Mutton Briyani by M. S. Vincent

How  to prepare 1) Chicken Roast, 2) Mutton or Chicken cutlets,
3) Fish Cutlts  4) Mutton Briyani.5) Fried Mushrooms 6) Pasty 
7)  Chicken and Vegetables Special Roast

Step by step explained with colour photos.

CLICK HERE
https://sites.google.com/site/msvkgf/my-cooking

Thirukkural on Management ( 10 Kurals )

  

 Thirukkurals on  Management

1) Approach towards the higher authorities.2) Decision making 3) Leadership 4) Administration 5) Project Planning 6)  Communication 7) Recruitment 

8) Delegation of Powers 9) Motivation 10) Diplomacy

1) Approach towards the higher authorities.

In modern days, in any  Management,  the  heirarchy is playing an important role.
Heirarchy is the system of executives or officials arranged one above another.
Those who are in the  above  level enjoy more powers and perks.
Heirarchy can typically be depicted as a  pyramid where the height represents the level's status.
What should be the approach of the lower status to the higher status ?
Thiruvalluvar beautifully explains it with  an example.

In a cold weather,  a person is sitting in front of a fire. If he goes too close, he will be hurt by overheat,  if he moves far away, he will not get the required warmth, he has to sit in an apt place. He should not go too far or too close.

This example is applicable to all those who work under higher authorities.

Those who are working close to them, should  not take the advantage of their closeness and go too nearer. If displeased, it will lead to undesirable results.  At the same time moving too far is also not advisable because,  that will end in being branded '  inefficient ' or ' incapable'.

In modern days, those who are very close to political elements, when  misunderstanding develops, face severe consequences.

Persons in king's service, should neither go too close nor too far,

they should remain like people who sit in an apt place  beside the fire for warmth ( Kural 691)

In England when King Henry II (1133 - 1189 ) was in power , Thomas Becket was the chief assistant in the management of public administration.

He was very close to the king. 

King made him the Archbishop of Canterbury ( Head of the Church of England ,1162 AD ). 

Becket went in bad books with the king , escaped to France,  returned after six years and stayed in the Cathedral ( Church )

One day King was shouting in the palace, " Is there no one who will rid me of this turbulent priest ?"

The four knights standing around understood that the king wants the Bishop to be killed. 

They went in search of him shouting , " Where is the traitor Becket ? "

" Here I am, I am no traitor but a priest of God ". Becket said staying in Canterbury cathedral ( Church ).

No sooner than the Bishop finished speaking did the knights killed him (1170 AD ).

Thomas Becket murder remains one of the most famous stories associated with medieval England .
Because, Becket went very close to the King , he met with  that end.

2000 years ago Thiruvalluvar had clearly said not to go too close to the kings or higher authorities.

அகலாது அணுகாது தீக்காய்வார் போல்க

இகல்வேந்தர்ச் சேர்ந்து ஒழுகுவார் (691)

(Those who work under higher authorities should neither go too close nor too far, they should remain like people who sit in an apt place besides fire for warmth.)

மேல் அதிகாரிகளுடன் பழகுவோர்,  நெருங்காமலும், நீங்காமலும், குளிர்காய்வாற்போல் இருக்க வேண்டும்.

அகலாது = not going too far. 

அணுகாது = not moving too close.

தீக்காய்வார் = those who remain for warmth before fire. 

இகல்வேந்தர் = king/ CEO/ top managers ,etc

சேர்ந்து ஒழுகுவார் = serve with/under

Those who work with the top officials,  should never go too close or too far.

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2)Thirukkural on Decision Making

Whether an  individual or a family or a firm or a country, decision making is a tough task. Some times crucial decision making becomes nerve rocking leading to mental trauma.

Weighing the pros and cons of a  decision is very important, several strategies are to  be adopted before arriving at a final decision. The risk involved in the final decision should be foreseen and analyzed.

If a problem is turned into an opportunity and properly tackled, it leads to victory.

Thiruvalluvar says that any decision should be made after a deep thinking. Later there should not   be any attempt to reconsider the decision that was made.The decision once finally made should be executed  immediately without delay

Today, decision making is made into a science with techniques like grid analysis, paired analysis etc. Through Brain storming techniques, all possible decisions in large scale is pooled,  The strength, weakness and opportunities are discussed and the best decision is selected.

Popular American writer Herbert Simon  on effective decision making  insists for gathering more information about the decision to be taken,  so that many alternatives could be developed.

In majority cases the ultimate decision maker is the leader, any fame or blame goes to him.
In case , any opinion remains divided among the top management, the Chief Executive has to decide.

When a good decision is made, it brings desired  results. In 1945, during the second world war, when Japan was aggressive and adamant , US President Harry Truman decided  to drop two atomic bombs on Japan, as a result the war came to an end. According to historians, if bombs were not dropped, the war would have continued and brought much more disaster to the world countries. Many say  the decision of US was inevitable.

In 2005, the US president George Bush made poor decision to send military to Iraq, it resulted in his unpopularity and defeat of his political party in the election.

