आठवणींच्या लाटांवरून...

१.

शाळेत असताना, मुंबईला सहल गेली होती .

मी जाऊ शकलो नाही.

"नाराज होऊ नकोस... तुला पुढे मुंबईला शिकायला जायचं आहे,"

हे शब्द हृदयपटलावर कोरले गेले.

२.

मुंबईत आलो तेव्हा—

जुहू बीचचा किनारा असलेला समुद्र माझा होता.

आताही आहे—तेव्हा अधिक होता.

दूरवर समुद्राला भेटणारे क्षितिज माझं होतं.

आताही आहे—तेव्हा अधिक होतं.

स्वप्नांना आकार देणारे Bhavan’s आणि SPCE आवडले.

स्वतंत्रतेचं पहिलं पाऊल हॉस्टेल अधिक आवडले.

स्टर्लिंग आणि एक्सेलसिअर थिएटर आवडले.

इंग्रजी सिनेमा बघायला येणारे लोक अधिक आवडले.

दिल्ली दरबार आवडले. व्हाइट चिकन अधिक आवडले.

छत्रपती शिवाजी महाराज टर्मिनल आवडले.

सामान आवरत गाडीचा शोध घेणारे प्रवासी अधिक आवडले.

नंबरनुसार धावणाऱ्या डबल डेकर बसेस आवडल्या.

त्यात बसून आणि उभं राहून प्रवास करणारे लोक आवडले.

आभासी विश्व निर्माण करणारी फिल्म सिटी आवडली.

तेथे लीलया वावरणारे कलाकार अधिक आवडले.

वानखेडे स्टेडियम आवडलं.

विक्रमवीर क्रिकेटपटू अधिक आवडले.

३.

मंत्रालय आणि विधान भवन आवडलं.

त्या समोरील आमदार निवास अधिक आवडलं.

मलबार हिलवरील बंगले आवडले. 'वर्षा' ही आवडला.

त्यात रहिवासी येतात, जातात—म्हणून अधिक आवडला.

समुद्राच्या लाटांशी खेळणारं गेटवे ऑफ इंडिया आवडलं.

त्या समोरील ताज अधिक आवडलं.

अरुण साधूंचं ‘मुंबई दिनांक’ आवडलं. ‘सिंहासन’ अधिक आवडलं.

जॉनी वॉकरचं ‘ये है बंबई मेरी जान…’ आवडलं.

त्यातील वास्तव अधिक भिडलं.

काही चेहऱ्यांची, काही बिनचेहऱ्यांची माणसं येथे भेटली.

बिनचेहऱ्यांची लोकलमध्ये जास्त भेटली—ती ही आवडली.

४.

मुंबईने प्रेम दिले, लाटांनी खेळविले, क्षितिजाने स्वप्नं दाखविली,

तरी येथे का थांबलो नाही?

चेहरा हरवून, बिनचेहऱ्याचं होऊ असे वाटले म्हणून थांबलो नाही का?

थंडगार, मऊशार वाळूवरून चालताना हा प्रश्न पडतो,

आणि त्याचं उत्तर समोरील समुद्रासारखंच असतं—

गूढ, खोल, आणि सतत बदलणारं!

महेंद्र इंगळे 

Speak Your Own Words, Not of Others

Leadership today isn’t about commanding followers. It’s about walking together—where every step is shared, and every voice matters.  In meetings, public forums, or moments of crisis, you may be surrounded by colleagues—some with greater responsibility or longer tenure than you. Yet in that moment, you carry the voice of the organization.

So what should you speak?

Speak your own words.

Not borrowed jargon. Not rehearsed brilliance.

Not words to impress. But words that belong to you.

And words that people understand.

Speak the language of your colleagues—with your own words.

Your message should be clear, audible, and honest.

No exhibition of vocabulary. No performance of intellect.

Just clarity, conviction, and care.

Look through the eyes of those listening.

Don’t stand above—but with them. Sometimes behind them.

Don’t just inspire—challenge.

Don’t dominate—support.

And when you speak, let the audience know who you are.

