The Truth

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 15 Jun 2024 14:08:00 +0000

AFTER RETIREMENT

I writing this blog after a long time. The reason for that is not due to lack of time or laziness. I was busy engaged in some interesting passion which I could not indulge so far in a big way.

It starts with my retirement. Retirement is one milestone in life where a people are scared off for various reasons. It could be due to loss of power, position, re-location, loss of facilities etc. Among all this, one of the most important issues related to the change in life style as well as the sudden dip in attention and work schedules. These issues are having more mental impact when the position and power held were higher.

In 2019, when I retired many people asked me, 'what are my plans after retirement ?. ' Will you be taking up some consultancy or auditing job ( BIS was offering part time auditor to retired qualified employees ) or any private job. The fact is I was offered an extension in BIS for six months in the same level ( I was holding Joint Secretary level ) which I declined and the two offers I got after retirement from private . I refused all of them because I wanted to pursue my passion which was pushing me..

Through out my life, I was fascinated by the photography and videography and I wanted to do lot travelling further and shoot lot of videos .As a matter of fact, in the last 3 years I travelled a lot and bought a basic camera and gathered lot of information about Photography & Videography as well as Camera Techniques. I spent hours together on Lenses, Camera Gadgets, Video editing, Camera movement, Audio editing, Lighting, Camera Angles and Video editing software.

Basically It has 3 advantages hidden in this hobby. The first one is, this hobby enables you to open up your creativity and creating an art brings lot happiness and satisfaction. When you create an art or when you learn some mistakes you committed while you edit your videos keep you updated with not only continuous knowledge but keep you engaged..

Of late I realised, I made plenty of mistakes which could have been avoided if I had this knowledge. Also I realised costly cameras or lenses are not the important aspects, but the knowledge of camera, the way you look at the scene and capture the scene , the way you recreate the same with your own perspective would make the difference.

Since I cannot go back to all those places I visited earlier, I decided I should transfer this knowledge to people like me who loves travel and photography. That is why I decided to make complete series of learning photography with all tips and techniques and make it available to Public. You can learn this videos free in Youtube Channel Travel videography for seniors or my Instagram id - senior_citizen_photography.

I have created 39 videos organised in 9 chapters on basics, advanced techniques, tips for photography and videography, editing, lenses and gadgets etc…

3 THINGS I DO DAILY MORNING. - VIVIN JOY

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 05:22:00 +0000

Silent Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 18 Sep 2021 03:18:00 +0000

Silent Prayer

An artisans programme was to start in Coimbatore (2015) and everyone stood up for prayer. The record player was tested earlier but right at the of nick of time, it did not function. Everyone was standing in silence. One second, 2 seconds and 3 seconds. Nothing happened. I could see some of my colleagues frantically trying to do something. Many of them closed their eyes for prayer hence it was not known to them what was happening. Few seconds passed.

Some started looking at me for the signal to sit. I then looked at my officer who was on the PR desk and signaled to render a prayer song. She took up the challenge boldly without any hesitation and she did it. Everyone involved in organising the programme were relived. Some of them thought, the prayer was organised in that way. Only we knew the story behind the curtains. The incident remained unfazed in my memory.

BIS through these programmes had definitely helped large number of artisans in improving their technical knowledge in the area of melting, making solder and soldering, reducing the loss, reducing pollution and creating awareness on Standards and Quality apart from Hallmarking. Shri Tirupathy Rajan, an Expert and Shri K.Anbarasu Sir then DDGS were always there to support these programmes.

We tried to organise many programmes as much as possible because unlike other programmes, these were improving the techniques deployed by the artisans in melting process and also for improving the work environment more than the purity of gold. That is the truth.

Foreign Post office

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 03:19:00 +0000

THE STORY OF First Foreign Post office Certification

This photo was taken during the award of first foreign Post Office Certification in India as per IS/ISO 9001 by BIS. Seated next to me on the left is Shri K.Kadirvel, my colleague & co-auditor and on the right side is Shri Mahesh, then Director of FPO at Chennai. I was then the Head of Management System Department at Chennai and was the Lead Auditor for this project.

It was just a phone call from the Director of the foreign post office that culminated to this great event at the end. He sought guidance on the benefits of implementing ISO 9001 in a service organization. Shri Mahesh, wanted to implement this system for the first time in the country in his department. Later on Post office as a whole implemented the ‘Sevottam certification’.

On the phone, he made two queries to me:

1. What is the benefit of this system to a Public Service industry ?.

2. Would an a organization like Post Office get any tangible benefits where Government and international protocols have to be followed mandatorily followed and there is very little scope for modifying the existing the process?.

After listening to him, I asked for a meeting with him and for a short visit to witness their operations. He readily agreed and I spend some time studying the operations in detail.

The operation is not very complex: When any person, anywhere in India wants to send a cover or packet to be delivered to another location in a different country, it can be given at any of the Post office in India and pay for the stamps. These packets from each zone is collected to the nearest zonal foreign post office to repack after sorting. These bags are then moved to their assigned Gate way stations. ( Kolkatta, Bombay etc.) From there as per the country sorting, it is again regrouped and transported either by air/sea/rail/road to destined country.

As per the mutual Postal agreement with other countries the packets finally reach the local post office of the concerned person and gets delivered. All these operations are completed in 15-20 days very efficiently.

During my observations of operations on that day, I found two areas of opportunities for improvement.

1. A case of misrouting detected on an article but delivered within the time frame. So the customer did not even know about this mishap. This was a process error which could have been avoided and would have saved lot of time for the consumer.

