My Pug Marks

Photo Courtesy: www.trekearth.com I'd sit with you Oh Arabian Sea My thoughts would sail Holding the colorful fishes' trail Calm my nerves ruptured Watching that distant ship anchored Forget my mournful days Pelting the rocks your constant waves Strengthen my emotional defense Rippled water your fence But no, I just can't sit My last local leaves in a bit

This one will definitely ruffle a few but then, it is my blog, isn't it? I actually feel like arguing but stop myself one step short realizing it may usually be futile. Cities like Bangalore, Gurgaon (yes, it is Gurgaon and not Delhi), Hyderabad and Mumbai have always faced the wrath of people working there. Most of them don't like their work cities. Most of them do not belong to these cities.  My simple question is - if you have a problem with everything ranging from traffic to rents to 'heartlessness' in here, why are you here? In questioning all the wrong things, one tends to forget that these are the cities with opportunities. They never asked to be the chosen ones but government policies, location, etc. worked in their favor. It is only the residents who realize how their towns changed into big cities which actually is the root cause of all the problems. I can speak for Gurgaon, been living here since birth. I have seen fields turn into glass buildings - a...

 Image Courtesy: http://www.thehindu.com/ Now that MBA is over and I am considered an ounce wiser, being back home means work. There are so many pending things that are just waiting in the attic to be dusted and made to work again. One of them is the mammoth task of physical share transfer and dematerialization. Though stated in one pretty sentence, it takes months of effort and work. And of course, money!  My brother has been painfully going about the motions of this work for a couple of months now and nothing much yet seems to have resulted out of it. We struck a good deal with a certain Saraswati something shares. I asked, "How much would this one fetch us?". He replied, "Enough to recover the money you spent on your MBA degree". I exclaimed, "Really! Waoh! Even after they have been dormant for like 15 years??!". He quipped, in exasperation, "Weren't they supposed to teach you all this in B-School?" I did shut up and let him do this pain...

Image Courtesy: Delhi! ‘garche hain mulq-e-dakhan mein in dinon qadr-e-sukhan kaun jaaye Zauq par dilli ki galiyaan chod kar’ - Mir Zauq These famous lines by Mir Zauq, a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib defines the quintessential nature of the city we call Delhi. Roughly translated to English, in these lines Mir Zauq is saying that although the seat of power and all the worldly comforts have shifted to the Deccan region of India but still, who can even think of leaving the by-lanes of Delhi? A true dilliwala can understand what it means. Delhi is the capital of India. Like every capital city should be – it has been painted in the colors of modernity and is a suitable representation of the growth that India has witnessed. However, unlike many cities, or cities which even weren’t cities then, Delhi has been painted in colors representing grandeur and layers and layers of them, one over the other. Delhi itself represents history. It has assimilated everyone. Mughals, Khiljis, an...

Image Courtesy: http://mockingmusic.blogspot.com/ they don't know there is strength in oblivion a grim energy being built from their derision a new charge up vicious than can be imagined a solid hammer nail that can't be unhinged clarity of vision new mission strength from oblivion

Today was a special day. Some of the same feelings overwhelmed me like they used to in childhood. That feeling of having butterflies in stomach before something important. That feeling of overwhelming regret which comes across when something just doesn't go right and you do not have anyone to blame, not even yourself. Anyway, here are some nuggets of the day in form of some wise cracks from an especially pissed off guy who needs a beer right now, which obviously he can't get his hands on : 1. You obviously think of beer when you are extremely pissed. 2. Not all habits die hard, some just are immortal. 3. Sometimes, when you are screwed - there is a possibility of getting screwed a little further. 4. Sometimes, you cannot tell what/who screwed you. 5. You will forget this soon. 6. It always remains like this - to remind you even if you forget Can't figure out what is all this? Go be very very upset and grab a beer and read again.

Image Courtesy: David J. Nightingale  | www.chromasia.com Big things happen that become small over a period of time. Monday Tests used to be so important that we wasted our entire Sunday evenings on them. Then those exams, those practicals. So many events that shape our lives eventually just fog out in some dusty corners of the mind. When they are recalled, they just stop everything inside for a second - at the point of recall. Isn't it? Greater and more important things always take priority over less important ones - less important, they feel not when they happened but now. That single test, those exams, that moment when you made through (or did not) to the college of your choice, that first backlog that you got and thought it was all over, that first crush you had and thought would be your entire life, that first job at which you thought you would shine like a star, all important moments - all get fuzzy down the constantly abrasive ladder of life. But that doesn't mean o...

