I started thinking on this subject since I started reading the Times of India today. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has some interesting articles where he mentions that spirituality should now move out of religion or our house and move to board rooms, offices, factories, etc.
The little that I understand of Hinduism, which unlike all other religions, is actually not a religion with set rules and regulations to follow, but a more holistic way of life, is more about spirituality than about religion.
According to Swami Vivekananda spirituality is not same as religion. In fact, spirituality is more of a philosophy, a basis of each individual’s vision and mission in life. National Cancer Institute of USA describes spirituality in a very beautiful away - “Spirituality may be defined as an individual's sense of peace, purpose, and connection to others, and beliefs about the meaning of life.”
To make it simple, when a dancer performs in front of an audience and devotes completely at it, it is her spiritualism. When a high profile executive on his occasional walk on the road helps a newspaper man in collecting the newspapers which have scattered on the road - is also spiritualism. Spiritualism is also when a little boy gives away his ice cream to a street girl or a son’s sense of happiness while giving his first salary check to his parents…
Therefore, spirituality is something that touches us everyday in each small thing that we do, and when by doing that, we add a little love, fun, laughter, caring, sharing understanding, respect, etc to some one else’s life.
If that is so, do we need to carry it forward from one place to another as Sri Sri Ravi Shankar suggests?
Or, we need to be more aware of our daily spiritual needs to connect to the outside world in a better way? And when everybody starts practicing this, may be we could make a small step towards a more peaceful world…
I don’t want this to be a wishful thinking, but a spiritual one!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Eleven Minutes a too short a time - I want a life time!
“Life is too short, or too long, for me to allow myself the luxury of living it badly” Paulo Coelho in Eleven minutes.
The statement says it all. But how many people understand the true potential of this line? All of us are always depending on others to make us happy…or, we are always letting others hurt us severely.
Life’s lessons are not learnt in the life-time of human kind, we love our status-quo so much, that we forget to look beyond ourselves.
Eleven minutes is a book which can change people’s life – for better or for worse. It has, however, helped me in coping with the life’s calamities. Only thing, in real life there is never a Ralf to arrive in our horizon…
But, that’s what, I guess, keeps us searching relentlessly for the rainbow.
Cheers to myself…I am here to stay!
The statement says it all. But how many people understand the true potential of this line? All of us are always depending on others to make us happy…or, we are always letting others hurt us severely.
Life’s lessons are not learnt in the life-time of human kind, we love our status-quo so much, that we forget to look beyond ourselves.
Eleven minutes is a book which can change people’s life – for better or for worse. It has, however, helped me in coping with the life’s calamities. Only thing, in real life there is never a Ralf to arrive in our horizon…
But, that’s what, I guess, keeps us searching relentlessly for the rainbow.
Cheers to myself…I am here to stay!
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Lick or Kick yr Boss?
Well, you see it depends.
Let me tell you this on your face – we hear it everyday, read about it on every next day in newspapers / magazines, etc, get quotes quoted as abundantly as possible – about great leaders; but the fact is that your Boss is never that Ideal, Great Leader who will show you the path or help you become another leader in your own rights –he is simply your BOSS!
So, how do you deal with such lesser mortals, who are trying hard to be a great leader, but are nothing but a mere autocratic manager?
Well, there are two ways:
Just leave them to their green pastures to graze until they get kicked out, or you get a better place to work (better? U must be kidding!)
Lick his a…, u know what I mean
Now, the sad part is (its bright for lot many, in fact), you will be forced to take the second way in most cases whether you like it or not. As far as my experience goes, and it goes quite a bit, I have not seen any boss who doesn’t like to be “buttered” by his/her people. But, that’s not the problem. Problem arises, when these Bosses starts believing in this “buttered” qualities for themselves and act in some strange, euphoric manner trying to prove to the world as if they are the last eternal corporate samurai left!
Well, don’t think that all Bosses are like that: there are still few specimens of real good bosses left in this corporate world, who are though, on the verge of complete extinction.
So, if you are the one who would rather lick an ice-cream and avoid the Boss’s …, you only have two ways left:
make it straight to your boss that you are a no-nonsense person and only mean business
interact with him only when required, but keep him posted on all your activities via mail / weekly meetings etc.
One thing is sure, if you are doing your job as required, maintain a cordial relationship with your colleagues and show an earnest interest to learn and actively participate towards your company’s success, it doesn’t matter how you deal with your boss. But, remember the golden rule: Always keep your Boss informed about your activities, never ever try to give him a surprise. And, bingo! You have succeeded to survive this mad place called Office.
Let me tell you this on your face – we hear it everyday, read about it on every next day in newspapers / magazines, etc, get quotes quoted as abundantly as possible – about great leaders; but the fact is that your Boss is never that Ideal, Great Leader who will show you the path or help you become another leader in your own rights –he is simply your BOSS!
So, how do you deal with such lesser mortals, who are trying hard to be a great leader, but are nothing but a mere autocratic manager?
Well, there are two ways:
Just leave them to their green pastures to graze until they get kicked out, or you get a better place to work (better? U must be kidding!)
Lick his a…, u know what I mean
Now, the sad part is (its bright for lot many, in fact), you will be forced to take the second way in most cases whether you like it or not. As far as my experience goes, and it goes quite a bit, I have not seen any boss who doesn’t like to be “buttered” by his/her people. But, that’s not the problem. Problem arises, when these Bosses starts believing in this “buttered” qualities for themselves and act in some strange, euphoric manner trying to prove to the world as if they are the last eternal corporate samurai left!
Well, don’t think that all Bosses are like that: there are still few specimens of real good bosses left in this corporate world, who are though, on the verge of complete extinction.
So, if you are the one who would rather lick an ice-cream and avoid the Boss’s …, you only have two ways left:
make it straight to your boss that you are a no-nonsense person and only mean business
interact with him only when required, but keep him posted on all your activities via mail / weekly meetings etc.
One thing is sure, if you are doing your job as required, maintain a cordial relationship with your colleagues and show an earnest interest to learn and actively participate towards your company’s success, it doesn’t matter how you deal with your boss. But, remember the golden rule: Always keep your Boss informed about your activities, never ever try to give him a surprise. And, bingo! You have succeeded to survive this mad place called Office.
Friday, August 25, 2006
The Accident and the way it is
I met with an accident on 22 July. The car I was traveling lost control and went and hit a man sitting on a concrete slab. The driver and the man outside were seriously injuired, started bleeding heavily and were rushed to the hospital.
And poor me! The stuck position that I was in (between the two front seats), I had to recover myself from that state, open the door and come out on the pavement. My trouser was torn, my nose bleeding from cut and my left foot twisted. There were men surrounding us, but strangely no one came to my rescue… until couple of girls who came down from their houses and helped me to sit, wash, and call my friends to take me to hospital.
The thought hit me later. Why is it that not a single man came to help me? Everyone was watching me with very keen eyes, watching what I was doing, watching that I could not stand on my feet when I climbed down the shattered car…and yet, none of them stretched their hand to help.
I have no clue, may be that’s the way it is, always…
And poor me! The stuck position that I was in (between the two front seats), I had to recover myself from that state, open the door and come out on the pavement. My trouser was torn, my nose bleeding from cut and my left foot twisted. There were men surrounding us, but strangely no one came to my rescue… until couple of girls who came down from their houses and helped me to sit, wash, and call my friends to take me to hospital.
The thought hit me later. Why is it that not a single man came to help me? Everyone was watching me with very keen eyes, watching what I was doing, watching that I could not stand on my feet when I climbed down the shattered car…and yet, none of them stretched their hand to help.
I have no clue, may be that’s the way it is, always…
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Me n my writing
I keep asking my friends, colleagues, acquaintances, relatives, in fact every one I see every day to read my blogg. Some of them read, some swear, some even call back and say ‘hey, it was cool’!
But, there are a few who really interests me. They are the ones who start with “how do you write such superficial stuffs, for God’s sake!” I aggressively counter them – ‘what do mean by superficial? They are what I think, feel or experience. That’s all!’ “Sure, but if you are filling up this universe with junk, don’t you think you have some moral responsibilities towards it at least!” they counter argue. They leave me with their piece of advice as well “pls write something substantial”
Hmmn… universe, junk, substantial…my goodness, I never knew I had so much power!
What do you think guys? Should I or should I not?
But, there are a few who really interests me. They are the ones who start with “how do you write such superficial stuffs, for God’s sake!” I aggressively counter them – ‘what do mean by superficial? They are what I think, feel or experience. That’s all!’ “Sure, but if you are filling up this universe with junk, don’t you think you have some moral responsibilities towards it at least!” they counter argue. They leave me with their piece of advice as well “pls write something substantial”
Hmmn… universe, junk, substantial…my goodness, I never knew I had so much power!
What do you think guys? Should I or should I not?
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Oh Football!
I never knew Australia played football. I also did not know that, in fact, they not only play but also get qualified to World Cup! I guess that’s my ignorance. Anyways, I was discussing the same with another equally ignorant friend of mine. However, she follows football much more frequently than I do. And she made a very interesting comment. She said Australia has about 22 people in their country, of these 11 plays cricket and the remaining plays football!
Wow!!!
But seriously, if we look in to the statement and see the teams playing in this World Cup, like Ivory Coast, Trinidad and many others, this statement doesn’t look incredible at all!
Now the question that arises in my mind is this: apart from the 15 odd people that play cricket in India (I am including the reserves, you see!), what is it that the remaining billion odd people are doing? Yes, I know they are making software for rest of the world and are collecting credit card payments for users across the globe, but then we also do play football, man! And we have been playing it so the last 115 odd years! (It’s the Mohan Bagan, the oldest Football Team in Asia founded in 1889, comprising of all native Indians that defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment to lift the 1911 IFA Shield).
Will there be day when all Indians will get an opportunity to cheer and support the Indian team in World Cup and not fight for individual favorites like Brazil, England or Argentina!!! I don’t have the patience to wait and see…
Wow!!!
But seriously, if we look in to the statement and see the teams playing in this World Cup, like Ivory Coast, Trinidad and many others, this statement doesn’t look incredible at all!
Now the question that arises in my mind is this: apart from the 15 odd people that play cricket in India (I am including the reserves, you see!), what is it that the remaining billion odd people are doing? Yes, I know they are making software for rest of the world and are collecting credit card payments for users across the globe, but then we also do play football, man! And we have been playing it so the last 115 odd years! (It’s the Mohan Bagan, the oldest Football Team in Asia founded in 1889, comprising of all native Indians that defeated the East Yorkshire Regiment to lift the 1911 IFA Shield).
Will there be day when all Indians will get an opportunity to cheer and support the Indian team in World Cup and not fight for individual favorites like Brazil, England or Argentina!!! I don’t have the patience to wait and see…
Monday, June 05, 2006
My Da Vinci Code!
I was in MG Road on Sunday. I had nothing to do at home and was also thinking on upgrading my shoe collection. So, the one and only destination is MG Road!
It was around 2:30 PM when I hit the place. The weather was excellent (as I had written earlier) and it was nice walking along the road aimlessly.
Thus I landed up to a street book seller. Reading all the things that are happening with Da Vinci Code, and having read the book myself, I was rather curious when I sighted the particular book on their “shelf”. So, I asked “Bhaisab kitne ka hai?” how much it is for?
“120 ruppiah!” the man said. “Lelijiye, bahot hit hai!”. I was already enjoying the conversation. “120 to bahut jyada hai. Thik se dam bolo” I said. “saw se kam to hogahi nehi” the book seller loses interest and throws the book back to the end. I showed a mock disappointment, and walked away.
It was not even 200 meters that I saw another book seller. Again, I checked the price. This time, to my surprise, the price offered was 100 and he was ready to give me at 90. I walked away as it is.
I took a turn from old Times of India office to the Church Street. Opposite to BPL office, there was another young man sitting with a heap of paper backs which almost looked new. My eyes started looking for Da Vinci Code, and it did not take more than a second to see one. “How much are you going to give me that book for?” I asked him in English. “75/-“ pat came the reply. “I can only afford 50”. I was almost looking sad. “not possible sister. These are pirated copies, and I cant sell beyond 65. 60 is my cost”. I was not willing to give up. “are you sure? Because I know I can get this book for 50 rupees if I walk a little further down the street.” Oopps, now he will understand I am new to Bangalore!. “Ok. Take it. Let me start the selling even at a loss”. I was surprised. I took the book, paid him 50 bucks and went away. I read the original book some times back and was intrigued. Now I have the duplicate for my book shelf!
