On Shopping In Modern Times

In India we have just got used to shopping in supermarkets, malls etc . I am prodded to think that with the elegant layout and a huge spread before the potential shopper are we enticed into buying more than what we want at times ? Where were the hidden needs for carts and carts of knick knacks before these markets were created?( not that I have escaped untouched from this phenomenon !). Of course the markets are extremely convenient for the busy urban dweller as you get all requirements under one roof . There is a whole lot of work that goes behind the layout , design and other paraphernalia to woo the retail customer . And I think these retailers are doing a damn good job at that !

Parliamentary Behaviour

Arun Shourie has written a book on reforming the Indian Parliamentary proceedings . He has observed that the behavior in Parliament has deteriorated over a period of time . But isn’t a Parliament a reflection of society and the elected representatives of the people will be a sum total of what the society is currently ? Can it be different from the current social ethos ? But the question is how many people have actually voted them into power?
The author writes about the time when stalwarts like Pandit Nehru set a precedent by their exemplary behaviour in the Parliament . But do we have those visionaries in the Parliament anymore ?Is our society in need of leaders , those heros who are demi-gods ? Or the Parliament is no more a place where you can find leaders . Rather you would find them in everyday life . Real Leaders who shun the trappings of power in a Parliament kind of setting might be on the field in unexpected domains – in education , in non profit sector , in R &D labs , in the corporate world . Unfortunately not many have their efforts showcased on prime time television or in leading dailies . Hence they might even go unnoticed .

The Soaring Temperatures

The heat in Mumbai has reached an all time high and an all time low . High because the afternoon sun can get really scorching hot and low because it was definitely not so unbearable sometime back till the reckless concretisation happened. I shudder to think about the climatic conditions in the city say after a decade . Environmental issues are at best viewed with indifference as it does not affect day to day living directly . So one is really not bothered about global warming, rising pollution , lack of open spaces as these are not urgent or immediate issues . But the floods that happened in Mumbai in 2005 are a pointer to the fact that the changing landscape has caused untold damage in the long run . The creeks and other marshy areas are getting reclaimed at a rapid pace and the city is literally losing its lungs . But what worsens the situation is apathy. The not in my backyard syndrome is affecting most of the city residents . But it will not be very long till the vagaries of nature start affecting us immediately and directly .

About Institutes and Intellectual Orientation

The other day we were discussing about intellectual orientation making a difference at the workplace..Or does it not make any difference ? The geek at the workplace is a well known phenomenon but what about people with a not so great intellectual orientation stuck up in an environment where knowledge is one of the key raw material for the organizational building blocks . I think this person stands out like a sore thumb , a fish out of water . We debate if the academic institute would make a difference in selecting a person for a role that demands great intellectual rigour and analytical depth . May be after a few years it does not matter in specific cases . But why does institute matter ? Has it got to do with the early choices in life ? Is it the person’s innate disposition which is unalterable – only a specific type would get into a particular academic institute and only that finished product would be eligible for a role in certain organizations . Anyone else in that role will be a fish out of water …

The Commercial Hubs in Mumbai

The commercial hubs in Mumbai have changed . In the past it was only Nariman Point then came Bandra Kurla Complex and Mindspace . The commercial areas have now reached the heart of the suburbs . But methinks the infrastructure has not kept pace with this rapid development . There are lot of new companies that have started and lot of existing companies are expanding but the state of roads, public transport and other utility services remain far from satisfactory . Most importantly one does not see any concerted efforts to develop the necessary infrastructure .There are plush offices catering not only to the Indian economy but probably to all the economies of the world but the area around those offices reminds you that you are stuck up in what is called a ‘third world nation’. This again takes one to the fact that there is a divide between the so called upper middle or rich class who are getting richer and then there is a section who is struggling to make ends meet as they do not have the skills to compete in the growing economy .All this according to me smacks of lopsided growth in the long term and can lead to unpleasant conditions on the socio economic , environmental and political front in times to come .

A Sugar Free Sweet Entertainer

I saw the movie Cheeni Kum(Literally means less sugar) and it was a delight to watch an unusual couple on screen .The movie promises to be a sugar free romance .But it has a lot of innate sweetness and charm (and traces of dark humour too)due to the presence of actors like Tabu , Amitabh Bachchan and Zohra Sehgal (who is simply unbelievable for her age ). The movie was a good entertainer and may be the 2007 equivalent of movies like Chupke Chupke ,Bato Bato Mein and similar Hrishikesh Mukherjee flicks . Of course the subject is radical for Indian tastes but it has been treated gently with a generous helping of humour.The movie deals with the unfolding of an uncommon relationship between a 64 year old chef(Amitabh Bachchan at his best again )and a 34 year old software engineer (Tabu-who is poised and yet extremely charming ) . The acidic tongue of the chef and the soothing effect of the 34year old charming lady make a funny combination . It is garnished further with the witty remarks of the chef’s really old mother and a very young ( but ailing ) neighbour whose wise remarks and practical tips make you wonder how could a child spout such wisdom…. The climax has a bit of a “ filmy ‘ ending with the marriage being solemnized between the pair and Amitabh’s buddy and neigbour funnily called Sexy breathing her last . The movie overall was very entertaining and crafted well in terms of its dialogues , locations , lighting etc . For a first time director R Balki has done an excellent job …

