Temple Stampede Deaths- Where else will this happen?

Its heart-throbbing to note for the second time in a year, deaths in temple crowd stampede. People pushing and rushing to temples in India is not an uncommon sight, and as a frequent visitor to Lord Balaji hills in Tirumala Tirupathi in Andhra Pradesh, I am not unaware of the facts behind it. But its unfortunate that neither the government nor the people learn from the history.
Every time I go for Balaji Dharshan, I used to be highly cautious to put in all my energies not to lose my grip on the wall or on the barricade and not let the pushing crowds behind me fall on my child who is made to stand in front of me. The least I could do to ensure she is protected. What would happen if the control is lost, is someone makes a dirty strong push. Same thing.
Prayers and places of worship are said to be closer to heaven, but should not be passports to heaven directly. But it is happening time and again in our country.
Endowments revenue is said to be one of the important revenues to the governments, one side no bigger action is taken to restore the heritage, old temples, architectural marvel pieces that speak volumes about the age old traditions, history, glory of various time periods, technical competence and sculptural excellence, maintain the facilities or support the ever increasing devotees in all the famous places of worship. So much money is being given by people as donations and there is no proper accountability for all these. The temples are still in the same old ways where there is no proper lights, ventilation and space for people to move around. Those days temples mainly catered to smaller crowds who carried the big lantern lamps and follow a high amount of discipline and walked behind the kings and queens, scholars and artists and maintained the serenity. Today is world of hustle-bustle. People still want to continue worship, blessings on special occasions, but still have to manage the humdrum of the normal lives, making them run everywhere, buses, trains, markets and temples are no exceptions. I have seen people chanting slokas in trains, singing songs in buses, praying online. I am not an alien to this common sphere of life.
How to prevent such things in future:
People should understand places of worship is sacred and follow queues, silence and patience.
Government should bring in facilities to manage and maintain huge gathering.
All temples should come up with the proper emergency exits, lights, ventilation's and first aid medical facilities.
Restoration of the temples has to be happen with immediate due diligence to provide amenities to suit the current needs of the people
Endowments department of every state government should be made accountable to adhere to certain changed rules and regulations and not blindly follow what has been set Pre-Independence era.
When the whole world is heading towards change, technological advancement and when the world has other things to worry, it is frightening and sad to note that we have issues that take lives of our innocent people in the most unexpected ways. Let the places of worship not be the places of hell to the people who come there with faith, beliefs and sentiments. Government cannot change the perceptions of millions of followers of various faiths, the least they could do is to provide security, safety and approachability and in times of crisis, emergency exits, aids and medical facilities that can save lives quickly.
This do not stop with just protecting people, temples, but also applies to protecting churches and mosques where there are other types of communal issues that are threatening the people around! Government, Please wake up before it happens again!!!! The secular decorum of our Nation is now under jeopardy!!!

360 Degree of the Spinning Economy

Life is a vicious circle. So is the Economy. This is the first lesson what we learnt in the economics class. But when it is actually happening, we sound as if we are caught unaware. Would like to share with you an interesting story of the little ants- a lesson in the seventh standard Telugu text books of Andhra Pradesh State Board syllabus.
The Ant Story:
The Ant is supposed to be found mostly in Asia, Africa and very recently in America as well. The Ant is said to be a very tiny insect, few type of ants are harmful where as most of them are harmless and ants are said to be very hardworking little creatures.
Attitude of the little ants: Ants are excellent team players. They don't venture on anything alone and the teams are strong, supportive, cooperative and mind spinning, carrying weights together which are multiple times more than its own. The ants work very hard, sometimes almost working themselves to death, during the summer in the hot sun, during spring when others keep enjoying life (like our grasshoppers in the old stories we heard), and keeping struggling to build safe and comfortable home for it and the family for the coming winter! ( Cold and brutal reality). Storing food and provisions for the upcoming rainy days and cold winters.
While the ants were working hard for the rainy day, our friends grasshoppers make mockery of the ants for not enjoying the spring, spending time for fun, dance, sing and spend the so called LIFE in a meaningful way. The grasshoppers think that ants are fools not knowing to lead life the summer way. Finally, the winter dawns in, and our friend ant is safe and warm, protected by its hard earned shelter and food, where as our grasshopper blames the lords of the jungle that they are not taken care. The Lords are safe in the caves and not sure of what our grasshoppers want in life. So they get ignored and destined to accept reality, having no food or shelter and left to die.
Moral of the story: Repetitive adage: Make hay while sun shines.
Thousands of people today are stuck with unexpected turns and twists in the economy, especially the 11% of population who are dependent on nothing other than software industry and capital markets. They are used to 5 figure salaries, lavish living, and no bigger savings. Lot many are entangled in the monthly EMI's that don't know how devilish it could be if not paid for few months. Speculated savings and money that's stuck in mutual funds and share trading is all at the mercy of the economy's vicious circle. Our breather en don't know what is it to live within the means and credit cards now would take its ghostly heads up. Parents will be heard telling that they warned them already. Companies in the verge of saving their own financial stands do not have much to hear to the employee woes and there is no one to really save the segment of grasshoppers. Ants are safe and can handle themselves till the next summer. So what are you, Ant or Grasshopper?? If not an ant yet, try being one sooner!!!

Moral Policing - Need to create fear or clean up the society?

In continuation to what I earlier wrote on Moral Policing, I felt there is need to look into the other side of the coin as well. As long as you go as a couple, such instances do not impact you much, but when you go with the kids, it becomes tough explaining whats happening around. Be it the beaches, or the shopping complexes parking lots, cinema theatres, deserted streets, libraries, Gandhi mandapam, and finally the school complexes and corporate conference halls or silent rooms are not spared these days. All these places are misused by people who indulge in unnecessary actions. What has to be confined to the homes, or the private places of people, is now available for everyone to see in all these places. One side the more of moral policing, the other side, its more of irresponsible behaviour of the people that is causing a concern. The worst was when the closed cars found near the school compound walls that traumatised the parents at few instances. We are not trying to be orthodox or conservative after having seen various cultures and countries that are more open to such behaviour. But what matters is to upkeep at least few things for which we are responsible for, our culture and heritage. At least people need to be cautious not to set wrong examples to our future generations. Enjoy your private lives as long as it do not disturb the very fabric of our society. Do not end up in embarrassment for you, your family and friends and to people around you. Maintain certain amount of care and caution, and responsibility towards our society.

Is it Moral Policing or Money Policing? Whats up Chennai?

I looked at the people in the car next to me in the T Nagar parking lot, trying to explain to the policeman with real eagerness. After completing my shopping and settling down the things in the car, and was about to start when I noticed the girl and guy in the next car trying hard to explain something. I was there all the while watching them enter the car, and the couple started some argument and were yelling at each other, suddenly the guy pulled her close and was trying to console may be. Within 2 mins, someone knocked on the window pane of their car and this guy got down. The guys who made the couple get down were not in uniform but from their body language have understood that they are so called MORAL POLICEMEN. For a moment, I was stunned at what was unfolding in front of me. Today it happened to them, tomorrow it may happen to us. So was the curiosity. The police man sat in the driver' seat and was talking something to the girl. I understood that probably they are not husband and wife, may be getting married, lovers, or even good friends. Then, the police guy took the keys and was waiting outside when the man rushed to the nearby ATM. He came back and pushed something into the hands of the police guy and I heard the girl shouting that they don't need to pay anything for they were not wrong. But no listeners. Perhaps the guy did not want to mess up anything for the sake of the girl's reputation and he just gave the money the police guy demanded and drove off.
Common guys, what are we doing? People's reputation is being exploited. Real culprits who use women like play toys in the star hotels go unnoticed. And normal man in the name of moral policing is being attacked. If he was a genuine policeman who wanted to keep up the so called Morals of the society, why did he not take them for a proper investigation? Perhaps the man was worried about the further harassment that is possible. Ridiculous- What rang in my ears again was JPR's speech that I heard years ago- boy boy talk ok, girl girl talk ok, Boy Girl Talk NOOOOOO! !!! ...

