Yechuri displays simliar understanding

From ET:

Notwithstanding the constitutional limitations of an interim budget and a vote on account, the UPA government appears to remain in a state of total denial about the gravity of the impact of the global recession on India. An interim budget can be an expression of the government’s declaration of intent and a balance sheet of its achievements during the last five years — an election pamphlet.

It can also give expression to the government’s reasoning on how to tackle this impact of the global crisis through increased public expenditures. This is particularly true when it is universally acknowledged that the way out of the present crisis is through a massive fiscal stimulus. The future government can well decide on how to account for these expenditures, either through monetisation of the deficit or through tax proposals for additional revenue mobilisation. Remember, the Bush administration had left behind a budgetary deficit of over a trillion dollars for Obama, who has now gone further for greater fiscal expenditures.

Unfortunately, the UPA government has chosen the first of these two options. Thus, by not rising to the occasion, it will only contribute to compounding the misery on the people. Much of the tom-tomed fiscal stimulus packages, like the Rs 70,000-crore infrastructure projects, come from allocations previously made in the last budget. The fine-print of the budget figures tells us that over the allocations made last year, close to Rs 40,000 crore extra, has been spent.

This is less than 1% of India’s GDP. What is worse is that for the next fiscal, the capital plan expenditure is slated to decline by Rs 4,500 crore. Clearly, the government is relying on private investment through PPP projects for infrastructural development, which, in the context of a recession, is a dangerously erroneous strategy. The burdens will eventually fall on the people, further depressing their purchasing power like it is happening with the private airports today where user development charges are being levied to meet the revenue shortfalls.

Much is being made of the resurrection of Indian agriculture. The fact remains that less was spent than what was allocated. So is the case with the social services sector. Not only have allocations been not fully spent, but the allocations for the coming fiscal in crucial areas is lower than what is being spent this year. Rural employment sees a reduction of Rs 6,650 crore, rural development Rs 5,176.59 crore, urban development (notwithstanding the JNNURM) Rs 1,734.95 crore.

So, far from envisaging any quantum leap in public expenditure, we see the government continue to remain trapped in the neo-liberal framework of fiscal fundamentalism. It needs to be repeated that the only way to meet the disastrous impact of the global recession is to enlarge domestic demand through employment generated by public investments in a big way. Already the impact of the recession has seen large-scale job cuts. Insecurity stalks millions of workers in export sectors like textiles, garments, etc. And 71 diamond polishers have already committed suicide in Gujarat. Other areas like construction, commercial crops like cotton, rubber, coffee, etc., are seeing an alarming drop in activity.

Under these circumstances, no amount of bailout packages can redeem the situation. These may improve corporate balance sheets but they cannot generate greater domestic demand. This can be done only through a massive dose of public investment. Only the naïve would feel satisfied with the fact that we are the second fastest growing economy in the world. The projected 7.1% GDP growth is bound to be significantly scaled down once the actual figures come in.

With the fiscal deficit rising to 6% of the GDP as against the projected 2.5%, many neo-liberals would argue as to how the government can spend any more. It makes neither economic sense nor common sense to be pre-occupied with fiscal deficit concerns under recessionary conditions. After a five-year run of over 20% growth of revenue surpluses, this year has seen a shortfall of an alarming Rs 60,000 crore tax revenue. This is precisely because of the global recession.

Further, despite a record foodgrain output of 230 million, the government has reduced the allocation of foodgrains to the states, in some cases to the tune of a massive 73%. This means, the government is stocking these foodgrains in its godowns paying a very heavy carrying cost which contributes to the burgeoning fiscal deficit. What is worse is the fact that the projected fiscal deficit for the next year is 5.5%, i.e., instead of expanding public investments, the government is planning a contraction of public expenditure.

It is this neo-liberal mindset of fiscal fundamentalism that needs to be jettisoned and a courageous ‘new deal’ of massive public investments must be undertaken. These are times for Keynesian fundamentalism.

In the long run we are all dead

Keynes quipped... no doubt that RBI's fiscal policies will lend a hand, but this article may offer a deeper meaning (published in NY Times).

If you were going to turn to only one economist to understand the problems facing the economy, there is little doubt that the economist would be John Maynard Keynes. Although Keynes died more than a half-century ago, his diagnosis of recessions and depressions remains the foundation of modern macroeconomics. His insights go a long way toward explaining the challenges we now confront.

According to Keynes, the root cause of economic downturns is insufficient aggregate demand. When the total demand for goods and services declines, businesses throughout the economy see their sales fall off. Lower sales induce firms to cut back production and to lay off workers. Rising unemployment and declining profits further depress demand, leading to a feedback loop with a very unhappy ending.

The situation reverses, Keynesian theory says, only when some event or policy increases aggregate demand. The problem right now is that it is hard to see where that demand might come from.

The economy's output of goods and services is traditionally divided into four components: consumption, investment, net exports and government purchases. Any expansion in demand has to come from one of these four. But in each case, strong forces are working to keep spending down.

Consumption. The Conference Board reports that consumer confidence is near its record low. It is easy to understand why consumers are so scared. House values have declined, 401(k) balances have shrunk and unemployment is up. For many people, the sense of economic uncertainty is greater than they've ever experienced. When it comes to discretionary purchases, like a new home, a car, or a washing machine, wait-and-see is the most rational course.

A bit more saving is not entirely unwelcome. Many economists have long lamented the United States saving rate, which is low by international and historical standards.

For the overall economy, however, a recession is not the best time for households to start saving. Keynesian theory suggests a "paradox of thrift." If all households try to save more, a short-run result could be lower aggregate demand and thus lower national income. Reduced incomes, in turn, could prevent households from reaching their new saving goals.

Investment. In normal times, a fall in consumption could be met by an increase in investment, which includes spending by businesses on plant and equipment and by households on new homes. But several factors are keeping investment spending at bay.

The most obvious is the state of the housing market. Over the past three years, residential investment has fallen 42 percent. With house prices continuing to decline, increased building of new homes is not likely to be a source of robust demand over the next few years.

Business investment has lately been stronger than residential investment, but it is unlikely to pick up the slack in the near future. With the stock market down, interest rates on corporate bonds up and the banking system teetering on the edge, financing new business projects will not be easy.

Net Exports. Not long ago, it looked as if the rest of the world would save the United States economy from a deep downturn. From March 2004 to March 2008, the dollar fell 19 percent against an average of other major currencies. By increasing the price of foreign goods in the United States and reducing the price of American goods abroad, this depreciation discouraged imports and bolstered exports. Over the last three years, real net exports have increased by about $250 billion.

In the coming months, however, the situation may well go into reverse. As the United States financial crisis has spread to the rest of the world, fast-moving international capital has been looking for a safe haven. Ironically, that haven is the United States. Since March, the dollar has appreciated 19 percent, a move that will put a crimp in the export boom.

Government Purchases. That leaves the government as the demander of last resort. Calls for increased infrastructure spending fit well with Keynesian theory. In principle, every dollar spent by the government could cause national income to increase by more than a dollar if it leads to a more vibrant economy and stimulates spending by consumers and companies. By all reports, that is precisely the plan that the incoming Obama administration has in mind.

The fly in the ointment -- or perhaps it is more an elephant -- is the long-term fiscal picture. Increased government spending may be a good short-run fix, but it would add to the budget deficit. The baby boomers are now starting to retire and claim Social Security and Medicare benefits. Any increase in the national debt will make fulfilling those unfunded promises harder in coming years.

Keynesian economists often dismiss these long-run concerns when the economy has short-run problems. "In the long run we are all dead," Keynes famously quipped.

The longer-term problem we now face, however, may be more serious than any that Keynes ever envisioned. Passing a larger national debt to the next generation may look attractive to those without children. (Keynes himself was childless.) But the rest of us cannot feel much comfort knowing that, in the long run, when we are dead, our children and grandchildren will be dealing with our fiscal legacy.

So what is to be done? Many economists still hope the Federal Reserve will save the day.

In normal times, the Fed can bolster aggregate demand by reducing interest rates. Lower interest rates encourage households and companies to borrow and spend. They also bolster equity values and, by encouraging international capital to look elsewhere, reduce the value of the dollar in foreign-exchange markets. Spending on consumption, investment and net exports all increase.

But these are not normal times. The Fed has already cut the federal funds rate to 1 percent, close to its lower bound of zero. Some fear that our central bank is almost out of ammunition.

Fortunately, the Fed has a few secret weapons. It can set a target for longer-term interest rates. It can commit itself to keeping interest rates low for a sustained period. Most important, it can try to manage expectations and assure markets that it will do whatever it takes to avoid prolonged deflation. The Fed's decision last week to start buying mortgage debt shows its willingness to act creatively.

It is hard to say how successful monetary and fiscal policy will be in avoiding a deep downturn. But as events unfold, you can be sure that policymakers in the Fed and Treasury will be looking at them through a Keynesian lens.

In 1936, Keynes wrote, "Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slave of some defunct economist." In 2008, no defunct economist is more prominent than Keynes himself.

S.P. Teas & the Art of Job Selection

In the absence of appropriate information the best course forward is risk diversification to maximize profits. Consumer behavior can be aptly described by their act of ‘not putting all the eggs in one basket’.


Having known the fact that buying 3 S.P. teas at tapri will cost you Rs. 15 when a half liter milk packet that costs Rs. 12 would have catered you with 8 S.P. teas at home, you still vote tapri. Reason for this behavior can be explained by Cost-Benefit analysis that consumers do and by the perceived and economical value of the product or service. Lack of information in how to take the best use of available resources (making tea) may lead to these kinds of decisions. Thus, seeking the benefits and not venturing into an unknown domain, consumer will settle for less economical, but risk free S.P. teas at tapri.


This micro analysis of the situation can be applied to how students choose to apply for jobs during the placements season. Lack of information (about number of companies and economic situations) from the administration leads students to apply for what is available at the moment, even if the particular company is not a company-of-choice for her. Thus the best way out for students is to try and minimize the risks.


Had you been aware of the company you wanted to join, the one that is showing up for placements, the one that has shown interest in your profile and has shortlisted you for the interview, the one that you know would be meeting all your expectations, the one that you know how to get in (by any means), you mightn’t have applied to “Value Fund”, which according to your calculations is a risk diversification strategy having a lower priority. A prudent economical choice made in this case suggests that decisions made on limited information are to diversify risks.


It can be looked from the perspective of Trade-off between Risk and Return. You may settle for a lesser paying and mundane job, if you subsidize the risk and may end up with a perfect match defying all the economic downturn and negative sentiments. But it’s the choice that consumer makes. Looking at the graph, we can understand that a risk-averse consumer would settle for less by ‘keeping both options’ and a risk-taker might gain higher by choosing to stay by one job option.


What I understood after getting a little deeper into the Microeconomics’ fundamentals is that quite often ‘Correlation is not causation’. There may be other economical or behavioral factors that could be guiding certain actions. But the key is that these interlinks help understand complicated theories in simpler ways.

India, again? Should we just write and hope that we performed our duties?

Everyone in India has reacted to what has been going on in Bombay, and everyone feels the same way towards what has happened. But will anything chance just because we are showing solidarity in the testing moments? The most that will happen, what I see, is that the politicians will be made scapegoats to rest our anger and that we will move with our indifferent views toward life. Everyone, including myself, who is hiding behind the walls of one’s safe home doesn’t have any right to criticize anyone, but ourselves. After being under attack for 48 hours, have we woken up to what the reality is like and what have been living against? Thank God it is over at this point, but will this ever stop? Will we ever wake up? Can we blame Pakistan for this and shed away all the responsibility? When will we stop reacting to the major threat that this country faces?

While acting a lot cynical, I must say that the terrorists performed there act well and had planned there moves well in advance when so-called saviors of this country bicker over the pity political issues. The blame game has started, but should we just listen to these filthy talks when we know what BJP and Congress vouches for? How difficult is it for these intelligent heads to understand that we are in war with Pakistan since 1971 – terrorism of one kind or another? But you can stay assured that not much will come out of their power talks. Well! The matter of the fact is that they are least bothered to what to feel; when they sit for two days discussing what actions they should take, and against what. It is easy to say that we, citizens, will take the control in our hands and act in best interest of this country. But will that ever happen? And, should that actually happen?

I felt disgusted when I heard NRN (first time since I had known him), Deshmukh, Modi, our very PM and many more when they went rhetoric that Bombay is resilient and it will bounce back. I ask them, and myself, just one thing: does it have any choice? With 70% of population living on a daily wage, do they have any choice to sit at home and not venture out for food? It easy for these politicians and others to talk sham while sitting in their safe offices. It is rather easy to shell out money and throw it onto the dead ones to silence the cries. Why don’t these Thakreys and HVPs of the world venture out and help the commandos and the citizens fight out terror that is no way far, but brewing in the heart of their own LOVED MUMBAI?

MARCOS, NSG, Reporters and the hotel staff who have been fighting and reporting to us since the moment this has all begun are the real heroes of the hour. Unikrishnan, Karkare, Kamte, Salaskar and many more are the real heroes who will into the pages of history with a smile on their faces.

I feel sorry for a few, many from my own institute, who are feeling relieved among the disgust that they have gotten a day off and are feeling sorry for others who were to attend classes in crisis. Do we really know what we actually care for and what we actually believe? Or are we just living from meal-to-meal and pretending to be humans while the nation sheds blood to survive the terror? But the problem of the matter is that we all, excluding a few, cry out loud when there is an emergency, but go along with the safe, unambiguous life not much is evident. You and I are no different; you are able to stay indifferent to what’s going around; I get perturbed, but do nothing to feel any better. Dead fish is a Dead fish; and we are on the verge of becoming one.

While the ash settles down, I echoes Harsha Bhogle’s words “everyone calls us resilient, but should we?”

Don't hammer them down.

Non-conformance to the accepted norms has been the law of the entrepreneurial society. I believe that raising your voice for the right reasons should not conform to the traversed path. Every society needs a non-conformist that can revolutionize an idea to lead the path of innovation. From Henry Ford to Mahatma Gandhi, from Galileo to Pt. Nehru, non-conformists treaded the road less travelled to change the face of the society. Furthermore, it is the need of the hour that guides the general belief. That is, norms that fit the society today may not fit it best tomorrow.

I believe that society would rather think rationally given a choice whether to follow the herd or to be critical about generally accepted beliefs. It is rather encouraged in the open societies and corporate cultures to be critical to ideas that may not suit the industry. IT industry, for example, in India changed the perception of the government towards its export oriented outlook. Today, face of modern India portrays a global outlook, which would not have been possible if we had followed the closed policy mindset. It is better to stick out and fail rather than staying put and be ignorant.

What would you choose?

Success comes to those who dare to challenge the storm. You don’t capture the mast sitting in the comfort of glass cabin ruing about the ethos that faltered along the way, rather you take the plunge clinging to your will and ethics. People unaware of the consequences may seek the right path to success, but the one who is conscious takes everyone towards the course. The given case reflects an interesting scenario that depicts clash of the integral values and mystified thoughts. The world is on a brink of imminent disaster and one wrong move could lead to irrevocable consequences.

Who doesn’t care for a hero in life? It is our natural disposition to seek qualities in others to what we lack and what we aim for. Superman is an immortal idol that humanity looks after to justify the means of the mere existence. It is with unfortunate turn of events that adversity has taken the front row, and has blocked the “free will” to take course. But the belief has not shaken; it has just subsided into the temporal views. Metropolis needs its hero, but the call to the hero has lost its mean in the oblivion of the material life. But as true savior, Superman can’t leave his disciples in the midst of confusion. Tyrant, that Lex Luthor is, can’t lead the fortune of the community into disarray.

