Anand Mahindra shared a post illustrating lessons from an African tribe and connecting it to the Sanskrit idiom Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or “the world is one family”.
Anand Mahindra
Mahindra Group chief and prominent Twitter figure Anand Mahindra shared some “food for thought” with his followers, illustrating lessons from an African tribe and connecting it to the Sanskrit idiom Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam or “the world is one family.”
In a picture post on March 5, Mahindra shared a story of an anthropologist who told a group of children from an African tribe that the first of them to reach a tree will be rewarded with fruits. To the anthropologist’s surprise, the children held hands and ran towards the tree together so that they could all enjoy the fruits.
When questioned, the children explained their action as ‘Obonato’ and questioned him back – is it possible for one to be happy if everyone else is sad? Obonato in their language means “I exist because we exist.”
Mahindra captioned the vignette with: “Food for thought for the weekend. In India, we say ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.” (sic)
Food for thought for the weekend. In India, we say ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ pic.twitter.com/FG8JInaRom
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) March 5, 2021
Here is a transcript of the photo post: “The anthropologist invited the children from the African tribe to play one game. He placed a basket of fruit near the tree and announced, addressing the children: ‘The one of you who reaches the tree first will be rewarded with all sweet fruits.’ When he signaled to the children to start the race, they locked their hands tightly and ran together, and then they all sat together and enjoyed the delicious fruit. The astonished anthropologist asked the children why they all ran together, because each of them could enjoy the fruit for himself. To which the children replied: ‘Obonato.’ Is it possible for one to be happy if everyone else is sad? Obonato in their language means: I exist because we exist.” is the story posted by Anand Mahindra.
The tweet has since gathered more than 8,700 likes, over 1,200 retweets and quote tweets, and 150 comments.
