An experience !!

I remember taking up an MBA with the thoughts of having a job in an MNC paying fat salaries like all. No matter how much I tried to run away from the nasty diamond industry, I eventually landed back in the same.

The last six months have been really exposed me to a whole new different world.
Starting a diamond manufacturing unit in an alien land with my colleague Bankim has really been a great learning experience and I am really grateful to the company for having given me the privilege. At this age, I feel proud of standing on the production floor looking at employee strength of 100. Everyday it is a new challenge to think how to make the work place better and special; first into a place that stands out amongst the rest in the country and then a model for the entire Firestone group. (trust me it is difficult to achieve the latter as compared to the
former).

During this journey, I came across a whole new category of people – ‘the workers’ on the floor. Initially it was different and difficult to adjust. At 1:00 pm sharp they would stand outside my cabin asking for food like small children. It was irritating. Soon I realized, they have very few but extremely important needs – food and work. Their needs are small but if not satisfied can be catastrophic. They can wipe off any amount of food on the table even after a complete meal. However, what they have is something that most of the highly educated and prosperous guys lack – a great heart. A heart that not only respects but truly loves you.

I came across a nation where the workers are more affectionate and loving than any other country (that I have seen) and the women more beautiful. The warmth and feeling of being part of them has been just out of the world. In six months it has become a peculiar family. When one of the Indian workers leave, it spreads a wave of sadness but at the same time blessings are being showered. The culture in the factory is really a unique one (a lot of credit goes to Bankim) be it a fire just outside the factory with the team clicking group photographs or be it the unity at times of special visits.

On the contrary, sitting on conference tables with leading politicians and government representatives, twice my age has been making me grow ten times faster. There are people who save you from all the troubles and then turn back and push you to the corner. It has indeed been a roller coaster ride. Such is this place.

I think you must be wondering what is this country and what is this place that I have been talking about. Well not many would have heard of it; neither had I.

Its called Hayastan!! It’s like coming home!!

Nostalgic!!

Its been over a year I have shared and posted on this space. Today sitting over a can of ‘Red Bull’ I was brought back to the good old days and the ‘Viral’ who has been lost somewhere.

One year has just ‘flown’ past by. Travelling different countries and being part of different cultures has been truly a privilege. I may not be doing complete justice to my learning as Bachelors in Computers or an MBA in Finance, but I remember the teachings of all my guides and teachers from school. I see the world with a different angle. I approach my work in a different way…Going through special trainings and teachings like Kaizen has helped structure thinking and systemize the approach...However, working along with people of double my age (and sometimes triple my age), literally, and trying to play the game at which they have expertise in is indeed something ‘What they don’t teach you at Harvard Business School’ (by Mark McCormack). It’s a lot of learning to be amongst those who not only lead organizations but also masses. Its interesting to understand the thought processes and put forward your opinions. ‘Failure is the first step to success’ and I too have learnt through mistakes (thankfully not too many). Yes of course how can I forget to not ‘Question my assumptions!!’ (thanks Velu Sir). Every work must be completed as on yesterday and zero errors have been the driving force!!

I know my family awaits to spend a couple of hours with me …I miss all my friends as my world now revolves only around office and hotel…Some of them have disowned me and rest are about to do the same… When I see around I have missed out to be part of special occasions of so many of my friends, who were with me during some memorable night outs followed by bikes zooming to Kadavu with tasty beans and dosas or long chats in the ‘quad or meetings in ‘hari om’.
I have travelled miles but the heart still remains behind. Being an Indian, trust me, is indeed a matter of pride. To have held the Indian flag in my hand and hoisting it on a foreign land was like a dream come true.

Balancing personal and professional life is not a child’s play and I am still learning it. This post might just sound out of place but bhavnaon ko samjho!!

10 Reasons why I chose to be in Jewellery Industry

This post is on a completely different topic as compared to my previous posts.

1. I love 2 work on Sundays and holidays
2. I hate sleeping
3. I have enjoyed my life in childhood
4. I can't live without tension
5. I wanted to have a disturbed family life
6. I believe in Gita - Karma karo fal ki iccha mat karo
7. I wanted to take revenge from myself
8. I don't like to spend time with my family
9. I wanted social boycott
10. I wanted to break up with my friends

Those working in the same industry would be able to read between the lines. :)

Love..An Eternal Feeling

It’s been a long time that I have managed to pull out some time for my blog.
My previous posts had some critical comments from some of my friends who were really surprised with my thought process. But those were more from the worldly side and analysed by a MBA mind. I would now want to talk straight from the heart.
Firstly, I would like to thank all my friends who have helped me and spent long hours to explain me; so that I get some understanding of this weird and mysterious feeling called LOVE

I have seen many love relations grow, mature and then die out (just like in a hi-tech product life cycle)….I have seen geographical distances develop a drift in the relation….after eight long years people wondering ‘is she the right person’ or ‘I think I am not comfortable’ etc etc…I have seen it all…but along with this I have seen relations that have done wonders to people’s lives. Somehow whenever I talk of love relations, I can’t stop myself from mentioning about two of my very close pals from VJTI. They have seen rough times together and have really grown as a person in eachother’s company. They too like other relations have had their fights but their understanding and faith in eachother have really made their relation what it is today.

