Steve Jobs inspires : A life not so perfect yet so much perfect

Steve jobs an inspiration at last but unknown to me in his lifetime.
Apple a brand, an organization and one of the world's most successful company was never part of my attention nor its gadgets were. It designed unique and iconic products like macbook, iPod and iPad. I always knew Apple stands for simple and smart designs with build quality and cutting edge technology unmatched and it has a very special place in hearts and minds of  quality conscious people who don't mind paying premium for products so stylish.
I never owned any apple gadget nor I thought much about owning one except iPad2 which I bought only to see what is it all about and after 6 months use I was frustrated by limitations of software and hardware and rejected forever.
Today I was reading about Steve Jobs who headed Apple and made what apple is today. I was very impressed and delighted while knowing Job's thinking about life and business and his life certainly teaches us most about life in today's odd world where every idea seems so blurred and where innovation and visions are limited to formal education and expensive degrees. Job's is much about hunger for knowledge within and his courage of being experimental and following his own heart makes him an icon that many of top business leaders or inventors lack.

I will copy here a link of his commencement address at Stanford university in 2005 which I want to read again years after when I forget my own self and correct myself to follow my own heart and live my own life in a way I want it.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/oct/09/steve-jobs-stanford-commencement-address?newsfeed=true

His death due to cancer on 5 October 2011 is a loss of a genius and creative mind but his ideas, his inventions and technology spell will keep him alive in those hearts too who don't own an Apple product like me. I feel great, at least I got to know about his life after his death.

Anna Hazaare : Vanguard of the movement

Anna Hazzare becomes the Vanguard of the movement and a phenomena that swept the nation irrespective of classes of society, gender, regions or religion. A modern day movement that made India so much like India of Gandhi where people followed non-violence so efficiently which is impossible in any modern day revolutions. A simple man becomes a modern day Gandhi in his quest for achievement of Lokpal bill against corruption.

Initially I was not much sure about the whole idea of Lokpal bill and Anna's agitation success. Today I felt like I cannot ignore watching him or writing him after watching his hunger strike for last 12 days and no incident of violence and how he made the central government so much nervous. He was calm when the most powerful people in the Parliament kept losing their temper and used not so desirable words against that single man who stood for the Nation in his 70's for no reason for himself.

Amir Khan's visit to Anna at Ramlila ground in New Delhi was great as reel hero needs to be a real hero too. Government was in big confusion of saying yes then no and later again yes to Lokpal bill's various important points. A man from Maharashtra, whom I never knew before few months was making whole India walk with him and it's no exaggeration when I and many felt like Gandhi is back in times of crisis again to free India from corruption and wake up the entire nation from long hibernation after India's Independence.

In the evening finally that historic moment comes when Government agrees on the Bill and Anna declares to end his agitation on Sunday morning. Its great and amazing feeling to see people on television celebrating like Eid and Diwali. Anna and the crowd with National anthem and a Jai Hind. Certainly a very patriotic feeling which made me and every Indian so emotional and inside I too felt a sense of victory. Bill will be discussed and debated and will take shape though future is hidden with uncertainties but such movements rarely happen in times like ours and people who were part of it there around Anna will cherish the moment and be proud for years as they are part of that historic proud moment. I wish, I was there...

Wealth Giant & Gigantic Charity

Bill Gates India visit and that too to my city Patna and places very close to my own house made me look at his total personality in a real serious way. His larger than life image of being world's richest on Forbes for many years and his giant charity moves across the globe I heard and read many times but it never stayed with my thinking mind for long time and faded like every fairy tale fades after sometime maybe it was because I couldn't connect to what bigwigs of the world do as it never happened around me and my kind of people so emotional connect never happened. Bill Gates Bihar visit and his presence in state made me think about him and seeing that man giving hope to the most deprived people in remote areas inspired me and I hope to do something like him someday in my own small way.

His mantra of success and interview in the local newspaper I read two times and his view on sharing wealth for the betterment of the most poor people and leaving behind only least of his total wealth for his children astonishes me as it's so opposite to what human nature is. I mean I know that world will always do opposite of what he thinks - doing charity with least and keeping most to themselves. He represents the kind of people who are are truly wealth giants with gigantic heart and courage with gigantic success in their life yet greed of holding back all fades so easily inside their hearts.... Their existence is not a fairy tale or a legend but truly legendary living forms hitting our minds to understand what we really never want to....

Cricket World Cup 2011 and INDIA on top of the world

After long 28 years when Kapil Dev won the World Cup, Its now, today on 2nd April 2011, the history repeats with M.S. Dhoni's team getting the cup and making India proud and Indians flying above the seventh sky. I myself not a cricket fan and I never watch cricket. Today I watched only India's batting in the finals against Sri Lanka and when India won it was a very emotional moment for all the tough guys on the field who got tears and it got emotional for whole nation and me too. I was impressed by Gautam Gambhir and later Dhoni because they kept at ease while too much of pressure got around after Sehwag and Sachin were out and last hours of the game was very tensed but Dhoni's coolness and his signature shots took the game to another level of being absolute perfect. I don't know how me, a non cricketer here writing a blog on Cricket World Cup but may be its that proud Indian feeling and feel of collective victory that every Indian shares inside their hearts whenever India shines in any field. Now I understand why streets and roads go empty and people leave all their work to watch cricket and specially when its India playing. From today I have a view change on the game. Today's match would be a memorable one for me like every Indian for long long time.

