Journey to Gandhigram
Our journey to the city of Gandhigram was excellent…in fact a revealing one…..
…nestle away from humdrum of city life…Gandhigram is really a place making a story for me..
…I was struck by its serene belongingness to the nature…. pristine beauty….unlike inhuman settlements of metros….
…it was a striking example of how challenging and rewarding a lifestyle can be….given the advancement in telecommunications you need to live in such serene places to attain the nirvana, yet remain abreast with the world….
Away from all noises, small towns will remain in vogue in near future to come…
India is going thru a period when consumerism is at peak…it can be seen from demand for consumer goods …this phase has demand already passed for advanced civilizations like Europeans….now they are after search for a blissful nirvana…
My stay at Gandhigram was also a good revelation how much we need for living…
Man eats for his tongue unlike animals who eat for their stomach…we were told that we will get only a working lunch…..we thought it’s okay for us, instead of going out…
..we had veg biryani and korma and tomato rice and chutney…for lunch…
…having experienced how much we eat in cities…presented with so many dishes… we thought ,for moment, will it be sufficient for us or we will have to get up during the night and search for food?…however, as we were consuming that food, towards the finish we found that the quantity was just sufficient for subsistence and our stomach was not laden with unnecessary extras…
…the food was in fact such a nice and soothing….the masalas were to the extent of just bringing out flavour, aroma, to make it palatable…also acting as anti-dotes on many ill-effects of pesticides that enter into the food…..yet refraining from making it heavy…
…given a misnomer, eating only rice will put us dosing….we found that although our food consisted of rice, at lunch,yet we never felt such urge to doze….
….for dinner two thick chapaties/parathas and a gram based dish and chana…. at around 7.30 p.m…..unlike time for dinner for me…here also when we were consuming our second chapati we found that our stomach was full…realized that the food in this quantity is sufficient….…we tend to consume more in evening ‘coz in working families it is the dinner at which all family members are together and hence, many dishes are prepared and we tend to eat more….
….7’ o clock in evening and you don’t see vehicular noises ….no TV or music being honked…. there is no usual humdrum… nothing of this sort….you tend to figure out why this lull, is there any mistake?…no Sir, this is GRI, Gandhigram… we are amazed at the nature here, serenely calm…a person like me, born and brought up in Mumbai…I was wondering if I will be able to pass my time….then realized that I am here for study….for attending the classes…..so I sat down and opened my books and started reading …this is the place , I thought, you need environment like this for concentrating on your subjects…
…after the end of the second day of the class, when my classmates had gone back home and I was still there in the hostel…my flight was on the next evening…I felt a big void…how a man can spend his time in isolation or solitude…at the same time I was wondering what my son may be feeling when he is alone at his hostel, when his friends are away….but then realized that this situation is needed if you have to achieve something and also good for concentration…..
Monday, January 30, 2006
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Sony MP3/MP4 Player
Sony MP3/MP4 Player
Tom & Jerry video.=== =========>
Hi! This is a new SONY player bought from V.T. area and I do not think it's an original one...but cost me only 2.2K for 512 MB model.Not used much but audio/video quality is ok for it's price.Take a look at it...
<== This is my new SONY MP3/MP4 Player.It is a 512MB device which can play and record mp3/mp4 files,has an FM radio and can be used as a removable disk also.
This is a selection screen ==>
Tom & Jerry video.=== =========>
Hope you will like it.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Load Shedding…
Life without electricity? Can we think that now?.....it frightens us terribly…..but that’s the fact now in Maharashtra… two hours to twelve hours a day…even parts of Mumbai, on the outskirts have to bear load shedding…
But think this way….suppose you are at home…a holiday…or simply no other work to do or attend…like once you are back from office…
…there is a TV, computer, music system….and with prices of these things coming down we probably have multiple units of these items…..
…and hence one kid is glued to a computer and the internet and at the same time music system is honking….
But think this way….suppose you are at home…a holiday…or simply no other work to do or attend…like once you are back from office…
…there is a TV, computer, music system….and with prices of these things coming down we probably have multiple units of these items…..
…and hence one kid is glued to a computer and the internet and at the same time music system is honking….
…your wife is probably watching Ekta Kapoor wannabe… or perhaps song rendering/dance or watching any get rich reality show competition…..
…daughter is on Cartoon Network….
…and you, yourself probably trying to get glimpses of highlights of India-Pak series and news in-between….
….we see that there is hardly any time for interaction…everyone is busy minding their own business….forgetting that actually your home is a place for you to be a family…
… when your young son comes back from hostel, on week-end, you feel that he will engage in conversation with you, daughter will tell you about her school tit-bits…but you hardly see these things happening…or at least this routine task is being done superficially and they are back to their own business…
....you really can’t do anything…times have changed….unlike some 20 years back when these avenues for entertainment were not available aplenty…and now there is a lot of exposure and avenues for entertainment today….
…..although we require electricity & power for almost everything …considering above scenario, I don’t feel bad when there is a power failure due to load shedding….
…so what can we do when there is a load shedding….
1. experience the nature…birds chirping, whistling sound and subtle touch of wind
2. read newspapers, books….when day light is available
3. do exercise…open you windows and try to do simple things like breathing exercises, light exercises…
4. drawing and painting….
5. play cards, carom etc. with your family… just to foster togetherness… and it’s the best time to discuss various issues…social or concerning your own family.. .
