I wrote these 10 suggestions as part of mentoring a friend who is aspiring to be a PMP shortly. After writing down the mail, realized that these lessons learnt will be helpful to many like her who would need guidance.
First of all congrats for those all aspiring to be a PMP... for it is a great certification and also a greater responsibility when you handle projects.
Here are the guidelines.
1. Register in PMI.ORG site for PMI membership by paying around 130 $, including membership to local Chapter with additional minimal amount.
2. Being a PMI member and also a local chapter member will get you access to PMBOK guide which is the bible to PMP. Download that from the site and start reading. Plan 15 days to just give it a layman reading for the first time and start writing down notes as you finish each chapter
PMBOK is a real repository at the same time, reading 500 pages is a very tiring exercise for the first time without a break. But do it
3. Then contact any local PMP registered training centers...I did attend the boot camp with PMI Chennai Chapter which was very good. The material and guidance given was great. Attend the class only after you finish PMBOK at least twice. This may cost you anywhere between Rs. 11000- 12500 depending on where you would do. PMI Chennai chapter gives discounts to their chapter members.
4. Now is the time you can buy books to assist you in your preparation. I would recommend Andy Crowe's PMP Pass on First Try or Rita for reference. PMI site itself got lots of books and being a PMI Member gets you free access to 24*7 book store where you can find reference material on subjects like Risk Planning, Earn Value Management and Procurement
5. Once your finish attending mandatory training (boot camp) with any of the registered PMI partner institutions, please register for the exam having a date in mind. Check the PMI site for exam fee details.
6. Exam application itself is a lengthy process for you to map all your relevant project experience and education evaluation and the 35 hours mandatory course certificate you get from the boot camp. So have your details drafted out clearly as you start filling in the application form.
7. Now that you set your D Date in calendar and pay the exam fee to the nearest centre through prometric website. Concentrate on your preparation
8. Read the 42 processes in the given order carefully. Concentrate and recognize the flow of each process and their inputs and outputs along with tools and techniques. Once you are done with it, write down the formulas at least 5 times to memorize. This will help you during the exam
9. Read PMBOK once again, finish reading Andy Crowe and Rita or any other reference book. Read the chapter material (boot camp) thoroughly once
10. Answer all practice questions in all these books. Now is the time to take the online practice exams with 4 hours for 200 questions. Take this practice test seriously, for these tests help you get used to the exam tension. Check the online 360degree test; you can do one on PMStudy website, and one on Andy Crowe book. Then take up Oliver Lehman 175 questions which are toughest. Identify your weak areas and read those relevant chapters carefully to fill in the gaps.
The Day before the exam, relax, read the process chart, formulas, glossary for definitions, eat well, and sleep early.
On the day of the exam, keep yourself tension free, eat a good breakfast and schedule a exam around noon so that you will have time to revise your formulas and processes chart and head to your exam centre well in advance. Don’t forget to take your photo id card and the exam letter you received from the prometric centre. Besides everything put your experience and common sense and attention to best use for it will help clear PMP on first try with your preparation and experience.
During the exam, try taking a break for 2-3 minutes after every 1 hour. This will not only help you get refreshed but also help you concentrate better during the rest of the exam. Try not getting distracted with anything around you. Use the tutorial time to brain dump any formulas or processes that you would like to refer during exam in the sheets given to you in the examination centre. Maintain utmost integrity and fullest attention in the best of 4 hours of your life that would bring in the most valued and cherished three letters behind your name: PMP!!!
All the best
Please let me know if you need any help, for I would love to mentor people aspiring for certifications. Good luck
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
KPIs important for Project Success and Strategic Goals?
Once again, the trigger to the title of this post is a discussion forum, where Project Managers identify that KPIs are different from Strategic Goals. I agree.
They are..but in the Big Picture of any organization, it is the Vision of the Company that translates as a Strategic Goal and there by further sub divides as Goals of various Customer Centers or Accounts, various divisions of the Organization.... further micro divided into Programs and sub divided into Projects. Each Project Team has a set of goals that are shared or divided amongst the Project teams. Which means that what you and me as individual contributors or team players have as our Key performance indicators, some how is a micro minuscule objective of the larger organizational strategic goals matching with our enlarged vision.
It is like all the building blocks in a game, that make the final outcome a picture perfect finish.... the same applies to the goals and achievements of individuals that translate towards larger organizational objectives. At micro level, the KPIs achieved translate as your appraisal results be it in the terms of bonus, salary hikes, promotions, level changes etc. At macro level, the enlarged KPIs termed as Strategic goals of an Organization result in Profits, New Businesses, Strategic decisions and further expansion or downsizing of business,.. encouraging areas that are profitable and further motivating areas that need improvement.
Individual KPI's matter mostly to the progress of individuals in the project teams of any company. Group KPI's represent profit earning for the business division it is part of. Strategic goals achieved or not achieved depends when all these threads are pulled together.
The biggest difference is, if an individual fails to achieve his or her own objectives for the year, it effects only him to a larger extent and where all there is a dependency it may effect the project performance. This is where a good Project Manager would always have a mitigation plan with resource backup planned adequately to avoid any kind of disturbance to project's success because of few low performing individuals.
But, if the Strategic vision or the Goal of the Organization is failed, it effects each and everyone involved in the organization including employees, customers, and every stakeholder whose business is linked with the organization. This usually happens when there is a pool of low performing individuals impacting the bigger goals without adhering to policies and procedures, contributing to business losses and not anticipating risks and there by pushing the organizations towards low performance and failures.
Thus, each one of us are responsible to the tasks assigned to us, should make full effort to achieve our own Key Performance Indicators set as objectives of the year, there by contributing to the larger pool of success as an Organization.
They are..but in the Big Picture of any organization, it is the Vision of the Company that translates as a Strategic Goal and there by further sub divides as Goals of various Customer Centers or Accounts, various divisions of the Organization.... further micro divided into Programs and sub divided into Projects. Each Project Team has a set of goals that are shared or divided amongst the Project teams. Which means that what you and me as individual contributors or team players have as our Key performance indicators, some how is a micro minuscule objective of the larger organizational strategic goals matching with our enlarged vision.
It is like all the building blocks in a game, that make the final outcome a picture perfect finish.... the same applies to the goals and achievements of individuals that translate towards larger organizational objectives. At micro level, the KPIs achieved translate as your appraisal results be it in the terms of bonus, salary hikes, promotions, level changes etc. At macro level, the enlarged KPIs termed as Strategic goals of an Organization result in Profits, New Businesses, Strategic decisions and further expansion or downsizing of business,.. encouraging areas that are profitable and further motivating areas that need improvement.
Individual KPI's matter mostly to the progress of individuals in the project teams of any company. Group KPI's represent profit earning for the business division it is part of. Strategic goals achieved or not achieved depends when all these threads are pulled together.
The biggest difference is, if an individual fails to achieve his or her own objectives for the year, it effects only him to a larger extent and where all there is a dependency it may effect the project performance. This is where a good Project Manager would always have a mitigation plan with resource backup planned adequately to avoid any kind of disturbance to project's success because of few low performing individuals.
But, if the Strategic vision or the Goal of the Organization is failed, it effects each and everyone involved in the organization including employees, customers, and every stakeholder whose business is linked with the organization. This usually happens when there is a pool of low performing individuals impacting the bigger goals without adhering to policies and procedures, contributing to business losses and not anticipating risks and there by pushing the organizations towards low performance and failures.