Japan tsunami : A Pandemonium

A massive and destructive Tsunami with magnitude of 8.9 earthquake on march 11, 2011 has shook the world that nature can be so merciless and unforgiving. Almost more than 10000 people dead or missing and destruction of infrastructures and assets worth +100 billion US$ will be another big challenge for Japan. World's third biggest economic power may find it difficult to hold this position for long after recently being pushed from 2nd position by China. Nuclear Reactors leakages and recent blast in Fukushima Reactor has added to the woes and radiations pose another grave danger. All this has made countries like Russia and others with lot of Reactors to rethink safety measures in such extreme kind of natural disasters. To me visuals on TV screen looked like I was watching some upcoming sequel of films like 2012. It was hard for me to believe that it was real until I kept myself glued to the TV for continuous updates. After Tsunami, it's now radiations from nuclear reactors that's worrying the world about Japan's future generations. Disaster on such a large scale after world war II has made future so bleak. Mass evacuations around damaged reactors and fear of radiations from another damaged reactor is making all the recovery more difficult. Radiations will surely have long term damage to the soil, living things and environment around for years. I hope Japanese resurrect themselves with more strength and far better, safer future.

This tragedy speaks of many things that developed nations need to understand. Relying, experimenting and extending alternate sources of energy for their power needs is actually a venture of dangerous kind without understanding impact of its accidental failures in both forms -nature and human initiated . The future is always uncertain and hidden but predictions of dangers on the nature of venture is a must and it was seen in Australia where anti-nuclear demonstrators made noise and then I realised that there are people who actually understand the dangers of such power sources. Its just like living in areas where hydrogen and atom bombs are planted in the form of reactors...Every country is making a statement that their reactors are safe...but how much? They must not forget that Japan is one of the most technologically and scientifically advanced country in the world. If the best can fail, surely others have no chance and no one knows about largeness of natural disasters coming. Our hunger for more advanced future actually adds to our woes which is unseen with the eyes and mind that enjoys technology so much. In 1945, it was US atom bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that made life a death for millions for years to come and till today. Fukushima radiations and three nuclear reactor explosions in 2011 is the biggest tragedy after World War II in Japan so who takes the responsibility of this explosion? must be our hunger for more advancements. Radiations are reaching as far as Tokyo and people have been told to stay indoors. People are scared and nervous about the coming days. Radiations reaching as far as Vladivostok in Russia and rest of the countries in the radius are alarmed. Mass evacuations, cancer, internal organ disorders, hair loss, skin diseases and genetic disorders for generations to come. Ordinary people always lose so much and people in power keep giving statements and statements to cover their failures and justify routes of dangerous scientific methods. always same everywhere.

Muslim world upheaval: Road to bloody revolutions

Headlines and news flashing across all forms of media all over the world announcing arrival of democracy and freedom in the lands of dictatorial "kings" in the Muslim world. Their reign as long as 40 years and that too with cruelty, corruption and severe human rights violations sounds as fearful and disturbing as people would have suffered for years. I myself thought so much on all this because even in my dreams I never had any idea of volcanic situations in the countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon and other countries close to them. World knows prominently about Iraq and its long internal disturbances. Saddam Hussein and George Bush, then US president made all the news and added to the dilemma of Iraqis with brutality of US soldiers which was proven by disturbing images and videos in international media and Internet. I feel blessed being safe and its scary when I imagine innocents and civilians trapped in the middle of such upheaval that's filled with blood, brutality and extinction of clans of many.

On Jan 24, 2011, Tunisia - Thousands rallied and protested against President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis. He ruled with callousness for last 23 years making the country suffer with unemployment and corruption of highest rating. he fled the country due to high civil unrest on Jan 14 2011 and his wife carried 1.5 tons of gold. He accumulated wealth and assets and that's obvious in such situations of dictatorship. Next comes Egypt, land of pyramids and my dreams, I took strong notice of happenings in Egypt compared to other countries because its a place that I dreamt of visiting and understand the mystical Pharaohs and pyramids. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak ruled the country for 30 years and same issues of corruption, wealth accumulation made way for the uprising that made the clash in Cairo a dangerous one on Feb2, 2011.

Libyan uprising began on 15 Feb, 2011 inspired by whatever happened in Egypt and Tunisia but to me it was Muammar Gaddafi's 42-year rule and his Bedouin(nomadic tribe of Arabs)roots so interesting. Gaddafi travels with a tent. He went to Paris in 2007 and pitched his tent in a garden of the Elysee Palace, which is the presidential residence. In Rome of 2008 he pitched it in Villa Doria Pamphili park. he doesn't travel often because he meets with much criticism for his Bedouin ways and about 40 unmarried women security guards. His cruelty surpasses many with his attacks on Libyan protesters with fighter jets,tanks and artillery.
His gigantic accumulation of wealth in many countries and erratic ways had landed the country in a civil war like situation which may go on for long. Its world Powers and United Nations that needs to act and not criticize because it should not become another Iraq which still after years couldn't be in the state of equilibrium.
March 8, 2011-Gaddafi warns NATO if it enters Libya with threats of death of millions and Obama declares invasion to remove Gaddafi. Libya seems to be entangled in a long and uncertain civil war with millions already fled the country and others on the verge of fleeing. Its something that world is looking at in helplessness because war and invasions in its every form always bring sufferings and death to innocent civilians who are children and women.
Yemen tension is making month of March more bloody with killings of 52 people by President's gunmen and creating further chaos and disturbance for Middle East. Syria tension adds more to the woes and all this looks like chain reaction of protests and violence which seems unending.

I pray to god that such crisis end sooner because it will destroy millions of lives in the game of power and money. I know I will never understand war because what we fight for, we never carry it to another world.. a futile effort of being god and supreme on an individual level or country level is like magic that never exists.

Truly long struggles that even modern world and global approach couldn't help and it makes me believe as if we are in the times of ancient barbaric cruelty and archaic power preservation's.
We all criticized so much all this but we forget that modern days nuclear weapons of mass destruction, their accumulation and major powers of world (China,US, France, Russia & many others) in their unending efforts to dominate (China trying to push US out of Asia and making allies with South America to corner United States) each other will pave way for the destruction of mankind on a scale that will wipe off entire human race along with all other life forms in a bipolar world of superpowers. Muslim world crisis is only a trailer and beginning of what future holds.....may be violence of extreme kind that's yet to come.............

