Life as a MBA

Time to say Goodbye

2008-12-04T15:04:00.004+05:30

I started this blog when I joined MBA. It has been a roller coaster ride and I have come to love my blog like my own baby that I have seen it grow month after month. However, this was my life as a MBA and well, sadly it's over. I might come back and post more articles but only if they are related to my blog title because lately I have found myself writing more on personal and societal issues than business!

Therefore I have moved my thoughts to a new blog A Collection of Thoughts. I know the name sounds so _____ but well I might change it later. lol. So if you want to continue to know me along my journey do join me here.

Thank you all for your comments, emails and time :)

Alvida....

The worse kind of addiction - TV Addiction

2008-11-30T16:24:00.003+05:30

I admit it - I am a TV Addict. Name any channel - movies, soaps (logical one's like Balika Vadhu), news, business news, world news etc. I watch it all. I spend so many hours in front of the TV. I cut my vegetables in front of the TV if I can!! I keep the TV on while I do my cleaning. Kind of tell myself that "Hey, I am not alone, I have company". Worse of all, all my time and energy goes into the TV and I have found myself out of touch at social level, work level, my personal reading time and writing time all zapped by the idiot box which I find not idiotic at all... (Sigh!)

I do remember that once on the way to Burhanpur with my aunt, there was a sage (sadhu) wearing saffron clothes and he was the friendly kind who talked to everyone in the compartment. He talked on politics and why he would not lecture (give gyaan) on TV like other rishi munis because he does not believe in the concept that one can find peace and understanding drinking tea and listening to a sadhu. Yes, I did agree with him. After all spiritually demands as much singular attention as a maths problem. He also said one statement that still remains with me after four years "The worse kind of addiction is not alcohol, or cigarettes or drugs, it's the TV"

Truly, those like me will agree that the TV does steal away your time. I mean what not can we achieve by not watching TV.

One hour of Grey's anatomy - Cook up a great desert that will make your husband happy!!

Two hours of Balika vadhu(2to4) - Read at least 4 chapters on world history that will broaden your perspective and make you 'generally aware'

Too many hours of news - Write up your perspective of what is happening in this world and coming up with ideas that will help solve this challenges

A three hour movie- Go out, check out the fabulous discounts available - you never know when you can get something at a great price!

Ten minutes ad's - Call up a friend or relative and make your relationship warmer

Hmmm, Yes, there are certainly a lot of things one can do (not forgetting working, doing social work, exercising, walking) instead of spending endless hours in front of the TV and becoming an idiot.

Therefore, I am going to make a plan for myself. I am going to restrict my hours to watch only the news and of course one logical well done soap whose concept I like a lot - Balika Vadhu - which is half an hour de-stress time for me and only one hour of news. No more 'scoops' and 'breaking news' every other minute for me.

Here I go....

What attracts us really? The story, the characters or the Magician?

2008-11-13T02:00:00.006+05:30

Recently I have watched episodes of 'Sex and the City'. Now many times when I tell people that I have watched these TV programmes or that I have watched 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S', they look at me twice. Most probably coz they see me wearing a veil and wonder what could I really understand from these programmes. On the other hand muslims may rightfully say 'it's a sin' to watch these shows.

Well, I personally think the show 'Sex and the city' is one of the best TV shows -from a narrative point of view (let's forget the concept) but yet, honestly, what makes the show narrative so good? Is it the four good looking successful women who have economic freedom. Ha, let's forget third world terminology, but in lay man's words 'Are rich, successful and beautiful' They sleep around with anyone they want, they don't have parent's or in-laws or children or obligations. Is it their freedom more than their 'adventures' that attract viewers?

I suppose a bit of both. One cannot deny that the makers of 'Sex and the city' and of 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' are excellent story tellers. They are complimented by a bunch of really good actors and voila! You have a winning combination. The story is based on lives in Manhattan which is where a lot of people dream to want to be. Their story is about friendship, careers, love - the basic raw emotion of a human being.

Then I ask, is it wrong for me to be attracted to such programmes? Yes - I have wasted a number of hours on them whereas I could have read something on politics or come to know the capital city of Rwanda. Secondly, though these programmes have never made me wish to be these characters coz i feel sad for them. Honestly, sad. What I truly enjoyed was the way they are told. The camera angles, the over voice, the good looking actors and their expressions. Amazing! In fact, it makes me wanna get out and make my own movie!

By the way, though my stories blog is centered around muslim characters and our world and way of living, I am also quite capable of writing a secular story. There was a time I had a house full audience of hostel girls as I sat and made them picture a movie that I had made, imagined, scene by scene, with the credits rolling.

I assure you they did not let me have an interval :)

Therefore, a creative person would watch programmes, not because it eptimotises their 'hidden need to be that' or one tempted to this kind of life but simply because it's an enthralling presentation whether good or bad.

And so the magician is not the story or the characters, but the story teller. An artful story teller can take any bit of news, events, imagination and weave up a thread of magic by how he tells the story. Its these magicians that attracts us all to good shows, good books and good blogs.

So the world hates Islam - Accept it.

2008-11-09T18:46:00.003+05:30

Wow, that's a statement! The 'Accept it' part comes from a breathing workshop I did where if you cannot change things, then it is better to accept it. Once your emotions stop fighting what is happening then you can clearly think your way out of it.

The question is- is there anyway out of it. It just dawned on me that wow, I mean people really hate muslims and Islam. You notice it everwhere. Unless you are not staying in a Muslim country then you are bound to feel the hostility and in best case a mild pity for you for being Muslim. In fact countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh face it nationally as 'Muslim countries' oh ho ho...keep away!

Its human nature that wherever a person goes or is, wants to be appreciated, respected and looked up. Irrespective of your color, creed or religion. When you don't find it, you move ahead, away and far away. This is a theory applicable everywhere. Whether it is emotional distancing or physical.

Therefore, coming back to my title. I am now accepting the fact that the world hates Islam. By world I mean countries that are not Muslim or those who may have minority Muslims and do not regard them as equal citizens. Though even as I type this, I find it so hard to digest.

'Obama won despite being half-muslim' - Give me a break!!!

2008-11-08T18:02:00.002+05:30

Ok now I am truly frustrated and angry at the whole Obama thing. Yeah, sure it's touching that a black guy is a president of a country which happens to be at this time a powerful one. A country that has seen blacks as slaves and third grade citizens.

And a country that shows how much they hate muslims and Islam for everywhere, every column, ever commentator seems to say that despite being half-muslim, his muslim background, his second muslim father, him attending 'madrassa' (O my God was that a terror school??!!!) in Indonesia, his conversion, his claim of never being a muslim!! and just so happened he converted to christianity from no religion. he was before that, i assume an atheist? or do these reports and reporters want him to be rather an athiest or an antagonist turned christian but never muslim turned christian!

How do you think such comments and such writings, one by Arindram chowdhury himself in his paid advertisement where he manages to include an article written by him may be because no one wants to pay him for his opinion, that he says, 'him being half-muslim' what the hell is half muslim??!!! Either you are a muslim or you are not. Are you trying to say that being a muslim is a shit thing?

I wonder whether America would have voted for the so called 'Barack Obama' if he ever put his proper MUSLIM name 'MUBARAK HUSSEIN OBAMA' though he still maintains the meaning of Mubarak - which means blessings - and says Barack means blessing in Swahili! Does he know that Swahili is a mixed language of the African Bantu language + Arabic + Hindi + Portuguese?? Does he know that Swahili's Mubarak is borrowed from Arabic. Would he be ashamed of saying that his name means 'Blessing' in ARABIC?

This is the double standard, on your face 'I HATE ISLAM AND MUSLIMS' by not only the people who campaigned for Obama trying to hide his 'Muslim' background or for the matter of fact the man himself seems ashamed of his paternal side's religion for I have not heard a voice from his mouth saying 'Islam is a good religion. My family are muslims and this should be proof for the world that Muslims are not terrorists' along with his president elect speech 'Tonight is your answer'. No, the guy is equally ashamed mind you. That is the messaged he is clearly sending to his 'Americans'.

Countries like Europe and the rest of the world like today's 'advertised' column clearly shares this belief that the word muslim is assoiciated with 'scum' or just check up your vocabulary and find something more deteriorating.

How does this go down with TRUE AND PROUDLY WHOLE, COMPLETE MUSLIMS? I would say first of all- I AM PROUD TO BE A MUSLIM. Magnify that a zillion times so that you can read it wherever you turn. To be a muslim means to have submitted to your creator. To be loyal and humble and obedient to God. That is what being a muslim means.

Obama has a lot to proove himself being the first black president (Ironically he does not get his 'blackness' from America's African Americans but rather from a Kenyan father who was an exchange student. He is not even complete African American but in the words of his half-muslim description, he can be called half-African American - Howz that?) Well not go to the level of these 'half-people', One can in a way thank God that America is in a recession and the president has his hands full with restoring the economy otherwise idle minds and military makes them think they can wage war on infants trying to produce weapons of mass destruction (what a joke). America has the history of attacking other countries for no reason apart from personal gain than any other. Vietnam - Check. Afganisthan - Check. Iraq - Check. Who in his right frame of mind attacks a WHOLE country with MISSILES to dish out one terrorist hiding in God knows which cave!!! How would America respond if Iraq attacked America because of what terror the American soliders spread in Iraq torturing prisoners, raping women, killing families? Who is the real terrorist?

America - but does the world say anything. No. Nothing.

By America of course I am at least intelligent enough to know that it's those in power, in the chair that take these decisions. What would the poor average middle class working 3 jobs a day American care? or know? or understand what is happening? and the few who do, protest in a rally that is hardly given a heed.

So if you are asking the question if Obama will be good for the world. It depends on which world your are talking of. He is hoping to be good for America and restore the economy which I hope he does. America may be poor now and so may not attack another 'muslim mass destruction weapon making' country. But apart from these, he will hardly make a difference for the muslim world which he and his croonies claim he is not from. And the number of people writing about 'muslims' in bad light will only increase. Muslims feeling isolated more than ever... and who knows another Hitler may arise this time with hatred for 'Muslims'... for if there is gonna be another holocaust, be sure, the burning bodies will be of 'Muslims'.

Tears of Bosnia - I was killed because I was a muslim.

2008-10-31T01:52:00.001+05:30

An unbelievable holocaust that I do not think the world knows of unlike Hitler's hatred for jews.

And finally, the pack of cards collapses...

2008-10-10T18:55:00.001+05:30

We all are witnessing the downfall of the stock market and the banks going bankrupt and stock markets across the world going down. Now we are slowly hearing the news of how the economy is effected and the demand going down thus effecting the supply->profits->lowering costs->retrenchment of employees->Unemployment.

There was news that a MBA grad family guy killed his family - wife,mom-in-law and 3 kids and later shot himself in San Fransisco because of the financial crisis the global crisis had created in his life or which he let himself be part of his life.

Well what do you expect if you build this so-called financial system on a pack of cards and expect it to last for generations? Like my husband remarked 'There is no fundamental analysis and industrial analysis. It's all fake' It only takes one chip to fall for the entire system to fail.

I think when Bears and Stern's went down, that was the yellow light before the red (Lehman clearly) that all is not well. I don't know how many people deal with derivatives and short selling and all that bunch of gambling but gambling it is. You cannot deny it. Only this is the more glamorous, legal and 'you need to get a degree' to excel it in kind of gambling.

I remember travelling around India during 2005 when the stock market was on a bull's run and everyone was praising the so called aritificial growth of India's GDP. I didn't see any of it on road. There were beggars still on the roads,the trains, people without shoes, people with torn clothes and shouting 'Shoe Polish'. The roads were the same, the villages were the same, the station was the same. If India had really grown, we would have seen it physically.

There have been times over the past few years during the bull's run that I was 'advised' to invest in Mutual funds and that they will grow and all. But somehow in my heart I felt uneasy. I mean ok, I am ready to invest in companies like power, real estate, pharma but then a Mutual fund whether equity or debt always has that small tiny % of investments in debts. Debts->Interest->Haram. So clearly thumb rule was it's not Halal.

So today I have nothing in mutual funds. I have a few shares of a power company and a hotel group before my Demat was frozen and I was asked to make a PAN card to continue trading and I was not interested so for the past 3 years, I have not bought any shares. In a way a blessing in disguise due to my procastination and hesistation. Yes I do look forward to the markets going down to 10000 and then may be I will buy a few IT shares and Gold.

My ideology in buying shares is that.. You are buying a part of a company. You are becoming a partner. And no one goes into any business unless long term, give a shot of at least 2-3 years. I'd like to go for 15 years so all this up's and down's won't matter. After 15 years when I need some funding for example my children's fees then I would sell my stake and hopefully it would be a profitable partnership.

However, this whole gambling bit of trading everyday, running numbers in your head is bullshit. Sorry but I just hate that because if I were to list my company on the market, I would expect some loyalty and not be taken as a company to be used as a football to make some change. I know it is purely sentimental and that is one aspect of the stock market that I do not like. There is always a scam or a downfall in 2-3-5 years. Those engaged in playing are hit the most.

Well the game continues. All is not over yet. This is the beginning of recession. We still have to see job cuts, salary cuts, the real estate has to go down and inflation to remain stable until after the recovery. So how long will this last? Another 2-3 years and then once again, people will start playing with cards and as the cards pile up, everyone will shout: "The bull is back!"

Alvida Yah Shehre Ramazan

2008-09-29T03:19:00.003+05:30

Ramadan is coming to an end. What shall I weep for... for the departing of the most beautiful month or for not making the most of it.. not as much as I would have wanted... What shall I celebrate for... for the Eid to say 'Yes, I successfully fasted and prayed and I am now free from sin, InshaAllah'

But Eid for me... marks the going away of a month I love so much and Eid for me is so sorrowful till I actually say Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar and the Eid takbira's ring in my ears... The month does not end the praising of my Lord, but in truth, we shall continue doing so... till InshaAllah next Ramadan and there our hearts will joyfull welcome the Shehre of Ramadan... Allahuma haza Shehre Ramadan

And inshaAllah I shall live between these two praying, waiting, preparing for next Ramadan.

Take Time To Pray

2008-09-24T02:30:00.000+05:30

I got up early one morning and rushed into the day;
I had so much to accomplish that I didn't have time to pray

Problems just tumbled about me, and heavier came each task;
"Why doesn't God help me?" I wondered. He answered, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to see joy and beauty, but the day toiled on, gray and bleak;
I wondered why God didn't show me. He said. "But you didn't seak".

I tried to come into God's presence, I used all my keys to unlock;
God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock."

I woke up early this morning and paused before entering the day;
I had so much to accomplish but I had to take time to pray.

By Mohammed Sharay Ali.

Lailatul-Qadr

2008-09-19T16:21:00.005+05:30

As the last ten days of Ramadan approach I can't help but wish that I return back to my childhood days. The days where we wouldn't fast but then we started fasting and started competing with each other as to how many fast one did.

It started with 15 when we were 7 years and then 18 and then 20 and then 22 and then all 30 by 11 years. On Eid, gifts would be given to children who fasted more than 20 fasts. Unlike one mulasaheb from India came and said that children are not obligated to fast and one should not entice them with gifts. He announced that 'those gifts' were given just like that. LOL well whatever. I think it was a real good habit of encouraging children to fast because once they come of age and they have to fast, it's nothing new. It's norm.

I also miss Laylatul-Qadr. Commomerated on the 23rd Night of Ramadan Kareem, we would hurry for iftar and there is a break of two hours where people get to rush back home, were their finest clothes, get their finest tasbhi and masala, women would gorge themselves with all the gold they have and children would show off their pretty new dresses. It was a fashion parade.

Later on as I grew up, I realised that Lailatul Qadr didn't start at 10.30 pm where all the faithful gathered to pray the whole night. It starts with the maghrib prayer, from sunset to sunrise!! we wasted precious moments from around 6.30 to 10.30 pm. Ok may until 8 its ok where you have prayers and iftar but the whole thing of going home to get 'Fancy Dressed' seemed material and irrelevant to me.

So I wore my 'best' dress at maghrib itself to be ready for the night of power. I would take my Quran Shareef and after Iftar, when people rushed home again, I sat in masjid or markas and read the Quran. I saved around 2 and 1/2 hours of worship.

Contrast this me to the 10 year old me. I used to look forward to Lailatul Qadr, the night the Holy Book of God was revealed, (and i never thought of it like that) I looked forward to my packet of imported chocolates and nuts and I looked forward to eating them all night long and to play with the other kids in the compound of the masjid. The Golden rule for the night was only one: DON'T FALL ASLEEP else you will not get the blessings.

I miss decorating the masjid after iftar before 10.30 pm when everyone would come. I miss the colorful paper and the Posters with Names of Allah, I miss twisting party paper and writing the surah Al-Qadr on the wall of Masjid. I miss all of us friends rushing to see how beautiful the masjid was decorated or competing that they ACTUALLY new how to read Surah-Al Qadr.

I miss those innocent days. When I was 5 and I slept coz I couldn't keep awake. But i boasted the next day that hey, i was awake till 2 am!! I miss not going to school the next day but sleeping and feeling all googy and foogy.

Yes, But most of all, I miss the innocence. I miss my state of mind and my state of heart that I had as a child. Where I knew who was my God and my Messenger and my present leader.

Where I did not read so much history of Islam or did not question some and trouble over some, where i was blissfully ignorant of life, of men, of greed, of calamities, of hardwork, of expectations, of responsibilities

and yes, of the importance of the Night of Power.

For it was days of fun, days looked forward to meeting friends in the masjid, of play, of prayers... and of chocolates till Eid.

For the adult me, is just too serious.

I passed

2008-09-02T21:49:00.003+05:30

I just saw my results and I passed!! Phew! I thought i was gone in one or two or all finance subjects but like a miracle, I passed.

My grades are not so great but hey, I passed!!! What else would have I wanted?

and i got a 93% on my rural marketing documentary. the one thing that I actually worked hard and achieved.

Allah Taala gave me the formula of life. I discovered it when i was in High school

Amount of reward you get = Amount of hardwork you put in.

I remember how much I put in my documentary and I see the fruits.
I have always, Alhamdullilah seen it in all the subjects that I have put the effort.

I am very glad and very thankful.

Another plus is that I passed my first year M.A in Journalism exams too. Not so great marks. Average I would say. That shows that the board is quite strict on the marking. I put in around 10-12 hrs (which is 4 hours of good studying and 1/2 hour of great studying). But I have come to a formulae for it..
Read one chapter a day.. not only will i enjoy my studies but my the year end, I will be able to 'Revise' and not 'Discover' what my subjects are.

But now.. main thing on my agenda is getting a job. So pls pray for me that I get a job that is good for me.. for my faith, my world and my hearafter. its so scary and i don't want to compromise on my faith. I haven't so far and InshaAllah, may I never see that day.

Ramadan Mubarak to one and all. Please do remember me in your prayers.

This blog will be winded up soon.. its still open as I have to conclude my thesis and then finally, my life as a MBA student will be over and done. And then what? is the multibillion dollar Qs :)

Allah Hafiz.

Thomas J Bata

2008-07-09T21:05:00.004+05:30

My husband did his internship in Czech Republic and a few days back he asked me if I knew the parent country of Bata. "USA?" I guessed. "No. Its Czech." He replied. "No kidding", I exclaimed. I was quite surprised. I did not think Czech could have given birth to one of the largest shoe store around the world.

Therefore, while studying at the IIM library when I saw the autobiography of Thomas J Bata, I picked it up and was engrossed instantly in the beginning of the Bata empire, Europe, world wars and Hilter's regime.

I learnt a lot of good stuff- how boarding and prep school can do good to a young man in the making of a leader. Travelling, learning different languages, not being afraid to open shop in foreign lands or be afraid of wars and your home being taken away from you. No being scared to make another country your abode.

His book has made me think, that truly human nature is ranked. There are men who have the ability, the flare, the character to achieve big things. There are men destined to be big because of their blood. They are born in families who have instilled in them values and traits. Bloodline is not just about the name or the dna, but it is the upbringing and attitude of the elders that go to their young ones that make's them achieve what they have.

I must say that I am totally impressed by Thomas J Bata's life and his zest at this age of over seventy. Yet, like I said, some people are destined to be born great and to achieve great things. The world can't be filled with Bata's but the world definitely needs at least a 100 of them to make it better.

How about a MFI that gets funds online and gives backs profits!!

2008-05-29T18:59:00.003+05:30

Things are getting interesting. I am finally moving ahead and reading and studying about microfinance and finding a few new answers to my kind of ideal MFI.

What I discovered today while searching on the net is about an organisation kiva.org. What kiva does is that it has tied up with MFIs around the world. They provide the details on the microenterprenuers who need funding and kiva gets these directly from online users like you and me. Kiva gives the funds to the MFIs and the MFIs gives it to the microenterpreneurs. In return kiva gets reports on repayment of loans and passes it on to the lenders.

Kiva is an NPO so it seems for their cost, they get their operation cost through donations. I wonder how that is possible: running a well technical website, partnering with so many MFIs?

