Sometimes I sing !

Singing is an art that comes from within. It requires no tutorial classes unless you sing for others. It is like breathing, you do it always casually or seriously. People have many a times complained that I am a bad singer. Yes I am, because I could not go to those coaching classes. But, I never stopped this habit. It has just become more personal in the years.

Revisiting the October Wind post, I enjoyed a couple of days at home also. A week full of emotions, celebrations, remembrances and songs. A song that I will cherish always. People say that I do not care about my career, aspirations... I say that I do but, all this rat race is for what? For all those who care for me. The tears of happiness that you can give to these people is far more precious than your own aspirations and goals. These are invaluable moments, I know these will be memories soon.

But, my heart sings a song in the fond memories of these moments and welcomes more times to come.

A Few Good Men

How many times, does it happen with you that you come across such personalities that change the way you think about the world? This world is full of them.

When I started doing a study project on UPSRTC, I had many apprehensions about this organization. Usually, govt. organizations like UPSRTC are not given much importance in our day to day discussions. Although, its services are so much gelled with our daily life that we can't ignore it, but, still when it comes to their working style, We always have assumption that it does not have a proper culture. But, all my assumptions fell down one by one when I met this man - Mr. Rajesh Singh. Rajesh is a part of central workshop at Vikas Nagar Depot at Kanpur. He is involved in training the young drivers and other staff personnels.

We approached him for assistance and were amazed to find him bubbling with enthusiasm. His commitment towards work and UPSRTC is commendable. And, this is not because of any expectation from the organization but, because of his sense of responsibility. In spite of so many structural and behavioural issues in this organization, this man is pretty much sure about his motive. He never denies this fact that there are short comings in the working of UPSRTC, but, at the same time he very gently says that he can't run away from his duties. It sounds simple, but we all know how much difficult it is to work in such environment.

His teachings are based on sound reasoning. Who can teach you OB better than a man who has worked for 23 years in an organization? His views about life, society, organisations and day to day activities are not only based on text book knowledge but more on his experience.

Hats off to his honesty and dedication towards his job. These are a few men who keep the ball rolling and are pillars of excellence for any organization.

The october wind -- Total Bakwas !!

Don't read this article, I am telling you. If at all you are interested... read it at your own risk. I am sure you will end up saying "Is this guy gone insane?"

The October Wind - is it worth a title for a post? Funny, I am not getting any idea what to write. After such a terrible summer at Kanpur, who the hell wants to sit in front this Trubrite display and write posts on a blog that no body bothers to read. But, this October wind was really a long awaited one. Exams, projects, presentations ... all these monsters start raising their heads in this month only. What a pity for student community? Summer doesn't let them sleep, rains then washes away all the opportunities to prepare for a war that will be fought in the coming winter. Ah, that sounds like a true student oriented approach.

Then, in October comes all the blessings from mother nature - Dashahara, Diwali, nice weather, sunny sundays, ... and don't forget 9/11 (that was definitely not from nature's side, it was fruit of our own actions... blame America... I don't care). Enthusiasm starts doubling in all the living beings ... be it us or terrorists. Look at what is happening in CG, naxals killing policemen. They all get charged up in such a beautiful month. I have now stopped following such incidents... fuck off, why should I keep a track of all these things? These incidents keep on happening in the land of 'Tigers'. Pardon me, if I am wrong in calling our country - Land of Tigers. I dedicate this phrase to our politics where a PM gets killed by a Tiger and still, we protest killing of tigers. Tigers have been an identifiable face of India since long time. Our ancient rulers had fascination with this animal. What could be a better way to show your masculinity than killing a tiger? Then came the British, who also fell in trap of this 'Tiger Hunting'. Even today, Our love for Royal Bengal Tiger is associated with 'dada'. Dada ... cricket matches... Oh my God! who can forget champions league? After dismal performance in Champions trophy, this is the chance for India to get back that honour. But, Where is Dhoni? He must be enjoying his October wind in Ranchi. Oh no, Ranchi ... Jamshedpur ... thats my home town.

And guess what I did in this october ... I cancelled my tickets to home (Jamshedpur) to stay here at IIT Kanpur hostel... to watch documentaries and movies. For complete 9 days, I did this thing only... that's what IIT does to your soul. It liberates you from all what is going on outside its premises. Is it MBA... I guess not. But, its awesome (that's what Hemant says when he likes any documentary).

So, This October wind in IIT ... going to be intersting.

Life @ IIT Kanpur

Its been almost 2 months that I have endorsed brand IIT. Life at IIT Kanpur has been full of surprises and joys till now. IITs are definitely an abode of learnings. There is something in these red brick buildings that inspires you to continue the legacy of those great alumni who have passed out before you. Sitting in the lecture halls, you will always have feelings that decades back, Infy's founder NarayanMurthy was sitting there.

Go to library, it does not have any pictures of great people, there are piles of books and you know that these books have mentored some of the greatest leaders of Indian industry.

Life at IIT K is more than just attending classes and taking exams. It is a transformation for the betterment of your soul.

