Friends

"Saale, tu kuch karta nahi hai...", Chins said to Anky, and we all laughed at it. 

This was around 24-25th time, we heard this dialog in last 4 days. This was the last day of us together, at friends marriage, and the time was around 4.00 in the morning. This was certainly not the time to make jokes. But we did.

It has been around one and half year, after college and first time we all were together at one place for Abhi's marriage, for having fun, and for so called 'Reunion'. Everything changed after getting a stamp of MBA. Everyone is now busy with individual career. There have been so many commitments to everyone that we hardly got a time to get together. Finally we got an occasion,  AB's marriage. 

Sweet......Nothing, a photo by Vikram K. on Flickr.

One by one we all joined the celebrations, less of a ritual, more of a fun and recalling the days, we missed so very badly.

It will be a start of new life for Abhi, but for all of us, it was like reincarnating into college life, the countless nights spent in chatting, maggie and coffee. The computer games, the discussion about projects, exams, submissions and growing together as friends and every other thing we enjoyed, we shared and the moments we lived together.


Everyone is well connected with each other by electronic communication, but this was the first occuasion we all are together after college.


In the early morning, we all were waiting for autorikshaw, and may be for that last time that year, the very famous statement cranked on the laughter. But this time there was a tint of pain added to that, because for all of us, tomorrow will be bringing back our duties, routines and every other things which makes our usual life, except THE FRIENDS!

When everything fails, the hope rises again....

we shook the hands towards each other, wishing bon voyage, and with the assurance that,

"It will not be too long for next celebration"

(note - this was a long due post, I wrote last year, but hardly got time to complete it, thus posting it now)
Chins, Anky, AB, Tips, Vaibhs, Vishla, Esha, Mru, Archi, BK, and all others, who made my life special, missing you all...

Fireflies

I was surfing YouTUBE and a video grabbed my attention because of its name. The video was ‘Fireflies’ and singer was ‘Owl City (Adam Young)’. I loved the lyrics, the video and the meaning too.

It starts with

You would not believe your eyes 

If ten million fireflies

Light up the world as I fell asleep

Cause they fill the open air

And leave teardrops everywhere

You'd think me rude 

But I would just stand and stare

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly

It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep

Cause everything is never as it seems

I can say a perfect description for a dream, which is full of good moments.

One can easily relate it to the sequence of life, which could have been filled with teardrops. Good moments are like fireflies, they will look good from the distance, but when you are trying to achieve it, there is hardly any fire remains. Still planet earth turns, slowly.

It so happens sometime, that I think about myself, what I’m doing, how I’m doing and why I’m doing it. Not all things carry proper answers, but not much things remain unanswered. Sometimes I feel that I am running behind fictitious things, which will hardly happen. But on the next moment, I am very sure that, if the decision was incorrect then I would have stumbled in-between as a result. Thus whatever I am doing is correct.

Cause I'd get a thousand hugs

From ten thousand lightning bugs

As they tried to teach me how to dance

A foxtrot above my head

A sock hop beneath my bed

A disco ball is just hanging by a thread

All the things are in place, so does I. and as planet earth turns, slowly, it will take some time for me to get results, get some concrete facts about whatever I am doing.

Leave my door open just a crack 

Cause I feel like such an insomniac 

Why do I tire of counting sheep? 

When I'm far too tired to fall asleep

To ten million fireflies

I'm weird cause I hate goodbyes

I got misty eyes as they said farewell 

But I'll know where several are

If my dreams get real bizarre

Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar

“I’m weird cause I hate goodbyes”, This could have been a major reason behind few of the important things, I am doing. For me the definition of success would be

“Loving yourself, loving what I do, how I do and why I’m doing it”

And as I am loving the reason for which I am doing it, I need not to worry about the future. This feeling always motivates me towards my goal.

I'd like to make myself believe that planet earth turns slowly

It’s hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep

Because my dreams are bursting at the seams

Video from YouTUBE

Ideal couple

That was a wonderful evening...

