Pratima Shah

  A phrase that frequently appears on social media is: "One of the greatest cheat codes in life is to never get offended." At first, this sounds like sensible advice. Learning not to be affected by every criticism, negative comment, or disagreement can help people maintain their peace of mind and avoid unnecessary conflict. However, there is a risk in taking this message too far. The idea of having a "thick skin" is sometimes confused with tolerating poor treatment, suppressing emotions, or remaining silent in situations that genuinely require a response. Being resilient should not mean accepting behavior that undermines your wellbeing or self-respect. This distinction becomes particularly important in workplace environments where office politics, favoritism, passive-aggressive behavior, and interpersonal tensions can influence day-to-day experiences. What Does It Really Mean to Be Thick-Skinned? Having a thick skin does not mean ignoring disrespect, accep...

  Honesty is often hurtful for the guilty-this is the dialogue spoken by Tara, wife of Vanara Raj Vali, in the mythological reimagining of Kavita Kane titled Tara’s Truce when she confronts Sugriva and it resonates with the current scenario prevalent in most of the work places. In our childhood we are taught that honesty is a virtue. It is a risk if you are honest in today's modern professional world because your honesty makes the guilty uncomfortable. And the guilty are often the ones in power. This is the plight of each and every sincere, honest and straightforward employee you have ever met. Maybe it’s your story. An Endangered Species today: The Sincere Employee She is the person who is always there at the time when others log in from the parking lot. She is the person who says, "Sir, this data is wrong; we cannot send this report," when others say, "It's fine, just edit it." She is the person who says "I have made this mistake" at a time wh...

    Why Getting a Degree in English Is Among the Best Career Decisions in the NEP Era? In a world that is changing quickly due to digital communication, global networking, artificial intelligence, and the creative industries, students frequently ask: "After earning a Bachelor's or Master's degree in English, what can I do?"  Today's response is: a lot more than in the past. English Studies is no longer restricted to becoming a teacher/lecturer under India's National Education Policy (NEP, 2020). The policy places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, employability, communication skills, creativity, critical thinking, research and industry-oriented education-- all of which are abilities that English programs naturally foster. These days, a ...

                                                                       (PC: ChatGPT) Many a times I come across moments in my professional life when I confront an uncomfortable question: Is it ok to be someone's person, or a system's person?  As such it seems to be a matter of professional alignment but reflecting upon it one realizes that it is an ethical dilemma that many professionals face. It is an ethical dilemma that silently molds the conscience, credibility and culture of a work space. I realized that this question becomes layered when I look at academic institutions because these work spaces are imagined as spaces of empowerment, intellectual freedom and collective growth. Reflecting further, I notice that there exist invisible networks of loyalty-circles of "someone's persons"- who have achieved...

Last week end while I was in the Inner Engineering course, Sadhguru spoke of " emotional constipation " and its impact on people. The term intrigued me to explore its consequences on people.  Imagine being in a room full of people and you smile. As you smile you know that something heavy is weighing upon you. Or responding to someone's 'How are you' by saying 'I am fine' even though you are not. If you are doing this then welcome to the world of EMOTIONAL CONSTIPATION which is a silent and invisible condition where feelings do not flow the way they should and get blocked, stored or are carried silently. This could be for a certain period or it could go on for years unless the person releases those feelings or heals from within.  Bottled Emotions are Real A student once narrated her pain to me. She was a bright one who was always punctual, met the deadlines and even scored well. She was very supportive towards her friends, had a sweet smile always and seem...

The entry of Gen Z into the professional spaces today is a matter of concern and curiosity especially in the field of teaching. They are a generation born in a world that is shaped by technological advancement, instant communication and digital dependence. This generation has a distinct set of skills, attitudes and challenges. They are tech savvy and adaptable but there is an increasing unease witnessed in certain behavioral patterns that reshape the ethos of professions - particularly in the field of education. One observed trait of Gen Z professionals is the strategic communication which is manipulative or laid with calculations. They have a high awareness of the system, its expectations and the outcomes. This awareness is beneficial in navigating complex situations but at times it translates into clever maneuvering where their personal convenience is often prioritized over their responsibility. This is very much evident in the field of teaching where the focus has shifted from nurtu...