Dahi Handi is all about teamwork and in many ways than not it is a challenge to the aspiring managers at IIM Shillong to prove their mettle. The first step to success is the alignment of the Govinda to the Handi: the goal. Participants and the crowd cheer on when the handi is lifted at a height of over 20 feet off the ground. The goal to be achieved is set right in front of them. Once the goal is defined, the next is working towards deciding the right mix of people. To realize that each level is equally important is crucial in ultimately breaking the Handi.
The base is often composed of people strong enough to anchor the pyramid because a tower won’t stand without a strong, robust foundation. It is an almost pleasant sight when members among the participants with towering heights and the right built for the base, emerge as leaders and form the foundation for the team. The subsequent members of the human pyramid are now ready to embark upon and complete the goal behind this team task. The members surrounding the pyramid are no less vital to the completion of the task as they provide the support at the rungs of this human ladder.
The fight to reach the Handi is also not an easy task to overcome, with water being poured over to break the pyramid. The team tries and fails. It regroups again improving upon the flaws in the previous strategy but fails yet again. It takes the team several bruised attempts to reach the Handi finally. One is almost instantly reminded of the lesson behind the “King and the Spider” story. After many collapses, the Govinda at the top breaks the earthen handi, cheered on by hundreds in the crowd. The road to success is never void of obstacles. These obstructions though, are to be handled as a team. Each layer of the human pyramid tries to protect the ones above. Finally, no goal is achieved without a collective spirit and alignment to the common goal – a lesson one needs to imbibe always while working in a team. Lord Krishna smirks down at IIM Shillong from heaven cheering on “Let us all be the Govindas in our team.”
Amit Kumar Das
PGP 2nd year
IIM Shillong
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