What’s one thing about you that would surprise people if they knew? Here’s mine: my mother fed me lunch till I finished college. She’d mix rice, dal, and curry just the way I liked it. Today, she’s 80, still treating me like a boy who can’t skip a meal. I wasn’t embarrassed then — and I’m not now. We outgrow many things, but not a mother’s care. Happy 80th, Mom!
Learn, Lead, Leap
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What if you could gain real-life insights from lived experiences of a writer?
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If the wheels of your life are a bit wobbly and you are stuck in a rut, this book may have a solution to your problem.
Featured Post
Nothing prepares you for the moment your child steps into their teenage years. Parenting at this stage feels like being on stage without a script. You can hear advice, read books, brace yourself—but nothing compares to the real thing.
Have you ever moved from a cabin to a cubicle at work? Chances are you’ve seen the reverse. Promotions usually come with walls and doors, not the other way around. So when it happened to me, what would you assume?
Have you ever tried to help someone, only to end up burnt in the process? It stings. It makes you wonder: should you ever bother stepping in again?
A year ago, the idea of being alone on stage made me uncomfortable. Last week, I stood before a thousand students and loved every moment of it. So, what changed?
You don’t always lose your job because of a layoff. Sometimes, the new boss just doesn’t see you in their story. Not because of anything you did. Just because you weren’t their pick.
Your Voice, My Choice
How many of us sit, rewind and review our lives? They say the past is the past. But the learnings of our past IMHO are the most essential to our growth and development. Rajen Garabadu’s blog very carefully curates these themes. His style of slice of life stories both inspire and intrigue. They remind us to be grateful, to be cognisant and to live each moment in a wholesome manner. Read him and you will surely enrich your life.
I have known Rajen for nearly three decades now. But it's only of late that I have really come to know him. I knew he had a sense of sartorial humour and was candid. But that he was such a keen observer of people and had such deep insights was a revelation. What has been even more of a surprise, and I should add here, a very pleasant one at that, is his writing style. I read each of his ''Reflections'' with relish and then look forward to the next one. Between the column I have read and the one that I look forward to are reflections of mine on the insightful behaviours that he writes about. Indeed, it has become a learning journey that has made me ponder over the need for course correction in inter-personal behavior and discovery of facets of people I have known but whom I am only now getting to discover thanks to Rajen.
I have known Rajen for nearly three decades now. But it's only of late that I have really come to know him. I knew he had a sense of sartorial humour and was candid. But that he was such a keen observer of people and had such deep insights was a revelation. What has been even more of a surprise, and I should add here, a very pleasant one at that, is his writing style. I read each of his ''Reflections'' with relish and then look forward to the next one. Between the column I have read and the one that I look forward to are reflections of mine on the insightful behaviours that he writes about. Indeed, it has become a learning journey that has made me ponder over the need for course correction in inter-personal behavior and discovery of facets of people I have known but whom I am only now getting to discover thanks to Rajen.
I have known Rajen for nearly three decades now. But it's only of late that I have really come to know him. I knew he had a sense of sartorial humour and was candid. But that he was such a keen observer of people and had such deep insights was a revelation. What has been even more of a surprise, and I should add here, a very pleasant one at that, is his writing style. I read each of his ''Reflections'' with relish and then look forward to the next one. Between the column I have read and the one that I look forward to are reflections of mine on the insightful behaviours that he writes about. Indeed, it has become a learning journey that has made me ponder over the need for course correction in inter-personal behavior and discovery of facets of people I have known but whom I am only now getting to discover thanks to Rajen.
I have known Rajen for nearly three decades now. But it's only of late that I have really come to know him. I knew he had a sense of sartorial humour and was candid. But that he was such a keen observer of people and had such deep insights was a revelation. What has been even more of a surprise, and I should add here, a very pleasant one at that, is his writing style. I read each of his ''Reflections'' with relish and then look forward to the next one. Between the column I have read and the one that I look forward to are reflections of mine on the insightful behaviours that he writes about. Indeed, it has become a learning journey that has made me ponder over the need for course correction in inter-personal behavior and discovery of facets of people I have known but whom I am only now getting to discover thanks to Rajen.
