** GREETINGS **

Dear,

WISH YOU A VERY HAPPY, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS AND BLISSFUL NEW YEAR.

May the year 2008 be a very successful one for you. God bless.

** Lost Again !! **

We have lost one more Cricket Test match to the Aussies in Australia (that too within 4 days). No doubt that Aussies are the mighty team around and are a formidable opponent. However, what puts us to shame is the way we capitulated. We didnt even score 200 in both the innings - especially with the much talked about and glorified batting line up that we have (on paper). Losing without fighting is painful.

Pzsst.... chalo.. one more loss !! After all, this isn't new to us !!

** Benazir Bhutto **

She is gone. Assassinated. The sort of death that no one wishes to meet. Our condolences to her family and friends.

But what surprises me is the views expressed by our Indian politicians. They say that we have lost a great friend of India !! Was she one?? They say that if she had been around as a premier, our relationship would be very rosy. Would that be?? She had been PM of Pak twice and on both the occasions our relationship with Pak was not so cordial. Support to Kashmir militants and Terrorism continued unabated during her regime. Offering condolences is fine - but making absurd statements is ridiculous.

** Manipulating History ? **

I happened to check the information on "Karunanidhi" and "Jayalalitha" in Wikipedia. After going through the information provided therein, I checked the date (it was originally added to Wikipedia in 2007 ) and that made things more clear to me. You can quote these two pages as a best example to remind people on how 'history' can be twisted to people's convenience.

Per Wikipedia, Karunanidhi is THE best and everything about Jayalalitha carries a negative angle to it (for the simple reason that this article was pushed in during the reign of Karunanidhi -i.e in 2007). There is no neutrality in either of the articles. We all know how "Anna" was made as the 'Universal Leader' !! That made me think on the possibility of 'Akbar' having too many wonderful 'fan-followers' like "Kazhaga Kanmanigal" who kept is name aloft with slogans like "Akbar naamam Vazhaga". That could be one of the reasons for all our school text books praising Akbar and branding Aurangazeb as a sort of villain !!

Few years down the line, dont be shocked to read the following lines "Laloo Prasad Yadav, was THE BEST known minister India had ever had and his reign was considered as the 'Golden Age'." It is possible - we may have to hear and read lot of such nonsense. Vazhga Bharadham !!

Kaidhee !!

Hi Gowri

I wonder how you are able to find out such wonderful sites (I mean even at wikipedia)....

Looks like every single thought ripple along with each and every distortion of human mind has reflected comprehensively in web......!!

Hmm..... This site seems to be so exhaustive that a novice can learn Madras Tamil from basics till idioms and phrases....

I have a doubt here......who will take care of updation / revisions for such sites...... Think it needs an extremely responsible mind even to keep track of such casual / light minded websites...

suchoo


** Chennai Tamil **
I never thought that "Madras Bashai" would find its way into the net. It has and that too in "Wikipedia". Its a funny one - albeit with a few errors.... go on and enjoy the article... You can find it in the link below...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Tamil
Posted by Gowri at 11:01 PM

Sensation....Carnatic Season

Hi

Chennai is known for its December season and there had never been any dearth of Rasikas in this city thronging between the cutcheries of their choice during the music season. In fact, there are people who commute from other parts of the country to chennai during December to cherish the live music of their choice. The taste for carnatic music had been co-existing with the cinema fans and other forms of art undaunted and unchallenged...

I am curiously watching the big advertisements stuck up in the walls for the carnatic music season which is quite unusual.

I shudder at the thought of the desparate Carnatic Musicians hiring Consultants OR Publicity Managers for getting advertised....Though there is nothing wrong to seek popularity and long for pulling more crowds.... still, I consider this sort of avoidable.....considering the quality of the audience for this art form.....

Perhaps this is just a mental resistance in me to accept change....Perhaps I will get used to these attractive advertisement boards next year or so (I only wish the female vocal singers are scantily clad....& dressed sexually over a period of time.....why not bare chested Male singers ??)

suchoo

** Chennai Tamil **

I never thought that "Madras Bashai" would find its way into the net. It has and that too in "Wikipedia". Its a funny one - albeit with a few errors.... go on and enjoy the article... You can find it in the link below...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chennai_Tamil

** Modi's Victory **

Shall we call this as a victory to Narendra Modi's administrative powers? He did not bank on VHP or some of the heavy weights of BJP ... he banked on his performance and the people have rewarded him with enough seats. People like Keshubhai Patel, one of the heavy weights of BJP, openly canvassed for his defeat and have failed miserably. On the other side, Congress tried its best to play the communal card by projecting itself as a saviour of Minority (means Muslims) and they too failed miserably. Its the Administrative powers of Modi that has won him this election. Results of every parameter that was taken to judge his performance in the last five years were all on the 'plus' side. Out of 182 seats, Modi has won 117 for the BJP, the congress alliance has won 62 and "Others" have won 3. Hope he takes Gujarat further on its march to glory. When are the Tamilians and most of our citizens going to learn to vote based on the performance and not on the freebies and caste feelings?

** Military Solution ?? **

I have heard a lot of people say that the best solution to all of India's problems is through our Military might (can be heard more from the Indians living in America).

After having seen the might of American forces and probably having read all those articles that speak of India's economic resurgence.. ... are we getting carried away? I am not here to criticise anyone's view on the subject !! I thought of "thinking aloud" on how sound is our logical thinking on this front !! The following may look scattered - but so is the subject, which has numerous links and leads. Here are my thoughts.....

"India is not USA" - That is what comes to my mind first. USA is economically strong and is a developed nation, which can afford to invest millions and millions of dollars in "war" games. India?? The whole media-world can project a rosy picture about Indian economy. Yes, the media also do project about the darker side as well, albeit in a smaller insignificant corner. Reality is, ours is a nation where a farmer commits suicide every 32 minutes (this is a Govt provided stat) - just because they are not able to pay back their loan and Govt cannot afford to write off their loan. The point I wish to maker here is, we can not afford to waste millions and millions of dollars in "war" games.

Secondly, USA can afford to invade Iraq, Iran.. and erect iron barricades around its borders and help its citizen's live peacefully. How many civilians (NO, not army personnel - but civilians) in USA lost their life due to the Iraq invasion? If only one surveys any crowded places like Railway stations in India - it would be glaringly visible on how easy it is to plant a bomb anywhere, if only its in possession. Ours is a country that can be sneaked in from all sides (we have people right in the Govt set up who support terrorist organisation like LTTE).

So - What is the solution? Do we keep silent to the atrocities being committed on our Nation? Do we remain mute and meek? - NO - is the answer. Not going to war does not symbolise timidity. Instead, I am of the opinion that the laws of this land, especially against terrorism should be stronger, faster and deadlier. One should fear committing an act of terrorism and supporting an act of terrorism in this land. Even suicide bombing is not possible without support. Let those who even dreams of supporting terrorism realise that it is going to cost them dearly. Unfortunately, ours is a land, where one can commit a crime, kill hundreds of people and still do not get punished for years.

A military solution should only be a last solution - a last one, when we are left with no other choice. We may win a decisive battle against our neighbours who bleed us. Regionally, YES, we are a stronger force (atleast by sheer numbers). But, how much a war will set us back is everyones guess. And also, what could be the colateral damage? (Please bear it in mind that ours is a nation where we conduct State elections in phases and not in a single day - even in the comparatively peaceful states - for security reasons !!).

Media reports can often be misleading. Our decision to go to war should not be based on media reports. Let me quote a few examples here. We hear a lot of "feel good" reports on our "indigenisation" efforts. Its all nothing but empty promises. A few years before you all must have read the huge success story of our Main Battle Tank (MBT) production (Arjun), as the first MBT was rolled out of Avadi factories by our Defence Minister. Did anyone of you hear anything about that afterwards? Well, the truth is, now, we are negotiating on purchasing MBTs from Russia. So goes the story of all those 'successful' missiles with fancy names that were developed and tested by DRDO. If you go investigating the details, all you would get in reply is - "Defence secrets". Unfortunately, we cannot get to know those "secrets" even though our intention would only be of a noble one - that of making our Defence forces stronger.

