Ye Meri Life Hai

I Got Locked In My Own Bedroom

2011-07-26T10:37:00.004+05:30

Yesterday was a funny night for me. Can you imagine what will it feels like if you get locked in your own bedroom. Yes it happened to me - in real. At first it was "hum tum ek kamre mein bandh ho" kind of feeling that came to my mind but soon I realized it was only "hum". But the fact is at first you feel funny but here’s another blow -- what if the keys to the bedroom from outside don’t work!!

Well friends, yesterday night the tragedy struck me at around 9.15 p.m. When I was inside my bedroom, since window and bedroom door were open, due to blow of heavy air (we stay on 10th floor), the door swung bang and closed. This has happed many a times in past and we did not bothered much. I will share the related tragedies later. So this time as well I didn’t react too much and went to get fresh -- since I had returned from work. After getting fresh, I tried to open the bedroom door and realized that it was not willing to move.

Just think what would be the situation, if you were alone at home and your mobile is in the drawing room and no mode of communication is available inside the bedroom. Well in my case at least rest of the family members were in the drawing room. I called out and based on my past experiences we have a set of bedroom keys in drawing room. I asked my wife to open the door and she tried, but to our surprise, it did not work. I realized that the lock has got jammed. We invested some 15-20 minutes with failed attempts to open it. My brother was called upon and even he tried it -- nothing was working. While we thanked god that my 3 year kid was not stuck inside and it was me (well she had already experienced this when we are just 7 days new to this flat and she was just one and a half year old -- well this very same door was broken up then).

Inside the bedroom, the joke, fun was soon turning into frustration and anger. Godrej Locks has put me in trouble third time in the last one and half year and that too with my bedroom. Godrej Locks - no one can break in -- boss but it should at least open with its own keys . Nope it denied and because of the bang effect the latch got stuck in the door hole.

Fortunately, we had a contact number of a all rounder (not a key repairer) who we called up finally around 9.50 p.m. To my surprise, guess what!! he was in at our house in flat 10 minutes.

He first tried with all the master keys of world he had and failed. Finally we realized that all the efforts with keys are waste. So we drew the conclusion that we will once again have to go ahead with lock breaking ceremony. He returned in another 15 minutes with all his tools and started the desi solution - if nothing works break it. Finally I was freed at 10.40 p.m.

The moral of the story: At times the best lock can even lock you up. Keep a set of keys outside accessible to others. Keep a set of tool inside your bedroom in case if nobody is at home and you don’t have any communication – at least you can start break open - or you never know it can also help you defend in bad times!! And more importantly don’t forget to keep the contact number of plumber, key maker, electricians very close to you so that you can call in case of emergency -- experienced advise - three times already.

Now I have my bedroom without a lock and plan to replace the old fashioned "kaddi" which I know I can open it!

You owe me my life !! Oh the bomb blaster

2011-07-16T15:06:00.002+05:30

My message to the killers on behalf of all those affected: It may not matter to you whom you are killing. Remember you have left behind many with pain and agony, while you are enjoying god’s gift of long life. Remember you owe me my life!!

Death is the final destiny for every living being. But surely we are not willing to see our death at the hands of a radical who takes life to get his / their wishes fulfilled. We all have seen many deaths due to act of terrorism as we grew and now it has become a street event wherein we talk for a day or two and live it behind. We don’t see the underlying impact that it carries as we move ahead which is far more faster and wider.

When we talk about act of incriminate killings – especially through bomb blast, for those who are not affected, we are awakened for a moment and then we go back to sleep once again. We live in a cell and fail to react or act – because it is not affecting us in person. In fact the way we behave is such that only if such unfortunate event happens in geographies confined to us – we take a pain to check out if our relatives, friends and close ones are fine. Where do we (those who are not affected) feel the pain and agony of others who have met with unwarranted fate.

We talk, criticize, abuse and are back into our cell. Is this the way we are created –NO. This is the way somebody wants us to live. So that they can make their hay. When we talk about terror group running such shows, I feel we need to seriously see the bigger picture behind the actions.

a) Are these group operating without knowledge of our political or economic system – right from so called internal or external terror outfits for that matter be it Naxalites, Moisists , Jihadis or any other groups
b) Why would they like to kill only few and still manage to operate and grow within a system
c) Why we have to end up every unfortunate event like this with a label of Intelligence Failure – let remove that wing itself if it has failed for so many decades
d) Since our independence - how may culprits have been booked and punished for every registered event like this across the country
e) How many time has public personalities - be it politician, VIPs or godly personalities have been reported to be meeting with such fate

While discussing on this topic with a close friend of mine he opined that it’s a plague built on fear, uncertainty and doubt theory. If we see it closely, the vested interested are surely playing with these mantra and every event if we sit back and analyze they are surely linked with co-related events.

