Being in a residential college, living on the campus had its own challenges. Away from home every single step was a judgment (small or big). It was amazing how there was a lot of angles to every small thing, lot of view points on almost every issue. It was a learning experience where you would learn to live with disagreements, animosity and friendship. It was amazing how everyone not in agreement would take a deep sigh and move along. And to add to the amazement was the fact that after all these we all could stand together for the batch we were.
But not in professional life, not in an organization where you are working would you ever fathom things like this. But it happens. That is what I hate the most about the Indian work culture. One would think that people know where to draw the lines. They know which battles to pick. But believe me you have no idea when there can be surprises sprang at you.
I fail to understand how and why people cannot respect other people working for them. Or for that matter why the people do not understand the limitation of their managers. It is a two-faced sword. There is no right or wrong.
Why do we have the so called superiority or inferiority complex when it comes down to work professionally?
All our life we are taught how to respect others small or big. What is that singleton thing that triggers the lesser among equals attitude.
I might be biased and there are good managers, colleagues etc. But most of the people I hear about; they make me think twice. Would I be the same some day; a person with complete lack of empathy! Only time will tell I guess.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Random thoughts on Kashmir
Well the morning news today on IBN welcomes with the headline story that 6 killed in Kashmir. Yesterday you got the news that the hardliners in the valley are trying to turn the week schedule as per any other Islamic country. For those who do not know this they are trying to have the weekend on friday and saturday. Well let me correct this it is just not the Islamic countries that have this. Even Israel follows the same work week with Sunday as a working day.
However, the only thing that came to my mind was how much more ? how much more can anyone bear with all that is happening there ? How logical is it to hold on to a piece of land that has been continuously oozing blood for 3 decades now. Is it really worth it. Is it worth to spend crores of Rupees per day on Siachen when scores go without two square meals a day. Is it worth it to give concession from the government to an area in the country whose population is a small percentage of the so many people in UP or Bihar going without potable drinking water.
I believe that it is just the spineless attitude of the politicians that is to be blamed here. I wonder what will happen in Pakistan if Kashmir issue is resolved. What will they fight for? What will the politicians say or discuss or for that matter make rhetorical comments on?
You know what I would like to do. I would go ahead and say to the Mirwaiz's; to the Abdullah's and everyone out there; You want autonomy, freedom or whatever you call it. Guess what; have it !
But then be a separate country and forget about reaping the benefit of being a part of country like India. If the fact so bothers you anyways then whats the point. Some people would say that if this happens then everyone will want that; what with Telangana and Tamil Nadu wanting that. But I hope that better sense would prevail. I hope that people will turn their attention to more pressing human development needs in the country.
There would be many who would say that it is easy to have access to internet and all the facilities and write a blog about the burning issue. And it is much difficult on the ground.
But whatever it is; I just cannot justify all the money spent and then still people getting killed and hating the state. Not that money saved there will be used for the benefit of the people. Of course not, that would still need the Kalmadi's and the elite to go off the face of the nation.
But yet the human life that will be saved is worth it I guess!
But then who would go and bell the cat is the question. Till the time that happens in another 50, 60 or whatever years; we will continue spending crores and people will continue losing their life. The only one benefiting would be political elite ! They deserve it I guess. They need to get a full cuppa of it before they get bored and decide to settle the issue once in for all.
However, the only thing that came to my mind was how much more ? how much more can anyone bear with all that is happening there ? How logical is it to hold on to a piece of land that has been continuously oozing blood for 3 decades now. Is it really worth it. Is it worth to spend crores of Rupees per day on Siachen when scores go without two square meals a day. Is it worth it to give concession from the government to an area in the country whose population is a small percentage of the so many people in UP or Bihar going without potable drinking water.
I believe that it is just the spineless attitude of the politicians that is to be blamed here. I wonder what will happen in Pakistan if Kashmir issue is resolved. What will they fight for? What will the politicians say or discuss or for that matter make rhetorical comments on?
You know what I would like to do. I would go ahead and say to the Mirwaiz's; to the Abdullah's and everyone out there; You want autonomy, freedom or whatever you call it. Guess what; have it !
But then be a separate country and forget about reaping the benefit of being a part of country like India. If the fact so bothers you anyways then whats the point. Some people would say that if this happens then everyone will want that; what with Telangana and Tamil Nadu wanting that. But I hope that better sense would prevail. I hope that people will turn their attention to more pressing human development needs in the country.
