Act of Genuine Humility

“Hey Jay! Madam warned us if we are late, she would not mark our attendance. We spent entire break. Hurry up man.” Kuntesh yelled at me and suddenly I remembered madam’s strict warning. We had “Written Analysis and Communication (WAC)” lecture consisting of two sessions and in between we had a break of 15 min. Due to general practice of coming late in class, Madam warned us in last lecture. I threw tea-cup in dustbin and ran towards class.


As usual, I was late to return. But while taking my seat, I saw many other students entering class late. I looked at madam’s angry face; she was about to tell us off. Suddenly I heard knock at door; Ashish too came late. The moment he reached at his place and noticed that roll call was already taken.

He shouted “Madam, roll number 10”. “I announced in last lecture if anybody comes after roll call, I would not mark his/her presence.” Madam replied.

“Then what is the meaning of sitting in the class?” Ashish yelled.

“It is your choice Ashish. If you feel we are not doing anything worth in class, you can leave.”

“But madam, you can not be rigid not to take attendance even if a student remains present.”

“I made myself very clear. This rule not only applies to you, there are many who came late. None of them will be marked present.”

“If it is so, I do not want to attend the class. Whatever you are doing is just a waste of time. Your teaching style is not good and we do not gain anything from your lectures.” Ashish

Ashish put his bag on shoulder, stood up and started walking outside the class. He angrily added “I am not saying for my sake only but I m doing on behalf of class.” He looked at other students and said “Why are sitting like dump? We should all boycott this subject.”

“Ashish! You better leave the class. This is your personal matter and don’t pull entire class in.” Anirudhdh confronted him pointing finger at him.

“Who the hell are you? You keep your mouth shut if you don’t want to support us. And how dare you point finger at me!” Ashish eyes went reddish. I was shocked watching this quarrel.

“Ashish! It would be better if you leave the class right now. If you have a complaint, you can talk to management. Shouting in class is not the way; you should show respect to faculty.” Anirudhdh said

“Would be please let me manage this matter Annirudhdh?” madam stopped Anirudhdh and turned his face to Ashish with calm “See Ashish! I try my best to provide maximum value addition. If there is some problem with my teaching style, we can talk about this. But current issue is not about that. I asked you all to maintain some decorum and some of you failed. Hence there will be the punishment we agreed upon last time. I would not change my decision at all. You can leave the class if you want.”

I was really surprised looking at madam’s humility. Ashish sat quietly.

After lecture completed, I and few late comers went to madam. We asked for apology for not maintaining the decorum and also for Ashish’s misbehavior. Madam marked our attendance. Thought Ashish misbehaved, madam asked us for his roll number and marked his presence.

Tejas (who works in the same college in admin department and also studies with us) informed madam about Ashish’s misbehavior with other faculty members. Tejas asked to complain about him. And then what madam replied which I never forget:

“He is not a bad guy. He is dissatisfied with something. As a professor it is my duty to know why he is so upset. Complaining is not the solution. When you find someone unhappy with you, you have two options: ignore him or talk with him about the actual cause. I am delighted that his dissatisfaction came out today otherwise I would never know about that. Perhaps there is some problem with my teaching style; his dissatisfaction will help me find what I lack. Don’t bother about it, I will manage.”

I put myself at her place and thought what I might have done in such situation. Maybe, I have expelled him or thrown out of my class. I can’t be so generous. I looked at my past; I reacted at many places with aggression. I assure you any aggressive person present on this event, must have realized what harm anger causes and how powerful humility is.

In the Interim

Hi Friends!! First of all, I would like to apologize not to be in touch for a long duration. I am really sorry for that.

During this interim, I got everything that I always dreamed. I feel myself lucky as God has blessed me everything I wished and that also on right time. “Thank you God!! I honor you with my due respect and love you.” But today I feel it is good not to have all dreams coming true in life.

After having everything, something was pricking me. I have almost given away writing on blog. My mind remained so occupied during these days that I had been finding no words to speak or to write. I remember I told sandy, who inspired me to start a blog, that I would write something inspiring and about those things which help one to live a better life. Till I remain troubled with endogenous anxiety, I can not write something inspiring.

Now I am okay and regained my confidence and jolliness (Actually i wrote this word as someone told me that I was jolly. I hope he had not been flattering me). So I think now I can bore you by writing more posts ;)

By the way I would like to thank many readers whose comments on “A Salute to Woman” helped me to come back and continue writing, especially Jigna, Pranav, Kuntesh and Bhabhi. Thank you all.

The Achievers

Today I had organizational behavior class in college. Madam was to teach about team work. Generally madam gives an exercise to class and on that exercise, she explains particular topic.

Today she did the same. The entire class was divided into teams of 10 people. The exercise was common to all teams. First task was "Scavenger-Hunt". Each team had to first search for 12 objects in campus itself. Madam had already given check-list of all objects. They were Matchbox, Photos of each member, Book of Quotation, a stationary having University logo, A picture of any car, Cloth Duster, A string, a briefcase, a calculator, a CD, a bubble gum, previous year calendar.

Second task was "New Product Launch" where each team was required to select a product, give a name, create a logo, create a tag line, and prepare strategies to launch. A transparency was given to each team and we needed to make presentation of the product launch on it. Each team was allocated 30 minutes time to complete both the task. Whichever team completes Scavenger-Hunt first, had to present the product launch first.

