Samir Thakkar

A brilliant married lady shares her college life... Guest Writer Ms. Priety Prasad

2016-02-26T17:29:00.002+05:30

Ms. Prity Prajapati, now Prity Prasad is a brilliant student of PGDM. She is a married lady and a perfect example of balance between student life and family responsibilities. When she completed her first semester in PGDM, she shared her experience with us.

My dream of becoming an efficient Manager was partially fulfilled with my admission in PGDM Course in Parul Institute of Management (PIM) and Today I am one Semester Old with Parul Institute of Management!

I had a challenging, but of course exciting, time during this semester. Our teaching faculties are experienced and teach us in the manner we get the maximum from our curriculum. Our industrial visit to Baroda Dairy was an-eye-opening experience for us that how any organizations in general synchronize their various working departments with the demand in the market and at the same time stick to their vision and mission.

I appreciate the attempts of PIM to understand different cultures of the world, by inviting foreign students to study with us in our campus, and at the same time giving an opportunity to some student to spend a semester in overseas institutes through their Semester Exchange Program.

I witnessed the exciting and enjoyable time during various cultural events like “DHOOM” which is the biggest event at Parul University. "DHOOM" is the annual cultural festival where students gets to showcase their talents in various events, raging from Sports to Singing to Dancing to debate to art to fine arts to what not!!! These events balance the educational curriculum with the creativity and fitness of the students.

I will thank the college to give me an opportunity to interact with Mr. Ratan Tata and to understand his knack of managing the huge TATA Empire. I am curious and excited to spend rest of 3 Semesters and keep learning by being the part of this institution.

Experiences in Germany by Guest Writer Mr. Ritwik

2016-01-01T20:25:00.001+05:30

I have not been getting time to write blog due to busy schedule. But I want to be in contact with my readers and I also want to keep this blog going. So, I invite you all to write something and send it to me on samirthakkar0609@gmail.com. I will post it here on your behalf.

So, here is the first guest writer on my blog, Mr. Ritwik Samtani. Ritwik is a very dynamic young man pursuing his Post Graduation from Parul Institute of Management. He has just returned from his semester exchange program, where he went to Germany and studied for one semester.

So, let us enjoy what he has to share.

We had a meeting with vice dean of FH Bielefeld. After the meeting was over, he asked us to join for having cake prepared by his wife. So we went to cafeteria. We were very surprised when he served us the cake himself! We enjoyed eating the cake along with him. While having delicious cake, we had conversation about how both the countries (Germany and India) are different from each other.
He mentioned that the relation between students and professors, employees and employers are very different. He said that for them Facebook is personal, and they don’t have students in their friends list. Of course, that doesn’t mean the relation was rigid or they were maintaining distance. It was just that they were keeping their personal life separate from their professional life. We appreciated their professionalism while having cake with made by his wife.

Formal pose for formal picture, Ritwik is third from left

During Diwali (in India) we went to a village called Spelle, Simmon, one of the student took us there to give us an experience of a German village. We meet his family, grandparents, his friend & family.
We were in talks and one topic which I found interesting was their culture of giving back to society.
Simmon’s mother helped small children cross the road near their school every morning.
His girlfriend teaches swimming every weekend for children for free.
He organise summer camp with various activities for children (again for free).
His father(police man) goes to church for preaching.

This is amazing, which we should learn from them. We should give back to the society and we don't need to be rich to do so.

- by Ritwik Samtani (January 31, 2015)

A fool's Month!

2015-04-27T18:51:00.000+05:30

In the early part of the month, I got this rare opportunity to shoot for one video. As we became University, we needed good looking people to be included in the commercial. I was selected as one of the most handsome and dashing faculty from my department! What a proud moment!

This lady had been taking my care for four years. But she could not get any official title. But on 12^th April, we got officially married. Now, I am so happy that she is free to be with me without any objection from any one, of any kind. Lucky to get married to love of my life. Love is in the air!

Since I started understanding the game, he is the leader of it. I grew up watching Sachin Tendulkar and kept falling in love with him again and again. He is my childhood hero and first love. His is the longest relationship I have. On his 42^nd birthday, I got a chance to pay a tribute to him. Baroda Management Association was very kind to give me a platform to deliver a talk about Sachin. And the audience include the most intellectual and great people of our society. I was effective, and informative. And the next day I was also a celebrity by coming in newspapers. So lucky I am!

And, lastly, I had put in a lot of effort in the month of December, 2014 to organize talks and videos related to Entrepreneurship. I was awarded “Enterprising Faculty of the Month”. I was first recipient of the award, given by Parul University. On April 27, 2015 I received this award in front of the packed house. Great Achievement!

April 2015 has been an eventful month for me!

Bottom line: God’s mercy be upon all of us!

Journey of a thousand lives!

2014-03-26T20:56:00.000+05:30

Exactly one thousand days ago, I joined a group. Joining this group has brought so many transformations in my life that now I feel a new person altogether.

The journey started on 1^st July 2011, when at 9:30 am, I reached a place called Parul Institute of Management. I was the only “new face” (not a pretty face) at that place. I had some fear in my mind, my heart beats were faster than usual. I was worried if some senior fellow would take my ragging! To my relief, nothing of that sort happened that day (it is happening right now thanks “the pappa”). Soon, everyone started mingling with me and my roller coaster ride become smooth.

My first day was also the first day for 2011-13 batch of PGDM. I remember when they were introducing themselves, I was feeling one of them. And still, some students of that batch remain very special for me. For example, the power puff girls from Surat, Jignesha, Bhumika and Neelam. Then there was a money magnet, Suraj Gupta. The soft hearted Priya Moorthy and bubbly girl Ankita Kothari. If I mentioned more, the blog will become a book.

Anyway, I had fantastic time with this batch and their seniors in MBA and PGDM. We went for a picnic at Jambughoda and then to Delhousie. I would like to mention Anish, Laxmi, Helly, Ujala & group, Richa and Aakrati. I will remember them, for a long time.

Then came the batch of MBA for 2011-13. I found some very nice and hardworking people there. A whole bunch of enthusiastic young men, Hiren Vasani, Hiren Vekariya, Bhavik, Vijay, Monish and others. And there was a surprise package of Pankti. I had a good time with some PIET-MBA guys also, Samkit and others. At the same time I had a little interaction with PIMR students also, Ashutosh, Smital, Pranav and their group.