Lex is justified in his explanation to himself only. He overreached a state where his decisions matter to no one but himself. With a socially dominant nature, human-beings will suffocate if they were to live away from society’s boundaries. As rules governed by the society fit best to the survival of the human race, vying away from the accepted norms will attract nothing but discomfort. The situation poses a scenario, which may prove fitting in the short term, but the consequences may be dire as the base of human existence is in danger. The social principles are formulated to aid the individuals and not to alienate them from their thought process.

Herd follows a herd. But the most difficult course is to break the herd mentality and make them realize of individual’s potential. Superman will face numerous obstacles and setbacks before he would incite the positive frame of mind, but before that he needs to stand to his conviction and follow what he thinks is well. Everyone loves to see the hero fall, but he is the one who bounces again and regains his mettle. It won’t be easy to bring back the reality to people’s lives, but Superman must be resolute to think in best interest of humanity and drive himself to achieving the right path.

The easiest way for him would be to join the hands with the oppressor and live undifferentiated life of the unknown. Standing there, Superman raised his head following the slow movement of his hand. He is looking directly into Lex’s eyes, but his mind is with the thousands who lost the meaning of life. Umbra of conflicting thoughts is clogging his head, stretching him between unyielding means. He reflects for a moment and picture of his past appears before him. Will he desert everyone who put their faith in him? Won’t he bring the ignorant to light? He looks at Lex again and with a sigh of certitude and says ‘we stand at separated ends of humanity, while you destroy it, I redeem it’.

If I were to align the animated thoughts to real world’s corporate ethos, I would adjudge that every corporate needs a Superman to challenge the inadequacies and repressors of the system. Pillars of success of an organization are supported by a few who believe in empowerment of others and live by the organizational ethics. Organizations often get infected by few greedy individuals who propel an ineffective culture. Organizations without a clear direction lead to unsatisfied employees. Superman of the Will Power, if succumbed to ineffectiveness, would certainly collapse the organization. Unwittingly, the onus comes on to the leaders to guide the best way out.

I believe that the leader is one who introspects clearly to what is desired by others and what is socially acceptable. He is the one who takes the right course even in unfavorable conditions. Organizations may not always know the right path to take and need a leader to drive them past the unknown. Those who dare to confront the inadequacies and unfavorable conditions, lead from the front, and finally, come out winning. Every one of us has a savior within; the key resides in realizing the potential and organizing the positive thoughts. A leader understands that well and believes in making future leaders and not followers.

To conclude, my Superman will stand strong with me and will fight for the values that he committed his life to. A leader stands tall whatever may be consequence and has to courage to take the uncharted course. For one Superman to vanish, many need to rise to take charge for without a leader this world will be a chaotic race. Ethics have prevailed in this society and will stand their ground for the ages to come. A few unsettling thoughts will not shake the very foundation of the society and organizational culture. The future lies in raising more leaders who have the sense of vision and who dare to challenge the storm.

SWIM 2008

If human life can be ruled by reasons, then possibility of life is destroyed. But there has been no greater reason than liberation of women that has ruled the history. With Clara Barton founding the American Red Cross, the era of women leading from the forefront had arrived. From occident to occult, women have made their presence felt to the core of societies. We have come a long way from women suppressed society to an equal opportunity culture where women are no longer dream chasers, but are the dream creators. They are the fuel to the intelligent society. A stark shift from a fairer sex to a smarter sex image, the society has finally let dominion give way to the smarter thought.

Pursuing the thought, SWIM 2008 commenced with Lamp Lighting by our distinguished guests and felicitation by our beloved Uncle Bala. Uncle Bala delivered the inaugural note on contribution of women to the Indian economy and inception of SWIM as a forum to acknowledge successful women in business. Since the inauguration, SWIM has seen eminent personalities from all walks of life. Personalities such as Ms. Kiran Bedi, Ms. Mallika Srinivasan and Ms. Indra Subramanyam have shared the stage at SWIM. This year’s event was no different in attracting eminent personalities from successful businesses and corporate houses. SWIM 2008 revolved around the theme “Women as Trailblazers”, which explored the path followed by successful women and challenges faced by them along the journey.

The keynote speakers took the center stage and delivered some inspiring thoughts. Ms. Anu Aga gave a powerful speech on transformation of Thermax into a successful enterprise. She shared that entrepreneurial mindset and people focus made Thermax an enterprise of dreams for many and a place to worship for the employees. The ‘Thermax Factor’ made it a sought after enterprise for students from Harvard and other esteemed engineering colleges. Ms. Aga talked about Thermax’s innovative reach and bold steps that pushed it ahead of the competition. She shared her experience and thoughts on transforming Thermax to a globally respect and high performance enterprise.

Operational excellence brought in by McKinsey and Company was incorporated by Thermax to stay ahead of the competition. Thermax transcended Lean to the roots of the company to achieve excellence across operational and production areas. The hard fought battle has bore fruit. Thermax has recently seen 285 Cr. in Profit and was adjudged best sub-billion dollar company in Forbes Asia list. As she steps down as a chairperson, she wants her heirs to take rein of the company and understand the functioning well. After retirement, she would stay with the company, but wants to contribute more to the society. She mesmerized the audience with some deep thoughts.

A few thoughts that she shared:
‘Learning is a continuous process and there is no stop’.
‘People are great assets. Good people are our greatest assets’.
‘Making profit is a must, but is not sufficient’.
‘We will grow strong each year, but not only in financial terms’.
Women should not be submissive, but aggressive and assertive’.

There after Padamshri Sudha Raghunathan reckoned her life’s journey through music. She said that spreading the message of melody, message of bliss, ascertained the fact that the arduous journey was fruitful. She mesmerized the audience with her powerful and thought provoking speech. She contemplated that audience response was the most influencing factor that kept her spirits high through the journey. And appropriately, she concluded her note with a Carnatic song dedicated to Ms. Aga, wishing her good health and success.

A few thoughts that she shared:
‘If you can rise up to the expectations, there is no dearth of global recognition’.
‘What can I leave for posterity sake and what I can innovate to give back to music’?

Ms. Hemu Ramaiah of Landmark talked about makeover of a book store into a lifestyle space. She shared Landmark’s story of making landmark decisions in making it the most revered book store in India. No challenge or failure impeded her pursuit towards making Landmark an eponym for books. She shared that Landmark’s strength lies in meeting customer’s need, but providing enriching experience to the buyers. And at it reaches crossroad, Landmark has collaborated with Trent (a Tata company) to expand aggressively and to continue the Landmark culture.

Ms. Mridula Bharat Ram then took the center stage and delivered inspiring story of her life. She took the road less travelled and sought her way up through the man dominated corporate world. Coming from a South Indian conservative family, she fought her way to the corporate world dominated by men. But the call of the family brought her back to India and she took the reins of the family business.

The power talks were followed by enthralling, but enriching panel discussion on “Educated, intelligent, energetic and just in her 40’s – can she still pursue her career dreams?” The esteemed panel, comprised of Ms. Lalitha Maheshwaran, Ms. Pushpa Kandaswamy, Ms. Indra Subramanayam and Ms. Sharada, was moderated by none other than Mr. T.N. Seshan. Mr. Seshan’s presence in the panel was enough to glue the audience to their seats. The contribution of women towards country’s success was put forward in a subtle way of elegance. The idea that women are driven not by financial gains, but by inner passion was acknowledged very well with the audience.

Finally, Mr. Vinod Ganesh gripped the audience with a lively display as a quiz master. Mr. Ganesh has mastered numerous quizzes across the country including QFI Open and Infosys Corporate Quiz. With huge prize money at offing, Les Quizarables attracted participants from various colleges and corporate such as Infosys, iFlex etc. Personally, it was one of the finest quizzes I attended in the past few years. Preliminary round was easy to start with, but the final was a real teaser. With cerebral hemisphere walking an extra mile, the participants and the audience put up a nice display of erudite and scholarly genre.

SWIMming in the lake of desire, we met the fortunate end. SWIM 2008 concluded with a positive note fortifying the role of women in the new era. Great Lakes Institute of Management’s stride towards making a difference in the society and strengthening the role of women successfully emanated a positive vibe across. Powerful speeches, thought provoking discussions and inspiring personalities all echoed only one sentiment and that is ‘the era of successful women has arrived’. Personally, I feel that women are yet to reach the peak and gain reverence among masses, but I am certain that the climb has started.

So, be prepared. Stand up and thank the woman next to you. Thank her for the meaning that she has given to your life. Thank her for the way she has supported the society. You may not find time to thank her enough.

Venue: Sesh Mahal at Hotel Green Park

they might get it right, eventually

hope is a dangerous thing, but when the next best thing is travesty, i would rather take a step back.

there might be a very bleak chance that turn out in our favor, after all, there is no better way to sit back and see chillax; instead of thrusting the head through the wall of bureaucracy. weak! may be! but there is one thing that they do best at the Guest Lectures Inst of Mgmt and that is its 'namesake'. there would be different perceptions and disparate understanding of the thoughts that go behind formulating a formidable advantage theory. and may be my perceptions lie in resorting shreds of negativity. i swear to my nine year old towel, which embraced the color of my skin, that i pushed myself to limits to comprehend the complex mental process behind the gestation.

but i must congratulate to a few folks whose KPIs would show inflated numbers at the end of the year, but i pity to the thought whose real intent died on the very first day of incubation. a beautiful thought that died on the footpath of a sweltering street. i do commend the efforts that go behind making this happen, but the i believe that thoughts sanity has lost its significance. it seems like it is the only that we are vouching upon and as if things will fall in shambles lest we think logically. on top of that when the herd is flocked into SH, there is only one thing that raises the attention, and that is not the personality with the bouquet in hand.

but in the midst of all the cribbing, there are a few who come to the GL forum and make their mark. i was blessed enough to sit in a few that painted a silver lining on a darkened canvas. somebody should really take a call on what's worth, but i guess many strings go behind the public face of the GLc. i feel that there have been desperate attempts of try out numerous strategies without contemplating on what the institute demands. "a blooming rose can do much better than a bunch of rotten flowers", but, may be, there is more than a management thought that is required to make its way through the smoked glass.

Women as trailblazers

Well! I started writing about it, but didn't find enough patience to complete in time for SWIM. here it goes...a failed attempt.

Intelegance :Beyond Elegance

If human life can be ruled by reasons, then possibility of life is destroyed. But there has been no greater reason than liberation of women that has ruled the history. With Clara Barton founding the American Red Cross, the era of women leading from the forefront had arrived. From occident to occult, women have made their presence felt to the core of societies. We have come a long way from women suppressed society to an equal opportunity culture wherein women are no longer dream chasers, but are the dream creators. They are the fuel to the intelligent society. A stark shift from a fairer sex to a smarter sex image, the society has finally let dominion give way to the smarter thought.

From the lesser known individuals such as Rashmi Bansal of JAM magazine to the transformational leader such as Aung San Suu Kyi, women have given a new direction to the oppressed society. Society at large has realized the contributions that women have made to the world. The transformation in the thinking of the society and the government is evident from the fact that women participation is encouraged in the bureaucratic setups, businesses and every walk of life. Human mind thinks in a single direction and is resistant to change, but women have given a critical direction to the thoughts and have transformed the thought processes.

i didn't like this one: (One might ask why we don’t see many women forerunners then. I feel that this we would need to come out of our shells for find the answer. Until a few years back, women only provided a conducive environment for society to facilitate innovation, but, now, are increasingly becoming the heart of innovation. From eBay to Lizzat Papad, from Pepsico to Biocon, women have led the transformation strategies and fortified their stance.)

Stand up and thank the woman next to you. Thank her for the meaning that she has given to your life. Thank her for the way she has supported the society. You may not find time to thank her enough.

I am Sudio

it feels like that i have got a majors in attending the guest lectures already. it seems to be an oxymoron here; guests are, actually, more than guests here; and, if you take my take on this, are no longer welcome here. they seem more prevalent than the real profs - which sometimes seems funny. and if you just go by the sheer quantity (not quality, mind you) of the information and hours thrown upon us, we must have completed three term courses in guest lectures. i am sure, no one bothers to bother about that.

and in the midst of shooting from all GL directions, there comes a running commentary that swayed from corner to corner and faded in the layers of dismay before anyone could understand why something happened that happened. i, for one, was scratching my head since morning as to what Studio presentation was planned for the day. with no cue of what was on the other side of microphone, i head to the lecture room and realized that i had come to the wrong room; for no reason why there should be a number of photographers and cameramen in the room; there was no press conference planned; are the BPR folks working overtime to get some under the table publicity?

well! it didn't turn out to be that way; i was forced to find my way to the dark corner of the room, but there was no escape, any how. the stage was set and the show was on. with all possible means of telecommunication equipments showing their might and being put to full use, the voice seemed transformed into binary codes and made its way to dormant eardrums. it was no less than an elementary Studio setup (which was solidifying my theory of some Studio presentation), but the question was still hanging loose. i was still unsure of why such a show was put up, when a voice rose from the imaginary dais of the Seminar Hall - "I AM SUDIO".

huh? what, what... what's that? did i hear that correctly? who did he say he is? my reynolds pen made its way to clear the wax, but that didn't help. is there a confusion here? is he so nervous that he forgot to put an alphabet at the right place? or, is it a new version of French? i was contemplating and fighting with my head when it came resounding - I am Sudio - without a 'T'. MY! i couldn't say no more...

Get up, stand-up

stand-up for your rights; getup, stand-up, don't give up the fight.

Marley had it; i may have it; there are a few more in the world who dare to have it. ain't there a scale to measure the steps that you walked towards achieving it? you achieve it or not is a separate discussion to have, but what's important is that you set the priorities straight and have straight means to achieve the goal - however much the world tries to pull you and whisk you through Jane Austen's classic (S&S - ?). you hold your ground well and pretend that you didn't feel the weight of 161 feet treading past you.

all what matters in this world is a self-made man, with a 'Made in India' tag on the collar. when everyone around the world is getting fidgety and trying to understand breeding of the Indian thought; when GMR is pulling all the blocks in getting India ready for the world; there comes a thought and rises to the level of godhood. when all (mortal beings) were lost in the silver ledges of Himalayas and trying to find the fickle Musk Deer along the shore of Lake Mansarovar, a mighty blow came from the gorges: what do you say is the probability that an Indian can go to China?

may be that's the reason why there is a cent percent presence in E2. there is only one way to love; and i may be getting to understand it...

Did you notice that too?

Discussion on advertisement is in the air, so here is the tribute:

These hoardings send a very deep message across the general public. Some may appreciate them, many would just shrug at them and cross untouched. A few of them have really hit the cord with me.

Consider these:

1. Goodwill.org – DONATE YOUR CAR. FREE PICKUPs PROVIDED.
Wow! This is just amazing. We are giving you our cars for free and you are showing such an attitude towards picking our cars for free. So much for the Goodwill sake.
FUCK YOU, AMERICAN ATTITUDE.

2. Bare minimum coverage:
I forgot whose ad is this, but the gist of it lies in the eyes of the beholder. A bare white statue of a lady, with eyes shut, shown with a BLACK patch across the breasts. Thoughtful, huh!

3. Yoga Classes:
A Diet Coke poster in the downtown area that shows a flipped Coke Can (flipped upside down). Coke sending a healthful message, huh!

4. Western Union:
Money Transfers made easy with Western Union. A hoarding on I-55N showing the ARCH on the left side with a message “Other ways to send money”, and a straight line on the right side with a message “Get money faster – Western Union”.

They just pulled it off with this AD. This may have pissed off a few in the St. Louis area, but that just made my day.

5. QT:
Quick Trip has a hoarding on I-55S that shows an image of a Gas filling nozzle with a message “CARBURETORS HAVE FANTASIES TOO”. You get it?

6. Some Realtor:
Hoarding #1: You know what we did with your neighbor last night?
Drive a little…
Hoarding #2: We sold their home.
COOL. AIN’T IT?

if you don't see me tomorrow...

