So I Quit...

I quit my job this week, the very day I set my foot in Bangalore from my vacation. It was a little difficult since two more people also resigned with me on the same day with me, hence it certainly is a huge blow to my project.

Now my days are getting busier than ever. Conducting interviews to find our replacements. I am also trying to pull in some of my friends into the project. The times had been bad, and now that I have the power, I want to pull in some of my friends who have seen bad times in the last few months. I wish I could do something for Bhai though...**sigh**

So I would be on another payroll early next month. I am happy, will be happier if my friend gets through for my replacement coming Friday, and would be happiest if Bhai strikes gold.
God please gimme this news that we have been waiting for since months, I promise I wouldn't ask for anything else...ahem...at least for one year.

BACK FROM SASURAL

I am back from my SASURAL this morning...The experience wasn't half as bad I thought it would be. I was pretty much at ease and everyone treated me in a very loving and caring way. The biggest compliment I received was I seemed less like a BAHU and more like a daughter to everyone...it can't get better than this!!! The only issue was the weather which was horrible, I kept sweating like a pig, which took away most of the fun in the trip. If they say Kashmir is the heaven on Earth, then for sure Andhra is the hell on earth during summers. It was sooooo bloody hot, I feel the temperature rising even while thinking about it.

With my in laws, I get to taste the flavor of joint families, a concept very alien to me since we are a nuclear family back home. I like the way elders invite you home and treat you, I like the lighthearted relationship the DEVARS and BHABHIS share, I like the way cousins care for each other, pull each others legs, exchange gifts on occasions and hang out at places...and yeah gamble. You heard that right, we had a game of cards with some similar aged cousins, which was a proper gambling and lasted almost till the middle of the night. Db lost a good 120 rupees I gained almost fifly.

I visited a place called GUPTESHWAR with my family, one of the oldest Shiva temples, which was a great experience. An entire post coming up on that soon.

And yeah...not without worries.
Db's native is a small town, and his relatives not very competent with the fast growing generation. But a few kids including Db, have managed to break free from the circle and have been able to make it big in the bigger cities.
But as they say Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers...
Not everyone has the the ability to sail smooth when they take this huge leap from a small town to the fast moving metros...I see so many young people going in wrong directions and getting into things which they cannot handle, in the pretext of being a part of the smarter generation in question. Not that this is the first time that I see them, I have come across a lot of such people and also closely witnessed their plight when the time of self realization comes for them. That's the reason why I have always called them the confused generation.

And the worst part is, you can't do a thing to bail them out. Somehow they dismiss you as a older generation who don't understand their lifestyle, they have developed a mid-your-own-business kinda attitude and to make things worse then don't realize that what they are getting into and they might not be able to handle the consequences.
So you are left with nothing but just wait and watch till they realize their mistakes. And the person in question here is actually someone who might have to pay a hefty price for what she's got into...

I wish she comes out of things in the best possible way and with minimum damage done.
Yeah I do care for her and wish I could help her...but for that matter I have never been able to help anybody who was ever in her shoes...
**sigh**

SATYAM BREAKS EVEN

Finally Satyam stock shows up green for us.
Today the Satyam has hit the upper circuit second time in a row...gaining over 10 percent the second time.

This was our loss percentage with Satyam dated 18th May 2009...

This is the one today...

And if experts are to be believed, the share value of Satyam is expected to go up to 100 soon.

Update 11th June :
Satyam breaks the upper circuit yet again...

I AM PLEASANTLY SURPRISED

I am at Db's office today.

On a weekend!!!!, as you might ask. Well...he was working, so I thought I will give him company and will get to see his office too. I always considered his office work culture to be a lot different than what I have normally seen. It’s a smaller firm with a strength of only 200 across Bangalore.

I have always worked for big companies, and branded clients like metLife, New York Times and JPMorgan Chase. Big brands have big policies and big headaches. For instance, I have never known to use yahoo talk and GTalk in office. In my current account, I cant use web mail either. I want to download I.E 1.8 and Google Chrome, to get a hand on the new software, but I can’t download them without the approval from my manager and the networking fellas. Downloading any freeware, mp3, songs, watching youTube, using webmails is all prohibited by my client and my employer. The cab I use, the tea/coffee I drink is all billed to my client. So my employer provides me with limited facilities so that they don’t have to produce never ending bills to their clients. Off late since we have seen the market going down after Lehman brothers and Merrill Lynch have filed for bankruptcy, I have even found toilet tissues disappearing :)

Now I am here since morning and this place has been constantly shocking me.

