Author Archives: Shashwat Mishra

What’s a time you followed your gut and it turned out to be exactly right?

Bharat Bhushan Tiwari from Bihar, who was known locally for raising public issues and had around 1.6 lakh followers on Facebook, 28 year old was killed in police encounter. The standoff was live-streamed on social media before it ended in police firing.

Bharat was a gregarious figure who raised issues such as the lack of drinking water and irregularities in development works in the area, concerns that, they allege, made him a problem for the local administration.

Bharat had been uploading videos about the lack of development in the area, about scams, shoddy roads, a poorly built drain, which had all gone viral.

Tiwari was also active in raising the plight of flood victims in a nearby village and pressing for the area’s electrification. In death, he has grown larger than life.

Locals say he bought the pistol for self-defence by selling his gold locket. Although his act of brandishing a pistol was dangerous, his death has enraged people, particularly young people.

Bharat Tiwari encounter and its fallout point to a different kind of Gen Z anger, one driven by stalled development, rampant corruption, and the high-handedness of the bureaucracy and police.

What’s a piece of media (book, movie, song) that changed how you see the world?

The UPSC syllabus covers a wide range of subjects, including history, politics, economics, and geography. This broad spectrum ensures that candidates develop a well-rounded understanding of various fields. The continuous cycle of reading and writing helps in building patience and dedication, which are crucial for personal growth.

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is India’s premier central recruitment agency. It conducts the highly competitive Civil Services Examination. Students should have to study a wide range of subjects like General studies, current affairs reasoning etc

History: Learn about India’s past and world history.

Politics: Understand the political systems and governance of India and World such as UNO.

Economics: Get insights into economic principles and policies of India and World such as WTO and World Bank etc.

Geography: Study the physical and social geography of India and the world.

Moreover, the intellectual challenge of UPSC preparation fosters a mindset of lifelong learning. Even if you don’t achieve your goal, the skills and knowledge acquired are invaluable and can be applied in various aspects of life.

Which languages do you speak and how did that impact your life?

Love speaks without a tongue, 
In silence its song is sung. 
A glance, a touch, a gentle sigh, 
The language of hearts that never die.

Language of love doesn’t need any vocabulary and grammar to speak. It’s every gesture, word, or silence carries meaning. It teaches us to see beyond ourselves, to embrace others, and to live with a heart that is open.

The language of love does not just speak to the heart. It quietly shapes a person’s confidence, relationships, and sense of being worthy. It is the sweetest and loveliest language. Yet, if any misunderstanding arises between, it can become equally bitter as well.

By the way, Hindi is my native language. I have spoken it since birth. It now flows through my veins just like blood. In the truest sense, only through this language, I am able to express my feelings most effectively.

What’s the best advice you’d give to someone younger than you?

People often postpone important life goals (personal or professional) because the task feels uncomfortable, uncertain, or overwhelming, so the mind chooses short-term relief over long-term progress.

Common reasons include fear of failure, perfectionism, low confidence, decision paralysis, and the habit of seeking immediate comfort. If there is love, why be afraid to express it?

The goal is usually not the real problem, the feelings around the goal are. When starting feels emotionally heavy, people delay, and the delay itself then creates guilt and more resistance, which keeps the cycle going.

Youth is the time to build, not to postpone. They wait for the “right time” or perfect motivation, which is an illusion. Don’t put things off for later, just go ahead and do what needs to be done. Because later, it often becomes too late.

Who are you most inspired by?

When Rama was about to be crowned king of Ayodhya, the people rejoiced. But his stepmother Kaikeyi, bound by her boon, demanded that Rama be sent into exile for fourteen years and her son Bharata be made king.

Rama could have resisted he was beloved, strong, and rightful heir. Yet, without anger or complaint, he accepted exile. He saw it not as punishment, but as his father’s word, his dharma.

With calm dignity, he left the palace, choosing hardship over dishonor.His sacrifice preserved the sanctity of promises, upheld the truth of dharma, and set an eternal example of true greatness lies in giving up power for righteousness.

Rama teaches that sacrifice is not weakness, but the highest strength the courage to place duty above desire.

What’s your top tip to be successful in life?

