Random...

Is it jus Silicon Valley made of ICs?

2012-01-14T14:05:00.000-08:00

Things have changed so much from the early 2000s in the global IT industry. This article brings an interesting plane of view from my experience.

Customer is the backbone of any business. Someone who has being doing business remotely with us, the IT companies, wants to visit us is a big deal – it means customer satisfaction, more business, better relationship. So without doubt, the preparation that goes into welcoming the “clients” home (India) is enormous. Yes, I am going to about client visits.

Last year, I managed two such client visits – who are direct clients for my project. So, it rested on my shoulders to achieve the above said goals. As a fresher in 2002, I had participated in client visits, where the client would exchange a few pleasantries and ask some plastic questions – how do you like the project, etc. What would dread us is the unfathomable accent of white skinned “American/English”. We would have the answers ready even before they could ask us :D

However, in 2011 I was up for a Chinese-American client visit. They are different from American clients that we saw in early 2000s. I'll tell you how. When I asked him ‘where shall I book the stay for you?’, he came up with something like this ‘I am fine with anything, I promise I won’t complain. All I need is a place where I could rest and get ready for the next day’. Too simple, isn't it? Is that all? At another point of our non-business conversation, he queried, ‘So, you follow Hinduism. Do you know which came first, Hinduism or Buddism’ (!!) I composed myself a little bit and said with a sincere smile on my face, ‘Gautama who founded Buddism was a Hindu by birth. So…’ and he ended the statement. No conclusions here please. Just that it was strange!

For an American company, a Chinese is managing the work done by Indians! Perfect testimony for the book 'The World is Flat' by Thomas Friedman!

My first client visit was a huge success, Generally, we call it so, if the client eats, drinks, pees and leaves the place with no complaints :P

Moving on to the second… “Client Director is coming over to visit the Indian team.” Now, who is he? He is an Indian hailing from a Southern district of Tamilnadu! Now this would be difficult as we couldn't awe him with any of Indian stuff like food, culture, dress, politics, or anything at all. They are up to date with the latest happenings including the movie release of Dr. Vijay.

But I am kind of a person, who could engage in a non-stop talk even with a deaf and dumb person. I had no problem in tuning myself to engage him. Different kind of conversations, main one being land value and apartment cost was analyzed.

A brown skinned person of 5 foot 8 inches tall (approx.), clad in light blue shirt, red tie and black trousers speaking impeccable professional American English. Neat! But that’s not what was striking about him. It was the black thread tied on his right wrist! This thread or Sutra is unique in our culture and the faith it protects people doesn’t change wherever one goes, whatever one does.

Way back, onsite team means full of Indians working day and night, delivering every project through 'n' number of challenges... Now, we have Indians, Chinese, Americans as part of onsite team dealing with Indian & Chinese customers. I am sure the equation is changing and wondering, is it jus Silicon Valley or the entire nation made of ICs (Indians and Chinese)! BTW, both my clients are from North East part of US!

Savings...

2011-12-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

My name is Abirami Mohanraj. I am a manager in a reputed IT company. I am married to Rajasekhar Vuppaladhadiam and have a kid of age 4 years. We both earn quite well and have a happy living. Life definitely presents its own challenges every now and then and thankfully we are also bestowed with the necessary tools to overcome them.

I was brought-up in a middleclass family. My dad with four kids and an ailing wife fought all along to position us where we are right now with extra-ordinary grit. I know what is poverty, I know what is pain, I know what is embarassment! But I am also proud of my childhood, for I am what I am now, because of it.

And today, I suddenly feel like a new brahmin! Nay.. it is certainly not what you think. I don't intend to create a racial clash here. Brahminism is considered superior in our caste system. Likewise, in this society, where everything is valued by money, I became a new brahmin in terms of materialistic richness.

From ashes to honor, should I say? Well, whatever, the urge in me to help, share and give has always been quite high. A number of times, I have surprised my husband with some instant decision to offer/donate/give something to someone :) and so far he has never said 'no'...
Conversations like these happen in our home - My husband asks 'who is he?' and I reply 'Oh, he... I asked him to come home to collect the donation cheque from us. So how much, 5, 10, one-time, monthly, yearly, ECS?' (actually I made up my mind already on how to donate, what to donate!) In all these, he participates whole-heartedly, that's the best part in him :) and why not when we both share similar life styles throughout...

But for these acts, my life would have been so bitter and ugly I would say... Finally I identified sweetness and fragrance in my life... These small drops of sweetness that I enjoy, I wouldn't let go of, come what may. This joy is not simply because of giving money. It is because of the human values I get back from it.