Social Networking Sites = Graveyards

I remember how I felt when every time my eyes looked at the number of people on friends list of almost everyone on sites of networking in last two years. Many had friends as many as 800 or more as if they added every invitation sent or whom so ever they came across. Gone are the days when people had 8 or 10 good friends in real life and managed very well each of the relationship in a quality way.

 I know few people in real who even never sent any hello to people on their friend list for last 2 years or since they had initial "hi" "hello" while adding each other. In reality most of the people on these lists are kind of dead contacts which lay there as if in grave because they have no more life left. life here means that charm, that fun, that talking each day or may be at least once in a month or bi-monthly but that essence of friendship or knowing people has become dead and so boring. Here too many numbers on surface shows one's empty strength of handling social networking without understanding that this leads to nowhere. Its an illusion that all carry in the world of networking because many do that, my friends, your friends so let me do that too or else I will be left behind in this modern revolution of technological sophistication.

For few may be it's necessary and genuine when people from same big organization needs to be connected for interactions and communications but for many it becomes a trend of following few and then starts that chain reaction of "keep on adding people". I mostly reject people when they add me because I can't fool myself adjusting and congesting myself with a person who is already over-loaded. Either I know them personally or they add me if they can really understand me as a friend for long and very important I don't want to get lost in that ever growing crowd of friends where one who added me will not even recognise after few weeks or may be months.

 World truly may have become a global village but I find no emotions or not even that genuine aspect of relationship which existed in real world before. Its a race and we are running blindly without understanding or questioning our own acts and behaviours online. Once my cousin told me that he adds people on and on and with many he never had any conversation. In the same way I questioned few known people and they had same answers.

Internet in reality can still be the best option to make friends or understand cultures across the globe but by only making few friends and trying to understand them first and giving time to such networking can really give back each some quality understanding of cultures or people and strong bonds which may not be that virtual as it seems to be. We have best of technology and talent but to turn the tables we need more, that we have to think.................

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2011 TO myself

Today its 1st Jan and through blog I wish myself first because I need to celebrate and be happy with my own self and this mood will be reflected when I will greet others. I am more into my family members with almost no friends so I spent my new year night with the Idiot box but trust me I actually smiled when it was 12:14 am midnight 2011. I felt I had my party, my celebration watching best that healed my senses. I somehow switched on to Nat Geo and it was a wildebeests new born running for first time in slow motion and add to that backdrop of Africa's jungle scene. I watched it so engrossed as if life bloomed across with all the beauty, innocence and fragility yet energetic as if saying "hey, I am going to make it". This is how I also wanted to enter into new year with all that feeling of new born life and hope of being truly alive.
That calf getting on to its feet and his efforts of standing ,walking and finally running told me so much about life. My views on human life has gone to next level of understanding of my own existence in this so much not so gentle world just like that jungle of Tanzania...

OBAMA in India, Michelle shines..

An excellent orator, a perfect charmer who truly came , saw and conquered. I watched his every detail whether it was his intelligent friendly interaction with students in Mumbai or his down to earth persona at Raj ghat . His respect for Mahatma Gandhi, acknowledging India's power and its place in United Nations, his praise of Indian culture and "Jai Hind" in Parliament touched every Indian heart and sentiments. After all his so much larger than life image of being US President, I felt I was more impressed and took notice of someone else's presence around him so strongly. it was Michelle Obama, his wife whose sensible, down-to-earth attributes made her shine more than Obama. Even on television I felt as if she was someone amongst us, I felt so connected when she merged so beautifully with common people. I myself got lot to learn about being more sensible and down-to-earth and will truly make efforts to be a good orator and more friendly in my interactions with others.

HACHI the dog : a symbol of faith,immortal love and devotion

A Richard Gere film based on a true story of an abandoned dog called Hachi. Hachi's dedication and soulful, selfless, immortal love for his master and Hachi in waiting for next 9 years till his own death for his already dead master is awesome and moves even the toughest heart, I am sure. This is one movie in my lifetime that I cannot watch again because it was most difficult for me to watch Hachi's loneliness and yet his never ending love and wait for his master. I actually cried and felt difficult in breathing and I was happy crying because it made me more humane, sensitive and understanding.

 It told me much about life that it's not about being with people for materialistic reasons but it's about being and waiting for our loved ones for no reason even if they are not coming back because if we love and care for someone we should be true to our own hearts. I am sure I am going to be more like Hachi and wait for my own people even if they abandon me or leave me. Its a film that changed my life, my thinking and I can say it made me man of big heart, a heart that holds love care for animals. I have a german shepherd Diego whose paws I took in my hand and promised him..I am going to walk with him till the end and beyond and nothing in this world will take me away from him as I know they feel, they search us too when we are lost.. movie is an eye opener, enlightening but reality is same too..

FRANCHISE SYSTEMS : WHY fails N falls

Everyday we all see many immature and mature brands getting into a franchise business without much study, preparations, infrastructure and work ethics. In last 10 years this system has become a craze and money making trend for every kind of businesses whether its a business empire worth 20 million or 20 billion.

Its food, clothing, healthcare, tourism or education, none of the markets escaped eyes of franchise systems. The speed by which its spreading , the same speed its failing too. exceptions of few successful systems do exist as exceptions are always there but studies and researches explains that there is a huge number of failures in the system. I myself went online for in depth study about franchise system's analysis and statistics based on real grounds. they are as follows:

" a financial theory which explains how best to organize relationships in which one party (the principal or franchisor) determines the work, which another party (the agent or franchisee) undertakes. Since the agent’s self-interest are in conflict with the principal’s self-interest, alignment of outcomes via contractual relationships is a key to mutual success."