They were meeting after a long break. Before that, distances were spicing up relations, sometimes bringing them closer, or else creating walls between them and their thoughts and Finally here they are, together, to enjoy an ideal evening, just like crafted carefully for them.

She was working with one of the top notch company. He was just a struggler, waving on the flow of destiny, looking out for destination. Both are from different places, different surroundings, studied together, 'n slowly entered into a bond. After the college, everything changed, right from the location. When they used dream about smooth running life, and suddenly were down. Right on the earth, in the company of so-called hi-profile people, who used to comment like, 'Postgrad is great, but what about job? my (someone's someone) did his PG from (XYcollege) now works with HDFC/ICICI/HSBC/Standard Charter earning (some two digit number before 'Lakhs')...

She was brilliant and made it to her dream place, and of course, a place for which everyone will dream for. He decided to take his own path. Non-glamorous, but highly ascertain and sometimes illogical too. They used to talk every night, briefing about each others life, funny creatures they encountered in the day and so-on and so-for. But unknowingly they were not at a same level. Later on, even the phone-calls reduced their timing, Subjects changed, contents changed even the details and ideas. Still they love each other.

One day, he asked her, about engagement. She was like stumbled in-between. She asked for some time. Later on, the reply was, "It might be too early to decide something now!" He was happy, waiting eagerly for her response. Meanwhile he is judging himself, entered into a business, started working and enjoying that. Again the matter came into hit point and he asked her about marriage. She asked him few questions. Mainly related to the things he knows about daily life and a specially about earning. The hidden meaning was about whether you are capable of earning which is sufficient for them together.

He realized that, he was just loving her, and hardly ever thought about practicability of relations. Was he wrong at that time? Again the matter postponed. Time was running, so as seasons and finally they found an evening together after these events. They got a neglected corner in that small bistro, and ordered each others favorite dishes. Conversation was important for them, not the coffee. They were talking, opening up with each other after so many days. Just like they used to do during college days.

The lights went dim and music stopped. That was the sign that Bistro is closing down. They came out, hugged each other. Went on to the opposite sides and disappeared in the dark shadows of night.

No one knows what happened after that. For spectators they are like an ideal couple. Even their college friends think the same. Made for each other.

But finally relations are all about what happens between them, not about what other perceives.

Second thought

"Life never has rewind button", a thought used till flat by many hindi movies. Even we often think, if it was possible to do this, the result might have been better. 

Now a days I am busy like anything, hardly had time to give first thought to most of the things. But on a moment, I was in a position to give second thought about a thing, I preserved in a silent corner of my mind. For a moment, I thought its enough now...'n I am on the verge for second thought.

Every moment, contributed to me, one or the other way. What I am is a collaborative product of sum of all moments, rather what I am not is the direct result of it. Second thought is for looser, who are not satisfied with the situation they are in, though ironically they made themselves into the situation

 Its not a day or an hour, which made us think about our relations, our decisions or our life. Its the whole set of circumstances. If one wants to show affection about a decision, relation or life, this was the moment. In a movie, Matrix, NEO has been asked for two choice, Love or Life. He goes for Love. I think the reason being, Life is not possible without Love. He would have given second thought there, and that would have turned the whole scenario upside down.  Pessimistically, for me, suicide is the way to show your affection toward your life. If one don't have life as he/she expects, he/she has full right to ask for better beginning. But how many of the people think this much before it is a key question.

On the other hand, is it like second thought always gives wrong direction. The answer is 'NO'; atleast for me. The reason being, second thought is always a kind of dreamy creation about better future, built when nothing can realize it. Its like a horizon, which will extent further. 

Looking back is different again, when you are not worried about your previous decisions, then you can enjoy your journey down memory lane. 

"Night is off and there is morning again

All my dreams are gone

Back to life Insane"

Earth DAY...some thoughts

22nd April, celebrated world-wide as International Earth DAY. This year, there were hardly any celebrations in India, as it was not some marketing event, or globally renowned cash flow point like valentines day or friendship day.

