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Sid Mallya: My dad's situation was a difficult one
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or Sid Mallya, dealing with all the negative news around his father, the fugitive tycoon Vijay Mallya, has not been easy. The actor says the hardest part of it was dealing with the negative messages he received. The ordeal, however, put him on a path of self-discovery and self-care, he insists. “My dad’s situation was a difficult one. I don’t think anyone wants to see a close relative or friend go through a tough time. I think the hardest part though has been dealing with the negative messages that have been aimed at me because of it,” Sid told IANS while recalling how he overcame that difficult period of his life. “But on a positive side, this whole ordeal has led me down this path of self-discovery, self-care and mental health awareness which has helped me rediscover and connect to my true being,” added the actor, whose real name is Siddharth Mallya.
Once a liquor baron, Vijay Mallya, who made a fortune selling beer and expanded his business into other realms, is now a wanted man in India for allegedly defrauding banks and on money laundering charges amounting to an estimated Rs9,000 crore. Asked how his bond with his father changed while going through these experiences, Sid said: “I don’t know if it really changed all that much. We are both very different people as is, and are wired very differently. As such we have each dealt with the experiences in our own individual ways.” Sid has lived his life rather openly, exposing his personal battles and vulnerabilities -- be it his struggle with mental health, anxiety or decision to quit alcohol. He has also come out with a web series called “ConSIDer This”, in which he is seen talking about his own mental health struggles and how he tries to overcome it every day.
Looking back at his decision to give up alcohol, the Los Angelesbased star said: “I wasn’t a frequent drinker but whenever I did drink (be it ten drinks or two), I would get massive amounts of anxiety the next morning. This anxiety was having a big negative impact on my productivity, mental well--being and general all round happiness. I realised that alcohol wasn’t having a positive effect on my life at this moment in time, so I decided to stop!” Sid asserts that he won the battle against mental illness by “introspecting and going to those dark places within to see what was causing me to suffer”. “I was then able to work with my therapist in order to overcome the issues I was having. It’s still an ongoing process, but I’m so happy with the path I’m on. Without a doubt, my therapist has been the biggest support to me and I really owe the peace I have now to her. My friends have also been a constant support to me and I am so
blessed to have such a close group who are more like family. And finally my dog,” he noted, stressing that he is “probably the happiest and most at peace I’ve ever been!”. By living an open life, Sid wants to “try and help as many people as I can”. “And show people that they aren’t alone in whatever it is they are going through. I felt the best way to do that was to talk about my own struggles in an open and transparent
manner. I said from the beginning that if I could help or inspire even just one other person, then it would be a success. From the messages I’ve been receiving since ‘conSIDer This’ was launched, it appears that the videos have been able to help a lot more than just one person, so the risk has definitely paid off,” he said. IANS By Sugandha Rawal
How COVID-19 helped rediscover hope and goodness
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ising global concerns on the vast implications of the COVID19 outbreak on our future is obvious with anxieties mounting on economies, jobs and the very existence of mankind.
to use. Instances like these reinstate what I have always believed. Difficult times bring us closer and make us stronger to face any eventuality. We must be able to look around ourselves and find these narratives.
At a time when India is in dire need of high-quality and cost-effective testing gears, the kit that takes months to develop was produced in a few weeks. What is even more inspiring is the story of Minal Dakhave Bhonsale, the virologist who headed this project. According to a BBC news report, Bhonsale managed to deliver the project amid an advanced stage of pregnancy. The project was completed a day before she delivered a baby girl.
You need not look too far to get inspired. I have come across several inspiring narratives on my social media timelines or by simply observing people in my immediate neighbourhood. Several families from different sections of the society have invested their lockdown time in aggregating essentials for the underprivileged. These are common people leading humble lives but what makes them extraordinary is their intent to care for others. Domestic helps, daily wage earners and scores of people who earn their living by doing odd-jobs are being looked after, not just by governments, large corporations or charitable organisations, but by common people living around them. There are also virtual groups of animal lovers who are feeding strays and ensuring that they find safe shelter.
Hundreds of such incredible stories that demonstrate resilience, hope, and power of the human spirit are unfolding around us every day. Look at the ports sector, for instance. Everyone understands the critical role played by ports in anchoring essential supplies in a country, which demands the presence of trained workforce at sites. How does one ensure their safety? A team of engineers at the Adani Port in Vizag took us by surprise. In just about 4 hours, the team created a sanitised water shower for everyone
Recently, I read about Naveen MS, a civil service aspirant who took up the responsibility of creating awareness and dispelling myths on Coronavirus among rural communities in Karnataka. According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the young man from Chitradurga district became a part of a social media group that helped people with limited access to authentic information on the pandemic. What was most admirable was his vision. He thought that for the economy to resurrect it was essential that people’s minds
However, amidst the gloom, there are several small discoveries that are worth cherishing. Who could have thought that MyLab Discovery Solutions, a small startup in Pune would become the first Indian firm to produce indigenous Coronovirus testing kits?
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stay healthy. In fact, I feel gratified to see the community outreach work being delivered by young volunteers at the Adani Foundation. Over the past three weeks, millions settled in the remote corners of the country have been touched and empowered to stay safe against the COVID19 outbreak. I don’t think this collective goodness and love for each other has erupted suddenly. It was always there within us. The COVID19 crisis has only presented an opportunity for us to reflect upon this feeling of compassion and worked as a trigger to unite people. However alarming the post-Coronavirus world might seem to appear, it does not pull me down. Instead, by looking around I get great hope and confidence to bounce back. The Coronavirus can restrict our movement but it cannot contain our urge to fight and help each other. It cannot stop us from being positive about the future. Global economic history is full of major ups and downs. India’s domestic economy has always stood as a great shield in protecting the country from global economic headwinds. I have no doubts that the nation will be able to rise above this crisis. It might take time but there is ample optimism to show that it is possible. Together, silient
let us and
stay rehopeful.
(Gautam Adani is Chairman of Adani Group. The views expressed are personal)
Mukesh Ambani (left) and Gautam Adani Courtesy Business Insider
Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani By Gautam Adani
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MAY 2020
15
