September 29, 2025
“What is learnt lives forever,” is a phrase emphasising the lasting value of knowledge and education. The idea is that once you truly understand or learn something, it becomes a part of you – your mind, skills and experience cannot easily be taken away. Unlike material possessions, which can be lost or destroyed, knowledge endures, shaping your decisions, abilities and even your identity throughout life.
Knowledge once gained never truly fades; it becomes a part of who you are. Every lesson learned becomes a portion of the soul’s library.
CYCLING
In the days of yore, my mode of commuting to high school and back was on my Raleigh bicycle. Unlike many of my friends and class-mates, I hit the roads first with a bicycle, then a two-wheeler, then onto a four-wheeled vehicle.
Fast forward, into the 21st century – I was on it again in a different country, this time not to commute, but out of compulsion. Father-son duo bought bicycles and I hit it off straight away, as if I was continuously riding it for years. With superb bike (as they are called here) tracks/cycling trails in this part of the world, where biking itself is a hobby for many, the bike-riding I learnt in the 20th century, came back almost instantly.
Every other day, we put our helmets on, which is a legal requirement and off we go - the shortest to and from distance covered has been approx. 4 kms. Blessing in disguise for us both, so to say – venturing again specifically for the sake of Carl, who needs some body exercises to stabilise himself as he has a few issues and keeping myself fit. It is like hitting two birds with one stone.
This exemplifies the fact, once you’ve learnt a skill like riding a bicycle, your brain and body retain the coordination even if you don’t practice it for years. When you try again, it “comes back to you” because the neural pathways built during learning are still there. Whatever is learnt, never leaves you ….
TYPEWRITING
Ages ago - we, a group of friends, all belonging to Gen X, decided to learn typewriting. But, in a month, many had second thoughts, arguing that the computers were taking over and did not want to pursue something that would soon become obsolete. Many Computer Centres had already mushroomed by then. A couple of them did start attending junior typing classes with me in Shri Durga Prasad Typing Institute, but soon they were nowhere to be seen. I however, persisted and completed both Juniors and Seniors in typewriting.
Over to the Arabian Gulf, United Arab Emirates – my first real full-time job was in a Contracting Company in Abu Dhabi. Though my visa was that of an Accountant (Mahasseb), this multi-national Company’s Main Office managed by the Egyptians, the accounts were in Arabic. Being in the broader Finance Department, but without any allotted work, most of the Managers took an opportunity using me to do their own tasks. I was treated like a football being kicked in all directions.
Soon, I heard that the Computer Typing Secretary of the Technical Department was going on a long leave and they were looking for a replacement. I convinced one of our Finance Managers that I had the desired Certificates to manage that position for those couple of months, for which he agreed. I had not typed for years; nevertheless, I was oozing with confidence that I could still manage. It took me one whole day to set my hands on the QWERTY computer keyboard, the same I learnt typing on the analogue typewriter. Once I got the hang of it, I typed and typed from the handwritten notes/dictation, satisfying one and all topped with my unique way of presenting. Hurray! I had proved myself.
It paid dividends as in a short span of time, by an ‘executive decision,’ it was decided to introduce the “Bill of Quantities (BOQ) Tendering System” used in the Company’s Kuwait Head Office. The BOQ was manually filled by the various Engineers and now they were automating it. A new position was created. I was their natural choice and got trained. I was given an independent room with two computers and two heavy-duty printers. My office was out of bounds to many. ‘Tender Controller’ was my new designation; however, the nominal pay increase was disappointing. But, with the new found position came a lot of respect.
Today, I can vouch that I am as fast in typing competing with those belonging to Millennials, Gen Z or Gen Alpha, be it on any gadget. When I have to emphasise something in an argument, I would have pulled all the levers in one go due to my typing speed and have shut the case, whereas the person of the mentioned generations on the other end would still be typing ….
Whatever you think you should learn, simply go ahead. It reflects courage and persistence. You may even be the subject of ridicule. In the long run, the knowledge and growth stay with you – while ridicule fades away. The thing you learnt also maybe a game-changer, like my case.
HINDI
I love languages and take the utmost delight in learning them. To gain a deeper understanding of Hindi – I enrolled for the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha (DBHPS) Exams. I cleared the Prathamic (basic level) and Madyama (middle level) examinations when in high school. During College, I completed my Rashtrabhasa Praveshika (entry into national language study) and Rashtrabasha (higher level of proficiency). This is where it ended, though there were three more higher exams if I was interested.
The syllabuses included Hindi grammar, prose, poetry, composition, translation and oral skills. In all these text books – I had the exposure to know the whole of Ramayana and Mahabharata so much so when the blockbuster Mahabharat TV serial was first aired in October 1988 in Doordarshan until it ended in June 1990 after 94 episodes, I could more-or-less recollect and narrate what would be telecast on that Sunday morning at 09.00 and at the end of it could summarise the episode of the following Sunday, to the amazement of many gathered to watch.
In II PUC public exams, my Hindi base propelled me to excel in the language by scoring over 70% with overall first-class marks, securing a decent Hindi scholarship for the next three years while still in College.
When I reached the Arabian shores, the language hitherto with which I did not have an opportunity to converse, came out with relative ease as if it was in hibernation. Hence, I could assimilate with the North Indians, Nepalis and Pakistanis. Travelling to the Hindi heartland, I did not face hassles. In Mangaluru, greeting and conversing in the language with the guards from Jharkhand brought them smiles and in return I got special treatment.
Knowledge, once gained, tends to stay with us – even if we don’t recall every detail right away. Getting fluent in a language opens doors and takes you places no map can show. It makes every place feel like home.
A SALESMAN
During my summer holidays, after the II PUC Public exams, dad fixed me to work under one of his clients - “Bharath Steel & Gift Centre” on Market Road, Hampankatta. He was of the opinion that instead of wasting my time at home doing nothing, I would be doing something that would keep me busy. I for one thought, what a waste! though I couldn’t say ‘No.’ The agreement was, I would work for half a day, from 9.00 to 3.00, to gain some (unknown?) life skills, without getting paid.
The huge shop was always brimming with customers and it was a pleasure to interact with them. I learnt the technique of writing the names of ‘gift recipients’ on the steel gifts and the thought it was presented to someone filled me with satisfaction. I picked up the art of packing a gift item of various shapes and sizes. To top it all, at the end of the month - I was paid. The owner explicitly said: ‘your father had advised not to’, but I would like to pay as you deserve it. These were my first earnings.
Later in life, getting a foot in the Finance and Banking industry, I had to interact with customers. I had the privilege to teach many the art of packing gifts. With a bit of business acumen, a few years back, apart from my full-time job, I joined a small business in coaching international students for their immigration exams.
“Every exposure enriches us; each experience is a reward in itself.” Nothing we learn ever leaves us – all of it comes in handy in life’s moments. Knowledge never loses its value. When triggered by the right context, memory or experience, that knowledge resurfaces.
My own examples that I have narrated are a testament that nothing goes a waste. Whatever is learnt is yours alone and cannot be taken away; In fact, the very thing you thought was useless may turn out to be your saviour one day. So, when people mock, ridicule and make fun of you, take it easy. Seek, explore and strive to know; For what is learnt will always grow; It shapes our path, it shapes our story; An endless flame, eternal glory …
Through every age, in every weather
What is learnt remains together
No thief, no loss, no fleeting hour
Can dim the gift of knowledge’s power
Though the world may shift and sever
What is learnt, lives on forever!
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