6. simply talk…interact with other family members…this could be the best thing you can do…
True to their ingenuity, kids would like to add the following activities..
1. this is the best time to use laptop when dad is not going to object…
2. use your mp3/mp4 player to see your favourite downsized movie, cartoon clips, or just listen to your favourite tracks…
3. keep on eating….
4. do nothing…simply lay down…just perfect for lazyards…
…..although we require electricity & power for almost everything …considering above scenario, I don’t feel bad when there is a power failure due to load shedding….
…so what can we do when there is a load shedding….
1. experience the nature…birds chirping, whistling sound and subtle touch of wind
2. read newspapers, books….when day light is available
3. do exercise…open you windows and try to do simple things like breathing exercises, light exercises…
4. drawing and painting….
5. play cards, carom etc. with your family… just to foster togetherness… and it’s the best time to discuss various issues…social or concerning your own family.. .
6. simply talk…interact with other family members…this could be the best thing you can do…
True to their ingenuity, kids would like to add the following activities..
1. this is the best time to use laptop when dad is not going to object…
2. use your mp3/mp4 player to see your favourite downsized movie, cartoon clips, or just listen to your favourite tracks…
3. keep on eating….
4. do nothing…simply lay down…just perfect for lazyards…
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Konkan Backwaters-III
DAT#3
The last Day
26th December2005
This was the last day of our tour.We were told to start early so that we could cover as many places.
We decided to take some pictures around our resort, Pratik.
As usual we started late, at around 09:30 a.m.We proceeded to Dabhol harbour from where we took a ferry to cross over to Guhagar.We then called on to Velneshwar Temple.One can grasp beutiful scene of Konkan backwaters on the way to Velneshwar. Velneshwar has a beautiful beach; however, again the organisers did not stop at the beach citing a delay.So sad, everyone felt.
From Velneshwar we proceeded to Hedvi Ganesh Temple few kilometers away.The Ganesh here is a tem armed idol.
We had lunch at Suruchi Baug near Hedvi.We were served a grand vegetarian and non-vegetarian lunch. The non-veg lunch had 2-3 varieties of fish, which was liked by fish-eating folks amongst us.
After lunch we started our journey beck to Mumbai.
On the way we halted at Lord Parsuram Temple at Lote Parshuram.You have to climb down steps to reach the temple.It's 300 years old temple and has 3 idols.
From Lote Parshuram we halted at Hotel Pagoda and had a high tea.We stopped at "Kshanbhar Vishranti" where we had our dinner before finally reaching Mumbai.
It was a memorable experience largely because of nice company of our co-travellers.
The last Day
26th December2005
This was the last day of our tour.We were told to start early so that we could cover as many places.
We decided to take some pictures around our resort, Pratik.
As usual we started late, at around 09:30 a.m.We proceeded to Dabhol harbour from where we took a ferry to cross over to Guhagar.We then called on to Velneshwar Temple.One can grasp beutiful scene of Konkan backwaters on the way to Velneshwar. Velneshwar has a beautiful beach; however, again the organisers did not stop at the beach citing a delay.So sad, everyone felt.
From Velneshwar we proceeded to Hedvi Ganesh Temple few kilometers away.The Ganesh here is a tem armed idol.
We had lunch at Suruchi Baug near Hedvi.We were served a grand vegetarian and non-vegetarian lunch. The non-veg lunch had 2-3 varieties of fish, which was liked by fish-eating folks amongst us.
After lunch we started our journey beck to Mumbai.
On the way we halted at Lord Parsuram Temple at Lote Parshuram.You have to climb down steps to reach the temple.It's 300 years old temple and has 3 idols.
From Lote Parshuram we halted at Hotel Pagoda and had a high tea.We stopped at "Kshanbhar Vishranti" where we had our dinner before finally reaching Mumbai.
It was a memorable experience largely because of nice company of our co-travellers.
Friday, January 13, 2006
Konkan Backwaters-II
DAY#2
25th December2005
Only Backwaters
This was a day we were looking for as most of the particpants had come to have experience of Backwaters only. I have visited Kerala for official work on many occasion but not been to Kerala Backwaters which I would love to do.
On the second day we were a bit late to start. We had to travel 90 km to Tarkarli, Chiplun for boarding engine boat for Backwater experience.Here, we were welcomed by members of Chiplun Nagarpalika (Municipal Corporation).All Chiplunkars are looking forward to have Konkan a developed tourist destination and dreaming of developing Backwater tourism.
Here we are proceeding towards the boat.
In the boats...... 
A beautiful house on the river bank...
Barges digging out sand...
Lot of crocodiles resting on the river bank...in fact it was a "crocodile spotting" sport!
S.N.Pendse's famous Marathi novel " TUMBADCHE KHOT" has been swirled around this house in Tumbad, which is on the banks of Jagbudi River.
Beautiful scenery on the bank of Jagbudi River touching Tumbad...
A Konkan Railway train passing by...
We had a great time at Tumbad. We were welcomed by Tumbadites with flowers.We had a very nice breakfast at lunch time (Brunch)... bhakris(rotis),jawla(babelets of prawns),thalipits...Thereafter we had a nice informal discussion with the Khot shet on whom S.N.Pense based his famous novel.He told us about how S.N.Pense came to know about Tumbad and also how he made Tumbad exportable!