The following may slightly look to be off the target - nevertheless, it too must be considered when we talk about our "Military" might and "Military" solution (infact, I feel that the following is the most relevant aspect of a war)

Talking of the Soldier community, do we know the actual living standard of this huge work force? Do you all know how these poor folks are treated? Have you ever spoken to any of our Soldier folks? (NO - dont go by the TV footages!). Friends, the ground reality is not rosy!! If only you want to taste the "Pre Independence British fiefdom" - just join the Indian Armed Forces as a Soldier. I dont wish to elaborate much on this. "British fiefdom" is only one of the sufferings of the soldier. The another worse facet is the 'robbery' that he is being subjected to. Even the most essential protective dress gear that are specially meant to protect him from the adverse weather conditions are being siphoned off (luckily we got to hear that scandal - one out of the numerous that could not be swept under the carpet). The Soldier that you all take pride about isnt actually a happy man. Fight they WILL for the sake of the nation and give their life - but he isnt the one who leads a happy life. (Did you get to hear about the spate of recent suicides in Army? Again, if you are going to believe the media reports stating that the suicides are due to sheer 'work pressure' - I pity you!)

To sum up, I am of the view that - (a) Military option is not the solution for our problems (b) In an era when we are doing away with laws like TADA, we need strict laws to curb terrorism (c) Media reports on our 'might' are more misleading (d) our 'indigenisation' efforts dish out more fake stories than the reality (e) we have more filth within the organisation than from external elements (f) the solider out there who is ultimately going to face the battle field is not a happy man.

Well, these are just my views - shall we say "another side of the coin" view ?

** Cleaning Drive **

Rupees Seven crore has been alloted for beautification of Marina Beach. Over the years, crores of rupees has been allocated for beautification of Marina beach - but I havent seen any beautification done .... have you? - probably its "Beautification (on the name of) Marina" - houses of so many ministers and their followers would definitely must have been beautified. Thats Indian Democracy for you.

Transcendance - 7 ::: "Making debut in SINGING"

Hi All

Today was quite a long day at office and I had been interacting with people for close to 8 hours since morning 10 AM to evening 10 PM....was really feeling quite refreshing while travelling back as I relished the silence of the mind out of exhaustion, the good rain that was continuously present through out the drive in my motor cycle (I had rain coats on but still was completely wet by the time I reached home)

I would like to proudly present the tale of some other transcendance that happened with me today....The Quality team of our office came up with an wonderful idea during Jan 2007 in the form of an exhibition on sharing of best practises amongst the various teams within our company...Just to give a glimpse of what this could mean we have around 1200 people right now reporting to around 35 Managers in total .... working on numerous systems, having different markets across the globe and needing totally different type of skill sets too....

This was a huge success and we got the announcement from the QO couple of days back with some improvisation in the anvil about the exhibition during Jan 2008....its going to be three areas of display...some thing on small little things that every one can replicate....some thing on what we do on training people.....some real big practises.....!! I have a 20 member team reporting to me today while in during Jan, I was a loner working on a IT project....I had wandered to various stalls but NOW I really have an opportunity to prove to myself if I am just a piece of life eager to keep talking OR some one who can inspire others to do something TANGIBLE.....(My current team did not participate the last year bonanza at all.....as I understand that it could not be "prioritised")

I had scheduled half hour time for my whole team at 10 AM...I went bit late today as I missed my usual train reaching at 9.50 AM but had mentally rehearsed the flow of the crisp kickoff meeting....(thanks to the training program that I went during last week)....Wanted to have an ice breaker before telling people crisply on what this exhibition is all about & the possibilities that this can make to us as a team and as an individual....I was so confident that without this meeting too, many would have eagerly joined their hands together to make a great show BUT I wanted all of them to play some part.....& more importantly, I had to open up few hard nuts who are quite sincere BUT too serious.....!!

How to have an icebreaker...Normally my team stares me with pin drop silence....and I assume that its out of respect for me !! many have confessed that they admire the way I speak and all my jokes which I spill all over them and the way I put forth my points....but now, this was a different situation.....I wanted them to present myself bit different and feel really excited about this challenge on Time Management and getting over nervousness that they are going to face.....(at least half of them). I casually asked some one to sing...with full confidence that none will....Then after a full minute, I suggested I can sing if no one is willing......There was visible startling expression (can this fellow sing too....?? I had pasted one of my poems "MRTS" a week back in our social club corner.....) and they eagerly nodded their head....

I closed my eyes and kept still for 20 seconds....then started one of my favourites from the second para instead of the starting lines "koovigindra kuyilai kootukkul vaithu....." ...in the song "kalyaana naalai kondaadum penne".....This is the first time I am singing and got a thunderous applause from them...Then I asked my immediate reportee to sing....whom I know sings fairly well...after some hesitation he sang....and got his share of applause...

Then when I asked for one last song, some wonderful thing happened...there is some latest recruit who is very quiet and yet to find herself oriented with the work and the new environment....I tried my luck with her....& believe me, without much hesitation she sang a voice perfectly fine.....much much more than what I had expected...That was a triple discovery for the team as we keep scrambling for some fun at work initatives when we celebrate birthdays or go for outings.....!!

Then the meeting started and the delivery of the crisp message was made with the much more involved people...Forgot to tell, there were couple of jokes and KADI jokes shared by few members instead of songs before we got started...

That is one of the evergreen musings of a person who seems to steadily walk towards the peak....I really felt today that I can sing from now on in public....which I had NEVER done before....!!

suchoo

** Pseudo Secularism **

Another anniversary celebration for all those who lost their lives during Parliament attack that took place in 2001 was celebrated. All the top ranked VIPs, including the PM, Home Secretary attended the function that was organised in the Parliament.

I am not going to talk about the grants and promises that did not reach the kin of victims, as it is only common and one of those common incidences in our nation (one of the victim's kin went inconsolable right in front of the PM in the very Parliament).

But do we know what happened to the master mind, Mullah Afzhal Guru ? He was convicted and a death sentence was awared! But till date, he is alive and kicking!!! Thanks to our Politicians. Do you know who carried his mercy petition to the Govt ? It was none other than the Chief Minister of J&K, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad. Another terrorist, SAR Gheelani who happens to live right in New Delhi as a 'professor' and who escaped from the shackles of law by using the numerous loop holes, has come to the defence of this terrorist Afzhal Guru. All the political parties of J&K are in favour of giving clemency to Afzhal Guru. Because, to all those terrorist mullahs and the pseudo-secular political parties death of people defending terrorism and the suffering of their kith and kin does not matter; the dignity and respectability of the Nation does not matter - all that matters are VOTEs !! Jai Hind !!

** Taxi No. 9211 **

Yesterday, I saw the movie "Taxi No. 9211", a Hindi movie, on TV. It was a real good movie and I enjoyed watching it. Out of so many filth that is being dished out, we do get to watch one odd such good movies which has become a scarce commodity. I do not know whether this movie was a commercial success, as invariably all such good movies flops. Its all about tussle between two brats - a rich one (John Abraham) and a poor one (Nana Patekar). If you get a chance, dont miss out on this. A good movie and a good entertainer.

** Limping?? **

"..........While I have scored around 8 postings on all my three series, I am finding that you are limping in your first ever series........"

Did I ever make a statement to the effect that I am going to write series after series on various topics? Buddy, mind you, I am in no competition with you and I am not under any 'oath' on this !! If you are expecting any 'series' from me, let me make it clear, I am not capable of writing any 'series' and so, I am not going to ! :o)

This Telecommunication series, the one exemption 'series', helped me learn a few things on the subject and I wanted to record it in our blog. Also, I did not find much information in www on the contributions of Rajiv Gandhi and Sam Pitorda for Telecommunication. Being an ardent admirer of both of them, I thought it fit to record their contribution in our blog. Honestly, I am no professor on the subject. I am just a kid, trying to learn the A-B-Cs of it. I was not even aware that the company C-Dot and the local telephone billing machine were Sam's brain child. This collating job helped me learn a bit more.

Out-dation of P&T and growth of Telecommunication is a sign of growth and development. If we can compare the growth of Telecommunication in India, a developing nation with that of Sweden, a developed nation - that by itself, I think, is a victory to those founding fathers? Can you compare the facilities available in India with that of Sweden in other domains - say, electricity, literacy etc etc?

Your telecom series....

Hi Gowri

While I have scored around 8 postings on all my three series, I am finding that you are limping in your first ever series....Think you are not much of a visionery like Rajiv and Sam.....