Guts and Grace- The Woman with Greater Substance - G SreeVidhya- Head- Ravindra Services

It was in 2004 November, that I met a tall woman around 5.11'', gigantic and manly, strong looking with a sharp features, having three cell phones in hand getting down her black SUV for the meeting of the day. It was a meeting presided by Ms.Kanimozhi at one of our IWC members residence in Chennai. The debate of the day was whether women has equal rights in the society. Taking a 2 hour break from busy migration work in office, I wanted to watch the fight, for and against!. She was introduced as President of all women Rotary Club of Samudra. I thought what a big deal!... But OMG, when she started to speak, Gosh, I could not stop being her admirer. She began.." I am a different woman in a man's world, for today I manage men, chase them, threaten them, control them and respect them. " Many things were unusual with her, mainly her profession. She has been managing Ravindra Services which runs D Group Security Services with HQ in Chennai. Probably the only woman in the man's domain. She has an elegance and pride that is so visible when she talks about real domination in the man's world.
To me, she reminded the story of a stone turning to a sculpture. The more hits a stone get, the beautiful the sculpture turns. I was seeing a live sculpture emerged out pain, strong will, and focus. A broken marriage at age of 21 with two daughters in hand to handle did scar her life but did not tarnish her motivation to move ahead. She do not handle people who are polished and educated, she has to handle people from various walks of life, skilled and unskilled, educated and uneducated, rude men, and retired military personnel who are head strong and take it as an insult being managed by a woman. Learning the nuances of trade in a hard way, believing in the path set by her mentor Dr Ravindra Padmanaban, and today manages more than 3000 people mostly men. She said that she never thought that her gender should impact her profession. Strong mind, hard work, dedication and assertiveness are the core ingredients of her success.
She said that she takes unexpected inspections to the clients sites where her men are working to ensure no stone is left unturned as what matters is the security and safety of her clients who believed in her strength. At 1am in the night, with her two personal security guards, she takes rounds around the city giving surprises to her people. Today her company is wide spread and have clients in all major cities supplying security guards, gun men and escorts. Her pride lies that she protects her clients with confidence and does a perfect job assigned. If Chennai corporate houses, call centres and BPOs where people are working 24*7 feel protected, safe and secure, it is because of the best services provided by people like Vidhya who take their work as worship. It was a pleasant surprise to know that this busy woman loves classical music and is a trained singer, acting plays and also doing programmes in radio. She is making the Rotary Club of Samudra getting popular day by day with the realm of events and doing her bit back to the society, making it as a passion. She concluded with pride that both her daughters are now doctors who emerged to handle people with empathy. I think real woman, would have time for everything. The more of sufferings and endurance, paves a way for our success. Hats Off Vidhya!!!

A Home Away From Home! For our Little ones!

As a working mother, I always had my fears of leaving my little one at a day care centre. Because of the diminishing support system and nuclear families, there is little choice left behind if you still decide to work. Given the kind of inflation and cost of living, it has also become mandatory for the couples to keep working. Though my kid enjoyed being at her day care, I always had the trouble of her falling sick quite often. At one stage, she ended up with Leptospyrosis and fought for life at the age of 3, with full blood transfusion, and her vital organs getting infected, all because she drank the water in the bathroom. Cant imagine, but still had to live with it. Where as my nephew enjoyed his day care, where it was just a home away from home. Today the 9 year old loves being with Gokula- his play home, than at home for he got his peer group who grew in the same home for last 9 years. So what makes the difference.
Its the attitude of the people who run the day care centres. Some do it religiously with care and caution trying for comfort of the children and parents. Where as few do it just for the money making and leave the children to the mercy of hired servants. There are play homes that also act as nursery schools where as there are creaches which put kids to sleep by giving cough syrups etc...
Few Do's and Don'ts:
So as a working parent, please do complete background check of the place before you leave your child under someone's care and control.
Inspect the place, talk to the people openly, put your fears in words, and explain to them your expectations.
If the child needs special attention, or alergic to something, be specific.
Provide adequate clothes, home made food, and the kids time tables.
Once in a way make surprise visits to ensure everything is alright. Its no harm, for after all its your child's welfare that matters.
Do not think that your responsibility ends once you leave the child in the day care. Talk to the day care people on how your child is reacting, responding to being with others, managing your absence.
You may also have to handle the child's prankiness and stubborn tantrums till the child settles with the new place. So do not lose your patience and end up in frustration causing a damage to you and your child.
Do not send a sick child to the day care, remember there are other vulnerable children as well.
Never do sympathise with the situation and gain self pity.
Remember the most successful people are the children who learnt to be independent from a very young age. Let the cocoons fly as beautiful butterflies, till then, handle them with care!

Bosses who make a difference!

In continuation to my post on the appraisal reviews, I thought its time to remember the people who make the difference. Though I may be too young to write a lifetime review of the kind of bosses we come across, I can say tell about three different people who made similar kind of impact not just on me but for the entire teams those reported to them. Any best boss in the world would surely fall under one of three categories of the people I am going to tell about!
Amitava Ghosh, Ramesh Raja and Shankar Narayanan, three people who needs a definite mention.
Amit worked in RPG Cellular as VP-Customer Service before he joined as Head-CS in Manmar Technologies, Ramesh donned various hats and moved from Grindlays to ABN as VP- Infrastructure and Custom Engg, where as Shankar, moved from HCL to HP as a Project Manager.

Unique about each of them:

• Amit is very planned, straight forward, punctual and brief in his approach. He taught me to maintain a professional dairy and mark C, T, D (complete, transfer, defer) against every activity planned for the day. A strong trainer, man of detail and a very composed and down to earth human being.
• Ramesh is senior most, believes in delegation, giving right responsibilities, authority and keeps a close watch on the team. He always believes in the strength of his team and takes good decisions. Irrespective of what level you are, you can be sure to raise to the top if you are the right person, and he is the one who believed in my potential and mentored me to climb high.
• Shankar, don't know if he was born first or his patience. He is classic example of a leader reminding me of Vikram Sarabai about whom Dr Kalam mentions in his Ignited Minds. Organised, composed, very hardworking and an right role model to his team. When it comes to taking bullets, he stands in front of his team, and while lifting the trophies, he stands behind them.

Speciality of these three men:

Amit loves taking classes, Ramesh is ardent about photography, amateur ham radio and world travel where as Shankar enjoying being a young at thoughts and as cool as cucumber. All three men are very close to their families, enjoy talking about their children and loves movies and fun.

Common Success Factors as Successful Bosses:

All three believed in Planning, Organising, Delegation & Mentoring. They maintain their calmness in the most difficult business situations. Take decisions after doing thorough analysis and risk assessment. They never let their emotions take a front seat while handling professional responsibilities. They respected their teams, believed in each one's potential, gave opportunities for right people to grow, appreciated the hardworking people, and always reflected the strength of the teams they managed. They belong to the breed of managers who can handle complex business challenges at the same time manage large groups of people with care and compassion. Simple souls with a big smile in the most tensed situations as well!!! May be that is their confidence that they can manage anything and everything!!!

Good luck Amit, Ramesh and Shankar, and do believe and wish lot many amateurs like me grow under your abled leadership and wonderful guidance!

Taking our own people for granted

It was one usual Wednesday morning in summer, I was getting ready to office, had so much of work to do, getting my kid ready to school, finish my kitchen, clean up the place, pack food for the family, take a quick glance at the morning daily, and let the domestic help complete her chores before I board my cab at 7.30 am to office in Ennore which is almost 50 miles away from my home.

As usual my mobile rang, and I know who it would be and was so irritated that I would let it go ringing. Suddenly, my intuition said to me to pick the call. Having the cutlery in one hand, and giving a kick to my little one to get up soon, I rushed to attend the call. It was not from the usual friend who calls me every morning to wish me "Happy Morning" but a stern phone call giving me a sad news. That my old friend who used to call me for so many years every morning just to hear my voice and wish me a good morning is no more. That my friend got succumbed to an hemorrhage he suffered the day before. I was speechless. I dropped the dish in the hand and stood frozen.

Every morning, this friend of mine used to call me to hear my voice and he felt it sentimentally good for him if I answered him back. At times when I was really busy or just was not in a mood to answer calls, I used to tell my husband or kid to pick that call and answer back. Later in the day, he used to call me again and find out if all is fine with me, if my health is OK, or if there is something that is bothering me that I did not pick his call in the morning. Sometimes I used to get so irritated that why should it be a botheration for a person of my dad's age to find out whats happening to me on a daily basis. Huh,, I could not take it, for why should someone be following my life so closely. But after that incident, every time my phone rang, I cried that it should be him. Every morning I used to look at the mobile with an urge that it should ring, and my friend should ask me how am I doing?

Later did I realized that this grand old man saw his only daughter living abroad in me, loved me unconditionally and always wanted to see me doing good and grow in life. He regarded my intelligence amidst his friends, spoke so high about me, fought for my rights in my own family, and went around the city saying that I am his adopted daughter. He used to bring me sweets and anything that is made special at home while I was staying in a hostel. He cracked silly jokes and shared news of the people in Chennai. He used to giggle telling me and my friends funny things and few interesting topics of the rich and elite. Tears ran without me trying to control myself when his wife asked me to sit with his mourning children just before his funeral. She said that he will not rest in peace unless he sees me. That day I felt that may be I am not destined to enjoy a relationship called Dad in life, for I have lost my own when I was a child and lost this grand old man as a young woman at times when he was showing me so much of affection. I know now for sure that his soul is guiding me too.....