For the few people, who atleast cares about there is something called EARTHDAY, it is another warning bell. Yesterday was 40th Earthday, but problems are residing within us for few more decades. When earthday started, there was no word like green movement and hardly anyone knows about global warming. For so many years, an ordinary person like me, was not much acquainted about the words, EL-nino, global warming, greenhouse gases etc. But now the effects are on our doorsteps. This is ARPIL running, and at my place, red-mark of temperature is already above the historic records. Same is the case, almost everywhere. 

World shattered few weeks before by a series of earthquakes, which deserted a small civilization at Haiti, continued the things in Peru and other places. For last two weeks Eyjafjallajokull volcano is controlling, one of  the most happening industry in the world. All around chaos in the Airline industry is affecting the world, education, business and of-course tourism. Still we are interested in building palm island and world island in the sea.

I am not much pessimistic about future, rather I was not; later I quit. This is a safest way to reduce burden from my brain-processor, which is already overclocked and working restlessly. This is a short term measure. Sometimes I feel that, all the cartel together, industries, billionaire, politicians and scientists are fooling  us, with the glowing shiny picture of tomorrow, which will be there but with a heavy cost.

Sometimes I fear, may be the next generation will be the luckiest one, as they will enjoy much more advanced technology, with some last green patches on the earth. Generation next to them, will only find an earth filled up with the machines, dust and some mechanical personalities, which will work for food, pleasure and money. The green plants, might be available in the museums or to be sold with highest cost, with a tag of LIMITED EDITION. Agriculture might become just food generation industry, with controlled environment, genetically modified seeds, chemicals and electronic surveillance. 

                                      

I can recall a Disney PIXAR movie, 'WALL-E', which was a blockbuster last year. There was an incidence about the last human civilian, in the space station, which was periled by formation of new biosphere on the once-upon-a-time abandoned Earth, which was full of dust, metal and plastics. Just because, that will eliminate the need for space station and the economy running on it, will suffer. Exactly the human nature of opposing the change.

Tomorrow if something goes wrong, these cartel members will investing it weatherproof bunkers or ships like noah's ark to save themselves, from the money, which we paid once upon a time, just to have some pleasurable things.

Here we need change. Because we need our Earth. 

Together, what we can do. Just few simple things, can change the world.

1. Reduce the use of plastic, use jute bags or bags made up of cloths.

2. Control the use of vehicles for the small distances or else use a public transport measures.

3. Do not print an email unless it is necessary.

4. Open your windows, there is abundant light available outside. 

5. Evening can be pleasurable without air-conditioner, just take a walk in nearby garden.

6. Plant a tree as a memory of every special moment in the life, if it is not possible to plant, you can sponsor or donate a tree to public garden. 

After so much and so on, our world is still beautiful, lets keep it as it is for the coming generations.

Thinking like a consultant...

My idol, Bill Gates often placed a fact, 'Start Early in your carrier'. I hope its not that late for me to start with. I am now 26 and on the occasion of Hindu New Year, I registered my site, for a consulting service. I was much more skeptical about going directly in to the business, and it claimed almost one year up in my mind to finally settled with this.

As I referred in my post way back, where I compared the way Google, MS, Yahoo etc., we know the stories (just like our local legends) But there are so many other successful names in the industry, like Symantec, Native Instruments, ATARI etc. Hardly anyone knows about how they might have started. Even they would have started with something small, may be like startup company, Originated from concept, Supported by likeminded people, somewhere got the node of business and now they are on top of their chosen field. Its not always luck. Atleast I think so. and Whatever may be the story, finally I am into the business and not following any of these legendary names.

Second question arises is, does working on couple of projects with some name, makes you an entrepreneur??? Tomorrow if someone offers me some catchy salary package, what I'll be doing? Was that would be ignoring myself and my decision or will be rejecting the opportunity of cashing up. Its like either way I am loosing.

