2010 -lessons learnt

Another year is gone and people who successfully entered the new year are expected to be smarter than they were when the just-gone-by year began 365 days ago. This is based on the premise that with time comes experience and with experience, human beings get smart. So, jotted down below are some lessons that i learnt, some experiences(of course the silly ones):

1) MBA rocks..

I never was an engineer, I was just a passenger to destination MBA. 2010 got me there but not after some long years of work-ex!!MBA is very practical education unlike engineering. But no fun unlike engineering. Had I studied even a 100th of what I study every day during management education, I would have gobbled up a couple of medals(ARGUABLY)!! My engineering limited me to books. When I finally went into the refinery to work, I realized what helped me more were my extra curricular activities than my curricular ones. MBA gives you a chance to get practical, to understand more and it does it in a subtle way. Good for people like me who dont have much interest in studies anyway.

2) Resigning from job is tough

The only question which everyone asked me all through the year and still ask is-Why you left a well paying and highly stable government job? My typical MBAish answer was(is)-faster growth, career progression..blah blah blah. But the actual problem that I faced was not this question but the situation. To resign from a secure government job, its mighty tough.IT TAKES A HERCULEAN EFFORT TO SUBMIT A RESIGNATION especially when you love your job, have a great boss, a fantastic environment and great friends. I still remember when I returned from outside my boss's room with my resignation in hand on the final day. I was having second thoughts. I wasn't sure about something in my life after a long long time. It was actually my Boss who came later to ask me--Shardul. Resignation kahan hai tumhara? (It had nothing to do with my Boss wanting me to leave but because he wanted me to get on with life!!)

3)New IIMs have a lot to prove

Very few people in this country can boast of this experience of mine-being in a college as a part of it first ever batch. Its a big risk to many people. What will happen in the future, How will things shape up, who will lead?? etc etc are questions which can put you in a risk aversion mode. But now I am at IIM Rohtak, enjoying every bit of the experience, living the hostel life and feeling that it couldn't have gone better for me.And to all the questions asked above, I always have the same answer- "WE" will decide. To start something new requires super human effort and a lot of time. But it also gives an opportunity to learn something exclusive, something special. And it gives you a chance to mould things the way you want.Great buildings are built on strong foundations. We will lay the foundation. The building will be great. I am sure.

4) Mumbai is the best

On a personal note, the city is devoid of the chilly weather, gives you a 22 hour day, which to me means freedom to roam around in the city after everyday office regimen, safety even at 2, 3 or 4 at night.(Leave apart terror attacks and bombings, they dont harm you for a 100 rupee note in your pocket!)

The city of dreams is under huge pressure to sustain the ever rising population. The lack of infrastructure is killing the city. "Mumbai Locals" can send shivers down the spines of the meek hearted. The local goons chastise the "bhaiya log". But still, AAMCHI MUMBAI is the best. Because in spite of the stress, you rarely witness flailing tempers in the stuffed trains or BEST buses. Because people travel more than 150 kms a day to and from office and still are able to talk amicably to any stranger they meet on the way. Because in spite of 26/11, people were in office on 27/11. Because the people always talk about Mumbai not just as a city but as a living, breathing person, who welcomes you with open arms. And because if you have the guts and the desire and ambition and you are in Mumbai, sky is the limit.

5) Boys hostel

Boys hostels are the best way to beat stress. A 30 minute chat with hostel friends is the best stress buster. Coming back to the hostel this year was refreshing and enjoyable. There is something about hostels which makes them such a wonderful place. The carelessness, the slow life, the mess food, the games and sports and the chats over a cup of tea--simply unforgettable.

6) Small city-big city

The transition from Mumbai life to Rohtak life(if there is at all) was not easy. Luckily, unlike engineering, I didnt have much free time to spend during PG and hence never had time to live the actual Rohtak life(if there is at all). I had a recent discussion with my parents and quickly announced that its impossible for me to live in a small city. Advantages of a small city--its less polluted, less traffic, and you know your neighbours(which is hard to do in big cities). Nothing against small cities but once you are out, addicted to malls , multiplexes, Mcdonalds, you dont want to leave them. I agree with people when they say there is no worth of lives in a big city, but its just a way of life I have begun to enjoy.