There would be many who would say that it is easy to have access to internet and all the facilities and write a blog about the burning issue. And it is much difficult on the ground.
But whatever it is; I just cannot justify all the money spent and then still people getting killed and hating the state. Not that money saved there will be used for the benefit of the people. Of course not, that would still need the Kalmadi's and the elite to go off the face of the nation.
But yet the human life that will be saved is worth it I guess!
But then who would go and bell the cat is the question. Till the time that happens in another 50, 60 or whatever years; we will continue spending crores and people will continue losing their life. The only one benefiting would be political elite ! They deserve it I guess. They need to get a full cuppa of it before they get bored and decide to settle the issue once in for all.
Monday, March 01, 2010
We will miss you Madhur Goel :-(
It is a sad day. Not a Holi one would cherish. Not a kind of festival one waits for.
Madhur aka Maddy, my senior met with an horrifyingly fatal accident today. Too young to meet this fate.
Sometimes you just cannot understand God's design. People say whatever happens happens for good. I fail to understand what good is it for anyone. It is simply horrifying and sad.
We will miss your smiling presence Maddy Sir!
May your soul Rest In Peace.
Heartfelt Condolences for your family.
Madhur aka Maddy, my senior met with an horrifyingly fatal accident today. Too young to meet this fate.
Sometimes you just cannot understand God's design. People say whatever happens happens for good. I fail to understand what good is it for anyone. It is simply horrifying and sad.
We will miss your smiling presence Maddy Sir!
May your soul Rest In Peace.
Heartfelt Condolences for your family.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Interesting Philosphy
An Extract from Frozen thoughts for this month
No single person, no single event, no single experience has the right to sit inside your head and continue to disturb the peace of your mind. No single person, no single event, no single experience should ever be given such exalted status as to have the power over the peace of your mind. For the sake of your peace, let go of anything, let go of anybody, who continue to rattle you from within the chambers of your own mind and heart. Your mind and heart should be the seat of your peace and not the seat of someone or something that keeps disturbing you. Nothing at the cost of your peace. Everything for the sake of your peace. Learn to let go, not in the physical sense, but in an emotional sense. Free your mind and heart of any disturbing elements. Let go whatever. Let go whoever. Put your peace above everything.
Your within can either be a basket of fragrant flowers or a vessel of acid? When you let go the source of your hurt, you experience an inner flowering. Else, you keep self-destructing yourself like how acid would destroy the vessel, which contains it.
People hurt you out of their ignorance and their immaturity. And, you allow yourself to be hurt out of your ignorance and your immaturity. We cannot control the ignorance and immaturity of the world. But we can do something about our side of the story. The fact of the matter is that between the hater and the hated, it is always the hater who gets hurt more. While your hatred may do nothing to the other, it certainly gives you sleepless nights, builds ulcer and acidity in you, keeps you constantly agitated, and above all, does not allow you to be at peace with yourself. So, what do you get out of living with hurt? So, what is the point in reliving hurt? Nobody gains and for sure, you definitely lose. Why will you live with something as meaningless as hurt?
In a physical sense, people or event that hurts you happen once. But you rewind and replay the hurt a zillion times. The more you process it, the deeper it hurts. The only reason you may be living with hurt is that you do not understand the value of your peace. You have given a source of disturbance a higher presence within you than your own peace. That's why I say, you allow yourself to be hurt out of your own ignorance and immaturity.
If at all anything or anybody is wrong, let them continue to live outside of you. Don't give them a presence within your mind and heart. Let your mind and heart house only those who are a source of your peace. The rest, let them go…
In letting go of your hurt, you will be letting in peace. A peaceful you is a beautiful you. The good news is, you can be beautiful. The very good news is, it is in your very hands. See… even the thought of 'let go' is getting you the smile…
------- Re produced without permission from Venkatakrishna Goluguri :P
No single person, no single event, no single experience has the right to sit inside your head and continue to disturb the peace of your mind. No single person, no single event, no single experience should ever be given such exalted status as to have the power over the peace of your mind. For the sake of your peace, let go of anything, let go of anybody, who continue to rattle you from within the chambers of your own mind and heart. Your mind and heart should be the seat of your peace and not the seat of someone or something that keeps disturbing you. Nothing at the cost of your peace. Everything for the sake of your peace. Learn to let go, not in the physical sense, but in an emotional sense. Free your mind and heart of any disturbing elements. Let go whatever. Let go whoever. Put your peace above everything.