Rajen has been my super senior from CNN-News18. The few words that we hardly exchanged over the seven years there were more about work. But the words that he had silently, consistently saved with him, created a powerful experience in the form of "NUGGETS FROM LIVED EXPERIENCES" - that began as a LinkedIn newsletter I religiously read and share among the like-minded; not because I admire his works as a my senior. But truly, because this man of few words, has poured his heart, soul, research, empathy, mind connections and power into these many words that arrive in my inbox as a weekly piece. Each story, straight like a bullet, no sensational drama, just pure empathy and real life resources. I recently told Rajen, he must craft a book out of these! Now that this is a full-fledged website, I am really excited because the NUGGETS will reach many more to inspire them.
The task is not to see what has never been seen before, but to think what has never been thought before about what you see everyday"
- Erwin Schrodinger
This is what Rajen does in his blog. Picks up everyday instances of lived experiences and presents a thought around them that is eye opening. I particularly remember a part of his writing when he mentioned two of his interactions with Mr V Krishnamurthy 4 years apart. And he said how the gentleman remembered his name. Rajen then presented a thought that changed my idea of relationships, he said Mr V Krishnamurthy remembered a young Rajen from a meeting 4 years ago not because Rajen was important or the person had a great memory. Mr Krishnamurthy remembered Rajen because he cared. I love reading his blogs for such invaluable insights. His interpretation of everyday interactions that can change the way we live life is something all of us can learn from.
- Erwin Schrodinger
This is what Rajen does in his blog. Picks up everyday instances of lived experiences and presents a thought around them that is eye opening. I particularly remember a part of his writing when he mentioned two of his interactions with Mr V Krishnamurthy 4 years apart. And he said how the gentleman remembered his name. Rajen then presented a thought that changed my idea of relationships, he said Mr V Krishnamurthy remembered a young Rajen from a meeting 4 years ago not because Rajen was important or the person had a great memory. Mr Krishnamurthy remembered Rajen because he cared. I love reading his blogs for such invaluable insights. His interpretation of everyday interactions that can change the way we live life is something all of us can learn from.
Director, Mahika Mishra Foundation
Rajen is one of the most humble leaders I’ve come across and his blog is an virtual extension of his personality. He is a captivating story-teller, and his anecdotes are always peppered with remarkable nuggets of wisdom. His conversational writing style further enhances the simplicity, making it a delight for the reader. I’ve always admired the way he shares some of the most vulnerable moments of his life, and how he went about navigating such ordeals. In a nutshell, if you like to read something that is simple, evocative, profound and packed with learnings backed by real experiences, following Rajen would be a no-brainer!
I find Rajen to be a highly sensitive and an observant individual and his writings very insightful.
He has a great ability to make regular instances & occurrences into an inspirational story that make for a simple and a wonderful read.
I write this piece with a sense of exhilaration … and more importantly, with a sense of privilege and pride. He is ever gracious in mentioning about the ‘break’ I gave him, but I consider it my serendipity that I got the opportunity to work with him and know him, albeit briefly, when he was in his early twenties.
It was only when I began to read his posts regularly that I felt that I was getting to know Rajen, the professional, the human and the writer. Initially, I was reading his posts casually but very soon, they began to grow on me, and leave a mark …the seemingly casual way of sharing anecdotes and experiences contain layers that are rich in meaning and perspectives.
In an almost no holds barred style, Rajen touches upon different facets of work, life and relationships…with his pen revealing his emotions and experiences, and sharing lessons learnt. His writing, which often includes a self-directed sense of humor, mirrors his passion and love for life, infused with honesty, gratefulness and a sense of being rooted.