I was the part of team formed on left wing of classroom. We were 10 members in the beginning. But two members joined as they were late in class. We initially started with gathering all objects which were with us in the classroom. We almost collected CD, calculator, string, photos, calendar on first go. Two team members rushed to library and collected Book of quotation, a magazine having advertisement of a car, and pamphlet having University logo. They collected a matchbox from security boy while returning. Other two members went to canteen to buy a bubble gum and they bought a cloth duster that generally boys keep in vehicles. We collected 11 items in approximately 10-15 minutes. The problem was briefcase. The most senior member of our team went outside the class and did some magic tricks (as it is confidential how he did it) and brought the briefcase. We completed our first part and showed all objects to madam within 20 minutes. Our team was the first to complete this task hence we were in advantage.

Around six members of team had engaged themselves in searching all those objects. The rest including me had already started second task. We decided submersible pumps as our product. We used “Jaldhara” as product name. Two of these six members started preparing logo accordingly and others started making strategies. Tag line, we preferred “Bina Barasaat, Pani Hi Pani’ (Hindi). We made two advertisement lines for it:

“Jab Unchai Pe Pahochana Ho Pani, Aur Bijli Bhi Ho Bachani,
Jaldhara Pumps Hi Hai Sab Ki zubani”

and

“Pump Se Hogi Kheto Ki Samrudhdhi, Kheto Se Hogi Desh Ki Samrudhdhi”

When we jotted down enough strategies, around 3 minutes were left. We were all happy with our efforts and entire team went for presentation. Presentation was also superb as we had good orators in our team. When a team presented their work, other teams needed to rate product launch with four criteria: Product name, Logo, Tag line and strategies.

We did one mistake in entire exercise. Madam gave us a red marker to write on transparency. We wrote and draw using that marker only rather than asking other team to share markers of different color. Hence our logo did not appear that much impressive.

But lady luck was with us and we received highest rating in product launch. Moreover we completed the task before other teams; our team was announced as Winner.

“The Achievers proved their name."

The learning from this was how mutually team members coordinated without any leader or supervisor and every member was accountable for both of the activities. That is the main difference between a group and team…

A Salute to Woman

Yesterday I went to a coffee shop which I often visit when I have a plan to study for late hours. Just the moment I ordered a coffee, I saw a lady who was my colleague. I knew her by name only but I still wished to chat with her. I went to her and started talking with a smiley “Hi”. I misjudged her personality when I had worked with her; but as soon we started conversation, I was almost influenced by her nature. Suddenly conversation diverted to post marriage relationships of a woman (I don’t prefer use of word girl here). All of a sudden, I don't remember why but she advised me something “A woman who is just married is like wet clay. She is moulded in whatever shape you expect her to do. Please don’t blame what she has then become”. I raised my eyebrows with a surprise. I did not understand context of her advice still I nodded my head agreeing her point.

After returning my room, I spent few hours to study as I planned and then I went to my bed. Somehow I recalled that sentence and I was very curious to understand it. As I thought about it more and more I was agree with her by heart; she was absolutely right except subjected women. I will say, not only a woman who is just married tries to mould her; perhaps every woman in this world does the same. Every female in a male’s life sacrifices a lot and tries to be at her beloved’s expectations whether she may be in any form; a mother, a sister, a wife or sometimes being just a friend. And in return she receives only disappointments and frustrations. I saw many of my friends dominating their wives or fiancé. Why we men are all alike? Why do we not understand what will happen on a person who almost sacrificed everything to us happy? It must be killing her but what makes a difference to us?

Every mother sacrifices all of happiness to see her child happy as my mother did for me. But I remained busy in developing my career. I never get time to go back to her and say her how much I am thankful of her that she grew me so well. I wanted to go back and say her how much I love her. Not only my mother but all females including my sister supported me and gave me the warmth that someone is with me which one of my friends or brother did. Even though I never go back to them and say thanks for all the things they did for me.

More I thought of that sentence, more I regretted myself for not understanding this for so many years. I broke into tears and asked me why I was so hard. I heard a lot of times that a woman can not be understood. I refuse it; we don’t try to understand her. We don’t respect scarification she makes.

I thanked that lady for explaining me what I had never understood, and turned on my laptop and started writing my feelings. It is hard to accept but I don’t want you to follow the same path. Go to your beloved and tell her how much important she is in your life and how much you love her.

Ego - Let It Go

Before starting, I would confess that I am an egoist to a certain extent; and perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I am writing this article. I recently joined MBA study and very first lecture was on eliminating ego and open one’s mind to learn new things.

On very next day, I went to have tea with my friend. Suddenly we met one of my colleagues at the tea stall. As we continued chatting with her, she mentioned about her experience about ego. She was one of the committee members in selecting candidates in recruitment process. She came across a person used to say “I know” through out his interview. She suggested not selecting that person. Due to his extra ordinary records that guy managed to get the job in his hand. On joining the corporate, that guy was put in a training to have understanding of application he needed to work upon. But again his ego played a negative role. His trainers faced a lot of problems to train him; and in the end, they raised their hands. She concluded with a nice statement that I can never forget in my life “Until and unless you open your mind to learn, you can’t be a trainable material.”

