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:
""Quote""
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!

I love my Chennai

I used to come to Madras as a child during all my holidays. The fun of enjoying the Marina beach building sand castles, not only encouraged us to dream big, but also gave us lot of fun and time with family and cousins. Hailing from Eluru town in Andhrapradesh, to me the old Madras was the best thing that happened in all my summer vacations. Looking forward to eat sundal and muruku and have chuku kappi in the shores of Marina was a fun.. cane juice, giant wheel, collecting shells, mango with salt and pepper, and the best of kites and paper fans. Then to run to the Ice house (now called Vivekananda Illam), and counting statues that stand tall talking about the culture of Madras is something that i would cherish doing even today. The serenity of the city had changed along with its name. Namma Chennai is the slogan the old Madras now sings. The beautiful buildings, the vast marina, the might mount road, and the best of Adyar allzha maram are few things that would not change in this vast city. Having had the chance to go through out the city in my past 16 years as a resident I think I had the opportunity to taste the conservative strings of old Madras and the renowned newness of Namma Chennai.

I sometimes wonder if i am having a double personality just like this vast metropolitan of India. Highly conservative and traditional Chennai, with its aromatic flavours of Filter Coffee, Sambar Idly and Muruku sundal in food, the heritage of kalashretra and much older tradition of the Music, and enhancting classical and divine musical spell that makes this place a threat to live. Dance, drama and music is in the blood of the people here. All languages, religions and cultures mix up in unity and integrity. Diversity of the city welcomes people from all neighbouring states with a warmest hug and a open arms. Today old madras transforms itself as a seat of growth, tranquility, spiritual destination and the patronage of the ancient world class temples that speak volumes of the artistic brilliance of the people lived in the city. The other side of the new Chennai is hyped, modern, and a refreshing to the new generations. The city has the best of golf courses in India, beautiful stadiums, posh and well equipped sports facilities, new Squash grounds in Chetpet, artistically upcoming software technology parks, amazing communities that bring in new culture, expansion of the city with new opportunities in education and employment. The city lags no where behind the modernisation in terms of entertainment as well. The latest is all available in Inox, and Satyam multiplexs and Spencers is the sheer destination for shopping. Not just this, but young crowds have lot of welcoming pubs and discos, where they chill down not just on weekends but throughout. Saris, Salwars, Kurtha, Denims, all go well in this city and its all so synced up so well that you can just be yourself, the way you want to be. If you are person of old traditions, you have lot of places, and sabhas and temples that keep you busy throughout or if you are interested in the modern sphere of life, the city has enough to endear. Not just this, the city is upcoming destination for major industrial giants spinning the economy with faster acceleration. One of the most modern, safe and structured, organised and mostly a happy Indian City- That's my Chennai!!!

What makes a good tester?

A Good Testers need to follow ten basic principles:

1. Always think from the end-user/ customer point of view

2. Understand the requirement clearly and technically

3. Use your logical sense to the best of ability

4. Do not be a friend to the developer.

5. Look at the test cases from all angles- coverages, acceptance, co-relations, impact, dependencies etc

6. Learn to write good and comprehensive test cases

7. Learn to report defects appropriately- with test steps, sequences, patterns, screenshots of the defects etc

8. Followup on the defects till they are closed appropriately

9. Report issues to the right persons for immediate resolution

10. Remember you are the gatekeepers for the quality of the product to be delivered

Simple and realistic ten steps would not only make you a good tester, but would also make the products delivered consistent, reliable, competent and overall makes the application user friendly and meaningful.