2. In the other case the stamp duty calculated for the packet was slightly more than the required amount by the collecting post office. The customer did pay the amount asked by post office and normally overcharging or undercharging is not known to customers. Post office charges are comparatively very less and people in post office are very courteous and customer friendly. The excess amount was just 10 rupees and this human error was not very serious. But it was a service defect which could be removed.

So I told him, the implementation would help you to identify service defects and set targets to improve the efficacy and efficiency of the entire system. After the discussions, on that day itself, he ordered to return that Rs10/- to the customer and apply for application for BIS certification.

I realized on that day my marketing skills. I never knew till that time I can do this specialized task, even though I studied Management (PGDBM).

Kochi Office site Inauguration

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 01 Aug 2021 03:24:00 +0000

04 MARCH 2012

INAUGURATION OF THE PROPOSED KOCHI OFFICE SITE.

This photo was clicked at the inauguration of proposed Kochi office on the land donated by lease basis with Kerala Government in Maradu Municipal Corporation on our constant persuasion, Kochi after the shifting of office to Kochi from Trivandrum. The land overlooking the backwaters was inaugurated by Shri K.V Thomas, then Honourable minister for Consumer affairs along with Late Shri Sunil Soni, IAS, former DG, BIS and other dignitaries including former State Minister Shri K.S Babu and Maradu Municipal office bearers.
This was my last assignment in Kerala and after the inauguration of this site, DG had a personal discussion with me and asked to come to head quarters. I have shown my disinterest in working again in Certification or Laboratory departments as I spent all my time in certification since joining. I requested him to consider posing in other departments. He then created a new department called SPPD( Standards Policy and planning ) and I was shifted to that department as head. He wanted me to have fresh look on some of the existing systems and was aiming for a complete transformation. This department from scratch was established under my supervision and the role of the department was to assist Standards Formulation departments and DDG(Standards) similar to Central Marks Department(CMD) in Certification. I served little more than one year before being shifted as Head of Management System Department for another important assignment. In the MSCD department I was there for one year and later shifted to Central marks Department-III when transformer was brought under compulsory certification and after one year I was promoted as Deputy Director General.

Kochi-KBWMA Meeting

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 11:39:00 +0000

KERALA WATER Manufactures Association [ KBWA ] meeting at Kochi@2013

One of the regular meetings with Kerala Bottle Water Manufactures Association in Oct 2013. Shri M.E Mohammed then President of KBWA seated next to me seems busy examining the water bottle for its compliance to the norms. The interaction with KBWA was always very productive and progressive.

Most of the Packaged drinking water units were located close Ernakulam centre at that time, and my officers could travel faster and return back on the same day due to the proximity of these units. This helped BIS as well as the industry to serve better and this was expressed explicitly by the association when we shifted the office to Kochi.
The association organised meetings to disseminate information to their members when there is some change in standards, procedures and rules.

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 01:44:00 +0000

Lets-Talk Website:

https://sites.google.com/view/speaktovivin/home

When I superannuated, many offers came in my way including the extension offer from BIS. But I was firm and clear in my mind that I should do what was burning in my heart. To help the Stuttering/Stammering children and that my son also said we will do it when I shared this idea with him long back.

In 2019 the pandemic started and my launch of the trust by name Lets-Talk got stalled, but then we decided to launch a You Tube channel named Lets-Talk. I got a logo designed by Mr. Thomas of NIFT who did it free of cost as a support to this cause.

In the many of the inspiring videos, he narrates his life experience and path he went through to reach the his goal. He is now serving as a Senior software Engineer in LinkedIn and prior to that as a software architect in Samsung Ecommerce. He shares his various experiences and solutions for the benefit of other stutterers..

So far Lets-Talk released many videos and some links are given below.

1.Simple tip to reduce stress -Opening Up: https://youtu.be/C4F_oJEQsZo

2.Job Interview –Self Introduction: https://youtu.be/GqvC_xSW7pQ

3.Forth coming new videos: https://youtu.be/hLN8JM_gW7o

4.Handling guilt : https://youtu.be/wgen5aMtmQY

5.Time pressure : https://youtu.be/wsy8a2e5w-E

6.Why do people stammer ? : https://youtu.be/yRCkzTPMFpk

7.Public awareness campaign: https://youtu.be/_uxHMAPBs2U

8.Open Speech at Connaught Place, Delhi:

9. Open Mike event at Chennai : https://youtu.be/h5naI0UyZe8

10. Self Introduction : - https://youtu.be/1_gvlIk_nrc

11. Phone Interview : - https://youtu.be/jjDC-Sz_cu8

12. Identify stammer : - https://youtu.be/Eo9b3q2Flzk

13.International Stuttering Day Awareness - https://youtu.be/8BCeR4rpXYo

14. Eye Contact : - https://youtu.be/Kg-H9KGVdSE

15. How do You tell your name: https://youtu.be/HjYGm_BhyLE

16. Online Effective Learning : https://youtu.be/1Uh0cPZN7UI

17.Online Teaching : https://youtu.be/XJZ4m88u2Sc

18. Open Mike event at Chennai : https://youtu.be/o3Ipjctvvug

When the number of videos were going up, we felt it was necessary to keep all these videos available at one place so that it can be accessed by all at any time. That is how the website was born. A feed back form where anybody can directly interact and seek assistance. Have a look at this by clicking the link.

https://sites.google.com/view/speaktovivin/home

Varghese Joy

Post your comments

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 00:55:00 +0000

BIS Auditor book Launch:

This book was released on 21 January 2019. marking the culmination of series of efforts to transform the existing processes involved in Management Systems Certification which included introduction of IT enabled Audit time calculation, Assisted auditor selection for competence requirement, Distributed forms management, Delinking travelling charges from certification charges, Discounts for corporates and Multisite units, Revision of audit fee and honorarium amount to external auditors. All documents underwent revision and digitization in line with latest changes in IAF guidelines, new BIS Act and standards and simultaneously enhanced accreditation scope and areas of accreditation. Development of an Intranet based module (internally) helped all auditors and MSCOs to work more uniformly and efficiently. This also helped to disseminate any changes in information related to procedures, guidelines, forms and auditors.

