I was the last child of a small-time government servant, in a family of five brothers. My earliest memory of my father is as that of a District Employment Officer in Koraput, Orissa. It was, and remains as back of beyond as you can imagine. There was no electricity; no primary school nearby and water did not flow out of a tap. As a result, I did not go to school until the age of eight; I was home-schooled. My father used to get transferred every year. The family belongings fit into the back of a jeep - so the family moved from place to place and without any trouble, my Mother would set up an establishment and get us going. Raised by a widow who had come as a refugee from the then East Bengal, she was a matriculate when she married my Father.
My parents set the foundation of my life and the value system, which makes me what I am today and largely, defines what success means to me today.
As District Employment Officer, my father was given a jeep by the government. There was no garage in the Office, so the jeep was parked in our house. My father refused to use it to commute to the office. He told us that the jeep is an expensive resource given by the government- he reiterated to us that it was not ”his jeep” but the government’s jeep. Insisting that he would use it only to tour the interiors, he would walk to his office on normal days. He also made sure that we never sat in the government jeep - we could sit in it only when it was stationary.
That was our early childhood lesson in governance - a lesson that corporate managers learn the hard way, some never do.
The driver of the jeep was treated with respect due to any other member of my Father’s office. As small children, we were taught not to call him by his name. We had to use the suffix ‘dada’ whenever we were to refer to him in public or private. When I grew up to own a car and a driver by the name of Raju was appointed - I repeated the lesson to my two small daughters. They have, as a result, grown up to call Raju, ‘Raju Uncle’ - very different from many of their friends who refer to their family driver, as ‘my driver’. When I hear that term from a school- or college-going person, I cringe.
To me, the lesson was significant - you treat small people with more respect than how you treat big people. It is more important to respect your subordinates than your superiors.
Our day used to start with the family huddling around my Mother’s chulha - an earthen fire place she would build at each place of posting where she would cook for the family. There was neither gas, nor electrical stoves.The morning routine started with tea. As the brew was served, Father would ask us to read aloud the editorial page of The Statesman’s ‘muffosil’ edition - delivered one day late. We did not understand much of what we were reading. But the ritual was meant for us to know that the world was larger than Koraput district and the English I speak today, despite having studied in an Oriya medium school, has to do with that routine. After reading the newspaper aloud, we were told to fold it neatly. Father taught us a simple lesson.
He used to say, “You should leave your newspaper and your toilet, the way you expect to find it”. That lesson was about showing consideration to others. Business begins and ends with that simple precept.
Being small children, we were always enamored with advertisements in the newspaper for transistor radios - we did not have one. We saw other people having radios in their homes and each time there was an advertisement of Philips, Murphy or Bush radios, we would ask Father when we could get one. Each time, my Father would reply that we did not need one because he already had five radios - alluding to his five sons.
We also did not have a house of our own and would occasionally ask Father as to when, like others, we would live in our own house. He would give a similar reply,” We do not need a house of our own. I already own five houses”. His replies did not gladden our hearts in that instant.
Nonetheless, we learnt that it is important not to measure personal success and sense of well being through material possessions.
Government houses seldom came with fences. Mother and I collected twigs and built a small fence. After lunch, my Mother would never sleep. She would take her kitchen utensils and with those she and I would dig the rocky, white ant infested surrounding. We planted flowering bushes. The white ants destroyed them. My mother brought ash from her chulha and mixed it in the earth and we planted the seedlings all over again. This time, they bloomed. At that time, my father’s transfer order came. A few neighbors told my mother why she was taking so much pain to beautify a government house, why she was planting seeds that would only benefit the next occupant. My mother replied that it did not matter to her that she would not see the flowers in full bloom. She said, “I have to create a bloom in a desert and whenever I am given a new place, I must leave it more beautiful than what I had inherited”.
That was my first lesson in success. It is not about what you create for yourself, it is what you leave behind that defines success.
My mother began developing a cataract in her eyes when I was very small. At that time, the eldest among my brothers got a teaching job at the University in Bhubaneswar and had to prepare for the civil services examination. So, it was decided that my Mother would move to cook for him and, as her appendage, I had to move too. For the first time in my life I saw electricity in homes and water coming out of a tap. It was around 1965 and the country was going to war with Pakistan. My mother was having problems reading and in any case, being Bengali, she did not know the Oriya script. So, in addition to my daily chores, my job was to read her the local newspaper - end to end. That created in me a sense of connectedness with a larger world. I began taking interest in many different things. While reading out news about the war, I felt that I was fighting the war myself. She and I discussed the daily news and built a bond with the larger universe. In it, we became part of a larger reality. Till date, I measure my success in terms of that sense of larger connectedness. Meanwhile, the war raged and India was fighting on both fronts. Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Prime Minster, coined the term “Jai Jawan, Jai Kishan” and galvanized the nation in to patriotic fervor. Other than reading out the newspaper to my mother, I had no clue about how I could be part of the action. So, after reading her the newspaper, every day I would land up near the University’s water tank, which served the community. I would spend hours under it, imagining that there could be spies who would come to poison the water and I had to watch for them. I would daydream about catching one and how the next day, I would be featured in the newspaper. Unfortunately for me, the spies at war ignored the sleepy town of Bhubaneswar and I never got a chance to catch one in action. Yet, that act unlocked my imagination.
Imagination is everything. If we can imagine a future, we can create it, if we can create that future, others will live in it. That is the essence of success.
Over the next few years, my mother’s eyesight dimmed but in me she created a larger vision, a vision with which I continue to see the world and, I sense, through my eyes, she was seeing too. As the next few years unfolded, her vision deteriorated and she was operated for cataract. I remember, when she returned after her operation and she saw my face clearly for the first time, she was astonished. She said, “Oh my God, I did not know you were so fair”. I remain mighty pleased with that adulation even till date. Within weeks of getting her sight back, she developed a corneal ulcer and, overnight, became blind in both eyes. That was 1969. She died in 2002. In all those 32 years of living with blindness, she never complained about her fate even once. Curious to know what she saw with blind eyes, I asked her once if she sees darkness. She replied, “No, I do not see darkness. I only see light even with my eyes closed”. Until she was eighty years of age, she did her morning yoga everyday, swept her own room and washed her own clothes.
To me, success is about the sense of independence; it is about not seeing the world but seeing the light.
Over the many intervening years, I grew up, studied, joined the industry and began to carve my life’s own journey. I began my life as a clerk in a government office, went on to become a Management Trainee with the DCM group and eventually found my life’s calling with the IT industry when fourth generation computers came to India in 1981. Life took me places - I worked with outstanding people, challenging assignments and traveled all over the world.
In 1992, while I was posted in the US, I learnt that my father, living a retired life with my eldest brother, had suffered a third degree burn injury and was admitted in the Safderjung Hospital in Delhi. I flew back to attend to him - he remained for a few days in critical stage, bandaged from neck to toe. The Safderjung Hospital is a cockroach infested, dirty, inhuman place. The overworked, under-resourced sisters in the burn ward are both victims and perpetrators of dehumanized life at its worst. One morning, while attending to my Father, I realized that the blood bottle was empty and fearing that air would go into his vein, I asked the attending nurse to change it. She bluntly told me to do it myself. In that horrible theater of death, I was in pain and frustration and anger. Finally when she relented and came, my Father opened his eyes and murmured to her, “Why have you not gone home yet?” Here was a man on his deathbed but more concerned about the overworked nurse than his own state. I was stunned at his stoic self.
There I learnt that there is no limit to how concerned you can be for another human being and what the limit of inclusion is you can create.
My father died the next day. He was a man whose success was defined by his principles, his frugality, his universalism and his sense of inclusion.
Above all, he taught me that success is your ability to rise above your discomfort, whatever may be your current state. You can, if you want, raise your consciousness above your immediate surroundings. Success is not about building material comforts - the transistor that he never could buy or the house that he never owned. His success was about the legacy he left, the memetic continuity of his ideals that grew beyond the smallness of a ill-paid, unrecognized government servant’s world.
My father was a fervent believer in the British Raj. He sincerely doubted the capability of the post-independence Indian political parties to govern the country. To him, the lowering of the Union Jack was a sad event. My Mother was the exact opposite. When Subhash Bose quit the Indian National Congress and came to Dacca, my mother, then a schoolgirl, garlanded him. She learnt to spin khadi and joined an underground movement that trained her in using daggers and swords. Consequently, our household saw diversity in the political outlook of the two. On major issues concerning the world, the Old Man and the Old Lady had differing opinions.
In them, we learnt the power of disagreements, of dialogue and the essence of living with diversity in thinking.