Handling Failures

All of us enjoy and rejoice success, but not many of us are aware how to handle failures. In every aspect of life, it is important the people first learn to get into a mind set where they can handle failures in the same spirit as they would handle success. Life itself is a competitions, from the childhood between siblings, as teens with the schoolmates, as adults with colleague's, as business men with the entrepreneurs, as citizens with our fellow country men, life is a biggest challenge and not every time everyone sees success. The very spice of life is to see the failures and to realise the worth and wisdom it takes to over come disappointments, jump back into action with more energy, expectation, and enthusiasm, so that we do not repeat our mistakes that paved way for failures earlier. Learn from the lessons of the past and move forward. Be it a competition, a new business, expansion, work, studies, or even in a relationship. One should not impact the very existence of us as human beings and we should look forward for the next best opportunity. The more we keep looking at the closed door or a disappointing failure, we would actually fail to see the new opportunity or the new doors opening for us to continue with our quest for success. Leave the baggage of failure behind the doors, and pick the lessons that are needed to refine and rejuvenate us to go ahead with the next possibilities. Only people who are determined and are ready to take this move are the people who had been successful in life and history do give lot of examples of such achievers. High class achievers in the world are not the people who had never encountered failures, but they are the people who encourages themselves to look beyond failures and keep going ahead. They are the people who took life in their stride and moved ahead despite the most troubling tragedies in personal lives and devastating failures in the business lives as well. They emerged successful not because of the circumstances or all best opportunities but because they had the will to emerge and regain the spirit to make alignments and leave behind the failures as lessons learnt. Its not the destiny that takes you to your destination but definitely it is the way you take things and handle failure that make you successful. If your destination is called Success, do not fear the midway stations called failures and disappointments and do not disjoint your journey but keep your perseverance and hard work, faith in your possibilities till you reach your planned destination. Good Luck!!!

Think big: Kalam to kids Tuesday July 29 2008 at St. Brito's Academy

 

Think big: Kalam to kids
Tuesday July 29 2008 00:00 IST

 

APJ Abdul Kalam shaking hands with St Britto’s Academy students

THE students of St Britto’s Academy were excited when former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam entered their campus on Friday and their joy had no boundaries when Kalam shook hands with them.

The ‘Missile Man’ was at the school to interact with the students. He started his speech Nanbargalae ellarukum vanakkam (Good morning friends) amidst a thunder of applause. He also administered an eight-point pledge to the students.

Speaking on the topic ‘No youth today need to fear about the future’, he said, “When I was a young boy of your age, I had series of concerns in my life. Will I ever go out of my village for high school studies? When I reached the high school in small town and saw my colleagues well dressed, good at speaking English, I used to ask myself, when will I enter into their company? When I reached 9th class I had another concern, will I get good marks to go for higher education, particularly engineering science or medicine? When I reached 10th class definitely all these concerns vanished, because of the company of a great teacher like Shri Sivasubramania Iyer,” said Kalam.

He added, “Seconds fly, minutes fly, hours fly, days fly and years fly. We have no control over it. The only thing that we can do is, while the time flies, we can navigate the time”.

Kalam then had the students repeating statements after him on righteousness in the heart and beauty in the character. “Today, India has a mission of transforming itself into a developed nation with a value system. This is a great challenge. This can be achieved through our youth power.

Youth has got the power of ideas, ambition and ability. This resource of the youth is an important building block for transforming India into a developed nation. No youth today need to fear about the future,” Kalam insisted.

To a question raised by a student on politics and what are the skills one should develop to become a genuine politician and leader, Kalam said, “Political system is equal to political politics and development politics. Our politicians do lot of political politics. Higher the development politics, it will get higher respect”. When he was asked about the nuclear deal, Kalam said, “The nuclear deal is not for setting up a power plant at a particular place.

It is to see that we get uranium in the world market. Power plant will be installed at a place selected by DAE in consultation with state and central governments”. Ending the interactive session, Kalam said, “Think big, aim in life, acquire knowledge, hard work and perseverance-with these four you will be a great personality”. Xavier Britto, founder-chairman of the school and Vimala Britto, co-founder and correspondent of the school, were also present on the occasion

 

Faith in your possibilities

Faith!

Faith and only faith in your possibilities

Faith in the actions to do, faith in the reactions to handle

faith in the way to lead a life

faith in the work that is to be done to attain glory!

faith in the confidence bestowed upon, and faith in the work of God behind every destiny!

Faith and only faith in more possibilities!!!