We miss to see who all are affected and killed. They are indeed people like us. However, we are fooled to see, get distracted and switch attention to what media, press, politician talks about and this gets on top of our minds. Just see around, it is couple of days after the incident and the accident is already a less priority items for all mentioned above. Very soon it will be forgotten like we don’t even hear what has happed to Japan after the tragedy. What are the state of their nuclear reactors!! For centuries the roots of Indians has been driven by the fact that we like to “follow” we have forgotten to “lead”.

If we recall, just when the city was getting back on its toes, people were settling down with colonial issues and as the hands started joining to fight common issues – fear, uncertainty and doubt has once again been injected into us so that vested interest stays on top.

People behind such dirty objectives should remember that they are also part of this bigger system, even their generations to come will suffer from it. Today if you are managing to create fear, uncertainty and doubts – days are not very far our hands are together – you can surely push them down for a while but can’t stop it from rising it!!

Back to School: Wo kagaj ki kasti Wo barish ka pani

2011-06-20T20:11:00.003+05:30

Jagjit Singh’s gazal – Wo kagaj ki kasti wo barish ka pani – is a true reminder of childhood. And when we talk of childhood, school is the foremost in our memories. I use to wait for summer vacation and when it use to come, I use to crib when will it get over.

First day on school re-opening use to be like an event, a day filled with energy at the top level and a lot to talk and share with friends. I would say it was the most eagerly awaited day. The feelings were mixed, while my holidays were getting over for which I waited for the whole year and here I was desperate to run back to school.

One of the key reason for such high level energetic wait for school re-opening was my schooling was in the era wherein we were not yet hit by the ultra modernization bug of internet, mall and mobile culture. And because of this, the connection and communication with all the school friends were limited and virtually cut off during vacation, expect for those who were staying nearby.

Just to go back, just before the school start’s, covering all the books with brown paper was an event by itself. I remember the labels of books those days use to come with one where you need to apply gum and one ready to stick. Ready to stick were still expensive and we were to content with non ready to stick ones. Besides, buying of new school bags, pens and so on was a kind of a family picnic.

So much to say, share on that first day. The most important things that I use to look forward was the bench and seat that will become mine for rest of year. No doubt we were aware about our division but we use to still plan the initial days. For sure, I use to look forward for;

Boast about my holiday experiences, movies, new happening, etc
And all prepared to show off the new school dress (even though it was same for all)
Who will be our class teacher
Who will be appointed as a monitor
Who will take our math’s classes and so on
Look forward for our weekly calendar and look out for the days and number of games period

And since the school re-opening use to coincide with monsoon, till higher secondary, umbrella were a distant dream. Rain coats and Gum Boots were the opening entry to school. Just a taught unravels so many threads and unlimited recall of life around it. I am sure no money can get back to those days of paper boat and rain water entering through rain coats and gum boot.

I love the sweet memories of my school re-opening and I am sure same will be the case with many of us in our age group. Now when I see the kids going back to school, I wonder that the meaning and definition of “high” and “feeling” would have changed or probably may not even exist.

Will somebody fast for pot holes of Mumbai?

2011-06-16T11:20:00.005+05:30

Rains have kept its promise with the island city and arrived on time. Our care taker – Municipal Corporation too had published that it has completed all the required formalities to take care of us in case of water logging and hassle free infrastructure. They have also spent crores of our money to clean drainages (as an additional preparation) and fill in the pot holes on roads (repair roads), for which we had already paid twice. Once at the time of original project being implemented and by way of toll charges and road taxes which is rampant.

We were told of enjoying trouble free monsoon. Mumbai’s Mayor, Municipal Commissioner, Political Leaders did inspection and also got media coverage. Authorities declared the pre-monsoon work as satisfactory and completed, Politicians (largely from opposition or not from ruling part) declared it as foul play.

It’s just about 10 days of monsoon and two / three heavy down pours and we are already stand still. Majority of places across Mumbai witnessed water logging and our Disaster Management System failed which promised to clear water logging, which itself need a savior.

Both rail and roads witnessed collapse. While railways are expected to get back on tracks, but what about our roads. Large section of office goers travel through roads and we are already seeing depleted road with pot holes coming up. The roads are pathetic and hours of traffic jams have already become regular. How are we going to survive the rest of the season.