What is love…ye pyaar kya hota hai?
Just a four letter word and I really wonder what miracles it can do to people’s lives.Love definitely is a special feeling which has no definition or expression….it can only be felt….just like one can only feel and know a kick after a smoke or a tequila shot.
Some say they can die for love, some say they will die if they don’t get their love….both these categories are useless…why die for love…can’t you love life without a love in life….its not always about gaining.Some mistake physical attraction for love and these are the ones who end up not being satisfied with their love life over a longer period.
Love to me is a very ‘lovely’ feeling for someone whom you find special.…someone you care for….someone you want to standby in all phases of life…someone for whom you can do anything to bring a smile….someone whose one tear drop means like a stroke of a sword…someone whose one sms can make you wait more eagerly than the announcement of your board results ….someone with whom you grow as a person…someone whose one touch is sufficient to free you of all the stress…and much more…but all this - ‘dil se’.
True love is when you dont fall in love...but rise in love.

How does one fall in love….ye pyaar kaise hota hai?
There is no defined way in which love hits one….for some its at first sight…for some it’s a gradual process …. For some it’s the best friend…for some its decided by others (like in arranged marriages)…..it can happen in any manner….the opposite person does not stand with a board in hand…nor do violins play…nor is there a sound of bells ringing…(like in SRK movies)…but yes there is something that happens somewhere within that will make you realize- for some this realization comes in time…for others it may be too late.

Where and When can one fall in love….ye pyaar kahaan aur kab hota hai?
Answer is anytime, anywhere …. May be in school..(surprisingly so many of friends have had ‘crushes’ or love during their schooling)…college…work…marriages…newhere…( I still don’t know how they manage to understand)

Who can fall in love…kisko pyaar ho sakta hai?
Well a bit funny question but anyone who has a heart and has feelings can fall in love… You can end up loving your enemy..or even the person whom you hate the most or fight the most…It can happen to anyone and everyone…Just that some may not express their true feelings.

My final say would be that love is like an opportunity which you must realize in time and grab it when it comes..Some lucky ones do get a second chance but why wait for that. But don’t forget love lies in the happiness of your partner and not yours.

For all those who have found the love of your lives-kudos, hold on to it and for all those yet to find you have my best wishes and ‘be alert’-your love could be just round the corner.

All those who read this, shower on me your blessings and best wishes – ‘mera number kab aayega?’

Live-ins - Pseudo Marriage??

live-in (l v n )
adj.
1. Residing in the place where one is employed: a live-in cook.
2. Residing together with another, especially in a sexual relationship.

This ones about the latter of the meanings.

During my stay in Bangalore for my summer internship last year, I got more acquainted to the funda of live-ins. It was really surprising how people belonging to opposite sexes stayed together in the same apartment. Yes this was the more traditional Indian side of me… And this forced me to know about them further….

Firstly, why live-ins?

• Less risk involved as compared to marriages (be it love or arranged)
• Freedom to exit the option without any loss or court appeals
• Litmus test for those unsure of their love
• And this one is the best I could think of- J Economies of Scale- in places like Bangalore where living expenses are high, live-in is a profitable alternative  (ha ha ha….) 

Well with all that risk involved in marriages, live-in definitely gives a chance to know the person extremely well. Even the best of lovers do not know how each of them would be able to manage a married life. Right from start of day to sleeping habits like snoring, all become known. The mood swings during the day, the smallest likes and dislikes, things can be faked for a few hours but one cannot fake 24 X 7.Thats the power of a live-in.

I think I shall definitely find many takers for this form of relation…but…will they be able to give due respect to this relation. Live-in means no set limitations, no set boundaries, not definitions, no restrictions…it means you definitely need two mature heads, a lot of trust, and true lovers.

Live-ins may have originated or rather may have become more popular in the Western countries, but will they be accepted in the Indian scenario? The Indian society, where sex is still not talked about in public, where marriages are considered sacred, where people marriage means a meeting of the souls, where even after the death of a partner one is expected to carry on respecting the relation… In such a scenario live-ins!!!!

Till the time live-in ends up in marriage its fine, but what if otherwise? Will the girl (more importantly) be accepted in the society, wont her character be questioned?