7 more new systems such as MDMS, RTMS, SAMS, EOMS, FSMS coupled Milk certification, QMS and BIS standard coupled RMC certification were introduced. Always advocated for introducing new concepts of combined standards to derive more benefits to consumers as well as clients. Milk certification with FSMS ,RMC with QMS and BIS codes were introduced with these ideas which could beat the competition, if properly marketed. Changeover to most of the standards took place during this period such as 9001, 14001, 45001, 13485 adding burden of organizing a series of training programmes to all auditors and auditees.

The acute shortage of auditors for integrated systems was greatly reduced by removing the obstacle of travelling charges. This was done after careful and meticulous calculations resulting the availability of all auditors to all regions without any hindrance. But the shortage of auditors continue to haunt. In order to quicken the process of auditor enrollment, the entire system of enrollment was reorganized by automating the application to enrollment including online examination. Along with this dialogues were initiated with many other public sector organizations, Government Departments and large multisite organizations for expansion.

At this Juncture, we decided to expand the auditor base and it was necessary to have reference book with all updated changes to have all information at one place for new as well as existing auditors. This made me to write this book. Organized in to 40 major chapters under 6 sections for easy reference, the book also incorporates guidance samples prepared in consultation with many senior officers. Later this book was digitized and incorporated into the new website launched by BIS which I was in charge.

Varghese Joy
Former Scientist-G & DDG
Bureau of Indian Standards

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 07 May 2021 04:34:00 +0000

A JOURNEY TO CALVARY

This is not to be seen as a another Holy Land video, but to be seen as a common man's view and his understanding of Jesus in his journey towards Jesus. While taking these video clips I did not have any idea of making a film like this. Like any other travel, I took these video clips and kept it with me. After retirement my interest in photography resurfaced and I started learning more on camera, photography, videography lenses, camera angles etc. etc.( It is full life time subject ) I spent huge amount of time in understanding these in the last 2 years ( Pandemic period) and continue to spent lot of time in learning this hobby. Now I started learning film making, screen play and other techniques apart from editing and lenses and gadgets..

Then I started making videos of my earlier trips in the new software knowledge I acquired and that is the time I made some episodes of this Holy land trip also. I used to send some of clips to my younger sister (Daisy Daniel) and she told me once to make a full video of this visit and this prompted me to do this. It took six months for me to collect and re-organise the clips, edit, color grade, rearrange, compose and prepare transitions, make title videos, audios, music and compiling.. As a matter of fact I had spent lot of time in understanding video editing, You Tube operation (As I have not done you tube earlier )and today when I look back I feel it was really worth doing this series.

This is an organized video in chronological order with narration of my own understanding on the real life experience of Holy Land visit. All tour operators show you the places according to their convenience and not according to Bible history.

Viewing this clip before you undertake the trip would give a fair idea of the places of visit and where you should spend more time. This will also provide some information on the importance of each place in biblical context and some explanations and interpretations of my own.

One benefit of making this is the direct benefit to me itself. I am the person whos is most benefitted compared to anybody. My understanding has greatly improved by knowing the places he preached, the context, the culture and geography etc... in more deeper way. Initially I made different episodes with text ( Without audio narration) and later I added my audio narration into this.

Although it was the first attempt after understanding software to some extent, the each episode was created in different style (without any temp plates ) with my own idea. You can see and appreciate the differences if you are a video maker by closely watching each episode with its style, techniques of presentation, text presentation and transitions. Lot of time was consumed in generating new ideas for each clip and the techniques used and interpretations are purely my own.

Truly, I tell you, I made this video putting my full heart into it and while making some episodes I cried in my heart feeling the pain of Jesus. That led me to make the last clip - The trial of Jesus - with my own experience of standing in the court . I don't know how many times I have seen these clips, but I feel like seeing it again and again and some times I wonder how I could make this series. Definitely I believe there is a hand of GoD which has driven me to make this.

I am sure I would have many mistakes as I am not a professional video programmer and many times I had to run different modules and redo/ revise it for number of times to get some perfection I wanted it. In the process I might have overlooked some errors like spelling mistakes which I noticed later could not be corrected, as it will involve huge amount of work again. Pardon me for this.

I am quite sure this video will benefit many including my own generations in future.

https://youtu.be/prgvgoWdO7cI

Tips for reducing your stammering/stuttering- How to handle guilt ?

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 26 May 2020 07:03:00 +0000

Vivin Joy,MS
Software Architect-Lead

Lets-Talk Channel is trying to extend free support to those who stammer or stutter to face their challenges in life by creating an awareness as well as with the help of those who conquered this issue in their life.

My son Vivin Joy started speaking normally in the beginning. After admitting him into a play school, everything was normal for some time. But then one day he started to stammer when he came home.

Though we stopped that school and put him in a different school, his stammer remained with him.

Today he is 31 years and a software architect in a leading mobile firm and leading a team of engineers at work.  As he is able to conquer the fear of stammering today and able to lead a normal life, we would like to share  our experience of 3 decades with similar children to enable them to face these challenges. 