We then proceeded to Maldoli by boat for lunch and had a heavy lunch at Tea time around 4 p.m. A cultural program was also arranged but as we were very late only one piece of folk dance was presented.
A traditional Zakdi folk dance...
We set for Dabhol at around 5:30 p.m. All were sad that we would be missing further backwater experience from Maldoli to Dabhol as we were late. Reached Dabhol at 8 p.m. and our day ended with dinner at around 10 p.m.
25th December2005
Only Backwaters
This was a day we were looking for as most of the particpants had come to have experience of Backwaters only. I have visited Kerala for official work on many occasion but not been to Kerala Backwaters which I would love to do.
On the second day we were a bit late to start. We had to travel 90 km to Tarkarli, Chiplun for boarding engine boat for Backwater experience.Here, we were welcomed by members of Chiplun Nagarpalika (Municipal Corporation).All Chiplunkars are looking forward to have Konkan a developed tourist destination and dreaming of developing Backwater tourism. 
Here we are proceeding towards the boat.
In the boats...... 
A beautiful house on the river bank...
Barges digging out sand...
Lot of crocodiles resting on the river bank...in fact it was a "crocodile spotting" sport!
S.N.Pendse's famous Marathi novel " TUMBADCHE KHOT" has been swirled around this house in Tumbad, which is on the banks of Jagbudi River.
Beautiful scenery on the bank of Jagbudi River touching Tumbad...
A Konkan Railway train passing by...
We had a great time at Tumbad. We were welcomed by Tumbadites with flowers.We had a very nice breakfast at lunch time (Brunch)... bhakris(rotis),jawla(babelets of prawns),thalipits...Thereafter we had a nice informal discussion with the Khot shet on whom S.N.Pense based his famous novel.He told us about how S.N.Pense came to know about Tumbad and also how he made Tumbad exportable!
We then proceeded to Maldoli by boat for lunch and had a heavy lunch at Tea time around 4 p.m. A cultural program was also arranged but as we were very late only one piece of folk dance was presented.
A traditional Zakdi folk dance...
We set for Dabhol at around 5:30 p.m. All were sad that we would be missing further backwater experience from Maldoli to Dabhol as we were late. Reached Dabhol at 8 p.m. and our day ended with dinner at around 10 p.m.
Konkan Backwaters
How lousy and lazy am I?...a lot, I would confess!
We had been to Konkan for backwater tour and I had decided that I would write about the tour immediately upon my arrival in Mumbai.But now it's almost three weeks that I am back from the tour am yet to write on Konkan.
We carried a borrowed Sony camcorder.I had to tell my son to do photography umpteen number of times and therefore the tour was not covered on video the way I would have liked;nevertheless it was a wonderful and memorable tour.
The tour was organised by Konkan Paryan Vikas Sanstha , not to be confused for a look alike charitable or developmental agency but promoted as a company by Mr. Sanjay Yadavrao,(on left) a young enterpreneur having an engineering degree.A staunch Kokani, his ambition is to make his Kokan a tourist destination with a difference:ecotourism.
We started off from Dadar, at around 10 p.m. on 23rd December2005, in a 15 seater bus.We had this elderly couple,Mr. 7 Mrs.(Dr.) Kudalkar (on right), as our accompanied passengers at Dadar. One cople (Mr. & Mrs. Boraskar) boarded at Kharghar in New Mumbai.One Yogesh Tople was our guide.
DAY # 1
24th December2005
We reached early morning at Dabhol and were put up at Pratik Resort, a beautiful serene place.We rested there till 8 a.m. before we started for our first day of konkan Backwater tour.There we were joined by Two more families : Raje(s) and Shinde(s).
First we travelled southward for 2 km and reached Chandika Temple.It's a cave temple formed by force of water of a monson flowing Konkan river.You have to bend a bit to move inside in darkness to reach the deity.The deity itself is a "Swaimbhoo" meaning naturally occured or formed deity.This photograph was taken just outside the temple within the temple premises.The temple is surrounded by beautiful small waterfall and a valley.Kids liked to play around the area.
From there we moved to North and landed at a place called Kolthare.We were told that we can see a traditional Konkani House (which hardly exists thesedays)and we were infact shown one such a house of Vaidya (Doctor) Mahajan (left,with folded hands).Dr. Mahajan,I believe is an Ayurvedic doctor, a Manufaturer of AGOM brand of Ayurvedic/Herbal products and his products are regularly being advertised on TV channels (that's what i was told...I don't see much of TV as I have many interests to spare my spare time!).
Thereafter we were taken to a sea beach. The beach at Kolthare is untouched by many homeosapiens,unspoilt one and therefore a beautiful beach.We spent a quite a time there seeing our kids enjoying in knee-level water.
We had a sumptuous lunch at a Brahmin's house and we were literally forced to take a rest at the place as there was no scheduled program during the day.Why we were taken to Kolthare is a still a mystery to us.There was nothing to be seen at the Kolthare.The unkept promise of a visit to Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth and also of a visit to one more beach in the afternoon were the negative points as far as organisers are concerned.
The night "Mehfil" was too good an opportunity to showcase talents of individual members and Mr. Ashish Raje was a star performer in doing mimickery.Shinde family also put in their worth.Not to forget Mr. Boraskar also sung few Hindi old numbers.In all a beautiful experience and a feeling of having a gala time ahead!
