Do what you think is right ?

I am not a frequent blogger, but I always wanted to be. Need to build some discipline around it. So what brought me back. In the early days, had posted a one-line blog titled 'Do what is Right'. For very long I didn't find anyone practicing this. However a couple of things happened in quick succession and here I am. 

The CEO of the company I used to offer my services for, did two things which brought cheers and hope. We were debating the introduction of two new products. Obviously, I wouldn't name given professional confidentiality. Many arguments were being put in favor and against both. He came back thundering that it doesn't really matter which is tough to implement or what RHQ or HQ thinks, whether it's acceptable to them or not - but think 'what is right for the company'. Align your thoughts accordingly without any bias of ease-to-implement. For a min, there was a deafening silence. Something like this had landed on our ears after a very long time. It had the desired effect. 

Was this a one-off incident...and I was very delighted to be proven wrong on this. We were deciding about a candidate, who had sent in his acceptance to our offer, albeit a bit late. We had certain constraints around hiring. We could have technically said no to him ...but again the CEO put in a question for the team..... do what is right....not willing to tread the path of technicalities, escape and look good to RHQ. It was very heartening to demonstrate within our spheres with full integrity to do what is right. 

On the fictional side, I happened to see 'Shaurya' *ing Rahul Bose, KK, Javed Jaffrey, and Minissa Lamba which had similar overtones. I loved it. Two close friends pitted against each other as prosecution and defense attorneys. One of them was deeply indebted to the other due to various favors he has sought. He landed in a situation where he could stay quiet and could have helped the other, something the friend wanted or hoped for. But he chose not to. He did what was expected of him, his professional and personal duty and what was right. The best part is without truly jeopardizing the friendship. I have been in a similar situation in my professional life where I have been on the Sales side whereas my very close buddy was my Risk counterpart. Without ever compromising, we did what was right, in the process ending up fighting on deals...but the friendship was intact...in fact, the bond grew firmer and the foundation grew stronger. 

Maybe it's more a coincidence. I also happened to buy a DVD of 'Halla Bol'. Halla Bol is a street cry, used by street theatre artists to convey issues of importance - socially relevant, current happenings, malaise in public life, issues threatening the national fabric, etc at times requiring mass consciousness by creating awareness amongst them. Off late people have responded leading to a public movement, the most recent being the Jessica Lall murder. Here again, the protagonist, who temporarily strays, comes back to the path of righteousness, given his strong roots and upbringing on the principle of 'do what is right'. Obviously, the path was shown by his Guru. It's tough, it's painful, it's full of thorns but it's immensely satisfying to the soul. 

I really believe that we do have 'Raja Harishchandra's' amongst us and within us. We are answerable to Supreme power and more than that we are answerable to ourselves. For the latter's sake  'Do what is Right'.