Monday, December 16, 2013

Words

Words are not mere words
They're wings of the fantasy birds
Weighing emotions, shaken or stirred
Of a simpleton, poet, geek or a nerd

Sometimes clear, sometimes blurred
They emote the tears well captured
A story that can't be ignored
Or a song that pulls you toward

A glaring jab, that can't be unheard
Or a taunt hurled towards the undeterred
Words are not just words
They can be sharper than the swords

Healing relations that are soured
After attempts first, second or third
The power to have faith restored
To inspire, woo or to be floored

An imagination yet to be explored
For all the situations on board
Initial ideas on the drawing board
Idioms and phrases that can be adored

Words are not just mere words
They are wings of the fantasy birds
Cutting through the shackles and the girds
After all, they are sharper than the swords

Sunday, December 15, 2013

Ego – Ew! Go...

There’s a lesson in everything
As a student, if you are carefully observing
There’s a hidden message in gravity
In success, urging one to stay grounded and display humility

Great icons have demonstrated through their way of life
It is one’s thoughts and actions that rise above the strife
Wise men hardly bothered the way they were clad
They emphasized to stretch a helping hand and make someone glad

Expectations binges one’s self-esteem into obesity
Thrusts actions that can jeopardize one’s dignity
There may be a reason it is called ‘ego’
I can hear myself cry “Ew!” “GO’

Gratitude, in itself, is an attitude
Be unique and establish your own latitude
There’s a lesson in everything you see
There’s so much to learn without a fee

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Let's "Know" the "No"

As kids, When we visit someone and the hosts offer us something to eat/drink, we're taught to say "No" even when we don't really mean it. The hosts are supposed to coax us into accepting it. The host's act has different words in different languages. "Aagrah" in marathi or "upachara" in kannada,
THIS is the real root cause of a chronic problem we have today.
The sad part is, if the host does not coax well, they are also termed as rude and hostile.

Traditionally, we don't know to say a Firm "NO" and also accept and understand a "NO".
There are no variations in a NO.
NO usually means NO - simple.
But we are trained to complicate these things. (What's new?)

This behavioral trait unfortunately manifests itself in all situations as we age.

Add to this the numerous jokes that our family makes during all weddings and/or related functions where they dramatize the way bride and groom meet. This obviously is also glorified enough in our films. Regional and mainstream.

Yet again, the bottom-line is - when a girl says no, we hear success stories encouraging one to go ahead and coax her into saying a yes. The supposed pure intent in the attempt is what matters.

OK, let's look at something else.
The other misunderstood concept we have is the 'sense of humor'.
Most don't know the difference between humor, satire and ridicule.
In the name of humor, many wisecracks say stuff that puts a lot of pressure on the ones that it is directed at. This again happens in schools, colleges, hostels and also at workplaces.

Here too, if someone feels offended and says a NO, who's to understand that?

It's time, as responsible citizens, we try and correct this situation for the coming generations.
At least amongst ourselves. It'll solve a lot of issues on hand. I'm sure I don't need to detail them out here.

Let's know a "No" - Say it, mean it and Zip it!

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

The Party - A Sriks' Short Fiction

As I was getting ready to log off, I saw a red dot on my blackberry screen that announced the arrival of a mail in my mailbox. The blinking red dot has an almost hypnotic effect. You just cannot ignore it, no matter how hard you try to. So I gave up and opened it.

 “Dear Friend,

It’s a pleasure to announce that one of my works has been acknowledged by the Creative Academy as the Best in its category. I take this opportunity to thank you all for your support and encouragement directly or indirectly. These days “Sharing” & “Liking” on Facebook is quite a support that has given quite a few some commercial successes.

In addition to the Thanks, I would also like to throw a party on the forthcoming Saturday for all my well-wishers.
Venue: The Famous Town Park
Time: 05:00 am
Dress Code: Casuals with sports shoes.

Kindly RSVP

Yours truly
Humble achiever”

I checked the keyboard layout on my laptop and also on my blackberry to see if the alphabets “a” and “p” were close enough to miss. They were poles apart on both the devices.

I rubbed my eyes and checked the time again. It indeed read 05:00 am…. and not 05:00 pm.
I was curious to know what kind of a party is held in the morning. I called my friend to confirm. My various attempts to reach her failed. Her phone was either not reachable or was beyond coverage area.