Thus, each one of us are responsible to the tasks assigned to us, should make full effort to achieve our own Key Performance Indicators set as objectives of the year, there by contributing to the larger pool of success as an Organization.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Best Mother's Day Gift
As a mother, I always had fascinating experiences and my child surprised me with her most touching ways possible. Especially on my birthdays, wedding anniversary, new years and now with Mother's day phobia on...infact I dont like celebrating Mother's day, father's day, lover's day and so on,,...for they are not the occasions but the very relationships of our every day life and the purpose of our living.... yet, dont want to discourage her little moments that she brighten's up my day many a times...here is just what I got today from her...the most beautiful and cherished handmade poster that I am sure is the best mother's day gift I could ever get...Love you Aish...its because of you I am what I am today...for you inspire me, encourage me and love me like no one else could do:-)
Friday, May 7, 2010
Death Sentence to Kasab... Another Story of Long Awaiting
Indian Judiciary system is one of the most slowest and lengthiest process in the world.... The courts are piled up with cases that just don't have an ending. Indian jails are over crowded with not just convicts and prisoners on punishment, but by the people awaiting the end result of never ending legal battles... Recently there was a story of one man taken into custody in his teens and after close to 2 decades proved not guilty and released...whose fault is that he lost his entire life awaiting a judicial end point???
32 mercy plea petitions are still on Madam President's table and the longest is said to have been filed in 1998... 12 years and there is no decision by our President and council of Ministers under section 72 of our constitution.... 3 Presidents have changed in this time frame but nothing happened so far... the worst of the convicted are the 2001 parliament attack Afzal Guru and Nithari Killers still not executed even after the fury of the general public against atrocities committed by them. 9 out of 10 terrorists in the Mumbai 26/11 attacks died the same day and Kasab deserves the same being part of it,....so why give a provision without immediate implementation of the death penalty, why should a Nation's terrorist be given a chance for re-appeal after 18 months of judicial trail and with 80 out of 86 charges proved with substantial evidence...If we do not act strictly against such very open terrorists... where are we heading to in our fight against the wrong doings?
One side, the media forgot about the Moists attacks in Dantewada Massacre killing 73 CRPF personnel and not sure when those innocent souls will even get justice...the other side thousands of soldiers are fighting all sorts of infiltration in our borders,....but our media and regulatory bodies are concerned about Sania Mirza's half baked receptions, IPL matches and scandals, kites actors semi nude pictures, and funniest Rahul Mahajan and Rakhi Sawantsss....Common guys, wake up the realities that matter to millions in our country....
To us what matters is the Peace in our Nation, Security in our Borders, Fastening the process of legal battles, providing justice to the victims of terror, making India a welcoming place for tourists and travellers. Both our Law and Justice, Governance and Administration should aim at achieving this and should clear the backlog of the court battles to bring in Justice on time... at least during the lifetime of the victims to feel relieved..or else the justice that happens will not help anyone in the game:-)
32 mercy plea petitions are still on Madam President's table and the longest is said to have been filed in 1998... 12 years and there is no decision by our President and council of Ministers under section 72 of our constitution.... 3 Presidents have changed in this time frame but nothing happened so far... the worst of the convicted are the 2001 parliament attack Afzal Guru and Nithari Killers still not executed even after the fury of the general public against atrocities committed by them. 9 out of 10 terrorists in the Mumbai 26/11 attacks died the same day and Kasab deserves the same being part of it,....so why give a provision without immediate implementation of the death penalty, why should a Nation's terrorist be given a chance for re-appeal after 18 months of judicial trail and with 80 out of 86 charges proved with substantial evidence...If we do not act strictly against such very open terrorists... where are we heading to in our fight against the wrong doings?
One side, the media forgot about the Moists attacks in Dantewada Massacre killing 73 CRPF personnel and not sure when those innocent souls will even get justice...the other side thousands of soldiers are fighting all sorts of infiltration in our borders,....but our media and regulatory bodies are concerned about Sania Mirza's half baked receptions, IPL matches and scandals, kites actors semi nude pictures, and funniest Rahul Mahajan and Rakhi Sawantsss....Common guys, wake up the realities that matter to millions in our country....
To us what matters is the Peace in our Nation, Security in our Borders, Fastening the process of legal battles, providing justice to the victims of terror, making India a welcoming place for tourists and travellers. Both our Law and Justice, Governance and Administration should aim at achieving this and should clear the backlog of the court battles to bring in Justice on time... at least during the lifetime of the victims to feel relieved..or else the justice that happens will not help anyone in the game:-)
Is Product Management different from Project Management?
Ganapathy Subramanian, a PMP, raised a discussion in the Project Managers forum as one of his blog readers raised a strong argument on the way Project management is done in Product companies Vs Service Companies.
Today IT industry is one of the core revenue generating industry for any country. Here what we build are not just services though we are still considered as part of the larger service industry. We are today developing applications that are becoming Products...that can be reused, customized and maintained over a longer period of time. Products always had a upper hand in the global market for they had a defined shape and features... where as most of the projects we handle today are customized with the focus on the client requirements, budgetary constraints, resources availability and infrastructure sustainability.
Yet, the management point of view of both the Products as well as Projects stand with the same ethical values of any business and contains the processes dominating the way the activities need to be performed to gain predominant success in any business today.
Being both a Management graduate and also a certified PMP, I wanted to put forward my thoughts on how the integration of Product Management and Project Management is quite essential in today's world.
1. Project Management is not limited to IT industry alone... The defined process and structure of handling the risks, resources, revenue and requirements can be matched with the needs of the Product companies as well.
2. Product Management in turn may contain multiple project activities that can be subdivided as different Projects and Phases and handled appropriately for better micro management of challenges that arise in any business.
3. Product Management also has corresponding business functions like initiating ( Ideas for products, conceptualization, identifying the vision and finances, time lines etc ), planning ( procurement, acquiring basic infrastructure, resources, risk assessment, government licenses ), Execution ( Actual development of the product, manufacturing), Monitoring & Control ( Handling quality assurance and control, market demand, planning the sales and distribution, advertising, packaging, publishing and finally delivering, audits, reporting, press releases and tax filing), and Closing (Service warranty, after sales support, further volumes production, planning for next phases etc)....the only difference may be that at the closing stage... the activities move from a Project scenario to Operation scenario.. this is almost in parallel to what happens in IT industry too.... so very well we can say that Product Management and Project Management can go hand in hand...
4. The Bigger question is "Then why do we need Project Management in Product Management"????
The answer is Project Management gets a higher focus on the certain key areas that are considered to management- three key R factors.... Risks, Resources and Revenue. Any business today aims at profits and lessening of the overheads or expenses. Today 90% of government projects spend more than they plan... or if they are forced to cut on the budgets, the end result would be low quality products... The best way is to bring in more qualified Project Managers who have knowledge on how to control these ext regencies and bring in a more focused way of handling issues from the beginning so that projects can be run on the planned budgets with specified quality. Ultimately... this would result in better Product Quality.
Just like how a Solution Architect helps a Project Manager on the technical aspects of a software application, a Project Manager can help a Product Architect in bringing in good products in the industry,...be it any..including construction, manufacturing, finance, human resources, health care management or electronics and equipment industry.... that is exactly the growing need of right Project Managers to make projects go green today to avoid cost failures..budgetary overruns,,..and sustainability of profits in an otherwise challenging competitive industry...IT is just a beginning......
Today IT industry is one of the core revenue generating industry for any country. Here what we build are not just services though we are still considered as part of the larger service industry. We are today developing applications that are becoming Products...that can be reused, customized and maintained over a longer period of time. Products always had a upper hand in the global market for they had a defined shape and features... where as most of the projects we handle today are customized with the focus on the client requirements, budgetary constraints, resources availability and infrastructure sustainability.
