A Techie speaks

Neo-Activism

2011-01-23T16:25:00.004+05:30

Have become active on a social networking site after long and was happily surprised to see many people from Bihar coming forward to collaborate and do something for Bihar. Also came to know the existence of people who think of their motherland even being in US, Singapore etc and of course there are people like me who are living in India itself, but far from Bihar but still at the core of their heart, they are true Biharis and want to return and do something for their land.

A start has been made already by initiatives taken by a couple of people who have returned back to become social entrepreneur. Few more are on the verge of returning. Hope that by return of Nitish into power with a landslide victory, things would improve and pave way for people to return home.

If you'd like to be part of this, click this link: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_153744714660549&ap=1

Welcome 2011

2010-12-31T22:32:00.002+05:30

As 2010 comes for a dawn and 2011 is knocking at the doorstep, I convey my best wishes to everyone. May the new year bring alive all your hopes.

Have been inactive for quite sometime, however, will try to be more regular here.

January 30, 2011, will be India's first 'no driving day'.

2010-12-05T13:37:00.000+05:30

January 30, 2011, will be India's first 'no driving day'.

Sir, I am not poor student. I am rich. Please don't humiliate me. Please don't insult me. Please don't spoil my good habits and make me weak

2010-06-07T22:09:00.005+05:30

This fabulous story has been shared by Mr. Subodhkumar Phadke, a dear eFriend. A rather long story, but I couldn't stop myself by sharing it with all.

School took out notice "From this year onwards, school will be paying fees of that student who is poor. All teachers are requested to select an appropriate & correct student so that, student gets the benefit".

Now it was difficult task to identify the poor student from the school. These small boys ware neat & clean school dress code. May be they are having only 1 Khaki pant & white shirt. But they do wash everyday. They keep it so well that it looks like they have iron the school dress everyday.

Now how to identify poor student? The biggest tension was how to ask school boys, who is the poorest student amongst them?

Very difficult task in hand. 3/4 days just left in thinking on this subject. Identifying poor in adult gang is far easy. But finding it in school? God please help & rescue me, I said to myself.

Finally, I decided to talk to all those students who used to come in school in their parent's car.

One day in school's big break, I visited the class and I found few boys (who used come in cars) were eating apples. I approached them and requested "Hey dear students? I need a small help? Can You do that for me? I was about to say "Who is the poorest student? Before I could complete my sentence, those boys said "Sir, in our class, Mayur Jadhav is one of the poor students. Those boys solved my problem within no time.

But I asked them, on what basis?

Sir, he always ware torn shirt. He has stitched that shirt but still he wares that shirt only. He doesn't have pair of new additional shirts. Sir, look at his Khaki pant? His pant got 2 big holes & these holes are also stitched. Sir, he doesn't have "Chappals" too. He comes with bare foot. Sir, in big breaks, we eat homely made food from Tiffin/fruits. He brings "Bhakari (local Maharashtrian healthy food) & Bhaji (Vegetables)" and that too he brings in plastic bag. By the way that "Bhakari" is also not fresh cooked, he eats "Bhakari" which is cooked 1 day earlier. Many times, he even eats "Bhakari" with small piece of jiggery. Sir, we confirm to You, he is the poorest student from our school. And then they were talking too many things about him but I was not in mood to listen & then understand.

I was not able to believe that Mayur is so poor? Mayur was very smart. His hand writing was one of the best, neat & clean across the school. His writing style & approach was confirming that he had very open, transparent heart & mind. Once I also shown his note book to my wife and I told her that look at the writing of that boy who is in 7th standard. In fact, I always had a dream of writing like Mayur. While writing, he used to always leave space on the left hand side while starting the paragraph. He used to always leave ½ inch space while writing first line of the paragraph. He used to follow all the rules of professional writing. Over & above, his enthusiasm of listening to me and doing everything in the first instance was amazing.

I used to always wonder & used to give thanks to his parents (in my mind) for giving birth to a wonderful mankind.

Now such a talented, smart, neat, clean & decent boy is poor in our school & that too in my class?

I couldn't digest this news. I also felt bad that student could understand this so quickly and as a teacher, I could not notice it at all. I felt very bad about my thinking & my observation. First time I felt that I failed as a good teacher.

Last year, Mayur did not come with us for picnic. He could not afford Rs. 25/- contribution for the picnic. His name was not there in the list.

I completely forgot about him. I even did not ask him why he is not joining us for the picnic.

He missed the visit to "National Park". He missed one of the great experiences.

At that moment, I blamed myself. I should have asked him or at least I should have met his parents. I should have helped him from my own pocket.

I realised that I made a blunder. I am not good guy, etc. I was talking to myself & blaming myself. As a teacher, I said to myself that I am useless teacher.

Really, Mayur is the right candidate. He must get all the help from school. Students also recommended him. There was no need to go home & check whether Mayur is really poor or not?

I made up my mind and I informed Principal sir that Mayur Jadhav is poor student. He is from 7th Standard, Class A and his role number is 42. I requested Principal Sir that he should get all the financial help from our school. I also empowered Principal Sir about what I heard from students & how Mayur did not come for picnic, why & so on.

Our Principal Sir looked at me and asked me once again "Sir, are You sure? Remember, it is not a very small amount that we will be investing on Mayur. Apart from school fees, school will also give him all other things like school dress, shoes, books, notebooks, school bag, etc. across the academic year.

With lot of confidence, I told Principal Sir "Sir You just don't worry about it. He is the right candidate. I left the Principal's office with lot of satisfaction in my mind.

I told myself "You did a good job".

Across the day, I was thinking about Mayur & dreaming about Mayur.

Next day early in the morning when I arrived in school? Principal Sir wrote on notice board informing everyone that "Mayur Jadhav is one of the most neat, clean, decent, good in studies, good in sport, good in other activities, will get financial help from the school across the year. He is the most desired & suited student.

School started as usual. I was sitting in teachers cubic. Suddenly I saw Mayur. His face was very odd. His body language was not pleasant.
He said "Sir, please wipe out my name from the notice board immediately. Sir, please don't be upset & angry on me.

I said "What are You saying Mayur? Are You gone crazy?

He said "Sir, if I am making any mistake? You can punish me. But please, I beg You. Please wipe out my name from the notice board. He also had tears in his eyes.

I was not able to understand him at all. I was keen to congratulate him and but right now I was taking different experience & watching something unheard.

He said "Sir why school is helping me? Because I am poor? No sir, I am not poor. I am rich.

While he was saying this to me, I could see very clearly his shirt collar had too many stitches. I could that he was bare foot and he was not warring "Chhapal" and/or "School Shoes". In my teaching experience of 14 years, I was so embraced with this experience.