Success is not about the ability to create a definitive dogmatic end state; it is about the unfolding of thought processes, of dialogue and continuum.
Two years back, at the age of eighty-two, Mother had a paralytic stroke and was lying in a government hospital in Bhubaneswar. I flew down from the US where I was serving my second stint, to see her. I spent two weeks with her in the hospital as she remained in a paralytic state. She was neither getting better nor moving on. Eventually I had to return to work. While leaving her behind, I kissed her face. In that paralytic state and a garbled voice, she said,
“Why are you kissing me, go kiss the world.” Her river was nearing its journey, at the confluence of life and death, this woman who came to India as a refugee, raised by a widowed Mother, no more educated than high school, married to an anonymous government servant whose last salary was Rupees Three Hundred, robbed of her eyesight by fate and crowned by adversity was telling me to go and kiss the world!
Success to me is about Vision. It is the ability to rise above the immediacy of pain. It is about imagination. It is about sensitivity to small people. It is about building inclusion. It is about connectedness to a larger world existence. It is about personal tenacity. It is about giving back more to life than you take out of it. It is about creating extra-ordinary success with ordinary lives.
Thank you very much; I wish you good luck and God’s speed. Go! kiss the world
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thoughts. Show all posts
Monday, November 09, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
ISB Essay Analysis & Tips
Just thinking for a rare moment about the world outside ISB, especially about the aspirants who are eager to transition from the world outside to the universe inside ISB, I reflected on the Essays posted by ISB this time. I have taken a shot at analysis of these essays and hopefully will help some of the potential candidates.
Here you go:
Essay 1
Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data. (300 words max)
This essay is direct challenge to candidates to state three to-the-point and specific things why ISB should worry about your candidacy and read your application any further. The fact that ISB has specifically asks for data to back up your claims demonstrates that you need to be direct in your approach and provide examples of your claims.
Explore your finest accomplishments and fit the best three here. It is important to maintain a fine balance among the points you choose. A good balance will consist of Professional demonstrating your uniqueness, Extra-Curricular manifesting your leadership potential, and Academic / Personal stories that personify you. You also need to consider that peer learning is a crucial aspect at ISB. While words will be scare, you also need to succinctly cover the ground about how each of your accomplishment will add value to your peers at ISB. Such corroboration and direct connection to ISB’s resources will provide a much more coherent view to your stories. Also, remember to take care of the overall structure of the essay through a short and crisp opening statement and a coherent & impressive ending statement.
Being the first essay, you need to create an impact on the reader and give her an “Aha” moment that makes her interested in you at the onset.
Essay 2
Describe a challenging assignment you have handled (at work or outside) to date. What were the challenges and how did you handle them. What were the personal learnings you derived from this assignment. (300 words max)
It is recommended to pick up a professional story either if you belong to non-traditional background (chance to score points on diversity) or if you handled a really challenging situation. If you have compelling story from your extracurricular, it will click as well. Many a times, in extracurricular setting you deal with people who have no formal obligation to respond to your initiatives. Such stories speak volume about your ability to influence people. The objective of this essay is to demonstrate your ability to take ownership, handle ambiguity to bring focus on the problem at hand, and take corrective measures to achieve your objective. Try to reflect to stories where you lead / contributed out of turn to a team rather than a stand alone accomplishment. Also, remember that a key challenge in this essay will also be to avoid repletion from the already stated stories in the first essay.
As for the structure of your response, read the question carefully as the structure is already inculcated in it. Follow the START framework (S – Situation, T – Tasks, A – Actions, R- Results, T- Takeaway) to craft your response. Don’t forget to devote a good chunk of space to the personal learning because the chances are that most of the candidates will come up with solid stories, it’s your learning and self-reflection that will give Adcom a peek into your personality.
Essay 3
Briefly assess your career progression till date along with your assessment of your future career goals. Discuss how your career goals will be met by the ISB’s one year program. (300 words max)
Aha! Finally, ISB has also come with a standard goal essay in sync with most global business schools. Ideally this essay is asked in 750-1000 words by most schools and ISB once again compels you to draft story of your lifetime in 300 words. Fun, isn't it.
While the structure is implied in the response, remember to address adequately each of the following five components:
Career Progression: Detail your career progression while keeping an eye on your goals and keep your theme limited to the same.
Goals (Short Term & Long Term): Be as specific as possible. Your short term goal shall be tangible and direct. Explore school's website or your contacts within ISB to find out exact positions offered at ISB and stick to the same. Further, avoid putting a blanket statement in your long term goal. If you came up with "I want to be CEO of XYZ Company" you need to think deeper.
Why MBA: If you have done good job in the above two section, you must have created a void by now that only a MBA education can fill in. Bring out the specific things you need from MBA that will bring you closer to your goals and this piece shall further your candidacy.
Why Now: It is extremely important to bring a crisp argument about why you think now is the right time for you. Don't make the mistake to leave a gap for Adcom to think that you need another year or two before coming to ISB.
Why ISB: Goes without saying, this aspect is extremely important and will speak volumes about your passion for ISB. An ideal strategy is to connect ISB's resources - Academic programs, Clubs, and Special programs to your specific needs. Attempt to write a paragraph with each sentence containing something unique about ISB.
Again, remember to take care of the overall structure of the essay through a short and crisp opening statement and a coherent ending exclamation statement.
Wish you Gud Luck! Interesting times await....
*Note - My analysis for ISB as well as for other international schools can be found at General Education's website as well. Click here to view the same.
Here you go:
Essay 1
Give 3 reasons as to why you should be selected to the class of 2011. These reasons should ideally differentiate you from the applicant pool and should be backed with some data. (300 words max)
This essay is direct challenge to candidates to state three to-the-point and specific things why ISB should worry about your candidacy and read your application any further. The fact that ISB has specifically asks for data to back up your claims demonstrates that you need to be direct in your approach and provide examples of your claims.
Explore your finest accomplishments and fit the best three here. It is important to maintain a fine balance among the points you choose. A good balance will consist of Professional demonstrating your uniqueness, Extra-Curricular manifesting your leadership potential, and Academic / Personal stories that personify you. You also need to consider that peer learning is a crucial aspect at ISB. While words will be scare, you also need to succinctly cover the ground about how each of your accomplishment will add value to your peers at ISB. Such corroboration and direct connection to ISB’s resources will provide a much more coherent view to your stories. Also, remember to take care of the overall structure of the essay through a short and crisp opening statement and a coherent & impressive ending statement.
Being the first essay, you need to create an impact on the reader and give her an “Aha” moment that makes her interested in you at the onset.
Essay 2
Describe a challenging assignment you have handled (at work or outside) to date. What were the challenges and how did you handle them. What were the personal learnings you derived from this assignment. (300 words max)
It is recommended to pick up a professional story either if you belong to non-traditional background (chance to score points on diversity) or if you handled a really challenging situation. If you have compelling story from your extracurricular, it will click as well. Many a times, in extracurricular setting you deal with people who have no formal obligation to respond to your initiatives. Such stories speak volume about your ability to influence people. The objective of this essay is to demonstrate your ability to take ownership, handle ambiguity to bring focus on the problem at hand, and take corrective measures to achieve your objective. Try to reflect to stories where you lead / contributed out of turn to a team rather than a stand alone accomplishment. Also, remember that a key challenge in this essay will also be to avoid repletion from the already stated stories in the first essay.
As for the structure of your response, read the question carefully as the structure is already inculcated in it. Follow the START framework (S – Situation, T – Tasks, A – Actions, R- Results, T- Takeaway) to craft your response. Don’t forget to devote a good chunk of space to the personal learning because the chances are that most of the candidates will come up with solid stories, it’s your learning and self-reflection that will give Adcom a peek into your personality.
Essay 3
Briefly assess your career progression till date along with your assessment of your future career goals. Discuss how your career goals will be met by the ISB’s one year program. (300 words max)
Aha! Finally, ISB has also come with a standard goal essay in sync with most global business schools. Ideally this essay is asked in 750-1000 words by most schools and ISB once again compels you to draft story of your lifetime in 300 words. Fun, isn't it.
While the structure is implied in the response, remember to address adequately each of the following five components:
Career Progression: Detail your career progression while keeping an eye on your goals and keep your theme limited to the same.
Goals (Short Term & Long Term): Be as specific as possible. Your short term goal shall be tangible and direct. Explore school's website or your contacts within ISB to find out exact positions offered at ISB and stick to the same. Further, avoid putting a blanket statement in your long term goal. If you came up with "I want to be CEO of XYZ Company" you need to think deeper.
Why MBA: If you have done good job in the above two section, you must have created a void by now that only a MBA education can fill in. Bring out the specific things you need from MBA that will bring you closer to your goals and this piece shall further your candidacy.
