Madhushala

Khawaab !!

2009-08-31T22:52:00.002+05:30

Varsha ki thi veh ritu nayi

Ghanghor ghataye mast hui

aise main ek kanchan chavi

samne mere avtarit hui

chakshu uske madira ke pyale

adhro main poora madiraly

boodo se lipte uske kesh

hirday ko de gaye aavesh

sili hava kuch aisi chali

yauvan ko mehka si gayi

usne kaha bin mukh khole

aao do pag saath chale

main thaga sa uske sang chala

prem main uske bandha hua

maine poocha bolo priya

kyu hain hum aaj mile ?

wo boli bas muska ke

tum ho aaj kalpana shikh par

uttar sun main thitak sa gaya

sara paridrishay badal sa gaya

main khada akela bheeg raha tha

mann kolahal se mera bhara tha

kisi ne to chal saath mere kiya hai

bata do priya tumhara naam kya hai...

Life @ B School

2008-07-16T02:08:00.002+05:30

Career, Fun, Learning... Huh !!

Welcome to the place where trust is betrayed and fulfilled daily. The so called 'best leaders and managers' of the country fight to maintain the fragile smile on their faces. Passions are ignited and quenched .. infact more related to only one thing.. money. Hopes.. mostly absurd, regrets.. at the last minute ..
How did I get here?? I walked as I thought about the past few years !! I wasn't the same a few years back.. giggling.. laughing aimlessly.. countless number of times.. carefree.. that was me !! Now the smiles are counted and they come for a purpose.. mostly a selfish one !!
As I dragged myself along the dimly lit gallery of the academic block, lost and looking for something, I fel empty.. It was like a hole .. feeling like reaching out in the darkness. Now I don't feel anything but trapped.. trapped in the change .. thoughts, habits, purpose .. changes that occured in everything...and the darkness that is unbreakable.
I hope to continue this post.. I don't know when I will be able to publish further.. also I know I may be cursed a lot for the stories I may put across..
Till the next post.. May God Bless You !!

The World Is Flat

2007-08-15T02:55:00.000+05:30

If I would have been an American or European reading this book I would have been very nervous. Why? The answer will be obvious in the summary to follow.

The metaphor of a flat world, used by Friedman to describe the next phase of globalization, is ingenious. Friedman says he encountered the flattening of the world quite by chance when he was visiting India for a journalistic assignment. His most important collaborators were two Indians: Nandan Nilekani of Infosys, and Vivek Paul of Wipro, executives of two billion-$ software companies based in the Indian high-tech capital, Bangalore. Friedman realized how the world's economic playing field was being leveled. For a variety of reasons, what economists call ''barriers to entry'' are being destroyed; today an individual or company anywhere can collaborate or compete globally.

He defines three eras of globalization: from Christopher Columbus's first journey in 1492 to around 1800, when the discoveries of new lands shrunk the world from large to medium; from 1800 to 2000, the era of industrialization to the hegemony of the multinational which made the world small; and the new, flat, tiny world where 'the creation of a global fiber-optic network has made us all next-door neighbors'.

"Flatness" is not only about outsourcing and offshoring.It is a concept including a much broader global shift. Friedman mentions ten forces that are have drove and are driving the world towards "Flatness". He mentions how the flattening happened slowly after the fall of \nBerlin wall initially and suddenly the world felt the forces of outsourcing, offshoring, supply-chaining and insourcing transforming it. Further how the steroids of Internet and wireless supercharged all the other flatteners. Friedman also how the flatness have resulted in a "triple convergence" of creation of a global, web-enabled playing field that allows multiple forms of collaboration, the sharing of knowledge and work, without regard to distance or geography, and even language. Further how the companies are going global and how new opportunities are created for individuals to compete globally using the 'Flat' rule.

In a single sentence technology has made the world smaller ("flat") by removing geographical, hierarchical and other boundaries to information and trade, which means that to survive in the flat world one needs to get moving, that too fast. The flattening of world has resulted into flattening of people too. That's why Friedman advises those in the currently developed nations to become "untouchables". Untouchables are workers who are special (The Bill Gates of the world - very few of these people), who are specialized (Workers with specialized knowledge of their particular field, like an attorney who has a practice in open source law, for example, tend not to get marginalized by the flattening economy), who are anchored (face-to-face jobs like cashiers that can't easily be exported), or who are really adaptable (constantly learning new skills to stay ahead of the flattening "curve."

The changes are rapid, inevitable and unstoppable. While this certainly poses a threat to historical U.S. and European prosperity and power, the proper response is not to fight it, but to embrace it and adapt, not only to survive, but thrive in the new environment. What America, and new century economies need are better education, pervasive high-speed broadband connections, and more globally aware government policies.

It's a totally new game to be enjoyed and taken part in. If one is not good enough to play the only option is to sit on the sideline and watch others play.

What is Strategy??

2007-08-15T02:47:00.000+05:30

“Strategy means making clear-cut choices about how to compete.”
—Jack Welch
Former CEO, General Electric

Is it a plan? Does it refer to how we will obtain the ends we seek? Is it a position taken? Just as military forces might take the high ground prior to engaging the enemy; might a business take the position of low-cost provider? Or does strategy refer to perspective, to the view one takes of matters, and to the purposes, directions, decisions and actions stemming from this view? Lastly, does strategy refer to a pattern in our decisions and actions? For example, does repeatedly copying a competitor’s new product offerings signal a "me too" strategy? Just what is strategy?

Strategy is all these—it is perspective, position, plan, and pattern. Strategy is the bridge between policy or high-order goals on the one hand and tactics or concrete actions on the other. Strategy and tactics together straddle the gap between ends and means. In short, strategy is a term that refers to a complex web of thoughts, ideas, insights, experiences, goals, expertise, memories, perceptions, and expectations that provides general guidance for specific actions in pursuit of particular ends.

Managers face three central questions in evaluating their company’s business prospects: What’s the company’s present situation? Where does the company need to go from here? How should it get there? Arriving at a probing answer to the question “What’s the company’s present situation?” prompts managers to evaluate industry conditions and competitive pressures, the company’s current performance and market standing, its resource strengths and capabilities, and its competitive weaknesses. The question “Where does the company need to go from here?” pushes managers to make choices about the direction the company should be headed—what new or different customer groups and customer needs it should endeavour to satisfy, what market positions it need to be staking out, what changes in its business makeup are needed. The question “How should it get there?” challenges managers to craft and execute a strategy—a full-blown action plan—capable of moving the company in the intended direction, growing its business, and improving it’s financial and market performance. In other words a company’s strategy consists of the competitive moves and business approaches that managers are employing to grow the business, attract and please customers, compete successfully, conduct operations, and achieve the targeted levels of organizational performance

Dhirubhaism- A PoM Perspective

2007-08-15T02:38:00.000+05:30

Dhirubhai Ambani- He started as a young petrol attendant in Aden and ended up building a fine business enterprise in less then three decades. In an era of licenses and quotas which caged entrepreneurship he put to use the latest technological innovations and the most advanced management practices for the speedy expansion of his enterprise, which grew into an empire. He executed each of his business plans in less time then anywhere else in the world with productivity levels second to none. And he did it all with no degrees in management or psychology or even a background of family business. I have always been curious about what made a middle class person build a complete empire in itself which all of us know by the name ‘Reliance’. It was this curiosity which drove me towards this book.
The book is authored by Mr. A.G.Krishnamurthy, in an attempt to capture the unique insights that Dhirubhai shared with the author during their long association. The author has defined Dhirubhaism as another ism or a philosophy or an attitude. The author has discussed 15 of the work philosophies of Dhirubhai Ambani which he believe if incorporated can bring a remarkable change in the professional and personal life of anyone and everyone.