We had been to Konkan for backwater tour and I had decided that I would write about the tour immediately upon my arrival in Mumbai.But now it's almost three weeks that I am back from the tour am yet to write on Konkan.
We carried a borrowed Sony camcorder.I had to tell my son to do photography umpteen number of times and therefore the tour was not covered on video the way I would have liked;nevertheless it was a wonderful and memorable tour.
The tour was organised by Konkan Paryan Vikas Sanstha , not to be confused for a look alike charitable or developmental agency but promoted as a company by Mr. Sanjay Yadavrao,(on left) a young enterpreneur having an engineering degree.A staunch Kokani, his ambition is to make his Kokan a tourist destination with a difference:ecotourism.
We started off from Dadar, at around 10 p.m. on 23rd December2005, in a 15 seater bus.We had this elderly couple,Mr. 7 Mrs.(Dr.) Kudalkar (on right), as our accompanied passengers at Dadar. One cople (Mr. & Mrs. Boraskar) boarded at Kharghar in New Mumbai.One Yogesh Tople was our guide.DAY # 1
24th December2005
We reached early morning at Dabhol and were put up at Pratik Resort, a beautiful serene place.We rested there till 8 a.m. before we started for our first day of konkan Backwater tour.There we were joined by Two more families : Raje(s) and Shinde(s).
First we travelled southward for 2 km and reached Chandika Temple.It's a cave temple formed by force of water of a monson flowing Konkan river.You have to bend a bit to move inside in darkness to reach the deity.The deity itself is a "Swaimbhoo" meaning naturally occured or formed deity.This photograph was taken just outside the temple within the temple premises.The temple is surrounded by beautiful small waterfall and a valley.Kids liked to play around the area.
From there we moved to North and landed at a place called Kolthare.We were told that we can see a traditional Konkani House (which hardly exists thesedays)and we were infact shown one such a house of Vaidya (Doctor) Mahajan (left,with folded hands).Dr. Mahajan,I believe is an Ayurvedic doctor, a Manufaturer of AGOM brand of Ayurvedic/Herbal products and his products are regularly being advertised on TV channels (that's what i was told...I don't see much of TV as I have many interests to spare my spare time!).Thereafter we were taken to a sea beach. The beach at Kolthare is untouched by many homeosapiens,unspoilt one and therefore a beautiful beach.We spent a quite a time there seeing our kids enjoying in knee-level water.
We had a sumptuous lunch at a Brahmin's house and we were literally forced to take a rest at the place as there was no scheduled program during the day.Why we were taken to Kolthare is a still a mystery to us.There was nothing to be seen at the Kolthare.The unkept promise of a visit to Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth and also of a visit to one more beach in the afternoon were the negative points as far as organisers are concerned.
The night "Mehfil" was too good an opportunity to showcase talents of individual members and Mr. Ashish Raje was a star performer in doing mimickery.Shinde family also put in their worth.Not to forget Mr. Boraskar also sung few Hindi old numbers.In all a beautiful experience and a feeling of having a gala time ahead!
My SOP
This is my Staemnet of Purpose (SOP) written for submitting to Indian Institute of Mnagement,Calcutta (IIM-C) a premier management school in India for their Executive program in General Management.This was in Feb2005
Statement of Purpose
One may be wondering what this man in his mid 40s, a public servant is doing here.
A job with government, in India, is traditionally seen as a secured job. Govt. employees are (or were) in comfort zone and I am no exception. However, things started changing in 90’s, when winds of liberalization started blowing over India. Slowly but surely this comfort zone started tumbling. Probably the employees didn’t feel that tremours acutely then but in the years to come there were dramatic changes.
One of the immediate and noticeable barometers of comfort, salary, did not rise in Govt. sector vis-à-vis the private sector. In the good olden days the salaries to Govt. servants were better, compared to the private sector; however, that changed rapidly and our apostles in heaven were shaken when there was a major change in salary structure all over. In the early 90s, salaries in Govt. sector were 30-40% more than salaries in corporate ; but now private sector salaries are many times the salaries in Govt. sector. The Govt. servants are definitely at the receiving end as far as pay packet is concerned
Post liberalization brought with it better lifestyle. Gradually it was noticed that it was very difficult to subscribe to and also to maintain the present lifestyle at the salary structure prevalent in Govt. sector. To worsen the matter familial demand to remain on parity with neighbours has made going tough. Really govt. servants started viewing liberalization as a treat to them
On positive side, with threat also came an opportunity under the mask; only you need to recognize it. Post liberalization, the Indian economy has opened up tremendously and there are opportunities of all sorts available in India. But you should be equipped to take advantage of the changed scenario. Having spent many years only thinking about doing something else also but not doing anything, came the realization why not upgrade ourselves! When the umpteen numbers of opportunities are present why not take a dip into something new and exciting!
Principles based on natural laws, which are immortal, have not changed. But the development has led us to new situations previously unheard or unknown and we may fail if we apply the old solutions in the new changed situation. The skills required now are quite different. What we need is the paradigm shift in thinking and it is with this aim in mind I thought it prudent to enroll myself in the Executive Management program of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
In my analysis what I have seen is that it is the courage that is the main ingredient for success in life. One may have knowledge but that doesn’t guarantee you a success. It is the application of that knowledge which requires training and skills. I have come across people who have risen to top position simply because of the courage that they exhibited in carrying out their ideas.