I learnt a lesson that day that I should not take my own people or people who wanna be with you for granted. Sometimes we realize their value only after we lost them. So please take care of your loved ones before its too late! Do give little time back to your family and friends and let them feel that you care for them. Do not cut the calls from your own people saying that you are too busy. If you are, atleast make it a point to revert to them later. Please do not forget important dates of your friends and family for you may not like the idea if they forget yours!.

All work, no play on Workaholics Day

An Extract from IBN Live- A lesson for all of us who are doing nothing but burying ourselves in our workstations:

'All work and no play’ is slowly turning India into a developed nation. Or is it? Is that enough reason for workaholics to burn the candle on both the ends?
Here's a look at the perils of being obsessed with work on Workaholics Day.
W E Oates claims to have invented the term workaholism in his 1971 book, Confessions of a Workaholic, when he defined it as an addiction to work, the compulsion or the uncontrollable need to work incessantly'.
When careers become more than just a means to supply families with necessities and luxuries and when work becomes the sole aim and purpose of life, then it could be time to take a break.
Most people work to earn a living and for others, work gives them a role, a status and a sense of achievement. However, respect, money - the things people crave at workplaces - sometimes cannot compensate for happiness and a stress-free life.
Many 'get a life' propagandists see the office as an enemy and emphasise on the fact that more time has to be allowed for family, friends and other interests.
There is nothing wrong with being a hard worker, but there is fine line in just being a hard worker and being obsessed with the need to excel, be a perfectionist (with a competitive nature) – all in a compulsive drive to gain approval and success – and work soon becomes a state of mind.
However, the fact of the matter is that most workaholics are never really happy or for that matter successful, simply because they work themselves to a point of burnout and then some more.
Among the industrialised nations in the world, Americans work the longest hours - a whopping nine weeks (roughly 350 hours) more in a year than Eurpoeans.
The American way of life is to always strive for more, but stress and overwork can lead to all sorts of problems - anxiety for one. Workaholics find it difficult to relax, take holidays or even some time off everyday for leisure.
Some years ago, being called a workaholic was considered a compliment. In the 21st century, however, the term has taken on a completely different connotation and is being seen as an obsession that can wreak havoc on a person's health, marriage and personal life.
Workaholism can also lead to tiredness and ultimately to chronic fatigue.
Therapists stress on the fact that the first way to cure 'workaholism' is to accept the fact that one is a workaholic.
So how do you know if you are a self-motivated, success-driven, hard worker or a plain old workaholic? Take a look at these questions.
Do you carry your work home?
Do you prefer working alone, cannot delegate tasks and have a habit of talking fast and interrupting people?
Your happiness is in only your work?
Work takes over all your leisure time and even comes before family and friends? You have no social life outside of work?
You do not take vacations and when you do, you carry your work?
You get upset when people suggest you cut down on your work?
Work is on your mind all the time and you are stressed - both mentally and physically - because of work?
If you answered yes to most or all of the questions, then you are a workaholic. Beating the need to work too hard all the time can be tough but therapists say it's important to get out of the syndrome.
Start slowly, spending 15 minutes everyday to unwind and relax and then increase this time little by little. Take small steps in making a concentrated effort to meet up with family and friends.
Set limits on the hours and the attention that you devote to your job. Try and delegate tasks and focus on results rather than on the hours put in at work.
Consult a therapist if you need to discuss insecurities such as failure at the workplace.

Appraisal Reviews- Should they impact what you are?

I always appreciate a strong performance appraisal processes managed in the Organizations. I believe they are the yardsticks that measure the performance of a person during the appraisal period. Having had an opportunity to review performance of the team who reported to me and also every year getting reviewed by my respective managers, I felt I should write my opinion on this that can help my readers with one focus- do not get impacted by the outcome. In fact, I was a trained performance reviewer where I attended a 2 day workshop in Courtyard Marriott in 2005, conducted by National Institute of Sales, India sponsored by previous company.
I think this training helped me at times when I faced disappointment after I was reviewed. Do not wonder, how can an consistent performance award winner be talking about an appraisal review disappointment. It happens. It happens because of various reasons, sometimes explicit and sometimes implied. It also can be because your expectations are higher than what is possible to your managers during that period. I am not trying to be modest here, but it is the truth. Logistics go a long way in the appraisal process. It is as simple as the CA Institute having a pass target as 0.02 percent every year. It doesn't mean that remaining 99.98 percentage of people have not aimed at Passing CA exams and have not worked towards its goal. Understand the realities behind this process. At the same, it hurts right! Its like getting centum in a subject in a board exam but still not qualifying for a state rank. You keep wondering what was that, that did not make you get that medal from the chief minister?? Similar case.
How to handle such situations as a Manager?
As a manager, you are trained to handle this delicate situations, for some people react silently, where as some people speak out with frustration. Those are the moments of anxiety for them for they have toiled for an year for this day. Understand them with compassion, handle them with care. Give an ear in detail to what they have got to say. May be your earlier judgement need to be re-reviewed and corrective action to be taken.
Human Potential is the strongest asset of an organization and as a Manager you have the responsibility to handle them carefully. You are not dealing with machines and just oiling them when needed. You are dealing with people's hard work, emotions, loyalty, commitment and dedication. You are handling some one's career, ambition and growth. Do not let your personal prejudice's come in way of a fair judgement. Be fair and transparent. If you are justifying someone that they are not efficient enough and ready for a promotion, solid hike or a next best opportunity, be subjective and specific. Talk to them with details, areas of improvement, and right statistics. Remember you are legally bound to answer their queries and help them understand the facts behind the decisions you made. To not give comparative statements, irresponsible answers and illogical reasons for why they missed the opportunity. To them its a waiting period of one another year, and who knows you may not be their boss as well, and they may have to drive this cycle from the beginning. As Azim Premji rightly says, major share of people leave organizations because of a wrong boss. Hope you don't get under this umbrella.
Be a boss about whom your employees talk great, get inspired, find you as a role model and always want to stick on with you for the comfort of delegation, authority and responsibility you give them and also an opportunity to prove their potential. Only when your team grows, you grow- This is the basic principle of management.
How to handle such a situation as an employee:
It would be one of the most disturbing days when your manager releases the appraisal report for you. Be prepared. Expect the unexpected and this would avoid any kind of disappointment. Even before the cycle to begin, maintain a register or a log of what you have done during the appraisal cycle. Nothing helps you than valid data. Keep record of appreciations and special milestones that you made the team cross. Do not compare yourself to others, compare yourself to your last performance. Acknowledge if you have failed in any areas with a note of acceptance for improvement. Mistakes happen and greatness lies in making attempts to correct them and not let them repeat. Understand that your manager will be having all reasons why he decided something for you. Try to talk openly but firmly. Analyse what he or she has got to say. If you disagree, take it up with higher ups for a more transparent discussion. Do not point fingers or find fault with others in process but handle it with maturity and composure. If you are right, it will make your manager realise the same. This is one period where people jump into hasty decisions and leave the companies. Never do that. If you are not able to achieve, impress in an organization where you worked for sometime, how can you expect to make it big in the new place. People who sustain such disappointment, consistently work for the next opportunity and who prove that their managers are wrong at times, are the people who climbed top on the corporate ladders. Its not the people who hop jobs after every appraisal cycle, but are the people who are strong and who believe in themselves who make it big in their careers. Remember, its like an examiner correcting a examination paper, depending on his day, the marks come in, remember this happened in our school days, and our managers cant be much different!. Now don't hit me saying why should we be targeted because manager had a fight with his wife at home on the day of my review, or because he can only promote one person, or because he is not able to convince his higher ups, or because there is no budget to allow more hikes. Remember there can be more deeper reasons and which he do not need to share with you. Respect his decision making as long as he is transparent and provides your subjective explanation on why you were rated so.
Bounce back with more energy, regain enthusiasm, and work hard not letting them having any reason what so ever in future to let you down. Remember the Japanese Shoe Company, which produces more than what the owners can sell as part of their silent protest!!! Heads Up Guys, its time for next appraisal!!!