Although, if the concept of FORTUNE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID holds, I may end up in rural India for a long long time!!Fingers crossed.

No country for old men

We have had 2 months of Barclays Premier League action and as it stands now, Chelsea seems to be participating in a one horse race. Never has been the title challenge so dismal than what Arsenal and more importantly, Man U have posed.

Arsenal have been the perennial under achievers. Except for the early to mid 2000s, where they even had a season of no defeat, they havent really been a threat. And that brings to the fore, the long drawn discussion of whether Arsene Wenger has anything more to offer to the club.

Arsene is a legend. He has been instrumental in keeping alive musical football. the brand of football Arsenal plays is top draw and Wenger has had ample appreciation for it. With the limited money that he has been provided with by the club owners, he has done a phenomenal job, which probably would have been impossible for any other manager. But this drought of silverware cannot keep the fans happy, who would be more than willing to give up the fancy foot tricks for a few trophies in the cabinet which has had its door untouched for 5 years now.

He has brought young talent and polished them to become stars later. But Arsenal thus have become a breeding and training ground for other top clubs. To retain the best players, you have to win trophies and Arsenal are failing to do so. Wenger needs some good holding midfielders in front of the back four. He hasnt yet found a replacement for Viera. And also, he has not been able to adapt to any other form of football. That is the reason that Arsenal dont perform well when their twinkled toed game is pitted against very physical teams.

Yes, Wenger has kept Arsenal in the black for a long time, a feat very few clubs can boast of. Yes he has entertained fans for years with football performances worth oscars. Yes, he has been able to continuously been able to threaten big spending clubs with virtually no financial clout. But, no, he is not delivering. The fans love him but love trophies more.

You cant build a team around a 37 year old. You do not give a central role to a retirement plan contender. Man U have been terrible with a fifth of the season gone. they have been leaking points profusely. But somehow Sir Alex has not understood this by now. Paul Scholes leading the charge--thats ridiculous. With all due respect, he is well past his best. He gave it all to Man U but now its time to have someone else in the pivotal role.

There have been rumours of buying fresh legs in the January window but the season may be well over by then. Right now, its agonizing to see goal advantages being lost clumsily. The defending at times has been shocking but the problem is that they are getting no reinforcements from the midfield. So Fergie, you are out of favour for being naive this season.

We did expect a makeover of Liverpool after last years horror show. Roy Hodgson had a dream run with Fulham last year and was expected to turn the tide in favour of the Reds. He was expected to bring together a side which which looks toothless in offence and spiritless in defence. With the team in the relegation zone, Hodgson may be soon fighting his own relegation battle. Even if he retains office till the end of the season, he will get angry jeers from fans and at best he can target a Europa League finish.Even that is a long shot right now.

Roy, you have failed the test even before the question paper was distributed. You have Liverpool in a relegation battle and its a disgrace for one of the greatest clubs in footballing annals.So no euphemism can be used for your ouster.

Lets get some young managers in these clubs. Lets bring in the Guardiolas and Rijkaards into BPL. Lets change the way the game is being played. The past generation has had its chances and they gave us some wonderful moments but its time to move on.

One reason to feel really proud about CWG

A few days ago, an ET report read"India bribed 72 nations to get Delhi CWG: Report".

I know CWG is a mess, its a hoax to make our bureaucrats and politicians richer, its a game for these scumbags while its a matter of pride and reputation for the countrymen, its a shameless display of incompetency, corruption and mismanagement on part of the organizing committee and manifests our nation as a failure when it comes to organizing world class events. Our credibility as a serious contender to be a supreme nation has taken a beating.

But I found one silver lining between all this chaos and that is this article, particularly its title.

The land of snake charmers, aqua-ambling sages and smoking sadhus, top contender for poorest of poor nations race's podium finish, developing nation since eternity, a third world country for ages has finally something to stamp its power. Earlier we could loan money to the IMF. Now we can splurge money on countries to get votes, and not just one or two but 72 of them!!! At this pace, the possibilities are immense in time to come.The future never looked brighter!