The Character of the Taj

Character associated with the Taj Mahal is very peculiar -that is how someone described the beautiful monument the other day . A lot of people now are trying to organize an SMS and email campaign to get it listed as one of the wonders of the world officially !! That is a very good expression- a character associated with any place , person , situation .What is it ? I think it is the unique feature of that place , here a monument which probably sometimes is even beyond the physical characteristics . It is the personality that is knowingly or unknowingly formed by that place , person etc and etched in the minds of the significant others or even casual bystanders . In case we are talking about a person then the person can actually put in efforts to build that unique character …. It could be a unique skill, the overall behavior pattern , the indelible stamp that the person puts in every transaction . That is being done all the while .I think the earlier we understand it the better . And then what is the whole blogging movement all about? To create a blog with a character most probably ….

The character
Is the peculiar beauty
Associated with a person , place or object
Gives it a hue
Come light , darkness, dusk or dawn
The seasons fade and arrive
The particular character is retained
Like a Taj
Towering high
In the sun , rain , wind

Need for expression

The need for expression
Of various interests
At various points of time
Requires various mediums …

On writing…
A lost habit
Is to be restored
How was it even a habit
If it was lost ..


The sea of emotions has many innumerable waves
Some touch the shores of expression
Some just die a natural death
Trying to express themselves ..

A vast ocean of humanity
Walking purposefully
From one end to another
Yet is the individual wave recognized
In this mass…..

Creative Ramblings

A beginner’s guide to the world
With so many beginner’s guides
Readily available everywhere
Where is the beginners guide to the world
Dealing with the nuts and bolts of the journey
Is there an instruction manual to construct and reconstruct life
In the two minute culture ?
Or is it a series of trials and experiments
That would take some years to
Understand and master the process and yield some results
Like a research lab…



The Quest
The quest for knowledge
Takes one through many hills and dales
Through a path
With many experiences and observations
Many interesting by-lanes intersect each other
To lead one to
The grand highway
Of a continuous quest


The multiple influences playing
An important part
To create the
Quest
With its multitudinous hues , sounds , tastes , feelings and thoughts
All carving a unique pathway for each traveler

Mumbai Life Series-Mumbai Food

What is a city without its peculiar cuisines and food habits .. Life in Mumbai where the action is on round the clock is unthinkable without its special food and related habits . Mumbai is a bundle of contradictions as far as its food habits are concerned .There are extremely high end places which serve a variety of international cuisines .Most of these specialty restaurants are attached to the five star hotels . Then there are the stand alone ones which have created a name for themselves not just because of the food but also because of the ambience , the celebrity quotient etc . Olive bar , Indigo , Athena ,Mainland China would be some of them . But if you closely look at the ones that serve specialty Indian cuisine then one should mention Mahesh Lunch home which serves one of the best sea food specialties , Gaylords for the Mughlai and North Indian kind of cuisine and the list goes on .Then there are the ones like Samovar (which is attached to Jehangir Art gallery ), Tea centre , Yokos which belong to a different league and probably have an old world charm around them .

But you cannot simply miss the road side food which is available everywhere in Mumbai . The growth engine called Mumbai probably runs on a fuel called the vada pav . The vada pav(combination of bread and fried potato balls ) is economical , tasty and easily available . Millions and millions of people eat it all the time . Then there are the ubiquitous tea stalls and the juice vendors who also make brisk business all the while . But Mumbai without a visit to Juhu beach or Elco market and a sip of the legendary ice gola and bhel is unthinkable . Then there are the typical Mumbai specific food varieties like pav bhaji , dabeli , different kinds of chats and the unforgettable gol gappas ( light round crispies dipped in flavoured water ).The list goes on and on . The common characteristics being that this kind of food is spicy , dripping with oil or butter, tangy , sinful and terribly tasty ….There are also some spots which are renowned for authentic cuisines. A special mention has to be made of Mohammad Ali road which is well known for its kababs, rolls and lot of other meat preparations .Also hats off to all the Udipi joints who promptly serve dozens and dozens of idlis and dosas to a hungry city .

Mumbai thrives on this kind of tangy and tasty food . And in fact this type of food is perfectly integrated with the texture of a dynamic and vibrant city like Mumbai ..What say you ?

Creative Ramblings

Some Random Thoughts

The confusion that arises
Without any finite cause
To pursue
Or too many causes to pursue
At the same time
In a working day or
A non working life ….


