30 Comments
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Anchita Ghatak's avatar

Dear bachcha chhele, You've learnt your mother's lessons well.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thank you!

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Not The Wife Material's avatar

I missed this one😲. On office politeness… hahaha… i am quite the opposite. Lovely piece Rohan!

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thanks, Savvy! Will wait to hear your office stories. :D

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Suranjana Ghosh's avatar

Such a fun essay that makes a larger, more important point Rohan. I'm all for politeness, even if the takers often don't appreciate it and the givers are few.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thanks a lot, Suranjana! Agreed. :)

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siru kadhai's avatar

As a woman (with brains) and a sense of aesthetics borrowed from a study of humanities, both kindness and assertiveness were problematic for the corporate world (and all work). The world is largely masculine in politics, work and domestic life that patriarchal norms are celebrated peculiarly to suit a kind of social play and power politics. (Thankfully, I never was attracted to the terrible patriarchal institution of marriage. Would've been suicidal in more ways than one.)

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Yeah, unfortunate but true.

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Anushka's avatar

such a lovely piece! been following your writing since your editorial in the Hindu, and your work is amazing !

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thank you, Anushka! You may have gotten your Rohans mixed up, I have not written for the Hindu. :) But glad you liked this and thanks for reading.

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Ayush's avatar

Lovely essay, Rohan! And words to live by, I believe

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thank you, Ayush! Agreed.

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Naira lune ✨'s avatar

No person is safe from my mother’s empathy. If you happen to cross paths with her, she is certain to aim an act of kindness in your direction. Indeed, should you allow her, she may even take charge of your life and your affairs. - relativity pro max ... This was such an amazing and engaging read . 🤜🏻🤛🏻

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thanks so much, appreciate it!

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Buckwheat Blues's avatar

The word ‘nice’ swimming across the Channel is the image of my day now.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Haha, thank you! The etymology of the word is fascinating.

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Pracheta Bhattacharya's avatar

And thus we know the secrets of your fitness

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Haha!

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Maanav's avatar

How excellent is this essay.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thanks, Maanav!

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Ila Reddy's avatar

100% agree. Lovely essay as always… the range of topics you cover in your newsletter is incredible!! 🙌🏾

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thank you, Ila! You know, I've often wondered if the lack of thematic coherence is a problem, so I'm glad to hear this. :)

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Rakhi Kurup's avatar

With so much going wrong with the world, a kind word or a friendly wave costs little but can weigh much.

❤️❤️❤️

Totally with you on this Rohan.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thanks so much, Rakhi. :D

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Nihil's avatar

This is painfully relatable. Every situation you've described - lived it, suffered through it, questioned my life choices because of it. Thanks for making me feel less alone in the daily comedy of trying to be a decent human.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Glad this spoke to you! Thank you, as ever, for reading. :D

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Sarthak Dev's avatar

Superb storytelling man. So good.

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thanks a lot, Sarthak!

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Aditi Taswala's avatar

Lovely writing Rohan! It's my pet peeve when people tell me they don't enjoy reading! I take personal offence and list out a string of books for them to read, which I know they will never 😑

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Rohan Banerjee's avatar

Thanks so much, Aditi! Worth the effort if some develop a taste for it. :D

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