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Monday, January 21, 2013

All the Time



‘Time is all I have’, is what certain people say.

‘I am always running against the time and have my hands full’ is the view of the other end.

We may oscillate between these two extremes but some people manage to remain static in one of these states! Time is one of the resources that are least valued at least by most of the people. Everyone is busy counting the money, the number of heads involved in doing a work, and material required to make certain things happen. We have so many examples in our day to day life that can illustrate this fact. Getting up from the bed in the morning on a winter day is a challenge. Who would not like to snuggle in the quilt or blanket for some more time even though a little investment of that time in an exercise or a pleasant walk may bring immense benefits! If you are driving to office the time spent in traffic jams is a cause of immense frustration besides no productivity and added cost of fuel spent. If you are in a shared taxi and one of the habitual latecomers delays everyone, it causes heartburn, besides racing to reach the destination on time!

I was undergoing summer training at Naini a small town near Allahabad while in pre final year of the college.  To reach the place we had to start very early and walk a distance of 4 km to reach the Allahabad railway station and take one local train leaving at 6.45 AM to traverse the distance of 18 km to Naini railway station. From there a distance of another 3 km either by walk or a horse drawn cart! The process would be repeated on return. On the third day I and three of my friends reached the gate almost half an hour late! The Security Manager gave us a dressing down and with his quivering mustaches told us,’ this is the last time you are reporting late! If you cannot walk, run or take a flight for all I care but you jolly well come in time’. During our remaining stay of four months we were never late again!

It is most annoying to see people walking in late for meetings, appointments and for every social event, invariably in India and blame the Indian Stretchable Time (IST)!

On my marriage the bus was to depart for my wife’s place and all people were assembled at our place. We left for the destination at the precise time only to hear a complaint later from a friend from Air force that hey missed the bus as they were just a few minutes late! My father in law was stickler for a time and would often reach the venues of social gatherings at the precise time to find even host has not reached there! These are the travails of being too particular with time!

Those who respect time are respected as a people and as a country! Rarely have I witnessed people reaching late for work or other appointments in US, Europe or most of the developed world! They understand the value of time! In countries like Switzerland every bus stop, railway station, or ferry station has a clock where the arrival time is indicated. One can see quality of life and the way the whole country is managed including whatever is produced there meets the highest standards. One of the major reasons for these achievements are they value time and no wonders they are the timekeepers of the world!

 Some nice quotes about time are as follows:

  • “Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ― Mother Teresa
  • “Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”
    Coco Chanel
  • “You may delay, but time will not.” ― Benjamin Franklin
  • “The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” ― C.S. Lewis
All what is needed is the inclination to be a stickler for time. The Tower of Pisa was once quoted to have said’ if you have the time, I have the inclination’


PS: Image Kind courtesy Google

88 comments:

  1. Rahul, even my father is a stickler for time, while my mother believes in the Indian Stretchable Time theory. I like being punctual, though I don't know why I am invariably late for all my meetings :(

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    1. Nice relating to your own situation Rachna:) Thanks for sharing your own experiences!

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  2. Can't believe I made it to the elusive first comment list. Woohoo!

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    1. Am honored to see you as an early bird, Rachna:)

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  3. oh my god sooooo true :) I really understand what you want to say... I dont know why its so difficult to keep up with time here in our country! atleast in few other places where I have been trust me I have really witnessed what you have written and only because everybody sticks to time things seem so organized there!
    Fantastic post Rahul sir! keep enlightening us!

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    1. Ramya, thanks for such a nice comment! It is a pleasure always to share experiences with someone like you:)

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  4. Both my parents are extremely particular about time. The company car used to come to pick my dad every morning, and always he would be waiting for the car near the building gate. My mom also ensured we never missed our school bus. Hubby seriously needs some hands on this area. For any movie or event, I lie to him, by reducing the arrival time by 30 mins. This help us reach the venue on time :-)

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    1. Jenny , these habits get ingrained early in life and thanks indeed for sharing your own life experience! I know you are very clever and capable to handle tricky situations:)

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    2. :-) all smiles Rahul sir, you got me there!

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  5. Nice point sir. In India, people who come late are ironically respected! Here, people feel if you come late you are very busy and an important person to your community (be it corporate or social).

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    1. Unfortunately such people are too many and hence we are in a state of perpetual mess and keep moving from one crisis to another, Binu:(

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  6. Nice post! Is IST still in fashion? :)

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    1. IST will never be out of fashion in our life time Kusum! Thanks a lot for liking!