...then goodbye, and good-luck.

i don't bitch that often but the open ware has started to transcend the virus through the porous veins of superficiality and finding it's way to the left side of the world. today, sitting here, in the filth of austerity, i am finding no way to dig my karma out. but i can see, for sure, the reason why contempt flashed over the serenity of the flustered face. and more i see middle-class idiosyncrasies trying get past another and spiral into a mighty burp, i see myself getting more detached with the personality of the generation.

and i rest my soul bare...

...may be she attained Moksha and left the cruel world in search of 'the One'.

i feel that she had been waiting for that very moment from the time we entered the dungeon of Mr. F. - our landlord. it's been a hide and seek between the crawlers and nocturnal (my roomie and i). may be we invaded their asylum and threatened their very existence in the age of the worthy - to be MBAs. each day of learning at the school and following night-outs must have invested discomforting thoughts into their ancient, underdeveloped minds that we were The Threat to their very existence. but then they didn't make a move; and didn't even try to shoo out the encroacher. huh! may be they had become the talking-managers and couldn't fight their way out to a conclusion.

shit may be the case, she had to face it eventually, and she paid it dearly. the chirps have died in the dark of the ages and have subsided under the sound of incompetence (or incongruence for the worthy souls). i had it enough of them eating my crump out and creeping me out in the middle of night, and i finally took the gun to shoot them to glory. there dared their way in the line of fire and rested their lives for the One, for her. may be they all ventured to save her (that's how Iris refers it) - the only female cockroach in our washroom. they died one after the other, but they successfully managed to give her an escape route. but the fate had it sounded - she couldn't bear the burden of three dead cockroach souls on her head and, in the morning, we saw her body floating in the bucket, and we penned down the suicide case. may she (they) rest in peace - or piece. Amen!

is there a lesson we can learn out of this, or incubate a business model? i am going nuts!

oh! oh! 'Is it worthy to be a cockroach?' Analyze, criticize...

VJ’s Classics

It’s ringing in my head, with every alphabet taking the string and striking it with the blow of dissonance. Had it been Robben Ford, my amygdala would have channelized the safe passage and had ‘Let the Baby in’, but a discordant set of curious thoughts doesn’t get a free ride. ‘Is there anybody out there’ that could translate the universally accepted Floyd’s classics in accordance with VJ’s?

I don’t have anything evil in mind when I write this, but I just find it interesting to translate someone else’s thoughts and in conformance with mine. What’s more interesting is that my thoughts don’t differ much with the imaginary consensus that balances the strengths. I never had realized the sheer imagination that can rise through the slumbering monotone of a marketing lecture, but there are a selected few who are potent enough to break the orthodoxy of the nation and become the quintessential example of the rising generation. By the way, I love to rest my ass on the old sofa.

The classics turned out to be the essence of Gen-X’s way of looking at life, and it may just be my gray hair that resists transcending any contemporary thoughts. May be I should just try to be a little flexible and understand the deep rooted philosophy behind the classics, may be I should just stop thinking. Or may be you can decide better.

Take them with a pinch of salt (or rasam, if you insist):

Class –in the cusp of accounting; Surya S. straddling the slides and bleeding the projector...
VJ - Sir, Why do companies work on credit?

Class - especially, the bunch hiding behind the wall, agape...WHAT THE FUCK?
SS - hidden smitten on the face; who on earth can answer that? may be, i will try...
okay, we gave him the benefit of doubt; we didn't know what was in the store and what we will endure for the days to come.

class getting back to the sliding sine wave; a voice erupted...
Sir,
i don't see anyone,
what's going on...
why did we stop,
why 's Surya s smiling again?

VJ rises from abyss: Sir, why do companies need to re-state their earning (to correct, if they stated it incorrectly)? why can't companies hide it from the investors?

SS, clutching on the mic, trying not to look perturbed. yes, yes, i can answer that...
travail continues... discussion drifted towards invoicing and invoices;
VJ - Sir, what if you loose the invoice of your order?
HUH!
SS - get a duplicate. are you afraid of calling your vendor to send you a duplicate? oh! reliance connection might not be working.

and the travesty continued...

one more day, one more chance to raise yourself to God-hood. Shareholders seem to be happy that the company is gonna announce huge dividends...

VJ - Sir, who will track and make sure that you receive the dividends?
Excuse me...
where is the leash; snoopy, help me, i need to borrow something today...
SS - own the shares first, you ******; i am not your bloody assistant, who will track your portfolio, if you have one.

then, came a not the usual one...
VJ - Sir, how many companies in the US use LIFO system?
SS - this is not a GK class, remember? FA - getting a cue? in any case, here is the number...
we smirked.

SS showed an example wherein there was no fund impairment in a particular year, but other years had impairment.
Class - deep into the sea of FA and trying to grasp the rooted philosophy.
VJ - sir, why 2006 shows no impairment?
Mummy,
SS - common-sense; heard of it?

on the verge of finishing FA sessions,

Class - happy to be getting away from the distress...
VJ - Sir, if i sign a contract with a customer, do i show it on my revenue account...
guys, close the Ramayana, we gotta get back home; Ravana is not coming back to the home-town.

No negative thoughts; no bad feeling. Chill is the way of life – rock for a blessed few. May be a leash is a better option. Oh! For me.

The final frontier; the first step

You like it or not, the circuitous turn of events will take you back to the same hour of life. The scene is not quite different; smell of ink seeping through the pages; ticking of the piece rising through the head; targeted thoughts run by the minute and stay focused on the dried, dead thoughts of the orator. It’s like coming back to the same life, with listed thoughts setting guide to the unknown. And the link goes back to the over congested nights; overwhelmed with the striking images of the recent past. How would I cope up with the settled unsettling thoughts?

It took a lot more than courage to ride my way to the 24^th SM Street; nothing but the mind is at stake; a way to behave and way to think. Notice not the ashes, but a diminishing sliver lining, which decided to rest for a while to stay alive with the optimistic thoughts. A few lively souls do traverse the path and brighten the hope to the dangerous degrees, but helping to keep standing and realizing the cushy spots along the bumpy ride. Jerry Macquire said it right “roll with the punches, tomorrow is another day”. If fight is the only way of life, then it’s prudent not to rest the armor, but to make it lethal with every grind.

But, then, there are so many dark spots that color at the horizon has decided to disguise the identity of the virgin soul. And the institution is making sure that disguised images go deep into the gallows of incompetence. The sheer lethargy of vibrant words let the message dwindle before it reaches the vestiges of the past in the wisdom tooth. What we hear and what we see is the thought of inability that tries to shape the future. With the crumbling foundation of an ignoble thought, there stands a man, with a dream to realize, a point to prove and a life to fulfill. Will it all rest on the dilapidating shoulders of the past; may be not; but on the strength to follow the trails of ages and making it glide past the demeaning thoughts of a noble institution.

It may have got a lot peripheral than I thought, but what good is the writing that doesn’t give way to the free will and the flow of unanchored thoughts? But the truth stays encumbered and squeezes through the life blood of the rising institution. What good do we do when we sprint with the zestful, but imaginary, thoughts not knowing that the relay has turned to a hurdle? A favorable, self fulfilling, prophecy would be to listen to the rooted sounds and strengthen the future for, an unbiased, good of all. That’s where the generations clash for the virtue of disguise, than for the eye of the bird. May all rest in peace, which, for sure, I won’t allow.

Au Revoir Infy

last mail from my Infy id...

Some reach the destination; some leave the quest in the middle. I will know what it turns out to be for me, but I will certainly cherish the 7.5 yrs that I trod towards the destination. Tomorrow (April 11th) is my last day with Infosys, and I want to thank you all who made the journey memorable. It’s been a great learning experience for me, and I hope that I was able to contribute my fair share to your learning. Be it at professional level, or be it at personal, I enjoyed every bit of my stay with you and Infosys. Personally, I feel that there is something common b/w my first and the last day – I am excited; there is lot more to learn and achieve and I am all ready to go round the same cycle again.

As I take a step forward and look back at the days that I spent here, I see all of you who helped me transform into a professional – to which a few might disagreeJ – I could say nothing else but ‘Thank you’. I genuinely wish that you do well in life and in your professional careers – to everyone who I met during the course ‘Good luck and Good bye’. I am certain that we will cross our paths again at some turn in life, but until then let’s rely on impregnable Google and stay connected – my personal id: batra.dheeraj@gmail.com – telecom folks: let’s not rely much on telecom – it will keep changing; jus’ kiddin’. To the unyielding: my number, till it rings – 22222 22222

If Megadeth were to say at this moment, it would have been:

A tout le monde,
A tous mes amis,
Je vous aime,
Je dois partir.

Signing off,

IRIS

Sparkle in the eye
She is trying to hide
Walking with the shadow
A picture to find
Watch her lips
Smiling with the words
She is drifting away
Leaving a feeling inside

I can love her good
More than what I should
I can see her face
But,
Will I know her name?

A thought in the air
Blushing with what’s fair
Waiting for the ages to pass
Many rains to stop
To see her again
Falling with my love
Beckoning a happy start
Holding the time to stay

I will love her good
More than what I should
I see her face
But,
Will I know her name?

I see the sparkle again
Waiting for me to say
And when she holds my hand
With the smiling way
I go down my heart
Shaking the feeling to stay
Then she cries
Asking to walk in the rain

I love her good
More than what I should
I see her face
And,
I know her name.

what do i do with this?

there couldn't be a better start of the weekend after a few grueling weeks at the bureaucratic layers of the unbureaucratic institution. it's not with the usual sore eyes trying to find the meaning between the mythical lines of superficial world, but something with relief and content. one level above the forehead knocked down all unyielding barriers and resisted successfully till this moment when the creaks sounded and 'let go' was the wisest call. with Rocky putting me back into the real world where in the hidden hierarchal professional system leveled with the dust and reality bit hard.

with so much happening around the dark corners of time, it's getting difficult to give sufficient to what requires the most. with the unraveled enthusiasm running the veins of the newly formed committee members, with numerous e-mails that require shi(f)t+delete, with my last post hanging high accompanying the sword of Damocles, i pick the phone and call the obvious. murphy's law again proved prudent; your restful moment will always be shaken by the uncalled for event. iris is getting fidgety about the relationship that has settled in the dust of time; i am not opposed to her questioning the causes and reasons, but to the meaning what she is giving to it. i really don't have much to ponder about what's right and i don't have much strength to run it along with testing hours at the institute. who will succumb and to what?

what makes a good manager and what makes a good 'my man'? i am to the agreement that if you run through the defined course, then you know what they want you to know, but if you jump the rail and ride the aligning discourse, you know what you want to know and what is required to be known. personally, i don't want to lead the superficial course, and don't want that tag that along. infosys had been successful in making me a practical manager and i won't like to shed the practicality in favor of superficiality. delve deeper, but don't dig into pages of the past. live in the present, think about the future, shoot at the past and smile to life. it seems easier to do than it actually is; well! may be a lot difficult for the X-chromosomes. so, what makes it good - be it in management, or be it being 'man'? a superficial behavior or a deep love?

In the dark of night...

...it is always 3 in the morning.

and this night is no different. The day started with a set goal of accomplishing the set targets, of which going to bed on time was on priority. But fate has something else scribbled, hidden behind the monotone of the day. Most of it happened as planned, until we set out to shape the KarmaYoga project. After not so much effort, we found a registered organization, near Saidapet, that works towards welfare of the needy. And as fate had it, they were on the brink of calling in help to support the effort in Atma Nagar Village (a slum area near Saidapet bus-stand) that charred down into scrap after the blazing fire yesterday.

The talks commenced amidst chirps of mynas, but ended with the wrenching cries of the few who endured the pain and were scavenging through the scraps in hope to get a glimpse of their belongings, which will never be their's again. It was heartening to see such a disaster; almost 200 people were left without food, clothes, shelter and the necessities, and with pain, anger, desolation and uncertainty. The Hindu ran an article on the disaster and comfortably pointed that everyone was provided with food, clothes and basic necessities. But the truth on the ground didn't agree with the beliefs of the common. Most of the inhabitants complained about not getting the proper attention from the municipality and the police.

What came out: people who owned the land in the village and whose houses were damaged were compensated with Rs. 2000, 1 saree and a few pounds of rice. Authorities seemed to be detached from the reality. I don't say that they wouldn't have tried to serve the cause, but that they didn't assess the situation completely and made the first judgmental verdict. We met a family who showed us a burnt down cup-board, which they used to store clothes and books. Everything else conceded, the family was heart-broken by the loss that its kids suffered - gift of knowledge. Mind you, it seemed an ordinary village, which provides maids and sweepers to the surrounding community, but the kids conversed in English. There were a few more issues that surfaced, which the authorities may never encounter, that is: families that were staying on rent and have lost everything that they possessed, but the government would be giving the compensation to the land-owners, who might not have visited the place in years.

At this stage, priority is to provide food and shelter, but the precursor to that, which we decided, is to arrange for plates (for food) and tumblers. There will be many other issues that need to be sorted out for village's rehabilitation, and I hope that we would be able to help them some way. It's quarter to 3 and I can't see nothing, but my pillow. And at this point, after digging the entrepreneurial roots and dissecting P/E variables, I got nothing but a drained soul. Gotta rush back to my house.

Partial night-outs et al.

no real work has started yet; none of the self-defacing perceptions have skipped through the pages of Empirical studies, but the eyes are sore already and the cerebrum is getting cues to search the way towards the comforting bed. time has rolled back a few years and after mid-night deliberations on unwarranted topics have started to regenerate. it's been an interesting turn of events till date; from many dignitaries face-a-face to individuals' ability to put everyone to sleep, last few days have given a good insight into what the falling year will paint.

JCs walked out and Champions have taken the stage, but not without the blood that spilled in the process. perspectives are going wild and clash of cracked heads is leading to an uncompromising fight between the resting and the unyielding. but one thing is for sure, and that is ones own ability to walk the missing line and lead the way - not for anyone else, but oneself. the institution is on her way to standing tall, but inbred bureaucracy of the Indian institution tries to shake the unstable foundation. at this stage, all one can do is to stay focused and be confident about making a mark while shooting in the dark - well! not quite that way; okay, let's discount it with a 60W florescent bulb.

it's time to introspect, to coordinate, to network and to learn the basics with righteous self-respect. i may fall short on meeting all of these, but won't loose the focus - life is at stake. remember! more than that the push to prove myself again is hardest to shake hands with. but am i left with a choice? not really; and to a fledgling extent, i don't want a choice. in all the positive ways, it will be an interesting 1 year away from work and from the soporific turn of the days. it's time to reinvent and reconfigure the mind and the state. the need of the hours is not only learn, but also cast the days to come. good that Veeranam is keeping the heads cool, otherwise the scorching heat would have drained juices out of our veins. i hope to keep the tempo high and keep Veeranam alive for the next 50 weeks. Amen!

Change is the essence...

... and hopefully, this time, it is happening for good. If not, I will make it that way. I am back to where I started. Literally. Chennai has an invisible charm (!) that has made its way into my blood stream. I am back on the sweltering roads of Chennai with a faith of starting it all over again - start of a career and a mid-start of the career. It's gonna be one interesting year ahead and I hope to make it a turning point of my career. And with a few distinguished names taking the lead, I am sure that the missing pieces will fall in place.

What's at stake? I guess everything. My professional career won't be the same once I return; my personal life clings to the edge with a ray of hope. But now, as the pages have turned, I must shed the apprehensions and strengthen the feeling of fulfillment; many promising thoughts help build the faith, but only the time (or relentlessness) will tell what takes charge - we study the past to predict the future. Let's hope some one gets lucky this time.

I know you won't gather much out of this post, but, I assure you that things will get clear as I re-commence on my writing habit over the blog.

what was i thinking?