Award winning HR Article presented to eWIT - RETAINING BEST TALENTS (Retaining the Best) Paper presented for eWIT Excellence Awards - Mar 2012

 

Retaining the Best

 

Executive Summary

 

Indian IT sector is the fastest growing employment sector these days.  Bringing in the best to the economy and also increasing the value of human potential, hitherto unheard of in the context of Indian Economy.   Intelligence, Knowledge and Technical Know- How is valued across the globe.  Opportunities have increased and employees job-hopping have become a common phenomenon and major threat to the employers at all levels.  Here in this paper, the major issues relating to employee retention and highlighted the ways in which managers can make a difference…

Retention matters because high turnover creates high replacement costs, and is clearly associated with low levels of customer satisfaction, loyalty and lost revenues.   It is particularly challenging today due to a number of factors including aging work force, growing imbalance in the supply and demand of qualitative personnel.  In addition, today’s, workers have different expectation about work-life balance.   People stay with employers when they see the Organization as a source of pride and affiliation, good supervisors, fair compensation and work is meaningful.  People seek greener pastures, when leadership changes, conflicts arise with immediate supervisors or close friends leave, and responsibilities change in ways that they do not favor.    Managing for Retention is dealt in detail to curtail this growing menace to the organizations both potentially in terms of technical skills and right attitude skills.

 

 

Retaining the Best

 

 

Hiring and Retention are the two sides of the same coin.  They complement each other and if both are done well they produce what every company desperately needs:  first- class human assets.  Hiring success by getting the talented, hard working people brings in not just a considerable advantage over the competitors would create another challenge:  Keeping those star employees on board.  After all, if your human assets are measurably superior, other companies would notice and lure them away with higher pay, more authority and more appealing work situations-  perhaps the same inducements you used to recruit them.   We need to analyze within the organization on the defensive, employment practices, benefits and compensation schemes to determine if they are unconsciously undermining bonds of loyalty between the company and the great people who are hired.

            Retention is the challenge faced by many of the world’s most admired companies.  “War for Talent” became the scenario of many employment categories – particularly the high skilled areas such as IT, Software development, electrical engineering, accounting and finance- demand outstripped supply, touching off what has become talent warfare.

Lack of human talent is a serious concern on future growth and there is a need to pull all the stops in order to retain the most valuable employees.   Few world renowned techniques those succeeded are Work-Life balance programs, casual dress regimens, and on-site child care, sports tables proliferated, and increased responsibilities with required authority. 

            Though on and off recessions hit the high tech sector,  and ripple the economy, followed by unemployment, this phenomenon do not exist long.   Recessions don’t last forever, and most people recognize that the war of talent would heat up again once the economy got back on track.  In some sectors of the economy, the war never really subsided.  Surveys conducted over a period of time reveal that employees often get motivated by various factors that contribute to higher level of job hopping

 

Retention Matters

Retention is the converse of turnover – turnover being the sum of voluntary and involuntary separations between an employee and his or her company.   Industry-wide and company- specific measures that track turnovers rates reveal that most companies surveyed had turnover rates in the 15 to 50 percent range, though a sizeable minority enjoyed single digit turnover.

            Retention isn’t simply a “feel good” issue.  The retention of good employees matters for three important bottom-line reasons

1.     The growing importance of intellectual capital

2.     A casual link between employee tenure and customer satisfaction

3.     The high cost of employee turnover

 

The Importance of Intellectual Capital

            In the current “Knowledge Era” intellectual capital is what defines a company’s competitive edge.  Intellectual capital is the unique knowledge and skills that a company’s work force possess.  Today’s successful businesses win with innovative new ideas and top-notch products and services – all of which originate in the knowledge and skills of employees. 

People who possess the intellectual capital includes

·       Computer Programmers

·       Network and Software Engineers

·       Technical Designers and Solution Architects

·       Direct Marketing Analysts

·       Mid Level Managers- (they know whom to contact to get things done)

·       Top Level Executives – (they have business savvy and industry knowledge)

·       Strategic planning and business development professional ( they know how to do competitive and other forms of analysis)

·       Human Resource professionals ( Recruiting, employment law, compensation and other critical employee relation issues)

·       In-house legal counsel ( they understand intellectual property, securities, and other areas of business law)

Whenever employees leave, the company loses their hard-won knowledge and often expensively acquired skills.  The loss is compounded when the employees go to the competitor.  The time and money invested in training and on job skills is shared by the competitor at no cost.