Then came the batches of 2012-14 which are just a month or two away from passing out. These batches (PIM-MBA, PGDM, PIMR and PIET-MBA) are smarter, more intelligent than their seniors. They are more active and more futuristic. Yet, somehow, I could not enjoy with them as much as I did with their seniors. Still I had fun with Pravesh & Mukuk the bull and bear of stock market, Tariq and a few more. On the MBA side, nice girls from Surat, Poonam & group, my football team’s captain Bhargav, and the ever elegant Shefali. On PIET side, athletic Urvashi and my neighbor Vijeta. From PIMR Himanshu and Himanshi (apart from similar names and same college, they don’t have any connection).

In the present batch, 2013-15 I am having more fun in MBA, with Moin and Reena. While in PGDM, after the disaster time I had with them in semester 1, I feel they hate me. Still, there are good people and I hope to have a bonding with them as well.

I thank you all very much for bearing with me, for tolerating me and for giving me a change to be called your teacher. I might forget your names, your faces, but the bond with remain true in my heart!

This is the first episode of my memories in last one thousand days at Parul Institute of Management. I hope to pen second episode also wherein I would share some secrets of my colleagues.

100 years of Indian Cinema (Part 1)

2012-07-28T12:29:00.001+05:30

After downloading and watching Sholay, I feel that I should write about my favorite Hindi movies of all time.. so here are a list and brief of my favorite movies of Hindi cinema. These all movies are best in their own regards, so I cannot rank them as numero uno or like that. Nonetheless, these are the best movies that I have seen.

Starting with the oldest one: Guide (year 1965)
Starring Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman.
Based on a novel with the same name by R. K. Narayan (creator of Malgudy Days).
Music: SD Burman.
Directed by Vijay Anand (Goldy).

Trivia: The movie was filmed in English and Hindi. Initially, Chetan Anand was supposed to direct the Hindi version, parallel to the English. But both the directors had plenty of differences in their visions and directions. Hence, shooting of Hindi version was delayed by Dev sa'ab, and l ater on it was directed by Vijay Anand. And I must say, it was a wise decision by Dev sa'ab to give direction to Goldy. Chetan Anand would have made this film a classic art movie, with good treatment but no entertainment. Goldy made it perfect and to me, it is the best Indian movie so far!

This movie was controversial, as R. K. Narayan was not happy with the "hero" Raju-guide, who was a villain in his original story. Of course, Dev Anand has to do some commercialization to suite the audience.

The story is of a guide and a married lady who fall in love with each other. The lady, Rosie (Waheeda) belongs to an outcast family, so her husband, an archaeologist and quite older than her, does not treat her well. Her life is like a golden cage.

When she meets Raju guide and roams around the town, she feels liberated. In her ecstasy, she sings a song as Hindi Cinema tradition. But this song is great in its own rights. Shailendra's words, SD's Music and Lata's talent has given this song a classy touch. Besides, picturization, choreography, on screen performance everything adds to the touch. Every word and scene of the song express the emotions of a soul who was imprisoned for centuries and got a chance to escape! "Aaj fir jine ke tamnna hai, aaj fir marne ka irada hai!" is undoubtedly a masterpiece of Indian Musical Cinema.
May be because of these moments of freedom or Raju guide, she gets the valor to fight her husband for injustice he had been doing against her. After a bitter quarrel, she leaves her husband and goes away with Raju guide. Raju brings a married woman to his village.

This village is a pure imagination of R.K. Narayana. He always had this Malgudi in his mind. Sadly, he did not like the on screen Malgudi (the village had a different name in the movie). The closest on screen replica of Malgudi was the famous serial Malgudi Days of the director Shankar Nag.

Raju’s mother, his best friend, his neighbors and all other villagers did not accept this new friend of Raju (it was 1960’s India). Raju decides that it is better to leave the village than to leave Rosie. They move to a city.

There, Raju’s marketing skills and Rosie’s dancing talents gave the duo fame and money. Indian Cinema keep on getting marvelous songs during these hours of movie, as the ego of the two start colliding. In this hour, Rosie’s husband returns with some documents for Rosie to sign. Raju forged the signature and lose trust of his love, Rosie. Due to this forgery, he was sent to jail but not before we get a master piece by SD. A song, classic two-in-one, by Lata and Rafi. Two-in-one because the tune and rhythm of the songs are similar yet it is almost impossible for the first time listener to find the similarity. “Mo se chal kiye jaye” and “Kya se kya ho gaya” are the twins yet poles a part in the way they are composed! Just AMAZING! Hats off to the all four maestros of Indian Music, SD, Shailendra, Lata and Rafi.

After losing his mother, friends and village for Rosie, now Raju has lost Rosie also. Subsequently, after serving his term in jail, Raju decides to go away from every one. He halts at a village temple. Here, circumstances turn him to a perceived holy man by the villagers. He helps them with welfare of the village. The final twist comes when the entire nation is hit by drought and famine. The villagers took him to be the savior of all and he was forced to “faith-fast”. Villagers feel that with his fasting, Gods would get happy and rain will come. Raju, who is educated, does not believe in such thing. But the unending devotion of villagers makes him continue his fasting. The news of his fasting spreads across the nation and people from all walks of life come to see him, which includes his mother, his best friend and Rosie as well.
Soon starts the battle of good and evil inside Raju Guide. The evil tells him to run away from fasting and killing himself by hunger, while the good tells him not to break the trust of villagers. The battle is an evidence of Vijay Anand’s mastery as a director. The fight between two selves of Raju guide, one dressed in saffron and other in western, is fierce. The arguments, the threats, the expressions, the lighting, and camera work everything of these conversations is just superb. The last words of the good, “na sukh hai, na dukh… na din hai na duniya, na insan na bhagwan… sirf mai hu, mai.. mai.. mai..” ends the dilemma of the soul and the life of Raju guide.

He dies. Did he die in vain or the rain falls? See the movie to get the answer.