Not through titles or achievements, but through the tone of your voice,

the temperament of your presence,

and the honesty with which you share your experiences.

Speak not just with your voice—but with your eyes.

Let your hands and shoulders, your cheeks and chin, carry the message too.

Let your presence say: “I am with you.”

When you invite people to take on a challenge,

your words should carry the weight of assurance:

“I stand behind you. And I will walk with you.”

I’ve practised this for years. And the results have been remarkable.

I spoke with my own words, with earnest zeal.

And my colleagues responded.

They withdrew from association elections to support a shared vision.

They worked late hours—even during Diwali—to meet the scholarship disbursement targets.

They rose to challenges.

During a thunderous downpour, I saw a woman colleague take charge during a hazardous transformer explosion on campus-umbrella in one hand, the other raised with calm, commanding instructions.

Leadership is not a costume. It’s a posture. It’s a presence.

It’s a promise—delivered through every word.

Hence I reiterate: Speak your own words, Not of Others

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Oct 23,  2025

(Value Based Leadership, Publishing soon)

#SpeakYourOwnWords  #ValueBasedLeadership #HowLeadersWalkAndTalk #LeadershipWithPresence #InspiredByExperience #MahendraWrites

Dear Teacher,

 Dear Teacher,

You are an English teacher in a prestigious government institute.

Feel proud of it.

You have worked—and continue to work—with committed people.

Feel proud of that too.

Soon, you will earn your Ph.D. and be titled Dr.

But remember: Dr. is not merely a title.

It is a responsibility.

A great responsibility.

Dear Teacher, Marathi is your mother tongue.

And I know you love it as I do.

You learned English as part of your school curriculum.

You studied grammar—perhaps not for joy, but to secure good marks.

You might have used Wren & Martin or other such books.

Grammar has its own technicalities, its own discipline.

There are norms.

What you speak and write should be easily understood by others.

You toiled. You burned the midnight oil.

And somewhere along the way, you may have developed a love and flair for the language.

Your pursuit of a Ph.D. is a testament to that journey.

Keeping these thoughts in mind, I’ve written a blog: Unread, Yet Unshaken!

You may go through it—if not for grammar, then for a smile.

And lastly, feel proud that you’ve worked with someone who upholds values like freedom, equality, fraternity, love, and gratitude…

And who loves his students and teachers with sincerity.

Just fun. Just reflection.

With Warm Regards

Unread, Yet Unshaken!

Hearty congratulations to Mr. László Krasznahorkai, Nobel Laureate in Literature 2025. I read the review of his work in Saturday’s Loksatta. Mr. Nikhilesh Chitre’s review is as intellectually demanding as the book itself—yet educative, elaborative, and worth reading. Congratulations to him!

Still, I choose not to read the book.

Why? Because I am an optimist.

The world is burdened with real problems—poverty, injustice, the downtrodden deprived of health and education, deceit, depression, communal strife, dirtiness, pain, and sorrow. This is reality. One cannot escape it. But one can strive to address these issues within one’s own boundaries, in one’s own capacity, and through the role one has assumed. That is my belief.

I have penned a book in English, and I have used a full stop after every sentence, respecting the grammar I learned from 'Wren and Martin'. I have not written sentences that stretch across 300 or 400 lines without a full stop. Hence, I will not read Mr. Krasznahorkai’s book—out of respect for the grammar that shaped my language.

Likewise, I will not read 'Mother Mary Comes to Me', the Booker Prize-winning novel by Ms Arundhati Roy. It is a bestseller. Congratulations to her!

But my mother did not beat me. She did not torture me. She loved me. Not only my mother, my parents, my teachers, my students, my friends, and my colleagues, they all loved me. I am still filled with that joy!

So I will not read 'Mother Mary Comes to Me'.

What difference does it make?

It does make a difference.

I am optimistic.

It is not just about what I don’t read- it’s about what I choose to live by.

And finally, Mr. Krasznahorkai and Ms. Roy will not mind that I choose not to read their books, just as they are not obliged to read mine!

