SANATAN LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME – the journey continues…

It seems like everything happened yesterday. We landed at Srinagar airport on 10th July and reached our hotel. All
our arrangements were done brilliantly done by tour operator Vinayji, who took care of us like a family until the end
of this program. We all gathered in dinner hall, eagerly waiting for our beloved Acharya and finally that moment
arrived when we were joined by him for dinner. I was taken aback by his persona. We all adore his critical thinking,
data analytical skills and vast knowledge across any subject on Earth. But along with that, he is so warm, cordial,
humble and very grounded – a very rare combination. No wonder many like me idealize him and are his big fan and
follow him religiously . I knew a transformative journey has begun.

The first day of our training started with brief introduction of all participants, where I learnt everyone is from
different parts of the world, belong to different cultures and professions, but united with same attributes – love for
Sanatan and our Nation and immense respect for Sir. The journey began with understanding crux of Ramayan –
which teaches us Charitra (character) of a person or an entity is what defines them, Dhairya (patience) and Dharma
(duty). Our Charitra becomes strong when we follow our Dharma with utmost patience. Then we are ready to bring a
transformation or long lasting change in the system through Transformational Leadership, which is about
empowering others and driving others to achieve our vision. But we need to transform ourselves to make that
change in the world – it’s more about journey within. We then get aligned with a larger vision and encourage team
to set up goals aligning with our vision – with love, faith, devotion and fearlessness. This can be achieved through
Transactional Leadership, which is more towards execution to achieve a goal. This was followed by our short visit to
Dal lake. Moving in Shikara for couple of hours was much better experience than Italy’s Vienna.

The second day was about qualities of a leader with which he can win - with or without waging a war – the
Mahabharat. Once we know our Charitra and understand our Dharma, we can choose our own battles and lead our
team to win them. The crux of it is Bhagwat Geeta which helps conquer all kinds of doubts and fears and be highly
focussed on single vision, which helps a leader to maintain calm and patience required to win a war. So again it is
about winning over yourself before winning others. Key skills like trusting your team, empowering them to take their
own decisions, upskill them, never ever putting anyone down or belittling anyone and putting right people with right
skills at right place and right time and trust him with his task are important for a leader. The most important, leader
should look for blessings in disguise and so even accept defeat gracefully and still motivate his team as this is
stepping stone to success. Leader needs to be objective and practical - not be emotional but manage his own and his
teams’ emotions well. He should pay heed to his team’s advice, resolve conflicts amicably and always take everyone
along. This was followed by visit to Maa Kheer Bhavani temple, which is very pious and beautiful temple set-up in
large landscape and is as energetic as a Shakti Peeth. Felt quite serene visiting there and offering prayers for our and
Kashmir’s well-being. We were blessed by Maa and Sir to have traversed through city amidst a deadly terrorist attack
with high security.

The third day was an extension to learnings of second day. We celebrated Guru Purnima with Sir, did his Aarti and
took his blessings. Sir briefly explained to us about different levels of a Teacher. Sanskrit is indeed a vast and rich
language. We learnt about attributes a successful leader should demonstrate – being goal focussed, knowing your
competition, planning hard, creating a framework and blueprint, time management, sharpening skills, choosing right
person, right positioning, taking well informed decisions, delivering value to customers by solving their problems
effectively, flexibility, knowing where to go and where to stop or change game, use ethics in work and many more. In
short, treat leadership as a service and not as aristocratic power game. While Ramayana is driven by Shree Ram,
Mahabharat is driven by Shree Krishna and both teach us if we have a strong character and follow our Dharma, we
can traverse even most peculiar situation on the Earth successfully without any doubt or fear. Following our Dharma
is like a Higher Power taking over us and guiding us to success, if we choose to have faith and surrender. This was
followed by visit to a big shop of traditional Kashmiri items on outer of Srinagar. We learnt how Kashmiri carpets are
made by local people - taking months or even years together to make one carpet. No wonder they are one of the
best across the world like Irani carpets. We learnt lesson of using skills appropriately with utmost patience and
precision to deliver spectacular results. Also, prefer Quality over Quantity. We then got busy with our favourite
activity – shopping, until we were dragged out forcefully .