Yet, the management point of view of both the Products as well as Projects stand with the same ethical values of any business and contains the processes dominating the way the activities need to be performed to gain predominant success in any business today.
Being both a Management graduate and also a certified PMP, I wanted to put forward my thoughts on how the integration of Product Management and Project Management is quite essential in today's world.
1. Project Management is not limited to IT industry alone... The defined process and structure of handling the risks, resources, revenue and requirements can be matched with the needs of the Product companies as well.
2. Product Management in turn may contain multiple project activities that can be subdivided as different Projects and Phases and handled appropriately for better micro management of challenges that arise in any business.
3. Product Management also has corresponding business functions like initiating ( Ideas for products, conceptualization, identifying the vision and finances, time lines etc ), planning ( procurement, acquiring basic infrastructure, resources, risk assessment, government licenses ), Execution ( Actual development of the product, manufacturing), Monitoring & Control ( Handling quality assurance and control, market demand, planning the sales and distribution, advertising, packaging, publishing and finally delivering, audits, reporting, press releases and tax filing), and Closing (Service warranty, after sales support, further volumes production, planning for next phases etc)....the only difference may be that at the closing stage... the activities move from a Project scenario to Operation scenario.. this is almost in parallel to what happens in IT industry too.... so very well we can say that Product Management and Project Management can go hand in hand...
4. The Bigger question is "Then why do we need Project Management in Product Management"????
The answer is Project Management gets a higher focus on the certain key areas that are considered to management- three key R factors.... Risks, Resources and Revenue. Any business today aims at profits and lessening of the overheads or expenses. Today 90% of government projects spend more than they plan... or if they are forced to cut on the budgets, the end result would be low quality products... The best way is to bring in more qualified Project Managers who have knowledge on how to control these ext regencies and bring in a more focused way of handling issues from the beginning so that projects can be run on the planned budgets with specified quality. Ultimately... this would result in better Product Quality.
Just like how a Solution Architect helps a Project Manager on the technical aspects of a software application, a Project Manager can help a Product Architect in bringing in good products in the industry,...be it any..including construction, manufacturing, finance, human resources, health care management or electronics and equipment industry.... that is exactly the growing need of right Project Managers to make projects go green today to avoid cost failures..budgetary overruns,,..and sustainability of profits in an otherwise challenging competitive industry...IT is just a beginning......
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Angadi Theru- A must watch movie for Chennai
Being a Chennaitie for close to two decades now, shopping to me means going to T. Nagar. Despite the mad crowd, my shopping always somehow had Ranganathan street in the list and I used to end up pushing and always finding a way to the things I wanted and in this street, you would find everything and anything that you need in life. The street can very soon may be called "Saravana Stores Street" for these shops shadow others day by day. Angadi Theru is a movie of this place, people working in big shops like Saravana Stores and their hidden lives filled with misery and tragedies. The little happinesses, solacing love stories, happy faces besides the most traumatic lives... is all bundled in this street.
To me watching Angadi Theru movie is just a recap of what all I witnessed in the past. In fact I had the opportunity to visit one of the top jewellery stores with its owner who was friend to my friend,.... and I was taken to his office which had a full wall fixed with CCTV camera focusing all the floors of his 8 floor shop. The 7th floor is the dorm where the people working used to stay with a dividing wall for men and women, a common big kitchen that looked like one I saw in a Jail, and the toilets were having queues always.............the story line was so similar to the one in the movie......
Teen boys and girls and youngesters come to Chennai with big dreams of the big glowing shops that are showed in the textile and jeweller advertisements in India. The story begins there .... when the youngesters driven by circumstances have to move chasing this money minting street and its so called aspiring jobs.... few things made my eyes wet many a times during the movie,,,, inadvertent reactions to the flow of the movie by a very ordinary movie lover.... few of the most touching moments in the movie where.... when Kani, the heroine says that they tolerate every molestation for they came in search of survival.... depicting the sex craving employer's representative.... very common in most of such workplaces ... the most disgusting way of treatment mented to the employees, one rupee grabbed for every one minute of delay to work,,,,, the girl jumping out of the window when her lover refused to confirm in fear of the job,.... the way a educated upper class woman throwing a little girl to a dungeon when she mostly needed the mother's care.... the man saying that after working for 8 years standing from 8 am to 11 pm made his legs look like logs.... wife of a disabled dwarf man saying that she is happy that her child is also disabled for she dont need to fear the ill-talk of the street....the place of stay of thousands of workers in such circumstances and the way they fight to grab the plate from those eating already and to fill up for themselves............ the package of heaviness is large.
For those who lead a peaceful lives and the comforts of an AC office and sweet decorum, this movie may look ridiculous...but to thousands of people who work day and night, all weekends and doubly during festivals, am sure this would bring in tears. Especially for their families back home in the remote villages this will be a real pain to watch the realities of their youngesters who have gone to the big city chasing their dreams....dreams of truth and dreams of false promises..
The most touching positive notes of the movie were, when a young man finding an oppotunty to earn in an other wise stinking toilets and making it usable and at the same time finding an living. The old blind man selling and also providing an opportuntiy to the hero and heroine of the movie at the end. The old street woman hawker guiding the couple to find a place to sleep for a night safely and askingthem to cover their feet with cement to avoid police questioning. Marimuthu, friend of our hero Lingu, finding a way to impress actress sneha during a shooting in the shop floor and later finding his way to work stating that no matter what, positive energy get you the right opportunities. One more touching scene was when the helpless father leaving behind her broken daughter whose legs got amputated just because she would be taken care by any NGO in his absence...one more shot was the when the 13 year old assures her sister that she would be fine working in a far off place shows that children grow fast in adversity. Best of all is when Lingu tells Kani that they should get married soon at the end and finally starting their own small business in the busy Ranganathan street.
I am sure the producers of the movie had lot of guts to bring in a reality to a movie at the times when commercial cinema needs glamour and comedy. Choosing such a reality and portraying is to be really applauded.
Hopefully our chief minister gets to watch this movie, and do something to bring in livable conditions for the people working in Ranganathan Street....making their lives out of misery and bring in some kind of peace for their families living away. Hope government takes some steps to bring in a regulation and union support for such employees and punish those greedy shop keepers who dont give a damn care for their employees and their well being..
The least we could do is to watch this movie in a theatre and give it the commercial success it needed...encourage such movies for awards and appreciate in public to encourage more film makers to bring in such subjects to the front end cinema that reaches the masses....and government giving some relaxation on the commercial taxes....to me this movie is 100 times more real and focused than Slumdog Milliorie which bagged so many Oscars......Every tragedy do not need a movie to find a relief but this reality defintely did and I am sure the film makers achieved what ever the good intentions with which they made this movie.
To me the new hero Magesh did a good job and looked lot more like Bharath in "Kadal" movie.... Anjali did a wonderful job as Kani and the villian Venkatesh really acted well... so did their friends characters .... though some may call this a Documentary film.... I found it natural and good. ***** Five Stars for this bold attempt to expose a reality in the heart of a bustling Indian City.....
To me watching Angadi Theru movie is just a recap of what all I witnessed in the past. In fact I had the opportunity to visit one of the top jewellery stores with its owner who was friend to my friend,.... and I was taken to his office which had a full wall fixed with CCTV camera focusing all the floors of his 8 floor shop. The 7th floor is the dorm where the people working used to stay with a dividing wall for men and women, a common big kitchen that looked like one I saw in a Jail, and the toilets were having queues always.............the story line was so similar to the one in the movie......
