sculpture. One can see multiple reflected images and take some easy snaps too. Every one was busy taking pictures by lying on the ground, underneath it in different angles. A marriage ceremony was also taking place there. 

The Crown Fountain, deigned by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa, consists of two 50-foot glass block towers at each end of a shallow reflecting pool. One can see different images in the tower which laughs, cries, blink eyes, etc. The collection of faces was taken from a cross-section of 1,000 Chicagoresidents. People of all ages were enjoying the change of faces with children playing in the shallow water.

Jay Pritzker Pavilion is 120-feet tall with crisscrossing steel pipes and stainless steel ribbons to support the sound system. It has 4,000 fixed seats and an adjacent lawn ‘the Great Lawn’ capable of accommodating 7,000 more people. Most of major festival of Chicagoincluding the Grant Park Music Festivalis organized here.

BP Bridge is a 925-foot-long winding bridge which connects the Millennium Parkto Daley Bicentennial Plaza. From the bridge one can see the Chicago skyline, Grant Park and Lake Michigan. We enjoyed the beauty of the evening from the glass enclosed structure having some innovative stone structures for tourists like us to sit, lay and relax. 

The Art Institute of Chicago was nearby and we had a glimpse of it too. This is the place where Swami Vivekananda introduced Hinduism to the world in the Parliament of the World’s Religions held in 1893. The Art Institute of Chicago possess some of world’s great art collections; wood sculpture, masks, ceramics, furniture, textiles, beadwork, architectural drawings and various paintings.

Our place of stay was within walk able distance and as we were on our way back we saw people enjoying Chess in the footpath. ‘Challenge me’ was a play card written and man, women of different age were enjoying the game. A unique site for all of us. 

The next day we took a journey by foot to the ‘Magnificent Mile’ the shopping district of Chicago. The Magnificent Mile has over 460 stores, 275 restaurants, 51 hotels, 2 unique museums and a host of other things. Department stores like Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, boutiques like Cartier, Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo, Ermenegildo Zegna, Burberry and Tiffany & Co. Hotels like The Peninsula Chicago, Park Hyatt Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Ritz-Carlton Chicago and Le Meridien Chicago. Also to be found are horse drawn carriages, different varieties of flowers in the pavements, street players and colorful tourists. 

We went to Macy’s situated on State Street, which is the 2nd largest department store in the world and is also a national historic place. Macy’s offer shopping and dining with tradition.  You find some of best international brands like Frango, Marc Jacobs, Levenger , crystal and bone china items, a beauty department, wine and chocolates, sports items, jewelry , designer items and places to dine like the ‘Walnut Room’, serving since 1907 at the seventh floor. In every place you find an attendant eager to help you and at the entry and exit points you find well built security guards assisting your entrance and exit.

From there we went to Hershey’s Chocolate Shop where a variety of chocolates, different in size, shape and rate providing one ample opportunity to choice from. Also available are souvenirs, cake and pasties and coffees. We were lucky for the special offer –  $ 10 for 3 packets of Chocolates, actually $ 10 plus taxes. 

We usually bought our necessary articles from the 7 – Eleven shops which offered a huge array of things ranging from Pencil batteries, Water, Juices to Ready to eat sandwiches, burgers etc. Form such a store we purchased a 3 days validity CTA pass entitled to travel end number of times by Bus and Train run by CTA. As the bus stop was nearby to our hotel we studied the route and boarded the bus with the route 147 which had the longest route from this stop. Five of us were the only passengers to board the bus driven by a lady driver. After asking the ladies from where we are, she jokingly said “Do you have lady bus drivers in India? If No, then you have to get down.” As we moved through the rods of Chicago the bus was filled up with passengers but never was the bus getting overcrowded. The bus moved to the outskirts of Chicago and passes by the side of the Lake Michigan. The roads are less crowded and the driver took the liberty to press the accelerator paddle more. The picturesque beauty is beyond any words for describing. People enjoy a lot on the shores of the lake – some are jogging, some are cycling, some are sun bathing, and so on. 

We got down from the bus to visit Dominick – a one stop shop for all household goods – processed foods, vegetables, fruits, juices, meat, fish, electronic goods, flowers, souvenirs, wine and alcohol, biscuits, cakes, ready to eat sandwich, burgers etc. etc. One thing that amazed us was the size of the tomatoes, onions and fruits like apple, we stand a poor cousin in front of them. Then we had a stroll in the place and found some Indian shops there too; as the area had considerable Indian population. 