I observed in my class where I sit among managers of various companies specialized in several sectors. I found a “Superiority Complex” in few of them. That thing may lead them to achieve success in their fields; but eventually prevents them to be liked. A “Bossy” behavior comes out as a result. Sometimes I myself act very rigidly due to my ego. There are cases where I involved in a tussle with my senior as I never tried to understand his suggestions that opposed my approaches. I later on feel that he was right; but my ego did not let me understand that.

Ego leads to a mental condition where you assume others to take all you say as granted. And that creates a distance between you and others who are closed to you. I learned only one principle - “I” is always capital and alone.

Micro Labs

Today was my second day in Nirma Campus. As per schedule I had a “Micro Labs” session. I was confused by its name itself. What does an MBA candidate do in a lab? And that also a micro lab; it is a strange name of labs I have ever heard.

All candidates were gathered in a hall with chairs available for each one. We were instructed to sit in a circle. As soon Prof Muncherji entered the hall, she asked to put our bags and books on chair and stand up and come into centre. We had a plenty of rounds of innovative games to be played.

In first round we asked to form two circles in a way that candidates stood face to face. Inner circle had to rotate in counter clockwise and outer one had to rotate in clockwise direction. We needed to stop in front of every candidate in other circle and give him a smile, shake hand and introduce each other.

In second round, we were asked to fly like birds; mean we needed to move our hands in air like birds move their wings. But condition was that we could not stay at one place; we had to move. Third round was again an introductory round. We needed to form groups of four persons and give our introduction.

In fourth round we asked to drive vehicle that we generally use to drive. We had to make noise as vehicles do. And Yaps!! We needed to horn if needed. Fifth round was again an introductory round where we needed to form group of three persons who must not have formed a group with you before. And we needed to discuss our goals and ambitions with group member.

Sixth round was more terrific round than other rounds where we asked to jump like a frog. Again a condition was put that if someone stops, he or she has to be “Murga” in front of all. Seventh round was again an introductory round where we needed to form group of five persons with previous condition applied. We needed to discuss person who influenced you the most and how.

In eighth round we were asked to walk by closing both eyes. Ninth round was also an introductory round. And in tenth and last round we were asked to move in backward direction without turning back.

This all things look awkward with straight perspective. But it removed fear from our hearts; I can interact any of my classmate without any fear what he or she will think. I can jump like a frog in front of my classmates. This is what makes MBA program different than others and what makes a good institute different.

Inauguration Ceremony

Today I had to attend Registration Day at Nirma University. Upto this point Institute has communicated very well. I thought I would register in around 1 hr and come back. But when I reached there I came to know first we needed to attend “Introduction Ceremony”. After that, Inauguration ceremony was held.

Mr Palia (from board of directors, Tata Steel) and Mr. Iyer were chief guests. The audience were addressed by chairman of each management program offered by Institute of Management.

Mr Dhar started the ceremony with a great speech. With the start, he mentioned few figures related to Indian economy and its growth. Being a technical person, I hardly understand a single sentence related to economics. But once it was over, Mr Dhar explained why candidates join MBA. According to him, it can be two reasons first candidate wants a job, or he expects a higher position in current company. But MBA does not guarantee any of them. As per his point of view, MBA teaches you those aspects of life which are not only needed in corporate but also helps in living a better life. And finally when he concluded his speech with a great quote “Honest is still the best policy.”

Then came Mr. Danak’s turn; chairman of Doctoral Program. He started speech with a question “Why does doctoral program come after conventional MBA program both in real life and in Inauguration ceremony?” The answer lies in difference of graining knowledge. Conventional MBA is meant for Knowledge Determination while Doctoral program is meant for Knowledge Creation.

Last was Mr Gupta chairman of part time MBA program. His speech included a good poem on trusting oneself. I just repeat few lines I remember “Do trust yourself otherwise who is going to trust you.” And more “Trust does not mean you are perfect, but you have a perfect willing to understand life.”

These were snippets of what chairman delivered in their speech. I will continue with speech of chief guests afterwards.

Beginner's Luck

Last week I started to read “The Alchemist”, a novel shared by my colleague. The story runs around achieving one’s destination and omens. It describes existence of a universal language that you can experience between people from different countries and sometimes between human and animal.

That novel explained “Principle of favorability” that put me in looking back at my life. Principle of favorability states that when you play cards for first time, you almost sure to win.

I always dream to get into a MBA institute; but this year, by gathering all my courage, I filled admission form. I had to appear for an entrance test and I started preparing for it. In between I fall sick for 15 days and I lost my concentration and my interest too. The entrance test was about fundamentals that I learned in earlier studies. I hope for the best and taken the exam. Fortunately I got selected. Beginner’s Luck; same thing explained by that principle.

That novel also explains reason behind beginner’s luck. “There is a force that wants you to realize your destiny; it whets your appetite with a taste of success."

As I went on reading this novel, I started believing that there is nothing like luck and coincident. It is our inability to choose our destiny. In a result we regret our fate by saying world’s greatest lie. Thing is we need to identify correct omens.

I have seen struggle of my friends. Some succeed, some fail. Each time I learn that when you try to run away from your destiny, it will force you to return.

Finally, I will repeat the same lines that made me read this novel. “When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Why Employees Leave Organisation

Every company faces the problem of people leaving the company for better pay or profile.

Early this year, Mark, a senior software designer, got an offer from a prestigious international firm to work in its India operations developing specialized software. He was thrilled by the offer.