Splitting images rest in the past,
Fading pages drift in the dark,
Leading the hope I turn it clear…

Goodbye

You loved me nice,
Embraced me good,
Gave me breath, gave me truth,
Walked besides holding my hand,
Were the light where darkness prays.

You took me high, many ages beyond,
Standing ahead of an impending thought,
Pulled me out when I dug the hole,
You were shining and a ray of hope.

Gave me friends, gave me foes,
Learning is what you never closed,
Losing the sight of the grown ambition,
Something doesn’t fit with the creation.

Time I take a deviant turn,
You stay with me is what I yearn,
Many years you loved me close,
Time we sing a nascent prose,
I look at you and take a sigh,
Taking it forward I bid you goodbye.

Come Be My Light

It ain't the phrase what the Renaissance protagonist would have said to a rosy face, smiley eyes effervescent beauty. For that matter, it ain't the catchy phrase that I am saving for my lover. And for heavens sake, it is not what Ameren UE is leaving on my voice mail. What is it then? Is that something potent enough to make somebody 'a saint' a sinner? This is what Mother Teresa has 'supposedly' written in her confession to Father 'i don't remember who' (that Jesus called her to be His light to the pitied and the ones in need); the gist of which is that Mother Teresa had doubt in her faith towards eternal existence (which I tend to agree, but that's not the point), and that she lived with it for more than 50 years of her servitude - the writer may call it.

I heard about all the talk a few weeks back, but didn't find enough push towards forcing myself to Google it and read it through, until Time's latest edition showed up at my doorstep and I nothing, but wondered, what could this possibly be. So the first thing that after I finished my daily after-work chores was to pick the copy and read it till the last word. Without blinking, mind you. And what changes after all the reading? Just that a minuscule 'wow' became a "WOW". But did that really change the image of "The Saint", "The Mother Teresa", the one who served an alien country all her life, without shedding a drop of sweat? I see many raising hands in affirmation, but I beg to disagree with the crowd, or the ever-naysayers.

The letters that the Mother wrote in her confession clearly shows that she had doubts in the existence of Jesus and that her inner darkness raised her nothing beyond an average human-being. An average human being, who we all admired for her selfless acts, for her being true follower of Him. Did we call her saint because she was a true follower, or because she worked on something beyond just putting in posters inviting 'the claded' for Sunday Mass or morning prayers? We know all that, deep in our hearts. Can we go really rise over our heads and strip someone with something that the whole world has given with love and faith? Can we divest our beliefs on a fractiously written, hoping to make millions, deprecating pages of Brian Kolodiejchuk's book? I know you would love to see the hero fall, but won't that fall with the belief in humanity?

But for that matter, who has designed the system of calling an average human 'A saint'? An average person, who walked ages to serve the un-served, to help the ones who the country of a billion has always ignored, and still doing so. Walk the line that you haven't seen before, you will know how difficult it is to believe. Cross the borders and extend your hand, you will know what you get in return. Suppress your beliefs and believe in the faith of other, and you will understand what it's like to feel a saint from within.

Want to feel the saint within? Don't wander around miles above the sea-level, don't substitute your external self with the rags, don't sit in prayers at 6 in the morning, don't close your eyes before the family meal, and, please, don't sit 15 feet high at the platform and see the beleaguered chant to your nursery rhymes. Stand in the middle of crowd and extend your hand to help the one in need (may not be your wife here); shed the non-existent shackles of society and walk with the under-privileged (not the ones that arjun singh talks about); share your meal with the one who haven't eaten for 4 days; you would feel nothing, but a saint. 'A Saint for the Day'.

'A Saint a Day' is what we need to rise above the unfortunate talks to proclaiming somebody a sinner, or a saint. Would you stop believing in Hendrix, raise your voice to SRV, shy away from Marley, if I tell you that they had 'Dark Light' hidden somewhere in the dungeons of their outer self? C'mon get back to real work - you have four billion waiting for you to come and extend your hand.

"I want to love Him as He has never been loved before."

some things are just meant to happen,

so does getting to read something extraordinary just for the fact that you didn't find anything else to read. and a feeling to surrender to someone else's philosophy to take you deep into the process of assessing your own life. this is what happened when i surrendered my thoughts to keep up with a goonda. a gangster. no, i didn't join a cult group or a faction. i just finished reading Shantaram - a story of a gangster, told by a gangster.

i must accept that it took me more than two-and-a-half months to finish this book, but i must also confess that it was worth it. the great part is that it never occurred to me that i have had enough of this guy and it's time to move onto something more subtle. this book did nothing less than an extraordinary job to make a real-life-hero out of a gangster. every minuscule narration in this brings out the literary genius of GDR. and at this point, i think i have enough of his wisdom that i can distinctly delineate each character from the book. hmm, i see them often :o)

GDR must have added lots of twists and turns to the real story, but the way it's been told is what holds the line. the philosophy did the just thing to keep it real and to relate to difficult details of life. did i find myself crying while turning the weight to one side? possibly. do i respect the courage and vision with which goondas lead their lives? certainly. it's not for what they do, or how they do it, but for the confidence and organization with which they do it.

what i wonder is, what made him positive in all his dealings. the book portrayed him as someone who you would walk to any point in time and he would be ready to help you out. i think that is the soul of this book and which is what kept it alive till the last written word, any beyond. keep yourself open to all that happens to you and you will see wonders. may be, you will pay dearly to experience that, but, certainly, a million will be enlightened with your experience.

for what it's worth, thanks for making a literary genius out of a runaway. i am not sure whether Shantaram's sequels could be as invigorating, but i would wait for them. life goes on... (fuck, i thought i would write a review, i just ended with a cryptic note.)

disbelief or discontent?

you stand infront of the mirror, you dig into your soul, ponder over the things that you can't understand and, finally, give up the spirit that keeps you from losing. is it the belief that you can't hold upon, or is it that you are not content with the status you have achieved? is one leading to another and running in circles? or, am i losing a good frame of mind? this is sick... when you start to loose confidence, cringe on any thought of jumping ahead, shed any possibility of standing for your ethos, you know you are fucked.

gotta get more into dream theater...

hoo haa India. Aaya India

so the wait is over now; no more sleepless nights; no more baseless discussions during office hours; no more throwing blame on 'The Fantastic 11'. The Indian team is coming home and that 's the truth. It's the time when the saints think that everything stands against them, and they are left stranded in the middle to face the apocalypse. But is it just that? The saints are standing against their own beliefs and diggin them down.

started with a happy note,
glanced sideways with some hope,
turned into a sloppy boat,
come down home, have some dope.

Aaya India:

waiting for the hour to click,
sitting down with an empty wish,
uneasiness that passed the jitters,
nothing but the weary prayer.

rushed down along the road,
many wishing to knock the floor,
zipped passed many in wait,
mind moving with an uneven gait.

ticked down after a minute,
shifting sides to gather the wait,
ecstatic feeling shouting the fear,
and, we started with a formidable spear.

blood rushed through the head,
conflicts rose equate the fear,
prophecy is showing the face,
it's time to end the race.

came down hard on us,
jaded eyes soothe the ire,
impeded the flow of thoughts,
got nothing but the naughts.

turned into a disastrous fillip,
shed tears and take the sip,
you can't do more wrong,
guys, it's time that you come home.

hands down!

Is it just me or is it the 1/6th of the world? hooooo haaaaa Indiaaaaaaa... aayaaaaa Indiaaaaaa... you get it.

& here it goes...
you Made Me Cry, You Told Me Lies
but I Can't Stand To Say Goodbye
mama, I'm Coming Home
i Could Be Right, I Could Be Wrong
hurts So Bad, It's Been So Long
mama, I'm Coming Home...

the queue will always be there

monday morning, steering to the corner,
tapping windows, following the grind,
twenty cars, a thought brushed my mind,
the queue will always be there.

screeching buses, rushed to the gates,
checking the bags, passing them clear,
we carrying a gun, what they fear,
hey! the queue will always be there.

walked a mile, ran to the loo,
strangling bodies, urging to clear,
heard the voice, coming my way,
the queue will always be there.

climbing the walls of a disgruntled spaceship,
knocking heads, rushing for the food,
bowel movement, doing no good,
you say, the queue will always be there.

arduous journey to complete the year,
thought of promotion, grappling in fear,
fate subsided, your peer got it there,
they say, the queue will always be there.

crossed my fingers, drowning in the blue,
wish i walk by without a queue,
no matter what is your fear,
i say, i say, the queue will always be there.

will I call it quits - a travelogue

...you must be kiddin'

This is the time when the core reality knocks the door of the farce world. The imminent is what that holds the truth. It is not what you think is right, but it is what the life makes you realize on every turn.

nayy, I am not upto writing some philosophical finding that I dug over the weekend, but to try putting down my first-hand experience with death. I'm just kiddin'. I went to the waterfall rappelling trip last weekend to Malshez (in Thane distt.) with a bunch of over-zealot guys. It was one of the best (adventurous) experiences I have ever had. It's something that 's difficult to put in words, but even more difficult to experience first-hand.

We started-off from Pune on late Friday evening; it's a drive of around 3 hours from Pune. With no idea what to expect for next two days, we were shouting our lungs out to the music that no one had a particular interest in. With the parody to one and dumb-charade to other, the moment put us all in high spirit. An extra tinge was added by a late night drinking spree at Malshet. With all the high energy and a nice sleep under the moon lit sky, we were all set to take on the next day.

The day started earlier than usual with the Dhumketu (a professional group that organizes adventure sports and outings) guys shouting over our heads to get-up and get ready for early excitement. Alright, it was time for some earl morning lecture and we were told not to smoke, litter plastic and drink - what! didn't see that coming. Hell!! what will happen to the SmirnOff that's waiting from quite some time for me to twist its neck? Well, that's left to be seen. After a small trek and a handshake with the rising sun, we reached the place where we would make our first decent. Fuck! a 400 feet drop.

Well! I guess, just because so many guys were waiting to take the plunge make others (and me) feel that everything is gonna be just fine. Furthermore, a little of excitement was making sure that I don't run away ;o) I'm sure, in any case, I wouldn't have. So, here I'm, standing on the edge of the cliff, hanging with a bare 1/2 inch rope, and nothing else to support. I took a quick look down-fuck! it's gonna be a long-long journey. It started off pretty well, with me bouncing off the wall, making sure I don't break the rope. For a moment it felt good, and then there was an overhang - nothing to support me, but air. Was it my head that was spinning, or me? I have no clue, as I was trying my level hard to reach to the bottom of the cliff. A brush of water from the fall shook my senses, and I somehow reached the bottom. Hell! that was some experience.

Was I afraid, No! But there was nothing much I could do to convince myself that I wasn't. I guess, it was just the heart and head fighting over some trivial issue. Yeah! right.The fact that no one was doing any better, gave me confidence and the new motto that "everyone falls the first time".

Now, it was time for the Flying-Fox (or firefox). It was to cross the trench across, hanging down the rope. By this time I was a little confident that I can do it and I just jumped over cliff and crossed it in time. Some hope for life. This was the end of the adventure for Day-1 and how can it culminate without getting drenched under a waterfall? So, here we were, without giving a second thought to people around, jumped into the pool. The night came in quite early, and again, we were all sitting across the fire and singing our lungs out. It was quite an experience sleeping next to the waterfall, with nothing but stars looking down on us.

The next day had 3 descents in the bag. Two 250 feet drops and a 90 feet drop. Those went pretty well and the whole show culminated with a plunge in the pool. And, here, we got a chance to celebrate it fully with the Vodka shots in the middle of the pool. Can't just let that go. A 5KM trek and we reached the place where we had to end our journey. Smiles, stories, jokes, and, yes, songs took the front seat again. 3 hours of the music show ended at Pune with nice memories and goodbyes.

When I couldn't think it over anymore...

Slap! Slap! it's globalization stupid!

Today, it's everywhere; it's the most potent force that is sweeping Indian streets and minds. From the moment you wake-up to the moment you lie down. It's hitting us every moment in ever different forms you can even imagine. We have started to take it as a part of our daily life and culture that we don't assume that it is not our's. Yes, we have adopted it, and adopted it well. But can we ever deny that it doesn't belong to us? I couldn't.

The moment I cut the engine of my American branded, European styled, Indian assembled Ford Ikon and switching off car's Japanese branded, China made Pioneer car stereo with Korean speakers, I am deep into the waters of Globalization. When I unlock the UK made Yale lock I started to feel the affect of the Globalization. When I take off my European-Indian-made Lee Coopers and Amerian-Indian-made Samsonite back-pack and put them in an Indian made rack I am started to shiver with the affects of Globalization.

What else should I see to realize that it is there? I decided to give myself a tour of my measly furnished house. I got into the room where I keep my clothes; with American Levi's, UK's Pepe's and Lee Cooper's, Reebok, Nike, Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nautica, Dockers, BlackBerry lining the rack, I noticed a Canon SLR eyeing from a Samsonite handbag. Boy! I am in midst of something big. Did I ever realize this. No, not even in distant dreams. Then I walked a little more and was hit by the Korean Samsung Refrigerator, which is the only possesion I have in my kitchen.

I was flabbergasted, but I decided to walk a little more in my small 2 bed apartment. I walked into my entertainment-cum-bedroom and noticed a Korean-Indian-made Samsung TV set on the top of the stand that is made keeping American style in mind. Attached to it is a Satellite radio tuner imported from Taiwan and my one nice possesion - A Japanese branded, China made, US bought, Indian import Onkyo music system. I turned and noticed a side table, which is lined with books comprising Teach yourself French, Bono on Bono, omnibus Saki and others, along with the Sony headphones and a Sony digicam, which is cased snugly into a China made camera case. Man! I was thinking, what does this all means? And I really didn't get any answer.

And while sipping a Diet Coke with a Nokia in my hand and leafing through Friedman's 'The World is Flat' I realized that the guy is actually right. We are passing through a zone where the world is turning upside down, in silence, and no one is noticing. May be a few do. It's all about competing in the leveled world and putting in place the best in class and taking advantage of it. The ones who do are on the top of the world and ones who had just realized are sitting on the floor typing on a Japanese branded, well Japanese made, US bought, India imported Sony Vaio notebook while listening to Led Zep on a California designed, China made iPod. It's Globalization at its best.

We Indians come cheap

Despite that fact that The India Factor has terrorized the world over, we Indians come cheap. In real terms. The ideas that affect the generation, the relationship that kills the nation and the need that exploits the beliefs are all make we Indians cheap. From government policies that languish the freedom of speeh (ah! blocked my 'c' already) by blocking the blog contents, to the ever scorned neighbours killing the innocent, to the herd running behind low-end jobs are making Indian context cheap in the India Shining regime.

Whatever resentment the bloggers had against the government inadequacy to control the situation in Bombay, the government didn't have (ethical) authority to block their way out to shout their opinions. It's the India that English would have envisioned, but we have come a long way to rise above these petty ideas and can behave as a reasoned country. However much a government try, the history is a witness, free will and acts come out in open and make their way to the mass of the understanding few. Chinese governement can dictate what people should think, but it can't still hold the free will. Taliban tried, and is trying, the same for years, but still the free will makes its way out; well, not quite often though. We Indians can't think on those lines and surely can't walk in the restricted boundary. The freedom will be misused for sure, but you will always have more on the positive side to make it better.

pakistan for one is really making us believe that we do come cheap. We have tried for decades to calm the situation down, but with no substantial outcome to the process. I firmly believe that deep down our hearts we know that there is no solution to the Kashmir issue because neither side will relent to the want of other. We try just because we need to, to show that we are a peace loving country. For how long will be succumb to uncalled for expectations and live under the shadow of terror? I am certain that till India and pakistan are attached by geographical boundaries, we won't find the resolution to the issue. There could be another aspect of this issue: may be we don't want this issue to be resolved. What else will we have to fight for; it's the inherent aggression that we have to subside one way or the other.