We came back in the same bus but the route was a bit away from the lake. We got down at 875 North Michigan Avenueto visit the John Hancock Center. This 100-story, 344 meter tall skyscraper was designed by Mr. Fazlur Khan, a Bangladeshi-American structural engineer. It was completed in 1969, and is the sixth-tallest in the United States. It stands at 459 meter when measured with the antennas at the top. Residential floors start from 44th to the 92nd floor with a swimming pool in the 44th floor. In the top there is a band of white lights which changes colours for different events. For example, Christmas – green and red.

The observation deck is in the 94th Floor called the Hancock Observatory. A ticket costs $ 14 and you take the elevator to reach the observatory in the 94thfloor in mere 39 seconds. Oh, what a breathtaking view of the Chicago City, Lake Michigan and the nearby areas. With a Multimedia Headphone detailing all the information’s one has to enjoy the view and click pictures. A special meshed-in area is there to feel the real life situation in the 94th floor, the winds at 314 meter above ground level. One can also buy souvenirs and have a bite while enjoying a 360 degree view.

In the 95thfloor a restaurant, named as “The Signature Room on the 95th Floor” is there for one to go and have a cup of coffee and have a view of the city, if one doesn’t want to shell out $ 14. 

Visited in 2009…

There you are, at last at the O’Hare International Airport, Chicago, our destination in the United   States. As it was known as the second busiest airport in the world we were tense; how long it might take for the immigration formalities. As several flights have landed the queue were long, specially those demarcated for Non US Citizens. In snails pace we are moving in the zig_zag route, when an officer comes and makes the route straight and directs us towards the counters marked only for US Citizens. A bit of confusion and after some discussions between themselves we were in front of a counter marked only for US Citizens. Passports please; then photography, fingerprints and then came a volley of questions; most of which seemed non relevant. Maybe the guy there was felting others anger on us; a la more work load. Finally after exactly 35 minutes of questioning he stamped our passport and we made it to the United States of America.

Our place of stay was in a hotel at Downtown Chicago and we the group of seven adults and two kids got into an Airport Shuttle for starting our maiden journey in Chicago.  As we reached the hotel and got down we felt what awaited us in Chicago. It was impossible to stay outdoors due to the chilling wind coming from the Lake Michigan, only 150 meters away. Maybe this is why they nicknamed Chicago as ‘Windy City’. Only the warm interiors of the hotel made us realize that it was June not December. Make a mixture of the chill of December with the wind of February-March in Assam and you can create the weather. 

A brief about Chicago, one of the largest cities in USA. 

Incorporated as Town of Chicago in 12 August, 1833 it is in the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan in the state of Illinois with over 2.8. Around 50 million people visits Chicago annually and is one of the world’s top ten Global Financial Centers.

Chicago is known by different nicknames, ‘The Windy City’ – due to Chicago politicians and residents boasting about their city, ‘Second City’ -due to the city generally being the second most prestigious in the nation in terms of transportation, culture, and finance, ‘The City of the Big Shoulders’ – for its numerous skyscrapers, which were invented in Chicago, and described as being husky and brawling.

Devastated by the 1871 Great Chicago Fire today’s Chicago is an architect’s delight.  Due to the soft, swampy ground near the lake it was not suitable for tall masonry buildings. To overcome this constraint steel frames were tried and the invention of the skyscraper made it a leader in architecture and set the model for achieving vertical city densities worldwide.

May Day is also believed to be a result of strike by workers lobbying for an eight-hour work day on 4th may, 1886 at Haymarket, Chicago. 

For us it is the place from where Swami Vivekananda marveled the world with his inspiring speech on Hinduism at the Parliament of the World’s Religions at Chicago in 1893.

Jet lag took toll of us and we had to call it a day. 

to be concluded….

In any Leadership Program the main emphasis is on ‘Listening Skill’. 

So how does one aspire to be a good leader if he or she does not listen to others. In our culture also we are taught from our childhood to listen and then only talk. In our younger days, during dinner when we all had the opportunity to sit and eat together numerous discussions surface. There was never such discussion where we could not comment or take part, but our parents made it clear that before putting up any comment you have to listen attentively. They tired to imbibe this habit of Listening in us as they knew from experience that it will yield positive results. Both my parents have been successful and widely admired in their respective fields. 

But, now we pay to listen to celebrities, coaches speak these simple things. The reason why I say is simple because we have been created by the almighty as such, with 02 ears and 01 mouth.

Today, sadly most of our leaders pay no heed to the reality, they do not want to listen the truth, more like, they say that they walk the truth but in reality, it is the opposite. Again, we find some leaders who tends to listen, but they listen only to reply or confront. 

This is a habit that is inculcated in someone from an early stage, and it requires considerable effort to develop good and true listening skills. 

We do not like people who do not listen to what we say, interrupt in between… So, let us then try not to be one such…

This is a simple but giant step to develop ourself professionally and contribute to the Society.