717. The Second Round

After the first round of interview for the position of a senior executive in the firm, four candidates were shortlisted for the second round. One candidate was to be selected in the second round.

The four members of the selection committee were chatting among themselves, before conducting the second round of the interview.

"There are four of us in the interview committee. The number of candidates is also four. How will it be, if each of us chooses a different candidate?" asked Padmanabhan, the chairman of the selection committee, in a lighter vein. 

"In that case, we three will accept your selection, since you are the chairman of the committee!" said Selvakumar, a member of the committee.

"No, no. I won't expect other members to accept my choice, just because I am the chairman" said Padmanabhan. 

"I said it in a lighter vein" said Selvakumar.

"We have already interviewed the candidates thoroughly, in the first round. What are we going to ask them in the second round?" asked Suryakant, another member.

"I have a suggestion. We have already assessed the knowledge, skills, aptitude and attitude of each of the candidates. All the four candidates are at a nearly equal level. Applying what one has learnt is an important requirement for a person to function in this position. Therefore, we need to assess how each person would apply his learning in the job. Maybe, we can give each of the four a topic in the field of their learning and ask them to explain that topic in five minutes. We will select the one who excels in explaining his topic. I feel that if a person is able to present what he has learnt, using appropriate words, it will be a confirmation that his learning has been thorough. This is my suggestion" said Sekar, another member.

"Excellent suggestion" said Padmanabhan.

Selvakumar and Suryakant nodded their heads, endorsing Padmanabhan's observation.

Thirukkural
Section 2

Materialism

Chapter 72
Knowing Your Audience

Verse 717 (in Tamil):
kaRRu aRindhAr kalvi viLangum kasadaRach
chol theridhal vallAr agatthu.

Meaning:

The value of the learning of those who are well educated will be revealed by their ability to present their learning in an assembly of scholars.

(This is the English version of the Tamil story 'iraNdAm suRRu' by the same author.) 

Verse 718 (Soon)
Verse 716