I read your pubs because I’m not from America. I don’t wanna hear anymore about America than I have to. And I’m American. But I live in Nepal now. And it’s paradise! I’ve been here for 23 years ever since 911 and I never looked back. So you wanna know what I wanna hear from helloIndia, nothing about America. Thank you for listening.
lol. I empathize a lot. I feel like I am living in an alternate dimension here as well sometimes, as I see a crazy race to the bottom, amplified by social media, fueled by marketing in pursuit of ratings, and money, absent principles or values.
Nepal sounds heavenly. On my bucket list. I am glad you shared. Thank you!
Hello from Texas, USA, and I enjoy your writings as my husband has traveled to India (I know, it's a big place), has remained in contact with someone in Varanasi for 5+ years, and I've always been curious about India and her history. Your writing is so fresh!
Hi Mary! So glad to hear the feedback. Thank you for the compliment. Varanasi is an ancient city, still, in some ways! I visited there a few years ago, it was an interesting trip. Anytime, you are curious about any topics, drop me a note in the chat and if I can, I am happy to answer or post on it.
Hello from Michigan, USA. I relish all your stories Jayshree. Moved from India about 20 years back and settled here. Travel to India for business and personal reasons. Looking forward to connect more. Take care.
Jayshree -- Keep it up! I work for an Indian company from my home in Japan. I find your insights useful to understand the perspective of my colleagues. I am also curious about India's long history and diverse culture. Regards, Mark (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kennedy-5b50b71/) P.S. I have always been amazed at how my colleagues from India can make a pretty good guess about where someone is from in India just by hearing their name. Perhaps you could explain this to the rest of us.
Thanks Mark, glad to hear your context as well. I have been mulling over some business culture pieces as well, so good to know it will resonate. Yes, that is a trick learned early - good idea for a post. I connected with you on LinkedIn! Many thanks for your feedback.
Great! I would be glad to keep feeding you questions. In particular, I would be curious to hear your suggestions on how to dispel some of the old misconceptions about India that are still alive and well in the minds of many senior executives in Japanese companies (and elsewhere). While we have many facts and figures to support the argument that India is now much more open to international business, concerns about cultural differences, communication challenges and old stereotypes persist.
Very interesting topic. I shall think through that - it is also true that is an issue for all Eastern cultures. Interestingly, over Christmas, I visited a hotel lobby in Bangalore that now has so many Japanese visitors that the welcome areas are all set up to make them comfortable including local info flyers in Japanese for travel, shopping etc.
Thanks Mark, am happy to hear it. This was one of those unplanned detours - retelling stories - that surprised me for this publication. So I am happy to hear that they resonate. I shall keep going!
First, nice "note"! Thanks for sharing your thinking. The one thing I appreciate is that whenever I leave a comment, you always respond. Keep up the good work!
I m a student of deep history and culture. I like seeing how the patterns and weaves play out over time. I love how critical your region has been in shaping and influencing the world, but I also grew up in a different environment and the Mahabharata is uhhh… Long. Reading your posts is like hearing someone talk about a story they were told as a child and they recount something with care rather than curiosity.
I don’t spend much time writing “notes” because I’m one of a relentless slew of white dudes who have their own opinion. I’d rather other people advance discourse since I lack anything new or unique, so unless I’ve got something nice to say…
Keep up the work. Time is irrelevant, the work will be reached exactly as it’s meant to be consumed. Only hindsight gives us clear vision, and even then it can be viewed with rose colored lenses. Beware the separation between critique and criticism. It’s a tough balance beam to walk.
Hi Ben, thank you for sharing. It really helps me understand the context you are reading in, and I am glad I have been able to simplify the stories. You are absolutely right, that some of the texts are complex, convoluted, and trip readers on the names etc. and only some translations are high quality translations.
Great point about distinguishing between critquie v. criticism. I shall bear that in mind.
I for one, would welcome your viewpoint on any of the stories, as it helps everyone as well understand different views, and from my standpoint, helps me write better in the future. So feel free to chime in, and also, if there is any story in particular you want to hear more about, drop me an im in the chat! Thanks, Jayshree
I’m a big fan of the Gita and never tire of hearing peoples perspectives on the Heroes journey. That said, I’m familiar with the text so I also appreciate being introduced to lore and legends I’ve yet to experience so your longer pieces are awesome! I like to see how various regions employ story telling to inspire the coming generations. What makes folk sparkle, and why? It’s the stories that keep us dreaming big. At least that’s my two cents…
That's pretty cool, Ben, I was wondering if I should do posts on some Gita verses and provide my take on them wrapped around the mythological stories that are relevant to it. I am so glad you liked the longer series stories, I was very surprised by how the last one developed on its own, so to speak if that makes sense - I sit down to write, and the story takes over. So even if people see daily posts, I feel the story must be told continuously. I agree with your view on storytelling being inspiration, and I feel that we have a universal thread that connects all humanity, and we progress faster, together. Please do keep sharing! I'd love to hear your takes on the stories, and if there is any story in the archive you wish to read, let me know too! Happy to add it to the free reads of the week.
I read your pubs because I’m not from America. I don’t wanna hear anymore about America than I have to. And I’m American. But I live in Nepal now. And it’s paradise! I’ve been here for 23 years ever since 911 and I never looked back. So you wanna know what I wanna hear from helloIndia, nothing about America. Thank you for listening.
lol. I empathize a lot. I feel like I am living in an alternate dimension here as well sometimes, as I see a crazy race to the bottom, amplified by social media, fueled by marketing in pursuit of ratings, and money, absent principles or values.
