Hoo Haa India....Waapas aa gayaa India!
After yet another abysmal performance, the Men in blue (or the Men who were beaten black and blue) return back to India. Their demigod status is snatched, yet again, and parallels are being sought between them and the local nariyal paani wallahs! Rahul Dravid said, its time for introspection! Its something he says nowadays after every loss. I wonder, what’s this introspection our team is doing after every loss. I was reading some reports of players saying it’s just a game, it’s not just about winning, it’s not this and it’s not that. Well, I say you all are wrong! For starters, answer my following questions.
If it’s just a game, then why do the cricketer’s demand high pay’s? With more than Rs 1Lacs / match + match and daily allowances + advertisements, it’s more than what most of the high ranking executives make today and more than what most of the Indians make in a year. When a near perfect performance is being expected from these executives on a day to day basis, despite being paid less, why shouldn’t it be expected of the cricketers? If it’s not a profession but only a hobby why should they be paid these exorbitant remunerations?
If it’s not about winning, then let’s not spend millions of rupees on sending a team to these tournaments. We can play friendly matches against the Kenya’s and Ireland’s of this game. If it’s not about winning let’s not raise hopes of a billion supporters for the World Cup 2011. Then, we can at least divert these funds to the much starved ‘ugly duckling’ sports of weight lifting, wrestling, etc where at least the participants are not hypocrites proclaiming it’s not about winning.
A lot of things were being said about this team and the batting line-up being the best and all that. Well, just to quote Shah Rukh Khan from the film ‘Swades’, ‘We are not great, we have the capability of being great, whenever we lose we fall back to the same old retreat tune of it being just a game, it being not only about winning (sanskriti and parampara, anyone).'
And finally, let’s not trick ourselves into all this bublaboo. It’s plain and simple, it is not just a game, and it’s a full time profession for the team members. It’s not just about winning, it’s only about winning. If our team changes their attitude and understand these couple, and few other things, then it can become one of the best teams in the world.
Monday 26 March 2007
Tuesday 20 March 2007
Sunday 18 March 2007
Whats with March and our Indian cricket team?
It has been quite some time since my last post. Was kept busy by the financial year closing rush. This thing happens every year, and we all talk about planning and scheduling!
Anyways...the Cricket world cup has started now and India have already lost their opening match against Bangladesh. It seems like the old ghost has visited us again. Our team seems to have cultivated a habit to dig themselves into a nice, cozy hole and then to try with all their might to get out of it. Why couldn't these guys just maul Bangladesh, as they were predicted to do!!?? If we had played to even half our potential, we could had won by a handsome margin. But, then it would had robbed us of the 'digging ourselves out of this friggin hole' struggle that we like so much.
I think this habit is more widespread and prevalent in Industries too. The industries plan to make some 'X' products every year, but only when March dawns do they realize that they have only made "X-2" products, or the planned revenue for the year was $X and now they realize that it adds up to only $X-2, and that there is a shortfall by some months. Then starts all the crazy mayhem. The management bashes up the operations people. The operations people ram the suppliers to supply. Everyone on overtime, working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, trying to make amends for their unproductive 11 months , aka, 'digging ourselves out of this friggin hole' and spending twice than what was required, all under March year ending rush!
Voila!! A pattern emerges and we find that this habit of a man-made rush is an intrinsic attribute of our modus operandi. So, I too have to rush back to office now. Some of the parts that were supposed to come haven't been delivered yet. Happy March rushing!
Anyways...the Cricket world cup has started now and India have already lost their opening match against Bangladesh. It seems like the old ghost has visited us again. Our team seems to have cultivated a habit to dig themselves into a nice, cozy hole and then to try with all their might to get out of it. Why couldn't these guys just maul Bangladesh, as they were predicted to do!!?? If we had played to even half our potential, we could had won by a handsome margin. But, then it would had robbed us of the 'digging ourselves out of this friggin hole' struggle that we like so much.