Thiruvalluvar says in Kural 467:
"Any task should  be started after a deep thinking.
Reconsidering the decision later is a disgrace."
எண்ணித் துணிக கருமந் துணிந்தபின்
எண்ணுவ மென்ப திழுக்கு.( 467)

Every decision has its own consequences, problems should be boldly faced and wisely solved, there should not  be any attempt to go back from the decision made   

In the Kural 671, Thiruvalluvar says:
" After a careful discussion, boldly a decision should be made.
Delay in executing that  decision is totally harmful."
சூழ்ச்சி முடிவு துணிவெய்தல் அத்துணிவு
தாழ்ச்சியுள் தங்குதல் தீது.( 671)
தங்குதல் தீது = Delaying ( decision ) is bad,

At the same time,  if several activities are required for a solution,  In the Kural 672 ,Thiruvalluvar speaks of the ' concept of  priority ' which is followed in the modern management,

"Delay the actions which are not important,
Delay not the actions which are urgent."   ( Kural 672)
தூங்குக தூங்கிச் செயற்பால தூங்கற்க
தூங்காது செய்யும் வினை.( 672)

தூங்குக = delay, தூங்கற்க = delay not, 

தூங்காது செய்யும் வினை= actions which cannot be delayed (urgent).

In case of an unexpected flood, the construction of the roads can be delayed, but the relief works during a flood, earth quake, tsunami, etc should not be delayed . 

In hospital  emergency units, patients are treated on priority.  Patients with life threatening problems are attended immediately. 

During the  war time, government gives top priority to the military services.

While making a decision on  the list of activities, priority should given to  the  urgent works..
Gathering information,weighing the options, selecting the best, all these are time consuming but if the best decision is made, the result will be magnanimous.

Thiruvalluvar says, take a decision after a deep consideration, afterwards do not change the decision, immediately executive the decision.While executing, if there are  many actions, follow the   the concept of priority and take up the urgent task...
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3) LEADERSHIP 

During  the time of Thiruvalluvar , the kings were the rulers (leaders). Today the Chief Executive of a country (President of US, PM of UK, PM of India, etc ) is the leader of the government.
 A leader of a corporate company is termed  CEO, MD, President, Chairman, etc.

In fact the leadership is not a position, it is the responsibility of directing successfully an organisation towards the fixed goals. A potential leader has the critical responsibility of doingright things and making others to do those things right.
A leader should do right things.
Make others to do the right things.

With all precise planning, if there is no dynamic leadership, any organisation will fall. There is no universal definition for a good leadership, the task of any leader depends very much on arising situations..

Thiruvalluvar had identified some basic qualifications for a good king which is very much applicable in the modern context to the top leaders. Kural 382 says a king should have courage, generosity, knowledge, zeal and alertness (alertness added in the kural 383)

A leader should be courageous. During the tough times, he has to make solid decisions, he cannot be soft peddling, he has to handle the situation bravely. He needs moral and physical courage to face the unexpected failures. In those days kings met enemies face to face in war fields, to-day it is the mental battle in making crucial decisions. Bravery is a must, whether it is 

for physical or mental deed.

A leader should be generous or considerate towards his subordinates, it should be kept in mind , if right persons are not rewarded at appropriate time, they will become demoralized. A leader should handle the work related worries  of workers  with care and  concern. A leader should be generous while sanctioning compensations and merciful while granting remissions.

A leader should be knowledgeable, he should be intelligent enough to weigh the pros and cons of issues by using the reasoning, reflection and foresight.  He should come out with corrective measures to resolve the issues.

A leader should have power to motivate others, in case of most critical time, he has to motivate himself by using auto suggestions. He should not expect his subordinates to motivate him in critical times.

A leader should be always alert, it is an inevitable ingredient in an effective leadership .Mental alertness and physical vitality will help to plug certain organisational loop holes.

For a successful leader as qualifications , the modern management uses words like determination, decisiveness, optimism, confident, commitment, vision, aggression, etc, etc . But Thiruvalluvar had accommodated all these micro qualities in a broad sense.

Essence of  Kural 382:

" Courage, generosity, knowledge (wisdom), motivation (Zeal) are the four essential elements of a successful leader (King)"
In the kural 383 Alertness is added totally five .

அஞ்சாமை ஈகை அறிவூக்கம் இந்நான்கும்
எஞ்சாமை வேந்தற் கியல்பு. ( 382)

தூங்காமை கல்வி துணிவுடைமை அம்மூன்றும்
நீங்கா நிலனாள் பவற்கு. ( 383)

அஞ்சாமை = Courage,  ஈகை = generosity,   அறிவு = Knowledge,  ஊக்கம் = motivation.

தூங்காமை = Alertness

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    4)  THIRUKKURAL  ON   ADMINISTRATION

An  'acronym'  is a word formed by using the first letters of many words. 

Students of management are aware of the acronym coined by Luther Gulick in 1937 

which is  POSDCORB.

