Dear Darling Friends,

Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, a scholar of high repute, was invited to a party. When he reached the venue, the person at the gate told him that guests HAD TO COMPULSORILY come in formal European clothes.

Those were the days of the British rule in India. Some Indians thought wearing British clothes was a sign of superiority. They also believed it will keep them in the good books of the British masters.

Vidyasagar, however, had turned up in his usual spotless white dhoti and kurta.

Without any acrimony, Vidyasagar thanked the man at the gate and left. A little while later, he turned up at the venue again. The man at the gate was happy to see that Vidyasagar was now in formal European attire.

As was customary, he announced Vidyasagar’s arrival. The host himself came out to receive Vidyasagar respectfully.

During dinner, Vidyasagar started pouring food on his clothes, one spoon at a time! The guests were taken aback to see Vidyasagar talk to his coat, asking it to have some more soup.

The host rushed to the scene and awkwardly asked, ‘Why is a scholar like you, the great Vidyasagar, behaving this way?

Vidyasagar smiled, “It is clear the invitation to dinner is to the dress I am wearing and not to me. Therefore, I’m feeding the dress.” The host got the message and he apologized to Vidyasagar.

Vidyasagar had sent out a simple message — the British might have won Indian territory, but Indians could remain Indians taking pride in their tradition and culture.

A dear reader friend, Latha Aravindakshan, has shared this story with me after reading the last LSM. She had read it at Katha Tales.

I was delighted with the way Vidyasagar communicated and made his point. With her permission, I am sharing this story with you.

What did this story mean to you? Did it ‘talk’ to you and say something?

I would love to know your thoughts. So would Latha.

With love, prayers and exceptional wishes,

naren

Change your thoughts. Change your life.