Switching Hats

Over the years, I think I have managed to do excellent multi-tasking in my career. What made me a bit of go-getter in any stream of activity in an organization today may be because I am kind of a soul ready to wear any hat. From the basic office administration, consulting, training, recruitments, customer service, requirements handling, business meetings, sales and service, test analysis and test management, migrations, change management, Release management, configuration and build control, research and technical analysis, feasibility studies, support functions, business analysis, strategic planning, corporate training, documentation, team mentoring, management reporting, coordination, community service, organizational events, innovation and Project Management. Be it any area of business, I think I had an opportunity to do it with zeal and dedication. Be it any flavors of business, the concepts are the same and if applied right will achieve the end results.
It is not an aim to switching my roles from one area to another, in a particular industry or switch from one industry to another. It is being active and surviving in a project that requires myriad of tasks to be done by the team. The roles can be parallel or for few days in the project lifespan. The value addition that it makes is much larger than being confined to one limited role, for this gives you an opportunity to learn and deliver much faster than others in the industry. At the same I need to concur that the challenge is big and vital for you have to do justice to multiple roles you are handling. This also gives you a chance to see a project from conception period to consummation, in different roles. This process had given me required knowledge to understand how a specific product or service can be delivered in any industry (Healthcare, educational, banking and financial sector or auto-domain) from head to tail on macro level.
You may now doubt what I have been stating here. This will sound impractical unless I give you an example of a story.
My first role started when I started to assist the project manager on the planning of the project. Process and project activity go hand in hand and I was involved in drafting all the project documents necessary to support initiation of the project as a quality representative. Right from estimations, cost and budgeting, resource plans, actual recruitment, scope management, communication, business requirement and documentation pertaining to project, quality, risk, tailoring of standards, configuration, security, testing and release management. Here you get an opportunity to dive deep into the industry standards, organizational guidelines and project objectives and arrive at set standards and goals for the project. Once we were done with the planning and defining the scope of the project, getting a blueprint of our implementation strategy, and got the budget approval, I quickly changed my hat to getting details of understanding the existing and proposed system that we are going to deliver.
Once we were done with knowledge transition, I was wearing multiple hats as a SQA, project lead, test lead, CM lead and Release Manager which infact looked weird in reality but practically involving in parallel analysis. I was helping the team on coming up with the business process, functional requirements and identifying the right resources for right technologies. This task once accomplished followed actual development activity, close coordination of various team, and testing the system under various testing categories. Once the test strategy was designed, agreed and executed, the coordination with the development and business to bridge the gaps becomes a vital task. Here I was donning the hat of a business analyst and also a test manager. Once the system was ready to be delivered to the customer, I had to move closer to the Business. So moved as an onsite coordinator closure to the actual users of the system and started to get ready for the launch. My final and current hat is a red hat, like the one fire fighters wear, making you run on toes. Meaning, everything is getting done and the client has to agree to implement the new system. This period is critical and complicated as you can always expect anomalies in the behavior of the system. It need complete coordination, efficient communication, rapid response, immediate actions and end you in a highly charging environment where you have to be very alert, aggressive and proactive to the business expectations. A small slippage on your part can cost a lot to the project. It’s like you are representing the entire efforts of your team to the client and you are actually pulling the apple cart for the final bid. My manager once called this team a SWAT team. This team will also have to train and get the actual business representatives acclimatized with the new system by user review sessions. Was also responsible for triaging and escalating any issues that come our way by pointing them in the right direction using our extensive project background knowledge. In fact, we become the helpful support team to look for when you run into a bit of trouble during implementation. This is the most exciting and challenging role because you are a part of the crucial team and also coordinating with various people from your own teams and of the client and has to keep everyone on the same page.
Managed to do these roles so far so good and one year’s time which might sound long actually gives you many long years of experience. Given the kind of technical complexities and multiple time zones, multiple interfaces and multiple people across the globe, it is great that my team is able to meet the challenges. I am fortunate to be working on such complex project for I get to taste various flavors of the industry. The pride is being there from the beginning and get to see it go through and can conclude happily when the client gets the return on investment they envisaged and give us a note of thanks at the end of the project. This sort of experience makes you a strong professional ready to wear any hat and still manage it successfully.

The 3H Formula - Happiness, Health, Harmony

The 3H formula is the vital vitamin for a happy human being. Its not important how long you lived, but its important how happy and successfully you lived. Thanks to my husband Raghu who keeps on reminding of the 3H formula in life.
Happiness means different things to different people, I know friends who used to be happy getting degrees, few who are happy by frequent shopping, i had friend whose happiness was buying diamonds, I had another friend whose happiness was collecting books, one another was happy by taking care of her family, had another one who was happy with a go-lucky career, another was happy taking care of her sick mother, one another was happy doing social service, one was happy sleeping whenever time permits. Like wise happiness means various forms to various people. Identify what makes you happy and do it. There lies your happiness. Some find happiness in materialistic things, some find happiness in making friends, some find happiness in emotional upheaval, spiritual things, some find happiness in silence. To me happiness lies when I am able to do what I wanted to do.
Health, according to my man, is the most important thing in life..No matter how long we live, its important that we lead a healthy life. Little extra care on our food habits, sleeping pattern, handing emotions, and social cultures that would make us healthy. Age related issues are part and parcel of life,but it will happen when it should. Improper diets, surviving on fast food, junk things, getting over excited about events around us, and addiction to smoking, drinking and other things spoil our health and lead us to sooner aging. Healthy body brings in a smart brain and provides you not to exhaust your energies to keep up your health. Healthy families are also happy families in tune of the fact.
Harmony is one other vital ingredient of the 3H formula, which means that nothing can bring in peace except ourselves. Fighting for wealth, materialistic things, not able to forgive others mistakes, carrying the burden of hatred in our hearts will only effect us in reality. It is not easy to forgive who sin against us. But god has blessed the human beings to forget things and we need to give time, time to heal everything that effects us adversely. Time is the only healing factor amidst rough relationships, broken friendships, uttered hurting words, caused damages knowingly or unknowingly. Be away from something that is bad or wrong, if you are not able to change it. Be it a place, person or a practice, keep yourself away if it is causing an impact on your harmony in life. Love your family in abundance, care for your friends and share your things in the society, live in peace, socialise with all neighbours, keep active in local events, participate in organizational activities, be there when someone needs you... You never know when you would need someone to help you.
Friends, give this 3H formula a thought, practice it, preach it and prosper with it. Wish you all lots and lots of happiness, good health, and harmonious families and professions that make you successful and happy for ever in life...

What made her get killed? Shivani Bhatnagar- An aspiring journalist of Young India

Remember me as a child holding a fake mike and taking interviews of the people around me, sometimes asking them embarrassing questions that adults find difficult to answer. That was my passion for journalism. Unfortunately I could not make a career there but always kept watching the best of reporters and news readers with great enthusiasm.
24 January 1999, all the newspapers flashed the sensational murder of Shivani Bhatnagar, journalist of Indian Express in her Delhi flat. She was strangled to death and her months old child was crying few feet away from her dead body. The news created a biggest sensation during that time. Slowly and steadily the cases started to unfold. Bringing under its ambit a senior Delhi police officer Mr.Sharma and later gossips that linked Mr.Pramod Mahajan. The murder almost upset the political applecart of BJP and shook the Nation with new questions.
It took almost 9 years for the accused to be booked under the right sections of law and face the punishment. Lot of things changed and re vibrated during the course of this case.
Major questions that rocked the Nation:
How safe is the journalism in India for women reporters? Is it the profession or the behaviour of the person that caused the tragedy...
Why did Shivani had to go beyond her personal ethics and end up in unwanted relationships to achieve her professional objectives?
Can the Nation's most confidential information be leaked to print media or others because a woman can woo a top most person in politics or police or other areas?
Was it the extra-marital affair that was the root cause for her killing?
How can a police officer so carefully plan a murder and also get away with it for 3 years absconding?
Lessons to be learnt from this case!
Be it a woman or a man, you do not need to loose your personal ethics to achieve your professional objectives.
You may be anything big in this world, but remember every dog has its day and the culprits will be booked. Justice can be delayed but cannot be denied in the eyes of Law.

Do You Remember Mahatma Gandhi???

I was taken by little jerk, when my kid asked me to help her write an essay on Mahatma Gandhi. It took me few minutes before I could think of writing down a sensible essay that she can submit in the school....had it been any other topic, I just go fast typing it of. But what happened when I was asked to write about Mahatma Gandhi, Father of our Nation... let me admit that I was not spontaneous. Was it because Gandhi is now becoming a distant memory with people like me? Anyway, Remembering Gandhi, the essay that finally got delivered with due respects to the simple man is given below, for people like me to recall the great man of India:
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One of the greatest men that ever walked on the face of this earth. Mahatma Gandhi. The man largely responsible for India's freedom from the imperial British rule after approximately 190 years. The life o f Mahatma Gandhi from his birth in Porbandar, Gujarat to his unfortunate death teaches every person a lesson on how to handle bad and good in general. We also had an opportunity to learn from various events that occurred in Mahatma Gandhi’s life which moulded him into a person that he was. Gandhi was a man of ideals and he treasured, followed and preached all his life the ideas of Truth, Satya graha, Ahimsa and Swaraj. Gandhi was largely a National leader during the most important events in the history of India’s Independence which included his responses to Jalianwala Bagh tragedy, Chauri Chaura incident, the cabinet mission, the Cripps mission, Quit India Movement and Dandhi March towards the 1947 Independence from the clutches of the British rule.
Mohandas Karamchand born on 2 October 1869 was a major political and spiritual leader of India and the Indian independence movement. He was the pioneer of Satyagraha—resistance to tyranny through mass civil disobedience, firmly founded upon ahimsa or total non-violence—which led India to independence and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world. He is commonly known around the world as Mahatma Gandhi a” Great Soul", an honorific first applied to him by Rabindranath Tagore) and in India also as Bapu . He is officially honored in India as the Father of the Nation; his birthday, 2 October, is commemorated there as Gandhi Jayanthi, a national holiday, and world-wide as the International Day of Non-Violence.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born on October 2nd in 1869 and was assassinated by a Hindu fanatic January 30th 1948. To the majority of us he is now more familiarly known by his honorific, Mahatma, meaning Great Soul, rather than the names he was born with, and for his dedication to non-violent resistance as a form of protest. Such is his international reputation that in 2007 the United Nations designated his birthday International Day of Non Violence.
Gandhi, popularly known as Bapu, gave simple things that had bigger changes in the Nation’s history. With his simple living and high thinking he triggered the National Movement with non-violence and harmony. The philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi is universal which include simple living, non-violent protests and creating a sense of belongingness in the country and raising the voices of freedom.
As children of this country, we all should learn few things from the life of Gandhi- Our Father of the Nation. Those principles will make us good citizens and help our country free from the existing problems at large scale like avoiding terrorism, bringing in communal harmony, education and employment, eradication poverty and bringing in a safe and sound society.

