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IMPRESSIONS
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speech or action. The positive side was overshadowed at times by the negative one. He expected the same standards from others that he set for himself, which, of course, was next to impossible, and resulted in impatience, intolerance, frustration, exasperation and shouting. He wanted everything 'yesterday' as the Americans would say. This did create a feeling of fear and awe, although, with the passage of time, the realization dawned that his bark was greater than his bite! Furthermore, his uncontrollable speed at times led to misinterpretations, though, after the initial resistance to suggestions, he would invariably give a second thought and give in to the changes suggested.
• Restlessness for change: Change was essential to his basic nature, be
it in individuals, programmes or environment. He would put things in practice irrespective of the consequences. Made no bones about it, and took quick action to change, to do something different and, hopefully, better.
Mrs. Aruna Oswal A prominent social worker Pratapbhai has been a truly versatile person. If you meet him once, you can never forget him. Though I have known him for the last 25 years, it was during the last five years, when I began working with him on WCRP, that I actually got to understand him. He came across as a man committed to strong principles. He inspired and motivated me to be associated with WCRP.
I have been into social work for nearly two decades. For quite sometime, Pratapbhai kept telling me that with my experience in India and abroad, I should take over the presidentship of the Vallabh Smarak Board. But I could not, my hands were full with other activities to be able to do full justice to the task. Finally, in 2006, I told him I was ready for the job. He was very happy and conveyed my decision to Raj Kumar Jain and others in the Smarak Board. It was decided that my name would be proposed for the presidentship of the Board at the following meeting. However, by the next meeting, Jain had changed his mind and promoted some other person from the South to take over as president. PB protested strongly, “Since
To rule is easy, to govern difficult - Johann W Goethe
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