The Web
The complex web of thoughts and feelings
Can entangle the dreamy mind
Can entangle the alert mind
The point is to detach from the web
And watch it weave itself
That leads to an understanding
Of the various strands

The need for expression
Of various interests
At various points of time
Requires various mediums …

On writing…
A lost habit
Is to be restored
How was it even a habit
If it was lost ..


The sea of emotions has many innumerable waves
Some touch the shores of expression
Some just die a natural death
Trying to express themselves ..

A vast ocean of humanity
Walking purposefully
From one end to another
Yet is the individual wave recognized
In this mass…..

Creative Ramblings

These poems are a collective impression of the day to day saga that unfolds itself in society and life in many forms- the Mumbai local train blasts, the cruel handling of many national tragedies , the exaggeration of trivia and many more . All these impressions have come together and led me to “exhale” like this .They were written sometime back . It is only at the insistence of a friend that I am publishing them today ….


The Tsunami

The first stirrings of pain
The gush of angst
The brave struggle to face the avoidable and yet sustain
The turbulent waves of agony and bitterness
Touching the shores that perhaps never were still or stable
Always shifting
The storm of anger and disgust
The calm at times at the centre
And then the tongue of fury all over again
Trying to engulf whatever it can
Like a gigantic tsunami
Leaving but shreds and pieces in its wake
Pretending as if it never came


The saga

The stillness in the surroundings
The calm that perhaps had an antithetical predecessor
The peace after the wholeness is just pieces strewn everywhere
This is the silence of the cemetery
The light that burns pyres and dispels darkness
This is the unfolding of the saga of existence


The Blur

Everything is just a blur
A haze that has folded clarity in a neat envelope and posted it to a neverland
As we take steps blindfolded
Not knowing where the next blurry step will land
The slaying of goodness , light , purity
In the blur
No one knows what happens in such hazy environs



The Journey

Fleeting from one point to another
Trying to find solace wherever one can
The milestones at times like huge boulders
Blocking the way
But dissolve in the bright light of the day
The darkness that falls everyday and brings with it uninvited passengers
Followed by light which again fleets from one point to another


Dysfunctional

Whatever was hanging loose on the last hinge of hope
Has fallen apart
The antique piece has become dysfunctional
It does not affect the passers by though
They do not use it
They do not care for its value
It just exists like an eighth wonder of the world
Taken for granted by its sheer existence and presence


The warp and weft

The warp and weft woven dexterously many times
Woven together sometimes by the sleight of the hand that has got used to the daily ordeal of weaving the same old rug
The warp and weft of relationships
That bind us all to each other
Bindings of affection , love or worse -habit !


CRY
The angst and the pain
At the cry that has gone unheard
The shout and howl
Of a generation that has expended
Itself on things that have
Suddenly lost value
In the stock market of relations and personal interests
The CRY for the stock that was nurtured fondly
But remains undervalued in the myriad jostles and pushes
Of the daily market hours
And perhaps will remain so


Insanity
The ravings of insanity
Pleading the cause of sanity
Trying to establish sanity and logic
In a topsy-turvy world
So the crutch of insanity to
Ensure that sanity is able to hobble
On a road strewn with rashness and thoughtlessness


The memories
The fondness of sweet , salty and small memories
The happiness in little pleasures
The small acts of goodness that would light faces
The pure laughter that would fill all kinds of voids
All these are but memories etched on the stone called passing time and the papyrus of fleeting whispers


The aftermath
The Tsunami has struck and gone
The shore is littered with all kinds of objects
Known and unknown
The waves will wash off all
Yet some remain stuck in the sinking sand
Persistent , unwilling to get washed off so soon

Of clones and creativity

A television advertisement proclaims that if you use a particular set top box for your TV your child will become Einstein. And in fact the ad shows an entire class full of little Einsteins with the now famous mop of hair and moustache.. Well is that what today’s system is doing - Converting all kids into clones of each other .Then there is the pressure to take up as your vocation a so called in field . I happened to visit a couple of premier educational institutes as part of work and one trait that I deciphered across all the bright young minds was that they are extremely focused and talented . But the pressure to perform probably is so high that there is very little scope for creativity to thrive. At the same time there is not much space or time for so called liberal thought process to emerge where attention is given to all domains: literature, theater, society, economics, politics etc. There might be still quite a few young people who take the off beat path, but their numbers are fewer. At the same time students cutting across all mind sets and orientations are encouraged to take up the so called commercial fields (eg management) that might make more economic sense in the short term. There is lot of investment done for the same purpose. Probably if the same amount was spent on a vocation suiting the student’s aptitude probably the returns would have been better in the long run for the individual. A lot of this is perpetuated on an ongoing basis and what we get is a set of students who have common aims and aspirations (funnily enough!!!-where is the room for individual goals and journey here …).But what kind of society will we create with only technology, business thought and economic principles playing a mission critical role in our life? Where are those leisurely moments where at least as students one could read, think and chat about critical and interesting matters not really confined only to the syllabus? On second thoughts we might ultimately produce a system full of clones much like the TV ad.

