India's Crusade against Terrorism - Time for a reality check !!

We continue to be the mute spectators we always are, as terrorists continue to rip India apart year after year. After the gory triple bomb blasts in Mumbai on 13th of this month, our honorable Home Minister wastes no time in putting his point across that every city in India as much gullible and that the blasts have actually come down in count. PC couldn't probably be more blunt. 

"India's post-26/11 police reforms painted stripes on a donkey — and passed it off as a tiger" - screamed a title from the editorial in Hindu. With the media acting as a window to our world around an average man doesn't need to stay with the presumptions of a complex constitution or an even more complex govt. and pass off for not even being intellectual enough !! At least in matters where the govt has promised and even boasts of things which it never desired of strongly. Not to forget the millions disbursed for such reforms.

A lay man's google or a casual browse over papers would give statistics which would make our honorable HM feel guilty after his heroic claims of modernising India's Mughal-era police. For instance, the Ministry of Home Affairs, year after year boasts of exactly the same achievements in exactly the same language in its yearly reports as if they were new achievements !! There's no fault in promising to achieve and then only achieving partly. But when it blatantly over states its achievements, its definitely worth criticism. 

Government has failed with the transponders it promised on merchant fleets. It is still short of bullet proof jackets, communication kits, training on intelligence and so on if what we need is statistics. The officials who came to visit the CWG games pointed that a very few of the thousands of police personal even appeared to hold automatic weapons !! A joke of sorts !!

We have a serious situation at hand, we have the funds, we have the personnel who could be recruited and we have the govt which boasts it has done things but the patchy reality stays that the funds don't materialise at every point.

Its not about the present govt. or the past govt. Its only about the attitude the ruling body has for an individuals safety. Life is deemed cheap and easy !! It's a mere statistic for a person at power, but life indeed is man's integrity. Even a person dying of cancer would want to live that one extra day and go for the inflicting chemotherapy. The question is why has life got so less importance in our country !! Its heart rending and ever so silly to even imagine that ATS chief Karkare was killed because of a spurious or duplicate bullet proof jacket.

One might find solace when he compares our situation with that of our neighboring Nations (where terrorism is creating greater havoc). But why should we even look at countries which still strive for the true meaning of democracy we have achieved decades ago.We aspire to be a part of the Security council at UNO. We dream of moving ahead to become a developed country from our persistent tag of 'developing country'.  We have already shed a lot of blood to reach where we are already. The collective GDP of many such nations together (which we think are more fortunate) would comprise India's GDP. Why should we look back when come a long way towards a better living ??


We should ideally look at Nations which are better off !! In 3 years after 9/11 the US FBI has the raised the number of its trained counter terrorism agents to double their number for a population which is only 3 times Maharashtra. India's pompous Investigation Bureau and Analysis wing together have less expert resources. 

 
This is where we should self introspect. Its not only about cursing your authorities when terror strikes. Little has materialized since the murderous 26/11 and is a reason for debate and the reason for a Crusade in its actual sense. Corruption hardly matters to a person who rarely gets a square meal once a day. We have a crusade waged against it !! We need a crusade against terrorism and it is by no means justifiable for the government to lend a blind eye to it !!

My Romance with the Indian Navy

Chest No 65 !! Came the call and I responded instantly with confident "Yes Sir" and walked past the Commander into the room to take my seat among the other guys selected at SSB 33. I was definitely expecting my number to be called out as otherwise I thought I would have been overqualified on similar lines as Abdul Kalam or Rahul Dravid :) I may seem to be boasting but that was what the circumstances seemed to be screaming out at me. I sat beside my close buddy TyagaRajan and we congratulated each other as we had "Screened In". We had cleared our first round at the selection and were among 30 others who got in from a total of 67. I was literally beaming with happiness and why not ? I was only a step away from my dream job !!

I always wanted to be an officer of the Indian Navy. It had a complete package of Discipline, Adventure, Physical fitness and most importantly lots of Respect. The memories of the 'Navy Day' celebrations where the men in uniform displayed their might (held yearly at RK Beach, Vizag) had etched permanently in my mind. The medals, the uniform, the courage, the thrills always had me craving to be a part of the Defence services. Having spent my childhood in Defence quarters and looking up to my father (retired as Lieutenant from the Indian Navy) as a constant source of inspiration, Navy was my obvious choice. My flirt with the Indian Navy started early and I wanted to pitch in with an Engineering course at National Defence Academy or National College of Engineering after my Intermediate. So much so that I had put my preparations for EAMCET (Entrance exam for private Engineering colleges) on a backseat, convinced that I had my destiny in the Armed Forces. But then counselling happened after EAMCET ( I had managed a decent rank ) and I had a Mechanical Engineering seat up for taking. Meanwhile I had cleared both the initial screening for NDA and NCE and was called for Interview and Physical tests. I consulted my dad and he did not want me leave the opportunity at hand. He wanted me to be better prepared for the Board Interview and the physical tasks and crack it in the first attempt as people attempting for the first time would be given preference.