This channel Lets -talk try to reach out children or parents who stammer or stutter and support them free of cost to equip them to face this world.

In this video we are explaining the techniques to handle shame or guilt of stammering.

Time Pressure

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 16:42:00 +0000

Post your comments
Releasing on 10 April 2020

Why do people stammer

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 01 Apr 2020 16:38:00 +0000

Post your comments

P15

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 13:32:00 +0000

P15

We reached Rotourua city in New Zealand by rented car after driving around 300 kms from airport. My son was in the driving seat and I was sitting next to him. Though i was sitting next to him, I was of no use as a navigator, but the inbuilt google map of the car was of immense help to us.

As we reached the city, we decided to have lunch. My Son and Daughter in law with their expertise located an Indian restaurant by googling. But parking is a serious issue in New Zealand and after 2-3 rounds around the hotel, located a local roadside parking place. We saw the Parking board with the symbol P15. Though I did not understand the number on the board, I presumed that it was only some serial number.

When we returned to the car, we saw a penalty slip from police on the car for 20 Dollars. The fine was imposed for parking beyond 15 minutes which was indicated as P15 on the board. In this country P15, P30 and P45 indicates the free parking time. Interestingly no policeman was visible. The overtime parking was detected through the motion sensors.

We thought the penalty could be paid while handing over the car but that office had no intimation about the fine. We were then informed that to pay the fine through the internet. We thought we will pay after we return to India.

We returned to India and during the travel we lost the ticket somewhere. Without ticket number , it is not possible to pay the fine. I asked my son, should we pay ?, Because, in all possibility we may not go to that country again.

But then he said it is very much essential to pay otherwise they can block us renting a car in any other country by blacklisting. Then with lot of efforts and help from rotourua police through mail, we could get the details and pay the fine.

Tiger Kindom

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 16:01:00 +0000

Tiger kingdom

This photo was taken in Tiger Kingdom, Phuket, Thailand. The Tiger kingdom is a place where many tigers are caged and open for visitors. With Special permission, visitors are allowed to touch tigers in the cage under the supervision of their care taker. Even though it is under supervision, a tiger is a tiger and no one can predict the behavior of any wild animal.

My wife and son are ardent animal lovers and they wanted to take this opportunity to touch the animal by paying additional fee.The moment I looked into the staring eyes of a fully grown tiger, memory of horrific incident happened in Bangalore National Park ( It was known as "Bannerghatta National Park") came to my mind.

Those days Bannerghatta was considered quite far from city though It was only 22kms away from Vidhan Soudha. We with our first son ( aged 3 years ) visited the park just two days before the incident.

The Park had a van ( windows secured with iron grills) to take visitors around and everybody try to get the window seat for a better view. The van with tourists goes around the park where lions are allowed roam free. For most of the lions the tourist van is a routine scene and do not even pay any attention. The van has a peeping window at the top and the van supervisor allow one person when he feels it is safe to allow.

A similar van was used by the park keepers to distribute meat to these wild animals.So every time when the van arrives they expect the food.

The incident took place when the grandfather of the child raised her through the peeping window for a better view. In split of a second, a lion from behind jumped on to the van and grabbed the child and went away. The grand father wanted to run behind the lion mulling the child away but prevented by others in the van.

Since this incident happened just 2 days after our visit, the memory of that could not be erased even after so many years. With this at the back of mind, I was sacred to go inside and decided to wait outside. They went inside and taken some photos. Visitors are not allowed to go in front of the tiger or touch the head.

I was relieved only when they returned safe. Tiger kingdom - an unforgettable visit.

DoXA Church

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:20:00 +0000

DoXA Church

For the last 3 years, I could not go to US as I could not get long leave from office. But after retirement, I could go to US freely without any office tensions for two months and happily spent some good time with my kids. During our stay at Seattle, we attended sunday service in DoXa Church and Neighbourhood church in Bellevue.

I had to change my stand after visiting these churches!. Until the visit, my perception was, people in USA have lost their faith and do not attend the church. But I was wrong. All sorts of people from different countries, different languages, different ages attend the church and in fact, it was a feast to eyes to see the way they worship.

The basic difference compared to our worship is the way they sing, praise and thank Jesus. Praise and thanks giving is given the first priority. Youngsters singing with musical instruments like Guitar, Violin, Drums and piano were wonderful. Mesmerizing orchestra with beautiful songs have taken us to a different level of worship.

The lyrics was displayed on the giant screen in line with the music and the congregation can also join in singing with the group. One youngster standing next to me told me during the introduction session that he is settled in USA and is a student of Washington university. Myself and my wife were surprised by the way he praised GoD.

The worship contains a meaningful speech, bible reading, singing, confession by individuals secretly and participating in the wine and bread. Wine and bread are kept at the back on a table and each person to take a piece of bread dip it in wine and take it. There is no priest except a moderator.

The total worship is around 90 minutes and the children can attend Sunday school matching with the time. After worship 10 minutes is allotted for introducing yourself to the person standing next to you, if you do not know him.

Lot of interactive kiosks are placed outside the hall where you can place your request of prayer and can participate in the programes and events organised by the church.

I am now back to India and when I recollect the experience, I Personally feel it is time for us to change the way we worship GoD. I now know very well I can not force my grand children to go to our church unless they are attracted. It is definitely difficult to understand all the monotonous Kauma and difficult Malayalam words ( which sometimes even I do not understand though I studied in Malayalam medium) interlaced with all those foreign words.