He had heard a lot about the CEO. The salary was great.. The company had all the right systems in place employee-friendly human resources (HR) policies, a spanking new office, and the very best technology, even a canteen that served superb food.

Twice Mark was sent abroad for training. "My learning curve is the sharpest it's ever been," he said soon after he joined.

Last week, less than eight months after he joined, Mark walked out of the job.

Why did this talented employee leave?

Arun quit for the same reason that drives many good people away.

The answer lies in one of the largest studies undertaken by the Gallup Organization. The study surveyed over a million employees and 80,000 managers and was published in a book called "First Break All The Rules". It came up with this surprising finding:

If you're losing good people, look to their immediate boss. Immediate boss is the reason people stay and thrive in an organization. And he's the reason why people leave. When people leave they take knowledge, experience and contacts with them, straight to the competition.

“People leave managers not companies" write the authors Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman.

Mostly manager drives people away?

HR experts say that of all the abuses, employees find humiliation the most intolerable. The first time, an employee may not leave, but a thought has been planted. Second time, that thought gets strengthened. The third time, he looks for another job.

When people cannot retort openly in anger, they do so by passive aggression. By digging their heels in and slowing down. By doing only what they are told to do and no more. By omitting to give the boss crucial information, Dev says: "If you work for a jerk, you basically want to get him into trouble. You don't have your heart and soul in the job."

Different managers can stress out employees in different ways - by being too controlling, too suspicious, too pushy, too critical, but they forget that workers are not fixed assets, they are free agents. When this goes on too long, an employee will quit - often over a trivial issue.

Talented men leave. Dead wood doesn't.

Source - "WHY EMPLOYEES LEAVE ORGANISATIONS?" Azim Premji, CEO- Wipro

Deserve Before You Desire

The grass isn't always greener on the other side!! Move from one job to another, but only for the right reasons. It's yet another day at office. As I logged on to the marketing and advertising sites for the latest updates, as usual, I found the headlines dominated by 'who's moving from one company to another after a short stint', and I wondered, why are so many people leaving one job for another?

Is it passé now to work with just one company for a sufficiently long period? Whenever I ask this question to people who leave a company, the answers I get are: "Oh, I am getting a 200% hike in salary"; "Well, I am jumping three levels in my designation"; "Well, they are going to send me abroad in six months". Then, I look around at all the people who are considered successful today and who have reached the top - be it a media agency, an advertising agency or a company. I find that most of these people are the ones who have stuck to the company, ground their heels and worked their way to the top. And, as I look around for people who changed their jobs constantly, I find they have stagnated at some level, in obscurity!

In this absolutely ruthless, dynamic and competitive environment, there are still no short-cuts to success or to making money. The only thing that continues to pay, as earlier, is loyalty and hard work. Yes, it pays! Sometimes immediately; Sometimes after a lot of time; But, it does pay.

Does this mean that one should stick to an organization and wait for that golden moment? Of course not. After a long stint, there always comes a time for moving in most organizations, but it is important to move for the right reasons, rather than superficial ones, like money, designation or an overseas trip.

Remember, no company recruits for charity. More often than not, when you are offered an unseemly hike in salary or designation that is disproportionate to what that company offers it current employees, there is always unseen bait attached. The result? You will, in the long-term, have reached exactly the same levels or maybe lower levels than what you would have in your current company.

A lot of people leave an organization because they are "unhappy". What is this so-called-unhappiness? I have been working for donkey's years and there has never been a day when I am not unhappy about something in my work environment-boss, rude colleague, fussy clients etc. Unhappiness in a workplace, to a large extent, is transient. If you look hard enough, there is always something to be unhappy about.

But, more importantly, do I come to work to be "happy" in the truest sense? If I think hard, the answer is "No". Happiness is something you find with family, friends, may be a close circle of colleagues who have become friends. What you come to work for is to earn, build a reputation, satisfy your ambitions, be appreciated for your work ethics, face challenges and get the job done.

So, the next time you are tempted to move, ask yourself why you moving and what are you moving into?

Some questions are:

"Am I ready and capable of handling the new responsibility? If yes, what could be the possible reasons my current company has not offered me the same responsibility?"

"Who are the people who currently handle this responsibility in the current and new company? Am I as good as the best among them?"

"As the new job offer has a different profile, why have I not given the current company the option to offer me this profile?"

"Why is the new company offering me the job? Do they want me for my skills, or is there an ulterior motive?"

An honest answer to these will eventually decide where you go in your career-to the top of the pile in the long term (at the cost of short-term blips) or to become another average employee who gets lost with time in the wilderness?

"Deserve Before You Desire" - Dr. Gopalkrishnan, Chairman TATA Sons.

(Mr. Gopalakrishnan succeeds Mr. Ratan Tata as Chairman of Tata Sons Ltd., the holding company for many of the Tata Bluechips like Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, Tata Chemicals, Voltas, etc. Possibly he is the first non-Tata person to head the Tata Empire. )

It is never late to mend

Few days ago I read a post on Parth’s blog "Why Hard to Accept". It was related to stubborn nature. I quite liked the article because I had faced the same problem. Suddenly I remember my altercation with one of my professors during graduation time.