I have tried to segregate these philosophies into the different Principles of Management and review each of them one by one and provide my views in addition to the author’s point of view.

Planning

Dream big but with your eyes open: Dhirubhai dreamed unbelievably big. But whenever he dreamt his path forward was clear to him. He was very clear about his competencies and he dreamed within that framework. He never viewed a situation for what it was currently, his eyes were ever focussed on what it could grow to become and he worked hard to make it achieve its full potential. But though he dreamed big he was able to classify between the perception and the reality.
I agree with the author’s viewpoint that this is a very necessary trait for managers. A vision is a must for any manager so that he may plan in advance about his objectives, goals and targets and set a perfect path to work on.

The Dhirubhai theory: Supply creates demand: Author remarks that Dhirubhai believed in the unusual theory of providing supply to create demand which was the outcome of his ability to make intelligent deductions from his own experience. Author argues that the increase in demand results in market to blossom to absorb supply and the consumer benefited when the prices came crashing down. As a result the more of a product was available the more affordable it became. The author also gives example of Vimal and Reliance telecom to prove his point.
I see it the other way round. When Vimal and Reliance telecom were launched the market for both the products was booming in India. For a visionary like Dhirubhai it was not impossible to analyse the same and he set up supply centres which were twice the market demand, but this theory can’t be applied everywhere. Too much of supply of any product will lead to so much dilution of the price and brand that the demand will initially increase with the rising but then will start falling. Economic theories can prove the same.

Think Big: the author talks about the marketing and advertising blitzkrieg that Dhirubhai followed to build brands. He gives examples of the different advertising campaigns that were carried out by reliance for Vimal and the expenditure which was many folds as compared to the advertising budget of those times i.e. the nineties and eighties. The author suggests that to spend big bucks for building a brand are useful and expenditure in Advertising is an investment in itself.
I feel this theory which was applicable for the seventies and eighties, is it applicable to the current world too?? I will say ‘No’. Today we are living in an over communicated society where we are loaded with advertisement and marketing gimmicks. Also the consumer is much more aware then the previous generations. No one buys a product only because a celebrity is endorsing the same. It’s the quality which keeps a product running in the market and not the advertisements.

Organising

Money is not a product by itself: Dhirubhai believed that money is the by-product of good work. A by-product is something that one doesn’t set out to produce. It is not the primary motive. It doesn’t govern one’s choices. A by product is the spin off when one creates something larger. In Dhirubhai’s view Quality and Recognition for work were the larger aspects. He believed if one makes money the prime objective he will start cutting corners which in turn will affect the quality. This in turn will affect the customer relationship.
I do agree with this viewpoint. In the long run it’s the quality which runs the product in the market. Also when ones aim goes beyond money he is motivated intrinsically which increases the productivity level. This is one of the good lessons for managers who generally focus on meeting short term targets which may be very harmful in the long run.

Optimism, the core of Dhirubhaism: In 1977 a business-unfriendly banking system refused to loan money to Dhirubhai for up gradation/expansion of his textile mill at
Reliance Naroda. He broke the market rules by introducing a new system of Public Limited Company. The author puts across the thought of Dhirubhai “Pursue your goals even in the face of difficulties, and convert adversities into opportunities”.
I too agree that optimism is very necessary for any manager. One should be able to organise his efforts and go for new avenues in case it is required.

Direct/Lead

Roll up your sleeves and help: Dhirubhai was the kind of person whose first instinct was to join his men in putting out fire rather crucifying them for it. Author writes that when things went wrong, Dhirubhai was the best ally for the team. Dhirubhai always sensed that circumstances would have been beyond the control of the team rather then thinking it as a slip on their part. It was this deep trust in his men that served as the glue that held him fast to the team.
I agree that trust on the team is necessary, but up to what extent. In the kind of professional environment which has set in the organizations today, where everyone works for individual goals rather then for the organisation’s, is it safe to put a blind trust in the team. I believe one should trust and help but a cross check is must.

Be a safety net for your team: Picking the words of the author ‘When you are confident that there is someone out there to break your fall, there is no limit to how high you will fly. It is always the fear of falling that inhibits a person from making a deep leap’
A wonderful though. A quality must for any good leader. If as a leader I can build a safety net for my team they will get space to explore their capabilities and deliver better results. Also it increases the cohesiveness of the team.

Be a silent benefactor: Philanthropy is one of the ways large and sometimes medium sized industrial houses contribute to the society. Author says Dhirubhai too contributed in his own ways but he never went public with his work.
Though not a trait very clearly associated with a leader but I take it as one. The reason being I believe that a good leader is one who believes in doing his work and not making stories over the same. The work should speak for itself.

The arm-around-the-shoulder leader: Dhirubhai treated his colleagues as precious assets and he would work very hard in ensuring that the communication lines between him and his team were always open. He always used to put his arm casually around the shoulder of someone he was talking with irrespective of the designation or position of the person. His unique way of greeting cheerfully with ‘Kya dost’ made communication effortless. He was always inviting people into sharing their thoughts and ideas, rather than shutting them out.
I will take a kind of neutral approach on this philosophy. I believe it can be really dangerous to be casual with everyone but good with other selected group of people.

You can find a friend in every human being: Dhirubhai was ‘Apna Dhirubhai’ to everyone. He had the ability to strike the conversation with anybody regardless of caste, class or creed of the person. He was a very efficient listener. This was one of his qualities that let him chart out business plans for the common man.
In the context of modern management I believe talking to more and more people, being open to their ideas and listening effectively are as important as they always were.

Control

Leave the professional alone: Author says ironically this was a rare trait in the seventies and eighties, as it is today. Dhirubhai believed in leaving the task in the hand of his men he trust. Once he was sure of the capabilities of a person he used to ask no question, offer no suggestions, no words of advice. He did not believe in supervising or policing any of his employees.
It is about the limit of control. A manager’s responsibility is to give the youth a proper environment. Motivate them. Control is must but up to certain limits. Extend them the support they need but do not hinder their creativity by policing. If we believe in our men, they will surely deliver.

Hold onto your dreams: Dhirubhai believed ‘Hold on to your dreams and they are bound to come true’. His life is an example of this theory of his. Author says in pursuing one’s dream many people, often in the guise of well-wishers, and many situation will try to take away the dream away. A control and holding fast is required in such a situation. One should know one’s strength and then the impossible of dreams can come true.
How true!! Most of the manager’s today have a vision for themselves, for the team, for the organisation. But when it comes to sticking to them in a slightly tough situation the vision vanishes or changes quickly. Control on self and courage are required to succeed is the lesson for the future manager.