I would like to tell you the ten principles of Mahatma Gandhi that we should follow in our lives to be good citizens as a simple small man led a widely diversified big nation towards its freedom:
Speak truth and be honest. Do not lie any day
Do not be violent. Protest in a simple non-violent way if you refuse to accept anything
Maintain tolerance for it’s the highest knowledge of education
Be Kind to others and to animals around us
Help people in the smallest ways possible
Follow simple living and high thinking
Remember education and hard-work goes hand in hand
Be obedient to your parents and teachers
Strive for the growth of our Mother land
Do not let us lose the hard-earned freedom of our country.
In the name of Mahatma Gandhi and with an ardent love for my country, I hope all of us practice the principles of Gandhi that would help us go head in our lives in more peace and harmony towards success and happiness as nation. I vow today to follow the best of ideals laid by our Father of Nation and promise to be a good citizen would make this country proud.

Jai Hind!

Are Horoscopes Really Working?

Friends, do not mistake me when I bring in this topic of horoscopes for a deep discussion. I am not hear to debate on the science called Astrology nor to hurt the sentiments of the people who believe in predictions. Am only trying to analyze, to what extent we can rely on our stars, birth dates and times, and predictions? I do understand that astrology is a science based on the earth's orbitrary movements and also acknowledge the fact that our ancient superstitions and beliefs also had a scientific reason to promote such a belief. At times, when things go right and in accordance with the predictions, it so happens that we start to believe more and more on our horoscopes that defined the outcomes. When we do not see such things happen, we blame on our weaknesses and pitfalls that came as a hindrance to make what is predicted in the horoscope. Instead, I would suggest we start believing in what we can be, what change we want to see in us and work towards it. If it is destined to happen, it will happen. Nothing can be stopped. Faith is the only thing that can change our destiny, and to me the horoscopes were the yardsticks that measured our faith. That gave us confidence that such things can happen in future, good or bad. Good, will be achieved as we strive for it, and Bad can be prevented as we exercise certain amount of care and caution. But despite this, accidents happen, eventualities occur, terror strikes, natural calamities happen, and all this effect us one way or the other, though its tracked, predicted and informed in our horoscopes or not. I am not asking you to forget astrology, and challenge the science that had its own value and identity. I am only suggesting that we do not blindly go by the horoscopes and fret for something drastic that's going to happen in future and forget looking at opportunities that could actually make us prevent from such unfortunate things in life. I have seen best of people not agreeing for marriages irrespective of everything matching between the girl and the boy, just because the horoscopes did not match. I have seen marriage break in cases where they had 100% matching of the horoscopes. Don't you agree with such instances? . It cannot be one of the rarest cases, it is possible. Believe in your hard work, do not loose focus, concentrate on the work in hand, try to help at least one person in a day, give something back to the needy, spend a minute in prayer, keep yourself active...and am sure your horoscope would only speak good and predict nice things for future. It is all in your hands to walk towards glory!!!

What is Friendship? Is it an association or an untagged relationship????

Since my childhood, if I had possessed something in abundance, its definitely called friendships. To me friends influenced all through my life at various stages and continue to do so till my end. I am very proud of the kind of friends I have in life and to me they are my best treasure. My friends range from 10 year old to 80+ year old, from various walks of life, from various parts of the globe, from various faiths and languages. Yet, what keeps them in tact with me in life, is a generic bonding that I share with each one of them. To me every friend is precious, every friend is unique and every friend is a strength and a weakness in one way or the other. We were 76 students in my 10th class when I was leaving the school, ST.Theresa's Girls High school in Eluru, AP, of which at least 7 of them are still the same to me even after nearing 2 decades. We have now extended this friendship from classroom, till our families and corporate lives, sharing time, fun and anxieties and growth in life together. Lucky I am to have both my bench mates (Archana Lunani, Lecturer, Corporate Interior designer and a business woman and Sridevi whose now a Principal of an Ekhopadhyapatasala) are still in touch with me and this is a life time bondage. College, computer class, neighbours, tuition mates, typewriting class friends, my colleagues who became close friends, my social organizations friends, my online friends, my friends on global writers and poets forums, my family friends, parents of kid's classmates, and the list goes on and on. Some people inspire you, amaze you, bond you so much that you would cherish their association for life time. Every step in my career was taken because one or the other friend of mine extended their hands to swim further. It was like a relay race for me.
I always wondered, what is friendship?? Is it just knowing someone for a long time??? Or is it having something in common with the other person?? Don't really know. There are many people whom I know for ages but can never be called as my friends. There are many of my friends with whom I have nothing in common. Then what is this? May be some part of our lives, we live together for a while, share something together, care for each other, find fun, and share sadness, know each other to lean on at times of trials, have someone to rejoice your success and share your happiness, share workplace or some where where you met them in life. Not all my friends can share everything of me in life. Each one made their mark by being there in that point showing compassion, care, love and solace. Few friends travel with me in this journey by just being with me in the parallel track. I always looked upon my immediate family as my best circle of friends and we have been living together sharing an undefined depth of friendship. To me personally, I am a person who is in love with this word called -Friendship and closest of my friends would vouch that I stand by my friends when they need me no matter what. I love to be called a friend on whom they can rely on, they can look upon, when they feel that they need someone to lean on. I have lot of amazing stories of solid friendships that I can write upon as sequels to this label called "Friendship- A Global Phenomenon" . I am sure my friends would enjoy this and other readers could relate to lot many people in their personal lives.

Om Sriman Narayana, Sada Mee Sevalo! -Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanam Seva Sang

"Look Upon God, when Its Beyond You" . This is one of the first lessons I learnt in life from my father. As an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateshwara, to me devotion to the god is achieved by selfless service to mankind. It had been a pleasure to fall in love with the God who is known to bless his devotees in the right way.
2 pm - Second Saturday of the month, venue- TTD temple, Chennai, India. There is a wide gathering of nearly 200 people assembled in the kutheri (music) hall of the temple. The objective was one- service to people- either be it in the Tirumala, the abode of Lord Balaji in Tirupathi or the other centres of service in Chennai. The group at the stroke of 2 pm, got divided into 4 teams headed by the senior most seva (service) personnel who started taking the list of people who would board the bus to Tirumala on the coming wednesday. The charts started to get prepared in large number and duties started to get delegated, including counting of pilgrims, taking care of the long queue, providing food packets and water inside the cells having people waiting for darshans, laddu counters, flower arrangments, serving food at dharmastala, controlling crowds at all places, servicing in the hospitals and emergency teams and helping the local police to maintain calmness and security in the temple premises. The devotees who have agreed to be part of the seva will be in Tirumala for a week or fortnight based on their convenience, sleep in the dorms provided by the group leader, eat the food that is served free, and will come back to the rooms only to sleep. They do not enjoy any special benefits, except that they get one free darshan after the service is completed. This period is totally under service and dedication to the God, they believe in.
There is another group where its team leader, comes out with an activity list, that includes cleaning of local temples, collecting clothes and provisions for oldage home and orphanages, list out the people who would provide accounting and billing services in the Cancer Institute Adyar, Egmore General hospital, emergency wards that need real service and also providing communal kitchen for people suffering in nearest towns and villages due to floods etc. This is an extended arm and have in it professionals and students who are not able to take a week's off to be part of the core TTD Seva sang activity.
I joined this group of people almost 7 years back when the group was around 200 people and enjoyed my service in the local activities. One of the core members Mr. Panduranga Chinnikrishnan is my dad's cousin who is devoted with his wife for a complete stay in Tirumala under this seva service in his retired life which makes me proud of such selfless dedication from a elder couple in my family. Today the Seva Sang has got more than 4000 people joining this service organization. There is no joining fee, no stipulated regulations and absolutely no topic of giving or taking money in this service group. All it needed is clarity of thought, purity of actions, total devotion, and ardent dedication to serve the mankind. The belief is that blessings of the Lord is with us as we serve our fellow beings. Om Namo Narayanaya Namaha!!!