Another thing is, the classic management theory (Thanks to the great stream of HR managers), says that, while starting something, your mission, vision and goals should be set. For me the decision was just powered by opportunity. I don't have anything like mission statement or vision. It would be rather, like planning upon that today I'm going to breath these many times. What I know is I can work and I have to work. Till now any mission/vision or goal thing haven't stuck me. It might be necessary for future growth, but on the other hand, Goals should be practicable, achievable and S.M.A.R.T. The contradiction here is how can someone decide upon the goal, without trying it whether is it achievable or practicable. These concepts look good in book and sometimes in interview.

Once I started, I observed some different nature. Some of my friends/relatives/well-wishers are happy to know about, some are skeptical, some are opposing and most of them are clueless. It will be too early to post about my results and analysis. But I'm into serious business is the most important thing.

One more mistake, I did till now was, I labelled myself, that I can just lookout for job or I can do these things, nothing can be done other than that. Year 2009 offered me a platform to build myself, to develop my unsharpened skills and finally to gain confidence. It comes with time.

There is only fact in the world, 'Time is the healer and time goes on....its not gonna wait forever...'

Its the time which will decide, whether I am right or wrong..

Wish me luck

Women's DAY

Finally the day was on. Again the medieval politicians brag out the hell on women's participation bill. Anyways, the mentality will not change by law. But somehow I am a bit confused on how many Women's are aware about the occasion and utility of Women's DAY.

Today, there was a party hosted by one of my senior colleague lady. They celebrated the day, just like many other. But just couple of hours before, the same person asked me that, She's looking for a bride from particular cast. Is it the right way to celebrate WOMEN's day!!! I came across most of the cases, where girls/women are unaware about WOMEN's day, most of the total, didn't even justified that, why this particular day is celebrated as women's day.

Basically I am confused between the so called Gender Equalization things. Because our policies are habituated with the concept of reservation for equality. It runs exactly parallel to concept of WAR For PEACE, which won Nobel this year. I had the same discussion with a lady army officer, few months before. According to her, It is already proved the women are capable of doing almost everything man can do. They are competing in every field. Even there are preferences for WOMEN in some special fields.

Is this needs a special reservation?

I am personally not against the women, reservations for women and WOMEN's day...but trying to bring some logical sequence behind my observations and experiences...

For all Women's, 'Happy Women's DAY'

For all Men, We have 364 more days to celebrate...

Even such contradictions do carry their own beauty!

Welcome Change

This is the first post in the year 2010, after a good break of one whole month and getting older by one more year. I have been consistently inconsistent in writing something here, rather getting open up with myself.

More the things change, more they remain same. I felt something like that, when I celebrated my birthday. This time everything was different than last two years, hardly any friend wished me in person. Instead I was at a place where I celebrated most of my birthdays, in company of countless memories and with my own family. One more reason to celebrate this time, I was bearing my all expenses for this birthday. Being independent financially is good feeling and somehow adds to responsibility.

I am not happy with my current position neither I am satisfied with whatever I am doing. But somehow I am happy about somethings are changing, I am making them change. This almost a years break given me so many things. Now I can say that I am no longer fresher. Experiences enriched me, more than anything else. Now I am not afraid of rejections, no fear for failures and neither interested in running behind the success-stories of those who followed the well-laid ways.

Just saw a much discussed movie '3-idiots', which states, 'work for your self, your interests and success will follow you.' Somehow I am realizing that, exactly this is the thing I have followed for last few years and will continue to do so.

Finally this is a war, and we are soldiers. Failures can come for us at any time, in any place. Now consider the alternative. What if I am right? What if tomorrow the war could be over? Isn't that worth fighting for?

Its all about keeping the fire within...let the reason be different every-time.

Welcome CHANGE...

Looking back looking ahead...

Today, on the verge of ending year, I felt like, an eternal part of mine, I'm leaving bahind, in the form of experiences and memories.