Why Now: It is extremely important to bring a crisp argument about why you think now is the right time for you. Don't make the mistake to leave a gap for Adcom to think that you need another year or two before coming to ISB.
Why ISB: Goes without saying, this aspect is extremely important and will speak volumes about your passion for ISB. An ideal strategy is to connect ISB's resources - Academic programs, Clubs, and Special programs to your specific needs. Attempt to write a paragraph with each sentence containing something unique about ISB.
Again, remember to take care of the overall structure of the essay through a short and crisp opening statement and a coherent ending exclamation statement.
Wish you Gud Luck! Interesting times await....
*Note - My analysis for ISB as well as for other international schools can be found at General Education's website as well. Click here to view the same.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Term 2 --- What a fun!!
Term 2 started with interesting set of subjects and lot of twists to the cliché of assignment, quiz, and exam followed across all subjects. We are breaking heads with Marketing Strategy, Competitive Strategy, Macro Economics, and DMOP this time.
Unarguably, the sheer amount of coursework and difficult level of courses such as DMOP has truly tested the mettle of the student. Mark Strategy is an addictive, time sucking, and most interesting game ever made in this world, Comp Strategy never stops surprising you with tougher and tougher cases, Macro Economics every time makes me think how much information I used to miss while reading all those Economic Times articles, and last perhaps most importantly, DMOP – a subject that has made all non-engineers give up and all engineers, increasingly hide their identity as “so-called-comfortable-with-number” fellows. A quant oriented subject, DMOP has continued to give night mares to everyone at campus.
I will be writing more about the current terms, especially on MarkStrat in the posts to follow!
Unarguably, the sheer amount of coursework and difficult level of courses such as DMOP has truly tested the mettle of the student. Mark Strategy is an addictive, time sucking, and most interesting game ever made in this world, Comp Strategy never stops surprising you with tougher and tougher cases, Macro Economics every time makes me think how much information I used to miss while reading all those Economic Times articles, and last perhaps most importantly, DMOP – a subject that has made all non-engineers give up and all engineers, increasingly hide their identity as “so-called-comfortable-with-number” fellows. A quant oriented subject, DMOP has continued to give night mares to everyone at campus.
I will be writing more about the current terms, especially on MarkStrat in the posts to follow!
ISB Updates - Term 1
Terrible. That’s the word. That’s simply the perfect word that truly resonates with my bloging, about my performance in terms of my ISB life updated. It’s not the case that I didn’t want to write. I am tempted to think that I couldn’t write because of time crunch although I am not totally convinced. One thing ISB has clearly taught me is that there is always time for what you want to do. The bigger challenge is to identify the same, and devote your time to “important” and not “urgent” things. I think I have failed to do so, atleast as far as bloging is concerned.
There is so much to write and say about my life at ISB. I see my last post around a month back and world has literally turned around in these 30 days. As I believe that fun of writing is to cover it while fresh and virgin, I wouldn’t be able to delve much in past.
Some quick updates:
Term 1 ended: I was a proud 12.5% MBA as Term1 ended with a bang. Term 1 was pretty relaxed (Relatively) and we touched upon the Micro Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Statistical subjects. Each subject at that time seemed to be independent of each other but with wider subjects such as Competitive Strategy picking up in this term, it is beginning to make sense.
Term Break: Hell broke loose at campus as soon as Term 1 got over. Parties, Music, booze, food, and energy flew across the campus. There were back to back night long parties, numerous club events, etc. A perfect time to catch up on sleep, to just hang around, and have a good time!!
So much other things have passed by. GSB core team was formed and all Club core teams have been formed. I have picked up a position in General Management Club to handle Alumni Affairs. More importantly, I am going to join Dance classes by “Shiamak Davars Dance Academy”. Really excited about it!! I am getting good at Squash, and also hope to learn something about Spanish and French culture from International Club at ISB. Over past 1 month, our section has put in a lot of effort to stick together and we have had some wonderful parties at Class of ’08 lounge, Pot lock parties etc. The informal small group of HKP@ISB that composes of 12-15 most notorious people around the campus is getting tightly bonded and with the pace we are going, there will be a hell lot to write about the same in future.
That’s all for now!! I know time is going conspire against me to take me away from my bloging. But I am determined to conquer the devil this time. I have used technology as a tool, my calendar to remind me of bloging twice a week. I am definite to make this change this time and live these wonderful moments at ISB forever via my posts.
There is so much to write and say about my life at ISB. I see my last post around a month back and world has literally turned around in these 30 days. As I believe that fun of writing is to cover it while fresh and virgin, I wouldn’t be able to delve much in past.
Some quick updates:
Term 1 ended: I was a proud 12.5% MBA as Term1 ended with a bang. Term 1 was pretty relaxed (Relatively) and we touched upon the Micro Economics, Finance, Marketing, and Statistical subjects. Each subject at that time seemed to be independent of each other but with wider subjects such as Competitive Strategy picking up in this term, it is beginning to make sense.
Term Break: Hell broke loose at campus as soon as Term 1 got over. Parties, Music, booze, food, and energy flew across the campus. There were back to back night long parties, numerous club events, etc. A perfect time to catch up on sleep, to just hang around, and have a good time!!
So much other things have passed by. GSB core team was formed and all Club core teams have been formed. I have picked up a position in General Management Club to handle Alumni Affairs. More importantly, I am going to join Dance classes by “Shiamak Davars Dance Academy”. Really excited about it!! I am getting good at Squash, and also hope to learn something about Spanish and French culture from International Club at ISB. Over past 1 month, our section has put in a lot of effort to stick together and we have had some wonderful parties at Class of ’08 lounge, Pot lock parties etc. The informal small group of HKP@ISB that composes of 12-15 most notorious people around the campus is getting tightly bonded and with the pace we are going, there will be a hell lot to write about the same in future.
That’s all for now!! I know time is going conspire against me to take me away from my bloging. But I am determined to conquer the devil this time. I have used technology as a tool, my calendar to remind me of bloging twice a week. I am definite to make this change this time and live these wonderful moments at ISB forever via my posts.
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Why I choose ISB over Duke - Finally, got it !!!
I know this post that has been long pending. My detailed analysis of the merry situation I was in back in Nov 2008 - ISB or Duke - was lying hidden somewhere in my cluttered lappy. While cleaning up my system today for formatting at ISB, I found the personalized reasons why I choose ISB over Duke. I think capturing the whole thought in this post makes sense for a) My own future reference b) Future aspirants who may land in similar confusion c) More journalists who may be seeking to follow Business Week & HT to cover the big ISB vs US schools story.
Little obvious disclaimer - The analysis, the rationale, and pros & cons attached to each school are entirely mine. I was emotionally independent and avoided being influenced by a single person during the whole analysis. Understandably, each point is debatable. Each point needs to be taken with pinch of salt. However, I believe I made the right choice, the right fit for me.
Sometime back in Nov 2008, in order to arrive at an informed decision I decided to apply Grid Analysis over ISB vs Duke, my favorite decision making technique for complex decisions. One of the factors that contribute towards a good Grid Analysis is that you thought through the situation and various factor involved. If you don’t know the technicalities of Grid Analysis, refer my previous post here . Therefore, I discussed with number of Alumni and current students from both sides of the world – US schools & ISB. Further, I conducted the following SWOT analysis of ISB and Duke.
SWOT Analysis of Duke:
Strengths:
Excellent network, education, professors
Post-MBA prospects with better leadership roles, on radar of management in MNC
Diversity and Global recognition forever
Weaknesses:
Extremely high on initial cost
Have to stay in US for more than decade – an option that may disturb the family balance
Opportunities:
Global and Diversified program
Break Indian mindset forever
Threats:
Cost
Impact on personal life
SWOT Analysis of ISB:
Strengths:
Help maintain balance between personal and professional life
Better placed to position me in General Management track with Indian group or companies
Very convenient program with no additional hassles of loan, visa, international opportunities, less ambiguous, huge brand, food, laundry. Hence, all focus on skill development & fun.
Cost incurred and time involved is less.
Weakness:
Lack of International Diversity and global exposure
Networking opportunities and peer student’s exposure will not match Duke
Lesser time to immerse in the program and understand the concepts in depth
Opportunities
Less initial expense means option to explore for starting own business or some other risks
Will have option to explore interests in emerging market, writing, and join friends – Back to life.
Explore international positions after ISB n hence, benefit overall
Uncertainty on Market situation means ISB is better placed for the same.
Already have strong connections within ISB and Indian MBA position. Will complement.
6 times cost-benefit advantage – 1/3 cost and ½ times.