I am sitting in the ODC(Offshore Development Center) next to Db, blogging on his laptop while he is in talk with some team member, and all I had to do is sign in the Visitor’s Register, I am taken aback at the trust the company has on its employees here.

I look around and find that I have ready access to all the company resources(I just used the scanner) unlike my employer, who allows vistors only till the reception.

I moved to the pantry, I saw all kind of fresh juices, tea, coffee, milk, cornflakes, bread, Jam, soup, Cheese slices, butter, biscuits and whatnot lying just like that, unlike my workplace where you get a limited no. of tea/coffee cups per month, horrible food for lunch and nothing except water is free. I am amazed, to what level this company pampers its employees.

The cleaning guys here are quite friendly and don’t give that why-are-you-here kind of look.

People here don’t have cubicles, they just sit together in one stretch of a table, including all managers who are given no special rooms or dedicated phone lines, and everyone is at par. They ensure equality for all.

I also found sanitary napkins provided at the ladies restroom, not those cheap, tacky ones, but the hygienic and the most costly ones. These guys sure have an eye for the employee convenience and hygiene. The fact that the napkins are costlier ones only proves that they actually respect and care for the employees and don’t do things just for the sake of doing it.

There is a guitar, a basket ball and some little soft toys around to give you the feel at home kinda mood. I really wish somebody would pick up the guitar and play something here as Db says does happen here at times.

There is a pack of facial tissues, a huge pen stand with all necessary stuff that you might need. These are very little things, and I don’t think they need a lot of money to get them, but they do make the employees feel they are special to the firm and does add on to the employee satisfaction.

I guess that’s the advantage of working in small companies. You are as important to the company, as the company is to you. The feeling is quite mutual. I big companies, you are one of the tens of thousands of people, who cannot be given any special treatment, who cannot be trusted and cannot be pampered.

No wonder, they say TW is an incredible place to work.

हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती

Man!!! I had been looking for this since long...

हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती,
लहरों से डरकर नौका पार नहीं होती|

नन्ही चींटी जब दाना लेकर चलती है,
चढती दीवारों पर सौ बार फिसलती है,
मन का विश्वास रगों में साहस भरता है,
चढकर गिरना, गिरकर चढना ना अखरता है,
मेहनत उसकी बेकार हर बार नहीं होती,
कोशिश करने वालों की हार नहीं होती|

डुबकियां सिंधु में गोताखोर लगाता है,
जा जाकर खाली हाथ लॉट आता है,
मिलते ना सहज ही मोती पानी में,
बढता दूना उत्साह इसी हैरानी में,
मुट्ठी उसकी खाली हरबार नहीं होती,
हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती|

असफलता एक चुनौती है स्वीकार करो,
क्या कमी रह गयी देखो और सुधार करो,
जब तक ना सफल हो नींद चैन की त्यागो तुम,
संघर्ष करो मैदान छोड़ मत भागो तुम,
कुछ किये बिना ही जयजयकार नहीं होती,
हिम्मत करने वालों की हार नहीं होती|

-सूर्यकांत त्रिपाठी निराला

RIGHTS are RIGHT???

This weekend I was watching a program on the TV, where in the hosts of the show moved across the city of Bangalore trying to find out if the youngsters knew what were their fundamental rights as Indians. I was shocking to find that they actually did not know. I tried to recall, I think I remembered only three: right to freedom of speech, expression, religion and peaceful mass gathering. I was hell bent that I would not google it and try to remember them on my own, I tried for two days but failed to remember anymore than the ones I listed.

I read the wikipedia here which doesn’t include any of the three except the right to freedom of religion. It says all three have been included under one called right to freedom. Bad, at least I should have known this being the educated mass of India. Shame shame shame!!!

There were some interesting questions too, like given a chance, which right would you like to add to the constitution. There were real whacky answers. Many of them said there has to be a right to party late night without parental interference…can you believe this!!!
But the one I loved the most was…the right to freedom of PDA. For people who don’t understand this…PDA is Public Display of Affection. Sometime or the other, you must have caught some young couple getting cozy, or smooching in a park or other places…yeah that one!!! Youngsters want it to be fundamental right. I wonder our ancestors must be turning in their graves :).

I would love to remove one desperately, the right to peaceful mass gathering. Because the right of one should no become inconvenience to another. Almost everyday for some or the other reasons, there is a group of people protesting on the road that goes to my office. It takes me fifteen minutes to cross the road which otherwise would take less than 2-3 minutes. I genuinely believe, for gathering in a public place, there should be some kind of permit required, so that people don’t gather here and there for any damn reasons causing inconvenience to hundreds of others.