I think this habit is more widespread and prevalent in Industries too. The industries plan to make some 'X' products every year, but only when March dawns do they realize that they have only made "X-2" products, or the planned revenue for the year was $X and now they realize that it adds up to only $X-2, and that there is a shortfall by some months. Then starts all the crazy mayhem. The management bashes up the operations people. The operations people ram the suppliers to supply. Everyone on overtime, working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, trying to make amends for their unproductive 11 months , aka, 'digging ourselves out of this friggin hole' and spending twice than what was required, all under March year ending rush!
Voila!! A pattern emerges and we find that this habit of a man-made rush is an intrinsic attribute of our modus operandi. So, I too have to rush back to office now. Some of the parts that were supposed to come haven't been delivered yet. Happy March rushing!
Saturday 10 March 2007
Negotiation (s)kills at Delhi!
Seller : Bolo saab, kyaa chahiye aap ko?
Me : Yeh shoes original nahi lagte, kitne ko hai?
Seller : Aap ko kitne mein chahiye sir?
A guy selling imitation 'NIKI' and 'Reebak' shoes at the, much famed, Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Delhi asked me a typical, seemingly nonchalant question. A typical question because no matter what you want to buy, from a handkerchief to an elephant (yes, I am told you can get that too), you will be asked this question everytime. Seemingly nonchalant because of the demeanour of the seller.
This is the mantra of negotiation out here on the streets. They ask you the price that you are willing to pay in an offhand way. This a great way to get know what the customer is willing to pay for. Now, if you quote more than the actual price, he will show that its is lower than he expected but still accept it. If you ask for less than the actual price, he will quote you the price he wants (this is higher than the actual price, so negotiate further). I have been to Delhi too many times before to be fooled, so I do not fall for this trap. I just ignored and looked around until he asked me the question again. This time I asked him the price, but not showing any interest. He thought for a while and quoted some price. But, I was not interested in buying those shoes, so I just walked away.
The seller might not be an MBA from an Ivey league school, but do not be mistaken by his lack of (theoretical) education। He has been trained by the master himself, Life! This has been a great training ground for me too! One of things I learned out here in Delhi was that the emotions you show, the implicit body language plays a very important role, sometimes more important than the words during negotiations
Ok....now I gotta go buy myself a new leather jacket (If you ever happen to got o Delhi, go to the Yashwantpur market, there's a huge building full of shops selling Leather and winter garments). So, catch ya later!
Me : Yeh shoes original nahi lagte, kitne ko hai?
Seller : Aap ko kitne mein chahiye sir?
A guy selling imitation 'NIKI' and 'Reebak' shoes at the, much famed, Gaffar Market in Karol Bagh, Delhi asked me a typical, seemingly nonchalant question. A typical question because no matter what you want to buy, from a handkerchief to an elephant (yes, I am told you can get that too), you will be asked this question everytime. Seemingly nonchalant because of the demeanour of the seller.
This is the mantra of negotiation out here on the streets. They ask you the price that you are willing to pay in an offhand way. This a great way to get know what the customer is willing to pay for. Now, if you quote more than the actual price, he will show that its is lower than he expected but still accept it. If you ask for less than the actual price, he will quote you the price he wants (this is higher than the actual price, so negotiate further). I have been to Delhi too many times before to be fooled, so I do not fall for this trap. I just ignored and looked around until he asked me the question again. This time I asked him the price, but not showing any interest. He thought for a while and quoted some price. But, I was not interested in buying those shoes, so I just walked away.
The seller might not be an MBA from an Ivey league school, but do not be mistaken by his lack of (theoretical) education। He has been trained by the master himself, Life! This has been a great training ground for me too! One of things I learned out here in Delhi was that the emotions you show, the implicit body language plays a very important role, sometimes more important than the words during negotiations
Ok....now I gotta go buy myself a new leather jacket (If you ever happen to got o Delhi, go to the Yashwantpur market, there's a huge building full of shops selling Leather and winter garments). So, catch ya later!