Better chances that in future I will leverage Indian connections rather than big network from Duke
Threats
Too much placement focus in the school
Alumni still not in higher position
Finally, here’s the Grid Analysis of ISB vs Duke that led to my answer.
In my own little world, ISB took a significant lead from Duke here. I am happy with the choice I made. They say, every decision is right in perspective and I am confident that my perspective is representative of my inherent desires.
Little obvious disclaimer - The analysis, the rationale, and pros & cons attached to each school are entirely mine. I was emotionally independent and avoided being influenced by a single person during the whole analysis. Understandably, each point is debatable. Each point needs to be taken with pinch of salt. However, I believe I made the right choice, the right fit for me.
Sometime back in Nov 2008, in order to arrive at an informed decision I decided to apply Grid Analysis over ISB vs Duke, my favorite decision making technique for complex decisions. One of the factors that contribute towards a good Grid Analysis is that you thought through the situation and various factor involved. If you don’t know the technicalities of Grid Analysis, refer my previous post here . Therefore, I discussed with number of Alumni and current students from both sides of the world – US schools & ISB. Further, I conducted the following SWOT analysis of ISB and Duke.
SWOT Analysis of Duke:
Strengths:
Excellent network, education, professors
Post-MBA prospects with better leadership roles, on radar of management in MNC
Diversity and Global recognition forever
Weaknesses:
Extremely high on initial cost
Have to stay in US for more than decade – an option that may disturb the family balance
Opportunities:
Global and Diversified program
Break Indian mindset forever
Threats:
Cost
Impact on personal life
SWOT Analysis of ISB:
Strengths:
Help maintain balance between personal and professional life
Better placed to position me in General Management track with Indian group or companies
Very convenient program with no additional hassles of loan, visa, international opportunities, less ambiguous, huge brand, food, laundry. Hence, all focus on skill development & fun.
Cost incurred and time involved is less.
Weakness:
Lack of International Diversity and global exposure
Networking opportunities and peer student’s exposure will not match Duke
Lesser time to immerse in the program and understand the concepts in depth
Opportunities
Less initial expense means option to explore for starting own business or some other risks
Will have option to explore interests in emerging market, writing, and join friends – Back to life.
Explore international positions after ISB n hence, benefit overall
Uncertainty on Market situation means ISB is better placed for the same.
Already have strong connections within ISB and Indian MBA position. Will complement.
6 times cost-benefit advantage – 1/3 cost and ½ times.
Better chances that in future I will leverage Indian connections rather than big network from Duke
Threats
Too much placement focus in the school
Alumni still not in higher position
Finally, here’s the Grid Analysis of ISB vs Duke that led to my answer.
In my own little world, ISB took a significant lead from Duke here. I am happy with the choice I made. They say, every decision is right in perspective and I am confident that my perspective is representative of my inherent desires.
Friday, April 03, 2009
Upgrading My version 1.0 to version 1.1!!
“How does it feel when you wake up and realize that you will not be paid for that day?” I asked Ankit, a close friend as I woke up today – 2nd April, 2009. His lame and lazy looks responded – Dude, I am too used to your morning wit – 9 years now - and I would not consider answering this. Especially at this hour of day, when I use my head least n you perhaps most. For whatever you answer will be pretty unobvious. So please go ahead, answer and please yourself, and I will laugh – involuntary like most of the times. I caught all this in a flash and didn’t, as never before, mind the involuntary piece in the information and proceeded unilaterally with my response “Heavenly. I feel totally blank and blessed. I never knew getting out of job can be so fulfilling”. He had a good laugh and I - a good start to my day.
A lot has gone behind the build up to this day. Simply put a hell lot. But this post is not to dwell into those esoteric times. This post is more about the mystic smell of today, the sweet pleasant present, and the recent activities around the same. It has been a season of farewells and parties ever since I returned from US to spend my last few days with TCS. As they say good or bad, things usually happens in packages. As much pleased I was to return to my old routine – GGN, Offshore team, and all the fun - I was equally happy that most people I’d wished to meet from my current version visited Delhi in March. Awesome! Lucky I. I had a huge list of to do – that included visiting numerous places / restaurants I long cherished in Delhi. I have able to meet all such objectives. I have also been able to reinforce the relationship I shared with most and I earnestly hope I carry on. Unwise what’s the best way to state, but as much as I enjoyed the compassion from most of people and enjoyed building of new bridges, I am also experiencing cracks at some unexpected places that are beyond my comprehension. Perhaps it’s a normal course of transition for human nature. Unlike old me, I will let it happen. Perhaps it’s right time for some weeding to happen. With these mixed - mostly elated - feeling I have concluded my journey with TCS and everything around it. I have had the fortune of gaining support from wonderful set of people and that’s more than sufficient. Everything else around Vinit Garg 1.0 version stands closed now.
What’s next? Terrific lot! As for now, I am looking for my travel towards the nucleus of this universe, to my native place Dhuri, to conclude. I can already touch & feel the distinctive smell in this part of the world. Familiar people, feels like my own - speaking in blunt, powerful, and crisp - Punjabi. The train, almost a time machine since it has transported me successfully several times in and out of worlds that are several light years away, is already taking that its 90 degree curve and I will soon at my home town’s station and mom & dad will be there. Remind me of SRK’s homecoming in KKKG. One week at the center of the universe and I shall be out again, reconditioned, rejuvenated, towards a next objective – Vinit Garg’s version 1.1! A lot more to come on that!
A lot has gone behind the build up to this day. Simply put a hell lot. But this post is not to dwell into those esoteric times. This post is more about the mystic smell of today, the sweet pleasant present, and the recent activities around the same. It has been a season of farewells and parties ever since I returned from US to spend my last few days with TCS. As they say good or bad, things usually happens in packages. As much pleased I was to return to my old routine – GGN, Offshore team, and all the fun - I was equally happy that most people I’d wished to meet from my current version visited Delhi in March. Awesome! Lucky I. I had a huge list of to do – that included visiting numerous places / restaurants I long cherished in Delhi. I have able to meet all such objectives. I have also been able to reinforce the relationship I shared with most and I earnestly hope I carry on. Unwise what’s the best way to state, but as much as I enjoyed the compassion from most of people and enjoyed building of new bridges, I am also experiencing cracks at some unexpected places that are beyond my comprehension. Perhaps it’s a normal course of transition for human nature. Unlike old me, I will let it happen. Perhaps it’s right time for some weeding to happen. With these mixed - mostly elated - feeling I have concluded my journey with TCS and everything around it. I have had the fortune of gaining support from wonderful set of people and that’s more than sufficient. Everything else around Vinit Garg 1.0 version stands closed now.
What’s next? Terrific lot! As for now, I am looking for my travel towards the nucleus of this universe, to my native place Dhuri, to conclude. I can already touch & feel the distinctive smell in this part of the world. Familiar people, feels like my own - speaking in blunt, powerful, and crisp - Punjabi. The train, almost a time machine since it has transported me successfully several times in and out of worlds that are several light years away, is already taking that its 90 degree curve and I will soon at my home town’s station and mom & dad will be there. Remind me of SRK’s homecoming in KKKG. One week at the center of the universe and I shall be out again, reconditioned, rejuvenated, towards a next objective – Vinit Garg’s version 1.1! A lot more to come on that!
Friday, February 20, 2009
My Global Blog!!
Just had a chance look at the Cluster Map widget I put long back on my blog. It kind of caught me off-guard with the compiled information about visitors to my blog and respective countries. Here is the list of all countries and respective hits:
I can understand India, US, UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada, UAE etc where I know few people. However, hits from countries that I haven’t even heard off, kind of surprise me. So much for the power of Internet and Globalization!!!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
A change and a hope - Can he deliver ?
Obama, the 44th President of United States, took the oath today. Given the importance of United States economy that drives the world economy makes this event a historic one for millions facing the dual challenges of worsening economy and ever-rising terrorism inside as well as outside America. That also explains to my curious mind why I saw lot of Indians watching closely the oath ceremony at office today. Obama choose his moto of “Change” and “We Can” at a time when these themes connected with hearts and minds of people deeply. His popularity is rising exponentially across the world – that explains that more than 2 million people have there status with something mentioned about Obama today and that I am writing this post – Amazing for guy with such humble beginning.