Apart from these if an MFI wants to register with kiva it has to be eligible:

1. Have 1000 active borrowers
2. History of lending 2-3 years
3. Registered as a legal entity in the country of operation
4. 1 year of financial audits
5. Preferred: have a profile on Mix Market (www.mixmarket.org)

What I liked about Kiva:

I like this whole concept of it being a microfinance ebay kind of website where you can choose enterpreneurs from around the world. I also liked that they take in MFIs with at least 2-3 years of experience and one that is legally registered.

But as a lender do not think that you are going to earn profits from lending. No, its a kind of charity that you give and the amount comes back to you after a few months and then you can decide either to give it again or keep it.

The profits goes to the MFI or rather I should say the interest goes to the MFI. And kiva, as i read takes no part of it. It is simple doing the charity work of providing normal people a platform to donate(lend). Somehow i quite don't believe in it. There must be some form of fees they charge to the MFIs who are on their site. There are no free lunches remember?

But yeah, the concept of a site getting people to contribute to specific enterprenuers really strikes well.

Thinking of this, how about an MFI that directly opens a kiva kind of site displaying all the potential enterpreneurs and get the donations directly from the lender. In turn the lender not only gets his money back but also profit on it!! and in case of loss the lender just gets his principal amount and the cost of operation is bore by the MFI!! Sounds excellent doesn't it?

Well see how well writing brings out the creativity, albeit helped ;) so yes i would put that as a proposition on getting the funds. It may be slow for any starter MFI but with time and with honesty and transparency and by giving profits to its lenders, it can succeed!! The lenders will be constantly given reports on the progress of their enterprenuer and it will definitely attract a lot of people even those who donate on kiva as unlike kiva who gives you the information and the way to give a loan, here you get profits on the amount you loan.

Remember I keep mentioning profits because interest limits the earnings of an interest charging institution, but profits, do not. The contra side is that there is tremendous risk involved because being a small busimess and assuming that the person we are lending to is no savvy Ratan Tata or Ambani, there is a likelihood that he might not be able to make profits.

That's where an MFI comes in and sees to it that only those client files that have a potential of making a profit make it to the website to minimize the chances of no profit or loss.

With that thought I shall continue my reading...

Bad at my thesis!

2008-05-28T19:53:00.000+05:30

I have to be honest that I have not been paying enough attention to my work for the past few months.

As I mentioned earlier that I was and am still interested in doing my thesis in Microfinance. I just read about how this microfinance bank in Mexico compartusbanco issued an IPO and has over 53% profit and how Prof. Yunus of the Grameen Bank is against another money lender in the disguise of Microfinance is out there exploiting the poor.

Now I read somewhere that it helps in your thesis that you just write down what comes to your mind and then later structure it. The best place to write is my blog! So these are just my views and thoughts and they are likely to be changed, bettered and polish with time but I need to clear of my head and start thinking so here it goes.

I am strictly against interest. be it 1% or 100%. I feel in today's age we just cannot avoid interest. It has become a vicious snake in our lifes. Turn anywhere and there is interest involved. Even in a simple credit or debit card! Either you get or you give.

My views on interest is obviously firstly rooted because of my religious beliefs that interest is not allowed.

Secondly, it is supported by the various examples I have read and seen, personally am afraid in my family and also of family friends who feel they can take a loan and get it repaid irrespective of all the other economic conditions and risks.

We have heard enough stories about how money lenders have exploited the poor with usurous interest rates and our own Indian farmers killing themselves when they fail to repay.

Therefore, I absolutely abhor, hate, loathe and all the similiar synonyms when it comes to interest!

So my idea behind my thesis, it may sound like a fairy tale, it may be rebuked, it may draw critism and many will say 'Oh that's simply impossible' is that I want to build a new model of microfinance based on the concept of profit and loss sharing.

What happens here is that you enter a partnership with the working poor and give them the funds, they put in the efforts and both of you share the expected profits on a preagreed profit and loss sharing ratio.

Example:

I give a microenterpreneur Rs 10000. We agree that he will purchase goods and trade them for a profit margin of say 20%. So he should earn around 2000 as profit.

I as the capitalist will take 30% and as he has put in the effort, he takes 70%.

AND.. very importantly, in case he fails or is unable to make profit, I do not charge him anything. no interest, no name-it-what-you-want fees.

All I want back is my capital. So he has to return only the principal amount.

Now the advantages of such a model would be that we would have more people coming forward, being confident to borrow money. Successful enterprenuers who know they have a good chance to make profit would not hesistate to come front as they are getting 70% of the profits with no interest involved!!

Now as good as this model sounds, I do know the limitation.

Pschologically- anybody can come and take the loan and how truthful can a microenterprenuer (a vegetable seller or a small trader) when it comes to the true amount of profits he has made. Isn't it much simpler to just charge him a fixed interest rate and how he makes his profit is his headache.

Yes, these thoughts are there at the back of my mind, but I rather be an optimistic than a pessimistic.

Surely, there is a way out there. There is a way that we can monitor and control our risks.
I just need to find out what it is.

Secondly, as far as the value of my thesis goes, as my guide tells me, who will be willinging to buy your thesis, the first thing that comes to my mind is anyone and everyone who is against interest!

We can have investors come together and show the world, that this world economy can run smoothly without having interest in it.

If a 100 people join hands and put in Rs 10000, we have Rs 1000 000 to start with!

Like I said, these are my thoughts as and when they come to my mind and I will be posting them so that I can refer back and may be get a few ideas from my readers.

15 days to complete my MBA?!

2008-05-01T13:14:00.001+05:30

That is the deadline I have given myself. Why? Coz my family is coming down and I do not want to be bogged down by studies. But I am also happy that my parents will finally be with me! They are my strength and inspiration and I am so looking forward to having them here. I just know that everything will be alright.. back to high school once my parents are here.

My MA exams start on 26th May and I have a deadline of 31st for my Thesis (my own deadline) and well life couldn't be more busier. I have been bad at blogging coz I don't know what to write about these days. But I just read something about write... just write.. even though nothing comes to my head right now.. its good to write and keep your brain and fingers busy on the keyboard. Besides the good thing is.. my blog is hardly read by anyone..hehehe.

Well so I look forward to having my family with me and just having them with me. Things are looking great apart and all is fine.. The only thing need to make it perfect is - work!

So that is what I am off to do...

Musings over a slice of sandwich

2008-04-21T14:35:00.003+05:30

I tried out a new recipe. Ribbon Sandwich. My rating: 2/10.

It's actually three slices of bread with three different coatings. Tomato sauce, cheese/potato and coconut chutney. What went wrong? I ran out of tomato sauce and really didn't feel its taste. The potatoes was under boiled, the coconut chutney has less lemon and more salt and finally the bread just didn't toast. Let's just say not a very good start.

But its nice to eat something different :) May be next time I will make it better. InshaAllah (God Willingly).

Apart from that my studies are going up and down and left and right. My thesis on micro finance is yet to take off while my MA studies are still at writing skills. There there is the usual vocab and maths and reading of newspapers that crowds the life of a MBA. To remain on top. There is also a sense of 'Shouldn't I start attending interviews now?' and then there is just me who wants to sit back with a good game and have a ball.

So well with such crumbled thoughts I move on. My last post was a little sensitive that warranted calls from many asking me 'What happened' and from someone thinking it was the person 'How dare you write like this' haha... well, I had a heart to heart talk with the person and all air cleared out.

Therefore, don't worry.. chill madi. :)

Negative Comments

2008-04-19T11:02:00.002+05:30

I have been blessed enough to have had positive people around me for a long time. Last four years? Before that I had a miserable time for a year because I had chosen to be with people who gave me pain. The last four years have been peaceful. I have discovered new friendships that have given me hope and faith.

Therefore, it pushed me off completely when I encountered a negative person. Well not negative person but negative thoughts and when I got thinking, I was like - Hey! Isn't the person itself bitter and angry at it's life? Some people expect you to live your life according to how they wish. B******! When my parents have given me enough respect and confidence to go ahead and live my own life why the h*** should any other Tom, Dick and Harry tell me stuff to make me feel bad!

What hurts more is when you have been close friends and have always looked towards each other for support and kind words that lift your spirit. When such a close friend makes snide and sarcastic remarks- it pinches the heart. A total stranger could say a thousand more mean and ugly stuff but that wouldn't hurt you as much as a remark by a dear one. Then you realise that this person who adored you unconditionally has actually started judging you. Human nature, you start judging back. My judgement was not a good one. Thinking of how the person behaves with it's people and how it's boast about itself and how perfectly organised and disciplined it is. I admit, I am ashamed of myself but I can't help it. Human vibes.

Therefore, the last two days were rather miserable in the company of a sarcasm machine. I have controlled myself to avoid a showdown. Now I know what is patience! and why the person who can control his anger- the strongest. What I need to work on is my facial expression. Neutral for all hurt, pain and anger. I don't know whether this entry makes sense or is even worth putting on my blog but it's a reminder for me that one day even your best friends can turn against you. This can be due to any difference of opinion or set of believes.

It is better not to have such people in life. Life may be lonely but at least it won't be miserable. Unless ofcourse, you have the patience to endure it and listen from one ear and throw it away from the other.

I'm a Spoilt Brat!

2008-04-11T14:41:00.000+05:30

That is the realisation and brand identity that I have dawned to. Look at me- I live independently, eat whatever I want, sleep whenever I want, work as per my whims, have my own vehicle and a good set of friends that keep me happy. My relatives pamper me with sweets and calls to see that I am OK. I on the other hand sit back, stretch my lazy back and hug my teddy! (Though I am not the teddy hugging kind of girls but you have to admit it's heart warming to have a fluffy little thing and cuddle up with it)

I watch as this world goes by- I see men and women wake up early, finish off their chores, take the morning bus or ride their way to work in the horrendous Bangalore traffic, face a day with numbers or in front of the computer ranking their heads, others shout over the counters and keep dialing only to get an irritated 'I'm not interested!' BANG! While many of my gender members are busy from dawn to dusk cleaning and cooking and again cooking. Some like it, most of them do it mundanely as though they were born as machines with only that sole program.

Therefore, I consider myself super blessed that I don't have to face any of that - not yet at least. Today I am apne maan ki malika. However, there is stress. Life without stress is unimaginable. Being thankful is default for all the good things we have in life - but stress never leaves us. Some who are very busy suffer hypo tension and some like me Hypertension. Why is life so smooth?!
I know this entry hardly makes any sense. It's not supposed to. It's a thought creeping in my mind that found its way being typed and posted. But I now truly agree with my sister- I am a spoilt brat :)

Love... is a connection

2008-03-31T11:06:00.000+05:30

This is the definition I got from the movie 'Matrix Revolutions'. It got me thinking about love and all the people in this world who love me and whom I love. In other words all those who have connections to me and I have a connection to.

The first connection I think of is that between God and me. I believe in God and I truly love Him. I know that I am not perfect. In fact I am far from perfect. There are a thousand things about me that I can point out myself and declare I am definitely not an ideal worshipper. Yet, it is the connection. The love that keeps me, holds me, knowing no matter what I cannot imagine life without my Lord, My creator.

The second one is of my parents. To be loved unconditionally, through sickness and in health and beyond death is love given to us by our parents. Think of all the times we have caused them pain and unhappiness yet they always want us to be happy and will do anything for us. They agree to our friends, our rules, our choices... They know when we are happy or sad and sometimes when you least expect it, you get a call just to be asked 'Are you alright?' A time when you really needed them.

and so comes the connections we have with our siblings. we play, fight and may be even scream at each other but we are the first person to stand up for them when anyone ever dares to point a finger. We are the first ones to boast about their achievements. In private we may whisper to each other 'Rascal!' but then 'She's a darling' and we mean it - both of them!

Friendship- a connection where once established it's forever. Even though there may not be traffic for a long time. I read somewhere that if you have had five true friends in life, your life has been worth living.

It love, this connection that keeps people together. Had we been logical and rational, we would have been like machines. Programmed to do some tasks and to do it with perfection else we would risk being deleted. Why is it that in spite of so many hang-ups, our parents never delete us neither do our friends or professors when we submit a sub-standard assignment? A line from the movie 'A beautiful mind' where at the end of the movie when Prof. Nash wins the Nobel prize, (i don't remember the exact line) he mentions something that its in the reason of love which one cannot figure out where everything lies. That was the best moment of the movie!

What got me thinking all this? The reason that no matter how imperfect I may be, I have 'connections' that tell me despite my logical flaws that I am a wonderful machine and they wait patiently for me to realise it and to wake up to it.

I Love Mumbai!

2008-03-26T14:54:00.001+05:30

I returned last night from my favorite vacation spot - Mumbai. I know many of you will say "What?! Mumbai? People want to get away from Mumbai. What attracts me to Mumbai is the fast life. Agree that everyday it might get on your nerves but I don't mind. I like the trains, the road side food, the shopping and marine drive. I can spend a whole day sitting at Marine drive just watching the water and the sun come down.

This time I got the chance to go to Elephanta caves. Its an hours boat ride from the Gateway of India. There is an ancient temple of Shiva Parvati with a number of Lingas. Its got it's name from the shape of a rock that resembles an elephant. There isn't much to see unless you are interested in history, mythology and archaeology. After seeing the 4-5 caves, we went for a long track to cannon hill. It's a 15 minutes climb from where you can have a good view. There is a cute toy train that gets you from the boat jetty to the caves end. Good number of stalls filled with souvenirs and restaurants that charge Rs.5-20 more. It's best to take a picnic basket and go with a whole bunch of friends and family. Enjoy the boat ride and the trekking.

On Sunday we went to Essel world and it's pretty decent. Comparing it to Wonder la of Bangalore, Wonder la has good rides. I found Essel world's rides made for the common man and not the adventurous. It offers a good experience to those who hate heights. The facilities provided are also good. The kiosks offer reasonable food at common rates. If you are not a fan of loud music that burst your ears, get out of there by 5.00 pm before the Essel World Tonite program starts. It's nothing but brain throbbing rain dancing on speakers that made me just nauseous. I can't stand loud noise and no base for me! Essel world has speakers around the park with the radio on. A drawback for those who want some peace and quite and enjoy the parks greenery but there are some spots music free.

Shopping- I got bags and bags and bags until my friends thought I had gone mad. They were good bags that I would pick in a mall at Rs.500- Rs. 1500. I was getting them dirt cheap! Besides I am lazy to shop in Bangalore. I got enough shopping to fill two bags and I am keeping put for the next two years. (Unless of course I find something again ;) Seriously, Mumbai is the place to shop especially Nakuda Mohalla near VT station. It has amazing stuff at great rates. Then there is fashion street where you can pick up good t-shirts and pants between Rs.100-250.

I also caught the movie 'Race' at Eros theater, Church gate.
No 1. I can't understand since when do directors like Abbas Mustan need to show skin to get people to watch their movie.
No 2. It's filled with songs every other minute when one just wants the story to move on
No 3. The songs are all club songs- No variety at all
No 4. The movie has enough twists to get you to say 'Enough!'
Miss this movie, it's not worth your time.

My vacation ended Jab we met style. Taxi to the station to catch my train. I had to change trains at Dadar to go to Kurla and from there to Lokmanya Tilak to catch my Coimbatore express. Dadar was filled with a sea of people and running up and down with 40kg bags made me feel like I am in the last scene of Titanic with people running around up and down. Got into a taxi and reached just on time. What can I say 'Aaj tak meri ek bhi train miss nahi huwi hain!' :)

Finally I am here, back to home sweet home. Amazing Easter vacation in Mumbai, as enchanting/exciting as ever.

THE FRIENDSHIP is...

2008-03-13T00:46:00.004+05:30

A friend of mine requested me to write something on this topic. This is what the email said:

I would like to request something form your side which is some what critical but I know that you can do it… as you covered so many topics and focused all the things in your blog… please write on this topic: THE FRIENDSHIP …. Because I always confused with this and make the mistakes in my friends circle …….I am expecting (sorry, because u don’t like any expectation!!!)

Hint: Undoubtedly a good friend of mine who has a lot of expectations from me!

Actually, his request makes sense. What is friendship? Have we ever sat down and analysed. We claim so and so to be a friend of mine, or very good friend or best friend. How do we measure friendship? How do we grade them into so-so, friend, good friend, very good friend or best friend?

It makes me go back to my childhood. The first friend I had was Arwa in first standard. She and I were neighbours within half a km. She had a greater presence and personality. She would decide on which van we would take home, how we would spend our money, where we would go, what we would eat etc etc. I didn't mind. I liked her company. I let her make all the decisions.
Then I changed school and I didn't have a close friend till 7Th standard. Nahida's best friend Rashida had changed schools so the only other Indian she befriended was me. Soon we were like peas and carrots. Nahida at that time would stop talking on any little matter that made her angry. I told her that and I was in a way her calming factor. There was a time in 8Th standard when I knew she was in a fowl mood but I cheekily irritated her. Prompt came her "Don't ever talk to me again!" and I didn't. Until two weeks when while climbing down the stairs she smiled, blushed and told me "Alefyah I am waiting for you downstairs." We always walked home together.

Nahida went to a different high school with my other good friend Husseina. I became friends with two of my classmates: Arzeena and Husseina who also happened to be my 2nd cousin. Arzeena wasn't attached to us. She talked to me coz I guess we were indians and you have that bond with someone from the same soil. She left in 10Th but we kept in touch with her till she got married. After she got married I wrote to her a few times but she said she would never reply. Odd? I thought so. I stopped writing.

My cousin Husseina and I developed a bond. I was still in touch with Nahida and we would meet on Saturday, go round the town, to the same old stationery shops and then have cake and sugarcane juice before returning home. Mombasa is a small town with simple pleasures. My other childhood friend Husseina with whom I spent 90% of my time from 4th- 8th standard became a little distant in high school. She left the country in 10th and from then onwards there was little contact between us till recently when we discovered Internet.

I have to admit that I love my friends. I cannot live without friends. I constantly crave for a friend at all moments of life. Alhamdullilah, I have never been without a friend.

When I arrived in India, I found Shweta, Elizabeth, Anju, Rekha, Ranjana, Shibu, Arwa, Murtaza, Devendra, Sharay. I lost my friend Rahman in a bike accident. I found a friend in my Masi Rashida, in my Bhabhi Ummi.

Though these were friends I chose, I was born in a family where I had a friend in my father, my mom and sister. My father fell in love with me when I was born. He for some reason just cannot refuse me anything. My mom was my disciplinarian. It was when I reached high school that we became friends and no more mother and child. My sis and I grew close after my degree. We would sit and chat on all dimensions. We still have our differences and I am very sensitive towards any opinion that is not in favour of mine :), haha, but I value hers. If I want a reality check, I go to her.

To come back to the question posed to me: What is friendship?

Friendship has different meanings, it takes different forms, its different in nature and it differs from person to person.

a) Seasonal friendship

This one can say are most kinds of friendship. You make them because of the time and proximity. Friends in school coz you go to the same school, friends in the same boarding, in the same company or same college. Once, the time comes to leave, you leave behind your friends. Move ahead and find new ones. They again fill in for the time being and with time, get left behind.

b) Unconditional friendship

Rare to find and if you have found one- you are blessed. This friendships do not demand your attention, time or love. These friends love you for just who you are, wherever you are, whether you are in touch or not. You just need to make a call and they'd be there by your side, if not physically, spiritually. Years may go by without meeting your friend, but while crossing the zebra crossing you meet them suddenly, you forget the red signal and become excited at seeing them. You become happy and catch up on the years and when the time comes to part, you part with a smile.

c) Conditional friendship

Made with an aim or agenda. Networking with business people, social groups, the community so that you fit in, you know whose who, you know whom to go to to get your work done. You may give them a compliment but just to make them happy and keep them happy till you need them. You spend time with them, not because you want to but you have to. There isn't a genuine concern for them but there isn't a ill feeling either. It's pure business.

d) One-sided friendship

This friendship is where one friend genuinely cares, loves and admires his friend. But his friend does not feel the same for him. The admirer wants to be with his friend, he likes the way the friend talks, carries himself, his attitude etc. He feels that by being with such a friend, he will become like his friend. In other words, he just feels good being with the person.
At the back of the mind though, he knows that his friend doesn't care for him as much as he does. He may continue with this friendship but a time will come when he will expect the same kind of devotion that he has from his friend. When he does not get it, he will either turn angry, jealous or walk away. Very rare do such one-sided friendship last.

There is beautiful quote that says "Friendship is one soul in two bodies". I genuinely believe it. One cannot force themselves to be some one's friend. You automatically recognise your soul in another person. Mirror images, alter-ego's call them what you may, but there is a chemistry, a link that gives you access to the other person's thoughts and feelings without him saying a word.

All people go through all types of friendships. I have had seasonal friends, unconditional friends, I have made friends to network (which I stopped doing coz I hated it but I am told I have to if I want to build a business). I have also been in a one-sided friendship where I admired my friend so much and so dearly but unfortunately, did not get the same feeling. I know it hurts but I understand. You can't force someone to have the same level of feelings for you as you have for them.