I call it a "Miracle"

2011-12-09T19:19:00.000+05:30

My best friend, Pinoz, introduced me to the Secret film about two years ago. I knew that it was true but I did not have much faith, though I wanted to have. And I always had the fear in my mind about the faith part. I thought what if my faith is not enough for the Secret to work for me? So I never put the Secret to a test.
Three days back, while talking to one of my colleagues, who is a firm believer in the Secret, I thought to put the Secret to a test. For a while I kept thinking how to test it.
The suddenly I thought of Sri Aurobindo. One of my best friends is a devotee of Sri Aurobindo and we happen to meet at Sri Aurobindo’s ashram. So I thought why not to ask for something that will leave no doubt in my mind that the Secret works. So I asked for a coin which has minted Sri Aurobindo on it. I visualize that the coin is on its way to me. I believed that the coin is mine. I thanked God for giving me that coin. Then I had to go back to my hometown to help my family to shift to new place. There while cleaning the old place I came across an old box where I used to collect coins, almost 18 years ago (till 1993). I had forgotten that box for so long and when I saw the box, I did not think that those coins would still be there.
So I opened the box and I was surprised to see that those coins were still there. And then suddenly I felt the excitement. I knew that the coin with Sri Aurobindo on it should be here, in this very box. And guess what? It was there! It was right there in my hands. It is still here in my hand. This was just a miracle and nothing else. Because, Sri Aurobindo is not so very famous a person that one can expect to have his coin minted by the government. But, the coin is there.
Now, another interesting thing. I had stopped collecting the coins in 1993 when we moved to this place where we are staying now (tomorrow we are moving from here as well). But this coin of Sri Aurobindo was minted in 1998, 5 years after I stopped collecting coins! How did this coin come to my collection, I don’t know. But I know one thing, the Secret works! It works and it makes miracles happen!
I thank my friends and the team of the Secret for introducing me to the Secret to life!

The ONE and the ZEROs

2011-09-18T00:13:00.000+05:30

Long time back, there was a Religious School. It used to give three year intensive training to disciples. After which, the disciples would go to the different parts of the world and preach good practices.
This is a story of one such disciple. He took three year intensive training. After the completion of the training, the Guru gave him blessing for success in fulfilling his duties. He was about to cross the gate and enter into the real world, when a thought came to his mind and he ran back to his Guru.
He asked: "Guruji, while I was here, I had no worry for money, food or shelter. I had all the basic facilities. But once I go into this world, I will have to have money for at least food." The Guru said: "Yes, my dear boy. Your concern is correct. You don't have to beg. Bring me a piece of paper." On that piece of paper the Guru writes a 1 and tells the disciple that this piece of paper will give you Re 1 every day for your food and you don't need shelter as you are a Yogi.
With this piece of paper, the disciple goes on to his journey. But he is not satisfied with Re 1 every day. He wants a little more.
One day, he finds another great Guru in one village. So he shows the piece of paper to this guru. This Guru, being very kind, adds a 0 next to 1 to make it 10. The disciple gets very happy and goes away doing his own work.
After a while, he finds one more Guru in nearby village. So he goes to meet this guru and tell him his story. He says that Guru ji, I am not able to spread the message of my school because I don't have money to live. So, this Guru adds one more 0 to make 100 on that piece of paper.
Third Guru adds one more 0 to make it 1000.
Now this disciple gets Rs 1000 every day and becomes very rich in some days. But now his focus shifts from preaching good practices to managing his money. He hires a few people to manage his wealth. But all the time he keeps on thinking about his money. Now he has developed a fear of losing it. “What if someone would steal my money?” is the constant thought in his mind. He hires security guards to protect it. He invests his money somewhere to earn returns. Now his mind is into getting the maximum return on his investment.
The original purpose of his life is lost! But the greed comes in. He thinks that he is now rich and big person so that he can buy anything, anyone.
In such thoughts, he goes to visit his original Guru in the Religious School. He goes there taking a big convoy with horses and elephants to carry him and his men. There was one music band playing music and some singers praising the disciple. These people were making themselves very visible in every possible way.
With such grandiose, the disciple reaches the Guru. He proudly tells the Guru about his wealth in details. He talks everything about his great money management and how he turned Re 1 of the Guru into Rs 1000 every day. He offers some money to the Guru for the renovation of the school.
After patient listening to the talk of the disciple, the Guru asks him for the piece of paper and with a smile he says, now you don’t need this 1, so let me take it back. Thus, the Guru erases 1 from the paper and the disciple is left with only 0’s!
Moral of the story is, no matter how much you think about yourself, the bottom line is our life, the ONE, is with God. If He takes that back, there is nothing left with us.

Love stories.... Introduction

2011-05-03T11:21:00.000+05:30

Hello everyone,

I had been busy recently and I did not have any topic in my mind to write about. So I stayed away from making my readers bore. But now, finally, I have something to write.

Recently I came across a broken heart. A friend of mine had breakup with his love. From that friend, I got an idea to write about love stories. I have the privilege of knowing some of the people who are live examples of true love. I have been observing them closely for some time (as long as fifteen years in one case). And I am in a position to comment on their love stories. I will of course, disguise their names, so as to prevent them from excess praise.

I have planned to share five stories; four of them are successful and inspirational. One, the last that I will share is about this friend, whose love-lost clicked the idea of this blog.

I hope that people will learn lessons from success of these great Super Heroes (and Heroines)! So keep watching this space for real life love stories!

What people would say!!!

2011-03-13T09:42:00.000+05:30

Yesterday India lost badly to South Africa. As soon as India lost, near to it, I thought of what people would say about Sachin Tendulkar.

This was 13th time when Sachin scored a century and India lost! Out of his 48 centuries, 35 times India have won. But people would not remember those 35 instances, they would remember only other 13! I cannot disagree to anyone in this regard. This is human tendency to look at the negatives with magnifying glass. If one has ever heard of Roberto Baggio of Italy, they must have heard him in regards of the penalty that he missed. It was the FIFA World Cup Final in 1994, when the Champion was decided by penalty shoot out and Roberto Baggio missed his penalty. Italy lost the final to Brazil. People don't remember that Italy reached Final because of the better performance by Baggio in earlier games. He is one of the best strikers Italy has ever produced. But he would be remembered for the penalty that he missed!