One of the anecdotes that I continue to fall back when I think of Obama is when I hired a Taxi with an African-American driver for my Duke Interview. A night before Obama was elected as the President and I drew my own inspiration from this man, thinking nothing is impossible and that he has outlived his critics and defied history. Yet, the first hand comments from the Taxi driver brought me closer to what Obama’s selection means to African-American population in US as well as other minorities across the world. The taxi driver said “You seem to be from India. I am sure one day will come when an Indian will become President of US also”. When I asked why he thinks so, he replied, “Mannnn, this country is free and open now. Anyone can do anything now. I didn’t get lot of opportunities but I am sure my kids will do well now”. For a moment, I was taken aback because being used to Indian democracy, which I think is great, I am not used to think that a citizen of India can’t become a president or PM. We have Sikh PM and had a Muslim President, who collectively led a Hindu dominated country. Indian system is great and way ahead of other democracies and I think US is going in the same direction. The election of Obama as president has dawned a new era that will defy age old fundamentals of fascism and racism in Western world.
Coming to Obama’s speech today, if I were to baseline some of his previous speeches I think this was an average one. Although the content and every word made a lot of sense yet I think too many things were discussed – perhaps that’s need to hour but left me with numerous messages with nothing that stuck my head. I continue to rate his “Don’t tell me words don’t matter” speech the best ever I heard. A great orator and I am already a fan of his Public Speaking skills, I think a quality that most of our Indian politicians lack. As much as I have heard and read about Obama, I have found him as a person who talks and connects to the real problems faced at the grassroots level – talking of using sun to harness energy, reducing energy consumption, rebuilding roads, creating jobs, healthcare, and reducing excessive focus on punishing terrorist. Everything a common man today hopes for and would want to hear. Some of the text that I liked was “We choose hope over fear today”, “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done”. Lot of ambitious plans that encompass almost every aspect we can think of. I think with this tall promises and high hopes Obama will also with scrutinized and monitored more closely than ever, especially with millions of people hoping a miracle now with this change. He will need to move at a rapid pace something that his predecessors haven’t given him in legacy. The task is cut out for him, the ground is set, and world waits what changes he can bring. The first one I came to know was that he led a African-American taxi driver believe in himself and envision his children’s bright future. Can he bring same hope to rest of the world? He is change and a hope - can he deliver !!!
One of the anecdotes that I continue to fall back when I think of Obama is when I hired a Taxi with an African-American driver for my Duke Interview. A night before Obama was elected as the President and I drew my own inspiration from this man, thinking nothing is impossible and that he has outlived his critics and defied history. Yet, the first hand comments from the Taxi driver brought me closer to what Obama’s selection means to African-American population in US as well as other minorities across the world. The taxi driver said “You seem to be from India. I am sure one day will come when an Indian will become President of US also”. When I asked why he thinks so, he replied, “Mannnn, this country is free and open now. Anyone can do anything now. I didn’t get lot of opportunities but I am sure my kids will do well now”. For a moment, I was taken aback because being used to Indian democracy, which I think is great, I am not used to think that a citizen of India can’t become a president or PM. We have Sikh PM and had a Muslim President, who collectively led a Hindu dominated country. Indian system is great and way ahead of other democracies and I think US is going in the same direction. The election of Obama as president has dawned a new era that will defy age old fundamentals of fascism and racism in Western world.
Coming to Obama’s speech today, if I were to baseline some of his previous speeches I think this was an average one. Although the content and every word made a lot of sense yet I think too many things were discussed – perhaps that’s need to hour but left me with numerous messages with nothing that stuck my head. I continue to rate his “Don’t tell me words don’t matter” speech the best ever I heard. A great orator and I am already a fan of his Public Speaking skills, I think a quality that most of our Indian politicians lack. As much as I have heard and read about Obama, I have found him as a person who talks and connects to the real problems faced at the grassroots level – talking of using sun to harness energy, reducing energy consumption, rebuilding roads, creating jobs, healthcare, and reducing excessive focus on punishing terrorist. Everything a common man today hopes for and would want to hear. Some of the text that I liked was “We choose hope over fear today”, “For everywhere we look, there is work to be done”. Lot of ambitious plans that encompass almost every aspect we can think of. I think with this tall promises and high hopes Obama will also with scrutinized and monitored more closely than ever, especially with millions of people hoping a miracle now with this change. He will need to move at a rapid pace something that his predecessors haven’t given him in legacy. The task is cut out for him, the ground is set, and world waits what changes he can bring. The first one I came to know was that he led a African-American taxi driver believe in himself and envision his children’s bright future. Can he bring same hope to rest of the world? He is change and a hope - can he deliver !!!
Monday, January 19, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire – What a media hype!!
There has been too much of media hype and blogging from numerous people, as esteemed as AB, on Slumdog Millionaire stuff. I don’t consider my post can help settle or fuel further already created masala controversy. Yet the increasing number of articles and headlines about the movie’s theme and subject irked me to this post.
First thing first, SDM is great movie and I must say it was a pleasant surprised since I didn’t expect this much from the movie. The screen play, the riveting story line, the solid acting especially by the kids, and last but not the least the award winning music composition by A.R. I was excited when this movie won accolades at the Golden Globe. As much as this movie has enjoyed success in hearts of its audience, as much it has been denigrated by several seemingly pro-Indian patrons mainly for two things. First that this movie shows poor side of India and second that westerns made a movie on Indian poverty, got appreciated but if an Indian were to do the same, he wouldn’t get the same. Let me take a shot at these two points.
Before getting into details, I guess I need to make an obvious point that has been overlooked. SDM is a movie and not a representation of our beloved India’s overall state of existence. Yes, SDM represents the poor and shabby side of Mumbai. But what’s wrong in that? Isn’t the whole story a reality check? Deep inside, we all know that such places, children, and social elements exist within our society. Why we need to run and hide from some of the compelling inequalities. And what’s wrong if someone focused on this subject just like movies focus on the corruption in Bihar, glamorized fashion world etc. I read some of the comments that dissected the movie extremely narrowly. For instance, a fellow blogger mentioned that she didn’t like the filthy things shown in the movie since she thought that no one can be such a huge fan of a film star to jump in his own shit to get an autograph. Well, honestly speaking, I rate that scene in the movie among the best one. The points I thought director wants to make there was not the intellectual capital of the child but the raw passion about AB and also, plain innocence of the child - both of these were depicted meticulously, making the whole scene a memorable one. Don’t get me wrong here. I take pride in belong to India and understandably there is lot more positive happening around. I also conjure to project positive image of India because it is, in fact, positive. And I feel we are getting these accolades in world media for our progress and rightly so. However, at the same time, we should not disown some inequalities that resoundingly exist today and will continue to, unless we, the positive side of India, make some difference. If someone were to argue that West will form a deplorable image of India based on this one movie, I guess then those elements better stay away from us and neither should we be interested in those elements.
Second, there are number of voices in media today that associate the success of the movie to its western origin. Further, there are issues with the subject that NRI movies on India focus on the poor side of India because poverty sells. If I may question, isn’t it natural for a western NRI movie makers to focus on the poor side of India since that is something missing in western society today. I am surprised that no other western producer focused on this subject earlier. How much would movies focused on Indian highways, cars, airports, multiplexes, and urban places sell in American where these things are just way of life. I would have slammed SDM’s directors if he showed some unrealistic things in the story. However, I think SDM story is just few meters away from almost every Indian – Just get out of your home, hit a road, and you are likely to see a ‘Jamaal’. Further, NRI movie makers have also been focusing on other stories such as Bend It Like Becham, Namesake etc. What’s wrong if they pick up this subject? Let’s accept it – There aren’t much Indian directors who could have handled this subject so well. And if there are such directors who can, they didn’t try because they are busy making I-Feel-Good-About-India movies rather than rare movies that are packed with entertainment and social message – Like TZP or SDM.
To conclude, I think SDM is a great movie – a piece of art, that also won accolades and prizes for our Indian artists in Golden Globe and I wish best of luck now for Oscars. Let’s remember this movie for the same.
First thing first, SDM is great movie and I must say it was a pleasant surprised since I didn’t expect this much from the movie. The screen play, the riveting story line, the solid acting especially by the kids, and last but not the least the award winning music composition by A.R. I was excited when this movie won accolades at the Golden Globe. As much as this movie has enjoyed success in hearts of its audience, as much it has been denigrated by several seemingly pro-Indian patrons mainly for two things. First that this movie shows poor side of India and second that westerns made a movie on Indian poverty, got appreciated but if an Indian were to do the same, he wouldn’t get the same. Let me take a shot at these two points.
