Unlearning Unlimited

Monday Muse
11 May 2026

MANGO MAN

'Mangoes and Meanings' is an interesting exhibition (upto 14 June) at Musuem of Goa. Interesting stories come from displayed mangoes, stuff made from them and art inspired by the king of fruits. One such story is of India's Mango Man, Kalimullah Khan featured in a painting put up at the exhibition.

He lives in Malihabad, Uttar Pradesh - India's mango belt. On his family farm, he grafted over 300 different varieties of mangoes onto a single 120-year-old tree. Each branch gives mangoes with different taste, texture, color and size. He calls it 'the biggest mango college in the world'.

He dropped out of school after 7th standard and started experimenting with grafting at age 17. His first attempt produced 7 varieties, but that tree was destroyed in a storm. Since 1987, he's been working on his famous 120-year-old tree.

In 2008, the Government of India awarded him Padma Shri, for his work in horticulture. He is over 82 years of age and still walks to his tree every morning at dawn. He says, 'people will come and go, but the mangoes will remain forever'.

In Hindustani lingo, the common man is called 'aam aadmi'. 'Aam' also means mango and has become reason for the inspiring success of a common man called Kalimullah Khan who backed his dream with continuous commitment.

Passion backed by perseverance will take you far
India's Mango Man shows the way to be a star

~ Pravin K Sabnis

MONDAY MUSE is now into the 23rd year, written by Goa based Experiential Coach, Pravin K. Sabnis, since the first Monday of 2004. Send your feedback to 9422640141 or [email protected]

Monday Muse
27 April 2026

SLIP SHOW

In the 1940s, the phrase "the slip is showing" was a literal warning when a woman's undergarment hem dropped below her skirt. It was a kind urging: fix yourself before the world sees what you didn't mean to reveal.

In today's context, the phrase has become a metaphor. Now it means that the mask has slipped. The carefully maintained image has slipped to expose a truer, messier or less rehearsed persona.

Never mind the best of efforts, the slip tends to peep out. The chances increase when we lower our defences due to carelessness or casualness. And the ugly inside slips out.

Last week, a woman aggressively took on a politician and his crowd for blocking the road for a protest purportedly for women's rights. The moment went viral and the politician's supporters joined the online battle to attack the woman.

They put out her name and posted photos and videos to malign her character. They called her a pr******te and spilled filth and venom, till it turned out to be a mistaken identity. But the inner ugly side had already slipped.

The filthy thoughts and the gutter language confirmed what the online warriors were trying to hide. It was never about what was right. It was about what was wrong in their heads. They stood exposed for the degradation they had sunk to and were now stripped of all cover.

No shame if the slip is showing as peeping lace
But when vile thoughts slip, it is a sure disgrace!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

MONDAY MUSE is now into the 23rd year, written by Goa based Experiential Coach, Pravin K. Sabnis, since the first Monday of 2004. Send your feedback to 9422640141 or [email protected]

Monday Muse
9 March 2026

LEMONADE

'When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!'

The statement is more than just a catchy phrase... it is an attitude. Life won't always be sweet, but we have the choice to make it refreshing.

This phrase, coined by Elbert Hubbard, encourages optimism and resilience, suggesting you turn adversity (sour lemons) into something positive or desirable (sweet lemonade). It implies that, despite a bad situation, we can take control and make the best of it.

The idiom encourages us to be proactive and turn obstacles into opportunities. Instead of complaining about the sourness, we can choose to create something new and valuable. It's about resilience, adaptability and scouting the silver lining.

In today's world, we are constantly faced with challenges, big and small. But it is how we respond that matters. Do we get stuck in the sourness or do we make something amazing out of it?

If life gives lemons, don't you despair
Lemonade must be made with flair!

~ Pravin K Sabnis

MONDAY MUSE is now into the 23rd year, written by Goa based Experiential Coach, Pravin K. Sabnis, since the first Monday of 2004. Send your feedback to 9422640141 or [email protected]