Steamboat Willie put Walt Disney on the map as an animator. But the success was another story. Disney’s first studio went bankrupt. His films were monstrously expensive to produce, and financed at outrageous term.

By the mid 1930s Disney has produced more than 400 cartoons. Most of them were short, most of them were beloved by viewers, and most of them lost fortune. ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ changed everything.

It’s earning was an order of magnitude higher than anything the company earned previously. It transformed Disney Studios. All debts were paid off. Key employees got retention bonuses.

The company has purchased a new state of art studio in Burbank, where it remains today. An Oscar turned Walt from famous to full blown celebrity. Anything that is huge, profitable, famous or influential is the result of a tail event, an outlying one in hundred or millions event.

When most of what we pay attention to is the result of a tail, it’s easy to underestimate how rare and powerful they are.

What’s a book, movie, or TV show that you wish you could experience again for the first time?

I would like to see Mr. Bean again, just like a child, so that the child within me comes alive once more. Mr. Bean is a iconic British comedy character portrayed by Rowan Atkinson.

His humor is timeless physical slapstick minimal words, maximum facial contortions and manic comedic genius, turning simple everyday tasks into chaotic adventures.

The character’s rubber-faced pratfalling buffoonery transcended traditional English humor boundaries, attracting millions of devotees worldwide.

भारत की धरती का मान बढ़ाने
फिर उदित हुआ एक सूरज है
संविधान की समुचित रखवाली करने
संकल्पित नवयुग नायक तैयार है।

भारत माता के सपनों को लेकर
जो पग-पग नपे मातृ धरा को
वो चलता है प्रीति के पथ पर
मानवता की अलख जगाने को।

कर्म क्षेत्र इस भूमी पर
जब संकल्प लिया कर्त्तव्यों का
तब तब गर्व से फहरती है
कर्मयोगियों की विजय पताका।

बिखरी अब नव आशा की किरणें,
उज्ज्वल भविष्य के काया में।
सत्य की ज्योति लगी जगने अब,
जहाँ भय‑लोभ शासन चलता है।

एक पथ प्रदर्शक ने फिर खोज लिया है
गौरवान्वित जानता की अभिलाषा को
अभिनंदन की लालसा उठी आज इस मनमें है
शीश नवाउ गले लगाऊ करुणा अपार इस मन में है

वंश की गरिमा, बलिदान की गाथा,
उसके जीवन की यही परिभाषा।
पंडित नेहरू का वंशज है वो
उत्तरदायित्व उस पर विशेष है

हर्ष शोक के द्वन्दो में
सिद्धि असिद्ध के छंदो में
सदा सर्वदा सम रहता
कर्मयोगी कभी ना बंधता।

मेहनत परिश्रम की आरी से
संघर्ष लगन की चिंगारी से
श्रम से सिद्धी कि राह दिखाने
संकल्पित नवयुग नायक तैयार है।

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?

I no longer have any desire for some exotic skill, I just want to master the skills I already possess. However, mastering any discipline is no easy feat, it requires sustained, disciplined effort to achieve that level of mastery.

So if you want to master something, do it publically and do it consistently. Publishing your written ideas forces you to learn more often and to write more clearly. And I want to master this, because I can already do a bit of it.

Similarly publishing a video forces you to improve your speaking skills and to articulate your thoughts. Sharing your ideas on stage teaches you how to hold an audiance and tell captivating an obligation that forces you to do it consistently, will lead you to mastery.

What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?

Hey hero, how are you? You seem quite quiet and sad today. Aren’t you going to the Sangam for your usual daily jog? Didn’t even speak to any friend. Did you face some kind of setback? Come on! Don’t sit there with such a heavy heart.

Wipe your tears, smile and be amazed at your fall, get up, and start again. A person is truly tested only when faced with adverse circumstances, when everything comes easily and naturally, moving forward on one’s path is simple.

One cannot move forward without courage when constantly facing difficulties. It makes me happy to see that you have a clear understanding of your goal. Since you have chosen a challenging path, you will inevitably have to struggle.

There is a rule of the game, whether you meet with success or failure, accept both and persist in your efforts to achieve your goal under all circumstances. Leave nothing to fate, rely solely on your own efforts. Cowards kneel before difficulties, whereas fearless youth welcome difficulties.