
Nobody knows which passenger,
would have thrown the seeds
of a tomato after eating it
from the window
while travelling in a train,
but one seed decided to live
amidst the continuous movement
of up and down trains,
it grew and flourished as a plant
by ripping the stones around
with whatever available
beside the railway track
to bear the fruit
to perform its karma and dharma…
This is not the story of a seed. There are a plethora of such instances around us. I’m going to share a story of Pratima, a lady officer in the Bank, who was born in a very poor scheduled caste family, who used to work hard throughout the day to get the meal in the evening.
But even after that she passed Class VII and started working as a part-time sweeper in the Bank. She used to sit late in the office for two hours in the evening, read the newspaper and prepare for the matriculation.
After four years, she appeared for matriculation examination as a private candidate and passed in first class. Then she became a full-time messenger and after passing the promotional test, she was promoted as a clerk in the Bank.

When she was a clerk, she used to sit in the branch for three hours after the end of duty at five in the evening and prepare for the trainee officer examination. She got apt guidance from two officers posted in the branch, who used to ask and tell the answers to probable questions that could be asked in the examination.
And in the first attempt itself, she passed the trainee officer examination with flying colours to be promoted in the officer cadre. She didn’t stop thereafter. She didn’t miss any promotion and got promoted from Asst Manager to Deputy Manager, Manager, Chief Manager and now to Asst General Manager.
She has headed big and reputed branches and handled all various types of banking business. Her bosses were happy with her self driven quality and they never felt the need to follow up the work assigned to her.
She has always been applauded for her performance and now selected for the elite CGM club.
She has still chances to forge ahead. I salute the spirit of Pratima and her thinking and struggle against all kinds of adversity. She has proved once again,
where there is a will,
there is a way;
and where there is no will,
there is always a hill…
P.S. Incidentally, another struggler, Smt. Draupadi Murmu, the first tribal and the second woman is going to become the next President of India.

–Kaushal Kishore
At first i thought it was the story of Mrs. Murmu. But inspiring to the brink Kaushal Ji. Thank you.
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Mrs Murmu’s story is also of a struggle. She started her career as a clerk. Thank you, Narayan ji for reading and commenting.
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What wonderful quotes and story! I have a big day approaching and i was so worried about how I may perform. Your post was the best way to instill faith in myself, after all, faith can move mountains.
P. S. Let’s hope that Ms. Murmu gets bestowed with the honour of being the President. It will be a right step forward in the direction of women as well as tribal empowerment.
Good day!
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‘Faith can move mountains’ is also a great quote. I’m glad that this post could help you in any way. My best wishes for your big day. I’m sure you will also come out flying colours. And you’re right about Mrs Murmu. Thank you!
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You’re welcome and thank you for your wishes KK!
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So inspiring, KK. I absolutely agree”Where there is a will , their is a way”. Love the photo.💕🙏💕
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I’m elated to know you think so, Grace! Thank you so much 😊❤️
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My pleasure 💕
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Thank you, Kaushal, for this inspiring tale of two women whose determination to succeed against the odds leaves us in admiration. The third story is about the power of nature; the seed of a tomato
that grew among the stones, next to the passing trains, produced the beautiful and perfect tomato! It reminds me of seeing the young shouts of wine bushes pushing through the lava of the erupted
volcano that destroyed the vineyard. Perhaps there is a connection between the will to succeed in Pratima and Smt. Draupadi Murmu and the power of nature, after all, we are part of the same world.
Joanna
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You’re right, Joanna, life and success may happen anywhere. It depends on the willpower and nature’s power. And this lady is from my bank. This made me happier to know about her. Thank you, Joanna, for sharing your beautiful reflections, as always.
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You are more than welcome.
Joanna
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Wonderful post about the strength of women. Great read!
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It’s such a delight to hear from you, Nancy. Thanks a lot!
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This is a terrific story. Thanks for sharing it. I hope you are really well.
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So happy to hear that from you. Thank you. I’m fine and hope for the same to you.
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A wonderful story KK. I so agree with your beautiful analogy 1💖💖
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Thank you, Cindy. Your kind words always inspire me 💐💖
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You’re so welcome KK. oh that’s really nice to hear! 💖💖thanks and you are so welcome!
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Courage , determination and a never give up attitude! I love this story.
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You’re right, these qualities are essential for success. Thanks for liking and commenting!
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Very nice
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Thanks a lot!!
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A beautiful story of a solo tomato plant next to the track along with two women and how they climbed the corporate ladder and high profile position with their seer hard work.
PS: I learned today that where there is no will it’s only a hill.
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Thank you for reading and sharing such a beautiful reflection. It’s true that if we are not willing, there are so many excuses our minds start cooking up.
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