This particular posting, I find something interesting about P&T which you have wrote.... In general, in most of the developed countries these two departments are suffering out of out-dation. I remember even at Sweden where I was speaking to a colleague of mine was telling some thing about how post offices are closed down in the whole of the country....as no one literally writes these days - Since every home got a computer and they have a much bigger bandwidth of their lines, writing letters is quite obselete as sending telegrams....

I do remember the searches I used to make to buy stamps to post letter to my amma....and they had completely decentralised the sale of stamps and collection of letters to specific departmental stores. The post man / women visit these shops once a day to collect the letters....Think, we have to go to Post Office at the HQ to collect our letters...If we request them, they will send the same to the specific department stores...but for this we need to be very clear when the Post Office contacts us over phone....

So Gowri, If I forward your posting to Margereth, my friend at Sweden, she will inturn make a posting back to us "Telecommunications in sweden"......

suchoo


Dec 11, 2007

** Telecommunication in India - Part III **
As said, in my view, Rajiv Gandhi and Sam Pitorda were the chief architects of the communication boom in India. Major initiatives include formation of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. (MTNL) and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL). International gateway packet switch system was commissioned in Bombay. Also, the P&T Department was divided to form two separate entities - Department of Posts and the Department of Telecommunications. Constitution of Telecom Commission, and the reorganisation of telecommunication circles were done. All these measures helped faster growth of Telecommunication in India. Above all, the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) was formed, which is doing a wonderful service now, in settling various disputes between service providers and also setting path for various initiatives.
Later, based on the above initiatives, the national long-distance service was opened up for private participation and BSNL was set up. All these helped everyone realise the huge customer base and potential that India had. The strength of "internal" market in India cannot be under estimated. It is this internal market that helped India take communication to the next level - Mobile communication.Just look at the ocean of difference between the service that was provided by P&T during those days and the service and facilities that we have today on the communication front. Even during those days we had a huge customer base, potential and everything - but yet, there was no vision and foresight at the top level. The communication boom that we have today is due to Rajiv Gandhi and Sam Pitorda - who had laid a very strong foundation for the huge stylish structure that we have today.
Posted by Gowri at 12:00 AM

Moments of Bliss:7 :: My Daughter's birthday when I was away from home !!

Dec 15th is my sweet little daughter's birthday...she is turning 8 now and reminds me that I will get ready for a fresh set of challenges quite shortly that a fathers needs to handle when they are destined to be blessed with beautiful daughters....Right now, she actually looks bit comical with 4 - 5 fallen front teeth showing up her entire soft pinky front jaws when she attempts to smile !!

We do cut cake at home on her birthday inviting half century people (I mean Fifty attendees) but this time we really got bit sick of this extravaganza and pomp that the occassion demands....more out of physical tiredness than for monetary considerations...I tried to check with her if we can avoid the celebrations so grand & can gift away the money to needy people but she is adamant...she told me that we can do BOTH.....!! poor girl....how can she understand that BOTH are not possible....I did not discuss with her further though I was tempted to quote Mother Terasa and few others....and in fact we had decided to celebrate this year too...But not this week end but next week end as she has exams right now and her close circuit of friends will not attend it in case we have it yesterfay or tomorrow..

This year on her birthday..which was yesterday, I was away from my family and had been to my parents' place for the entire week end...reaching home only now... I could sense some dissappointment & sentimental upsets that this can cause and had been quite actively talking to my daughter over phone...calling her up cheerfully sharp at 6 AM (when she was in deep sleep) and checking up with her two or three more times to check what she was doing...In the evening, when I called my wife to report that I will not reach home that evening - the original plan was to come home so that we can go to some Dinner outside atleast..... - I could sense the tinge of dissappointment in both their voices but there was also an understanding of the situation which I capitalised.....

I decided to compensate the upset in plan right today....left my parent's place at 6 AM sharp in the morning and reached home by 7 Am....woke her up and putting on the new sports shoes that I got her (the memorable purchase of this shoes is well recorded in the same series few postings earlier...) and I took her to Natesan Park at T.Nagar.....quite thougtfully....This is the first time she is being taken to such a big park and she got thrilled to see the childrens' section..... I made her walk for 20 minutes (which she rarely does) and then settled in the portion of the park where they had lot of play things meant for children. Though few of them were scary for her, She tried few of them with my help....and few old men and women smilingly looked at us....a father demonstrating things to do and a nervous daughter not willing to get started.....One gentleman watching us started demonstrating lot of athletics and aerobics to my daughter which instead of encouraging her, scared her even more...

It was blissful to see the sweat in my daughter's face at the end of this 1 hour at the park and she promised me on her own that she will get up much earlier on "next" saturday to reach to the same place and learn to hang out on few of the complex play items...

The determination in her voice made me feel that she is going to do it....!! yes, what else is there to me to ensure that I become her driver on next saturday ??

Suchoo

Transcendance - 6 ::: "Connecting learnings & events"

Prelude :: there has been some confusion in my numbering....of the postings & it is set right with the right sequencing now ...this is being recorded after 5 previous postings and becomes Trancenance -6.....

Dear All

I had narrated my experience of a program that I underwent at my office in my previous posting. While the sweet memories of the same is still lingering in my mind, I also got reminded that such self improvement tools get vapourised IF ONLY we dont keep working on them diligently...

As I was going to my parent's home for the week end, I had taken the course material with me hoping that I will get some time here and there to keep going through the concepts and get reminded of the tools that were blessed upon me during those wonderful 3 days workshop....

This piece is going to be too abstract but I am sure I can remember every single incident and the corresponding dialogue at home if I read through this posting after 3 / 4 decades from now with the references I am making in this posting about them. The intention is not to post the specific details too much in the blog - more than from confidentiality perspective - but from relevancy angle....It is enough and important to get this posted in this particular style instead of forgetting the whole episode completely over a period of time...

There was a worst ever communication gap that had happened at home and by the time I reached, things have gone to craziest plane that one of my mother was fuming on a non existent problem which unfortunately got twisted in her mind so much with some wrong statements made by some junior member of the family and my mother in a state of emotional breakdown....Having not slept for the past 1 week due to the ill health of my father, I could clearly empathise with her but was also quickly taking note of every wrong statements that was being made....by her quite out of her ignorance and also out of her mental exhaustion.

I got reminded of the bountiful tools that I had in the workshop and whistled within myself and started applying myself...from that moment at home, until now, I had been doing the patch works quite systematically with the right words, perfect delivery and the needed expression in the face (with a pinch of humour and a fierceful face as required to the dialogue to be delivered).....and think the unwanted feud will pass off completely in course of time.....!! This was a very balanced case study from human's perspective & clearly an example of "sour" relationships between people if not approached with some sincerity and maturity by some one who can see both sides of the problem (in this case it was poor me ...I am sorry, the rich me !!)

I wondered for a while if I should put this too in this blog which could make no sense for any reader but I am quite confident that any one who reads through this piece sincerely will be capable of (1) understanding the meaning of my words though it is sounded vague...which is deliberately vague;;;;;; (2) can relate to the situations in their own life and how they have managed tough challenges in their own life;;;;;;; & last but not the least (3) will not mind using this "manager in making" just in case I am needed for any problem to be solved....

Believe me, the person who makes this piece in the blog is not too eager to be a hero in any drama...can play a comedian's role OR quite eager to chip in with some trivial role...viz., a postman or a servant or a High court Judge...as we see in many of our Tamil movies....To me, its not what I do is important....just HOW I do it is more significant !! Perhaps I have lot more opportunities of "value additions" the more trivial the requirement is.......!!

krishnaarpanam...

suchoo

Manager in the making - 3 :: "Things Falling in place"

Hi All

"Things Falling in place !!"....this is a statement I have proudly uttered to my direct reportees at office - some times to one of them, few times to both of them together, few times with a thumbs up sign and a smile at them (or one of them) when some thing happens.....to mean this.....not just once but at least two dozen times in the past exciting 11 months....!!

To be quite honest, I just brought them in loop only half of the times when things worked out favourably for me....and it was not unfortunate that these two were not around at the time when few things happened to me at office OR there were certain other things that was not in their purview or things that are irrelevant for them.....I just get reminded of this statement and focus on doing the next task in hand...with my conviction on this wonderful statement going one notch higher....Yes..."Things will FALL in place.....if we are very clear about it and a longing is developed to handle it in a particular way OR develop a craving to do something about it"...