Mumbai Life Series-The North South divide

The North South divide has polarized and divided the world and then it has been extended to life in Mumbai too!!Surprised, this North- South divide is the real and imagined difference between the suburban Northern part of Mumbai and the more elitist South Mumbai area …A suburban Mumbaikar might probably travel for all the good things of life including earning for living to South Mumbai. For most South Mumbaikars all those good things are at a stone’s throw distance .Then there are many South Mumbai residents who have not traveled beyond the boundaries of Bandra( almost the area where South Mumbai ends -bordering on the Centre ) and keep on wondering how people can travel such long distances for everything ranging from education , shopping , working etc . The North Mumbai residents on the other hand keep on wondering about the astonishingly high rate of property prices and how their South Mumbai counterparts were literally born lucky ….

The divide is further accentuated by the fact that the orientation and moorings of many residents differ according to their geographical locality . The residents of the Southern part of the city might hold an opinion that their counterparts in the Northern part do not exactly keep up with their Joneses. On the contrary the South Mumbaikars are supposed to be a more trendy and “in “. Of course that perception is changing with the advent of the ‘mall culture’ and all residents of Mumbai getting access to a whole lot of luxury and contemporary lifestyle products .But many old residents(on both sides of the border!) just love to hold discussions about the divide – well the difference in the landscape ,the eating joints , travel patterns , lifestyle…and the divide continues....

Creative Ramblings - May poems

Learning
The planned and unplanned
Thoughts that lead to the events
The events that are lesson are by themselves
Sow the seeds of future learnings
Big or small


On Life
The ebb and flow of life
The daily cycle of this touch and go
Sets in motion the circle of existence
Which encompasses in itself
Both life and death

What is sweet ?
The sweetness of the past
Makes the present bitter
But is this bitterness
Then reserved to be
The sweetness for the future


What is writing
But an expression
Of what is seen by the eye
And reflected by the mind
Sometimes not reflected
Just poured


Inspiration
Inspiration in unknown pockets
At the entrance of plush buildings
In verdant surroundings
In the passing day
The approaching night
It is there everywhere
Yet hidden many times from the discerning eye and the
Alert Mind …..

Mumbai Life Series -The Malls in Mumbai

They malls have happened to Mumbai recently. Hence they sport a splashing and brand new look. They are the hang outs and social networking sites for Mumbaikars
(Mumbai residents as they are called). The malls have given the new suburban elite access to international brands and a wide variety of products .Thus in the process they have created a richer lifestyle for the once quality deprived suburban residents. Most of the malls are situated in the suburbs of Mumbai as property prices are at an all time high in the commercial district ie South Mumbai . Thus suburban Mumbaikars do not have to travel great distances to purchase the so called good quality stuff in far flung areas of town anymore.


If you are caught on a weekend in the mall the sea of humanity can be overwhelming. There are people and more people everywhere. There are families and groups of friends all thronging to the shops, cinema halls and food courts at the same time. Then there are the first time users of the elevators who would hesitate , think twice, put one step behind and then put that final foot forward only to reach their destination safely …The malls in the Northern part of the city are spread over a large area and will have multiple format stores . You can be assured of spending anywhere from 4 to 5 hours in the mall once you enter it.Once you see these malls you are assured that yes the India retail story is in fact happening .Some of these well known Malls are –R Mall , Nirmal Lifestyles at Mulund, Infinity at Andheri , Inorbit at Malad . The malls are also the favorite hangout of the numerous BPO/KPO employees . They are young , earn reasonably well( as compared to their non BPO/KPO peers) and thus have a huge disposable income .Some malls are even situated next to the commercial /office areas housing the BPOs or KPOs. Thus you have easy accessibility thrown in along with high income and there you have a huge customer base willing to splurge and take the Retail story ahead….

Indian Food Habits

The normal Indian meal across the nation generally comprises of pulses , rice , rotis , a vegetable preparation . I am not including the other trappings and frills that could accompany the food based on the geography . And these add ons could be pickles, jams , papads etc . I have two observations to make a)This combination of high proteins and carbohydrates that has been designed since ages and passed on to the average Indian as a full meal best suits an agrarian life style b)It is time that we start rethinking about the composition of the normal Indian meal . This might sound a bit drastic to many folks . But I think that we were traditionally an agrarian society . The particular food composition and pattern that we consider as normal Indian diet has been existing since ages . But who consumed that food before the industrialization of society took place ?They were the people who were used to physical labor and a rugged lifestyle shorn of modern day amenities . Thus a rich diet suited that lifestyle . Our society definitely has changed -at least the urban one, but the food habits remain the same .Thus the modern lifestyle which is characterized more by mental labor rather than the physical variety requires an alteration of the traditional Indian diet . We definitely need to cut the carbohydrates and the oil / ghee involved in cooking . India, if lot of health reports and studies are to be believed , will potentially have the highest number of diabetics in the world after a few years .I think diet along with other factors will contribute to a large extent to this medical pandemic .