Teen boys and girls and youngesters come to Chennai with big dreams of the big glowing shops that are showed in the textile and jeweller advertisements in India. The story begins there .... when the youngesters driven by circumstances have to move chasing this money minting street and its so called aspiring jobs.... few things made my eyes wet many a times during the movie,,,, inadvertent reactions to the flow of the movie by a very ordinary movie lover.... few of the most touching moments in the movie where.... when Kani, the heroine says that they tolerate every molestation for they came in search of survival.... depicting the sex craving employer's representative.... very common in most of such workplaces ... the most disgusting way of treatment mented to the employees, one rupee grabbed for every one minute of delay to work,,,,, the girl jumping out of the window when her lover refused to confirm in fear of the job,.... the way a educated upper class woman throwing a little girl to a dungeon when she mostly needed the mother's care.... the man saying that after working for 8 years standing from 8 am to 11 pm made his legs look like logs.... wife of a disabled dwarf man saying that she is happy that her child is also disabled for she dont need to fear the ill-talk of the street....the place of stay of thousands of workers in such circumstances and the way they fight to grab the plate from those eating already and to fill up for themselves............ the package of heaviness is large.
For those who lead a peaceful lives and the comforts of an AC office and sweet decorum, this movie may look ridiculous...but to thousands of people who work day and night, all weekends and doubly during festivals, am sure this would bring in tears. Especially for their families back home in the remote villages this will be a real pain to watch the realities of their youngesters who have gone to the big city chasing their dreams....dreams of truth and dreams of false promises..
The most touching positive notes of the movie were, when a young man finding an oppotunty to earn in an other wise stinking toilets and making it usable and at the same time finding an living. The old blind man selling and also providing an opportuntiy to the hero and heroine of the movie at the end. The old street woman hawker guiding the couple to find a place to sleep for a night safely and askingthem to cover their feet with cement to avoid police questioning. Marimuthu, friend of our hero Lingu, finding a way to impress actress sneha during a shooting in the shop floor and later finding his way to work stating that no matter what, positive energy get you the right opportunities. One more touching scene was when the helpless father leaving behind her broken daughter whose legs got amputated just because she would be taken care by any NGO in his absence...one more shot was the when the 13 year old assures her sister that she would be fine working in a far off place shows that children grow fast in adversity. Best of all is when Lingu tells Kani that they should get married soon at the end and finally starting their own small business in the busy Ranganathan street.
I am sure the producers of the movie had lot of guts to bring in a reality to a movie at the times when commercial cinema needs glamour and comedy. Choosing such a reality and portraying is to be really applauded.
Hopefully our chief minister gets to watch this movie, and do something to bring in livable conditions for the people working in Ranganathan Street....making their lives out of misery and bring in some kind of peace for their families living away. Hope government takes some steps to bring in a regulation and union support for such employees and punish those greedy shop keepers who dont give a damn care for their employees and their well being..
The least we could do is to watch this movie in a theatre and give it the commercial success it needed...encourage such movies for awards and appreciate in public to encourage more film makers to bring in such subjects to the front end cinema that reaches the masses....and government giving some relaxation on the commercial taxes....to me this movie is 100 times more real and focused than Slumdog Milliorie which bagged so many Oscars......Every tragedy do not need a movie to find a relief but this reality defintely did and I am sure the film makers achieved what ever the good intentions with which they made this movie.
To me the new hero Magesh did a good job and looked lot more like Bharath in "Kadal" movie.... Anjali did a wonderful job as Kani and the villian Venkatesh really acted well... so did their friends characters .... though some may call this a Documentary film.... I found it natural and good. ***** Five Stars for this bold attempt to expose a reality in the heart of a bustling Indian City.....
Monday, April 26, 2010
Solidarity of a Journey!
Across the mountain valley slopes
The sight of the cross that droops
The heights of a forest in sight
Journey continues within its right
Struggle to survive is never ending
Passion to continue is mind boggling
Memories of time prelude our thought
Wavering mind refuses to get it taught
Whispering down the mind’s inner cells
Precious calmness dwindles upon wells
The secluded irony of prolonged will
That is beyond thought and a skill
Despite the wariness of reckless way
Life forces upon entity to take away
The strange feeling of overwhelmed
With a prized subdued soul besieged
Yet, the soul endears the wisdom of fight
The soul’s truthful self and glory in might
Turbulence's that never let to sleep
The happiness of success to leap
The glory of the human thought & mind
Conscious effort to enthrall upon grind
There emerges the seed of refuted wisdom
Solemnly questioning every move in the kingdom
Yet the journey is fine to keep
For there’re accomplishments to leap
Solidarity in the happiness of the quest
The quest of searching within….
The sight of the cross that droops
The heights of a forest in sight
Journey continues within its right
Struggle to survive is never ending
Passion to continue is mind boggling
Memories of time prelude our thought
Wavering mind refuses to get it taught
Whispering down the mind’s inner cells
Precious calmness dwindles upon wells
The secluded irony of prolonged will
That is beyond thought and a skill
Despite the wariness of reckless way
Life forces upon entity to take away
The strange feeling of overwhelmed
With a prized subdued soul besieged
Yet, the soul endears the wisdom of fight
The soul’s truthful self and glory in might
Turbulence's that never let to sleep
The happiness of success to leap
The glory of the human thought & mind
Conscious effort to enthrall upon grind
There emerges the seed of refuted wisdom
Solemnly questioning every move in the kingdom
Yet the journey is fine to keep
For there’re accomplishments to leap
Solidarity in the happiness of the quest
The quest of searching within….
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Online Carnatic Music Class
Today was my daughter's first carnatic music class online...It was really a very beautiful experience. The power of technology and Internet... irrespective of the time zones and the distance, nothing stopped from achieving the objective of being connected to the roots in today's world. It was Saturday 8 am, over the webex meeting, here in Los Angeles, California, USA, my pre-teen was ready for the tutor sitting on the other side of the planet across 3 oceans and continents.
I have done many a conference calls and webex meetings in my professional life, have counselled people on Internet and addressed many complex life situations sitting anywhere in the world as part of being a physcology counsellor...but this was truly an enriching experience.
One that my kid was excited to find a teacher who gives her fullest attention and next was not discontinuing her passioned learning despite of her relocation. Though it is not a very cost effective solution, it is surely an optimal one, as the attention is on, the teacher is focused as much as the child and the music is in the air.... today there is nothing that is not possible with internet to satisfy our quest buds of learning.
From E-Partying, to virtual marriages and virtual offices, the world is going towards a "Best Shore" option which my mentor and role model in office, Mrs Sudha Sastry emphasis in her speeches and motivational seminars....today as she receives this year's EWIT excellence award for the 3rd time in row, I am too proud of having knowing her and being in her path of success...to me women achievers beyond the personal calling, when they set themselves in the path of success managing both as a parent and professional, the person in me is excited and motivated....Love you Sudha, god bless you for more success and I am very very proud of you....
Glad I am part of this world where virtual aspects still have the human touch, the required emotional quotient and beyond all, the reality surviving in it....
I have done many a conference calls and webex meetings in my professional life, have counselled people on Internet and addressed many complex life situations sitting anywhere in the world as part of being a physcology counsellor...but this was truly an enriching experience.
One that my kid was excited to find a teacher who gives her fullest attention and next was not discontinuing her passioned learning despite of her relocation. Though it is not a very cost effective solution, it is surely an optimal one, as the attention is on, the teacher is focused as much as the child and the music is in the air.... today there is nothing that is not possible with internet to satisfy our quest buds of learning.