We have witnessed series of national level agitation against corruptions. I am wondering that equal magnitude of corruption is also upfront visible to all of us in providing us even basic infrastructure like road on which we can ride. I am sure by the end of the season many of us traveling on Mumbai roads will face health problems like back pains, slip disk and stress. I heard one of the rickshaw guy saying – pregnant lady who wants to have a normal delivery can have it free by just travelling on Mumbai roads!!Recent photos in a leading dailies posted the new Lalbaug flyover just inaugurated few days back already having BIG HOLES.

I was wondering will any hero’s of the recent agitation stand up for this cause – though my wish is for Mumbai city, but I am sure that this would be the case across all metros and B towns in some or the other form. A agitation against our municipal corporations and state government who has to come out on roads and make our basic amenities work no matter if they have to WORK DAY AND NIGHT TO PUT BASIC INFRA UP AND RUNNING.

I am waiting for someone to fast for pot holes and also wondering why political parties from opposition are silent now. If they can gather in thousands at Azad maidan to protest corruption why not for this purpose?

Anna, Ramdev’s Political Fasting

2011-06-05T19:32:00.004+05:30

I have learnt, observed and experienced that religion and politics are closely associated. Now I am learning that politics and fasting has got into some kind of relationship.

The recent agitation campaign led by Anna against corruption and now Baba Ramdev are turning out to be a national talk. While I appreciate and fully endorse the momentum that Anna Hazare and Yoga guru Ramdev has initiated against corruption – but this according to me is a disturbing trend. I see it differently.

As a country we have faced with the illness of corruption for ages. No doubt that we have been exposed to too many of them openly in recent times. But I have set of following questions when we are trying to fight corruption

a) Who is the originator / supporter of the corruption –

WE - the very same people who are fighting against corruption. Are we not responsible for promoting and give life to corruption. So should not the fight for this first begin with us.

On one end people like Anna and Ramdev have torched the fight, but just by changing certain laws will we be able to stop corruption. Using this very law we (I say WE because on one end we are the one who give bribe and on the other we are the one who takes it) the receivers of corruption benefits will makes our way to once again live with it.

I am not against bringing about changes in laws or getting it enforced – but it’s said – “Prevention is Better Than Cure”. And in this case it starts with us and ends with us.

Can we simply not promote - Just don’t vote such candidate who has been locked in such controversies – this is the biggest punishment – but we are good at forgetting and we don’t even know the right medium to fight.

I have a question -- I am sure the day laws are drafted according to Anna and Ramdev, who among us who has participated in their rally or support this agitation is going to monitor and keep a check. Our demand is to have better laws – OK Done – but are we ourselves willing to stop our self from giving bribe. If the answer is NO – then it’s of no use investing so much on all this. Neither Anna or Ramdev has ever in their agitation made a point or a statement to take an oath from people who participated that “We promise not to give bribe”.

b) Do we need Anna and Ramdev to fight corruption –

Not really. I firmly thinks so, not at least for Corruption. While in case of Anna the colour of a social activist was the theme, what is it in case of Ramdev. Is it something that all of a sudden people having large followers got nothing but “Corruption” to fight for. An article by a leading writer in the English Daily argues Ramdev is good at promoting health so let him concentrate and strengthen his fight with system – political or any other to promote and bring about changes in mass health system, free hospital, free medicine, etc. Why corruption?

I am sure we will soon have few other faces carrying regional followings standing up against corruption. When you attain a mass image like Anna and Ramdev you need to open communication dialogue with the system, create awareness among “WE” on how it can be stopped or what can be done to change it – this is not just for corruption but any agitation or change in system that we need. Changing the political system or laws will not change the Politicians

c) Don’t we have any other issues to fight on –

The cases of corruption has indeed come up in open like never before – National Games, 2 G Telecom and many others. But no single large personality has come upon and fought for cases of scams at Orphanage – we have already seen many of them. Delhi is plagued with sexual abuse on females, thousands of legal cases lying pending with no idea when they will see the day light and people like Kasab enjoying extended life. These are issues that need our participation, attention and change.

Moral of the story --

My feeling is that it is “Fasting” that has caught the popularity bug. All our religion has been promoting fasting as a religious ritual though benefiting health. Fasting is now turning out to be good weapon for leading agitations.

And sometimes I feel the way politics made religion a tool to achieve their means, now they have turned their heads to fasting. It is possible that political parties are promoting fasting so that they can come and agree to terms and conditions, get publicity (our media any which way don’t have any standing of their own but to keep splashing “TOP HEADLINES”) and the math is even if they are able to win a fraction of masses – it is still a cheap vote acquisition cost – What Say!!

