Getting it right

Was 2009 a year to be forgotten? Downfall, allegations and acquisitions, were the adjectives that underlined the corporate world. A corporate house having its name synonymous with truth threw out its forgery to an already bruised economy, opening the year to many unexpected shocks. Adding to the pain of cricket lovers were the Lahore bullet beamers, Agassi’s taste for different type of medicines and his book launching tactics and Tiger’s manly acts. As the year unfolded, many sceptics felt that the year is going to be different. Predictions, speculations and suppositions went whizzing through our ears. Most of us wanted to stay put where we were. Risk became the buzz word. None of us could find the word trust that got lost amongst the bushes of sham and deception. Gradually, the air started to clear giving way to a bright sunshine of hope and optimism. Longing for a fully elected Government, India wanted to press ahead, the world’s powerful democracy got its first black President. The

Consistently, in the recent past, India is being bracketed as an emerging economy and a deemed super power. The reason for this is manifold. It’s out there in the media, all economical forums, everywhere, about India’s success and achievements. Slowly but surely this country is making its presence felt at every platform. I have always been of the opinion that India’s road to becoming a world leader shouldn’t be judged purely on its economical and financial results. Where any country would love to ride on economical successes with sustained financial performance, it is the all round capability of a nation that makes it stand apart from the others. Innovations in science, astronomy, automobile, environment care, sporting successes are very important when adjudicating a country as supreme. Well, China, with its back ground and style of ruling should be out of comparison and that there are very few nations to be compared with, when considering the entire strata of things, we need to carve

I thought India vs Australia series is over, with India emerging victorious. But who would have thought that the Australian back lash would be of such form. Over the course of few years, there has been something about the two nations. Be it trade, tourism, sports, commerce, education etc. Both countries feel that the need for one other is more than ever before. With this backdrop of comradeship and friendliness, the current happenings were totally uncalled for. Smashing your guests at your home, speaks a lot about your character. It reveals a picture of hypo critic mind set. It says that, what ever we tell is not always true, but we’ll still say it out. To my mind the reason for the rage is beyond just the job capture. India is growing and is voicing its presence in many sectors. Well it may be true that, the cost of labour may be less and affordable in comparison to that of Australia, USA etc.. but this is no reason for hatred. Who is the ultimate gainer here? It’s both. In a Globa

Sadly, the rule of service says that Human beings are rendered productively inefficient post 60 years of their life. Candidly put they mean to say they are utterly useless. I stand to defy this thought, for I think they can be major contributors for general upliftment of the society. Running on 60, one generally feels a sense of achievement, or probably a grief of underachieving for some. But at the end of all, with a touch of nostalgia, working professionals feel relieved of their individual offerings. What after that? A retiree has all the right in the world to relax, unwind, spend time with grand children, do things which otherwise they missed doing, walk around the park etc. Nobody can take away this basic right of theirs. Thinking progressively, the years of experience and abundant knowledge should be put to right use. Today in India the age group of 16-35 form the major portion of the total population. Such a young country potentially can achieve the unachievable. With such a cop

You many have a zillion friends, but siblings are irreplaceable. Having scribbled a few lines on the substance of friendship already, I stand to distinguish the thin line between the two wonderful relationships. For starters, both are very important to me and I hold immense regard for both the associations. For all those people out there, who think friends are greater than brothers and sisters, please continue to do so, I am not here to do a conversion. Most of us treat our siblings as punching bags. How often can you yell at your friends, kick them, and boss them around. My study says that the frequencies of the above actions are much more with your brothers & sisters than with your friends. Secondly, how often do you heed your sibling’s suggestion, advice or requests, my points would go for friends in this instance. All this and more... By virtue of a common childhood, common room and of course common parents, our blood bonds are taken as contracted. Without discounting their imp

Indian Premier League, a brain child of Lalit Modi, took its birth in India in 2008. After the resounding success in its first season, the expectations with season 2 were huge. Fanatic supporters of cricket in India wanted that the IPL be conducted in its homeland and enjoy the wonderful spectacle of superstars competing each other. Before the contest could be staged, the BCCI had to compete with the Government of India on another ground. In the wake of the General Elections, there were high doubts on whether the mega event would be conducted. Needless to say, elections in any country are more imperative and chief task ahead of sporting event of any kind. Not ready to take chances with the terrorist, the Home Minister P.C Chidambaram debated with the BCCI on the timing of the expensive event. The Ministry was clear in its stance of not distributing the security or over working them. Diversion of security forces for party campaigning, political rallies, etc meant that the forces would e

What’s the first thought that strikes you when you hear the word ‘NETA’. Betrayal, dishonesty, power freaks etc. To speak my mind off, I can think of several other adjectives. Indian political scenario is an evident portrayal of a democratic mindset. Every move made by our beloved netas, are in adherence to the democratic ideologies. Take a look at this; Freedom of speech- a neta can give names to any one, banter party’s other than his, change his stance as and when the situation demands; Freedom of movement – switch party’s every election, etc In a circus of sorts, our politics is a conundrum I fail to fathom. I am sure there are zillion minds out there trying to figure out the mystery. Each election brings with it something unexpected. But this election almost seems to be one without a concrete agenda. It’s almost like, looking for a home first and food will follow then. One can now argue that, need I cast my ballot then. Why would I vote, if I am not getting anything in return? Part

Hardships of life could astonish you, Hardships of life could revel you As high as you fly, remember your base, before you fall flat on your face; Do remember to call on your fellow Old friends are like wines, Older, the stronger Money & Fame go away with time; Friendship & amity grow with it When, during the lull, remember those sunny noon’s with your fellow And he’ll give you that mellow Involve yourself in his gloom; inform him of your boom Be a listener, give a shoulder, be a provider Give belief, Give love, Give Faith FRIENDSHIP FOREVER