This term is widely used in the field of Public Administration. 

In  fact,  it explains the functional elements of the work of a leader.

P = planning

O = Organising

S = Staffing

D = Directing

CO = Co ordinating

R = Reporting

B = Budgetting.

Thiruvalluvar speaks of these skills required for an able administrator in many kurals.

In modern management SWOT analysis is used to evaluate any company's  Strength, Weakness  Opportunities and Threats. ( SWOT  is another acronym).  

By using SWOT  analysis company's- Strength can be assessed, weakness 

can be corrected, opportunities can be exploited and threat can be countered..

In the Kural 471 Thiruvalluvar says, 

While  Planning  a   project- 

The strength of the project, strength of  our own, strength of the opponents 

and strength of the partners should be weighed.

          வினை வலியும்/ தன் வலியும்/ மாறறான் வலியும்/ 

             துணை வலியும்/ தூக்கிக் செயல் ( 471 )

Organizing is the set of activities which are essential for effective management.

For the success of any management right planning and organizing  are essential.  Kurals 382 and 383 say- For leaders- 

courage, generosity, knowledge, motivation, 

alertness are essential.

         Unless theses skills are  present efficient planning and organizing  are not possible.

Staffing is bringing in the people with required skills and getting the work done through them. 

Kural 504 cautions, 

While recruiting candidate's merit and demerit should be weighed and  selection should be done with  right  judgment.

 Kural 517 says ,

Thus selected persons should be allowed

to function on their own .

It means there should not be any micro management .

Directing is guiding the subordinates to function according to the organisation's plans. 

          Many management experts refer directing to leadership and decision making. 
          Kural 582 says                     

A leader should know what is happening to 

everybody at all times.

A good leader should have the knowledge of every thing that happens under him, then only he can direct  the subjects in the right direction.

Co ordination is   making the different people to work with right understanding to achieve the goals,  It is interlinking various activities of a project.

          Kural 568 advises  that a leader should call his subordinates and discuss.

A leader  who does not  consult  

his associates  will function with anger 

and reduce the capital.

Also kural 677 advises to go for  the  

consultations  of  the experts in the field. 

        செய்வினை செய்வான்/செயல்முறை /அவ்வினை/

          உள்ளறிவான்/ உள்ளம் கொளல் ( 677 )

          உள்ளறிவான் =An expert  who knows in and out , 

          உள்ளம் கொளல் = use his experience ( consult him ).

Reporting is keeping others informed about the on going activities, maintaining required  records and preparing final report. In this regard , no doubt the subordinates would be proud if the organisational matters are relayed to them, 

but Thiruvalluvar says, it should be done with caution.

Disclosure of certain assignments before 

the completion,

will lead to innumerable problems.( 663 )

This is applicable in certain war times military strategic operations which should never be disclosed till  successfully executed.

In modern days, the features of new electronic products are not revealed till they are released.

Budgetting is nothing but preparing probable list of income and expenditure.( fiscal planning )

 Kural 478   says-

Even if the income is less,  does not matter,

if the expenditure does not exceed the income.

Thiruvalluvar advises surplus budget, in case of deficit budget, the deficit should be taken care through reasonable taxation by Governments,in case of manufactures, by  competitive price increase,  cost cut, lay off, retrenchment,  etc.

In the  families depending up on monthly fixed income, the expenditure should never exceed the income. 

There should be some savings to meet any unexpected expenses.

The accepted thinking is, " Maximize the income and minimize the expenditure " 

Thirukkural speaks on many subjects, what he  had said for kings and ministers of ancient days are rightly applicable for CEOs   , head of the Governments and council of ministers of modern days..Thirukkural 487 in Tamil 

ஆகு ஆறு/ அளவு இட்டிது ஆயினும் கேடுஇல்லை/

போகு ஆறு/ அகலாக்கடை (478)

 ஆகு ஆறு = Income,   போகு ஆறு = Expenditure

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         5)  Project Planning 

It is wisely said, "Any plan is better than no plan". In modern competitive world, planning is the first and the foremost step to start any project or business. Effective planning with proper project will give birth to a successful project.In fact project planning is a part of project management.There are defined stages in project planning. In modern days Gantt Charts are widely used. It is a bar chart that explains the start and finish dates including the dependencies in project. This chart will help to monitor effectively the progress of a project.In kural 464, Thiruvalluvar gives a general guidance to be adhered before starting any project,

" The project in which the issues are not clear,

    No person afraid of public disgrace will start."

தெளிவி லதனைத் தொடங்கார் இளிவென்னும்
ஏதப்பா டஞ்சு பவர்.( 464)

தெளிவி லதனை = Projects in which the  Issues are not clear

Only after clearing all the issues ( existing and foreseen problems ), a project should be started. 