2009, I can simply classify it as a year of disappointments and dark clouds over my life. But the purpose of this retrospection is to focus the golden border of this dark cloud, because that is gain for me, because I feel, every defeat, every rejection or every denial, contributes in to a treasure called experience.

I tried so many different things this year.Cleared the initial screening exam for the interview into mass communication company(which I never thought I could do), ventured into totally alien territory of hosted open-source solutions, visited the great city of Ahmadabad, got some good friends like 'sachin c.', I programmed something after a considerable break of 2+ years, and nevertheless, took few bold decisions to redirect my career.

I think, this is not the occasion to enter into the depths of past...

Tomorrow, I didn't expect anything new. Because its just a change in calender. But as usual, a whole new day will be waiting for me, as it was for last 365 times in 2009 and for 25 years for me.

Being an optimistic individual, I expect lot many things (again) from this year. These are not new year resolutions, but just expectations. Some of them are like, getting a good job, getting engaged this year (hopefully) and getting a visa stamped on my brand new passport.


ALVIDA 2009
and
Colorful wishes for the Fresh and New year 2010...

Rust

Everyone often asks me, “How are you?”, I always look for someone who will say, “you are lying”, when I say, “I’m fine.” When I smiles at stranger, it’s just another layer on me, which unsharpened my feelings, which keeps me separated from the reality and allows my thoughts to remain just for me.

In other words, I found myself always being in two different lives and everything I do, I always prefers one side without ignoring another. Sometimes, my emotions overload my thought, try to buzz up the situations, and strongly point me towards the less preferred side, which sometimes, I found rusting within me. This can be considered as a coincidence, for me the situational reactions were not always the obvious or not always as expected. It’s just a consequence of the inappropriate proportion of two lives, I am handling together.

People often term this as the volatility, short-temper or any other thing. I always look for someone, who will try to understand the reasons behind this consequence, or at least understands that this is a consequence. On one random day, the search ended up with the result, not with a person but with a reason. The reason, which told me that “it’s not someone other, but you who can understand yourself better.” The battle within me was always between outer and inner souls, but, when I tried to take the rust off, on my own, I got the meaning, reason and cause behind almost every problem I fought. Personal life influences many of the professional decision, and when someone like me, tries to attain win-win situation, it’s not always the apparently best solution. Again this affects the personal life and the cycle starts again.

“Personal or Professional?”

This question is exactly like the difference between focusing on single thing and diversifying the approach. Both has its own pros and cons. Both has its limits, and both has its cost, or consequences. When I find someone talking on Work-Life Balance, I wonder that either this person is great or a liar, but he/she doesn’t appears like either of them.

Because in my approach to this question is mostly situational. Finally I perceive every question as a demand by the particular situation and the things like planning and strategies can guide you towards the decision but not to the solution. I never think about focus, but I never advocate diversification, because these are just the standards, finally it’s you, who will attain the success, because again success is consequence of identifying the exact needs of the situation and acting properly upon it, without fail. Again sticking up with the strategies is also not wrong, may be that can be the demand of situation.

Finally it’s the rust within everyone, leads him towards the safer and may be less ambitious decisions.

Compulsive Habits

Its almost been two weeks after the FAYAN cyclone, and life is returning to its routine. This cyclone was an thundering (literally) experience for me, and the post cyclone days were exactly like the restructuring a city. During this phase in the life, I came across some of my compulsive habits, without which I can live and enjoy, still, they were part of my routine, scantily.

During this period, there was hardly any electric supply. I have to manage charging for my cellphones and laptop, no television, no lights. In general one can consider it a boring life. But this situation offered me a break from my usual routine of getting online anytime. After returning from a whole day out in town with college schedule and my open-source consulting stuff, the silent evening pointed me towards my guitar again. I again had a walk down memory lane into my golden days at school, college, friends and family. After some months, I again recalled some of the Jagjit's creation, some of the Gulzar's work and ended up with a thought,

Holy smoke, I haven't done this for months...