I come from a software background and the calculation is in man hours so I say if 100 people are participating for 1 day for any agitation = 800 hours of man hours lost – could we have used this in a better way. Could this very same people helped in making / cleaning our system in a way that is measurable and output deliverable?

Multi Level Marketing OR Snakes And Ladder

2011-05-24T18:21:00.004+05:30

Multi Level Marketing (MLM) is once again a hot news and this time it’s not just with the participants but media is also involved – investigation, print report, interview and so much of exposure. I feel Multi Level Marketing should now be rechristened as Snakes And Ladder Marketing

Soon after my college one of my friend was joining Amway around 1993 and I use to attend some of these session with him. I was never ever convinced with the idea. No doubt Amway was wrongly sold then (that’s the way I look at it) – no idea whether is it still the same case. Between 1993 and 2000 odd, I came across many Amway guys who use to literary chew my brain out. The best part was starting the conversation as to how would I like to retire or what if I had my own business.

After my close association with my friend and few third degree torture I was well educated and use to have select questions which none of these aspirant were able to revert on.

Are you selling me the product or asking me to join? Why when I don’t like their products? What is the revenue percentage of re-sales volume in India V/s percentage of new joinee and so on. I have due respect for Amway as a company but no idea why the company doesn't push and encouraging more re-sales.

I use to work at Lower Parel, Mumbai and visit a hotel in the nearby area – the young son of the said hotelier was the latest abuser that I encountered last year. Around 1995-97 I recollect of even coming across Japan Life – Wow – magnetic bed worth around one lakh during those days and I don’t know how people use to sell it – or should I say buy it.

The concept of MLM has been around in India for quite some time largely with local / regional presence in form of chit funds, cosmetic products, real estate schemes, investment schemes and what not. However in the last couple of years the trend has increased and we have seen many such scheme getting launched. The best part is in spite previous personal experiences or ample awareness, people overwhelmingly participate.

I feel the key reason is we have more than 100 crores of population to cheat or fool. And the concept is very simple even if you are able to make 100 Rs after distributing the down line from even 0.05 percent of the population we are talking about making not less than 50 crores !! That’s a big money and worth a bet.

And see the other side, if you are a participant, you can be either the one who had made money last time and want to join again, or are lured (it may be wrong when I say majority of us would be quite aware about the high risk) or are genuinely IMPRESSED OR you really don’t mind taking that small risk!!

What I liked about the recent trend is the use of technology by these operators. Isn’t it great that after Super Lotto (online lottery – though it’s official as I understand) we are now having MLM getting tech savvy. The newer schemes are getting floated on web – Speak Asia, Ram Survey and many others which I may not know. We should not be surprised if the next scheme is available on mobile and SMS!!

But one thing is sure MLM is nothing but a Snakes And Ladder game wherein we try to maximize money and the operator is a snake who take away every time you try to reach on top – what say!!

Address – What does it mean to you?

2011-04-11T16:32:00.005+05:30

In the last one month I had a real terrible time – all concerned with “Address”. In our common language – address is referred to the location of residence, office, venue and so on. All through from the date I have got matured, I have taken this seriously and have ensured to provide vital details, landmark and other necessary elements to be called as “Address”. However in the last one month this topic has come and hit me more than 4-5 times, can you believe it and more over for no reasons of mine. Let me share with you and I am

sure we all have gone through this at least once in our life time either someone is trying to locate us or we are trying to locate some body.

Over the last weekend, I had enrolled with a leading personality from internet media background who also has a seed fund and himself also being an angle investor had organized a Business Plan workshop at Pune. The address / location of the venue was so very well known that it took me around 2 and half hour to reach the work shop. I am with holding the name of the person and details of the venue for good reason – am I am sure this was not intentional and it was incidental.

Firstly the invitation for the workshop did not have any contact number to reach the organizer to locate the venue in the ticket and email confirmation sent, secondly the venue by the name had more than three location in the city. Fortunately after a running around the one, I reached at the right one. The right one itself had many nuclear venues and no one around new the place I wanted to reach. After an hour of search, a senior gentlemen from the venue helped me by speaking to a director of the institution and finally I reached drenched – 2 hours late for a 4 hour work shop!!

Moral: I fee why don’t the organizer realize that it make sense to provide complete details as well as contact number of such venue with multiple similar names and is it not necessary to name a point of contact.