Before starting a project, consider the expenditure, the return , the profit  and then proceed,( 461)

அழிவதூஉம் ஆவதூஉம் ஆகி வழிபயக்கும

ஊதியமுஞ் சூழ்ந்து செயல்.( 461)

In the kural 675, Thiruvalluvar identifies five factors to be considered while planning,

"Treasure, instrument, Time, deed and place of execution,

   Consider well these factors and then start the action,"

பொருள்கருவி காலம் வினையிடனொ டைந்தும்
இருள்தீர எண்ணிச் செயல்.( 675)

பொருள்= Treasure, கருவி = Instrument,  காலம் = time , வினை= Deed, , இடம் = place

1)Treasure ( Capital or Stakeholders of modern days )

Treasure or capital is the foremost criteria, insufficient capital will abort any progressive project. In modern days ' Stakeholders' who sponsor a project are very important, potential stakeholders should be identified and a good relationship should be developed.

2)Instrument ( Man power, material and machine )

Instrument includes men with required skills sets, material, machine, etc.

3)Time ( Suitable period )

Time includes accurate Time estimation, setting dead line etc. Also Time includes season or period, YK2 project can not be planned now, its period is over.

4)Deed or Action Plan (List of activities )

Deed or action plan includes list of activities, preparation of priority list etc.

5)Place of execution , Suitable location to execute the project should be identified. Any farming should have good source of water, manufacturing should have effective transportation and labour cost etc.In modern context BPOs at India provide for the skilled labour at reasonable cost. Manufacturing products in China for low cast labour. Top IT Industries in Bangalore and Silicon Valley ( US ) for its good weather, etc

Considering all the five factors, a project should be devised, properly evaluated and probed to see whether the project will be successful or not. Successful project should be executed keeping in mind certain unexpected hindrances.In kural 466 Thiruvalluvat cautions that even  with a well conceived project plan, the project may ruin, 

"A project will fail, 

if a manager does what he should not and 

fails to do what he should" ( Kural 466)

செய்தக்க அல்ல செயக்கெடுஞ் செய்தக்க
செய்யாமை யானுங் கெடும்.(466)

செய்தக்க அல்ல செயக்கெடும் = If a manager does what he should not , the project will fail.

செய்தக்க செய்யாமை யானுங் கெடும் =  If a manager  fails to do what he should , then also the project will fail.

In another kural 676, Thiruvalluvar cautions about the hindrances that might arise while a project is executed.

Whether political or social or business enterprise, efficient project management is very much essential. But certain risk factors may slow down or detail the project, able and efficient management will lessen the chances. Managers  with substantial experience will clearly examine the various risk factors that might arise  apart from the fine finish of the project and expected profit or benefit.

Consider well the end, hindrance and benefit,

then fittingly start the project" ( kural 676 )

"consider well the hindrance " is the risk analysis", which demands successful  "risk management."

முடிவும்/ இடையூறும் /முற்றியாங்கு எய்தும்

படுபயனும்/ பார்த்துச் செயல்

முடிவும் =  Final outcome  or end , இடையூறும்  = Hinderances  , படுபயனும்= Benefit or profit

Consider the above factors and start a project

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6) communication skills

A learned person (scholar) is an individual with a profound knowledge.  One has to study either formally or informally for many years to become a scholar. Thiruvalluvar says that a scholarly person with all his learning, if unable to communicate his knowledge to others is useless to the society,  

Whether a small company or a large corporate establishment, the effective communication skill of its personnel is one of the ingredient s for its success. Style of speaking, body language, expressiveness are the fundamental elements of effective communication. Executives are subjected to present papers on many occasions, if these papers are not well prepared and presented, it will end in a total failure.

Kural 645 gives a guide line:

"The words used should be carefully selected so that no other words can effectively replace them." 
Which means, there should not be any ambiguity in the words used.

சொல்லுக சொல்லைப் பிறிதோர்சொல் அச்சொல்லை
வெல்லுஞ்சொல் இன்மை அறிந்து.( 645)

அச்சொல்லை வெல்லுஞ்சொல் இன்மை = No other word can replace it


An executive capable of communicating complex concepts successfully is well recognized by everybody.People like Winston Churchill, Edmund Burke, Pandit Nehru and others were known for their inspiring speeches which kept the entire audience spell bound. 
In democratic countries only powerful speakers become heroes in politics.

Along with eduacation, students should develop communication skill by participating in debates and elocution competitions. In modern days communication skill is very much required to enter into certain key positions.

It should not be forgotten that,  for a successful executive, communication skills is not  optional but mandatory. 

Toastmaster Club International is dedicated to help its members to improve public speaking and communication skills along with leadership qualities. It is functioning in all metro cities including  in Bangalore (www.toastmaster.org).

I know a person with many degrees with wide knowledge. When he meets friends , he liked to talk on current political , social , economic and International affairs. Unfortunately with all his knowledge he in unable to express his views in a impressive way in a right sequence. Thiruvalluvar says, the knowledge of these people is a waste to the society.

Read Kural  of Kural 728:

" A widely  learned man, if cannot communicate well,

   All his learning is a waste"

பல்லவை கற்றும் பயமிலரே நல்லவையுள்
நன்கு செலச்சொல்லா தார். ( 728)

நன்கு செலச்சொல்லா தார். = Those who cannot communicate well.

