Jain Spirit 2004 10 No 20

Author(s): Jain Spirit UK
Publisher: UK Young Jains

Page 29

when we know that a new technology we are about to introduce has some imperfections. I feel that whatever we do, we should do it for the long run, and with this aspiration, integrity is our best companion and a winning
one too.
Ahimsa has enabled me to stay calm in difficult
circumstances and not get worried or aggressive because of competition. I feel that there is an ocean of opportunity out there and there is room for us all. We concentrate on giving value to our customers, and this enables us to continue to succeed in business. I also have no difficulty staying vegetarian and not consuming alcohol - I found that my colleagues and customers have come to accept me as who I am and, in fact, they respect me more because of my principles. My boss, Mario refrains from meat or alcohol whenever he is on a business trip with me! This touches me deeply. We must respect people whatever background they may come from.
Aparigraha helps me to be simple and detached from business decisions. We undertake very large investments and it is easy for me to be attached to personal ideas and projects, but when reviewing an investment, I try to be as detached from my ego as possible and look at each project from its technical and financial realities. Also, it is CISCO company policy that no staff, including the CEO, can travel on business or first class. Everyone travels economy and I am proud of this policy.
Seva or selflessness has enabled me to think of others less fortunate than myself throughout my life. I have been active not only in the Jain community, but in many other projects, including support for the college where I studied and betterment of life for the underprivileged in India. This for me has been a source of joy and lasting fulfilment throughout my career. It has also kept me humble and aware of my own limitations and imperfections. The large challenge we still face as a society is to promote equality and welfare to one and all.
You also played a leading role in your local Jain community and organised a hugely successful JAINA Convention in Stanford University in 1991. You were a key inspiration in the formation and success of the Young Jains of America. How do you strike the balance between business and community life?
There is never a perfect time for doing community work. I feel that everyone should engage in it in the present and not leave it for the future - who knows, when we are retired, we may not have the health to do it, or the patience or willpower. My community service has helped me hugely in meeting a wide range of people from all walks of life. In fact, for me it has been a break from work, like a vacation. Of course, there is politics in all aspects of life. But to argue that one does not get involved in community work because of politics is for me a copout. We should face the challenge and actively find solutions. If intelligent and resourceful people stayed away from community work, it would
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS 27
definitely lead to our collective decline. I must emphasise again that community work is not a one-way benefit - the volunteer benefits tremendously.
Not only do you give your money to the community, but you give time too. That is generally very rare. My experience is that time is more expensive than money, but the community seems to give a huge importance to those who give money and little to those who give time. What do you think?
I agree, and this is wrong. When we built the new Jain centre in the Silicon Valley (Milpitas), we made an active attempt to involve everyone and not to give preference to any one individual. Donors have no veto on temple affairs. Furthermore, we rarely talked about money or who has donated what - there are no huge plaques or names in the temple, even though a few people donated hundreds of thousands of dollars. From day one, we were very democratic and created a special constitution to reflect this. We made special efforts to include and facilitate all minorities - the temple is truly non-sectarian both in stone and in spirit. As a result, our temple is flourishing today, many years after it was built, and there is a wide-spread feeling of ownership. I feel it will last for a long time, and the activities there are helping to keep the community together and moving forward all the time. Our criterion for any new suggestion or proposal is simple - will it benefit the community? If so, we are all in favour of it, irrespective of whose idea it is.
How can we harness the huge talents of young people for the betterment of the community?
The current-day youths are very talented and resourceful. Their minds are open and their potential is limitless. I feel that they should be encouraged to take leadership positions in the community and be supported by the elders rather than vice versa. Of course, we must continue to invest in their cultural education as they will need this throughout their life. Our pathshala here attracts 300 children regularly and is a key part of this investment.
You supported Jain Spirit when it was only a dream. How do you feel now after five years?
The dream is now a reality. Jain Spirit is the equivalent to Time magazine and I cannot think of any Indian cultural magazine that is better than this. Atul, your personal career sacrifice and the support of the entire team in the UK has helped the whole global Jain community to benefit. I have great hopes for this project in the future and want it to become a household magazine for every Jain family in the world today. You have all achieved a miracle in a short time, and the only way now is upwards and forwards.⚫