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  7. Both sides of my family are sticklers to time, in fact we would arrive a little earlier than late, and as you say before the host is also ready. I have always found South Indians stick to the time mentioned,whereas in the north 7pm means only arriving at 9 pm. Of course we do have some North Indian friends who stick to the correct time.
    You are very right, we have seen even tourists in a group, abroad are always on time , and never make anybody wait, whereas we have had such horrible experiences travelling with Indian groups, where somebody or other is always late, and spoil everything for the rest of the group. From that time, we decided never to go with Indian tour groups.
    Time is very important, but one should not lose the fun of enjoying time by rushing/ racing against time, nor should one ever ask another person, how they are killing time.
    Maybe you should read my blog, written many years ago about time, here is the link: http://rama-ananth.blogspot.com/2011/03/timetime-i-have-all-time-but-no-time-to.html

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    1. Rama, it is always a pleasure to read your account and experiences where I keep nodding my head in agreement! One reason I never take group tours while traveling is primarily for the reason you have cited! Will surely read your post now!

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  8. I remember one of my friend reaching my engagement venue on time. He was the only one there besides the decoration guys and the food guys. I even have a photograph of his sitting alone with all those chairs surrounding him. This happens only in India. :)

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    1. Yes this happens only in India , Amit:( Wish things change for better!

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  9. Great post! I'm afraid those who make a point of being on time are in the minority nowadays...

    A quote by Rabindranath Tagore about Time that I like- ‘The butterfly counts not months but moments,
    and has time enough-’

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    1. A big thanks Manju for that nice comment and the value add to this post by that lovely quote from Tagore:)

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  10. True, there are many who just have no respect for their time and that of others. I prefer to reach a few minutes early. And yes, have been the first guest to arrive on many occasions.

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    1. Shilpa it goes to show your own high standards to be in time! I agree not many people in India however care for this:(

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  11. In Norway we are punctual and we do not understand when we are in other countries why people come 1 hour to late for a meeting, it is not respect. But we think they have very different culture for time:-)

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    1. Tania it is a matter of culture but I value the culture of people who respect time far more!

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  12. Among other things army teaches it's folks to be punctual...i too have often been inconvenienced because of being punctual but it is tough to break the habit--in fact i would not like to do it.

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    1. True Indu that Army teaches disciplined way of life including punctuality!I hold all people who respect time in high esteem!

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  13. Not showing up on time for appointments are rude - like you have better things to be attended to and the person waiting is jobless! Yeah, the concept of time is taken for granted. Being punctual, honoring deadlines and all are such hard things for some of us. Its also the culture that supports a way of life. Its definitely ok to be late here isnt it? Only important people have no time and so they can be late kinds!

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    1. We give credence to such late comers hence they act big! If we respect our time and walk away from such events or refrain to attend them, may be a message would be delivered!

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  14. Well stated, we don't appreciate the value of time enough, we need to treat it more preciously. You are right, it it quite frustrating when people arrive late for meetings and such, it displays disrespect for time and the person they were to meet. But how do you reach punctuality to someone or a city, a nation for that matter? We have something similar here called 'African time', where people are usually always late and somehow no one seems to mind! Good quotes to supplement these thoughts.

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    1. Sam, It feels good when you add your perspective to this humble post by narrating about how things are in S Africa! Thanks a lot for these comments and pearls of wisdom:)

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  15. Nice post! Indian Stretchable Time - Very well said!
    Adding to the quotes - Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is mystery, Today is a gift- hence it is called 'Present'

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    1. Akaknsha am so happy that you brought out the value of time which is a gift or 'present'. A big thanks for your nice quote and comment!

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  16. Love this post. I think that being punctual - say max. ten minute early or late - is essential. At work, I get cross if people don't turn up when they say they will. It's disrespectful to think that you time is more valuable than someone else's.

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    1. Absolutely agree with your comment Lady Fi!Thank you!

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  17. You are right, developed nations value time. And that was one good trivia from your training days. Life was so difficult those days...

    LOL on IST, never knew that abbreviation.

    I would end by saying, "Time is money." :)

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    1. Saru, we need to value time as a very scarce resource and your equating it to money is very apt!Thanks a lot:)

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  18. Thought provoking post. IST ! True..and the stretch is always beyond limits ;)
    We have all rights to waste our time, but not others !!

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    1. A big thanks, Ramya and the stretch which crosses the elastic limit to break one's patience! Sad indeed for people to indulge in this waste of an invaluable resource like time!

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  19. Thank you Ashwini to cite your own habit of punctuality! I am very happy to have a reader like you who values time and sense of discipline who keeps adding value to these posts!

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  20. I find it damn bugging as well. Why can't people be on time?

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    1. Yes it is painful and a sheer waste of energy , Rachna!

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  21. Two of my uncles live in Naini. One used to work for Swadeshi Cotton Mills, now redundant.
    Being inherently lazy, nothing can beat snuggling in a quilt. But what you say is true. Time is money.

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    1. Oh this is nice! So you must be familiar with Naini, Alka:) A nice laid back place!!Who does not love to snuggle in a quilt especiallly these days in winter:)

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  22. So true! Somehow it's become a trend, a fashion now to reach late everywhere and we hardly care about it. As you rightly pointed out, an attempt, an inclination is what is needed and that can put things in place. Loved the quotes towards the end.

