To the Coloured
Cover of Gratitude
This morning, I
received a call from Dr. B. L. Gupta, former Professor at the National
Institute of Technical Teachers’ Training and Research, Bhopal.
With warmth and
encouragement, he congratulated me on publishing my book Value-Based
Leadership. He said:
“I came to know
that you have written a very good book on Leadership. I will order a copy,
write a detailed review, and publish it.”
I thanked him
sincerely and requested his address, so that I may send him a copy with
gratitude and respect. I also expressed how he has remained an inspiration in
my journey of writing this book.
His call carried
me back to my days at Bhopal, during my M.Tech.Ed. program, when Dr. Gupta,
along with Prof. Dr. Chandrashekhar and Prof. Dr. Shivgunde, guided me into the
treasure land of leadership. From them, I learned not just theories but
practical lessons—living examples of how leadership principles can be internalised
and embodied. They did not merely teach; they practiced leadership as a way of
being.
In the metaphor
of my Coloured Cover of Gratitude, each mentor shines as a distinct shade:
• Dr. Gupta – the shade of inspiration
• Dr. Chandrashekhar – the hue of wisdom
• Dr. Shivgunde – the tone of practical
guidance
Together, they
painted my early journey with colours that continue to illuminate my path.
At that moment, I
felt the truth of what I had written in the chapter Coloured Cover of
Gratitude:
“Gratitude is far
more than courtesy or polite acknowledgment.
It is
remembrance, recognition, and reverence.
It is the radiant
cover of life itself—bright, inspiring, and enduring.”
Dr. Gupta’s
appreciation touched me deeply, for it was the very first recognition of my
work. It was far more than a kind gesture—it became another colour added to my
radiant cover of gratitude. His words turned an ordinary morning into an
extraordinary experience, filling my heart with divine vibrations of gratitude.
One more colour, one more blessing, one more step forward in the journey of service and reflection.
Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Feb 4, 2026
#ValueBasedLeadership #EngineeringHeartBeats