It was around 2:30 PM when I hit the place. The weather was excellent (as I had written earlier) and it was nice walking along the road aimlessly.
Thus I landed up to a street book seller. Reading all the things that are happening with Da Vinci Code, and having read the book myself, I was rather curious when I sighted the particular book on their “shelf”. So, I asked “Bhaisab kitne ka hai?” how much it is for?
“120 ruppiah!” the man said. “Lelijiye, bahot hit hai!”. I was already enjoying the conversation. “120 to bahut jyada hai. Thik se dam bolo” I said. “saw se kam to hogahi nehi” the book seller loses interest and throws the book back to the end. I showed a mock disappointment, and walked away.
It was not even 200 meters that I saw another book seller. Again, I checked the price. This time, to my surprise, the price offered was 100 and he was ready to give me at 90. I walked away as it is.
I took a turn from old Times of India office to the Church Street. Opposite to BPL office, there was another young man sitting with a heap of paper backs which almost looked new. My eyes started looking for Da Vinci Code, and it did not take more than a second to see one. “How much are you going to give me that book for?” I asked him in English. “75/-“ pat came the reply. “I can only afford 50”. I was almost looking sad. “not possible sister. These are pirated copies, and I cant sell beyond 65. 60 is my cost”. I was not willing to give up. “are you sure? Because I know I can get this book for 50 rupees if I walk a little further down the street.” Oopps, now he will understand I am new to Bangalore!. “Ok. Take it. Let me start the selling even at a loss”. I was surprised. I took the book, paid him 50 bucks and went away. I read the original book some times back and was intrigued. Now I have the duplicate for my book shelf!
Friday, June 02, 2006
I love you Bangalore, but ...
The weather in Bangalore is excellent these days. It’s the monsoon time, and the regular showers have cooled down the city. Sitting in my office and facing the precisely manicured garden outside, I see the sun shining. Its 4.30 pm, and in while, as I see everyday, the sky will be filled with black clouds, there will be cool breeze and we will all get ready for the evening downpour.
I am falling in love with this place. Seriously!
But, there are a few areas that are bothering me as well.
Like, I was waiting at the bus stop the other day in Whitefield, near Graphite India. I had to catch the Volvo and get dropped at Hope Farm. It was 6:55 pm, still broad day light and at least 50 odd people around me.
So what happened? A few Truck drivers & helpers, a couple of tempo drivers and a man driving Ford Ikon either stopped in front of me or slowed down, made some obscene gestures and invited me into their vehicles.
I was shocked! I am standing in a place from where SAPP, IBM, I-Flex, TESCO, CISCO etc., are only stone throw away. So I am not the strang “other sex” in a deserted location. Neither I was wearing a so called “provoking” dress!(In fact I was wearing a salwar suit, my regular office clothe which covered me from top to bottom!)
Due to my profession, I have visited several parts of the country – big metros to small towns and for several years now – but this was my first experience; that also in the most developed, intellectually driven, culturally aware Bangalore – the Silicon Valley of India!
Is it time to take break and ponder?
I am falling in love with this place. Seriously!
But, there are a few areas that are bothering me as well.
Like, I was waiting at the bus stop the other day in Whitefield, near Graphite India. I had to catch the Volvo and get dropped at Hope Farm. It was 6:55 pm, still broad day light and at least 50 odd people around me.
So what happened? A few Truck drivers & helpers, a couple of tempo drivers and a man driving Ford Ikon either stopped in front of me or slowed down, made some obscene gestures and invited me into their vehicles.
I was shocked! I am standing in a place from where SAPP, IBM, I-Flex, TESCO, CISCO etc., are only stone throw away. So I am not the strang “other sex” in a deserted location. Neither I was wearing a so called “provoking” dress!(In fact I was wearing a salwar suit, my regular office clothe which covered me from top to bottom!)