The fourth day was a rendezvous with my favourite personality – Acharya Chanakya – on whom I have a massive
crush. We learnt key pointers provided by him in his books Chanakya Niti and Arthashastra. While first 3 days
focussed on the types and qualities of a leader, this focussed on steps to be followed to implement those to be an
effective and efficient leader. It reminded me of how I had followed some of these steps and was admired as a
leader in my firm. Felt proud of choosing SLP over Harvard/Stanford/MIT . This day, we visited BSF head office in
Srinagar, where we got to learn about BSF and different weapons used by them. After Shaastra (science), we were
heading towards Shastra (weapons) – second pillar of SLP. We got chance to interact with our security forces and
learn about how, where and when they use different weapons. This was practical application of what we learnt in
classes – being fearless and using right weapon (skill) at right place and time. We also got precious leadership
knowledge from BSF leader through their presentation – about how to handle challenges, how to lead and take care
of your teams, how to identify key problem and give right solution to fix it. Amidst all their challenges, they were still
smiling and also focussed on upliftment of local people through humanitarian activities, along with protecting our
lives. They are shining examples of leadership through service - juggling through multiple hats and playing different
roles constantly. We got opportunity to have photo shoot with our brave leaders before we left from there. Then we
went ahead for brief shopping in evening, where we bought some authentic Kashmiri items and mesmerized with
hospitality of our Kashmir brothers.

The fifth day was no-classroom day and we got to do practical on ground study of Shaastra. We went to BSF camp in
Gurez valley. We passed through Eight wonder of the world – Bullar lake – world’s biggest fresh water lake. We
realized Kashmir is not just Srinagar, but much more than that. The beauty of Kashmir cannot be captured with our
cameras. It can only be felt within when we go there. When we reached BSF camp, we were warmly welcomed by
our brave soldiers with tea. When their Chief arrived, we got to see their parade, which was so much in synch that
even reality show dancers and choreographers cannot beat them. I learnt apart from fighting, our brave soldiers are
also good in cooking and hospitality as amazing juices, starters, soups, food and deserts – all cooked and served by
them - were much better than what we got in our hotel. Not only that, the quantity of soup or juice was exactly the
same in all glasses. I seriously want to request government to give me an opportunity to enrol for Agniveer program,
lest my life would improve as I will be a better skilled person and be of better service to others . We had a brief
interaction with our soldiers and officers on how they manage their teams, handle crisis, take quick decisions, juggle
with multiple responsibilities, challenges they are facing and much more and were enlightened with their practical
knowledge. Sir handed over his earning from SLP 2 generously to BSF officer and left a heart-felt motivating note for
them. We had photos with them and we left from there with a heavy heart, as I did not want to leave from there. I
somehow felt like touching that ground (as we do in temples), as our brave soldiers reside there. While coming back,
we had another miracle. We were stopped by police forces outside Srinagar as due to Amarnath yatra, people were
not being allowed to move after 5 PM without security. While sir arranged for the needful for us to leave that place,
we put halt at Amarnath Yatri camp, where the National Anthem was played around 6 PM, followed by Shiv Aarti.
We were also blessed to have Amarnath’s prashad given by yatris and another provided by the police officers taking
care of the camp. We knew for sure Kashmir is changing for better. Meanwhile, we got to interact with police
officers and learnt few more leadership skills and tips (out of syllabus curriculum ). The moment we finished
prashad, we got approval from them to go ahead. We not only reached hotel on time, but also celebrated Jai’s (Sir’s
son and youngest and most brilliant participant of the group) birthday in a grand manner .