Similarly, no matter how well Sachin plays in India win, people would remember the ones that we lost when he played well!

Then there are some people who would argue that Sachin plays for himself. I cannot deny that as well. He plays for himself. Look at yesterday's match. He scored his 48th century and got out. How rude is that! How can you get out when the team needs you? How can you score a century when other players have decided to get out in single figure? This is not what we call 'team spirit'. If others are not performing, you should not perform as well. How dare he go against it? I ask how many times team India has got scores less than Sachin scored? I don't think it has ever happened that Sachin scored 100 and India got all out for 99. If he plays for himself, then this should happen! How many would agree that he practices more than any other player before every series? These other players include Sehwag, Dhoni, Yuvi and you can say every other cricketer across the world. Why does he do that? Simply because he plays for himself. If he practices, he plays well. If he plays well, he would be playing only for himself! Look at the rest of the side, they don't practice, they don't play well and no one accuses them! "na rahega baans, na bajegi baansuri", if you don't play good at all, people would never get chance to say that you play for yourself. Because when it comes to playing of the nation, you don't have to play well. Only when it is for yourself, you play well.

Look at some examples:

India was chasing 350 against Australia and Sachin scored 175. What a pity! The next top score was Suresh Raina 54. Sachin played well, but played for himself!

Sachin scored 200 against SA last year, what a shame it is for India! How could he score a double hundred in 50-over match?? He played for himself only!
He scored 98 against Pakistan in the WC 2003. He broke the morale of Shoaib Akhtar. But how could he do that? That was so irresponsible. He took his personal revenge against Akhtar, did not play for the nation.

His twin centuries in Sharjah against Australia in 1998 were the most outrageous display of personal fame and glory and not played in the right team spirit. When the whole team had decided to lose the match, why did he win the games of India? He did not play for team, he wanted to play for himself only.

He has scored 9 centuries in 50-over games against Australia, no one has scored as many against them. Again, it is sheer display of attitude. If all the countries of the world fall to the Aussie bowling, how dare he stand up and score hundreds after hundreds against them?? Very much selfish!

I can quote hundreds of other examples of his selfish display of batting. I leave it for the readers to do the follow up.

Very very very bad on Sachin's part. He should not play for himself. He should respect the team's emotions and start performing badly. Then every one would say he is playing for the team, because all those who play for the team, play poor and irresponsible cricket!

One Year Celebration!!

2011-02-03T14:48:00.000+05:30

About one year ago I had started writing this blog. Though I am not getting much time these days to write often, I am not getting motivation to write that is one more reason for my lack of new posts. In one year, I have seen many ups and downs in my life.

I had the best bunch of people in my MBA and the best job one can expect on campus. It was so much fun with Divyesh, Rupal, Reesha and Payal. They are my heart and soul, I love you buddies. I made new friends and renewed some old relations. Many of my friends got married, my cousin got engaged, my brother visited India and many other good things.
In this year, I lost my beloved grandmother and my family got into a bit of trouble. I had to leave my job and settle down with another one. I had a nightmarish time with my best friend. I was broke, didn't have money to eat! I had to borrow money from my friends, thank you a lot buddies!

As they say, past is a history so better to forget it after learning from it, and move on. I have learned a few things from past and trying to learn a few more. It is difficult to forget past but I am trying to forget it. I know I will forget it and will live a happy life with my loved ones

I thank all my friends who devote their time to be with me, physically, emotionally, financially and/or spiritually! I am alive because of my friends and what they did for me. I will not be able to repay the debt in this life. But, thank you all from the bottom of my heart!

Live happy!!

Serendipity Experienced!

2010-12-03T11:22:00.000+05:30

Serendipity (meaning- discovery of good fortune by a series of accidents or unplanned events) is a Hollywood movie starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale. I watched the movie on one of the channels and I fell in love with the movie. It was so interesting that I could not switch off the TV in spite of many warnings by my mom! It is very cute movie and a very unique love story (which is said for every love story)!

The movie starts when Jonathan Trager (played by John Cusack) meets a girl, Sara Thomas (played by Kate Beckinsale) and they get separated after a sweet evening together. While they both wanted to meet each other one more time, Sara didn’t like the idea of planned meeting. She leaves two signs in the Universe carrying their identity (a $5 bill with Jonathan’s name and number on it and a book with Sara’s name and number on it). She says that if the Universe wants us to meet, we will some day find the identities and we’ll meet. Time passes by and they could not meet for 8 years. And then the a series of events takes place which indicates both of them to search for each other one last time. And the Final search for the love starts from both the sides and finally they meet (with a series of accidents that leads them to each other is the meaning of Serendipity).

I just loved the movie when I watched it for the first time and I still love it.

I remembered this story again recently when I experienced the same.
Some 9 years back, in 2001, I was working with a marketing company in Surat. Here the Surat Municipal Corporation organizes book fair every year. That year also they had organized the fair. My company had got the contract of marketing and booking the stalls in the fair.

One day, a nice young lady comes to the booking office. She is shy and looks a little scared. She must have done some bit of running as she was grasping for her breaths. Firstly, I was indifferent to her but soon something in her attracted me to her. I must say that she was not pretty or attractive in the traditional sense, but I just got lost in her. I can't tell what was it, but it can be compared to the poetic relationship of previous births. I stared at her for a long time. Meanwhile, my colleague Shweta, who was in a considerably better state of mind, did her job. This lady was there to book a stall in the fair in the name of Oasis Friendship Home, Baroda. After the formalities of paying money and taking the receipt, she left the office but I was lost in her thoughts.

I didn't know her name, just the way Jonathan did not know Sara's name when they parted in the movie. But there was one sign in the Universe which could lead me to her and that sign was the name of the firm she was working with, Oasis Friendship Home. I tried to meet her during the fair but I could not. I searched for her company on the Internet but I could not find it. A few years later, in 2006, I got a job in Baroda. When I started that job, this name-less lady was the first person in my mind. Though I was not sure if I will ever be able to find her, I searched for her company. I found a Oasis somewhere, but it was not the Friendship Home she was working with, it was a restaurant. I did not lose the hope, but "somethings which should not have been forgotten, were lost in time" (Lord of the Rings).