In case of love one gets sufficient opportunity to know the partner otherwise as well and not require the need to stay together before marrying. In case of arranged this question may not arise. It cannot be used as a compatibility check, or just a game to satisfy ones sexual needs. It is not a gamble…Its serious. It’s an important decision, its about two lives, two families, it cannot be just played around with. However, times are changing and so is the way of life, but I just hope that value of a relation does not change. For all other purposes live and let live

Love v/s Arranged Marriage

At the convocation we got the degree which was a license to set our footsteps into the corporate world. But it also made us eligible for a more risky and dangerous sport. 

These days I keep receiving marriage invitations from my friends - a few love and the remaining arranged and that forces me to think in one direction love v/s arranged marriages.

Right from childhood days, I have seen my cousins and relatives tie the knot with someone whom they knew only through a few formal meetings. It always surprised me and left me baffled as to how someone can make the decision of a life partner based on just a few meetings and references of some relatives. But that’s how it has always been, Indian weddings have always been equated with arranged marriages.

Now thinking of arranged marriage from the MBA perspective, its all about setting your 4Ps right. The product is presented well and promoted through various channels of relatives. We all know about the scene when the guy goes to the gal’s house for some focus group discussion. The price is which both the counterparts have to pay throughout their lives. The projects NPV is then calculated by a third party discounting the cash flows with the rate calculated as per astrologer’s judgements. The merger between two unknown companies is undertaken and the organisation’s culture undergoes a change. The policies undergo a reform to accommodate the new employees. And the story begins…A blind game which can go either ways….full of compromises….full of adjustments just to keep up the bond….just to be part of the society…Isnt this scary!!!

Thinking of love marriage, its more like an option which one can exercise at any date. In case the option does not turn out to be favourable, all that is lost is the premium. But it does not mean that it always is profitable in the long term. The decision for this stock may not be based considering all the shareholders. Hence in a joint family it often results into issues. Also when in love people try to be at their best. Its only after marriage that one knows the real person. This too is dangerous. After putting in so much of equity capital still you are not sure of returns.

Arranged marriages have the choice made through the experienced eye of the elders, but the information is only that available publicly. The insider information comes out well in case of love marriages. We also need to understand people who are influenced by cinema or peers to develop a love relation. Such often end up in a mess. The beauty of love is the feeling of having someone whom you know well and share similar thoughts. On the contrary, arranged marriages are like a challenge. It’s a high risk high return game.

Which format of the game do you support? What is your company vision and corporate strategy?

I prefer to be an entrepreneur all my life…starting new ventures independently without any partners…

I ask only one question…’Why is marriage so damn important?

Hungry Kya.. ? In Calicut

After the mega city Ahmedabad and IT hub Bengaluru, its now time for Kozhikode (Calicut) where I pursued my MBA. Two years of MBA in IIMK just flew by and this ones for all those belonging to the IIMK family.

Coffee Beanz- A nice hangout where you will always be served with a smile. Paneer Dosa and Triple Decker Sandwich are my favourites. The cold refreshers like Give me Blue, Choco iceberg offered are also one of the best.

Kahaa.. Cherooty Road

Kitne kaa.. Rs 40 - 100

Sea Queens- The location of this restaurant is its USP. Though the main course is not all that great but the open air dinner is enjoyable. A typical hangout on weekends coz this place serves liquor as well.

Kahaa.. Near Calicut Beach

Kitne kaa.. An average meal costs Rs. 150-175

Kadavu Resort- It is the place with the best location...over looking the  backwaters, an early morning breakfast is really memorable. Apart from that, the track upto Kadavu is a bikers paradise.

Kahaa.. On way to Airport

Kitne Kaa.. Breakfast Rs 140 and Dinner Rs 300

Mezbaan- This place serves nice north Indian food. Though you may get pissed off with the speed of service, but the food is decent. 

Kahaa.. Mavoor Road

Kitne kaa.. Rs 100-150.

Dakshin- A pure veg family restaurant is rare to be found in Calicut. It serves nice north as well as south Indian food. South Indian food is however its speciality.

Food Court @ Focus Mall- This is nearly a year old but has been able to attract huge crowds on weekends. There is lot on offer here – dosas, biryani, chaat etc. One can enjoy the food thoroughly.

The Gateway- The buffet here is definitely not worth the money. But the ambience of Taj is on offer and it makes the place a preference over others. Moreover this place has a 24 hours restaurant. A visit at around 2 in the night is worth it.

Kitne kaa.. Rs 325

Fortune- Buffet @ Rs 170 with good food is what Fortune offers. Morning Breakfast @ 7 for Rs 120 odd is also worth after a night out.

Pizza Corner- there is no Domino’s or Pizza Hut in Calicut, so this is the only specialised pizza outlet. The pizza’s are not all that great but then something is better than nothing.

Kahaa.. Focus Mall and Kunnamangalam

Mere IIMK ke dosto....add info about other food outlets in Calicut