I have been in a friendship where someone has been the one-sided friend and admired me genuinely but I for do not feel the same way for her. She also accepted it but luckily for me, she became my unconditional friend instead of walking away from me.

I have also seen jealousy in friendship. One friend does not like the friend of his friend. Jealousy is a very dirty mistress. It destroys relationships and definitely destroys friendship. People get tired of avoiding talking about a certain friend with the other friend so that he does not feel uncomfortable or plain words - jealous. In hindi if you ask me, jealousy's closes translation would be 'nazar'. to eye another in a bad way, wishing ill to them. Jealousy is a feeling that is also not controllable. It comes naturally just as love or hatred. It takes courage to curb it and not show it. In this case, its the jealous friend who becomes the villain and is soon left out. He looses his friend to the friend whom he does not like. Any friendship that has an element of jealousy is not a healthy friendship. A lot of accusations, ill-feelings and misunderstanding prop up. Remember, friends are there to make you happy. They are there to pull you up when you are down, there to guide you to the right path when you are lost. There just there. A friend is not one who makes you uncomfortable and guilty. We have our bosses and our failures to do that.

Conclusion: The Friendship is nothing but the never ending ring of two souls uniting.

"I desperately wanted a son!"

2008-03-11T12:23:00.004+05:30

Preference for a male-child is rampant among many cultures. Pre-Islamic history records that baby girls were buried alive out of shame in Arabia.It was the Prophet (Peace be Upon Him) who stopped this cruel practice. In India, I dread to think how many million female foetuses are killed before birth and if some survive, how many of them find their way to the garbage bin. If they surpass the bin, then they have to face the gender bias of the family - the father and his mother, later on of society and once again she becomes a male-child bearing machine for her 'husband'. I would not say that such cruelty lies in every Indian family. No. Thankfully, today with education and greater understanding, the situation is improving. It's very less among the educated but unfortunately, the major chunk of the society especially the middle and lower classes, still fume inwardly at the thought of a female child.

In India, a female child for such people is a liability. The family has to clothe, feed, educated the girl decently and then face the society norm of getting her married at a very expensive dowry. It amazes me that these families are not logical enough to see that instead of giving Rs 1000000 as dowry, spend it on the child and get her the best education. She can then go ahead, earn her own bread and butter. She won't be a burden. Instead, they pay it to a 'groom' so that the daughter has a 'married' sign on her. Its another case that the marriage is more like bonded labor where she has to clean, cook and serve the husband and his family often without receiving any love or appreciation. Thus the vicious cycle repeats itself.

Today too, not only India or the surrounding Asia but traditional cultures always want a male child. In this regard, the western community wins my respect out rightly. They treat both girls and boys the same. A mother would be equally joyful for giving birth to a girl or a boy. Both have equal choices, get the same amount of love and opportunities. There isn't a dowry concept. The western christian marriage is an ideal example of how two people live together respecting and valuing each other. Both the wife and husband take care of their elderly parents. There isn't a differentiation on the girl's parents like they do here in the east. e.g.: Not going to your parent's house often. The girl's duty is now completely towards her husbands family and she should forget her parents.

According to Islam, both the female and male child are accorded equal status. Both are commanded to respect their parents and take care of them when they attain old age. In no law does it mention that after marriage the girl is exempted from taking care of her parents and should only take care of her husband's family. This is the manipulation made by man and old blind cultures. Yet, despite knowing these, many Indian Muslims still follow this backward tradition. The girls are still treated lesser than the boys.

I had heard, read and watched such people on television. Never actually met them. In Kenya where I was brought up, thankfully, we girls are brought up on the same lines as our fellow brothers. If ten of the boys have gone abroad for education, twelve girls have also gone. When I came to India, the first shocking news I got was that people whom I knew had killed their own child in their wombs. They had gone for the scan and found out it was a girl child. Another one had killed two of her children because she didn't want them. Recently, I met a prospect for marriage and he mentioned his sister was very sad at getting a third baby girl. He offered his sister to take care of her if she didn't want her daughter!! I mean what demeaning attitude! I thank Allah infinitely that I did not get a mother like that.

When a relative gave birth to a baby girl and we called up the father to give him the news, he unenthusiastically remarks 'oh its a girl huh'. The second child turned out to be a girl and they regretted having it. Now, no matter how much they show they love their daughters, the image that comes to my mind is how they reacted at their birth. What's the use? They didn't love their children unconditionally whether girl or boy but rather accepted it coz there can't change them to boys. A friend mentioned to me that her friend gave birth to a baby girl. "My friend used to ask me to pray that she gets a baby boy. She desperately wanted a boy!". "Crap!" My mind seethed inwardly. Just love the child for what she is!

One of the signs of the day of judgment is that the number of women will increase more than the number of men. At one reference, I read the ratio would be 50women:1man. When I first read that I would a little taken back. 50 women to 1 man! But then the Prophet had also mentioned other signs like:

a) Men will compete in building tall buildings- New York and all major cities

b) Distances will become small- Cars, Airplanes

c) Metals will talk - Mobiles,Telephone, TV, Radio

1400 years ago no one would have thought it would be possible just as we today, think the 50:1 ratio unimaginable. Yet, if you notice the gender statistics of the world, you can see it coming. As of now, I approximate the Female:Male ratio at 55:45, in the next decade I won't be surprised if it became 60:40.

Out of ten couples I know, seven of them have had a baby girl while three a baby boy. When I hear that a couple is expecting, my mind automatically expects that they most likely to have a baby girl. After all, it's decreed from the Almighty. Women are going to increase.

Therefore, It's high time that all the traditionalists change their mind and start treating their women folk with equal respect. Time for all fathers to stop differentiating. It's natural to treat your son roughly while your daughter with love and tenderness, but now, its time to teach your daughter some roughness. Make her strong and make her smart.

Firstly though, just love your child for whoever she/he is and thank God that He has been kind enough to give you this tiny little bundle of joy.

My Mami

2008-03-10T14:37:00.001+05:30

Have you ever met someone whom you instantly admire and are in awe. Well I have and its none other than my Mami. My Mama's (Mom's brother) wife.

I had come to India in '89 when I was seven and it was the first time I had met her or rather remember meeting her coz she would have seen me as a baby. We had gone to Mysore to visit them. They had a beautiful house with a large lawn. We were forbidden to walk on the grass and so we used to play in the muddy kitchen garden at the back. That time my cousin Zainab was born. Today she is a beautiful teenager.

I had gone for a weekend to Mysore and that's when I actually saw my mami not as my aunt but as an individual. She is a dynamic personality. She can cook a five course meal in an hour including cleaning her kitchen spot clean. She knows how to makes the tastiest meals in the least time and effort. She reads a lot and we got time to sit and chat and she told me how she met my Mamaji. She was in her 10Th when he had come to see her. At that time, a school girl, marriage was the last thing on her mind. She told her mom that 'I don't want to marry that bhai (brother)'. My uncle however was smitten by her and used all relatives to get her to say yes. The wedding was fixed after she graduated from high school and was married at eighteen.

"When I got married, I didn't know how to cook a single dish. My mom wrote me the recipe for tea that I would at least make tea for my husband." Today my mami is one of the best cook's of our family. She and my mama make the most admired couple. They have a chemistry unlike anyone else. They are always together. My mama would be lost without her. "He wears whatever I pick. He will not shop for even a handkerchief. He stands in the shop while I select his clothes." Whenever my mama has to go for business trips, he takes my mami along.

If you'd meet my mami, she is a bundle of energy. she will narrate something mundane in such a way that it was the best adventure you had. She mingles will anyone and everyone and you just love her company. Not only is she beautiful outwardly but also a confident and successful woman. Had she been born in today's age I won't be surprised if she would have set up her own company or run a PR firm. She's that material.

Given a choice I would love to have the zeal and zest that is in my mami. She is an inspiration!

Summer's coming...

2008-03-06T23:40:00.005+05:30

Its supposed to be spring but feels like summer and that too in Bangalore. Wonder howz Chennai. Heat rashes, sweaty clothes and the harsh sun. The good side is the taste of cool water, the promising mango season and summer fruits.

How to make the most out of your summer:

a)Drink lots of water

Water keeps your body cool. In summer one tends to loose a lot of moisture through perspiration and respiration. Water keeps you cool, cleans your system and brings a glow to your skin. Don't worry about the number of trips you need to make to the toilet.

b)Have lots of cool drinks like coconut water and fresh fruit juices.

Avoid frizzy drinks as not only do they char away your digestive system but also add a lot of calories and in turn fat on your body.

c) Wear bright pastel shades.

Dark clothes absorb heat fast.Bright reflect light and this way less heat. This keeps the hot suns blaze away from you. You not feel cool but look cool too. White, yellow, light pinks and blues. These are summers colors.

d) Go outdoors

Make the most of the summer and exercise a lot. Go jogging, running, play outdoor games like badmintion, squash, lawn tennis. The heats on and this will make your body sweat. Making all those extra kilo's drain away faster

e) Coconut oil is in

Forget your chemical moisturiser. Try something totally natural like coconut oil as your moisturiser. It makes skin soft and supple. Acts as a lubricant and keeps away the breaking skin.

f) Have light meals

With the temperature up, the body tends to be sleepy especially in the afternoons. Therefore, have light meals with more roti's than rice. This will keep you awake at school and work.

g)Have a ball

Summer's the time to go for picnic's, enjoy school vacation, and learn something new. Make the most of the vacation by being busy always instead of becoming a couch potato. Keep away summer programmes for the winter season.

Till then.. Enjoy the last days of spring.

wIFE- yOU'vE gOT tO bE rESPOSIBLE!!

2008-03-05T20:58:00.002+05:30

I have noticed it in my family and in society:

If the husband makes a mistake -"His wife oughtta be bad. Why didn't she stop him"If the household expenses can't be met- "His wife is overspending. May God forbid we get such a wife!"If the husband's business is not running- "Hey wify, why don't you wind up your work fast and help your husband" It doesn't matter that she cooks, cleans and takes care of three children.

Why does it always happen that if the man is irresponsible, the burden falls on the wife?

I am talking a clear cut situation where it is the husband's mistake, irresponsibility or sheer laziness that gets the family into the problem and then the in-laws start attacking the poor wife, putting blame on her and responsibilities to go out and earn and handle her household!

I think in today's world, all of us are mature. Definitely, there will be trying times. When a couple embark on a new business or venture, there will be shortage of funds, road blocks and dead ends. In this case the two-person team will walk hand-in-hand and face the situation, look for ways out, bear their narrow sustenance until they hit the right door.

However, why should the delicate half pay for the irresponsible actions of her husband. What is worse is that it is the women in the family that actually go out and oppress her.
I am a big supporter of a wife helping out her husband in his business. After all, administration has always been a woman's best thing. Taking care of the accounting and administration is what women do best. As far as marketing and sales calls go, I think men are better equipped by God. There are definitely women who can market, can do sales and there will always be men who are better at admin and accounting, but on a general basis, this is how the skills have been distributed.

Men have more courage. They are rational. They are logical. They are strong.

Women are delicate. They need someone to protect them. No matter how strong a woman may be, at the end of the day she turns to a male member of her family for support, advice, and encouragement. It could be her father, her brother or her husband.

The case that I saw was that of a woman of strenght being asked to venture into the bad world because of expenses. Scared she is but she doesn't show. She won't know the first thing to do when she is out there and that makes me mad! Why ever put her in that situation?

I guess its destiny, I am trying to look at all possible positive points. Yes, she will learn. Yes, she will become smart if not smarter. Yes, she will be more as a person. She will however, loose her sweetness in this world of smart asses. She will be a jack of all trades, master of none. She will not be there for the little moments that mean the most to her children. She will cook food, not with love but out of haste, to go back to her work. She will no longer be the Queen of her home. She will no longer be there at all times when her husband comes tired from a days work.

At this point of time you might be thinking, wait, am I proposing that women should not work? Definitely not. I of course believe they have the RIGHT. Not the compulsion. The western society has got from women should have a right to work to women should work. A woman who is not working is treated as a liability. Imagine!

If that would have been the case two decades earlier, our grandfathers would not have valued our grandmothers or mothers. We have seen them loved and cherished for all they do for their family. Today however, the focus is shifting from family to materialism. Earlier, a simple lifestyle was admirable but today is the number of digits the couple credits in their bank account.

I'd like to conclude here by saying that I don't know where the world is going. At one point I would say let us value the importance of being a wife, a mother, a sister and a friend. Let us respect the conditions of women who need to work and their aspirations. One should not, however, take advantage of them, put blame and make them take responsibilities because you as a man, is irresponsible

What is an engagement?

2008-03-04T12:56:00.002+05:30

As a Muslim child around the age of adolescence I used to see my sister and my sister's friend get proposals. I used to think it was kind of cute. Once I was a silent observer of a proposal.

It was during Moharram 1993. I was in 6th grade. That year, His Holiness Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin had decided to do the 10 days of sermon in Mombasa, the town from where I hail. We, as the host, were into various services like health care, serving food, transportation, accommodation for all the faithful who had gathered to remember the great sacrifice of Imam Husain (A.S.)

After the 14th of Moharram, His Holiness performs nikah for a number of young couples. People from all over the world come and a mass marriage we call samu-nikah is performed. Last time in Mumbai 786 nikahs were performed! Its usually at this time that young men and their families also take the plunge to find a match and get married pronto.

I was as an eleven year old in the serving department. Usually we would serve hundreds of people before having our dinner and heading back home at around 10.00 p.m. On this occasion, I had finished my dinner and was waiting outside for my sister to join me so that we'd walk home together. I saw three young men may be in their twenty's come near where I was standing. Two of them were encouraging the third to go on and talk to the girl. The third one obviously needed the support of his friends. He was about to propose to a girl whom he may have seen and liked. I turned and saw their object of attainment. It was one of girls whom we considered very pretty. She wore her shoes and was walking away when the third guy pulled away from his group of friends and followed her. A few steps away he said "Excuse me" The girl turned politely and kept her head bowed. Out of shyness or may be she knew his intention. The boy says "My name is ______ and I am a _________ I am from ________ and I am interested in marrying you. If you're interested, please give me your father's contact and I will ask my parents to talk to your parents"

The girl, who if committed says "I'm sorry I am already committed"
And if she is not committed but does not like the man still says "I'm sorry I am already committed"
And if the girl is interested she smiles and gives her fathers number and walks away.

Isn't that the sweetest of all ways to proposing someone you happen to see and think, you know what, I think she is my life-partner?

Lots of girls, especially from the small town I hail and from the muslim community I come from still dream that a dashing pious boy will come up to them and say "Excuse me... will you marry me?"

Islamically, when you think of an engagement, it is basically an agreement between two families who decide to get their children married. They let their children meet once and talk to see if they 'click' usually a meeting can be 10 mins or 2 hours. Then there might be a second or a third but usually both families expect the two young hearts to make up their mind at the most in the 3rd meeting.

In the earlier days, engaged couples would never meet until their wedding day. They just knew "O.K. that is the person I am going to marry." No talking over the phone or going out for dinner. Today, however, the scene has changed. Engagement is half marriage and in some cases I'm afraid, full.

Engaged couples talk hours and hours over the phone, meet every weekend (with the permission of their parents), go out for dinner, visit each other if they are an out-of-town couple, chat online, email lots of non-sensical sentiments and do the wedding shopping together. Among the non-orthodox, there could even be a physical relation e.g., a hug or a kiss or...

The question to ask is... What truly is an engagement?

Is it the classic Vivah example? Of course two strangers may like each other instantly. There is a low probability but it is there. Especially when the guy is rich and handsome. The girl is from a small town, spiritual and knows how to cook. Why not? However the whole thing of no mobile in this age, no chatting, and drinking 'Jutah' water in this age did not go well with the urban youth. Small town India; yes. Men who want wives like that, yes. Women who want rich and handsome husbands who won't leave them if they are burned to coal, I suppose yes, the film will appeal to them. The city youth that I encountered though made just fun at each scene. "Muje haq hain" became the butt of jokes.

In my opinion what truly would be an ideal engagement would be where both the girl and boy maintain some distance. Or abstain from physical contact. An engagement is a period to know a little and not a lot. To wonder much and think a lot. To long for companionship but to get it in doses. A look, a glance that says 'Wow, I am going to marry her!" A smile that hides and shows the happiness of the heart. A time when one longs to be married. A time that will be looked back when old and grey and think of all the initial excitement. The partings, the little notes (in our case sms). Getting to know of two families. The first few gifts that give immense pleasure.

Yes, truly an engagement can be made memorable. But it takes two like minds. It’s always good to know something (and obvious all good) about your partner whom you are to marry. But know only little for much might not appeal you and much might lead to doubts and much might lead to break ups.

And with that... I arrive at my definition of engagement:

Engagement is nothing but a little sweetness promising a lot of happiness for a lifetime.

I got a prize!

2008-03-03T15:24:00.002+05:30

My farewell was on thursday after my last exam. Theoretically last exam and well I didn't go. Why? Because it was in a club or a pub or whatever and sorry, its not the kind of place I'd go.

Since a child I used to wonder at the people I knew who'd go. I mean from the movies, all I have seen is skimpily dressed women, smoke, music that makes you deaf and worse.. you might be mingling with prostitutes! yikes.

So well no, as much as these western culture has come into B-School, I still belong to the old school of thought. The indian school of thought and for those who might snide me- yep the middle class mentality. I am proud to be that and I happen to be respected for my values.

It was at the farewells that they gave out prizes for outstanding students. I happen to be one who got ranks and so I am waiting here in college to collect my prize money (something in ooo's hehehe) from the Dean who is not yet here so as I patiently wait, you patiently read :)

The thesis trimester begins today. Officially. Yes, I am still hung up on microfinance and I am going to do it in that. What and where is still unsolved. I am thinking 8 hours a day is pretty good of a three month thesis. The first month I experiment, search, think and hypothise and the second month go on field and find the truth. The third month I sit and make my report stating the ultimate truth that I deem true.

And write betterment exams for my finance subjects. I just passed a few of them out of grace (a regular and dedicated student so my professors just gave me the margin marks) Now no tension, no pressure and I can study at my own pace and will.. wow.. THAT is what I like.

Hello last three months of MBA :)

Every once in a while

2008-03-02T21:04:00.000+05:30

Every once in a while I look around and try to decipher what exactly is this world.

I mean I have lived in it for a quarter of a centuary and yet there are so many things that I do not know, do not understand.

I do not know why some people are poor and why some rich. Why some polite and why some rude. Why some who can sleep soundly at night even though they just murdered someone 'part of their job' while some can't sleep if they shouted at a cat!

I wonder many a times what I, as a person truly want.
I just realised that I contradict myself so often

I wanted X but since I couldn't get it I walked away
I did not want Y but since I was told I will have to give up Y I said hell no!
I have X and I can have Y but what I want is Z!
So now I don't know what is it that I want-> X, Y or Z?!

Confusing? It is to me. I guess the truth is: I am plain lazy. What I really want is to do nothing. Nothing at all. At least as of this moment. I just want to sit back and let the world go by and be in this vacuum where I do not know what is happening and I do not care and it in no ways affects me or my life.

But this lazy spell is a wish like that of a time machine. One wishes for it but once practically realises at the back of their minds that it is going to get them no where. No Sir!

In turn I seem to make the people who care the most about me crazy. They get confused with me and my accusations.

You forced X on me!
Ofcourse I wanted Y what do you think??!!
All I ever wanted was to be Z but you never let me be!

I might just discover a mathematical theory if I prude some more on my X Y Z...

So yes, every once in a while I think back and I just can't figure myself out.
and what life cheekily post's on my forehead is... will I ever figure myself out?

Devendra's Home in Malipur (UP)

2008-01-23T16:42:00.000+05:30

Book Review : The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

2008-01-22T18:07:00.000+05:30

This book was gifted by my previous roommates. "We think you will enjoy it!" I smiled and thanked them. I didn't get time to read it for a long time and finally on a three day train journey (where I read three books) I read the book that is supposedly a big seller.

The book is about a young Spanish boy who chooses to be a shepherd. He gets a strange dream about Egypt and pyramids and all and goes to North Africa to get to Eygpt. He gets looted and ends up working in a crystal shop and is about to forget about his original purpose of coming to Africa. However, he does join a caravan proceeding to Egypt and meets someone called 'The Alchemist' (The title of the book should have been 'The Shepherd Boy' rather than the Alchemist who plays a less significant character in the plot of the story)

This so called Alchemist tells him he can change himself into the wind! Imagine! At that point of time I gave a shudder of disbelief and looked at the book twice 'Should I read it completely or toss it away?' but I finished it. Skim read the whole event till he finally arrives at the pyramids to find his 'dream treasure'. The book ends with another twist.

My verdict- Excuse me? Turn yourself into the wind?!! Its a pretty good book and narrated at a steady space. The character of the Shepherd boy is nice enough to relate and the events are adventurous but what spoilt it was the whole wind episode. People say they have found inspiration in the book ( for what? becoming the sun?) I found nothing that inspired 'inspired' me that has not before inspired me. If you absolutely have nothing else to read, read it.