In the ultimate analysis all managerial problems can be solved with man management relations. Management is managing the men (and their egos!).That is the reason I have decided to go in for General Management program instead of Finance or Marketing or HRM etc. as they deal in functional (management) aspects, however, General Management, in my opinion deals in leadership aspect.
I think I have essential ingredients viz. knowledge and skills in relating myself to society.
I am a Rotarian and was a President of Rotary Club Of Bombay Mulund East in the year 1999-2000.As a president I ensured that all the meetings were not only interesting but also informative and as a result drew a good attendance during my tenure. Infact, during the tenure I was diagnosed with Lymphoma and was confined to bed for almost 4 months but chaired most meetings myself. Also, published club bulletin with the active participation of all members of the club.
Way back in 1980s, as an active Civil Defence member, I took courses in Emergency Communications and Control, First-Aid, Fire-Fighting and Mountaineering Rescuing so as to be able to provide help to civilians during the time of any emergency. Seeing my interest, knowledge and enthusiasm in the various activities my instructors then recommended me as an instructor for Civil defence.
I am an active Amateur Radio operator, also known as HAM. Amateur Radio fill vacuum when the normal channels of communications fail during the disaster. I have received a specialized training in providing emergency radio communication during disaster. I have been instrumental in conducting classes for training the young boys and girls in Radio Communication in preparing them for the examination conducted by Ministry of Communication. I have been teaching Radio Regulation Act to the students from the disaster/earthquake prone areas. I make them realize how to use a powerful instrument like radio wireless transmitter not only effectively and efficiently but also with due care.
What I feel now is that there needs a spark to ignite my knowledge and skills to take it in the higher orbit… as an individual grows within an organization it is imperative at each step forward to add on qualifications & skills that are commensurate with the role he is assigned: a broad overview of the key concepts, tools and techniques needed to successfully meet the challenges of today's global business environment. However, I sincerely feel that such opportunities for interaction are rarely available in govt sector; the transparency, openness is lacking, communication is restricted, the hierarchy is strictly maintained and there is a limited scope to communicate your ideas.
I don’t know what, but something has always made me yearn for my own business. I always had the motivation to become an entrepreneur but needed guidance to explore the hidden magnitude of business, particularly so after being in a comfort zone for past 20 years!
At this age I find myself unwilling to work under somebody, and for that matter even in a multinational, if I switch on my job. For me independence of mind is the greatest advantage and that has cast me into a state of confusion. However, there is only one thing that I am certain about at this point in time that I want to become an entrepreneur. Today I find myself at crossroads, not knowing how to begin, where to begin and even what to begin with.
I always admired business achievers and wished to be one of them. But I am yet not clear as to what exactly I want to do, what is my forte.
There are few people whom I admire or who have influenced me a lot. I have been a steady investor, first in the govt. securities and then in equities. I’m a great fan of Warren Buffet. Although he is a great investor his strategies are fairly simple, showing a clear logic: buy a stock below it’s intrinsic value. He is an investor and not a speculator and holds the stock with a purpose of owning the stock in a company that does in business which can be understood by a layman also and hence his strategies do not need a complex financial analysis.
You need acumen to relate to people; a person that comes to my mind here is my boss Mr. X X X . He is such a wonderful person, who has established a very good rapport with his team and this is for the first time that I have seen in my professional career that he has no whims of his position and relates very easily with his subordinates.
I believe training in various aspects of management will definitely help me for when I will have knowledge and information to avoid making mistakes, will realizing my strengths & weaknesses and boost my self-confidence. Besides, the program will help me in developing soft skills like communication skills, negotiation skills etc.; essentially a well-structured training, in grooming myself. I hope to get the composite exposure as B-school education mainly consists of group / syndicate work where participants need to work as teams.
And for that matter doing an executive masters in Business Administration from reputed institutes of the caliber of IIMs, while continuing in the present service, would be a great fun together with benefit of acquisition of knowledge. Also there is a chance to have sufficient opportunities to gain from close interaction with the faculty from reputed institute like IIM-C. Although, the success of a person depends on his mettle, one cannot undermine the brand value associated with a person educated at a reputed B-school like IIM-C.
Accordingly to me the delivery method used for this program will provide a chance of meeting with my lecturers, teachers, mentors over the video conferencing and also in person at the contact classes. The chances of meeting fellow students who are in middle and senior management position in corporate world and businesses should give my confidence a tremendous boost, besides extensive knowledge. The program, I am sure, will have inputs on soft skills, like communications skills and negotiations skills which will develop and groom me to become a perfect businessman.
However, starting life again in the wake of numerous life threatening conditions that I have undergone like Lymphoma in 1999-2000 (Diabetes since 1994), part amputation of left great toe in 2002, it will be pertinent to note the unconditional support lent by my family. My family is kind enough in making generous adjustments in their schedules and needs for one year if I am to do this program. When you are committing your time and money, for the program by severing the same from your family you cannot but think of a success at any cost.
I consider joining the management programs for other reasons also. One reason is to imbibe on the minds of our kids that virtually anything can be achieved with due perseverance and for that matter getting admission in a highly reputed business management school is also not exception.