Now on Saturday morning, I check if there is a notification on LinkedIn. A habit is now becoming an addiction!
Thanks to Nuggets from lived experiences, this is my second innings of knowing Rajen and what he is made of.
The beauty of #RajenReflects is it shows a mirror to the readers. Many a time we don’t realise the impact of our actions; we get to do once we face or read about such a situation. Rajen's reflections give the readers a way to course-correct how they live and do their jobs.
Your words of wisdom often come at such a right time in my personal journey! There are times I feel, you unknowingly mentor so many, including me. Sheer blessing. Gratitude 🙏
"Rajen has a natural curiosity and wisdom that shines through in his writing. If you're looking for a newsletter that provides real-depth instead of basic platitudes, Rajen Reflects is the place to go."
In 2005, inside a giant hall filled with strangers, a person walks up to me, smiles and says hi, I am Rajen. It broke the ice and warmed my heart. I realised he had spotted me looking a little lost, and cared enough to do something about it. Over the next 9 years, Rajen and I ended up working very closely on virtually every major news event, mega projects and channel launches.
The time spent with him confirmed my first impressions of Rajen being a highly competent, fair, empathetic and a sensitive leader. I also knew he was observant and had a satirical sense of humour that almost always made me laugh. I had read hundreds of mails and notes from him - all businesslike and to the point.
But it was only with Rajen Reflects, did I realise his real power of expression. I look forward to his honesty in writing. That's the one diminishing art form that so desperately needs a revival and Rajen's weekly columns keep my faith alive.
I love reading Rajen’s reflections. They are simple, to the point and always touches my heart. He is a great storyteller and his anecdotes bring to life everyday events that form a part of our professional life. These stories are full of empathy, kindness and teach us that before we call ourselves professionals, we are human beings. I look forward to his blog posts eagerly. Best wishes to Rajen and hope he continues to encourage and inspire us through his writings.
Rajen is a brilliant writer. I first got in touch with him when he was kind enough to point out mistakes in my own content and fix them. Since then, I've taken his help plenty of times to improve my work. I've read his articles and they're soulful - the right blend of personal stories with lessons that invoke emotion. Highly recommend him!
Latest Post
Save more. Invest wisely. Build the nest egg. All good advice. I follow it myself. But somewhere between the SIP instalment and the life you actually want to live, there's a question most financial plans don't answer: When do you get to enjoy any of this? This week, I wrote about that tension and the one insight from the world of investing that changed how I think about spending on the things that matter.
After a short break, Nuggets From Lived Experiences is back. This week, a family holiday turned into something I didn't plan for. A country that does the ordinary so extraordinarily well that coming home felt different this time. When you read it, you'll know exactly what I mean.
I did something eight years ago that two doctors advised against. I insisted. They eventually gave in. And I got exactly what I asked for. I've regretted it since. Funny how that works! We chase a version of ourselves that isn't here yet, only to discover that time was going to deliver it anyway. This piece is about that. And about my mother, who sees the whole thing very differently.
Someone did it to me again recently. Mid-conversation. It's the single most disrespectful thing people do today — and most of them have no idea they're doing it. I've started responding to it differently. In this piece, I write about this habit, why it's more serious than most people think, and what I believe it reveals about the person who does it. You'll recognise someone in here. You might even recognise yourself.
Mohit Sain left my team last week. And is relocating to Sydney today. When he first told me he was leaving, my first thought was "oh no". Over two decades of leading teams, I've been here before — that strange place where you're genuinely happy for someone and quietly worried how to fill the gap. It never gets entirely easier. But I've learned what to do with it. This Saturday, I write about letting go, starting over, and the one question that has guided every such decision I've made.
To every student staring at a result right now — good, bad, or somewhere in between. I was you once. Terrified. Underprepared. Hoping for just enough. What I know now, that I wish someone had told me then, is that the number on that marksheet is one sentence in a very long story. Not the last one. Not even close to the most important one.