Glimpses of Varanasi

2008-01-22T17:24:00.000+05:30

Gazelle Park next to the Buddha Shrine

Buddha Shrine where one of the five body parts of Buddha is buried

Excavated Buddhist Monastery

Exotic experience of rural India

2008-01-22T16:14:00.000+05:30

My very good friend Devendra (he refuses to be called my 'best' friend coz he claims I make everyone my 'best' friend..lol) got place in i-Flex Mumbai. So I went to his home town in Uttar Pradesh. Why? Well not so much coz it was may be the last of our college days (cheeky smile :) ) but more of my dream of seeing and living in rural India and actually in a farm.

Some people truly believe in their dreams. So much that they come true

Well.. Mine did.

The house (like those hindi film choudhry houses), the acres and acres of farmland. Greenery and rice paddies. The chill of the morn, the bornfire nights were the whole family got around to warm themselves, the fresh fruits and vegetables, the yogurt and fresh milk, the rice and dhaal, what all can I say?

I even walked miles eating a cane of sugarcane with my bare teeth. (Afterwards I cunningly told Dev I had a problem with my teeth so he did all th work and gave me the fresh sugarcane to chew..lol) I even had pure sugarcane juice when the sugarcane were being crushed to make jaggery.

I saw cabbage and carrots and cucumber plans. I saw the mustard yellow colored trees and I walked through farmlands and had water from the tubewell.

Thankfully I didn't have to go to the fields to relieve myself (as my friend threatened I would have to do so coz they had no lavaratory!!) or take bath at the wells of the village. His home is pretty modern with all the facilities and of course the 'bathroom' was out in the courtyard with a wall and NO DOOR. So you had to take bath like a scardy bird hoping no one comes.

The other fantastic experience I had was of being hit by a cycle rickshaw!

We were walking in the bazaar of Ghazipur and I was on the side of the road (which is pretty narrow) looking at the shops when I hear someone screaming at me. I look ahead and in a fraction of a second see a cycle rickshaw coming straight at me, hear the sound of the wooden seat crashing with the right side of my body and being thrown backward due to the impact. My right foot was under the cycle wheel and as I fell my foot peeled itself away tearing my shoe band.

Dev was walking ahead and when he turned and saw me all down, he ran back, helped me up and made me sit on the pavement. Till that time, the culprit cycle wala had fled. Think of it! It was a hit and run accident! Wow, me in a hit and run ;)

In two minutes once I caught my breath, Dev and I started laughing. We couldn't believe it. We are half crazy anyways. We laugh at anything and everything. My friend felt bad that being his guest I met with an accident. That started a series of questions like are you ok? Shall we see a doctor? But I was fine. I was hit and my right arm was sore and my right ribs pained but it wasn't bad. I applied some pain reliever and since I was just eating and sleeping I did not feel anything.

It was when I come back to Bangalore and started cleaning my house and doing the laundry that I became almost vegetable the second day. I couldn't walk, I had chest pain and lower back pain. I was wondering was is happening to me? When I spoke all of a sudden I felt a pain in my chest and I couldn't sneeze. So that was enough to convince this 'NO HOSPITAL -HATE DOCTORS - THROW THE PILLS' person to actually go to the hospital, meet an Orthopedics and eat the pills. The diagonosis was that my right 2nd and 3rd ribs were slighly cracked and due to the work I had done, my right chest muscles were strained. I was given some pills and an ointment for muscle relief, no manual work and no lifting of weight for three works till the ribs have healed.

Alhamdullilah its now two weeks passed the visit to the doc and I am almost as good as new. But am still being careful not to use my right hand as much as I can.

I must say that being sick and helpless truly made me humble. Usually in health, we don't realise the wealth God has gifted us. I now realise and am so thankful for my recovery. Alhamdullilah.

Apart from my amazing farm trip and having a taste of North India, I am back to my usual routine.

Assignments
Plans
Reports
Submissions
Exams

My 5th term exams start second week of feb and after that my final 6th term of thesis.
Most of my classmates and batchmates are placed. Many have already started working and all are surprised at my reluctance to start off with my career.

Well I am in no hurry. I want to enjoy this period as a student. Give my very last best to my studies and then move ahead to the next phase. I would also just loved to do a complete in depth original research for my thesis. InshaAllah I have something in mind and when its finalised I will post it.

Of all things I keep realising about life, I realise one thing everytime I end a course. 'Time passes fast!' I feel it was just yesterday when I started this blog and starting writing about my 'personal' experience as an MBA student.

But Hey! Call me the 'Forever Student', for I am still a student.

Of what?

Well, meet me, graduate student of Mass Communication and Journalism, Madurai Kamraj University, 1st year.

I will be starting a new blog 'Life as a Mass Comm/Journo' pretty soon and this one will be dedicated to my articles as a student and what I feel I am learning about Journalism. It might not be as interesting as my MBA site coz its a distance programme where I have to do all the work but I am getting an organised set of books to learn a subject in a planned manner. That was what I wanted the most.

That said, I shall conclude now and get back to my research. Until next time.. Ciao!

Movie Review: Om Shanti Om (OSO)

2007-12-04T20:36:00.000+05:30

OSO. As I start to write this review, I wonder what to write. There isn't a coherent thought that comes to my mind after seeing a rather poor version of Karz and Mayamati.

OSO is disappointing. The story line is not bad- it just isn't anything new or exceptional like stories of DDLG or KKHH which none of the audience have come across. OSO is a cut copy paste of the '70's dress style, it story is so predictable, the music does not stay with you and the performances are just above average.

OSO is the story of a junior artist (SRK) who dreams of becoming a superstar. The time is around the '70's where Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna were the super stars. Shanti (Deepika) is the dreamy girl (oh please!) of her time. (it's a surprise that when Om is reincarnated he does not know such a successful actress existed- or for that matter even the reincarnated same face sandy does not realise she resembles a former actress- Did someone ask for reality? Not served here)

Well, the stories goes like Om saves Shanti is a film fire scene and they become friends. Once he follows her to her make up room only to overhear a conversation between Shanti and the film producer Mukesh (Arjun Rampal) that she is married to Mukesh and expecting his baby. She asks him to disclose it to the public. Mukesh on the other hand wants to marry the daughter of a big studio owner and become more powerful.

Om is devastated and one night he sees them both coming to the sets. He hides in the building where Mukesh gets Shanti and tells her that was the hall where they would marry. Om leaves after hearing this. Predictably, as soon as Om leaves, Mukesh burns the hall and leaves Shanti there locked up. Om sees the fire and rushes to save Shanti but the goons prevent him and well after much drama he dies and so does Shanti.

Om is now reborn as the son of super star Rajesh Kapoor. His dream is fulfilled as the spoilt brat of a super star who himself is a super star! ( He plays a role where he is dumb, deaf, blind, crippled AND without any arms!) He decides to go for another movie and the sets happen to be the same '70's one. He feels he recognises the burnt down sets and ....

well to cut the story short, when Om sees Mukesh now an oldie he remembers everything. Plans to make a movie 'Om Shanti Om' which shows how Mukesh killed Shanti. In comes the new Deepika as Sandy who acts like a total dumb fan of the present Om. A plot is planned to spooke Mukesh and make him confess he killed Shanti.

All I can say, the end is another version of Mayamati (Dilip Kumar, Meena Kumari)

SRK- I think he is not getting good scripts

Deepika - If she plays her cards, she could be the next DreamY Girl. Has the looks and acts well.

Shreyas- An excellent actor who does his job well which is rather short

Arjun Rampal- Nothing outstanding

Kiran - A bit of overacting in the first half but does a good job later as the old mom

Director Farah- Its her fantasy and I think she is still in her childhood. She seems not to come up with original pieces but rather makes a salad of all the movies she has seen.

My rating is 2 1/2 / 5.

If you miss this movie, it's OK. The movie is nothing great.

Dreams... What do they tell us?

2007-11-30T20:56:00.000+05:30

All of us have dreams. Not the one about wanting to do something in life but the ones that come from no where when we are deep in our sleep. There are times when you wake up in the middle of the dream and even if you know it's time to get out of bed, you still go back to sleep just to complete your dream.

It's mysterious that when one's five senses are at rest, we actually see images and pictures- sometimes with sound and conversation. No scientist has as yet discovered why these happen. A lot of theories have been written like it's our subconscious mind or imagination that creates these pictures.

Yet, there are many stories in the holy books like the Bible and the Quran that prove that dreams have a message.

Let's take the story of Joseph. (Prophet Yusuf- Peace Be Upon Him). While he was in prison, his two cell mates saw a dream. One saw himself serving wine to his master while the other saw birds eating from his head. They told this to Joseph who interpreted their dreams for them:

1. The one who saw himself serving wine will be set free and will indeed serve his master
2. The one who saw birds eating from his head will be killed.

True to his words, the incident came to be.

Then comes the dream of the King of Egypt. He saw seven full cobs of maize and healthy cattle. He then saw seven dry cobs and thin cattle. He called his advisors and expert dream interpreters to decipher the message of his dream. His subjects were however confused with the jumbled dreams and could not make out what it meant.

That is when the man who was in prison with Joseph mentioned unto his master about Joseph and how he had interpreted his dream. Joseph was called forth in the presence of the king. The king narrated his dreams to Joseph.

"There will be seven years of healthy harvest and good cattle. Thereafter, seven years of drought will follow" Joseph further advised the king to harvest and store the crop of the first seven years and use very little so that it will last them during the drought.

The king was impressed and made Joseph in charge of the granaries. Thus, Joseph saved Egypt from the cruelty of the drought.

When looking at this piece of history, one can't help but conclude that our dreams are meant to tell us something. But, the sad part is, there is no reliable source to interpret the dreams for us. God taught Joseph the interpretation of dreams... and today, you can't trust dream tellers just as you can't trust fortune tellers. (With their green parrot and zero bulb bowl!)

I did read once that the devil also plays with us through dreams. He has the ability to create images that will disturb us. Therefore, it is advised that when one sees a bad dream, he should not tell it aloud but rather spit dryly three times on his left and say a quick prayer.

Unfortunately, fortunately even though we have guidelines and abstract knowledge-

...dreams still remain a mystery for mankind

Modes of transport in Bangalore

2007-11-27T17:44:00.000+05:30

I got the bike's puncture repaired... Thank God for that. One is rendered immovable without a vehicle in Bangalore. There are 5 modes of transport in this city

a) Bus N Walk
b) Auto
c) Two-wheeler
d) Car
e) Walk

If you happen to be among the majority using the bus- Most of your time goes in WAITING for one. It would be unfortunate if you miss your bus by a few minutes or seconds... coz the next one passing your route will come in another 20-30 minutes.

I said Bus N walk coz you need to walk from the bus stop at least a km to where you are going. Roads are one-ways, your bus stops at the next lane stop. when you ask someone at that bus stop they say 'Nope, that bus stops further down at the next stop'. Therefore, Bus N Walk.

Auto- You need to be as lucky as a man is to be a millionaire as you are to find a good Auto. When you stop an auto to take you to your destination:

a) They shake their heads and drive away
b) They will DEMAND a fare higher than that of the meter (that they are suppose to follow)
c) They will demand extra money to COME BACK or at least to the nearest highway coz in your area, they won't get passengers!
d) If you have a tiny piece of luggage (on your way back from the next town) they demand around ten rupees extra to carry his Highness, your bag!
e) The driver may turn out to be rude and pugnacious
f) If he has no change, your money is his babe (I once paid 30/- for half a km!!- Normal rate is Rs.6/km)

Two-Wheeler- The best for any single person or those with a wife. It’s also best for college kids, working professionals. You can cut through the traffic, get past 2 ft of space.

The disadvantage - There are high chances of an accident, being hospitalized, crippled or die.

Car- Comfort surrounded by traffic. If you have all the time in the world, go by car. If you are in a hurry, a meeting in 15 minutes... forget it... hop on a bike. If you travel long distances > 30 km, good for your back (A bike will break your backbone in a week)

Be ready to struggle for parking and also PAY a min of Rs.10 for even 15 minutes of parking.

Walk- If you are few of the lucky one's to stay within the vicinity of your school, college or work place, you are blessed in Bangalore. Not only do you save time (Waiting for a bus or get an auto) but you save on transport cost. It benefits your health and keeps you in shape.

If anyone plans to work in the city for even a few months - Get your bike! It's worth the pain. Bus and Auto will eat up the time and serenity of your life.

My new friends

2007-11-26T15:47:00.000+05:30

I got myself - completely unplanned - a set of beautiful friends.

Who are they?

A pair of blue lovebirds. The most beautiful ever. They are adorable!

Namrata and I were stuck in this one mile of traffic on the way home and well I saw the pet shop. I remember seeing it earlier when I was riding behind my sister and I asked her if we could get a bird. But my sis would rather see birds flying. She is right of course - everyone should have freedom and at the same time its not wrong if you take care of birds- domestic and not wild- and give them your love...

As the traffic was stagnant, I jumped down from my bike and went to the pet shop - just out of curiosity to find out how much a bird would cost. I saw fish! Relatively it's difficult to take care of fish. My cousin in NJ has fish and I thought they were adorable. Well anyways, just like that (thanks to a little encouragement from Namrata) I got my new friends. I got a lovely cage, some seeds and I am soooooo happy.

My room mates asked me to name them but I prefer not to. I call them baby girl and baby boy at times or blue girl and blue boy or sweetie or lovey or cutie pie. I have all the names. My baby girl let's me stroke her soft feathers but at times she bites me..lol her beak is so small and not at all sharp. My baby boy is scaredy birdy. He just flips his feathers and runs. Very suspicious of me! I hope with time they also learn to trust me and you never know - love me!

On my professional front - I am on Hybernation mode. My project partner is almost getting a heart attack, pleading me to turn on my system. I don't know why and for what this happens. It's been with me since childhood. My mom and dad are scared of only one thing about me - My mood swings. At times I will be hyper active and times so passive that one won't notice me in the room. Right now, I have turned on my system..lol and it's booting.

My roommates are leaving this wednesday and I don't know if I feel sad. I feel happy that my home will be clean and tidy. I feel anxious to get another room mate coz I don't want to stay alone, I want to stay alone and just study my heart and have no interference and no 'Let's go for dinner or let's catch a movie' or the 2-3 hours chit chat. But I would agree that they were wonderful. They are young and charming and smart. I will miss them.

Well, Its time for me to go and work on my project. I hope I finish it by tonight. Wish me all the best! :)

Forthnight Digest

2007-11-17T19:22:00.000+05:30

Life has been a roller coaster ride the past two weeks.

1) I went to Coimbatore for diwali vacations with my roommates. We stayed at Lakshmi's place and had a great time. I got to burst crackers the first time in my life ever. I even held the sparkling rod one.. it's called phuljeri in hindi.

2) Aunt and Uncle (Lakshmi's parents) took us girls for a day to Ooty, a favourite holiday spot in south India. It's a small town built on a mountain (Hill station). I had come to Ooty last with my Mom and my extended family back in '89. I remembered Ooty as boating and lovely fruits. This time, I wondered what fun we actually got in boating a peddle boat! Man you slog so much and never realise you've moved an inch. The best experience I had was on the speed boat to Zanzibar... Awesome! Well, we had fun at Ooty and returned back at night almost midnight. The next morning we went to an Asharam famous for meditation. I really wonder if people get peace coming from Europe, USA and far off to India to meditate?! One of the guides was from Scotland. She came later on to our tiny group and asked me if I was a muslim. I proudly replied 'Yes, I am' "Are you a practising muslim?" "Oh Yes, I am" I gave a beaming smile! "Coz I come from a muslim family but I am irreligious- I don't believe in any religion" "Oh Ok" What else could I say? I warm and friendly but I felt sad for her.

3) We went in the night to watch 'Sawaariya" and I told myself in 5 min of the movie "This is going to be a big flop" and Gosh I was (plus my roommates) in shock the first half. I couldn't believe Sanjay Leela Bansali had made such an 'Artificial' movie. There was nothing one could relate to... even the songs! The only time I felt good was when Rani came on screen. I love that actress. I think she's great! As for Salman Khan, I think he was taken just to scare people with his eyes. The new Hero? He is a kid! The Heroin has a script that lasts some 10 giggles. We all were totally disappointed

4) Back to work, and this time I became a director, script writer, editor etc... not for a movie but for our documentary film on rural marketing. We had selected Gobi Chettipalayam as our location which is a semi-rural community 85 kms from Coimbatore. We got an excellent guide who would interpret the tamil language to us and I loved the place. The people were friendly and helpful and we got a good footage for our film. I saw a village for the first time in my life (or actually walked through one coz I may have driven past a few). The president of Kugalur village, Erode district, TN was so helpful and friendly and they must have given us 5 cups of tea! I don't drink tea but that day I drank every cup for it was served with so much love. While I was in Gobi, I got a premonition that my cousin would have gone in labour so I gave her a call and yep! She voice was filled with pain and she told me she was on drips in the hospital. I was praying for her safe delivery and voila! in the evening, my aunt called me and told me I had a beautiful baby niece.

5) Bangalore - and I am in love with my cutie sweetie niece. You know if she cries and I hold her.... she stops crying!!! lol, she is the most beautiful baby I have seen after my other nieces and nephews. We are going to name her tomorrow evening and I am like the Maid of honor.. In case of deliveries, this maid of honor takes care of the new mom and runs up and down with soiled nappies and chicken soup ;). My cousin looks half dead to me... to think that once my mom went through all this for me. Love you mom!

Now this amateur director of a badly edited film has a business plan to make and have a first day show...lol Gosh it's laughable. Another main lesson MBA thought me-

"You can learn anything and You can do everything"

What am I made for?

2007-11-04T23:52:00.000+05:30

Life is strange. Half way through it you drift about, sad and angry that you don't have any specific goal, a goal that makes you wake up in the morning and makes you get out there and achieve your goal.

The other half is spent defending your dream if you are one of the lucky one's to believe in one.

I am about to complete my MBA is another 6-7 months. When I joined MBA, I told myself I was going to learn all there was to doing business. I learnt. A small town girl who has no business roots at all. But somewhere my heart told me, I can do it. I can be an entrepreneur.

The next question was what? What did I want to do? Was it a bookstore, was it a restuarant or may be a steel and iron as shop our community is famously known for.

What was it that I could be passionate about?

I thought I'd find the answer by now. I might have found it.

What I didn't realise was...

It's one thing to search for your dream, for what you're made for

but that once you realise it, you'd have to have the courage to pursue it

The fact is, I don't even know whether the idea i am playing with is truly my dream. If it is, I know it's going to be tough. Tough for the rest of my life. Now I am searching and praying for the courage that would not make me step back.

What am I made for?

"Didi! Nice Dress!"

2007-11-03T21:44:00.000+05:30

Sometimes in life you are busy running around when a stranger taps on your shoulder and says "Hi, I think you're beautiful" makes your day?

Today a little school girl made mine.

I was riding my bike, on the way home from college and there was a school bus in front of me. A few school girls were at the back. One was looking out of the window at the rear. I was in my own thoughts when suddenly I heard:

"Didi! (Hindi for elder sister, called out of respect) Nice dress!"

I had my helmet on so I couldn't yell out "Thank you!" but I raised my hand and gave her a friendly wave.

The bus took a turn and with it the stranger who liked my dress.

So what was I wearing?

Jeans?

Dress?

Salwar?

Nope.

A sea blue veil with yellow border and yellow flowers.

Nice dress ;)

It's another story that a little ahead near the lake, an eagle dropped a fish on me!

Movie Review: Dorr

2007-10-27T00:01:00.000+05:30

I got to know about Dorr during some award show where it was nominated for a few awards. I got to see the movie yesterday. Namrata had it among her Cd's and what can I say, like how I want to write a book like Khaled Hosseini, I'd like to direct a movie like Dorr.

The story is based on two women. A muslim woman in Himachal Pradesh (Zeenat - Gul Panag) and a Agniwashi woman of Rajasthan (Meera - Ayesha Takia). Both their husbands go to Saudia Arabia to work and stay together. Both the husbands become friends and once in a tussle, Meera's husband Shankar falls off the balcony and dies. Aamir, Zeenat's husband is accused of killing Shankar and the only way the Saudi Government will let him off from being hanged would be if the widow of Shankar, Meera(Ayesha) would forgive him and sign on the mafinama or forgiveness statement. The catch? The external affairs minister does not know where to locate Meera as the address on Shankar's passport was false.

Zeenat goes out in search of Meera to get her to sign the papers. She doesn't not know where she will find her but that she is somewhere in Rajasthan. She has two months before the Saudi government hangs Amir. She takes a ride from a truck driver and gets to Rajasthan. The only clue she has is the photo Amir sent her of him and Shankar.

On her way, Zeenat meets a topi-baaz, (Shreyas) whose acting is amazing as it was in 'Iqbal'. He stills her bag and she is left stranded. Her money, possessions are all in that one tiny bag, but most importantly, her husband's life, in the mafinama papers. She spends the night on the street and is accosted by two men in the wee hours. Its there when Shreyas ( now I realise he didn't have a screen name!) returns and saves her. In turn, he offers her help in tracking down Meera and they finally do.