Bet on your people: Author says Dhirubhai trusted his employees ‘completely’. He was the kind of manager who would hand over the lock and the key too in the hand of the executive. The stakes are tremendous when one does so. It requires enormous control and courage.
In my view one should be a shrewd judge of character and calibre to practice this philosophy. As said by Author the stakes are big. In present era when one can’t bet on blood relatives how far is it safe to bet on people? It is a question which can only be answered at individual level.

Be positive: Licenses, Red Tapism, and Bureaucracy….there was not one hurdle in the way of Dhirubhai who was on his way to build his empire. Any other person may have submitted to the challenges but Dhirubhai did the reverse. He challenged the system. Author says Dhirubhai’s positive attitude was so rewarding that not only did it benefited him; he helped write the economic future of the country.
I will say a very sharp ability to control- Self and the environment. Instead of joining the rest of the brigade, aim low and blame it on circumstances, a good manager is one who goes ahead in midst of the challenges.

Conclusion
Some great insights on the management practices followed by one of the best managers we ever had are given in the book. Author has termed these practices as ‘Dhirubhaism’. I believe that though the equations of the management game are changing and have been transformed into a completely new face in the past 3 decades, still some of these philosophies or practices or attitudes are equally applicable to the managers of today. If one can figure out the relevant one and apply them, one can bring about a significant difference in his/her professional as well as personal life.

Cold .....

2007-05-08T12:04:00.001+05:30

“Dilli se chalkar Mumbai jane wali rajdhani platform no 3 se 10 minute main ravana hogi” … the words echoed in the ears of Raj... He was standing at the New Delhi railway station and was there to see off Seema... Raj was working as a Software Engineer in a MNC in Noida. He was 25 and had a bright future. He dreamt big and had the capabilities to make his dreams a reality. He came from a middle class background and had wished to achieve everything he had just dreamt of till date. For him anything that was important was his career.

It was first week of Feb when his cousin Rahul called him up. Seema- A close friend of Rahul was coming to Noida for a short term transfer. Seema was working with a banking firm in Mumbai and was coming to Noida for some official work. Rahul asked Raj to arrange for her logistics and stay. Raj was not in the mood to go but Rahul have been close to him and he didn’t wish to disappoint him. So he unwillingly took a half day leave to pick up Seema. They didn’t click when they met for the first time. On the very first meet he realized that there is nothing common in two of them. He loved going on outings... she preferred home. He was an IT buff… she could not type properly. He had big dreams…she dreamt of a lovely small house…..and much more. Seema felt Raj was kinda airy and too confident about himself. They just forget about each other after that day. Raj was happy to get rid of a responsibility and Seema was happy not to be with an egoist.

Seema made quite a good number of friends in the city and at the cocktail party of they met again. Raj approached Seema just to surprise her. Both were finding the party boring so went out for a short walk. Seema realized that Raj was not too proud at all. He was so nice that she can't help but admire him after that night. Raj on the other hand never knew when she started liking her. So much so that he decided to propose her for marriage.Days passed, they were already having some time together. They really have been good friends but for Raj the feeling was more then that. Everything was going smooth when one day Seema announced much to his disappointment that her project in Noida has been finished and she must be back to Mumbai. Raj was shattered. With trembling voice he just managed one word over the phone “When?” She already had the tickets for the next evening.

He was not prepared. But he was confident about his feeling. It was raining heavily since morning the next day. He took a day off from office and bought a beautiful ring as a proposal gift. He wished it to be magnificent. He booked a cab to drop her to the station. He was with her since morning but could not gather the courage to say anything.

The meetings, the walks… Raj’s thoughts broke as the cab driver put brakes. So soon!! He has wished the journey not to end but they were at the station. The platform was full with people carrying umbrellas and rushing to reach home. Any other day would have been frustration for him but today it seemed as if nothing else existed. With every passing minute his heart was pounding. Unwillingly he put her luggage in the compartment and they sat on the lower birth.

Only 10 minutes were left for the train to leave. He gathered courage and put his hand in the pocket of his jacket to get hold of the ring when a voice stopped him.
“Raj I want to tell you something” She said.
“Yeah!! That’s okay tell me”
“Well you see for the past few weeks I am liking someone. He’s just great and I think I am beginning to fall in love with him” She murmured.
“Is it me? I love you too Seema!!” Raj told himself
“So what do I have to do with him? Who is it anyways?” He was always good at acting.
“Do you really want to know?” She asked in a low husky voice looking into his eyes.
“Y-yeah” Now he was trembling
“Rahul”
…………
……
..
He was on the verge of crying but kept himself cool.
“Oh that’s great!! Rahul as in my cousin” He asked with a finely tuned smile
“Can you please help me with him? Pleaseeeeeeeeeee!!”
“Sure!!” He somehow managed to utter the last word
She kissed him on the cheek and said thanks.
…….
..

He waved his arm as the train moved into the horizon. Warm tears kept falling down his face blended with cold rain drops. He was cold not because of the rain. He was cold inside.
…………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………….
This is a work of fiction

Teri Yaad Saath Hai !!

2007-05-07T23:50:00.000+05:30

Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai

....

...

I have listened this song for nth time since morning today...and with each repeat I am loving it more.... sometimes I wonder how the lyricist read my mind and wrote the song... or is it the opposite way??..Khair whatever may be the case the truth is very clear... "Kehne ko saath apne ek duniya chalti hai" ... but noone when you want to talk, noone when you want to share, noone when you want to cry and need a shoulder... by saying this I seriously don't intend to hurt anyone who cares for me... there are people who will listen if I call up, who will always be there however busy or far they may be... but still there is a vacuum.. Difficult to explain but easily felt.. Not only by me… But by everyone at some point of time...

Before continuing further posting the full lyrics

...

Main Jahaan Rahoon
Main Kahin Bhi Hoon
Teri Yaad Saaath Hai

Kisi Se Kahoon
Ke Nahi Kahoon
Yeh Jo Dil Ki Baat Hai
Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai
Bas Yaad Saath Hai
Teri Yaad Saaath Hai

Kahin to Dil Mein Yaadon Ki Ek Suli Gad Jaati Hai
Kahin Har Ek Tasveer Bhahut Hi Dhundhali Pad Jati Hai
Koi Nayi Duniya Ke Naye Rango Mein Khush Rehta Hai
Koi Sab Kuch Paake Bhi Yeh Mann Hi Mann Kehta Hai
Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai
Bas Yaad Saath Hai
Teri Yaad Saaath Hai

Kahin to Beete Kal Ki yadein Dil Mein Hi Utar Jaati Hai
Kahin Jo Dhage Tute to Maalayen Bhikar Jaati Hai
Koi Dil Mein Jagah Nayi, Baaton Ke Liye Rakhta Hai
Koi Apni Palko Par Yaadon Ke Diye Rakhta Hai
Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai
Bas Yaad Saath Hai
Teri Yaad Saaath Hai ....

.....

...

