By Michael Yesudas, CTO, SunTec Business Solutions
Deep in South India, nestled amidst verdant coconut groves, lies the captivating Ashtamudi Lake, a remarkable ensemble of tiny islands. While these islands’ enchanting beauty tells one tale, they also narrate another important lesson – one of transformation and the acceptance of change.
For many years, the inhabitants of these islands were challenged with a seemingly insurmountable problem – the lack of fresh water. Their solution was manual and time-consuming, relying on ferrying water from the mainland, navigating through the brackish lake waters. This pattern of living saw a dramatic shift in 1978 with the introduction of PVC pipes, resistant to corrosion from salt water. Seemingly overnight, the islands had fresh water streaming directly into their homes, rendering the laborious batch fetching of water obsolete.
The shift was not universally welcomed. Some islanders, whose skills and livelihoods were built around the old method, resisted this change, feeling threatened by the emerging new system. However, with time, the PVC pipe solution proved its merit, undeniably improving the quality of life on the islands and paving the way for a flourishing tourism industry.
This tale from Ashtamudi offers an essential lesson for us software developers – one about the power and inevitability of change.
Consider, as another example, the evolution of architectural styles in ancient Greece and Rome. The Greeks established distinctive architectural styles such as Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The Romans, while initially following their simple and functional Toscan style, did not resist adopting and integrating these Greek styles. By doing so, they built architectural marvels like the Colosseum, demonstrating their adaptability and innovative thinking.
As software developers, we too are part of a rapidly evolving industry. We encounter shifts in architectural paradigms, emerging programming languages, and novel methodologies at an increasingly rapid pace. This constant evolution can be daunting but drawing inspiration from the tales of the Ashtamudi islanders and the Romans, we can better navigate these changes.
The real path to progress is not resisting change but accepting and adapting to it. The islanders who embraced the water streaming system, and the Romans who adopted Greek architectures, found prosperity and growth.
In our industry, technologies evolve, and skills can become outdated, akin to the water ferrying skills of the Ashtamudi islanders. The trick is not to fear this change but to embrace it, to become constant learners, to continually refine our skills and stay open to new methodologies and technologies.
The resounding lesson from Ashtamudi is that adaptation is the key to growth and success. As we tread the constantly changing terrain of the software industry, it’s crucial that we adapt, learn, and evolve, much like the Ashtamudi islanders and the Romans did in their time. The future, after all, belongs to those who can harness change, not those who resist it. So, let us embrace change, for it’s not just inevitable; it’s the doorway to new opportunities and growth.