The smile in those kids' faces when they receives their new school kit, the smile in those oldage home in-mates for having a sumptuous meal that we sponsored as a group, the satisfaction in that parent's face when she sees her daughter go to matriculation school, giving all of them a ray of hope to survive - This light and fragrance, that I breath is so overwhelming...

When I die one day, there would be tears down our sponsored children's faces and many others - these tear drops are the savings for my kid! :) One of my well wishers told me 'remember, you have a daughter'... Yes, I got to save for my daughter and here it is - 'Grace'

Before I wrap up this article, one last bit - Let me also say, I am not gullible. Like I brought in another visitor for my husband - 'who is he now?', 'oh he... Bank person - Demat account. Stock market is not doing good now, good time to invest!'

Life is a balance, full of debits and credits! :)

Blame it on the hormones...

2011-09-30T13:58:00.000-07:00

I am sorry, "Guys". It is yet another article on male-female analysis…

Men are given respect – Huge respect! For what? Any guesses? Not for age, not for job, not for character, not for their salary.
But because they are "MEN"; Oh yeah! because they are have more Testosterone than women; rather they are the proud owner of that proprietary hormone! :P

I vividly observe this in most household including mine. Mother-in-law won’t sit in front of son-in-law. Husbands are not supposed to do house chores - “Please they aren’t made for it. They are MEN”. This is not the case in most city households. If you travel South of Tamilnadu, you could see this in pretty much in many villages and towns. I am not sure if man of the house demands this, but has been provided to him, by default. So, no woman dares to question it. It is like ‘Sun rises in the east’ – rule of the nature!

It happened in my home "sweet home", a couple of days back. Cook was as usual on unplanned leave and mom not quite OK. So, it was my dad who rose to the occasion as always. At the end of the day, our kitchen sink was overflowing with used utensils and vessels. I thought it was not appropriate for my dad to get up early in the morning, wash everything and begin cooking. I casually asked Raj to help out as I was tired that day because I am a WOMAN (I mean cos of progesterone - periods) :P. He began to do it. That’s it. Hell broke loose with my parents. They came to me and murmered ‘ask him to leave it and go’, ‘he shouldn’t be doing it’! I was like ‘gimme a break’ and cut them off sharp.

I am not blaming men here. If you carefully observe it is the social fabric. Nice fabric – jus that it is not used properly, I would say.

On further physical examination, what is the real difference between men and women. Appearance? Organs? Thoughts? Emotions? – Pls, whatever it is... Let’s blame it on the hormones. Otherwise, you and me are humans, without doubt!

Let’s take a step further and do a comparison…

Human being is a great possibility. It’s something that probably every other species aspire to be. Human birth is the highest, next to God! (let me stop here and not turn spiritual!)

Now, what do we do with this human being. Men dominate women not just in the name of marriage, in every relation we have created in this culture. Now, have you seen any male animal doing this to the female animal? Don’t they take care of their lives well? Don’t they operate smoothly?

With that extra intelligence bestowed upon us, I think we have every right to live sensibly and treat each other with mutual respect and empathy.

It’s time (it’s too late already) we realize men and women are the same species – damn with those hormones! (I think we should let them do their designated jobs ;-) and not use it for abusing the remaining half). :D

Peace...
Abi

A leaf from my college life!

2011-07-31T13:43:00.000-07:00

How I got famous in a day... A leaf from my college days!

Aug 17 1998, I was in GCT, Coimbatore in the hostel campus after completing all the admission formalities. My first day! I had absolutely no idea of what I was into. I was kind of blank. I did my 12th standard with unwavering determination to achieve something and not this college or degree [Not that I didn't want this, but thought I wouldn't get this] - My aim was to become a Maths tuition teacher and make a living out of that. However, my scores landed me here. With no imagination of my first day there, I was quite open to things and my priority was to get acclimatized there as soon as possible. To kick the unknown factors out soon of my mind.
I happened to know a senior there through my friend. Her name was Kalyani. My first socializing move happened through her. I was being introduced to the sophomores (second year) by Kalyani. As they enquired about me, I returned the gesture.

That's it! Like wild fire, my name was being spread for controversies among my own hostel mates and seniors.
This was why they were looking for me - "Who is Abirami? There is one girl who has come from Chennai and talking in ENGLISH. [And that was unpardonable then] Who is that girl who is asking questions back to seniors [like what is your name? where are you coming from?]? One half crack says 'Nice to meet you' to the seniors. Where is she?"