Sometimes I feel like I have done a crime by growing up!! May be the pain we feel is the punishment for the crime we all do by killing the child in ourselves… with growing years the expectations from the self, from others… friends, family, coworkers…everyone keeps increasing and then suddenly the bubble bursts!!... whoop!! Noone…YES!! Noone…..

“Kahin to Dil Mein Yaadon Ki Ek Suli Gad Jaati Hai
Kahin Har Ek Tasveer Bhahut Hi Dhundhali Pad Jati Hai
Koi Nayi Duniya Ke Naye Rango Mein Khush Rehta Hai
Koi Sab Kuch Paake Bhi Yeh Mann Hi Mann Kehta Hai”

People say I am lucky to have a good memory… I smile on them and laugh on myself… I sometime really wish that there should be some kind of power GOD should bestow us with so as to enable us to wash out our memories… the only satisfaction…. Someone is happy!!

...

“Kahin to Beete Kal Ki yadein Dil Mein Hi Utar Jaati Hai
Kahin Jo Dhage Tute to Maalayen Bhikar Jaati Hai
Koi Dil Mein Jagah Nayi, Baaton Ke Liye Rakhta Hai
Koi Apni Palko Par Yaadon Ke Diye Rakhta Hai”

How true..It takes a lifetime to build trust… and seconds to wash it away... And as it’s said “Dhaga ek baar toot ke jude to gaanth aa jati hai”… You fight…and you fight hard… only to loose… you wish either you win this battle or die... but none of your wishes are fulfilled… you are left alone with a plethora of memories which you want to carry and want to leave too…memories.. You wish to share…but can’t… dreams you wish were realities but they aren’t…
..
... Alone!!

Kehne Ko Saath Apane Ek Duniya Chalti Hai
Per Chhupke Is Dil Mein Tanhaayi Palti Hai

The journey

2007-03-19T18:38:00.000+05:30

When!! How!! and Why!! the idea of doing a MBA crept into my mind I am myself not aware. The only thing I remember now is that I wished to do it since I moved into third year of my engineering. If I am right may be the bleak prospects of getting a job from the college initiated the thought process or may be somehow I learnt the reputation, power and money (at that time this was the most important factor) associated with a MBA degree. So in third year I bought my first MBA preparation book...Muhammed Muneer CAT...ha ha...I still have the book with me but serously haven't ever studied even a single page out of the same. I have this age old habit of collecting books- Buy them and keep them but never use is my philosophy for books. time went on and I joined IMS North Campus New Delhi on 5 June 2004. Yes CAT 2004 was my target. I was luck to be in a batch guided by Mr. Ashu Jain who was the centre director then and is a wonderful mathematics teacher...breaking the rules was his philosophy of teaching...never took a topic by topic or going by the IMS material approach. Just an awesome teacher. Even our english teacher over there was superb. I don't remember the name now but he instilled in me the fact that I will have to read to get through...I never believed him untill I found the fact myself. Anyways I was going for the classes with my friend Prateek Singh aka PS and both of us were always interested in finding "Is a cool chick hot or a hot chick cool??" answer. It did not took months or even weeks for both of us to set a name into the batch. After all we were above the average.
Then on 20th June we got the NEWS...yes it was NEWS for us..TCS coming for campus recruitment and Mechies are allowed...Bull shit!! These suckers are telling us this 5 days in advance...yaar we are screwed!! The urgetn travel to college and the preparation for TCS entrance will be posted sometime later...really don't want to get into that...although that was my first interview experience and interesting too!! 6 panelists and 1 hour 45 minutes...how the tricks failed and how they chuckled at me are somethings I always cherish!!
Somehow I made it through TCS and was on the seventh heaven for obvious reasons. And CAT!! Huh who cares?? Give a damn to preparations!! MBA with work ex is always better was the reasoning used to chill out and not study.. On 15th August we left the IMS delhi centre to go back to our college. The idea was to attend the weekend classes in Lucknow. PS had dumped this idea and went into self studies so I had a new partner..Anshu my child....He was a year junior to me and had been preparing in IMS Chandigarh. He also had fooled around in the chandigarh centre for 2.5 months and came to college with the idea of continuing in Lucknow. New weekend after 15th August 2004 we went to the Lucknow centre for classes. Ohh GOD!! It was pathetic..I really can't explain how I felt that day...the teachers, the classrooms and even the batch was pathetic in every sense. We attended the first class and on the spot decided not to wate any time. Our favourite handout in lucknow was CCD (Anshu and me have a record of drinking 1700 worth of coffee from noon to evening here) ... After that we planned of trips to lucknow only for SIM CATs...the first one was not so bad with 87 percentile...70 in second and 60 in third took my confidence levels to skies...I dumped the test series :).. I never prepared for CAT that year...even the BRMs were neat when I saw them befor CAT.
On the dooms day...21 Nov 2004 (I hope this date is correct) I ws not in the mood to take up CAT... I was in lucknow to meet someone and before the CAT I was shocked when I called her up and got to know that "Uncle Ill!! Can't meet!!"...Damn.."F**K that Uncle"..To add spice to the dish my test centre had a wonderful location...too much noise with songs played in neighbourhood and god knows what all...All the things were too motivating for me and I enjoyed the music while the whole classroom full of serious aspirants cursed the neighbour continuously :D
Since I was confident of my preparation of not getting admission anywhere and not securing anything above 20-30 percentile I didn't filled any forms. The results came and I secured 93.25 with a good breakup...Broken!! Broken!! Why I didn't applied to IMT..why didn't applied to any other insti were the thoughts running across my mind. No problem.. "MBA with work ex is always better"..the reasoning is always sympathetic.
Anyways everyone's life always finds its own ways of moving ahead and so did mine. I finished my college on 10th June and travelled back home. TCS has own college listed in the lowest possible priority and we were given the joining on 16th Oct :o ..Yes 16th OCt...that made it 4 months gap .. Home for me is the last place I wish to be at for so long as its tooo boring...I decided to join some Call Centre and enjoy life for 4 months...Once in Ghaziabad I started looking for opportunities in the booming BPO sector..It was then I realised how difficult it is to get into a call centre .. 15 days..16 interviews and no calls !! He He... it was last week of june and I was hanging around in pragati maidan with some friends looking around for a Call Centre job in the much hyped job fair..Luck was shining over my head and I ws rejected 4 times in one day there too..

But I was lucky enough to meet the PT education centre people over there, who directed me to PT Ghaziabad....and then 'Kuch log aapki jindagi badal sakte hain'.....People often say you need one good mentor to suceed...I had two...Vaani ma'am and Satya sir....I started preparing for CAT'05 but again....Luck as people call it....In August I got an offer from Infosys Technologies Limited to join the company on 26th Sept...and I did that....Although I filled up the form for CAT'05 but could not appear....There were a couple of really funny reasons due to which I did not appeared for the exam but sorry to all the readers that I can't mention the reasons here...

