Working Again.. or am I?

It has been 4 years since I "wrote" something on this blog. I can say that I was busy in MBA but everyone knows that's not true. As I see it, once an engineer always an engineer. An expert in relaxing and that's what I did during last couple of years.

Also what is striking me as I write this post, I wrote my first ever post while "working" in office. So is this one.

Yes. I've started working again and earning again. I have joined Wipro as Business Analyst in Bangalore. Fancy designation. But haven't really got any work ever since I joined so out of boredom I thought may be I'll revisit the habit of writing which I started but left midway. 

I will start with my experience in Wipro so far. It started with a grand week-long induction where who's who of the company addressed us, the future leaders (who btw were interested only in the lunch and free goodies from Marketing). After this, some of the 400+ MBA batch moved into their respective roles and started doing some work (mostly PPTs). A handful (including me) had to undergo training where things like Java and Databases were once again taught to us (still wondering why). Some of the lucky ones got to sit on the "bench".

It has been great so far, the sprawling EC campus with lots of greenery and fountains. It's fun to go on long walks in the campus. Work Culture and employee engagement (Big words from MBA) is awesome here. I haven't found a single employee so far who has complained about the policies and employee friendliness. It may seem idealistic but I can in fact see "Spirit of Wipro" being followed and practiced in day to day affairs.

And to top all this, I too have got to sit on the sweet bench (first time in life) here. It's true that a career in IT is incomplete without being on bench for some time (my wife is so jealous of me :P)

Looking forward to fun times ahead. 

India in images : Many Faces

Love thy neighbour !

We Indians generally associate fun and enjoyment with sound. Be it the fireworks for Diwali celebrations or loud music in parties or jagratas for which I guess communication is better at night with god, no 'merry-making' is complete without deafening sounds.

But what we forget is that the moment the sound reaches your neighbors' ears your right of 'freedom to enjoy' infringes his right of 'freedom to rest in peace'. And in a democratic country like ours this violation of fundamental rights is not acceptable. It is social responsibility of every civilized man to respect others' independence and freedom.

This form of celebration does not reflect high social status but throws light on poor upbringing and lack of respect towards social and moral values. Remember neighbors are the first ones you would go to in any emergency. So one must show at least some concern towards them and try to confine the noise within their homes.

Since now the 'party' downstairs has come to an end and the music has stopped, I can have my much needed sleep but hope that in the future my venerable neighbor will either invite me to the party or keep the volume level low.

PS: This piece was originally written on 21st April 2008 at midnight.

My Top Five..

Shantanu has a blog entry with the same title wherein he lists his 5 favorite innings of Sachin Tendulkar. Believe me I'm in no position to do that. I don't even know the count of his centuries. Shantanu would probably like to hunt me down and kick my *** for this..

After reading his post I thought if not cricket, then what interests me?

I decided to make a similar list with music as I love it. I love to listen. I love to sing.

Here it goes..

Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan..

From the movie Mera Naam Joker

Compare my love to love of clown, who only wants you to laugh. But also look at the pain in his eyes, very well said Kush. I know someone would get very upset and would like to eat me alive for writing this but sholly can't help it.

Yeh Jo Des Hai Tera..

From the movie Swades

A very beautiful song oozing with patriotism. The Maestro’s soft voice with Shehnai and a single string in the background makes it awesome. Whenever I have doubts about ‘Swades’, I listen to it and they are put to rest.

Chhupana Bhi Nahi Aata..

From the movie Baazigar

What's more painful than failed love?

One-sided love. Listen to this song and you'll understand.

Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji..

From the movie Ishqiya

This song has an old-world and rustic feel to it which lingers in the senses long after the song has finished. It’s got a classic touch to it, nothing extraordinary and the simplicity takes over. I am in a different world altogether when listening to it.

Summer of ‘69

Bryan Adams

I prefer to call it Summer of ’09. It brings back all the memories of the days gone by every time I listen to it. “Those were the best days of my life”, punch line like this makes you feel nostalgic. This is best to be listened with a bunch of old pals.

Now come on people only 5 favorite songs that’s just sad..So bear with me..take another 5..

Yaaron

KK

I chose this song from the album Pal coz it’s a lovely song based on Friendship and the lyrics are very touching. The song says how much friendship is beautiful and precious in one’s life and life is nothing without friendship.

Lady in Red

Chris de Burgh

This song is about a man who falls in love all over again with his wife on a certain night in a club and needless to mention she’s wearing a red dress. A perfect love ballad for the First Dance with your lady.

Kuchh Is Tarah

Atif Aslam

A very affectionate song, it beautifully expresses your feelings and concern for the one you love also emphasizing how the pain of your loved ones cause more and Atif’s voice makes it totally soulful.

Aadat

Jal

This song has an universal appeal and reaffirms that music has no religion no nation no boundaries. The melody and lyrical content along with the acoustic guitar make it awesome.

Orange Sky

Alexi Murdoch

The singer expresses his dream of an orange sky with his brother and sister with him. The importance of family is emphasized upon by him. The punch line “In your love, my salvation lies” teaches me that how the capacity to connect to others is fundamental to our own existence.

