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Respond Instead of Reacting

- Azim Premji

Q 1. Discuss briefly the lessons that Azim Premji recounts in the essay ‘Respond
Instead of Reacting’.
Answer: The lesson ‘Respond Instead of Reacting’ is a speech given by Azim Premji to

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the students at the ‘Shaping Young Minds Programme’ in Mumbai organized by All

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India Management Association (AIMA) in collaboration with ‘Bombay Management
Association’. He is a famous industrialist and an Indian business Tycoon being the

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Chairman of the astounding Multinational Company ‘Wipro Ltd’. In the speech he shares

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some of the lessons he learnt from his personal experience over the decades. He is often
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called ‘Indian Bill Gates’. The writer firstly points out that we should be aware of our
strengths. The first thing is that we must always begin with our strengths.
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With the help of our strengths we can overcome our weaknesses. The next lesson that the
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writer share is that hard work alone can give one satisfaction.
“In fact what is gifted or inherited follows the old rule of come easy go easy”
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The third piece of advice that the writer gives is that we should not be disheartened by
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failure.”The important thing is when you lose do not lose the lesson”
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We should be able to accept failure with maturity. Further; we should constantly strive
for excellence and develop perseverance.
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2. It is often believed ‘Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude’
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(Zig Ziglar). Is this true? Discuss this in the light of Azim premji’s lessons.
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Answer: Repeat the first Para of the first answer and continue.

The writer emphasizes that it is not enough to have strengths. Awareness of our strengths
is necessary to help us overcome our weaknesses. Also, only if we work hard can feel a
sense of fulfillment. We should not be disheartened by failure. We should be able to
accept failure with maturity. We should be able to accept failures with maturity and self-

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poise. We should not forget that life would be dull if there were no difficulties or failures.
We should always strive for excellence and also practice perseverance.

The writer tells us that it is very important to have a set of core values, such as humility
and integrity. Self-confidence is the basic ingredient for living life boldly and in no way
should lose our faith in the things we do. Work is given by God. We should do it with

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utmost care and responsibility. We should learn to respond to a situation with maturity
instead of reacting. Thus, we see that attitude is more important than aptitude.

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3. ‘Remember, those who win are those who believe they can’. Is this true? How can

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one achieve one’s goals according to Azim Premji?

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Ans: Repeat the first Para of the first answer and continue. The writer points out the
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importance of self-confidence in life. We can’t achieve success without skills and
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abilities. And we should also have belief in our strengths and in our ability to succeed.
We should not be disheartened by any obstacles or failures. Instead, we should accept
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failure with grace. We should realize that self-will or perseverance can overcome all
obstacles. We shouldn’t lose faith in ourselves even if others ridicule or blame us. We
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should have undeviating belief in our core values and never compromise on our
principles. We can then respond with maturity to a problem, instead of reacting
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emotionally. Thus, it is important to have every belief in ourselves.’ Faith, faith and faith
unto thyself’ is the divine voice of the Gita the famous religious scripture.
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4. How does the newspaper vendor prove that one must have faith in one’s own
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ideas even if everyone else tells us that we are wrong?

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Ans: Repeat the first Para of the first answer and continue. Here the writer emphasizes
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the importance of having a set of core values. We should follow these principles even if
others make fun of us. In this context, he narrates the story of a newspaper vendor who
was very polite to his customers. A particular customer, who was always rude, would
never acknowledge the vendor’s greeting. Instead he would grab the paper and throw the
money rudely and carelessly. But the vendor continued to be polite. On being asked by

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the assistant, the vendor explained that he would not let the customer’s rudeness dictate
his behavior. What a level of patience! What an amount of self-respect! Similarly, once
Abraham Lincoln was asked by someone why he returned the greeting of a person still
more politely. The classical reply from Lincoln was that he wanted none to be more than
he. Thus, one should not lost one’s self-respect, ideals and ideas. As long as one thinks
that one is right, one can go ahead in his path.

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ANNOTATIONS:

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1. In fact, what is gifted or inherited follows the old rule of come easy, go easy.

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Introduction: This is an extract taken from the inspiring lesson ‘Respond Instead of

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Reacting’ which is actually a speech by Azim Premji to students at the ‘Shaping Young
Minds Program’ in Mumbai. at
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Context: He shares here some of the lessons he learnt from his life. He expresses many
views on the factors that contribute to success in life.
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Meaning: The writer says that we do not appreciate the value of a thing if we get it
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without making any effort. If we inherit something without personal effort, we often lose
or squander it. Premji gives the example of a child who makes a fuss about food. The
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child complains about every item that is kept on the table. One day, however, the child
buys noodles and prepares the dish without taking any help. The child finds the noodles
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very tasty, probably because he had put in a lot of effort. His own effort. The outcome is
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his own.
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Comment: Effort gives great joy. The writer says that hard work alone gives us real
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satisfaction. Borrowed feathers don’t shine well.

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2. The important thing is, when you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

Introduction: Write as given above.

Context: The writer points out that it is common to encounter failure in one’s life. Every
stone thrown may not hit the target. We may not succeed each and every time.

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Meaning: We should not feel drooped or disheartened at such times. Failures are but
common. Success would not at all be tasty if there were no failures. According to a

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famous French philosopher, life would indeed be dull if there were no pains and failures

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and difficulties. We can enjoy the day only when there is night.

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Comment: There is no need to blame others or drown in self-pity. We should not dwell
on our mistakes. Instead we should see what lessons we can learn and move on.
Experience is the best friend and teacher.
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3. You must open the windows of your mind, but you must not be swept off your
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feet by the breeze

Introduction: Repeat the as given above.

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Context: In the speech Premji delivered in Mumbai, he shares his views on the factors
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that contribute to success in life.

Meaning: Premji says or opines that every person must have a set of core values and
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ideals. These values may include qualities such as integrity, honesty and humility. One
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must be receptive and open minded being able to learn and accept what is valuable either
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western or Indian. But at the same time, One should not compromise on one’s values and
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principles.

Comment: He remarks that Gandhiji used an analogy to emphasize the same point. He
said that windows should be kept open to allow air or cool breeze but care should be
taken that one is not swept away by the breeze. The writer confidently admits that his

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rebellion is another kind of conformity. In his youth, like many other youngsters, Premji
defied elders and criticized established conventions.

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