My experience till now is that a' really high qualified' person never shows superiority. Almost all of the very high qualified persons I met were of simple nature ,kind and courteous even to juniors and young people.
When I was seventeen years old I came across a senior citizen who was knowing more than seven languages. He easily became friends with us and guided us on how to make best use of a public library and reading room. I still follow one or two advices he gave me.
When I was twenty years and just finished my degree exam, I met a very learned person who was heading a reputed organisation and also edited a respectable monthly magazine. He had easy access to the then Prime Minister and Chief Minister and some very top political and industrial leaders. But I was surprised at his simplicity in dress, behaviour and the decency and civility in treating others. In fact he was so down to earth that he stood with me in serving food to participants in a service occasion.
Another instance I can quote is that of a highly respected scientist, who was a very busy visiting professor in universities abroad. I had an occasion to stay with him in his house for a night. Even at midnight he was getting overseas phone calls for clearing doubts on very serious matters (in his field of science). But still he ensured that he spent some time for me and made me easy and comfortable. The height was that his mother who was about eight years then was still more simple and nice. This man made me to look him in awe because his knowledge in other fields like our tradition and culture, our puranas, Jyotish and even human behaviour and psychology was also much.
About a one and half decade back, I met an academician, whose academic record was always first rank in all qualifying exams. His visiting card had almost all alphabets in the list of degrees, diplomas, doctorates and the positions he held. Not only did he receive me with encouraging hospitality at his office, but when I visited him at his house, he was so simple that he was living in a one-BHK house without any paraphernalia except the trophies and mementoes he had got till then. As his family was away then, he himself prepared tea and snacks for me. Later on, I took my son also to meet him so that he can guide my son about the professional degree course he was to take. He was holding such a position of authority that even the state Governor, ministers etc. had to seek his help for getting admission to their children in some reputed institutions. But he was non-corrupt and unbiased following all norms. Hence he was always respected by every one.
During my career of three decades I came across many highly qualified people and almost all of them were simple, straightforward people without any superiority complex. But they were very happy and helpful if we were genuinely interested to know from them in the field of their expertise and qualification and ready to learn from us if they do not know something that we know.
I am somewhat feeling sad that I do not get to meet such highly learned and highly qualified people nowadays. Those who I come across in social media or public media or some occasional common events, do not inspire me nor captivate my attention as they are either biased, victims of propagandist gimmicks or aiming for media attention.
But I am sure there are still many hidden gems amidst us, but unfortunately many such persons I get to know only from their obituary write ups. People do not care for real good people nowadays. What a sorry state.