We have done it!!!We are in a state to bribe nearly 35% of countries of the world.Now how many countries can write this in their resume? We have the financial clout to do it so we can. Doesn't this represent that we can bend things now in this world and have our way? Doesn't this represent a strength of sorts? We have been on a rise for long and finally, we decided to make our mark. Method notwithstanding, we had what we desired. If USA can use its Star Wars inspired weaponry, Israel its brute force, China its frightening size and authority, then we can use our money.

Now detractors will always argue that this money could have been well spent but I disagree.Organizing world level events has its own importance. So the logic to organize is not wrong, and we are no more a state which cannot sustain after splashing 70000 crores. And if not completely then at least part of this money has been utilized to good effect.Metro would not have reached NOIDA and GURGAON for the next 10 years may be, but for the games!!

Also there can be an argument that we don't have enough money to feed our malnutritioned population then why bribe. Democracy is slow per se when it comes to processes. So we will improve the condition of population but the process will be excruciatingly slow. We can try a few things in the meanwhile, to hone our skills and that is why CWG is justified. Corruption is there anyway, with or without CWG. We have to improve our system as a whole so lets not blame CWG for everything.

I would rather use this article to amuse myself.And if the article is true( it is doubtful) then corruption is not just limited to our boundaries.It goes way beyond.It is all pervasive from East to West.India is capable of corruption but it is also capable of corrupting others. And it includes countries such as Australia!!! Now that is called power to influence and we have it now.

"It was supposed to be games and games is what everyone has played. "

The final verdict

So it is September 24, 2010!!

It's taken too long but I hope its worth the wait. It contains action, drama, suspense, thrill and all other elements of a Bollywood Blockbuster. The movie was in the the making for more than 100 years. Some even date the beginning back to 1527!!!!

Star cast includes Archeologists, Historians, Politicians, Academicians, Parliamentarians, Humanitarians and even Barbarians (read BABARians--original cast).
Saints & sages(show stealers), maulavis and even Monks(Guest appearance, not of note) are also roped in to add spice.

The story begins when a new-age secularist gets caught in the middle of a communal storm(in the making) . The man reaches the highest echelon of politics of the country and decides to impose himself as a leader but his political inexperience sets him in the wrong direction. He chooses the path of vote politics and tries to win the voters of a particular community by doing the unthinkable--overturning a court judgement with the help of the executive. It's a political faux pas and he tries to make amends by allowing the stone laying foundation of the controversial DREAM PROJECT of the rival community. But in the process, he does not realize that he has awaken a monster. The man shows a lot of promise otherwise, but his role is ended in a tragic turn of events. He does not live long but the monster does.

The DREAM PROJECT, to the horror of everyone, turns into a nightmare as the country burns. Enter the opportunists who use the occasion to establish themselves as 'the men with a difference'. It becomes "us-versus-them" in a country known, mistakenly, for unity. Till now the story just catches pace, But from here on, it becomes a roller coaster ride. There is blood shed, deceit and treachery, death and destruction.Sacred becomes desecrated, faith is assassinated, carnage is all that is left to behold.

The system helps the marauders in the act and responds only after all is done and dusted. Screams for Justice are whittled down. Some are quietened by force, some choose silence to leverage it out later. But now the problem begins when Justice actually begins to work, although regrettably late. The matter moves from commission to commission and court to court. There are too many witnesses and too too many perpetrators. And all are quagmired in a way that the case is "united we stand" and "every man for himself" at the same time.Interesting!!!All are victims and all are criminals. Who is fighting whom and for what--the lines have blurred.

At this time, after long years misery, the country once again looks to the only super hero(somewhat tainted now) left, to be the saviour again. He chooses the date after years of meticulous observation and investigation to give hope to the people that the misery will end, the battle will be over, and we all will live happily ever after.

The trailers of the movie have been seen for the past 18 years. They promise an explosive entertainer. No film has ever been able to maintain the interest of a Billion-strong audience for such a long time.

It been shot at the wonderful location of the city of Ayodhya. The set is remarkable in the form of the Babri Masjid. Eagerly waiting for this new release. It is touted to be the greatest political Box Office Spectacle ever.