On the said day and time, I hesitantly made it to the venue expecting to be mocked at. But there were signboards giving directions to the party place and a grand banner with something that looked like the Party Theme. 
As I crossed each signboard, I heard the heavy bass from the outdoor speakers. As I went close, the music was clearer. It was not the regular trance or dance numbers I’d heard in the evening parties. The music was foot tapping nevertheless.
So, there was a DJ.
Most of the guests were dressed in athletic attire. Some like me, who do not possess an athletic body, were in loose T-Shirts and track pants, promptly showing off the sports shoes.

I noticed a bar-counter at the other end of the earmarked area. Without my knowledge, my legs started to measure the ground towards the bar. Quite a few guests were queuing up for the drinks. I noticed, there were no refrigerators or coolers, only blenders and a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. This bar served fresh juices and mock-tails blended with a variety of herbs.

There were well-dressed waiters walking around serving “starters” to guests. As I picked up a plate, it was a well-decorated salad.

My eyes were looking for the host. She was happily talking to some of her other guests while her family was busy organizing activities. Like in any regular party, the crowd was split in smaller groups, but here they were either running or walking as they interacted instead of picking a corner for a formal discussion.
I saw a few of them sitting together and doing some basic yoga-äsanas. Some elderly people were engaged in laughter therapy, while the kids were busy running around getting their dose of morning exercise.

Then, as the music changed and as if that was a cue, all the guests gathered and broke into an aerobic jig that looked almost like a well-choreographed dance number.

I was absolutely stunned at what I was witnessing. What a healthy way to celebrate.
I had so many questions racing in my mind.
Why are all parties hosted in the evenings or nights? Why do all the parties serve drinks and foods that are actually detrimental to health? Why do we invite each other over a coffee OR lunch OR dinner and indulge in gluttony?

I was overwhelmed with what I was experiencing.

Will I see more of these in the future? Or even better, will I host my parties around similar themes? Is this a business opportunity in itself?

I finally managed to get hold of the host friend and inquired about her achievements.
She had written a book on “Alternate ways to celebrate a Healthy Life”. That book and the concepts had won her accolades in the literary as well as health conscious circles.

Before I could ask her, she mentioned that this theme party was one of her innovative concepts, coined as “Life of Healthy Interactions”.
That’s when I understood the inviting banner at the entrance that read:

Get high with the ‘Life of Hi’

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Be Unique! Be Yourself

The nerves tight, thoughts racing through, my mind was running full throttle.
The pressure was more than what was intended in the launch pad.
All of a sudden, without the customary countdown, ignition and in the blink of an eye, I was weightless.

Then as the fog cleared, I was flying over the scenic countryside.
The few moments of solitude came to an abrupt end.
I was staring at a queue.

I could see the sun rise from between the two hills.
I could clearly hear the water flowing in the river nearby. I heard the cattle by the well.
But I could not see the "Dream" House by ther river. The house with a door, a window and a chimney. Although I could see the smoke emitting out of it.
I realized, this dream was too overcrowded.

I changed the course and went in a different direction.
En-route, I saw a big crowd looking for something. Later, realized they were all searching for their "Dream-girl"
I thanked myself to be out of that phase of life.

As I wandered further in search of some peace and tranquillity, the crowd got thicker.

It started to sink in. My dreams are not unique anymore.
There are hordes of people dreaming the same thing.

Meanwhile, I could hear a cry from some corner. I changed the coordinates and set off in the direction of the noise.
As I got nearer, the noise got louder and I realized it's not singular.
I thought, maybe the world is in Danger. Aha, time to turn a hero.
Felt a wave of new energy within. I almost tore off my shirt expecting the cape to start flying (if not me).

But I felt a big punch on my face. I was standing in front of this crazy huge guy.
He asked, "Passport and visa please." Until then, I did not realize I was carrying it with me.
Then in a robotic tone, he asked, "What's the purpose of your visit Sir?"
I said, "Hey. You are mistaken. I'm not here to visit your country. I want to save the world"

He punched once again and said in a 'matter of fact' tone.
"You can only dream of coming here to the land of opportunities.
Only after you go through the grind and become a citizen, can you be authorized. It's the 'right to dream' of our citizens to save the world. Not yours"

In the background, the fuel indicator started to sound out the warning alarm. Maybe, it was time to return.