I said "But Mayur"

Mayur cut my sentence in half and said "Sir trust me. I am not poor. I am rich. May be I am the richest amongst all students. He asked me "Who took the decision & concluded that I am poor?" I also know I am making big mistake by saying this. But sir, if I see my name like this on school's notice board? I will become sick forever. He came nearer to me and he fall on my feet.

I said "Fine Mayur. Don't worry about it. Fine if You are not keen to take any financial help from the school? No issue at all. I will request Principal Sir to wipe out Your name from the notice board. But before that just tell me, how You are rich? He said "Sir look at all my homework notebooks? Are they incomplete? No, they are complete. He said "Sir I am using second hand books. That's fine with me. But sir, matter in the book remains whether I use brand new books and/or second hand used books? Am I right? Sir is it not important what I write in my notebooks & papers than how I write it? Whether I use brand new books or second hand books. How does it matter? Over & above, Sir look at all the marks in all the tests. From 5th standard till today, I am always achieving highest rank in first three numbers. In addition, I am also winning awards + rewards in sports, debate competition, writing competition, essay writing, letter writing, etc.

I could see in his eyes great dreams. I could also see tears just vanished while he was talking. I could see great confidence along with humbleness in his body language & words.

I said "Mayur I understand You & Your emotions. But You will get help only with these funds.

Mayur said "Sir this is not help. This help will kill my ability & passion to work hard. The moment this funding will be available to me? I will not be able to go with my father to do painting job that my father does.

I said "What?"

Mayur said "Sir my father is a small time painter. He paint houses whenever contractor calls him? He get the job & then only he earns. My father also asks me to accompany him most of the times. When I work him? Contractor also gives me few rupees. I save them. Sir You can check my saving's account that I have opened in our school. You can cross check my passbook. I can pay entire fees for this year as well as for next year. I have sufficient savings. I suppose my schoolmates must have given You wrong information about me. May be because of that, school must have selected me as poor student. Mayur said "Not only me Sir. But all our family members are rich. Each & every member in our house, they work & they earn. Working hard is nothing but putting best efforts. Am I right? We all put efforts. Whenever my father does not gets any painting task? He works as a collie on railway station. My mother cleans vessels in 6 houses. My elder sister takes training classes. Sir, we don't have time to think how to spend 24 hours available with us. We don't have TV & Radio. I also read books available in our school library. As You told me after reading the book, I write to the writers of that book & I thank him/her. Sir You please visit my home. By the way Sir I do have a letter signed by Great Marathi writer "P L Deshpande".

Mayur said "Now You tell me Sir. Am I poor? By the way, I also learned "Harmonium" from the lady who is staying next to our home. She visits the temple in the night for "Bhajan & Kirtan (Another very popular & powerful folk from Maharashtra)". Sometimes I also go with her & play harmonium. She sings perfectly. Her orator skills are wonderful. Her command on Marathi & Sanskrit is superb. There is so much of learning.

I asked Mayur "Do You also visit physical exercise room in our school?"

Mayur said "Sir where is the time available. I do 24 Surya Namaskar in home as soon as I get up early in the morning at 5 AM. In addition to this, I also wash bathroom everyday. Toilet everyday. I wash my cloths (and every family member) everyday evening. I wash my eating plate. I also bring 5 buckets of water early in the morning from street tap since we don't have corporation water tap in our house. I asked many times to my father about this. But he says, since corporation people wants bribe for giving tap connection? He says we will not pay them bride for our basic needs and I fully agree with his thinking. Now by doing all these activities, I get many exercises automatically.

I said "Mayur. I am very proud, You are my student. You are not poor. Your are the richest student in our school and not only in class.

We made a mistake by selecting You as poor student. You do not fit in to that category at all. But just think about this. We will request our principal to convert this funding in to scholarship and we can give You this funding as all rounder student.

Mayur said "Sir let's wait for few more years".

I have already finished reading about Indian freedom war.

I also read Veer Savarkkar's biography, Dr. Ambedkar's biography, Lokmanya Tilak's biography, Sardar Patel's biography, Netaji Bose's biography, Mangal Pande's war against Britishers, Helen Keller's biography, Lincoln's biography, biography of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, biography of Dr. Anandi Gopal, biography of Maharshi Karve, biography of Vinoba Bhave, L B Shastri's biography, Gopal Ganesh Agarkar's biography, biography of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, biography of Swami Vivekanand, biography Ramkrishna Paramhans, biography of Dr. Sarojini Naidu, biography of Khan Abdul Gafar Khan, complete history of Shivaji Raje Bhosale, Complete history of Thorale Bajirao Peshwe, Complete history of Karna, Ramayan, Mahabharat, etc.

I also read books written by P. L. Deshpande, Y. G. Joshi, N. S. Phadke, Y. D. Phadke, Ranjit Desai, Babasaheb Purandare, Vishram Bedekar, Ram Ganesh Gadkari, Annasaheb Kirloskar, B. R. Bhagwat, G. N. Dandekar, Durga Bhagwat, Hari Narayan Apte, Narayan Hari Apte, Prahlad Keshav Atre, Shantabai Shelke, Bahinabai, Baba Kadam, Vasant Vaman Bapat, Purushottam Bhaskar Bhave, Purushottam Darvekar, Kriushnashastri Chiplunkar, Vishnushastri Kriushnashastri Chiplunkar, Dilip Purushottam Chitre, Jayawant Dalvi, Narayan Dharap, Ramchandra Chintamani Dhere, Narayan Ganesh Gore, Chintaman Vinayak Joshi, Laxmanshastri Vinayak Joshi, Mahadevshastri Joshi, Anant Kane, Shirish Kanekar, Vasant Kanetkar, V V Shirwadkar, Vinda Karandikar, Iravati Karve, Shripad Krushna Kolhatkar, G D Madgulkar, Venkatesh Madgulkar, G T Madkholkar, Setu Madhavrao Pagadi, Moropant Ramaji Paradkar, Moropant Pingale, Y M Pathan, Shankar Damodar and Shripad Narayan Pendse, Datto Vaman Potdar, V K Rajwade, Indira Sant, Shivaji Savant, Vijay Tendulkar, Golvalkar Guruji, Balasheb Devras, Dr. Keshav Baliram Hegdewar & many more writers.

I am learning what is struggle is all about, what are hard efforts, what is freedom, need of freedom, why freedom is needed by all of us, importance of freedom, what has gone in 150 years of freedom war & so on.

At this age, I need more inspiration. I need more guidance from You & all other teachers. I need to read a lot. I need read about other countries.