I am not sure which one would I like to add though, yeah, may be one. Yes, I would like to add another provision to the right against exploitation, right against getting exploited by auto/taxi drivers who refuse to run on meters :).

PROUD TO BE A BITCH

When I stand up for myself and my beliefs, they call me a bitch.
When I stand up for those I love, they call me a bitch.
When I speak my mind, think my own thoughts or do things my own way, they call me a bitch.

Being a bitch means I won't compromise what's in my heart.
It means I live my life MY way.
It means I won't allow anyone to step on me.

When I refuse to tolerate injustice and speak against it, I amdefined as a bitch.
The same thing happens when I take time for myself instead of being everyone's maid, or when I act a little selfish.

It means I have the courage and strength to allow myself to be who Itruly am and won't become anyone else's idea of what they think I "should" be.
I am outspoken, opinionated and determined. I want what I want and there is nothing wrong with that!

So try to stamp on me, try to douse my inner flame, try to squash every ounce of beauty I hold within me.
You won't succeed.

And if that makes me a bitch , so be it.
I embrace the title and am proud to bear it.
-------------------------
no, i didn't write that. was forwarded to me by a fellow bitch. but yeah, i do like it. THAT is why it's here.

The nation grows with me…and I have a hand in it.

It’s about the pre Christmas evening. I was out with my fiancée and few of his friends. Suddenly I found a Toyota Innova cross past us and then it suddenly lost balance and tilted off. We rushed to its rescue only to find that the vehicle had landed into a manhole. I don’t blame the driver…the manhole was almost in the middle of the road and just at the mouth of the turning, it was some 4 X 2.5 inches in measurement…good enough for a bike to almost get lost inside…luckily it was a four wheeler and even better that it was a big one. That road is supposed to be one of the busiest roads in Bangalore, and the fact that it was pre Christmas evening makes the crowd even worse. Having an open manhole at that point of time is like inviting accidents. Who takes the responsibility if someone falls into it and gets hurt or killed? All it takes is just a few inches column in the local newspaper and a few convenient apologies.

The point that I am trying to make is…we as law abiding citizens, pay our taxes to the civic services, which are also meant for the maintenance of the roads, cleanliness of the city and hygienic environment to live in. if these things do not happen, i.e. the municipality doesn’t perform their duties which they are entitled to, its like paying someone his salary irrespective of the fact that whether he works or not. So I am trying to figure out here what is the problem with these government workers. Why do we have this broken system? I can see three major problems:

1. Job that last till retirement
2. No transparency, no accountability
3. And a sure shot paycheck irrespective of whether you work or not

We are paying for this big tamasha for 50 lacks, which is 0.00078125% of 64000 crores, i.e. the money which goes to the social sector…and we award 64000 crores and more to this monster called the “broken delivery system” of the Indian Government … without a whimper, without a debate, without anyone asking “what will we get in return”? All answer that we have is…”This is India yaar!!”. It’s high time that we, as citizens at least realize our responsibilities, because our own money is getting gobbled off by the government under the name of one scheme or the other.

How I wish to see a war-less world, a caste-less society, a race-less civilization, malice-less neighbors, self-less taxpayers, dowry-less marriages, non-chauvinistic society etc. But as I always say…I would love to change the world, but they won’t give me the source code. But that never means, that I close my eyes and start believing that that’s how the world is. I need to do my bit at least. India would grow, but each one of us needs to have our hand in it…it would never happen in a day…nor would you being the most ideal Indian, make a difference to the nation…but it needs to start somewhere. So the next time, do not throw garbage on streets, obey traffic rules, stop practicing the baseless rules set by our ancestors which don’t allow you to grow rather pulls you back, fight for your rights and do your duties. When each one of us grows, I am sure there is no stopping for the country.

We...the literate herd of India...

And how often have I heard this…Politics is a pot-hole.

But I have a question here. Even if it is a pothole, how many of us are willing to take up the responsibility to clean this pot hole…none actually. And why…because we don’t want to soil our hands or because we simply don’t care.
People like us are more concerned about their monthly paycheck and yearly appraisals and onsite assignments than being bothered by the Indian politics. How many of us actually know the stories behind the operation Blue star in 1984 and the consequences of the riots in Gujarat in 2003. Thousands of people die every year due to these communal riots which are normally planned and guided by the ruling parties…the same people whom we elect as our representatives to rule our country. I keep coming across so many people who keep blaming Indian politics, conveniently predicting that this country is headed to be doomed. But tell me how many of, we so called educated people, are actually willing to do something about it. Forget being a part of this political pot hole, how many of us use our voting rights…very very few in fact.