Now life is almost on routine, still, I hope I can accommodate my compulsive habits again...

These were the things I don't think I missed by choice...

a lot can happen

Cafe CoffeeDay, a place very close to my heart. especially during my Bangalore days. I shared almost every special moment with a good coffee and special friends. The celebration for first friendship day, plans for intra-college fest, may be the decent propose, or even the celebration for getting summers joining, CCD was the place which shared everything.

Right from first cause to celebrate 'a bunk' to 'the last moment in college life' a good coffee always secured the place in my life. The things went so smooth with it and numerous times came up with the solution to some of tedious tasks. The reason to recall this was my recent trip to Ahmadabad.

My friend took me to a rocking place Shambu's Corner, which is a similar place like CCD. I was thinking about the name, and he clarified that, the person shambu started his business from a simple corner, and now owns some 4-5 exclusive outlets.

The place, like CCD is providing an ambiance to the crowd, which is necessity for every busy place. No wonder that these places soon becomes cultural hotspot. Everyone coming there is from varied backgrounds and situations, some might had a fight with boss, someone may be want to spend few moments with the dear one, other may be jus looking for time-pass. There are different occasions, causes and reasons, but together it blends with the relaxing and refreshing ambiance, everyone forgets the worries, problems and challenges. Even then, someone gets a guitar, or a mouth-organ and the venue itself becomes the celebration.

Once I was alone at Jayanagar 7th Block CCD, catching my fav roadside seat, I jus observed a couple, may be a new affair I thought. The girl was fuming with anger and the guy was trying to explain her the reasons may be. but there started a romantic song by a group just next to them, one guitar and added to it a hot coffee, after few sips, the girl was quite relaxed and started enjoying the songs. Lastly, they left the CCD with cheerful mood and holding the hands.

On the totally other side, I had some really great brainstorming and gameplans on the same venue, just the time is a bit early evening.

Now I am missing those moments, and the CCD, place which recharges, the thought, the mood and the person.

Truly "A Lot Can Happen Over A Coffee!!!"

Let ther be light

Diwali, the annual festival of light is almost on doorsteps. I was not so active in Diwali celebrations for last two years. Being away from home, it generally brings some sort of 'homesick' feel, it resembles like a single light fighting to darkness, but never expected that the darkness will last so long. Everyone dreams, I'm not an exception. There were plans, dreams, and ideas for considering this special Diwali at home, now its shading, atleast I was thinking it the way.

But I found some different meaning of Diwali, this time.

Y'day I visited a special sale, announced by a school of disabled and challenged children. Those students did a really great job, with handmade crafts, diya's & lamps. When I asked them about location of sale, there was a great smile on their face. The students were enthusiastic about showcasing their creativity and trying hard to communicate. For them, this Diwali will definitely bring the light in life.

It might not be possible to see the colors or lights for some of them, for some students, may be fireworks are only for the show, but they will get confidence that, they can do something which every other person loves, likes and appreciate. They are not creating any pollution, not spreading the smoke and noise or even worst plastic. They are spreading happiness, enthusiasm and somewhere they are trying to face the world, with smile.

This income may be the first taste of success for most of those students. They might not be aware about their uncrate talent before. Them, Diwali is bringing the light, in terms of hope, excitement, confidence and nevertheless "The Celebration Called LIFE".

LET There be LIGHT...

AMEN...

being just me

There is a Chinese proverb, "what doesn't kills you makes you stronger." Experiences, the thing which is purely on you own, teaches you some really important lessons of your lifetime.

I consider myself a fortunate kid, with the stable childhood, no restrictions on trying new things and thus full of different experiences, good and bad, both. When I think about experiences I had, till now, I consider the thing with a perspective of other person and try to locate the reason behind the action generated because of it. Often, I found that its the situation, which makes you vulnerable, also in-turn, suggesting you about the weaknesses and even some neglected portions in you, which otherwise, you would have ignored.