A week before that, my dear mom decided to go to town – Mumbai as she wanted to visit a relative who had shifted from one home to another. I as an obedient son told mom to ensure she takes phone number and details with her as I was to drop her on the main road and she was to take off from there. On reaching the location I felt and realized that she was just having the “landmark” as the destination point to reach. Hell what ? I was pissed off as my entire schedule went on a toss but I had no choice and I asked my mom if she is carrying the number of the relative we will call her and take their residential address, one more surprise.

She was so confidently not carrying it saying it’s a famous place and she will reach. I called back home took the contact number and called the relative who gave the name of the building, floor and land mark. I reach the land mark and to my surprise right in front of the landmark I found the building with a similar name with a word in the middle missing, so took a guess and asked the people on the road for help. Few guided me to go straight and upon reaching the location, it was a big factory getting converted into residential property. However, the entry to the desired building was not from here.

We had already waked for an about thirty minutes in hot sun and again started walking back to check out on the right entry point but by then we were so very pissed we took the cab and headed straight back to station for home. Moral: Why can’t the invitee and visitor take a pain in asking for finer details like nearby building, old name of the building / location. At times, absence of such basic information deceive you. We take this casually and feel that if needed upon reaching the location we will call up relevant people for more details if required, but my experience is either the phone is not reachable or battery is down and so on

One more example, I was registering my company and for the purpose of same, needed DIN – Director Information Number. For which you need to submit your identity proof and address proof. The fun was the name in the identity proof and the address proof has to be exactly the same. Now see the irony, we have shifted to a new residential location and hence either some of the legally acceptable documents are either in the process or updation or not updated. Those that were updated where messy like my mobile bill where I have given the land mark as “Opp Eicher Motors” – at the time of giving the mobile bill as proof I saw it says “Opp Eicher Water” and similarly a couple of more mismatches in case of other documents

Moral: A golden rule - give a address in bank, voter id, ration card, pan card exactly same with same land mark – else you never know these holds no value Here goes one more, as I have mentioned in the above example that we have shifted to a new residential location, for changing my current (proprietary) account address – I went through hell – in case if you want to change it you need a proof of document coming at the said address that you give.

Do you know documents like property documents / agreement (even though you are owner) is not a valid address proof, if you leave in your parents house and don’t have an electric bill, bank statement and other listed address proof acceptable coming in your name – in the eyes of these institution you are homeless!! Moral: Create a master list of such address proof and ensure you have one of them with desired details which can be again used . Above are just few of them, all of us would have faced this. But I fail to understand all those who leave on rental house and conveniently change it when they want – how do they manage it!!

Cricket – Vaccine OR Virus

2011-03-26T19:46:00.008+05:30

Ha! Yes you can add me in the list of writers, commentators, reviewers, critics, spectators and the list goes on in the country that has a sport religion called – Cricket.

It’s such a wonderful game that no matter what level of expertise you hold, of over more than a billion population in India, people from all quarters – housewives, grandma, brother, father, neighbor, teacher, driver, traffic constable, bus conductor, barber, lawyer, doctor, journalist and so on every named section of people across the country has “Something” to say about this game. You won’t find a tribe, profession or society wherein you start the topic on “Cricket” and you don’t have few people to join you.

The best part is, though largely found in male species (female cricket is not even heard of), Indians are born with the Virus called Cricket. Its recorded that many with weak heart have lost their lives in the critical phase of this game. A game which is associated to heart for some and mind with others. This virus is loaded with emotions and performance, hatred and love and all the combination one can think off.

I have myself experienced the post match impacts like the one of earth quacks and tsunami, like morals are down the next day after India lose a match, I have seen people do end up even having heated argument over what has already happened.

However, the best part of this virus is that it gets activated only when India plays. I have tried many a times not to get involved and stay away as it is non productive – but yes the Sharukhan’s advertisement is true – “the big question is always there in the mind” - “What’s the score?”

I did try to analyze and do some root cause analysis as to why am I so addicted – as an average person I have not played great amount of cricket in my childhood to have such a preference, nor do I have adequate knowledge about the game for me to be attached as a profession. I am sure this is the case with majority. So Why – Why is this Virus in me.

I call this a Virus for the reason being had it been a love for a game I should be equally interested in all the leading games across all the leading countries (not involving India). I am sure among us those who fall on the other side and see the game as an true Hobby / Interest they would be surely following it. But I am more confident that we average Indians don’t fall in this category – so isn’t it a virus. I like many others have always written it in my Resume: Hobby – Cricket and thank god I have not been asked any question on my Hobby!!

