The Power of Choice | A Chauffeur's Inspiration Story

 I was going through an amazing article by 'Harvey Mackay', who was eventually delivering a speech to the large audience and he was sharing a story of a Cab Driver. The story goes this way...

I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport. When a cab pulled up, the first thing I noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for me.

He handed me a laminated card and said: 'I'm Kumar, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'

Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Kumar's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.

This blew me away. Especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Kumar said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.'

I said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.'

Kumar smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, lassi, water and orange juice.'

Almost stuttering, I said, 'I'll take a Lassi.' Handing me my drink, Kumar said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The Hindu, Times  of India, ET and India Today.'

As we were pulling away, Kumar handed me another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Kumar told me that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for me.

Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of day. He also let me know that he'd be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my own thoughts.

'Tell me, Kumar,' I was amazed and asked him, 'have you always served customers like this?'

Kumar smiled into the rear view mirror, 'No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I  spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about power of choice one day.'

'Power of choice is that you can be a Duck or an Eagle'. 'If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining!' 

'Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

'That hit me right,' said Kumar. 

'It is about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes. I put in a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I am certain that has paid off for you,' I said.

'It sure has,' Kumar replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on it.'

Kumar made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like ducks and start soaring like eagles.

I give this example to my audience while delivering the customer service trainings. How all of us having a choice to do wonderful customer service. 

There are Six Powerful Lessons from the story:

1. Remove your negative mindset. It doesn't allow you to be wise.

2. There are solutions to every problems, just you need to calmly think of it.

3. Happiness starts from self, it is you who has choice to make.

4. Be as creative as the world is. Creativeness can make you happy.

5. Physical appearance matters; It helps to complete the imagination with reality in true sense.

6. Your actions and efforts reflect about you, which you actually are. 

The story is narrated in native way, originally taken from Rhonda Hamilton. Picture courtesy to Google.....

An amazing story of Problem Solving | The 18th Camel

Today what I am going to share is an interesting story, which resonates an amazing problem solving technique. Sometimes upon getting a problem we become defensive and after a little try we conclude that there is no solution to the problem; and the anxiety or irritation broods up. But what if I say that there is solution to every problem; only we need to have the peace of mind to find it. 

How?? Let's get to know the story...

 

Once there lived a wealthy merchant in the East, who passed away due to his ageing factor. In his will, the man stated equally division of his wealth to his three sons but his most treasured camels were divided in rather challenging way.

According to the will the eldest son was to be given half of the camels, the middle son was to be given one third of the camels, and the youngest son was to be given one ninth of the camels. 

The merchant had seventeen camels. As it was not possible to divide 17 camels into half, one third or even into one ninth. The three son started fighting with each other for their fair share of the camels.

Since the sons were not able distribute the camel among them, they went to a wise man for advice. The wise man patiently listened about the sons’ dilemma. After carefully understanding the situation the wise man brought one of his camels and added to the the seventeen camels of the merchant. That increased the total to eighteen (18) camels.

Now, he started reading the deceased father’s will and divided the camels. Half of eighteen is nine. So he gave the eldest son nine camels. One third of the eighteen is six, so he gave the middle son six camels. The youngest son got one ninth of the eighteen camels, so he gave him two camels.

After giving nine, six and two camels to the sons, he successfully distributed seventeen camels. The wise man took back his camel.

➥ Moral: The attitude of negotiation and problem solving is to find the 18th camel i.e. the common ground. Once a person is able to find the common ground, the issue is resolved. It is difficult at times. 

However, to reach a solution, the first step is to believe that there is a solution. If we think that there is no solution, we won’t be able to reach anywhere!

Picture courtesy to Google....

The Story of the legacy of "Nobel Prizes"

Nobel Prizes are a set of five prizes are awarded to those who, during preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to human kind. Noble Prizes are awarded in the field of Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace. 

How a mistaken obituary led to the Nobel Prizes! I never knew the story behind Nobel Prizes. Here it is 

Can you imagine reading your own obituary in the newspaper? What would people say about you? 

Alfred Nobel got the chance to read his own death notice, and he didn’t like what he saw. 

Alfred Nobel was a very wealthy and successful man. He had become an expert in chemistry and invented three of the most commonly used explosives in the world - dynamite, gelignite (used in mining) and ballistite, which is still used as a rocket propellant today. 