Then I woke up, dismissed the alarm. Got about my morning duties.
And within minutes, I was off to another grinding day at work.

Trying to save my job.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

The Plight of Customer Delight!

The doorman opened the door with a smile doing the customary "namaste" albeit fake. As I stepped inside, a lady dressed in an elegant sari enquired about my well-being. After directing me towards the section where I would be "looked after", she went on to attend another customer. The minute I entered "the section", I was offered a drink. I felt like a prince alright.
Five minutes and three attendants later, I was seated in front of the executive who would attend to a "complaint" about my phone bill.
I'd stepped into a network provider's showroom and not a fancy Hotel.
Mind you, this is after obvious attempts at getting a resolution through their 1800 number call-centre.

We, the "customers" are to be blamed for this appalling situation.
Today, this provider is literally wasting money at creating services to supposedly delight us at activities that is not it's core.
Invariably, for these very delightful services, they will charge us in all direct/indirect ways.
The whole theory of "customer delight being the new customer expectation" is a marketing farce that should STOP and almost immediately.

I want a phone that functions well in all possible areas of the city.
I don't want a low/weak network patches during my commute where the call will most certainly drop.
In the mornings, when we go to a milk-booth or the street-side newspaper vendor, do we expect any sort of frills?
Then why do we fall prey for such gimmicks elsewhere?

What is the need for customer service? Why spend on infrastructure for a call centre?
Why can the companies not focus on giving us a product that does not ask for any customer service?
The same or less money can be "invested" in research and development instead of marketing and service.

I'm not against customer service centres or call centres. They are necessary in some sectors. But they should be limited to those sectors alone.

Remember the old bike ad from the 90s? Fill it; Shut it; Forget it!
I currently dream of a confident product where they say, "Come, Look, Buy and simply refer us to your friends". I'm sure, they don't want us to "Forget" them. :)

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Illusion? Innovation?

Historically, we humans are fascinated when we are fooled, when someone sells us a dream.
We love illusions and love to hallucinate.

We can broadly segment homo-sapiens in two types.
1) Those that create the illusion
2) Those who believe the illusion

There are various ways in which these are sold; Mind you, "sold". We pay for it.
These days, the name of the game is innovation. In fact it's so in the face, yet we choose to look the other way.

There are training programs to teach such "packaging". We encourage our kith and kin to take up such lucrative career options.
Take a quick stock of 5 immediate things around you as you read this. Including the device on which you are reading this.
Please take ten minutes and list out the features they offer and how much do you really need & use?
Startled? Aren't you?

I met a couple with kids in a developed country. One of the spouses was apparently chasing a career to continue to stay in that country.
The other was working to make sure she can pay the baby-sitter to take care of her kids when she was away working. Duh?

In our career span of thirty-five odd years, instead of learning, enjoying and giving our best, we end up chasing a mirage called milestones.
Let's say our goal is to walk 10 miles. Instead of seeing two milestones at 5 miles each, we prefer seeing it every mile 10 times.
So, we feel like we've achieved 10 milestones whereas we've really walked the same 10 miles; Thereby creating an illusion of success.
But along with the illusion of success, we also create a false sense of urgency.

We must remember it's water that quenches thirst and not the glass.
The secret is to see through feeble illusion and focus on the true goal.
Instead of getting lost in glam and glitter along the path.

The antonym of Secret is Knowledge.
But the antonym of Knowledge is not secret, it's ignorance.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Questions?

Where did “questions” originate from? Who discovered or invented “questions”?
What would happen if we did not have “questions”?

For a question is the birth of curiosity. And before we get the answers, what happens in our minds is the birth of imagination.

The effects of questions are valuable and is called knowledge
One of the side effects of questions is imagination.

Somewhere between the ‘question’ and the ‘answer’ lies ‘imagination’.
Either imagination meets reality OR it feeds fiction.

Why? Where? When? What? How?
If one were to categorize or rank the questions, “Why” would be the mother of all questions.
Every other question has a definite answer. But “Why” never has a definite answer.
Go ahead, I encourage you to do this mental exercise before you read on.