Under the banner of --Fanatic Entertainment........
Comes the multi starer with the greatest star cast ever.....
Based on a true story...

BABRI MASJID--The Final Verdict
Releasing on all news channels available to you
September 24, 2010.


NOTE--Expect a sequel which may take even longer to release. Their will be a new superhero in the next flick. It's called SC. The first superhero is of course HC.

Blackberry controversy-a different angle

A news that caught my eyeballs last week- Blackberry vs security concerns of various countries including India

Blackberry has encrypted mail and message services which are undecipherable by security agencies across the world.As many countries have raised a concrn over this issue, Blackberry has acquiesced to India's demand(other countries are still fighting) but only partially, to decompress the emails and voice mails but not enterprise mails. This hasnt made the Indian security agencies happy and the government has already warned that it may disallow blackberry services if RIM(Reseach In Motion) does not concede to its demand of complete data haccess.Cina had raised a similar concern a while ago and RIM is now ready to install a server in China (as per certain reports)for decoding the data.Indian government is looking for a similar action.

But we all know about the Chinese and how they have the get-the-job-done attitude.Be it arm-twisting 'Google' to give filtered results for all its searches, or banning Lonely Planets's china travel guide during Beizing Olympics because it showed China and Taiwan as seperate countries or in the RIM server provision.They are hard and tough when it comes to imposing themselves as a force.Every once in a while, the Chinese show their thou-shalt-bow-before-me attitude and that is why, not many individuals or organizations or even countries meddle in their affairs.

But its not what we in India do.Though governement seems to be very serious about the Blackberry issue but that is primarily because of the tumultuous years of threat that we have witnessed in the last UPA regime.Had it not been for the bombing of Ahmedabad, Pune, Delhi, Banaglore and for that matter, every bombable city in India and 26/11, we wouldnt have seen a stringent stance this time too.

When Google Ditu maps showed Arunachal Pradesh as part of China, we only afforded to be grumpy like a child but never faced it like a man.Result--the google application shows Arunachal as "South Tibet" in China and Arunachal as Arunachal in India.

We hear hundreds of peace-love faking world leaders advising us on Kashmir and fundamentalism and security but we only hear mute screams when it comes to Chinese issues like Xinjiang, freedom of press or human rights records.

Today we stand at a place where we have the power to shape our future.Its time India begins to impose itself on the world stage.We are a crucial cog in the wheel as far as world economy is concerned.We have a demographic advantage and are carrying the responsibility of being a super power in the near future.

We need to project ourselves as a no-nonsense, tough nation state and it has to be done now.The message should be loud and clear "This is what you ought to do or else.....".

Hostel

After a long time, I am back to college!!!

Its great to be back into the study mode.Its not engineering though where you had a choice between

a) not studying and doing something else

b) not studying and doing somethin other than something else

Its not the same in MBA.You gotta be serious about everything.

It freaks me out when I see people bothered about absolutely everything-assignments,placements,committees and everything else that can be bothered about.

I too have become a bit serious now and its a welcome change(I am talking about studies only!!) .

But bothering isnt really my best personality trait, never has been.I really miss the times of engineering where nothing mattered except the topper of the class who would provide assignments to be copied or the girl on whom ur friend had a huge crush and u wr conspiring for his BHANDI.

MBA isnt engineering but its enjoyable none the less.What makes my trip to B-school enjoyable is the hostel.To be back in a boys hostel was my dream once I left college.And here I m, back to where I belong.And it dsnt matter if its MBA or Engg, or anything else, boys hostel r just the same.Its the same chaos, same chit chats, same food, same friendships, perching on the railings and talking endlessly on topics from girlfriends(few have them, all talk about them!!!) to under grad years, from past to future, from family to friends.There r sm great stories u cm across, sm about super human efforts, sm about back-breaking struggles, sm about incessant positivity and some r just useless!!

With 2 more years of college added to my life----

"The fun has just begun!!"

Where is the beautiful game??

I started watching football seriously around 8 years ago.First game I saw was EPL(now known as BPL) between Manchester United and Arsenal.Anybody who knows football wiil agree that I chose the right game to commene a serious relationship with soccer.Now 8 years is not a long time but it enough to understand a few nitty-gritties of the BEAUTIFUL GAME.

