Values fostered in my system

I grew up in a village called Mashem in Goa. We were a family of 5, my father, mother and we three sisters. Baba was a freedom fighter, not only did he fight for the freedom of Goa, but he also believed in freedom of every human being.

Baba made sure that we three daughters got all the freedom in the world. We were free to choose our education, our career, our life partners and lead life in our own way. Freedom comes with responsibility. He taught us to take our decisions and to take responsibility for our actions. Making a mistake was fine, but one must learn from mistakes and ensure not to repeat them.

Baba always stressed the importance of honesty and truth in life. I remember, there was a young boy who would pass by our house every day on his way to school. Every day he would steal a banana by pulling one out from a window of the storeroom, where the stack of bananas was kept for ripening. Baba observed that everyday the stock was depleting. One day, from a faraway distance he happened to spot the boy taking a banana and coolly walking away, relishing it. By the time Baba reached near the house, the boy had moved some distance. Baba was very angry and called out the boy’s name and asked him how many bananas he had eaten so far. The boy was frightened but replied... “seven”. Baba was very surprised and pleased with his honesty, that he forgot his anger, smiled at the boy and asked him to move on. He only said, next time you want one, ask for it. 

I would like to share another incident. One day, after returning from a bus journey with the whole family, Baba realised that the bus conductor had taken 45 rupees less than the actual fare. Baba was very concerned that the conductor would fall short of the amount at the end of the day while balancing his daily transactions and would have to pay up from his own pocket. So, he decided to trace the conductor and pay him that amount. The next morning, he went looking for the conductor, undertook three or four bus journeys, tracked him and paid the 45 rupees.

Baba was a teacher at Shree Nirakar High School, Mashem. We three sisters did our schooling there. He was known for his punctuality and his love for sports and fitness. He taught us to respect time. There were several instances in school when the school had gone ahead and started the programmes at the scheduled time, without the “Chief Guest”, whenever the chief guest could not make it to the function on time. 

Baba was ahead of his time. We three daughters were taught cycling, shooting and swimming in our childhood. He encouraged us to be independent. After passing out from school, we were sent to hostel to complete our college education. It gave us an opportunity to take our own decisions and handle situations independently. He believed in changing with time. He took a computer education course at the age of 75.  After our mother passed away, he took a bold step of staying in an old age home and offered our ancestral house to be used as a hostel for needy girls who could not afford the travel expenses to go to school every day. 

Now, I am working as a faculty at a Leadership Institute. When I read books on values, I begin to reconnect to my childhood learnings from Baba. Back then, I did not know the meaning of values.  I am sure Baba also didn’t know. But he knew what is patriotism, freedom, independence, honesty, integrity, forgiveness, helpfulness, responsibility, sympathy, respect for people, respect for time, courage, simplicity, love and care for people. My father is no more. But these values have been unknowingly imbibed into my system. Thank you, Baba, for making me a fearless, independent woman.