Image Courtesy : http://digitalmirage.net/ 'Sir, it will take only two minutes' I insisted. All I got in return was a nice little smirk from the gentleman (atleast that was what I presumed him to be when I approached him). The day hadn’t been really good but it was exciting to be back in field. I was reminded of the times when I was stalking married women for my survey for a specific brand of detergent about a year ago. At times, it got dangerous, the stalking business and it was only my college ID card that came to my rescue to prove my innocence and intentions. I dreaded when I thought of what would have happened had I forgotten to carry it! It finally was time to put the Marketing Research concepts learnt in class to practice. The only problem – we were more viewed as salesmen selling credit cards and insurance rather than as diligent students pursuing research purely for academic purposes. Having reached this sweet little mall in Chinchwad to carry out our research, we wer...

Alright people - I am back here! After neglecting my sweet little blog for quite some time, I couldn't just let it be in the name of work which I in any case procrastinate upon. It hasn't been easy - trust me. A Roller Coaster ride yea, but add to that the dilemma of knowing that somewhere, there is an loose screw on the rails which may or may not fall off when the coaster passes over it. WTF! Here are the biggest WTF moments that are happening: 1. Surgery in lower back. I mean low low back. Wound is supposed to heal naturally to prevent recurrence. WTF! Why the hell couldn't they stitch it??? 2. It got better. Nice. It healed. Very nice. I was happy. I took the bus to the city from my campus. The God-forsaken Sus-Pashan Road [may the builders who stole charcoal from it rot in hell!]. My back could not bear it. Wound resurfaced. WTF! 3. Sem 3. Welcome to the most gruelling curriculum ever. I mean, I know I am in a B-School where we are supposed to slog and study hard, but g...

They say nostalgia hits. This one does and hard. Roughly an year ago, fresh into SIBM , Pune - we were all gearing up to be special. Literally! Being a member of the Students' Council at SIBM is what I so looked forward to. I got to be a part of the rocking IT Team for Interim and Junior tenures. Needless to say, it was one of the best time I have ever had. With sine curved pattern of work and fun, it couldn't have been better...or may be it could have been. The Juniors have come, taking their shares of responsibilities and teams have been formed. Alas, I am not in council anymore and how I miss it! I can only imagine how it would have been to be on the other side of the interview table this time, how when finally the teams would have formed - the introductions and 'insider' sessions would have begun. The tales of legends who have passed through the same responsibilities. I sorely miss it. Wish I could make juniors do things which Abeer , Anu and Sheth made me do d...

It is time to pack up. Initially, I had planned to be at home till 14th June and then go back to my college and begin my second year on a positive note. Same promises as ever that we all tend to make - Will work harder this time, will look forward to managing time in a better way, will take care of health and exercise, etc. etc. However, as a few of you who may be following my blog would know, things did not turn out the way as intended. I would finally be leaving for Pune tomorrow (it is already Saturday, 0241 hours). Quite a bit has happened in this 'extra' week that I have stayed back at home. Pain in back has reduced for sure, I can now sit for longer durations and am banking on this to attend my classes properly once am there. Apart from these positive things, it has been an extra week of 'experience' gained here. Or may be a week of 'experience' lost from Pune? I may never know. So, why do we make those promises to ourselves in the first place at all? To i...

Hi all! It has been some time and lot of things to talk about since I wrote here last. Here are a few things that have been going on with me, for good and not so good. I somehow managed to finish my internship at Wipro Technologies in Bangalore. Two month stint was a pretty good experience at office. It was like a two month job, team was awesome and work was good! Bangalore as a city has a very different feel to it. A feel, which I was not used to and don't feel like getting used too. I was putting up at Electronic City there which is like an IT City at a little distance from the main city itself. Something like what Manesar is to Gurgaon or Gurgaon is to Delhi. So, as it happens, a major chunk of IT junta, which is also a major chunk of junta residing in Bangalore get up early on weekdays and move to Electronic City. In the evenings, they go back. Essentially, this city sleeps early and wakes up early too! Quite unlike me. Anyway, moving on. I had to find a decent place for my...

It happens at times, that a particular date holds a very important place in your life. The reverence to the date increases if it is just another date - not your birthday, wedding day or any other day which in itself is of importance to you. In the same manner, unknowingly, 4 th of June became one of the most important dates of my life. The feeling obviously can't be mutual but I can try to elucidate its impact and significance in my life. 4 th June, 2007 It was my last exam of my last semester at my graduate college. Well, as it tuned out, it wouldn't be so. Let us just leave at that. 4 th June, 2007 I met someone. Very unexpectedly. Thanks to the cosmic charge and the complex algorithm that google must be using on the click of 'next blog' that my blog turned up, and not that belonged to someone e lse . Thank you Google - let us just say that you have given me all the pains and pleasures that are important to my life. And reminiscing a bit... 4 th June, 1989 When I...

