Sankranthi, a vibrant festival celebrated across India, marks the transition of the sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn. It’s a time of new beginnings, of harvest, and of celebration. One of the most popular traditions associated with Sankranthi, particularly in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is the art of kite flying. As a child, I eagerly awaited this festival, not just for the delicious sweets and the family gatherings, but for the thrill of flying kites. Looking back, I realize that this simple pastime offered me profound insights into management and life.

The Art of Kite Flying

Kite flying is an art. It requires skill, patience, and a keen understanding of the wind. You need to know when to let the string out, allowing the kite to soar, and when to reel it in, maintaining control. It’s a delicate balance between freedom and restraint, much like managing a team.

As a leader, you need to know when to give your team the freedom to explore and innovate, and when to provide guidance and direction. Too much control can stifle creativity and initiative, while too little can lead to chaos and confusion. The art of kite flying taught me the importance of this balance.

The Unlikely Bond between Eddie and Danger

In the movie “Million Dollar Baby,” there’s a poignant scene where Eddie, a seasoned boxing trainer, comforts Danger, a young, inexperienced boxer who has just lost a fight. Eddie tells Danger, “Anyone can lose one fight.” This simple statement carries a profound message about resilience and the importance of perspective.

In the world of business, like in boxing, losses are inevitable. Projects may fail, deals may fall through, and decisions may backfire. But, as Eddie reminds us, anyone can lose one fight. What matters is not the loss itself, but how we respond to it. Do we give up, or do we pick ourselves up, learn from our mistakes, and come back stronger?

Management Lessons from Kite Flying and Boxing

Both kite flying and boxing (as shown in the movie Million Dollar Baby) have taught me valuable lessons about management and leadership. From kite flying, I learned about the delicate balance between freedom and control, and the importance of understanding and responding to changing conditions. From boxing, I learned about resilience, the importance of perspective, and the value of supportive relationships.

In both cases, success is not just about individual skill or strength, but about the ability to adapt, to maintain balance, and to keep going in the face of adversity. These are qualities that every leader needs, and they are qualities that can be cultivated and strengthened over time.

As we celebrate Sankranthi and the joy of kite flying, let’s also take a moment to reflect on these lessons and how we can apply them in our own lives. Whether we’re flying a kite, leading a team, or facing a personal challenge, let’s remember that anyone can lose one fight, but that doesn’t mean we’ve lost the battle.

Watch Million Dollar Baby on Prime

All wise people talked about everyone getting along, no matter their religion. Even religious books like ‘Sripada Vallaba Charitra’ show us that Gods from different religions are seen as one. In Chapter 45 of this sacred text, Sripada Srivallabha, a revered figure, requests Lord Hanuman, a Hindu deity, to take an avatar that combines elements of both Islam and Hinduism. In response to this request, Hanuman transforms into Sai natha, also known as Shirdi Saibaba, symbolizing the unification of these two major faiths (P:317). This powerful narrative underscores the idea that divine entities transcend religious boundaries, and the essence of spirituality is universal. This further emphasizes the need for harmony and unity among different religious communities.

KJ Yesudas’s rendition on Twitter

KJ Yesudas, is a renowned Indian musician who, despite being a Christian, has shown great devotion to Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity. His spiritual journey transcends the boundaries of his birth religion, displaying a unity of faiths through his musical renditions. This is best exemplified in his soulful renditions of the ‘Harivarasanam’ song, a lullaby to Lord Ayyappa, which is played every night at the Sabarimala Temple in Kerala, India. His dedication and reverence towards a deity from a different faith demonstrates the unification of religions and the universal nature of spirituality.

Carl Sagan , a distinguished cosmologist and astrophysicist, also shared a similar perspective about unity and interconnectedness, though from a more scientific standpoint. In his famous ‘Pale Blue Dot’ speech, Sagan emphasized the insignificance of our planet in the vast cosmos, underscoring the futility of conflicts and divisions among humankind. He urged humanity to cherish the ‘pale blue dot’, the only home we’ve ever known, and to strive for unity and harmony. This sentiment, while rooted in scientific observation, echoes the spiritual teachings of unity and universal harmony found in religious texts and practices.

In conclusion, these perspectives, whether they are derived from religious texts like ‘Sripada Sri Vallabha Charitra’, the spiritual journey of a musician like KJ Yesudas, or the scientific observations of a renowned cosmologist like Carl Sagan, all converge on the same pivotal idea – unity and harmony. They all underscore the importance of transcending divisions – whether they are based on religion or other human constructs – to recognize the shared essence of humanity and spirituality that binds us all. Despite the distinct paths they have taken, these narratives collectively emphasize the fundamental interconnectedness of all beings, urging us towards a more inclusive and harmonious world.