Terror! My fellow hostel mates were afraid to tell my name. They hadn't seen or interacted with me, just heard my name as I was the most wanted person. Know what? I was blissfully unaware of all these happenings.

With my unconventional but spontaneous behaviour though, I continued to become famous... Mostly related to ragging incidents.

For Chennai freshers, our train journey back home for holidays and vacation had always been a great adventure in itself. Soon after our first train journey, people were again looking for me 'Abirami interrupted the ragging session conducted earnestly by the final years in the train and said she wanted to go to sleep. No one has ever done that.'

This was very hard for me. Because, I couldn't instill any fear factor in me forcefully, especially for ragging. I continued to see the seniors as seniors. Nothing more than that. I found it extremely hard to keep my face stern and serious, when the ragging sessions were going on. Thankfully they were not harsh or abusive. It was jus meaningless. To put up a show as if I was terrified was so difficult, it was like I could burst into laughter anytime...

Anyways, years rolled by fast! and soon I became a mother... Wait wait... lots of things happened in between... Long living friendships, degree, job, falling in love (haven't gotten up yet), marriage, child and don't know what's next...

Hell with my view!

2011-07-29T00:54:00.000-07:00

Your view or My view:

Views, opinions, judgements are all over the place… Except devils and dogs, I think everyone is all the time making comments about almost everything.

I got into a heated discussion with my bro sometime last week about culture. Each of us was profusely abusing each other’s views and thoughts.

Suddenly a grappling thought occurred. Who the hell am I to pass a comment or judgement on something someone did. Do I know all the parameters with which they performed that action?

Take for example, ‘He shouldn’t have ditched that girl and married another girl’ How easily said? Now, do I know what agony he underwent before making such a decision, do I know what transpired between the couple, do I know how things were conspired against him? Or do I know how his planets and stars were lined up against him? ;-)

I might have known a few things but not everything, not in its entirety. So, why don’t I just shut up?!

Each one is unique and each situation is unique. Every moment is different. No two people can think or act the same way.

I think we should leave it to them to handle their doings or karma, instead of spraying frivolous comments on people and their decisions. Right or wrong is so subjective and we can argue on it forever.

Now, am I going to stop talking about MMS, MSD, Sonia Gandhi, Tirupathi Balaji (yeah… I mean Lord Venky) or Aleem Dar? Oh pls… I am not Lady Good or Lady Right!
But I think I will not meddle with anyone’s personal decision not until I am asked to.

Sorry Bro if I hurt your feelings. Yet, please don’t provoke me again and testify this article. Because I admit I am not yet Lady good or right. ;-)

Shopping and Sex

2011-05-08T13:37:00.000-07:00

Shopping and Sex

I see a strong relationship, at the same time, a sharp contrast in these two acts... Have you made any guesses already?! :-) Whatever the answer is, pls read on...

Shopping - it is the most exciting thing that a bride looks forward to in a marriage function... Remember all the shopping plans, sarees, dresses, jewels, make up, etc etc. Certainly an exciting one!
Sex - What is this? Oh yeah... you got it right! this is for the groom. Not sure of the interest the guy shows in taking a black/gray blazer or maroon/half white kurta set! But definitely, he is 'on' for the first night!
These two are the things that keep male and female rejuvenated, energized, ever!

Don't gag...

I pause here for a moment in a pensive mood... and dare to write that men and women in a marriage are like two different species. They are asked and expected to lead/live life together 'padinaarum petru peru vaazhvu vaazhga' (may you live gloriously with all kind of richness (including love, laughter, kids etc) filled in your life)! Until the thread of love develops between these two species and binds them together, the above statement is a joke, isn't it?

Why I am taking a hit at marriage now? I am into this for the last 7 years! Is my marriage breaking down? :-)) Not definitely...

This is a dig at how marriages are conducted in our culture... In this modern era, where everything is decided by logic and nothing else, this eludes all logic and the expectation from society is absurd and ridiculous! Mind you, I am not talking about the ritual, but the mindset of all the people involved.

Sacred thread is tied in a minute, man and woman declared husband and wife effortlessly. Will the kissing (now the groom can kiss the bride!) or taking rounds around the sacred fire melt the ego and unite them? I doubt!

This is more true for arranged marriages. Whether the liking is developed between the two or not is not the question! "Horoscope and caste match so you live happily with the other half!" Things are changing nowadays and 'know each other' time is allotted by parents. Hope it is a fair process, saying 'no' is also allowed.