Even in the kural 730, it is said that 
if educated people are afraid to covey their thoughts in an assembly , 
Even though  living  , they are considered  as dead.

உளரெனினும் இல்லாரொடு ஒப்பர் களன்அஞ்சிக்
கற்ற செலச்சொல்லா தார்.( 730)
உளரெனினும் = Even though living
இல்லாரொடு ஒப்பர் = Considered  as dead.

The purpose of any education or knowledge is  to educate others. One need not be a teacher to eduacate others.Through their communication , they can educate others in an informal way.
They should have the ability to explain in an effective way. If they do not have that ability,  they are even though  living , considered as dead..

Essence of Kural 727 :

" A learned man afraid of speaking to an assembly of wise is nothing but an eunuch with a sharp sword in hand in a war field."

( An eunuch is neither male or female person )

பகையகத்துப் பேடிகை ஒள்வாள் அவையகத்து
அஞ்சு மவன்கற்ற நூல்.

Thiruvalluvar compares a learned man with no communication skill to an eunuch (hermaphrodite= no gender) with a shining sword in a war field. In this Kural Thiruvalluvar uses the Tamil word பேடி ( Badi )  ( which means eunuch.). An eunuch cannot fight bravely even with the finest sword. A man without  communication skill is similar to him. No use of him to the society.

Just imagine, if  an envoy to UNO does not have communication skill, he cannot present the views of his nation in a right way. Enoys are  the mouth pieces of their nations.They have to reflect their nations views without mixing the words.There should not  be  any ambiquity in  their talks.They should have tested knowlledge on International affairs and hightest communication skill. 
The speeches of the eminent leaders  had brought great changes among the people , 
Edmund Berg's " Speech on American Taxation." in UK parliament ( 1774 )
Abraham Lincoln's " Gettysberg Speech " delivered during the American Civil War.( 1863)
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's " A tryst with Destiny" ( 1947)
Martin Luther King Jr 's " I have a Dream " (1963), 
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7)Thirukkural  On RECRUITMENT

Thiruvalluvar speaks of effective recruitment in the Kural 507. 
Recruitment is the process of finding a potential candidate for a particular post. Variety of parameters like academic background, personality traits, experience, team spirit, etc, are considered.

Recruiting a right person is a challenging task for every manager or HR Personnel.

Right recruitment strategies will bring spectacular results. Poor recruitment will affect the entire performance of the organisation.

Because of the fond affection , in modern days, selecting "unfit or unworthy" candidates from family circle or friends circle for responsible posts had become common , it is referred as nepotism.

Nepotism is the favour shown to the relatives or friends without considering the merits. Indian political and administrative systems are notoriously known for nepotism which had led the Nation towards wide spread corruption.

In India , bribery is an extra constitutional growth which had given birth to faulty recruitments leading to unworthy and untrusted people occupying top decision making posts. Even Indian Armed Forces are not exempted. Thiruvalluvar warns that faulty recruitments will lead to endless problems and troubles  to the managers or higher authorities and ultimately bring disaster to the country or organisation.

In case, a manager is forced to recruit an unfit candidate, what he has to do? He should not trust him, by using some "checks and balances" the candidate should be monitored, otherwise he will create continuous worries to the manager leading to frustration. 
At the same time a manager should not doubt a candidate hired after a perfect recruitment, if he doubts , it will also lead to constant worries.

In simple terms :

"Trusting unworthy and doubting worthy" - both will cause constant  worries (Kural 510)

unworthy= totally unfit for the post,     worthy= totally fit for the post

தேரான் தெளிவுந் தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்
தீரா இடும்பை தரும்.( 510)

தேரான் தெளிவும் = Trusting unworthy,  தெளிந்தான்கண் ஐயுறவும்= Doubting worthy.

தீரா இடும்பை தரும். = will lead to constant worries.

In modern days, the successful Corporate Companies concentrate much on the right process of recruitment. They totally avoid nepotism in filling the key posts. Thiruvalluvar cautions against  the faulty recruitment by nepotism in the kural 507.

He says, it  will cause disaster to the administration.

Well established firms will also fall if unworthy people who are selected by favouritism occupy the key posts. It is  a wonder Thiruvalluvar speaks of the principles of modern management 2000 years ago. It shows the immortality and universality of Thirukkural

In simple terms, the essence of kural 507 is

"Recruitment made through favouritism (nepotism)

will lead to all kinds of disaster." ( kural 507 )

In Tamil :

காதன்மை கந்தா அறிவு அறியார்த் தேறுதல்

பேதைமை எல்லாம் தரும் ( 507 )

காதன்மை = Favourtism  because of  fond   affection

பேதைமை = all kinds of disaster

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8)The  Delegation of Powers

The students of modern management are familiar with the term delegation of powers. It is an art of getting the  work done through others by delegating some responsibilities to them. No matter how capable a manager is, carrying the entire burden of achieving the organization's goals by himself is impossible. Along with technical, analytical and organizational skills, a manager should have good ability to delegate certain responsibilities to the right people at the right time.

