By Barnali Sen, HOD, English

No man is born perfect. But, is seeking perfection a flaw then? No. Seeking perfection leads to being more alert, precise and seek excellence in whatever we do. It means giving our best shot!! So, let me explain excellence to you with a short story…..

A gentleman once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God. Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. Surprised, he asked the sculptor, “Do you need two statues of the same idol?”

“No,” said the sculptor without looking up, “We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage.”The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage. “Where is the damage?” he asked. “There is a scratch on the nose of the idol.” said the sculptor, still busy with his work. “Where are you going to install the idol?”The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high. “If the idol is that far, who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?” the gentleman asked. The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled and said, “I know it and God knows it!”

The desire to excel should be exclusive of the fact whether someone appreciates it or not. Excellence is a drive from inside, not outside. Excel at a task today – not necessarily for someone else to notice but for your own satisfaction. But how many of us try to excel in anything for our own satisfaction without expecting anything in return? Excel to seek perfection and you will excel in life and be happy. Contentment is the key to happiness. And striving to excel in whatever you do simply makes you a more goal oriented and passionate person.