Tuesday 6 March 2007
Wagah border and Me
My trip to Chandigarh was fulfilling, both professionally as well as personally. Personally because I was able to go to Wagah border, my long cherished wish. But somehow, before coming here I was feeling that this gate closing ceremony is a potential diplomatic hazard. My views changed, and drastically, after this visit.
There were a couple of things that struck me when I was there. One, that none of the public, both Indian as well as the Pakistani, ever shouted anything against the other country. Infact people were hogging the gate, Indians on our side and the Pakistanis on theirs, to wave and greet each other. It was quite remarkable that in such a charged up situation, people were able to hold their nerves and not do anything stupid! It showed that despite all that has been and is happening between the two countries, the people are sane and still have love in their hearts for their old, but now partitioned, countrymen!
The second thing that struck me was way the Indian soldiers brought the flag down at sun down. The flag was brought down slowly and steadily, like a queen descending the stairs of her palace, they folded and carried it like a newly born baby. The amount of care and respect they portrayed had PATRIOTS written all over it.
We talk and debate of our right to hoist the national flag everyday. But do we really have the ability to do what it takes? Can we show the same amount of care and respect that our soldiers have for it?
We remember of our national flag only when Independence day nears, we buy small flags and put it on our vehicles, outside our homes, on our desks. But do we care of what happens to it the next day? Do we even remorse that the flag has fallen down and some vehicle may drive over it?? Do we ever show any concern that the flag might be put in a bin by someone??? I have heard of stories of our flag being hoisted upside down at a school on Independence day. Even if it might turn out to be a fictitious story, we still show the immaturity to use it as a joke!
Its time we own up our responsibility to show our soldiers that we care and we respect for what they have and are doing for us. Lets end this hypocrisy, Lets not be pretentious, Lets pledge that whether no one cares for our national flag or not, we will care and do whatever is required to keep its sanctity.
Driving back to Chandigarh, it was quite cold outside the vehicle (because it was winter) and inside (due to the AC). But if anyone noticed, there was heated debate going on in my head. I used to wonder why when we think of an Indian soldier, the image of a person wearing a turban conjures. Going back, I had my answer. Jalianwala Baug and the Wagah border had answered my questions. I made my pledge on my way back to the hotel, whether anyone joins me or not.
There were a couple of things that struck me when I was there. One, that none of the public, both Indian as well as the Pakistani, ever shouted anything against the other country. Infact people were hogging the gate, Indians on our side and the Pakistanis on theirs, to wave and greet each other. It was quite remarkable that in such a charged up situation, people were able to hold their nerves and not do anything stupid! It showed that despite all that has been and is happening between the two countries, the people are sane and still have love in their hearts for their old, but now partitioned, countrymen!
The second thing that struck me was way the Indian soldiers brought the flag down at sun down. The flag was brought down slowly and steadily, like a queen descending the stairs of her palace, they folded and carried it like a newly born baby. The amount of care and respect they portrayed had PATRIOTS written all over it.
We talk and debate of our right to hoist the national flag everyday. But do we really have the ability to do what it takes? Can we show the same amount of care and respect that our soldiers have for it?
We remember of our national flag only when Independence day nears, we buy small flags and put it on our vehicles, outside our homes, on our desks. But do we care of what happens to it the next day? Do we even remorse that the flag has fallen down and some vehicle may drive over it?? Do we ever show any concern that the flag might be put in a bin by someone??? I have heard of stories of our flag being hoisted upside down at a school on Independence day. Even if it might turn out to be a fictitious story, we still show the immaturity to use it as a joke!
Its time we own up our responsibility to show our soldiers that we care and we respect for what they have and are doing for us. Lets end this hypocrisy, Lets not be pretentious, Lets pledge that whether no one cares for our national flag or not, we will care and do whatever is required to keep its sanctity.