Anyways at Infosys I got a good oportunity to work with the Enterprise Solutions group...the people, the project were nice but still I was not satisfied....to do a MBA and work in field of my choice i.e. Marketing always troubled my thoughts....So I decided to appear for CAT' 06 again....Joined TIME, Hyderabad in May and left it after paying full fess and attending only 2 sessions....I had a set benchmark- PT Ghaziabad and I expected the same quality level...anything less was not acceptable to me....So I decided to prepare on self....as the D-day or better say C-Day approached I was getting desperate for getting an admission...this time I was adamant to secure an admission anywhere....Filled up the forms for the following colleges:

CAT
MFC
KJ Som
MICA
SCHMRD
SIBM
SIIB
SP Jain
IMI
FMS
XAT
XLRI
XIMB
IMT
TA Pai
Fore
DSE
IIMC PGDCM
NITIE
MDI
IIFT
NMIMS
JMET
SNAP

The exam schedule was tiring....

19 Nov: CAT
26 Nov: IIFT
10 Dec: JMET
10 Dec: NMIMS
17 Dec: SNAP
07 Jan: XAT
21 Jan: MFC
21 Jan: FMS
04 Feb: DSE

The percentiles and scores:

CAT: 97.26 percentile
IIFT: Call for GD/PI
JMET: Rank 1736
NMIMS: Call for GD/PI
SNAP: Score 79.75
XAT: 99.10 percentile
MFC: Call for GD/PI
FMS: Regrets ... the story fo regrets v/s congrats starts from here
DSE: Didn't appeared for the exam

The first result was in last week of december....IIFT delhi...I was completely shocked after the absurd papers...the results kept on pouring in and I was quite satisfied with most of them except a few...to be specific JMET...anyways filled up a couple of more forms for IITs but could not manage a call...the final schedule for GD/PI was as follows:

Date: Institute: Venue for GD/PI
4-Feb-2007: SCMHRD, Pune: Pune
14-Feb-2007:IIFT, New Delhi: New Delhi
15-Feb-2007:IMT, Ghaziabad: Ghaziabad
17-Feb-2007:SIIB, Pune: Pune
22-Feb-2007: NMIMS, Mumbai: New Delhi
24-Feb-2007: IMI, Delhi: Hyderabad
25-Feb-2007: SPJIMR, Mumbai: Mumbai
27-Feb-2007: TAPMI, Manipal: Manipal
01-Mar-2007: XLRI, Jamshedpur (PMIR Course): New Delhi
03-Mar-2007: XLRI, Jamshedpur (BM Course): New Delhi
11-Mar-2007: MICA, Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad
12-Mar-2007: XIMB, Bhubneshwar: New Delhi
13-Mar-2007: MDI, Gurgaon (HR and IM course): Gurgaon
15-Mar-2007: MFC Delhi University, New Delhi: New Delhi
17-Mar-2007: KJ Somaiya, Mumbai: Mumbai
25-Mar-2007: SP Jain, Mumbai 2nd Round: Mumbai

And yes let me be very clear...this is just the final list....As per the original schedule many of the interview dates clashed and during the months of January and February almost everyday I talked to admission officer of some institute to get the interview rescheduled and believe me its not easy to convince them for the same...and the locations...I just spent around 50K flying from one place to another...

Those 2.5 months from jan to mid march...I just could not forget...I was just so desparate....to the extent I had never been before for anything...The only thing that was over my mind was GD and PI and cracking a good college...I went on to the extent of risking my Job in Infy for my preparation and attending GD/PIs...And with each passing day and each interview it was getting tougher to cope up with the stress.....and thanks to a lot of friends who stood by me and listened patiently to my non stop nonsense talks during those days...I always say "Belive in Yourself" but during those 2.5 months there were n number of time I lost my belief...But my friends didn't...they kept me going....And I survived....

Anyways the final list of regrest and congrats:

SCMHRD, Pune: Regrets...this was the first result and it hurts a lot
IIFT, New Delhi: Congrats
IMT, Ghaziabad: Congrats (Rank 539)
SIIB, Pune: Congrats
NMIMS, Mumbai: Rank 1179
IMI, Delhi: Congrats
SPJIMR, Mumbai 1st round: Congrats
TAPMI, Manipal: Did not attend
XLRI, Jamshedpur (PMIR Course): Congrats
XLRI, Jamshedpur (BM Course): Regrets
MICA, Ahmedabad: Congrats
XIMB, Bhubneshwar: Congrats
MDI, Gurgaon (HR and IM course): Congrats
MFC Delhi University, New Delhi: Did not attend
KJ Somaiya, Mumbai: Did not attend
SPJIMR, Mumbai 2nd Round: Regrets

So all well that ends well...rite!!

wrong!!

The confusion: XLRI PMIR v/s IIFT Delhi...Head v/s Heart

I decided to follow my heart.....go for IIFT...study marketing....

And so here I am completing this story....will soon write on Life at IIFT ....just after this trimester.

Act 1: SCMHRD

2007-02-06T01:31:00.000+05:30

Disclaimer: The writing below have a lot of grammatical and spelling errors. You will have to bear with that. I am not patient enough to edit it. The views and answers are my own. Please don't copy any of those in any of the interviews :)..Please leave your comments after you have read it.

(15-Aug-2007) due to shortage of time I am able to write only one act....read the post 'the journey' for the list of acts....you can contact me personally to know the details of any other acts....I remember each and every moment I spent in those GDs and PIs......

Act 1 Scene 1- The call

So it was 4th Feb…Season ka pehla GD/PI…That too SCMHRD where GD was an elimination round. The reporting was scheduled at 2:15 P.M and it was clearly mentioned on the site “Those reporting after 1 P.M will have their interviews on the following day”

Ohh!! 2 days ...will be tough.... So called up their admission office and asked for a reschedule. The admission officer was very cooperative. She assured me I will have my PI on 4th itself (In case I am clearing the GD). So I packed my bags and reached Pune on 4th morning. It was pretty cool and thanks to Shishu who took all the pain to pick me up from Parihar chauk at 7 in the morning…But he took his revenge when he made the remark after I was ready in my formals “Abe Ye kya!! Dhang se kapde pehan kar soor sala soor lag hi nahi raha!” :@

Act 1 Scene 2- Registration

I reached SCMHRD @ 1:45…It was a 4…errr 5 floor building..As I entered the hall on the ground floor I saw a bunch of guys and gals dressed in formals. I could sense that these are all the bakras of the day. My eyes were searching for some beauty at the registration desk but were really disappointed to find none. One of the coordinating students asked me to wait. After 10 minutes a guy started with the instructions..As I call out you names make a line here, then we will walk to the fourth floor. Please don’t make any noise and switch off your mobiles….Hey!! Is this some kinda military training…Why walk to the fourth floor….I could see 4 lifts meant for carrying us..But let it be..The thoughts were just running across my minds when I heard the voice A6/4…A6/4…Kavish Goel…Yyyes!! I picked my bag and got into the line.

Act 1 Scene 3- ID card

On the third floor we were again made to sit in different rows as per our groups. On the screens some slides showing laurels of SCMHRD were running with some baba ramdev sort of background music. I was half asleep when suddenly someone said Hi!! I woke up to see the guy sitting in front of me half turned back with his hand extended.