As the world cup2010 unfolds right now, many are disappointed with the quality of football, including me.There have been painfully few high scoring matches as if the teams and coaches have forgotten that goals is what people want to watch.No one wants to see drab 0-0 draws or 1-0 victories.

The Germans showed a lot of flare in the first game and were duly appreciated.Its a shame that they lost today to a conservative Serbia(1-0!!!).So were Spain stunned by the Swiss despite playing good football with the Swiss scoring with first and only clear chance of the game (again 1-0!!!).And that too after a goal front melee.

As per my understanding, there have always been two varities of football--the South American style and the European method.

1) The South American style---I use the term style coz thats wat this breed of football is all about-flare, skills, panache, astounding dribbling and some ridiculously impossible looking goals.No guesses Brazil have been the pioneers of this style followed by Argentina.Both have a rivalry as to who is the pioneer but we have to hand it to the 5 times champions.

Typical features of this style are individuals going past a legion of defenders and scoring.Very few headed goals.Bicycle kicks and overhead kicks is more used than heads.The few headed goals are also scored after a move which may have involved passes from all 11 players(sometimes more than once!!)

2) The European method--The term method is used because here strategy and a methodical approach pushes style to the back seat.It concentrates more on the effectiveness than the beauty of the game.All in all a conservative approach where sometimes the games are won but the GAME loses.pioneers are Italy.

Typical features are crosses shot into the 18 yard(or 6 yard) box.Lots of headers attempted.Set pieces and dead ball situations used more than open play.Its a defensive style of football successfully which relies a lot on counter-attacks and is employed by weaker teams against their tougher opponents.The teams typically score a goal and sit back defending or grind out the opposition, frustrate them and hit on the break.

Now the European way is to be seen at its best in this world cup.David's are winning against the Goliath's by scoring cheekily or just scrambling the ball into the net and then defending with their lives at stake. Its not THE BEAUTIFUL GAME but THE EFFECTIVE GAME.

But isn't this equivalent to murder.A general strategy is committing a lot of fouls in the center of the pitch rather than close to the goals.At the same time teams are suffocating any swift moves emanating from the midfield.This results in very few MEMORABLE GOALS and also, a famine of goals as we are seeing till now.

As we get into the more serious stages of the cup, we will see more goals becoz initially, teams are a bit skeptical and do not want to start on a losing note.Also the teams with the flare and skill will make it to the next rounds barring a few debacles beocz all understand that without scoring, you cant win.(Every WC needs a few upsets. It just adds to the flavour!)

We all want our favourite teams to win and we wont really care about how they won, how they played as long as they bring home the most coveted trophy in the world.But that will matter only after a team wins the cup.Till then it will be agonizing to see dull matches played under the pseudonym of strategy to effectively weed out a glorious style of playing THE BEAUTIFUL GAME.

NOTE--There is a third way also--Its called Nothing Football.Pioneers are England and France.If this style wins the Cup, it will become THE AWEFUL GAME!

Nahush-My favourite poem by Rashtrakavi Shri Maithili Sharan Gupt

This is my favourite poem 'NAHUSH' by Shri Maithili Sharan Gupt.

It has the most inspirational words you will ever come across.

Nahush was a Chandrawanshi king who earned the right to be the King of the 'Devas' when Lord Indra was smeared with the allegation of 'Brahmahatya' and had to let go his 'Sinhasana'.

Nahush got fascinated with Lord Indra's wife Sachi.Sachi realized that the new king was blinded by lust.So she put forward a condition.She asked Nahush to come to her only in a Palki cariied by the 'Saptarishis'.She herself stood at one end of the universe and Nahush followed in the Palki carried by the reverend Rishis.

Whenever Nahush came close, Sachi would move backwards in space.Nahush did not realize Sachi's trick as the vastness of universe and his lust played tricks on his judgement.