With the huge fortune he made from these inventions, Nobel bought an engineering company called Bofors and turned it into an arms manufacturer. He made another enormous fortune designing cannons and guns and selling them around the world. 

Then, in 1888, Alfred’s brother died while visiting France. 

A French newspaper thought it was Alfred who had died and they published an obituary that began like this: THE MERCHANT OF DEATH IS DEAD. Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday…. 

Alfred Nobel was shocked. Was this what people thought of him? Was this the legacy he would leave to the world? 

That’s when he decided to use his vast wealth to make a positive difference. Nobel set up a foundation with $250 million dollars in funding. Every year the foundation would consult the leading experts in the world and hand out prizes to people who had made great contributions to humanity. There would be prizes for sciences, for literature, and for promoting peace. 

Today the Nobel Prizes are probably the best known and most prestigious awards in the world. They have been awarded to great scientists, authors and activists and helped draw attention to many outstanding works and worthy causes. 

Nobel set up his foundation in 1895: just in time to influence his own obituary. He died only a year later. The Nobel Prizes accomplished his wish; they created a very different legacy for him than a reputation as *The Merchant of Death.* 

He is not remembered as an explosives inventor or arms dealer, but as one of the greatest philanthropists of all time. He is also a great example of how it is never too late to change your life and help make the world a better place. 

That is the story of *Alfred Noble* and the legacy of *Noble Prizes*. 

Now you know.

10 Highly Inspired Success Quotes !!

 Here are ten highly inspired success quotes which can boost the motivation of anyone for sure.

Design courtesy to SELF..

Turn the PROBLEM into SOLUTION..

 Problem will be the part of everyone's life, be it smaller or bigger in impact. What one needs to be is 'being resilient', 'being patient', and never give up.

At times, life goes on very smoothly, without any glitches or problems. The mind becomes happy there. No anxiety or tensions would overpower then. Mind becomes strong to handle all situations very positively as we see things in positive manner. Probably, we forget the uncertainties in life. We ignore some good deeds, we forget to thank the goods, we show our negligence, we become rude, we disrespect. In simpler words, we take our life for granted.

And then, comes the unexpected things. All the set scenarios, happiness, good things, friends circle, the gains turn into the opposite direction. We experience depression, frustration, losses, bad experiences, failures and many more. Sometimes people loose out their mind also, can not even decide what are they going to do. The blame game starts to keep the mind consoled. 

After sometime, people start realizing the mistakes they have incurred, they start feeling guilty, they pray to be corrected. They seek motivation and inspiration. At times they ted to be spiritual. They accept 'the law of universe' in their mind and they start living with it. However, this is an wonderful phase of self-realization. Once self-realization occurs in mind, a determination in mind to fight back broods up.

And, that becomes the most important thing to know that how those problems can be turned into solutions, after all you can not hold those problem life long. The wise power comes in mind when you discover the solutions. Of course that doesn't come so easily. For it one needs to have concentration, calmness. Sometimes, meditation / yoga does most of the job. 

So, how can you turn the problems into solutions?

The first thing to do is when you face difficulty recognize it as soon as possible, analyze it without having any prejudice mind. Sounds nice ! But we have been all in denial at some point or other. You must manage your emotion and think several times until you discover the real reason behind the difficulty.

You will certainly be able to discover the solutions. 

Amazing lines on 'SUCCESS" !!

 A great quote on Success, by Pele. Loved the essence of the lines, beautifully depicted with his experience....

"SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT...

It is Hard Work, Perseverance, Learning, Studying, Sacrifice and most of all, LOVE of what you are doing...."

Sardarji 12 Baj Gaye - The real Story behind this Myth !!

Since the time I used to study my Management in Bangalore, I had many best friends from Punjab, like from other cities. I noticed many times some of our friends from the same stream or other used to joke on my 'Punjabi' friends as 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'. I never understood as why are they saying so? 

In fact I tried to know from one of them as why so it is called? I didn't get answer, till the time I met one of my colleague who hails from Punjab.

He said, “It’s easy to joke on a Sardar, but It's too difficult to be a Sardar". And he revealed as why people say so...

“During 17th Century, when Hindustan was ruled by Mughals, all the Hindu people were humiliated and were treated like animals. Mughals treated the Hindu women as there own property and were forcing all Hindus to accept Islam or face death. 