I was in the first semester of BE in Atmiya institute. I was considered as a mischievous boy in class during those days. One day, I had a lab period of Mechanical Engineering. Lab assistant provided instructions for the period. Everyone started writing down the assignment. Meanwhile one of my group members was completing previous assignment as he was absent in last lab. He had some confusion in a theory. Being an enthusiastic student I went to him for help. I had a habit of making jokes often and I did the same while explaining my friend. We both were laughing on jokes made at regular intervals.

Lab assistant noticed this in few minutes. She came to me and asked to show how much assignment I had completed. As I was far behind than others, she became angry. She commanded me to sit away from group and complete the assignment before I left the lab.

The assignment was little lengthy and one period was not enough to complete in a single period if done liberally. I opposed her but she did not listen to me.

Losing my temper, I arrogantly said “You are doing this as you don’t like me. Though I was helping someone, you punished me and asked me to do what is almost impossible. If I can not complete it in time, my recess time will be ruined.”

In anger, I sat away from group and started to complete my assignment very fast. Somehow I had managed to complete the instructions before lab was about to over. I went back to her, showed her the assignment proudly.

In fact she was trying to maintain the discipline. And I made her upset. I did not care about her or about the hurt I caused at that time.

In next semesters, I was changed and became a studious boy, even scored top in university and became a ranker in my class. It is truly said you can run away from your past but can’t escape from it. Same lady needed to take a subject in fifth semester. When I saw her entering classroom, I was shocked and stared nervously. We both remained mute for each other. That time I greatly regretted about my act.

I went to her in recess time and expressed my guilty. I told her “I do not want to be remembered as a ranker but as a good student in this college. For me, your forgiveness is the only thing which let me feel that. I was very egoist when I made you upset. But time has changed me and I thank you for teaching me an important lesson in my life.”

Her eyes were filled with tears and she replied “I being a teacher consider you same as others. I have forgotten what you said in first semester. But today by asking for apology you proved yourself a good student.”

Today I called her before publishing this post. She still remembered me but forgot this event. She taught me two special lessons. First, it is never late to ask for forgiveness and that does not make you small. Secondly you should forget all the hurts that a person caused once that person is changed.

A Grand Aurevoir to Dr Kalam

Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam delivered a great speech in Hyderabad. Though very long but really spare some time to read it. It is a must read for all the Indians.

Why is the media here so negative? Why are we in India so embarrassed to recognize our own strengths, our achievements? We are such a great nation. We have so many amazing success stories but we refuse to acknowledge them. Why?

We are the first in milk production. We are number one in Remote sensing satellites. We are the second largest producer of wheat. We are the second largest producer of rice.

Look at! Dr. Sudarshan, he has transferred the tribal village into a self-sustaining, self-driving unit. There are millions of such achievements but our media is only obsessed in the bad news and failures and disasters.

I was in Tel Aviv once and I was reading the Israeli newspaper. It was the day after a lot of attacks and bombardments and deaths had taken place. The Hamas had struck. But the front page of the newspaper had the picture of a Jewish gentleman who in five years had transformed his desert into an orchid and a granary. It was this inspiring picture that everyone woke up to. The gory details of killings, bombardments, deaths, were inside in the newspaper, buried among other news.

In India we only read about death, sickness, terrorism, crime. Why are we so NEGATIVE?

Another question: Why are we, as a nation so obsessed with foreign things? We want foreign T. Vs, we want foreign shirts. We want foreign technology. Why this obsession with everything imported. Do we not realize that self-respect comes with self-reliance?

I was in Hyderabad giving this lecture, when a 14 year old girl asked me for my autograph. I asked her what her goal in life is. She replied: I want to live in a developed India. For her, you and I will have to build this developed India. You must proclaim. India is not an under-developed nation; it is a highly developed nation.

Do you have 10 minutes? Allow me to come back with a vengeance.

Got 10 minutes for your country? If yes, then read; otherwise, choice is yours.

YOU say that our government is inefficient. YOU say that our laws are too old. YOU say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage. YOU say that the phones don't work, the railways are a joke. The airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their destination. YOU say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute pits. YOU say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?

Take a person on his way to Singapore Give him a name - YOURS. Give him a face - YOURS. YOU walk out of the airport and you are at your International best. In Singapore you don't throw cigarette butts on the roads or eat in the stores. YOU are as proud of their Underground links as they are. You pay $5 (approx. Rs. 60) to drive through Orchard Road (equivalent of Mahim Causeway or Pedder Road) between 5 PM and 8 PM. YOU come back to the parking lot to punch your parking ticket if you have over stayed in a restaurant or a shopping mall irrespective of your status identity. In Singapore you don't say anything, DO YOU?

YOU wouldn't dare to eat in public during Ramadan, in Dubai YOU would not dare to go out without your head covered in Jeddah. YOU would not dare to buy an employee of the telephone exchange in London at 10 pounds (Rs.650) a month to, 'see to it that my STD and ISD calls are billed to someone else. YOU would not dare to speed beyond 55 mph (88 km/h) in Washington and then tell the traffic cop, 'Jaanta hai main kaun hoon (Do you know who I am?). I am so and so's son. Take your two bucks and get lost.'

YOU wouldn't chuck an empty coconut shell anywhere other than the garbage pail on the beaches in Australia and New Zealand. Why don't YOU spit Paan on the streets of Tokyo? Why don't YOU use examination jockeys or buy fake certificates in Boston???

