Salute to us..

The first one..

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And that bring me back to write a blog for a very old questions. Today I had various interesting discussion points with two different kinds of people while I was struggling preparing my persuasive speech for the client. One of them asked me how to get rid of production job and get into software industry..!!! The first thought that came into my mind was, boss..Infosys is not just Software Company that makes computer machines; second, I am not a software engineer..!! It’s crazy that, still, after 6 years, people perceive me as a software employee. Anyways, in return to his question, I just smiled back. Smile full of sarcasm, as if I have reached a stage that is way beyond answering such insignificant questions. Obviously I was able to hide my snuffles behind that smile. Only I in this damn world can understand where at all I had started and where am I now..!!!
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The second one..
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But apart from this, what made me scratch my skin to reveal the ruins was the second more interesting question; I would say ‘questions’. The discussion started with.. “Till what age you want to continue this work?” It was casual. I said the legal age to end your employment in India is 60, but she wasn’t expecting this explanation. “Do you have any other activity that you want to pursue”. Aah ..!! I got it. She is asking me about my hobbies. Oh…I have many, most of them I don’t really pursue anymore. With the heat of excitement I told her many reasons why it is difficult to pursue your passion in India. Later I returned to my hotel room, sat over the pot and murmured to myself various (actual) replies that I could have given to her. Remember “bhai..susu genious hai”..??
What if you want to follow your passion as your employment??? Be a writer, singer, actor, painter or anything else you want to become. Does it happen in a country like India? I would say, quite often than less. Forget about starting your business, even if you want to become a singer you would have 100 checkpoints to pass through before you start singing in your bathroom. How would I sing, what will people (specially relatives) think about my singing, how will I earn for my living, how will I support my wife, my parents, my future kids, my kid’s marriage.. and the list is endless. Your song becomes misery before even being composed, if any of the checkpoints is not cleared. That’s how we are cultured to live in this country. We own the responsibility of our creators and creations till we last our strength. Our sole motivation to earn big bucks is not for self, but for spouse and finally for our kids. As an illustration, after our marriage, how frequently do we shop for self? Or after having a kid, how often do we dine to celebrate Valentine’s Day? Wondered how many of us haven’t thought of owning a car and subsequently a house within 3 years of getting married? How many of us have invested in overseas vacation instead of life insurance policies to save tax? It’s quite rare to find ‘Yes’ for all these FAQs and I am not surprised as this is imbibed to us as our culture.
But I thank God for creating some people who gave ‘Yes’ as answer to the FAQs mentioned above because of which we are living in age of innovation. Thank God, Einstein was mad, pyscho unmarried guy and hence we got electric bulb. Thank God for bestowing us with Mahatma Gandhi, APJ Kalam and Kiran Bedi because of which we still feel privileged.
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The next one..

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What job I want to pursue? IBM, Accenture, Deloitte..or a hi-flier consulting or a core production job, or the most paying golden collared profile. Aagh..!! I have so many adjective to choose from, but I would stick to my original, RESPECTABLE job. So what, am I working in for a disgraced profile? No, certainly not. But is it quite memorable for long time? Can I expect my client to remember me after 10 years? And even if he remembers me, what would I be remembered for? ‘The guy who charged us a hefty sum for helping us understand the supply chain fundamentals. I don’t even care if he still exists’. Can I count upon any value I was able to add to my job? I don’t know.
Can we imagine the joy the doctor feels when he saves a life through crucial operation? Can we recognize the innovation of a scientist who made our life simpler and comfortable? Can we realize the pride the teacher feels when his feet are touched upon by his students asking for his blessings?
This is my idea of respectable job..!!!

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(NOM: I had to end this ever long topic for now, as I really want to concentrate on 'Sheela ki jawani' song/visual currently being aired on music channel)... We are like this. All salute to us..!!!

Corporate Ethics

As I was writing this blog I was wondering, I could sound a bit theoretical while sharing this experience. However every person I had reached to, is follower of ‘love your job, not the employer’, and I have seen some very true spirited guys religiously following this. Infact skill of defining your job periphery yourself is what I am amazed at.

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I must admit, we consultants have very tough life. No matters we are often made the topic of laughter by many. But seriously if you consider the circumstances we guys have to go through, it’s worth paying us monthly salary. We are supposed to know everything, almost everything, atleast the one for which we are paid and hired for. Even if you have slightest doubt in your mind regarding your competency or other, it can backfire you in future. If you are true in your doubt, you are saved, else you are screwed.