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Oct 14, 2025

( Engineering Heart Beats, Publishing soon)

#Optimism #Literature #Reflections #EngineeringHeartBeats #WrenAndMartin #Gratitude #BoundariesAndBeliefs

Remembering Mother Narmada!

We planned a visit to the ‘Statue of Unity’ at Kevadia in Gujarat—a towering tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, rising more than 220 feet into the sky. But as always, the journey held its own surprises.

My wife and I set out in our Hyundai i20, without much planning. I enjoy driving—not just the motion, but the freedom. We stopped wherever the heart nudged us: for tea, snacks, photographs, and conversations with strangers who felt like old friends. It was a pleasure trip, light and spontaneous.

We had lunch at Rajpipla, and on the advice of locals, proceeded to Garudeshwar for the night.

Garudeshwar is no ordinary place. It is sacred ground—where Shri Vasudevanand Saraswati, known lovingly as Tembhe Swami Maharaj, left his mortal body for heavenly abode. It lies on the path of the Narmada Parikrama, and every Parikramavasi bows here.

Years ago, I had attended a lecture by Shri Jagannath Kunte, who completed his first Narmada Parikrama and later wrote Narmade Har Har!, a book that fascinated me. Since then, I’ve felt a quiet pull toward the river—a silent attraction that words cannot fully explain.

That morning in Garudeshwar, we woke early and walked to the Narmada Ghat, adjacent to the temple and samadhi of Tembhe Swami. The atmosphere was steeped in serenity. Mother Narmada flowed gently, as if in meditation. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft glow on the wide stone steps of the ghat.

And then, something touched me!

As I stood before the river, I remembered my own mother, whose name was Narmada!

A wave of emotion rose within me. I felt as though I was receiving darshan of my mother once again, after years. 

She was a woman of quiet strength—hardworking, content, never demanding anything from anyone. 

I remember her like the ‘Samai’ in our ‘Devghar’—silently glowing, spreading its soft light. 

In That Light, We Lived! 

In That Light, We Progressed!

Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Oct 13, 2025

(Engineering Heart Beats, Publishing Soon)

Principle-Centred Leadership In Democracy

Democracy is widely regarded as the most empowering form of governance, not because of its institutional structures alone, but because of the values its citizens and leaders uphold.

Openness, transparency, and honesty are the lifeblood of a thriving democratic society.

• Openness fosters trust and encourages active participation. It strengthens democratic institutions by promoting efficiency, inclusivity, and responsiveness.

• Transparency ensures accountability. It allows citizens to stay informed about governmental actions, enabling them to make thoughtful decisions and hold leaders responsible.

• Honesty is the foundation of personal integrity. It calls upon individuals to remain true to their values, even in the face of temptation, and helps build resilient character; essential for ethical leadership.

Democracy finds its rhythm under the stewardship of a Principle-Centered Leaders. Principle Centered Leadership Style is not just a style; it is a moral compass that guides the people toward a more just, compassionate, and visionary society. It is a cornerstone of  Nation-Building

Stephen Covey, in his seminal work Principle-Centered Leadership, outlines eight traits that define such Leaders:

1. Service-Oriented – They lead by serving others.

2. Continually Learning – They embrace growth and humility.

3.  Radiate Positive Energy – They uplift and inspire.

4.  Lead a Balanced Life – They harmonise personal and professional commitments.

5. See Life as an Adventure – They approach challenges with curiosity and courage.

 6. Believe in Others – They nurture trust and potential.

7. Collaborative & Synergistic – They build unity through shared purpose.

8. Exercise for Self-Renewal – They invest in physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

In a democracy, the highest responsibility of leadership is to fulfil the aspirations of the people who have placed their trust in them through the sacred act of voting. This is not merely a mandate; it is a moral agreement.

To remain principle-centered amid such circumstances is deeply challenging.

Within a landscape strewn with internal party dynamics, ideological clashes with opposition forces, relentless pressure from business lobbies, the whirlwind of technological change, and the ever-shifting tides of geopolitics, leaders are constantly called to negotiate, compromise, adapt, and recalibrate strategies—all while striving to demonstrate true statesmanship.