I am thinking big. Although I was an average+ student throughout, I believe that it's never too late to throw mediocrity out of your life. All the more required so to make second half my life inning… the next 40 years… wonderful and meaningful ….afterall life begins at 40!!
Signed
(Prashant Koli)
One may be wondering what this man in his mid 40s, a public servant is doing here.
A job with government, in India, is traditionally seen as a secured job. Govt. employees are (or were) in comfort zone and I am no exception. However, things started changing in 90’s, when winds of liberalization started blowing over India. Slowly but surely this comfort zone started tumbling. Probably the employees didn’t feel that tremours acutely then but in the years to come there were dramatic changes.
One of the immediate and noticeable barometers of comfort, salary, did not rise in Govt. sector vis-à-vis the private sector. In the good olden days the salaries to Govt. servants were better, compared to the private sector; however, that changed rapidly and our apostles in heaven were shaken when there was a major change in salary structure all over. In the early 90s, salaries in Govt. sector were 30-40% more than salaries in corporate ; but now private sector salaries are many times the salaries in Govt. sector. The Govt. servants are definitely at the receiving end as far as pay packet is concerned
Post liberalization brought with it better lifestyle. Gradually it was noticed that it was very difficult to subscribe to and also to maintain the present lifestyle at the salary structure prevalent in Govt. sector. To worsen the matter familial demand to remain on parity with neighbours has made going tough. Really govt. servants started viewing liberalization as a treat to them
On positive side, with threat also came an opportunity under the mask; only you need to recognize it. Post liberalization, the Indian economy has opened up tremendously and there are opportunities of all sorts available in India. But you should be equipped to take advantage of the changed scenario. Having spent many years only thinking about doing something else also but not doing anything, came the realization why not upgrade ourselves! When the umpteen numbers of opportunities are present why not take a dip into something new and exciting!
Principles based on natural laws, which are immortal, have not changed. But the development has led us to new situations previously unheard or unknown and we may fail if we apply the old solutions in the new changed situation. The skills required now are quite different. What we need is the paradigm shift in thinking and it is with this aim in mind I thought it prudent to enroll myself in the Executive Management program of the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.
In my analysis what I have seen is that it is the courage that is the main ingredient for success in life. One may have knowledge but that doesn’t guarantee you a success. It is the application of that knowledge which requires training and skills. I have come across people who have risen to top position simply because of the courage that they exhibited in carrying out their ideas.
In the ultimate analysis all managerial problems can be solved with man management relations. Management is managing the men (and their egos!).That is the reason I have decided to go in for General Management program instead of Finance or Marketing or HRM etc. as they deal in functional (management) aspects, however, General Management, in my opinion deals in leadership aspect.
I think I have essential ingredients viz. knowledge and skills in relating myself to society.
I am a Rotarian and was a President of Rotary Club Of Bombay Mulund East in the year 1999-2000.As a president I ensured that all the meetings were not only interesting but also informative and as a result drew a good attendance during my tenure. Infact, during the tenure I was diagnosed with Lymphoma and was confined to bed for almost 4 months but chaired most meetings myself. Also, published club bulletin with the active participation of all members of the club.
Way back in 1980s, as an active Civil Defence member, I took courses in Emergency Communications and Control, First-Aid, Fire-Fighting and Mountaineering Rescuing so as to be able to provide help to civilians during the time of any emergency. Seeing my interest, knowledge and enthusiasm in the various activities my instructors then recommended me as an instructor for Civil defence.
I am an active Amateur Radio operator, also known as HAM. Amateur Radio fill vacuum when the normal channels of communications fail during the disaster. I have received a specialized training in providing emergency radio communication during disaster. I have been instrumental in conducting classes for training the young boys and girls in Radio Communication in preparing them for the examination conducted by Ministry of Communication. I have been teaching Radio Regulation Act to the students from the disaster/earthquake prone areas. I make them realize how to use a powerful instrument like radio wireless transmitter not only effectively and efficiently but also with due care.
What I feel now is that there needs a spark to ignite my knowledge and skills to take it in the higher orbit… as an individual grows within an organization it is imperative at each step forward to add on qualifications & skills that are commensurate with the role he is assigned: a broad overview of the key concepts, tools and techniques needed to successfully meet the challenges of today's global business environment. However, I sincerely feel that such opportunities for interaction are rarely available in govt sector; the transparency, openness is lacking, communication is restricted, the hierarchy is strictly maintained and there is a limited scope to communicate your ideas.
I don’t know what, but something has always made me yearn for my own business. I always had the motivation to become an entrepreneur but needed guidance to explore the hidden magnitude of business, particularly so after being in a comfort zone for past 20 years!
At this age I find myself unwilling to work under somebody, and for that matter even in a multinational, if I switch on my job. For me independence of mind is the greatest advantage and that has cast me into a state of confusion. However, there is only one thing that I am certain about at this point in time that I want to become an entrepreneur. Today I find myself at crossroads, not knowing how to begin, where to begin and even what to begin with.
I always admired business achievers and wished to be one of them. But I am yet not clear as to what exactly I want to do, what is my forte.
There are few people whom I admire or who have influenced me a lot. I have been a steady investor, first in the govt. securities and then in equities. I’m a great fan of Warren Buffet. Although he is a great investor his strategies are fairly simple, showing a clear logic: buy a stock below it’s intrinsic value. He is an investor and not a speculator and holds the stock with a purpose of owning the stock in a company that does in business which can be understood by a layman also and hence his strategies do not need a complex financial analysis.