Nepal sounds heavenly. On my bucket list. I am glad you shared. Thank you!
come for a coffee when u get to the "Doo" we can discuss the cohesion in the world or lack thereof :) cheers, jigs in the jungle
lol, thank you, I have made a note of it! :-)
Hello from Texas, USA, and I enjoy your writings as my husband has traveled to India (I know, it's a big place), has remained in contact with someone in Varanasi for 5+ years, and I've always been curious about India and her history. Your writing is so fresh!
Hi Mary! So glad to hear the feedback. Thank you for the compliment. Varanasi is an ancient city, still, in some ways! I visited there a few years ago, it was an interesting trip. Anytime, you are curious about any topics, drop me a note in the chat and if I can, I am happy to answer or post on it.
You're welcome, and thank you for the offer! So kind.
I love reading your stories, but I also love your stories about India… nothing better than hearing it from someone living there.
I may not always respond immediately (depending on available time I save pubs for later reading).
Thanks for sharing Joyce, it helps to know this!
You know how I feel Jayshree. It's hard for me to find something you put out that isn't worth reading! Keep up the great work.
Thanks, Jack! I do, and I appreciate it too.
Hello from Michigan, USA. I relish all your stories Jayshree. Moved from India about 20 years back and settled here. Travel to India for business and personal reasons. Looking forward to connect more. Take care.
thanks, Anshul. Happy to hear the feedback.
Jayshree -- Keep it up! I work for an Indian company from my home in Japan. I find your insights useful to understand the perspective of my colleagues. I am also curious about India's long history and diverse culture. Regards, Mark (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kennedy-5b50b71/) P.S. I have always been amazed at how my colleagues from India can make a pretty good guess about where someone is from in India just by hearing their name. Perhaps you could explain this to the rest of us.
Thanks Mark, glad to hear your context as well. I have been mulling over some business culture pieces as well, so good to know it will resonate. Yes, that is a trick learned early - good idea for a post. I connected with you on LinkedIn! Many thanks for your feedback.
Great! I would be glad to keep feeding you questions. In particular, I would be curious to hear your suggestions on how to dispel some of the old misconceptions about India that are still alive and well in the minds of many senior executives in Japanese companies (and elsewhere). While we have many facts and figures to support the argument that India is now much more open to international business, concerns about cultural differences, communication challenges and old stereotypes persist.
Very interesting topic. I shall think through that - it is also true that is an issue for all Eastern cultures. Interestingly, over Christmas, I visited a hotel lobby in Bangalore that now has so many Japanese visitors that the welcome areas are all set up to make them comfortable including local info flyers in Japanese for travel, shopping etc.
Hey, I definitely enjoy and appreciate the posts about Indian stories/myths and its history. Thanks for continuing to write!
Thanks Mark, am happy to hear it. This was one of those unplanned detours - retelling stories - that surprised me for this publication. So I am happy to hear that they resonate. I shall keep going!
Unplanned detours can produce interesting results...🤗
Hi Jayshree,
First, nice "note"! Thanks for sharing your thinking. The one thing I appreciate is that whenever I leave a comment, you always respond. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Doug, and of course! Your support is so valuable to me.
I m a student of deep history and culture. I like seeing how the patterns and weaves play out over time. I love how critical your region has been in shaping and influencing the world, but I also grew up in a different environment and the Mahabharata is uhhh… Long. Reading your posts is like hearing someone talk about a story they were told as a child and they recount something with care rather than curiosity.
I don’t spend much time writing “notes” because I’m one of a relentless slew of white dudes who have their own opinion. I’d rather other people advance discourse since I lack anything new or unique, so unless I’ve got something nice to say…
Keep up the work. Time is irrelevant, the work will be reached exactly as it’s meant to be consumed. Only hindsight gives us clear vision, and even then it can be viewed with rose colored lenses. Beware the separation between critique and criticism. It’s a tough balance beam to walk.
Hi Ben, thank you for sharing. It really helps me understand the context you are reading in, and I am glad I have been able to simplify the stories. You are absolutely right, that some of the texts are complex, convoluted, and trip readers on the names etc. and only some translations are high quality translations.
Great point about distinguishing between critquie v. criticism. I shall bear that in mind.
I for one, would welcome your viewpoint on any of the stories, as it helps everyone as well understand different views, and from my standpoint, helps me write better in the future. So feel free to chime in, and also, if there is any story in particular you want to hear more about, drop me an im in the chat! Thanks, Jayshree
I’m a big fan of the Gita and never tire of hearing peoples perspectives on the Heroes journey. That said, I’m familiar with the text so I also appreciate being introduced to lore and legends I’ve yet to experience so your longer pieces are awesome! I like to see how various regions employ story telling to inspire the coming generations. What makes folk sparkle, and why? It’s the stories that keep us dreaming big. At least that’s my two cents…
That's pretty cool, Ben, I was wondering if I should do posts on some Gita verses and provide my take on them wrapped around the mythological stories that are relevant to it. I am so glad you liked the longer series stories, I was very surprised by how the last one developed on its own, so to speak if that makes sense - I sit down to write, and the story takes over. So even if people see daily posts, I feel the story must be told continuously. I agree with your view on storytelling being inspiration, and I feel that we have a universal thread that connects all humanity, and we progress faster, together. Please do keep sharing! I'd love to hear your takes on the stories, and if there is any story in the archive you wish to read, let me know too! Happy to add it to the free reads of the week.
Another hello from your audience. I loved the title. Yeah, from a land far away, and yet, not.
Thanks!
Keep writing my friend. The world needs your voice. Thanks for recommending my substack!
Thanks, Maura! You are welcome.