This change of diet requires a change in mindset and a break from old habits . The breaking of old habits will involve a transformation in the vegetables , snacks , cooking medium that we use and thus calls for a change of lifestyle . Now this is very difficult to bring . There are several reason for this . Some of the important ones being that a) we are used to a certain pattern of purchases and consumption of food items and that would be tough to change b)Availability !!! That is the biggest challenge . Even when you travel , go to work the food that is available in India is mainly rich and full of carbs and proteins . It is difficult to get what is called light lunches or snacks easily c)Our palate as such is conditioned to a certain taste and in case we want to adopt a different food pattern we will have to cultivate those tastes . It will not come naturally . There are a lot of people who have already made that transition and have adopted a more healthy food pattern . But this transformation needs to percolate to the masses as well . In addition to this the so called health or diet food as it is called also comes at a premium . So how will the masses afford that ? There are other alternatives present eg instead of a fried snack one could go in for a lighter food item like a dosa, idli ,roti . Then TEMPTATION too plays a vital factor . We have such tasty food easily available everywhere …. How do we consciously take to food( read health food) that is not so terribly tasty and may be even bland at times … Well that is a matter of individual choice even as I try to resist a tasty ( but fat and carb filled ) pav bhaji or samosa as I see it daintily spread in the office cafeteria most of the times !!!

The Onslaught Of The News Channels .....

There are multitudinous news channels today and hence lots of employment opportunities for budding journalists. But alas the quality of news is far from satisfactory .The recent outrageous coverage of the Abhishek Bacchchan and Aishwarya Rai wedding was a good example. Lot of news time and print is spent on presenting a wedding which would hardly affect the life of the ordinary Indian. Then there is the debate that this is what the public or ‘aam janta’ wants. I am sure if you take an opinion poll of ten people outside Churchgate railway station at least 7 will say that the media did go a bit overboard in that case . In the past newspapers were given to children to improve their language. But today other than the editorial most of the newspapers seem to have taken the the tabloid culture route .Thus the stuff is far away from enhancing language skills of young adults . I think the national dailies and news channels that have otherwise good content should leave the star chasing and gazing to the Hellos and People Magazines of the world …It is their job …

The news channels have to present news 24/7 and hence one finds discussions related to politicians’ visit to temples, their attendance in marriages, someone being declined hospital admissions and other trivial matters which are given a different flavor and also portrayed with a different fervor. In fact there are round table conferences and chat shows around these topics. This does not mean that the entire picture is dismal. Of course there are a couple of interesting news programs as well . But they are relatively fewer and hence do not have that kind of mindshare amongst the viewers .As result the younger generation is fed on newsreels of star weddings , political debates on issues like phone tapping , constituency visits rather than events that would have a greater social , economic and political impact . The impression one gets is that quantity is important , it should be presented fast and if possible in a neat package . The viewer has all the rights to switch the channel or not watch television . But that is just wishful thinking . Television has such a powerful impact on the masses that one cannot say that the effect of this kind of news reporting or journalism can be effaced by controlling the remote . Most people will not even have the time or space to think or act on those lines and hence the media onslaught continues unperturbed . I think sooner or later the news channels and newspapers will have to relook at the whole process of news reporting …

Mumbai Life Series- The Local Trains

Mumbai they say is the most cosmopolitan city in India . It is crowded , the traffic moves at a slow pace and yes there is a mad rush to do anything and everything . Yet it is a city that grows on you and you might leave the city but the city never leaves you . It is spread over a huge mass and different localities have their distinct culture , style and personality . I have mentioned in my blog that it will capture the milieu surrounding me .Thus the idea of a Mumbai Life series struck me … I would try to capture the different personalities of the city through this Mumbai Life series . Some topics would be typically Mumbai specific eg local trains( as they are called in Mumbai parlance ), while some would be my observations of the city specific idiosyncrasies , habits and patterns . I would like to inaugurate the series with the chugging and whistling of the local trains .

Local Trains
The local trains are the lifeline of the city . Millions and millions of passengers use the trains to reach their place of work and go back home . The trains are a thriving community by themselves . They are exceptionally crowded during the peak hours ie in the morning when commuters proceed to their place of work and in the evening when most of them embark on their homeward journey . The commute many times is long and there is a lot of crowd . So commuters have created their own comfort zone in the trains . If you look at the ladies compartment most of them would have what is called groups – groups of friends . They celebrate birthdays , festivals and any other event that calls for some fun. They decide on common lunches , visits to movie halls and exhibitions all in the train . Then of course it is a platform to vent ire to the day to day complaints related to a variety of people from servants , in laws , bosses even spouses ….. Different age groups would have different concerns and priorities and hence the topics of discussion would differ. But the train acts as a social and economic leveler and most of the groups would have a diverse profile – different age groups , occupations etc . All this can get a bit confusing for the first time traveler or a source of discomfort for someone who wants to spend a quiet moment traveling ... About the Gents compartment( the compartment for men- as they are called) – the view that one gets may be is slightly different . There are groups of card players and yes singers . The card players I believe have their place under the sun marked since ages and no one occupies those places . Then there are groups of singers who start singing devotional songs once the train starts .

All commuters try to make themselves feel at home during the daily commute despite the vagaries of nature ( ie it gets very hot during the summer season and the rains can drench you thoroughly ) .Each season has its own challenges e.g. the summers could get very hot and the train becomes like a furnace especially during the morning peak hours . During the rainy season the strong rains coupled with the usual breakdown of the system would cause delay and also there are unexpected showers that are sprayed on the unsuspecting commuters through the gaps in train windows and doors . Many commuters by now with the unfortunate incidents that have hit Mumbai in the last couple of years like floods, bombings have even suffered together in the trains .Yet the trains are the easiest and most convenient form of travel from the suburbs to the main commercial areas and thus play a crucial part in the commercial development of Mumbai .

Creative Ramblings

I would like to present some of my random musings and thus find below the inaugural set of those creative ramblings :

Inspiration
The twists and turns of life
An excellent source of poetic inspiration
More the twist more the food for inspiration
Or is it a period of calm and quietude
That leads to flow of poetic thoughts and expressions …

Freedom

What is freedom
The right to choose and dwell
On the chosen paths
To tackle the smooth run and difficult turns
With courage and determination
To earn the right to that choice
Is the struggle
After that it is a matter of multiple choices
And ownership of the process..

Quiet stirrings
The quiet stirrings of an active mind
Gone unnoticed by the passage of time
But it is upto the mind to decipher the stirrings
And create something out
Of the various patterns and waves

White cloud
The white cloud of realization
That hangs over us
Waiting to be explored and seen
But the specter of the dark clouds of rush and daily hurry
Is so overwhelming that we fail
To catch a glimpse of that white cloud most of the times

Peer Learning

I was just thinking about the importance of peer learning in my life and career . I realized that the quality of peer learning is definitely superior and the benefits far more greater than any other form of learning . We start studying in groups since the early stages of our life .Later on the focus moves to be more individualistic and then with higher education - depending on the type of education could vary from being individualistic to a more team based approach . However once formal education is over the importance of peer learning cannot be underemphasized . That is so because there is a limit to an individual's span of interest and depth of understanding . Sharing of views and ideas enables us to get different perspectives and comprehend even different sources of knowledge . On the actual work front it will help you arrive at alternative solutions to tackle a situation. It can offer you even plain old information required to execute a task well. Also peers working in a different setting ,a different industry or country can offer multiple view points on a particular situation . They would also help you to broaden your horizons and make you move out of your comfort zone . It goes without saying that one needs a set of like minded peers to make this possible . But we can find coworkers , old friends , even family members who can contribute to the shared learning process.

Then there is peer learning that happens through formal routes like seminars and conferences . These forums are as much a source of networking as much as they are a platform for learning and sharing .In times of change especially peer learning can help us hone our skills and acquire practical knowledge . In fact Generation Y or millenials as many call then are supposed to be a highly networked and collaborative generation . We might find it difficult to measure the tangible benefits of peer learning in our lives and in organizations- but it happens all the while . It is the individual prerogative to imbibe the influences and implement the learnings.

On starting a new blog ...

We have finally started the HR blog- that is a coblog written by my friend and me . It is called hrdialogues. The aim is to present our thoughts and views about the HR profession on a regular basis . HR is a vast domain and at the same time it is an emerging field . One of the chief concerns related to the field is that the body of knowledge is not codified and hence there are too many reference points .
But it is indeed a very good idea to chronicle our thoughts . This is so because even good ideas and thoughts which might have practical value have a huge potential to get lost in the day to day routine and rush .If one reads the book - God of Small Things one cannot but think of the day to day chronicling of events and habits that has gone in the making of the book. It is the individual interpretation and insight of the author that lends any book its characteristic USP , but at the same time there is a great amount of detailing that has gone into the making of a book , chronicle , or piece of art .
Let us see how our HR blog evolves . I am very excited by the idea and hope that we are able to maintain consistency in our writing .

