I was deeply saddened by the news that, Uncle Pai, the creator of Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle passed away today. These comics were a big part of my childhood. Not many people know that he created a magazine for teenagers called Partha.
When I heard the news of his passing the first thing I remembered were the two stories from Partha that made lasting impact on me.
The story of a Mumbai Entrepreneur
A famous sculptor was once asked how to sculpt an elephant from a stone block. He said that it is very simple. All you have to do is remove from the stone block whatever is not the elephant and what remains is an elephant. Opportunities in life are like stone blocks, we should have an eye to spot the elephant in them.
This is a true life story of Ram who came to Mumbai in search of a job. He waited everyday outside a famous factory hoping to be recruited. As he came there every day, he realized that other job seekers were much more qualified than him. The chances of him getting the job were very slim. He also noticed that these job seeks waited for hours together outside the factory. So, He started selling peanuts outside the factory. Soon he made brisk business. Now he owns a hotel opposite to the factory.
The stone block of opportunity was there for all the 200 job seekers who waited outside the factory. Only Ram could spot the elephant.
David and Goliath – Retold
All of us have heard the story of David and Goliath. The little boy David who defeated the giant Goliath, where mighty warriors failed. Why do you think David succeeded; because he thought he could. All the warriors thought “He is so huge, how can we defeat him”. David thought “He is so big, how can I miss him”.
In life, the circumstances are pretty much the same, the difference lies in the perspective
The fact that I remember these stories after more than 20 years of reading them is a tribute to Uncle Pai and the power of his stories. May he rest in peace.
My Tribute to Uncle Pai – Two stories from Partha « Books, Science ……
Here at World Spinner we are debating the same thing……
Thanks for sharing the stories Archana. Really nice. My respects to him. I wasn’t aware of Partha but had grown up reading Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha too. He must have been a great man.
I am saddened to hear the news too. Always loved tinkle, and uncle pai and what dedication he had for kids to make “learning meet fun” ! Hope the vaccum left by him is taken up by someone equally lovable and able to carry on his lifes work..
I am hearing this news just now. Saddened by it. Amar Chitra Katha was my mythology source for me in childhood. May his legacy continue.
Simple yet wonderful stories from the magazine Partha. Thanks for sharing them.
Nice tribute to unce Pai. Tinke defined my chidhood too. Remember eagery waiting to grab a copy and remember so many many stories.
Having met you recently in Chennai—remember the Panel at MSDS?—I decided to look up your blog. Now I begin to understand why you are so busy! What great diversity and wisdom there is in it, though! I showed my wife the old article on the Raman effect, too, which neither of us knew about. Thanks.
Dear Shir, Madhavi, Madhu, Saraswathi and Patrick, thank you all for sharing your thoughts.
Very nice to hear the motivational stories and sad to know that he is no more