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As I am accompanied by a fellow consultant in this project, it reminded me of the days that I had spent in Holland. Those days were really struggling and gruesome for me. I was new, first international trip, first direct interaction with the client and moreover had only 50% idea of what I was expected to deliver there. Gosh.!!! Those were the days, when every day I felt embarrassed in front of the client. It was tough to consult about something that even you had lesser idea. On top of that, it’s worst to have client more educated than you..!!! But I was saved by my manager in Holland. He kept holding my hands and directed me to the safest shore. He stood like a wall and shielded me from all negatives.

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Anyways, reminding those days is really encouraging for me. Now I am accompanied by a fellow Infoscion who is as new as I was 2 years ago. He has the experience but may not have enough aptitude to stand in front of client’s expectations. My project is going well, touchwood. So what should I do now? Should I just leave him to client’s and Infosys manager’s mercy and let him drown? Or should I hold his hands and help him rise slowly and gradually?
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If I go by the saying that I had mentioned above, I should have chosen the first path. Infact this would have relieved me of any additional duties and moreover I could concentrate on my own project. Hmm..that sound very simple, logical and practical. But I cannot forget the days that I had spent in Holland. If my manager had thought of it like the one mentioned as first path, I would have been thrown out of consulting. So I followed the second path. It was tough to help others keeping your responsibilities on fire, but I had to do it. I call this as ‘corporate ethics’. While helping this guy, I faced some dents from client regarding his project and my project as well. But now we are a team. There is no ‘his project’ or ‘my project’, its customer project that is handled by Infosys as a whole. I took the brickbats from the client even though I was remotely associated with it. But I hold the responsibility of our future commitments rather than past mistakes. That’s how we work in consulting.

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Now put my case in industry other than consulting, be it manufacturing or marketing or any other, and see how people usually behave. These thoughts make my decision to join consulting stronger.

A Certified Professional..!!!

And here it is… on one hand India is celebrating the successfully closing of Commonwealth Games in Delhi, and here, on other hand I am holding my spirit high on clearing the final module of CPIM certification. CPIM is the certification offered by APICS, an apex American society for Operations Management and supply chain management.

Aahh.. !!! its been a long journey, almost around 2.5 years. It was in January 2008 when I had started my preparation for the first module. Since then I have never been sitting pointless at any moment. I can still remember the day when I had paid the fee for first module the amount of which was more than my monthly saving. Every exam had been special in some way or the other. Never had I felt that the exam was easy in any form. Sometime it was my marriage, other times it was project work. Struggle for any exam was never painless for me. I had sacrificed many moments, many free moments I would say, for this target, for which I am really thankful for my wife, Divya. I could have gone to vacations, or could have relaxed a bit instead of burning my head over solving supply chain theories.

I don’t know how much I know about supply chain, but one thing is sure, I have a proof that could reflect my dedication towards this area. I agree that I may not have enough number of years of experience in this field, but if we talk about commitment, yes, here is the proof..!!! This was single point of motivation for me when I had started this journey. Every time I waited for the results, I had to cross my fingers out. There was a confidence but the qualifying criterion always scared me. But today, as I hold a can of beer in my hand (this had been a tradition since first time I cleared the test..!!!), all I can say is “Thank God”, thanks for believing in me. I don’t know what benefits should I expect from this achievement, but attaining a benchmark is more than enough for me.

I had excelled in what I had dreamt; this is more heartening than any feeling..!!!

Ciao

Vipul (CPIM)

A memorable return..