Zeenat meets Shankar's family and requests them that she needs to meet Meera. When they realise that her husband is the one accused for killing their son, they spit on her and ask her to get out. Zeenat has to find a way to meet Meera, who is reduced to a widow, working all day long and wearing a simple navy blue widow attire. Shreya spies and finds out she leaves the house once every day to go to the temple.

That is where the Zeenat meets her. She wants to tell her the truth, but she is scared that Meera would refuse her like her in-laws did. Meera's in-laws did not mention Zeenat's visit to her and dismissed her as a beggar. Zeenat decides to befriend Meera so that she can win her trust and tell her later on, the real purpose why she needed Meera's help.

The suspense I'd leave for you is... Will Meera, whose life has been stolen, who at such a young age made a widow have the compassion to sign the papers or will she refuse, as it's her right to do what she wants.

A beautiful climax that makes you appreciate the complexity of emotions, ego and pride. A movie that makes you want to celebrate women and make you believe, there are strong women, good women. The refreshing element was the beautiful friendship portrayed between Zeenat and Shreya's. A movie that communicates 'You have the choice to do whatever you want... and to bear the consequences'

In the movie, the two women are so stark different. One who is bold and brazen, who speaks to the point and has the courage of a lion. Another, who is as soft as the water dew on the early morning petals, who has so far lived a life beneath her gungath and came to life when she was with her husband- a husband who is no more. A widow expected to remain sad all her life.

Gul Panag surprised me with her strong character. I have seen her on TV as the bubbly mischievous anchor and I was taken back by the strengh of her performance.

Ayesha Takia wins your heart with her innocence and her soft voice. She makes you want to protect her and save her from her misery.

Shreyas is just amazing with his rajasthani accent and naughtiness. He is a superb actor and I hope so see him get good signifacant roles in future.

My verdict - This is cinema. Bare and fact. The two women wore no make up, there wasn't a love story, there wasn't songs, there wasn't NY or London- there was only the raw beauty of reality.

I rate it 4.5/5 , must watch movies

A few words of encouragement... can change a person's world

2007-10-26T21:48:00.000+05:30

Today I received a call from my colleague. He told me Prof. Sunil (My senior marketing professor from IIM-Ahmedabad) asked me to call him. I did immediately and sir said

"What is this I hear? You applied for planman?!"

"Yes sir, I did"

"Why? An intelligent student like you should go back home, do something there or go to UK or USA. Why do you want to get stuck here?"

He went on to say he wanted me to meet him tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the library to help him out in writing a paper. I told him I surely will meet him and thanked him for his kind words. He told me he valued me as a student

He renewed the faith in me. Thank You Sir! :)

Planman is out

2007-10-26T10:54:00.000+05:30

Planman is out coz apparently I they don't want a teacher and I didn't get all the GK questions right. I also won't fit in the culture as everyone dresses up in suit and boot while I go in with my colorful veils which puts people off..hehehe. Just joking, but beneath all the sugar coating I can make out the clear reasons.. and don't forget.. I'm not perfect either ;)

I mentioned this to one of my very good friends and she said a few words that have really boosted my spirit:

"keep praying that u get thru a company thats good for u, ur life , ur religion and Aakiraah as well!"

Amin to that and now I have a wide variety of options to choose from! :)

A Job I'd love to do... Teach.

2007-10-24T18:27:00.000+05:30

Plan man, the consulting branch of IIPM came to campus today। Actually Planman offices is in the same building of IIPM। It's amazing that you could do crore rupee business in one compact building that not only houses the B-school IIPM but also it's consulting firm Planman, It's placement division and various other SBUs like Planman Media, Planman Motions etc। The PPT was conducted by my Ex-Comm faculty who is also the vice president of Planman Consultancy Mr।Vikram Tanwar।

As far as marketing goes, I must admit that I have not seen any B-school, consultancy market itself as PM & IIPM does। The whole audience was captivated by how far and wide Planman has expanded and diversified। My interest however, was on the one thing I wanted to do since १२थ् grade - Teach। Therefore, I applied for IIPM Academics where when I get selected, I'd have to be trained in the academics department for two years before I get my first real class। In the mean time I handle the administration part which is the low end, no one wants to do it job (me neither)। The plus point is that one get's to be part of any project team and I can write articles for our publications such as ४प्स्, Business & Economy, journals like Need the Dough and so on। This way I get to remain a student my whole life and who knows, InshaAllah I will get to do my PhD and one day publish my own book।

I had to write a write-up as to why I wanted to join IIPM Academics and my area of interest। After that we sat for a GD। Thankfully, I was in the first group and it went O.K। I didn't come up with extraordinary great points but I made a good start। Let's see what happens। My heart tells me that I have a ५०-५० % chance of getting through। My placement officer told me I'd be an asset to IIPM but then, what the VP and All India Dean think is a totally different issue।

Tomorrow the shortlisted candidates results will be announced। We shall then proceed to the interview round and from there... it's gonna be either 'You are hired' or 'We will get back to you' ;)

Back from my great vacation

2007-10-23T15:24:00.000+05:30

My Eid dashed past as I went to college after attending the Eid prayers and from there home where I did my last minute packing and rushed to join my uncle in his auto mid-way, parking my bike at my cousin's. We met a terrible traffic jam and there was 50-50 chance that we would catch our train. We did and we were off for my cousin's wedding in Khandwa, a small industrial town in the state of Mandya Pradesh.

The wedding was excellent. We met all our relatives, cousins and second cousins from all over India. It was a small and simple wedding and I told my aunt I'd like mine on the same lines. After blessing my sister and wishing her all the happiness of married life, we rushed to Burhanpur where we did Ziarat, paid our respects to our past leaders and again caught the train to Jalgoan, my mom's hometown. Here we ate Kulfi - Ice lolly made of thickened milk and cream and it was out of this world. My uncle turned a little boy having one after a another! We did Ziarat of my grand mom, uncle and extended family. Prayed for their souls and for a good akherat... and again we were off... this time to Ahmedabad, the capital city of the state of Gujrat.

The first thing that struck me was 'so many people!' It's true for all metro's but I never felt that when I went to Mumbai or Delhi but in Ahmedabad I couldn't help noticing it. My cousins joined us in the evening. My uncle had gone to collect them at the airport. We were all frazzled out and somehow I found myself sleeping soundly even during the day! I don't have a habit of sleeping during the day but travelling does something to you.

We left the next day for Syedi Hasan Pir Shaheed's ziarat, paid our respects and then from there to Galiakot, Rajastan to pay our respects to Syedi Fakrudeen Shaheed. The best thing that happened here was we got to share our car drive back to Ahmedabad with an Amil Saheb and his family. I made most of the opportunity and asked him all I could of all the saints. I never knew that Syedi Fakhrudeen Shaheed was killed at only 27 years old while doing dawah in Hindustan.

At Ahmedabad, Amil saheb was a guide to us. Just like we have a guide who takes us around historical places and museums. The other people were a little surprised to see our tiny group. He gave us a brief history of each Dai in Ahmedabad and the opposition they faced, their courage and achievements. May Allah Taala be pleased with them all. Amin.

This was my short trip though by the 6Th day I was dying to get back to Bangalore. Our flight was quite good. I travelled by Air Deccan the first time. It's quite similar to Indigo but here, I enjoyed reading their in-flight magazine. I think it's the best in-flight magazine I have read, combining both domestic and international airlines. It didn't have just ad's of super exclusive luxury products, but relevant and interesting articles like 'what to ask your potential employer' and tourist information. Another thing I noticed was that they had printed ad's on their seat covers. When a person is seated, he looks front and sees the seat cover of the chair in front of him. This was a fantastic idea coz this is one time when a traveller has enough time to stare at whatever comes in front of him. Brands should note of this new avenue of advertising. It'd be ideal for tourist firms, hotels and high-end product manufacturers.

Eid Mubarak

2007-10-12T10:09:00.000+05:30

5th term

2007-10-10T12:49:00.000+05:30

5Th Term MBA has begun and I am lost. Lost because both the finance classes have been combined into one class of 100 students. Out of which hardly 50 attend. Some have taken up placements and moved on to the career phase of life and others have no inclination - for whatever reason. That makes me one of the very few students who is still interested in completing her studies. The atmosphere in the last semesters of any education programme (be it BCA or MBA) is that of 'take-it-for-granted'. It surprises me at the level of post graduation where one has invested so much not only financially but also mentally, the students become careless at the last moment.

If I were to draw a student graph, at the moment I am going into a slump. When we began MBA everyone was so excited, enthusiastic and eager to learn. As time went, all the three came down and now it's like everyone just wants to move on to the next stage even though there is 8 more months to formally wind up the programme. Its similar to the analogy of a relationship or a new job. One is excited during the first few months, everything is new and exciting but once you fall into the system, then it becomes monotonous, boring.

One studies so much that the cycle repeats itself at the beginning of every trimester so we know the pattern. The struggle to understand, the reading needed, the presentations, the assignments, the tests and finally the month-long exams. It's fixed, predictable.

What can one do to make it more exciting? Especially when you are a one-man army trying to maintain the zeal (that you don't feel) and want to make the most use of your academic years. Therefore, I have come up with a few heuristics to follow in my 5Th term

1. Read, Read and Read

2. Don't rely too much on classes

3. Drown out the noise of disinterested students and focus on the lecturer

4. Be positive

5. Start practicing aptitude and logic

6. This time take part in organising events, seminars and become active on the co-curricular front

7. Don't get distracted by the companies coming to campus - the salary, the profile might tempt but most important goal is to learn.

I suppose since I have the industry experience I am not so eager as my colleagues to get back so fast. The freshers are dying to start working and earn their own money. Understandable. That is how most of us feel during our student years. Yet when you are in the industry, you get the taste that it's not a play ground out there. There is real work to be done and it's actually playing the game. Therefore, I bought my time to learn the game and I am going to use it to the maximum. When one goes in the industry, it's a whole new cycle of learning the ropes.

In the sea of confusion I am trying to hold tight to the steering wheel and remember my aim, mission, vision to take up MBA was to learn.

Man plans, but Allah is the best of Planners

2007-10-06T22:34:00.000+05:30

There are times in life when you see the trials, the examinations your brethen has gone through that truly makes you understand the verses of the Quran where Allah Taala says that though we plan, Allah is the best of planners.

I was doing my tasbhi when the lady sitting next to me began a friendly conversation. She told me about her work as a teacher for special children and her husband. He is suffering from a rare disorder Werner syndrome which happened to him around two years back. A disorder that made him loose 40 kgs in a year and he lost his flesh and muscle plus various organ functionalities.

From being the a dynamic production manager of an international garment company to a clerk's job. From a self-respected man who stood on his two feet to the mercy of his wife and two small daughters. From a six figure salary to searching for a reasonable flat. A wife who had dreamt of having a mansion and a smooth life to working night shifts, sending her children to school, cooking for her husband and making the rounds to the emergency room. A wife who left a glamour world, an ambitious career to a future that seemed happy and secure - only to find her faith in God tested especially when the doctors told her 'It's time to call the family'

We sat there listening to her while uncle kept quite. I could feel his pride and I am sure he had been a proud man. We came to give them company. I took a friend along with me as I knew how lonely aunty had felt. She had managed to blink her tears in a second when I offered to come visit her and meet uncle. She told me how lonely she felt, her large family she had left behind in Mumbai and how she missed them.

It made me realise that no matter what we plan, God has already planned our lives. He has set aside the various tests, either through sickness or through other ways He will test our patience. It takes for Him, hardly a moment to make or break a man. To bring him down from his proud post to that of a humble servant praying for redemption. Redemption of past sins, of actions, of disobedience. Praying to relieve him.

May Allah Taala help uncle, relieve him of his sickness and grant him health again. May He show him and his family good days after these days of trial.

Amin.

The wisdom of Syedna Ali (A.S)

2007-09-26T22:21:00.000+05:30

Syedna Ali (A.S) was the cousin of Prophet Mohammed (SAW). He was brought up by Prophet Mohammed and he, the Prophet SAW loved to him to a great extent. He taught him everything and according to Syedna Ali, He was to the Prophet as a baby camel is towards his mother. He followed the Prophet's footsteps and as a child, the prophet fed him with his own hands.

Prophet Mohammed SAW had declared during Ghadir-e-khum, while returning from the last pilgrimage (Hajj) "For whoever I am his Master (Moula), Ali is his Master (Moula)"

Syedna Ali - My Master, My Moula.

I'd like to share with you the two wonderful narrations I heard today in the sermon about Syedna Ali and his knowledge.

1. According to the inheritance laws, three persons were supposed to get their shares in the ratio of 1/2, 1/3 and 1/9. The inheritance was 17 camels. When the three people sat down to divide the camels among themselves, they were at a loss. 1/2 of 17 was 8 and 1/2. They couldn't divide a camel! So they went to Amirul Mumineen, Syedna Ali.

Syedna Ali asked one camel to be brought from the Baitul Maal. (State Treasury)

Now there were 18 camels and he divided them among the persons.

1/2 of 18 = 9
1/3 of 18 = 6
1/9 of 18 = 2

Total = (9+6+2=17 camels!!)

Thus he divided the inheritance - 9:6:2 and the 1 camel was returned back to the treasury.

MashaAllah!

2. A man died and his will (Wasiyat) was read. In it he mentioned three things.

He had a daughter and three slaves.

He wanted one of the slaves to marry his daughter and have half his wealth
He wanted one of the slaves to have only half his wealth
He wanted one of the slaves to be killed

He had not mentioned which slave in either of the cases.

So the slaves went to Amirul Mumineen, Syedna Ali and presented their case to him.

Syedna Ali told them that since the man had a daughter, his whole wealth will go to her. If they wanted their share, they would need to kill her.

One of the slaves got up and said "I will go and kill her"
The second one said "I will accompany you, but I won't kill her"
The third one said "How can I kill the daughter of my master. He took care of me and treated me well. I will not take part in this"

It was at that moment that Syedna Ali told them

The slave who was ready to kill the daughter - was to be killed.
The slave who was ready to accompany him - was to get half the wealth
The slave who was not ready to kill the daughter - was to get half the wealth and marry the daughter.

MashaAllah.

May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet and his family, the good, the choosen, the pious.

My God it's tough to get two people married!!

2007-09-24T22:58:00.000+05:30

I have become a consultant too early in my life. Gosh, the doubts two people get when they plan to marry is almost hair tearing! I might have celebrated my friend's success prematurely. Man, I have to motivate him to keep thinking positively and picture the happy picture. Doubts about how will I support her, it's going to take me two more years to complete my studies, far distance etc etc.

Seriously everyone in this world should become Forrest Gump!!! - DON'T THINK!

I am on a mission to get three of my friends married. One who happens to be so shy that he won't talk to another girl less even glance at her. Another is this 'full of fears' and thankfully a sweet girl friend who is open to proposals. She is the most easiest to motivate and you feel happy when someone is colaborating.

I know you will ask what are their parents doing? Well they are also searching but you know this age! One listens to friends more than parents. I am doing my best to keep them positive and it's taking every ounce of energy.

Why is the thought of marriage so terrifying that one needs time to think about it? The doubts, fears and insecurities that eat up a person is darn bugging. In a way I realise how my relatives feel when they are talking to me...lol. I guess this is pay-back time.

Anyways, I have done my best and now the rest is in their hands. At the end, if it's in their kismet, takdeer, naseeb - they will marry each other else someone else.

End of file

The changing Indian youth

2007-09-22T22:58:00.000+05:30

If anyone of you still thought that India was still traditional and maintained it’s culture especially when it comes to ‘No love between boys and girls’, welcome to the new India, not only urban but rural as well.

Seven years back when I started my degree studies’, talking to a guy friend was frowned upon. Having a group of friends was fine but you shouldn’t be particularly attached to anyone and complete no-no to private calls, meetings etc.

Today, it’s the in-thing to talk about your boyfriend. Descriptive graphics of how the fairy tale began and what are the hurdles that the two have to face – clash in castes, in languages, in religions. How the two meet secretly if they are staying with their parents and how openly they go out if they live in hostel.

During my college days, we used to frown upon the girl flirt. The girls doing their masters were addressed as ‘Didi’ – sister and they used to take care of the first years, fresh out of home. If they found some guy talking too much to a girl, they would talk to her indirectly and give her hints- just because she was away from home and found new freedom, she didn’t have to go the bad way.

Indian upright women are traditional, uphold their culture, their religion, are hardworking in their studies and profession, have good friends and settle for a partner their parents would be happy with. They marry the man their parents select for them, with their approval of course (I’m talking about the positive scenario assuming no coercion); having a boyfriend is beneath them. It’s illicit and it does not go well on the values that they have been brought up on.

After all, if having a boyfriend was an okay thing, then why would the girls hide it from their parents? Why would they feel out of place among good girls who have a clean background? Why the sudden sense of shame when their elders find out about it? Why all the justifications they need to make as to why they have a boyfriend. Why the doubts that they may/ may not marry their boyfriend?

At the moment though, the tables are turning. These forward girls are proud they have someone to call them, pay for their bills and supplement their pocket money. They show off that they are hotter, more in demand then those who don’t have one. They boast of how they met and how he proposed and what all they do. Some girls ditch men regularly and think of them as past-times. ‘Honey, show me the money’ is an unconscious selection criteria.

Observing the girls who have boyfriends, one tends to notice how easy it is for the girls to lie, to go green with envy, to not trust other girls, to have false pride and gossip! They can gossip from anything to everything. The tantrums they throw and the attention they constantly crave. It amazing that their boyfriends don’t see through them. But then these men themselves are of questionable character.

The trend is high in the north and picking up in the south. Today’s 60% of India’s population is getting affected by the western values. Though some still think arranged marriage is better they constitute of a small number of youth. Media, magazines have gradually influenced India’s youth – Media itself has changed from the conservative covers to nude pictures even on daily affairs magazines like India Today. Movies have become sick double meaning films with sodomy jokes the latest flavor.

In rural India, the boys and girls are maturing fast. The misconception that since they are least exposed to the media doesn’t mean they are naïve. As told by a friend of mine, in the villages, the illicit relationships start from 5th standard!! I nearly fell from my chair.

Is this a cause to worry? Will India in another 20 years become another west where the chances of a marriage succeeding after years of living in, is 50%? Will every third child be illegitimate and cities flock with single mothers?

Will being honest to your parents cease and will the Indian values that have survived for so many generations start depleting with this new generation?

A blessed Ramadan

2007-09-22T21:12:00.000+05:30

A lot of good things are happening this Ramadan-

A few months back, a friend had called me and requested me to pray for her. Her family was looking into proposals and things were not matching. A proposal she had recieved last year was again back and they were looking into it. A few days back she gave me the good news that her engagement was fixed... to the same guy! :) Alhamdullilah.

Operation marriage - Success. The friend I was helping to get the girl he wanted to marry said yes to him! He is on 7th heaven and well you can guess the rest...

My marketing professor, Prof. Sunil Pevekar (he is from IIMA and a bank of knowledge) submitted a case study abstract to the University of Pennsylvania and it got approved! The case study was based on my Internship trimester project on franchising of pre-school education where I had done a study on their sales structure and success. Prof. Sunil is very glad and he called me and THANKED me! It's the first time, any teacher has thanked me. My throat is chocked with emotions. I pray the case gets prominence so he might get the chance to personally visit Pennsylvania and attend their forum.

and finally, I have still returned alive from the exam hall... hehe

Alhamdullilah, Thanks to God for all the good news.

What am I doing?!!

2007-09-20T17:18:00.000+05:30

If there was a fairy and she was to grant me a wish, I'd ask her - "Make me study". Honestly, seriously that is the only thing I want. I want to study. I want to study 12-16 hours a day and learn so much. There is so much in the world to know, to understand, to appreciate and to write about (especially in exams!!)

As you might have guessed, I returned from my exam and what do I say? I am not sad that I won't get through but I haven't done to my best (Get through(pass mark) has never ever been in my vocabulary. It's always 80% and above.) Why?

I don't know.

At one end I fight my 'switch off' mood that comes to me like an enemy just before my exams. I would have worked on a paper the whole trimester religiously but at the end moment, when all I have to do is revise - Bang. The electric current of my brain switches off.

I am honestly tired, angry, and frustrated at myself. It's ok if it happens once and you learn how to handle it but in my case it's a repetitive pattern that I just don't know how to break it.

As of now, while typing this, I realised that the only way to avoid complete black out is to be with my friends and study partner. Even if my mind goes 'Stop', they'll be there to push some bit of information here and there and who knows? I might just achieve my target.

Somewhere I read - United we stand, Divided we fall - so now I'm going into a united strategic alliance with my classmates. I no longer trust my own resources and capabilities. My core compentency will take off when I sign a joint venture, even though I might be the stronger company but I need a partner who back up power for the exams.