And when we have had swallowed enough of cheapness, there comes "Indians are Cheap" cry from all over the world that I had to throw up to see it myself. Indian IT did make a mark all over the world and made real the Globlization 2.0 (per Tom Friedman) a reality and India did rise above the neutrality to stand on the higher ground, India didn't save herself from the scorns of millions. It's just not the world who is saying that Indians are special (special cheaps?), we (Indians) do feel that we are special (not cheap), but we have taken a long circuitous way to heaven. And, I guess, we expected some (many) raised eyebrows. Probably that was the only one in sight. It surely will take a lot of hard work to shed the global belief that it's cheapness "anywhere you see". Early signs have started to surface. It's just the matter of time now.

So what makes us unique? One thing that I can think of is our ability to rise above the petty politics and government policies and terror and external pressure and present our best to the world and ourselves.

Adieu F1

Finally, he got it straight and decided to move under the shadow of his previous boss 'Ganassi'. He has been a phenomenon on the F1 circuit and would certainly leave a void in the line-up. After his debut in 2001, he rose to the ranks where the likes of Shumi were apprehensive about getting past this guy; the perfect attitude towards the game and spirit to fight till the end made this guy the likeble to all. You like it or not, everyone had a corner that always praised this guy one way or the other.
The sudden exit might have been hastened by the team McLaren pile-up along with other 3 at the Indianapolis this season. But I think he has been feeling the heat from quite some time - from his era with Shumi jr. Long gone the days - I am sure he will find his way up to the elites of the NASCAR where Earnhardt(s) have made home. Well, he can't expect the kind if salary ($12M) that he got as McLaren driver, but would surely find NASCAR more fun and exiting. Finally, that what actually matters. (How big a difference would it be if you get a million less - not a lot to you and me :o)

Good luck to the good guy (Juan Pablo Montoya)! Now, he is free to drive the Ferrari(s).

...and the legend lives on

ZZ will remain ZZ in the eyes and hearts of his fans and admirers. No matter what a 30% of French says that he led them to defeat, he will stay a legend and a wonderful player to most of the French and others around the world. A lot has been talked and judged on what happend on the pitch on that fateful day, but the truth may never come out fully. Would he be repeating the same hall-of-shame infront of the media who will make fun out of no reason? I don't believe so, but we would know that in some time.

ZZ was caught in a little bustle in this not so ideal world and that too on his last formal appearance as a French mid-fielder. Marco Meterazzi puked the Italian dirt and got a butt in return. However much he try to come clean out of it, the shadow will follow him; and that's not just for Meterazzi, ZZ too can't come out clean out of what he did on the most watched and admired competition under the sun. Yes, giving the benefit-of-doubt in favor of ZZ will appease a part of the commotion out of the scene, but will never let him hold the Godly status. Well, he can stay demi-god and lead the crowd. And given the fact that Chiraq and the Coach and the team and the host of politicians have given him a clean chit and re-assured that Zidane will remain Zidane because, well, he is Zidane, ZZ will remain a legend for millions.

Zidane has been in the news since 1998's French triumph over the coveted gilded trophy. His two headers against Croatia led the French to the finals; we know the rest. That wasn't just being the French factor, but his adaptability to lead and perform when it was needed the most. We may forgive him of what he did this summer, but who can forget what ZZ is to football? That great control over the ball, that killing of ball after each pass, that finesse in the last minute hit, that coolness over the pitch (well!!), that unnerving presence in the ground can never be forgotten and will be remebered and talked for the decades to come.

What I heard is that he will be setting his career as a coach to the young/emerging teams in France and will help them learn the best from the best. I hope he is able to impart the best of ZZ into the new generation, minus the worst of it. I hope we see more of him in shape of the next generation. I would love if he could bestow the ability to find that extra moment before delivering the ball to his students, but that may just be the innate talent and may just go to bed with him.

ZZ has created an aura over the football world and which will oversee the grace and glory for centuries to come.

I give a damn...

It's funny that whenever I see this logo (of Deccan airlines) I get into a mode of criticizing the advert that made it public. What was the promotion manager thinking when he/she designed this logo? Oh! I got it. In any case, Deccan is not going to pay me much, so why bother. I give a Damn! And that's where this all started and made into the books of cheapest logo of all times.

Alright, I up my hands and I give a Damn to what you say. I think this was the strategy since the inception of the airlines. I mean, whatever the customer feels, any way they suffer, I will just throw my hands up and say hey! I give a Damn. And what else is the best to make your point clear than having your logo sends the message? I see it everywhere, all over the non-existant air and ground crew. My flight is late; Sir, I give a Damn. There is no information about the flights; Sir, I give a Damn. I see that the toilets are not clean; Sir, I give a Damn. I am choking, get me water; give me 10 bucks, or choke to death; Sir, I give a Damn. Someone just puked next to my seat; Sir, I give a Damn, when people give a Damn.

I don't have anything against the airlines, just that it is never on time, the hostess comes and ask 'whether you want to pay 10 bucks for water now, or later?', or you never get to find out whether you are in a wrong flight until you fly over Pune instead of Ahemdabad. And when you find a courage and talk to the just-out-of-sleep airlines professional, you will get a message 'Sir, didn't you notice our logo - it's all over, should I turn around? Sir, you are too stupid to understand. Sir, we throw our hands up and we just give a Damn! (to what you say, what you feel).

And than I thought, at least, they called me Sir. Hell yeah! I give a Damn.

same old tactic...

are they back to the same tactic? Or, is it just another innocent giveaway?

do I code?

Is it just Leonardo Da Vinci (from Vinci), or Dan Brown, or it's me (and my group) who tried decode the fickle mystery of time? I finally got a chance to go for the movie and to grasp why there is so much flurry about this movie. Or, the book for that matter. Now, I feel it is a good time to grab the book and decode what is already decoded.

So what do you learn after watching this movie? It is, to save the descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, churches buried the truth that Jesus was married. And the spoken words from the perfectionist that Leonardo, with a twist, tried to bring out the truth through 'The Last Supper'. One interesting thing that came out, or what I interpreted, was that it was to save Mary Magdalene's life that Jesus was called God, when he was just a normal man. Churches wanted the chaotic world to have faith in the powers of the Church so as to make it more powerful and have a final word. It seems like an epic that was written behind the closed doors of the Churches with a tactic in mind - you have more followers, you have more power.

I must say that the director made a decent effort to make the audience glued to their seats till the last moment. Without a single Sine-Sound wave, the audience tried to grasp every iota of information delivered. And I am sure that noone got out displeased. To me, it was a nice movie, which gave a fine blow and made cerebrum deliver fast and relate one dialogue to another, with the history that is already stored. I might go for the movie again to make sure that I didn't miss any detail that it expected to convey. There is something about these kind of movies that you feel and interpret differently each time you watch them. In fact, I always get a new though each time I watch Matrix.

Now, how is it linked to me and my group? This is the exact discussion that I have had with my friends - before Dan Brown's book hit the shelfs. The discussion ran around the point that it is quite possible that Brahmins in India wanted to be the most respectful sect of all and needed followers from the whole community. The conspiracy could have led to writing scriptures quoting the existence of God. All the epics could have just been farce, but have been potrayed as God'ly. Who else can prove the existence of the Gods/demiGods, but the faith. A faith led to another and found a place in mythology. And, I believe, it wasn't that difficult for the only educated sect, that is, the Brahmins. Had Kshatriyas, Vaisyas had there own way, the Brahmins would have been extripated from their existence.

But, in the end, it is the faith that makes you to believe an epic or a story. A feeble being needed someone to ask for help when everything else failed. Or, it is just that we wanted someone as a scapegoat. In any case, howevermuch we try, we can't afface the faith that is deeply rooted in our very existence.

Whatever be the truth, each one of us call to someone for an answer, when everything else seems dark.

Reservation - the deewar within

MNCs - we simply hang them down

cast and creed

How far do you think we can take this cast mantra and win the score for us? Is it really too dificult to see and feel the world we live in shed our baseless beliefs and think for the common good? Or is there a perception problem here? Or do we still believe in divide-and-rule policy mastered by the English? I sincerely believe that we haven't learnt anything in last 59 yrs, and still dance to the tunes of politicians who have mastered this art.

Politicians like Arjun Singh know from deep inside that it is easy to stand OBCs and SCs against theso called forward-class and blind their beliefs with glossy future offers. And tha is true to a very large extent. I know that a pecentage of the called backward-class is against this quota philosophy because they understand that it is not in the right spirit. And is not in favor of a growing nation. In all, why do see so much protest against this proposition? Can't the government read the silence, or they want to see an RDB happening?

Emotions apart, in a real world, who would like to go to a doctor or an engineer who you know had got the degree not on the merit basis? Who would like to take a chance, no matter whether there is any such cause? Leave the forward-class aside, who, from the backward-class would put anything to fate or chance when it comes to save something material? I don't see a backward-class person favoring someone from her same class when the question of life or her family comes.

I firmly believe that if this proposition materializes a good part of Indian generation will divide into two sects. Don't you see this happening in the institutes? Will the not-so-merited individuals feel comfortable competing against the best in class? Hey, you see, now the competition has removed some more from the forward-class who were not so classy. And finally, when the private companies are taking stand against this policy, would the not-priveleged get a fine living? Or would it hasten the life of despair for them?

I am not against the uplifting of a certain class, but that can only be done by, what NRN recently said, providing the primary education to the needy. And they will find their way out of the shoddy politics.

and then she lost her virginity

ah! my car, btw.

Have you ever got a feeling that something is going to happen and there is little you can do about it? Did some cues ever try to warn you and make you presage about what's coming next? Did you ever try to read into those premonitions and act for it? In this case, I didn't.

Yesterday, for some reason, it struck my mind how would it be to hit heads-on with a speeding vehicle. I gave no care whatsoever that could have meant. And this is the first time that this happened with me. Weird, huh! And then you realize that some things are meant to happen and any effort to avert those wouldn't lead you anywhere. I can't say whether this attitude is right, but yes, I would have paid dearly beacuse of this.

It happened this morning, I got up a little late, had a light break-fast, read a little from the Economic Times, and then thought of going to the anti-reservation rally at the University Square. On normal days, I wouldn't have gathered enough strength to leave a cozy bed, newspaper and music for something that I am not even sure of the schedule. But this happened, for one reason, or the other. Then I took the normal route to the University Square, but the road was blocked for some construction work and I had to turn back; still, which I could have avoided, I took the longer route to the square.

And the destiny spoke for herself, I noticed a blue M800 taking the turn the way I did. I followed that car, in my rear view, for quite some time. A Santro Zing showed up in my rear-view and zing'ed away. And again that M800 in my rear-view. It was at some distance as I was rushing towards the square. Then I had to brake at a small turn on the road; usually, I check in the rear-view to gather whether an oldie, a lady is driving the vehicle, or whether it is burnt-down car, which won't stop, however much efforts you put in. But this time, I didn't even notice. Then I heared tyres screeching behind my car, and I realized, fuck, that shouldn't be it.

And BANG!

To my surprise, it was same fuckin' car which was following me from last 4 KMs and banged me where I was least alert. It hit my lady at the bumper and the petrol tank, not very cruely though; my car's Tow-Hook kinda screwed his car's radiator. The other guy's car had taken the majority of the blow. I thought of calling-in the cops, but, then, I didn't have my car papers. Oops! and I moved-on.

So, if I gather the chain of events, this is what happend: I got a pre-warning, I didn't follow it, something led me to drive in the morning, I had to turn back, but still followed my way, noticed beforehand what's going to hit me, didn't follow my own drining instructions, and BANG! And this is how my car lost her virginity after being out for more than 9 months in the market. Good, or Bad, I still love her.

What does this tell me? Should I read, look deep into what I think, or wish for? Does this happen with each one of us? Is there something that's beyond our power of comprehension? Or, should I just take it the way it is and believe that whatever has to happen, will happen? Can I control the events?

you too...

while I write this, I am listening to 'running to stand still' - the joshua tree by U2. if you look back you would see that not much has changed with U2, but their popularity and bono's efforts to change the world. I was reading bono on bono by micha ass-a-yas :o) this morning; I was looking for this book from quite some time and last week I got my hands on it.

I have just read the first chapter, but it has already started to make me think about U2 as a band, a legend, and a religion. Not so because of their inclination towards humanity, but because of the eon for which they have been around. And, yes, making the difference. I liked bono saying that the beauty of weakness is it forces you to look for friendship. You try to make yourself complete by supplementing your weakness with your friends' strengths. You call it selfish, I call it life.

It's a different story that after coming back to India (to chennai and to pune), I found it difficult to make friends with others; it's more on the professional side now. More so because all my friends are either in different states or countries, and I am stuck here, burning my ass-off at work. Things have been changing for sure; no parties, no schmoozing with friends, no late night beer parties, no late night long drives, and above all, no movies. But I can't blame anyone, but myself for what it is like.

So until it comes back the way it is, I will stay close to led zep and my books. peace.

the ripple effect

in India, movies go beyond the movie halls and find a place in our daily chores, and the attitude we carry. they surely pronounce the thoughts more aggressively and vividly. one might argue that the recent protest against the reservation proposition is a direct effect of Rang De Basanti. it might be so. but is it true that doctors and students are making a cause of a benign intention?

if you compare, you might notice that RDB and the recent fiasco have a same plot, but with a small exception. a politician agitates a group with his baseless theories, sticks to his stand, tries to shy away from the movement, orders action against the protest, and finally gets killed. the last part has yet to happen. but do we realize that how many more lives are at stake, and how this is affecting youth's faith in the government?

but who's getting infamous here? is it the politician, or the doctors, or the movie? i can't answer that, but can tell it for sure that if it comes to voting to arjun singh, he won't get young generation's votes. atleast, not of the general-class population. but if we go deep into it, we will realize that it is not just affecting weeks services in the hospitals, a generation's perception, but educated class' ability to think good for the country. what you see today is that atleast 30 days a year goes in protesting against government's shitty policies.

what i feel is that it is not a backdrop of RDB, and not a protest against some sensless proposition, but a protest against Indian's dogmatic beliefs and against the-hell-i-care attitude. it is not against any government personnel or a sect, but against every Indian who dont' see beyond oneself and the ones who can go to any length without even realizing how many got affected in a wake.

btw, tomorrow there is a silent rally in Pune to support the doctors who are protesting against this reservations act.

VAYU @ NJJBTB

from last couple of months i didn't write much on this blog; i 've just been moving off and on and not getting a kick to write something that is worthful for 10 minutes of writing. things of the past. the past was the long weekend and i had nothing specific planned but to kill time at home; listening to Satch's latest album 'super colossal'; reading some thing and something like that. but the eye of Sauron had something else planned. hemi forwarded me an e-mail that VAYU is coming to Pune @ '(not just) Jazz by the Bay'. i had been to this place before, but didn't have a cue as to what VAYU holds. is it just VAYU or anything more?

i must accept that it didn't start too well, oh! no, not the show, my entry at NJJBTB. i was wearing sandals and, as would be mandated by any good restaurant, sandals were not allowed. but i have that itch of going through painstaking processes and get the things done, which might not be worthy for the efforts. But this time it was quite different. i met 2Blue - band's lead singer - he had known hemi from their NITIE gig. and hey! i had my way inside the place.

i tell you what i had quite a nice impression about these guys the moment i met them. 2Blue is flamboyant, and is truely the face of the band. he is all what a frontman has to be. ravi iyer is quite a passionate guy; his guitar speaks more than he does. and then schubert, a modest face of not so modest band. guy! is he ambidextrous. hell ye! quite a perfectionist with his bass-guitar and more so with his keyboard. the drummer, aatur; not sure how the band's last drummer was, but with certain clarity i can say that the band was lucky to have found aatur.

the band is more in led zep, floyd, hendrix; hell, what else can i ask for. check them out @ www.vayu.co.in

yes, this is what we do!