The poem begins from this stage:

मत्त-सा नहुष चला बैठ ऋषियान में
व्याकुल से देव चले साथ में, विमान में
पिछड़े तो वाहक विशेषता से भार की
अरोही अधीर हुआ प्रेरणा से मार की

दिखता है मुझे तो कठिन मार्ग कटना
अगर ये बढ़ना है तो कहूँ मैं किसे हटना?
बस क्या यही है बस बैठ विधियाँ गढ़ो?
अश्व से अडो ना अरे, कुछ तो बढ़ो, कुछ तो बढ़ो

बार बार कन्धे फेरने को ऋषि अटके
आतुर हो राजा ने सरौष पैर पटके
क्षिप्त पद हाय! एक ऋषि को जा लगा
सातों ऋषियों में महा क्षोभानल आ जगा

भार बहे, बातें सुने, लातें भी सहे क्या हम
तु ही कह क्रूर, मौन अब भी रहें क्या हम
पैर था या सांप यह, डस गया संग ही
पमर पतित हो तु होकर भुंजग ही

राजा हतेज हुआ शाप सुनते ही काँप
मानो डस गया हो उसे जैसे पिना साँप
श्वास टुटने-सी मुख-मुद्रा हुई विकला
"हा ! ये हुआ क्या?" यही व्यग्र वाक्य निकला

जड़-सा सचिन्त वह नीचा सर करके
पालकी का नाल डूबते का तृण धरके
शून्य-पट-चित्र धुलता हुआ सा दृष्टि से
देखा फिर उसने समक्ष शून्य दृष्टि से

दीख पड़ा उसको न जाने क्या समीप सा
चौंका एक साथ वह बुझता प्रदीप-सा -
“संकट तो संकट, परन्तु यह भय क्या ?
दूसरा सृजन नहीं मेरा एक लय क्या ?”

सँभला अद्मय मानी वह खींचकर ढीले अंग -
“कुछ नहीं स्वप्न था सो हो गया भला ही भंग.
कठिन कठोर सत्य तो भी शिरोधार्य है
शांत हो महर्षि मुझे, सांप अंगीकार्य है"

दुख में भी राजा मुसकराया पूर्व दर्प से
मानते हो तुम अपने को डसा सर्प से
होते ही परन्तु पद स्पर्श भुल चुक से
मैं भी क्या डसा नहीं गया हुँ दन्डशूक से

मानता हुँ भुल हुई, खेद मुझे इसका
सौंपे वही कार्य, उसे धार्य हो जो जिसका
स्वर्ग से पतन, किन्तु गोत्रीणी की गोद में
और जिस जोन में जो, सो उसी में मोद में

काल गतिशील मुझे लेके नहीं बेठैगा
किन्तु उस जीवन में विष घुस पैठेगा
फिर भी खोजने का कुछ रास्ता तो उठायेगें
विष में भी अमर्त छुपा वे कृति पायेगें

मानता हुँ भुल गया नारद का कहना
दैत्यों से बचाये भोग धाम रहना
आप घुसा असुर हाय मेरे ही ह्रदय में
मानता हुँ आप लज्जा पाप अविनय में

मानता हुँ आड ही ली मेने स्वाधिकार की
मुल में तो प्रेरणा थी काम के विकार की
माँगता हुँ आज में शची से भी खुली क्षमा
विधि से बहिर्गता में भी साधवी वह ज्यों रमा

मानता हुँ और सब हार नहीं मानता
अपनी अगाति आज भी मैं जानता
आज मेरा भुकत्योजित हो गया है स्वर्ग भी
लेके दिखा दूँगा कल मैं ही अपवर्ग भी

तन जिसका हो मन और आत्मा मेरा है
चिन्ता नहीं बाहर उजेला या अँधेरा है
चलना मुझे है बस अंत तक चलना
गिरना ही मुख्य नहीं, मुख्य है सँभलना

गिरना क्या उसका उठा ही नहीं जो कभी
मैं ही तो उठा था आप गिरता हुँ जो अभी
फिर भी ऊठूँगा और बढ़के रहुँगा मैं
नर हूँ, पुरुष हूँ, चढ़ के रहुँगा मैं

चाहे जहाँ मेरे उठने के लिये ठौर है
किन्तु लिया भार आज मेने कुछ और है
उठना मुझे ही नहीं बस एक मात्र रीते हाथ
मेरा देवता भी और ऊंचा उठे मेरे साथ

This blog is only for my female friends

This blog is only for my female friends

My sister just got married last month.Being the bride's brother brings great responsibilities.And I realized it when I could not attend half of the ceremonies during the marriage!!!!!!!!!!!!