"All that glitters isn’t gold in franchising. While franchising can be a successful means of expanding a distribution system its reliability in achieving success is certainly questionable. This is particularly true for emerging franchisors. In fact academic research has shown that as many as three-quarters of all new franchise systems cease franchising within 10 years of formation "

"characteristics of successful franchise systems:

1. New franchise systems which permit passive ownership of franchised outlets are more likely to fail
2. New franchise systems which require higher levels of franchisee cash involvement are less likely to fail
3. New franchise systems which require franchisees to have experience are less likely to fail
4. New franchise systems which are geographically concentrated are less likely to fail
5. New franchise systems which are more complex are more likely to fail
6. New franchise systems which employ master franchising are more likely to fail
7. New franchise systems which have higher levels of total investment are more likely to fail

The results of the study indicate that franchise systems founded between 1981 and 1983, which are structured to economize on agency costs, are more likely to survive than franchise systems which are not structured to economize on agency costs. This finding is important because the failure rate of franchise systems is high, with over 72 percent of the new franchise systems in the sample ceasing to franchise by 1995.

There are few simple reasons for franchisor failure:

1. Franchisors don’t treat the franchise relationship as an interdependent relationship where success at all levels in the organization is dependent on each party to the franchise agreement. Ignoring this fact causes franchisees to feel they’re treated like unappreciated employees, breaks down communications and ultimately fractions the system itself. This results in untimely royalty payments and focuses franchisor’s attention on collections and possible legal actions.

2. Too much of pressure and dictations suffocates the partner who feels trapped in a system where for a brand name his life becomes hell and thus to ventilate he or she goes to an extent of closing the business even at a cost of any kind of financial loss.

3. Franchisors, especially startups, whether out of necessity or overzealousness, use the practice of checkbook franchising. That’s the difference between selling a franchise and awarding a franchise. Just because a franchise candidate has the funds doesn’t mean he will be successful as a franchisee. Too many of these franchisees cause problems in all areas and affect the system as a whole resulting in closed units and legal problems. Both of which must be disclosed in disclosure documents that ultimately affects franchise sales.

In the end, franchisors experience reduced revenue streams in both royalties and franchise fees while increasing legal expenses. Once this cycle begins it’s extremely difficult to stop without drastic change.

RAWANDAN Genocide 1994

For long time I was a person who watched much of films related to science fiction and fantasy like Matrix and Lord of the rings. Hotel Rwanda was a turning point in my film watching. This movie made me shiver and it depicted something so terrible that can tear and melt even strongest of hearts. It made me understand so many things and gave me insight about films on war and tragedies of real life.

Its a film that cannot be told about instead its more about watching the film and getting the feel as how one feels when entrapped in a deadly civil war between two groups called Hutu and Tutsi. The 1972 mass-killings of Hutu by the Tutsi army and the 1994 killing of Tutsi by the Hutu population.

A film on a real life story where Hutu and Tutsi fought a civil war which wiped almost 20% (approx 800,000) of the country's population. Hutu's in govt, almost tried to absolutely wipe all of the Tutsi's and this in itself is so scary when its about mass murder of one large group. All this becomes more scary when Hutu's priority remained about killing Tutsi's children and infants so that there is no next generation.

"The true-life story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda in 1994."

Hotel Rwanda taught me about one man's strength and will to save thousands of people, gave them hope in the darkest hour in his hotel, based on a real life story during the civil war. The manager who saved so many lives was himself a Hutu and I understand, what a courage and golden heart !

I later asked many people to watch this movie and in real it transforms one's soul towards a better humanity, love, strength and will power. It shows that revolutionary transformations are possible even by one man if one has that exceptional courage and desire to do so.

BIG dreams u follow, BIG dreams so hollow..Ohh

The world of brands, the world of dreams,
took me here, where my heart screams-
this is not what I ever dreamt,
the lust of name, the lust of fame,
everyday, each moment a game.

I have everything yet feels so locked,
rightest of path but seems so blocked.
human robots, the fake ones I resist,
still gets cheated by faces in the myst.

why the race? no fame I want to grace,
I want my god whom someday i'll face,
lost in the crowd with millions in a race,
that's not my world, that's not my grace.

The world of brands, the world of dreams,
took me here, where my heart screams-
this is not what I ever dreamt,
the lust of name, the lust of fame,
everyday, each moment is a game.

Hamara Bajaj : Emotions of an era or logics of big dreams, big money ?

Bajaj is a household name in India and with few such names and brands Indian emotions identify themselves very closely. Editorial in hindustan about rift between the son and the father and my curiosity was already there about this whole issue since bajaj announced closure of scooter business.

Rahul bajaj's statements on TV " I am deeply hurt by my sons decision to close bajaj scooter and I am not happy" has made me sad too and his son's statement that my fathers emotions don't make much sense because businesses run on logics and not emotions angered me bit because it portrays the reality's of modern businesses instant decisions and their so insensitive ways of working where on the face they may be loud with ads and lines of emotions asking people to buy their product, ironical!

I went through Rahul bajajs tenure with bajaj Auto and how he took the company to new heights from the period of 1965 till now. It was a company of approx Rs 72 million and Mr bajaj made it a company worth Rs 46.16 billion and that too during so called "license raj" period in India. Honda entered India and stock exchange fell in 2001, everyone said bajaj is a closed chapter but again it rose to heights with his business tactics and intelligence that he acquired with his experiences through years. He restructured the company with world class factory and brought pulsar to Indian consumers. I feel today Rajiv bajaj is riding on the same pulsar because he wants to make bajaj world's biggest bike brand at the cost of his father's emotions and family values. To make true ones high end dreams why not start from scratch and prove that if one can really make a world class company and get the experience as what it takes to reach such heights. It's always odd when I see people behaving emotionally but inside they are already dead. We all talk businesses and practicality but nothing in absolute forms work and it's more on emotions that we survive. How long one can survive in the harsh world of businesses and its ugly games? At the end in the evening we all return to our loved ones and it's our people's love that energises us to rise again next morning and do better constructive businesses which have hearts in them.