Sometime I fills that, there is hardly any celebration for me. Because every-time, I enjoyed something, I paid it back with some setback, major or minor, but it happened very next day. But this doesn't mean that, enjoyment is not for me. There have been days, when I was enjoying the every moment, without looking at its importance or lessons, but I dont consider this a wastage of time, instead, those were days when I was happiest person on the earth. Now I think I know behind everything there is a cost, and if one want to have something, he needs to pay the price, in any possible way. Somehow I think I am getting stronger with it, with every rejection, with every denial and with every ignorance to me.

Will there be any payback time for me, I don't know and I don't care. May be because I don't want to offer then something very valuable, "Experience"

Still, I always think about I missed so many things very badly, like the chances, which was denied because of some small and really worthless issues or even some more events, which are unforgettable, some opportunities for which everyone else envied for and finally some really great time of my life, I spent discovering myself.

The life is only compromise to living, still whatever remains, however improbable but I'm getting ahead of myself...

Best HR ever

It was a busy Sunday for me, as I have to face one more bank exam. As we got the answer-sheets, one typical girly voice whispered from last bench, "What is the post code?, They havn't specified any..."

"I think we are supposed to keep it blank, otherwise they would have specified the thing" I replied.

"Oh, may be... anyway, thanks!"

"You are welcome, 'n all the best.."

A casual conversation followed by long & irritating paper.

As per the schedule, there was a break inbetween two papers. She again asked me, "Hows the paper?"

"It was good, except the Data-Interpretation section, what do you think?", I replied while opening a biscuit pack. "Hi, I'm Vikram, may I know your name?"

"Hi, this is Vaidehi, MBA-HR from Indira College, currently working with thisthis consulting. Whats your specialization?"

"Nice, then I should handover my CV to you. My specialization is in Systems and interest is CRM."

"Oh great, but I hardly found that subject interesting."

"I have some different opinion about your stream HR", I was in assault mood. "Dont mind, but I think HR is worthless place in the organization, they hardly add any value to it. Why you chose that?"

`

"Because I only know that. You are right, no one can calculate exact impact of HR practices in organization. But I think HR do possesses some value, as organizations like Infy invests hugely for that. There must be some reason behind it."

"I think an core-domain specialist manager, with some training can manage the human resource in better way, as he knows how to do get it done, and what can be the better way. This in turn can eliminate the need for HR and some huge sums they are claiming. Can you specify return on investment for HR investments?"

"Listen, there is a difference between running a mercenary gang and operating an organization. ROI is not everything for organization. Its not all about money and more earning. The effective and efficient utilization of manpower is the aim of HR, which inturn supports the core function of organization."

"Alright. when you say efficient, it comes to a ratio of outcome and cost paid for that. When a resource is exploited efficiently, it means you are asking the manpower to add more value, without spending for that. Dont you think that is exploitation. and one more case, when someone switches the organization, you HR people, offers him more money. If job is more about work-satisfaction then why is that additional offering? If there is difference between gang and organization, why it happens?"

"That additional money is for shifting the faith and accepting the change. Work satisfaction is the drive behind the job-shift. One more contradiction is that, when you ask your core-domain managers to do HR job, dont you exploit them?"

"I will be paying them for that and that ensures better workflow for them, which in-turn improves the quality level within the organization, is what I think. I don't want to place a point that HR branch is useless, I just want to say that, organization don't need it as a special department. Just the managers are need to work as people managers as well."

"You have a point, I appreciate. But I hope I have changed your viewpoint atleast upto some extent", She concluded the topic.

After asking a formal cup of coffee, I told her, "You are too good to be HR, See you, Good Luck"

"Yes, may be at interview", She laughed & walked away.

I dont have her email or contact, Now I can hardly recall her face, I might forget her name in few days. But only thing I will remember, She's the best HR, I ever encountered with

note- The photo is by Moriza, taken from his Flickr.