Please also criticize me time & again + whenever I make mistakes so that I can quickly learn & change.

Ultimate goal is to walk on free, proud & respectful road and live life like a good human being.
I wanted to do something for my city, my state & my India where in we all live.
I wanted to plant good number of trees all across city.
I wanted to have water tap in my house and that too without paying bribe to corporation employee & local corporator.
I wanted to get in to teaching profession and make my city 100% literate.

But please Sir. Don't give me money right now. This is the age when I am supposed to read, learn & study? If You or school gives me money? I may generate a feeling in my mind that all this what I am doing right now is for earning money.

Money will come sir.

Knowledge will bring money.

Please sir, don't give me money and make me handicap.

Let me struggle more & put the best of efforts.

This is the only thing that I can do without money in hand. Putting efforts + struggle is the only thing that is under my control.

As a teacher, I realised because of vast reading & work that Mayur was doing in home & in school? He became very knowledgeable, mature & humble person.

I also got tears in my eyes. I was watching one of the finest + richest student who was fighting, struggling & putting the best of efforts on his body, brain & mind. He was becoming a diamond. He was not hesitating to put the efforts.

Mayur, You are rich student from our school. One of the richest student that I ever met in my teaching career.

Epilogue

Following are the concluding lines by Mr. Phadke. Request you to give some time and adapt to it.

Namaste,

I am sure above story must have shaken You.

When I read this story for the first time? Within no time I went back to my own past and recollected all those golden days when I used to sell Daily News Papers on Laxmi Road (in Pune city), used to drop students for classes early in the morning, used to work in Hotel Darshan in the evening from 6 PM till 1 AM, used to remove stones from wheat & rice @ 1.50 paise per kg, use to sell sainted soaps, perfumes & agarbatti in Deepawali to earn money for crackers, used to cook {with helping hand from my mother & sister} & sell Idli Chatani, Bread Pattice, Puran Poli, , Samosa & Sabudana Wada on Laxmi Road, Pune just to make sure that there is no stoppage of education + survival of our family.

Now can we create similar (artificial) situation in Year 2010 for young generation and help them to become strong pillar of the society where in we all live & nation at large than giving them money in their hands and making them weak?

This is the quest for today from my end to all the parents, to all the newly married couples & to all young ones who are studying in schools/colleges/universities and/or who just finished their education & now searching for jobs and/or wants to start their own business.

Above story was shared by Shri. Dinesh Bharadwaj via e-mail. Original script was in Marathi. Since I felt that there is a great message within the story line, I did free English translation so that all those who can not read, write, speak & think in Marathi? Can read it in English and enjoy the story & message between the lines. Shri. Bharadwaj offers his paid services to Thermax Limited.

Thermax was my dear customer from Year 2004 till Year 2009.

It was Thermax only who gave me the first opportunity in engineering & design business. Because of Thermax, I got visibility, brand & respect in manufacturing sector when I had no knowledge of Maharashtra + manufacturing sector, when I had no identity in Maharashtra; I had no knowledge of manufacturing & so on.

Thermax trusted me first (because of various processes, discipline, passion, attitude, home work ability, etc. that I learned from Dr. Cooper - CMD of Modular) and then followed by Forbes Marshall group of companies, Endurance group, Varroc group, Bagla group via Aurangabad Electricals, True Thread, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Premier Ltd., Walchand Industries, Elephant Design, Praj, Eagle Burgmann, TEMA India, Electromag.

Trust level of customers in us + in our services is increasing month after month & with that, list of customers is also increasing month after month.

What else I could ask from this country & fellow citizens?

Sincerely I remain,

Phadke Subodhkumar Narayan

It seems mobile publishing is not the best form of blogging and I'll have to stick to my laptop for the moment :(

2010-05-18T23:04:00.000+05:30

Check out Save Our Tigers | Join the Roar

2010-02-11T22:23:00.001+05:30

Title: Save Our Tigers | Join the Roar
Link: http://gotaf.socialtwist.com/redirect?l=-825236049122672863921

I am Bihar

2009-02-26T22:55:00.001+05:30

Read this on Orkut and thought of sharing.. credit to the person who wrote this (anonymous to me)

I AM BIHAR
I am the history of India
I gave India its first president
I gave the world its first Republic
I nourished Buddha to enlightenment
I gave world its best ancient university
Mahavir came out of my womb to found Jainism
My son Valmiki wrote Ramayan, the greatest Epic
I gave birth to Aryabhatt, the great ancient mathematician
My son Vatsayana wrote Kamasutra, the treatise of love
I gave Ashoka Chakra that adorns India's national flag
Rishi Shushrut, the father of surgery, lived on my soil
My son Chanakya was the father of Economics
My son Ashoka was the greatest ruler of India
My son Dinkar is the national poet of India
I gave the world its first University
I am the land of festivals
I am brotherhood
I am the past
I am the future
I am BIHAR

Responsible statements!

2008-12-02T21:40:00.003+05:30

Sample these....

"Aisa nahi hai. Itne bade shahar mein chhota hadsa ho jata hai. To total failure nahi hai. (It is not like that. In big cities like this, small incidents do happen. It's is not a total failure.)"
-- R. R. Patil (then Deputy Chief Minister & Home Minister, Maharashtra and NCP Member) in wake of Terrorist attack on Mumbai

"Is there any rule that both the Karnataka chief minister and Kerala chief minister should go together to his home? If not for Sandeep's house, not even a dog would have gone there."
-- V. S. Achuthanandan (then Chief Minister, Kerala and CPM Senior Member) on being denied entry in his house by Saheed Major Unnikrishnan's Father

"his (Sandeep's father) wife and relatives told us that his mental state is not right, so please don't misunderstand him"
-- V. S. Achuthanandan (then Chief Minister, Kerala and CPM Senior Member) adament not to apologize over his statement

"Some women wearing lipstick and powder have taken to streets in Mumbai and are abusing politicians, thus spreading dissatisfaction against democracy. This is what terrorists are doing in Jammu and Kashmir."
-- Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (Vice President, BJP and ex-State Minister) on people taking to roads to protest against the Mumbai attacks.

A similar statement to the first one above was given by an a minister in Mulayam Singh Yadav's govt for Nithari Kand and everyone said that since the minister was illeterate.. he didn't knew what he was stating.

However, this time these statements are given by three gentlemen in relation to one unfortunate incident and this shows how our leaders and lawmakers are! Cutting across all party lines... all we see is a heap of rot. Needless to mention... all of them were holding highly esteemed offices at the time of making the statement.

Are they sensitive to what an average Indian thinks - NO!