We are still talking of the same YOU. YOU can respect and conform to a foreign system in other countries but cannot in your own. You who will throw papers and cigarettes on the road the moment you touch Indian ground. If you can be an involved and appreciative citizen in an alien country, why cannot you be the same here in India?

Once in an interview, the famous Ex-municipal commissioner of Bombay, Mr. Tinaikar, had a point to make. 'Rich people's dogs are walked on the streets to leave their affluent droppings all over the place,' he said. 'And then the same people turn around to criticize and blame the authorities for inefficiency and dirty pavements. What do they expect the officers to do? Go down with a broom every time their dog feels the pressure in his bowels? In America every dog owner has to clean up after his pet has done the job. Same in Japan Will the Indian citizen do that here?' He's right.

We go to the polls to choose a government and after that forfeit all responsibility. We sit back wanting to be pampered and expect the government to do everything for us whilst our contribution is totally negative. We expect the government to clean up but we are not going to stop chucking garbage all over the place nor are we going to stop to pick up a stray piece of paper and throw it in the bin. We expect the railways to provide clean bathrooms but we are not going to learn the proper use of bathrooms. We want Indian Airlines and Air India to provide the best of food and toiletries but we are not going to stop pilfering at the least opportunity.

This applies even to the staff that is known not to pass on the service to the public. When it comes to burning social issues like those related to women, dowry, girl child, and others, we make loud drawing room protestations and continue to do the reverse at home. Our excuse 'It's the whole system which has to change, how will it matter if I alone forego my sons' rights to a dowry.' So who's going to change the system? What does a system consist of? Very conveniently for us it consists of our neighbors, other households, other cities, other communities and the government; but definitely not me and YOU. When it comes to us actually making a positive contribution to the system we lock ourselves along with our families into a safe cocoon and look into the distance at countries far away and wait for Mr.Clean to come along & work miracles for us with a majestic sweep of his hand or we leave the country and run away.

Like lazy cowards hounded by our fears we run to America to bask in their glory and praise their system. When New York becomes insecure we run to England. When England experiences unemployment, we take the next flight out to the Gulf. When the Gulf is war struck, we demand to be rescued and brought home by the Indian government. Everybody is out to abuse and rape the country. Nobody thinks of feeding the system. Our conscience is mortgaged to money.

Dear Indians, The article is highly thought inductive, calls for a great deal of introspection and pricks one's conscience too.... I am echoing J.F.Kennedy 's words to his fellow Americans to relate to Indians.....

"ASK WHAT WE CAN DO FOR INDIA AND DO WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO MAKE INDIA WHAT AMERICA AND OTHER WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE TODAY"

Out of Dilemma

After a great dilemma, I finally appeared for entrance exam of part time MBA. I would like to share all thoughts which played in my mind from the day I planned to study to this day, because during those days my mind was oscillating between whether to join or not.

Very first reason behind choosing part time course is the same which rules the world Money. Today living in a city like Ahmedabad has become too expensive. In such case you need to earn to cope up. And being a software engineer in a good company, I can not let my current profile go in vain.

Secondly I will gain good experience till I complete my study. I can visualize MBA fundas in my company itself. Even I can implement my study into practice in my own company (if they provide chance). Moreover I can learn from my company and complete my assignments ;)

Managing two lives together makes you a good manager by itself. Don’t take it lightly but it gives you a practice to work for long hours. Your mind should not think about study when you are on job and the opposite when you are studying. God may give me enough strength to cope up with. Frankly speaking this teaches you isolating your work from your personal life and vice versa. This has been a problem for most of good managers.

This is why I chose part time course over full time. Now I answer you most confusing questions I found when I planned to study.

What about placement? Well I guarantee you no part time course would provide you placement as it is meant for working professionals. Your employer is your sponsor and your supporter. I suggest you to fulfill your employer’s expectation. Don’t hide any thing from them. They can give you what you deserve.

Will it be add-ons for my career? It will be a great add on your knowledge. You must be able to utilize your knowledge in the best way. Remember one thing even if you climb a peak by any means, it is your way of utilizing your knowledge which decides your next position.

Don’t compare part time study with full time. Both have their own prons & crons. This was all about my struggle. I searched internet but it was the experience of my friends which helped me. So I planned to share it on internet and help those who feel the same. If you are on the same track, please share your problems or thoughts so that we can help each other.

Rules are made not to be broken

This article is for those who use “Rules are made to be broken” to fulfill their wicked desire. This is a real story of my friend whose dreams are broken exactly at the time when they are to come true, due to his indiscipline in college and even in life. You may call me a sadistic person when I put his story on my blog. But I have seen many youngsters including my younger brother who are on the same track. So I decided to do this despite of anything you tell me.

That person was with me in my college during graduation. He was a friend of my room mate. When our graduation completed, He decided to pursue MBA degree. He appeared for entrance exam and scored well. He got admission in top college in Gujarat. His dream of joining top class MBA institute was now true. But soon the college started, he became lazy and began to bunk the classes. Institute had not taken any action for his low attendance. This encouraged him and in second semester he gave up attending lectures. When internal exam came, he showed medical certificate and convinced the management. He was smart enough to clear final exams with good performance.

Situation became worse in third semester, he not only bunked the lectures but also ignored internal exam. He used to sleep at his room when his class mates appeared for internal exam. Management was really pissed off his indiscipline. But still they gave a chance to him. He again scored well in final exams of third semester.