Fluctuating thoughts

Today, while sitting in my room I once again, thought about the 'Time Pass Theory' that I developed in earlier posts. The morning started with an article about Manjunath, the IIM L lad who was a victim of the loopholes of our system. I deeply feel for the cause for which he sacrificed his life. Later in the evening I received two bad news - about a friend's father who was fighting his war with cancer and then a sudden casualty of a closed relative. Sitting in the dark, my thoughts once again brought me on the same point where all these day to day affairs look insignificant. There is no bigger question than the one about Life.

Life is a gift to all living beings. But, this gift is too fragile to break at any point. Is the death ultimate reality? If it is, then why is there so much bonding with this world? Questions after questions ... without any answers. But, if mankind is still clueless about these questions, what is there so much fuss about this all scientific and economic development? Why is there so much flow of redundancy in our world? I do not know whether spiritual science answers these questions, but, if it does answer why is it still not shared with all?

I feel deeply disturbed whenever such questions come in my mind. But, there is no better way than to express it. I can't talk to people regarding this, they will call me insane. So, I choose this medium of expression to empty my feelings.

Isn't that courageous to enjoy the world while thinking about these topics?

I think I am courageous enough !!

Tata Docomo - seesaw ad

Tata Docomo - seesaw ad

The death of 'To Know'

There are some questions in life, which give a shift to thought process. Our society has developed in a very conservative manner. It does not allow us to question its rules and phenomena. One of the such phenomena is our education system. When did you last time attended a class with the only one motto 'To Know'. 'To Know' crosses all the boundaries of other benefits associated with accumulation of knowledge. It is just a thirst of knowing something without thinking about its uses. It is a natural curiosity.

Let is analyse in this manner. Human beings are not that much physically strong. They don't have any such strong physical ability on which they can bank on to get their daily food. But, as widely known, they have got mind which helps them in manipulating the environment in their favour. Previously, when population was low, people had enough resources to get their livelihood. At that time, people had freedom to chose from choices. This led them to become rational in their choices. As population increased, it gave birth to scarcity of resources. People had less choices. Now, all their efforts were directed towards achieving their daily utilities, comforts etc. This severely affected the way people behave. It directly impacted their priorities in life.

'To Know' was affected by this same phenomenon. We started giving less priorities to our curiosities since childhood. We were conditioned in such a manner that our hidden motives always over shadowed the true quench of knowledge. 'To Know' was replaced by 'How useful'. Our educational system is just a provider of educational facilities in society. A provider can't take place of a jury. It can't decide what is to be provided. It just goes by the demands of its customers, in this case our society. Our educational system, institutions can't be blamed for the death of 'To Know'.

Giving rise to 'To Know' looks dismal in current context. But, the speed with which society is changing, we can predict that the future will not be similar to today.

Reflections of Time - My opinions

It has been a month that I am a part of an academia once again. The work pressure and organisational issues are left behind and what is remaining with me is some rememberance of those odd hours for which I worked in industry. I had heard that work experience adds value to management education. It gives perspective to theoretical knowledge. However, I am still skeptical about the validity of this statement.

Any ways, the time that has gone by was indeed a learning time for me. I unlearnt all those things which I accumulated over my academic career. Life in an organization is different from what it is in academia. In academia there is a freedom of thoughts. One is free to form his own philosophies about life, teachings and is encouraged to follow that. While at work, it is difficult to find such an opportunity. Life in college is about seeing, thinking and then believing while in industry it is believing, mentoring.

I do not compare both the institutions. However, I am amazed to see such a striking difference between the two. You will realize this difference only when you will be a part of both the worlds.

Let us hope that with time, I will find answers to some of my questions.

In learning mode

Finally the wait is over. While sitting comfortably in my hostel room, I forgot that I had taken a responsibility of posting here. The delay was prolonged but, it is over now. You will be constantly getting an update from my side.

Preparing for IIT Kanpur

It has been really long since I posted something on my blog. Many events have occured during this time. Hell lot of exams, then anxious moments of wait for results, GD/PIs, an onsite engagement in chicago etc. Now, when I sit to recall all of them, I find myself a changed man. I had never been so busy in my life as I was in last 6 months. Rushing on weekends, travelling in trains, flights had become so normal that I started carrying my daily utilities to office. It was all happening so quickly, that I was stunned to see my capabilities. No doubt, I have started enjoying life in a better way than I used to be.

There is something unusual about life, sometimes it gives you so much of happiness that handling it becomes tough. Coming to chicago for a month was a similar experience. A reunion with all friends was refreshing. The happiness was doubled when MBA results were published. Got selected in IIT Roorkee and IIT Kanpur. For many, it sounds different to do an MBA from IIT. but, ask this from a guy, who had no future at his workplace and was desperate to come out of this vicious circle of work and salary.

Today, while sitting in Chicago, I think of a pursuit that I launched many months ago, a sense of fulfillment grips my feeling. Whatever be it is, good or bad, it is the fruit of my actions and I am enjoying it.

Tommorrow, I will fly back to India and then will happily say GoodBye to my first job.

Lets see what exciting happens next.