How Ramadan changes a person... or brings out the true person

2007-09-17T22:33:00.000+05:30

I have been conciously observing myself and my friends ever since Ramadan started. In this holy month, the shetan are chained. They can not tempt men or whisper in their ears to do a bad thing or not do a good thing. This is a blessed month where the true person, the true soul is seen...

In the other months for a person to get up and pray fajr is difficult. He on one hand fights his sleep, his tiredness and on the other, whispers of satan to make him go to sleep. 'Pray later or not pray at all'. In Ramadan though, the person will set the alarm and wake up even before it rings. His heart anticipates that it's time to get up and glorify his Lord.

In other months, telling a lie would come easily and one could walk away without feeling guilty but in Ramadan, one avoids lies. In a situation where he is stuck he will give a vague answer but be conscious that he does not lie.

In other months, if one has not had food he cannot concentrate. His mind constantly rings 'I have to eat! I am hungry!' but in Ramadan, a peace decends on him. His mind is on his work, his prayers, his family...

In other months, being messy, throwing your clothes on the bed thinking you would fold them later or letting the wash basket overflow before doing the laundry would be okay, but in Ramadan, the moment one enters, he consciously keeps his stuff neatly, his bed clean,his cupboard arranged and his clothes washed and pressed.

In other months, one can waste away moments, minutes, hours chatting, playing games, but in Ramadan one prays, reads Quran Shariff, does tasbhi, dua every spare moment, to make use of every opportunity, every second before this month slips away.

In other months, giving charity is tough. One thinks twice before giving but in Ramadan one hurriedly removes not coins but notes to give to a poor soul.

In other months, calling guests, cooking is a once in a while occassion, but in Ramadan, people compete to have rozdars at their home, to eat and drink in their homes, to pray for them and have their past sins forgiven.

In other months, school work, job, career, ambition take the front seat but in Ramadan, it's only God and God alone who is our first thought and last thought.

In other months, it's so hard to complete the Quran Shariff, but in Ramadan it's so easy. People read each ayyat eagerly, knowing one full Quran Shariff sawab has been recorded with every verse read.

Truely Ramadan is the most blessed of the blessed months

The most beautiful of the sacred months
The month when the true and good nature of our brothers is seen

A month I pray that lasts long and it's effects, it's junoon remain with us for the rest of the year, till inshaAllah, next Ramadan. Amin

A sweet proposal

2007-09-16T10:40:00.000+05:30

Continuing the topic on marriage, I recieved the sweetest proposal from the sweetest little boy in this world.

"shahra ramadhan mubarak.may Allah bless you abundantly n shower his blessings on u.i am looking for a girl to marry,so i would propose to u first.and if u r to turn me down then which other best person to look for me my partner since u know me well.in fact u r the only girl who knows me?thanking u with the deepest affection and gratefullness."

That is my cute little cousin who is three years younger to me!! Awwww, I mean I know he wrote it out of affection and it's not a real proposal but it still made my day! Murtaza and I became good friends when he started high school and I would tutor him. I left for India soon for my degree and he said he missed his teacher! Once he had a horrible deskmate so I went to his school and talked to his class teacher. She was a kind lady and she got the class rearranged. I didn't tell him that. When he came home the next day he told me "Guess what the good news is?" I just smiled, I knew!

When I returned to Kenya, he was his in 12th and the first thing he wanted was for me to make his study time table. Needless to say, Alhamdullilah he did well - On his own! He is my little brother, my friend, my confidant and one with whom I feel three years younger ;) lol

God bless him and may he find a wonderful partner! Amin.

Operation: Marriage

2007-09-15T21:40:00.000+05:30

I am helping a friend of mine get the girl he wants to marry :) and it's fun! I think I should become a marriage counsellor. I mean men can be stuck at the simplest question as to 'Why do you want to marry me?' lol, God help him after marriage.

I sincerely pray she accepts his proposal. It's endearing to see someone so sincere, who wants to marry in order to fulfil his religious commitments and has selected a life partner for her inherent qualities.

It's got me thinking that may be I should start thinking about it too. Not that I have never thought. Even if I don't, I have a truck load of relatives to remind me. I'm Alhamdullilah, content with my life, my studies and my family and friends. Its when I see a little child walking towards his mother that I feel "Awwww" I think children are the tempting carrots for marriage.

I remember I once had a conversation with a friend. I had told her that in a relationship, everything seems magical when you are getting to know each other, you talk about your past lives- right from your childhood to what you aim to achieve in life. And then what? There is nothing more to say and all that excitement will be gone. She told me something that I would never forget: "That is why you should have children. Then each day will be exciting. You will never know what they will do". This was one of the 'wow' moments of my life when I realised something, I had never realised.

I have nothing against marriage. It must be one of the most beautiful relationships one can have. The thought that someone is going to be there for you, for the rest of your life is surely comforting. It's when I see someone getting married, I marvel at their courage. The first thought that comes to my mind is 'Wow, she got the courage to marry!" I actually admire the *courage* a person has to marry. The courage to give someone authority over you, to love you, to hurt you, to accept the responsibilities that come along, the dynamics of juggling home, work, in-laws, friends and your partner! they must be super men and women. My hats off to them.

As for me, let me fly, high and far till I decide, it's time to stop, to find a mate and build a nest.

The beautiful Dua of Shehre Ramadan

2007-09-12T21:25:00.000+05:30

This dua is prayed after every fardh namaz. In Mombasa, the dua is heard from the different minarets and it creates a magical moment. Just like the adan's of different masjid's merge into a mesmerising chorus.

Please remember me in your duas...

Ramadan Mubarak :-)

Punishment of the grave

2007-09-12T10:06:00.001+05:30

Disclaimer: This post has been the most viewed on my blog. I have simply shared an email that I recieved. After reading please verify from your own searches.

A friend sent me an email below and I can't tell you how distressed and scared I am. The photo's are so terrifying. May Allah Taala protect us from this end and forgive all our sins. Amin.

Email:

On this photo a 18-year old young man who died in one of hospitals of Oman. The corpse of the boy has been dug out from a tomb in 3 hours after his funeral under the insisting of his father. The boy died in hospital and has been buried under the Islamic law and on the same day after obligatory ablution of the body. However after funeral the father has doubted of the diagnosis of doctors and wanted to identify the true reason of his death.

Relatives and his friends shocked when they saw the corpse. He was completely different within 3 hours. He turned grey as the very old man, with traces of obvious tortures and the most severe beating, with the broken bones of hands and legs, with the edges broken and pressed into a body.

All His body and face were full of bruise. The open eyes-showed hopeless fear and pain. The blood obviously attributes that the boy has been subjected to the most severe torture.

Close relatives of the dead man have addressed to Islamic scientists who have unequivocally declared that it is available results of tomb torture which the Allah ( s.w.t) and in the Hadis of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) have warned.

The shocked father of the boy has admitted that his son was spoilt, did not do Solat, and had a carefree way of life, having involved in different sins.

Each died person comes across tests in the tomb for exception Shahids who died in Jihad on the way of Allah. This is first terrible test which the person comes across before the Doomsday.

In Hadis of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w):
- After the death the spirit of died person will return to a body then two Angels will come, Munkar and Nakir, and will ask: "Who is your Lord?" he will answer: "my Lord - Allah ". Then they will ask: "What is your religion?" he will answer: "My religion - Islam". Then they will ask him: "Who that person who has been sent to you?" he will answer: "He is the Prophet of Allah ". Then they will ask him: "How do you know?" He will answer: "I read the Book of Allah and trusted Him.

And then from heavens the voice will come: " My Slave has told the truth, lay it to bed from Paradise and open the Gate of Paradise " - then it will be full of pleasure and he begins to feel paradise pleasure, and his tomb becomes spacious, that eyes can reach.

The Prophet of Allah Muhammad (s.a.w) said about the sinners. After the death the spirit of died person will return to the body then two Angels will come and ask, "Who is your Lord?" he will answer: "I do not know". Then they will ask: " Who that person who has been sent to you?" he again will answer: I "do not know" - and then from the sky the voice will come: "he told a lie, Put him into a box from fire and open before it the Gate of a hell! "-then it will be captured with heat of the hell, and his tomb becomes narrow and the edges will be compressed.

In Hadis it is also said, that Angels will severely beat the sinners during interrogation in the tomb and this torture will be awful. It is informed also, that our Messenger ( s.a.w) supplicated to Allah to protect Him from tortures of a tomb and asked other people to do so.

The history of 18-year old young men is a sign for believers and this is only next fairy tale for whom hearts are sealed by Allah. They look and do not see, listen and do not hear?

This story was translated from other language into English. That's why I apologize in advance for mistakes

Life is truly a box of chocolates :)

2007-09-10T17:46:00.000+05:30

Chocolate recieved - 'Shopping before exams'

Tomorrow this time I will be rushing out of the exam hall to attend congregational prayers JIT (Just-in-Time) and what am I upto?? Shopping! Loads and loads of shopping. I haven't shopped like this in a million years.

Before you guys get any ideas, it was all my dear sister. A friend is going to states and so my sis has sent a whole list. Actually her lists consist of 'books and some of my clothes in the cup board'. I mean!! I told her I'd do shopping for her. My bro-in-law is like please do! You have better choice. LOL. Well so I took full advange of being the 'Shopper' and indulged myself into buying what I feel will look good on my sis. I just reached home and like an excited kid opened up all the bags and purchases - I'm still a funky little kid yaar! I bought navy blues and hot reds and mango yellows. I got white jeans!! I bought formals, casuals and after a long time - Skirts! In fact my skirts selection are rather good :). Ok, my sis, the nerdy professor must be reading this and getting a heart attack so I will let the suspense lie till she get's her new ward robe ;) hehe

It's a shopping chain in our family. My darling masi shops for me when she goes to Mumbai or gujrat. Not that I don't have a taste in rida but my masi is constantly travelling hopping on one plane to another and she knows all the colors I have. :) So masi shops for me and I shop for my sis. Anyways, I really think one should go on a spree shopping once a while. They say it's therapy. lol. No don't worry, I am not a shopper leave aside a shopper holic! But my sis beats me to it. She is anti - shopping. If at all she decided to shop, she'd drag me along and she'd drag me to shops were prices are fixed so she doesn't have to hangle. I tell her you should bargain! Sometimes she does get good deals- which so far - has been just once.

As for my studies, they are going on well. I am scared of Advance financial accounting and Corporate tax coz they need a lot of practise (that I haven't done). As for the remaining, I will take it as it comes. Like my study partner tells me "We have survived so far, we'll make it through". Amin to that!

I want to be - Forest Gump

2007-09-07T22:27:00.000+05:30

I don't remember when I watched 'Forest Gump' first time. May be a few years back. I was so touched by the movie and the character 'Forest Gump' and how well Tom Hanks had played the role. Well, in the routine course of the day, the movie was soon forgotten until now.

Namrata has a few collection of movies and one of them is 'Forest Gump'. As an ice breaker from studies, I decided to treat myself (I completed one subject! :) ). I watched the movie and wow, what a wonderful film, what a wonderful story.

I like Forest Gump because he is such a simple guy. Everything is just 'I'm Forest, Forest Gump", Mama, and Jenny. I wish I could think like Forest. - He doesn't think. He takes life as it comes, doesn't complicate things, is loyal, loves one from his heart and keeps loving them irrespective of what they do. It didn't matter to him that Jenny didn't stay back with him or that he kept loosing her to her gypsy ways. At the end, his love returns to him.

Forest on his part is so open, child like and lovable. Jenny on the other hand is messed up and her intentions are questionable. E.g., why does she come to Alabama? because she had no where to go - probably wanted to take-it-easy from her night and brawl life. She gives birth to Forest's child but never let's him know. It's only when she finds out she is 'sick with some virus' does she call him. I find her weak, stupid and selfish.

But she looks beautiful to us - why? because we see her through Forest's eyes. The magic of love? From Forest's view, he got his Jenny, after all those years of waiting and he got a lovely child. Patience pays its way. It's almost heartbreaking when she says 'I love you' as she lies in bed, sick.

Watching the movie makes me wish for so many things -

I wish I were like Forest Gump. I wish I had a thinking system just like him. I wish I could be as loyal a friend as him, I wish I could love with his kind of purity, through years and through all partings.

'No Sir, Thank you but not now'

2007-09-06T21:26:00.000+05:30

Dexler Information Systems is a growing SAP consulting and training firm. It has grown exponentially for the past five years. Currently it has 100 employees and is looking forward to recruiting 400 more. Their sales is handled by two people only and thus the need for MBA students from a good enough school to help them expand their corporate sales. The reason why they have only two people handling their sales is because business has always come their way. However, they realise that since they want to grow larger, bigger, they have to venture out in the market and find corporates, business interested in their products. In other words, make them interested.

The current and immediate requirement is for around four candidates. We were sixteen and after the pre placement talk, he gave us the choice to decide if we wanted to move further. My friend, Dev in the middle of the PPT( Pre-Placement-Talk) said 'Let's go'. He is interested in core finance. I was thinking

'1. Sales- targets, traffic, unknown people, lots of smiling, a lot of buttering and sleepless nights thinking about 'targets'.

2. Small company - good growth potential. Good learning not only sales but also about SAP through the consultants. Decent pay. Can shift laterally after a year or two in sales.'

Sales - O.K., why not. It'd be fun.
Small company - Nice. Cozy. Lots of learning.

Catch: "We need immediate joinees." Talked to the guy who gave the PPT and asked him if I had a choice to join after 5th term. He said if they would still want people, they'll come to the college else for now, it's immediate.

That pretty much decided it for me. On the way back, Dev and I made a decision to apply to companies only at the end of 5th term. But you know to see a cake and not want to eat it! When we reached college, we talked to one of our friends in the placement cell, he said "There a few very good companies coming so don't miss out on those." I could feel my friend wavering from his stand.

Anyways I am pretty sure I want to join only after 5th term. I'd like to complete my thesis in 6th term. Have three months of research work and paper writing. May be go on field. However, as per the situation, it might be stretching it too far. So well 5th is the least I'm willing to bend to.

No to any companies till then.

My first MBA job interview

2007-09-05T19:57:00.000+05:30

Tomorrow is my first MBA job interview at Dexler Information Systems.

Profile : Sales Manager for SAP Products

I have a written test, GD and interview round at the company.

Why I applied for it - It's IT dude! and I have IT background and I learnt how to sell seating in a class room so I thought hey, am perfect for this job..LOL

Actually, I just want to check out the recruitment process and even see how I fit in. I want to know what sort of topics they'd give for GD and what questions they'd ask.

Problem - There are a few students who really want this job and I hope I am not going to eliminate them at any levels. I'm pathetic at maths, avg at GD and so-so in interviews but I still care about the others! hehe :)

Escape route - If I feel they like me, I'm going to ask double the package they are offering. Naughty naughty :). I can already picture their expression - 'Mad or what?!'

Well really, this is not my kind of job i'd LOVE to do. Just going for the 'Interview Exprience'. Let you know tomorrow how it goes.

Best thing out of this - Am reading about SAP, ERP, DB and in turn studying half my syllabus of Database Management Systems :)

My Insititute's Ad!!

2007-09-04T05:12:00.001+05:30

I hardly check YouTube and was pleasantly surprised to see an Ad of my Institute. I really liked the way this ad is made. Totally cool. The campus is of Delhi. Now I feel like doing my last trimester in Delhi..lol What say you?

Study Time Table

2007-09-04T03:31:00.000+05:30

Well I finally got my time table made :)

Thank God because now I feel all is not lost and I do have time to study and make up. I am falling short by 56 hrs which I will make up during the exam dates. The time table is not out as yet. I have one week to go before the exams begin.

In short - Gotta study hard, fast and 12 hrs each day.

This is one part of the time table. The other one side shows the time and which subject I plan to study. Each subject has it's own file with the syllabus, number of topics to be covered, study material and remarks.

My files are arranged and a few slides that I don't have, have mailed my profs and friends to send them to me. As for books - I think the IIM library will have to do. I have a few and the rest will be lib,friends and net :)

Ambition - What's your ambition?

2007-09-03T19:22:00.000+05:30

There are many times I have wondered why I'm not 'Ambitious'. By ambitious I mean that go-get-it feeling, fire-in-the-belly, I'm going to make it etc etc. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd rate myself a 6. I wouldn't want to lay back and do nothing, I do want to do something and do it well so that at the end of the day or life, I can look back and smile contently.

A few of my questions were answered in class. My HR and Organizational Behavior professors would discuss how people are different. You can't expect the same thing from each one. That is why we have job profiles and roles. A painter could not do the work of an engineer. You could train him to be an engineer but he'd be miserable. Same with an engineer. He likes to make stuff, experiment around and debug. He won't be happy as a human resource manager trying to understand people and how they work. He mostly understand programmes or buildings.

Makes sense?

So how is this related to ambition? Well in a way trying to link myself as to what kind of person I am and what role, what job description suits me most. I know instinctively I am more right brain - creative kind but at the same time a good does of left brains (I can count! :) ) Probably, that's the reason why I could fit in any job role yet what I really do want to do is two things:

a) To teach

b) To write

Teaching - I wanted to be a teacher since 12Th grade. I remember the time when we were applying for our under graduation courses for the University of Nairobi, I had kept B.Ed as my first choice. My teachers and classmates were shocked. According to them, teaching was the last thing one selected if they couldn't get into any of the other degrees. They expected me to select Medicine or Dentistry since I was their top student. I decided to let go a that moment. I wanted to be a University professor. If I took up B.Ed I'd be a high school teacher - which is also cool. I think teenagers are adorable, full of energy and creative ideas. Along the way, through my degree, the rush for a career made me forget about teaching. Now, it's all come back. In my mind, I keep thinking of new ways to teach - not the standard classroom teaching, but getting my students on the streets, if I'm teaching them sales, I throw a challenge to them. Have a game - divide the class into teams. Give them a bunch of balloons for e.g. and tell them - Select your target market, make your strategies, and get me the end figure. You have exactly one hour. I picture them running to the streets and actually selling! I strongly believe that would help a student especially one who has never sold a thing in his life, how the whole system actually works. All this is done withing the class hours and at the end, I ask them to write a short write-up and what they learnt using 'Sales Management' language :)

Writing - Writing is a therapy. It helps calm one's racing thoughts, arrange them, express them, move someone to tears, communicate with someone totally unknown yet make them feel, you know them well. It's a weapon through which you could spread your ideas, thoughts, change the way people think, change their perception, make their world beautiful, give them hope. Writing enables millions of people to read and know millions of things. Writing is your way of spreading your knowledge and sharing it with others.

There, the two most attractive livelihood that make me sit up, make me think and make me move. This is how ambitious I am. I could run a business 10/10 or join a firm 8/10 , I could decide a million other things, but in my heart the two most special roles I'd like to play is that of a teacher and that of a writer. 6/10.

Now I ask you - How ambitious are you? :)

End of one schedule...reads 'Start of another!'

2007-09-02T16:44:00.000+05:30

This is my crazy crazy schedule which I love apart for Corporate Tax on saturday evening!! Who is the right frame of mind remembers Sections numbers of the Indian Tax Act at 5.30 pm on a saturday?!

Now it's all over. Done. Finito.

I have to now make a new schedule for the next ten days for my exam prep. I think Exam time is the most taxing and well you'd be getting tired of hearing me say over and over.. I become a Zombie. Thankfully my study partner has not yet given up hope on me and is still encouraging me to 'make my mood'.

Ramadan is starting in another 10 days!! Wow so fast... I'm looking forward to Ramadan because I find it the most peaceful month. InshaAllah I will be able to study better too. I wish 11 months in the year were Ramadan and only 1 month a normal month. Crazy? I don't know, I love Ramadan, the adhan sounds from the minerats and the Ramadan dua, prayer 'Allahuma haza shahre-ramadan...'

Sincere prayers for me dear friends! I really need them!!

Next post InshaAllah - My study time table :)

Book Review: The Kite Runner

2007-09-02T16:11:00.000+05:30

I got a hold of this book on the streets of Chennai. I had gone to Landmark and Book Paradise but the Rs. 350 price tag was causing a huge dent on my monthly allowance so I thought.. later, later, even though I was dying to read Khaled Hosseini's first novel. Having read his amazing book 'A thousand splendid suns' Lucky for me I got one off the streets and what do I say? I am as usual left shocked, dazed and tearful.

The Kite Runner is the story about Aamir, his story about his childhood in Kabul where his family was his father 'Baba', his servant Ali and Ali's son Hassan who is a year younger than Aamir. Aamir and Hassan grow up together and their childhood is an idealistic one, spent on tree branches, kite flying and story telling. Until, that one incident that shakes up their relationship.

Aamir feels guilty of not having the courage to stand up for his friend cum servant. A timid boy, a huge contrast from him powerful strong father, he resorts to ending his contact with Hassan. Years later, after he leaves for USA to flee from the war in Afghanistan, he is called back. To be good- by rescuing Hassan's son.