Understanding all this made me sad for the person because it was he who made bajaj what bajaj is today, it was this man's vision which today has been blurred by his own son. I say blurred because his vision [may be today its narrow for his son ] and hard work of years is more important than being a world leader in bike segment. Even honda said that bajaj's decision to close scooter was wrong. He could have reduced volumes or thought of other alternatives for his father's emotions with scooters of bajaj and such small gesture wouldn't have harmed Bajaj from being a world leader in Bikes. It would have been an excellent example of greater values and prestige not only for bajaj but for indian society too and may be a tribute to his father's hard work. Life is not just about sky-high dreams and billions of dollars, it's more about how you lived your life as human and even for the richest, too much of money and fame ends up with charity to find peace and solace to feel that they are still human.
Volumes fall and rise and scooters still sell and Honda knows that. If Rajiv bajaj cannot understand his father and his hard work of years then how will he understand consumers mindset. HE could have taken this as a challenge and continued with scooters too even as a small chunk of Bajaj auto.

In my house people felt bad on closure news of scooter , my dad has one since I was a kid of 7 years and we are common people of India and its same with middle class everywhere because we people thrive more on emotions as that's what we all need at the end of the day. Absolute emotions or harsh logics of business degrades everything around. Best is fusion and examples we have seen for ages with Bajaj, Tata or Birla. We Indians love them, talk about them, trust them not because they are rich but they connected well with Indian masses using path of emotions for their businesses and won trust by their so long associations with Indian consumer. Fiat, a brand so much into Indian hearts like bajaj but it couldn't use logics of business with modern times and tested Indian emotions for long which almost wiped its brand existence in India and till today I see this brand so nervous into the sleeves of Tata. Here its very clear that change with changing times but its emotional connections too with a brand that sells product and spreads awareness about a brand and its quality by word of mouth of millions.

I read few comments of few people in reply to bajaj closure on scooter news on rediff that bajaj scooter was a scrap and such negative remarks. I thought best people understand and read in detail about things before commenting. Answer a question that which big company of world class is absolutely clean and honest. In US or Japan even car companies take their cars back from consumers because of flaws and manufacturing defects but then we don't say that they are selling scraps.

GOOD TIMES, bad times

Good times and bad times is something that we all face and even the most powerful and richest cannot escape this. I have also seen most horrifying and death like bad times in my life and this whole idea of sufferings and happiness in life has left me thinking as how to go on in life without caring much about bad times.

ITS unfortunate that in our good times we invite completely wrong people for celebrations, we want them to be with us and smile with us.we forget or its coded in human nature that makes us feel that may be we cannot survive or be part of the society if we dont entertain that very crowd which never recognised even our existence in bad times. Its extremely tragic when in our most tragic moments we are forgotten and left all alone to an extent of our clans extiction. Its a personal experience too.
I never understood why our everyday living and good times so incomplete without those people who were never around in our bad times and what more shocking if they actually initiated the chain reaction of our tragedies.

FOR me, I would rather share my happy times with orphans in an orphanage or with hungry & bare skins of poverty on a road side. That will make sense when money and emotions wasted in a big fake celebrations of good times may bring smile on faces that rarely smile.

What celebration would be greater than feeding hungry stomachs and covering bare skins where skin itself seems to have forgotten if clothes also exist.
BUT have caution that don't make celebration with poverty and hunger a fashionable and style act that many stylish people do. DO this with your heart and you will feel your good times increase manifold. Best use your times with animal care who are most ignored and get cruel treatment in Asia and butchered across globe.

MY last 30 days visit to places with 30 days of smile on my face has made me more confident about achieving happiness if one really wants to. Its more about being your own self and do whatever heart desires but without hurting someones sentiments because its this goodness that makes anyone more happy. Its about internal satisfaction where our heart and mind feels great and that in turn makes us feel complete and purposeful. Good times don't stay longer, this we all know yet we all want it to stay for ever. Bad times always feels like it will never end because it's heavier, tiresome and frustrating and our continuous cribbing about problems makes it more longer.

One thing I always know that life is a big river flowing where bad times has larger share from which we all have to steal moments of happiness. I have seen situations where peoples silly mistakes destroys good times. Identifying good times and understanding this whole concept of being happy is only way of holding back GOOD TIMES for long time. live every moment, enjoy every part of life and smile with every individual you find on your journey. Our straight faces, locked lips, small heart and bad attitude gets us a slot of bad times which we all are in.

Remeber life looks short when we are too happy because we fear of losing our happy times and want it more longer, longer than average human life.
Life feels more longer when we are tired and unhappy because the overload of problems and unhappiness makes life miserable and living with all this makes us feel as if we are pushing our life ahead to somehow reach somewhere.
We all have share of good time and bad time, its for us to choose what we want to stay with.

26/11 Mumbai "Un Hazaaron Ke Naam"

26/11 is something that must be deeply embedded in every Indian's consciousness. I wrote my blog about this extremely unfortunate tragedy when it happened but today I am again writing. Its still in my memories and touches me though I was not there and how much I try I cannot feel what people felt who suddenly found themselves in those terror zones.

Yesterday night I watched a movie called "un hazaaron ke naam" on television and I tried in my imagination if I was there at CST, Trident, Taj or Nariman house then how I would have felt. I couldn't hold my emotions for long when a mother lost her only son or when a wife lost her husband and her new born shot in head. I know sitting so far from such tragedies cannot make me understand every emotion out there but certainly watching them visually makes impact on every human heart because we too have families, we too fear losing life and our loved ones.

Few days back I came to know that a police officer Hemant Karkare died only because his bullet proof jacket was fake and later that jacket went missing from his dead body and even the files related to sale of bullet proof jackets went missing. I saw how Maharashtra CM couldn't answer that question during a talk show hosted by Barkha dutt. That time I felt when people in top positions so openly give careless & heartless statements then how much worth is a common man's effort who can just go on with may be endless debates or processions or never ending frustrations on system that we have created.
I don't know, we all don't know how things will change and may be we have to live with fear of being shot or lose our loved ones suddenly someday, somewhere. Perfect security we all know cannot be achieved but we know if political system finds human heart in them then highest level of security can be achieved.

Indo-China conflict: Crouching tiger-Fire dragon

I didn't know much about 1962 Indo-China war but for last many months China has been in my thoughts because of all the news it had been making globally and largely in India. Today I made effort to get some knowledge about 1962 war as I heard on a news channels about an Indian diplomat in USA making statement that India is no longer India of 1962 and today we are as strong as China. The statement itself clears my doubt that china was heavy on India in 1962 war.