The buildings haven’t changed much. The roads are all the same, even better. The traffic has increased a lot. Now there are more Bullets and ‘Sardars’ than before..!! The girls have gone more casual, I mean I was told that girls here now-a-days don’t mind wearing shorts in public.
After around 7 years I came back to this place, my place…Chandigarh, the ‘city beautiful’..!!
Saturday morning, I took my camera and straight went to the place where I had spent 4 significant years of my life. DCET, Panjab University. Now the name has been changed to UICTE (I came to know about this when I was making changes to my resume..!!). I had reached there while the sun was almost about to set, so the college lanes wore a deserted look. I couldn’t find any visible changes in the college. It seems the same as we left this place 7 years back. The classrooms looked the same, the result boards were still filled with student’s fate, the galleries were vacant as if “mass bunk” was recently announced, could find some students standing at front entrance discussing everything except chemicals. The only change I could figure out was the plastic tags fixed over toilets that clearly mentioned which one is ladies toilet..!!! For all Fluid Mechanics fans, Rattan sir currently holds the title of Chairperson.
My next destination was student’s center casually called as “StudC”. This place has really grown up. Within the small perimeter, lots of brands have flourished. Lots of love birds roam around here and there- the boys stuffed with muscles, head high and possessed with a Bullet- the girls, much happening, wearing exotic dresses, and giggling at the attention paid by the boys. I could sense the presence of lot of sardars than before, maybe the reservations had increased…!!! The Gandhi Bhawan looked deserted as always, just that now the water in the pond had also dried up.
My next preferred destination was Bhatnagar Hall, boy’s hostel number 3. This looked more occupied and shabby as compared to our stay. As I entered the main lobby, I could see the hostel engulfed with years old war with an army of monkeys. As per our trusted and verified strategy to tackle this situation, I left the place ASAP, caring a damn about visiting the canteen and my room- 3/57. While coming back to my home (Local Guardian ‘LGs’ house), I paid a visit to Xerox shop at university market, owned by two oval shaped brothers, Johar. These guys are still the same just that their shop is now more clustered and filled with ball pens hanging from every corner. Then I went to hair salon that was owned by Amar since ages. Even he faintly recognized me once I reached there…what a memory he has got. While on the way, I passed through the 15 market that used to be one-place for all shopping. The shops are now branded and more sophisticated. Even 2-3 liquor shops are there amidst a group of department stores…!!! The “pahalwaan-da-dhaba” is still occupied with hungry souls..!!!
Well in the evening I got the chance to roam around the whole city and saw Infosys campus, Sukhna lake, ‘gaidi route’, sector 17 market, City Heart, Aroma, Kiran cinema hall etc etc. This place still holds the heritage and order for which it is known worldwide. Even all vehicles obey the traffic lights at 12 midnight. Here I could see people following yellow light before it gets green..!!! The side lanes are there and a waiting of more than 10 seconds in traffic is considered as jam..!!!

It was nice refreshing break for me after a long time. Anyways I wasn’t expecting radical changes in the city but yes, it has grown well to become upcoming destination for companies. I hope Chandigarh is able to hold on to its heritage, culture and beauty in the future as well..
Ciao.

My visit to Assemly line

I kept smiling at my excitement while I was wearing a white lab coat and changing our shoes with slippers. Within few minutes I was standing in front of a gate that opened up to assembly line of India’s leading wrist watch maker. There were 100s of ladies wearing lab coats and white caps sitting quietly in a line and working over the components that were just passing over moving conveyor belt. We saw the complete manufacturing of precious watches step by step. This was quite interesting. This wasn’t the first time I was watching an assembly line, but the best of all that I have seen in past. The manufacturing started with a small needle and ended up in complex looking wrist watch.

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The factory is located over the beautiful hills of Baddi, a place in Himachal Pradesh. The whole area was so scenic that it gave us impression that who will work here with concentration. We had lunch that comprised of simple ‘rajma chawal’, ‘dal chawal’ etc. Despite after travelling such a distance and getting straight to business, we weren’t feeling a bit lethargic. This might be the effect of environment or the pressure of winding up the things in 2 days but it was fun. In the night I travelled back to Chandigarh on a very disturbed road, but next day, I could appreciate the beauty of the valley accompanying our way to Baddi.

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Anyways, after spending some good moments in Baddi, now I am back to old shit place, Noida. The same old routine is going to start from Monday.
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Ciao.

Official bachelorhood starts..

19-Sep-10, this day reminded me of the time when I used to be struggling for getting a shelter in various places in Hyderabad. Today I was standing again in front of house broker and shelling out big bucks out of my pocket just to get a room for myself. Time repeats itself and reveals scars every time.

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Today morning I got up with an agenda in mind: I had to find a nice, comfortable 1-bedroom house for my stay at Noida for 4 months. I stuffed my tummy with heavy breakfast and got ready to explore the options. My cousin accompanied me in this journey of finding shelter. Yes, my company doesn’t allow me to live in a hotel for 4 months; otherwise it might get bankrupt because of me..!!! Anyways we were waiting for the broker near a metro station while it was raining all the time. All of a sudden a mid-aged guy wearing old helmet, chewing tobacco and riding on historic LML scooter halted in front of us. He introduced himself as a broker and ensured us that he’ll prove to be a god for us. Suddenly he was surprised and realized that we were three and the vehicle was one. The basic equation went wrong in our first meeting. But hey, haven’t you seen ‘Flop Show’, or more recently ‘Swades’??? I hope now you realized what I am talking about..!!! I was smiling continuously for 5 minutes without embarrassment as there was no side mirrors in the scooter. Forget about mirrors, there wasn’t any headlight in this creature..!! With respect to ‘Flop Show’, I was playing ‘Jaspal Bhatti’..!! (or Shah Rukh in case of Swades)