Driving back to Chandigarh, it was quite cold outside the vehicle (because it was winter) and inside (due to the AC). But if anyone noticed, there was heated debate going on in my head. I used to wonder why when we think of an Indian soldier, the image of a person wearing a turban conjures. Going back, I had my answer. Jalianwala Baug and the Wagah border had answered my questions. I made my pledge on my way back to the hotel, whether anyone joins me or not.
Monday 5 March 2007
February.....In retrospect
I was in Chandigarh for 15 days during the start of February'07 for work. Visiting vendors, doing audits, cost negotiations, reviewing plans to develop new products with my team members at our HP plant, etall.....the usual stuff. I got to see a lot of countryside in HP, traveling to all the supplier's in the nook and corner, literally!, of Himachal. And, also do a lot of introspection (something that I'm never going to put on this blog)
I also had lots of tandoori and chicken in all its other avtaars. I also found out that no one can make tandoori chicken as good as a 'paaji' does on the roadside dhaba outside Chandigarh (I was always under the impression that the best tandoori chicken is served in Blue Nile, a Irani hotel in Pune). I forgot the name of the dhaba though. Maybe nextime I go there, I'll check it out.
Incidentally, my interview with Warwick also took place then. If the interviewer had known of my dress code during the interview, he would had not approved of it (I was roaming in the hotel lobby in my boxer shorts and a t-shirt, fielding questions on my experience, my ambitions, etc. To top this, all my MBA acceptances came through during this same period too!
To celebrate this, Renjith, our guy in HP had an idea of showing us around and so I got an opportunity to go to Shimla, Amritsar, and most importantly Wagah border. And you gotta believe me, its a place to go to atleast once in a lifetime.
Shimla was fun (Then, I didn't think of it as fun as I had to get up early in the morning to leave) to go to. We went to Kufri, where it snowed when I came back to Mysore! Talk about bad luck! We also roamed around in the Shimla market. There were a couple of firsts for me here, I rode a yak! I never knew this animal could be so mild mannered. I also rode a horse, here rode should be interpreted as riding a horse at speed, with wind in my hair, a sword to my waist, and a gun in my hand. Well OK, it wasn't entirely like this but I did ride a horse at speed!
The next day we went to Rock Garden in Chandigarh. Initially I thought it was a waste of time, but some of the stuff there is really good. You need to look twice, or sometimes more than twice, to make out that its made out of rock and not real trees or animals.
Then we left for Amritsar. Here, Jalianwalah Baug was a striking place. I saw couple of old women, tears in their eyes, touching the wall where bullet marks are still visible. The mood around was quite somber. About 500mtrs from Jalianwala Baug is the holiest place in the world for the Sikhs, The Golden Temple. When we went in it was around 14:00hrs, with the temple shinning in all its splendour. Its a magnificent place made of marble with gold plates covering the base marble structure. After spending an hour there we hurried, for two reasons one we wanted to reach Wagah border, and second, but more importantly we all were hungry. It was election season there and Navjot Singh Siddhu's constituency (thats one part of Amritsar) was flodded with his life size, and king kong size posters pointing fingers in all known and unknown directions.
After having a nice and fulfilling lunch, again comprising of chicken, we left for Wagah border. Its about 40kms from Amritsar. It was a great sight to watch, our soldiers facing the Pakistani guards, the door closing, the flags being brought down at sundown. It was a great sight and a really patriotic one too. I had a flood of emotions when I was there, so I'll be putting up a separate blog on that. Till then, check out my photos on this trip at --> http://in.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/i_yogesh81/album?.dir=/3783scd&.src=ph&.tok=ph9XDUGBgGuYCgMq
Till next time...So long!
I also had lots of tandoori and chicken in all its other avtaars. I also found out that no one can make tandoori chicken as good as a 'paaji' does on the roadside dhaba outside Chandigarh (I was always under the impression that the best tandoori chicken is served in Blue Nile, a Irani hotel in Pune). I forgot the name of the dhaba though. Maybe nextime I go there, I'll check it out.