During this period our ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadarji came forward, in response to a request of some Kashmir Pandits to fight against these cruel activities. So our Guruji went to the Mughal emperor and told him that if he succeeded in converting him to Islam, he would ensure that all the Hindus would accept the same. But, if he failed, he should stop all these atrocities. 

The Mughal emperor happily agreed to that but even after lots of torture to Guruji and his fellow members he failed to convert him to Islam and Guruji along with his other four fellows were tortured and sacrificed their lives in Chandni Chowk.

“Since the Mughals were unable to convert them to Islam they were assassinated. Thus our ninth Guruji sacrificed his life for the protection of the Hindu religion. In history, can you show me any instances of anybody laying down his life for the protection of another religion? 

“This is the reason he is still remembered as "Hind Ki Chaddar", shield of India. The people for whose sake he had sacrificed his life did not have the guts to come forward to lift his body, fearing that they too would also be assassinated. 

Seeing this incident our 10th Guruji, Sri Guru Gobind Singhji (Son of Guru Teg Bahadarji) founder of Khalsa (the Pure) made a resolution that he would convert his followers to such human beings who would not be able to hide themselves and could be easily identified."

“At the start, the Sikhs were very few in numbers as they were fighting against the Mughal emperors. At that time, Nadir Shah raided Delhi in the year 1739 and looted Hindustan and was carrying lot of Hindustan treasures and nearly 2200 Hindu women along with him. 

The news spread like a fire and was heard by Sardar Jassa Singh who was the Commander of the Sikh army at that time. He decided to attack Nadir Shah's Kafila on the same midnight. He did so and rescued all the Hindu women and they were safely sent to their homes."

“It didn't happen only once but thereafter whenever any Abdaalis or Iranis had attacked and looted Hindustan and were trying to carry the treasures and Hindu women along with them for selling them in Abdal markets, the Sikh army (although fewer in numbers) attacked them at midnight, 12 O'clock and rescued all the women. After that time when there was a need, people started to contact the Sikh army for their help and the Sikhs used to attack the raiders at Midnight, 12 O'clock."

“Nowadays, most people do not know the significance of this, and have spread the word that at 12 O'clock, the Sikhs go out of their senses. Yes, Sikhs did so by endangering their own lives while mounting attack on Abdaalis, Iranis and Mughals at midnight in order to save Hindu women. 

This historic fact was the reason which made me smile over that person as little did he realize that by saying 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye' he was asking for my help and it meant that his Mother, Sister, Wife or Daughter was in trouble!”

That is the real story behind 'Sardarji Barah Baj Gaye'

Image courtesy to Google.... 

Be the Sea | A Self-Reflection Story

Self-reflection is the habit of deliberately paying attention to your own thoughts, emotions, decisions, and behaviors. Let me share a typical example -

During your regular commute from work to home, you consider how the stress of your morning meeting might have lead to residual anger and a poor decision with your manager at the end of the day. As a result, you resolve to take time after future stressful meetings to decompress rather than jump right back into your workday.

Most of us are capable of self-reflection like this. We periodically reflect back on an event and how we handled it in hopes that we learn something from it and make better decisions in the future.

Let me share a story of how self-reflection has many ways to make decisions in future just based on the individual experiences in past or present.

There was a boy playing one day on the sea shore. There came a wave and took one of his slippers with it. He wrote on the sand, 'The sea is a thief'.

The same sea and another shore, fishermen caught a good catch of fish, and they wrote, 'The sea is our God, it feeds us.'

Another shore, a young boy dies and his mother writes on the sand, 'The sea is a murderer.'

And yet another shore, a poor old man finds a beautiful Pearl encased inside an oyster and he writes on the sand, 'The sea is a giver.'

And then all of a sudden there comes a huge wave that erases everything everyone wrote.

➥ MORAL:  No matter what people said about it, the sea is at peace and harmony with it's own waves. It chooses when to rise and when to be calm.

Be that Sea!

Image courtesy to google....

AGILE LEADERSHIP - A Method or a Mindset?

 What do you think motivates your employees to come to work every morning? Do you believe that your employees are satisfied and do their job to the best of their ability? Or do you believe that the activities are more of a burden and employees are simply working for their paychecks? These assumptions about your team members can have a significant impact on how you manage them.