From E-Partying, to virtual marriages and virtual offices, the world is going towards a "Best Shore" option which my mentor and role model in office, Mrs Sudha Sastry emphasis in her speeches and motivational seminars....today as she receives this year's EWIT excellence award for the 3rd time in row, I am too proud of having knowing her and being in her path of success...to me women achievers beyond the personal calling, when they set themselves in the path of success managing both as a parent and professional, the person in me is excited and motivated....Love you Sudha, god bless you for more success and I am very very proud of you....
Glad I am part of this world where virtual aspects still have the human touch, the required emotional quotient and beyond all, the reality surviving in it....
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Swami Parthasarathy- Vedantha Cultural Association
You have to see it to believe it.... this is one thing that strongly came into my mind to recall in this post, those beautiful evenings of one full week I spent watching the octogenarian speaking on Bhagavat Gita. Swami Parthasarathy every year delivers a week long recitation of Bhagavath Gita in Chennai and lectures on Vedanta. Curiosity was the beginning to go to his lecture and believe me, I was glued. His way of reciting and explaining our traditional values was amazing. Unlike Christians who read Bible from very young age and Quran which is inculcated into Muslim children, we are not forced to read Bhagavat Gita being born in Hindu family. But the moment I started listening to him, I realized that I wasted three decades of my life not valuing something that is of total enlightenment and a repository of high human values and a knowledge system. That is what transformed in me when I heard him on Chapter 16 of Bhagavat Gita... our own goldmine of knowledge
It is almost 2 months and I hardly found time to write on this beautiful topic....Swamiji talks about Infinite human bliss, and the quest for acquisition that is driven by the intrinsic and extrinsic illusion which is called Maya. He reminds that mind should be fixed on truth... divine rise to the highest goals in life...and the demonic sink to the lowest level. Its not what you do but how you do matters,..emanation and values you set define you... Experiencing the world matters and inspiring qualities are to be practised. There are 26 qualities of a divine person and these qualities properly guides us to stop wickedness. Vidhya or the knowledge goes with Vinaya (Respect). The knowledge goes with humility... Humility leads to humanity within us. The 6 general qualities of demon including ostentation, arrogance, self-conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance. The pithiest of all is when one doesn't even know that they cant control their anger.
After a storm, there is calm. Harshness means being impatient, disrespectful and impertinent and ignoring the knowledge and higher values of life.
Verse 5 - Divine nature is deemed for liberation, the demoniac for bondage, grieve not, you are born of the divine nature 'O, Pandava'.... intellectual bondage is rigidity, fanatic beliefs, full of perceptions, emotions and thoughts.
Verse 6- Two created things and beings in this world...they are demonic and divine.. learn the SRT- Satvic, Rajas and Tamas which means state of mind in poise and serenity, never quiet and state like sleeping.....learn to live beyond
Verse 7- Demoniac people do not know action from inaction, neither purity nor good conduct nor truth is found in them.
Intellectual brilliance judges what has to be done for every action before it is done. No proper action can be taken without proper conviction.
The verse 8 says the world thinks without reality, without foundation, without lord, born out of mutual union caused by lust, what else? Reality is which persists and exists in past, present and future. Ability to realise it is a blessing. Trouble with most folks is not ignorance but their knowing as many things as they don't know.
Verse 9 says holding this view, the ruined souls of small intellect of fierce deeds come forth as enemies for the destruction of this world.
You need Buddi (intelligence) to understand buddi( intellect). Intelligence is external knowledge, intellect is inbuilt, developed by yourself, by questioning everything and taking things for granted is a sure no...
Routine existence following herd and no intellect scraps all religions if not used with intellect for humanity to survive.
Amazing... its just few of them that I could recollect, but believe me... you should hear him in person to appreciate the volume of knowledge swamiji can share with us... his daughter disciple Sunandaji is also truly outstanding... cant believe that its written more than thousand years ago and its still applicable to mankind of all times... only wish we find more of Swamy Parthsarathy's in this world to spread this divine knowledge that is beyond human intelligence to understand the whole of universe. God bless !
It is almost 2 months and I hardly found time to write on this beautiful topic....Swamiji talks about Infinite human bliss, and the quest for acquisition that is driven by the intrinsic and extrinsic illusion which is called Maya. He reminds that mind should be fixed on truth... divine rise to the highest goals in life...and the demonic sink to the lowest level. Its not what you do but how you do matters,..emanation and values you set define you... Experiencing the world matters and inspiring qualities are to be practised. There are 26 qualities of a divine person and these qualities properly guides us to stop wickedness. Vidhya or the knowledge goes with Vinaya (Respect). The knowledge goes with humility... Humility leads to humanity within us. The 6 general qualities of demon including ostentation, arrogance, self-conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance. The pithiest of all is when one doesn't even know that they cant control their anger.
After a storm, there is calm. Harshness means being impatient, disrespectful and impertinent and ignoring the knowledge and higher values of life.
Verse 5 - Divine nature is deemed for liberation, the demoniac for bondage, grieve not, you are born of the divine nature 'O, Pandava'.... intellectual bondage is rigidity, fanatic beliefs, full of perceptions, emotions and thoughts.
Verse 6- Two created things and beings in this world...they are demonic and divine.. learn the SRT- Satvic, Rajas and Tamas which means state of mind in poise and serenity, never quiet and state like sleeping.....learn to live beyond
Verse 7- Demoniac people do not know action from inaction, neither purity nor good conduct nor truth is found in them.
Intellectual brilliance judges what has to be done for every action before it is done. No proper action can be taken without proper conviction.
The verse 8 says the world thinks without reality, without foundation, without lord, born out of mutual union caused by lust, what else? Reality is which persists and exists in past, present and future. Ability to realise it is a blessing. Trouble with most folks is not ignorance but their knowing as many things as they don't know.
Verse 9 says holding this view, the ruined souls of small intellect of fierce deeds come forth as enemies for the destruction of this world.
You need Buddi (intelligence) to understand buddi( intellect). Intelligence is external knowledge, intellect is inbuilt, developed by yourself, by questioning everything and taking things for granted is a sure no...
Routine existence following herd and no intellect scraps all religions if not used with intellect for humanity to survive.
Amazing... its just few of them that I could recollect, but believe me... you should hear him in person to appreciate the volume of knowledge swamiji can share with us... his daughter disciple Sunandaji is also truly outstanding... cant believe that its written more than thousand years ago and its still applicable to mankind of all times... only wish we find more of Swamy Parthsarathy's in this world to spread this divine knowledge that is beyond human intelligence to understand the whole of universe. God bless !
Friday, April 16, 2010
Earth's fury over mankind- Volconic eruption in Iceland
I know its been long time since I wrote a post on my blog....one reason being the relocation to Los Angeles from Chennai and looks like "Moving" had been the trend of our sisters with youngest one relocating to Toronto and the eldest moving across the blocks of Mumbai!!!
The temptation to write overtook all other things today as I kept watching and following the news of the Volcano eruption in Iceland. My first thought was "What???Volcano eruption under the icebergs???...Yes, its the Nature's way of showing unnatural things to mankind.
The scientific study shows that the pattern of eruptions are almost unpredictable and the kind of impact is also equally inaccessible. What does that mean? With all the technological advancement and scientific discoveries and man's quest to capture space, including footing on moon, capturing of Mar's surface and penetrating into the far away earth's orbits, man in all practical sense do not have control over his own Earth. Thankfully over the years, cyclones, earthquakes and major natural disasters are predicted...but still there are things that is beyond man's imagination.
Today we see this as a major economic set back costing close to $200 million dollars to the aviation industry and stranding the passenger and cargo traffic movement across the six continents.... closing down the major airports and diverting hundreds of flights causing havoc to travellers across the countries. One way of Nature telling the mankind that no matter who you are, how important is your journey or which class of travel you take...the whole of the journey is purely dependent on the way Nature provides the opportunity to mankind to survive.