Last time in Delhi,I read in Times of India about China's objection to Indian PMs Arunachal visit during elections there. Even sometimes back too, I saw a news about China's objection to Dalai lama and PMs visit to the area. Upcoming visit of Dalai lama has again been objected and after so many of these incidents of statements by Beijing I have been thinking if China is really getting too difficult for India.

India I have always been proud of because I have seen my country taking tough stand with United states on many issues and one was signing nuclear deal "mostly" on its own terms. Last month after China's display of its huge defence power that made world look at it in awe and same happened during Beijing Olympic. It was on a scale that never happened before and that time too whole world was in astonishment with its amazingly successful, grand Olympic show.

I was discussing with my cousin about China's growth as a world power and its strength in Asia and as threat to USA in terms of power. Its not about war of India & China, its more about being efficient and strong so that our quietness, humbleness or non violence route doesn't look weakness to our neighbors. I think it was NDTV where someone rightly said that India has been in state of denial for long as if nothing has happened and its reactions to China's objections had always been too soft as if we are too afraid.

Diplomats and politicians slept for ages and never solved real problems of border issues in Aksai Chin in Kashmir and Arunachal border. We never cared to make country's defence stronger and efficient. Defence analysts do believe that war like things won't happen in today's world where each country prospers only because of economic growth based on maximum available markets. India is a major market for Chinese goods and today more economic growth means more close to becoming a world power. Anyhow if war ever happens then India will lose so its best we wake up and work on our security and military power too. China owns military which is very large & modern and India stands nowhere on that front. Experts also came up with China's history of engulfing countries like Mongolia and others with almost wiping the entire population. left overs were forcefully converted to accept China's rule & Chinese transferred their own kind to those countries to make the acquired lands look like China. All this fact is very interesting. and also depressing.

its not about war, its more about being efficient and strong so that our quietness, humbleness or non violence route doesn't look our weakness to our neighbors. i think it was ndtv where someone rightly said that India has been in state of denial for long, as if nothing has happened and its reactions to China's objections had always been too soft as if we are too week and afraid. diplomats and politicians slept for ages and never solved real problems of border issues and never cared to make country's defence stronger. defence analyst do believe that war like things wont happen in today's world where each country prospers only because of economic growth based on maximum available markets. India is a major market for Chinese goods and today more economic growth means more close to becoming a world power. Any how if ever war happens then also India will lose so its best we wake up and work on our security and military power because China owns military which is very large and India stands nowhere on that front. Experts also came up with China's history of engulfing countries like Mongolia and others with almost wiping the entire population and left overs were forcefully converted to accept the china rule. chines es transferred their own to those countries to make the acquired lands look like china. what i read or heard showed china only as a heartless civilization hungry for power. its here where maximum number off human rights violations takes place. I remember i saw and whole world saw on news channels about violence on Tibetans by Chinese police.

We have border issues to be solved in Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh but it doesn't look is things are going to improve so its best India improves upon its shortcomings so that its not looked upon as a week country where any one can come and threaten us. I love my country for its commitment to world peace and non violence approach but we citizens feel that we should be also in a position where no one takes us for granted. This only can be achieved by working on every aspect related to social, economic and defence structures.
India doesn't need to crouch, it has all the strength & roar of a Tiger to stun fire dragon.

Abs: a VISUAL TREAT or RETREAT

I heard lot about six pack and eight pack abs since our so called celebs got themselves so much busy into Abs building tiff. They brought awareness about Abs on larger level with their ego & stature related complexes & clashes which is unavoidable in the show & glamour business. I understand that its very justified when people have to sell their looks and silver screen glamour because thats the ultimate product "themselves". Every business and product keeps improving their quality in their own arena so abs building and beauty enhancements are certainly justified here.

This thing has done good to young people too by at least making them understand that He is sure gonna look dashing like a rock star and impress girls and may be even land a chance on ramp or movies. Its always true that everything has both the elements of good and bad and best part is that people in doing all this have unknowingly become health conscious and feeling of looking good adds to the mental well being which in turn adds to ones health. I wrote "unknowingly" because most of the gym going guys and girls mostly do it without understanding health, its more like a trend and style for them where one is following the other and gym owners in turn rush to banks. I have seen people taking body building pills and trying Zero size without understanding the health risks but this is one ugly part of good looking business like other businesses have theirs.

Its too disturbing when I see obese people on tv, in trains, inside airports and any other public place. Stomach bulge in the front and hip bulge at back makes a complete S.
Recently too, during my one month trip I mostly tried finding people with flat stomach and I found very few in numbers who looked like having flat stomach. I saw men, women, children and even these days dogs getting lot of fat under their skin. More interesting aspect is that people carry it like some prized possession, showing it so proudly as if competing for the largest bulge. Imagine people wearing skin tight clothing without realising their haywired figure . Best go online and read something about this bulge, its dangerous too.

At an age of 24 and 27 people are looking like uncles and bear dads and imagine they use anti-aging cosmetics. First they could have worked on their "S" which would eliminate their need of anti-aging cosmetics. When we have terms like 6 pack and 8 pack then why not 1 pack ab. I know and everyone knows that most of the physical aspects are natural like height,color of the skin or genetic complications(sometimes obesity too) but not the fat under skin. Most of the population carries this because of their lifestyle and food habit. Its truly disturbing when one makes a serious effort of looking at people around with research like thinking.

I myself found more than 80% of people on my trip in obese conditions. I saw few friends removing their clothes with their belly almost falling down & instant reaction on this was "shall I catch it before it falls". Trust me that most of the time such people are so handsome and beautiful but that whole "S" factor with nothing good in it just comes up. SURELY most of the time visual treats can happen unless we make it retreat...