Finally, I am not sure of any solution neither have I any suggestions for a better marital life... Because amongst all these contrasts, differences between the partners, life goes on either willingly or unwillingly. There must be a few of us here who may feel 'this is not my case. I love my partner. I value and accept his/her opinions and differences. Shopping or sex? silly, we are beyond it. I know my partner very well'. Kudos and Congratulations to those fellas...

To the rest, I can only say 'You are not alone' :-)

Stoned and stunned!!!

2011-02-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

It was reasonably dark. I returned from work early, compared to the guilt-filled late night hours. While I was entering my house gate, there was this usual street dog who resides in around our parking area... I ignore it and don't care to acknowledge it. Rather too busy even to glance her. There are four houses in the apartment... Through the day the dog would spend time inside, sometimes outside the gate. When she is out, someone needs to arrive at the gate, so that the gate will be opened. Today, when I returned, she was staying out. Casually, I just happened to look into her eyes! I was stoned and stunned... so much emotion overflowing. I asked her 'ammu kutti, would you like to stay inside dear'. First time I spoke to her I suppose... She replied very beautifully, 'she came behind me waging her tails gleefully' It kindled a different emotion in me.
There is so much of love all around us, in a leaf, a rock, a flower and more abundantly in animals too. But I suppose, we are going behind human beings to share it.

[No wonder Americans prefer Pets, to their spouses! They are already ahead of us... ]

I am not patronizing to have pets at home certainly. All I am conveying is that it becomes easy to respond to life around in a graceful way when you experience something like this! I don't think I will go, caress her, for I am forever afraid of that species. But my heart will beat for it!

Good bye my dear!

2011-01-01T11:11:00.000-08:00

It's new year! I don't know if I should be writing something like this... I need a vent out. So this article is dedicated to me and me alone!

He was doing great, on top of the world I should say, just fine and healthy. He also had a care-taker. She was not OK though. The care-taker didn't even know he was there. It was like she alone was present and he was not there. This guy tried to differentiate his presence in several ways to her. She continued to ignore him, but not for long.

The day came when both he and she met each other. The next day, for various reasons, she sent him to another care-taker!

She bid a painful adieu to him with prayers that he would be happy, healthy and in good terms with his new care-taker. Because she knows there are plenty of people unlike her waiting for his arrival. He would be a happy person there. She has such strong positive vibes for him. Till her last breath, she would pray for his wellness.

Now he is gone away from her... She misses him dearly. Hope he has reached a person who can nurture him for 9 long months and bring him to this world as a strong healthy person. She is sure he would enter a space where he would bring loads of happiness to one and all.

This may sound crazy but she knows she will meet him one day! Until then, Good-bye my dear! and Good luck!

Make a Move and Now!

2010-11-25T09:20:00.000-08:00

Aggressive or Competitive or Complacent - which is better?

As I write this article, there is only one thing that comes to my mind - Being at peace with yourself! Nah... certainly this is some kind of gyan I am trying to sell to anyone!

Of late, I came across a lot of people, with different kinds of worries, problems - most of them work related. As I question more and more into their problems, I saw only one root - Comparison!

It is like 'Why not I get a mother-in-law like her?, 'Why not I get a manager like him', or 'my age - but earning twice as me', 'saree exactly of the same design and color would be awesome' There is nothing wrong with it! Absolutely nothing!

Even my 3 year old is like that. 'Mom, I want the same ear ring as yours ;-)' She feels mine is better!

Money, success, position, health, better balanced family life - I think we got to understand one comes at a cost of another... How mean is our society or nature or whatever is responsible? Why not everyone have everything? Well, it is a useless question and I call it so, because I don't have an answer! :P

Now coming back to Comparison - whomever we compare with, one may have say more money, but not health... another one may have position, but not money etc etc... Most of us comfortably ignore what it has taken for a person to get where they are!

Oh yes! I hear you 'I know all of this and more' For those impatient folks, here comes the conclusion - If you think you don't have something may it be a better job, role, career, health or personal life (sorry, I don't include better spouses here - got to live with them anyway, because they have become necessary evils in our lives - Again there are exceptions and I hope exceptions are in great number :) :)), just move your ASS!!!!!

I mean MAKE A MOVE! Look for a better healthy diet, exercise, talk to your manager for a better role, look for a job change, see how you can spend quality time with your family, - To act on whatever you see is missing in your life! ACT NOW!!

Is the problem solved? not really... "I also act on my shortcomings, but my peer or neighbour is also acting fast and he also progresses at the same pace!" "What to do now? When will I become he or she?"

