Thank you dear subscribers, we are overwhelmed with your response.
Your Turn is a unique section from ThePrint featuring points of view from its subscribers. If you are a subscriber, have a point of view, please send it to us. If not, do subscribe here: https://theprint.in/subscribe/
“Empathy”
That was my uncle’s common answer for many of my questions over the period of time. I was some 10 years old when I asked my first question –
“What do I need to be a good lawyer?”
This was around when I was just about getting the grasp of who he was. At that time, he was one of the top lawyers, if not the top lawyer in Marathwada region of Maharashtra.
As a 10-year-old, the constant and long line of his clients and also his huge library made a lasting impression on me.
Some years later the answer was the same, but the question was –
“What do I need to be a good doctor?”
I think I was about 15-ish years old and one of my cousins got into MBBS course (4-year foundation course to become a doctor).
His point was, for most professions – lawyer, doctor, policeman, leader, politician, and yes, a good citizen – you have to have the perspective from the other side.
If you do not understand what your patient is going through, if you do not read beyond what the patient’s words are saying, you can never be a good doctor. That cousin of mine has this quality and is one of the best neurologists in India.
This idea from my uncle built my character and is immensely helping me in my professional life, especially in sales. Understanding individual perspective helps in reading the situation in every sales transaction.
Also, empathy gives patience. It took a while, but I am no longer looking to judge or to react. There are many things I learned from my uncle, but I value this one thing most – understanding the importance of empathy.
More apt example for today is the empathy needed to be a good citizen. The idea of freedom in any democracy cannot be defined in silos; it cannot stand on its own at an individual level. We must consider the perspective of other citizens to be a good citizen ourselves. And for that, we all need some empathy.
One funny thing – same answer from him when I asked “what do I need to be a good cook”
He was not a good cook (he never cooked!) but was great at finding faults in my aunt’s cooking. She is an awesome cook. I, along with many of us kids, made fun of him for his this trait.
My uncle, writer, thinker and former Justice Narendra Chapalgaonkar died on January 25st, 2025. He will be dearly missed.
May his memory be eternal.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint