a little pilgrimage
Since the 4 of us (family) are hardly together, the moment brother announced his around new year's eve trip, we planned a little excursion to Shegaon (the karmabhumi of Gajanan Maharaj)
My views/thoughts about god are still evolving. Or so I think. And I have strictly no opinions about any religion. It always fails me why people get so instigated. To each his own I say, but then life/world would be too simple and there won't be any fun. For some. Anywhoo I digress.
What caught my eye the moment I stepped in the temple premises was the simplicity, the tidiness and the discipline. The darshan was arranged in such a way that it causes least problems to the bhakt. Even the wait in the queues (which are extremely well organized) seems easygoing on special days (like thursdays, weekends and public holidays).
Later baba (dad) and mama (mom's brother) told us that the Sansthan (organization) which takes care of all the temple related activities has remained free of politics for the past 100 years and more (since the time it came into being). So the management remains less cluttered. Everyone is given an equal opportunity as a visitor. There is no VIP treatment given to anyone. I think that is a win-win. When people know there is no option but to wait in the queues, patience and discipline don't remain obligatory. Moreover the sevaks (volunteers) who work there for free are people from nearby villages, who come there in groups and are trained. They are really polite, patient and helpful. Even the food that is served to the bhakt/visitors is made everyday on a fresh basis with no (its not an understatement) mess anywhere. The plates that we were served in and the vessels that we were served from were impeccably clean (From whatever my eyes could catch from the distance). The coupon, serving and sitting system are so efficient that there are hardly any questions to be raised. Even about the food quality. The entire transactions of the Sansthan run on a no profit-no loss basis, so costs for anything and everything are so less that the trip doesn't end up being a financial burden for the common man.
I was mighty impressed with all these facts streaming in. So its not that difficult to run an efficient organization on the basis of good values and with the help of people. This can definitely form a really great case study for management students. From where many of our administrators can also learn. May be. :)
~nightflier