I am not writing anymore... Well, if I read this to my little "logic" princess at home, she will say, 'Ma, don't compare ma! I have mine, they have theirs' :)

Good luck folks!

I am hungry - Its Madrasapattinam review!

2010-08-07T08:13:00.000-07:00

Its been quite some time since my last article. Now I am hungry to write... but write on what?!

Well... It is about the movie I just watched - "Madrasa pattinam" ... I don't know the director of the movie until the end. When I saw the name in the movie poster while I was leaving the theatre, I said "Way to go Vijay!" Brilliant movie. Generally I keep myself away from writing any reviews. I never felt like writing about any movie... But this one was too tempting!

I have not seen many movies where audience wouldn't want to leave the theatre. But today I witnessed, the audience were glued to their seats and their eye balls pinned to the screen, even after the movie ended! Probably, Back ground music score mesmerised us!

Three classic scenes, worth talking about...

1) Paridhi was falling in love with Amy... But language was a barrier. He couldn't utter a word in English... So, he makes all attempts to learn it. Just to say a few sentences like What is your name? How are you?. "Ah! I have learnt, let me talk to 'Durai amma'..."
So, they both meet in the middle of a river... In a desperate moment, he forgets, tries to recollect in bits and pieces of what he learnt! Amy quietly watches his stutters and replies 'marandhittiya?' and steals the hearts of everyone!!! A beautiful melody song follows...

2) This scene left me with goose bumps. Aug 15 1947 midnight, Freedom fighters were hoisting the flag, with great joy and pride! The same feeling, great joy and relief kind of spread and filled in me :) What a great moment it should have been... After many many decades of fight and slavery, we got back our mother land.

For a moment, I was asking this question to myself - Hard earned freedom, what have we done to this nation? Have we made justice to this blood shed freedom?! Hmm...

3) Now the final scene... When Granny Amy finds Paridhi! The final words she spoke holding the 'thaali' in her palm closed, 'Its mine, mine!'
Awesome!! Awesome!! You should watch it!

Overall, a fantastic movie with a brilliant screenplay and script!

Hats off to Vijay, Arya and Amy team!!!

Performance review to a dad on Daddy's day

2010-06-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

What's the buzz all about? I didn't understand a few years ago when I was in US doing my usual weekend shopping...
I saw many dad's with little ones at shopping marts... T-shirts written 'my dad is best', posters with 'dad and kid doing fishing', mugs, cards etc etc... What were they celebrating?

Daddy' day?!!! It didn't quite mean to me then!

Now a few years passed by after the little girl's arrival I saw more meaning in it than ever... So I was planning to celebrate it. To me, this day was more important than Diwali or Pongal where I just sleep off the day! I took the kids to the nearby park... They had a good time there... 'don't want rice' was ok today :) Fruits were served to them, gulfi ice cream was allowed (they get it e'day anyway when I am away at work :)) ) I ordered food from outside, I made the dish he likes it much and... I felt like saluting my dad! I made molagai bajji for my dad, lemon rice & boli for my husband... Two brilliant dads I know in great intimacy and without whom my life would have been different - am sure it wouldn't have been for the better...

3 years and no one round of performance review for chinnu's dad?! What a manager I am :))
Let's do it today :))

Performance review for Father of Isha Krupa:

Being a working dad, he managed his responsibilities very well and was able to juggle around the tasks given to him.

He quickly donned the role of dad as soon as the little one arrived. It took a while for him to understand what was going on. But he rendered all support required during the crucial time.

As the kid grow up, he played the role of 'good cop' while mom played 'bad cop' for giving food and medicines :) I think he did an excellent job there too.

He taught mom Ramayana and all linked stories, now that mom and kid are independent story tellers. While mom can spin new stories on the fly... Kid can recite Ramayana and Krishna story with all the character names well.. Remarkable achievement for all of us!

Participation in daughter's day today activities:

Bathing the child - On request
Brushing the teeth - when asked for and they both do it without hassles, where mom has to struggle for hours!
Feeding her - Almost every week night when mom not available. He has scaled up so much nowadays! He has learnt the knack after all :)
Doctor's appointment - always available and have not missed anything.
Birthday and b'day celebrations - Not as excited as the mom, but he gives due importance. He is not a person to care much about b'days, esp. mom's b'day ;-) but I think kid's day is important to him.
Time sharing - Excellent between Chess and kid!!! Chess has been his passion for the last 4 years. You may want to check out his ratings at chess.com! He's deemed to become a chess trainer one day!
Time management - Awesome!!!
Kissing - TOOOOO much :))
Hugging - much to the mom's jealousy!