The statement is quite abstract....it can be quite related with YOUR experiences with another oft repeated statement which is repeated in different perspective as "when the student is ready, teacher arrives"......I just meant to deliberatly move away with a new statement quite consciously which is much bigger in scope in official context.....I dont mean any thing different than what could be experientially true to you when you utter the latter statement....

One such experience happened to me on Saturday which any reader of this piece may quite easily brand as "co-incidence"...They perhaps will miss out the whole point without this long prelude..... You need to learn theory of probability to identify some thing as "co-incidence"....

At my parent's place, where I had gone Friday late night as my father was reportedly sick, I had some mixed agenda on the following day....few things that needed to be fixed up by the old couple needing my support....I took my father's bicycle which to my surprise was still reliablly smooth (believe me, it was just 7 - 8 years younger to me....!!) and had a quadrant II activity of riding a cycle after close to a decade and half.....!! (I had gone to their place in a official cab as I reached home by 12 am midnight.....) I enjoyed the 4 kilometers drive on a sunny afternoon getting reminded of simple rules of those days which I have forgotten these days...

One of the tasks (challenge ??) I had was to approach the Manager of a bank where my father's pension was credited (SBI) in connection with my father's life certificate.....Government at India has some strange rules of producing life certificates for their pensioners once a year in order to continue the pension - which by itself is one of the humiliating and degrading way to honour the Senior citizens....leave aside the crude reminder about DEATH and its inevitability that this process can force upon a pensioner....& also a guilt sense for hapless few who get reminded during this process that "they are still alive" as a liability to the Government (and to their homes....??)

My father was sick for the whole of the week and was not in a position to go to the Bank by himself which is required as a part of the process. More than the sickness, I could sense that he has a ethical problem (ego ??) of why at all he should travel all the way while the Government has the duty to visit him and prove themselves that he is alive...?? After he requested me to explore the possibilities at the Bank to "demand" a visit by the officials to our home (for which he had given me a signed letter explaining his sickness - which ofcourse was written in a horrible handwriting owing to his poor health....he also suggested me to visit the Doctor close by to get a certificate from her too to strengthen his case before going to bank), it was my mother's turn. She met me private to tell me that even in the previous year he had a ethical tangle with the Bank who were quite harsh at such requests.....and suggested me not to push too hard for a house visit and tell an "appropriate" feedback to my father when I am back....

This was an interesting case study and what more challenges a "future" manager at office....!! I decided to plunge on this assignment like a hungry lion though I was not willing to show it to my mother and assured her that I will take care...I profousely thanked her for telling me the previous year's tangle which made me quite alert...

Here I was whistling to myself while riding the bicycle, took the certificate from Doctor on the way and reached the Bank....I went inside quite cool and approached the right gentle man after some search for him. This person had no emotions in his face and when I requested him about the process for sick people, he motioned me towards the Branch Accountant who can take a decision. The Branch Accountant at the first impression was quite a serious person busy attending many visitors and I sensed that I need to frame my sentences and use some technology to have my assignment closed - if at all I wanted a favourable result (You may get reminded here that last year at the same bank, there were few unpleasant scenes with my Father shouting in the Bank telling that he is "VERY MUCH ALIVE"....and coughing profousely perhaps just to gain sympathy....he at times is a good actor too !!)

I put the situation in crisp statements and infact asked him quite innocently if he can give the Life certificate to ME straight way based on the letter from my father (I was dead sure that he will not...but how else to get started ??) while he got started impatiently that there is a process to be followed and he cannot entertain my request on my father's behalf.....I cut him short and told him this...."I did try to explain my father that we have to oblige the set rules and processes. He just requested me if you can visit him at our home...its not far off sir....and this is only a request ?"....and kept my body bit bent forward and my face smiling with the gaze fixed on him.....!! He looked at me for few seconds and immediately decided the course of action.....asked the responsible person to give him a blank format of the certificate stapled along with my father's letter and kept it safely in his own table...He told I can come the next Monday to fetch some official to the home for verification but I have to drop the person back after the sign off was over at my home....!! (I am sure this should be the process for each and every senior citizen for the country...perhaps the government should consider bearing the conveyance cost and do such things without any reminders....). He also told me to approach him on Monday directly so that he can idenfity me and send his person without waiting time....

So much from a senior person in a nationalised & Government patronized bank !! I heartily thanked him wondering how I am going to organise this visit as I had planned to have a hectic day at office on Monday...While I was approaching towards the main hall from the Accountant's cabin, my eyes were fixed at one of our family friends who was entering the Bank - another old man who is quite a frequent visitor to our home....He is a nice man and sort of volunteer in local temple....Without thinking much, I immediatley responded to his smiling face and after exchanging words of courtousies, "smartly" delegating this task to him and candidly telling him that I will pay him for organising an auto to do the whole thing.....All he wanted to do this help for us is to get reminded on the morning of Monday which I mentally decided to tell my mother to do....

So...thats the end of the long narration of the small but wonderful incident....To me, it appears that a Good Manager becomes more and more effective with his delegating abilities and he can improvise himself by finding the dependable resouruces around him...Some times, it may happen that he takes the decision on the DELEGATEE and become too proud of his decisions....A wise Manager clearly knows that there is a much powerful manager above him who perhaps keeps watching all his deputies below with a smile in his face and "creating" situations for them to perform better. Some times, the situations created are quite subtle and not too apparent....just to check the levels of shrewdness ...

I prefer to be a wise manager in the future. I continued singing the grand old song that I was singing loud while I got over my father's old bicycle....getting ready for the next opportunity for LIVING.....!!

suchoo

** Thuklak : Gems **

Cho's gem this week ....

** Glorifying Terrorism ?? **

Its being alleged that Sohrabuddin was killed in a fake encounter by Gujarat Police (Police confessed to such an act in court). Narendra Modi in one of his election campaign speech justified the police action (mind you, Sohrabuddin was in the books of police in four states). Ram Jethmalini has filed a case; Congress is crying hoarse. How can people jump to the defence of terrorists and against those who kill them? In my view, anti national elements should be killed - be it through legal means or through fake encounters. What does the defenders of people like Sohrabuddin want? Allow the buggers to roam free, bomb places and keep murdering innocents? The level to which people stoop low, for the sake of votes, is really a sorry state of affairs in India.


Just in case, if you are interested, the following is the translation of Modi's speech that was submitted to the court.... (I dont think that he said anything wrong)

---------------------------------------
This is a transcript of the controversial portion of the election speech made by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at Vakal, Tal Mangrol, Surat district, on December 4. The original speech was in Gujarati and this English translation was prepared by the Election Commission, on the basis of which it issued Mr. Modi a notice:

“Soniaji is telling around lies that Modi is merchant of death? Do I look like that to you?

“Crowd: No, No.

“No Tell me the truth?

“That is what Soniaji says — I am the merchant of death. Your government at Delhi does the job of protecting the merchant of death. The job of giving protection to the merchant of death is done by the Congress government at Delhi. Afzal Guru had attacked on the Indian Parliament, had spread terror, attacked on the Indian Parliament. The Supreme Court awarded death penalty, till now Soniaji your government is not prepared to hang this merchant of death and who is protecting this merchant of death? Soniaben, who is protecting the merchant of death? It is your government Soniaben, is doing this. It is Congress government which is doing it.

“Land of Gujarat is such where I used to throw out the merchants of death.

“Claps from the crowd.

“My Congresswalas are going round — Sorabbhai, Sorabhai, Sohrabuddin, Congressmen say that Modi is indulging in encounter, telling that Modi has killed Sohrabuddin.

“Friends from Congress you have government at the Centre, if you have the guts then send Modi to gallows. You tell me what to do with Sohrabuddin?

“From crowd: Not very clear (Kill him, kill him)

“Sohrabuddin from whose possession large cache of AK 47 rifles were found, Same Sohrabuddin whom police of four states were looking for, Sohrabbudin who attacks police, Sohrabuddin who maintains connections with Pakistan, Who raises eyes on Gujarat, then what will my police do? (Some murmur from crowd which is not very clear)

“Should they go to take permission of Soniaben?