You need acumen to relate to people; a person that comes to my mind here is my boss Mr. X X X . He is such a wonderful person, who has established a very good rapport with his team and this is for the first time that I have seen in my professional career that he has no whims of his position and relates very easily with his subordinates.
I believe training in various aspects of management will definitely help me for when I will have knowledge and information to avoid making mistakes, will realizing my strengths & weaknesses and boost my self-confidence. Besides, the program will help me in developing soft skills like communication skills, negotiation skills etc.; essentially a well-structured training, in grooming myself. I hope to get the composite exposure as B-school education mainly consists of group / syndicate work where participants need to work as teams.
And for that matter doing an executive masters in Business Administration from reputed institutes of the caliber of IIMs, while continuing in the present service, would be a great fun together with benefit of acquisition of knowledge. Also there is a chance to have sufficient opportunities to gain from close interaction with the faculty from reputed institute like IIM-C. Although, the success of a person depends on his mettle, one cannot undermine the brand value associated with a person educated at a reputed B-school like IIM-C.
Accordingly to me the delivery method used for this program will provide a chance of meeting with my lecturers, teachers, mentors over the video conferencing and also in person at the contact classes. The chances of meeting fellow students who are in middle and senior management position in corporate world and businesses should give my confidence a tremendous boost, besides extensive knowledge. The program, I am sure, will have inputs on soft skills, like communications skills and negotiations skills which will develop and groom me to become a perfect businessman.
However, starting life again in the wake of numerous life threatening conditions that I have undergone like Lymphoma in 1999-2000 (Diabetes since 1994), part amputation of left great toe in 2002, it will be pertinent to note the unconditional support lent by my family. My family is kind enough in making generous adjustments in their schedules and needs for one year if I am to do this program. When you are committing your time and money, for the program by severing the same from your family you cannot but think of a success at any cost.
I consider joining the management programs for other reasons also. One reason is to imbibe on the minds of our kids that virtually anything can be achieved with due perseverance and for that matter getting admission in a highly reputed business management school is also not exception.
I am thinking big. Although I was an average+ student throughout, I believe that it's never too late to throw mediocrity out of your life. All the more required so to make second half my life inning… the next 40 years… wonderful and meaningful ….afterall life begins at 40!!
Signed
(Prashant Koli)
Middlescence and Me
Middlescence, a condition where you are caught in between your career graph, wherein you find your boss either demand much more from what you are doing or try to overlook you, by ignoring you, by seeking direct report from your juniors. Thus you are being ignored or become irrelevant or redundant.
You burn from inside but there is nothing that you can do much except, perhaps, learning / adapting to new skills and reshaping yourself to the demands of the present and thus try to avoid your obscelence.
Middlescence is also about a search for a new identity. It is a strange urge to do something different in your career or life, which could provide the one thing we miss: satisfaction. This of course is, to a large extent but not necessarily, a direct result of turmoil in your present career wherein you are continuously being felt left out. So there is a need of reinventing you. People who have been courageous enough to chart their own lives or careers should ask : What Should I Do With My Life?
I am going through this period. For me it’s not that my boss is ignoring me and seeking report directly from my juniors in rank but it is the feeling that I should either do things in better way or do something new.With advance in age I feel it is increasingly clear that in such a period it is the technology who is going to help you.
I have gone through the period of over-indulgence,over consumption in past and sudeenly you find that things have changed.Unable to find what exactly has gone wrong or what should be done; suddenly I realsized that I am trying to find my own identity…..
There are many reasons why am I doing that..trying to find own identity...
One important reason could be economic compulsion.
I am in Central Governmnet. Salaries or wages or compensation in Government service is a paltry sum today compared to salaries offered by corporate sector in India for comparable level of education and skills. It is difficult to scape thru daily necessities of life...somehow necesseities can be satisfied but not the niceties…
Govt salary has become peanuts considering that almost all govt servants come through a grueling public exam followed by interview.Public servants could have flourished elsewhere had they not indulge themselves in thoughts of fear of uncertainty and ‘seeking for safe heaven’.
What does the govt think when they offer such paltry salaries? Of course I know that they cannot offer increase in salaries across the board but they should do something so that public servant can also lead a decent life;afterall fruits of economic development should reach them also.They also have a right to dream of a beautiful house, a modern car (if not expensive one),education in modern public schools for their children,they should be able to take benefits the modern technology offer e.g.the internet,computers,PDAs,digital cameras etc.,and a holiday at domestic and international destinations. Is it possible to have all such things in their paltry salary?
Person like me who are in their mid 40s are really caught at crossroads...naa gharka naa ghatka...nowhere to go;probably spend their whole life doing something which they do not like now.
You burn from inside but there is nothing that you can do much except, perhaps, learning / adapting to new skills and reshaping yourself to the demands of the present and thus try to avoid your obscelence.
Middlescence is also about a search for a new identity. It is a strange urge to do something different in your career or life, which could provide the one thing we miss: satisfaction. This of course is, to a large extent but not necessarily, a direct result of turmoil in your present career wherein you are continuously being felt left out. So there is a need of reinventing you. People who have been courageous enough to chart their own lives or careers should ask : What Should I Do With My Life?