Your within can either be a basket of fragrant flowers or a vessel of acid? When you let go the source of your hurt, you experience an inner flowering. Else, you keep self-destructing yourself like how acid would destroy the vessel, which contains it.
People hurt you out of their ignorance and their immaturity. And, you allow yourself to be hurt out of your ignorance and your immaturity. We cannot control the ignorance and immaturity of the world. But we can do something about our side of the story. The fact of the matter is that between the hater and the hated, it is always the hater who gets hurt more. While your hatred may do nothing to the other, it certainly gives you sleepless nights, builds ulcer and acidity in you, keeps you constantly agitated, and above all, does not allow you to be at peace with yourself. So, what do you get out of living with hurt? So, what is the point in reliving hurt? Nobody gains and for sure, you definitely lose. Why will you live with something as meaningless as hurt?
In a physical sense, people or event that hurts you happen once. But you rewind and replay the hurt a zillion times. The more you process it, the deeper it hurts. The only reason you may be living with hurt is that you do not understand the value of your peace. You have given a source of disturbance a higher presence within you than your own peace. That's why I say, you allow yourself to be hurt out of your own ignorance and immaturity.
If at all anything or anybody is wrong, let them continue to live outside of you. Don't give them a presence within your mind and heart. Let your mind and heart house only those who are a source of your peace. The rest, let them go…
In letting go of your hurt, you will be letting in peace. A peaceful you is a beautiful you. The good news is, you can be beautiful. The very good news is, it is in your very hands. See… even the thought of 'let go' is getting you the smile…
------- Re produced without permission from Venkatakrishna Goluguri :P
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
I dreamed a dream from Les Miserables
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
When hope was high,
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.
Then I was young and unafraid
When dreams were made and used,
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung,
No wine untasted.
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hopes apart
As they turn your dreams to shame.
And still I dream he'll come to me
And we will live our lives together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seems
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.
---- from the Musical Les Miserables
When hope was high,
And life worth living
I dreamed that love would never die
I dreamed that God would be forgiving.
Then I was young and unafraid
When dreams were made and used,
And wasted
There was no ransom to be paid
No song unsung,
No wine untasted.
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hopes apart
As they turn your dreams to shame.
And still I dream he'll come to me
And we will live our lives together
But there are dreams that cannot be
And there are storms
We cannot weather...
I had a dream my life would be
So different from this hell I'm living
So different now from what it seems
Now life has killed
The dream I dreamed.
---- from the Musical Les Miserables
Monday, April 20, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Why they love Narendra Modi
This is a country of nit-pickers. Here was Vibrant Gujarat announcing another huge haul from its latest investment spectacle when critics went into overdrive. The figures were exaggerated and most of the money had not really come in, they carped.
Reporters, celebrity columnists and political rivals quoted official statistics from varied sources and Right to Information disclosures to show up the claims of the Narendra Modi government.
Some became extremely shrill. Remember, said a Congress spokesman, how well industrialists adored Hitler. There were also references to the 2002 pogrom which took the lives of around 2,000 Muslims. But industry couldn't have cared less. This year's extravaganza, with even more of the cream of Indian business in adulatory attendance, netted promises of investments amounting to Rs 12,00,000 crore (Rs 12,000 billion) -- a colossal tribute to Modi's reputation for ruthless efficiency.
His is not the discreet charm of the accommodating politician but the irresistible attraction of a strongman who delivers. The big draw appears to be the way Modi functions: red tape has been practically banished and government departments take their cue from the chief executive.
Thus, clearances come at breathtaking speed, much to the delight of businessmen who value speed above all else. An awestruck Ratan Tata reminded the January 2009 investors' summit that the Nano project was cleared in just three days!
"I have to listen to my own saying (of 2007) that if you are not in Gujarat you are stupid. Today, I am saying that I am not stupid," the country's most iconic businessman was quoted as saying. But then Ratan Tata has special reasons for saying that.
The extremely cosy relationship that industry and the Gujarat CM enjoy raises some troubling questions.
What do the Ratan Tatas, Sunil Mittals, K V Kamaths and Ambanis see as the role of politicians? Can generous sops to industry and the speed and simplification of regulations alone be compelling reasons for the adulation of a politician with a spotty record on pursuing development goals and protecting the rights of the vulnerable sections of society? It would appear that India's business community for the most part is unable to see beyond its nose.