“Are, the conditions of merchants of death in the land of Gujarat will be the same. (Claps from the crowd) If I have committed any offence, then Soniaben, your government may hang me. Congressmen, if Sohrabuddin is so dear to you then why don’t you keep vow for him? I am telling Congressmen to take vows for him. In this election if as many sitting MLA Congress has now, will return to the Assembly, then the entire Congress should go and cover four ‘Chadars’ on the grave of Sohrabuddin. Go and do this. Friends, on this land of Gujarat, I will not allow merchants of death to live peacefully. I will not allow terrorism to make foothold on the land of Gujarat. I have to provide security to the common man. Gujarat needs development also and Gujarat needs rest as well. And for this my government is working.”
--------------------------------------------------

** Another Sri Lanka ?? **

Malaysian Govt has arrested the top leaders of Hindraf (Hindu Rights Action Force) for spearheading an agitation against the Malaysian Govt seeking equal rights for Malaysian Tamils, especially the Hindus. How can a Muslim majority country tolerate this? The Govt has sprung to action and arrested the leaders of the group under stringent laws which ensures a minimum of two years in jail. While the Tamils voice discrimination and indiscriminate demolition of Hindu temples, Malaysian Govt says that it provides equal opportunity.

Time will tell us whether we have another Sri Lanka in the making !!

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If your browser crashes in between, just restart it and do a "restore session" (try to read the instructions that appears thereof... an easy walk)

** Driving **

I cant miss having this info recorded in my blog.

13 Dec 2007 - something simple and special happened in my life. Not a great deal though, but still.....

I drove to my office in "our" car. For one who started his life with a stipend of Rs.950/- this is no mean achievement. It was indeed a special feeling and I enjoyed it. Materialistic???... So be it ;o) [ mind you, that stipend includes a hair cut allowance of Rs.10/- :o) ]

But honestly speaking, driving in Chennai is very tiring, especially if you are a learner. Its literally mad out there. Today, I left office with full of energy only to reach home damn tired. I literally sensed my tiredness. I am, at this point, a bit terrified and scared of driving as I am still a beginner and a learner; but still wont like to give it up. Reaching office or home in one full shape with your car and body intact is no mean achievement. But we dont have any escape route from the mad rush that is only getting worse day by day. "Karma"?

Manager in the making - 2 :: I start questioning !!

Hi All

After putting down my thrilling experiences on the training program, I would like to pen down some thing significant that happened yesterday at office.....which I as a supervisor had never done earlier.....being a "expressive" personality.....!! Yes... I made by debut as a Questioner with my people at office....!!

Let me introduce myself as the spok of our visteon team for the Quality office - the department who drives all the quality initatives of the company...be it 5S or 6 sigma and these days Kaizen Projects....it is a solid department with a manager (who is a Master Black Belt) and around 4 -5 full time black belts who are supported by close to half dozen (or a full dozen ?? I am not sure)

I am supposed to coordinate with the entire team (not just my own reportees) on the status of various projects that they have taken up with special reference to Kaizen projects which are supposed to be completed within month...The team members who undertake such projects are given incentives in the form of sodexho passes in addition to certification,....mind you...!!

It so happened that after three days of absence from my seat, I had to review three of the kaizen projects that are happening at our department...two by my own reportees and one from American Team....with my murderous mood (I just meant my intensity levels.....dont read lines "as such" and get bewildered...at least when you read MY mails and postings), I looked at the Kaizen Book (the formats and things to be taken care...which is the base material to be presented to our GM after completion)...I was startled to find in one case the team member was showing the blank format to me trusting me that I will fill it up for her....the other one filled up with some glaring mistakes or wrong interpretations of the expectation...while the one from Americal Team was the worst....she came to meet with two of her team members who did this project together perhaps for the first time officially as she is taken care by another peer of mine....She showed me a kaizen book that is supposed to be "nodded" by me and passed on...I was just expected to touch upon or just give some finishing touch for the completed project....!!

There were too many things to be done in all the three projects....and the manner the book was filled up...and I was about to begin the first one in my usual style of telling every thing....My Guru prevailed on me with his mesmerising smile asking me how long I can continue to do this.....particularly when, I have heaps and heaps of work to be done and my overflowing mails, can I keep enjoying my voice so frequently and so long ..... particularly when I have been identified for long term prospects of my wonderful team ??

I decided to ASK.....and with simple questions probed them deeper enough to bring at least few points from my members and just built on with few suggestions from my side...I was shrewd enough to put my new proposals as though it was just "built" based on their original points....Initially I could see some admiration in the eyes of the people when I kept on showing them glimpses of the "tricks" on how to approach a project, gradualy it was substituted with a spark and some element of self confidence.....!!

Yes....I am aware that I am doing myself a great service than to those subordinates of mine.....and feel a bit relieved at this subtle OR drastic change in me.....!! wait wait.....should I have posted this in "Transcendance".....?? Let me make a quick decision here right now to suit this title....NO...it should be only in this series as this is more official decision than a piece of personal transformation.....!!

Thanks and bye for now...

suren

Transcendance - 4 :: My First presentation recorded for the benefit of the world...

Hello Guys

Why do you think I was tempted to name the title of this piece in this manner....?? Of course, I am always a man with lot of words - both while speaking and also in writing but does that justify me to write a title so long.....if at all I wish any one to proceed further ?? Does it also sound bit egoistic or at least bit sort of one of my silly pranks??

It could startle any one who has read me sufficiently enough me & my behaviour in the past to even have a glimpse of the wisdom with which the title is named as it is !! yes.... Taking one by one, this presentation could go down in the history of Extra ordinary speakers of the world.....reminding the first speech of Vivekanada when he gasped for breath....and Martin Luther King who was shivering with fear for the whole night due to his fear of his failure....before he made his first public speaking....

I am considered as one of the best available at my company by my manager and have a handful of admirers who have been openly as well as in a one to one discussion acknowlege me the way I charm the people around me....and the clarity with which I speak....Even just before I started the presentation, during the lunch break, couple of my admirers at office (both of them are good looking females...please note) came to me to really wish me advance wishes as they were so confident of me and my abilities in this connection.....But what happened when the camera was switched on....A person like me who normally keeps smiling and involving people became so aggressive unable to face the volley of questions (quite deliberate) and getting totally out of control, leading to a chain of mistakes....not delivering what was planned, not at all involving the group, unable to speak coherently....& last but not the least, I remember I was just walking furiously towards one of those girls (who wished me during lunch time) with hands in my pant pockets.....as I could not take her silly comment intended to crack me up....Honestly I was thinking at that point of time that I was walking very majestic towards her, but the Trainer told me at the end of my ten minutes that he got scared if I am going to beat her up....!!

I could see more than half of the participants were giggling at me...making more desparate and self conscious and a very few were nodding their heads vigourously for any thing that I spoke more out of their compassion for me....and their wild imagination that this could happen to them too....quite shortly....!! When the Trainer asked me for my own feedback (before giving his one...and taking from audience), I noticed that I had just none in terms of positive feedback....I was standing in front of him with my throat completely dried up and body fully chill ....but I was lot more humble and willing to hear his comments.....!!

What went wrong ?? Just to give a glimpse of my "becoming silly", it was mainly due to the fact that I had rehearsed the presentation in my own normal way without trying to apply the tools that I learnt in the prior two days....!! yes...I was just framing few punch statements which I liked and thought will be effective....and really forgot the purpose of this session...this was not evaluated for the content part of it but only to sharpen our style of delivery and the choice of the tools that was taught...it was a huge mistake considering my age and designation....I should have considered such fundamentals before making decisions on my own...

The second tragedy was that I got (unfortunately) reminded of a beautiful presentation and the opening of my revered Guru during the lunch time and (believe me) imagined and kept rehearsing to start with a wonderful statement that he starts a particular speech that I like....really forgot the difference in our levels AND also it just slipped off my mind that it was a spiritual discourse that he did while I was making a presentation at office....what a huge mistake....!!

In fact I skipped the lunch as I was very restless and kept walking to and fro in the board room while all my mates had left for their lunch break.....I was furiously walking in the room like a hungry lion without any one around......imagining that this will kill my butterflies of the stomach......but unfortunately I forgot that the lion inside me woke up.....in the absence of any "men" around to eat up and sastisfy myself.....How else I could have been during the presentation than being agressive......