A Fighter called Siddharth

Blessed I am for Siddhu is my ex-collegue and a great friend. Blessed I am for I have met him during my most challenging days in life. Blessed I am for he is the inspiration to look beyond adversities in life. Blessed I am for he is a friend not just to me, but to Dr Abdul Kalam. It would be unfair on me to write about Siddhu, Siddharth Jeyakumar after Dr. Kalam himself had described about this young man and his strengths that strike us with no words but an ardent dedication to him. Below given are the extracts from Dr Kalam's speech in Kerala in his own words:
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Following is the text of President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s remarks while visiting Adarsh Charitable Trust in Kerala:
Brain to remove the pain
“I am delighted to visit ‘Adarsh Charitable Trust’ which is based on the intense need of the parents of the children with autism and cerebral palsy. A mother's love for such a child right from conception, pregnancy to birth and growth has transformed into a big mission of making the child to live a near-normal life... I would like to share my experience with a young boy suffering from Cerebral Palsy, whom I met in Chennai on December 2, 2005.
My experience with a special young man
I met Shri Siddharth Jayakumar at Chennai, who was born in Chikmagalur in Karnataka in the year 1980. He gave me a presentation using a laptop. His father’s name is Shri Jayakumar and his mother’s name is Komala. When he was born the doctors did not know what he was suffering from. Later on, they said he is mentally retarded. After detailed examination, it was found that he was suffering from Cerebral Palsy. As a result of this disease he has difficulty in co-ordination between his mind and body. He studied in Vidyasagar at Chennai. Though he studied very well, he has to dictate the answers to another student while writing the examination. In spite of this process in the 10th class examination he had scored 80%. He says he could not score more just because he was not allowed to do the practical and could not draw the diagrams. In the plus two examinations, he had secured an overall 90% and scored 100% in computer science. It is pertinent to note that he is the only boy to score 100% in this subject. Later he studied B.Com and scored 75%. He wanted to study Master in Social Work whereas he was given M.A. Economics in the Loyola College. He has scored 78% in his final examination. Shri Siddharth after completing his M.A., worked as a teacher in Vidyasagar itself. Later he attended Disability Job Fair organized by Ability Foundation, an NGO working for the welfare of the disabled. In the job fair he was selected by ABN AMRO looking at his academic track record. ABN AMRO has designated him as an Officer for verifying the export and import documents of the clients. To enable him to perform this job ABN AMRO has trained him to learn the banking and import and export procedures of countries like Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and Australia. He is the first student to be employed with Cerebral Palsy outside Vidyasagar school. He loves Mathematics. He has a mission of carrying out social work particularly for uplifting the life of special people with multiple disabilities. What a beautiful thought. The experience of Shri Siddharth clearly brings out the special strengths available with certain people with some disabilities. The two important thoughts emanate from Siddarth’s life.

a. The will power of Siddarth that “I will win, I will win” can be propagated among all the children.
b. The initiative of ABN AMRO to take a special person like Siddarth for regular work in the bank shows how it values the inherent strength and knowledge of the person irrespective of the difficulties. This type of outgoing effort of an organization can be followed by many institutions.
In this connection, I appreciate the action taken by Sakthi Masala, Erode (Tamil Nadu), who are employing special persons for many of their production activities. Thirty-two per cent of its employees are special people including mentally challenged people. Our social system and the educational institutions must recognize the strengths of the individual and provide the opportunity for these flowers to blossom. I am sure the children trained in Adarsh Charitable Trust will also be able to take up independent job as has been demonstrated by Shri Siddharth Jayakumar.
Conclusion
Any disorder in human faculty reduces the self-esteem of the individual and increases the dependence on others. Our efforts must be to bring about a sense of equality amongst them through a conducive environment. Equality can be generated by training them to acquire certain skills and engage their minds in productive efforts to enable them to lead a normal life
May God bless you.”

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To me, Siddharth had taught me the toughest lesson and gave me a realization to look beyond imperfections. Unknowingly he changed the way I was leading my life. Today I owe my acceptance of the facts in my life to this brave friend of mine who transformed my thinking to a greater extent. Thank you Siddhu... blessed I am to be your friend!

Stones Sing songs under his magic spell- Dr K Subba Reddy - Pallava Granites

One person who made a success story which started from stones. Today he is the leading industrialist who accelerates the Indian economy with his share of contribution by making wonders with the stones he dwell with. Minerals make magic and stones sings success songs under his magic spell. I believe in late 1970's people used to make fun of this legend saying that he is a lunatic searching his life in stone. The very people now are spellbound with the success he is showing in his business across the globe.
Dr. K.Subba Reddy, popular called as KSR amidst his closest circle of business fraternity is a person who made wonders with his hard work, determination and relentless efforts to bring in a granite story to the world. Indian granite exports marked a all time high under his leadership and this ardent exporter is also a world class leader winning the Mine safety awards, CAPEXIL Merit awards, and best export house certificate from the Government of India.
None can even imagine that there is a biggest export market to cater to the emotional needs of the world around by providing granites to the tombstones across the globe. This market is highly captured and lot many such innovative export areas had been discovered and patented by this leader in the industry.
Dr. Reddy is a simple and straightforward personality who inspires young Indians and make a remarkable influence on the young minds who interact with him with his wit and humour and at the same time providing food for thought. His simple message is that we all should dream big, aspire and put in our hard work towards our goals. No achievement is impossible as long as we conceptualise and visualise what we aim in life and work towards it. Quality, Innovation and safety of the products are of prime importance in any business and this great stalwart leader proved that his business will hold its highest regard for these aspects that make them unique in the global markets.
To me, knowing him is a blessing and having had the opportunity to interact with him had given me enough inspiration to think big, dream big and aim big. Thank you Sir!. May god bless you with lot more success and good health to keep inspiring amateurs like me!! May your journey of success be an inspiration to the world around!

We need Peace! STOP BLOOD SHED PLEASE!!!

Terror, Terror, Terror everywhere! God, city after city in my country is bleeding!. Cant imagine the pain and anxiety that is gripping the people who are effected directly and indirectly. It is causing a trauma that is beyond description. Children, women and men are all attacked. Do not know if my land is secure and safe to go around. Not sure if the next thrash bin near me do not have an explosive ready to take lives around. Not able to think that I am safe in my own country, amidst my own men and amidst broad day light. What is happening to my country that after years and years of fighting against the invaders of all kinds, was celebrating its freedom and democracy. The very fabric of my Nation is aimed for disturbance by cowardly act of few terror agencies. Why my Nation, why my people, why innocent civilians are targeted.

If the objective of such attacks are to create confusion in the minds of people, bring in a panic across the nation, prove that a certain faith is more appropriate than others, create a war against the democracy and harmony of the Nation, let me say it Loud with my fellow Indians, their objective can never be achieved. Temporary disturbance and panic may be created, but cannot create a mindset of insecurity in my mother land which has a strong history of tolerance, acceptance and harmony amongst the various languages, religions, castes, creeds, communities,and faiths that bind my country.
Proof of concept and achievement do not lie in the hands of dirty terrorism that get paid in huge amounts for creating a sense of insecurity in any Nation. How many people can the terrorism strike in this country? We have mothers who send valiant sons to the battlefield despite losing their husband and other children. India is a Nation that has a unexpressed love of its citizens and a dedication to the mother land by its people. When time comes, world will see a sea of humanity flowing in the battlefields to protect Mother India. But when the very battle begins within and amidst the society without any indication, it is a shame for the people who does that in the name of Brave fight having very narrow objectives. If the terrorists have real guts, come in front of us and fight with us a brave battle. I would be the first one to die for the Nation. Inspector Mohan chand proved that by laying his live for the security of our country. His death is only a beginning for lot many fellow Indians who are ready to fight terrorism in the toughest battle. We do not want any more blood shed. It is unfortunate to note that these so called terrorists are still moving around in the general public holding highest educational degrees and are also accomplished engineers. Why is the intellectual property of my country put into wrong use? Against our own people? What is causing this havoc when we see information that a 10 year old boy is involved in the bomb making....Are our mothers sleeping? Are our fathers not knowing whats happening in the upbringing of their children. A 16 year old boy was killed in the Delhi encounter this week! Mother India is bleeding and we need to stop this. Wake up India, to the reality around us. Find out the insecurity of these children who are turning as terrorists. Stop the propaganda in the name of faith. No religion or no religious scriptures preach and provoke terrorism. No Religion describes that faith can be accomplished by killing fellow citizens. No religious truth had ever been proved to gain faith and win over the hearts of millions by provoking terrorism, practising hatred and preaching killing of innocent lives. Every life is precious according to Bible, Quran or Bhagavat Gita. If you are a follower of any religion in the world, it only preaches you to maintain harmony, brotherhood and help your fellow beings from human sufferings. Anything else is a outcome of wicked minds and that need to be eradicated.
India is a land of peace, non-violence, tolerance and reckoned for its democratic, socialistic, secular fabrics that build this Nation. Let us proclaim to uproot the very threads of terrorism from our country and proclaim that it is the safest Nation to live in. Jai Hind!