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Somehow we managed to reach one house where there was an independent room over the terrace. The owner looked so sophisticated that I couldn’t see a smile over his face, even while discussing the rent. Later I came to know that he was doctor, and then I felt pity for his patients. We passed on couple of hours while looking at various kinds of houses. Basically it’s very difficult to find a 1-BHK house and that too in a good locality and manageable price. We also saw a PG that was filled with different kinds of people and stuffed with smell of books, laundry and what else. Then I realized that time has passed and I am no longer fit for adjusting in PG. We also saw one house the size of which was much less than my hostel at IIT or Chandigarh. The owner was asking me `4000 for providing me a cot that was 75% of my length, a table that was barely standing, and area that was slightly more than me as it’s diagonal. This was crazy. If Divya would have visited this room, she would have killed me..!!! Anyways I saved my ass out of this place and specifically told our to-be God that this would not go with me. With heavy heart we went to see one room that belongs to a typical Punjabi family. There was one room- independent, with attached bathroom and a separate entrance. The looks weren’t really impressive but I could sense that it could fit my budget and I can spend some months in this one. I had no really a choice but to finalize this house, and here we go…big bucks out of my small pocket..!!! Since then we have been running, to check out from hotel, find a auto, reach my new room etc etc. As I came back to this room and lay over the bed, I could sense that struggle for house never depletes over time. The sad part is that I am married and we have large big house in Hyderabad..

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Anyways, this is part of life.

My Journey-new, tough and interesting

It’s been close to 24 hours that I have been into this room for a while before I realized that it’s evening outside, again.
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Last one week was full of experiences and happenings that were quite new and expected. Here I am in Noida for some time for project related work and working for a luxurious watch maker (my hopes of getting some consolation gifts were put on hold on 2nd day itself..!!). Noida no longer is isolated land that used to be in our times. Our times ‘bole to’ 10 years back. Now you can find the traffic jam right as you enter Noida. In fact it seems that you pay toll tax to enter into a jam..!!. But I can’t resist smiling at the work done by Mayawati to decorate the entire place with elephants, pillars and idols of ‘maaniniye sri Kanshi Ram ji’. Great, actually I can figure out that I have entered the state of ‘mahamaya’.
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Working in north Indian state is altogether different. You are no longer faced with language barriers and especially in terms of food and accommodation. In fact I was quite amused looking at guys ordering south Indian dishes with excitement. They don’t know actually they have ordered something that has been in abundance somewhere in south. The place has changed a lot. I can sense that girls are feeling much safe and secured while working in these places. This is with assumption that amount of clothes girls wear is inversely proportional to the security they feel. The moment I had landed at Delhi airport, I felt that something is wrong with the location, maybe I had landed at Mumbai rather than Delhi. But yes culture shock really shocked me well.
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It may not be the politics or the politicians but Delhi Metro had definitely changed the face of Delhi. And after looking at the way passengers travel in these trains with composure, with i-pods stuffed in ears, wearing 'haulter-necks' and ascending the metro without hassles, I can definitely appreciate Mr. Shreedharan for his invaluable contribution. But on the other hand what makes me feel down to the earth is the same old story of 'auto rickshaw walas'. They haven’t changed a bit. In fact they look more animated and interesting than before. All of them are legally devoid of meters and so the rates are totally upto them. Anytime their mouth is stuffed with ‘paan’, and so you need to be extra conscious while listening to their theories.
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Delhi being the most populous city of this country used to host many of our relatives, but somehow I feel lonely sometimes. I know the reason as well. It’s been more than 3.5 years that I had stayed in Hyderabad and more than a year, in Hyderabad with my wife, that now I feel a sense of inertia while leaving for a different place for such a long time. I know 4 months is certainly not a very long time, considering that I am still in India and I can anytime fly down to my place. But the limitations are there intact. Maybe the inertia now is more on emotional side rather than being tactical.
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Anyways let’s hope for better..

Relentless pursuit of 'Motivation'

Ok, now that is something we all need in our life.

‘Motivation’

..Motivation to do something you like the most or something that you know will help you in building your future in a dynamic way. This is something that can strengthen your potential to cross the propelling hostile winds and make you capable to smirk at its defeat. This is one driving force that enables you to think beyond your outer sphere and make you dream with eyes wide open. Energies automatically flow in, that invigorate your inner senses. There you get the opportunity to meet the positive attitude that helps by making you a visionary and more importantly a leader in your life.

There are different kinds of motivations. Motivation to excel in your business, motivation to make your career the most productive one, motivation to steal hell lot of money from a bank or motivation to kill someone for benefit. Sorry to mention the last two examples, but the truth is that, every action or reaction per se is impinged by a motivation. This is called motivation to succeed or achieve supremacy. There is no harm in that, just that conflicting motivation often create turbulences. Anyways, my point in raising this subject is that every individual is drifted towards achievements by one of the factors called ‘Motivation’.

