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Our theme for
the West Zone Congress is both apt and timely, for it epitomizes the
core of the formation of the Federation of Jesuit Alumni Associations of
India (JAAI). It is the sparks ignited by the Jesuits world over and in
various corners of our country, particularly in the field of education
that have now become a fire that spreads heat, gives light and provides
the combustion to progress The coming together of a variety of
Institutions and Alumni, under the common fold of JAAI with the
objective of spreading and strengthening the bonds of the Jesuit values,
are the bond that tie us together. This West Zone Congress of JAAI is
therefore, both a celebration and a time for introspection for all of us
who have had the good fortune to be guided by these pioneers of
education and social service.
Against this
backdrop, it is interesting to note how the theme of this Congress has
let itself be open to a wide variety of interpretation and yet when seen
in its entirety morphs into just two words – Jesuit Values.
Igniting the spark – the
beginning of a revolution
The ignition
of a vehicle holds the key to the start of a pleasurable journey. It
provides the stationary vehicle with the crucial impetus that fires the
engine into life and propels it forward. Our theme today is focused on
a similar paradigm that seeks to harness the life force in each of us to
contribute meaningfully to the betterment of self, family, society and
environment around us.
Everyone has a
wide variety of sparks be it intellectual, spiritual, emotional or
physical. In varying degrees we use each of these strengths to fulfill
our daily chores, meet our commitments and to progress in life. However
the vital spark that can ignite other sparks both within us and in those
around us, is what Dale Carnegie labeled as the most vital one viz.
Enthusiasm. With enthusiasm, he says we can achieve anything.
The simple
test of enthusiasm is the fact that each of you is present for this West
Zone Congress. If you were not enthused you would neither take the
effort to come nor influence your friends to attend. The proof of the
pudding is in the eating and I am sure you are enjoying the wonderful
hospitality of our hosts the Jesuit Alumni Associations of Gujarat, the
warmth & colorfulness of the Gujarathi people and the camaraderie that
binds us Jesuit Alumni!!!
Let the Sparks fly – the
power of positive dissent
While
enthusiasm is a bright spark that ignites thoughts and action, it also
has the potential to cascade into a raging fire. That does not mean that
we need to curb the sparks from flying because in Stone Age sparks were
created using the power of friction between firestones. The same
principle holds good even today and every effort must be made to
encourage divergent views to be expressed, dissent brought out in the
open, issues debated, notwithstanding the sparks flying. For us Indians
it is the unity in diversity that makes our country, our people and our
democracy so vibrant, colorful and compelling.
Letting sparks
fly also opens up glorious new possibilities which
otherwise would have remained closeted due to our biases, prejudice or
ignorance. It also lets us peep into the otherwise staid personalities
who when provoked reveal their true selves and help us see things from a
different perspective. Often dissent helps us understand the real
problem and gives us clues to the perfect solutions. Of course like
sparks are wont to, they do sting, occasionally burn and in exceptional
cases even blaze but even these cinders help us identify the debris and
rubble that can be then swept away and a new edifice built again.
‘Spark’ling diamonds –
discovering the potential in the myriad
Like diamonds, which have to be
polished and cut to get the sparkle, Jesuit education gives that
finishing touch to the millions of students who pass out of their
institutions. What makes the Jesuit education special is their ability
to find a diamond within every individual who comes in
contact with them.
The title of
the James Bond movie ‘Diamonds are Forever’ is a good analogy of a
Jesuit Alumni– for a Jesuit Alumni never loses the glitter and value (s)
that have been instilled during the scholastic and sports training. As
alumni who have greatly benefited, we too must strive to seek the
potential in the people around us, believe that we can positively impact
all those whom we come in contact with and that we can play a vital role
in nation building. In the process we also reinforce our learning and
keep the sparkle shining bright in our lives.
Perhaps we
also need to sift through our heritage to weed out the ills of
untouchability, gender bias, religious intolerance and the like, for in
this myriad are diamonds of talent and intelligence awaiting discovery.
‘Spark’ling Water – the
fizz makes the difference
When you go
abroad you are often given a choice between plain water and sparkling
water, which is the equivalent of our soda. What makes the difference
between the two types of water is the fizz in it. Like sparkling water,
we Jesuit Alumni are a cut above the rest because of the
fizz put
into us through the Jesuit values ingrained both in the
classroom & the sports field.
It is this
fizz that makes us bubbly, fun loving entities who believe in the
virtues of active participation, fair play and team effort and we
demonstrate these in all our actions. The organization of this Congress,
the large turnout and the meaningful interaction are tangible proof of
the fizz that holds the key to the zing in every Jesuit
Alumni.
‘Spark’lers – Burn bright – shed light- ignite !!
During Divali
– the festival of lights the one common firecracker that the young and
the old alike have enjoyed at least once in their lifetime are the
sparklers. These basic firecrackers are simple to use, relatively safe,
provide glitter to the festive atmosphere and are equally useful to
ignite more robust firecrackers like the flowerpot.
Can we not harness these gifts of
our talents, the values of our upbringing and the collective strength of
our alumni, which taken together forms the core of a sparkler called
Jesuit Alumni, to give back to our alma mater and our society,
as freely as those who shaped our success?
To paraphrase our theme, we can
confidently state that each of us is like a handcrafted Jesuit sparkler
– the Jesuit values being the stem on which the Jesuit virtues have been
coated and which is ignited by the Jesuit zeal. We should not only light
up our homes and our environment but we must be the catalysts who share
and spread our light to brighten up the paths of the downtrodden, the
marginalized and the economically weaker.
Together we
can live up to the JAAI motto –
To do and not to count the cost
!!!
Bobby Jacob –
National Vice- President JAAI &
President VOBA
(Vincentian Old Boys Association, Pune)
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