Before getting into details, I guess I need to make an obvious point that has been overlooked. SDM is a movie and not a representation of our beloved India’s overall state of existence. Yes, SDM represents the poor and shabby side of Mumbai. But what’s wrong in that? Isn’t the whole story a reality check? Deep inside, we all know that such places, children, and social elements exist within our society. Why we need to run and hide from some of the compelling inequalities. And what’s wrong if someone focused on this subject just like movies focus on the corruption in Bihar, glamorized fashion world etc. I read some of the comments that dissected the movie extremely narrowly. For instance, a fellow blogger mentioned that she didn’t like the filthy things shown in the movie since she thought that no one can be such a huge fan of a film star to jump in his own shit to get an autograph. Well, honestly speaking, I rate that scene in the movie among the best one. The points I thought director wants to make there was not the intellectual capital of the child but the raw passion about AB and also, plain innocence of the child - both of these were depicted meticulously, making the whole scene a memorable one. Don’t get me wrong here. I take pride in belong to India and understandably there is lot more positive happening around. I also conjure to project positive image of India because it is, in fact, positive. And I feel we are getting these accolades in world media for our progress and rightly so. However, at the same time, we should not disown some inequalities that resoundingly exist today and will continue to, unless we, the positive side of India, make some difference. If someone were to argue that West will form a deplorable image of India based on this one movie, I guess then those elements better stay away from us and neither should we be interested in those elements.
Second, there are number of voices in media today that associate the success of the movie to its western origin. Further, there are issues with the subject that NRI movies on India focus on the poor side of India because poverty sells. If I may question, isn’t it natural for a western NRI movie makers to focus on the poor side of India since that is something missing in western society today. I am surprised that no other western producer focused on this subject earlier. How much would movies focused on Indian highways, cars, airports, multiplexes, and urban places sell in American where these things are just way of life. I would have slammed SDM’s directors if he showed some unrealistic things in the story. However, I think SDM story is just few meters away from almost every Indian – Just get out of your home, hit a road, and you are likely to see a ‘Jamaal’. Further, NRI movie makers have also been focusing on other stories such as Bend It Like Becham, Namesake etc. What’s wrong if they pick up this subject? Let’s accept it – There aren’t much Indian directors who could have handled this subject so well. And if there are such directors who can, they didn’t try because they are busy making I-Feel-Good-About-India movies rather than rare movies that are packed with entertainment and social message – Like TZP or SDM.
To conclude, I think SDM is a great movie – a piece of art, that also won accolades and prizes for our Indian artists in Golden Globe and I wish best of luck now for Oscars. Let’s remember this movie for the same.
Thursday, January 01, 2009
Themes -- 2009
If the first day of the year is symbiotic of days to follow in New Year, I am glad I am in 2009. I am more relaxed than ever today, curious than before, and away from daily arguments that conspire against me. I simply like my current state of mind and hope coming times are equally soothing.
I look forward at 2009 and hope to measure my success at the end of year through different and varied parameters as compared to 2008. Last year, I was more focused on securing good career and financial security for myself, my sister, and my family. Glad that I achieved all my seemingly ambitious goals, I envision year 2009 will be focused in re-inventing the elements that I lost somewhere and setting up certain crucial new elements. Some of the themes for this year are:
Healthier 2009 – This one is the most important– to inculcate habits that promote healthier self. My past activities didn’t warrant enough time and many times it was just procrastination to not hit Gym / Yoga etc. I used the excuses of not having enough time, other high priorities etc. Now onwards, this one is right at the top and forever. I will continue to be involved in at least one among the many identified activities such as Gym / Yoga / Running / Dancing / Sports (Cricket, Long Tennis Squash). Further, I will live this adage forever “Never Ever a puff again”. I am sure all these activities will continue to add new colors to my life.
Poorer 2009 – This year is certainly going to be pretty poor year. If you are quitting your job the very first day of a New Year, what else can you expect. Yeah, I will be putting down my papers on the first working day of the Year 2009 to join ISB in April. Certainly, I wouldn’t be earning close to what I have been able to do in past years. Therefore, it calls for taking steps of better management of resources and financials. The game is getting bigger now and it calls for caution in some areas and aggression in other. Would be fun!!!!
Happier 2009 –I have realized the importance of maintaining balance between professional and personal lives. Of course professional achievements are the cornerstone of a happier life as well as high on agenda for this year as always. Yet, I am not making a whole separate theme since objective is to look at professional aspects as one among many aspects of a happier life. The imbalance in past has cost me dear. This year, I am definitely going to cover up by doing things that I always put on hold in past – be it taking my parents on a flight, increasingly hitting the list of places I have made to visit, or by simply re-inventing the stupid little things I always enjoyed.
Generous 2009 – With the theme Poorer in place, how do I justify this? The answer is that my generosity to social causes will continue to be my skills and time rather than financial resources. I strongly believe each human wants to help others. The only thing missing is a platform to utilize that human tendency through initiative, innovation, and leadership. I wish to progress and build over the tiny little steps I have taken so far. I am deeply inspired by Bill Gates’s speech at Harvard Class Commencement that gave me a whole new direction. He emphasized each Harvard graduate to identify one inequality in the society, find out the real problem, implement solutions, and oversee the results – a professional approach. His words “I hope by end of your life, you will not simply evaluate yourself based on your professional success” -- ROCK!!!
Heads up: The social inequality that I have already identified is “Education” (Will go into ‘Why’s later). 2009 will be my platform for my commitment to improve something in Education.
Of course there are number of very specific milestones that I hope to accomplish this year but all those fit into one or the other theme. Looking back at what I have come up, I am pretty satisfied with the direction I am going to take. Amen!!! Lastly and most importantly, I look forward to have you, my reader, as a part of my story.
I look forward at 2009 and hope to measure my success at the end of year through different and varied parameters as compared to 2008. Last year, I was more focused on securing good career and financial security for myself, my sister, and my family. Glad that I achieved all my seemingly ambitious goals, I envision year 2009 will be focused in re-inventing the elements that I lost somewhere and setting up certain crucial new elements. Some of the themes for this year are:
Healthier 2009 – This one is the most important– to inculcate habits that promote healthier self. My past activities didn’t warrant enough time and many times it was just procrastination to not hit Gym / Yoga etc. I used the excuses of not having enough time, other high priorities etc. Now onwards, this one is right at the top and forever. I will continue to be involved in at least one among the many identified activities such as Gym / Yoga / Running / Dancing / Sports (Cricket, Long Tennis Squash). Further, I will live this adage forever “Never Ever a puff again”. I am sure all these activities will continue to add new colors to my life.
Poorer 2009 – This year is certainly going to be pretty poor year. If you are quitting your job the very first day of a New Year, what else can you expect. Yeah, I will be putting down my papers on the first working day of the Year 2009 to join ISB in April. Certainly, I wouldn’t be earning close to what I have been able to do in past years. Therefore, it calls for taking steps of better management of resources and financials. The game is getting bigger now and it calls for caution in some areas and aggression in other. Would be fun!!!!
Happier 2009 –I have realized the importance of maintaining balance between professional and personal lives. Of course professional achievements are the cornerstone of a happier life as well as high on agenda for this year as always. Yet, I am not making a whole separate theme since objective is to look at professional aspects as one among many aspects of a happier life. The imbalance in past has cost me dear. This year, I am definitely going to cover up by doing things that I always put on hold in past – be it taking my parents on a flight, increasingly hitting the list of places I have made to visit, or by simply re-inventing the stupid little things I always enjoyed.
Generous 2009 – With the theme Poorer in place, how do I justify this? The answer is that my generosity to social causes will continue to be my skills and time rather than financial resources. I strongly believe each human wants to help others. The only thing missing is a platform to utilize that human tendency through initiative, innovation, and leadership. I wish to progress and build over the tiny little steps I have taken so far. I am deeply inspired by Bill Gates’s speech at Harvard Class Commencement that gave me a whole new direction. He emphasized each Harvard graduate to identify one inequality in the society, find out the real problem, implement solutions, and oversee the results – a professional approach. His words “I hope by end of your life, you will not simply evaluate yourself based on your professional success” -- ROCK!!!
Heads up: The social inequality that I have already identified is “Education” (Will go into ‘Why’s later). 2009 will be my platform for my commitment to improve something in Education.
Of course there are number of very specific milestones that I hope to accomplish this year but all those fit into one or the other theme. Looking back at what I have come up, I am pretty satisfied with the direction I am going to take. Amen!!! Lastly and most importantly, I look forward to have you, my reader, as a part of my story.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Quotes !!
While reorganizing some stuff on my lappy, I came across some good quotes that I noted down sometime back. Thought to share some words of wisdom here:
Never tell your problems to anyone...20% don't care and the other 80% are glad you have them. -Lou Holtz
Never explain yourself. Your friends dont need it and your enemies wont believe it.