Placement process started in his college. Due to his outstanding records and his smartness, he got selected in a well known company with a fatty salary. He was much happy, all his dreams were fulfilled. Now he did not have to care of his college. Just a final exam of fourth semester was in the path.

But this time management decided to teach him a lesson. Institute did not allow him to seat in internal exam and detained him for six months. He knew if that thing happened he would lose his job and a black spot would be drawn in his career. He bagged but they didn’t listen. He tried every weapon from the arsenal to convince but all in vain. Management taught him a lesson for which he paid the fees; but in a different way.

Rules have their own importance in our life. When you break rules for noble act, you will be appreciated. If you break rules for wicked reason, you are setting an example for others not to break the rules.

Dont use ur perspective always

The train has started moving. It is packed with people of all ages, mostly with the working men and women and young college guys and gals. Near the window, seated a old man with his 30 year old son. As the train moves by, the son is overwhelmed with joy as he was thrilled with the scenery outside..

"See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful"

This behavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feels strange about him. Every one started murmuring something or other about this son." This guy seems to be a mad.” newly married Anup whispered to his wife.

Suddenly it started raining... Rain drops fell on the travelers through the opened window. The Thirty year old son, filled with joy “see dad, how beautiful the rain is."

Anup's wife got irritated with the rain drops spoiling her new suit.

Anup shouted, "Can't you see it's raining, you old man, if your son is not feeling well get him soon to a mental asylum. Don't disturb public hence forth"

The old man hesitated first and then in a low tone replied "We are on the way back from hospital, my son got discharged today morning , he was a blind by birth, last week only he got his vision, these rain and nature are new to his eyes. Please forgive us for the inconvenience caused."

The things we see may be right from our perspective until we know the truth. But when we know the truth our reaction to that will hurt even us. So try to understand the problem better before taking a harsh action.

Coffee or Cup: what's your choice?

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.

Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. It is natural for you to want only the best for yourselves; that is the source of your problems and stress. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and were eyeing each other's cups.

Now if life is coffee, then the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change. Some times, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it."

Don't let the cups drive you... Enjoy the coffee instead

Perspective Of Life

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.

They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"It was great, Dad."

"Did you see how poor people live?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So, tell me, what you learned from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered:

"I saw that we have one dog and they had four.

We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.

Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.

We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.

We buy our food, but they grow theirs.

We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them."

The boy's father was speechless.

Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

So, appreciate every single thing you have.

Dare to feel...

True Courage is the strength to show all kinds of feelings. Daily we come across many quarrels, discussions or accidents where we feel we should express our feelings or emotions or sometimes our help, still we fail to do that. I find many of us developed a fear of expressing oneself. Even at workplace, people feel insecure to ask doubts or to show his opinion where a crowd is gathered. Does my opinion have a meaning? Will other consider me a stupid? Such fear leaves that person thinking about his opinion or doubt for the rest of discussion. These circumstances become more critical when such person involved in a strange atmosphere.

Before a week, I went to play cricket. While returning, my group stopped at a tea stall to have tea. As we took our seats, an old woman started shouting on a young man. We were just trying to understand the situation, they started a quarrel and the noise was irritating. The quarrel was about some money that young man had borrowed. None of the spectators tried to stop them. Suddenly one of my group members who even didn’t know “Gujarati”, in which the altercation was going on, stood and asked that old woman to take money from him and he also convinced the young guy that he should not shout on elders especially on such an old lady. That young man felt guilty and apologized, he also promised to return money as soon as possible. My whole group was shocked watching my friend’s daring to express what he felt. Even language didn’t stop him from expressing himself.

I have observed the same thing in case of accidents. Though helping is a noble act, we stay in dilemma whether to involve in that matter or not. I have seen many of my friends who like to stay away from an accident place. When you go out for a walk and suddenly you see a person fallen of his bike, you will first stop, think to help and before you answer yourself, other people around will be gathered and help the victim. Once you convince yourself that situation is ok, you will continue with your business. We all may have such experience, but don’t consider you didn’t ask for help as others were gathered. It is also the same fear that prevents us from showing our gentle feeling. A strong person in such situation still goes close to the victim, asks him how that happened and shows sympathy. Even he tries to lighten up the mood by producing some humors.

A well conditioned athlete falls into tear after victory or a participant in beauty pageant once declared winner shows her great surprise and happiness. In such occasions, we can see how much that person is strong not only physically but also emotionally. We should not hide our feelings out of fear and that decides our true strength. Once you eliminate such fears, you won’t stop expressing any kind of feelings whether you may be standing in a crowd. As emotions flow, self-confidence is raised and hence our inner strength.

"India Vs India" - India Poised Anthem

There are two Indias in this country.

One India is straining at the leash, eager to spring forth and live up to all the adjectives that the world has been recently showering upon us.
The other India is the leash.

One India says give me a chance and I'll prove myself.
The other India says prove yourself first and maybe then you'll have a chance.

One India lives in the optimism of our hearts.
The other India lurks in the skepticism of our minds.

One India wants. The other India hopes.
One India leads. The other India follows.

These conversions are on the rise. With each passing day more and more people from the other India have been coming over to this side. And quietly, while the world is not looking, a pulsating, dynamic new India is emerging.

An India whose faith in success is far greater than its fear of failure. An India that no longer boycotts foreign-made goods but buys out the companies that make them instead.