I feel that we need to change from Priest centered worship to Jesus centered worship. The participation of members in praise and thanksgiving need to be improved. we need to cater to youngsters in their language of understanding using all technology, talents and innovative ways to praise GoD. Praise has to take more importance. The ‘Kauma’ period shall come to an end.

I neither can sing well or play any instrument but I forget myself in the group which sings from the heart and would like to be there in such worships. I do not think I will see these changes in my life as we are still not out of our selfishness. The absolute freedom derived from ' freewill ' given by GoD is misused to great extent by people. Though I may not understand GoD’s plan, I will pray to him to make changes.

Fish and Net

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 30 Jul 2019 16:25:00 +0000

After I shot this video in Kovalam last month , The picture of coordinated Team effort, selfless cooperation and struggle of fishermen and their disappointment of a small catch comes to my mind whenever I see fish.

See this video below to watch synchronised team effort of pulling the fishing net, techniques to keep the frightened fish within net by thumbing on water and the systematic rolling of a long huge net and finally the feelings of anxiety and disappointment of group of poor fishermen.

Leaving with a Coat

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 04 Jun 2019 02:01:00 +0000

Leaving with a Coat

May 31^st is an important day for me. It is not due to my retirement but for the reasons below.

BIS has given me a coat of recognition. I could get this with the support of My GOD and many others who supported me throughout my life. Though physically it is not visible it remains with me always. I remember, When I first stepped into BIS for my interview in the coldest weather of Delhi in 1981 (December), I faced the first question from chairman‘ Where did you get this coat ? ( I was wearing my father’s military olive green sweater and a borrowed brown coat) ‘ .

Today when I am leaving BIS, I am thankful to all for the support you gave me to get this coat. The list includes ..

MY God & Lord …My Parents…., My wife…,My family….,My Siblings…,My Teachers…,My Mentors…,My Seniors in BIS ( right from 1982 )…My Pastors ..My Neighbours…My Friends….My Colleagues…My Shuttle Badminton Friends,My Area Prayer Members…and My Many Well Wishers….the list doesn’t end.

A big thanks to everyone… and I know I cannot payback in my lifetime the debt I owe you.

Thank you all once again….

Vistara Airlines..

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 29 Dec 2018 12:26:00 +0000

VISTARA AIRLINES

This is our first X’MAS after my mother left. Time goes on. As we entered the church today[ 23 Dec 2018} for the Sunday service, I remembered the last time we took my mother to Mayur Vihar phase –III Church for a special holy communion arranged exclusively on a Saturday for the elderly people by then the priest Rev. Sakaria Mathew on my request. As I remember all those good human beings, I remember the incident where we were touched by an extraordinary gesture from an Airline operating in India

In the month of March last year, we were with my mother as she was very sick. But her health worsened and she passed away all of a sudden. Then I had to cancel my wife’s return tickets which was booked much earlier. As I contacted the airline over the phone to cancel the ticket, the airline employee asked me the reason for cancelling the ticket. After listening to me, he said with a consoling voice, ‘ I am taking your request, but when you are back to Delhi, send all the documents related to incident leading to cancellation of ticket to us and we will refund the full amount.’

Later when I returned, I sent all certificates and documents to them. To my surprise, they refunded the amount. In this world of extensive competition, one cannot imagine such a gesture from an airline. It is none other than VISTARA Air lines. During this Christmas time, my family wish the Management and all their all the employees of Vistara Airlines a wonderful X’Mas and thank for your extraordinary gesture to me.

Belt and pounds

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 05:12:00 +0000

Belt & Pounds
Hello..Hello I looked back, a co-traveller is yelling at me in his language, which I did not understand.

He then pointed to the tray on the security conveyor belt. By mistake I put my belt in his tray. He was shouting continuously even though I shifted my belt to another tray. In Doha airport one is required to remove the belt, wristwatch, shoes etc..which I forgot to do at the first instance.
Almost same period in England, I had different experience. Pounds are preferred to Dollars or Euros in small shops of England even before Brexit. Since we had only dollars, we decided to exchange some dollars at the exchange counter of hotel. Exchange counter was lighted and I saw only one person standing there.

I walked straight to the counter and coolly stood behind the person. The counter person stared at me and kept working. As the person in front of me was taking more time, I curiously overlooked into what he was doing. Counter Person stared at me and told politely to stand back. As soon as he finished, I was called and when I turned back after my business, to my surprise, I saw a long Que behind me standing at little distance which I really did not see due to darkness. Then only I realized my blunder of jumping the queue even when so many people were waiting patiently. But the fact that no one from the queue shouted at me or made any noise though they were watching me over from behind.
Another experience - A foreigner came to occupy the seat next to my friend in the flight from Milan to Doha and on seeing a newspaper placed in his seat, he asked my friend( seated next to seat) to remove the news paper from the seat. Since he did not respond( probably it was not kept by him) the foreigner shouted at my friend " I will throw you out of this flight if you don’t remove papers immediately" .
These incidents shows different behavior by different people in almost similar situations. I being the culprit in two occasions, these incidents made became unforgettable. But then I related all these incidents how we would have reacted in our country in such situations. Is the society or individual responsible for such behaviors ?

The culture of a society ultimately being the overall manifestation of individual habits, cultivating these good virtues( habits) in early stages could be one among the many solutions.

Shuttle

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 01:10:00 +0000

Obsessed with....

Many nights went sleepless waiting for sunrise, cursed the slow motion of time. It was all because, I couldn’t wait myself of playing badminton shuttle cock in the morning.