Incidentally, my interview with Warwick also took place then. If the interviewer had known of my dress code during the interview, he would had not approved of it (I was roaming in the hotel lobby in my boxer shorts and a t-shirt, fielding questions on my experience, my ambitions, etc. To top this, all my MBA acceptances came through during this same period too!
To celebrate this, Renjith, our guy in HP had an idea of showing us around and so I got an opportunity to go to Shimla, Amritsar, and most importantly Wagah border. And you gotta believe me, its a place to go to atleast once in a lifetime.
Shimla was fun (Then, I didn't think of it as fun as I had to get up early in the morning to leave) to go to. We went to Kufri, where it snowed when I came back to Mysore! Talk about bad luck! We also roamed around in the Shimla market. There were a couple of firsts for me here, I rode a yak! I never knew this animal could be so mild mannered. I also rode a horse, here rode should be interpreted as riding a horse at speed, with wind in my hair, a sword to my waist, and a gun in my hand. Well OK, it wasn't entirely like this but I did ride a horse at speed!
The next day we went to Rock Garden in Chandigarh. Initially I thought it was a waste of time, but some of the stuff there is really good. You need to look twice, or sometimes more than twice, to make out that its made out of rock and not real trees or animals.
Then we left for Amritsar. Here, Jalianwalah Baug was a striking place. I saw couple of old women, tears in their eyes, touching the wall where bullet marks are still visible. The mood around was quite somber. About 500mtrs from Jalianwala Baug is the holiest place in the world for the Sikhs, The Golden Temple. When we went in it was around 14:00hrs, with the temple shinning in all its splendour. Its a magnificent place made of marble with gold plates covering the base marble structure. After spending an hour there we hurried, for two reasons one we wanted to reach Wagah border, and second, but more importantly we all were hungry. It was election season there and Navjot Singh Siddhu's constituency (thats one part of Amritsar) was flodded with his life size, and king kong size posters pointing fingers in all known and unknown directions.
After having a nice and fulfilling lunch, again comprising of chicken, we left for Wagah border. Its about 40kms from Amritsar. It was a great sight to watch, our soldiers facing the Pakistani guards, the door closing, the flags being brought down at sundown. It was a great sight and a really patriotic one too. I had a flood of emotions when I was there, so I'll be putting up a separate blog on that. Till then, check out my photos on this trip at --> http://in.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/i_yogesh81/album?.dir=/3783scd&.src=ph&.tok=ph9XDUGBgGuYCgMq
Till next time...So long!
Friday 2 March 2007
Starting trouble!!!
Saalaa...yeh har time kaa natak hai iskaa!
Haven't we all faced the gruesome experience (and many a times, one punctuated with words that would be objectionable to most of the people) when we are running late and the vehicle just won't start. We then resort to our a root cause analysis of who suggested to buy this vehicle and the 'ill intentions' behind such suggestions. Anyways!
This has nothing to do with me starting to write this blog, just that this time I wanted to start I didn't have to swear at anyone or anything. So, I feel something is out of place. Maybe I need to throw away or sell-off (too a uninitiated soul who does not know of this starting issue) my bike which is inducing such habits.
Haven't we all faced the gruesome experience (and many a times, one punctuated with words that would be objectionable to most of the people) when we are running late and the vehicle just won't start. We then resort to our a root cause analysis of who suggested to buy this vehicle and the 'ill intentions' behind such suggestions. Anyways!
This has nothing to do with me starting to write this blog, just that this time I wanted to start I didn't have to swear at anyone or anything. So, I feel something is out of place. Maybe I need to throw away or sell-off (too a uninitiated soul who does not know of this starting issue) my bike which is inducing such habits.
I'll be in a retrospect mode initially as I try to track back for some months when I have been collecting (a friend refered to it as scavenging) and writing material to put up here.
I will be hoping to keep this spot updated as much a possbile. So do come back to see what I have been upto! Your comments are welcome and will be appreciated (This is a relative terms though).
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