I was through out an enthusiastic participant during the three days and took charge of bullying most of the speakers......not really provoking them but to keep rubbing them on few fundamentals that they were missing....many of them started liking my probing questions and the way I pulled the speaker's legs ....and while some of my mates started getting silent after 15 to 20 presentation, I had enough reserve of energy till 9 PM though we started off at 9 AM !! Infact the Trainer had announced that those who want to leave can leave by around 7 PM but I was one of the few who stayed back till the end......how can I miss such extra ordinary and blissful moments of life......particularly when my company was giving some experience at its own cost....?? In fact the girl who presented last - with whom I did not have much contact earlier but just a acquaintance came and told me openly to stay till the end as she NEEDED my comments.....bold girl !!

Now is this musings a posting on tragedy ?? another "expression" to tire up the reader ?? OR by any chance it is a musing of an impractical "lad of life"....??

I clearly reached a state of nothingness yesterday peculairly not at the usual place where I have such experiences (not at yoga class or at Kedar) but at office in my full uniform.....!! Just to add as the last line, today, my simplest interactions at office was slightly better than what it used to be.....until now....

Thats....the monologue of.....a leader....in the making......!!

suchoo

Moments of Bliss:5 :: Gurus & Gurus every where !!

Hi All

I am back again and with my usual enthusiasm to share my moment of bliss, I am infact skipping the few postings that have been made by my better half .....(the one who is capable of being a bacheoler if not a brahmachchari) !!

Yes, for the past three days, for the whole of the day I was a part of the training programe at office and this piece is being written to cover the wonderful blissful moments I had during these three days....

Let me candidly admit that my Hi-cheer mood during last week (I managed to spit out poems as if its a unwanted secreted saliva at my mouth.....) got to the next logical stage of leading towards the cycle of inertness once again....In fact, when Ninja warned me that a period of heightened awareness may not lost for longer time period...I was smiling secretly at his innocence as it was so clear to me that I got established into my next gear of life....

The pending mails and lack of absolute involvement of some of my control points at office is making me quite restless (as I am practically out of my work area due to this training session) The sense of shame of "landing back to my normal routine" heightened and expedited my depression spell and IF ONLY I had not attended this training session, I am sure to have reached my inert state by now.....

Let me give a quick outlook on this training session....This is being conducted by a professional bunch of (three) people who had come to impart "training skills" to identified people at our company...purpose ?? Our HR has already envisioned about our future years as self reliant and self sufficent in terms of training needs......by involving the pool of such trained people at making all the training programs required for our organisation....A pool of Excel Trainers is already ready who had their sessions during oct and it was the turn of 25 of us to be specialists in communication skills training....In fact the presentations that we want to do to our workforce is already designed by us (we formed various sub groups for various aspects of communication...my participation in "voice mail handling" was minimal as I was walking in Himalayas when my sub group were working on this presentation material !!).....Now these experts who gracefully taught us the tricks of the trade (they might have charged our company sufficient enought to justify the cutting open of the Goose with golden egg...thats for sure) during the past two days had announced that we will have a crisp training program on any chosen topic today...which was video shot ..yes...all our presentations were made in front of camera and booing participants....!!

It is expected that after trying to internalise the techniques and aspects of training learnt during next 1 month, we will re do the presentation (of course, we will be given the cd of how we presented today.....for appreciating our mistakes and avoiding it.....at least the next time) in front of the senior people of the company...before we get certified as official trainers of our company...

Now, Let me confess this was the first time, when a presentation made by me was shot in camera.....which is getting covered in my next posting, let me acknowledge and rever the "Gurus" whom I found aplenty during the past three days...

The person who trained us was backed / supported by two of his employees who really complimented him in every aspect of the course...including the way they gave feedback to each and every one of us after our 10 minutes training program.....!! one of them, a girl, who appeared like a "trainee" in the making in the prior two days, startled me today with the type of subtler comments that she made today....kind of those feedbacks which takes some time to sink inside....as I lavishly spent few of the seconds just to get admire at her observing capacity and the choice of right words and tone to put across...

I do understand they are professionals and they should be good in such things...how is that I found a Guru today where ever I turned my head ??? In fact every member of my group was constantly teaching me some thing either directly or the way he behaved or by the words uttered to me or to the trainer or any body for that matter....There were so many things that I learnt today just by switching on and off to my abstract world and my confidence in human potential got further cemented by the way each and every point that we discussed, analysed and demonstrated to each other....some of them quite unconsciously...

Its just the paucity of leadership that is too striking and holding me to imagine with more optimisim.....I want to become one myself.....with or without the label as "trainer".....


Let me see....rather you will see.......

suchoo

** Telecommunication in India - Part III **

As said, in my view, Rajiv Gandhi and Sam Pitorda were the chief architects of the communication boom in India. Major initiatives include formation of Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd. (MTNL) and Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd. (VSNL). International gateway packet switch system was commissioned in Bombay.

Also, the P&T Department was divided to form two separate entities - Department of Posts and the Department of Telecommunications. Constitution of Telecom Commission, and the reorganisation of telecommunication circles were done. All these measures helped faster growth of Telecommunication in India. Above all, the TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) was formed, which is doing a wonderful service now, in settling various disputes between service providers and also setting path for various initiatives.

Later, based on the above initiatives, the national long-distance service was opened up for private participation and BSNL was set up. All these helped everyone realise the huge customer base and potential that India had. The strength of "internal" market in India cannot be under estimated. It is this internal market that helped India take communication to the next level - Mobile communication.

Just look at the ocean of difference between the service that was provided by P&T during those days and the service and facilities that we have today on the communication front. Even during those days we had a huge customer base, potential and everything - but yet, there was no vision and foresight at the top level. The communication boom that we have today is due to Rajiv Gandhi and Sam Pitorda - who had laid a very strong foundation for the huge stylish structure that we have today.

** Mobile Communication - INDUS **

There are few things that leaves you wondering as to why haven't they been done before. One such latest is the formation of a new company called "Indus Towers Ltd". Telecom giants in India, Bharati, Vodafone(formerly Hutch in India) and Idea have joined together and have decided to start the company "Indus Towers Ltd". Now Indus Towers will erect towers all over the country and the facilities will be shared by all the three. Instead of 3 towers for a small zone for 3 different companies - you just need one now; which also means that two more towers can be erected in two other zones thus encompassing a large area at highly economical rate. Hope our "comrade" BSNL is not caught napping ! :o) zzzz...

To read more about "Indus Towers Ltd... click here

** Cell Trouble **

A Judge in a New York court, was too annoyed and distracted by a cell phone that began ringing while his court session was in progress. No one owned up responsibility when he asked all those present in the court as to who was the owner of the cell phone that was just ringing. He, it seems, had said, "I must know whose cell phone was just ringing, else, I am going to send everyone of you to jail". All those 46 present in the court did not own responsibility and judge, true to his words, sent everyone of them to jail. Later in the day all those were released. Latest news confirm that the Judge, Robert Restaino, was removed on Tuesday by a State judicial panel. (Source: The Hindu)

** Dirty Drama in Karnataka **

A lot of things have been said and written about the recent political events that unfolded in Karnataka. What happened in Karnataka was just nothing but political mockery played at its zenith by the master of the trade, Deva Gowda. Given the sort of politician he is, it is no surprise that he did what he did without any shame or remorse. The label "Ex-PM" never stopped him from stooping so low. Without taking the sides of either BJP or Congress (both victims of Deva Gowda's foul play) or going into the whole details of what happened, I think, this is one of the worst form of political gimmick that we have ever witnessed. Pity is, we are likely to witness many more such filth. God Bless this Nation.

** Stop Complaining **

In one of the recent issues of Ananda Vikatan there was an article about this man who was born without legs and hands. This man is full of courage. He knows classical music very well and earns his living by singing in Radio station. This man never gave up nor his parents. Was just wondering on how we keep cribbing about silly things in life.

*** Thuklak - Best Q&A **

This week's best Q&A in Thuklak...

"ANNIYAN" - by Suchoo

Aakam... Iyakkam... Vadivam -> Suchoo

Transcendance - 3 ::: Becoming aware is too scary !!

Hi All

In this series, where I intended to capture all the subtle awareness and any simple upward movement trying to hit the unknown dimension, I expected that there will not be too many postings.....!! But to my own surprise, I found some thing to write for the third time within a week of the creation of this series posting.....

