And we say we are a developing nation!

SMS exchange:

Me: Lets begin (for playing badminton) half-an-hour early tomo mrng (by 5:30am)

Ashwin: Y so?

Me: I just wanna play continuous for 2 hrs & check my capacity.

Ashwin: Seems lil difflt but let me try.

Me: Ok!

Next day morning: (5:34am)

On my bike heading towards my school; we group of few ex-students play badminton, every morning. It was cold enough to allow me the pleasure of breathing out white frost in the morning. This promised to be a chilly December. Reached school in just 5 minutes (5:39am); Ashwin, was already waiting at the parking.

Didn’t you notice that huge mountain of fire by the highway? Ashwin Said.

What? No… where? I Said.

Let’s go: Ashwin Said.

Immediately we rushed to the scene.

On the way Ashwin told me that he had already called-up the Fire-Station (101) at 5:35am and they would be reaching at the sight, anytime.

It was still dark and no sign of any extra terrestrial lights. Fire sight was horrendous, a huge house was burning full throttle.

(I am still not that expert a writer to describe the fire scene, but let me try).

A huge Indian structural design, basically a hut, neighboring to it was a motorbike repair garage. Flames all over, forming mountain like image, intensity of the fire was so high that although we were standing a good 50 yards away but we could still feel the warmth. Barely, countable heads were present at that hour of the day; a by stander (local guy) informed us that no one is inside the hut. It was just an Indian liquor bar shop (local daru ka theka).

Ashwin was already on his 3^rd call to the Fir-Station as there was no sign of Fire Brigade (6:00am). As expected everyone started getting buckets of water to extinguish this giant mountain of fire (Situational Heroes, our country is full of these situational Heroes).

6:15am still no sign of Fire Brigade; the mountain started melting on it’s on as the fire had already done its job good enough to go on a weekend break!

I was sure by the time Fire Brigade would reach; this place would have already turned into remains.

6:20am: I Said.

I have never seen something like this before, this is an experience: Said Ashwin.

Fire brigade….. Fire Brigade… screamed a local boy; his excitement was equal to, if would have got a chance to see a live dinosaur.

Fire had already burnt all the electric, telephone and TV transmission wires.

A small toddler of fire was slowly trying to get into the bordering garage via ventilator-window without anyone’s notice. By the time we all could spot it, the fire had already trespassed borders into the garage territory.

Firemen were immediately on their job, it took hardly 5 minutes for them to break through this mountain of flames with their fire-guns. Although there wasn’t much left to work on.

Local guys were trying their best to break the shutter of the garage as good amount of fire was already in the garage. It took good 5 minutes to open the shutters; it was shocking to see the two LPG cylinders were just a foot away from the live flames (Anything could have happened). A situational hero jumped inside the room and took out both the cylinders.

Finally everything had come to an end. I just happen to realize and told Ashwin. I find all this so funny that just out of the blue last evening I called you-up to come half an hour early for badminton. If not we would have never been part of such an experience.

We simply laughed and drove back to the school….

This whole incident reminds me of…

[When I was in school, I was a big fan of this television series called ‘World’s Most Amazing Videos on AXN'. I always wondered that when will I get a chance to see at least one video from India; I always waited assuming some day there will be a video from India. Finally, the day arrived they screened an amazing video which was from my country; a multi-story building had caught fire and till one hour there wasn’t any police or fire-brigade and how amazingly the local guys worked together to come over the fire.

I had a mixed feeling, happy to see a video from India and at the same time a little low that they were trying to show the world that how terrible systems and facilities are in India, even during such major emergencies]

Customer Service at its best...

Customer Service at its best!

Saturday morning 10:45am, I reached my bank (PNB) to collect my renewed Debit Card. Which I had applied couple of weeks back and because of very hectic schedule was not able to collect it, but finally I managed it this weekend.