These forces do not merely test a leader’s resolve—they often tempt them to stray from their moral compass, to trade principle for expedience, and conviction for convenience.

Yet even in such turbulence, Leaders can choose to uphold principles within their own boundaries:

Preserve integrity.

Remain distant from corruption.

Uphold morality.

History remembers such leaders. They are remembered not for the offices they held, but for the values they upheld. Their names are inscribed in history with golden letters!

Dr. Mahendra Ingale @ Pune on Oct 12, 2025

(Engineering Heart Beats, Publishing in Oct 2025)

अभियांत्रिकी स्पंदनांची लय क्राफ्ट महोत्सवात!

 दसरा संपला...

आता दिवाळीची तयारी सुरू झाली आहे...

आणि नेहमीप्रमाणे, मॉल्सनी आपली दिवाळीची झगमग सुरू केली आहे…

पुण्यातील माझी आवडती ठिकाणं, औंध मधील West End Mall आणि वाकड मधील Phoenix Mall of the Millennium आता दिवाळीच्या रंगात न्हालेली आहेत.

West End Mall मध्ये दरवर्षी दिवाळी निमित्त केलेली सजावट म्हणजे एक कलात्मक पर्वच! छोट्या मधुरा सोबत तिथे जाणे, वेग वेगळ्या इवेंट्स मधे भाग घेत असतांना तिच्या सोबत फोटो काढणे हे माझं खास आवडतं काम. पुण्यात गेल्यावर हे नक्की करायचं आहे. Cross Word ला ही भेट द्यायची आहे.

पण सध्या मी जळगावमध्ये आहे—भारतीय क्राफ्ट उत्सव २०२५ मध्ये, पत्नीच्या सोबतीने. त्या त्यांच्या आवडीच्या वस्तू पाहत असताना, मी हळू हळू प्रदर्शनाच्या शेवटाकडे चालत गेलो… आणि थांबलो...

का? कारण मी पोहोचलो होतो माझ्या आवडीच्या विभागात—पुस्तक प्रदर्शनात!

तेथे मी रेंगाळलो आणि रमलो…

काही पुस्तकं चाळली, व्यवस्थापकाशी थोडं बोललो, आणि सहज सांगितलं की मी लेखक आहे. एवढं पुरेसं होतं—ते मला थेट मालकांकडे घेऊन गेले.

ते होते श्री. सणस. प्रदर्शनाच्या दुसऱ्या टोकाला, टेबलावर मांडलेल्या पुस्तकांची रजिस्टर मधे नोंद घेत  होते. साधी वेशभूषा, साधं व्यक्तिमत्त्व. मूळचे सातारा जिल्ह्यातील वाईचे, आणि आता पुण्यात स्थायिक. श्री. सणस आणि त्यांचे चिरंजीव गेल्या अनेक वर्षांपासून पुस्तक प्रदर्शन आणि विक्रीचं काम निष्ठेने करत आहेत.

पुस्तक विक्रीबद्दल बोलताना लक्षात आलं की हे व्यवसायापेक्षा सेवाभावाने चाललेलं काम आहे. मी माझं विजिटिंग कार्ड दिल्यावर त्यांनी व्यवहाराचा विषय न करता सहजपणे सांगितलं—“तुम्ही तुमचं पुस्तक इथे ठेवा. पुणे, कोल्हापूर, नाशिक आणि इतर ठिकाणी आमची प्रदर्शने असतात, तिथेही ठेवता येईल.”

अभियांत्रिकी स्पंदनांची लय हस्तकलेच्या वस्तूंमध्ये, दिव्यांच्या झगमगाटात वाचकांच्या उत्सुक नजरे पर्यंत पोहचली

अविनाशी स्पंदनं संथपणे, लयबद्धरित्या पसरत आहेत हा अनुभव मी पुन्हा घेतला!

महेंद्र इंगळे @ जळगाव, ऑक्टोबर ९,२०२५