Reema H. Kundnani brings forward a thought that resonates deeply with both personal growth and professional life: life isn’t fair, and that’s exactly the point. Her reflection on Dusshera, the festival that symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, draws parallels between Lord Rama’s journey and the modern challenges we face. The perspective she offers is not merely about mythology but about mindset how we choose to respond when life takes an unexpected turn.
Reema H. Kundnani begins by reminding us of Rama’s paradoxical situation. Born as a crown prince with every privilege, his destiny turned suddenly when he was exiled on the very day of his coronation. If anyone could have claimed that life was unjust, it was Rama. Yet he did not fall into resentment or entitlement. He accepted his journey, forged alliances, fought battles, and returned not just to reclaim his throne but to emerge as a leader transformed by trials.
The six lessons shared by Reema H. Kundnani from this story hold relevance for anyone navigating careers, relationships, or personal setbacks. Each insight reframes the way we often view fairness, success, and resilience.
The first lesson, “Stop measuring fairness. Start owning the path,” is a reminder that energy wasted on comparison only slows progress. As Reema H. Kundnani notes, Rama didn’t obsess over what was denied to him. He embraced the forest instead of the throne, turning exile into preparation. For professionals, this lesson rings clear: a missed promotion, a lost opportunity, or an unexpected change doesn’t define the future. The path you own today becomes the strength you carry tomorrow.
The second lesson, “Play the long game,” emphasizes patience. Reema H. Kundnani highlights how Rama’s 14 years in exile were not wasted but were instead years of building resilience. Similarly, setbacks in careers or personal lives are rarely permanent roadblocks they are training grounds. Endurance becomes the differentiator between temporary defeat and ultimate success.
“Build alliances,” the third lesson, is particularly powerful in a professional context. Rama’s victory was possible only because of Hanuman and the Vanara army. In the same way, Reema H. Kundnani encourages us to see colleagues not as competitors but as collaborators. The energy spent envying others’ wins can instead be channeled into collective progress. Success, in most cases, is built on shared strength.
Her fourth lesson, “Duty over entitlement,” shifts focus to responsibility. Rama did not sulk when circumstances changed; instead, he asked, what’s my role now? As Reema H. Kundnani points out, leaders are not made in moments of comfort but in moments of disruption. The same applies in organizations today when plans shift overnight, the true leaders are those who ask how they can help, not those who dwell on lost entitlement.
The fifth lesson, “Resilience over resentment,” reinforces the importance of moving forward despite personal loss. Rama faced profound struggles, from separation to war, but his journey was defined by persistence. Reema H. Kundnani connects this to everyday challenges: a rejected pitch, a delayed project, or an unexpected failure. These are not dead ends but opportunities to return stronger. Resilience transforms adversity into progress.
Her sixth lesson, “Celebrate your own story,” may be the most liberating. Rama’s return was about his journey, not a comparison to anyone else’s. As Reema H. Kundnani stresses, careers and lives should not be benchmarked against others. The timeline is personal. In a world where social comparison often drives discontent, this reminder is vital. Each individual’s path is unique, and meaning arises not from matching someone else’s journey but from embracing one’s own.
What stands out in Reema H. Kundnani’s reflection is the dismantling of the myth that life is meant to be fair. As she notes, if fairness dictated outcomes, every college topper would be leading a unicorn company today. Reality shows us otherwise. Success and growth are not about fairness but about adaptability, resilience, and ownership.
Reema H. Kundnani pushes us to stop treating life as a race against others. Instead, it is a single-player game: you versus you. The only race worth running is the one where you measure your progress against your past self. When we stop looking left and right, we start focusing forward.
This Dusshera, the lesson extends beyond burning the effigy of Ravana. As Reema H. Kundnani suggests, it is also about burning the belief that life is supposed to be fair. Fairness is not the foundation of meaning ownership is. The real triumph comes when individuals choose to write their own stories, fight their own battles, and celebrate their unique journeys.
In conclusion, the perspective of Reema H. Kundnani is both practical and profound. Life may not be equal, but it is always meaningful if we stop waiting for fairness and start embracing responsibility. The victories worth celebrating are not about entitlement but about resilience, not about comparison but about authenticity.
So as we reflect on the spirit of Dusshera, we can carry forward what Reema H. Kundnani so powerfully reminds us: play your own game, write your own story, and win your own battles.