The lady at the counter gave me a sealed envelope; when I looked at my Debit Card I noticed that my name was missing on the card (not printed). I immediately turned back on the same lady enquiring for this miss-out by the bank.Sir, these cards come from our head office we are not manufacturing it over here, She said!I was shocked to hear such a reply; I gave her back asking, who is more sensible person to help me out on this issue…

She directed me towards one old man, stating that he is the concerned manager. Mr. Manager was on phone and without even listening to me he pointed out a finger towards another table. At that table, was one very interesting lady who was speaking very loudly to every customer in her mixed Punjabi, Hindi & English.I explained the problem that my name does not appear on this Debit Card.Sir, we do not print names on any debit cards, she said. But, as per my knowledge there was an option on the card asking me to fill the name in block letters as I want it on the card to appear, I said.

She gave me the funniest reply ever I could have expected…

Come on sir jee don’t try to teach me, and there are so many things just written on the forms, should we look into each and everything kya, she said… And she directed me back to the first lady again; I realized that I can’t be pushed from one table to another this way as I was in no mood to play office-office…

I finally asked the way to the manager’s cabin, immediately I was directed towards the manger’s room by a peon standing by and seeing this whole drama. Mr. Manager was another piece (one of its own kinds).Yes sir, what I can do for you, he said in a typical South Indian accent. I explained him the problem of no name on the Debit Card.

But, sir why do you want the name on the card, without the name also card is working no!

I use this card extensively to book online movie tickets and over there we need to enter the name printed on the card or else it declines. I said!

Oh! (Looking at his colleague sitting beside him, he said) Why these people (websites guys) ask for name for online booking, I will take this issue up with the head quarters, you don’t worry sir soon they will stop asking you for the names while online ticket booking, he said! (Solution to my problem was one of its own kinds, as I already mentioned it before)

I was like “god”, why only me between such intelligent people?

Without a second thought I just ran out of that place. Otherwise, these guys would have mentally raped me early on a Saturday morning.

One of the prime reason why few small companies never make it big!

One of the prime reason why few small companies never make it big even after they have been existing in the market say for about 15 long years.

Is because (my assumptions),

- They never think big (broad).

- The top management keeps talking about long term relationships but in reality never build a real long term relation (with their own employees).

But why I am saying all this?

May be, I am not cent percent correct, but an incident made me think on these lines.

During, initial days of my career; I worked with a small company for about a period of 2 years. I was paid a small stipend but the company offered us really good incentives. Incentives were only motivating and lifesaving thing in that company.

I still remember on one fine evening, my boss had one-on-one meeting with all the individuals, during which it was communicated that the quarterly targets have been raised-up. I was happy that we would earn more incentives but on the other hand I knew that it is going to be equally difficult as the new targets were sky high.

It was a sheer coincidence that the same night I get a call from a U.K. based company and they wanted some help from us. They had to close a top-level position for their clients based out of India. They reached me through linkedin.com.

I got a chance to single handedly manage my first ever semi-overseas assignment. In just 2 weeks 80% of my quarter target was achieved. And by month-end I managed to close two more positions in different companies and reached my assigned target just in a month’s time. This was going to fetch me a massive incentives ever.

In that same month I got a job-offer from a huge multi-national company and I had to leave. During my full-final settlement I was expecting this incentive along with my last month salary.

I could not believe when they refused to give me my incentives.

It’s a motivational tool and when you aren’t there anymore, no-point giving incentives. They said!

After which, I had many email exchange with the owner of the company but no success, sad part was for an amount which was meager to them; they ended up losing a long term relationship. I know at that time he didn’t realize it because I was just a small time employee in the company.

I personally didn’t want it to become dirty so I stopped asking it thinking that he is in more need of money than I am!

Today, I assume that because of many such small and cheap decisions taken at various levels in organizations, directly or indirectly hinder the growth of an organization (these unnoticed wrong decisions will somehow affect the future effectiveness of an organization).

Such attitudes (approach), just for a small amount of money; employers are ready to forget the contribution of their employees. When your employee is committed and giving his/her 100%, why these, big experienced guy can’t even stand-up to their small promises.

Guys think big!!! Do not lose good relations because of money.

I will try my best that I don’t make such a mistake in my life. Plus, I will try best to continue a good relationship even with this x-employer of mine.

“Losers always promise, winners only commit”

Assi Tussi: Hum Tum

If February is measured to be month for lovers then August is marked as month for friends. Remembering one such dear friend I am writing this today…

We were almost through the first semester and our friendship had reached the stage which was equivalent to ‘fevicol ka majboot jode’.