Started in Bangalore as i could not afford to have a good bat or shuttle cock in college days. All my sports friends (Thomas, Santhosh and Mathew ) were always there dot on time. We got a evening slot in the Railway club, Bangalore (near central Railway station) and to play there, all the way from Peenya, I used to drive my Bajaj Super to my house at Rajaji Nagar and somehow reach the court. Later when the club said no to us, we found entry to Kerala Club which was still farther than Railway club but continued the game.

Then the playing slot changed, I had to start by 04 AM in the morning and travel 30 kms and then back to house and then reach office by 09 AM. Whenever I could not play, the day used to be a moody day for me. Mood swings are the worst things hated by my wife, and she preferred me to play rather than stay back with mood swings.

Shuttle badminton is one passion which gave me an inspiration to get up in the morning and to reach office on time so that I can leave office exactly at 1730. I was told that drinking or smoking activity make you rich by acquiring many new friends. Same is the case with shuttle also.It gave me the opportunity to network with many new people and got lot of good lifelong friends at different locatons.

Many times on official tour, it was easy to play in many clubs of big organisations who had their own campus and indoor courts. I used to carry my shoes in anticipation and on the first day itself, I will survey and get all details of the court and connect with the players.

But biggest hurdles were faced during the transfer to other cities. It was not easy to locate the courts in the new place of posting and also get an entry into the court or joining a established group. All places - Bangalore, Coimbatore, Chennai, Trivandrum, Kochi and Delhi - I have managed to connect with locals of that city and play along with them. My strategy in the new city was to wake up in the morning and follow people going with the shuttle bat without their knowledge. After locating the place, the very next day, I reach there without any gear and watch the standard of the game.

Shelling my inhibitions, I will connect with someone and request for a chance to play one game. This was the most difficult part. But when I get the chance, it would give me an opportunity to display my abliity and make them know that I am not a starter. I knew no group would like to have a beginner.

On the other side, this passion and over indulgence brought me pain and sufferings to me my family at many times. I remember after a tiring game, I returned all the way back home and then traveled to Vadavally where my house construction was progressing. I watered the concrete and returned back home at Kavundampalayam. On that day I also had to go for a CSA inspection, and so I started off immediately in my car ( First model of Maruti 800.)

On my way, I recollect, I was following a lorry near Mettupalayam and I believe - I must have dozed off for a moment.......

It was all over in that split second. A huge sound and I was jolted inside my car and the car was pushed away to sideways. Then only I realised that (Thank GoD, I was alive) my car rammed head on with a speeding government bus.

I sat there in the car, with my front glasses broken, panels broken trying to reassure my confidence. My shuttle game could have come to an end on that day. Partially completed my house could have remained as a skeleton like a Colosseum and in seconds my body could have been packed and wrapped.

Probably overindulgence in anything is not advisable. I could have avoided too much strain of getting up early and going to club when I had the other pressing assignments.

I remember the story of the bee - drinking the honey from the edge of a cup filled up to the brim. Till the moment it decided to jump into it to have more, it was all fine.....I too have learned a lesson " Not to leave any passion but to balance it till it leaves you". That is the truth.

Today - 24th May - My Marriage Anniversary- the long journey of shuttle game just flashed when I picked up my bat in the morning.

I dedicate this post to my love and my wife -Sheela Joy- who sacrificed a lot to manage the young children and other household work which enabled me to enjoy the game at any time in all places.

Thanks my love...I remember this every time my hand picks up the bat.

Life and Time

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 15 Apr 2018 12:38:00 +0000

Life and Time

From Palghat Engineering college hostel, I used to start suddenly when the college announces closure suddenly for 3 or more days. Those days there were no methods to communicate home about this. It used to take more than 8 hours to reach my place by bus. If I start after college, I used to reach by midnight. Most of the bus conductors oblige on my request to stop the bus near my house which is on the roadside of NH 47.

No street lights and it used to be complete darkness at that time. Normally just impossible for anybody to see a person in the utter darkness. I will call Amma, Amma 2 to 3 times standing at the front door and in a split of second she will jump out of the bed saying loudly it is my “Joy mon “Most of the time without even putting the light she will open the door recognising my voice. Next she will get in to the kitchen and bring something and say I expected you tonight.

When she was in her last days at M.A.J Hospital, Ernakulam, I reached the hospital directly as I got the message about her serious conditions from my wife. Towards the last days she was not able to see properly and was lying on the bed. I reached late night directly to hospital and amma was awake. As I entered the room, Sheela asked her to recognise me. Amma looked at me and said she is not able to see properly and it is difficult to make out. At that moment, I called out ‘Amme’ as usual and instantly she smiled and uttered the same words, it is my Joymon. That moment will remain for ever in my memory and it will die with me only. Now she is no more. I will not hear that words again. I will not see that face lighting up on seeing me. I will not able to call anybody like that. ……. Life has to move.

As attended the funeral, I was reminded of the great observation by a saint in a funeral. He observed “ All those gathered here definitely do not think that they could be in this position in the very next moment. He also added that , if everyone things like that, the world will come to standstill " Standstill means there is no motion. If there is no motion, no time. So time stops for the person when life cease to exist. When there is no motion, no light( light is also a result motion of electrons), no sound(sound is also result of motion(vibration) ) and life becomes standstill.

But time does not stop. Time moves past you like a moving escalator. Time brings tomorrow to you with all the colours of life. To me time is like a moving video camera which captures everything of the present and moves past you. Those who are in front of you will see the videos carried by the time. That is the past is visible to those who are ahead. As the time carries all your records and reaches the originator and creator even before you arrive at the destination. But the best part is if you are lucky enough you may have the next moment to upload some good pictures of your life in time line. A day will arrive, when the video camera may not get you in focus and you may not be in a position to upload anything. The truth is ‘ rich are those who have pocketed their complete time slots and uploaded as many good pictures and videos on to your life line video’.

