Dr. Rekha Shetty’s book ’Happiness Quotient’, spreads happiness in Mangalore

Dr. Rekha Shetty’s book ’Happiness Quotient’, spreads happiness in Mangalore

Mangalore Today News Network

By I J Saldanha-Shet

Mangalore, Sep 24, 2011: MANAGING HAPPINESS-was in the air pleasant bright evening of September 23, with  Chennai based Mangalorean Author Dr.Rekha Shetty, famed with five books in her bag already. Holding a rare "work-shop" on her recent best seller Book "HAPPINESS QUOTIENT" at the now choice place of such things -the ’Reliance Time Out’ at City Centre Mall was a high point for the many book lovers and Management Shisyaas of the city! Dr. Rekha Shetty has successfully integrated western thought with the Eastern ethos of creativity and left a footprint on life, as all of us can. she rightly stressed that American management is not so good for our Indian principles perhaps to every ones agreement.

 

 

The welcome and introduction was from well known senior Ramanath Poonja (Ramnathanna) who set the mood. The Chief Guest of the occasion the well known Educationist N. Vinay Hegde, Chancellor, Nitte University, shared with the participants his landmark sincerity,  the affection for Dr.Shetty and her marvelous Management today work and said the book as well as her other works attracted him greatly plus her other contributions in many fields. He said Happiness perception reduces and controls ’stress’ and  gives ’satisfaction’ in life which is absent these days. Physical well being is a big slice of the being happy. He stressed the importance of starting the day right and not hurt people on your way and walk with compassion. Riches, money are not the means to get happiness and poor too are happy in their own way. Insight in old age is a bonus to the seeker he added.

HAPPINESS QUOTIENT: WORK-SHOP:
The Author who held the assorted Mangalorean gathering spell bound for an hour with her lucid word power and power point presentation with visions into her best seller book afforded a pleasant ’WALK THROUH’ which made those present rush for a copy of the book which she termed as management of happiness. The corporate working language of the book is a great attraction. "The Hi Fi fast track yuppie is Indianized with a very ethnic narration, direct,simple and true. Climb to the mountain and you can see the journey ahead. The outer happiness is not the true one as the inside one can be."  The Guru in the book who enunciates the fast track mantras is referred to as "Sadhumama" and the practical inculturation is more suited to Indian management than a alien American model  that confuses the needs of the Indian scenario with 52 top of the lot mantras.

Dr.Rekha Shetty floated the idea of  ’Try a new life (style)’ and not be hooked onto just a one track life without innovation and interest. The feelings of present day professionals of the I-can’t -do -this-for-long thinking is not the thing. KARUNA or Compassion is the key to human progress and also a management mantra of superior thought. One can not control events,but one can control reaction to events. Physical fitness is vital to happiness, but one need not rely on Gyms and formal work outs; it is best to do ones own chores and take the traditional ways to walk,run and work in the every day scenarios. Today the ten commandments are almost superfluous and the chief commandment that is being perfected is "Thou shalt NOT get caught". She literally is concerned and labouring towards spreading an epidemic of Happiness! Adding the need to love our land INDIA and culture Indian and shine under it’s great good and blessings. The  special mantra for us is to LOVE INDIA!

In her book she suggests practical tests and actions and the two she demonstrated were:
1.THE ICE CUBE TEST: All present were given an ice cube (from clean water we are told) in a paper napkin and told to do anything we like with it amid several human bonding exercises. There were many experiences short of putting the ice cube down someones shirt!  Most held it in their hands and  felt its cold. Finally it all melted into water." All things in life are passing we were told and good and bad too will pass nothing is permanent; so life must be approached in this light for a durable happiness".

2. THE APPLE: All were given a lovely apple (yes one only) and told to admire and taste all it’s qualities, explained was how the ’five senses’ of the human could be addressed and later told that the apple could be tasted or taken away!!! After the story of Adam it seems many were in a quandary about eating as the apple was given by ’eve’ and quietly put it away!

The "THANK YOU" was fittingly done by Surya Prakash Bhat, who really expressed the Singular Happiness that the evening had brought and the visions and insights that a glimpse of the book gave all present. The book sale counter was then taken by storm and Author Dr.Rekha Shetty autographed the book individually to every one’s delight.

There has been a buzz about Mangaloreans bringing out some top end books recently and all present were agog of the Books : "BLOSSOM SHOWERS" By Giselle Mehta, "Louis Puchekanna" By Sidney Pinto, "Childhood Daze" By Savitri Babulkar , "THE HAPPINESS QUOTIENT" By Dr.Rekha Shetty. All worth a read by one and all.

 

Professional Profile: Dr. RekhShetty
Dr. Rekha Shetty is Managing Director of Farstar Distribution Network, a unique consultancy company devoted exclusively to innovation and creativity under the brand name Mindspower.  She consults with some of the Region’s major corporates on long term Innovation Initiatives that involve everyone from doorman to Chairman.

She is an author, an entrepreneur and an original thinker. A Ph.D from Madras University, on the subject of innovation. Dr. Rekha Shetty began her career with a brilliant academic record with two university ranks. Her thoughts come from a deep study of many disciplines: Management, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, History and Spirituality.

Popularly known as the Corporate Doctor, Rekha Shetty has created a new tool for Indian Managers to develop the competitive edge: Innovation and Creativity through Mindspower. As a member of the Syndicate of the 200 years old, Anna University, she helped introduce a 40-week programme on innovation for budding engineers.  She is also on the board of studies of the Psychology Department at the Madras University.  She is a faculty of leading business schools for the MBA course like Madras University and Great Lakes Institute of Management and speaks at global seminars on innovation. She has conducted Mindspower programmes worldwide in places as far flung as Siberia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and USA.  She was also awarded the Outstanding Young Person Award by Jaycees. She was invited by the U.S. State Department to be part of an expert team from 10 countries to study the problems and solutions to drug addiction.  A theatre buff, she has also written and directed musicals. Those interested in her poetry may browse her website. She was one of Asia’s first women District Governors for Rotary International and was awarded Rotary’s highest Award – Service above Self.

HER MAJOR WORKS:
Her book published by Penguin, “The Zero Heart Attack Path” attracted worldwide attention.  Her second book `Portable Roots’, the transcreation of a Tamil book, was released at the Frankfurt Book Fair. Her third book “Corporate Strategy, Mindspower Innovation” was well received by Indian CEOs. Her fourth book “Innovate! 90 Days To Transform Your Business” released by Penguin is a bestseller. Her fifth book is ‘The Happiness Quotient’ released by Westland Ltd on 8th June 2011.

The Author’s take on ‘The Happiness Quotient’
Is it possible to achieve excellence in the corporate world and still be happy?
The Indian tradition shows us that positive, radiant happiness is our birthright, and the programme outlined in this book illustrates how to achieve it for ourselves. The Happiness quotient (HQ) is a concept that measures approximately, the measure of happiness each person has achieved in his life. This book provides a blueprint to increase one’s HQ. It starts by describing the creation of a positive mindspace, one that nurtures the positive emotions that increase happiness. It also discusses the impact of negative fields and how to avoid them.   Anti-happiness traps, too, find a special place in this book. A book that is a boon to the modern reader thinker and executive!

IJ Saldanha Shet