Mumbai 2 nights 3 days [ 4 th oct - 6 oct 2009]

Three hours of sleep and finally an alarm "trin trin". I woke up and its 3 a.m., darkness every where and for me its as challenging to catch my Mumbai flight at 6 am from Delhi. I swear, next time not at all going to board any flight in the early hours of morning. After more than a year I was at Delhi airport and its completely transformed with a new departure terminal and very modern infrastructure. After getting my boarding pass I walked around to have a look at the interiors and went into each shop almost and even bought a Ganesha. There was also a very large screen television which i liked a lot. Flight was on time and on the flight my main worry was finding a decent hotel. jUHU ISKCON I always stay at but I was more worried if i will get a room . Its a place in Mumbai which has everything in terms of decent pricing, great food, great interiors, helpful staff and peaceful, spiritual environment.

Flight landed and I made a call to ISKCON and I got a room for 2 days but I could check-in only after 12 pm or I had to pay for one more extra day for only 3 hours occupancy so had to change my clothes in a bathroom and in the corridor of first floor of the ISKCON. I told myself " its a gods place and so no inhibitions because he knows me best. I didn't feel bad about it because I have seen many tough days when I was young and in last many years I have developed my thinking for being a perfectionist in every possible way. Egos and attitudes are something that every person needs to win over or they win over you. Its more satisfying when I can afford 5 star but still can manage with a corridor & toilet without any tantrum. When people don't understand money, status, and themselves then their wealth always goes down the drain with short lived show-off lifestyle..
I kept my luggage at the reception counter and carried only my laptop for my meeting for which I was in Mumbai but I stopped at the gate because it was raining . Hotel staff helped me with a plastic bag to cover my laptop and finally in rain I went on the road for a taxi. It was quite a surprise and I was happy that meeting venue was just 5 minutes aways from ISKCON.

Meeting I won't write much about but it was a good communication with good people. After meeting they got me dropped to Iskcon. I was too tired so after lunch I went to sleep and later in the night after sumptuous, delicious buffet dinner, I watched Rab ne bana di jodi on my laptop.

Next day again I had my meeting but this time at Lokhandwala and today it was raining heavily and I felt it was impossible going out. For a moment I thought of calling those people and say my real excuse but suddenly something hit my thought. I always told people never give excuses in life and today it was for me to prove that. I decided I am going and anyhow. Next 15 minutes I waited for taxi on the road under a torn umbrella through which rain kept pouring on me. I got 20 minutes late due to traffic jams in the rain but I was happy I made it. I had my meeting with 3 people but each at a time and I know it was a truly a learning experience and I made every effort to gain from each meeting session. I tried to be my real self and not any professional robot.

Later at 7 pm Sri dropped me to Infinity mall in Versova where I walked in and around the mall and even watched a movie called "wanted". I even saw two TV stars in the mall and felt thrilled and one I saw at Iskcon's restaurant though I am not a person who rushes to see celebs. Next day Sri's driver delivered my laptop that I left in the car last night. Sri I liked quite a lot for warmth. I payed the bills and was almost on the verge of checking out that I bumped into a guy called Bhisma, he was truly a gentleman, he cared for me within that short span like someone my own with water, chocolates and cashew nuts. I would say truly like his name BHISHMA because even in Mahabharta it was mostly Bhishma Pitaamah who influenced me with his extraordinary forte of sacrifices and loving nature. We chatted almost for 1 hour and his parents were also there who told me that its great that at such young age I am chairman of a firm. He was from Washington USA and it was more satisfying to see that he cared for his parents too much even after being in United states. Here I would say " Please so many of seriously confused Indians who disown their parents , learn something from such people and go and say "I love you maa, I love you paa".

Before leaving Iskcon I went to temple and saw god, smiled and talked to him inside my heart. Asked him always help people who are innocent and true because that will keep the faith alive else faith of humanity in the god will fall and gods existence will fall because its true humanity and true spirituality that holds back even god's heaven and his existence on earth in different forms. Finally walked out and get into a taxi for 35 bucks to Mumbai airport and there I flew back to New Delhi...........During this 1 month vacation of delhi-shimla-mumbai ,I spent more than a Lakh but earned happiness worth more than a crore...definitely not because of money but because of experiences on the way.........

A short trip, I would say truly "एक लम्हे में सिमट आया था सदियों का सफ़र, ज़िन्दगी तेज़ बहुत तेज़ चली हो जैसे" (english translation : Life was so beautiful that moments looked short and life seemed to ran so fast as if hundreds of years passed by in just few seconds..)

AFTER more than one and a half year I am away from my home, my people and truly wanted to be myself, that very fanatic, very childish who wanted to fly away to some far and quite land of eternal solitude, where life just becomes a celebration of joyful living with my own soul.
After my stay in Delhi's sophisticated ultramodern setup for last 20 days finally I decided to travel to serene Shimla hills and beyond that to fagu and kufri in search of my dream house and did managed to see some good properties and hopes of my future enchanting, peaceful life seems feasible now.

I booked ticket in Delhi-kalka- shatabdi and very early morning at 5am I left Delhi. On the road to railway station people were sleeping on streets and road dividers. I went into deeper thinking about life and its problems that so many people suffer and its painful at least for me watching all the misery around. Waiting for the train I noticed that my e -ticket didn't had my seat and coach number printed so got worried as how to search my seat and suddenly realised that I had screen captured images of ticket in my netbook, I hurriedly pulled out the netbook and got back my seat and coach number. I felt relaxed and at ease.

Boarded the train and and next to my seat was a guy seating who looked friendly and even he
smiled to me. I too smiled and said hello and we felt too comfortable talking as if we had known each for quite long time. He (Hitesh) told me he works in Microsoft in United States .. We guys kept discussing things and talking till he reached Chandigarh. We exchanged numbers and email ids . He left and from platform he looked back to say bye . What more one wants in this big bad world where people are so bad and artificial and practicality kills every soft emotion in every human being. I felt happy and saw my hope resurrected.