Hi!! Kaustubh…Hi!!Kavish..I replied..U are a Bengali?? I asked just to take the conversation further...The guy smiled “No No..I am a maharastrian..From Mumbai”..Ok!! So working somewhere?? I asked again…”Ya TCS…for 27 months” I think he had already sensed that next I will ask his experience so he already included it in his answer…Hi!! I heard a voice from the back of my head..I turned..The guy was smiling..Kevin!! He introduced himself…I replied Hi I am Kavish and this is Kaustubh..

So it was a good beginning…I already had found 2 friends..rest of the time while the crowd was bust looking at the running slides and noting down God knows what points we 3 continued to chat about our workex, calls, technologies and blah blah blah!!

So guys lets move to the fourth floor for the GDs..All the best..One of the coordinators announced..All were on their feet at once

Act 1 Scene 4- The GD

We were 7 in our group…Were supposed to be 8 but one was absconding…I felt lucky that it was a only boys group as I always feel that girls are of no use in GDs…First they speak nonsense..Second they are never ready to accept the fact..nyways

The 7 of us Kathik1, Kishore, Kevin, Me, Kaustubh, Karthik2, Mr. X (Sorry buddy I don’t remember your name) were made to sit In a semi circle…Me and Kevin fell in the middle…Lucky or Unlucky!! God knows..I was determined not to think too much about my position.

******************Moderator1_____Moderator2*****************

***********Mr. X______________________________Karthik1************

***********Kishore_____________________Karthik2***********

**************Absconding_______________Kaustubh***********

*************************Kevin___Kavish*************** *******

“If you are nervous take a deep breadth and relax” Moderator 1 roared.. what a wonderful way to make us feel comfortable..Huh!!

“You people will go through 2 discussions” I would have never known this…Thanks for the enlightenment sir

“First there will be a clip…Without Dialogues” What?? Clip?? No please!! I am very bad at interpretations..all of them are from bollywood movies and they really suck

“The second will be a case study” Yessss!! I can do it…But I think all can do it then…Ok I will go by the fixed strategy…SWOT..no no that’s old…Objective-issue-solution…naah!! That’s boring…Hmmm

The clip had already started by then…It showed a physically challenged person roaming on his wheelchair into a big building..into corridors…into washroom..what a crap…OMG!! People are writing something into their papers…I saw mine..I shall not leave it blank…afterall I have spent a lot to be here…atleast I will consume something…scribble my boy scribble…But what!!

The clip went on to show the wheelchair of the person getting stuck into some duct. He tries thrice to push it out and then gets up!! The caption at the lower end..Awe Grahe, Architect I knew it will be bullshit..I knew I won’t have any idea what is there..I knewwwwww

Kathik2: So my dear friend Oh Shit!! He is trained Blah Blah Blah…

Kaustubh: Blah Blah Blah Now me now me

Kevin: Blah Blah…. JUMP!!!

Me: I could see the passion in his eyes which most of us are missing..That’s why I say he is the architect of the building.. So what did 3 of them said!! Same stuff!!

The group was cordial and discussed as the guy seemed to be the architect who has put himself into the shoes of a physically challenged person trying to see how his creation is from another’s point of view..In a way he is trying to find fauld in his work and correct his mistakes..Captions started flowing in..The perfectionist!! Noops…The designer!! No Again

And suddenly in the twelfth minute lightning striked…The journey to perfection..How will it be like..I mumbled…”Perfect!!” Exclaimed Kaustubh “Our friend over here have summed it up beautifully!! A journey to perfection” Did I spoke that!! He He…Ha Ha…He He…The whole group agreed to the caption but it was only 14 minutes…6 were still left and we all were exhausted…So I decided to chip in with bollywood angle…” Why don’t we look at it from a different viewpoint! The person might be really a PC and when he is stuck up instead of calling for help he tries himself and gets up summing up his courage” Remember the bollywood scenes Maaa!! Main aa raha hoon

The bell rang and we summited our papers

And the moderator1 really believed in what he said…1 long breadth to relax..That was exactly the time given to us before he distributed the sheets for the Case Study.

“Some newbee pharma company in Ahmedabad is recruiting aggressively. There is a clause for the sales persons to report whenever and wherever required. Whenever a salesperson moves out of the city he is supposed to leave his contact details with his supervisor. Out of 539 salespersons the company has only 90 are reporting this information. In case all of them start reporting the paperwork becomes unmanageable .You are the sales manager of western zone and have called a meeting of other zonal managers to discuss if the clause is really required and if yes than if any modifications are necessary. Also what should be the system in place to handle such information? As a group simulate this discussion”

I will be the first to start this time…The thought ran across my mind for 5 minutes as I read the case and I was concentration more on the bell than on the case.

Ringgggggggggggggggg!!

Me: To beeee

Kevin: Blah Blah Blah…..

Me: (Turn the ear and raise the decibel level) To be or not to be that is the question!! As a manager that is the thought running across my mind…not regarding my existence..but regarding this clause…whether it is to be there or not and in case if it is to be there than what are the modifications required for it to be there!!

Silence ruled for 10 seconds!! In fact I was not clear myself what I said

After that one could see the affect of FDIs in retail in India…The GD room was looking more like a reliance fresh shop and less like a bunch of educated people….for next 20 minutes we discussed N aspects of the case…I pointed out Incentive based pay to motivate people..Motivational training from time to time and a Self Service ERP Software System to record the data…but I don’t know how may listened and how many not!!

“So how many of you have taken coaching classes??” Did he sensed anything??

“Don’t worry raise your hands…Nothing to hide”

3 of us…Me, Kaustubh and Kathik1 admitted the fact

“Do you think they are really helpful and how did you managed it with your regular schedule…especially the work ex people”

By that time Kaustubh had already said that we took test series and I gleefully agreed.

Me: “Sir it gives us a chance to see where we stand in the crowd and to see what our weaknesses are. Say if I am weak in maths I can work more on that”

Kaustubh: “Yes sir!! Moreover it gives a simulation of the real paper and managing is not a problem because it’s only a test series we have to attend on Sundays”

Well done!! The comment from the moderators was enough to bring the smile back to our faces…

Act 1 Scene 5- Waiting and Results

We were moved to the waiting hall where we spotted the real beauty of SCMHRD…Me and Kautubh were dead at first shot.

Lets call her Miss A…atleast 5’ 6”…slim and fair…mummy!! I don’t want admission anywhere else. During my wait I contacted her for each and every information that I required.

The scene in the waiting room was no encouraging..The Junta was busy reading prospectus, magazines, newspapers and so on and so forth…There was a table on one side where SCMHRD students were verifying the documents. We thought not to settle there and take a break…So the group moved to the ground floor cafeteria…I was really happy that everyone in the group was friendly and none had any grievances about the GDs..We discussed the stuff again and had a good laugh for next one hour…Also met a guy Ankit from 1st year who told us about the strictness in the college Knew that already and he confirmed the fact.

We moved back to the waiting look and 30 minutes after we had settled down Miss A announced “We will be announcing your results any minute. Those who have not cleared may leave and others please wait here. We will take you immediately for the essay round” You just say I am ready to wait here for the rest of my life :D

The result slip came and Me, Kaustubh and Karthik2 had made it to the next round…I was a bit happy but a bid sad too…The smile on the faces of the ones leaving made me feel so…I had expected more from our group to be in..atleast Kevin..may be the way he sat cross legged or his staring at the panel offended them…But he was good!! No doubt about that!