If not, what explains the complete indifference of these men to some shocking revelations about Modi's Gujarat that were made at the same time the Vibrant Gujarat histrionics were being played out? Top among these is that the state's record on getting its children into school and keeping them there is dismal.
The Annual Status of Education Report Rural 2008, the most telling document on education trends, shows 21 per cent of the boys and 30 per cent of girls in the 15-16 age group in rural Gujarat dropping out of school.
Worse, the younger children are simply not getting a proper education. Only 59.6 per cent rural children in the Standard 3 to 5 group could read the Standard 1 text against the all-India average of 66.6 per cent. In maths, they fared worse: only 43.1 per cent could do subtraction against the national average of 54.9 per cent, way behind the figures for Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Surely, something is rotten in the state of Gujarat? Perhaps, his business fan following is not aware that Gujarat under Modi has fared worse than most states on almost every index of human development, the worst blot being the dwindling sex ratio. The number of girls per 1,000 boys in Gujarat is just 878, one of the lowest in the country, despite the growing prosperity of the state -- or perhaps because of it.
The poor indices of overall human development -- Gujarat has slipped from first spot to sixth place among Indian states -- are a deeply worrying issue for social scientists who have also been sounding the alarm bells on the fragmentation and ghettoisation of Gujarat's society.
But these are not issues that find resonance in the business community. Instead, there is a belief that all is well with Modi's state. Nothing but rank ignorance could explain this very recent statement by a leading banker, who is also the head of an industry organisation, praising what he called "Gujarat's all-round development".
He says: "When I talk about Gujarat as a role model, it is not only to do with GDP growth but also other parameters like human development index, schooling, education, infrastructure and basic services. That is a model which is setting a right benchmark."
A big part of the answer as to why industry takes such a benign view of the 'Gujarat model' could be that Modi makes no bones about favouring this segment over all others. It is a model where public money is used to turn a private venture into a profitable enterprise at the cost of the environment. This is not to say that other parts of India are not similarly engaged but it is a fundamental principle with Modi.
A clear indication of this is available in a Government Resolution on the concessions made to Tata's Nano project. The GR passed on January 1, 2009, but made public just 10 days ago, is an eye-opener although there have been several speculative reports that revealed the blandishments offered by Modi to bring the Nano to Gujarat.
These make the incentives offered by the West Bengal government to the Tatas in Singur look tight-fisted. According to one estimate, tax-payers in Gujarat will be footing as much as Rs 60,000 per vehicle to make the Nano the car of the masses with a price tag of Rs 1 lakh.
It's a dream package that Modi is giving the Tatas: apart from the 1,100 acres of land and infrastructure sops, there is a soft loan of Rs 9,570 crore (Rs 95.7 billion) that is repayable over 20 years at an unbelievable 0.1 per cent rate of interest.
Facilities for solid-waste disposal and effluent treatment plants are to be developed by the state government which will also provide a dedicated power connection of 200 KW to the factory along with 14,000 cubic metres water daily. There are other dispensations, too.
The Nano project does not have to recruit 85 per cent of the workforce locally as the state industrial policy mandates.
How can one not love Modi if public money is to fund private industry to this extent? In the old days, industry was brought in to spur infrastructure and employment. That doesn't seem to be an overriding concern these days, and certainly not for Gujarat.
Attracting big-ticket industrial projects is essentially image-building that comes in handy at the time of elections. If you can get a Tata to set up the Nano factory outside Ahmedabad, does it really matter if children in the hinterland cannot read, write or count?
----
Article on Rediff.com
Written by Latha Jishnu with the same title Why they love Narendra Modi
Reporters, celebrity columnists and political rivals quoted official statistics from varied sources and Right to Information disclosures to show up the claims of the Narendra Modi government.
Some became extremely shrill. Remember, said a Congress spokesman, how well industrialists adored Hitler. There were also references to the 2002 pogrom which took the lives of around 2,000 Muslims. But industry couldn't have cared less. This year's extravaganza, with even more of the cream of Indian business in adulatory attendance, netted promises of investments amounting to Rs 12,00,000 crore (Rs 12,000 billion) -- a colossal tribute to Modi's reputation for ruthless efficiency.
His is not the discreet charm of the accommodating politician but the irresistible attraction of a strongman who delivers. The big draw appears to be the way Modi functions: red tape has been practically banished and government departments take their cue from the chief executive.