Normally people around me consider that I am quite a powerful communicator....and especially compliment me for the care I take to make my point clearer....I ensure that I use my eye ball movements, smile, hands, nodding of the head, movement of my lips (more than what is actually required).....quite judiciously so that the message that I would like to communicate clearly reaches the intended receipient....

Some times, I do feel tired when I use too many words to explain, but when I am on good form, I enjoy the power packed statements that I make.....and pride myself on conserving my energy.....(but there is an irony ere....when I am in good form, there's not much a problem if I ooze out some energy but this is always a paradox !!!)

I have been watching quite gleefully that my official mails have become very crisp now and I weed out the needless add ons and extra information from the mail...and also lavishly bold and colour the words to make the point clear....It may take some time for the team to appreciate these subtle changes as they have lot of work to do and I am not going to dream that they appreciate my little changes so quick..

Now coming to this posting, I am at times getting bewildered at the number of mistakes that happen in writing emails and even during verbal communication....Even today, there were couple of mails back to me from one of the team member in the distribution list that I have left some one to be included....!! further, a particular mail sent by me, when I looked again, had some missing word....

The worse thing that happened today is that, in a particular mail to few of the team members, in the name of being curt, I have missed one whole sentence hoping that they can read it with the help of the adjoining lines.....!! It was too much for them to grasp and seeing the manner the two team members (who should have roared in laughter seeing my malice) were seriously giving me unexpected response, I realised two things....(1) they are too sincere to me and really in high spiritis; (2) they are yet to come to my plane...What else to do, in such situation than to dilute the messages so that they can understand ?? (I actually made it like a case stude, trying to send them the same mail with the missed out - quite conscious, you know- line typed now in RED and explaining them the humour involved....here they are smiling.....and appreciating.....!!)

There was one more instance that happened today when I spotted a guy from IT was attending a problem reported by me early in the morning in a computer of one of my team member (a female). I casually walked up to him and shared few words to know how long he may need to resolve the issue....I had to ask this question as my team member was standing beside the computer waiting for him to complete the diagnosis and solve the problem....

While he was responding to me, I casually made this historic statement "at least, though IT was quite slow, she was working some thing until now....Now, you have taken over the system too...How long she can stand like this....?? "..... within seconds, all of us, the IT guy, the girl, me and some of my team members were roaring in laughter at the possibile interpretation of the statement made.....and I was correcting myself "by slowness, I meant only the system...."

No body cursed me as it was clarified immediately...what if I end up making such statements through out the day...without realising what those statements could mean to the involved people....?? without the wonderful team around me appreciating my errors with humour sense.....??

Now, what is the moral....of this posting...in a typical traditional way to close any long communication......?? "The only way to communicate is to take extra ordinary care & the only way to remain unaffected by the communication gaps is to be ready & alert on the failures / wrong interpretations AND add a pinch of humour in our own lives and people around...as a safeguard...." How's my formula...??? after all the so called "wrong" interpretation gets originated only with our utterances, right ?? its better to take responsibility for people's reactions too....when we communicate....

If it becomes too much for us, it is better to shut up.....OR to put it positively, I feel like seeing the depth of this (communication gaps) until I find this interesting and I am able to be sportive....Let me go to the root of it so that I dont suffer when I become silent...which is going to happen quite soon

regards

suren

Moments of Bliss 5 - "so trivial but still reasons for BLISS"

This is an episode which can fit into any one of my series but I would prefer to not think too much about it......!!

Today I had a very strong feeling that I should get a sports shoes to my sweet little daughter who is just 7 years old. She wears the typical black leather shoes for her school and has atleast half dozen chappals for her. Its not out of any sympathy for her but just to trigger some interest in walking habit in her....These days, I am bit painfully observing that she is following her mother's footsteps in keeping her very comfortable (go by two wheeler or by auto !! any where and every where !!) and all my prompts to walk for distances that is around 200 metres are getting neglected by both of them unanimously....

I personally hate to drive a vehicle and I do have some more mental blocks on avoiding to carry purse (yes I mean it), cell phone or any other needless article in hand when we go out in the evening...I still dont exactly remember at which point I started having this vision but I long to walk in my favourite circular park at kodambakkam together with both of them....Its not that I am too fit and exercise regularly but can do it on any day if I have the mood....But they simply reject such wonderful ideas as they find it out of their scope. I thought I can facilitate this by getting a sports shoes to Madhoo and at least give her a taste of walking in the stillness in the early morning.....(I mean only 6 AM for her !!)

Such decisions are not normally well taken by my better half as getting such a thing for Madhoo had never been felt necessary by her and me too had never been very forceful on this....The typical middle class mind says that it is foolish to buy costly sport shoes for a "growing" child...at least in our way of bringing...when we are not athletic mould....

I decided to put this quite candidly and get my point done right today and before we left out in the evening, got a simple promise from my wife that she should not poke her nose on a simple thing that I am going to buy for myself....Both she and madhoo started forcing me to tell them what it is about but I bluntly told that it is not so significant but just I was so clear to avoid a needless discussion.....After some time Anoo realised that I am adamant and kept quite while madhoo started crying to know the secret ....and then I casually told that the article is not for me but only to her....Her cry now turned to a glorious smile and she started nagging even more....now....I was happy that she was smiling now instead of wailing....

The drama of she trying to pull out words from my mouth continued all the way to the Dance Class, and the shopping area where Anoo made her purchase and then we landed up in a Bata showroom...I had by then told Anoo clearly that the choice of colour / model will be on chottu...and she should not interfere...This is another sick thing to watch that both of them have a wonderful debate for any thing and every thing....Somehow subdued today with my normally calm manners, Anoo agreed and kept quiet (perhaps it was moment of trancendance for her .....today ??) watching Madhoo with all smile wearing the sports shoes at the shop and hopping here and there for trial...After we got a pair of socks too, she wanted to wear it immediately and I turned towards Madhoo perhaps that was the limit of her transcendance...Gosh, perhaps out of tiredness, she did not start objecting.....

The cost was slightly over my budget but I did not mind ... I even forgot my budget and the variation when Madhoo stepped out of the shop to reach me sitting in our vehicle proudly with all smile in her face.....Should I also record the description of the colour of the shoes and few words about the model....is it really necessary ??

Perhaps I just managed to engineer a moment of BLISS today with lot of alertness and awareness avoiding the pattern in which discussions on such "needless" purchases are handled.....at our home....!! It was also a very good management of emotions of people

suchoo

Transcendance - 3::: Swallowing anger

Today Anoo wanted to buy some wall hanger for Gayathri's new house which is getting built....She had requested me to take her to Mylapore after the Dance class at T.Nagar was over as she had seen some exhibition at Shankara Hall, Alwarpet couple of days back having lot of wonderful wall hangers....sort of cloth material which can be laminated to be displayed in hall

We reached the place after finding our way in busy traffic ; she was already too tired with a long day and was so eager to visit this particular shop and I did not want to spoil her mood....Both along with Madhoo reached the place and I warned her to make it time bound as we have to go for some other shopping too for Madhoo (which episode is the "moment of bliss" that follows). With a friend expected to reach home at 8 PM, I hoped she will be slightly more decisive today which is a tremendous area for improvement for her (at Ford, we dont use "weakness" at our performance appraisal discussions.....its been insisted by our HR repeatedly).

I normally avoid joining her for her shopping and ensure that I dont get affected with her confusions and "silly" decision points which makes me restless, I confess. This was an odd day and I was trying to walk along with Madhoo to see through the various items exhibited without any idea to buy any one of them.....While Anoo was getting started on her confusions on too many wall hanging materials, madhoo had started feeling restless as I had committed some thing to her.....!! After trying to keep myself cool, I decided to go close to her and check up on how far the deal is through...

As usual, she had two different pieces in her hand and was unable to find which one is the best one amongst them...Pretending to be too sincere, I suggested one of them as the best (it was randomly picked) for which she instantly agreed.....(she was relieved of a difficult decision, you know). She then accidentally saw a much better one getting hanged and wanted that piece by passing the two pieces in hand....Seeing her firmness, I was whistling within myself and moved towards Madhoo pacifying her that its all over in next 10 minutes....When I turned back, instead of removing the one Anoo showed, the sales man was searching his huge bundle furiously (perhaps he too became restless).