Anyways the slip mentioned the time slot of 11:00 A.M next day. “No way!!” I thought “I can’t take a days leave…and I talked to the admission committee for the same..I will request them to reschedule it” I requested and followed up. To sum it up it was done…The interview will come l8r..As of now the essay.

The topic was “Why MBA..career plans and some more related shit” 500 words, 20 minutes…Believe me..I thanked a lot to the FMS, MICA, SP Jain, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, IIFT and all others who had SOPs as a part of their applications..I remembered the whole of it and just puked it there on the paper.

Act 1 Scene 6- Interview

There were three of us in the room:

An old man: Age around 60.I will call him oldie(O) from here onwards

The middle aged: The mute mode. He didn’t spoke a word during the course of discussion ad stared at me as if trying to find out am I the person who ran ways with his wife. Let’s call him Mr. Mute (M)

Me: The Bluff master (B)

O: So how are you Kavish?
B: Fine sir! Thank you! Shall I ask how are you..Leave it

O: So you have to travel back to Hyderabad tonight?
B: Yes sir! Have some responsibilities at my workplace! And I am damn concerned about them

O: Hmm..So how are you doing at your work in Infy?
B: Good sir. Dumbo you won’t be confirming it

O: That means you like your current job?
B: Err..Yyes sir!! But it’s a technical role..I wish to move to the functional side! Ha Ha…Functional guys in Infy do testing or no work…that’s what I want to do

O: Ok you have very good acads. What is the reason?
B: Hard work sir…I have worked towards them And bluffing starts

O: Any what was the inspiration for that hard work?
B: Cooked up some story…serve!! I will say the family values instilled in me from childhood. I was small when family was in a bad condition and I learned the value of education. Father was on the verge of loosing his job due to illness

O: For how may years your father is in EIL
B: 23-24 years I will go back and confirm his joining date

O: So how come in a Public Sector firm he was loosing his job..that too after such a long service
B: I mentioned illness sir!!

O: Ok Ok…anyways you have very good acads..I really appreciate people like you
B: I think he is preparing the bakra for halal

O: So you must be very good technically
B: Have already said yes to hard work…have to be good technically too…Hmmm…courage!! YES SIR I AM did I actually said that…that too with confidence…gaya beta

O: So how many hours a day you studied
B: Sir it was on a need basis Can I reply NULL …Will that be an acceptable answer?

O: That means you studied more as exams approached else less?
B: I studied only when exams started…not even when they were approaching… Yes Sir!! In the rest of the semester I used to devote my time to extra activities

O: Yes I can see a lot of extra curricular in your sheet. That means you draw a fine balance between your studies and extra curricular?
B: Yes sir I did

O: Good..But in final year you have some less marks..You could have approached your teachers for increasing them.
B: Talk to my teachers. If it would have been possible they would have given me a Null. Sir I don’t believe in these practices. Blah Blah Blah....

O: Hmmm…So what was you favorite subject
B: Uiii Maa… Project Management…In a low voice.

O: You studied it only for one semester and it’s your favourite?
B: Yes Sir!!

O: So tell me how do you find CPM?
B: Is he asking me the numerical method?? Don’t remember…But remember one thing when you can’t convince them…confuse them
Sir CPM stand for Critical Path method..Used to find the most critical series of activities in a project.

O: And what is meant by critical activity?
B: err…Sir critical activity is one which is critical to the project….I mean…Pause…I will explain the meaning of the word critical here…It is that activity the change in estimation of which will affect the performance of the project more than a non critical activity

O: Then what is PERT? As if the definition I told was of PERT.
B: Sir PERT is Program Evaluation and Review Technique. It is used to determine the best possible path in a project activity diagram. I mean to say each activity has a start, an end and a duration…If an activity can be done after 2 activities in 2 different ways than PERT will determine which will be the best possible way Now what was that??

O: So what is the difference between PERT and CPM
B: Gone with the wind
Sir errr…it’s the way we treat time as a quantity…I mean…hmmm..let me put it this way…In CPM time is a static quantity and in PERT its variable
I hope I am not making myself clear

O: So what did you learnt at Infosys?
B: Ohh gr8 I have a long list…now it’s my turn
Sir I learnt team work and CUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Hey it is my turn….

O: Team work!! Devilish Laugh!! It’s good …one person does the work and rest takes the credit
B: No Sir it’s like CUTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

O: So you are a team lead at Infosys
B: Is that a question or statement….Do I look like a team lead
No Sir I am not

O: Why, You don’t have subordinates over there?
B: No Sir..In fact at Infosys we don’t have the culture of subordinates…hmm…it’s more of a role and responsibility based organization. Blah Blah Blah Again...
He let me spoke….He was silent…Is this the lull before the storm….will he stab me and drink away all my blood….

O: Laughing Don’t tell me that…In a marriage there is always a man and a woman and only one produces a child Did the Mute personality laughed or was it a dream!!
B: Smiles but sir over there also they have different responsibilities
Yes!! Let’s now get into marriage and how children are produced…

By this time mute was completely frustrated looking at my face… So decided to chip in

M: Which of your achievements do you consider the best?
B: Ha Ha …. I love this question
Sir I took initiatives for opening the SAE India student branch in college. Held the position of Secretary and Program Chair for 2 sessions

M: SAE!! What is that?
O: Ohh yaar ek society hai…
B: Yes Sir!! It’s Society of Automotive Engineers

M: But you have a long list of academic achievements. Don’t you consider any of these as your best?
B: Sir studies were my responsibilities (And I never cared for them) I was supposed to perform in studies whatever may be…opening of the branch was something I was really passionate about and moreover it was over and above my regular resposibilities

O: Hmm..So you like doing a lot of work besides your regular work
B: I love it sir In fact that is one thing I consider myself good at…Studies and work or for that matter of fact anything regular is boring

O: Good…So that was about achievements…Any setbacks…in case there were any
B: Thinking

O: I mean you must be having any weakness, any failure…
B: Of course I am not a Raymond’s Man!! So weakness he said…let me stick to that
Sir I have weaknesses..At times I am a bit overly talkative and CUTTTT

M: No no that’s your weakness not a setback…tell us a setback
O: Somewhere you failed like that
B: Yes sir..I was not able to clear IIT JEE

O: How many attempts you gave and what was your rank?
B: Sir one attempt the rank was 4015

O: So why you didn’t tried again…that was a pretty good rank..you could have made it next year
B: I did not tried again because I knew it very well that next year I won’t be getting admission to M.M.M.E.C too….
Sir I was getting admission into Madan Mohan Malviya Engineering College…It is also one of the best colleges in U.P…So I thought investing one year later into my post graduation or working in industry will be more useful

O: Reading the form!! Madaan Mohaan Maalviyaaa .. That’s an REC?
B: No sir but it’s a Government college

O: Ok..It’s a Government college..Good..So any other setback
B: Start another story..
Tried for betterment of college...failed ...some cooked up story about some construction
I spoke the story in one line straight with lots of passion flowing