A person selected for delegating the responsibility should be trust worthy and efficient to do that particular task. A King/CEO/Minister/Manager should be careful in selecting the right person. Once Selected, he should be allowed to complete the task and higher authorities should not interfere unnecessarily. This principle of modern management has been explained in Kural 517. 

In simple words:

"A manager should select a right person for a particular work after considering that he would complete the work by using these means and then allow him to complete the work without any interference"

இதனை இதனால் இவன்முடிக்கும் என்றாய்ந்
ததனை அவன்கண் விடல். (517)

A delegate selected to represent a Nation  in an International Forum should have powerful communication skill.He should have a tested knowledge in the  International affairs, otherwise , he will bring discredit to the Nation. 

The Chief executive of a country ( President or PM  according to the constitution ) should select the right persons and handover the portfolios. 
Only to a person with sufficient knowledge in economics should be give ' Finance '. A person with thorough knowledge in foreign affairs should be given 'External', etc. 
PM should remember that he is delegating his powers to them, any fault of them would reflect on him.
While selecting the envoys to other countries, care should be taken to select the best persons who could act according to the foreign policy of the domestic country.

How to select the right person?
Chief Executive should consider many factors.
Thiruvalluvar says- 
Consider the person's loving nature, knowledge in the  field,  firm determination  to execute the work  and a mind with  no greediness for money and then select .( 513) 
அன்பறிவு தேற்றம் அவாவின்மை இந்நான்கும்
நன்குடையான் கட்டே தெளிவு. (513)
1) A delegate should have loving nature or pleasing manners which will impress others.
2) A clear knowledge in the  field is very important. 
3) He should have a strong determination to execute the work entrusted to him.
4) He should have a mind free from greediness for money .( அவாவின்மை )

It is a well known fact that some of  the ministers in India  to whom the Head of the Government  had  delegated certain powers,  because of their greediness towards money, involved in scams after scams and looted the Nation's purse. 

The  CEO should be careful while selecting, he should select a person who knows the in and out of the nature of the work and who is  capable of  performing the assignment with precision. He should not try to select any other incapable person on the basis of any favour or attachment. (515)

அறிந்தாற்றிச் செய்கிற்பாற் கல்லால் வினைதான்
சிறந்தானென் றேவற்பாற் றன்று.(515)

This is another important factor in the process of  selecting the delegates,  they should be selected purely on merit,  not on any favour. Selecting people for  high posts by favouritism is known as nepotism which  is very common in countries like India. The nepotism has ruined the country's prosperity and lead the country to face  many corruptions.

Thiruvalluvar had indicated that while selecting the  persons to delegate any power , care should taken to select the most  fitting persons.

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9) THIRUKKURALS  ON  MOTIVATION

"Motivation" (ஊக்கம் ) is the inner urge in the mind to achieve the  aspired goals. We all have read the book of Vincent Norman Peale ,

'The Power of Positive thinking". It is printed in 41 languages and sold more than 20 million copies. The book  says," Feeling of confidence depends upon the type of thoughts that habitually occupy our mind." Thoughts that occupy our mind determines our quality of life. Mind is always filled with positive  and negative thoughts, the success in life depends upon the type of thoughts that fill in our minds. Our  thoughts and motivations are the architect of our destiny. 

Thiruvalluvar says in the Kural   593

Those who are with high  motivation , even if they lose all their possessions,  will never feel desperate.

ஆக்கம் இழந்தோம் என்று அல்லாவார் ஊக்கம்

ஒருவந்தம் கைத்து உடையார். ( 593 )

Motivation is a  bundle of  enthusiasm , zeal , will power , diligence , initiation , inspiration , self determination , etc which are the features of mind. If these are in mind , even if all the wealth is lost , nothing is lost. Such persons will emerge like phoenix birds  by their will power and high motivation.

Kural 772 says- A person who went for hunting , killed many rabbits by using arrows, holds  arrows in one  hand and hunted rabbits in another hand and returns home. Another person who went for elephant hunting, after many efforts could not kill one, he returns with his failed spear in his hand. Thiruvalluvar says, the failed spear is worth holding than the successful arrows. 

The spear that missed  to kill an elephant is worth holding ( in the hand )

than the arrow that killed a hare ( rabbit ). 

கான முயல் எய்த அம்பினில் யானை

பிழைத்த வேல் ஏந்தல் இனிது (772)

Jemsetji Tata started Asia's first and India's largest  Iron and Steel industry , Taj Mahal Hotel, Electricity generating plant, etc,  all were elephant hunting.  He never went for rabbit hunting . To-day TATA sectors are the largest private sectors in India.

For highly motivated people losing is the first step to win. It should not  be forgotten that great failures are the high motivations. 