Ek baar lautne ka mann karta hai..

Disclaimer

All characters appearing in this work are real. Any resemblance to real persons, living, dead or undead is purely intentional. If you want to sue me, talk to my attorney. No correspondence in this regard would be entertained.

Ek baar lautne ka mann karta hai..

                                              

bas ek bar wapas lautne ka mann karta hai

aaj har wo din jeene ko mann karta hai.

kuch buri batein jo ab acchi lagti hain

kuch batein jo kal ki hi batein lagti hain.

dopahar ki class mein aakhein band karne ko mann karta hai.

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

yaad aata hai kaav kaav karte hue mess tak jana

yaad aata hai ulti chammach se namak wala khana khana

yaad aata hai popli sir ka shaklein banana

aur yaad aata hai lokesh sir ka roz ek graph banwana

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

yaad aata hai baba ki chai pine dighi tak jana

yaad aata hai b'day par beltein khana

yaad aata hai raat raat bhar CS khelna

aur yaad aata hai sahoo ke room mein match ka discussion karna

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

yaad aata hai jaat ke room mein patte khelna

yaad aata hai mallu ka khatmal se pareshaan rehna

yaad aata hai pv ka peeche se aake maarna

aur yaad aata hai thAkur ka din bhar bakar maarna

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

yaad aata hai badey ke baalon ka udna

yaad aata hai dhoke ka sirf upscaled gaane sunna

yaad aata hai sahoo ka big daddy hona

aur yaad aata hai uncle ka har cheez ke crack dhundna

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

yaad aata hai bihari ka muftkhori karna

yaad aata hai vishy ka bas sote hi rehna

yaad aata hai sAm ka sade hue logic dena

aur yaad aata hai dash se roz ladai karna

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

yaad aata hai malli aur vidit ka google talk pe love triangle banana

yaad aata hai chandu ka meethi aawaz mein chillana

yaad aata hai sardar ka workshop mein ghisna

aur yaad aata hai tunnu ka din mein sau baar hi, bye kehna

na chahte hue bhi yaad aata hai mera har baat mein gussa karna

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

yaad aata hai shere mein party karne jana

yaad aata hai football khelna

yaad aata hai chath par nautanki karna

aur yaad aata hai dighi pahadi chaddna

college ki wo baatein yaad aati hain..

ek aisi subah uthne ka mann karta hai

bas ek bar wapas lautne ka mann karta hai.

bas ek bar aur

wapas lautne ka mann karta hai..

Dedicated to You-Know-Who

One Small Step..

 It seemed like any other day. I had returned from the office after "hard work" with Python, at least my boss thinks so. I was just wondering what to do next and there was a knock on the door. Who is it? Who would come to visit me in this lonely place? May be it is Sam, my only friend here. Excited, I opened the door and found a 10 yr. old boy standing with a tiffin box in his hand.

 He said, "Saab, apka tiffin". I almost laughed at Saab. I let him in and decided to have a little chat with him. He told me his name was Shankar. He belonged to a small village in Haryana. His father sent him and his brother to Delhi to work and earn whatever they could. I asked him about school. He looked down and told me he used to go to his village school and liked it very much. I knew that I had just had a conversation after which you wish that you shouldn't have had it.

I asked him to leave. He said he'll return in an hour for the tiffin. He left my room but certainly not my mind. I sat there thinking why this 10 yr. old has to work whereas I used to go to school at his age. I hated school but was made to go there daily and this boy loves it but is made to work. I read in civics that there is a law which bans employment of children under 14. But is this one too meant to be broken?

 I wondered who should take up the cause of such children. Should I do it? I certainly earn more than I need. I can comfortably put aside a small sum for this. But what will happen to the IPod for which I've been saving for months? How will I buy my Enticer for which I have longed since childhood? How will I make my own Farmhouse like the one shown in Yash Chopra flicks? No, I can't do it. I have just started my career and I can't be thinking of all this. But then who exactly should do this?

 Ggrr grrrrrr grrrr grrrrr....It’s that drilling machine again. In the neighborhood, a pot bellied marwari is expanding his house. He sits all day in his chair smoking beedi and yelling at the laborers. He seems very rich to me. Why doesn't he help Shankar? Why is he building another storey when he already has two? He can make a school instead. 

 But then what will the government do? If it can't enforce its own laws what's the use? In States you dial 911 and it’s done. Do we have such a number? I sat in my room very confused and disturbed. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Is it the mota marwari? Was I loud? Did he dial 911?

 I opened the door again and found Shankar again. He had come to take the tiffin back. I saw some chocolates on my desk. I gave them to him. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Saab".  This was it. That smile took away all my anguish. I happily went to bed humming,

                        Kisi ki muskuraahaton pe ho nisaar,
                        Kisi ka dard mil sake to le udhaar,
                        Kisi ke vaaste ho tere dil mein pyaar,
                       Jeena isi ka naam hai...

Neil Armstrong said, "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

He was right.