My daughter asks this mother of all questions at least 100 times a day.
It sometimes teases our knowledge, invokes imagination and most of the times irritates us.
However, we still encourage her to keep asking this question. Every time we see her take the “Why” route, we can see all the dimensions being covered. Her eyes lights up if she finds an answer. If not, some days down, we realize that unanswered question is now a figment of her imagination.

Do we ask so many questions? Do we fear being judged based on the questions we ask?
The opposite or the other end of the spectrum of not asking questions is called presumption or assumption. Commonly known as making an “ass” out of “u” and “me”.
Now, think about it. Assumption is born out of imagination. It takes the reverse route. If it is not fed well by knowledge, it grows into incorrect answers being passed on. This is neither fiction nor reality. This is probably what is known as the “grey” area.

I'd like to let my life be colourful. I will continue to ask questions.
Will you?

PS: My last question has a definite answer.

Thursday, September 19, 2013

What if?

A certain act when forced without consent is called RAPE
Not just that but any such forced act is ideally a RAPE
The aftereffects are not just physical or emotional
It’s a behavioral flaw that’s infecting generations and is promotional

 
Who decided that one gender is superior to another?
How can you rank the contribution of a father or a mother?
Why beg for mercy from one sect of the society
That is irrational and acts out of anxiety

Think about corruption or the existing system
Isn’t that a violation or a rape of our belief system?
A brutal and blatant display of power
A false sense of being the control tower

What if we prevent them from their illusion?
What if we join them in creating a bigger delusion?
What if we give them the canvas but create our motif?
Think about it. What if?

The root cause is helplessness and resistance
The same act is not a rape if done in acceptance
Maybe an answer lurks behind the dark corners
Maybe, just maybe, it’s time we stop being lame mourners

Monday, September 16, 2013

Believe in Thyself

O creature of blood and flesh
With a heart to purify and keep it fresh

Stacked up with a pack of bones
Strong enough to lift and sculpt stones

O holder of an effective yet simple digestive system
Why do thou fall prey and love being called a victim?

Thou art the creator of life and thou art the destroyer too
Is it then a convenient blame game on you know “who”?

What role does a religion have in today’s world?
Where bombs and bullets are being hurled

Every holy book interestingly preaches peace
Is that but a fleece?

O Possessor of an extraordinary intellectual mesh
Creator and re-creator of situations afresh

How can thou claim victory in any war?
By drawing lines and amidst cries of abhor

When thou can’t control a slimy tongue or your own emotions
How can thou claim control on nations and such deceived notions?

Thou can digest junk, thou can digest deceit
Thou can digest the entire generation being uncouth

Thou can control and achieve every feat
Only when thou shalt digest the simple yet long prevailing truth

O creature of blood and flesh

When there’s still some time, please refresh!

Saturday, August 31, 2013

The Whole “Model” Theory

A casual weekend coffee conversation with my wife reminded me of a very interesting tête-à-tête I’d come across during my train travel days in Mumbai. The actors were two young boys, hardly out of college. One of them was bragging about his corporate knowledge through all the corrupt practices and how he can read through certain decisions made by the then famous conglomerates.
The other friend, obviously bewildered asked him out of curiosity, “How do you know all this?”
The friend blurted in an “as a matter of fact” tone, “My father’s a judge in corporate law”.
To this, the other guy retorted by saying, “So is my boss. He judges everyone in an instant”.

This exchange, I’d heard almost a decade ago, stands true even today. Not just our bosses, almost everyone, including us have become a “Judge” in our own way. We pass our judgments at every possible occasion. Right from the decisions taken by a cricket captain, to the policies (whatever meager) that are being doled out of the parliament; From the severity of a punishment to a random driver overtaking us on a busy road.

The point is we’re judged as much as we judge. There are many behavior patterns associated with this seemingly normal practice. It starts to hurt when these precarious judgments finds it's way in our decisions.

Data point collection is one thing. Profiling is another. But mixing this with our value system to form an opinion is where it gets dangerous. I’m saying this because to each, his value system is what is CORRECT. Obviously, that’s why one follows it.

This disturbing act has firmly found its footing in our sub-conscious mind. And when we act, there is some part of our brains, trying to process this exact thing from other people’s perspective. The people whom we “think” we know. The objective is to ensure our act is appreciated and that somehow we become a role model. I know of many people who live a strenuous life battling this behavior.