You can motivate by fear, and you can motivate by reward. But both those methods are only temporary. The only lasting thing is self motivation. — Homer Rice

In the 1960s, social psychologist Douglas McGregor developed two opposing theories to explain how managers’ beliefs about employee motivation can affect leadership style. He referred to these as Theory X and Theory Y. Today, these theories are still relevant to understanding or changing different leadership styles.

Theory X describes a traditional, authoritarian leadership style. According to McGregor, if you believe your team members don’t like their work and are not very motivated, you are more likely to use an authoritarian leadership style. This approach involves micromanaging employees to continuously ensure that work is done properly.

In contrast, Theory Y describes a participative and agile leadership style. If you believe that employees take pride in their work and view it as a positive challenge, they are more likely to lead using Agile management principles. Managers who use this approach trust that employees can take responsibility for their work and consequently do it effectively and independently. 

Will managers then become redundant with agile teams?

No, they definitely won’t! It is very important to understand that the way of leadership style is redefined in agile frameworks. It is about breaking hierarchical structures and moving away from authoritarian leadership to a participative collaboration culture. 

It is also important to understand that intrinsic motivation is far more effective than extrinsic motivation. Agile leadership must promote the 'Feedback Culture', which is honest, open and 360 degree. 

Image courtesy to Wikipedia.

Be prepared always - A WAY OF LIFE (Story)

The culture of Story Telling is always beneficial in training. I love to express my thoughts and content through stories. The great stories are being collected from books, magazines, social media and also from the friends and colleagues while having fruitful conversations with them. 

Here is another story I am going to share today. The story is of 'being prepared always'.

Once there lived a farmer who owned a land along the coast of the Atlantic ocean. Even after letting out several advertisements for recruitment to take care of his farm, no one seemed to sign up for it.

People were reluctant to work along the Atlantic, it had frequent raging storms. These storms were cruel, violent and destroyed every building and crop-field they touched.

After months of advertising and request refusals, a man approached the farmer for the job to take care of the farm.

“Do you have any skills or experience to work on a farm like this?” the farmer asked him.

“Well, I may not have enough experience, but I can sleep when the wind blows”, replied the man.

Although the farmer wasn’t much convinced by the man’s answer, the farmer was too desperate to have someone to help him on the field that he hired him anyway. The man worked well around the farm. The farmer was pretty satisfied with the man.

Then one stormy night, the wind howled waking the farmer. The farmer immediately got off his bed, grabbed a lantern, and headed towards the quarter where his helper was sleeping.

“Wake up” the farmer yelled, throwing the soundly asleep man off the bed- “A storm is coming. Tie things down before they get blown away”.

The man sat up and said- “No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows.”

The farmer turned red with fury after listening to this. He controlled all his will to fire the man because at the moment it was more important to secure his fields and barn that to argue with his helper. The farmer ran out to tie the things up and was surprised by what he saw.

All of the haystacks were covered with tarpaulins. The chickens were in the coops, the cows were in the barn, the doors were closed and barred, and the shutters were firmly secured. Everything was tied down so that nothing could be blown away.

The farmer smiled as he comprehended what his employer said. Now, he understood what the man meant by when he said he could sleep when the wind blows. He went off to bed and slept soundly through the storm.

➥ MORAL : 

When you’re prepared, physically, mentally, and spiritually, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life?

Image courtesy to google.

Happy New Year 2021 !!

No matter how hard the past is, you can always begin again with a new spirit and joy. May the New Year brings Joy, Peace and Happiness to you and your family and friends...

Cheers to health, happiness and prosperity in 2021 !! Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year 2021 !!

Old-aged Benefits!! A Heart Touching Story

The last phase of everyone's life is of 'Old aged' and people of long lives can not avoid it. Many says that there are no benefits being old aged, as you can not eat properly, can not walk properly, your organs do not function properly and you become burden to your family members for taking care of you. 

Once a wise man asked Dr. Tiny Nair, Chief Cardiologist of PRS Hospital that 'What is the benefit of being aged or being retired'? He gave a nice answer. Let me tell you the answer in this content today. 

He said that 'most people believe that there is no retirement benefit and old age help in India.' 'They are wrong. Here is why.'

Elderly, white hair, Fragile but looked pleasant, an elderly man came in with a complaint of chest pain previous night. The ECG showed features of severe ischemia suggestive of blocks in the heart. 