Such disasters and unpredicted nature's behaviour had been read in the Hindu mythology and which indicates that the Earth is going towards the next yugam or kala chakram. Movement of the earth's metamorphosis's from one trend to the other...And this may be just a tip of the iceberg or a beginning of such uncontrollable kala chakram.....
The bottomline is not to harm Mother Earth and fight against the Natural essence of this world and live in harmony as long as Earth allows us to do so... Create a peaceful world beyond boundaries and respect the Natural phenomenon of Mother Earth and go with the time..... time to think again on global warming I guess!!!
Hope all the stranded world travellers find a quick solace and reach their destinations to end their trauma...Mother Earth, please leave them from your fury!!!
The temptation to write overtook all other things today as I kept watching and following the news of the Volcano eruption in Iceland. My first thought was "What???Volcano eruption under the icebergs???...Yes, its the Nature's way of showing unnatural things to mankind.
The scientific study shows that the pattern of eruptions are almost unpredictable and the kind of impact is also equally inaccessible. What does that mean? With all the technological advancement and scientific discoveries and man's quest to capture space, including footing on moon, capturing of Mar's surface and penetrating into the far away earth's orbits, man in all practical sense do not have control over his own Earth. Thankfully over the years, cyclones, earthquakes and major natural disasters are predicted...but still there are things that is beyond man's imagination.
Today we see this as a major economic set back costing close to $200 million dollars to the aviation industry and stranding the passenger and cargo traffic movement across the six continents.... closing down the major airports and diverting hundreds of flights causing havoc to travellers across the countries. One way of Nature telling the mankind that no matter who you are, how important is your journey or which class of travel you take...the whole of the journey is purely dependent on the way Nature provides the opportunity to mankind to survive.
Such disasters and unpredicted nature's behaviour had been read in the Hindu mythology and which indicates that the Earth is going towards the next yugam or kala chakram. Movement of the earth's metamorphosis's from one trend to the other...And this may be just a tip of the iceberg or a beginning of such uncontrollable kala chakram.....
The bottomline is not to harm Mother Earth and fight against the Natural essence of this world and live in harmony as long as Earth allows us to do so... Create a peaceful world beyond boundaries and respect the Natural phenomenon of Mother Earth and go with the time..... time to think again on global warming I guess!!!
Hope all the stranded world travellers find a quick solace and reach their destinations to end their trauma...Mother Earth, please leave them from your fury!!!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
My Journey towards PMP- Lessons Learned
The inspiration to become a Project Management Professional started watching the best of managers who lead the teams with due diligence, balance, and integrity. One thing that was certain that a PMP Manager had a definite way of handling business, people and professional competence.
After due thinking and careful planning, I have initiated the process and within 3 months of sincere efforts backed with almost 10 years of experience and close to 7 years in Project delivery made the things possible. PMI Chennai chapter training and 4 day preparatory course added value to my preparation and gave me the strength and confidence to go ahead filling the gaps of my understanding the PMP examination and expectation.
Studying PMBOK thoroughly for first time, and then looking at corresponding reference material where you can get more of conceptual understanding with examples from live business situations is a beginning. One thing here is to understanding that we may be having different types of Project Management experiences from various projects in the past, but while preparing for PMP, the whole concentration should be on the PMBOK way of Project Management thinking. If you could identify the differences between the way projects went into your experience and what PMI suggests, it would be more beneficial to understand the difference and enrichment that PMP certification gives. It is a beginning and strength to handle projects more efficiently.
Nextly to put up a plan in place - a very practical schedule to practice and learn is very important. Most important is to follow the schedule and keep mapping the progress. PMP is not just another certification, but it is a profession that needs continuous practice. Like Medicine or any other profession that needs continuous education, so book knowledge alone will not help you,if you are aiming at PMP certification.
Strong interpretation, rightful approach, inner strength of crisis management, balancing expectations, maintaining time, understanding language (this helps to rightfully interpret the given business situation), managing resources and finally understanding the importance and strength of this certification is very very important. Unless you know the value of it, it is not going to even inspire you to take it up. It is worth every hour spent in this process.
The next would be take up practice tests to understand and realise where you stand in understanding the whole PMBOK knowledge areas. This will help you to further study on the weak areas identified and would encourage you to reassess your planning schedule and move forward.
Last but not the least, self-interest, support of both colleagues and family and above all lots of confidence will make PMP possible in the first attempt.
My word of pride and thanks is to my family, my mentor and friends who encouraged me, my managers who guided me, and my spouse who waited all four hours outside the exam hall just to be sure, that I would be ok at the end of it what ever may be the outcome, alas! it was such a relief to him than me, for he saw me dug deep in my process for a long time! Thank God, I am now a Certified Project Management Professional! I beleive it comes with lot more responsibility and expectations in my career as I progress!!!
After due thinking and careful planning, I have initiated the process and within 3 months of sincere efforts backed with almost 10 years of experience and close to 7 years in Project delivery made the things possible. PMI Chennai chapter training and 4 day preparatory course added value to my preparation and gave me the strength and confidence to go ahead filling the gaps of my understanding the PMP examination and expectation.
Studying PMBOK thoroughly for first time, and then looking at corresponding reference material where you can get more of conceptual understanding with examples from live business situations is a beginning. One thing here is to understanding that we may be having different types of Project Management experiences from various projects in the past, but while preparing for PMP, the whole concentration should be on the PMBOK way of Project Management thinking. If you could identify the differences between the way projects went into your experience and what PMI suggests, it would be more beneficial to understand the difference and enrichment that PMP certification gives. It is a beginning and strength to handle projects more efficiently.
Nextly to put up a plan in place - a very practical schedule to practice and learn is very important. Most important is to follow the schedule and keep mapping the progress. PMP is not just another certification, but it is a profession that needs continuous practice. Like Medicine or any other profession that needs continuous education, so book knowledge alone will not help you,if you are aiming at PMP certification.
Strong interpretation, rightful approach, inner strength of crisis management, balancing expectations, maintaining time, understanding language (this helps to rightfully interpret the given business situation), managing resources and finally understanding the importance and strength of this certification is very very important. Unless you know the value of it, it is not going to even inspire you to take it up. It is worth every hour spent in this process.
The next would be take up practice tests to understand and realise where you stand in understanding the whole PMBOK knowledge areas. This will help you to further study on the weak areas identified and would encourage you to reassess your planning schedule and move forward.
Last but not the least, self-interest, support of both colleagues and family and above all lots of confidence will make PMP possible in the first attempt.
My word of pride and thanks is to my family, my mentor and friends who encouraged me, my managers who guided me, and my spouse who waited all four hours outside the exam hall just to be sure, that I would be ok at the end of it what ever may be the outcome, alas! it was such a relief to him than me, for he saw me dug deep in my process for a long time! Thank God, I am now a Certified Project Management Professional! I beleive it comes with lot more responsibility and expectations in my career as I progress!!!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Educational Reforms by Kapil Sibal
One politician who really knows what he is doing and how best that can be done is Kapil Sibal...No doubt his intellect is taking over his intelligence as he drafts the latest Educational Reforms in India after he took over the Ministry of Human Resources development. 3 major decisions that would impact the most important human resources of our Future India- Our Children.
1. Making the 10th standard CBSE examination optional and making it a performance and grade oriented system
2. Bringing in a uniform pattern of evaluation for both engineering and medicine entrance
3. Best of all- No Pre school till the age of four.
With these reforms in place, there is lot more expected from him to continue bringing in a better Educational System in India.