Due to my profession, I have visited several parts of the country – big metros to small towns and for several years now – but this was my first experience; that also in the most developed, intellectually driven, culturally aware Bangalore – the Silicon Valley of India!
Is it time to take break and ponder?
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Who says Brands can last!
I sometimes wonder at the lack of imagination of some of the Brandings! And sometimes the complete disconnect from its target audience.
Take for example the TV commercial by Moser Baer (MB), one of the largest developers and manufacturers of removable data storage system in the world. Now they are airing a commercial where a newly married couple are using the MB CDs to store the marraige photos. I admit the intentions are good; but the end result is BAD! How can they air a commercial targeting such narrow a band of target audience!
Now, let us look at the latest Nike Ad - 40years of efforts gone in 9 sec (something like that)! Isn't it a very negative way of saying thing? exactly opposite to Nike's portrayed image? It would have been better if it was like " 40 years of efforts accumulated in 9 secs!"
Guess what? I even wrote about this to Nike HQ in USA. I got a reply "cant respond to emails from India, pls conatct Singapore" !!! Hahaha!
Comments, pls........
Take for example the TV commercial by Moser Baer (MB), one of the largest developers and manufacturers of removable data storage system in the world. Now they are airing a commercial where a newly married couple are using the MB CDs to store the marraige photos. I admit the intentions are good; but the end result is BAD! How can they air a commercial targeting such narrow a band of target audience!
Now, let us look at the latest Nike Ad - 40years of efforts gone in 9 sec (something like that)! Isn't it a very negative way of saying thing? exactly opposite to Nike's portrayed image? It would have been better if it was like " 40 years of efforts accumulated in 9 secs!"
Guess what? I even wrote about this to Nike HQ in USA. I got a reply "cant respond to emails from India, pls conatct Singapore" !!! Hahaha!
Comments, pls........
SCM and beyond
wow! i survived upto today to the world of blog!
now, i got a response on my yesterday's scrap, I guess the writer is a software professional. Ok, let me clarify, by SCM I didnot, absolutely, meant IT/software related developments or opportunities! Supply Chain Management is simply the constant search for improving the way you get the basic components that you need to make your product or service. So, I meant the whole lot of back-end services, which has the possibility to become a multi billion dollar industry by itself in India, that is required for each and every organization - it could include IT, raw materials, packaging, transportation, warehousing, etc.
Let us take for example of a big retailer who wants to have vegetables, as a private label, sold through his hypermarket. So, how does he source them? Should he go and talk to the nearest vegetable market? or the nearest farmer? how is he going to supply this to all his 50 outlets accross the country? How is this to be packed, transported or warehoused? How does he make sure he has the best and the fresh vegetables everyday at his store?
Now think about it? Does it make sense?
now, i got a response on my yesterday's scrap, I guess the writer is a software professional. Ok, let me clarify, by SCM I didnot, absolutely, meant IT/software related developments or opportunities! Supply Chain Management is simply the constant search for improving the way you get the basic components that you need to make your product or service. So, I meant the whole lot of back-end services, which has the possibility to become a multi billion dollar industry by itself in India, that is required for each and every organization - it could include IT, raw materials, packaging, transportation, warehousing, etc.
Let us take for example of a big retailer who wants to have vegetables, as a private label, sold through his hypermarket. So, how does he source them? Should he go and talk to the nearest vegetable market? or the nearest farmer? how is he going to supply this to all his 50 outlets accross the country? How is this to be packed, transported or warehoused? How does he make sure he has the best and the fresh vegetables everyday at his store?
Now think about it? Does it make sense?
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Welcome back ! to me! well i am back. I was thinking about the business opportunities in India, and some thing that stuck me is the huge potential in the Supply Chain management - be it for retail, manufacturing, transpostation, etc. Take for example India's organized retail sector - only about 2-3% of the total retail activities; while the potential is mindboggling - an E&Y report says, about 300 mil household in the middle class category and is growing. And such potential is attracting world class players like Wall Mart, Tesco etc. Even Max from Dubai is planning 10-12 hypermart during the next 1 year, leave behind the mega project of Reliance! Now with all of them coming up, there will be a whole lot of activities in Indian market, and SCM will take a Key role for the success. Any one out there planning a career out of it? I am a game!
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