“Humility is the Hallmark of Harika” – Short Story From Prof.M.S.Rao

“To the world, you may just be somebody. But to somebody, you may just might be the world”



Socrates and Harika:

Once a person approached Socrates and said that he wanted to share some information which he heard from somebody. Socrates asked the person whether the information was genuine. The person responded that he was not sure about the authenticity of the information and further added that he had heard from somebody. Socrates further asked the person whether the information was positive. The person responded that the information was not positive but negative. Finally, the Socrates posed the third question whether it was useful to him. The person replied by saying that the information was not useful in anyway.

Finally, Socrates understood the situation and questioned the person, “Why should I listen to you when the information was neither genuine, nor positive nor useful?” It is known as Socrates’ Three Filter Test. In real life also, we find people carrying forward the information which is neither genuine, nor positive nor useful.


Rahul’s Encounter with Harika:

“We come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.” - Rabindranath Tagore

First time in his life, Rahul saw Socrates in a woman, by name, Harika who is pure at heart with positive mindset. She is a wonderful woman with simplicity and humility. She is cool, composed and charismatic. She is a smart worker, and very intelligent. Although she has wealth of knowledge, she does not boast of herself which shows her humility.

She has magical smile and is filled with energy, enthusiasm and expertise. She has fire in her belly. She is flexible and adaptable and follows the road less traveled. She is tender at heart. She works in a college as a faculty member and pursues higher qualification as well. She earns and learns. She loves to be independent. She has very good sense of humor. She moves students with her charismatic, magnetic and mesmerizing voice. She is assertive in handling students. She mentors and grooms them to be industry ready.

Harika is a very bold and beautiful woman who has passion for teaching and training. She hails from a middle class family background with a blend of both modernity and orthodox. She has a pure heart with noble thoughts to serve the students. After completion of her degree, she took up teaching as a career as she wants to play a crucial role in shaping the future of students.

She won the accolades from all people in the college within a short span with her dedication and commitment. She took up several activities voluntarily in the college such as counseling the students on various projects. In addition, she began mentoring students about career to take up after completion of their academic qualification. She trained and groomed students on several activities and projects which are noteworthy. To put it succinctly, she is the queen of the college.


Grass and Tree:

“Humility is the solid foundation of all virtues.” - Confucius

When there is a storm the strongest and biggest tree gets uprooted but a simple grass survives by changing its direction in tune with the storm and comes back to normal position after the storm goes away. The tree is very strong with its roots and is not in a position to change its direction. As a result, it gets uprooted. But a simple grass changes its direction through its flexibility and survives from storm. In fact, the simple grass stands taller than the tree in such a critical juncture. It demonstrates its humility and survives successfully from storm. The people those who are successful in the world have one of the greatest virtues i.e. humility. Rahul saw humility in Harika who remains like a grass in facing the storm.


Individuals, Issues and Ideas:

It is rightly said that below average people talk about individuals, average people talk about issues and above average people talk about ideas. Harika is an exception who falls in the bracket of above average individuals. She does not talk ill of others. That makes her different from others. She does not talk of irrelevant issues which are usually raised by average people. On the other hand, she always associates with great people and discusses great ideas and insights. Good books are her friends and great people are very close to her heart.

She has all ingredients to become a global celebrity. Great people are not born elsewhere but they are born among us. But people often fail to spot, accept and admit the same. Rahul admires her, salutes her and wishes her wholeheartedly from the core of his heart.


What Does Harika Stand For?

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.” - Marleen
Charles de Montesquieu

Harika means Humility. She thinks neither high nor low of herself. She never blows her trumpet. Harika means Agility. She is always lively, cheerful energetic and enthusiastic and being warm and friendly with others. Harika means Responsibility. She takes initiative and accepts responsibilities wholeheartedly without any pressure but with pleasure. Harika means Integrity. She is honest to the core and stands for values and principles. She doesn’t let down anybody. She sticks to her commitments through thick and thin. Harika means Knowledge. She has huge knowledge base which is her strength. She commands huge fan following and respect from students because of her vast knowledge base. She takes feedback from students informally and updates her teaching methodologies constantly. She also updates and upgrades her teaching content regularly. Harika means Assertion. She is neither aggressive nor submissive in behaviour. She protects her rights as well as respects others’ rights without any encroachment.

The sweetest word in Rahul’s mind is not humility but Harika. By the way, do you know the expansion for HARIKA? It is Humility Agility, Responsibility, Integrity, Knowledge, and Assertion. To sum up, Rahul loves HARIKA from the core of his heart because of these hallmarks.


The End



Note: It is only a fiction. Any resemblance to any person is mere a coincidence.