Virus again because it behaves abnormally – the so called emotionally associated conveniently forgives the past performance of the people we watch and once again get in the web. It’s an addiction beyond imagination. Would we follow every match, would we leave office and go straight home or stand by a electronic shop or radio to check the score, would restaurant and bars run full of a tournament if we know India is more in the game?

Virus again because it’s an addiction to intangible -- the game is associated with a set of team players who we all have seen changed / retired in last 25+ years since I have understood and am following cricket.

Virus once again because - Why don’t we have even the base knowledge about any other sports like badminton, tennis, etc in masses compared to cricket – for sure some of us who would also be playing few of these games as an exercise in early morning – hope the objective is burning the fat.

I have no answer as to why do we get plagued with this virus – but I know one thing “Virus” is something defined (at least this is my definition if not defined) as an external gene entering from one body to another. Now this is primarily due to environment, so the moment we are born –
- Our parents have surely played cricket with us in our child hood
- Our school has promoted cricket
- Country has phenomenal infrastructure for playing cricket - lanes, roads, grounds, computer, mobile, etc (as compared to any other game)
- It’s the most eye catching game
- A lot is written about in media
- Its suppose to have lot of money
- It’s a great way to fame

I may be completely wrong in my opinion and surely there are many more sides and views to this topic but for sure this Virus is spreading like no other. Every new born is loaded with it. But sometime I surely feel that this is one big racket like in English movie where someone is controlling all this.

Even if not, If it is such a common virus found in all – what if it is used as a Vaccine for simulating a rapid growth to take our country to the next level. Why haven’t the land of rich virgin scientific minds not come up with an IDEA to use this as a platform to bring in a bigger revolution!

If mobile telecommunication is the largest successful revolution in the recent time connecting the village to towns and towns to cities and cities to world – why has only cricket scores reached as SMS and telecommunication tool?

I am sure we are having a Virus that can be a Vaccine which can take India far beyond where no other countries have gone – but it needs ONE IDEA SIRJI – NOW EVEN I AM THINKING ON IT. IF YOU GET ONE PLEASE POST IT!!
Happy Cricketing!!

The Art of Getting Carried Away

2011-03-21T17:58:00.004+05:30

Hi Friends,

I am back though after are long time. I have decided to be active on my blog now onwards. So here is the latest experience of today morning. Over the week end my family -- mom and wife -- were pestering me for the ongoing buy back – “juna do naaya lo” at Big Bazzar. We worked overtime and collected all the newspapers, utensils, clothes and other junk from house. We went on Saturday to surrender these valuables to the lords of retail.

Myself and mom reached early morning to Big Bazaar doors at Thane – Majiwada wherein the gentlemen managing the buy-back was busy cleaning his seat and arranging papers. He took weight of our junk -- newspaper 7.4 kgs, bottles 3 kgs and so on. Finally these valuables were translated into coupons of 1800 Rs. Yahoo see my mom was so happy that we could never have got Rs 30 per kg for newspaper.

She gave me proud examples of rich and famous how they don’t find it embarrassing getting all their junks in their expensive cars -- used as garbage van -- to tow junk to the gates of Big Bazzar and here I am -- feeling shy of submitting "Bhangar" as if my ego and status has been demoted.

Myself and my brother were yet to clean up our cupboard and on Sunday which we managed added few more kgs to the junk collection – I wondered if the same inspiration was kept to clean the unwanted stuff from our house – new collections would surely get a day to be used and old will finds its way out – but no in that case old is gold and has so much of utility value.

In the afternoon we completed the second day exercise of collecting some more junk. On Sunday – being a HOLI – we decided to hit the store in the afternoon assuming that masses would be tired playing HOLI and we would make it fast. We took off in the afternoon bang into Rickshaw and reached the gates only to be surprised that forget we being first not even a single dog was around – it was closed for HOLI – we returned in the same RICK spending few bucks.

We said how fool we were that we didn’t think about it and so on. Being a professional I kept wondering what is in store for Big Bazaar for buying such junk at high price – and coming from the field of analytics and associated to stock market – I assumed that how smart is Mr Biyani that he buys junk at high price and offsets it against the purchases. A smart way to show a bump in the top line – I thought.

Third day ordeal – Monday – with 1800 Rs + coupon in hand and more junk on our back we – myself, mom and my wife – marched to Big Bazaar to make the killing. Once again we were the first to bring in fresh junks. This time we got 600 Rs odd coupon and now we had over 2400 Rs coupon in hand and went straight to pick up equivalent (otherwise we don’t shop at Big Bazzar). After spending an hour we were back at cash counter with a billing of around 3000 bucks – we all were smiling at each other that we have to shell out only 400 Rs odd.