Tanjore Paintings- Sophisticated Art Form

Art depicts the way the man lived over civilizations. It represents the way the mankind focused on its thoughts, actions and activities in this earth. Ancient era denotes a widely appreciated stone art and sculptures that lured the walls of caves, temples, rock forts and the big mandaps (Halls) which the kings and queens of the olden days appreciated, encouraged and thrived to develop by all means. These art forms created history and gave us an biggest cult to understand our evolution over various time periods. One such great art form that had its own sophistication, richness and embodiment of its very existence is the Tanjore Paintings. The roots of the tanjore art goes to the historical relevance's of 18th century where India was noted across the world for this indigenous art form that flourished during Gupta and Chola empires.
Thanjavur paintings which emerged in the capital of Gupta empire Tanjore which is around 350 kms away from Chennai, India, showcased the cultural evolvement during those days. Tanjore paintings mainly depict the various forms of Hindu gods and goddesses, providing a significance to each of the incarnations that are believed by the Hindu followers. The paintings are a treat to eyes with an visual amalgamation of art and craft by using wooden boards, gold foils, silver linings, various beads and gem stones, to bring the richness of the Hindu incarnations into life. Glass, stones, cloth, limestone, precious and semi-precious stones, smooth stones, glue from neem trees, gold foils, and ornamental accessories are all used to embellishing the canvas and the pencil sketch over it to make a beginning to a marvellous art piece. The various gem stones used make the paintings shine with the three dimensional effects. These priceless treasures are saved for generations in the homes of Indian households. These pieces of art are given as a timeless property to our future generations. Today, lot of experimentation is being done in this art form bringing in various other pictorial representations of nature and times, that show a change in the way the art is explored. The paintings today decorate the affluent homes, corporate offices and also in many places of business. The art is no where confined to the rich people alone. It all takes a genuine interest, a quest to bring in something new and refreshing and explore the new possibilities to make this art survive and enrich over the period of times. The historical golden era still continues as far as Indian art is concerned and Tanjore Paintings perhaps holds the mantle of success to its creators.
To me, in particular, this art form will be cherished for ever. I would take this up as my retirement plan when I have time and resources to sit and put my imagination to action. Thanks to my friend Sudha who presented me my first ever owned Vinayakar Tanjore painting which made a beginning to my collection of these paintings. Wanna do few of my own and pass on to my future generations, the treasure of art that glorify the Indian imagination from the times immemorial. Keep imagining and keep the art alive!!

My Mother- My living roadmap!

I need to tell you a story of a little girl who had nothing but hatred towards her mother. She never loved her, been with her closely, never remember her kiss or a hug. The little girl never had an opportunity to be close to her working mother who was miles away from her hometown where she lived. All that mattered to her was her grandmother who she regards as god mother, her Dad who had been her all time favorite friend and her siblings with whom she enjoyed fighting. Parents had all good reasons why they worked in two different places and concentrated on the childrens future. But our little girl never understood that as a child for to her what was important is her mom attending parent teachers meetings, her school functions and her friends birthday parties like all other mothers do. As she started to grow, she started to welcome her mom once in a month for a few days for thats the time she got lot of new clothes, new gifts, books and pocket money. This was the way the little girl was in her childhood, enjoying her boyish upbringing by her dad, her friends and fun with neighbourhood boys that she enjoyed the most. She was up for a fight for a cycle, pulling of her neighbour's cricket bats and wanting to be part of the church carol singers and play drums on the silent night. It was all the same till one winter morning when her dad succumbed to an unthinkable silent stroke. All was over within minutes for this little girl to whom the life was nothing but onething that evolved around her dad. Few weeks after, a dawn of realization came upon the little girl that she now have to stay with her mom, in a new place, new school, new language, new friends and new books. Alas! that was the end of expectations and the little girl literally wanted to run away from all this unexpected turning in her life. The young widow, whose the mother of three teenage girls, all in their years of public examination stood bravely to face the reality. She had the courage to pull back the strings of life quickly and more vibrantly with one objective- to see her girls have the same kind of life they had so far. The woman had no big finances to back up on, no strong support from the relatives, no standby from close friends, all she had was a decent job that pays her a regular monthly salary. Irony is that the children were so far studying in the best of the schools in a small town, but had the best of everything possible in a average upper middle class family in India. The woman herself being a asthamatic and chronically ill under high medication did brave to bring all the three children to her place of work and put them in the best of schools. The kids realised the eventuality and reality that surrounded them. She was a very arrogant mother, who was adamant about the conservative way of life the children had to lead. They were not allowed to step out of the house in her absence. They were not allowed to watch television than for the stipulated time set by her. They were not allowed to watch movies, play games, go out with friends, demand costly dresses and shoes, or anything else that usual urban children crave for. But the mother gave the children plenty of opportunity to read good books, hear good music, and study what they opted for. It was very troublesome for the otherwise boyish little girl about whom we were talking. The mother silently did her job, making food on time for the kids, running errands both at home and outside, managing work and family stringent finances, saving little money to expand the house to maintain three children and also save for their future marriages and careers. In a gap of five years, the mother managed to marry off her all three daughters welcoming the new hope and new sons to the family. In the timespan of 10 years, there emerged three beautiful women who were strong to face any kind of adversities in life, who professionally make their presence felt in the organizations they work for, have managed to maintain a big network of friends and also managed to keep up their hobbies and personal interests in tact. Today after many years, the mother still lives on her hardwork, perseverance and faith in herself. The journey was not easy, but was possible. Today the mother, who is now a proud grandmother to her three grandchildren still do not stop from her endevour of teaching her grandchildren the basics of life, that nothing is free in this world. She makes the children learn the rythms of life, that hardwork is the only way to success. Today, the old woman do not sleep away from her quest and her initiatives are all towards the future planning for her grandchildren. The little girl who is now a responsible woman in the society, is no more the one having hatred with her mother, but the very girl who is determined to take care of her in her oldage. This girl is the very woman who today understand the fact that no mother stays away from the children by choice but because they have no other chance. Had it not been for the determination and struggle of this mother, I dont think the three girls would have had the opportunity to today proclaim themselves as strong professionals, caring wives and good mothers and also being responsible citizens in the society. The little girl is none other than me!!! To me today, my mom is everything, my roadmap to success, my living legend and my most empowered woman!!!

SCARF- Schizophrenia Research Foundation

Institution: Schizophrenia Research Foundation

SCARF is the acronym for the Schizophrenia Research Foundation , a non governmental, non profit organization in Chennai, India, which has committed itself to schizophrenia care and research .

Whats the significance of this institute:

Provide medical assistance and emotional support to the mentally ill and psychologically imbalanced people

Creating awareness and education on schizophrenia

Providing support and rehabilitation facilities to the ill and their families

An NGO spreading the message of hope and acceptance in the society

How does this impact society:

SCARF provides a forum to understand schizophrenia

It provides an insight into the mental illness identifying the biological, physical and social causes

Provides an edifice on which the family and friends can help the ill people

Rehabilitation and recovery by providing proper medication and support

Acceptance in the normal society and bringing back recovered people to main stream activity

Our Responsibility:

Do not treat mentally ill people like untouchables in the society. Understand their feelings and provide required medical assistance

Do not sympathise with their situation but support them in the recovery process.

Accept them the way they are. Schizophrenics are not totally disabled people. They live in illusions. So be that illusion itself to the dear ones to make them realise the reality.

Bring in a social structure where medical insurance covers the mentally ill as well, for the cost of medical support to such people is also high

Medication to schizophrenia is a life time process and do not discontinue at any point.

Accept people who are recovered in the mainstream society by providing them job opportunities, scope to learn, live and participate in the community.

After all, they are also human beings looking for love and care. Show them in adequate measure so that they would recover soon.

Me and Schizophrenia:

My quest to understand schizophrenia started way back in 1997, when I first met Dr.Rudran and had a chance to interact closely with his office and people around him. From then, I have done lot of research in this field to understand mental illness,and my association with Banyan in Year 2000 helped me to meet lot of people aiming at same objective. Today, me and my husband counsel families fighting to understand mental imbalances and emotional traumas. Our counselling involves talking to people, making them talk about their feelings, emotions, and frustrations. Lot many time, we happen only to be quite listeners. Many time, after hearing a long conversation, I have found people talking to me saying that they are comforted and got the required solace to calm down and proceed with lives. Lot many friends today look upon me for motivation to pep up their lives and I stand as an ardent listener to their problems. This helps them to overcome lot of frustrations and do not end up as emotionally imbalanced people.