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav is seen being weighed in blood donated by Prajapati Samaj at a rally in Lucknow on Wednesday

You may never this image ever again, so I took the onus of putting it in the annals so as not to forget what our (read: public) blood means to these heavyweight - literally or otherwise - politicians. Who on earth can think of something as stupid or immature as weighing his own weight against the donated blood - well! unfortunately, our politicians do?

Was it to depict that public's blood is as worthless as these politicians? Or, that these politicians have come this far after sucking on the public?

Life is an Xbox

ah! atleast, here is Chennai...

Okay, I am not a video game buff, but it won't take much before I will be in a league of the pros. All I need to do is just follow the rhythm of the day and do the daily chores to appreciate the unappreciated way of life. You step on the road and you realize that you have entered the Matrix and there is no turning back. It is the red pill you take everyday to explore the unimaginable and unprecedented experience on the Chennai Roads.

I tried; I failed; I tried again; I failed with a reclusive bent. But I couldn’t figure out what to expect when I take out my car and drive it down on a so-called highway to my office. It’s a stretch of 14 kilometers that I cover in 35 minutes with all the bashing and scolding on the floor. You may as well see my eye balls making a perfect 360 in less than a second.

The morning scene is something similar to a moment when the gates are opened for the post Thanks Giving sale. It is the time when you forget all the gratitude and respect to others and push your way in to grab a pie and win a race to nowhere. The bus guy had squeezed others to the curb and rolled over in a snake maze. The auto-rickshaw guy had crept to the sides because he just got an urge to take a leek or to grab a passenger. In the meanwhile, you tried your ass off to save your car hit the curb or a buffalo who was sitting oblivion to what was going in around the space.

The best part is that how ever much you honk it won’t sound music to the deaf ears. The thumb rule is that if you are on the road and have paid the road-taxes, than no one in heaven can push you to give a way to a speeding car. You can just drive while happily chatting with a driver in the adjacent car, who, by the way, has also paid the road taxes. After crossing all these hurdles, you will hit the analytical puzzle where you will need to cross a cycle rider who is riding in the middle of the road. You have to make a split second decision whether to overtake him from right or left or to loose points by hitting him at the back. Or, to save a lady who has just decided break Maurice Greene’s 100m record by running across the road after judging the speed at which you are coming.

Now you have just realized that you are kinda late to office and there is no fun following the speed limit, which usually leads to a shaken mind and a disgusted soul. So you shed off all the fears and became a part of the Chennai traffic, which, I feel, is the best way to drive. You will find an easy way ahead between the Xs of the rickshaws that crossing from left and right.

lover in me is a lover in you...

lucky or desperate?

- Tsunami 181,000 died
- Numerous day-time rape cases in Delhi
- Girl raped by police (Mumbai)
- Floods in Mumbai
- Floods in B'lore, Chennai
- Stampede in Chennai
- Bomb Blasts in Delhi - diwali
- BPO girl raped and killed in B'lore
- Indiscriminate shoot out at IISc B'lore
- Riots in Gurgaon (Honda workers)
- Kashmir earthquake 80,000 died
- Delta express accident (hyderabad)
- protest agaist reservation

What plan do you have?

What do you plan to do this New Year’s Eve? This is an ever probing question that haunts most of us – evidently, just two days before the big day. By this time all of the clubs and pubs would have over-booked their repertoires and you will have no other go but to plan something on your own. Essentially, because you don’t want to carry a sorry face around, suggesting that, yeah! I screwed-up again. Well! I am no different, but I, certainly, have some plans and suggestions that may help.

D’abord, you can reserve a beachside bungalow, which has a nice, small bar and that can fit four or five of your close friends. Just sit, talk and share (well, drink) for the whole night and welcome the New Year’s dawn sitting with someone you care. A sauna would add an extra touch of luxury – believe me, you don’t wanna miss that.

Or, call your nearest Adventure Sports’ agent and book for a camping site and call-in some of your close friends and plead them to cancel all their plans and join you at the open-air grill and bon-fire. I believe this proves to be the best of all; you can shed all the worries and tensions of the foregone year.

Or, just call your roadside pub, and beg the owner to let you in; pay some extra cash – that never hurts. I am gonna do the same, I guess. Shake a leg with and sing some old forgotten song, just to remind yourself that you still like to enjoy life.

Or, in case, you don’t see anything working out, call one of your very good friends and talk about all that your both did together; how you both met; what all did you share – you can share that again J; you can also have a toast over the phone. And don’t, don’t, think of the long distance phone bill.

Well, (s)he should also be in your situation as yours J

Or, if nothing suits your taste, you can just sit in front of the idiot-box and enjoy being a bigot.

Bonne Annee.

Insanity - random thoughts

some things that come in mind when the clock rolls over to the new era. here are a couple random'iese.

1. buy a submerged island along the andaman 'n nicobar coast. this may help setting up new jobs for the fishermen and provide rising opportunities.
2. save the cows - kill more chicken. but one way or other you are killing the beast; try to spare both.
3. as more villagers are heading towards city life and jobs, buy cheap - $wise - land in the village and start thinking of a distinct business opportunity.
4. start looking for the bride, or whatever, doomsday to swell in next 6 years. predictions made after the tragic Tsunami disaster.
5. wash out pakistan and convert it into India's dumping ground. This one was quite weird, but, surely, this will help clean up Indian dirty streets - may not people.
6. (5) will alter the beautiful map of India, so better leave pakistan off the map & just leave it as a dumping ground.


Albert Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The conclusion: If at first and second and third you don’t succeed, try something else.

1. so, if you are not moving up the corporate ladder, and nothing seems moving, should you kill your boss or break his rung?
2. should eyes from the unknowns - died during tsunami disaster - be transplanted to the livings? it would be a help to the blind population, not a disgrace to the dead.
3. will ash be donating her eyes after death? or, will her family be concealing her death's news so as to evade acceptors from the eye institution?
4. did Lord Hanuman really traveled at 500m/h from sri lanka to himalayas and back to save Laxman's life? guess what, Indian mythological characters have beaten all the latest science inventions?
5. Siva's second son came from the temples of south India - Lord Murugan who was always competitive with Lord Ganesh, probably, in getting lead in gaining their parent's affection.

Ganesha - the most intelligent
Murugan - the fastest

guess, who will win in the end :o)


Mahabharata:

what would have been the structure if mahabharata had been composed in the 21st century? here are some variations that would have occured:

1. Lord Krishna would have known as Kris, and with his charming personality he would have been famous among young ladies.
2. Kris would have known as a productive leader and an effective manager and not as a Lord. After all he made Arjun fight against his own family. Who else except a great leader can lead the team of blind followers.
3. Kris would have been called a shrewd manager; Arjun and Duryodhana went to seek Kris' help in the war, nevertheless Duryodhana reached Kris' place earlier, Kris gave Arjun the opportunity to bespeak.

quote : un-quote

• The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' Ronald-Reagan

• I don't hate my enemies. After all, I made 'em. -Red Skelton, comedian

• If you get up every morning feeling pained to go to work, it is time for a switch. If you do follow your dream, you will be a wizard at what you do because you will give it your all. Have a dream and work towards it. If you don't, revisit life. Stop and think. Otherwise, you will just be a dead man walking. - Unknown
  

-- will keep on adding to the list...

Katrina Relief Fund

amazon, as always, is hosting a webpage to help who wants to contribute to the cause; here is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/paypage/PELYGQVJ8Q7IB

For more information about the American Red Cross, please call 1-800-HELP NOW or visit www.redcross.org.

Tryst with Indian Classical

It's not the first time that this question popped-in my mind: why do I do things that I know I am going to regret later? Is it that I love experiencing the extremities of life, or that I am in a schizophrenic state that I can't decide what I like, or that I have lost grandeur allusions towards aesthetic beauty of my thoughts? whatever it may be, the fact is that I am one of the worst consumer of the Indian classical market. The music that is in my roots, but I think I have gone too far to adapt the western music that I feel a distinctive stench towards my own music.

I felt this way during Zakir Hussain and ShivKumar Sharma's concert in Orlando. I really couldn't make out what to think of what these guys were playing and why the audience was so ecstatic about the music. But I tell you what, there is one good thing I did and that was to transpose my thoughts on audience's faces. I could see a big involuntary yawn from the people in the first row, a big *?* over the heads of the people in the second row and, here, me in the third row who is finding it difficult to stay awake so as not to end-up in embarrassment.

The audience tried to display such an attention that I felt intimidated to get-up in the middle of the concert and excuse myself to the men's room. Gosh! on one side, I was holding the emotions of belly-up, on the other, of the opposite. I am certain that the balance between these emotions helped me sit there till the end without making any fuss about the reality and that they helped me being a perfect audience at the imperfect time.

I know I should feel bad about my aloofness towards my own music, but, hell ya, this is what I like and am happy with.

The Half-Truth of First-Mover Advantage

Harvard Business Review Online | The Half-Truth of First-Mover Advantage

Yanni' ing

it's been couple of days, but I still couldn't contemplate the thought that why should one go and watch Yanni in-Concert. I am not able to bring forth one good reason as to why this guy is a prolific musician. I may need to borrow someone else's vision to give Yanni a serious consideration because there is nothing good that I can find in this person. Is he a great musician - I don't conceive so; Is he a great composer - I would doubt my musical instincts; Does he look good - only a gay can answer. But he sure does look funny on the stage - goodness, I am not in a comic show.

Possibly, I have become so narrow minded that I couldn't conceive a thought that these kinda people can do any good to music. But this again is controversial. It 's onto you as to what you like and what you do to your thinking. Personally, it doesn't sound musical that you bring 1000s of instruments and yap them together for the audience who don't even introspect their thoughts. Partially because they want to get the fullest of the amount they have spent (to buy the ticket) and partially to succumb the battle between their mellifluous instincts and sensibility. And by the time the battle finishes, it would have been all over.

But it will never stop poking you whether last 3 hours of exile in senseless-ibility [sic] was actually worth. Then you think that it would have been better if you had gone to an African Safari and had experienced the agony face-to-face. And, my friend, this would keep nailing me till I get a nail in my bed. There is a saying that 'if you can't love everybody, you can't sell anybody'; I would rather lie in loss then loving or selling this music. Call me improvident, but I would stay happy in my short-sighted, illogically small self-made casket.

whatever you think, I am still Yanni'ing.

Yawn'ing

my office - messy as ever...

Visit to Tepper (CMU)

coming up...

the marvelous experience...

Visit to Cornell (Johnson)

Johnson was one place I really wanted to visit. I have had researched so much on the school that I couldn't possibly have missed the chance to experience it in-person. I reached Ithaca at four in the morning, called a cab to the hotel, had a short two hours sleep and here I am standing afront the Sage Hall. It was snowing outside and being a Floridian I was having a hell of a difficulty adjusting to the weather. I should have packed extra pair of gloves and sweaters. Anyhow! I decided to move around the place and talk to some current students; no one else can provide a candid view than does a current student.

The info session started at 12 noon with a Free lunch. Info: about Johnson, why we are good etcetera and then obvious questions from our (prospectives) side. After all the usual stuff, I attended Operations class, which was setup to discuss 'Monte Carlo' simulation on the spreadsheet. I would say that the class wasn't quite interested in the lecture, or, possibly, that lecture was supposed to be like that. But the professor was kind enough to come over and talk to me - on the hindsight, I should have apporached him.

I contemplated that the students here don't have a defensive attitude about the school, but rather they are proud to be a part of Cornell's Ivy community. They do emphasized that this school is all about the fit. You need to balance your interest with what school or the area can offer. But that applies to most of the rest, doesn't it? Johnson is a small close-knit community where school and administration are adaptive to student's needs. You can stay assured that you won't get lost in the crowd. The school offers wonderful opportunities to improve upon your interpersonal skills through student's club and interations with business leaders. And over that who can argue on the maturity of immersion courses.

Whoever I talked to has an enthusiastic view about the school and the university. Seems like people take this school to heart. One student told me that an alum named (middle) his son 'Cornell' - really, these guys are fanatic about the school. I loved this feeling. Where else can you expect such a warmth in a bone-chillin' weather? It was snowing most of the time during my stay and Ithaca expects to get more snow fall in next two days. Right now, sitting in the bus and watching the white outside, I feel privileged.

If you are a wallstreet freak, you will get hell lot of opportunities here. That being said, students get to talk and work with wallstreet veterans at the Parker centre. And believe me high profile companies know that Johnson has a Parker center (simulation lab) in the school. Wow! I got conflicting views on School's strengths in consulting. Because of the economy downturn most of the consulting companies didn't recruit during last couple of years, but this year all the big-shots showed up. School and students are taking initiatives to bring companied on-campus. I was told that the career center organized private jets to and from Ithaca to bring companies executives on campus. And also the power-recruiter Deloitte showed up, as expected.

Anyway, finally I got a chance to sit in Entrepreneurship class. Today, this was merged with two other lectures b/c a guest business leader was to comment on the Case, which the class worked on. There were other professors and people from real businesses who provided and analyzed the comments on the case. The class, really, was like a big board room with so many issues and solutions around. This was one helluva experience that I expected from the school and got it before I left to my way back to my hotel. I am still waiting for a formal interview invite (btw, I talked to the AdCom Director for quite a while), but if called and selected, I would definitely come to enjoy this gruelling weather.

fingers crossed!

Visit to Yale

Finally, I am done with my interview and rest of the process at Yale. I understand that most of the people consider Yale as a back-up, but, candidly, this school provides best of the resources that an MBA needs. You get good brand name; you get proximity to NY; Consulting firms consider Yale 'the one to go for' - well! if you are looking at consulting as your career; you get unmatched resources at the Yale university. But, then you ask 'what exactly do I need?'.

I have had two interviews and visits, now I can have unbiased view in comparing the goods and the bads of the schools.

a) Darden's students and professors are really proud of their School. They just don't want to compare Darden with any other. For them, it's the best in the whole world - ah! it certainly is. In comparison, Yale students have kinda defending attitude. I guess, that is b/c of its comparatively newly founded MBA degree.

b) Darden has gorgeous campus - it is in a hilly area, thus the natural beauty adds to the facade of the building. Yale is on the campus of the university and is in the middle of the busy world. So, if you like to have a serene environment for study, Yale is not for you. But proximity to NY will surpass any pleasure :)

c) Darden encourages IT freaks to take their skills to the class - I mean only their notebook PCs. Yale discourages the use of notebookss as they may be distracting to others (on the back seats). Oh well! why should somebody be surfing the net in the class, that too after paying $70,000 in tuition?

d) Yale has a comparatively small class size with some having non-profit interest, thus you will have more opportunities to spread your wings and showcase your abilities. Darden too has a small class size, but not everyone can be an active part of the case study curriculum. It has already been said everywhere, but again, please don't choose case study just for the heck of it. See if you fit.

e) My impression (and research) on Yale's professors tells me that the professors are more research oriented. They are trying to change the basic philosophy of business world and the business strategies and ethics are designed - 'Ethical Organization' and all. Darden strenghtens you on the existing business norms and cultures. - rest is your effort - Oh! Probably, that what I will need in my whole life time.

f) Leadership forums are the best at Yale. Where else would you get a chance to meet with these leaders? Darden too provides the access to it, but in my opinion, it is limited.

Lets talk something about my tour of Yale in general. I, actually, was expecting SOM to be a big campus-wide building, but it turned out to be miniscule compared to the image I had. Furthermore, the AdCom office and the cafeteria are disjointed from the main campus building. It gives you a feel of living in a big city, so if you are the one who evades city life, then give it a second thought if you are considering Yale. As it is in the university, this place is full of students. When on the road you will figure out what identity-theft actually means. One thing that I liked was SOM's glass peek-a-boo kinda lecture rooms. A side-walker can easily take a peek into the class and make a good deal of impression about the class/lecture. Some people might find this intruding, but I found that interesting. I am kinda weird, I know. The school also has glass-backed rooms where you can hang-out and discuss or rest after the lecture.