Even at the age of 82 it was too abnormal and warranted admission. The young casualty duty medical officer with his new MD degree made a correct diagnosis and dutifully arranged to admit him in the intensive coronary care unit, and send him in a trolley.

When I went to see the patient, the scene was different. The patient’s two (grown-up) children were standing on two sides of the bed, son on to his right and daughter on to his left. And both were shouting at each other at the top of their voice. Not sure as how best to tackle the situation, I decided to be a passive listener.

“It is your entire fault that dad got a heart attack”, shouted the son.

“You never looked after him properly. You just kept him with you to get hold of his property, I know”. retorted the salwar clad daughter.

“And now you want me to pay for his hospital bill”?

“My my, that from a daughter who never visits his father”

“You have to pay for his bill. I have no money; my kids are in college. And the reason for his attack is because your wife ill treats him all the time” the daughter’s verdict was clear.

I avoided them both. I smiled to the elderly man. Before I could say something, he held my hands.

“Ohh my dear son, So you are the doctor. I had some pain last night now I am fine. Meet my children, my son and daughter. Both are so attached to me that they wont leave me. They forced me to come to the hospital. By the way I am little short of hearing, if there is anything serious tell my children….”

I suddenly realized that the man was stone deaf. He could have never listened to the argument of his children. His cataract prevented him from seeing their angry faces.

That moment I could see through and appreciate Gods schemes. 

As you grow old, he turns your voltage down, which in turn dims your vision (call it cataract), he reduces your reception (nerve deafness), stiffens your joints (osteoarthritis) just to make sure that you take the bumps of life more comfortably. 

➥ Moral : The age related dementia is meant to make sure you forget traumatic past events quickly. Despite a bad environment you can be happy. 

You see less evil, hear less evil and with your restricted mobility you perhaps do very little, evil or whatever.

So take this 'old aged' related problems as advantages that God gives us as 'Retirement Benefits'.

11 Self Management Tips for Great Leaders..

"LEADERSHIP is the CAPACITY to TRANSLATE 

VISION into REALITY"

While the above statement is true for a Leader, it also takes a lot to be an effective leader, who is respected and reputed in the society as whole. Every leaders follow the most standard rules to be successful in their leadership journey. When some leaders established themselves as a great leader, some are trying to be so.

According to my experience and observation over the years and also working with multiple leaders during my career journey, I found the following 11 Self-Management TIPs are essential for the Great Leaderships. 

 1. Focus Your Time - 

You know the popular 80:20 Principle; focusing most of your time and attention to the 20% of your people and purpose to achieve 80% of results. This is still an effective proven formula for success leadership.

2. Empower Through Delegation -

It is true that the perfect plan and coordination which you expect can only be done by you, however it is also important to delegate your tasks and responsibilities to the suitable people in order to have your ample spare time to focus on other important tasks. Delegation also connects the people's trust with their leader. By delegating the tasks the leaders create another leaders in future.

3. Create Culture of Trust -

Autocracy can not make a leader connected to his/her people. Bureaucracy suffocates the innovation and creativity. As a leader, you need to cut down some of the paper works, get connected to your people, listen to them and value their thoughts and ideas.

4. Share Important Information -

The more you share the relevant important information with your team, you get benefits. Make your communication clear and trust worthy. 

5. Fine Tune Your Style - 

You have your style of managing people with your communication styles and personalities, you can manage some people effectively with your style but don't think that everyone can be managed in the same way.  You are therefore required to fine tune your style to manage according to the people or situation.

6. Be The Example - 

When your people see that you are putting those extra hours or efforts, they will also ready to jump in and work towards the vision. It all comes with the trust and respect.

7. Set Small Milestones - 

If you can not match the last year's numbers (goals), then set another one which can be achievable. This will encourage the team to give their best.

8. Be Grateful - Say Thanks -

People always feel to be appreciated. Getting an opportunity to appreciate the team member/s, a leader should always go forward and do it. A simple 'thank you note' boosts the performance of team members, and thereby makes a big differences.

9. Give Feedback - 

Your direct report wants feedback and it's crucial in making your team as productive as possible. Also giving timely feedback ensures the progress as planned.

10. Be Empathetic - 

You want your people to idolize you. You need to show your genuine care and affection whenever they need. A simple check on their family or health makes the people love their leader.