The sparkle and smile vanished in no time as the billing girl said –“Coupon hai kya pehle bolne ka na 10 percent discount hai”. My wife stood confused, mom was not having a clue what we are discussing about and finally I settled the bill with still 2000 Rs coupon still in hand.

I wondered that how can I get carried away – simple I didn’t bother to read the Terms and Conditions. So what I am smart enough to understand that surely this cannot be a deal for such a big retailer that he is sitting to buy our junks at 200 Rs, 30 Rs per kg and so on – of course not. Still not having answer to my own questions I even wondered how cum others like me also drive down with such junks – the travelling time, petrol and other cost put together is not worth the 10 percent discount he gives. Surely though someone told me give the coupons to others in the payment queues who are not having it and exchange it for 5 percent cash – still some profits.

In the end – “The Art of Getting Carried Away” is the lesson I have learnt.

World of Entrepreneurship

2010-04-29T15:35:00.004+05:30

Hi guys,
How are you all. It has been ages and after almost two years i am coming back. Now my daughter is 18 months and naughty.
The one big thing that has changed in last couple of years is I have entered the world of entrepreneurship. I have started by own software consultancy firm -- Burhani Solutions that "Crafts Ideas Into Technology".

I am now fully into functional consultancy on financial product and website development. I am associated with Miles Software and the journey so far has been extremely encounraging. I will soon add few of my experiences soon.

Bye for now!!

Journey To Fatherhood

2008-05-16T13:03:00.002+05:30

Dear Folks,

Its has been a long time since I have visisted my own blog. Had been really really busy. A lot has changed in life -- believe me.

Moved out of Yahoo and now have joined in with Miles Software almost a year back -- getting into entrepreneurship.

Things just going the way you wish and pray to god. I should consider lucky and thank god for all his showers on us.

Soon after joining Miles, we were blessed from being two to three -- real Indian style insn't it?

Well it has been great and now a lot has changed -- will soon be back to talk and share more about the eventful life

Bye take care

Visit to Rishikesh for OBL

2007-05-17T10:08:00.000+05:30

Hi Friends,

Back after a long time. I work with Yahoo India and we had this opportunity to set out for Out Bound Learning Program (OBL). We were to visit some place called Chakraharta near Dehradum in northern parts of India. However due to unscheduled rains, the plans where shifted to a place called Ji-al-gad -- near Kirtinagar. Its some 100 km from Rishikesh - Haridwar.

Program were scheduled for May 10 - to May 13th. Before starting, I was not sure what are we headed for. We were around 60 Yahooiets. As we reached Haridwar on 11th early morning and straight headed for Kitinagar -- the sceneic location as it unveiled gave the idea how beautiful the place is.

Besides being part of Himalyan ranges -- whole experience was giving a new high. We reached the tents mounted near river Alakhnanda.

Day one was largely spent on water surfing. I love water sports -- though not knowing how to swim? Followed by lot of indoor games

Day 2 in the morning we started for Sleathing from a bridge at a height of 75 feet's. As few of the team members started off, I started gaining the confidence. However, when it was my turn, i realized the gas was out of me.

I remember.... as I took the position to leave the top of the bridge I thought for a moment -- Why the hell did I decided for it and now I cant even go back. After starting for a while, though I calm down and got the confidence that I can do it.

However, the fear within had not yet faded. I was not at all worried about the fear of dropping in water, it was the height and hanging in mid air which I was not able to handle. I finally did managed and reached the bottom of the rope and a big splash -- straight into river water. We reach back to camp in the afternoon and second half we were ready for water rappelling.

We were suppose to take a take a 12 km stretch wherein river Alakhnanda meets river Badrinath near Rishikesh. The place where holy Ganga starts.

This was one of the best ever experience that I ever had in my life. We were a team of 30 divided in 6 yaks. During the journey, at one point where river water was rapping at a good speed and height -- one of our yak went off and all guys into water. We managed to catch hold all.

In spite of being peak of Summer -- we also experience sudden heavy windy rains. The whole experience is still a dream to be remembered for the life time.

By the time we returned, most of the body parts -- which i wasn't even aware of --- starting paining.

Day 3 we all started back and had an opportunity to visit Rajaji National Park near Rishikesh.

Friends believe me -- if you ever happen to take a break plan one with camping. Its real fun.