I kept getting calls from friends for a few days after the marriage congratulating me and my family.THIS BLOG WAS CONCEIVED DURING ONE OF THESE PHONE CALLS.

There were two questions frequently asked from me:

Q1) This was asked by all my Male friends--it is simple and straight.

a) Did you meet someone---yes i did.Around 300 people!!

b) Were there any beautiful girls in the marriage--of course there were!!!

There were other questions too.They only differ in the way they were asked. They meant the same thing.

Q2)This was the most asked question from my Female friends:

Did you cry when your sister was leaving??

While my answer was an emphatic "NO", I realized that this question is very important to all the girls who asked it.And my answer disappointed most of them.

This made me think of the importance of the moment when a girl leaves her home to be a part of an unknown or somewhat known world.

Its a strange moment for most men.Because there in front of them is a sister leaving home, torn by emotions, and here they are standing ,consoling but rarely showing any emotion.I guess men are deprived of the luxury of emotions or are made to incarcerate their feelings for some reason beyond my comprehension.But its just the way we are.

Women , on the other hand, are 90% emotions(Rest 10% is ,again, beyond my comprehension!!)Few percentage points of love, care,anger, jealousy, passion and traces of innumerable other possibilities.The moment of severing their ties with their family is excruciating.But all girls go through it.

All my respect to them.It needs immense amount of courage to wipe your slate clean(nearly) of all the old bonds of your life to make space for new ones.

Yes, the world is a smaller place today.Yes, we are well connected today.Yes, we have mobiles and internet and technology.But we still have a heart too!!No amount of online chat will replace your mom's love, dad's care, sibling fights.

I would have called the moment of parting as cruel, but it would be wrong to say so.Marriage is a sacred institution and is an integral part of our culture.

But still it does not take away the pain of that moment of separation.Hats off to all girls.Only you can do it.

This one blog can go on for several more pages but if i write more, it will just dilute the thought that I want to write about.So I will stop here.

If men read it, think about it!!

Letter to the Prime Minister

Dear Mr Prime Minister,

Last week there was another address by you where you promptly offered to vacate office for a certain somebody called Mr. Gandhi. Now just as ex-PM Mr. Vajpayee used his resignation offer as a WMD against his opponents within the BJP and the NDA, you seem to be using this weapon to appease the Congress.But while Mr. Vajpayee, with all his shrewd political sense, used the weapon to put to rest, all opposition to his leadership, you seem to use this hackneyed phrase as a personal defence, giving people the chance to be sceptical about your leadership.

Now what I would like is an assessment of you vs Mr. Gandhi.I will try to be very objective in my approach and compare everything which I can and whatever which is relevant to lead this great country in this century.So here we go:

1) You lead us thru the economic crisis in 1990, deregulating a suffocating system of governance.You revalued the currency and showed some great resolve and grit to free the country from the shackles of SELF SUFFICIENCY and took a step towards SELF RELIANCE.You were equally potent in handling the current global meltdown.You are our man for economic crisis.

What does Mr. Gandhi know about crisis.He is not even MARRIED!!!!!!!!!

2) You seem to be the best choice for playing odd-one-out amongst the parliamentarians when it comes to cases of corruption.You have an impeccable record.

Mr Gandhi has not been in the parliament much so he is not yet eligible to be considered for the game.

3) You showed great vision on certain times during your tenure both as FM and PM.Be it the revaluing of rupee or nuclear deal or handling current economic crisis.

Mr Gandhi still has to prove his visionary trait.

4) You are a seasoned campaigner and have earned the right to be the PM.You have always been a cultured parliamentarian( and how we miss this nearly extinct specie!!!!).Your demeanor has always been exemplary.

Mr. Gandhi also scores very high here.He too has the class and charm.