What if you don’t have the motivation to get your paths set for success? What if your motivation drifts you towards a different objective? What if your motivations to dream takes a different turn altogether? And what if your motivation is all killed? This is the stage when you feel like being stabbed from behind. “Everyone is motivated to do something of their choice, than why not me? What I have done wrong? Isn’t that I have equal right to dream, a dream bigger than my capabilities?” Consequences are obvious and encouragements become futile. What happens to your ambitions? Are they still the same, same as solid? It feels like perception of life is all changed. “Now you are no longer motivated towards achievements in your life. Infact you are, but your subject is now changed. Now it’s your choice, chase the reality or escape from it, whatever you feel is less painful.” But do remember that motivation isn’t preceded with just hard work and a sheer dream. Luck plays an important character in these relentless efforts. With swarm of people enfolded with innumerable ambitions in their eyes, it becomes important that luck dances your way. But again, it’s not in your prospective.

So what should we do? How can we keep our eyes open and not let a drop tickle over them? How can we avoid seeing a river made into following a different path? How to please the utmost characters in our life that make you dance every time commotion hits you from behind?

In relentless pursuit of answers to these…

That's our machine..

So finally we are in possession of something really great. Our new car, Hyundai i20..!! We had booked this car a month ago, but because of its huge demand, we got it delivered a bit late. It took us with disappointment, but the whole idea of buying something that is in good demand, made me happy. We had tried number of cars as suggested by Divya (after her careful research) but as we stepped into this car, our decision was almost instantaneous. Next, we compared every car with i20 and found our choice the best.

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Now-a-days the cars are getting hi-tech and exuberant. We can find all sorts of auxiliaries encompassed in small cars that you don’t have to struggle a bit. Some of them that I found exciting in i20 were: cigarette lighter (which I don’t use obviously), USB port (my little mp3 player was happy to see this), interior defogger (no more swiping the wind shields with cloth during rains or winters), music controls on the steering (that makes the driver THE KING), electronic adjustable OVRMs (side mirrors that are operated from inside, so no more adjusting the mirrors during rains), outside temperature indicator and control in AC (and the AC is really chilling) and aesthetic dashboard (that was our point of decision) to name a few..!!! It had good power and smooth ride that makes your journey very comfortable. For more technical details, you need to contact my analyst wife. 75% of our decision to buy this car is attributed to her.

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It was late evening that we had reached the KUN Limited where our vehicle was ready for being driven. After completing all the formalities (basically all the payments), we were shown our dream in front of us, the shiny, sparkling, brand new i20, beautifully decorated with ribbons..!!! I had good time with an instructor explaining me the operations of the car. I was almost half bothered about the instructions at that moment (and I realized its importance the very next day..!!!). The beautiful keys of the car were then handed over to us coupled with a box of chocolates, a file folder and a bash of firework. We had clicked some of our pics with the car, but those expressions were half the volume that we were feeling within.

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It’s been quite some time that we were looking forward to buy a car but this time we actually made it. First it was our marriage anniversary, than summers and finally it went till monsoons. Good that we made it before heavy monsoon..!! It’s such a big car that we almost feel like moving in a castle, secured from outside world. Now when we drive our car back from work amid heavy rains, we did realize what angel we possess..!!

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Thank GOD for giving us the strength to buy a car before we grow old..!!!

'In-laws' are like that only...

I don’t know why the relatives from bride’s side are called as ‘in-laws’ after the marriage. Is it something related to Indian laws or whatever….anyways…. I just thought to pen down my experience with my ‘in-laws’ few weeks back.

Those days, the flights were running late as not expected. The flights to/from Mumbai and Delhi deserve special mention when we talk about lateness. It was evening that we (myself along with Divya, the organizer for the next 2 days) were driving towards airport. I was curious and at the same time, nervous, to meet my ‘in-laws’ after almost a year post our marriage. All of them were waiting ardently to meet us, especially me, I was told. Anyways I had my list of instructions or rather directions from Divya before we departed for Delhi.

Fortunately the weather in Delhi was pleasing that gave me good mood swings. All my in-laws were staying at Karol bagh, the place that host my father’s bank when we used to stay in Delhi. This time the place looks more deserted and altogether different than before. Our car swayed into small a narrow lane where all my in-laws were gathered outside the house ‘to receive us’..!! My mama-in-law was dressed in much formal attire than I was explained. As I entered the huge big central room I could see many people emanating from every corner of the house. All similar faced mausi-in-laws greeted us while rubbing their eyes trying hard to get off from their sleep. It was past mid-night and then we had special Delhi’s dish… ‘chhole-bathoore’.