It was about 6:45 in the morning; I was still sleeping like a bull and my phone rang… “Dus bahane karke legaya dil legaya dil…” popular bollywood number of that year…

‘Tussi’ you are still sleeping? She said.

I said yaa and which ended into a yawn.

Come on! wake up and listen to me, she said.

But ‘Assi’, it’s Sunday! why you want me to wake up so early, I said.

(You all must be wondering what is this ‘Assi & Tussi’ so, madam was very much fascinated by characters of a famous Hindi movie in that year ‘Hum Tum’ she had come up with a Punjabi version of it for both of us ‘Assi Tussi’, I found it very sweet.)

Wake up na ‘Tussi’ and listen to me from Tuesday till next Sunday I am not in the town as my entire family is traveling for a cousins wedding. And, I want to spend whole of Monday with you before I leave, she said. I was still in my half senses, ‘Assi’ but you were supposed to explain me those economics lectures which I missed.

‘Tussi’ you are such a big turn-off, you are bothered about that stupid economics don’t you realize that I wont be here for almost a week, she said. Nothing new guys, most of the time I plunge in such situations where my brain takes over my heart and I end up saying something diffusing.

Sure! Tell me what is the plan? I said.

No plans, I just wanna be with you whole of tomorrow. She said. Next day was very usual one, like any other Monday. Classes and then we worked on a presentation for couple of hours. After the lunch, she also wanted to explain me that stupid economics. Girls! I always wondered how they happen to remember important things.

It was about 4:00 in the evening when she finally started with her economics lecture, but I was not at all interested in it by then. And, she just went on and on and on…

I kept staring at her; she raised her eyebrows and shook her head at my behavior. “Come on concentrate, she said”. I am not looking that good, “but she was and she knew it fully. She wore a maroon top which had a strap. It was not revealing but extremely graceful, and it had settled on her beautifully, highlighting her figure. She carried her usual make-up, little kajal and touch of gloss on her lips. I looked into her eyes. She allowed me to do so and her eyes smirked when I did that. Earlier she would feel shy when I tried to concentrate on her eyes and would laugh and say, what are you doing?

It was more than two hours; she was trying teaching me economics. I asked her to take a break. By then it was dark outside but the moon was gleaming on full volume; once we came out we realized that it had drizzled sometime back. We had an amazing tea at the tea-stall opposite to the college building.

‘Tussi’ let us go to the terrace and spend sometime its is such a lovely evening, she said.

Terrace was out of this world, beautiful smell of wet earth lingered on and brilliant cool breeze was playing with her gorgeous hair. We sat down on a broken bench lying there since ages. Her quietness was speaking a loud that she didn’t wanted to leave me and go next day but she had no option. I moved myself more close to her. I took her hand into mine and looked into her eyes and we both enjoyed the silence as she gently placed her head on my shoulder, I could feel her breath on my neck. She looked so lovely in the moon light, it was a blissful moment. I wish we could sit that way forever.

Suddenly her mobile rang “…every night in my dreams I see you…” I hated this ring tone and we had also fought couple of times over it.

Oh Mom, she said. But, she didn’t take the call. Phone rang again. Come on take the call she must be worried, I said.

Can’t we sit like this for some more time? She asked in an unsettled voice.

I wish we could, for the rest of our lives, but then you have to leave in sometime, I said. She lifted her head slowly from my shoulder and looked into my eyes and said ‘Assi’ will miss ‘tussi’ a lot.

.

.

.

.

Today, even I miss you Assi… When you are not around!

Kya paata hum phir mille " kyun ki Zindgi bahut lambi hai aur time bahut kam!"

The name is Khan!

Shah Rukh Khan the king of Bollywood!

If I am not mistaken just couple of months back our former president Mr. Abdul Kalam was stopped for the security check while boarding a flight. This one was an offense because as per the law no one has the right to security check the former presidents (equivalent to a king in real sense); Mr. Kalam could manage to get just day coverage on the new channels and newspapers.

This time Mr. Shah Rukh Khan’s mess with US custom and border personnel absolutely defines how big the King Khan is, he is all over the news channels not only he but all the other Celebes as well, the ones taking in favor or against the incidence.