Let’s take GOD as our example. Here, I mean the God of Cricket, Sachin Tendulkar. When he first played against Pakistan at the age of sixteen, he was not carrying a burden. He was out there to do what he enjoyed the most. The more he scored, the more the pressure built. And what is this pressure? It’s the pressure of being a role model, not just in cricket but in all aspects of life. Every little detail of his (for that matter any public figure’s) life gets discussed and judgments are passed on. We may well remember these conversations ourselves, e.g., his marriage to a lady elder to him, his choice of endorsements; his supposed hunger for creating records and finally to his retirement. He was no more enjoying playing cricket but was under severe pressure of being judged by everyone around. We all go through this, albeit with a lower intensity.

Ever wondered why superheroes have an alter ego?

Roelant Oltmans, the interim coach for the Indian Hockey team told his team, “If you feel the pressure, give it to me. I will take it. You just play hockey”. I guess he re-iterated something so basic, that mankind has forgotten. We all need to simply give our pressures to our respective faith (God, Allah, Bhagwaan or ourselves) and focus on ENJOYING LIFE.

I’ve begun this journey. Without judging me, will you join me?

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Don't get carried away. Think - Simple Solutions!

Good morning, you’ve lost 130 strands of hair yesterday. You’ve eaten 1200 calories more than you can digest; forget about your weight-loss targets. Your attempt at singing at a party last night was the most embarrassing thing you could’ve attempted. You spent ₹750 more on an item you purchased yesterday. You could’ve bought it cheaper at X Y Z stores.
Flip
Someone in your neighbourhood was robbed of his life savings.
Flip Flip Flip
Your savings bank account is yielding lesser interest than what your father earned through fixed deposits. You could buy two movie tickets, two popcorns and two colas for ₹500 until last week. Today, you can buy only one each. Forget about a date. Enjoy movies alone.

Imagine being told such things about you and your personal life every morning. How would you feel? What would you do about it after being hammered like this day after day?
But that’s what we all see / read about our city and nation every morning in the news (paper or channel).
It is a proven scientific experiment that if you talk positively to a plant, it accelerates the plant’s growth and produce. Similarly, the plants die if you talk negatively to them.
We are humans. How can we handle so much cynicism being injected into our lives? Awareness is one thing but tabling issues without solutions is dishing out a half-baked pie. It is injurious to health.

In my corporate experience, whenever we setup a process, the first thing we worry about is reviewing and reporting to ensure success and getting back to track if at all we get lost mid-way. There are dashboards created for senior management levels to ensure all departments are working the way they are expected to and that all resources are optimally utilized. Managers have their reports to ensure process efficiency is maintained.

There lies an answer, a simple solution to all this reported mayhem.  The newspapers / news channels, instead of only reporting such depressing events, should focus on reviewing and reporting for the voters. The first page should present the daily dashboards vis-á-vis the targets that were set out. This could be done for all important portfolios including administrative, finance and local police.
e.g., what were the Top 5 promises during elections? What was the given deadline & budget? What is the status and at what cost? Once, the Top 5 are brought to a proper conclusion, move to the next 5 and so on...

Instead of telling the public, in the form of articles, let this be hammered as a dashboard with a rating mechanism on the “Public Servants”. These dashboards should be made mandatory in all newspapers, national and local; English and Vernacular. This is bound to put pressure on them to perform instead of putting pressure on the public to keep questioning them through different acts etc.
Today, there is no measuring mechanism. Each political party simply brags without validation.

We as a nation, I believe, waste a lot of time in writing rules and laws without knowing how to implement them. When we know historically, none of the laws are as effective as they are meant to be.
Yet again, the solutions are simple. Because of too much detailing, most of the times, we miss the goal.

In his campaign, President Obama said “Yes We CAN”
For us Indians, the slogan I can think of is “There’s nothing we CAN’T”!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Air, Blood & Friends

As a child, apart from our parents, we learn a lot from FRIENDS
The cushion, between doting parents and demanding relatives, is FRIENDS

All our “coming of age” discussions is with FRIENDS
When we have our first crush, we have to share it with FRIENDS

When we “THINK”, we’re in love, to get a smack on our head, we need FRIENDS
Despite the smack, during our first HEARTBREAK, the shoulders belong to FRIENDS

For petty loans, the first call goes to our FRIENDS
Suggestions for complex situations come from our FRIENDS

To enrich our thoughts, to make us smile and to irritate us, we need FRIENDS
Friends need us too, like we need, albeit a few good FRIENDS

So, FRIENDSHIP DAY or otherwise, while we think of all our FRIENDS
Let’s also take a moment to reflect – who we’ve been GOOD FRIENDS to.