Teachers

There was a program on a business channel on the importance of teachers in our life(on NDTV PROFIT) . The program concluded by saying that senior teachers get paid even less than an administrative assistant in an MNC . I started thinking about the importance of teachers in my life at school, graduation and post graduation level . One of the most significant contributors in my life who would have helped shape my world view was our English Literature professor J C Coelho. He was termed as a ‘walking talking encyclopedia’ by most of the students .His dedication and commitment to the profession was a unthought-of . I do not think he considered teaching as his profession. It was a passion and hence teaching English Literature ceased to be a job for him ,it was a way of life . I remember once when we had a discussion ( many moons back !)related to the last dialogue of Socrates before his death . There Socrates tell one of his disciples , Crito before dying that – I owe a cock to Asclepius . We incidentally had the same reference in one of our lessons in school . JCC at once asked us what it means . I was able to answer it because of the obvious reason that again in school we had a very dedicated teacher who had explained to us the context of the dialogue . I told him promptly that it means that Socrates wanted his disciple to give an offering to the Greek God of healing/medicine as he has healed him of life by giving him death . JCC at once said that your teacher in school might be a very simple and dedicated person and undoubtedly she was(incidentally he had asked the same question to many batches and only one student many years back was able to answer it !!) – I think her name was Ms Jennifer . Like that there are quite few teachers who have shown me the way , moulded my thinking and even lifestyle . But where are the dedicated teachers these days ?

I read an article the other day that every year in India we produce at least half a million MBAs but about 20000 might be employable out of the entire pool. This is an indicator that the quality of education might be far from satisfactory . But how can you expect a sector to flourish when it offers one of the lowest emoluments and extremely uncertain future prospects . The education sector in its current status in India might not attract the best minds (of course this statement is open to debate and discussion ), but ironically this sector is supposed to mould and create the thought leaders for tomorrow . It is a huge question as to how do we create a generation that is employable with the right skills to tackle the competitive forces that will be unleashed on a growing market like India , say 20 years hence…..

On Perspective

A perspective is important in the quest for personal and professional development . Whenever I think about perspective I am reminded of these lines by T S Eliot :
In our life we never cease from exploration
And at the end of our exploring
We will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time

A perspective allows us to do that -allows us to see the oft seen and repeated things in a new light altogether .We begin with any new venture , any new topic with the basic information . There are levels of information i.e. starting from a preliminary introduction of the topic to getting more and more deeper information related to it . Later on when there is enough and more information with which we can form generalizations for that particular topic we are stepping in the realm of forming our own personal perspective . It is exactly like the theory of relativity moving from the specific to the general from absolute knowledge of one topic to linking it or relating it to other thought processes and bodies of knowledge .The process of perspective formation is moving from the domain of pure information to the field of insight . It is this insight that will help us gain a deeper and intense understanding of the topic and gain mastery over it . Over a period of time in our professional lives – by virtue of repeating the tasks, by virtue of living and breathing the same set of activities and thought processes we are able to form insights , generalizations about the field naturally . It is at this juncture that peers and superiors can play an important role in acting as good sounding boards. That is so because a perspective is always personal , discussions help it gain an objective nuance and the pros and cons of that insight can be examined many times even in a clinical manner .Also it this insight and perspective that will help differentiate after a particular level a high potential employee from the rest of the peer group . It is the responsibility of the organization to provide avenues and opportunities to the people to present their perspectives . Of course it depends on the resourcefulness of the employee to present his/ her viewpoint too at the right forum .So much for perspectives and career development !

Bhimashankar – The Joyride on 14th April

The Western Ghats in Maharshtra offer a unique view to the unsuspecting traveler . You can see the verdant ghats and later on as you come towards Mumbai even the coastline . I happened to visit Bhimashankar temple and wildlife sanctuary over the weekend . The drive was really full of surprises . We began very early in the morning from Mumbai . Later the drive was mixed with smooth roads and bumpy turns .We went via the Pune Mumbai highway and then took a diversion that took us to Manchar . We stopped briefly for breakfast at the food court near Lonavala . The court offers mouth watering Maharashtrian delicacies even early in the morning . And my friend who really wanted a break from the standard North Indian fare found the stuff like kothimbir vadi , bhajias a good way to start her day !!

This drive through the winding ways / roads in the Ghats was exactly like going on a joy ride. After almost 5 and half hours we reached Bhimashankar in the afternoon . The place is really in a small village and despite the fact that it is extremely popular with tourists it really lacks basic amenities eg a washroom , water etc . There used to be an MTDC(Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation ) resort in the past but that has been closed .

The Shiva temple is about a ten fifteen minute walk from the parking area . One has to descend through a flight of stairs to reach the temple . On the way there are stalls selling all wares like flowers, toys and other memorabilia like stickers, statues , key chains etc . The place is famous for pedhas( an Indian sweet made out of milk and sugar ) . The temple is really ancient . It was not crowded when we entered and hence for a change there were no long queues. There is an ancient feeling in the temple, almost like visiting an old house . There is a huge bell there donated by Chimaji Appa which he won in a battle against the Portuguese at Vasai Fort .

For more details visit http://www.bhimashankar.blessingsonthenet.com/ or http://www.aroundpune.com/bhimashankar.htm. There is a small pond or kund as it is called in local parlance within the temple premises from where the River Bhima originates . There is a wildlife sanctuary nearby which has a smattering of animals like the flying squirrel, tigers, deer etc .The temple has a lot of significance and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas ie 12 most important and holy shrines of Lord Shiva in India .