Forgive your enemies, but never, never forget their names. -John F. Kennedy
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. -Ann Landers
Being sad with the right people is better than being happy with the wrong ones. -Philippos
Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too. -Will Smith
If your problem has a solution then...why worry about it? If your problem doesnt have solution then...why worry about it? -Chinese Proverb
Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. Kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything and have no regrets. Life's too short
The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Pain never really goes away; you just elevate and get used to it by growing stronger. -Philippos
You have to take the good with the bad, smile with the sad, love what you've got, remember what you had, learn from your mistakes, but never regret, people change, things go wrong, but remember life goes on!
Sometimes the people who hurt us the most are people who were hurt more than us. -Philippos
I like to pretend that everything's alright. Because when everybody else thinks you're fine, sometimes you forget for a while that you're not.
"Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us." -Thomas Paine
The things that made me stronger are the ones that didn't let me sleep at first.
Never tell your problems to anyone...20% don't care and the other 80% are glad you have them. -Lou Holtz
Never explain yourself. Your friends dont need it and your enemies wont believe it.
Forgive your enemies, but never, never forget their names. -John F. Kennedy
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good. -Ann Landers
Being sad with the right people is better than being happy with the wrong ones. -Philippos
Throughout life people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you bad. Let God deal with the things they do, cause hate in your heart will consume you too. -Will Smith
If your problem has a solution then...why worry about it? If your problem doesnt have solution then...why worry about it? -Chinese Proverb
Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go of what you can't change. Kiss slowly, play hard, forgive quickly, take chances, give everything and have no regrets. Life's too short
The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Pain never really goes away; you just elevate and get used to it by growing stronger. -Philippos
You have to take the good with the bad, smile with the sad, love what you've got, remember what you had, learn from your mistakes, but never regret, people change, things go wrong, but remember life goes on!
Sometimes the people who hurt us the most are people who were hurt more than us. -Philippos
I like to pretend that everything's alright. Because when everybody else thinks you're fine, sometimes you forget for a while that you're not.
"Reputation is what men and women think of us; character is what God and angels know of us." -Thomas Paine
The things that made me stronger are the ones that didn't let me sleep at first.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Not much on web these days !!
I haven't been able to take out time to write something on my blog for many days now. When you are short of time to breathe, perhaps blogging takes a lower priority. Over the last month, life has been hectic - much more than I have ever experienced. The divergent priorities - Professional and Personal - each at peak in its own terms have taught me numerous things in one month.
First, I have learnt and applied more time-management techniques these days. I attempt to visualize my day and plan for the same during shower / during travel to work. This has helped me to recollect my priorities of the day often.
Second, I have also learnt to stay composed under pressure situation. I have learnt it hard way when I reacted impulsively to a situation at work that had rippling effect on my work. I escalated about an person whereas I could have handled the situation more calmly and talked personally first to the person. However, I learnt the importance of carrying everyone along in tough situation. You never know in delicate situations how things sway in various directions quickly.
Third, I have also realized the importance to disconnet yourself from work / personal things. It is important to stay in present. When at work, focus on work. When at home, focus on your stuff. Trust me, this ain't easy. Yet I feel I have succeeded in many ways to achieve this and till now, I am satisafied with my performance.
To conclude, I value this intense period of time in my life and I have the courage to think that this will pay rich dividends in time to come. At the same time, not everything is exactly on track and I have much more to accomplish in coming month. I am on !!!
First, I have learnt and applied more time-management techniques these days. I attempt to visualize my day and plan for the same during shower / during travel to work. This has helped me to recollect my priorities of the day often.
Second, I have also learnt to stay composed under pressure situation. I have learnt it hard way when I reacted impulsively to a situation at work that had rippling effect on my work. I escalated about an person whereas I could have handled the situation more calmly and talked personally first to the person. However, I learnt the importance of carrying everyone along in tough situation. You never know in delicate situations how things sway in various directions quickly.
Third, I have also realized the importance to disconnet yourself from work / personal things. It is important to stay in present. When at work, focus on work. When at home, focus on your stuff. Trust me, this ain't easy. Yet I feel I have succeeded in many ways to achieve this and till now, I am satisafied with my performance.
To conclude, I value this intense period of time in my life and I have the courage to think that this will pay rich dividends in time to come. At the same time, not everything is exactly on track and I have much more to accomplish in coming month. I am on !!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
This is not a Post !!
I just didn't get a chance to write for some time - Really busy at work. As I opened my blog today, I simply could not think of anything to write - Something unusual. Suddenly, it struck - why do I always have to write something? From where did I get this idea to write on a consistent basis?
I recollected I hired this idea from Robin Sharma. He said that if you do 'something' with consistency, everyday or perhaps couple of times a week, and pursue that activity regularly, within 3-5 years you will be deemed expert in that 'something'. I began to introspect on what I could do. I took out my diary and began to scribble something. I realized I could not organize my thoughts properly, as Robin often does in his blog and books. I decided that my 'something' will be writing. I started writing in blog, took my email communication very seriously, noted words used by eminent people and inducted those words in my write ups, wrote number of articles for citizen journalists websites, and participated in Essay writing competitions ( Never won any -- YET). Today I feel so good about writing - Many times, I open up my old emails just to check whether it was well crafted – What could I have done better there. In retrospect, I think Robin was quite insightful - It's not that just by doing something regularly you will become an expert, the idea with which it all started for me. It's the fact that when you pursue something regularly, you grow passionate about it and your threshold keeps on growing. You continue to upgrade yourself. You continue to be Hungry – for more.
I am far from an expert today to pen down my thoughts, I doubt I ever will be. I am million miles away from my dream to write a book. I even don't have an idea to write a book. For someone who is currently struggling to find a decent topic to write a blog, writing a book seems to be far fetched idea. Yet, in many ways I am proud of my writing skills today. It’s heartening when some friends want me to review their important e-mails. It’s even more satisfying when people, in attempts to pull my leg, comment on my writing skills. If this could be an inspiration for you, to start doing something on a regular basis – I shall feel a part of Robin Sharma’s journey to enlighten people.
Lastly, as I re-read this post, I thought to change the heading for I have ended up writing a decent post. In second thought, I choose to keep it that way - Thanks to Robin that I am able to write well on the fly.
I recollected I hired this idea from Robin Sharma. He said that if you do 'something' with consistency, everyday or perhaps couple of times a week, and pursue that activity regularly, within 3-5 years you will be deemed expert in that 'something'. I began to introspect on what I could do. I took out my diary and began to scribble something. I realized I could not organize my thoughts properly, as Robin often does in his blog and books. I decided that my 'something' will be writing. I started writing in blog, took my email communication very seriously, noted words used by eminent people and inducted those words in my write ups, wrote number of articles for citizen journalists websites, and participated in Essay writing competitions ( Never won any -- YET). Today I feel so good about writing - Many times, I open up my old emails just to check whether it was well crafted – What could I have done better there. In retrospect, I think Robin was quite insightful - It's not that just by doing something regularly you will become an expert, the idea with which it all started for me. It's the fact that when you pursue something regularly, you grow passionate about it and your threshold keeps on growing. You continue to upgrade yourself. You continue to be Hungry – for more.
I am far from an expert today to pen down my thoughts, I doubt I ever will be. I am million miles away from my dream to write a book. I even don't have an idea to write a book. For someone who is currently struggling to find a decent topic to write a blog, writing a book seems to be far fetched idea. Yet, in many ways I am proud of my writing skills today. It’s heartening when some friends want me to review their important e-mails. It’s even more satisfying when people, in attempts to pull my leg, comment on my writing skills. If this could be an inspiration for you, to start doing something on a regular basis – I shall feel a part of Robin Sharma’s journey to enlighten people.
Lastly, as I re-read this post, I thought to change the heading for I have ended up writing a decent post. In second thought, I choose to keep it that way - Thanks to Robin that I am able to write well on the fly.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
On the Dot Mr. AB
It's a well said old adage that 'You don't know importance of something unless you loose it'. Something similar happened to me today. Sometimes we are so accustomed to something that we donot realize how that thing uncounciously becomes an integral part of our life. I am referring to my habit to sit for many hours on my laptop and surf various websites, informational articles, blogs, business journals. Suddenly today, as I sat with my lappy, I realized I am not able to open GMAIL. I am not able to open my Blog. I am not able to open www.economictimes.com. Gtalk is also not working. What's wrong ? After diligent analysis, I found that my internet is not working. I checked my router & modem. Everything looked fine. Perhaps Airtel has discontinued the services since we did not pay bills for past 2 months. What a way to remind your customers !!