This is what Thiruvalluvar says, a failed attempt on an elephant is much better than a successful attempt on a hare. Any failure is the stepping stone to success. A person should not stop at a failure, he should remove the causes of the failure and try again and again till the success is achieved.

Alfred Nobel was experimenting on developing Nitroglycerine as a safe explosive. In 1864 there was a  major explosion in his factory which killed his brother Emil and a few others. The Government authorities asked him to close the factory.

Anybody would have been  discouraged and dropped the project, but Alfred Nobel through his  self motivation determined to continue. He considered the failure as the first step to success.He hired an anchored small ship in the lake Malaren and continued his efforts, developed safe detonators, made huge money in the business, instituted NOBEL PRIZE, which is  the greatest prize of  the world to-day. 

To excel  in a business, high motivation should be developed. In organisations, the manager should keep his team always highly motivated to reach the goals.  'Start moving' and 'Stand moving'  both need  motivation, only  when there is a start , there will be a move.

 In the kural 596 Thiruvalluvar talks about high objectives -

The objectives and aims should  always be fixed high,

Even if not achieved, those  thoughts should not be changed. (596)

உள்ளுவது எல்லாம் உயர்யு உள்ளல் மற்றது

தள்ளினும் தள்ளாமை நீர்த்து.

Alfred Nobel did not change his objectives when his brother was killed .

His high objective of developing  safe detonator was  finally succeeded.

.

Any motivation is governed by mind sets, to some students any attempt of motivation to learn mathematics go in vain, but every student wants to learn motorbike riding or  computer  operating. Why ? it is the mind set, it is the driving force in the inner mind to learn certain interesting subjects. 

Those who want to motivate others , should know their mind sets and then decide the approach to be adopted.

Self motivation ( intrinsic ) is very important for those who hold high ranks, in critical time , they have to motivate themselves  through auto- suggestions and solve the issues. 
External motivation ( extrinsic ) also will be helpful in certain cases, applying right motivational techniques  will fetch good results.

In the Corporate companies, status, job security, remuneration, recognition, perks etc give high motivation to the employees. Absent of these factors  will lead to total demotivation. In fact good motivation will lead to higher morale of the employees

Prof Stephen Hawking suffering from motor neuron disease is wheel chair bound with a very limited physical power,  but authored the top seller  book, ' A brief history of Time " .His will power and high motivation had made it possible.

 Deaf and blind Helen Keller became a successful author, lecturer and a political activist in US by her extremely high motivation.

A mind without any motivation  will never take any one to any height . If the motivations are high,  the achievements will also be high. A small pond of three feet dirty water can not bloom a lotus having thirty feet stem,  the stem will grow only till the surface of water. Similarly, to achieve a  higher level of  success,  the motivation level should also be high. 

This is explained in the kural 595.

The stalk (stem) of a lotus plant grows upto the water height,

The achievement of a man goes upto his mind's height. (595 )

mind's height = level of motivation

வெள்ளத்து அனைய மலர் நீட்டம் மாந்தர்தம்

உள்ளத்து அனையது உயர்வு.

  

வெள்ளத்து = water ,      உள்ளத்து = mind ( will or motivation ) 

" தண்ணீரின் உயரம்தான் ,பூவின்  காம்பின்   நீளம் இருக்கும்,

உள்ளத்தின் ஊக்க உயரம்தான் , ஒருவனின் உயர்வு இருக்கும்."

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Thirukural on International Relations. 

10) DIPLOMATS

Diplomats are the  ambassadors or envoys or messengers send by one country to another.They are mainly responsible for maintaining 

inter country relationship.*Strabo who lived during  Augustus Caesar (27 BC - 14 AD ) had mentioned that a Pondian King of South India  had sent an ambassador to  meetAugustus Caesar with a letter and gifts.

.

Diplomatic relation among countries is very much required. 
Thiruvalluvar  gives a guide line to be adhered while selecting the diplomats.

He prescribes number of skill sets for them. 

  

They should be scholarly among scholars,

they should have extraordinary communication 

skills with loving nature, appealing personality,

pleasing manner, benevolent heart , 
humourous in  talk, courageous by nature, etc 
( kurals 681 to 690 )

Long time ago, I went to my wife's native place Vellore 

in Tamil Nadu.We were invited by a known family, 

the house was traditional brahmin house,

after the dinner, I was talking to  the eldest women 

of the house.She showed me a room and said, 

"This is the room where Radha stayed and attended

the college, Radha was very intelligent, pious,

dignified with extraordinary communication skills,

never insulted any body,  ..............."

I was wondering, who this Radha  who possessed 

all the skill sets specified by Valluvar.

On the way back, I asked my wife. 

She said, " Radha is Dr. Radhakrishnan, 

our former president of India,

he stayed in this house and studied 

in the Voorhes College."

The old woman was correct in her assessment. .

Dr. Radhakrishnan , a learned among scholars 

proved an exemplary ambassador. 

He was the Indian ambassador to USSR from 

1949 to 1952 He laid a strong  foundation for 

the Indo-Russia mutual relationship.