Customer Satisfaction

The most important factors in business survival and growth are the customer satisfaction.  This is vital factor that forces retention to be a critical aspect.  Employees who are satisfied with their work and their company are most likes to create satisfied customers.  This is not just intuitively obvious but Research also supports this correlation.

Research findings stated that:

·       Negative employee attitudes and behaviors adversely affected the satisfaction of the customers

·       High employee turnover reduced customer satisfaction and revenues.

·       The extent to which the employees understood their jobs and company’s strategic objectives had a direct bearing on their attitudes and behaviors

Developing positive employees’ attitudes, job tenure and the financial performance develops the links between customer satisfaction and financial revenue growth.  When employees feel an attachment to the firm, they are most likely to share their positive images and feeling about the firm with the customers.  When the customer is exposed to favorable testimonials, they respond more firmly to the companies.

The Cost of Turnover

            The high price of turnover is the third major reason that retention matters.  Employee turnover involves three types of cost, each of which saps bottom-line results:

1.     Direct expenses including the out-of pockets cost of recruiting, interviewing, and training replacements.

2.     Indirect costs, such as the effect on workload, morale and customer satisfaction.

3.     Opportunity costs that include lost knowledge and the work that doesn’t get done while managers and other employees focus on filling the slot and bringing the replacement up to speed.

Employee categories such as information technology, software programming, and management consulting and public auditing routinely experience turnover rates of 20 to 25 percent.  Considering the salary levels in these fields, those rates must result in a painful financial burden for the affected company.

 

Why Retention is so challenging?

            The challenge of retaining good employees is complicated by a number of factors:

·       Demographic conditions

·       Cultural expectations

·       Upheavals in the world of work

Demographics

Demographic changes have made retention especially more challenging:

1.     The workforce overall is maturing.  The average age of employees is 35. 

2.     Economic growth is outpacing the growth of the workforce.  The US economy is growing at 2.4 percent while growth in the labor force is lagging behind with 1.2 percent only

3.     The supply of highly skilled technicians and professionals is being overwhelmed by demand – particularly in IT related fields.

The ramifications of these trends are clear: a pronounced shortage of skilled workers- and escalating competition among companies to recruit and retain those that are available.

Cultural Expectations

People’s expectations about work also strongly influence retention patterns.  Gone are the days when employees spend their entire lifetime working for one firm, except in the government services and factories it has become a rare phenomenon.   Employees, their colleagues, and companies consider one another almost as family and give each other the same dedication, commitment and support that one would give family members.  In contrast, the current culture emphasize on fast moving, and continual change- including rapid job-hopping in search of the best possible combination of work, compensation and future opportunities.   Thus, the company’s retention goals might be more or less challenging, depending on the cultural factors that shape its region’s or industry’s employment trends.

Upheavals in the world of work

            Changing economic and cultural circumstances can produce dramatic upheavals in the work world.  

§  A trend towards free agency

§  The dissolving employer/ employee contracts

§  An intensifying need for technical skills

§  A growth in internet recruiting

§  Demands for greater work-life balance

When you put these trends together, it’s clear that companies can no longer expect employees to join them early in life and stay indefinitely.  Instead, firms must actively and creatively encourage good people to stay- especially in high-tech markets.

The Special Challenge of a diverse work force

          Retention is especially challenging when the work force is highly diverse.  From age and gender, to part time, full time, ethnicity, race, sex, physician ability – companies are both benefiting from and struggling with the differences among employees.  “One-Size-Fits-All’’ strategies for keeping good people simply don’t work any longer.  Companies can best improve their retention rates by crafting creative, specialized strategies for each major segment of the work force.