once upon a time a funny thing happened as the clock struck nine there was a chubby little kid in his home feeling stupid for want of anything better he started writing a letter as it turned out his inner being gave a happy shout coz though he couldn't earn a dime but surely he could rhyme! thus began his journey lustrous soon he became illustrious all people big and sharp came to him for an autograph and he thought what fun as he was an average man's son he wanted to do something and earn more than his dad's farthing thought after day and day and day to which business should his loyalties lay finally he reached a meaningful conclusion when his dud brain was cleared of all confusion he thought he'll write poems that rhyme and for each he'll charge just a dime poems came and poems went tonnes of dimes to his account were sent dime turned into quarter and quarter into dollar till is fame couldn't grow taller last known he was living very happy doing what he was b...

I reign In the world of the fogged gloss Dare not the barriers I set anyone cross Because from one horizon to other I reign In the tempest of mind Beyond any fathomable thought Are clear droplets of wisdom Which run my kingdom My whims aren't fancies But an elaborate functioning machine All parts greased No metal that I ever feign Come you army of lost generations With filthy crippled ideas on lose There ain't any place in this world Where I'll let penetrate your rigged views And there you'll all go crushed With not even a  speck left of your credence To remind the whole world That it is better with your absence Off you go From my lovely kingdom You insipid blind followers For the God whose name you say you preach Is imploring, in His name I beseech.

"You can't finish it! No ways..." "Really, even with an empty stomach?" "Even with an empty stomach..." "And what exactly is it?" "Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate" That is how everyone I know who is currently in Bangalore talked about the ever so famous Death by Chocolate. I had to find the famous "The Corner House" and have this delicacy. I did, in Koramangala . Ordered one. Rs. 115. Wasn't it a bit too much for an Ice-cream? As it turned out, it wasn't. As I looked around and gathered all the yummy types of ice creams available on menu - in front of me landed a big plastic cup on a tray. See for yourself above. It was an eclectic mix of 2 huge scoops of vanilla ice cream, lots of brownie crumbs dipped in chocolate which was then again poured over by 4 teaspoons of steaming hot chocolate syrup [directly boiling in front of you on an electric plate]. If that wasn't enough, peanuts sprinkled and cherry ...

All is fine Everything so divine Birds twitter as the glorious sun shines Just too suddenly For me to realize Out of nowhere A little tornado conceptualize Carrying along Dust and rags and mud With the bird's song It plays around Ruffles a few dead leaves As the previous part Of the dusty road heaves But it wasn't much time Like me The playful tornado was blind For it got sucked As behind the clouds Sun ducked Into a larger scheme of things No more tweets to be heard Nor was recalled That lovely bird A huge storm Blew out of proportion Dust flogged vision And brought a few tears But not for long As it does not end here For heavens went gracious And soaked all the fear All got wet and beautiful again And again All is fine Everything so divine...

And it happens again. The dilemma, the thoughts Umpteen mental wars fought The craze and the haze Unfocussed and dazed Ideas that lure Charlatan mind's demeanour This way or that Becomes life's meandering path Skin left behind With no button rewind Change is a bane And it happens again.

Last exam ends on 31st March. With this, technically, I will be half a manager. Let me write - 1/2 of MBA will be over, yeah, looks better this way. From 1st April onwards, we will be moving for our summer internships at various companies. I pinged a senior of mine who had worked at the same company I am going to in Bangalore for my summers for some last minute advice. Seeing the recession and bad times for B - Schools in terms of placements (not admissions), people would try their best to secure Pre-Placement Offers (PPOs) and won't leave it till the uncertain December of 2009 that it would be. And my senior's advice is there for all to see. Some things in India, it seems, work the same everywhere. A discomforting nevertheless a unifying characteristic for the nation that we are.  Obviously, his name has been blurred to protect his identity. He is a nice chap.  :) The Messenger Chat - An Excerpt Me: Any last minute suggestion sir? Senior: haan, last minute suggestion yeh hai k...

We have three colleges functional from our campus here on the hill in a god forsaken village called Lavale. With almost simultaneous breaks [obviously you won't keep shifts for lunch, lunch has to happen at lunch time, ain't it?], it puts immense pressure on the mess staff. Somebody needs to teach those 'kids' from the other college that it is good to follow the queue as then everyone gets warm food and chatting and flirting can be left for later, at the dining table. It becomes even more difficult to move on when you have scores of girls in front of you. Being the overtly chivalrous person that I tend to be, I let the things go in a manner they do. Girls at times seriously don't deserve this chivalry these days. A pretty young thing tried to make her way in front of me while I was already getting impatient with the slow moving queue. I turned back with a frosty nosed stare. She made that apologetic face and pointed at the counter, ' I just need that!'. I lo...