I chased my aspirations while in college and I had been a part of the NCC (National Cadet Corps). Three years of training had given me a varied perception and outlook for the armed Forces. I was into Army wing and it was here that I learnt that defense was not all what it seemed from outside. I was mainly not convinced with the personal or social life of the soldiers. The rigors of work had made them tough both physically and from within. Solitary life had caused many vices to creep into their lives. Ruthless was the word I could attribute to many of the mentors. I always wanted my heart to be leading me in life and what I was witnessing was 'heartless'. But that is how soldiers are expected to be "Mentally tough and Physically strong". I learnt a lot in self dependence and discipline in the varied camps we had. I finished my course with an A grade and as a Senior Under Officer but with a little lessened passion.

I had on many instances innocently debated with my mom and dad - Is everything and everyone in defense the same ? and the reasoning at the end of the day was that it is you who define how you would shape yourself. I could look at my dad for that matter. He was into an entirely different 'class'. Moreover the life of the officers and the soldiers/sailors was not alike. The sailors had a lot of physical stress and were not paid well when in comparison with their efforts; whereas the Officers as they went up their ladder had more of mental work than physical and were paid handsomely (infact treated princely by the government). Then campus interviews happened in our final year and I was placed into TCS which was like 'another dream' come true. The IT boom and the craze for campus placements had me nurturing this second dream with a long term plan of Management.

Two years into IT industry, I was not liking much what I was doing and wanted a change. This was when my passion rekindled and I realized that I had my last few chances to give a go at the Defence services. I applied for the SSB interview for Engineering services and am here in Bhopal after hard fought 5 day leave with my manager. I had done a thorough preparation gathering enough material for the varied range of tests conducted. I also helped myself to a two month work out on physical fitness and jogging. En route Bhopal from Chennai, I was doing my last minute preparations (which I always do)

To Be Continued

Hit the nail "almost" on its head

Landed into Nielsen, one of the biggest accounts in TCS! Got the work of my choice having the potential for a good amount of Business exposure!!

Though initially hesitant, owing to the amount of responsibility (I would be responsible to the onsite co coordinator and the client on the other hand as a single entity which means no substitution of work) I finally made my decision weighing my options. I expect a good hands-on on the technical stuff too !!

My mentor is pacing up my KT with his "spoon feeding" lol @@

With the aesthetic campus of Siruseri and my pals for company I guess I wouldn't feel monotonous for the coming months.

The only point I compromised was the "Onsite opportunity" which is bleak in here. The paradox of the situation is - Onsite was the only thing in mind when I set off searching for a new project and in the process rejected around 5 other projects.

On the hunt

Just signed off from first project in TCS - SMB. The journey had been a medley of things for me. Wonderful friends (Best in fact), healthy environment and a good amount of exposure to corporate life is what I would really cherish having got at SMB. Got to know an entirely new definition of Management here :) which I would rather love to forget, but has in fact helped me equip myself for the war ahead.

Am on the look out for a nice project which would cater to my quest for business knowledge and also provide me an onsite opportunity at the earliest :)

A Tribute to my "All Time" favourite - Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar !!

Sachin is in the best of his forms from as much as I have followed him in the last two decades. My passion for the game and respect for the master blaster just grows with every single match he plays. No wonder he continues to mesmerize his die hard fans like me :) (Proud to be one) with his immaculate batting in all the formats of the wonderful game. The age defying energy which he puts in every time he carries his bat speaks volumes of his commitment.

He has always been a role model both professionally and personally. Bowlers have tried hard time and again to distract his concentration with sledging but he only lets his bat do the talking. His brazen shoulders have carried a billion hopes every time he walks in with his bat .

I always try imagining putting myself in his shoes and am forever surprised at the simplicity with which he carries all the praise lauded at him. There is hardly anything left to be conquered by the Little master in the world of cricket and yet he never lets his "Larger than life" image get over him.

Two things from my perspective have taken Sachin to summit of his profession :

• His never satiating "hunger for more" which makes him a constant learner and a perfectionist at what he does.
• His humility which has and will carry him a long long way.

I salute the best entertainer of my life time !!

Quest - On the cross Roads

Been quite busy for the past few months and couldn't make time to pen down my thoughts or experiences. Kept myself busy most of the time with Quest - A promising MLM business. I started the venture along with my close friends Raj and Chandu and built a good team of around 20 members. I achieved calculated results too. The business kept my mind occupied most of the time and my thought process revolved around it.

Even while at office, I was multitasking with all the plans, phone calls and discussions. I had proudly discussed my business indulgences with Dad, mom, sisters and friends. The confidence within was immense - courtesy the numerous meetings we had and all the support from various Business leaders. I made two business trips to hyderabad and attended a number of parties and meetings in Chennai. Notable among them was the grand training cum meet of the Ocean team at Chennai trade Centre.(India's numero uno M/s Padma convened the event) Quest became a part and parcel of my routine. Responsibilities grew day by day but I was enjoying them as I could visualize my success. It did bother me sometimes because my leaders always insisted me to take this up as a full time work sometime down the line, but I wasn't up for the idea. I wanted to balance it along with the regular job.