Homage to the Matyrs

2008-11-29T11:06:00.004+05:30

Enough of posts related to terrorism. We all know what has happened at Mumbai in last three days... in fact the whole world knows... so I would not write anything about that.

This is just to pay homage to fearless matyrs like Major Unni Krishnan, Hemant Karkare, Vijay Salaskar, Ashok Kamte and various other Police and force personnels who sacrificed their lives to save others.

Just a footnote: Where are Raj Thakercey and his MNS hoodlums in this time of crisis? Why didn't they came forward to save 'Aamchi Mumbai'? I know this is all rubbish.. but hope somehow Raj realises this and stops spitting venom.

Terror, Terror, everywhere.. not a place to hide

2008-07-30T18:40:00.004+05:30

Friday, 25 July 2008 -- serial bomb explosions rocked IT hub Bangalore.

Saturday, 26 July 2008 -- 16 serial bomb explosions shook Ahmedabad. Ghastly scene all over the media.

Sunday, 27 July 2008 -- Unexploded bombs found at places in Surat.

Bomb scare at Kolkata and Varanasi.

Is this a pattern? I can see a pattern here...

Earlier, the targets of bombs would be Delhi, Mumbai and the top metros. Now, as the security tightens in major metropolitan cities, namely Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, terrorists have started to look at significantly smaller but equally important cities.

The basic motto for the terrorists is to attack on the economy and spread terror. It doesn't matters where it is done. And if in the process people, ladies and children die, let them die.

The acts are so ghastly that even condemning does not relieves us of the pain of watching blood and gore spread all over the screen. And to think of people who have lived through it -- life is like hell!

And why, just because some people have decided that they will not let us live in peace and harmony? Because some useless unrelenting people have decided that others do not have the right to live?? Who are they to decide???

Blaming government for every failure is quite easy, and talk of the season too! But do we own our responsibilities? People from Surat awakened to the reality and they were saved when they spotted bombs and alerted authorities. For years we have been watching posters put up by security agencies to alert authorities if anything unusual is seen or found. How many times have we tried to see things in this scenario? Specially in today's world, we feel proud to say that we are not concerned what the other person is doing!

But we have seen -- what the other person is doing does impacts us at times, and that too very badly.

Can we be more alert from now on???

Enlightenment on chat!

2008-07-06T13:22:00.007+05:30

Was just chatting with friend over google talk and were discussing some general things when I realised that there are many people out there who share my feelings. I thought we have discussed things that I should share with everyone. Here it goes....

