Whether we like it or not, we are the dwarfs astride the shoulders of giants, and that's the only reason why we can see lot more and farther on the horizon than our predecessors could. Our accomplishments of greatest pride, like classic creations, amazing arts, wonderful writings, beautiful paintings, and ingenius inventions are all, in fact, the builds and extensions of the wisdom that came to us from our ancestors. We mastered their wisdom and moved above and beyond. We must gratefully recognize that it was their wisdom that enabled us to grow wiser, and to see farther than they could. It is foolish to think that we are able to see or do what we can today is because we are greater than they. We are merely the dwarfs who are uplifted and borne aloft on the giagantic stature of our predecessors. Accepting this truth with humility not only sets us free, but also keeps us firmly down to earth.

More Quotes by Deodatta V. Shenai-Khatkhate

Sharing a strange experience from my student years at Manchester, England, during late 1970's. I had just arrived in England from India, and was searching for an accommodation, basically a room to rent. I always used to call the English landlords by phnoe first, to ensure that a room was available, and then visit those addresses, located miles away, by taking the bus or a train. Upon my arrival, I was always told that either there was no room at all or that the room was just rented. After a dozen or so such frustrating experiences, it became clear to me that the room was always available - but those English landlords and landladies were reluctant to rent it to someone like me, an Indian or a non-white person. Interestingly, the room was always available to my voice on the phone, because my voice could not reveal either my skin color, or my race, or my national origin. The mystery was thus dispelled, and yet that realization was surely a rude awakening to the true color of English society. It was my first encounter with prejudice and discrimination, and the most shocking moment that shatters one's innocence completely - especially after coming from a noble culture and the best upbringing that takes pride in Equality. I shall always remain thankful to England for the best education that I received during my M.S. and Ph.D., as much as for such exposure to the dark side of the real world. Years later, after coming to America, I realized that America is a whole new wonderful world that welcomes all, and treats everyone with respect and dignity they deserve. God Bless America!