I was clueless for few minutes. What do I do with this laptop in front of me ? Counciousness struck that Internet and Laptop are two different things. Now that I have Laptop but not Internet I have to think how to best utilize this opportunity that's different and little boaring to start with. At the onset the best options seemed to give my lappy some rest and turn to some book or TV. But, I was hell bent on spending time on my laptop without internet. So here is the list of activities that I did in next couple of hours:
> Organized all the random data, articles, and softwares that I have collected over a time.
> Listened music - Perhaps the only activity on this list that I do even when I have internet
> Prepared a Video Song from the pics of the wonderful time spent at ILP, Trivandrum
> Add / Remov unused programs, disk formatting, and cleared cache to enhance the performance of the system.
> Played some creative games I downloaded sometime back but never touched.
> Uploaded my I-POD with new songs and podcasts.
> Wrote this Blog.
Seriously, it was fun. It was different and interesting. Try it out sometime. For Old times sake !!! Just sit on your computer and decide not to connect to internet. You will break monotony, find loads of untouched files, and feel fresh to get online the next day :) and most importantly, remember days few years back when getting online was such a privelege. We are changing as fast as things around us are. Perhaps that's why it took me couple of minutes to realize that without internet I can't open websites as I do everyday.
Lastly, I close this blog recollecting Amitabh Bachan's dialouge from Sarkar Raj when his wife tries to convince him that 'badtale waqt ke sath badalna chahiye' and he replies 'Badlte Waqt ke se sath agar hum badal gaye to kaise pata chalega ki Waqt badal gaya'. On the Dot Mr. AB !!
I was clueless for few minutes. What do I do with this laptop in front of me ? Counciousness struck that Internet and Laptop are two different things. Now that I have Laptop but not Internet I have to think how to best utilize this opportunity that's different and little boaring to start with. At the onset the best options seemed to give my lappy some rest and turn to some book or TV. But, I was hell bent on spending time on my laptop without internet. So here is the list of activities that I did in next couple of hours:
> Organized all the random data, articles, and softwares that I have collected over a time.
> Listened music - Perhaps the only activity on this list that I do even when I have internet
> Prepared a Video Song from the pics of the wonderful time spent at ILP, Trivandrum
> Add / Remov unused programs, disk formatting, and cleared cache to enhance the performance of the system.
> Played some creative games I downloaded sometime back but never touched.
> Uploaded my I-POD with new songs and podcasts.
> Wrote this Blog.
Seriously, it was fun. It was different and interesting. Try it out sometime. For Old times sake !!! Just sit on your computer and decide not to connect to internet. You will break monotony, find loads of untouched files, and feel fresh to get online the next day :) and most importantly, remember days few years back when getting online was such a privelege. We are changing as fast as things around us are. Perhaps that's why it took me couple of minutes to realize that without internet I can't open websites as I do everyday.
Lastly, I close this blog recollecting Amitabh Bachan's dialouge from Sarkar Raj when his wife tries to convince him that 'badtale waqt ke sath badalna chahiye' and he replies 'Badlte Waqt ke se sath agar hum badal gaye to kaise pata chalega ki Waqt badal gaya'. On the Dot Mr. AB !!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Can you get this one ?
Today, I was surfing across just to find something crazy, something stimulating. My search ended with the following illusion pic - one of the best I have ever seen.
Now the concept is: Both the A and B blocks are same shades of Grey. Period !!! Spend sometime here to really have a look before I lead to resolve the mystery. I know you will need my help :)
Done ? Perhaps you can read the explanation here. Could you make it ?
Perhaps try desi estyle. Copy this image in your mspaint, cut a piece from each block and compare. The explanation above will start make sense :). One of craziest things I have seen. How about you ?
Ciao
~Vinit
Now the concept is: Both the A and B blocks are same shades of Grey. Period !!! Spend sometime here to really have a look before I lead to resolve the mystery. I know you will need my help :)
Done ? Perhaps you can read the explanation here. Could you make it ?
Perhaps try desi estyle. Copy this image in your mspaint, cut a piece from each block and compare. The explanation above will start make sense :). One of craziest things I have seen. How about you ?
Ciao
~Vinit
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A New Color and A New Dimension
I have seen myself changing gears in last week. Of numerous nostalgic activities that I have done in past week, the stand outs in my memory, as enunciated by the subject, are adding a new Color and a new Dimension to me. Ironically, both the things happened on the same day.
On the Thanks Giving holiday, as I woke up I found something unusual. My conscience kept on telling me that I have satiated my sleep and I am awake yet I continued to feel as if I am dreaming. The tree that I see every morning out of my window was looking rejuvenated, the background was extra bright, and the ambience in the room was something unique. What's going on? Overcoming my irresistible procrastination to get out of bed, I glanced out of the window. Awesome it was. Looked as if heavens have descended to earth or I have been given a free ride till there. The grasses and the ground outside were covered with soft snow, as if blessings have been showered on them. Everything looked so bright and fascinating. The houses, with tops complemented by this heavenly blessing, looked glorified. I was ecstatic. I went out to savor my long cherished dream, to play and touch snow. It was softer than anything else I have ever touched. I added another color, Snow White, to my life.
On the same day, the adventurous and inquisitive me woke up. While it was chilling outside, I planned a movie "Beowulf" with my roommate. The adventurous part was a mile long walk in the snow to the theater. I was convinced that I want to watch the movie in 3D theatre, to add another dimension to my movie experiences. Of Course the movie in 3D costs more, around 5 bucks extra. My friend was dichotomous on whether to spend extra 5 bucks on 3D movie, what if it's not worth it. I, however, had a simple logic. I asked him whether he knew exact amount of dollars in his account. He, knew a round figure and not exact, as many of us do not. I then said "If you do not know the exact money, how will you know if you take out 5 bucks extra".A fountain laughter followed and he joined me. We were on our way, in the new color, Snow White, to add a new dimension to ourselves, 3D.
I read it somewhere that one should retrospect once a week to ink learnings and new experiences in that time. In due course, I hope I bring them all here.
On the Thanks Giving holiday, as I woke up I found something unusual. My conscience kept on telling me that I have satiated my sleep and I am awake yet I continued to feel as if I am dreaming. The tree that I see every morning out of my window was looking rejuvenated, the background was extra bright, and the ambience in the room was something unique. What's going on? Overcoming my irresistible procrastination to get out of bed, I glanced out of the window. Awesome it was. Looked as if heavens have descended to earth or I have been given a free ride till there. The grasses and the ground outside were covered with soft snow, as if blessings have been showered on them. Everything looked so bright and fascinating. The houses, with tops complemented by this heavenly blessing, looked glorified. I was ecstatic. I went out to savor my long cherished dream, to play and touch snow. It was softer than anything else I have ever touched. I added another color, Snow White, to my life.
On the same day, the adventurous and inquisitive me woke up. While it was chilling outside, I planned a movie "Beowulf" with my roommate. The adventurous part was a mile long walk in the snow to the theater. I was convinced that I want to watch the movie in 3D theatre, to add another dimension to my movie experiences. Of Course the movie in 3D costs more, around 5 bucks extra. My friend was dichotomous on whether to spend extra 5 bucks on 3D movie, what if it's not worth it. I, however, had a simple logic. I asked him whether he knew exact amount of dollars in his account. He, knew a round figure and not exact, as many of us do not. I then said "If you do not know the exact money, how will you know if you take out 5 bucks extra".A fountain laughter followed and he joined me. We were on our way, in the new color, Snow White, to add a new dimension to ourselves, 3D.
I read it somewhere that one should retrospect once a week to ink learnings and new experiences in that time. In due course, I hope I bring them all here.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
You are Special !!!
Ok, I know it has been a while since I wrote here. I start the new innings, perhaps a persistent one, with this interesting read.
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked. "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but first, let me do this."
He proceeded to crumple the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by ...WHO WE ARE.
You are special - don't ever forget it."
A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked. "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you - but first, let me do this."
He proceeded to crumple the 20 dollar note up. He then asked. "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.
"Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" He dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty. "Now, who still wants it?"
Still the hands went into the air.
"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless; but no matter what happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.
Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who love you. The worth of our lives comes, not in what we do or who we know, but by ...WHO WE ARE.
You are special - don't ever forget it."
Monday, September 24, 2007
A good "Sher" - A powerful thought
Samet lo haseein ke en nazuk paloin ko
Kya pata yeh lamhain shayad kal ho na hoin - 2
Aur hoin bhi
To kya pata, en lamhoin mein shamil hum hoin na hoin !!!
Brilliant - Just live life to it's fullest !!!
Kya pata yeh lamhain shayad kal ho na hoin - 2
Aur hoin bhi
To kya pata, en lamhoin mein shamil hum hoin na hoin !!!
Brilliant - Just live life to it's fullest !!!
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