12:21 PM Navneet: well, i went thru the link that u r using in ur punchline
its fantastic.....
12:22 PM me: thank you!
Navneet: and i used the same as my punchline 2
me: :)
12:23 PM Navneet: it really makes 1 feel happy hearing these sort of things
u must have been knowing, that one IIM grad is opening a veg. retail chain in Patna
me: yes obviously. That's why I decided to write on those aspects
no!
12:24 PM actually my stay at Patna this time was just one day
Navneet: his name is kaushalendra
12:25 PM me: It is always good when you do something that is a bit deviant form the normal
12:26 PM Navneet: Indian news paper, even in Pune, r filled with this news
12:27 PM Just search in google with "Kaushalendra of IIM+India"
me: ok
12:28 PM give me a mo
Navneet: sure
12:29 PM me: that's one good fella for sure!
12:32 PM Navneet: yeah....
its really a big-big thing
sm changes are in the air....
12:33 PM of course, it will take some time though
me: yes, but it will be good
12:34 PM Navneet: bt, still the old govt. is putting obstacles at the central level
:-(
12:35 PM me: well, you know what? once you decide that you have to go forward, come what may, nobody can stop you..
obstacles can be won!
see the improvement Nitish has done in 2.5 yrs and compare that to the backwardness that we got in 15 yrs of Laloo (+proxy)
Navneet: thatz TRUE
12:36 PM actually, the administration is not xtending a helping hand to him
me: that happens for every new initiatives
12:37 PM and that's why we call people as legends...
Navneet: the admin lobbly probable deserved the same treatment that Laloo meted out to them
*probably
me: you just can't create a legend
they are born
12:38 PM Navneet: yup
bt, really I don't think that thrz any other CM in this country who is working so hard
me: there is one.. but people love to hate him!
Navneet: who
12:39 PM me: Narendra Modi
Navneet: yeah......
he has completely changed the rural areas of Guj
me: apart from one or two odd things that he has done, which I too condemn, he has done lots of good thing in Gujrat
12:40 PM for which he should be praised
Navneet: if investors r flowing money over there, they r not fOOL
me: obviously!
Navneet: yeah...def.
me: that's how I would like to see Bihar
Navneet: u know, ppl of Bihar themselves are problem at some xtent
me: I'd love to go back to Bihar, drawing a salary of 10k only, but working in IT
12:41 PM and I think my day is coming soon
that was a generation ago
Navneet: u know, every 1 is planning to go to that side
me: 10 years from now, people hated themselves to be called Bihari
12:42 PM Navneet: my each & every frnd of Bihar
me: in fact it was a gaali here in Delhi
but now things have changed
and look how?
labours are not going outside
now its just a matter of FDI...
12:43 PM and everything will be available at Bihar itself
and I will not have to go anywhere else
Navneet: haan wo toh hai
of course. I even planned to go to Calcutta or Jamshedpur
12:44 PM and 4 that I decided to join IBM....
but, they hv send me to Pune....
me: I would really love to go back to my native place -- Samastipur
Navneet: well, I wud b trying my best..
12:45 PM me: the only thing is that I have turned into a hard-core techie.. and couldn't imagine myself doing anything else
Navneet: of course.... i hv my bg house in Patna itself
def. i wud luv going thr
12:46 PM me: hopefully, if the developments keep it's pace.. as of now.. then it would not take more than 5 yrs for IT companies to go there
Navneet: u know, my younger brother had decided not to go outside and started handling my dad's Gem's business
me: and that would be my day
that's cool...
really appreciate that
Navneet: though he is an MCA by prof.
me: really!
12:47 PM Navneet: it was a real BIG decision
me: of course it is!
Navneet: every1 had suggested him to go somewhere
12:48 PM well, his decision was to be with parents as well doing work from thr
me: I would have loved to do the same.. the only problem was.. we were not very financially strong... my father came into railway service and that's why we got good education.. but there was nothing sort of fall back system for us.. we had to go for a job somewhere.. so here I am.
12:49 PM I would love to meet him sometime
Navneet: the same was with me
its the general rule ovr thr
me: next time you call him, say my thanks to him!
Navneet: so, we brothers decided that i wud do job, and he woud help prospering the business.
12:50 PM sure sir ji.
and if he needs and fall back support, I wud do my best
12:54 PM me: You know what? I think I have got my inspiration for the next blog post!
12:55 PM Navneet: gr8...
of course, these sort of ppl needs inspiration
though, he is my younger bro.
me: Kaushalendra and your brother -- I think I will put this chat transcript itself as the next post
Navneet: ha ha....
12:57 PM well, kaushalendra is a big name in media now
:-)
his name shud be
12:59 PM bt, it become possible by our mutual understanding(me & my bro)
and for the sake of it, I hv delayed my marriage 2
me: yes, that's commendable, for you too!
Navneet: bt, now my mom is getting worried
:-)
1:00 PM me: then I think you should ease her worries
go find a girl and get married :)
Navneet: ha ha....
me: and don't forget to invite me too :D
Navneet: of course man !!!
1:01 PM yeah, they r looking 4 a suitable 1
me: and I have a woman too with me -- my wife! he he :)
Navneet: I have no particular choice
yeah,....u r lucky in that section
:-)
1:02 PM me: you know what? I'd suggest go for an educated girl.. who can work if required, but would not just love an external job
1:03 PM Navneet: yeah, my assumption is also the same
me: because, when you are in IT, you earn what is apt for any family to live comfortably anywhere
just that you need to define the boundaries of comfort
Navneet: she shud b capable enough to carry on.... but no need to carrying a burden every time
1:04 PM yeah... i hv v. small needs in my life
me: yes, when I said that she could work if required, I meant exactly that
Navneet: and i m happy in that
me: that's how it should be
1:05 PM earning money is not bad, and aspiring for that too is not bad...
Navneet: i want to do somethng for the social upgradation
me: but being lost so much in earning money that you do not get time to enjoy what you have earned is bad
1:06 PM Navneet: of course....money keeps away a lot of tension to let u focus on u area of interest
*ur
me: yes, and it is always good to give back something (at least some bits) to the society
1:07 PM it helps for self-contentment
Navneet: bt to those who deserve ur helping hand
1:08 PM "Bhiksha bhi patrata dekhkar deni chaahiye"
me: obviously, you would not want spending money on laloo's son just because he is OBC
Navneet: HA HA.....
HA HA.....
u really posses a gr8 sense of humor
me: :)
thanks!
Navneet: i wud luv meeting u yaar
really.
1:09 PM :-)
actually, casteism is so much intricated into the social fabric of bihar, that its just killing the growth
1:10 PM me: I'll tell you a small story..
Navneet: everywhere it is....but therz its much beyond acceptance level
me: around 1989-90.. I was in school
Navneet: ppl start thinking with that angle
1:11 PM me: there was this boy in my class who was at least at par with me intellectually..
Navneet: k
me: then the mandal and reservations came....
Navneet: hmm
1:12 PM me: in the lunchtime, he used to have heated arguments with other classmates...
1:13 PM Navneet: k
me: sort of you upper caste people have suppressed us for centuries.. manu.. and all those shit... and now when we are getting a chance to get back at you.. you people just can't digest this fact... that we will come at par with you...
this was a matter for everyday
Navneet: hmmmmm
that was the blackest period of our time
me: my home was very near to the school and I used to go home for lunch
1:14 PM and I was really very fond of him
then one day, I returned early from the school and the same argument was going on..
I joined and told him that I wanted to say something..
1:15 PM can you think what did I told him and what was the result?
Navneet: what?
1:18 PM me: I told him -- Look xxxx! you know what? Before this day.. I took you to my home so many times in lunch and we had lunch together. So many times we ate in the same plate at my house. And I never thought even a bit about it. But now when you say yourselves, then I realize this -- I'M ASHAMED OF MYSELF THAT I SHARED THE PLATE WITH A LOWER CASTE PERSON! AND FROM NOW ON I WOULD NEVER THINK DOING IT AGAIN!!
1:19 PM and the result? He was stunned! He never would have imagined of it this way. In front of all the class... he just bowed his head and went back to his seat and we never did had any arguments over reservation from that day on.
1:20 PM Later he apologized to me in person.. but the relationships were not the same again.
1:22 PM Navneet: marvellous
i remember,
1:23 PM in 86-87, some staffs came to our classroom for counting the OBC & etc...
and i had no idea what this is all about
i had few frnds of that category, I knew this on that day itself....
1:24 PM still to this day, I don't know of many frnds' castes
i never needed it
me: of course you never require it to become friends!
1:25 PM Navneet: so, 90-91 just teared off the society
and laloo era was the result of this
me: yes, I have seen all that
Navneet: the 15 yrs of misrule & anarchy
1:26 PM just killed the aspiration of an entire generation
those who were at 15 at that time, are now 30+.
me: people never thought that Laloo and VP would become monsters, I myself voted for JD in 1989, to defeat congress.
Navneet: they can't do anything new at this age
1:27 PM me: yes, I understand
Navneet: I think, that is the biggest problem
to let them IN in the society
1:28 PM me: actually, it is always the thought that is bad, not the person
1:29 PM Buddha once said -- hate the sin, not the sinner
Navneet: bt, i think u can't just remove the sin
1:30 PM at some point of time,
u need to remove the person
me: it's just about the thought cleansing.. the day they would realize that all these politicians just USE them for their own benefit, they would understand
Navneet: like, laloo is removed from state to the center
me: ha ha
Navneet: ab railway crush hoga....
1:31 PM ppl will realize this after 4-5 yrs
me: well you just can't remove everyone, not all the politicians in RDB style!
just a matter of awakening
Navneet: of course, that is not the solution 2
they r monsters.. they will keep usurping with their bloods
1:32 PM i wanna letting u know something
me: what?
Navneet: we have a caste Bhimihars
1:33 PM u must be knowing
me: I know very well!
1:34 PM now the current gen. of that caste have become some outbound, so they wanna having working gal as their life partner
Navneet: and its quite difficult in their caste
1:35 PM Navneet: so, therz a tension of that sort in that society
so, now some of them r jumping the fence to find in other castes.
1:36 PM I wish that this tension enhances and make the casteism fabric shredded
me: let them jump.. unless they are using mean methods and lying for that.. it's not bad
Navneet: I wish so.
1:37 PM me: it will be, don't worry!
Navneet: when ppl connect with the world, it happens
and politicians fear this
me: at least educated people now don't think about caste and creed
1:38 PM Navneet: in the same way, Nitish govt is getting ppls support from every strata of the society
me: yes
Navneet: and that is his power which allows him to
me: well it's all about fulfilling the basic needs .. roti/kapda/makaan and bijli/paani/sadak
Navneet: remove a criminal MLA from his own party
1:39 PM yeah
me: good governance will always find support from all stratas of community
he is doing good, just wish he can remain there, with the same state of mind for next 10 yrs
at least
1:44 PM I'm going offline now.. to post this on my blog!
Navneet: sure
chalo....
1:45 PM thanx for the time u spent with me
me: you're welcome, always!