In 2010, November 27 around 5 pm, I went to meet a friend. He took me to a shop. The shop was there for many years, and I had been to that complex a couple of times, but I never saw the shop. When I entered the shop with my friend, I saw a lady at the counter.

It took me just one second, less than that if I dare say, to recognize that this is the lady I had been searching for since 2001, almost 9 years! I took me just one second to go through all the time and efforts that I had spent searching for her! It just took one second to relive the incident where I first saw her! It just took one second to start jumping with joy! It just took one second to start believing in Serendipity! It took me just one second to realize the fact that whatever you wish from the bottom of your heart, you get it! It just took me one second to understand that the Universe takes its time, but it fulfills what is asked! It just took me one second to understand what true desire (0r a wish direct 'Dil Se') is! In just one second my perception changed from non-believer to believer! I just lived in that one second!

I dedicate this post to that lady, who is a friend now. Finally I got what I had been searching for years. And I feel I am blessed to have got it. I hope that my friendship with her be eternal. And I know in my heart that this friendship in not an act of this life, but it was there in many past lives. In this life, it just got manifested. I am lucky to have experienced such joy. I wish all of you, the readers, may get what your deepest desire is!

Caution: (This is specifically for my Girlfriend) Don't feel jealous, you're always in my heart, thoughts and prayers!

How to crack winter project viva? Useful tips and hints.

2010-05-06T21:19:00.008+05:30

Much wanted "the End" of MBA is in the sight, only one viva to go. It was supposed to take place on 1st and 2nd May, but thanks to Swarnim Gujarat, it was rescheduled to 6th, 7th and 8th.

A week or two back, I was undecided about when to take one exam conducted by NSE. I got the news that my joining is from 10th, viva are on 1st and 2nd, so I decided to sign in for the test on 7th at Ahmedabad. But.... 50th (or 51st I don't care much) Birthday of Gujarat came in between.Viva were rescheduled to 6-7-8. I was hoping that with just 33.33% probability of my viva on 7th, I would get away with both, viva and test. But Hay re meri kismat! my viva fell exactly on 7th. So I got a clear cut chuna of 1500 bucks.

First day of viva is over and I am third on second day morning (tomorrow). I got many reviews and many versions about how the viva is taken, what kind of questions are asked and what to (how to) answer. In short, everyone was telling how they "ruled" the viva. How they punched answers in the face of the faculty. How they took it very easily and rocked! They never tell honestly what happened when they went in (one can refer to Suruchi's blog to see an honest confession).

In the midst of all this confusion, I would like to suggest a few hints and tips to those who still have their viva to go. I hope they will read and take benefit of my vast experience in this field.

Let me tell you what happens. The first and foremost of all the lie (and some truth) is that you will get kicked (or use F word) but you have to keep a smiling face! All that you have to do is prefer a cigarette or a drink before entering. Sit with your back rested. Stare the faculty as if you are his lost child (kumbh ke mele me kho gaye the). If possible, get some glycerine to get real tears in your eyes. When you feel that you have enough tears, take a deep breath and go for the Q & A.

Some of the question and answers would (should) be like this:

Q: Why did you chose this topic for your winter?

A: I got it ready made from a senior, so I picked it. (Usne bhi apne senior me se hi copy kiya tha)

Q: Why did you use this test??
A: Sir told me to use it!!! (Abe gadhe, sir to padhai karne ka bhi bolte hai, kya tu karta hai?)

Q: What does this test do?
A: Increase the length of the report. (minimum I needed was 80 pages)

Q:What is your conclusion??
A: Winter project is a waste of time. (A very honest answer)

Q:Findings of your study?
A: I have gained mastery in making report the last minute (trust me it was in binding five minutes back)

Q: What are your suggestions?
A: This viva should not be there. (Na rahega baans, na bajegi baansuri)

If you follow my advise and answer the above questions as I have said, you will end up scoring A++ in the viva.

All the best.

Disclaimer: The results may vary form F--- to A+++

Navroz Mubarak- Happy New Year to all!

2010-03-23T21:04:00.002+05:30

Yesterday was 21st of March, a very special day in my life and perhaps in life of many others, specially Parsi people. Let me tell you more about this day and why this is a special day for me.

Scientifically, there are two days in a calender year which are unique. As we all know that we have shorter days in the winter while longer days in summer. So, there is rarely any day where the length of day and night is equal. And those who have studies their school well must know that there are two days, in one calender year that have the same length of day and night. One of them is 21st of March (other is perhaps 21st of July, correct me if I am wrong). Well I don't know much of the reasons behind the equal lengths, yet this thing makes the day special!

Second thing, Parsi community celebrates this as their new year. And so do I. Well, I am not a Parsi but my community has a history connected to Iran. Iran is the state where Parsi people initially lived. From there they moved to India. So as a gratitude to this great community, we also celebrate this day as New Year. We wish Navroz Mubarak (Happy New Year) to each other on this day. It is happy time!

The third reason, that makes this day a very special day to me, is very personal. There is a very very very... infinitely very special thing that had happened to me on this very day. And of courser I am as much thankful to God as much as the special that thing is. It seems as if it is a matter of yesterday only but when I look back, I see a long time has passed since that day. Yet, I continue to cherish the memory of that day... I hope to continue to cherish it forever. What that memory is and when did that happen, I can't tell in open space. This day has changed my life in better way. I thank God for it.

(Name-less section)

Continuous and Continual.

Many of us must have heard continuous but not continual. Continuous is something that happens without any break. While a continual thing is happening with breaks. A simple example is a cricket match telecast which is not continuous but continual. The telecast is continuous as it doesn't stop for 24 hours, but telecast of cricket is continual as it takes breaks. I hope you have got it....

Julie and Julia

2010-03-15T22:53:00.001+05:30

A few days back I watched a film called "Julie and Julia". Not many in India would be knowing about this particular film as it was a chick flick. The film is based on a novel with the same name, referring to a famous Julia Child (played by Maryl Streep), who taught French cooking to Americans. Well, for this blog and for the time being, neither she nor the film is important. Why I am talking about the film is the concept that Julie (author of the book) introduced. She is a good cook. She gets a little bored of her life and wants to do something that is new. So, she takes up a challenge. She starts a blog for one year and every day she cooks something from Julia Child's book. In 365 days, she cooks more than 400 items along with many ups and downs in her life.