5) You are far too qualified for any job in the world right now.Your credentials speak for themselves. In a country where education has always been an Achilles heel for developement, you are an example to be followed.In a country where metric fail people can becomes ministers, you give hope to the section of people who believe that a job as big as the PM of the largest democracy in the world has to be with a person who is a product of educational conditioning and not popular, opportunistic and sick politics.

Mr.Gandhi may be highly educated but he doesnt stand a chance against you.

6) While this country started evolving after the aboliton of the License raj, you were there.You were there as a leader of opposition in the upper house when NDA was in power.You have held many positions of responsibility all thru ur career, be it political or non-political.You know ur job, whatever it is.This makes u an automatic choice for leading this country coz as i sad earlier, u have the credentials.

Mr.Gandhi has just come into the political equation and he must learn a lot before getting to the most coveted place in the country.He has started doing it.He showed great political sense in the last general elections, travelled all across the country, even in Mumbai locals(u got guts, man)!!!!!

But its still a long way to go.

I dont say that Mr. Gandhi is not THE-MAN-FOR-THE-JOB.I say he is NOT-YET-THE-MAN-FOR-THE-JOB

The people of this country chose you the second time coz u did a gud job in ur first stint.Every time u say that u r ready to leave office, u betray the feelings of these poeple, u do not trust their judgement in choosing their leader and, thus, choosing their future.

Yes u have failed on occassions. Currently ur maoist tackling policy is a mess, corruption is still a painful reality, u havent come up with any policy against terrorism, nearly all big cities in the country were blown up during ur last stint, agricultural sector is in dire straits, golden quadrangle project is delayed, the spectre of economic disparity looms large.Now with the size and population of this country, it is understandable that u wont be able to solve all these issues straight away, so u can take ur time.

(dont take too much please)

Mr. Gandhi has given hope to this country in certain ways.His young age is a factor which just puts him into a category of the select few who can bring back the youth into the political mainstream, the youth which is disillusioned with the current political scene in the country.he has a charm about him and has shown some great political understanding.His concept of asking young people to join youth congress is a great initiative.

He has shown the potential, but still he has to earn ur position Mr. Prime Minister.Till that time U R THE MAN!!!!

Why blog??

After working in Mumbai for 2 years, I have resigned and have come home before joining MBA.

I have ample free time and have realized that since i have a nearly month long break before my CHAPTER -2 of studies begins, i can write blogs.the best part about blogs is u can write whatever comes to ur mind and it does NOT necessarily have to make sense.(No offence to gud writers!!There r sm gud ones spread all across the web space.)

Now coming back to the "ample free time" thought.

Living around 1500 kms away from home isn't easy especially if u get minimum holidays and have to choose between festivals and occasions to go home.It's so different from the school days when u were always home.And college always gave u the supreme option of BUNKING.I call that true freedom.What is freedom if u have to pick and choose times and opportunites to go home, meet parents and siblings.The most beautiful moments of ur life r defined by availablity of Casual leaves, sick leaves, earned leaves etc. -THATS ridiculous.

In college there used to be Summer break(and LONGGG it was!and extendable!!), winter break, all festival breaks etc etc. Now that I am home and have a similar long break, its now i know how much i have missed home all this while.And how gud such a long break is.U get up, u get chai, then u exercise ur right to take a bath or not, then u get 'manpasand' breakfast,then sleep again, then lunch, then a little net surfing, sm TV, then evening tea, then may be an evening walk or catching up with old friends, then dinner, a little more surfing and TV and sleep again.AHA EXPERIENCE.

An important point--once u have gone far away from home, ur return marks the beginning of a culiniary skills display contest for ur mom!!

"Bolo beta kya khaoge??"-- i tell u its the only moment during the stay at home when all son's, for sm time, forget all thoughts of the girlfriend waiting for a call!!!It is mom's greatest weapon and it has no parallel-LIFELONG.Sons just love mom's cooked food. no taste ever matches it.

Its the love with which moms say this sentence..................No words to describe it.

I also realized that this may be one of the longest breaks i have got for the rest of my life (may b a small break after my MBA and before joining job may be available) so i got to use it for doing things which i love-travelling, reading, eating, meeting pals and WRITING--am not a writer but would just share my thoughts in the best possible language.

Lets see what i can come up with.