The contingent work force

           Members of the Contingent Work Force- part timers, contractors, and temporary employees – offers some important advantages, as well as difficult challenges for Managers and HR departments.

Primary advantages include

§  Flexibility

§  Affordability

 Challenges include

§  High Turnover

§  A lower degree of loyalty to the firm and its products

§  A growing demand for the same benefits that regular employees receive such as satisfying work and career – development support

Young Workers

            Younger workers – primarily those in their twenties – bring energy – freshness, and state of the art technical knowledge into the firm’s work force.   These workers pose some difficulties:

• Career paths and taking jobs that will help them advance to the next jobs
• Comfortable with rapid change and flat management structures than are older employees
• Want their employer to define a career ladder for them

 

The following four strategies can help:

1. Understand their background, and customize their work accordingly
2. Include professional development in your value proposition to this  group
3. Lead through learning and developing new skills
4. Seek independent, continuous feedback from all employees

Female Employees

            Many corporate women are discourages by the “glass ceiling” that blocks their advancement.  Others want or need more flexibility than their employers can provide.  Still others – like their male counterparts – have developed Business concepts that they would pursue as individuals than as employees of some faceless corporation.  The resulting “brain drain” carried a heavy price.  

The four strategies that can help:

1. Analyze the current situation:

                  Identify the upper management positions occupied by the women and those who are in pipeline.  Talking to these women is find out what’s important to them and then finds ways to meet their needs.

2. Eradicate ‘invisible’ barriers to women’s success:

                  Take a hard look at the corporate environment.  Barriers to female success can be subtle- but very real.  Identify high-potential women and given them equal access to career enhancing opportunities:  line positions, skill-building opportunities, special project assignments, committee leadership and appointment to high visibility teams.

 

3. Cultivate support throughout the organization:                    

                  Supervisors should be made responsible for meeting the company’s gender equity goals.  Assign an ombudsman to handle any bias incidents

4. Promote the understanding that women’s ways of managing are good for business:

                  Specifically, numerous female entrepreneurs offer more flexibility, understanding and an open management style- all of which can give their corporation a vital competitive edge. 

There are many ways to address the gender concerns in the workplace.  No matter how you choose to do so, communication, creativity and a proactive approach will help

Race, Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation and Other Differences:

      Human beings have a long history of treating one another unfairly because of differences- whether the difference is race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical ability or another characteristic.  Many people have suffered discrimination in the workplace – sometime covert, sometimes open- if they didn’t fit in with what others thought of as the “mainstream” culture.  This kind of unfair treatment carries a high price of businesses.

      Companies can’t afford to neglect the talent found among people who are “different”.  “Every talented employee counts and finding ways to keep them simply makes good business sense. 

 

 

Why People Stay

People stay with a company for many different reasons, including job security, a work culture that recognizes the importance of work life balance, recognition for a job well done, flexible hours, or a sense of belonging.  However, in cultures in which it’s assumed that people may freely change jobs, the major motivations for staying are:

Pride in the Organization: 

People want to work for well-managed companies headed by skilled, resourceful leaders who have clear vision of the firm’s future, and who can devise powerful strategies for success, and who can motivate others to realize that vision.

A Respected Supervisor: 

Even more important is the employee supervisor relationship.  People are more likely to stay if they have a supervisor whom they respect and who is supportive of them.

Fair Compensation:

People also want to work for companies that offer fair compensation.  This includes not only competitive wages and benefits but also intangible compensation in the form of opportunities to learn, grow and achieve.

Affiliation:

The chance to work with respected and compatible colleagues is another element that many people consider essential.

Meaningful Work:

Finally, people want to work for companies that let them do the kinds of work that appeal to their deepest interest.  Satisfying and stimulating work makes all of us more productive.

As said, it is that if companies want to be more successful at attracting and retaining talent, they should evaluate and strengthen their value propositions to employees:

“To create a compelling employee value proposition, a company must provide the core elements that managers look for- exciting work, a great company, attractive compensation, and opportunities to develop.  A few more perks, casual dress code, or more generous health plans won’t make the difference between a weak EVP and a strong one.  If you want to substantially strengthen your company’s EVP, be prepared to change things as fundamental as the business strategy, the organization structure, the culture and even the caliber of the leaders”.