Well, I am also taking an inspiration from it and deciding to do something that can take me away from routine works. I wish to do something but unfortunately I am not getting anything. Something that can keep both you and me interested in the blog.

Firstly, I asked myself, what I am good at. Just the way Mad-eye Moody asks Harry Potter in The Goblet of Fire. What is my strength? The answer was to end the blog with an English lesson. Don't be scared, dear. I am not going to give heavy doses of English language. I am not that good at English. But then, I like the idea. So, now on, apart from my usual boring stuffs, you will find some English lesson as well. I want to name this section where I can give hits about good English. Can someone suggest me a name for it?

(Name-less Section):

Today's English lesson is a sentence which I have used in this blog: "Well, for this blog and for the time being, neither she nor the film is important." Use of neither-nor and either-or is known to most. But here I am pointing out the 'is' that is used. The 'is' is used her for the film. Because the film is only one, I have used 'is', singular. If the sentence would be like this :Neither she nor the films... then I would have used are important. In another case, Neither films nor she is important. It depends on the subject that is close to the verb. If the subject closer to the verb is singular, use singular verb else plural. I hope you got it.

The greatest gift

2010-03-06T21:31:00.002+05:30

A warm hello to all the readers!

Since mother earth became inhabitable, she has seen countless creatures walking the soft ground and swimming the depth of the seas. Many creations have lost their way in due course of time. So many creations of God do no longer exist. But look at Mankind. Human beings had tough competitors, many races for survival against the most ferocious animals and unusually kind and strangely precarious nature. Mankind lived to tell the tale because it fought; it fought all that questioned the very existence of mankind.

Why was the mankind able to do that no one else could? What is so unique about mankind? What is so special about us? What makes you and me different from other species that breathe their last long ago?

God has given us a gift that makes us better than any other creation of God. A gift of which one can only wish but never get, a gift that one has but never values. The gift of intellect.

We have a great ability to think, to feel and to communicate. There are many things we can do with intellect. I bow down to God and thank her for giving me the best gift ever.

Thank you God, you are just great!!!

The SUPERNOVA Sachin : UPDATE

2010-02-25T07:56:00.131+05:30

UPDATE 2: On Sunday, 19/12/2010, he scored his 50th Test Match Hundred. Once again he set a new bench mark for the next generation of cricketers. He, of course did not celebrate this achievement as India lost the match. Hats off one more time to this YOUNG gentleman of the game!

UPDATE1: A couple of days back, I read a news that Sachin refused to endorse a liquor brand for as much as Rs 200 Million per year. At the same time, the Captain MS Dhoni was in the news for endorsing a liquor brand for Rs 260 Million for three years. Comparing Sachin's offer with that of Dhoni, Sachin was to get almost three times more than Dhoni. I am not comparing Dhoni with Sachin (it would be injustice to Dhoni). I am just trying to compare the amount of money Sachin could have got had he not refused. But yet, he refused on the ethical ground that he would not endorse liquor or like. Sachin is not a gentleman cricketer, he is a gentleman!

Yesterday, Sachin Tendulkar scored a double century in limited over cricket match. Does it sound good? If no, then you better don't read this post. If yes, then you can go ahead.... because I am going to talk about some of the innings of his which I like. I would be elaborating the innings in my words and with my length.

1989, when India toured Pakistan, he was included in the team. I had seen his interview on Doordarshan before he went to Pakistan. You might have read many things about how he handled Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Imran Khan in that series. In the famous final test match in Sialkot, he scored half century with bleeding nose. He scored 28 runs off one over of Abdul Qadir, you would have read that also. That was an exhibition match. I would like to tell a little more about that particular exhibition match. That was a 20 over game, not of course the modern day Twenty20 match. In that era, run a ball (strike rate of 100) was something that batsman would leave for the hard hitters. Sachin scored 53 runs in that exhibition match, in just 18 balls, that includes 5 six's! That was the match that left everyone talking about him. 53 runs in 18 balls is, even in this era of fast cricket, difficult to achieve. To give you an example, in that same series, one 50-over match was reduced to 16 overs because of rain. Pakistan batted first and scored 89 runs, average less than 6. One would expect India to win easily, but India lost the match by 9 runs! The game was that slow. And there was he, who changed the game later on, scored almost at the strike rate of 300!

Of course, his international debut was miserable, he got ducks (zero) in first two one day innings. What a start, ha ha!

Turning point in his ODI (One Day International or Fifty over match) career came in 1994. Indian team was in New Zealand. In one of the games he was promoted to open the innings. I watched that game live on Prime Sports (now known as Star Sports). India scored first fifty in just 7.2 overs, which was too fast. He scored 82 runs off just 49 balls. People say that Sanath Jaysurya bought the hard hitting in the power play, but it was Sachin. Two years before people started knowing Jaysurya (1996 World Cup, which Sri Lanka won), Sachin had started using the field restriction and made quick runs. I like that innings because it established him as the opening man for India and the rest is history.

I started admiring him like a devoted follower after a few innings. One was a century in 1996 world cup. He scored 137 off 137 against Sri Lanka, the match India lost. The match is more famous for Manoj Prabhakar's nightmare bowling. (4 overs for 47 runs, two overs as spin bowler). What I liked about his batting in that match is his stamina. He got run out in 50th over, but in that over itself, before he got out, he hit a huge six. Though he was just 23 years at that time, but still if you have played for fifty overs, it is tough to hit six.