My mom asked me why is Shah Rukh all over the place from last 4 days (in comparison with Mr. Kalam’s incidence); without taking a second, my brother replies Mom that is ‘the Shah Rukh Khan, the king’ and he is any day more popular.

For a second I thought, yes! That’s true he is more popular and that’s the reason it’s a much bigger hype this time.

It was difficult for any Indian nationalist to believe that US custom were not aware who Shah Rukh Khan is? And it took about two hours at the security check.

He is among the few Indians to have a wax statue at Madam Tussads museum. He is the one who was on cover page of the TIME magazine. He is the one, who has recently made an entry into the list of top 50 most influential people in the world. Irony, but yes he is someone who is more popular than the president himself.

If these Americans were so weak at their general awareness they should have at least googled “Shah Rukh Khan” and found themselves in just 5 minutes; just not who Shah rukh Khan is but how big he is, then wasting so many hours.

One of my colleague very rightly mentioned few days back that these guys are so dumb that if you give them their own country map and ask them to locate their country; they wouldn’t be sure where it is. Loll.

The whole drama happened just because his name is Khan! And he was traveling from South-Asia? Are these the reason which got Shah Rukh into trouble with American authorities? God bless that Indian embassy personnel who vouched for Shah Rukh and finally he was welcomed in America.

Don’t these Custom guys have some kind of online database about the celebrities around the world, at least people who are so influential? Concern in this case was just not security test but identity mess, that to just not Shah Rukh’s but identity of India and entire South-Asia.

Amulet: good luck charm

After two serious write-ups, I feel like writing something on lighter notes today. This one is from my college days. And I always wanted to document this sometime and I think today is ‘the day’.

It was the first day at college, all new faces around. I was soon directed by the in-charge towards my classroom. If, I am recalling it right I was among the first set of students who made it on time. Then, slowly one-by-one everyone started walking in. Everyone looked fresh and I was happy to see my future friends, after all I had to spend next two years of my life.

Got introduced to the ones sitting around me; I turned around almost 90% of the seats were occupied. We all were waiting for someone from the management/faculty to start the day. But there was no sign of any soul.

Suddenly, I looked-up at the passage outside the door and bunch of girls entered the room; my eyes stuck on this one girl among this bunch.

Ahhhhhhhhhh…

Glow on the face, her shinny hair, her smooth walk, her blue jeans and the orange shirt.I cannot explain it better but she was like a painting, a song, a dream and I was totally stunned. Her searching eyes were innocent and beautiful. She had a fresh and fair complexion and her orange shirt made her look all the more glowing.

The moment will remain with me forever...

It was not love at first sight but these beauties hit you like a storm and you never recover.She just passed by me and that aroma of perfume, I was floored. Even today I can sense the same smell whenever I think about her. She walked towards the seats at the back as almost all the front rows were already occupied. Guys, for the first time I didn’t like coming early to the class. I am sure you all can guess why? I wanted do every dam thing possible to see her again and again.

There started this informal induction where we were asked to form small groups and then introduce ourselves to each other. Guess what? We both were in the same group ‘for the first time I started believing, yes God exists, loll.

I called her and as she turned towards me and I was lost again in her brown eyes and light perfume.

Yes? She said. Talk idiot I said to myself.

Hi! I am Saurabh; I said and forwarded my hand. She shook it.

Her hands were soft and she returned a smile. She had beautiful pink lips with a hint of gloss. After a pause other mates started introducing themselves.

For next two days I couldn’t speak to her because I was confused about how to start this historic friendship. Somehow I managed to get her number from college database. Her service provider was idea and I always used an airtel and this small disconnect looked so big at that time, as if a soldier had lost everything before the war could even start.God once again came-up with another opportunity for me. I was asked to collect all the mobile numbers and email-id of all the batch mates. When she walked up to me to give her info it was an airtel number and like a fool it came out of my mouth but yours was idea, isn’t it? She gave me a surprised look and said. How do you know that, that I have just changed my idea number to airtel?