11. Have Fun - 

No matter whatever the depth of your work, you will certainly expect your team members to be happy to come to work. You need to create an environment of 'fun at work'. Take time out to have fun with people, may be through games and activities.

At the end, citing the most popular leadership lines by JOHN C. MAXWELL,

 "A LEADER IS ONE WHO KNOWS THE WAY, GOES THE WAY, AND SHOWS THE WAY" 

Name Origins of Indian Iconic Brands | Stories !!

We Indians are proud to have our diverse cultures and our heritages which are unique in nature. With 29 States and 7 Union Territories, India is rich in its tradition among all the countries around the world. India is also proud to have some of it's iconic companies from FMCG to automotive, which are very familiar to common households. 

But do you know how their names were being derived? What is the story behind the names? Let's take you through some interesting stories here.

➥ Amul - The word ‘Amul’ derived from ‘Amulya’, which means ‘priceless’ in Sanskrit, is also an acronym for Anand Milk Union Ltd.

➥ Boroline – The company manufactures an antiseptic perfume cream, which was launched in 1929 in Culcatta by Gourmohan Dutta, a rich Bengali merchant. The name was derived from the ingredients - antiseptic 'boric' powder and the Latin word for oil 'oleum'.

➥ Dabur – Dabur’s founding father Dr. S K Burman was fondly called as “Da-ktar Bur-man” by the locals, thus giving its name to the brand. (Daktar is the Bengali salutation for Doctor).

➥ Dalda was imported by a Dutch company, Dada & Co. To reflect its ownership, Hindustan Lever added “L” for Lever in the middle of the 'Dada' to form Dalda which later became a common household name.

➥ Chelpark - Chelpark was formed when 'Chel'aram family partnered with 'Park'er pen company for it's India operations. The new venture inaugurated it's head office in Bangalore in 1985.

➥ Cinthol - The brand was launched on 15 August, 1952 by Burjor Godrej. A combination of synthetic and Phenol, Godrej decided to tweak the first letter from S of 'Synthetic' was tweaked to C to make it a gentler brand name.

➥ Havells – Anglicized form of the name 'Haveli Ram Gandhi', the original founder of the switchgear company. The company changed their name to Havells India Ltd (Apostrophe is removed from the word Havell's) with effect from July 28 2007.

➥ Lakmé - Lakme was started in 1952 as a 100% subsidiary of Tata oil mill. “Lakmé” derives its name from Sanskrit for “Lakshmi”, the goddess of wealth and epitome of beauty..

➥ Maruti - Maruti refers to the Hindu God 'Hanuman', son of 'Marut' (The God of Wind, also known as 'Pavan'). Maruti Udyog Ltd. has created a sandstorm in domestic automotive sector since its inception in 1981.

➥ Mahindra & Mahindra - Mahindra & Mahindra was first established as 'Muhammad & Mahindra' in 1945 by the brothers J. C. Mahindra and K. C. Mahindra, and Malik Ghulam Muhammad in Ludhiana, Punjab to trade steel. After the Partition of India in 1947, Malik Ghulam Muhammad left the company and emigrated to Pakistan where he became the first finance minister of the new state. In 1948, K. C. Mahindra changed the company’s name to "Mahindra & Mahindra".

➥ RANBAXY - "Ran"jit Singh and Gur"bax" Singh, two talented employees of Japanese Pharmaceutical company established "Ranbaxy" by merging their names. The company was found in the city of Amritsar, in the early 1960s.

➥ Tanishq – The name was coined by Xerxes Desai, now retired Vice-Chairman and MD of Titan Industries. The name took “Ta” from TATA and “Nishk” meaning a piece of jewellery.

➥ Tata Sumo - Sumo is derived by taking the first two alphabets of 'Su'mit 'Mo'olgaonkar , the MD of Tata Motors

➥ Wipro – Abbreviation of "Western India Palm Refined Oil Limited", the company that was originally founded by Mohamed Premji in 1945.

➥ Zandu – Zandu was named after its visionary founder Zandu Bhattji, who prepared Ayurvedic medicines for the King of Jamnagar. He established his first Ayurvedic Medicine manufacturing factory in Jamnagar in 1964.

Quite interesting the name origin stories! Isn't it?

I am sure that there must be many other Indian companies which have multiple stories behind their 'NAMES'. If you know some, then mention in the 'Comment' section..

References: mythicalindia.com, marketingmind.in, linkedin.com