Aamir's character come's up as a weak and normal person who can sail in calm waters but when the storm seeps in, he bolts. He is gifted with a talent of story-telling and eventually becomes an author. The novel is like Aamir's personal journal or autobiography and at the end, one is amazed to know that 'Weakness' can become a crime in itself. Aamir has not hurt a soul but the failure to stand up for his friend makes him insomic and he is left with a feeling of cowardice. A terrible feeling to live with.

Hassan on the other hand is the adorable, perfect little boy and gentleman. A man born in a million. He's devotion to Aamir, his faith in God, his love towards his family - wife and child makes you love him and mourn for what happened to him.

Baba comes across as one of the strong men- set in tradition, of honor and courage. A go getter who makes life, gives lives, and questions about the existence of God. He follows the customs of the islamic world, yet does not believe in them. His drinking, and his abominable sin which is the surprise twist in the plot makes one wonder, how could a man do that. How could he keep his one son as a prince, his heir and his other as his servant. The son of a man he himself grew up with and grew to love. It's shocking and disturbs one greatly.

These three characteristics stand out in my mind when I think of 'The Kite Runner'. Among all, Hassan is the character I relate to. He is to me the perfect man who I write of, sincere and dedicated and loyal till the end. He is the best part of 'The kite runner'

At the end of the story we see Aamir struggling to win the affection and trust of Shorab, Hassan's son. Just as Hassan had done for Aamir's. Ironically, the tables have turned and Hassan's words for Aamir 'For you, a thousand times over' were the same words spoken by Aamir for Shorab.

Beautiful, tragic, heartbreaking.

How to handle someone who thinks u did a worse job then them?

2007-08-28T11:47:00.000+05:30

Ok here's something new- I have been accused of changing the whole presentation a team member made and because of that our presentation flopped.

Reality-

1. I am the only strong player in my team
2. My team in not even the remotest way how to analyse and collect relevant data
3. My team are my friends so I stick to them
4. I did not work on the presentation
5. I did a last minute job of 'saving the day' by trying to get together a couple of slides (including those done by the grudging player
6. We flopped terribly

Result- I get blamed by just the grudging player who made a few slides that since I changed it, we failed

Reports- Calls of distress to other members over 45 minutes lamenting what I thought of myself

Latest- High avoidance and mistrust

Solution - Let me think about it.

Solved- I went and talked to her and cleared the air. Told her she should say frankly if she is not happy about how the slides are and besides, it was a last minute thing so we couldn't have expected a great show. She understood and was like 'No-no, I didn't mean like that..." Well good. Things back to normal.

Lessons-

1. Make the slides 2 days before the presentation
2. Accept the fact that I have HAVE have to train my group members
3. before I do that, I have to train myself

Should I be someone else?

2007-08-27T21:49:00.000+05:30

"Should I be someone else?"

This is a question I am sure many of us have asked at least once every year. Today I am not really asking the question because, Alhamdullilah (Praise to God) I'm quite content with who I am (Apart from the constant fight with time management and infinite others).

However, when you come across someone who speaks at a higher tone that yours and is so full of opnions as to how people should be, should live, should dress and talk, you start comparing yourself with their set of criteria and then Screeech! Hello, this person is probably one of the most insecure person hiding behind the face of 'Attitude' and why am I listening??!!

I have noticed that there are a lot of such people and the best way to handle them is 'Cool indifference'. You give them the feeling that you are least interested in what they think and do, they stop bothering you with their 'Opinions'. Indifference is a very strong tool. It's neither a rude nor a 'walk-over-me' response. It just tells the person that look, here is a person who is interested in something else. What I do and think is not her problem.

I do agree that there are times when I feel I should be more outgoing, more outspoken, if someone tries to be cheeky with me -> I be triple cheeky ;) but then what will I get? A momentary victory that 'Hey, buddy don't think you can get smart with me' while inevitably I would have hurt his/her feelings. God help me coz I end up feeling bad if I have demeaned a person or brought him down to earth from his hi5 thoughts. So not for his peace, but rather for mine, I leave them alone. Of course some of them think, this girl has no fighting spirit - You are right. I don't want to fight with your satan. I am struggling enough with mine.

My resolution - I am happy to be who I am. I hope to make improvements coz I'm anyways my own worse critic. I don't like the way I write, I don't like the way I study, I don't like the way I pray and .... At each point I say 'This is not you, you can do better. Or this is terrible. Shame on you. Or what the hell is wrong with you!" What more could you want from a poor soul like me :)

Project Planning

2007-08-25T10:02:00.000+05:30

Prepare a project execution plan using the above inputs. The project should not be more than three months.

Change Management - One of the most valuable lessons MBA has taught me

2007-08-24T22:28:00.000+05:30

One of the most valuable lessons I have learn in my MBA is Change Management. In brief, without any stories, these are golden points one needs to remember while going through change or being the cause of change.

Change could be as simple as changing over to another toothpaste, home, city, job, work schedule or marriage!!

The phases of change

1. Initiation - The change

Frustration (Why is this happening?)
Fear/ Shock (This can't be happening!)
Indifference (Who cares)
Enthusiasm (Cool!)
Hopefulness (May be things will become better)

2. Disorientation - The unknown

Training/ discussions ( Would you mind telling me what for?)
Lack of trust (I don't know what he will say next)
Rebellion/ Sabortage (You can go by yourself, don't expect me to come)
Caution (Wait, hmmm, watch)
Uncertainity (I don't know...)
Blind acceptance ( Whatever he says is the Gospel)
Denial (This is not happening and I'm going to wake up!)

3. Reorientation - The adjustment

Unskilled (I don't know how to do it)
In control (Ok, we can do this and then this and than that and this and that and this and...)

4. Integration - The new 'Norm'

Accepting the change ( Alright)
Ready to change (' I do' ..lol)

HOW YOU HANDLE THE CHANGE (Especially if you are the change maker)

Stay patient
Stay positive
Believe
Stay open to ideas
Look for answers
Ask...&...verify
Avoid assumption

The World Bank

2007-08-23T19:24:00.000+05:30

Summarised from Wikipedia

World Bank Group was established in 1945

Function

Provides low or no interest loans and grants to countries with little or no access to international credit markets

World Bank consists of:

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
( Interest rate between 0.5 – 1% for a standard Bank loan)

The International Development Association (IDA)
IDA’s loans are interest free

1947 First and largest loan to FRANCE for $250 million for post-war reconstruction

185 member countries, shareholders, represented by a Board of Governors, the ultimate policy makers of the Bank.

24 on-site Executive Directors

The five largest shareholders;

France
Germany
Japan
United Kingdom
United States

The President (currently Robert Zoellick, five-year term) is, by tradition, a US citizen nominated by the United States; the bank’s largest shareholder.

The World Bank’s activities are focused on

Reduction of global poverty
Implementation of sustainable development
Developing an environment for investment and jobs
Investment in and empowerment of the poor
Analytical and advisory services
Educating members

The four key factors necessary for economic growth and the creation of a business environment

Capacity Building – Strengthening governments and educating government officials

Infrastructure creation – implementation of legal and judicial systems for the encouragement of business, the protection of individual and property rights and the honoring of contracts

Development of Financial Systems – the establishment of strong systems capable of supporting endeavors from micro credit to the financing of larger corporate ventures

Combating corruption – Eradicating corruption to ensure optimal effect of actions

The Bank obtains funding for its operations primarily through the IBRD’s sale of AAA-rated bonds in the world’s financial markets.

The IDA obtains the majority of its funds from forty donor countries who replenish the bank’s funds every three years, and from loan repayments, which then become available for re-lending.

Types of loans

Investment loans
For the support of economic and social development projects
Development policy loans.
Quick finance to support countries’ policy and institutional reforms.
Grants
The Bank also distributes grants for the facilitation of development projects through the encouragement of innovation, cooperation between organizations and the participation of local stakeholders in projects.

Role of IMF

2007-08-23T19:13:00.000+05:30

Source

What the IMF Does

The work of the IMF is of three main types.

Surveillance involves the monitoring of economic and financial developments, and

the provision of policy advice, aimed especially at crisis-prevention.

The IMF also lends to countries with balance of payments difficulties, to provide temporary financing and to support policies aimed at correcting the underlying problems; loans to low-income countries are also aimed especially at poverty reduction.

Third, the IMF provides countries with technical assistance and training in its areas of expertise.

Supporting all three of these activities is IMF work in economic research and statistics.

In recent years, as part of its efforts to strengthen the international financial system, and to enhance its effectiveness at preventing and resolving crises, the IMF has applied both its surveillance and technical assistance work to the development of standards and codes of good practice in its areas of responsibility, and to the strengthening of financial sectors.

The IMF also plays an important role in the fight against money-laundering and terrorism

Strengthening the International Financial System
Transparency
Standards and Codes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Data Standards Established to guide countries in the provision of their economic and financial data to the public

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Transparency Facilitates surveillance of economic policies by country authorities, financial markets, and international institutions.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transparency in Monetary & Financial Policies Principles related to transparency for monetary and financial policies that central banks and financial agencies should seek to achieve

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Financial Sector
Financial Sector Assessment Program (FSAP)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assessments of Offshore Financial Centers (OFCs)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anti-Money Laundering

Crisis Resolution

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What kind of stress is this?

2007-08-22T21:00:00.000+05:30

We had a presentation on stress management. we exceeded our limit by 100% and according to my friends, had ended up presenting a whole PhD thesis on stress, different kinds, symptoms, solutions etc.

It get's me thinking that what kind of stress am I in? It's definitely not acute or chronic. May be distress or hypo stress - where I am underchallenged and bored. Not that I have any reason not to be challenged. I have plenty but it's the initiative to take up the challenge. Someone must do a research on that! Knowing you have the skills and ability to do a task, yet you have no initiative!!

Careless, irresponsible, lazy is the only 'unprogressive' words that come to my mind when we think of how everything today has been given fancy funda's and major theories. Theory of laughter (It's now no longer so easy to laugh. you need to study how to do that). I read a caption earlier "Science has progressed far. What was once an itch and now an allergy!" Same to management my dear, same to management.

At times I feel, sitting in a class, learning how to plan, learning how to sell, learning how to handle people is really just the icing on the cake. No one buys a cake for it's icing. It's the cake, the substance beneath that holds the show. The icing is used to just attract - Hey, look at me, I'm the best, delicious cake you can have.

However, at the end of the day, you get the work done (forget effective and efficient!! -uhhh those words are like monsters for MBA students) and you're wanted. You don't meet the target, you can't handle your boss or the office politics, you can't handle your emotions (Stress!), off you go maam, out of the door.

Next time anyone of you meet some MBA, feel pity for him. His common sense has just been reprogrammed into theories and principles. God help his soul.

Lal Bagh Flower Show - 7th to 15th August

2007-08-17T23:55:00.000+05:30

Chennai - "People makth a place"

2007-08-16T11:01:00.000+05:30

Chennai is one of the metropolitan cities of India. How huge it is, I have no idea. (Google search anyone :-) Just Kidding) I have begun to fairly get a sense of direction about what is where. It's amazing how places don't matter when you have people you love around you.

Few years back, Chennai was a place I was not so happy to go to. I had eyes judging me and watching my every move. I was filled with fear and apprehension when I left for Chennai and when I used to come back - of guilt. Guilt that I was probably not a good person, guilt built on people's expectations and wants and demands. Nope Chennai was hot, sticky and not at all friendly.

Well thankfully, that era ended and this time round I have actually begun to like Chennai. Catching an overnight train with an airbag, getting my cousin to chauffer us around the city (This is so far the city with the largest number of bill boards I've ever seen), attending a wedding where we got to eat four bowls of ice creams! It was an amazing feast. Main thing was the welcome that my aunt and uncle give us.

Well coming to what we did- drove around for almost three hours, attended the wedding lunch, caught a rickshaw to Gandhi beach and sat there for sometime. RBI (Reserve Bank of India) employees were doing a worthy cause on the Independence day of India by collecting all the rubbish they could find on the beach. They were wearing white caps with the RBI logo on the front. They had turned up with their friends and family and it great that they took out one of their precious free days to do a community service. Keep it up RBI!

Nisreen and I then decided to go for a walk till the shore and on the way passed the baloon shooter. We decided to play a game. The last time I had played was with my late friend A.Rahman. He had taught me how to shoot the baloons. This time, I hit all 12 on 12 including the flying one's. Nisreen managed 10 on 12 which means we girls are not bad shooters, eh?

After that we did the usual rounds at the malls - City Center, Spencers and Reebok. The mall culture is there in every city. What amazes me is the different kinds of goods we get. The best part was I bought books! Lots and lots and lots of books. I got "The Kite Runner" at Rs. 60 vs Rs. 350 at Landmark. I also bought a copy of "A thousand splendid suns" for my 'Boss' under whom I did my internship. I got Sidney's and Chicken soups and a puzzel book for my cousin (She is those left-brained people who hate reading and love numbers) I think it's after buying books that I feel wonderful. I now have books for the next one month and I'm looking forward to my reading :-)

Rushing back, we got ready in a frenzy for the night function. We went to the Dulah's home, saw him being wished well by his family, his sehra (face veil) being tied and finally the mount on the horse (one last chance to run away hehehe). We followed in the car and as family got V.I.P treatment. All flowers on us and being welcomed etc. Food was excellent.

At 10.30 pm, we left for the station, caught our train and had a pretty good sleep coz we were frazzeled out. Touched Bangalore by 6.00 am and home by 6.30 am on my good old scooty (Poor baby had to carry us two and our two bags!) It was a good ride coz we got no traffic and the morning breeze is amazing.

All in all, an amazing trip :)

The neighbours grass

2007-08-11T16:25:00.000+05:30

It's strange how the grass is always greener at that other end. Yesterday I was invited for Iftar at Munira ben's place. I go to her home for my afternoon prayers as her home is just a few minutes distance from my Institute. At times when I have to stay back in college for some extra studies I also pray my evening prayers at her home. God bless her.

Well so yesterday as we sat for iftar, she with her two kids, her sister's kids and I. I listened to the conversation between her and the children. They were discussing about science and optional subjects. Munira ben was scolding her nephew that he should come and take his elder brother's books, she did not tell him. A choke rose my throat as I realised that I didn't have this kind of family. I didn't have tiny feet pattering around my home or watch me cook or fight over bringing the dishes to the table.

At twenty five, I had as a child dreamt I would have at least three kids. I am very happy for what I am today and what I have, it's when you see something you don't have that you feel that tug in your heart. I had the strangest dream the other night where I saw my daughter. I was carrying her in my arms. She was a copy of me as a child..lol.. yet I still remember the feeling so well of holding her and she looking up to me. Tell that to my comedian friend Devendra and he said "First dream about your husband and then your child!"

All in good time I hope. :-)

I wrote it!

2007-08-08T10:40:00.000+05:30

Well I finally got down to submit my essay on an environmental cause. I choose to write on Global warming and Prof. Raj liked it! I guess it was worth spending four hours on it even though that meant loss of two classes! :(

You can read the essay on my stories blog here

I just realised that I cannot write any technical articles. I freeze when someone asks me to use jargons and fundas. I started reading 'Blue Ocean Strategy' and was actually getting mad! I just could not understand the technical language. I told Prof. Sunil about it and he told me "You have to come to the level where you can understand it". He was so kind that he took a whole lecture on Blue ocean strategy to give an outline about what the book was proposing. He's a big fan of the book and says it's something totally new.

So well I will read it now, hopefully understanding the book. At the same time, I am now going to try my hand in writing technical papers. You never know, I might one day just write a management book! InshaAllah!

Musings

2007-08-07T07:38:00.000+05:30

I'm facing the writer's block!!

I have to write an article for environmental cause and I simply am not able to! Prof. Raj is expecting it today and just look at me! I am not able to write even a bit. This is what happens to me during a deadline. I just hate when there is a fixed time limit to anything.. whether it's exams or assignments or submissions.

This trimester... trust me I have improved loads!! I had a 'disorder' of late submission of at least 3/10 and this trim, it's cut down to 0. Zero because I simply couldn't complete one so I did submit an unfinished assigment for which I may get just a mark.

As for last trim, I was late for all my three projects and you know what happened to my internship report!

The same happens with exams. Though thanks to my dad, I'm reading a this how to study book and getting to know a lot of tips and smarter ways of time management and completing the course ware before time etc.

Now you are wondering how I manage to do well in exams, right? lol.. if I can't submit my assignments on time and I can't study under pressure, then how in this world do I manage to get through??

That's where I have always believed in the dua, the prayers, of my family and friends. It's their love and their prayers for me that have always gotten me through.

When I was in Christ College, someone asked me how I managed to get 93% (O.K. I do study well but I still am not happy as to how I study!) I told them it's all because of God. I strongly believe that it's My Lord who gets me through. I sometimes feel I don't deserve what I get. I get far more than I ever expected... but for it I am always always thankful.

Well these are just thoughts off my head... Am writing something to get myself to write. I do have this wonderful story in my mind and I suppose I don't need to worry... I just need to write. Once that is done, then revise my draft, email it to my prof and that's as good as done right? :-)

So off I go...

A stare, a friend and three ice creams!

2007-08-03T10:28:00.000+05:30

Yesterday was an upsetting day that turned quite pleasant.

I am on a cleaning spree especially for my cupboards because

a) There are too many clothes that I don't need

b) I don't like the way they are arranged

c) Too many books

d) Too many papers

so for nearly three hours I sat and filed the papers and removed two bags of junk.. envelops and outdated documents. I filed the papers in different files and realised why I liked administration. I'm not the neat psycho that my sister is. ( You keep your jacket on the bed and she shouts at you to hang it behind the door!) However, I do love neat people and neat homes so I'm going to be conscious. My wardrobe is currently haywire and I intend to wire it up may be tomorrow.. yeah.. Saturday is a good day for arranging ;)

Well, after my cleaning spree I went to college and on the staircase I met one of my professors for whom I have great regard. I don't know why and what, but he didn't want to greet me! Imagine the hurt of this little heart. I told him "Good morning Sir" and he stared at me! Stared! And trust me there was enough time to give a response but nope.

I went to class and my Macroeconomics Prof. was teaching us Inflation half of which went off my head as I was thinking what wrong I had done to get that kind of a cold stare... well it was not a 'cold stare', just a stare that made me so cold. I told Dev and he is laughed it off. Told me I was being silly just bcoz a prof didn't say 'Hello', I told my sis and she said, "He must be having a bad day, don't think soooooo much"

Therefore, I hope he had a bad day. My sis also advised me that I should have high regard for my professors but not get too attached to them that such tiny things start mattering. Well I can't help it. If I like someone, I like them all the way! Like Prof. Narayan Swamy... I think he is the coolest and he always gives us a smile when we greet him.

Well I was OK by the second lecture and enjoyed my classes. In the evening I went for prayers and met up a student from Tanzania. He is going to start his MBA at Mysore University and it's always fun to talk to people from home. The way we speak, joke, and pull each other's leg reminds you of home sweet home. May be I should go back to my dear East Africa.

And yeah.. after a long time.. I had three ice creams :-)

1st Rank - Figure that!

2007-08-01T22:33:00.000+05:30

Good news after a nail-biting period and terror of failing a paper - I get 1st rank in my 2nd trimester!!

When I got the marks card I was like 'What??!!" and quickly checked my marks for Operations Research II coz I was so scared about the paper. I was 'pleasantly' if not 'shockingly' surprised to have got 87%. I think it were subjects like Executive Communication, Web designing and ERP that saved me. I achieved a 89% and 95% respectively.

Alhamdullilah (Praise be to God!)

I have one month to go before my 4th trimester exams and with all this project management techniques we've been learning in class, I hope to do a better job this time :-)

An Unwanted Visitor

2007-07-27T15:02:00.000+05:30

Nisreen and I got up at 4.00 am to have our pre-dawn meal (We are fasting 13,14,15 this month) and guess what we saw?

A BIG BIG BIG RAT or was it a mouse?

Well anyways, I ran like a kid into the living room screaming for my mom. Only this time there was no mommy and I had to do the needful.

I closed the door of our bedroom and asked the girls to open the front door. Thankfully, the rat went out after nearly giving me a heart attack of climbing the bedroom door as I stood by it.

My God I'm terribly scared of them. I just can't bear them. Uhhhhhhhh

Book Review: A Thousand Splendid Suns

2007-07-24T12:19:00.001+05:30

I am struck by this book. When I first started reading it, I couldn’t stop. I left all other work aside and just read and read and read. This is the kind of book I hope to write one day. I found Khaled Hosseini’s way of expression quite similar to mine! In fact I feel as though we were supposed to be literary twins and got separated at birth. This is not to imply I write as astoundingly as him, but that I found myself sharing one common trait with him: Human Emotions.

Throughout the book, it’s all about emotions. He speaks of real people, real life, irrespective of what they wear, look like, live like, at the end of the day, they have the same feelings, the same heart as the rest of us.

The story is about two women. Their lives and how they end up together as co-wives. After the initial hurt, the shock, the acceptance, ‘this is my territory and this is yours’ and finally the friendship that develops between them.

This book further goes on and shows that feelings and emotions have no age. One can be a seven year old girl, a forty year old woman, a twenty eight year old battered wife with the same level of understanding.