And I was like ah ah hm hm ah… I just guessed it. Most disconnected and foolish thing I would have ever said in my entire life. She again returned the same smile, similar to one on the first day and went away.

It was a Thursday evening I was driving back home on my bike my mobile hands-free were on. I received a call from a unknown but familiar number and it just took a second for me to dive back into my memory and find-out who this was.

I said loudly to myself, it’s her...

I took the call and wanted to behave as if I am not aware who is on the other side. Before, I could say something a loud voice came from the receiver hold-on hold-on cops are around.

Then after ten seconds she explained me that she was driving too and cops were around her car. Guys I wish I could explain what was going inside me that time, for whom I was looking reason to look at and talk. She had called me up on my mobile, ahhhh wow! It was as big as India winning next football world championship.

Before she could say a word, I instantly asked her from where you got my number. She said. ‘Magic’ with a striking naughty laugh. Although we were on phone but I could sense her perfume, God hmmmmm…

I am sure it was not love but I can never as well explain whatever it was!

By the way, she had called me up asking me to join her and her friends for breakfast before college starts next day. And yes we had a long call that night. . .

I am sure all my batch mates reading this write-up must have started guessing so many names. I am also sure few will directly call up and check! But friends keep guessing because I am not telling you anything more…

Later, we became very close friends. She called herself as my Amulet, don't know why!!!

I just loved writing this blog I am sure you guys will like reading it too.

It is not about resources it is about possibilities

First week of MBA, all new faces around and little alien feeling, you happen see and meet students from diverse backgrounds. We were scheduled for a 2 days long program which included orientation and ice-breaking sessions. It was very important, after all this batch had to spend 2 important years of their lives together. An external trainer was called from Delhi to conduct these sessions.

I was personally looking forward to these two days because 1) I like making friends and build my network stronger 2) who wanted to miss such a good opportunity to get some popularity in the first week of college by actively participating in all the activities.

I would be lying if I don’t mention that, these two days were one of my most memorable days at the college. We had some of the best career and guidance lecturers, we played some amazing games, interactive workshops and not to forget those lovely short-breaks and lunches with new friends. The two days every minute was a learning experience; "the one game which we played on the first half of the second day was a life changing experience for me".

Trainer asked us to divide ourselves into teams of 6 each and he locked the classroom from inside. Game was very simple, using anything present in this room each team was suppose to make longest possible chain with in 15 minutes. The team with longest chain would be declared the winner.

Most of the teams started joining their belts, shoe lace, socks, and handkerchiefs; girls started using their long duppatas and after that we all were sure who is going to be the winner, plus from team of 6 each around 4 girls were wearing duppata on that day from that particular team. I felt so unlucky that in my team we just had boys and nothing else was left with us to increase the length of our chain. Just 5 minutes had passed and we were left with complete 10 minutes in hand. As I was leading my team, I felt helpless because we had no options left.

And all of sudden the instructor started shouting loud “Guys it’s not about resources it’s about possibilities” come on boys, come on girls “it’s not about resources it’s about possibilities”. When he came near our group I told him we have nothing else left to attach and he again told me the same thing “its not about resources you have, it’s about possibilities you can think with the limited resources around you” and with in a minute I understood what he was expecting from us. “A possibility”, immediately I unwound all the handkerchiefs and asked every one in my team to tear their handkerchiefs into thin strips and then start tying these strips. Guess what, it helped us to increase our chain twice the size it was before. But, we were still much behind those 4 long duppatas.

We saw other team members started removing their shirts and attaching it to the chain, but none in my team wanted to do that because of various reasons.

Again the same sounds hits the ear drums “it’s all about possibilities” and guess what immediately after these magical words touched our ears; a member of my team came up with a possibility which was out of this world. He just took a pair of socks and went to a corner and asked us to cover him so no other team can copy his idea. He just pulled a thread out of the socks and the rest was history. That thread started coming out as if it would never stop, and at the end of 15^th minute we had the longest chain ever, "a comprehensive win"!

Those 15 minutes whatever happened that day, altered my way of thinking forever! Now any problem I encounter, I look for possibilities and no more dependent on the resources. Those fifteen minutes taught me to be a part of solutions and not problems.

Guys remember! It is not about resources, it is about possibilities…