O: Are to paisa ikhatta karke ladko se banwa dete…koi kuch ukhaad leta kya??
B: :O:O:O:O:O:O:O:O:O
Ye apni language main bola or is my mind becoming a translater cum compiler
Sir I could have done that…In fact each and every student was ready to chip in the money but that would have been illegal

O: To kya?
B: Apni main hi bol raha hai bidu!! Bahut sahi!!
O: You must have broken the law sometime or the other…never jumped a red light?
B: No Sir I never see what is the colour of the light so don’t know whether I have jumped a red one ever or not

O: You drive?
B: Yes sir!! A lot..I have a pulsar 180 CC Why did I said that?? I don’t know

O: So must have talked on mobile sometime while driving
B: Never sir!! It’s illegal and unsafe…I prefer to park my bike sideways and talk While driving I use a hands free

O: Hmm..yawning and stretching out on the chair..So you were very good at studies…you must have helped your friends during exam…show them the answers etc…
B: I was myself dependent on my friends…they helped me during exams.. Sir I helped them in the sense that we used to do discussions ad group study..but cheating was not possible

O: Not possible!! Nahi yaat thoda bahut to har engineering college main chalta hai…it’s a common practice.
B: No sir..In our college the invigilation was very strict..it was not possible

O: Hmmm…matlab possible hota to karate Both Laughed
B: grilling at myself….but laughed with them

O: So you must be feeling bad at Infosys..There are 65000 employees…everyone treated equally…You are not getting any advantage of your acads
B: The ever appreciated equal opportunity funda....Huh!!

O: So that means you believe in current performance
B: Yes sir I do Don’t have an option…Noone cares for the past

O: Good thank you…looked at Mute…no response…Ok that’s it..thanks
B: Smiled…Thank you sir…Looked at mute…smiled…thank you..

Picked up the file and moved out

Got back to the waiting hall…got my certis verified and thanked all the coordinators for being cooperative…was searching for Miss A for a last look but !!..The time was to move back to parihar chauk to catch the Volvo so rushed out…Came to know the Symbiosis bus will leave at 7:20 and parihar chauk is just 20 minutes away..so bought the tickets

Act 1 Scene 7- Return
The symbiosis bus was late…it came at 7:50 instead of 7:20…I was restless…my Volvo was to leave at 8:45 and I also wished to spend some time with friends..anyways reaced parihar chauk at 8:15..Shishu, Shivali and Meenu were already there with my luggage…Friends are important…they pick you up in the morning…take care of your breakfast…encourages you…pack your luggage…book your tickets and many more things….they assure that you make it through without worrying about other stuff…And some like these 3 are really greattttttt
Nyways shared the days experience with 3…again!!...they already knew half the story over the phone but were patient enough to bear with it again…all know it’s no use asking a chatterbox like me to shut up.
The Volvo was there on time (15 minutes delay in India is before time…I am rude enough to call it ontime)..
So it was time that I said bbye and took my seat… Phir Hera Pheri was the movie on roll…And it was very supportive in giving me a good sleep after a Long tiring day!!

A New Year 2007

2007-01-01T00:34:00.000+05:30

एक बरस में, एक बार ही जगती होली की ज्वाला,
एक बार ही लगती बाज़ी, जलती दीपों की माला,
दुनियावालों, किन्तु, किसी दिन आ मदिरालय में देखो,
दिन को होली, रात दिवाली, रोज़ मनाती मधुशाला।

I don't believe in explicitly celebrating new year..Instead celebrate each day.

Instead of cherishing some hours on 31st Dec eve cherish each hour of the day for it can never return...live each day to the fullest and look forward with confidence and back without regrets.

"Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die tomorrow."

I just wish 2007 to be a great year for me and all my friends!! May god bless us all with love, happiness, Joy and Peace...Amen!!

Love...The Controversy!!

2006-12-20T22:59:00.000+05:30

प्यास तुझे तो, विश्व तपाकर पूर्ण निकालूँगा हाला,
एक पाँव से साकी बनकर नाचूँगा लेकर प्याला,
जीवन की मधुता तो तेरे ऊपर कब का वार चुका,
आज निछावर कर दूँगा मैं तुझ पर जग की मधुशाला।

What is Love??

This very simple looking 3 word question is more complex than any puzzle in the world.

The definition of love varies from person to person...Some say 'love' is Divine, others are ready to debate on the very existence of 'love'.

Some say love is worship: worship?? We use the word in relation to GOD. Do love have the same level of sacredness as GOD?

Some say Love is God: God is invisible and scientists haven't proved it's existence. God is more associated with faith than evidence and so is 'love'

Some say love is sacrifice: The lines at the top of this post are based on this view. One of my guides (In studies as well as life) wrote "Love is when a person is ready to give up one's own identity to make the other person's identity."
Another friend used to say "Your happiness should lay in the happiness of your LOVE, so if she feels she will be happier with someone else, then let go!"
I have heard a lot of people saying "One should set one's love free; it will certainly come back if it's true. And if it doesn't then it was never yours!!"

I don't agree or disagree with any of the viewpoints completely...

In fact I am not sure whether I do believe in the notion of love or not!! People say true love is that feeling which makes you stronger from inside....You can jump off a 20 storey building without any fear or grievance. I always wonder can I do that? If you ask me at this point of time...Honestly the answer is 'NO! I won't'..
Friends said true love is when you can sacrifice everything without expecting anything in return!! Not even a thanks....But In the materialistic society of today are these talk relevant or make any sense...In past 23+ years I have only seen people talking about it and haven't seen a single person following this path..
When it come to reality the first 3 love for everyone are: I, ME & MYSELF....may be I am wrong...or rather inexperienced...but that's what I have experienced all through these years...

My close friends always tell me "You view will change!! Just wait!!" and I can't do anything but wait....

Life is a Perception

2006-12-18T20:51:00.000+05:30

जितनी दिल की गहराई हो उतना गहरा है प्याला,
जितनी मन की मादकता हो उतनी मादक है हाला,
जितनी उर की भावुकता हो उतना सुन्दर साकी है,
जितना ही जो रिसक, उसे है उतनी रसमय मधुशाला।

I believe that there is no secret receipe for happiness. To move through life joyously it's not at all necessary to be blessed with a life of abundancee, love, success and prosperity. Happy people are those who have the tendency to turn circumstances into thier favour or atleast get themselves parallel to the circumstances. What is perception? Its like viewing through goggles..If the glasses are black the whole world looks dark...If they are yellow it turns golden. One wants to see happiness...one sees that...You want to see misfortune and it's waiting at you door.
All experience, all things, all events, challenges, relationships, opportunities, failures and so on and so forth can be percieved at a different level...A thing that seems negative at one level can be experienced as a positive in another state. Our thought process, our view and our perception of life can be changed. Our mind is programmable and we can consciously modify its programming to benefit us and those around us. If you dislike your job just consider the positive aspects and approach your work with gusto. Fear!!Huh! view a task you fear as an opportunity to learn what you are incapable of doing as of now.

A change in perspective is all it takes to change your world!!