1. Curb the practice of building funds and huge capitation and donations for school and college admissions
2. Streamline college elections and competitions without any political involvement
3. Put a regulatory authority to monitor exhoribant educational expenses
4. Bringing in more recent methods of teaching, enabling Government Schools to become primary educational institutions in India
5. Improving salaries and infrastructure supporting teachers well-beings
6. Building proper schools and libraries in Rural India making education within reach of common man across India
7. Adult education for illiterate Indians to be at mass scale to make India, the most educated Nation in the world.
If these few steps are taken, India not only will prove as the hub for knowledge and development but will also stand tall in terms of growth and economic well being. We need lot more Kapil Sibals' in the process to make this happen sooner than later!
1. Making the 10th standard CBSE examination optional and making it a performance and grade oriented system
2. Bringing in a uniform pattern of evaluation for both engineering and medicine entrance
3. Best of all- No Pre school till the age of four.
With these reforms in place, there is lot more expected from him to continue bringing in a better Educational System in India.
1. Curb the practice of building funds and huge capitation and donations for school and college admissions
2. Streamline college elections and competitions without any political involvement
3. Put a regulatory authority to monitor exhoribant educational expenses
4. Bringing in more recent methods of teaching, enabling Government Schools to become primary educational institutions in India
5. Improving salaries and infrastructure supporting teachers well-beings
6. Building proper schools and libraries in Rural India making education within reach of common man across India
7. Adult education for illiterate Indians to be at mass scale to make India, the most educated Nation in the world.
If these few steps are taken, India not only will prove as the hub for knowledge and development but will also stand tall in terms of growth and economic well being. We need lot more Kapil Sibals' in the process to make this happen sooner than later!
A Dream House !
The Beauty of this imagination is that when I actually went to Michigan and found a place as similar to my age old imagination.....Cant believe it myself. Interestingly, I found the tall chirstmas trees..wooden houses...lots of snow...but not the horse driven carriage! May be next time!
Treasure Hunt- My age old sketches and paintings
While searching for something, found something so interesting. Almost an 18 year old rough notes with Maths and Hindi inbetween stored within its pages some seriously forgotten art of my school days....It was really nice to find them, especially the Geeta Upadesh... ironically, as I keep attending Swami Parthasarathy's speech and explanation of Chapter 16 from Bhagavat Geetha whole of this week at Kamaraj Memorial....this was quite a coincidence!
Monday, February 15, 2010
Currency Symbol for Indian Rupee
Eagerly Awaited!
After the Indian Government's quest and search for the currency symbol that would denote our currency like US $, £ for GBP, € for Euro, five of the best entries have been short listed as the Symbol of Indian Rupee.
Though my entry to the logo / symbol contest didnt get selected to final five, my curiosity knew no bounds to imagine what the final symbol would look like. "R" somewhere close to anything that have this letter probably or no:-),,If so, I would be really elated... and finally our key boards on laptops and computers will have this as a Shift+Key...Wow time when the Ministry of Finance and Reserve Bank of India are going to release the same shortly....
It is the agonizing wait for the final five finalists including a school teacher Shibin KK , two designing firms JWT and Publicisi Ambience and architect Correa Mehtrotra and a typography scholar Udaya Kumar from IIT Mumbai.. The creation that wins is going to represent the currency of world's fastest growing economy and going to find place globally and with swift speed. One of the 5 contenstants will be the proud winner finding place in the History of India...something as great as designing a National Flag...its all about creativity, relevancy and a big bountiful luck.... Just waiting for the big day to come soon!
My choice in the final 5 is # 3. What is yours?
Disgusting Terror Attacks in Pune
Once again, India is bleeding. Who is giving the rights for killing others in this world? Why is this ideology of achieving something by killing innocent civilians. A real war will not be won without facing one on one...be it between two humans or two Nations or two different ideologies. From the times of Hitler to Prabhakaran, the causes failed despite the world ways of handling ideologies because, the way in which the success is sought is not globally accepted. The worst part is making India a scary place to travel for foreigners abroad. We talk, fight, and hate when our Indians are treated badly, or getting killed anywhere in the world today... at the same time, are we are not responsible to collectively aim at protecting the best interests of people coming to India?
One side, the memories of Mumbai blasts did not go away from the world memory,,,the other side, the clashes in Hyderbad in name of Economy, Language and State is defeating the objectives of Progress... and now this Pune Blasts indicate that we have thief's within us. It is not possible for a foreign hand to succeed in creating a terror fear in the Nation without the help of an insider. First and foremost, the responsibility of the Intelligence and Security forces would be to identify the insiders and uproot them from our society. There is no point in playing the blame game, unless we are sure that none in India would support or stand by the terrorists, no matter how much ever we make a noise in the global platform, the Indian Cities are still an easy target.
Security consciousness and National Integrity and Protection is highly visible in the Western World where every Citizen's first responsibility and common sense aims at Home Land Security. Do we have this in us? The day should come when we stop seeing religious flags, party hoardings and flags flying and seeing the National Flag standing in pride as we walk down the streets. Till such day, there is nothing called Patriotism in the minds of Modern Indians that provoke them to fight internally against any form of terrorism. Be it Jai Hind or Jai Ho, we have not set our homes right yet! That's the disgusting truth of terrorism in India today!
One side, the memories of Mumbai blasts did not go away from the world memory,,,the other side, the clashes in Hyderbad in name of Economy, Language and State is defeating the objectives of Progress... and now this Pune Blasts indicate that we have thief's within us. It is not possible for a foreign hand to succeed in creating a terror fear in the Nation without the help of an insider. First and foremost, the responsibility of the Intelligence and Security forces would be to identify the insiders and uproot them from our society. There is no point in playing the blame game, unless we are sure that none in India would support or stand by the terrorists, no matter how much ever we make a noise in the global platform, the Indian Cities are still an easy target.
Security consciousness and National Integrity and Protection is highly visible in the Western World where every Citizen's first responsibility and common sense aims at Home Land Security. Do we have this in us? The day should come when we stop seeing religious flags, party hoardings and flags flying and seeing the National Flag standing in pride as we walk down the streets. Till such day, there is nothing called Patriotism in the minds of Modern Indians that provoke them to fight internally against any form of terrorism. Be it Jai Hind or Jai Ho, we have not set our homes right yet! That's the disgusting truth of terrorism in India today!
State Bank Of India- New Ways of Global Reach
State Bank of India is in news for all good reasons. When I say that it is of the Global Reach, it is not across the countries but across our own villages. Towards a larger and remote connectively bridging all the villages to the ambit of Finance, Support and Micro- Money Management. Opening of Bank Accounts and accessing through mobile phones is the best way to use the advantage of the Most Buzzing Telecom revolution in India.
The Project is for all the below who own mobile phones and have income less than Rs 5000 a month where they can access the nearest grocery stores to send and transact money to anywhere in India. This is as simple as buying a prepaid card in a retail outlet. Doesnt it sound revolutionary....Yes, Small is all times Revolutionary!
Something that sounds like an western union outlet, but from our modern best nationalised bank is a grand welcome to all public,..as people can transact by depositing, transferring and withdrawing money in the nearest retail outlet. This is going to generate employment opportunities as business correspondent close to half a million people in India.... is this not the big best thing happening in the first quarter of the year... Am sure, this will be a successful venture... God Bless you SBI!
Every Day Heroes Making this their own world!
Exact Narration by Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries, who shares his inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai:
Last Sunday, my wife, kid, and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra.
When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different...
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished.
I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer's plastic company was shut down.
He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night.
No break unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke T.V dekh kar kya faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega."
We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai – the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life.