He became my batting hero after his terrific century in Sharjah against Australia, the match no Indian can ever forget. Popularly, this innings is known as "Desert Storm", I have no better word to describe this innings. In that tri series, that was the last league game and Australia had already entered the final. The fight was on between India and New Zealand. Australia posted a total of 285, and after a sand storm break it was reduced to 276 in 46 overs. To qualify for the final, India needed to either win the match or score 237 runs (254 if the match were of full 50 overs) to get better average than New Zealand. As usual, when India has to chase a big score, all hopes lies on Sachin's shoulders. He did not disappoint! He went on and on and on! He made sure that India get to the minimum needed 237 runs in time.Yet, he did not stop there. He kept going, but could not do it for longer. He got out when India were on 242 in 43 overs, his score was 143 runs off 131 balls. I remember the post match presentation, he was asked what was he thinking when India passed 237 runs, was he thinking to win the match? He said, I thought it was challenge for me and I should go for it! I love the way he plays the game! A substitute talk: The next top scorer for India in that game was Nayan Mongiya. He scored 35 runs. Sachin got out on the last ball of 43rd over. In next 18 balls, India needed 34 runs to win. With five wickets in hand, one can hope for a fight to get those 34 runs (if you doubt, then see the first ODI of current India-South Africa Series, where SA scored 40 runs in last 3 overs, with 8 wickets down). But India managed to score well earned 8 runs in next 18 balls with two recognized batsmen!!!

Another innings, which left no doubt in my mind that is he the best ever batsman was also against Sri Lanka and again, India ended up losing that match. It was in Sharjah, in 2000. It was the first match of the tri-series, featuring India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. This was perhaps the first game of the series. India batting first managed to score 224 runs. Some how the batting conditions looked very difficult because India managed to score only 10 fours in 50 overs. Sachin scored 101 runs off 140 balls, 3 fours and 1 six. This innings was played under difficult conditions. But the way he batted was superb. It is not only fours and six that makes you a great player. If you observe his batting, in the middle overs, when the field is spread, he finds gaps and takes singles and two's and three's.

Here is a picture of the celebration we had after his double century.

THIS POST WILL NEVER BE FINISHED....

Valentine's is a hard working time!

2010-02-21T10:17:00.004+05:30

February is the month of love. Everyone gets busy finding their respective Valentines. Others, who already have Valentines, are busy celebrating it. Giving and accepting of roses, exchanging of gifts, sharing of dreams and promises to be together! How Romanticccccc......

A few years back (a common phrase in all my posts, I guess) I learnt about Valentine's day through the media. Since then I have dreamt of celebrating it with the love of my life. But so far, I haven't been able to do so. The only problem I had, and still have is my Valentine :( . I haven't found any one yet. Or rather I should say, no one has found me yet!! Ha ha. I have liked many girls and I still like many, but they should also like me. Here is the trick, no one likes me. No issues. God would have created someone for me. And some day I will meet her and will celebrate Valentine's day with her....

The guys usually have only two problems. First, finding the Valentine (which I am facing right now). Second, finding the gift for the Valentine on the Valentine's day (which I will face later)!

When I was doing my engineering from NIT, Surat, we used to have "Injury Day" after Valentine's day (see the picture). The day symbolizes the hard fact of life. It is an expression of the first problem, finding the Valentine. You like a girl (guy). You wait till the V-day to propose to her(him). And the result you get, in most of the cases if not all, is INJURY. If she(he) accepts your proposal, then the injury will be 'constant and never ending'. If she(he) rejects it, you may get 'temporary or short term' injury. So, invariably "Injury Day" should follow "Valentine's day".

Some lucky fellow gets away with temporary injuries. For the rest, life long pain starts. It begins with the all time hit question, what to gift her(him)?

I have two very good friends who are married. I happened to meet them just a day before the V-day. They both were a little confused as to what to gift to their respective wives. They asked me also. But I was busy with Problem no.1, how can I deal with Problem no.2! So, I left them in confused state of mind, which is the obvious state. Then I also begin to wonder that one day I will also have to think about the gifts, then why not to start now.

Since then, I am thinking about what to gift my Valentine after I have found who is my Valentine. I am still thinking, help me if you can.. ha ha...

"Dushman" a Rajesh Khanna movie

2010-02-11T21:37:00.005+05:30

A few years back, when I was a kid, I had watched a movie of Rajesh Khanna, called "Dushman". Dushman means enemy. I enjoyed it as it was a typical Hindi movie. I did not understand the message behind the it. Songs were good and performances were better. The first part of my story ends here.

A few years back (not as many as years as in the previous paragraph), I watched the movie again. This time I was older and was able understand the message. The movie was on television last week and I watched it again. So, I thought to share it.

It starts with a typical "bad boy" hero, Rajesh Khanna. He is a drunkard driver, with no family and careless attitude. And to add some massala, we get to see a beautifully composed song, Waada tera waada. The song ends with the beginning of the story. After the song, he gets back to driving truck with loads of hard drink. As expected, he meets with an accident. He kills a farmer Ramu. He was caught by the police. The usual thing that should follow, would be the punishment. Here comes the twist and the moral of the movie. The judge, played by Rehman, decides to do something different. He takes the permission of the jury and punishes Rajesh Khanna. The punishment is to serve for two years, but not in jail. He has to work in place of Ramu, do farming and earn bread and butter for Ramu's family that consists of Ramu's wife, two kids, one sister and old parents. It is obvious that no one was happy with the punishment, neither Rajesh Khanna nor the victim's family. Some how the punishment is enforced and Rajesh Khanna moves to Ramu's village. He gets the name of "Dushman" from the villagers and the family. Ramu's kids call him Dushman chacha.

The events unfold one after another and change the life of all the characters. Especially Rajesh Khanna. He becomes the saviour of the family and leader of the village bringing unexpected reforms.

After this, the film becomes ordinary Hindi films. He puts efforts and wins heart of everyone, including the family of Ramu.

The moral of the story is the concept that was introduced. Our system punishes the culprits. But does the punishment serve those who suffered? What about the victim? Is putting someone in jail a worth thing to do? At the other end, one can say that not everyone is like Rajesh Khanna. He became the hero in real sense for all. But in real life, it is tough.

I will not give any conclusion. I am not in a place to conclude. I leave it here.

Paradigm Shift!

2010-02-10T22:49:00.005+05:30

A few years back I had read a book, a very famous book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

In one of the chapters, he mentions a very thought provoking incident that he witnessed in the UK. He talks about a man who enters a train with his kids. The kids are making lots of mischief. This gentleman, who was father of the kids, did not do anything to control them. Instead, he closed his eyes and sat carelessly. The passengers get irritated with the kids. They thought this guy is not bothered of what his kids are doing. Now the passengers and Stephen, all were pissed off.

So, one of the passengers went to the guy and told him to take care of the kids. The passenger told the man that your kids are making noise, jumping here and there, disturbing other passengers and all. Why don't you ask them to sit quietly?