At this juncture when my efforts started paying off and success seemed unstoppable a heavy hindrance blocked my road. I had waited for months to gain confidence in the entire setup and to invest on behalf of somebody else (with the obvious assumption that they would pay back). I received my first token of reward, a check of eleven grand, the second was on its way and the third was ready to be despatched. Due to a few ambitious people's wrong business methodology the company stood exposed and media played the evil monster to degrade its reputation.

Initially, it was looked down upon as a passing cloud. The leaders gave assurance and cited a previous incident in Banglore which subsided eventually. But this time, one event led to the other and even people who have benefited from the company stand ready to complain. My mentors have belief that Business would be back and everything would be normal.

Now, all I can do is just hope that things would recover and expect the Business partners across to have a reasoning mind and not just panic. Thirty grand is on cards and 10 grand stands to be delivered.

I sometimes feel frustrated - why were my dreams nipped off in the bud !!! Or is this a testing time ??  

Lesson learnt

Getting up when half of the day is already over > getting ready leisurely > having lunch > spending a bit of time in the library > working out at gym > TT > dinner > sleeping very very late after chit chat with roomies. This has been my schedule for the past one month.

A dramatic incident calls for its mention which I would rather prefer forgetting. I felt it was fate taking its course. It's not always that you walk out with you original documents for three days in a row for xerox, get the work done on the third day, carry them to the office and suddenly realise that you have lost the originals  !!

There was a power cut in the Xerox shop on the first day and it was closed on the second day. I know it may sound stupid that I carried them 3 days instead of getting the work done elsewhere. But I had only this shop on my way to office and was lazy enough to walk to other shops which would mean an additional 15 minute walk. Moreover, if I had not missed them everything would seem fine

So, I wanted these documents to apply for a credit card. I had carried them in a folder which had an open ended slot for putting in the documents. While getting the copies done, I got a phone call which lasted until I reached office. It was only in the lift that I realized that I had missed the originals of Passport, Driving license and Pan card.

After the initial shock, I was assured that I had left them back at the Xerox shop itself. For a moment, I even considered having lunch and then collecting them. But then there was much drama awaiting. Back at the shop, the lady didn't respond on seeing me - my first instance of doubt accompanied with fear. I enquired after she dealt with a few customer if she had seen my docs. She flatly refused and said she hadn't seen anything.I then re-traced my path carefully back to the office.

I was tensed by now. I checked with guards and the Admin department which dealt with the 'Lost and Found' objects. Then I took help from  the agents at the main gate to help me in explaining the lady at the Xerox shop in Tamil.

I spent the next two hours searching frantically on the path leading to office and enquiring the shop keepers. There was a Satyam office standing opposite to the venue of all this drama. I talked to the guards and gave them my contact number; perhaps somebody may find my docs and deposit with them. Towards the evening, I had to digest the hard fact that I had infact lost my original documents.

With the suggestion of my friends, I even went to the police station to inform them about the loss of my docs before somebody could misuse them. But I was asked to go the crime report branch the next day. That night passed by with lots of tension and animated descriptions of how the day passed so eventfully

The next morning I had a surprise call for me from Vikky. I realized that somebody had found my docs and had telegramed to the address mentioned in the passport - a sigh of relief !! I hurriedly made a call to the number mentioned and set off to meet the good Samaritan.

I reached Perungudi. For the next half an hour I tried calling but my call was not being attended. I entered this office called Sanmar and further waited for around 20 minutes. I was finally called for. Mr. Srinivasan was an elderly person aged 55-60 and was a manager at Sanmar. It started with how did you come to know, why did you miss them and went on for the next 30 minutes on how I should be careful with things.

Then he called for the driver who had actually spotted my documents. Mr Srinivasan focussed on the importance of the man's good nature and his effort to send a telegram. He then spoke of religion and wanted to make a point that the way I have a God, everyone does and so does this man (the driver). He (the driver)  was due to visit Sabrimala and since he was very poor Mr Srinivasan offered me to bear half his expenses. I couldn't react for a moment -  I was a naive, two salary old employee.

Mr Srinivasan then tried to make me realise that I should be grateful to the person and also stressed on how blessed I would be. I kept on listening to what I was being told and nodded to his elderliness. The next day I went back with the amount (having a 1% thought if I could bargain to half the amount citing cash crunch). Mr Srinivasan made me sit, offered coffee and talked politely explaining how destiny has its way. He then cited an eg. of how a man who inspite of chaining his luggage while travelling lost a bag worth 50000. He further said that this incident occured in my life so that I could help a man on his visit to a religious place and it was his God that made him act that way.

Veterans have a way getting their points accross. I presented Mr Srinivasan a Parker pen and he was quite happy for his little gift. I felt content for being able to help somebody (though parting with 1500 was not that comfortable) I could see it as lesson to be conscious of my items in future.

Well then, I am leaving for Vizag to join Mom, Dad and Vikky for Christmas. See You !!