HAPPY FRIENDSHIP DAY!

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Happy Independence

At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. – said Jawaharlal Nehru, our then Prime Minister. Little did he realize that these words would be prophetic in a way.

66 years down, when the world sleeps, India is still awake to life but not to freedom, but for working away in the night shift for some other country, some other economy. Getting trained to ensure they get the best “Service” grossly neglecting the needs of our own country, our own brethren. And mind you, this is now also hurting their economy, badly.

We will soon be celebrating (or at least pretend to celebrate) our 67th Independence Day.  So let’s delve in understanding the true meaning of independence. Not at a political level, but in our day-to-day lives.

In the morning, we’re dependent on the alarm clock to wake us up.
We’re depending on the electricity to heat the water for a nice shower.
We depend on the water board to ensure we have water in our taps.
You’re getting the gist. These days, we’re blissfully dependent on Facebook to remind us of our “Friends’” birthdays.

Ok jokes apart, as a system, we’ve ensured we all stay dependent on each other; Family, society, community, etc. The fear of failure and the fact that we might need someone else’s help at sometime, makes us a slave to “their” expectations.

There are answers in other cultures, not in totality but if we get the essence, maybe. Let’s look at one such observation. 
In the western culture, parents ensure the kids are independent and that they fend for themselves once they turn 18 (16 in some countries). Parenting and education system will need to undergo a paradigm shift. We don't need to blindly ape it but tweak it in a meaningful way and adapt.
By the way, this is what nature’s taught us and keeps teaching. However, if any parent were to do that here, they would be brandished irresponsible and selfish. Apologize if I’m being judgemental here. After all, I’m a part of this system.

We feed dependence and the thought of freedom gives us the jitters. I’m not saying, this is the answer to our problems. But it’s time we change, one baby step at a time (pun intended).
I don’t want to list them but I’ll let you think of how we behave with our people (friends and family). Think of all the situations where you’ve felt really truly independent. I bet you can’t. Even if you do think of one such situation, it will hit you with a sense of guilt too.

Also, think of all the situations where you’ve thought maybe if you let loose, one of your kith and kin might get out of your “Control”. This is extended to our workplace as well, whatever the career/industry is. We proudly do that in the guise of responsibility.

Despite having a mass (population), despite having the push (ability), we’re unable to gather momentum / velocity for growth.  Be it in sports, be it in entrepreneurial skills or in design and innovation.
Countless historic events and personalities have all shown us, if we take adversity in our stride with determination and a rock solid attitude, we can rise like a phoenix from the ashes. We all see and smell the ashes. It’s time we all beat our wings together, break away from the shackles of old school thoughts, add to the knowledge and culture and truly rise like a phoenix.

Let’s attempt to breathe independence and freedom in its true form.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

The Digital Way of Life

I don’t have a TV at home. You read it right. I don’t have a TV – period.
I stopped watching TV about 10 years ago. When she was not my wife yet, she was an avid viewer.  But then marriage happened and she had to quit watching, simply because I did not own a TV.

Seven years down the line, we are glad and extremely proud of that fact. We really have a lot of time on hand for each other.
We actually end up LISTENING to each other. (While my wife may disagree, coz I keep getting sucked by this virus commonly known as Blackberry).
As parents, we could not take the easy escape route of putting our daughter in front of the TV with some food and go about doing our things. We actually spent time with her. Talking to her and engaging with her at every step. It has yielded amazing results.
However, we’ve ensured she’s not “left out” in conversations while she is with her friends. She does get her daily dose of edutainment and introduction to all famous kid characters either through downloaded material or YouTube®.

This has also helped us develop our hobbies. For example, the habit of reading and that habit is indirectly inculcated in our daughter as well.

Newspapers and internet ensures that we are updated on all the current affairs and events. There is no dearth of information in today’s digital world.