History, they say, is a bad motorist. It rarely ever signals its intentions when it's taking a turn.
This is that rarely-ever moment. History is turning a page.

For over half a century, our nation has sprung, stumbled, run, fallen, rolled over, got up and dusted herself and cantered, sometimes lurched on. But today, in our 60th year as a free nation, the ride has brought us to the edge of time's great precipice.

And one India - a tiny little voice at the back of the head - is looking down at the bottom of the ravine and hesitating.

The other India is looking up at the sky and saying it's time to fly.

Source : India Poised

Download Video : http://www.indiapoised.com/video2.htm

A Blessings In Disguise

This is a success story of my cricket team. My company participates in an inter-corporate cricket tournament every year. We had a great history of “not winning” a single game in the cup from last two years. But this year, lady-luck changed partner. We prepared a cricket team the same way we do each year. Most of players were the same but this time we participated with a hope to win at least one match.

Our first match was with a poor opponent. With great surprise of all, we scored highest runs in the first inning. We crushed opponent’s all hopes to win by setting an unachievable target. But when we came to bowl, we were too relaxed that opponent chased the highest target made ever in this tournament. We were shocked; we could not convince ourselves that we continued the history by losing highest total targeted match. We hardly spoke to each other and we left the ground. I could not find a single word to describe the situation when I came home back; but only disappointments.

The next match was a knock-out match; do or die situation for our team. We had two weeks in between. We came to company, and decided to practice daily. “Sometimes wining is everything” was true for us now. With a new start, we worked hard on practice. I found everyone was doing his best on the ground. We were waiting for the next play, our turn to show what we were and what we could.

With the end of two weeks, our wait came to an end and we were again standing on the same ground where people saw us losing all the way. Adding to our fortune, the opponent was a three time champion team. But this time we did not want to give away a single chance to our opponent. As per our plan, we won the toss and opted to bowl first. The reason behind our decision was also unorthodox. The day was a chilled cold day and we arrived on ground an hour earlier; so we had enough warm up practice; and our opponent being so confident had not have any warm up exercise even. So we thought to get some early wickets. With the start of innings, their wickets fell like castle of cards falls. With the lowest score on the ground we sent the entire team to pavilion. And we won the game with little extra effort in batting, And Yah! We did it. But we did not relax this time, now our target was not a single match but tournament itself. We kept ourselves on the same track we followed for second match; and we won the whole series.

With the ball, which was hit for winning run, in my hand I was looking at my team, thinking what made this day so enjoyable; our victory of the day or this stage achieved after our first defeat. This tournament left me with many memorable events and a great moral of life "how weak or strong you are if you get relaxed once reaching close to success, it will be snatched from your hands as you are not the only one waiting for it. You have to be consistent until you climb the peak of success and still have to work hard to be there.”

Killing Me Softly...

IT being a booming industry has not only provided lots of job opportunities but also affected mindset of people, their living standards, their hobbies and most adversely their attitude towards society and corporate life. I have seen people walking out from one job and joining other so frequently, even sometimes they themselves don’t how many companies or cities they changed. I never understand how they can settle so easily and so fast to new places. They created such a disputed mindset that no work place can satisfy them for a long period, resulting into another change. IT market has become a bidding place where a person bids for himself, day to day forgetting what loyalty means.

Despite of committing to work, such people do not honor their work, and start creating a vicious circle among them, leading into disappointments of people who really work. I saw a great leg pulling competition taking place among people of different hierarchy in IT industry. No one appreciates other person’s thought or work. Though internet bring people close by communication means, but increased distance by emotions. You even might not know where your close colleague lives or who are in his/her family.

I dreamed to be an IT professional when I was kid. But today being an IT engineer, I never felt the qualities of a good engineer. Sitting on a rolling chair for the whole day, surfing internet, I don’t utilize any of my skills. Every time I saw snaps of bridges, great buildings, I ask myself how this could be so perfect. They are not powered by Copy-Paste principle of software engineering (Reusability in technical sense). Thank God!! I am a software engineer where mistakes are allowed and I can correct it in later stage.

On the horns of a di'lemma

"Money rules the world" being belief of new age youth, young person has extreme desire to be rich in small period of time. Persons who are not left with great legacy need to be at that stage by their own. They stop studying as soon as possible, and start working for good MNCs. I have seen many boys and girls leaving their study incomplete and join some call centers saying we want to be self reliant.

But there are few people who has to forcefully join work, ending their study after graduation. They want to study more but their desires are bound due to financial or social positions. Once they stand on their feet well, their desire of studying starts playing in mind again leaving that person in a great dilemma whether to work or study or do both. Such a person can't leave his job as his income makes him capable to stand in this material world. As soon he decides to join study with continuing job, he is demoralized by his colleagues and even from his family. "Part time MBA has no value", "If you join study, you would stuck here for a long time", "People leave part time course due to burdens, you will too run away in few months" are some responses that person will get from his close friends even.

But the fact is that no one can understand your thoughts better than you. If you decide to study with work, don't ask others, instead ask yourself how will you utilize your study. Does your study has any importance or not merely depends on yourself. No study in the world makes you wise and no study or college guarantees your future. It is in your hand to show that your study was not worthless and prove all critics wrongs. After all, the greatest joy of doing something is when somebody says it is impossible.