 

Why People Leave

People also leave organizations for many different reasons, but primarily because one or more of the above conditions was either absent at the beginning or has since been eliminated.  For example:

The company’s leadership shifts:  

Either the quality of the top management’s decisions declines or new leaders – whom employees don’t yet trust or feel comfortable with – take the helm.

Conflict with immediate supervisors:

People may also leave when their relationship with their bosses becomes stressful or problematic and they don’t see any other options in their company.

Close Friends leave:

One or more colleagues whom an employee particularly likes and respects leave the firm, thus taking away an affiliation that is very meaningful to that employee.

An unfavorable change of responsibilities:

A person’s job responsibilities change so that the work no longer appeals to his or her deepest interests or provides meaning or stimulation.

            Perhaps the number one point to keep in mind when thinking about why people leave is this:  People most often leave for the wrong reasons.   That is, they leave without really understanding why they are unhappy or what opportunities to improve things may exist within the company.   Thus they jump from company to company, making the same mistake each time. 

 

Managing for Retention

There are few ways by which managers can keep as many good employees as possible.  Below given is the list of few ways that will cover most of the bases.  

1. Get people off to a good start:    Getting people off to a good start begins with hiring people who are suited to their jobs and making sure that they understand what they are getting into.  A good start also begins with a new employee orientation that makes them feel welcomed and part of the group

2.  Create a great environment – with bosses whom people respect:  Managers often assume that company policies and corporate culture determine the working environment.  They do, to an extent.  But policies can be circumvented. In any case, the atmosphere in a department or unit is more important to individual employees than the culture of the corporation as a whole.  Bad bosses are not conductive to a great environment.  If the managers are repellent, count on every employee with marketable skills to leave.  In the end, its better to replace bad managers and supervisors than to replace an endless stream of employees.

3.  Share Information:   Freely dispensing with information – about the business, financial performance, about strategies and plans- tells employees that you trust them, that they are important partners, and that you respect their ability to understand and contribute to the business as a whole

4.  Give people as much autonomy as they can handle:  Many people enjoy working with a minimum of supervisors.  So give people as long a leash as they can handle.  Doing so will make them happy and make your job as manager easier. 

5.  Challenge people to stretch:  Most people – particularly the ones you want most to retain- enjoy a challenge and the feeling that you’ve entrusted tem with bigger responsibilities than they had a right to expect.   So put the people you want more to retain into jobs that will make them stretch- and give them the support they need to succeed.

6. Be Flexible:  Flexible work arrangements are highly successful in retaining employees.  Virtual teams, flexible work plans and telecommuting are effective in boosting retention.  Managers can allow on-the-spot flexibility, letting employees rearrange work to care for children, keep doctor’s appointment.  Today employees value that kind of flexibility highly.

7. Design jobs to encourage retention:  Nothing is more soul deadening for an intelligent contributor than a job that is too repetitive, too isolated, insufficiently challenging, or downright unpleasant.  So if you are unacceptable high turnover is a critical job category, take a good look at what you’re asking people in that job to do everyday.  Steps can be taken to cure the turnover problem through job redesign: adding variety to a repetitive job, engaging isolated employees in occasional team projects, upping the challenge and so forth.  

8.  Identify Potential defectors early:  Great work environments and great jobs are a matter of opinion; what challenges one person may terrify another.  You won’t know how well you are doing on either score unless you ask.

While you are at it, get feedback on your performance as a manager.  Arrow Electronics uses a “360-degree feedback” system, monitored by a CEO to determine whether its managers are actually providing the feedback and coaching that they should.

9.  Be a retention-oriented manager:  Never forget that part of your responsibility as a manager is to assure proper staffing in your unit.  Retaining good and excellent performers is part that job.  So it is important to check on the ways of managing people and scheduling the work flow. 

Bibliography /References:

Harvard University case studies and books

Economic Times Reviews.