For the next couple of days, I was coveted with extreme formalities. I was secluded from any work, was served with meals without moving an inch and was called ‘Vipul ji’ by almost every elder present in the house…seems awkward but nothing could be done. I am not even used to these salutations and formalities, and these guys must be thinking either I am kind of bore or feeling out-of-place there. But the truth is, I take time to get in flow with others. The house had all kinds of people, or ‘species’, as they called themselves. Different natures, different characteristics but all united at one place.

The two days at Delhi reminded me of my childhood days when we used to roam freely on the streets, play cricket with plastic ball, fighting with our peers and always busy with our past-times. It was refreshing to see that generations haven’t changed the way we expected and still the harmony exists….

By the end of trip, I had with me the memories of this place and an inflated tummy…!!! Thanks for the wonderful treat my dear ‘in-laws’..

“Wake up you idiot, don’t be a Karthik”

As we came out of Cinemax theatre after watching movie ‘Wake up Sid’, I could feel the fresh blood flowing exceptionally through my slender veins. While I was driving my ‘old-edition’ bike over the mountainous roads of Banjara hills in Hyderabad, I could contemplate the thought of existing in this world without really waking up…

It was midnight, and as we came out of INOX theatre after watching movie, ‘3 Idiots’, I could re-collect the days I had spent in engineering college. We had hardly noticed a ‘Rancho’ like character in our hostel that can teach a lesson to our seniors or excel in exams with passion for electrical engineering. Sometimes I fumble when I think, what I was doing those days…

Recently we saw a movie in Cinemax, ‘Karthik calling Karthik’ in which Karthik played by Farhan Akhtar is portrayed as ‘super-common’ man and it shows the transition of his character from mere commoner to a dynamic one. Although for a very brief moment of the movie, had this concept worked…infact big portion of the movie belong to thrill and romance..anyways, I was impressed with this one too..!!!

However after going through all these thoughts, I could infer one common trend among these movies and that is, all these movies show the inspiration striking the youth only. Take ‘3 idiots’; it talks about young engineering students. ‘Wake up Sid’ talks about young college graduate and ‘Karthik calling Karthik’ mention briefly about an employed one (too brief to comment). So what could we infer about this trend. Is it only that the youth needs inspiration or maybe they are the most susceptible ones???? It’s been ages we haven’t seen a movie depicting a mid-aged frustrated professional struggling through various daily job issues. Most of the issues related to career, profession, organization, compromises, family and motivation appear at these ages.
I am still waiting for such movies…

1 and 1/2 bottles of beer

I really need a mug full of beer to pen down my experience with divine liquid. Those were the days when sharing 3 bottles of beer were good reason to celebrate without any reason. IIT is a place where carrying colored liquid inside the campus is always considered as an offence. But we hardly cared about the same, and this was never our constraint..!!! We normally had no reason to celebrate; it was just to spend time together after grueling days with seminars, classes, assignments and hell lot of other happenings.

The time was usually early in the evening. The menu used to be almost fixed. Before venturing out to get the bottles, we ordered 1 plate maggi (universal bachelor cuisine) and one pack of “kurkure” at hostel canteen. My bike was tattooed with “Tere Naam” and it looked like fragile piece of 3^rd handed vehicle. I am talking about my cycle which is a norm in IIT, infact all IITs. The campus gate was almost a kilometer from our hostel, so we decided to take our turn to ride the bike. The liquor shop was located just outside our campus gate followed with a small road-side cart (“thela”) of eggs, omlette and boiled eggs. After we purchase 3 bottle of beer, we used to visit this “thela” and had 2 plates of boiled eggs that seem awesome at that moment. We had to wrap the bottles with newspapers to avoid any noise that could hold us in suspicion in front of campus guards. Our next objective was to reach our room as soon as possible to have our drinks as chilled as possible. Since Vivek was strongest between us, he took the charge to ride the cycle. As we reach our room, our recipes were already ready in the canteen. Second room in ‘D’ block was our “adda”. Vivek had good collection of songs and movies (which doesn’t matter after two sips of drinks). Three bottles of beer was good enough for us. We shared half of these, always. We never complained, never regretted about the quantity and quality. It was always the same; one and the half bottle each…!!! We discuss all sorts of issues, right from latest movie to low GDP of our country. Sometimes we were accompanied with Supriya who had no relation with beer but acted as a chorus for two of us. We had our share of troubled life with us, and this was the best time to share. This was the time when everything seems to be the best.