It doesn't seem like that Yale(ees) like to study in groups, it is more like an individual performance tussle, or, probably I got that kinda impression. One good thing about living in the middle of a city is that you don't need to buy a car. This would come out to be a huge saving - atleast for me, it will. Being closer to NY, you can attend numerous conferences, which you might miss living afar from the place you think you gonna work at. This is a huge advantage of being a Yale(ee). Further, who can deny the brand existence of Yale.

Anyway, I am off to Cornell (Johnson) now; will wait and see where I finally land.

ISB is on 19th; Tepper on 21st

Charlottesville area and Monday at Darden

It is not very often that I get up early in the morning and get ready for something, but today was different. I got up early and ran out to check out of the hotel and rushed to Darden. It was raining and was 'Darden-Cold' - you can just imagine what I mean. Anyway, I reached the school and was all lined up for the whole day activity. I think their mail system blew off, so my host didn't get an e-mail that he needs to take me for the tour. Anyhow, Virginia - at the AdCom office - led me to the class, which was hosted by Prof. Bourgeois. It was entrepreneur'ship class - out of my area of expertise.

But it was interesting to see the class participation and varied inputs from students of varied backgrounds. That really create a lively environment, where you can critically analyse your idea and see what is best. I think that around 70% of the class participated actively - not a bad number for a class of 1:30 hrs. Or, probably it is the pushing factor for the grades. Whatever it is, you will get to learn alot from the discussion. But if you feel indimidated of discussing infront of 60 people, then Darden won't just click for your future.

In my case, I love discussing rather than mugging the whole book from some odd professor. I am sure I will fit snugly if get a chance to be a part of Darden. At 9:30 all the Prof. and students go for a first cofee where you can meet and discuss anything of your interest. This also provides prospective students a chance to meet some new people and get friendlier with them. Or, ask any question, for that matter.

It was pretty considerate of AdCom to offer me an interview - I was not yet invited. It was kinda impromptu, but I had to take the plunge. Haley at the AdCom office conducted the interview; it all went fine - I hope - but I think I got little nervous in the middle of it. I hope I was able to put in some good interesting points. I will just keep my fingers crossed and wait. Well! I need to keep the engines running till I get interview with Tepper. Till then there is no looking back. But I hope I get into Darden, it is just the right fit.

Anyway, I requested the AdCom to provide me one more class - of my area of interest - visit and she was able to provide me the Operations class. This Case was cool - something about deciding over the product marketing/manufacturing strategy in an automobile company (I didn't quite get the name). Yep! this is what you gonna do when you are sitting in a board room or banging over to resolve real business issues. After the class Kiran and Cathy took us (me and three other pros. students) for the tour and the lunch. All (or most) professors here have an open-door policy (right! one leadership quality), which encourages students to discuss anything about the case after regular session.

I got a chance to talk to Mr. Bourgeois about the case study methodology and how and why these are taught this way. He gave me good insight about how these cases are selected and what faculties expect from the discussions. Cases can come from faculty's research (on that company), company's willingness to share a particular decision/strategy with the business school students (I assume this again linked to school links to the company) or from external sorces i.e. business articles or other business schools. He also told me that professors don't delineate the expectations beforehand; professors bascically look for the constructive flow of the discussions and not the right or wrong answer. From him, I got quite good understanding of a case methodology from teacher's perspective.

You see how close-knit, emotionally strong, perfectly founded this school is. I am still holding a great impression of Darden, lets see if I am able to make and continue to hold it for next 2 yrs.

Visit to Darden

I got up two hours after the alarm 'rang and died' in vain. I guess, I was tired after a long stroll around Independence Avenue in DC. But I was too excited about visting the Darden School, so I got up and asked the hotel's reception to call in a cab. In the interim, I talked to manager - a nice guy - of the hotel; he gave me pretty good information about the Charolettesville area. This town provides some good adventure sports facilities such as river rafting, ballooning etc. I think I will quite fit in here in this town - small, serene and hill-side. The manager told me that this town has a very low crime rate. Boy! seems like things have started to fit in the slots.

I reached the School around 10:30 in the morning; it is Sunday, so I didn't expect to meet many people there - and this is what a current student told me. I walked by the Gymnasiun hoping to meet somebody down there, but in vain. I talked to the beautiful ladies at the desk and headed towards the library. whoa! the library seemed like yearning to invite someone to visit. Nonetheless, I met a Law school student and talked to him for a few minutes. And then I had a walk around the library facility and I must say, it is impressive. Big Plasma TVs and a nice computer room.

Justin (the Law student) told me that I may find someone in the main hall - alongside the library. Yep! I found a couple to 2nd yr students in the hall, but they were discussing a case (preparing some presentations that they have to do on Wednesday). Thus I thought I will just look around the School where I may land up in next few months. The school's facility is pretty. Nice and Cozy. But impressive. I had nothing more to do, so I came back to those students and excused myself to ask some questions about what they were doing and about the school. They seemed busy, but were willing to answer the questions - all right, in a hurry.

One of them offered to walk with me to show me the classroom and bit more of the building. We passed through the hall where students and faculty have a first cofee. I like this concept. At the school, they first have a class session at 8am and first cofee at 9:30. Students can talk to the faculties about anything during the first cofee. It is the time when you can bring up your souls for days work. Just adjacent to that the School has put in Flags of all the countries representing students of the current batch. You can imagine what a person feels like when (s)he notices her/his country's flag in an another country. I feel that the School does feed emotions to make a close-knit community.

He showed me one of the classroom where they have case discussions. It may be the reason that I haven't seen classes here at the US schools that I came out impressed. It was a small classroom enough to sit 30 students and provides enough ground to have a one-on-one case discussion. He also showed me the sound proof rooms where students like to meet if they don't like to be distracted. It is quite an effort the School has put in to make great leaders of the future. You get whatever you want, you get best in class study facilities, you get great professors. All you need to do is to forward yourself to the guillotine and take the plunge.

Anyway, that guy was in a hurry, so I showed some restraint and bid him goodbye. Then I came the study room next to the main hall, a couple more students were getting ready to discuss the case. I just talked for few minutes and sat besides them to write this blog and to get a feel of what exactly students do in case discussion - nay! I didn't eavesdrop, I asked them for their comfort with me being sitting next to them. Now I have nothing more to do. Students told me that I can find more students late in the evening when they come to meet the group and to take prints for the next day's discussions. So I will take one more stroll around the place and try to kill some more time.

Tomorrow I have a class in the morning and school tour sometime later. I will know more about the culture when I meet some more students and attend some classes. Till then, I am sold to Darden. Lets hope that the AdCom finds something worth buying.

Swastika - is it ours?

I had accepted this symbol to be the soul of Hinduism and good charm for Jainism and Buddhism, but it was lost in the memories of the recent past. Lately, it drew my attention after Prince's unscrupulous attempt to display it in public and after Hindus' push over getting its reverence back to their culture.

is it revered or cursed? Or has it lost its innate respect b/c of the mindless use of it to merge the past with the present? I believe that it has become difficult to maintain the profoundness of ones culture in this rapidly changing world. Who would have thought of moving tattoes from thai province to the depths of western land?

is sacrifice the only way to lure god?

nanotechnology - i am astonished

am I going nuts, or is science pulling in the exteremes? does our future, really, hold nanotechnology?

It's a question to which only the future can provide the answer. The human race to reverse the nature's laws, or mould them, has surpasses any known revolution or evolution on earth. Does the ultimate cure to all the diseases lies in *nanotechnology*?

The push to this comes from we human's curiosity to delve into wild human thoughts. From the Newton's to the Star Wars era, we always tried to replicate the thoughts into reality. The idea of saucers came from the movies and became a legend-never-explored. And the very idea of a device digging into the human body and curing a disease - as deadly as cancer - before its onset, led to a research in nano-technology.

Idea is to build nano-robots, which will act as a sentry and guard smallest building blocks from foreign attack of virus/bacteria and the likes. NanoRobots in millions will be injected in human body through capsules or syringe injections and will make their way with the white and red blood cells - with and ability to do much more than natural blood cells. These robots may dig into a molecule and protect it 24/7. But, who is going to build these nano-robots - diameter may vary from 0.5 micron to 3 microns? How we gonna make sure that we have made a fail-proof robot?

The basic will be based on making a queen robot and giving it the authority to guide other robots to come and fight the intruder. The queen robot may get the commands from an external device or a doctor and vice-versa. Can the things fails as they did in i-Robot? The time will tell. It will be like an ants mound where the breeding ant gives the command to the army of millions of ants. Scientists have taken inspirations from smallest of the natural phenomenon to divulge a man-made restoration over it.

So how these nano-robots will be powered? I guess, solar cells :o) but the scientists beg to differ.

These nanorobots will have the ability to take control of body's intricate tasks such as respiration. They wil carry the O2 and CO2 sensors and depending on the need of a cell these nanorobots will release or absorb O2. Consider this: What if you added 1 liter of respirocytes (nano-robot) into your bloodstream, the maximum that could possibly be safe? You could then hold your breath for nearly 4 hours if sitting quietly at the bottom of a swimming pool. Or if you were sprinting at top speed, you could run for at least 15 minutes before you had to take a breath! (© Copyright 1998, Robert A. Freitas Jr.)

Who will guide the laws of human natural strengths? How much fun will football be? Will tennis rise upto 20 setters? Scary! but our next generations will exprience this one-on-one. I am certain.

Towards the hindsight, most of the third world countries rely on Karma, Veda, Meditation and the likes to strenghten the immune system. And in the journey leaving all the bad habits known to the human being. The research towards touching the extreme will further broaden the gaps b/w the Occident and the Orient. Will these civilizations be a part of conquering the common goal of healthy and rich human life? Will all the countries dive in to support the nano-research for common good? I hope somebody will answer this sometime.

Or has this already been researched and developed on some other living planet in a distant galaxy and we earth-dwellers are just trying to re-invent the wheel (well, nano-wheel)?

some examples are excerpts from www.foresight.org © Copyright 1998, Robert A. Freitas Jr.

I am amazed by this developement and gonna research more on this... lets see where we end up. Till then, explorations prevails.

American Presidents

had a discussion with my friends over the number of terms that a prez can assume the office. here is an excerpt from wikipedia :

After Franklin Roosevelt's death, many desired to establish a firm constitutional provision barring presidents from being elected more than twice; hence, the Twenty-second Amendment was adopted. Under the amendment, no person may be elected president more than twice. Furthermore, no vice president or other person who has succeeded to the presidency, and served as president or acting president for more than two years, may be elected president more than once. Consequently, the amendment, while limiting a person to two elected four-year terms as president, theoretically does allow a person to serve up to ten years in office. If a person serving as vice president succeeds to the presidency, and serves for less than two years of the original president's term, he or she may still be elected twice and thus serve eight more years in office. As of 2005, the only president to have been eligible to serve more than eight years under the amendment was Lyndon Johnson. Johnson succeeded to the presidency when John F. Kennedy was assassinated, and served less than two years of Kennedy's term. Had he run in 1968 and won, he could have been in office for ten years.

Some have questioned the interpretation of the Twenty-second Amendment as it relates to the Twelfth Amendment. The Twelfth Amendment provides that anyone constitutionally ineligible to the office of President is ineligible to that of Vice President. Clearly, the original constitutional qualifications (age, citizenship and residency) apply under the Twelfth Amendment to both the President and Vice President. It is unclear, however, if a two-term President could later be elected—or appointed—Vice President. Some argue that the Twenty-second Amendment and Twelfth Amendment bar any two-term President from later serving as Vice President and from succeeding to the Presidency from any point in the line of succession. Others suggest that the Twelfth Amendment concerns qualification for service, while the Twenty-second Amendment concerns qualifications for election. No two-term President has later sought to become Vice President since the ratification of the Twenty-Second Amendment; thus, the courts have never had an opportunity to decide the question.

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton has recently voiced his opinion in favor of modifications to the 22nd Amendment. According to Mr. Clinton, former presidents and vice presidents who have already served two terms should be allowed to run for the office again, after some interim period has passed. He reasoned the country may wish to trust leadership onto an already tried and proven candidate in times of great need.

the next big thing...

I stayed till 3 in the morning to watch India's first and, possibly, a
women tennis torch-bearer's clash with Sarena at Vodafone's court in
Melbourne. I accept that I didn't have high expectation from what Sarnia
could play, but I must say, I was astonished. She is a wounderful player.
And that from a place where no women tennis player has emerged and became
glorious. I certainly have high bets on her.

She is young and has a long way to go before she can prove her worth to the
world, but I am sure that she can do it only with a single eyed aim to
play. If she stumbles between a typical bourgeois and a players life.
Former seems obvious if she don't get a push from her parents. And I can
tell you that lots of Indians have high hopes with her - I guess we humans
see ourselves in someone else's act, which we couldn't (didn't) achieve. If
she stays firm, she can get all the support from each of the billion
people. All she need to do is 'play'.

What I think: she has a good court game; she can play wonderful on the base
lines and the service lines. No doubt, she has a nice overall tennis game,
but what she is missing is the athleticism behind the lines.
Understandably, this was her first high-profile clash and she seemed more
joyous than serious to play her natural game. Often, a smile tried to show
on her face, but she resisted. Ponderously, she has a very good back hand
control and she can leverage that to take any challenger on the court.

What I feel: she should work more on her service game - others will follow.
She doesn't variate her serves; they are kind of flat services, which even
a naive can handle, set aside Henins or Williams. She has a good pace in
the serve, which she can make count with a little variation for some easy
points. With a good fit and some dirty tricks, she can use the court like
no other Indian did.

One thing she need to understand, which I think see do, is that this game
is not all about money, it is about performace, it is all about managing
onself over the competitor, it is all about finding faults in others and
exploiting them for own good, it is a dirty business, which does lead to the
money, but counts much on the image.

hope she gets the message with an unintentional mutiny...

Tsunami help...

Organizatios/Forums who are carrying relief/donation operations:

India: Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, by bank transfer, or by credit card
Reliefweb (United Nations office)
Malaysian Bloggers Fund
Red Cross Online Donations
Oxfam online donation
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - International
Ramdhan Yadav's India Tsunami Relief Fund Raising via PayPal or credit card
http://www.indianredcross.org

Amazon with American Red Cross - Collecting Donations:
www.amazon.com/paypage/PX3BEL97U9A4I

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If you would like to volunteer yourself for the relief work, we are running a sister blog TsunamiHelpNeeded.Blogspot.com where you can find people who are looking for help and get in touch with them. If you are someone who need help, we are running a sister blog TsunamiHelpOffered.BlogSpot.com where we can post your information. For find Missing people, go to our sister blog TsunamiMissing.BlogSpot.com. For helplines/enquires go to our sister blog TsunamiEnquiry.BlogSpot.com. For news updates, our sister blog is TsunamiUpdates.BlogSpot.com.

the tsunami factor

is living on the earth getting dangerous? should we seriously anticipate the mars exploration? i personally think that would be a better way to go. in last couple of the mother nature shook me to the bottom with horrendous hurricanes and, now, tsunamis in SE asia.

early saturday morning i read the news that SriLanka was hit by an earthquake and 100s have died in the wake, but Sunday morning came as an after shock. the whole news page was covered with tsunami's cowardly task. whole SE asia was struggling to come out of the feeling of disaster. as I am writing this blog the numbers of dead are adding to 23000 official figure and still 45000 missing on the andaman and nicobar islands.

in the hindsight, India and Srilanka were not the part of the early warning treaty, which was initiated by Japan in 60s. Probably because Indian ocean doesn't get angry much or because politicians had no time to ponder over the disaster that occured in 1880s. whatever the reason was, 25000 people had to take the deadly brunt of mother nature who doesn't do much for the dead.

amazingly, there were no sensors in the Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal which could measure the direction of the currents; the only one was measured was a 60cm tsunami heading towards south of Indian Ocean - huh!

hope, the freakin' gov will take some step this time and shake the sloths in the meteorological department to bring their lazy asses to work. but we all know what's gonna happen: 100,000 to the families of dead; 50,000 for the injured; 10,000 for the injured and the disaster goes on...

i am happy in a way that it was sunday and none of the schools near to the beaches were open to classes, else we would have seen a much more horrific scene. and that my friend's family is safe back at Andaman islands. but I still do not any news of a couple of friends who live near the deadly Besant nagar beach. hope, everything is okay at their end. amen!

tsunami: Indian tectonic plate slided against and under the Burman tectonic plate causing the sea water to rise and sped upto 310km/h. the speed came down to 45m/h and the water started to rise while hitting to the low depth shore. and no one is oblivion of what happened after that.

and we live on...

more info on donations and contributions: http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com/

mba yellows

it 's been a nice day today; it was drizzling the whole day long with a mild chill in the weather. it was a gorgeous faded look outside my 6x7 feet window - it felt like that spring is already there. but I had to sit infront of the window with MS-word gazing at me to formulate the strategy to churn down a bit of Cornell's essay, and think something tangible about my life for the Darden's life-story essay.