At a time when mankind is wrestling against terrorism, political conflicts, household crimes, economic instability etc,a much bigger threat looms large. The planet, we are existing is losing its sheen. EARTH! A beauty created by the almighty is fast shrinking to the hands of various pollutants’. Clamour hard, choke your vocal cords and pass on the information to as many ear’s as you can, that the time has come. The time to hoard and conserve the natural beings is calling BIG TIME!. Activities affecting earth and discussion on its protection shouldn’t be made a one time /day affair. Actions that can have profound effect should be addressed time and gain. Get a dedicated column in your newspaper, talk about it daily! Don’t we want our future generations to have a better dwelling place. Appropriate steps taken now ,will yield better results and only facilitate a better living. These actions and objectives needn’t be at a union or a state level, it should begin at local and municipal level

Closing the day’s work, I sprinted out of my office, to the Taxi stand. Gnawing my teeth, and waiting restlessly for 15 minutes, I finally got in a shared cab. The peak hour evening traffic and pot holed roads isn’t quite the ride one would like to have after a day’s work, needless to say about the poor old Fiat taxis. Get it straight, driving back and forth from Worli to Dadar and resisting the traffic is really a tough ask. As he drove, we could feel the windows and doors trembling. All we wanted was to get to the station as soon as possible. No sooner we reached Dadar station; there was a 100 meter hurdle dash to the platform. You’ll find the best of athletes hopping and gliding themselves through the mob of crowd. It’s then struggle no.2. to get to your platform and board the train. As any other Mumbaite, it was my dream to at least have (a) day out 365 with minimal passengers boarding the trains, vacant seats etc, Wasn’t to be! All you find at the over bridge, and then in the plat

Ever imagined how things would’ve been, had we still lived in an era of Barter system, other things remaining same. How would businesses run, what would people deal in? Weird isn’t it! Keeping the paper money aside, let’s jig into a world of Barter exchange for a while. It’s logical, if barter trade was existent at a micro level, where farmers would exchange rice for pot from a pot maker, or wheat for a piece of cloth from a weaver or tailor. But what about people like us on the other side of the world who have no knowledge about agriculture, manufacturing goods etc. An American firm outsourcing jobs to India, would substitute salaries with monthly ration. If you are an excellent performer you would get a ready made shirt as recognition and if you are entitled for a yearly bonus you will get variable and premium Basmati rice. I would go to my regular provision store, buy (trade) one coconut for 100 grams of freshly made hot banana chips. As a retailer, he would be exchanging a fusion o

Yesterday, I attended a Speaker session in my office. Both the topic and the speaker were really good. The topic goes like this...”Taking charge of your career”... and it goes apt with the current phase in my career. I have decided not undermine myself by way of this article, but on a general note, I would like to say that sessions like these, when attended in the initial days of one’s career, may prove very beneficial. Realising your potential, identifying your strengths and understanding you’re not so good areas were the talking points in the session. And what important points these are. If you are able to appreciate and comprehend all of the above adjectives early on, then one should presume that whatever you are doing and wherever you are; you are all set. From here on it’s only your fortitude and resilience that takes you to the next level. Well, for some it may not be as easy and straight forward to recognise their potentials, but somewhere, in some manner you are made known that

Looking at the sky, I wished to fly For the sky looked so high I got a strain in my thigh, Decided to roll on the earth, Then thought of the quake For life is short, don’t dwell on unwanted thought! I wanted to become a cricketer Thought of the snorter Could kick the football well, but thought of the money But an analyst ain’t minting honey For life is short, don’t dwell on unwanted thought! Think of a girl and feel flattered Her betrayal makes you shattered A game of the strong hearted and indomitable I preferred to askew the sideway For life is short, don’t dwell on unwanted thought! Journey of life is baffling Within a passage of a whirlwind you ‘r found wanting Step up!…. Step up and feel counted For life is short, don’t dwell on unwanted thought!

One clear evidence of changing times is also the way we dress. Dress!! Do I really care about how others dress, eat, sleep etc...? Sorry this may not be a point of discussion for all. The point I am trying to drive here is, there are somethings that visibly indicate that time has moved on and newer things have emerged. My experiences so far, on various grounds ratify this thought of mine to the fullest. 2 years ago I knew nothing about blogging! Are we forced to move with time or ahead of it, is a question I would like to first ask myself. My domestic maid updates me on her late arrival via SMS, I check the rates of newspaper scrap by messaging my dealer. Small things, but they do count. We (India) don't hold the record for most number of Mobile phone users for nothing. Children, now, begin their computer acquaintance as early as 5-6 years old. As a 6 year old I always wanted to play outdoor games. We used to play a variety of games and the evenings would never be complete, had we

This dastardly act of attacking the Sri Lankan cricketers has not only shaken the entire cricketing fraternity in the sub continent region but with it also the general public. Though the bullets were fired in the lawns of the Liberty market in Lahore its velocity could be felt far and wide. After the Indian cricket team denied travelling to Pakistan, preceded by several other nations, it was Sri Lanka who stepped in to act as a bridge between Pakistan and the other cricketing nations. This gesture was only ridiculed by the fast encroaching Talibanisation within Pakistan. As I sit to write my heart felt views to the Sri Lankan cricketers, I also fret about the foreseeable cricketing (sporting) future of Pakistan. One has to feel for the genuine cricket lovers of Pakistan, for it wasn’t their entire fault that this heinous incident happened. Sri Lanka, a strife torn nation submerged with its own problems, takes off to Pakistan, another cricket crazy country waiting for the revival of th