Life like... Dreams

Dream... as far as I believe, everyone encounters with this, quite a lot of times. What really is that? a fictitious world, a dance by residual thoughts, or jus another creativity by brain... I think its a symbolic representation of our character. But when we talk about 'this this thing is my dream' it indicates that the person is synergistic with the concept, plan or idea and ready to perform accordingly.

Sometimes, I thought about life... like bubbles. One appears for few seconds, just followed by second, third... some bubble might remain for longer time... just like dream. Some are floating and few gets the destination.

What is my dream.... It depends... during my childhood, I used to dreamt about having my own car, which later converted into mastering some music, during teenage I was so much fascinated by computers that, working with Microsoft as a job was my dream.

It was, till couple of months before, when I realize that pursuing something impossible is mistake, but pursuing something which is rare, needs a proper planning. Again planning needs ability to prioritize the tasks, which in turn needs time. Time. I am running short of this thing. Now after graduation (engineering by mistake) and Masters degree, now its time to take decisions. Either I have to choose research and stay away from IT industry and my dream forever, or to wait for more restless months expecting un-assured output.

I took the first option, but somehow I felt that, "am I killing my dream?" After about four days of detail thinking, I found the answer within me, "NO". When we call something a dream, we literally mean it. Instead I think, we should target the intention behind that. e.g. my dream, working with Microsoft, it indicates that working with most advanced technologies in IT, to make everyday life simpler and earning some handsome compensation as well. After my decision, I think now it might not be possible to be a part of Microsoft, but still I can do the similar job, may be in some other context.

I can recall a part of very famous poem in the same context...

and you learn to build all your roads on today,
because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain for plans,
and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

and you learn
that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...

I am only this far and only tomorrow leads my way...

End of the day

Evening.... Some of the really enjoyable moments in my life happened, with the evening.

Evening always fascinates me. Being a photographer, my lot of creations depict the random dispersion of colors on the canvas of evening. Sometimes evening makes me dewy, with the memories of past. I can recall some great evenings I spent at some of very beautiful locations like, Simla. The memories sometimes took me on the journey of busy streets of Massourie, sometimes I found myself at METRO, in Bangalore, where I spent some of the great moments in my life, with my group and special one. Some rainy evening, sitting in candle-lights, having bhaji and tea made by mom. Sunday evenings were always so special for me. They also keep me wondering about how spoiled or spent my Sunday. Again there will be a new week, new tasks, old routine of college, everything will be the same till next Sunday. I can always recall a Sunday evening, I spent at Vrindavan garden in Mysore, with few very close friends of that time, not because of friends, but for eternal photographs, which are very close to my heart till date. A lamppost, some people sitting near that, some twilights and endless waterfront on the background, the perfect caption was, "Bye Bye Sunday - Again the battle will start with the name Life."

I am strict follower of philosophy "No one is perfect and nothing is ideal." Still I can't resist myself in conceptualizing my ideal evening. It can be a different concept everytime, sometimes, a coffee, a loved one and lot of time for chatting. Sometimes it can be with a favourite book like 'Raat Pashmine Ki - Gulzar" and an open beach or may be just a good friend, a car and endless road to cover. Anything of this can be ideal, atleast till the evening when I will to make it real.

Now a days, I am too much busy in being doing nothing...

Every evening brings an alarm towards a new day, new expectations and zero outcome. There are evenings vacant for me, but I am not in a mood to enjoy it. Sometimes, I feel the creativity within me is fading with every new day. Sometimes, I hardly find it interesting to relax or enjoy the evening which I used to do, just few months before.

Planning for some great evening, with something, may be I never done before. May be an open ground with pleasant cool breeze, a guitar, someone special to accompany me and much awaited candle-light dinner...

Finally every evening ends with a night. and every night calls up a new morning.

To me evening is just a wonderful sojourn, towards a new morning.

ek nayi subah

nayi raah

ek nayi tammanna se

kare hum nayi shuruaat