Disclaimer: The entire chat transcript has been posted here in agreement with Navneet (his name too).

Improvement in Bihar - labour crisis everywhere!

2008-06-21T20:07:00.017+05:30

Was going through newspapers this week and found some interesting articles here and here which corraborate the facts what I wrote in my last post.

These two news articles.. first reported in Times Of India on 17 June and then on 19 June talk about labour crisis in farms in Punjab. Every year, hoards of labours would board the trains at various towns and stations throughout Bihar and would alight at various places in Punjab. Marred by poor agricultural facilities, recurring floods and administrative apathy, they would have no other way but to migrate seasonally to Punjab during the paddy season. However, this year, it is a different story... the trains are empty and there are not too many labours who alight these trains.

The same is the scenario in the industrial units at Surat, Nashik and other places in Maharashtra.

This turnaround has been possible by successful implementation of just one single program - National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA)

It seems that the tide is turning now. Only a few months ago, I wrote here how certain people from Maharashtra wanted to oust Bihari/UP labours from their state. I warned there itself:

...infrastructure will be crumbled if people from UP and Bihar come back and do not do any work in states like Punjab and Maharashtra...

And now it is evident that my fears have been proved true!

This also validates the fact that now there is a development process started in Bihar. Good for poor people of Bihar.. and in fact good for entire Bihar. This has started a never ending process of development from where there is no looking back.

The basic amenities of life are Roti, Kapda aur Makaan (food, clothing and shelter). These fulfilled, people look for next set of three amenities, namely Bijli, Paani aur Sadak (electricity, potable water and road). While NREGA has fullfilled the basic amenities, Nitish Kumar's government is looking after fulfilling the next set of requirements. One the infrastructure is in place, it is just a matter of time that investments will start pouring in and will finally result in complete development of Bihar.

One more area where I would like to see and improvement, and which has got the potential also, just what is required is political will and funding, is channelization of the rivers to facilitate irrigation througout the state. Punjab is called the food bowl of India and it has got only five major rivers. It was just the planned channelization of rivers which resulted in green revolution there. Bihar has got hundreds of large and small rivers which originate from Himalayas and which have water in them around the entire year. These rives criss-cross entire Bihar in a way that almost every District has got around 10-30 rivers flowing through it.

It is just a matter of channelization so that the water is available to every field for irrigation and it would help in flood control also. Floods cause most of the fertile land in Bihar to remain unutilized for almost three months a year. The land which is capable of yeilding three to four crops per year!

It is just the political will that is required. We have seen the impact of just one successful implementation. Just think of the potential... there are so many government schemes. And with the news of opening of an IIT in Bihar, it seems that the day is not too far now, when everyone will held his head high and would not feel ashamed to say -

Yes! I am a Bihari!!

Tour de Roots

2008-05-24T00:10:00.005+05:30

Getting on to writing something after a long time...

Well, there was a reason.. and the reason was that I was on a tour to my native place for two weeks! A two weeks' leave for the first time since last four years!

So I went on a sojourn to my native place and this time, it was a surprise for me. Believe me!

I spent my childhood and teenage days in Bihar and initial youth as well. Had been to Bihar around 2 years back on a short vacation. What I saw this time was a surprise.. a pleasant surprise!!

Laloo Prasad Yadav has long ago talked about making the Roads of Bihar akin to Hema Malini's cheeks, but did nothing in his 15 yrs of rule except for looting lots of public money. The roads were more of a potholes and this was the condition everywhere. The roads were of course repaired... but every rain would act like Duryodhan of Mahabharata and would raise all the sarees from Draupadi's (road's) body, thus exposing the bloody game that politicians and contractors played openly in Bihar.

However, this time I was taken aback by surprise.. The roads were all smooth except for far flung places and that too were limited and work was already planned.. almost everywhere! Sudden shift in government's policy? Then I realize that Laloo no more rules Bihar either directly or through a proxy (Rabri?) and now Nitish Kumar is the Chief Minister for last 22 months.

I talked to people and came to know that the improvement was almost everywhere. Any society needs basic infrastructure to develop -- Electricity, Water, Roads, Education, Health Care, etc. What I observed was that improvement was drastic and positive in almost all arenas... at least in the ones that matter the most.

Electricity.. which I never remembered to be there for more than 6-8 hours a day (except when you are not living in government/railway quarters, which have their own supply).. this time I found it to be available for around 18-20 hours. Specially it was available generally during the day hours.

Bihar has no dearth of highly skilled Doctors, although they all preferred to sit in the comfort of their own clinics/private hospitals.. ran a virtual mint to print money.. and never bothered to visit the hospital that they were attached to. Government hospitals were turned into shelter for stray dogs and cattles (even photographs were published in papers and magazines, I remember!).. forget about any aminities! But this time, I saw the same hospitals sparkling clean, buzzing with activity and the doctors actually sitting there, treating people. Even free medicines are now being dispensed!

I know personally some teachers (some relatives as well!) who would never go to their school/colleges and run private classes/coaching institutes. Even if they would go, it would be just to mark their attendance or take their salaries. I remember myself had taken admission for graduation in science.. but there were no classes held for the entire year and the exam dates came! I left the college/university and went to Hyderabad for further education. Student unions fought election on the promise of getting 180 days of classes! Now this time I know that the same teachers/lecturers/professors are attending the college.. even carrying a lunch box to the college!

Great achievement I'd say and Kudos to whoever is responsible for this drastic change! Seems we will again have a time when people like me would not look further to any place else to get good education and a livelihood.

Amen!!!

Borewell fame

2008-04-05T12:57:00.008+05:30

First there was a Prince and now a Vandana... famed due to a fall in a bore well pit... Borewell fame?

About two years ago, a child named Price fell into a bore well pit near Kurukshetra (Haryana) and was rescued by army after over 50 hours, alive and kicking. Hail the army! Prince, after successful evacuation was bestowed with many announcements with the best being Rs. 5 Lakh being given to his family. Hail the government!!

Then there is a two year old Vandana, who fell into a similar pit near Agra on 26 March this year and was rescued by army around 27 hours later, alive and kicking. Hail the army! The entire district administration came up to the spot and camped there till the evacuation. Hail the administration!! The local MLA announced that he would take care of the lifelong expenses that would occur on Vandana's studies. Hail our representatives!!!