While we may all be mildly addicted to the social media like Facebook and Twitter on our gadgets, I realized it actually helps us interact with people, who we would not have thought of in years.
Meanwhile, we do physically meet all the close friends and relatives and interact outside of Facebook too. And when we meet, there’s no distraction in the form of a TV.

For the kind of lifestyle we have, with more number of hours spent in the office, it helps to have each other’s complete attention when at home.

Well, as for work-life balance, my wife has put down certain basic rules.
This may be radical to some orthodox minds. If I reach home early, I get my cup of coffee served. If I’m late, I’ve got to fix (thankfully not cook) my own dinner. Obviously coffee’s gone – assuming that I’d have had it while sitting in late at work anyway.
Sadly, I’m completely used to the second situation these days.

So, the next time you see me with coffee at work, you know why. J

Although the way of life has changed through centuries, the number of hours in a day has not. In the past few decades, the change in life-style has occurred at a break-neck speed. We better adapt in a way that is best suitable to us.
Let’s try and ensure we all have a LIFE and not just STYLE.

Let’s value Time – Ours and others’ too.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

It's OUR Choice

Let’s draw the line
                    

A small village with a few communities living together
In touch with nature and purity in their thoughts
A system that enabled them to carry-out their day-to-day tasks
With respect to each other that defined a quality of life

Along came a passerby from a nearby city
Suggested a few changes and taught them to frown
Sold them an elusive dream
Of comfort & facilities that could bring their efforts down

Soon comparison and competition had found its roots
The focus shifted from quality to style
Deadlines defined the action and subsequent reaction
And suddenly everyone had forgotten to smile

As we read through a daily newspaper
The first few pages showcase political battles
The next few will highlight the corporate battles
Finally sporting all related corruption and dope that rattles

There’s speed in delivering the information
Without a user guide to know it’s application
Did we need the information in the first place?
OR continue to be overloaded to asphyxiation

Being pushed in the race or living life at our pace
Quality, style or quite simply a smile on the face
Whether we frown, yearn or rejoice

Life has always been a matter of OUR choice

Saturday, June 15, 2013

The seed is sown

15th June 2013 - Idea(s) finally taking shape. And the seed is sown.
 
For the Seed is now sown
                              ~ Srikant R Rao
A drop landed, on a barren land
It was destined to kiss the frozen sand
 
A new emotion was experienced
Transformation in some form had commenced
 
Winds of change brought in a few more droplets
The tides had begun to find new rivulets
 
Amidst the chaos, a germ of an idea had grown
Through cross-pollination, a seed is now sown
 
A path revealed for a journey unknown
The Caravan WILL grow; coz the seed is now sown

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Seven Years of Awesomeness with my Wife


To the meaning of my existence - To My Life
                                                                                             ~ Srikant R Rao

It took all of seven minutes to make up my mind
Immersed in your eyes; lost myself to an immortal bind

Such honesty and simplicity which was impossible to find
Twas unbelievable, to me, life was so kind.

(Saptapadi)
Seven are the steps to matrimony 
For us to align with ourselves and the universe in harmony

(Saat samundar)
Seven are the seas of the world
1st year of our marriage, turbulences unfurled

(Saptagiri)
Seven are the mountains of fame 
Although an uphill task, our arguments grew frivolous and excuses lame

(Satrang)
Seven are the colurs so bright
We received a courier, at the end of the tunnel, there was light

(Saptasur)
Seven are the musical notes
She played with such fervour, reinforced, hope floats

(Saptarishi)
Seven are the stars in the constellation
Our lives aligned, moving in fluidic motion

(Saat janm)
Seven are the sacred lives as mentioned in the legend 
To savour every moment with you alone, all rules, I shall break and bend

It’ll take all of seven seconds for me to re-establish
My vows, my faith and my love, on you, to embellish

Such honesty and simplicity which is still impossible to find
It is still unbelievable, to me, life is so kind.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Random Thoughts


Strictly (R)* Rated.

Sometimes there are so many random thoughts that keep imploding, it is almost impossible to put them in a single bouquet and make any sense of it. Yet, they are thoughts, powerful thoughts.