My Maramon

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 08:11:00 +0000

My Maramon

I happened to be in Mallapally (A place in kerala near to the well known place -Maramon - in Pathanamthitta District.) this February (2018) with a specific purpose of attending to the scheduled operation of my mother in law. But unfortunately we could not do that due to some health issues. Then my wife came up with an idea of attending Maramon Convention which was in progress at that time. Maramon Convention is one of the major conventions held by Marthoma Churches once in a year covering sermons from world renowned speakers along with prayers, newly composed songs etc. for a week. Lakhs of people from every walks of life and from every corner of the country attend this convention. I too attended this convention two or three times in my earlier days. But now my conventions have become different.

Rev. Jolly Thomas

It all started with the first sunday service of Rev. Jolly Thomas after his posting to coimbatore. First service itself made a big difference in the way the message was delivered. I still remember ( somewhere 2000) the title of the subject for that day - Just two words ” My Lord and My GoD....”. In fact after that Sermon, like doubting Thomas, I too shouted in my heart “ My Lord and My GoD” and I still shout these words when I see...which was not visible to my eyes earlier.

Contextual : He made me to stop sleeping in church during sermons. For first time in my life I started longing to hear the sermons earnestly. His speeches were short, exacting to the time allotted and loaded with deeper contextual meaning. He never said a joke, though most of the conventions revolve around speeches interlaced in humor. May be, I presume he as a priest also would have attempted his speeches in this style, but was wiser enough to understand that, it was not his cup of tea.

His voice modulations were excellent as well as his command over Malayalam and English language. In fact many times, I thought, had he spoken in English, it would have been definitly helpful to the new generation including my children. Today they starve for good bibilical contextual speeches in english on contempory themes. His description of Jesus as a common simple person (lungi cladded person cycling from one place to other )and picturizing him as one of the intimate friends of us has changed the picture of Jesus in my mind.

Transformation & Humility :

His central theme of all his speeches were generally revolved around one issue – “Transformation” and “Humility “. If you are not transformed, it has no meaning to Christian life. Transformation is not once, it is continuous process of growth and in that process you are born again and again every time you are transformed as a new person. His speeches were different from others for the reason that the spirt in him enabled to interpret the word of God contextually to the present generation. I thank GoD for giving the opportunity to meet him in my journey of life. I shared a personal relation with him as a good friend and I admired some of his excellent personal qualities such as the excellent listerning, calmness, one to one communication, correct usage of words etc.

I was able to hear him directly Till he was transferred to Mughathala (Kollam), but then through some good people I am still able to hear his speeches through whatsapp. I once told my friend Jacob in Bombay to collect all his speeches and make an album and he did it. He is doing an excellent service by spreading the good messages and I thank him also for his great service.

I pray to God for more wisdom and health to Achen and his family and all of us to understand more and more the real truth.

JollyAchen can contacted at rev.jollythomas@gmail.com and for whatsapp messgaes of speeches please give a message to Mr. Jacob at 097020 03322.

I am a stammerer...

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 23 Jan 2018 06:04:00 +0000

My name is V...V...Vivin Joy. If memory serves me correctly, I was a normal enthusiastic child who just started going to a school in Bangalore. I had loved going to my class and enjoyed the presence of my class teacher. Suddenly when I came back from school one day, my mom noticed something different, I was speaking with lot of difficulty. I tried to speak very fast from my early childhood and also used to get a lot of nose blocks due to my allergy to dust. Its not sure if these factors caused me to stutterer, but it never went away.

Few year laters, my parents got transferred to Coimbatore. I loved every part of my life in Coimbatore and little did we know that we were going to settle there. I got into one of the good schools there and was among the top two ranks in my class. But I had a major problem, I was afraid to speak up in my class nor even dared to stand up and say my name with confidence. My teachers knew about this problem, since it was pretty evident and they cared for me. It was left to my discretion whether to take part in reading exercises and would be completing most of my sentences. I felt everything was going well. My friends did not mock about my stammering and I kept away from those who did.

I came among the top 100 ranks in my State and joined PSG college of technology. My speech was far from eloquent and my sentences were broken when it came out of my mouth. I realised the importance of speech only after I joined my college. I was not able to actively participate in the clubs, due to my fear of exposing my stammering. I tried lot of tricks to hide my stammering, due to added peer pressure. I was able to socialize well with my classmates, but my stammering was hindering me from going ahead. It would be in back of my mind all the time and most of my time was concentrated on finding ways to hide it and cope with it in the future situations.

Little did I know during my childhood that it was going to affect my life so much. I was not able to speak what I wanted in meetings. My mind would constantly switch words in middle of my sentences to prevent the block. This would result in poor formulation of my sentences. I felt ashamed when my colleagues would complete my sentences or even say my name for me. I was not even able to order the food that I like and would mostly choose the food which I could say properly. I grew out of my fear in hiding my stammering, however I never had a solution for this monster. I took the full ticket in bus when I could not say the name of the bustop.

I had attended many speech therapies but they would give me the comfort only for a week and their techniques never helped me in real life. Recently I joined a speech programme called the Mcguire Programme. This was introduced to me by my Uncle. This program was unique in the way it approached the problem. The most remarkable thing about this program was that it was run by stammerers from the top to the bottom. They knew the psychological problems that we undergo and are proof for the veracity of this programme. They inculcate the idea to strive for eloquent speech rather than fluency. This helps us to stay honest and show others that we have a stammer, but at the same time helps us to speak what we really wanted to convey with confidence and assertiveness. It has been two years since I have been with this programme and I was fortunate enough to become an international coach. This programme happens in India twice a year and we would also meet constantly through support groups and improvement days.