Do I sound sarcastic? Yes I do! and that's because I am!!

We know that this does not happen when there is a road accident. No District Magistrate/SP/MLA/MP come on the spot and announce even a rupee to their family. We know that.

Then why this generosity and pro-activeness?

Well, everyone has to get his 30 seconds of fame! You know when the action scene is being covered by spate of media, that too live, you have your chance of getting your 30 seconds of fame. Entire India, and if possible, many parts of the world will watch you... listen to what you say... and you'd be popular... or a recognized face at least! So we have our District Magistrate available on the spot with his mercenary, we have a super special ambulance with the best doctors available, and of course we have our local democratic representative -- our MLA present on the spot. Everyone plays his role and everyone gets to share some time on small screen.

But who's the loser at the end in all this mayhem?? Me of course! You'd ask how?

Simple:

who paid for army to pitch in and do the rescue work? Me, a genuine taxpayer!
who paid for the super special ambulance? Me, my taxes foot the bill!
who paid for all the government mercenary to be present on the spot? Me, I pay them salaries through my taxes!
who suffered due to loss of work by top brass while they were on the spot? Me, or people like me!
who foots the bill when the government offers sops to people?? Me of course!

I pay the taxes, but I don't get what I deserve in return - better roads, better electricity supply, better water supply, better education... to name a few. But where does my money go? Paying the salaries to these fat slimy officials who do not do anything unless paid extra for that.

Do I want to say that Prince and Vandana should have been left in the ditch to die? No Way! But I just want to say that "Look! I'm paying for what you are doing. So please! Do not work only when TV cameras are watching. Pay some attention to that accident victim who is dying on the roadside. Pay some attention to the person who is dying in the hospital for the want of medicine and proper care. Please!"

Manjunath Kalmani -- what's the fuss about?

2008-03-15T21:16:00.007+05:30

Everyone in India, going through a newspaper daily, must have by now read about Manjunath Kalmani. So who is he? Why has he became famous?

Well, the details you can get at this site, a brief of the same is here:

In a nutshell, this is the story:

Engineer from India loses job
Has car accident
Paralyzed - can barely talk, but uses a laptop and sip-n-puff & Morse Code to communicate
Visa expires, gets sent to India, dumped in hospital where family abandons him
Laptop vanishes.

Something is amiss here, and I'll complete the pieces shortly, but let me ask a frank question to you all -- do we really care is someone is dying? do we care if someone is dying due to utter neglect?? do we really care if someone is dying for the want of right medical treatment and the cost to avail it???

NO! We all know we don't care. This is the truth. I may be a bit blunt here but isn't really this is the truth?

You could have saved one life when you though you have something more important to do than to save a road accident victim! If you would not have cared about the blood-stain on your car-seat cover, you'd have taken him to hospital and may be he would be alive. But No!

If you'd care about person dying due to utter neglect, you'd first look into your own house -- your old parents in the smallest and dingiest room possible. The same persons who nourished you to grow, to become a great personality. Have you ever thought about those persons who have became just a show-piece in your house, and that too broken, whom you prefer not to show to any friends. Have you tried to spare some time and talk to them even on weekends? No!

Have you ever been caring enough to send some money to a charitable organisation like CRY or Prayas? Have you ever tried to fund the medical expense of any unknown person, or even a known person who is not related to you? You have been to hospitals, and seen many poor, rickety people sleeping on the floor in January -- you have always put a handkerchief on your nose and passed by commenting how filthy they are -- have you ever thought of funding them to get a room, a bed, clean cloths? No!

(And mind it, when I say you, it means an average Indian, myself included)

Then? what is that is special in Manjunath? Fine that he was a techie and went to US for job. But when he met with the accident, he was already jobless -- laid off, and more importantly with out a medical insurance. Why? -- It is said that he didn't had money to renew the insurance. Then why was he still at US?

He met with the accident and US have done whatever they could on humanitarian ground. They could have left him to die, specially since no one was there to take care of him. Medical assistance was provided to him on state expenditure, as is the case in US and UK with other residents. It was only when his visa expired that they had to send him back to India. He was technically being deported, but in a special air ambulance, free of cost!

When he was brought back, even his family members were not willing to come to Delhi and visit him. However, when the money started pouring in, they came to Delhi to meet him. Is this how an Indian family works? Leave their son to die knowing that he's not well and needs medical care.?? No! I believe and Indian family would never leave it's member to die even if they don't have any finances to fund his medical care. Anyway....

I don't mean to say that people who have donated money to save Manjunath are wrong. I'm not saying that PM is wrong in allocating Rs 2,00,000/- for his treatment. I'm not saying that TOI is wrong in raising a campaign to save Manjunath.

What I mean to say is that there are countless Manjunaths in this country that you'd meet at every nook and corner -- do you ever think to help them? ever???

Social Networking sites -- are they evil??

2008-03-08T11:35:00.006+05:30

A pleothera of social networking sites have come up of late and has started a debate whether they are good or bad for the society... what are your views?

There have been instances where people have been luring young girls to elope from their home and even a murder in Mumbai which was linked to a social networking site. There is abundance of fake profiles all around and people indulging in all sorts of anti-social activities -- be it crime agains any specific person, or a crime against a language/society/country/religion. But does that mean that the tools is wrong??

"Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder"

I strongly believe in the lines above and I believe that every tool in this world that has been devised for a good purpose can find it's usage in bad deeds as well.

For example, the same saw, that is used for cutting wood to convert it into beautiful furniture can be used as a murder weapon. Almost anything that you see around, a wire, a match, a gas cylinder, electricity... almost anything can be a deadly weapon if you do not use it judiciously. Does this mean that all these are evil things?? - NO!

It depends how you use the tool that is available to you for use.

I personally have used Orkut and Alumni.net a lot and really they have helped me to get in contact with long lost friends -- friends who have been out of contact for more than 16 years! Thanks to these sites that I have been able to contact my school friends whom I had lost contact with long ago!!

I would say -- use these tools, use judiciously and they can benefit you!

Board exam stress??

2008-03-06T15:56:00.003+05:30

As the 10th and 12th board approach, newspapers have started posting news about suicide and suicide attempts by students who are due to appear their boards. What is this happening??? -- I fail to understand.

I don't understand why there is so much stress on the students? -- Is that because they have to score above 95% in their boards?? -- Why??? -- to get admission in a good school/college for their +2/graduation! Ah, I got the answer myself!