I am going through this period. For me it’s not that my boss is ignoring me and seeking report directly from my juniors in rank but it is the feeling that I should either do things in better way or do something new.With advance in age I feel it is increasingly clear that in such a period it is the technology who is going to help you.
I have gone through the period of over-indulgence,over consumption in past and sudeenly you find that things have changed.Unable to find what exactly has gone wrong or what should be done; suddenly I realsized that I am trying to find my own identity…..
There are many reasons why am I doing that..trying to find own identity...
One important reason could be economic compulsion.
I am in Central Governmnet. Salaries or wages or compensation in Government service is a paltry sum today compared to salaries offered by corporate sector in India for comparable level of education and skills. It is difficult to scape thru daily necessities of life...somehow necesseities can be satisfied but not the niceties…
Govt salary has become peanuts considering that almost all govt servants come through a grueling public exam followed by interview.Public servants could have flourished elsewhere had they not indulge themselves in thoughts of fear of uncertainty and ‘seeking for safe heaven’.
What does the govt think when they offer such paltry salaries? Of course I know that they cannot offer increase in salaries across the board but they should do something so that public servant can also lead a decent life;afterall fruits of economic development should reach them also.They also have a right to dream of a beautiful house, a modern car (if not expensive one),education in modern public schools for their children,they should be able to take benefits the modern technology offer e.g.the internet,computers,PDAs,digital cameras etc.,and a holiday at domestic and international destinations. Is it possible to have all such things in their paltry salary?
Person like me who are in their mid 40s are really caught at crossroads...naa gharka naa ghatka...nowhere to go;probably spend their whole life doing something which they do not like now.
Middlescence
Middlescence is a newly coined word,a combination of middle and obsolescence; in management circle, it is pointed towards middle managers;caught between a demanding top management and a restless entry level, middle management is being squeezed into irrelevance; to yank a manager out of obsolescence brought about by newer technologies, changing work ethic, and high-powered growth.
During the first Internet wave, which lasted in India until end-2000, middlescence reflected the agony of the analog generation: it was caught right in the middle. But since then, the middle has started aggressively reshaping and recalibrating itself to cope in an era where email, Google, PDAs, and PowerPoints have become workplace fixtures.
However, this is a period in ones life which represents the search for a new identity.It is a strange urge to do something different in your career or life, which could provide the one thing we miss: satisfaction.People who have been courageous enough to chart their own lives or careers: What Should I Do With My Life?
Middlescence is not just about careers or middle managers. Its an idea that opens a whole Pandoras Box of lifes intricate issues. Its about trying. Its about willingness. And its more than a job.
Indeed, its an interesting time of your life when you ask: What next?
Read about Middlescence at
http://digital.dnaindia.com/showstory.aspx?queryed=3&querypage=21&boxid=30779448&parentid=6607&eddate=Jan%20%207%202006%2012:00AM
During the first Internet wave, which lasted in India until end-2000, middlescence reflected the agony of the analog generation: it was caught right in the middle. But since then, the middle has started aggressively reshaping and recalibrating itself to cope in an era where email, Google, PDAs, and PowerPoints have become workplace fixtures.
However, this is a period in ones life which represents the search for a new identity.It is a strange urge to do something different in your career or life, which could provide the one thing we miss: satisfaction.People who have been courageous enough to chart their own lives or careers: What Should I Do With My Life?
Middlescence is not just about careers or middle managers. Its an idea that opens a whole Pandoras Box of lifes intricate issues. Its about trying. Its about willingness. And its more than a job.
Indeed, its an interesting time of your life when you ask: What next?
Read about Middlescence at
http://digital.dnaindia.com/showstory.aspx?queryed=3&querypage=21&boxid=30779448&parentid=6607&eddate=Jan%20%207%202006%2012:00AM
Friday, January 06, 2006
steroids in ayurvedic medicines?
There is talk these days of being feeling great, a feeling of being elated, after taking an Ayurvedic products....what could be the reason?
When you ask someone how do they feel after consuming certain products…e.g. Aloevera….people are likely to tell you that they are feeling great...they simply cannot tell you anything else....rumours are that many Ayurvedic products contain Steroids and hence such a feeling....
I have no idea of first hand experience as I have never taken any ayurvedic feel good medicine /tonic...
We shall definitely need to see if there are other ayurvedic/herbal drugs/tonics that also create such "feel good" feelings...
Do ayurvedic/herbal drugs undergo clinical trials or tests?It seems that there is a council to check test these drugs but standards followed are not that rigorous as followed by Allopathic drug testing....
Warning: views expressed are the views aired in general by people and author of this blog does not necessary may hold the same view,wishes to have a truth explored.
When you ask someone how do they feel after consuming certain products…e.g. Aloevera….people are likely to tell you that they are feeling great...they simply cannot tell you anything else....rumours are that many Ayurvedic products contain Steroids and hence such a feeling....
I have no idea of first hand experience as I have never taken any ayurvedic feel good medicine /tonic...
We shall definitely need to see if there are other ayurvedic/herbal drugs/tonics that also create such "feel good" feelings...
Do ayurvedic/herbal drugs undergo clinical trials or tests?It seems that there is a council to check test these drugs but standards followed are not that rigorous as followed by Allopathic drug testing....
Warning: views expressed are the views aired in general by people and author of this blog does not necessary may hold the same view,wishes to have a truth explored.
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