Lately I have been able to smash my fears and give a few public speeches too. I have also joined a toastmaster club to refine my speech techniques. For me, stammering is a result of bad habits which gets accumulated over the years and spreads from one speaking situation to another. Students with stammering should be monitored at an early age and their teachers/parents should guide them to get rid of these bad habits. This could be done by asking them to repeat the words which they say pretty fast in a confident manner. They should be made to realise that its not the normal way of speaking and we need to speak with no tension over our articulators, face or body. If we notice such situation, we need to ask them to repeat until they utter with clarity. We should not protect them from speaking situations, but rather make them to face more such situations. Most importantly, they should not be ridiculed at, but rather treated with patience and respect. This trait is something I find lacking among many Indians. I would love to bring more awareness related to stammering to schools and thats my motive for the coming years. We need to help people understand that there is a solution and that we are never alone!!

I am conducting an improvement programme on 27^th Jan 2018 at Coimbatore with the other students in the group. Follow up and improvement programmes are part of this of this coaching.

Those who would like to interact with me can join us for a free session on 27^th between 3pm to 5pm. They may contact me at the mail address joy.vivin1@gmail.com or call me 081444 888 69.

Note : Shri Vivin Joy, Btech,MS - is now working with a software company in Chennai as a senior programmer .

Silent Boss

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 23:23:00 +0000

The silent boss

I invited him((He was my regional boss at that time) for breakfast to my house when he came to Coimbatore for attending a marriage,

We sat together for a simple breakfast of idly and sambar followed by his favourite coffee. We talked about some office issues and our conversation was suddenly interrupted by a phone call from his boss. He was disturbed by the call and I understood something serious might have been conveyed. He did not utter a single word to me but told me to finish the breakfast.

After the breakfast we came out for a walk. While we were walking he said ‘Varghese, be ready to go to Trivandrum office. Your transfer order is under process.’ I could see his difficulty in telling me the news. It was totally unexpected and I could not believe it for sometime. It was really a shock to me. He said they have taken a decision to transfer you to Trivandrum and simultaneously to shift the Trivandrum head to some other place. The immediate shifting decision was for a specific purpose. Office wanted to shift the Trivandrum office to kochi as per the decisions taken, but it did not happen for more than a year.

I was not aware of the hurdles ahead and I unwillingly prepared myself for the special mission. This article I am not covering any of those hurdles I encountered but only the development of relationship with the same person. I had really enjoyed lot of freedom with him prior to this even to pour my emotions. This may be the reason of my answer to a question in the interview ‘what do you want Promotion or freedom of work ?.’ My immediate answer was that ‘ I already have enough freedom of work and I want my promotion’. Everyone including the chairman in the interview committee laughed spontaneously. But that was the fact.

With this freedom, I also used to pour my emotions at him like a friend. But I noticed he kept his cool always irrespective of your emotional bursts. He would call me later by name in a very melodious tune and offer some solutions to my problems. With that call all my tensions used to melt away. In fact my transfer was a new beginning of a great bonding with him. His qualities of great enthusiasm to learn always, sincerity to work, unquestionable commitment and support were really amazing. 24/7 he thought only about office and development.

Looking back, he taught me some great qualities of a leader such as to be part of the solution to the problems faced by your subordinates rather than trying to fix him in his difficult times. Looking at a lost sheep to rescue him rather than blaming or establishing that the his problem is the result of his own decision. A true leader is a person who is really accessible and with his subordinates and listens to him. My belief in these principles were reinforced when I experienced that in my own life.

Two years after his retirement, I decided to meet him at his house ad we enjoyed that brief meeting. I thank God for giving an opportunity to know such a wonderful person.

Moving Walkway

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 26 Nov 2017 16:52:00 +0000

Moving Walkway

The great Albert Einstein once told that speed is purely relative. I am still not able to understand his relativity theory completely. If you are moving at a speed and your surrounding also move exactly at the speed then, you feel, you are stationary. By using the same concept, you can walk across a two fast moving belts if the difference in speed is very Less: In Shenzen(China) I saw for the first time the moving walkway. A day will come when we don’t have to wait for a car or a bus and we will get into this belt and travel fast as per our choice by moving to the faster moving belts. If such a system is available in India at all places, it would become a real boon for all.

In another occasion when I was waiting at the bus stand( frankfurt) a person on a wheel cycle came to the bus stop. The bus arrived immediately and stopped exactly at the bus stop. After this the bus tilted towards the bus stop and the door opened. Then the step pulled outwards enabling the wheelchair person to go inside the bus without any body’s assistance. After he anchored himself inside the door was closed only after he pressed a button accessible to him.

I also remember another incident when I was waiting at the junction to cross a road ( In Orlando). The traffic did not stop at all. I was waiting for along time for the traffic to stop like in India but it did not stop at all. Then a couple came there and they pressed a button and the white signal to cross appeared immediately. I was not aware that we have to press the button to cross. Along with the light there was a Tick..Tick…sound for a blind person to cross safely. I also noticed these these crossing stations have smooth ramps for a wheel chair person to drive his wheelchair.

One day these technologies will certainly come to india and we will enjoy these technologies. The truth is that though these technologies give you more freedom and self reliance, it would also bring more loneliness to your old age.