Lessons from the letters written by eminent personalities to their daughters

Jawaharlal Nehru wrote eight letters to his daughter Indira Gandhi educating her about Indian history and civilisation during his years in prison. Those letters are testimony to people’s belief in hope during dark times in their lives. But in this digital age, sms and whatsapp have overpowered the art of writing letters. Even telegram died in 2013.

During such times letters written by Chanda Kochhar to her daughter Aarti or KV Kamath to his daughter Ajnya or Prakash Padukone to his daughter Deepika Padukone come as refreshing break from the digital age back to the age where paper and ink shared an adorable relationship.

Here are 5 letters written by eminent personalities passing on their wisdom to the next generation.

1. The letter by the MD and CEO of ICICI, Chanda Kochhar, to her daughter Aarti, a young girl on the threshold of beginning her professional life, is inspirational and insightful. It talks of Kochhar’s personal and professional journey. She tells Aarti, “Even today I can remember the equanimity and calmness with which she (her mother) handled the crisis on hand when my father passed away. You have to handle challenges and emerge stronger from them, rather than allow them to bog you down. I remember how, in late 2008, we were faced with a situation where ICICI Bank’s survival was in jeopardy in the face of a global economic meltdown. The situation was being analysed with a hawk’s eye by major media platforms and debated widely in the public space. The problem started at the peak of the financial crisis in the United States and resulted in investors and customers expressing doubts about the bank, given its exposure to global financial institutions. I got down to work, systematically communicating with all stakeholders... Simultaneously, I also advised staff across the bank’s various branches to lend a sympathetic ear to those depositors who turned up to withdraw their money.” “Aim for the sky but move slowly, enjoying every step along the way. It is all about all “those little steps that make the journey complete.”

2. Kochhar’s mentor and the architect of India’s largest private sector bank, ICICI, K.V. Kamath, wrote to his daughter Ajnya how he is inspired by his mother. He says, "Often in the world, women who are homemakers are not given the same place in society that a working woman is given."

3. Shaheen Mistri, the founder of the NGO Akanksha and the venture Teach For India, chooses to write a profound poem to her daughters Samara and Sana, inspiring them to take on the challenges of life with poise and courage.

4. PP Chabbria proudly writes, “I grew up a poor unlettered man and it makes me proud to see you so immersed in a career that has the power to change people's lives.”

5. Narayana Murthy tells his daughter, "The world admires a woman who brings a sense of balance to all the three responsibilities - being a loving wife, a caring mother and a competent career woman."


(Image credits: indiatimes)