After this assignment he became the vice-president 

and then the  president of India.

Thiruvalluvar prescribes in the Kural 687,

the skills required for the top level diplomats,

A top level diplomat is a person who realises 

very well the responsibilities of his duties, 

wait for the right time to speak  and determine  

correct place to perform his diplomatic mission 

using measured words.

கடன் அறிந்து/ காலம் கருதி/ இடன் அறிந்து/

எண்ணி/ உரைப்பான் தலை. (687)

தலை= a top level diplomat

To-day diplomatic service is rendered by 

All India Foreign Service ( IFS ),  

the personnels are selected from the 

All India Civil Service Examination, .

In heirarchy IFS is next to IAS ans IPS.

The skill sets advised by Thiruvalluvar and other 

required skill sets are inculcated  during the 36 months 

training in the Lal Bhahadur Sastry National 

Academy, Mussourie.They are given 

indepth knowledge on major world issues..

Today it  is  an era of Interdependence,

no country is fully independent, 

every country depends upon other countries 

for some thing or other. Mighty countries depend upon 

oil hidden countries for their fuel requirements, 

highly populated China depends upon US for  

the sale of  cheap labour,many  small countries 

depend upon their  exports . 

International Relation is governed by game plans., 

every country is selfish.. 

In fact it is nothing but the survival of  fittest,

hence diplomatic service had become  very crucial.

Thiruvalluvar says in the kural 689        

A devoted diplomat selected to deliver a message, 

even by slip of the tongue,

will never utter unworthy words 

that would bring discredit to his country.

விடு மாற்றும் வேந்தர்க்கு உரைப்பான் வடு மாற்றும் 

வாய் சோரா வன்கணவன் (689)

( வாய் சோரா = Slip of the tongue )

An efficient diplomat can convert a deadly enemy country 

into a potentially  friendly country  by using his diplomatic 

tactics. In UNO a diplomat can present his country's views 

on International issues in a convincing way and impress 

other countries.

The diplomats with acknowleged wisdom and 

tested knowledge  become a great asset to their countries.

2000 years ago Thiruvalluvar had said 

these diplomats are not free from life threats. 

As said by Thiruvalluvar, in the recent past many 

ambassadors have been killed. 

   .

1970 Armenian ( not American) terrorists killed 

Turkish diplomat..

1973 US ambassador Cleo a Noel to Sudan was 

taken hostage and killed.

1973 American Ambassador Adolp Dubs was 

killed in Afghan.

2005 Cairo's ambassador to Iraq El Sherif was 

abducted and murdered. 

2010 Indian Embassy in Kabul had a  Bomb attack.

 In fact many American Ambassadors 

had faced life threats. 

 In US, in the lobby of Harry S Truman building 

of the state Department, two memorial plaques are 

placed with names of diplomats who risked lives during 

their mission despite of the  immunities given by

 **Vienna convention1961,

King Rajaraja cholan ( 11th Century ) sent 

one ambassador to Chera king, 

King insulted and arrested the ambassador. 

History says,  Rajaraja Cholan invaded and 

defeated Chera King and imprisoned him. 

Insulting an ambassador is nothing but insulting  

the sovereign authority itself. 

  

See the Kural  690  in which Thiruvalluvar says 

about the life threat to  the ambassadors.

" Even under the threat to life , 

an ideal ambassador  

will serve his Nation without any fear "

இறுதி பயப்பினும் எஞ்சாது இறைவற்கு

உறுதி பயப்பது ஆம் தூது (690)

இறுதி பயப்பினும் = even if the end of life approaches

எஞ்சாது = without fear

இறைவற்கு = to his King or  Nation
உறுதி பயப்பது ஆம் = will serve as directed

தூது = an ideal ambassador

In simple words,

" an ideal diplomat will complete his mission  

without fear even if his end approaches"

In corporate companies sales and marketing executives are the diplomats,

they also need all the skill sets prescribed by Thiruvalluvar.

                                       

For Students  reference

*Strabo lived during Augustus Caesar Time ( 27 BC -14 AD ), 

 he Compiled book on Geography

 He was felicitated by Augustus Caesar.

Ptolemy had referred Pondian king as Medura Region Pandian.

Periplus as referred Pondian king as Pandyan Mediterrea

In 1942, the escavation conducted at Arikumedu 

near Pondichery unearthed many Roman coins with 

Augustus Caesar head.which proved the trade relation

between Tamilakam and Rome 2000 years ago.

**Vienna convention 1961 had given many 

immunities (safeguards) to the diplomats.

1) They can not be arrested by 

the host country ( country where they function )

2) If the host country is dissatisfied with 

the functioning of the ambassadors, they should be 

asked to leave the country , 

no action could be taken on them.

3) Host country can not enter into the embassy  premises 

without permission, it is the territory of the 

representing country( extraterritoriality )

High Commissioners are the ambassadors between common wealth countries.

Common wealth countries are the countries once ruled by British.

The Indian Ambassador to UK is called High Commissioner to UK. 

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