Train left Chandigarh, chair car cabin looked empty and I felt nice because I don't like lot of crowd but during this time I noticed a person sad and tired who served tea and food to everyone in the train. he came to me and asked me if I need anything and he was extra polite and sweet with continuous smile amalgamated with sadness. He took a seat behind me and I asked him to come and seat besides me. He hurriedly came smiling and I asked him why he is so sad looking as if frustrated with the whole world. He smiled and said " I made every effort to serve people what they wanted, from newspapers to food but few people behave so badly that I feel very low and tired of all this." I told him that didn't I noticed his hard work and his smile too. Serious and genuine efforts never go unnoticed and someday it certainly gets appreciation. I asked him (Krishna raane)not to feel sad because of few insensitive people. I felt I gave him hope and his happiness made me happy that at least I made some one happy. I called him a "Dost". I always knew that its not status of people that makes me talk to them but its their hearts, simplicity and emotions that attracts me.

Train stopped at Kalka station and I walked giving a deeper look to toy train as if wanting to ride the train till Shimla. There outside I got a van for rs 1200 and finally me and the driver drove up hill roads to Shimla. Music from the car stereo and add to that beautiful surroundings of Himachal made me sing few lines of song " waadiyan mera daaman ,raaste meri baahein , jao mere siva tum kahan jaaoge". In the car it was me and driver only and it was truly worth paying 1200 rs. I almost felt being transferred to era of 70s and 80s movies of Rajesh khanna. I felt very filmy and romantic with my own self.

I paid for drivers lunch though he kept insisting that I don't pay but I told him that I am happy doing it because he again resurrected my hopes that better people still exist. We guys discussed many things and till shimla I felt I was with my friend, its vibrations that I feel from people and act on that and also its about finding right people which mostly happens to me. I thank god for always being so sweet to me.
In shimla I walked till lower areas of Mall road and felt really tired because it was after so many months that finally I am walking so much. It was Gulmarg hotel where I changed almost 3 rooms until I liked one and even warned reception guy that he provide me with a room with window facing valley.

I took bath and changed my clothes and left the hotel in the evening to Mall road in search of ATM to withdraw money. MALL road was full of people from offices, tourists , local girls and boys and bazaar was as usual happening. I found the ATM and there my money went back inside the machine and felt so confused as what to do. Bank was open and I found asst. managers(Nikhil, Pawan) from my place who made me very comfortable and even wrote an application for me and assured me that my money will be transferred back to my account by next day. He was thrilled to see a guy from his place in Shimla all alone. He even asked me why I am here and he didn't liked mountains and so even suggested me not to find a house here.
I was equally happy finding right people on my trip. First day on mall road I was walking alone not knowing that suddenly for next few days I will have company of some friends. He asked me to come to bank in the evening the other day. I went to the bank the next evening and later had dinner together and we did it until I left Shimla. I am an emotional person and so it was obvious I get attached to sweet people and I almost tried to give him hope in true sense when he shared some of his very private disasters with me. I asked him to be very strong and never lose hope. We discussed things as if we were old buddies and days spent with them made me feel as if for long time I have been in Shimla.
I took a taxi next day for Fagu to look for the property and on road to Fagu, views were just magical, it was clean and quite and cold. Shimla I never liked too much because its badly polluted and huge crowd suffocates me. Faagu provided much of a relief . Here, I did what I came for and again later next day I visited Fagu with another group of real estate guys. Two guys were young and we got together very well more as friends. We almost had lot of "masti" and blast on the way and I told him to drop me to Kalka station. I said what I pay to taxi ,I will pay to him too. I knew people work hard and friendship doesnt mean I use someone in the garb of relationships. Shimla to Kalka was very amazing journey. Not for once I felt I am with wrong people. I took them to Coffee Cafe day on the way and had Cappuchinos. We all made it clear to each other that we are friends even if the property deal doesn't happen and on Kalka station they wanted to come to platform to say good bye but I said , "its fine, you guys leave " and it was really a moment that makes me think that really we all have love and feelings for even strangers but either we don't realise it or kill this whole emotional aspect.

In train again I found myself in the same coach where Krishna rane served, he came to me smiling as usual and he looked almost attached to me. He gave me the food tray and I ate, he sat beside me, I told him I don't eat sandwiches and really didn't eat much since morning. He left without saying anything and brought me extra "samosa" and tried to give me one more food tray but I was almost full so I didn't eat more. he cared for me on the whole journey till Delhi, even people around looked at me that I was being taken care of so much. I asked him not to show extra attention to me like I am privileged.

Train arrived Delhi and before leaving I gave him 100 rs thinking that its not a tip because "tip" will ruin this whole feeling of emotions that I have for him. In real I don't give tip in hotels or anywhere. I considered him as a friend and someone my own and gave him my card and told him you will always be a friend irrespective of what you do or what you are.

I walked out and took an auto rickshaw and again that auto driver resurrected my hope that people still think so much about others pain . After I commented on how people were being almost dragged to the dhabas as if they have to eat in those dhabas or they will be murdered. He told me he feels sad when he cannot help people from Bihar and UP who he sees everyday being tortured by goon like rough dhaba owners opposite Delhi railway station. I told him what more beautiful I need to end my this short trip than a sensitive young autowala with his so emotional observations about life. His life is an everyday struggle for survival and peoples abusive words are his everyday sweet songs and harshness of life kills such people every moment. My words made him feel good and I could see stars in his eyes that people have after some recognition.

I finally reached home and took a deep breath because I knew my magical, fantasy kind of journey has ended and I am back in the real world with real bad people around me. I would say "thanks god" for making my trip a trip that felt if I was in that short time zone for quite long time and met best of people, smiled throughout and got best of experiences to cherish for long and feel nostalgic when I look back. wows..but good things come to an end too.
While climbing the stairs I murmured lines from Jagjit singh's ghazal from a movie tum bin "एक लम्हे में सिमट आया था सदियों का सफ़र, ज़िन्दगी तेज़ बहुत तेज़ चली हो जैसे" Perfection in their happiness people rarely achieve ever. I did.