Thus, clearances come at breathtaking speed, much to the delight of businessmen who value speed above all else. An awestruck Ratan Tata reminded the January 2009 investors' summit that the Nano project was cleared in just three days!
"I have to listen to my own saying (of 2007) that if you are not in Gujarat you are stupid. Today, I am saying that I am not stupid," the country's most iconic businessman was quoted as saying. But then Ratan Tata has special reasons for saying that.
The extremely cosy relationship that industry and the Gujarat CM enjoy raises some troubling questions.
What do the Ratan Tatas, Sunil Mittals, K V Kamaths and Ambanis see as the role of politicians? Can generous sops to industry and the speed and simplification of regulations alone be compelling reasons for the adulation of a politician with a spotty record on pursuing development goals and protecting the rights of the vulnerable sections of society? It would appear that India's business community for the most part is unable to see beyond its nose.
If not, what explains the complete indifference of these men to some shocking revelations about Modi's Gujarat that were made at the same time the Vibrant Gujarat histrionics were being played out? Top among these is that the state's record on getting its children into school and keeping them there is dismal.
The Annual Status of Education Report Rural 2008, the most telling document on education trends, shows 21 per cent of the boys and 30 per cent of girls in the 15-16 age group in rural Gujarat dropping out of school.
Worse, the younger children are simply not getting a proper education. Only 59.6 per cent rural children in the Standard 3 to 5 group could read the Standard 1 text against the all-India average of 66.6 per cent. In maths, they fared worse: only 43.1 per cent could do subtraction against the national average of 54.9 per cent, way behind the figures for Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Surely, something is rotten in the state of Gujarat? Perhaps, his business fan following is not aware that Gujarat under Modi has fared worse than most states on almost every index of human development, the worst blot being the dwindling sex ratio. The number of girls per 1,000 boys in Gujarat is just 878, one of the lowest in the country, despite the growing prosperity of the state -- or perhaps because of it.
The poor indices of overall human development -- Gujarat has slipped from first spot to sixth place among Indian states -- are a deeply worrying issue for social scientists who have also been sounding the alarm bells on the fragmentation and ghettoisation of Gujarat's society.
But these are not issues that find resonance in the business community. Instead, there is a belief that all is well with Modi's state. Nothing but rank ignorance could explain this very recent statement by a leading banker, who is also the head of an industry organisation, praising what he called "Gujarat's all-round development".
He says: "When I talk about Gujarat as a role model, it is not only to do with GDP growth but also other parameters like human development index, schooling, education, infrastructure and basic services. That is a model which is setting a right benchmark."
A big part of the answer as to why industry takes such a benign view of the 'Gujarat model' could be that Modi makes no bones about favouring this segment over all others. It is a model where public money is used to turn a private venture into a profitable enterprise at the cost of the environment. This is not to say that other parts of India are not similarly engaged but it is a fundamental principle with Modi.
A clear indication of this is available in a Government Resolution on the concessions made to Tata's Nano project. The GR passed on January 1, 2009, but made public just 10 days ago, is an eye-opener although there have been several speculative reports that revealed the blandishments offered by Modi to bring the Nano to Gujarat.
These make the incentives offered by the West Bengal government to the Tatas in Singur look tight-fisted. According to one estimate, tax-payers in Gujarat will be footing as much as Rs 60,000 per vehicle to make the Nano the car of the masses with a price tag of Rs 1 lakh.
It's a dream package that Modi is giving the Tatas: apart from the 1,100 acres of land and infrastructure sops, there is a soft loan of Rs 9,570 crore (Rs 95.7 billion) that is repayable over 20 years at an unbelievable 0.1 per cent rate of interest.
Facilities for solid-waste disposal and effluent treatment plants are to be developed by the state government which will also provide a dedicated power connection of 200 KW to the factory along with 14,000 cubic metres water daily. There are other dispensations, too.
The Nano project does not have to recruit 85 per cent of the workforce locally as the state industrial policy mandates.
How can one not love Modi if public money is to fund private industry to this extent? In the old days, industry was brought in to spur infrastructure and employment. That doesn't seem to be an overriding concern these days, and certainly not for Gujarat.
Attracting big-ticket industrial projects is essentially image-building that comes in handy at the time of elections. If you can get a Tata to set up the Nano factory outside Ahmedabad, does it really matter if children in the hinterland cannot read, write or count?
----
Article on Rediff.com
Written by Latha Jishnu with the same title Why they love Narendra Modi
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