Each incident that occurs in front of you is a data point. A lot of data assimilation happens but at the same time, there is some serious processing that happens inside which is trying to place it in some compartment of profiling, eventually leading to some distorted judgment (sometimes known as perception), which we assume is near perfect. However, the results of such a processing get better only with time (also loosely known as experience).

And yet again, there are times when there is no data collection but what we assume to be introspection. And in one such exercise, I stumbled upon this concept of contentment against ambition. Is it not true that both these words are very dangerous? I’m saying this because I know that contentment and ambition are often age related. You are expected to be ambitious when young and as you grow old, you are then expected to be content.

There is a thin line between contentment and laziness. Same is the case with ambition and greed.
One incorrect feed to someone’s data-point, and the conclusion can be damaging.

But should we bother, is the question. Mind you, I’m equally a part of this warped game. But at least I realize this. While my sub-conscious mind is active and extremely busy, I make a conscious effort to not let this processing cloud my actions and reactions. It’s just an honest attempt though. I may falter.

In another plane of thought, we live our lives alright, but for whom? We believe we are living a life for someone else – For our friends, kith and kin, for our colleagues, for our bosses or more so, for our organization. We always strive for some time with ourselves to do things we really enjoy doing.
And while we are juggling to meet everyone’s expectations, from mortgage payments to extended hours at work to kid’s education to an unexpected travel etc., we are continually blamed of being selfish and irresponsible.

As you can see, how these random thoughts have been wreaking havoc in my tiny almost non-existent brain. I still am yet to find any answers.

The only conclusion (to all the processing of data points) is that there is just too much information out there. Most of it is useless. We must train our processors to filter better. Else, our system will freeze.

PS: I now know why they call it the “Breaking News”. After all, the information is so brittle with absolutely no shelf life and no value adds to our day-to-day lives. Actually THINK about it. NEWS is better BROKEN before it FALLS on our ears.



*(R) here stands for RANDOM.

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Sriks on Chennai L!ve 104.8FM (Chennai)

Hey everyone,

This was the first time I was on Air (104.8FM) Chennai L!ve.
I was invited to be a part of the discussion panel on a program called "You're Hired".
Moderated by renowned NDTV (ex) journalist Sanjay Pinto.
The RJ for the hour was Chennai's very own bubbly Sanobar Sultana (better known as Sano).

I was joined by the following fellow participants:
1) Kiran Guntunr (Asst. GM, AGS Healthcare)
2) Ramesh (Sr. Manager, Maveric Consultants)
3) Joshua Madan (Director, Covenant Media)

You can listen to the full program below:

https://soundcloud.com/sriks-who-else/sriks-on-chennai-live-full
 

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Happy 64th Republic Day

उम्मीद पे दुनिया क़ायम
                     
                       ~ Sriks (Who else?)


निराशाजनक अखबारों कि सुर्ख़ियों से
न अग्न्यनों के मुरकियों से
अंधे कानून से
न सड़कों पर घूमनेवाले दरिंदों से

आतंकवादियों से
न पढ़े लिखे मति-बंद इंसानों से
मूर्ख नेताओं कि विशेष टिप्पणियों से
न नपुंसक गठ-बंदी सरकार से

ग़रीबी, भुकमरी या बेरोज़गारी से
न घंटों बिजली की कटौती से
हमें गिला है न शिकवा है
इन् गैरों से जो लगते तो हैं अपने से

नाराजगी तो है हमें खुद से
और हम जैसे भावुक और उत्तेजित बहनों और भाइयों से
अपने आप को असहाय या असमर्थ समझ
नाराजगी है इस नासूर व्यवस्था को केवल कोसने से

सीना ठोक औरों को बदलने चल पड़े
खुद के गिरेबां में झाँकने से पहले
इस महान देश कि व्यवस्था बदलने चल पड़े
रोजमर्रे की ज़िन्दगी में या अपनी सोच में लाने से पहले

चलो, पहले छुपाये जाने वाली हर बात को उछालने से
जनता में जागरूकता की एक लहर तो चल पड़ी
गहरी नींद से जागने के संकेत पे और सुबह कि धुंद से
उम्मीद कि एक किरण तो निकल पड़ी

इसी उम्मीद पे और अपने देश के असली संस्कारों के भरोसे
आप सभी को इस चौसंठ्वा गणतंत्र दिवस की हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं!!!