I was still in balance and reached them again to check what was happening...Looks like he told he got another piece of same design and did not want to disturb his display trying to locate the alternative piece...When he showed the other piece with lot of excitement which appeared to be exactly same to my eyes....(I actually went through the design from top to bottom...sort of natural scenary with birds flying in the sky beneath the clouds), Anoo's sharp eyes got stuck with some minor change between the pieces....She politely asked the person to better give the one in display....I became too anxious to know how come I missed out spotting her problem (I quickly checked if the quality of the cloth material is ok and if it is torn or appear to be old stock...nothing was visible to my eyes)

She told me in a tragic voice that against the 6 birds flying in the one on display, this piece had only 4 birds and that makes this piece not so happy for her....!!

To put it very precisely, my anger rose up violently seeing the plight of her mind and I almost felt a word "chchchcheeeee" inside me full of disgust and hatred for this female, then I noticed suddenly that she was really feeling bad at the absence of the two birds....and will not feel happy with the one in hand....!!

I swallowed my anger and with a studied silence moved away from the scene and was standing outside the shop until she came out......She still had tired looks and did not appear so bright with the "best" piece according to her reaching her hand at last......!! It was close to 40 minutes in total at that shop......and perhaps quite rarely I managed to talk to her casually and not to get into a forceful mood of putting forth my philosophy on her.....I was so clear that there are few things out of my control and about which I cant do much about......Why to get angry ??

suchoo

Manager in the making - 1::: "auto"matic decision !!

Today I had been along with Anoo to the Dance Class in a road parellel to Pondy Bazaar where she leaves madhoo in the week ends...This was the first time I had joined them and after leaving her at the class, me and Anoo left for Pondy Bazaar by walk to get some gift article for our neighours...It has been her practise to spend some time some where / do some works during the one hour so that she does not go again to the same place to fetch her...

While She was busy at the shop (Naidu Hall), I was walking towards the entrance of the shop and saw some quarell picking up between an Auto Driver and a traffic cop (as usual) in front of the shop. Within few seconds, I grasped the whole situation that he was caught off red handed for standing in the middle of the road to accomodate a savaari trying to hap in...two lean boys with huge suitcases took couple of minutes to settle down which did not tragically happen before the furious constable arrived at the scene...

As usual, the cop went for the auto driver's seat and pulled out the key of the auto and demanded him to move towards the corner..He did also politely asked the customers inside the auto to get down and get some other auto. The Auto guy was equally furious trying to tell his customers not to get down in violent gestures demanding that they were the reason for the whole thing and they should bear the fine....

As the discussion contiuned without much of solution in sight, my eyes went to look at the two lean boys...looked like they are North Indians and I could hear the constable trying to speak to them in broken English trying to drive them away....he was asking where they wanted to go....The two boys could not make out any thing and I was drawn towards the scene immediately without minding getting into a hassle...I went to the constable and asked for his question and translated to those boys and gave back the response to the constable. They had to go quite close by and were trying to get down....with their huge suitcase...both were relieved that some one capable of speaking their language has come their rescue....

The auto driver touched my shoulder and it was his turn to plead his case and he suggested that I "threaten" the poor fellows not to get down....!! It was a typical udhishtra's predicament as the Driver was trying to be polite with me considering his stakes.....!! I told the Driver that I dont know much Hindi but I will try to communicate as much as I can....

Then, meeting at the constable's eyes for a split second, I nodded my head lightly and clearly told the passengers TO GET DOWN immediately and not to get into any mess.....They got down waiting for this turning away the hands of the Driver who was trying to hold them.....I remained expressionless when the Driver kept asking me to repeat his case to the passengers, now he turned bit insecured as the situation was out of his hands...

I moved from the scene quietly and confirmed my signal to one of the passengers from a distance ... more than an empathy for two hapless individuals who were caught unaware but with a determination to do some thing for the huge traffic jam that was beginning already....I was hoping for the Driver to reach me to talk some harsh words, but he seemingly realised there was no more option for him than to face the constable.....!!

It was a difficult situation to make a decision but having got into it, I took no time to do some thing.....Like many things in life, a right decision may become wrong in course of time and vice versa too can happen.....I am not the one to carry it too long in my mind as I have lot more things to do with myself.....!!

suchoo

One more series......!!

Has there been any instance when any writer / Cinema Director is taking on three assignments parellelly....For an actor / indulger it is always quite easy, but for some one who wants to ooze out all their feelings and thoughts, this may be a rarity....

Nevertheless, without any qualms, I am announcing my third series which will happen simultaneously but as usual, I do have a reason for this too and it cannot happen without a prelude....

The subtler instances of life when it happens on its own without my volition are getting expressed as "Moments of Bliss" and I do have couple of postings on it today also !! The conscious getting out of my well known limitations (let us begin with the known ones....right ??) are typically planned to be captured by my other series "Transcendance". Both seem to aspire for extra sensory perceptions and to some extend revolve around spiritual plane that is normally not glimpsed during the most part of the day, right ??

I thought I should proudly record my little little successes in the physical plane of life. Considering the active office life which is giving me a shot in the arm, there is a big risk that I may end up recording too many things....so I would like to scope my new series "Making of a Leader" just to record the key (in my judgement) decisions that I take on day to day basis....It may of course contain many cases of "yudhishtra's predicament" and proudly reason out my quick decisions taken in such delicate situations just to give me a solace that I am going in the right direction...RIGHT direction in my Dictionary means my own intuition and conscience and true to the other two series, this series too do not solicit any feedback....

I wonder if I need to schedule some time line to sit in front of the system from now on !!

suchoo

Moments of Bliss 4 - Blessings from a Beggar

Hi All

Today morning I had a first time experience of getting blessed by a Beggar Woman. It may appear quite natural for every one to assume things (in this case, as a consideration for the alms) but this was very special which can be appreciated only with some explanation..... (It is quite tragic that I am using too many words to describe the "moments" of bliss... but what else to do other than trying to express such intangible moments....just as a tool for transcending my own limitations in writing skills)

I left to office today for doing some Quadrant II activity which I can do only without any disturbances from my team - which never happens on a working day.....So here I am getting up quite early (as early as 5 AM) and heading towards my office in my grand old motor byke leaving home by 6.30 AM....On the way I stopped at Rathna Bhavan at Venkat Narayana Road for taking the Hot Hot Idly and Sambhar for which it is known for..... (who says DUTY is the important thing in life ?? You need to take breaks simultaneously to enjoy the bounties of life !!)

I went, had just 3 idlies with a bucket of sambhar....so involved with eating as if the spoon full of the Breakfast was absorbed by my whole body....Then the extension of the bliss continued with a wonderful filter coffee and that was enough for me to make my day....I came out of the hotel fully charged & satisfied and went towards my mobike....

While I was about to sit on it, a beggar woman approached me and pleaded for alms...She appeard quite neat and dignified (sort of divine with a clear suggestion that she had taken bath already) at her 50s...and she smiled at me broadly while she asked me....As a matter of fact I did not have any coins with me and told her the same clearly....She listened to me, nodded her head as if she understood me (empathy ??) and left me to hold on the next person who is coming out of the Hotel

It was very unusual behaviour from a beggar - I have seen many of them mechanically moving towards the next person when we say "NO" or gesture so...but giving a response with a small smile and moving on graciously was some thing (at least) I have never witnessed....Particularly her looks in the early morning made me feel that she must have been a respectable lady some time back....(at least she must be a respectable begger since her girl hood....I cant think of any other word other than "respect" or "dignity" or "grace" with this person....though she begged..

Few seconds passed on & while I climbed up the seat of the motor cycle, before kicking the starter, I naturally put my hand inside my pant pocket, standing up a little bit, to get a 10 Rs note out of my pocket - which of course I had....I looked at her standing couple of feet away from me and the glance was sufficient for her to turn back towards me (good level of sensitivity more than the typical alertness of beggerfolks) and she walked towards me with a smile...even at that point, she did not know what I had for her in my hand...

Then the wonderful moment was blessed upon me....While I handed over the 10 Rs note very humbly to this old woman, her friendly smile grew up to a huge radiant smile and she took the same and folded both the hands at me with few words of blessings....Again the point was that it was not a sheepish folding of hands ... How can a beggar be dignified and graceful even when he / she is stumbled upon some thing unexpected / surprising...

She does not appear to me as a normal woman as we glanced at each other's eye balls for couple of micro seconds after this happened...she left off me and I kicked the kick starter with some wisdom.....!!

suchoo