It’s been 3 years that we haven’t met over the beer party, but I still cherish those glorious moments at IITK. We had our share of successes and failures but these moments can never be re-created unless we meet. Now we have been married and comfortably settled, but still the magic of this divine liquid remain the same.

As I gulp my last sip of beer, I could still remember the old days with my friend, the only moment I still miss now-a-days. We might have grown our life to new dimensions, but the beer party remains the same…

Ultimate divine..!!!

Show must go on...

As I laid my hands on the red cushion stacked over the dilapidated chair, I felt the streak of pain rushing through my spine. The fluid was gushing through my veins at lower pace than few days before. The eyes seem to be relaxed mood. I slowly sat over the chair with my palm resting over my thigh bone. I rolled my eyes all over the place around. Now, there were no heated fumes. Chairs were placed up-turned over the tables. Waiters were off with their dresses. Lights were few and dim. Suddenly I was felt a bit cold, sitting in large grass-ware…!!!

I looked at the sky above which was not as dark as few hours before. It was waiting for new rays to strike….

…our house was filled with swarm of guests, most of them I hadn’t received at all..!! The momentum picked up as the sound of instruments reached its maximum peak. Some were singing while others were just humming. The soon-to-be-bride was sitting in the middle of the room surrounded with numerous gaping ladies. Secluded, as always, I was standing over the room’s gate, with my elbow resting over the support. Few days from now, the house will return to its original state, deprived with one of its member.

Anyways, I wasn’t prepared to receive this call, but papa called me and revealed that the days ahead weren’t going to be simple for all of us. All of a sudden I went blank and couldn’t think of what expressions should I portray. Don’t know, I could have called mummy and Divya and explained them about this or remain calm and wait for papa to return to home. God..!!! I couldn’t stand the music anymore.

She was admitted to hospital, struck with needles and glucose. I wasn’t aware if this was the best option, but this was the only option we were left with. We all were avoiding facing each other to avoid the basic question in everyone’s mind, “what to do now, and how???”

Show must go on…I don’t know if we all were feeling confident or not, but our intentions were clear and strong….the show must go on. Everything went on plan, I think almost. Few hiccups, few changes and few disappointments...but we all tried to manage our grace. Danced as if nothing happened…wore as if it is pleasure…ate as if it doesn’t bother...laughed as if it never happened…cried as if it was usual..!!! But the only thing that kept us motivating was the strength behind her tired eyes. This wasn’t the first time; almost after 8 years. Probably she is one of the strongest among us.

As I looked at the sky above which was not as dark as few hours before, I thought, the show finally went well. Few turns..few twists..but at the end it went well. Pains were receding and smiles were back..

It’s been 52 days since I had that night, one of the most strenuous of all. But now it feels pleasure to know that our efforts have finally paid. She is happy, bright and healthy…

God bless…

It was, as if, yesterday..

31 January, 2009 06:30 PM
“It isn’t the same; the breeze that is shivering me in the month of February in Jaipur. As I am standing in front of a large dressing mirror in the room that practically belongs to me after my marriage, I kept thinking about what’s going on here. Is it the atmospheric chillness that is making me weak or the tepid environment around me that is making me tense? I know it is not the best time to think about why and how, but still, are these events so captive that I am so worried about?”
All of the sudden a loud voice intruded my engrossing thoughts and I quickly lift up my maroon ‘pyjama’ while holding my long and heavy ‘sherwani’ with one hand as I was sitting in front of the large dressing mirror…
Probably this was my last chance to be with myself completely, I wondered. The ‘sherwani’ wasn’t light as it looked from a distance during my trials at showroom, and my fever-ridden body was making me fragile from inside. Anyways the noble idea of getting married kept me motivated and energetic. As I had completed my ‘self’ make-up and was progressing towards the assembly area, I could hear the chants of numerous guests that were slowly evolving into loudness. Maybe they were mixed with music played by the band outside. Hundreds of people looked like millions of designer molecules in front of me and all discussing the same topic. All of a sudden, oxygen level dropped to a lower level and I was looking for holding somebody that could regain my strength.
Oh my God, I am going to get married now..