Talking about politics in the South, here we are lead by Karunanidhi vs JayLalitha. Karunanidhi, who has been appointed as the CM of TN five times already. Politics in TN has been a paradox. The absence of political debate can be clearly seen in the election campaign of 2006, which was predominantly based on the fight that who could bribe the voters more outrageously. Karunanidhi won with his promise of providing color televisions for all households and rice at the rate of Rs 2 per kilo.
This kind of politics is encouraged since very few of the so called educated mass take part in the elections and the non-educated mass can be easily wooed by such temptations. And the worst part is, this bribe was given from the government treasure, i.e. the money the middle class pays as taxes to the government…which is expected to be spent on the benefits of the citizen of India and not for the hopeless politicians to bribe people for votes.
Where as in Bihar we have Laloo and Rabri, who need no mention.
As I know from history, the kings who ruled India, the power came with heredity. The king when dies, his son would take over the dynasty and it went on for generations. Things look no different to me in the democratic India. All politicians children are also politicians. Motilal Nehru, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and now Rahul Gandhi have all become presidents of Congress Party- consistently for five generations. Rahul Gandhi is now slated to become Prime Minister of India, no questions asked.

Being a part of the literate herd of India, are we doing our duties towards our country…if not, what rights have we got to blame the politicians if they don’t to their bit. The fact is, even we as the citizens of India are running away from our responsibilities and find it so convenient to put the blame on the system. As long as, we, the educated mass of India are not going to take a stand, the situation would never improve and most certainly this country is going for a toss. 10-15 years down the line, we would all be managers in our respective MNC’s, we would have earned enough dollars, we would have married the man of our dreams, have a dream house far from the city traffic which would have a luxurious terrace, where would be conveniently reading the morning newspaper with a hot cup of tea and cribbing…”THIS COUNTRY IS GOING NOWHERE…”. You bet!!!!

Emotions vs Logic....

The other day I ran into a discussion with one of my teammates as in…What is God for you? How do you see God?

I know so many people who look for God in their prayers, temples, fasting and so on. When my friends see me not praying, not visiting temples and not fasting, they conveniently categorize me an atheist. I am not here to question the existence of God, so I am a huge believer in God, where I differ is the way I see him. I see him as a faith, I see him as a belief that someone is there to take care of me and whatever is happening is happening for good, a fence that divides right from wrong, a fear that someone is watching, which stops me when I do wrong, and an encouragement to do good. He is in no Temple, no prayers, no fasting…he is within me, my faith, my belief, my fear, my encouragement, my CONSCIENCE and I worship them all and that’s God for me.

So is God the holy figure with a halo on his head sitting somewhere in the sky on a lotus flower with a rat or frog or swan as his bearer? Is he the Lord Vishnu who in his “Vamana Avatar” measured the earth and heaven in two strides? Or is it Lord Rama who is believed to have made the “Rama Sethu” with a battalion of monkeys?

Can we dismiss “Vamana Avatar” by saying that it’s difficult to believe that a man could step on entire earth and heaven on one foot? It is easier to believe that Narsimha, the incarnation of Vishnu never existed because it is hard to believe that a man could actually take the shape of a lion. Nobody actually asserts that the “Asuras” and “Devas” actually churned the sea using a mountain and a snake with a tortoise as a base to get “Amruta”. Also there is no proof of Lord Rama’s existence. He is said to have existed in the Treta Yuga which is some 1.75 million years ago when Homo Sapiens(Humans) were not supposed to be existing on the planet. At that time there existed Proto Humans whose brain size was much smaller to ours and you could categorize them into apes.

But we Hindus tend to believe that our epics are science in itself. And in a country like India is, we cannot dare challenge this science. There are certain believes that our forefathers carried and in they are still being carried till date without any scientific backbone behind. The caste system for example, there were major 4 castes based on the roles they played in the society then....the Brahmans , the Khastriya, the Vaysa and the Sudras. The Brahmans were into Puja Patha and lived on alms, Khastriya were the rulers and warriors, Vaysas were the traders and Sudras were the untouchables who were supposed to do mean jobs. But I see no Brahmans doing religious rituals these days, no Khastriyas fighting with a sword in hand, Vyasas and Sudras are going places with the kind of reservations that our generous government has provided them. So basing on today’s scenario why can’t we redefine our caste system basing on the roles we play in the society today…lets divide ourselves as Software Engineers, Doctors, Bankers, Army Men, Business Men and so on. Why carry the burden of the earlier caste system that doesn’t exist today. It doesn’t help you any way, just helps the politicians to give mouthwatering reservation quotas to the so called backward classes and the reservations seems to increase by each election.