It seems difficult to judge what matters the most in life when you look down the paths you crossed while treading the way till here. for God sake, everything I did was some way important and has shaped me the way I am. isn't that inane to compare one life event to other just to say "oh well" you were better than that one... but, i think if this will not make me a good MBA candidate, it will surely make me a perfect applicaant for an editor's job in a B grade hollywood movie.

in any case, I have no regrets. I have been thinking alot about the things I have achieved, I have screwed and I have missed to think over in my life and that is actually having a feel-good-factor on me. wow! I did so much positive in my life, ah! I have so much to achieve in my life. In a way it is giving me a purpose to step further in getting an MBA. I can't thank the admission committee more on leading me to such an arduous task and still making me feel good about what I am doing.

but anyway, because of all this mental-feedback sessions I am missing a worry free sip of mocha at a local starbucks cafe'. missing that idiot who always park his big truck on the parting line at the parking lot. I wonder how these guys get to pass the driving test. ever wonder why these guys in those big trucks never yield while coming onto your path? get in one of those trucks and you will know...

back to work: thinking about Stern essays and the best time when I can visit the school to get more about it.

life goes on...

mba greens

got up in the morning with a heavy head; i think, the final pages of research are getting over my head. it was a pleasant day; not too hot, not too cold. just perfect before the bells starts ringing for Christmas. didn't feel like going to the office, but had to talk to my manager regarding the reco and had to meet my mentor too. the highways were all deserted; it felt like that I was driving around the south rim of the Grand Canyon at 3 in the morning. I felt sad that I am not with my family at this point in time. heck! yeah! reached the parking lot and found a nice place under the shade - again, no one seems coming to the office.
finished early morning replying to the typical queries, still didn't feel like working. talked with my mentor. got some more info about the Cornell - Johnson. decided upon the time to meet with her and discuss about the essays. and at the very moment I thought of telling my boss that I need a half day leave I got an IM that "if you like you can go back home after lunch" whoaaaaaa !!! what else on earth could i asked for.
had lunch at the Subway; reached home; still heavy head; lied down to take a nap that went all the way for 4 hrs. but anyway, i felt better. I just didn't feel like sitting infront of my notebook and review the essays again, so asked my roomie whether he is interested to have mocha at starbucks.
10:30 in the night and I feel all set to research some more on the schools and look at my essays again. but thought of glancing at DaveforMba's and brit chick's blog page. well! what started as 5 min read went all the way for 2 hrs. got a nice link to ISB's blogger's page. you all are just wonderful. there is so much info on these sites that one can't think of getting onto some other site.
i don't know anyone of these, or have ever left a comment on their site, but i just adore the way they come forward to help the prospective candiadates. i can'd believe that i have started to make a little mindset about the colleges after reading these guy's good-bad experiences. oh! well the web has gone too far.

the feel good factor

it happened exactly a week back, but I can still see it crisp and hear it loud and clear. I was at her office to discuss some official issue. we were generally talking about the people at office and life outside. and what all each is doing during holidays. i just felt that she was upset with something; she just said that it is just the work pressure and looked at the computer screen as if she is tryin to hide a word. ah! that was a lie.
then she started by saying that is not always easy to manage a team with all the people trying to oppose her for the fact that she is the youngest member in the team. yep, really, she made her way out to this position and she does deserve it. But I also know the reason why other criticize her. She could be too picky sometimes and tries to impose an order on a senior member of the team. well! that doesn't work well all the time.
then out of nowhere she said that she is gonna leave this job and will live a nice life with her family. now, its my time to strenghten her regain --- ok, a little smile. I actually appreciate her helping attitude; i just try to take the good part out of her. but anyway, I like her being there.
I started with saying that it not that the team members hate her, it is just that sometimes they can't take the orders and puke out the not-so-generous gesture. I said, You should try not to be authoritative all the time, but try to convience other of the criticality of the work and the difficult situations you handle. She doesn't seem convienced; she just said that she can't manage when people simply hate her. again, it was my turn to say that she should accept the position as a leader and try to manage it by changing herself a bit. I said, you should work on it everytime you are talking with the team member. and the distress will go in no time.
man! to my bewilderment, i noticed her face getting red, she wasn't directly looking at me, was trying to touch the keyboard for no reason. I didn't know what to say; I could just say that 'yep' you can do it and the very next moment I saw her wiping her tears. i have been to this kind of situation before, but this was different.
and out of nowhere, i said, life is short but sweet for certain - huh! DMB is in my every philosophy of life. And she smiled. wow! I felt relieved and truly happy. at last I suggested her to just say "i will be happy today" to yourself or your kid and you will see that you actually stay happy.

u be fine... my time to leave.

i felt happy from inside for the reason that I made someone smile out of one's distress. Oh! that was a good day!

mba blues

after a long jostle with the school's website, adcom's comments, student's interviews when i sit down and try think of the outcome, i find that this is no way turing towards an easy way. there are too many complexities that need to be answered to get into the school. there is not much time left for R2 and there is plenty of research needs to be done before hitting the submitt button.
since morning my head is little shaky and i couldn't concentrate on anything except what is going to happen in next 25 days. sometimes it is scary! but yeah that 's the way it is. each day is the first day of the rest of your life ... ye ye, a distored version from american beauty. but ain't that true?

anyways, there is little much i can think now as i have decided on the schools and their respective elective areas, which will suit me best. isb is kinda over, cmu in on the way, darden - started, cornell is still pending. i guess, i would be able to edit-copy-paste couple of essays from first 2 to the rest.
a day before i talked with the adcom at darden, cornell and cmu and to my ultimate joy! i need not write the toefl if i can get a respectable reco from my manager and can prove that the medium of education was english during my gradution. whoa! sigh of relief. now, i can have a one-eye view on past 01/10 dates. planned for the school visit during first week of feb and will request a formal interview too.

its getting cold down here in tampa; man! we live in florida for a reason. why push us to experience the excruciating weather that my fellows in the north do. huh! what i think! i am gonna go for Tepper-CMU, who's gonna save me there?

and the trial continues...

a 'to' z

aesthetic senses blown up high,
berated feelings washed too dry,
cajoling hands makin' you cry,
dwindling care settin' you sigh.

emancipating the dark from inside,
fledgeling thoughts comes by,
gleefully you are on the sky,
harbinger of spring comin' y'r way.

like an icing that don't dry,
the final juggle with the life,
try kindling the spirits high,
letting I [sic] make y'u mine.

i maunder alot that may fray,
sometimes shifts the nauseating vibe,
still ogle to feel the green,
that pollinates across the wood.

not getting into the quarrelsome's fight,
not rendering the respect,
can't satiate the schadenfreude's pride,
can't blend the tout's flight.

clearin' the umbra, making you low,
bringing the vivacious of you f'm inside,
will not welter you any more,
will moisten the xeric thoughts.

always yearn for a proud ride,
not the zenith, but 'll make you rise.

ash

too many opinions, too many hand-outs, so many features, so many pictures; can we really believe what we believe? there are just too many opinions around that it is difficult or rather horredous to bring forth your opinion. but, why someone keep an opinion about someone else? is that what we are put up with? I guess, this is the natural to get on to an opinion about a position that one can't achieve oneself. this seems the trick of the fickel human nature. either one hates someone or adores someone. people seem opinionated with their beliefs. there seems nothing that one can be called 'neutral'.

why should you not like someone just for the reason that she seem un-reachable? ah! think, now I am coming to the point. why should you call her an obstinate, conceit, vainglory or anything for that matter without knowing what she really is? my belief is that the silver screen makes people dream which they can't fulfill and makes them hold disjointed feeling.

rather, a different point of view is that one has her own way of living. she is good in her own means; she feel proud about what she is and what she has achieved. set aside what she flaunt and what she bring forth to the public, you will see she is one beautiful person who can, in my terms, change the way one look at the world.

times square-the best of

one fav - learning to live

There was no time for pain
No energy for anger
The sightlessness of hatred
slips away
Walking through winter streets
alone
He stops and take a breath
With confidence and self-
control

I look at the world and see no
understanding
I'm waiting to find some sense
of strength
I'm begging you from the
bottom of my heart to show
me understanding

I need to live life
Like some people never will
So find me kindness
Find me beauty
Find me truth
When temptation brings me to
my knees
And I lay here drained of
strength
Show me kindness
Show me beauty
Show me truth

The way your heart sounds
makes all the difference
It's what decides if you'll endure
the pain that we all feel
The way your heart beats
makes all the difference
In learning to live
Here before me is my soul
I'm learning to live
I won't give up
Till I've no more to give

Listening to the city
Whispering its violence
I set out watching from above
The 90s bring new questions
New solutions to be found
I fell in love to be let down

Once again we dance in the
crowd
At times a step away
From a common fear that's all
spread out
It won't listen to what you say
Once you're touched you stand
alone
To face the bitter fight
Once I reached for love
And now I reach for life

Another chance to lift my life
Free the sensation in my heart
To ride the wings of dreams
into changing horizons
It brings inner peace within my
mind,
As I'm lifted from where I've
spilt my life
I hear an innocent voice
I hear kindness, beauty and
truth

The way your heart sounds
makes all the difference
It's what decides if you'll endure
the pain that we all feel
The way your heart beats
makes all the difference
In learning to live
Spread before you is your soul
So forever hold the dreams
within our hearts
Through nature's inflexible
grace
I'm learning to live

Love

Love

to a one who never got the desired

felt a gust on the side;
undulating emotions along the tide;
with a word in my mind;
looking at you with the stoned eyes.

sitting on the edge of sweet emotion;
longing to see a pearl in the eye;
a wave on the cheek, a drop on the lip;
zephyr from inside coming unto me.

can't resist to have a gaze;
a touch can set the feeling ablaze;
beautiful moment can't just go;
give a hand to make it flow.

feel the breath on the skin;
me and you looking akin;
feels like some hundred dreams;
by the side of you to feel you kneel.

never had a feeling before;
to have someone more than the more;
the sigh inside yearning to hear;
is this love; is this love.

For The First Time

For The First Time

its a hot tuesday morning in april;
bubbles bursting near to the heart;
know not how to say a word;
how to make the one realize.

started off with a light note;
not a clue how to quote a thought;
don't know how to express;
never want that feeling to supress.

not an idea what 's that side;
but, need to express what 's inside;
sometime feel to let it go;
but, that 'll make my heart overflow.

said, duress your heart and let her know;
don't let the feeling just flow;
to my surprise my hand was hold;
for the feeling that was never told.

want to share the moment with you;
yearning to hear everything from you;
smiling inside the whole day long;
can see you cry with the tears along.

office quirks

the pain designs the way towards the day
sitting numb with aurora turning gray
still a gest to follow, a duty to subside
the burden of the shine is coming unto me.

yearing for a soothing words
adding upon the sedentary skills
switching the sides to comfort the gaze
aria infront of me seems nothing but a maze.

waiting the hour to click the peak
running around to assuage the pain

many quirks are swerving inside
shade infront has darken the lights
still the need is on it's fray
the hour clicks and I am out on my way.

A Feeling

A Feeling

had some alien feeling with the first ray;
felt like missing something by the side;
wishing for that voice to hit the cord;
to make the beat rise up aboard.

missing what you said on the door;
the smile with the feet on the floor;
missing the smile on the sky;
like a bird that can't fly.

never had the feeling before;
skipped a beat onto a thought;
nothing is coming that I can resist;
fear inside become hard from the mist.

can't I dream for what I believe;
do we always need to follow the eve;
do I always need to listen;
for the one, for whom nothing has done.

want to propitiate the burning heart;
not for a moment but to make you a part;
soak the eyes that got dry;
give your hand,I 'll make you fly.

G3-Live!

pls give me a space to hear! so that I can formulate what was never thought. Now, if, who know, you guys are under the mellifluous impression of their music or know of the uneven dexterity on the strings, then dear you are living with the sparse information and in the un-real world. If, yesterday, you were be in the "ruth eckerd hall - clearwater, tampa", you would have realized how the imagination and dreams take leaps and bounds. Try to vizualize an eco friendly hall with >10,000 watts of digital music, with shredding of the strings, beating of the drums and dumbfounding aria of lights. Here, we start the unofficial junket to the real world.

G3 Live in Concert. Now this you would call the handshake of the music and noise. Imagine, we (my boss and I) sitting, just 10 meters from the dias, infront of the gods of music, with a little insinuation of what 's gonna happen.

And, here comes Yngwie Malmsteen--never heard of this guy--this guy can, really, make you feel that Hell has given you only one life to enjoy, so why not follow it a Hell's way? I tell you what, this guy is best in the genre in breaking stings Ahhh.. treating the guitar as if it were the "soup in the bowl". No Mercy. His' is kind of influenced by the european melodies--if you call that a melody--and the typical un-understandable lyrics. I enjoyed the shoutings because I expected the same to happen. No lengthy eulogies, but yeah, you can say that he has good control over what he does.

Now, here 's the awakening, Steve Vai, the Guitar God. This guy is just too similar of what we have seen in the videos (remember the animal song--this is for hemi), here you 'll see the uncaged animals running all-over the place and growling to the utmost pitch--one can ever imagine. One dream of the life--to see Vai--has met it's end, but I, really, don't want to see this guy in this form. It's ok if he stays the way he stays in my CDs. But if you really want to get the feel of what a guitar can actually do, then, you should have been there. The Fire Garden tribute does actually came in and was just too good. With typical Vai's acts on the stage and enthralling movements in, we couldn't think of anything but realize that, sure, there is something above the captivity of your own world.

And the wait is over, here he is, Joe Satriani. First, I had difficulty recognizing this guy, but once he started with his weapon there was no doubt. Not even a spec of it. Looks like a common next door guy with un-common abilities to rock you to the bottom. Jump over it guys, we have seen Joe Satriani--lively and dancing. He rocked from "Strange Beautiful Music" to "Flying in a Blue Dream". It was never too strange to me, but my boss was out of his mind...and anyone else would be. The music that even a ballast can't stabilize, how a poor mind can? What we could have done, is to get fully drunk and forget what's flowing over the head. But, that too wouldn't have worked much infront of the un-relented agility of the Bald "Sat-Ri-Ani" guy.

And the craziest thing that we did was to stay for the Jam G3 did at the end..hmm..not even a single word for it. It was just too heavenly, and I have no inclination towards going to heaven. Atleast, not this early!