Bye for now.

Beggar alaram

2007-03-08T13:24:00.000+05:30

Beggar alarm

For ages it was cock that provided its service of morning alarm with a sweet cook-a-doodle-do. This was taken over by alarm clocks and I feel this will soon be taken over by beggars -- at least in the locality where I stay.

I have a habit of getting up around 7 in the morning. The efforts to wake me up start right around 6.30 a.m. It’s not my wife who curl my hair to wake me up, nor it’s my dog (anyway I don’t have one) who lick up for a sunny morning. Well it’s non other than queue of beggars that walk past the street at top of their voice.

Did I say queue -- yes. It’s amazing to research the begging industry - bet you. They are also through professionals.

Could you believe a beggar dressed up for his job right at the spot where he is supposed to start at sharp 6.30 a.m.? Possibly he may be covering some other area prior to reaching ours.

Once I decided to check on this bunch of harassers. I realized that the first fellow prepared himself at the corner of the street and began his march with his first yell. What’s more amazing is that these buggers also have some favorite’s apartments and house. They know that they get alms regularly here. Here are the places that they would stand more and keep yelling at the top of their voice.

They are so smart - even if a sound of window opening comes from a nearby building or a floor -- they are up and right on target where the window has opened. As one throws some alms -- they nicely pick up and if its one rupee coin -- thank you and blessing are toned down. If anything more than one rupee, you are sure that entire locality get the idea that he has got the cake -- his / her blessing would be heard all over!

As he covers the street, believe me you need to check on their accuracy -- what -- the next one is ready at the same corner of the street -- all set to stage his performance. The next one begins with his patented lines and favorite houses.

This is followed by a woman and few more. What is interesting is they are all from different age groups including the old ones -- but all have a voice that can reach comfortably upto 5-7th floor.

I also mentioned that they are through professionals -- you know what -- if one happens to enter the locality even before the earlier one has completed, he / she will either step back or go slow on his chants.

What more, if anybody is late -- then the next one won’t wait for. He too will go on top of his voice to make the other realize that its time for him to exit. It s a day like two alarms going off at the same time!

They are present in all seasons. Some of they work on 6 days a week basis while new entrant and those nearing retirement – catches on 7 days a week.

All this is over by 7.00 a.m and I swear many more like me would have by then got up.

All this I watched through one day and the only question that was left was -- how do they managed to have consistency in chanting top of their voice. Mystery was resolved one day when I happened to travel early to railway station for catching a flight. Few of the know faces were having tea and biscuit. As I passed through, they all departed in different direction.

Business ka business and social service too. Well I feel government should starting thinking of bring this huge unorganized market under a proper organized network. And how about also leaving service tax and income tax -- what say!

My First Step

2007-03-06T18:52:00.000+05:30

Good Evening,

Friends this is my first step in the world of blogging. By profession I am into information designing and content management. And all these have been in the field of financial information.

I am not a financial or a technology expert. All my learning’s have come from years of experience that I have put on this. Financial information - the subject itself sparks so much within me and I am sure we all can talk so much on this.

Information – there is so much all around but still so little that matters rightly to us. In the last 14 years, I have seen the growth and explosion in information generation – or may be not, because there is so much more happening around which I may not be aware about.

New delivery mediums and technology has been the key driver of this explosion on one side and on the other side we as a consumer have fuelled this growth. A decade ago, consumer were a passive lot of users on supply side, however new mediums like blogging, YouTube, message boards; etc has changed the role of consumers too.

As we progress, hunger of information has grown multifold. Technology leaders like Google and many others are working over time in developing technology that can deliver right information – not at a click of a mouse – but at a blink of your eyes.

As I see it, the information volcano has just erupted. Imagine life after 5-10 years from now. A decade ago it was a problem of “very little” and future is going to be “overloaded”.

Who is to blame for excess information? Are we not generating tons of scrap and one day will come when we will also have to pay for cleaning this garbage like we do at home today?

Is information really in excess, in the first place? OR it is just that it’s not rightly designed / packaged?

What is the amount of time we invest in looking out for the right information and what is the amount of time that we spent of the right information?

When consumers has become such a strong force in the forms of blogging, groups, message boards, etc, my question to you all reader is

a) Are you happy and satisfied with information that you consume on web, sms, and newsletters and so on?
b) What are three things you think most of these communications miss out on?
c) What are the solution you think will help

How will be the world of information, if every content disseminator ensures to provide just the right information? But it leaves so many questions unanswered.

Good bye for now!