A ship in harbour is safe, but that is not what ship is for

Back in 15th century CE, an age of European explorers, people set out for explorations in ships. It was Columbus who discovered America. It was Vasco-da-Gama who discovered sea route to India. Portuguese were superior in ship building activities due to invention of compass, world map, wind trading patterns, etc. It lead to subjugation of India by foreign rule for more than 400 years. However it was their risk taking abilities to sail such a long route, eventually culminating into colonies.

Today the same risk taking abilities is reflected in modern day startup ecosystem. Amazon, American company and not a river, in 1990's was a risk taken by young entrepreneur Jeff Bezos. The company was about to be bankrupt but later due to investments from Microsoft Bill Gates, the company eventually seen the daylight. Today Microsoft and Amazon are competitors. It was the ship (Amazon) taken out of harbour (safety) which eventually is today among the worlds largest online platform companies.

 Now, what is a ship? What is an harbour? Is there really a safe place? How do people with risk aversion's life look out? Ship in this context is whatever you built in your life or the life itself. Whether be it your job, exam you are about to appear, career in IT industry, starting of a non-profit organization or building a startup like Jeff Bezos. It even includes intangible things- your habits, decisions you make, language you learn, person you marry, etc.

Harbour is a safety place where ships rest. It is mostly associated with being safe. It could be simply continuing your job role, trying to avoid any major change. Not open to change. Trying any new thing scares them. Even if that change is good. Sitting on harbour is like no new territories can be explored that a ship can take you. No new journey.

Consider a scenario where a ship is only harboured and never sails. No risk in life. Total risk aversion. It is said that, 'a ship do not sink due to water around it, but sinks due to water that seeps in it'. Similarly, a person taking no risk will mostly end up regretting his or her decisions. This has nothing to do with his abilities. Neither does opportunities. It is that whatever that came to his way, had been cautiously termed as risky and trashed.

Now consider a ship that only sails and never harbours. Only risks. This could also lead to a paralysing life. Where if he fails he would be in angst, diseased, no time for family. Or if he succeeds at this risk, he would never allow himself a moment to sit back and cherish his success. Both the end of poles is terrifying. If you never visit harbour then you do not allow your ship to be repaired. Because the risky sails often damage the ship. So, a balance is what is required.

History is replete with such examples. Ancient India- Gautam Buddha provided for a 'madhyam-marg'. Saying life is better in middle path and not extremes. Extremes causes suffering. Same line of thought was held by Vardhamana Mahavira. In 5th Century BCE, they rejected the authorities of caste hierarchy. They stood against Brahminism and their complicated rituals. They realised that they were misfitters in 5th Century BCE. They became enlightened only when they took their ship out of their harbour.

During Bhakti movements, saints like Guru Nanak Dev revolutionised the extreme religious practices with very simple ideas. Ideas of peace, non-violence, humanity, community, direct relation with God. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu propogated the idea of love to Lord Krishna via setting up of ISCKON. The list is filled with great names such as Adi Sankara, Kabir, Meerabai, Eknath, Namdev etc. They all sailed to a place of risk (away from harbour), which was against the populist religious ideas (safe harbour).

India's National Freedom movement was positioned with many scenarios of risk taking. Not only inside but also from the outside of national borders. Ghadr movement to throw British from motherland in 1915 was one such attempt. Another attempt was taken by a stallwart figure like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. He took the charge of INA made up PoW (Prisoners of War). It is He's effort that today India is literally abled to sail to Andaman and Nicobar islands, earlier known as Shaheed and Swaraj Dweep.

'Playing too safe in life is the most riskiest'. Even today's modern world economy is testament to that. Inward looking economy such as North Korea is a blot to human rights. Similar was the case with India post-independence. Wanted to protect it's infant industries is understandable. But it is not far long that it had to give up its protectionist approach to more liberal and globalised world through LPG reforms of 1991. India took a historical structural reform (sailed from harbour) of allowing Foreign Investments (charting into new territories). Today India is 5th largest economy in the world.

Fighting corruption is inevitable for any economy. Indian government in 2016 took a risk of demonetization. It was a bold move and definitely a huge risk. People struggled to exchange their old currency. There were lines running to few kilometres. It is not only risk but also a calculated that is necessary. Otherwise it can easily drown you in the middle of the sea, where people die not because of water but lack of life-jackets. However, it led to a digital revolution of UPI. Currently, foreign countries are signing Memorandums with the Indian government for the same.

India took a leap when it launched it's first satellite Rohini from Sriharikota. ISRO in 2019 launched a Chandrayaan-2 aiming for the south pole of the moon. However, that did not happen. It crashed just when it was about to land. The whole nation could feel that. However, that did not deterred ISRO from parting ways from the harbour. It launched Chandrayaan-3 in 2023. Successfully landing on the south pole of the moon. Demonstrating its soft landing capabilities. Today India is preparing for its Gaganyaan mission.

Sports beautifully encapsulates the risks associated with saying goodbyes to the safe shorelines. A young girl named Manu Bhaker who dreamed against odds. Despite all the hardwork and preparations it was in 2020 Tokyo Olympics her shooting rifle did work. It malfunctioned. It shattered her. But in 2024 Paris Olympics she not only won a Bronze medal but two medals with her grit and determination. She took a plunge (not harboured) preparing again for the Olympics and turned the tides.

It is typically a person who has fallen and risen multiple times is cherised rather than one who kept winning. It takes courage to rise again. Because it involves more risk. Parting with safety net. Teaching us ethical principles- perseverance, fighting spirit, dare to dream. As Ralph Waldo Emerson saying goes "Take a path less travelled". Such was the quest to invent and discover that these explorers took their ships away from harbours.

(a misfit)