The sixth day was about third pillar of SLP – Dharma. We went to less explored magnificent temples of Kashmir. Best
way to end trip with blessings of Shri Adi Shankracharya – who is said to calm Kashmir’s volcano, Maa Jyestha Devi,
Maa Kali on Hariparbat fort and Maa Chakravarti. The energy of Shri Adi Shankracharya temple was mesmerizing, so
powerful that we didn’t feel like leaving from there. Looking at the tricolour hosted on Hariparbat fort was indeed a
proud moment. Few of our friends went to Doodhsagar, which is another heaven on Earth and enjoyed delicacies of
Makke ki roti prepared by locals. We postponed it for next trip . In evening, Vinayji had put us in a queue to give
feedback of SLP. With lots of practice and retakes, I couldn’t shorten it less than 4 minutes because there was so
much to say that I couldn’t summarize my experience in a crisp executive manner. We all gathered together and had
an interaction with Sir. Next day was bidding adieu. Sir and Vinayji themselves came to see us off at 4 AM!!! First
time I was like not wanting to leave even being far away from my family since a week. But since we had return
tickets booked, had to leave with heavy heart, gathering so many sweet memories and good friends as good as a
family and blessings of our Acharya (mentor).

The experience of this whole trip cannot be explained in plain words. I could feel why Kashmir is called Mahadev’s
Bhoomi. I felt it’s our own land and would definitely visit here again. We feel closer to God here and become
fearless, ready to follow our Dharma. No wonder why Sir chose this land for SLP and no other place could have done
that justice to it. I sincerely wish Sir conducts one of his sessions in PoJK as well and I know that day will come soon
.

This trip changed something in me. Not just due to its learnings but also due to its structure - I became more
fearless, have clearer understanding of Character, Patience and Dharma, importance of having and being focussed
on a goal and how Sanatan is an integral part of our lives. How a good leader should first transform within to make a
change in outside world. I dropped my plans of doing other courses as now I don’t feel like going anywhere else
(thanks to Sir for saving my money and hope to contribute more to GPF ). The learnings are so vast that one birth
seems very less to apply all of these. I feel if I apply even 10% of these learnings in my life, I would be much more
successful in my life – jeevan tar jayega. As I grew up, I got sanskar (imprints) from my parents/ancestors, got to
learn about bhakti (devotion) and adhyatm from one of our relatives, true essence of spirituality from my spiritual
Guru and now how to implement all of these in Sanatan way from Sir. My joy knew no bounds when one day Sir
mentioned he wanted to adopt me as his daughter. That’s like a dream come true like meri life sudhar jayegi . I
know I have his blessings. So I really don’t need to go anywhere else. I feel so blessed to have met so many great
figures who helped me transform my life in one single birth, without to having to take a rebirth. Might have been my
punya (good karma) to have been selected amongst 370+ applications by Global HR head of a Fortune 500 company,
even though I was doubtful if I even stand in that league. I bet no top B school of the world can give you this
experience and learning as Sir has put his heart, soul and blood into it and never ever commercialized it. My SLP fee
was already vasooled (compensated) when we landed in Srinagar passing those green pastures of Dev bhoomi. Rest
all was all a bonus, which just multiplied each and every day of our trip. So virtually the program feels like for free.
There is still so much to learn from Sir – his every move, every action, every post, every interview is a course in itself.
Would definitely start with studying his recommended books – Ramayan, Mahabharat and Chanakya. My next goal is
to acquire a leadership position in my area to be able to demonstrate and leverage my skills, which I think is much
easier with Sir’s teachings. Would like to go step by step with understanding Character (myself and others’),
practicing Dhairya (patience – I need this the most) and follow path of Dharma fearlessly. Planning, making fine
blueprints and taking informed decisions based on facts and research (as I like to work with energies and go many
times by “sensing”) is also I should look at. However, my key take away is that leadership is a continuous journey,
which would keep evolving as we evolve. So evolving myself spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically and
financially (by-product of first 4) is the way to go for me as this would uplift me to be a better leader understanding
and implementing Sir’s teachings; spreading his words across to others who are ready to evolve or benefit. Am sure
that few months down the line, I would have other to dos and my understanding and learning of Sir’s teachings
would go at a different level. Hence I feel the journey still continues and will continue forever…

Thank you Sir for this wonderful experience and hope to share more of your brain and aura. May God bless you and
your family and fulfil all your wishes and may you reach to the pinnacle of success in serving Nation and being a flag
bearer of Sanatan .

Sashtang Dandwat Pranam aur Saadar Charan Sparsh,

Aditi Jain