While coming back we came through the Malshej ghat route . This was a slightly longer route and went through real circuitous roads . But nevertheless it was again a very pleasant drive . After a brief stopover at a roadside resort near Kalyan we were on our way back to Mumbai . For food on both the routes you will find the road dotted with hotels and resorts. You can take a call based on the look and feel of the resort/ hotel & the hygiene levels and decide which one suits your requirement the best ….

Big Five !

The Big Five is a very important personality theory

http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/results/?o=93.00&c=97.00&e=93.00&a=94.00&n=2.00&o-raw=4.80&c-raw=4.89&e-raw=4.63&a-raw=4.78&n-raw=1.38 is the url which explains my scores on the Big 5 personality test . The Big Five personality test is the result of a lot of research and hence has been the base for the development of other significant personality assessment tests like Hogan Inventory test


The Big Five was originally derived in the 1970's by two independent research teams -- Paul Costa and Robert McCrae (at the National Institutes of Health), and Warren Norman (at the University of Michigan)/Lewis Goldberg (at the University of Oregon) -- who took slightly different routes at arriving at the same results: most human personality traits can be boiled down to five broad dimensions of personality, regardless of language or culture. These five dimensions were derived by asking thousands of people hundreds of questions and then analyzing the data with a statistical procedure known as factor analysis. It is important to realize that the researchers did not set out to find five dimensions, but that five dimensions emerged from their analyses of the data. These five dimensions are :
Openness to Experience - appreciation for art, emotion, adventure, unusual ideas, imagination, and curiosity. Conscientiousness - a tendency to show self-discipline, act dutifully, and aim for achievement; planned rather than spontaneous behaviour. Extraversion - energy, positive emotions, surgency, and the tendency to seek stimulation and the company of others. Agreeableness - a tendency to be compassionate and cooperative rather than suspicious and antagonistic towards others. Neuroticism - a tendency to experience unpleasant emotions easily, such as anger, anxiety, depression, or vulnerability; sometimes called emotional instability.

Source: http://www.outofservice.com/bigfive/info/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Five_personality_traits


You can gauge your Big Five score through http://www.outofservice.com/ . The site has links to other interesting personality tests as well .

Temple visit ...

I visited the Siddhivinayak Temple on Sunday . It was very crowded. A friend of mine asked one day - Why do you visit a temple ? Many of us are so conditioned to visiting temples naturally that the critiquing part behind every activity is lost behind the humdrum of daily chores. Well thinking of why I visit a temple ... Well it is an instantaneous way of connecting with God . There is a thought behind idol worship that the human mind is so vastly distracted that an idol, picture etc provides a source for concentration . When you stand in front of the deity there is sense of self surrender , there is even a stronger sense of connection . Well you can say that why not meditate . That too is a good way of collecting your thoughts or rather allowing them to flow freely and arrive at a sense of calm .Then why struggle in the sun and dust and visit a temple ?That is your personal faith- if the sense of bonding and connectedness could be the strongest is some places and Siddhivinayak happens to be one such place . You might experience the same feeling in a church , dargah- so all in all it is personal faith and a strong sense of connection , a sense of belonging that one feels for the deity and the sacred place . Sometimes this feeling could be unplanned and you might discover new places as you visit newer locations and experience new feelings .

About the HR blog we are discussing the name and I think we should be able to launch it shortly .It is the same one for which the idea came up last week . Mehtinks we will maintain a log to ensure that it is launched on time etc and that there is no delay

Tea

Tea gets me going . I really cannot think of life without tea. Tea Centre at Churchgate -Mumbai is a good palce to get a variety of teas -some of them rather exotic . The place has a quaint look and I think rather regular patrons .
I think the tropical climate in India is just conducive to having cups and cups of tea. Of course after a while you have to think about the sugar and subsequent calorie intake and curb it somewhere. But more on this, Tea Centre and tea history later ...

Hi ! The State of the Art Blog Starts

I just got introduced to blogging . I like to write and a friend suggested yesterday that I should start my blog . I thought why not give it a try and hence this blog . The blog is called state of the art . I look at life as art - ever evolving with new dimensions and refreshing nuances - I thought the blog could be a chronicle of that state of the art.....I pursue multiple interests at a time and many a times it does happen that I leave something incomplete as other things would take the mindshare , time etc . I sincerely want to be regular with the blog - at least once a week and share my thoughts and ideas on a regular basis . My friend has come with another suggestion that we start a co-blog on specific HR issues since both of us read quite a bit and share those things , insights with each other . We are really serious about it and let us see when we are able to design it and come out of stealth as they say in VC language .I read a lot of stuff related to state of art HR practices, Strategy , Growing businesses etc . The aim is to keep the insight and information levels as dated as possible . I hope that I am able to write further ( on the blog ) and hone this craft ie writing to finesse ......That is all for now - need to get back to work and get my morning cup of tea... I like tea a lot and next time I will write about that ie TEA.....