I am not here to question the existence of God or caste system. The point I am trying to make is why are we still following those things which hold no scientific backbone. Why do we have to carry those things which pull us backward and not let us move ahead or grow in life? Why aren’t we open to logic? Don’t you think its high time now?

Actor Sanjay Dutt sent to 6 years in jail

TADA special judge P D Kode on 2nd August sentenced the Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt to six years of rigorous imprisonment under the Arms Act for illegal possession of weapons that were given to him by associates of gangster Dawood Ibrahim ahead of the 1993 serial blasts.

I honestly do believe this was a fair and balanced judgment.
Sanjay's well-wishers may lament and mull, but the law - Sec 7 of the Arms Act - requires that the accused be sentenced between 5 and 10 years.Judge Kode had no option there. Five years was the minimum. A year extra came in for involving so many others.

I believe Sanjay is not a terrorist and was not involved in the blasts. However, - as much as I hate to say it - legally Sanjay is now a "criminal". Law has to take its course and just because Sanjay is a big celebrity, ideally , it shouldn’t make a difference to his case.

A few facts about the Dutt Junior :
-> It began with his addition to drugs. It came to such a pass, that he had to be sent to the US for rehabilitation.

-> Early 90s: Feroze Khan, director of Sanjay's Yalgar, introduced him to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim in Dubai. Not only that, he attended an underworld party. And whom did he have as company? Chhota Rajan, Iqbal Mirchi and Sharad Shetty. All infamous names in the world of crime.

-> 1992: He bought a 9 mm pistol from one Quayyum for Rs 40,000. Why? Sanjay fancied guns.

-> 1993: Abu Salem delivered him hand grenades, several AK-56 rifles and cartridges. He only kept one AK-56 to protect his family from threats they had received.

-> Mid 90s: Out on bail, he chatted up with don Chhota Shakeel on his cell phone. His conversation was recorded, though not accepted as evidence in court.

In 1993, Sanjay was a 34-year-old grown-up man. If at such an age, Sanjay thought he could still play around with guns and get away with it, then there was something seriously questionable with the man's thinking ability. Keeping an AK-47 rifle for self defense doesn’t really make a sensible excuse.
But also, Sanjay may not be a bad boy anymore. I believe, he is in fact one of the most humble, harmless and genuine persons : He is naive, immature, misguided and stupid. A child-man: child in the heart and mind.

Disappointed as I am for my favorite celebrity, I am happy that law has taken its course without any bias for the rich and famous. It has proved once again that law is same for all.
But the fact that Dutt has spent 16months in jail already, repented enough and maintained a good conduct in society through out the trial and not to be forgotten,the actors collegues and thousands of fans who support him so strongly...I wish law considers that and relieve him such harsh punishment of 6 years of rigorous imprisonment.

IS INFOSYS TAKING OVER CAPGEMINI???

There were rumors of a possible takeover of Capgemini. And that too by Infosys — the Indian tech giant that has grown organically, setting up centers in most major delivery geographies. Yet, Infosys has been slow in the acquisitions area compared to its rivals Wipro (with its now famed “string of pearls” approach to acquisitions) and TCS.

Capgemini is the largest IT company in Europe with a turnover of Rs 42,350 crore in FY07 (year ending December), which is more than three times the revenues of Infosys which stood at Rs 12,699 crore during FY07. But the FY07 net profit for Infosys stood at Rs 3845 crore, which is almost, double that of Capgemini's. And also it had shortly acquired Kanbay which had a good turnover and sound consulting practice

So is it beneficial for Infosys to bid for the company?

Infosys management has said in the past that they’re looking at acquisitions as a means to break into new markets. And Europe, with its high growth rates and the advantage of a currency that is strong against the rupee, unlike the dollar, is a region that Indian tech firms are eager to tap into.

I believe it going to be a very costly affair for Infy, more over there would be lot’sa issues between Infy & Capgemini(CG) on Integrating businesses and creating sync among resource management. though mkt cap & profit Margins is a plus for Infy but CG is a superior to Infy in all aspects of IT business be it manpower quality, turnover, client base, area of operation, value size of deals, International brand equity etc.