This is the reason that there is pressure from peer and even from the parents to score 95% plus or face their wrath. But why?? -- I am again pushed to the darkness of ignorance by myself!

I haven't seen anyone scoring 99% (or for that matter 100%) in his/her 12th and getting a good job just after that. The point is -- even if you get 100% in your 10th or 12th boards, still you have to fight for admission for technical courses where 65% is quite enough to appear for the exam and then it's your aptitude that helps and not what you have crammed! For getting admission to graduations also, some colleges do demand 90 and 95 percent plus marks for admission. But have we ever given a thought over what happens after admission?? Do all those who get admission to reputed colleges get a decent job after they finish graduation??? I think they have to again fight with everybody for job interview/exam where again 65% is a decent enough score!

So why this fuss all about? I remember my days when getting even a bare 60% was deemed good enough and achieving that also was no mean feat. What has changed since then? -- the marking pattern in board, where people get 100% even in literature subjects? Or it's just about parents wanting to brag about the marks obtained by their child?

Whatever the reason, I believe that this is all not good and we are loosing valuable lives. Can we think of doing something that could avoid this all?

Are we heading towards balkanisation?

2008-02-28T22:07:00.003+05:30

Was going through NDTV website when I found this article on their homepage today:
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/showcolumns.aspx?id=COLEN20080042337
Really surprises me, how such views are allowed freely on a news site that is supposed to be neutral.

The author, though tries to show him a person with neutral views, can't prevent himself from posting his own biased views. He supports Raj & MNS in opposing people from Bihar and UP working in Maharashtra. He says that UP and Bihar is not North India! Does anyone wants to hear that? He says that native people have every right to oppose migrants coming and working. He even tries to create a divide within the states of North India by stating that Punjab, Haryana etc are separate from UP and Bihar.

He and people like Raj forget that people from Punjab, Rajsthan and Gujrat and Maharashtra have always been in the helm of affairs in UP and Bihar and together they control most of the trade and business and no one is complaining. Why should one when this is One India - undivided and united!

Recently Bihar assembly asked to send Hon. Governor Mr. Gawai back as he belongs to Maharashtra in retaliation. This idea is not liked by people like Raj and the author. I fail to understand what they want. Do they want that people from UP and Bihar should be confined to their state and at the same time other people must have complete freedom in whatever they do in UP and Bihar.

I fear for the day when people from UP and Bihar start retaliating give the same treatment to all the people from other states like Maharashtra and Punjab. The day would be quite unfortunate as we can't think of business and trade without Punjabi and Marwari community in UP and Bihar. At the same time, infrastructure will be crumbled if people from UP and Bihar come back and do not do any work in states like Punjab and Maharashtra. This is quite evident from the loss that the industry in Nasik is facing after migration of labours from UP and Bihar.

I believe that this is 100% correct that Honorary Supreme Court of India has called it balkanisation of India. It has started on a state level. Does he wants to bring this to city/town/village level now?

It seems that some people would never think or work in national interest ... and to top that, they are in a position where they can command views of masses.

Please! keep off our minds and let us live in peace.

Finally! Success in IT Domain

2008-02-23T19:53:00.000+05:30

I had to struggle a lot for two years after completing my MCA to get a good opportunity. I'd do all kind of sundry jobs like creating a 10 page website for 3k, helping students in their final yr project for some money, working on small assignements for various organisations, even tried my own venture.

Finally my efforts paid off! Since doing all and sundry kind of work, I embraced myself with all the technology available, it helped me to get a good job in a good organization and here I am... now at a middle management level... churning out pages from my life.

Looking back, I feel it was good that I struggled a lot and equipped myself with various technologies, c0z I can see people at technical management level who are not technical at all and result in low morale of their team.

Now that I have accomplished what I desired for and I'm sure things will follow me, it's time for me to ponder over life...

The great IT bust....

2008-02-23T18:34:00.000+05:30

... and then there was this great IT bust. This coincided with the time we were supposed to go into the market and find a job.

The situation out there in the market was too grim. We had to struggle hard to even complete our last semester project. Everywhere we would go would be ready to provide any kind of certification, but not the project as there was no work available.

Imagine the situation when there is no work to do even if we work for free... then who would give us a job when we would want one?

Reality strikes..

2008-02-23T15:06:00.000+05:30

It was only when I entered the domain that I knew how tough it was to get a job without a campus in IT. Looking around, I could find numerous people with all sorts of unsuccessful stories of how they jumped into IT and failed to make it and were struggling as a DTP operator or a data entry operator kind of job.

Further the years I learnt that the rate of people completing IGNOU's MCA was mere 17 % and out of that also, only 30 % who completed in their first go, within 3 yrs.

I would say that I started to brace myself for the worst, knowing that there was no job out there when I would pass out after 3 yrs and I will have to struggle a lot.

Coming of age...

2008-02-23T14:18:00.000+05:30

Belonging to a far-off remote hamlet in Bihar where the entire population of the district was around 5 lakhs, it was just a chance that made me a Techie.

I remember when we were passing 10th, there was no other goal in mind other than how to get into and pass Intermediate/12th. Even after passing 12th, it was just like.. Oh! I've passed 12th with Mathematics so I should now try for Engineering or if with Science, then try for Medicals. No long term planning, no career councelling.. things could not have been worse.

Tried for Medicals and needless to say being unsuccessful ( I have to admit this, whatever be the reasons and circumstances), I opted for a graduation in Public Administration. Having done that from Hyderabad, I moved to Delhi for admission to Law in prestigious DU.

In DU, even after clearing the law entrance and having my name in merit list, I was denied admission, don't know on what grounds! This was the last resort that I had in my life and I felt too miserable to return to my home. Then suddenly I happened to meet a friend who was working as a Data Entry Operator and advised me to go for IGNOU's MCA, telling me that I can land in the job of a System Analyst paying somewhere around 15k per month! Not too bad in 1997 I suppose!

And the idea struck my mind. Having seen the computers only at railway reservation centres, that too only twice or thrice in my life, I never thought that I will make a career out of it. Fate.. destiny... whatever.... but I did joined IGNOU for a one year computer course, a pre-requisite for MCA.

So... the techie has finally started speaking!

2008-02-16T11:31:00.000+05:30

After having a duel in the mind for so many years and after persuation from a dear friend, finally the techie has decided to write something. Quite unnatural huh? Techies are not supposed to write on human aspects of the things. They should be limited to the IT domain, comps, cameras, cell-phones, softwares?

This techie has decided to break all such barriers and speak. And when a techie speaks on something other than IT, he is doomed to falter! So will I, but I will continue -No matter whether you like it or not. But do let me know if you like my blog/posts.

Watch this space...