The mental pictures that Khaled brings to mind are so vivid. One does not only see the scenes play in one’s mind but also become the character. In the first part of the book, while reading about Mariam, one can feel Mariam, be Mariam. When he switches to Laila, again, you become Laila. However, the kind of atmosphere created in reading about Mariam is the same while reading about Laila. A slight change could have worked because at this junction it took me a while to get into ‘This is Laila’. The tone, texture and expressions remained the same from Mariam to Laila. At the later part when the two come together, one end’s up feeling not knowing Mariam at all. She has become a stranger after twenty years.

The most touching part of the book is the friendship between Laila and Tariq. Especially when contrasted to the cruel Rasheed and how he would batter his wives. The letter to Mariam from her father is beautiful. It reminds one of the letters in ‘The Notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks. They speak of so much depth and love.

By the time I finished the book, I had gone through a mirage of emotions: sweet, tender, bitter, shocking, anger, wonder, relief and happiness. Happy because at the end, the book ended with hope. Hope for a better future for Laila, and for Afghanistan and its people.

Introspecting...

2007-07-21T19:30:00.000+05:30

There is always a certain sense of disappointment when you decide to check out the feasibility of a project and find the candidate system to be so-so. It can work but there is nothing exciting about it.

That is how one of my projects turned out. So-So. Earlier on there was this other project I was so die-hard willing to work on. I wanted to make it work but the client on his part was 'not' disinterested but definitely not as interested as I was. So I thought, hey if we are not putting the same zeal into it, why bother. I was tired of pouring ideas after ideas after ideas and taking all the crap from the client.."Wait.." "No..." "Yes..." "You know...." "May be..." "I feel it will work..."

STOP!

You tell me either you are into it or not. No response.

Project scrapped.

Therefore, I went out to check the other project and well, I'm not at all interested. It's so boring and I can work on it but with a dejected attitude which I hate to have. Anways, I have decided that if something really does not interest you then you shouldn't do it. At the end of the day you have not created anything great. At best something mediocore but not one you stand back and admire.

Conclusion - Unless I find an excellent project, I'm not signing. I rather do one from my heart than do one with my mind

Books Spree- Blue Ocean Strategy

2007-07-21T19:25:00.000+05:30

I got it! I got it! I finally got it! The same Santa Cruz signal before the airport for Rs.100 This is a book recommended by my Power Strageties professor so I wanted to read it plus the recent hype around it. Now, isn't me going on a book spree :-)

Books Spree - It Happened In India - By Kishore Biyani

2007-07-21T19:12:00.000+05:30

I saw this on the shelf of Big Bazaar at Koramangala and couldn't resist picking it up. It really seems for like the autobiography of a retailor and the 'sabse saata din' remembarance. I have just schemed the book and there seems no 'wow' moments where you understand a management funda.

(Actual review after I read the book)

A picture speaks a thousand words

2007-07-21T18:06:00.001+05:30

This was a snap I took in the airplane on the way back to Bangalore. I wish I could capture all the beautiful scenery. It's amazing how clouds look when you are right next to them.

This one for example has many shapes. If you look closely you will find your imagination make shapes in the clouds.

I see a baby fish fast asleep :-)

Mumbai- A city of dreams or rubbish?

2007-07-21T17:39:00.000+05:30

Mumbai – Something about the city always excited me. I think it was the local trains or the buzz and the hurry burry. May be it is the anonymity that one gets that is appealing to me. I love to get lost among the crowds. This time however, I seemed to notice all the wrong things about Mumbai.

1) Dirt
The streets are laddened with piles of rubbish as you see ‘Joppar pati’ on both sides of the railway tracks. Everything from the counters to the stair case to the roads had filth. I stayed at a friend’s home to realize they had no garbage system but rather dumped their garbage outside their homes. Shocked? Well imagine my friend is a manager in one of the big IT firms and yet he seemed to be nonchalant about it. He explained that there was no garbage collection at all. Someone would come and pick the garbage and God knows what he would do. They have a compound sweeper who collects the bits and papers that one throws so randomly from their window.

2) People

The people are so poor. It’s one thing to be poor but totally different to be poor and live filthily. They are small time road traders selling stuff at Rs. 5 ($ 0.13) to Rs. 40 ($1) however; they are not bothered about the flies and the kind of water they use, their hands, and the dirt filled nails. Does one get so dishearten by poverty that even keeping the place around them swept and neat become unthinkable? I passed through the red light areas of Mumbai and saw the way the prostitutes lined outside their box rooms wearing traffic light red lipsticks. They were not pretty. Dark in complexion and wearing gaudy colors, they looked down- graded. The taxi drivers would bat an eye while lying about the amount of fare. I was duped by Rs. 10 and I didn’t like it. Therefore, as a visitor to the city, always check with the meter list how much the exact fare is.

3) Weather

Hot, humid, rainy, damp and sticky.

The rain mixes with the garbage that is literally around the city and people walk on least bothered. You will feel hot and sticky and sweaty all the time unless you happen to be the lucky one out of a million who works in an AC office and can eat in an AC restaurant.

4) Food

Good food. As long as you don’t know how it is prepared.
Else
Cook at home
Eat at trusted brands like Coffee day or Italiano or Kobe’s.

The one restaurant you shouldn’t miss out is Delhi Durbar. You can order anything blindly and it will be delicious. I strongly recommend the Biryani’s and the Tandoor Chicken dishes.

5) Overall

It’s not the place that matters but the people. When you go to Mumbai, go with your best friend whose company you enjoy tremendously. It might fade the background and who knows, while chatting and laughing, you could drink away a glass of melon juice without noticing the flies around.

A visit to Infosys

2007-07-10T21:48:00.000+05:30

Today was an amazing day. Fifteen of us were selected based on our country presentations on MBA prospects in various countries. I happened to be one among them :-). The lucky ones got to go for a onsite company interaction and guess which company? Infosys!!!

Infosys as you all know is among the best rated software companies of India and we hold a lot of pride in it. I have been hearing about Infosys ever since I came to India for my undergraduation. Infosys came to our Chirst College campus around 2004 and a lot of my juniors got selected. During my time we had Digital Globalsoft (now 100% HP), Amphasis, Tata Elexi to mention a few. I had seen Infosys from outside many times on my way to work (HP also in Electronic City) and today I finally got to see the whole of Infosys.

We had an hour's interactive session with the Senior Vice President of Infosys, Dr. L.P. Ravindra. He has 31 years of experience and we were spell bound by the way he spoke to us.

The main topics we discussed were about why Infosys has reached were it has today, it's marketing strategy, CSR, role of an MBA at Infosys. He gave us valuable advice on how we should keep adapting, moulding, changing. He handles and E &R, Education and Research division and pioneered the concept Industry focus in colleges. Currently out of 1800 Engineering colleges in India, 400 have tied up with Infosys where Infosys conduct their training to the students and get them established in the industry. Amazing.

Everything about Infosys spelt 'Quality'. Our guide also spoke excellently and had in dept knowledge of the whole campus.

It was a great day!

Infosys Photos

2007-07-10T20:00:00.000+05:30

The internet is back

2007-07-06T19:40:00.000+05:30

Well I finally had to threaten Hathway that I would withdraw the connection and I wanted my money back to get my internet going.

I really don't like it when I need to be 'Firm' in order to get my work done. Anyways in India, it's only when you threaten to cut your connection.. whether it's your cable, your mobile or your internet that the company actually 'realises' you have a problem and solves it. Not 'Try' to solve it. Did you know there is nothing like 'Try' in this world. Either you do it or you don't!

Internship Report Done!

2007-07-04T16:11:00.000+05:30

Yahoo! I finished I finished I finished! I finished my internship report, my resume, my appraisal, my everything. Now I no longer have any tensions wrt the placement department for all is done :)

Of course my sales report is yet to be done and I need to complete it by Friday L but hey it’s close to my heart and I think I will actually have fun writing it.

Yesterday, there was chaos in the house. The gas cylinder finally came only to find it’s leaking. I got the small gas cylinder on my bike scared like a kitten. I saw myself exploding anytime if God forbid, the gas starts linking and catches a spark from my bike. Thankfully, my imaginations remained imaginations. Back at home Namrata confirmed that it could happen and it had happened to her neighbour back in Raipur. He was a young boy of twenty, twenty two and was getting the cylinder on his bike when he met with an accident and was blow off. Made me realize it’s truly very risky.

The T.V. Repair guy finally came and thanks to God, the T.V. is working fine. Some cable had died and it was making a cracking sound and the screen flashed. This is the interior snap of our T.V :)

Ok, now I am hungry coz in the hurry and adrenaline rush, I forgot this body needs food too.

Warning note: Dad called me to pass a message from the BOSS – Mom. She has ‘Commanded’ me to start exercising and begin yoga early in the morning. I just realized, you’ve got to be careful about what you say on your blog… lol

It's time to make a choice...

2007-07-02T16:00:00.000+05:30

Yesterday I 'think' I had a panic attack. This is because I was standing in the middle of the kitchen looking for something... I don't know what and I was like real scared. I suppose it's the tension of the reports I have to make. I think it's a 'perfection disorder' or something... and of course a 'delay disorder'. I got up at 5.00 am to give it a shot but after prayers I just couldn't sit. This time it was not mental but physical. My back was acting funny and even dinner became a problem for me! I just couldn't sit without feeling uncomfortable.

I seriously have to start some sport. Anything for now I don't want to became 52 instead of 25. I am at the peak of my adulthood! I should be running around the world with my back pack instead of lying down on the bed trying to make my report! What am I? Some retired oldie?! Its 4.oo p.m and I am feeling exhausted! (Thankfully I can type ;) )

We learnt an interesting concept in Production Management. "How much can a man work?". Professor explained the various techniques used to calculate the time it takes to get work done in the factory - both for products and services. This has got me thinking... How much work can one really do? Is it 4 hours? or 6? or 8 or 12 or 16? Today, with India emerging as the next big economy, the metros and the cities have became a 16 hour job cycle. Out of 16 hours that one is 'supposed' to work, how many hours is actually 'productive'. I personally believe it is humanly impossible for an individual to work using his brain for 16 hours. Once in a while, that is fine but everyday?! The poor man is going to crack down sooner a later. Work is a huge part of our life, but it is NOT life.

If you want a successful company, you need happy and successful employees and customers. To get a happy employee, you have to take care of him not only from his job perspective but his overall growth. Nowadays MNCs (Multi National Companies) keep aside a room which they call 'They gym' or 'The recreation center', yet do they ensure that the employees get the chance, get the TIME to go there? Usually the employee is kept so busy that he forgets the geography of the company and remembers just his cabin.

I do understand that a company has to meet targets. Therefore, a lot of planning is done, schedules are laid. so if the life of an employee is not being balanced, then it is obvious the issue lies at the top level management. There is a defect in the strategy and in fact the whole 'Vision and Mission' of a company if they expect to exploit their very own people.

Thankfully, I have not encountered 'Cruel' managers personally. I know they are there. I have seen them, I have observed them. I know how greedy and mean they are but thankfully, My immediate manager has been a good one so I have been in a way always 'Protected' from the mean bad world. What I can't stand, is seeing my fellow colleagues being used! Being shouted at! being embarrassed in front of their colleagues. What to managers think they are? God? Especially middle level management!

A lot of these thoughts have been running through my mind. I will be leaving my cozy nest and venturing into the 'Big bad world' in less than a year. What is it that I want? Where is it that I want to go? What kind of people do I want to work with? Do I want to work 16 hours so that I can afford a car or do I want to work 9 hours and commute by bus. Do I want to work under someone? If yes, who is that someone? What is it that I want to work for? I want to leave something concrete behind. I don't want my life to be wasted on doing something that will have no benefit to human kind, to this world that God has created for us to develop.

I don't want to sale cosmetics to the 'upper uppers' or work in a financial institution that promotes speculation which has destroyed the lives of millions of 'investors'. There is one thing that has come to my attention which I find cause worthy. That is Micro finance. This is one industry that has shifted focus to the less-fortunate. Today we have banks like ICICI and CITIBANK calling you every now and then, "Mam, would you like to avail a personal loan of Rs.20,000?" Yet, a poor widow, who needs money for the funeral rites of her husband is refused by all major banks simply because there is little guarantee of repayment.

I am still studying the Micro finance industry in India and I admire Vipul Ahuja of SKS Micro finance who has not only succeeded in the field but has helped thousands of poor women through his micro finance structure.

There are always pros and cons while selecting your career. After 12th Std, I had to choose between Medicine and Computer science. I had seen enough T.V. programmes to know that the life of a doctor was miserable. I read 'The river and the source' and got to know doctors don't sleep for 36 hours at a go! No ways! I opted out. Thankfull, for now, even the smell of disinfectants disturb me. Especially after my bike accident few years ago. No, I was not meant to be a doctor.

After completing graduation, I didn't want to work 16 hours like the software engineers do here. They go to work at 8.00 am and come back home at 10.00 p.m., I mean that is o.k. while you are a bachelor, living away from home and may be for a year or two, but then what? Are you going to do that all your life? One moves ahead to the next phase of life - Marriage and children. Imagine never getting a chance to go to the annual school day of your son because you had a release?

I know it's happening and millions are living this life. However, Life is a choice! It's our choice to live like this. It's our choice to put pressure in our lives. I had a choice and I choose not to join the industry. A good thing for I was an average programmer. I got the work done, but I had no passion for it neither did I enjoy it.

And now.. Here I am. Back to the question of what I want. What choice should I make. Should I join a corporate that pays me a six digit salary and takes from me my life in totality, or should I join an industry I believe in, I believe that is out to help, that is out to make a difference. The pay would be less. Far less, may be not even 4 digits. Should I forgo my car? Should I forgo this AC room and a personal P.C. for days under the hot village sun?

Most importantly, do I have the confidence that "I" can make a difference? Do I have the capability? Do I have the ability?

A lot of questions for which I still search answers

Our House on the front page of "The Times of India"

2007-06-27T19:38:00.000+05:30

Wow and Ha Ha

2007-06-25T20:25:00.000+05:30

Imagine this - Fake threats of never taking your report ;)

Either I have become terribly naughty or terribly haughty..hehe

I love it when I am this way. Instead of being the 'oh-my-god, mistress in distress' I'm like pretty cool dude ;) I think I'm becoming my dad. LOL nothing affects him. you can scream and shout and tell him bla bla bla and he will give you his cheeky smile as though he's least bothered. Love you dad! :-)

I choose not be get screamed at.. one of the poor girls got so miserable that she was literally crying! I mean can you believe it? You could understand that if it was your National exam and you just flunked and have to repeat the whole year... yeah then, may be, you cry but for a term report??!! Imagine how insensitive 'the people' are? or how silly we are ;)

Ok too many winks..hehe.. but I'm just amused at this Munna bhai flop hogaya movie threats on 'I'm not accepting your report! and I'm not going to place you either!"

Today I had a good 'G.D.' with Mr.Akash whose 'thinking' is that in a G.D. be open to discuss anything including selling a 'girl'. BS (in his language) We objected.. all the good students and all who could defend their stand. I told him he was a fence sitter and forgot to add that then hey you have no ethics. If you can say things you don't mean to get a job, trust me, I would NEVER hire you. Who wants to work for a company who actually gives you such silly topics to 'Discuss' on. Don't they understand Indian Taxation System or how to improve the thirld world country's economy? Isn't topics like 'Should prostitution be made legal in India' outdated and pathetic? and to actually tell a bunch of MBA guys that they should go ahead and support the claim.

I asked him straight on his face 'Will you introduce your sister.."Meet my sister, she is a prostitute'? Would you? If you wouldn't do it for your own sister then why say that for other women. That is hypocricy.' Ok I didn't tell him about his hipocricy but just let him win by giving him a scarcastic cum amusing smile. Figure that! What kind of training is that.

Devendra told me, speak with facts, real world is bad, it's all about politics and dirty games and corruption that is so rampant in India. Hello->? Heard of Saudia Arabia? Heard of Indonesia? O.K. forget countries who are Islamic less I'm labelled as 'Oh she is a muslim so obviously she will just speak from that point of view'

You want your examples?

Take Mahatma Gandhi. One man. Freed the whole nation, and slavery is a more tough war to win than corruption and silly politicians.

So am I fuming up? Of course! I wouldn't accept the wrong just because the whole class or 'Mr. Akash' happens to think -"If you want a job, be diplomatic' and that is how I have got the above punkymood pic ->Two faced. Bahar se kuch aur, Undar se kuch aur ( Something on the outside, something else in the inside) In short -> word of the day -> HYPOCRISY

Thank God for me that I've so far never had to be one and have never been asked those silly questions. Why give the right to ask someone questions like that to you. No, I'm not being ohhh so sensitive, ouch! kinds. I mean the dignified 'Do I come across as such a person that you ask such degradable third grade foul queries?'

Once again... I smile :-) 'You either fume up or you laugh at things you can't do anything about' - you can't do anything about 'individuals' who think prostitution should be legalised or of those who are free to lie on their hearts to get a job! Chhh! Where did honesty go? Shopping?

so hey.. I'm smiling :-) I'm still young and I don't want ulcers so soon.... Ciao!

A bad week

2007-06-24T09:58:00.000+05:30

Yesterday was a real bad bad bad day. Actually the whole week was real bad. Why?

1. I was down and out
2. I forgot all plans
3. I became paralyzed just before my taxation test
4. I missed a seminar and a class
5. I did not submit my report
6. I feel guilty and 'Oh common!' at the same time ;)

Well I won't worry coz this week I plan to get back in shape. I do feel sad at my poor performance in Tax and the report. Anyways, the report will take hardly an hour 'if' I sit and just do it zap zap zap.

So I am again off to replan my 'plan' and I will let you know how this week goes. :-)

My castle

2007-06-21T21:18:00.000+05:30

This was a gift from Czech Republic. One of my colleague who did his internship in Czech Republic and got me lots of souvenirs. I took this photo because I love the snow fall pieces and you simply can't resist shaking it up every time you see it :-). That's why I keep it far away from my study table.

I tried to get the snap right in time when the snow falls.

It's beautiful, isn't it!

IIM Bangalore Library

2007-06-21T20:46:00.001+05:30

:-) This is me with my books at the IIM Library. I will soon be posting pictures of the campus soon. While taking this snap, I learnt how to disable the flash light. Yes! :-) I learnt one thing..hehe

This shows the view outside from where I'm sitting. It's beautiful outside with all the lawns and greenery.

Prof. Narayan Swamy - Where knowledge speaks everything

2007-06-21T20:30:00.001+05:30

Its not the flashy clothes that you wear

or the american accent that you put on

its not the color of your skin

or your fancy background

its not the paper called a degree

or the years of wasted experience

its not your shoes or your ties

or you so so expensive coats

its what you carry in your mind

and the ability to transfer it to young minds

that makes you the best professor in this world!

As Usual...

2007-06-18T23:18:00.000+05:30

Last week I achieved a record of being on time for all my classes.

Today I went back to old routine. I was in time for my lesson but you know.. I hate saying that word 'late'. On the other hand I found myself having excellent concentration power. I feel that if I save my energy on not talking too much then I make it out with reading a lot and concentrating on my lessons

There isn't anything new. Lots of assignments and submissions and so working on them...

A good sunday

2007-06-17T19:15:00.000+05:30

Today was a good sunday because I finished my Investment Analysis revision so far. I still have the last chapter on Capital Market theory to master but otherwise, Thank God, I managed to revise and understand all about dividends, returns, risk, variance, covariance and corelation and how this are used in the analysis of investments and portfolio management.

On friday morning I was really mad coz I told my driving instructor off when he spoke to me in his rude voice. I was sulky the whole morning... haha.. in the end I realised it was only my peace that I was disturbing so I let go.

Nisreen and I had gone for friday morning prayers and we had slept late also. This took a toil when I found myself sleeping in my investment analysis class. On the first row right under the nose of my professor! My friends were waking me up! During the break, I drowned myself in coffee and crackers so that I'd keep myself alert. I had lost the flow of the subject matter. One class of Prof. NarayanSwamy is like 10 chapters of the book. When we returned for the next session, he said 'Those who did not follow the first class, don't worry. Concentrate in this one and you can still catch the thread"

Yes.. He was talking to me :-) He is so understanding. In the first class itself he told us that at times we don't feel like sitting in class due to some reasons - personal or otherwise and we were free to walk out. He would not think badly of us or judge us on that single class behavior. How many professors can give that kind of a 'security' and if they do, how many truly believe. That's why all of us adore him. His weapon is the knowledge he carries with him and his ability to transfer it to us. Hats off to him!

Well today I sat and I went through my notes. My notebook is almost complete and it's not even a month of classes. At this rate I think I will need three notebooks, that would be my record ;) Trust me, Investment Analysis would have been the toughest subject to understand if we didn't have him. The way he explains it makes us feel that it's the easiest. All my friends agree that he is the best sir we have had.

Ok I will stop here.... In the next post, I will post his photographer and see him for yourself. Till then.. Happy sunday! :-)