I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time.
He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use.
He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped.
Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs. 50. My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO!
A hero who deserves all our respect!!!
Our journey came to an end;
45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness, and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai, my temporary home.
We disembarked, and all I could do was
to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a
free ride for a blind man.
I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his auto rickshaw: MH-02-Z-8508.
My religion is a matter between me and my maker : Gandhiji
Last Sunday, my wife, kid, and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra.
When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different...
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver's back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines.
This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle.
Then I looked round again, and discovered more - there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths
- from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism.
There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan.
I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished.
I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer's plastic company was shut down.
He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night.
No break unless he was unwell. "Sahab, ghar mein baith ke T.V dekh kar kya faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega."
We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai – the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life.
I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time.
He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use.
He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: "25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped.
Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs. 50. My wife and I were struck with awe. The man was a HERO!
A hero who deserves all our respect!!!
Our journey came to an end;
45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness, and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai, my temporary home.
We disembarked, and all I could do was
to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a
free ride for a blind man.
I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr Sandeep Bachhe in his auto rickshaw: MH-02-Z-8508.
My religion is a matter between me and my maker : Gandhiji
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Our Meeting with Dr Rudhran
It had been a transforming experience meeting Dr Rudhran today with Raghu. What best can we make out of this meeting than creating a lasting happiness of having met him as one of my best friends today. It is a tale of turning adversities into opportunities.
A 20 year old journey ended with creating the finest memory of this day. Without having to wait for 4 hours, going through a process of counselling and therapy, understanding from a social service person there, without the token number followed by the year, meeting him within 5 minutes of visiting his office this morning was the last thing we would have dreamt in our life. That too as a writer and his friend.
Today, Dr Rudhran and me, both appreciate each others views and articles, contacts and network and share common philosophies of life with much broader vision and ambitions. Strong will power, unconditional love and trust can cure any damn illness in this world and we today stand as a strong testimony to this fact and would fight for the rights of victims of such situations and provide support and solace to the vulnerable lot.
As usual, Dr Rudhran is filled with a drawing charisma, truly understanding persona, a broad welcoming smile, giving a true sense to his profession and personality. God Bless you Dr.
A 20 year old journey ended with creating the finest memory of this day. Without having to wait for 4 hours, going through a process of counselling and therapy, understanding from a social service person there, without the token number followed by the year, meeting him within 5 minutes of visiting his office this morning was the last thing we would have dreamt in our life. That too as a writer and his friend.
Today, Dr Rudhran and me, both appreciate each others views and articles, contacts and network and share common philosophies of life with much broader vision and ambitions. Strong will power, unconditional love and trust can cure any damn illness in this world and we today stand as a strong testimony to this fact and would fight for the rights of victims of such situations and provide support and solace to the vulnerable lot.
As usual, Dr Rudhran is filled with a drawing charisma, truly understanding persona, a broad welcoming smile, giving a true sense to his profession and personality. God Bless you Dr.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Cricket, IPL, Pakistan and Looking Beyond
I am sure cricket fans at home and office would search to hit me for writing this post and I need to get bailed out from their arms.... But when is that we would learn to look beyond??... Cricket in India is not just another sport or game...it is a fervent addiction... a ever living fever with no vaccines.
Cricket has become a part of Average Indian's life and people discuss, debate, devote, dedicate themselves to the love of the matches, players, and the very essence of Modern Day Commercialized Cricket and what else. Even cost of living, corruption, movies, will take a back seat when compared to Cricket Mania in the country.
But the fact is that Cricketers are also human beings and no demi-gods, there is absolutely no necessity to devote so much attention and energies to the game which is supposed to be entertainment and a good sport. Today it has become a worse addiction, money minting industry, fully commercialized and above all, killing other fields of sports. I just wonder why our text books still say Hockey is our National Game.... It should be Cricket now right...
IPL Is a classic example of how 1% of the population can control and absorb the wealth from the 99% of the society... Today, television channels and movies are just copying the events and shows of the west in their regional languages. IPL also did the same trick..instead of foot ball, there emerged cricket deals.....The craziness, the frenzies and the boundless amusement of the game is no doubt a well planned business option ....same time, this addiction had broken the barriers in the name of countries or continents..... IPL succeeded in its endeavour...and we the average Indian made them rich....!
Now comes to my hot topic, Pakistan... Masha Allah! Why Me! Pakistan players not included in the IPL 3rd season... Yeah... let me tell u the story of my neighbour who was once my brother...we fought, we broke, we don't talk, we don't meet, and now slowly we grudge, we hurt, we hate, we destroy, we end. In such a situation, how can I let my children play with his children...doesn't it not sound ridiculous... this hatred is genuine and need to be ongoing process...don't I want it... Huh! its the same story...It is this destroying attitude that is causing a friction everywhere between India and Pakistan...Today we have reached to such a situation where we cant appreciate any bridges between two countries how every peaceful they aim to be at....we always suspect every peace move, we are always threatened by their existence, we are restless with the neighbours... this is not going to change even after 60 years of a havocing partition... gone is gone...RIP the brotherhood! At least let live as sensible neighbours... or else we are making each other's area a harvesting ground not just for terror but for the developed nations to aim at each other, in the time of next world war...which is not so very far! God bless this Planet not just from climatic destruction but a nuclear warfare! Now we Indians, should learn to look beyond cricket, for cricket is no more just a game, but a culture, predominantly changing the way we think and act!!!!
Cricket has become a part of Average Indian's life and people discuss, debate, devote, dedicate themselves to the love of the matches, players, and the very essence of Modern Day Commercialized Cricket and what else. Even cost of living, corruption, movies, will take a back seat when compared to Cricket Mania in the country.
But the fact is that Cricketers are also human beings and no demi-gods, there is absolutely no necessity to devote so much attention and energies to the game which is supposed to be entertainment and a good sport. Today it has become a worse addiction, money minting industry, fully commercialized and above all, killing other fields of sports. I just wonder why our text books still say Hockey is our National Game.... It should be Cricket now right...
IPL Is a classic example of how 1% of the population can control and absorb the wealth from the 99% of the society... Today, television channels and movies are just copying the events and shows of the west in their regional languages. IPL also did the same trick..instead of foot ball, there emerged cricket deals.....The craziness, the frenzies and the boundless amusement of the game is no doubt a well planned business option ....same time, this addiction had broken the barriers in the name of countries or continents..... IPL succeeded in its endeavour...and we the average Indian made them rich....!
Now comes to my hot topic, Pakistan... Masha Allah! Why Me! Pakistan players not included in the IPL 3rd season... Yeah... let me tell u the story of my neighbour who was once my brother...we fought, we broke, we don't talk, we don't meet, and now slowly we grudge, we hurt, we hate, we destroy, we end. In such a situation, how can I let my children play with his children...doesn't it not sound ridiculous... this hatred is genuine and need to be ongoing process...don't I want it... Huh! its the same story...It is this destroying attitude that is causing a friction everywhere between India and Pakistan...Today we have reached to such a situation where we cant appreciate any bridges between two countries how every peaceful they aim to be at....we always suspect every peace move, we are always threatened by their existence, we are restless with the neighbours... this is not going to change even after 60 years of a havocing partition... gone is gone...RIP the brotherhood! At least let live as sensible neighbours... or else we are making each other's area a harvesting ground not just for terror but for the developed nations to aim at each other, in the time of next world war...which is not so very far! God bless this Planet not just from climatic destruction but a nuclear warfare! Now we Indians, should learn to look beyond cricket, for cricket is no more just a game, but a culture, predominantly changing the way we think and act!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)