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    1. Arti, unfortunately, people who are supposed to set examples are the worst offenders! Thanks a lot for your nice comment:)

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  23. Beautifully written Rahul, I am paranoid about time, I am losing a day in my life if I didn't do anything worthwhile today!

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    1. A big thanks Padmaja for having liked the post! What you say is so true!!

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  24. Great post, Rahul-ji. When I came to England few years ago, I was amazed by how much importance they gave to punctuality.

    Love those quotes!

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    1. Fortunately for you things changed for better to have moved to England a far more disciplined and an orderly place. Thanks a lot for your kind comment Ash:)

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  25. Very interesting article!

    You know once, I with my parents went to somebody's Sangeet ceremony. We were half an hour late but to our surprise, nobody, not even a single member of the host family had arrived by then. We went in and got the lights switched on and everything ready. :P
    It was really sad though!

    But such is the mindset of the majority.

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    1. Thank you, Vinati for having added your own experience and at times it does hurt to hang around doing nothing. I really wonder how people can afford to waste time endlessly:)

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  26. Great post!!

    Alessia
    THE CHILI COOL
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    <a href="http://youtu.be/GD2QOdwkVbA>YOUTUBE</a>

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  27. Hi Rahul Ji: There is a Blog of 2012 Award for you. Please pick it up at Ramblings and Musings: www.sankriti.blogspot.in

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    1. So very kind of you, Rama for your kind gesture! A sincere and heartfelt thanks!

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  28. I always enjoy your stories from work. I'm surprised an Air-force person was late. :)
    Love the Pisa quote. :)

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    1. Delighted with your nice comment Divya:)Even people from Armed Forces sometimes have excuse of traffic jam etc attributing to the delay:)

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  29. Thanks a lot for liking and reading this post:)

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  30. great post about time and its importance in life

    thanks

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  31. Time is invaluable resource and we lose it every minute some knowingly and quite much unknowingly.

    In India we really don't value time, the realization does come when caught in jams or when we get delayed due to others.Seldom do we realize our own fault.

    We must maintain a time-table and I started doing it when I visited Europe, just as you mentioned every bus stop, station, places of visit are run by time and they actually respect and value Time.

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    1. A big thanks Manjulika for going through my posts and adding value to the same with your nice comments! Actually those who respect time gain a lot in long run is my experience:)

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  32. Very nicely written points about time management. I, my elder and and my husband are sticklers to time. The young one is never on time for anything. Morning time is very precious, I feel. Every minute counts in the mornings. A nice quote which should suite this post:

    The common man is not concerned about the passage of time, the man of talent is driven by it.

    Shoppenhauer

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  33. Thanks a lot Sandhya and am happy you liked the post and could relate to it! Time is perhaps the most precious resource:)

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  34. Thanks for taking the time to stop by....have a wonderful weekend.

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  35. Time is all we have and
    time is all we don't :P

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  36. That guy being from the Air Force should have been there earlier.
    There are a few who always reaches before time .. . . to name a few, J R D Tata, Ratan Tata and Amitabh Bachchan.

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    1. Thanks a lot for citing those great men in this post!

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  37. I always stick to time no matter what and hate ppl who are not punctual. Loved the quotes.

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  38. My dad would always quote- "waqt ki kadr karoge tabhi waqt tumhari kadr karega"
    A wonderful read Rahul:)

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    1. What your dad said is the truth and the sooner we learn the better! Thanks a lot Sharmila!

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  39. And my mom used to say -aaj tum samay barbaad karoge to kal samay tumhein barbaad karega. A brilliant read!

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  40. Such prophetic words Kavita! Could not agree more and thanks a lot for liking:)

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  41. This is so true for Sri Lanka too. When questioned why someone is late they would say "Sri Lankan time". It is so annoying.
    www.thoughtsofpaps.com

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    1. Most of us in this part of the subcontinent do not unfortunately respect time, PAPS:( Thanks a lot for your comment!

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  42. Lovely post Rahul sir ..It's really amazing Post !!

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  43. I know some who are so obsessed about time that they will scold those who are to accompany them in advance! Then there are those who would be two hours late and still be cool about it. I believe in being sincere about time but not obsessive.

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    1. True Jerley! To be disrespectful to time is not fair :) However, being obsessive is not correct!

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  44. Hi Rahul, hope you've been having a good week so far!

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    1. Thanks a lot Sam! Am on a business related travel so lesser time for personal things! Hope you are doing well:)

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  45. I totally totally totally agree to what you say. I try to be on time 99% of the times. My hubby is a stickler..and you should see when we car pooled to work with others. We drive and we would give free ride to the rest..even then, they would start wearing shoes when we go to pick them up. You should see how red he became then. Many times we will be the first ones to go to the party and the last ones to leave :)

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    1. It was so nice to learn that you too love to be in time, Latha and a huge thanks for relating this post with your own personal experiences:)

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