Request to my friends and fellowmen:

Mental illness is getting worse in our country because of the myths, high expectations, unbearable disappointments, improper food habits, and not giving enough time to the essentials of life which includes, family, friends, hobbies, objectives and self -motivating factors. The social strata need to be understanding that how much ever materialistic and routine we get into, we need to still have people to talk, care, share and love and have a very purpose of living. We are social beings and cannot be living alone, and each one of us need to be a helping shoulder to at least one person around us. This will not let anyone around us to be emotionally week and end up with mental illness. As citizens, we have the responsibility to bring in a society which is far from fear, loneliness, confusion, hatred and frustration. This will in one way build a healthy society which in turn paves a way for harmony as a Nation.

Inner Wheel Club of Madras South

Thanks to Vummidiars Muralidaran uncle and Suganthi Aunty, I had the opportunity to visit one of the meetings of the Rotary Clubs. I always had an urge to be part of the social organizations and i was interested in the community service right from my childhood. Had been a volunteer at the Godavari pushkarams as part of Scouts and Guides camp for 14 days in Rajamundry Andhrapradesh belt and served from 6 am to 6 pm continiously with my tribe. It was the first recognition i had as a social worker at the age of 14 in 1991, August 17th, when my picture got published in Deccan Chronicle, my first association with Press and print media. Ironically, this date marked its importance in my life when I got married on the same date after 6 years in 1997. Its also gave me an opportunity to be associated with Murali uncle and his activities in life as a honourary member Gymkhana Club, T.Nagar club and Rotary club of Madras south.

Date of my induction : 12 July 2004, Venue: Hotel Savera. Induction of President Sanjukhta Dutta, leading Auditor of Indian Express and Economic Times

Significance: Chief guest and fellow inductor to the club was a popular Woman Politician in the Dravidian Tamil Nadu Politics, Mrs Vijaya Thayaban.

Objective of me joining the club: Continue my childhood dream to be doing something to the society.

Major activities of the club: Providing welfare measure and recurring costs to maintains few educational institutions, healthcare and old age home. Birds Old Age home in Kanchipuram, Good will foundation for blind and Egmore Eye hospital are the main streams centres for us.

Other than funding students and promoting health benefits, conducting blood camps, breast feeding awareness camps, etc. Best was the fund raising event, organised by the club bringing in 40 Golden years of SPB in Kamarajar Arangam.

Core Members who make difference: Every member in this club is unique and important. Every member is of prima facia the core edifice on which this club survives. Importantly we have few people who made a vital difference in the society. Mrs May George, the first Woman Director of PWD, in 1970's is a strength. Shanthi Kannan, Suganthi , Suman, Pushvil, Neela Govindarajan, Sita Laxminarayanan, Oligimaye veerapan, Rajalakshmi Narayanan, Sanjuktha Dutta, Sumana, Kusum and lot many others who have made this club proud of. The younger crowd which includes Kala, Manjula, Anjana, myself, and others definitly make a larger difference. There are many of us who are strong professionals and doing good in our own careers, but when we meet for the club meetings its just one gang of girls. Its no different if you are 80+ or just 20+ , you would enjoy the club so much. There is bonding, there is a togetherness, care, sharing, purpose, fun and social objective in every meeting. We meet officially once in a month with an agenda,, love being together that few hours and exchange good will, friendship and put forward our thoughts and actions for communical service.

Our Prayer:

Instill in us O'Lord the true meaning of friendship

Never let us forget that we are all thy children

Notwithstanding the difference in our culture and creed

Endow us with a desire to serve our fellowmen

Remembering that we too often need help

Whenever or wherever the need for service arises

Help us to be ready to serve

Endevouring to make our badge of Inner Wheel worthwhile

Ensuring that we have notLived in vain.

The Art of Love- Why is sex still a Taboo in India?

Watching CNN IBN debate on the Art of Love, provoked to put my thoughts in writing. Thanks to my kid's school which in fact gave an orientation to the parents to make the children talk to parents about the basics of good or bad. In fact the Correspondent was informing us to educate the children on a good touch and a bad touch. As a modern and open minded parent I understood that day what it means to give appropriate sex education as mothers and fathers to our children to provide more of understanding and security in this otherwise chaotic world. I found it rather easy to discuss with my child and her friends on the otherwise tabooed subject based on the inputs the school provided. I felt that day, that it wasn't the case when I was a child. Neither my family nor my school attempted to educate me on the basics of the human life. We do not talk about sex in public lives and we do not discuss the most pertinent issues of marital life to resolve the most confronting domestic issues in Modern India. We are not living in a country which is closed anymore but not ready to accept that we can discuss things of importance in public as well.

India gave to the world an art of love called Kama Sutra. Kama Sutra in general indicates to the larger sector of the world to provide inputs on various erotic experimentation's and also the way the sexual life can be framed or redesigned to bring in the spice of life. What many fail to understand the intricacy of this beautiful piece of art that emerged in the 4th century is that there is a basic understanding in a very spiritual and complimentary way of a relationship between a man and a woman.

It is not about the combination of two physical bodies that inter wine and form a relationship. It is an understanding between two souls who could divinely accomplish the art of love. For all who can object an discussion on this topic, would actually be the people who would be encouraging this concept in their private lives. The sacred institution of marriage is the oldest university in the world that provides a bonding between a man and a woman and gives its social acceptance for them to live together. Slowly and steadily this popular institution is also fading away its charm with divorces and broken marriages. Why? For What? Do you think the West is the cause? Definitely no. In fact I have seen marriages surviving for a life time across Europe, America and other parts of the globe. Then what? Growing starvation for time to manage one's emotions. Today people in the urban communities do not have time or thought to understand the basic human emotions which includes love, care, sex, sharing and being together. In this so called materialism, the people fail to understand that physical and emotional bondage is what keeps the important relationship called husband and wife in tact for life. The Indian traditions have time and again given many opportunities to people to understand the importance of being closer in all means. But today, people do not realise this concepts of fondness that once inter wined so deeply in our society. Sex is no more a unknown factor in India, thanks to the advertising and media that gives more than required knowledge to the people of all ages. Unfortunate thing is the knowledge that is given is either inadequate or misleading. Misconceptions and wrong assumptions lead to wrong ways of life. It is time for the people to realise the importance of educating our younger generations on what it means, and what it also means if we fail to understand the truth behind the otherwise unspoken myths. Its no more a myth. What impressed me were the sculptures I saw in the Detroit Institute of Arts- an embodiment and depiction of human life. I was taken by awe to see the painting of Adam and Eve done in 1545 A.D. There are hundreds of sculptures depicting human life on the walls of Indian temples that go unnoticed. The marvellous architecture was one way of education to the earlier generations about this so called taboo now. Its all in the walls of fame in temples across India, talking about the way the culture emerged, the way the traditions were encouraged and the way the lives were lived. Do not make sex a word of wrong thought, instead promote the safest side and make the younger generations to understand the purity in the art of love. Love is not just fun, its the essence of mankind. Love is not physical bonding, its emotional upheaval to live as social beings. Sex is a part of it. Do not parcel it calling it absurd to discuss instead bring back the sanctity it once had. The land of devadis and the land of Kama Sutra is also the land of tolerance and purity. Make the country proud of the ancient knowledge that we gave to this world. One day we would be a AIDS free nation having our upcoming generations enjoying life in the most safest and happiest ways possible.

Save the cage girls

Mary Ellen Mark - a writer who first time wrote a lengthy article in India today almost 15 years back is my first introduces to the struggles of few children. Cage Girls. This article brought in lot of controversies for the kind of revelations that made and also brought in a dramatic change in the way I was looking at life. As a happy child with good and caring parents, with a secured childhood, a school that was more like a paradise, we could never imagine the plight of our fellow sisters who get throttled in this world in a very shady lives. Children as young as 11years were drawn to the child prostitution in the cities of Bombay and Calcutta ( now called Mumbai and Kolkatta). The names of these cities changed over the years but do not think the destiny of the children in the so called trade areas have changed despite the government and NGO efforts to rescue and protect them. People talk about child protection, eradication of child labour but in fact not many can even enter into the lives of these children and bring them back to the main stream society. As a young writer who got selected to do a survey for India Today, I had a chance to interact with few reports and writers during those times. It was under shocking circumstances that I saw what few children whose pictures these people were even reluctant to publish looked like. Writing this remind me of Kamal Hassan's movie "Mahanadhi" which portrays the lives of these unfortunate children. This cage girls will not see life better than being in the flesh trade unless and otherwise the whole society reacts to this silence hazard that is prevailing in the society. Its not just human rights commission, or the women forums and few NGO's to raise voice against such unimaginable state, but for the entire men and women who pull this children to understand that this is no way of making a livelihood and also to understand that what they are actually tarnishing is the future of this country. Government should take serious measures to eradicate this prevailing dishonour and make the lives of these children more meaningful. God Bless!