31 January, 2010
It’s been a year that we have been together and truly speaking, still, we have no guts to hear that we have completed one year of our marriage. The year had been so engrossing and action-packed that had left no time for us to think about what had really happened exactly a year ago. Seriously time truly flies. We pinch ourselves when someone congratulates us with anniversary wishes. These ears are still not adaptable to these wishes except the birthday ones. I am sure that we have evolved better in this one year than before. However it doesn’t prove well after looking at us, but still I can feel the differences. The priorities have changed and the concentration has been strong. Now I have someone to look upon. I can no more drive my bike recklessly on roads. I have no more time to introspect and look for my solutions alone.
Marriage is a good institution that makes you learn what you have been kept aloof for a long time. It makes you feel like a master balancing over a thin rope. Sacrifices and compromises automatically flow in your blood. As I was writing this blog, I kept reminded myself about many things that got untangled during my married days. On one hand, many things have become straight forward and on other hand many of them have become complicated. I can not resolve these amazing complicated puzzles but I feel lucky enough to know their worth. Priorities have certainly changed over the time. Now I feel more pleasure when she enjoys her work and dedication. No two hands can be equally active at same time; it’s very rare, but true. And this was the first lesson that I had learnt after my marriage. Not only me, I guess, marriage makes our family complete and bigger than before. Now we have more reasons to celebrate and more opportunities to share. What else changes do we require in a stale nomadic life?
In the end, all I want to say to my wife is, “I have thoroughly enjoyed the time we had spend together. Certainly there were hiccups in the last one year, some were realized and some weren’t; but still we overcame all of them without much anxiety. Till now our journey of life had been smooth and cozy, but I am sure, with our relationship we can face any fears of life with strong determination. I may be rude, I may be soft, and I may depict many other peculiar moods throughout, but all I can guarantee you is, these are all short-lived. I am sure you had never realized, what positive changes you had introduced in my life, but to me, it matters a lot.
Just continue this relation with your sparkling smile…Love you forever…”

"Aman ki asha"

“Mile sur mera tumhara..”, the song chants like a anthem in every patriotic souls.
India celebrated its 60th Republic day with awaited processions in Delhi that were mostly engulfed with sudden dense fog and mist. This is one of the events that raise ecstatic feeling of being part of this country…the country with mighty nuclear powers, rich culture etc etc. This country has stiff history of survival despite being adjacent to rivals.

Hyderabad Blues

..the traffic is still furious, the shops are open and stuffed with thin fumes of incense sticks, the offices are packed with insensitive employees, some of them cursing and some being passionate.

Hyderabad has been blessed with an opportunity to encounter more than three ‘bandhs’ (actually I have stopped counting them after three..!!). The issue is related to the demands of a separate state as Telangana by some activists. The issue boiled up when one fragile looking guy famously known as KCR went on to fast-unto-death. Now a day this is one very common term regarded as one point mantra for instigating agitations. All the shops, malls, offices were targeted and then it was repelled strongly by government senior officials. I don’t know what resolution was devised or what measures were suggested at that time, but the only things that matter to me were interruptions in my daily routine life.

Just think about it...

Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do

Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do

Saari umar hum
Mar mar ke jee liye
Ek pal to ab humein jeene do
Jeene do

Na na na….Na na na….Na na na….Na na nana na….

Give me some sunshine
Give me some rain
Give me another chance
I wanna grow up once again

"3 Cheers"...the third one..

Finally the New Year has come. 2010..!!! It’s a nice way for celebration in view of good things that happened last year and/or in hope of better things to happen next year. Its a nice way to discipline youself by making resolutions that may or may not get realized. Whatever reasons be there, celebrations are anyways nice.

"3 cheers"...the second one..

‘3 Idiots’. The name sounded like the story of three dumb looking actors playing their part over the strings of movie director.

I must admit, this movie is the most admirable movie of the year (after ‘Kaminey’ etc). After watching this movie I couldn’t fathom that how could it’s director Raj Kumar Hirani make every movie of his so different and special that it connects to the public right from the first show. Think over his few past movies: Munnabhai MBBS, Lagey Raho Munnabhai and now 3-Idiots. Every movie is conceptualized in a different sphere.

"3 cheers"... the first one..

The stage was all set. Every preparation was made to the point and with extreme finesse. The drawing room was adorned with aesthetic surroundings. The glasses were polished to the last blot. All the exotic drinks were placed on top of wooden bar. The room was filled with floral aroma. And yes, we were all dressed up and waiting for the guests, the special guests to arrive.

This December, we had a special reason to smile. Nikita was going to embark a new journey of her life. This 26th she got engaged to Nimit. Nimit, the name that means 'Destiny' (as per http://www.babynology.com/meaning-nimit-m30.html), belong to Delhi and is working in Infosys (now you know why I am specially attracted to him..!!!). I sometimes wonders, all Mathurs and Infoscions are inter-related in some way or other. Each family has atleast one member working in Infosys. Last month Infosys declared it’s quarterly results that were…err…ok ok, sorry to digress from the topic.