Monday 13 December 2010

India story at risk

An interesting interview of Deepak Parekh: India story at risk
This is the other side of the India story.. compare that with the ease of setting up and running business in Sweden or Singapore. With so many scams happening, it will not be long when the world looks at better avenues for investment/ outsourcing. And when a guy of Deepak's stature speaks in such a way, its time people introspect and act. 

Recently I was hosting a client dinner in London, and somehow the topic of terrorism came up as it was just after the anniversary of 26/11. And the client mentioned the fact that the Unilever board was caught in the Taj.. and I responded thats what our neighbour wants -- to stop western world investing in India out of fear. And he quickly responded.. "but see we are still outsourcing our Application support to you". 

I was happy to hear that.. but I am not sure where the conversation will head, if its about the various scams. 

Its probably easier to fight an enemy from outside.. but what about this enemy within. 

Thursday 11 February 2010

Virtual Satsang


World is made of so many different people, but if you can see the world in dimensions.. there is one dimension - 0.1% of people out there who have similar tastes as yours.. eventually you meet them as you do sitting together in a Sawai Gandharva .. or over the Internet discussing some abhangs.. not wanting anything from each other but to share the love of music.. is that not satsang!!

Organisations and individuals have one big thing in common. There are always bigger organisations which are wanting to acquire niche players, who are best in a specific industry/ product/ solution. Organisations are always wanting to fulfil a gap in their own offerings and are ready to pay a good price,  knowing well the ROI on that acquisition. 
So every day one needs to ask oneself.. am I doing something unique, developing niche skills.. for which someone is ready to pay much more for the skills & experience 2-5 years down the line.   

Tuesday 26 January 2010

Emergency services

7 am in the morning, I was outside Tottenham Court Road Underground.. making my way to the Belgium Visa centre in Soho square. Felt quite hungry due to freezing temperature.. and made a detour to the welcoming McDonald. Standing in the queque.. saw mostly workmen in their overhauls waiting to order their breakfasts. Suddenly a gentleman collapsed in front of me, he seemed to be having a fit.. and was shaking head to toe. My natural instinct was to offer help, a sip of water maybe. But one of the employees immediately called the manager who in turned called emergency services.. and while he attended to the customer, rest of us were told to resume ordering. 
By the time I had finished my order.. and thats quick in McDonald, ambulance had already arrived and 2 paramedics took control of the situation. 
I had heard of the excellent response time of emergency services here.. and many a times I have given way to an emergency vehicle as is the rule here. But todays first hand experience really was impressive.
And I thought, wish we had such good emergency services in India.. that would save so many precious lives. Many a times I have seen on Indian roads, that the ambulance keeps sounding the alarm and drivers on the road either ignore.. or reluctantly give way. There are some enterprising ones.. who stick to the emergency vehicle as a tail.. to go faster. Ridiculous. 
Its time we realise it can be anyone of our near and dear ones who could be in an emergency and the vehicle has its right of way.. even more than the PM's or CM's cavalcade. Hope on India's republic day we take this resolution to try and save as many lives around us.. and not be mere bystanders like the Tamil Nadu ministers who let the poor policeman bleed to death. 
Jai Hind!

     

Wednesday 6 January 2010

Special Saturday afternoon with DRK

I was thinking of some new resolutions for year 2010.. and while doing so Roma came running to share something...she had created a story book.. and I did not want to be disturbed as I wanted to focus on the job at hand. But suddenly I stopped and when I gave her my unwavering attention.. she was very happy. 


And I suddenly realised.. that the most important things which I remember of my father.. was not him buying my first bike.. but the time he shared with me. We had a different kind of relationship.. we shared some common passions.. like listening to BBC radio and Iraq war late in the night.. radio had its own charm. And I and Baba used to try and tune in to the frequency.. and in my study (gallery as we used to call it) I would stick wires to make the signal stronger. 


There are many more things like... I would never allow him to get the 'dalan' or wheat flour from the mill.. and if he went to get it while I was playing with my friends.. I would run to take it from his hand and take it up the 2 storeys. It gave me immense pleasure to see that smile on his face.. that he had a son he could depend upon. 


Our relationship was so special (and is even special today) that when I wanted to first take a drag of cigarette, I actually spoke to him and requested him whether I could try and he said yes. My mother when she knew of this.. was very angry. But she never understood that Baba had in his own way told me.. "Son I know what your real character is. So go ahead try it once.. I am happy you asked me rather than hiding it from me". 


But the most important aspect of our relationship was his keeping Saturday afternoons free to be with me. When I was studying in I.E.S. School in Dadar.. Baba used to come to pick me up from school after Saturday half day and we both used to go to Sterling or Regal cinema in town to see some English movie. He was then working as the Head of Industrial Relations and Factory manager for Sandoz India (now Novartis) and as such had weekends off. I remember the innumerable films which we saw together.. Guns of Navarone, Where Eagles Dare, The Shaolin temple.. he knew I liked war films and martial arts. He wanted me to join the army and fulfill his dream.. but fate had another role for me to play. 


So coming back from my childhood.. if these are the things which I remember most of my father.. I would like Roma to remember similar things about me.. the special relationship which we have. I would not like her to grow up and ask where were you when I was growing up.. earning money, my promotions are all worthless for her.. The other day when I wore my suit to go for a meeting.. she immediately remarked 'Pappa you look so handsome and cool' and ran to kiss me. That was a special moment. 


Therefore all new year resolutions aside... the one which I made as a promise to myself.. is to spend more of my non-working hours with my kid..quality time as Roops likes to call it.. to take her to some movie .. to spend the one hour watching her learn Bharatnatyam on Sunday morning.. and to go for my run some other time.. to tell her stories at bedtime and read book together, to know each of her friends and be part of her secrets.
I think when your child is really close to you is when he or she can whisper something in your ear and say its 'OUR' secret.  



 

Sunday 3 January 2010

Song no. 11


This one is my favourite (sung originally by another Kamat) which I like to sing for Rupali. Going forward I hope to list one song, and its special meaning to me, its lyrics and other details. 


प्रथम तुज पाहता



प्रथम तुज पाहता, 
जीव वेडावला, उचलुनी घेतले, नीज रथी मी तुला

स्पर्ष होता तुझा, विसरलो भान मी,
धुंद श्वासातला, प्राशिला गंध मी,
नयन का देहही, मिटूनी तू घेतला 

जाग धुंदीतूनी, मजसी ये जेधवा, 
कवळूनी तुजसी मी, चुंबीले तेधवा,
धावता रथ पथी, पळभरी थांबला 




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