This man opened his eyes, looked at the kids and told this passenger, I am really sorry for them. Their mother has just passed away and we are coming from her cremation only.

With this sentence, the whole situation changed. The kids who were irritating a few seconds ago were worth loving now. All the actions of kids are not disturbing to any passenger now....

This is what Stephen Covey calls the Paradigm Shift!

It is the change in the way you look at the things. In the above mentioned incident, the actions of kids did not change. But the way passengers looked at the kids was changed. I am sure you would have felt the same while reading.

There is one saying, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. There is nothing as absolute beauty. Everything is relative. There are people I know who do not consider Aishwarya Rai as beautiful. It is not she who is beautiful, it is the perception of the one who views her as beautiful.

So, the bottom line is you see the world and world will be as you see.

I remember one more article written by one of my friends, Jay Patel. He mentioned two quotations written at the back of trucks. I often quote them during my sessions as well. One truck had "Buri nazarwale tera muh kala" and the other had "Dekho magar pyar se". Both intend to say the same thing, but the way in which it is said reflects the paradigm of the individual. I have experienced that a change in perception or Paradigm Shift can bring change in life. This change could be so drastic that instead of it being a mere change in life, it changes the life itself. I have done that to my life.

You too may try. What say?

Republic Day, time for introspection....

2010-01-24T12:40:00.001+05:30

Tuesday, 26th January, 2010 is the 60th Republic Day of India. Congratulations to all of us Indians, may God bless us!

Our country is maturing now, and we as citizens of India have huge responsibility to make India a recognizable country of the world. It is in the news papers today that by 2012, i.e. two years from now, India will be the third largest economy of world, in terms of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). I hope people do understand what is PPP because I did not understand it at first go. By 2020, India's GDP growth rate would be more than that of China. These are indeed very impressive and encouraging findings for us. We, as a country, deserve to have handsome GDP as we have a very large population to feed. As one finding also says that by 2020 (sooner or later) we will overtake China in population as well.

Republic Day means the day on which rights and responsibilities of people defined and given. We have been enjoying these rights on paper for last sixty years. Off the paper, well I doubt. What about the responsibilities? Not much. Yes, we do fulfil those responsibilities that give us pleasure. What about other responsibilities? Who cares!

It is time to look into ourselves, and find how can I make my country better place to live. I hope we will get time for the introspection and more importantly, to implement the finding, if at all we find anything.

May God bless us!

LOTR, a rare movie (trilogy) and a rare book

2010-01-16T13:02:00.009+05:30

I just finished reading review of Two States by Chetan Bhagat on Navneet's blog. I felt that I should also share the best movie (trilogy) that I have ever seen, Lord of the Rings, LOTR in short.

Peter Jackson is the director of the trilogy, and it is one of the rare occasion where the movie adaptation is better than the book. Later, I saw one more film by Peter Jackson, King Kong and I must say now I am a fan of his.

From 1930's to 1950's, the world was passing through turmoil of world wars. That was the time when J.R.R. Tolkien wrote this wonderful story, Lord of the Rings. LOTR is continuation of the successful early book The Hobbit by Tolkien. Tolkien has created this mystery world of imaginary characters, Hobbits, Elfs, Men, Orcs and so on. There are some other books which are also related to characters of LOTR.

I, as a regular non-English reader, had no idea of the book till I saw the first part of the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001. The first part won 4 Oscar awards. It was the time when first part of Harry Potter had also released. But, LOTR was far better a fantasy than HP (film). The character of Head Master Albus Dumbledore of HP is a clear replica of the White Wizard Gandalf of LOTR.

Well, I was not impressed with the first part of LOTR on my first view. But when I saw it again, I liked it. And since then I liked it more with every viewing! The second part,The Two Towers was even better, though it won only 2 Oscars. The battle of Helms Deep is one of the best fights I have ever seen. It is much better than critically acclaimed The Gladiator. My eagerness to see the third part was ever more after seeing the second part. Characters of Gollum and Ents, i.e. the large walking and talking trees were just superb.

Unfortunately, the third part, Return of the King, did not last for long in India hence I could not see it in cinema hall. When I saw it on DVD, I was awestruck! Just wonderful! The city of Minas Tirith, The Black Gate, Mount Doom and everything that was created on screen was just superb! No wonder the third movie won all 11 Oscars for which it was nominated, becoming only the third movie to win 11 Oscars after Ben Hur and Titanic.

The book is good, but it is not as interesting as the films. Many think that LOTR is a trilogy but it is only a single book, though the film is in three parts. If you really want to enjoy the films, what you should do is this: Buy DVDs of all the three movies and start them at night. One by one finish all three, without any break of continuation.

Comments are welcome.

Adventurs on Uttrayan

2010-01-16T11:10:00.002+05:30

Happy Belated Utran to all.

I had lots of fun this Utran, especially the day after. We are four very good friends: Aamir, Ahmed, Pinoz and I. We had decided to cook dinner by ourselves on Friday, 15th of January, 2010. Well the idea behind was to do something new. Every now and then, one should keep trying new things to get fresh from the routine life. We did the same.

We prepared Butter Chicken for 15 people. We started at around 5 in the evening and finished cooking at around 8. Three hours of adventure and fun. Anisha, Pinoz's wife was our coach. She passed through hell in these three hours as we are fantastic cooks!!!

Well, we got complements from all the members who dared to dine the food cooked by newcomers. Butter Chicken was a little sweet, but it was good.

I hope that in future also we get some time to have such "hatke" activities to get rid of the boredom of listless life.

Again, happy Utran and a fruitful new year to you all.

May God bless you.

First Post!

2010-01-14T11:45:00.001+05:30

Hello everyone,

This is my first post on the blog. I had my website on geocities, but now they have close down the site. Now, after a long time, I am back to share my views with the world. What other day would be better than the Sankranti day!!

I am happy at present as I have got selected in HDFC Bank through campus placement. My college, i.e. the Department of Business and Industrial Development (DBIM) has given me some good memories and some good friends. The time I have spent here so far has been wonderful. I met various types of people. I liked some of them. I learnt a lot about life. So, I must thank my college for that.