Now the final verdict...Though he deserves a better rating, we can't have more than one "top" rater in one family. So we are forced to give 'Exceeded expectations most of the times'. Now who is the top rater - It is none other than the daughter herself. She takes the cake - 'Exceeded expectations all the times' :))

[Oops... Have I let the Corporate rating secret out??!!]

Anyways, when you go ask her 'do you want mom or dad', she says 'I want both of them'... She deserves it for all the things she does and doesn't ;-)!

Both mom and dad are ok with 3 (in a scale of 1 to 4, 4 being highest)!

Conversations with the little lady :)

2010-06-11T13:40:00.000-07:00

Little Conversations with my kid

1))
We were in our usual night patrolling just before getting to bed, almost close to 12. We usually bid good night to all the 'bow wow!'s on the street and the lizards on the wall... So today, we saw a dead mouse ran over by a vehicle
Isha: Mom, What is this? Is it a horse? [the mouse was so out of shape, it appeared like a sea horse]
Mom: No Chinnu, it's mouse... Mouse was so mischievious, that it came so fast on the streets and was ran over by the car...
Isha: Is it? Poor thing [she was very concerned by now]
Mom: let us be more careful, let's go home...
Chinnu: Mom, I'll ask dad to apply medicine to the mouse and i will beat up the car. lets go to bed. i am feeling sleepy...

2))
Isha saw a black mole in my arm and below is our conversation around it

Isha: amma, what is it?
mom: oh, it is an insect bite [i didn't want start something new and handle a series of questions :)]
isha: was it painful?
mom: not really chinnu
isha: i will kiss the wound and then you will feel better [and then she bent down to kiss the mole]
is mom feeling ok now?
mom: yes, chinnu
isha: once i see the insect, i'll smash it.

3))
One afternoon, my aunt, one of her favourite persons other we both was sitting alone in the balcony, lost in thoughts...
Little lady started the conversation

isha: what are you doing here, nanny?
aunt: i am just sitting alone
isha: why are you alone?
aunt: i dont have anyone
isha: why so?? I am there for you right? then whats the problem!!!
come here...
aunt: whatever she was worried about vanished and she was so full of joy at the little one's words :)

4))
This conversation happened almost a year back and this was with her grandpa
They both were waiting in the bank counter

grandpa: isha, get me some money
isha: i dont have money grandpa
grandpa; ok, it is alright... go, ask mom
isha: [she was sitting on his lap... slightly stretched, peeked into my dad's pocket, saw the few rupee notes and then uttered]
see, you already have money right, then why are you asking me? [un kitta kaasu irukku illa, appram enna?]

And the list is endless... :)

I missed it by a whisker!

2010-05-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

It was terrible to lose the opportunity by 0.5! I prepared it for almost 2 weeks ever since I came to know about it... Though I was part of the organizing team, I am supposed to undergo the examination before I could participate. You may not even believe, in the last week before the examination, I took all these as part of my diet

Drumstick in all forms (in Sambhar, poriyal etc)
Drumstick leaves - Greens - cooked gravy
Pomegranate
Papaya
Pretty much all types of fruits

I thought taking these will increase my count...

Finally the day arrived!

On the morning, I took a full meal again drumstick leaves sambhar. :))
I reached office. I motivated every one in my team to participate in this... However, they also need to qualify, else they will get rejected... (There is no wild card entry :)) )

I went to the spot along with my team... After checking my weight, age and other particulars they let me in. One of the persons there punched my finger, took a drop of blood. After a few moments, 'hers is 12'. The physician in front of me said, 'come after lunch' and wrote 'unfit' in my blood donation form...

Yes, I am talking Blood Donation camp arranged by my company with Lions Club. It is a very noble act... It is about saving life. So, I was very particular about donating. Knowing my health condition I thought I prepared well... But I lost it by 0.5. Had my heamoglobin count was 12.5 or more, I would have qualified.

When you lose, you can lose by a big margin. No issues. Getting very close to the winning mark and then losing is miserable...

Many of my team members whom I urged to give blood, qualified and they all donated blood... I was happy, atleast I could do that!

But the real bad part is my entire team teases me like 'Oh! she failed the test', 'She got rejected', 'Oh poor... She lost it' having seen my interest in this entire episode :))

Good touch... Bad touch!

2010-04-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

This article is going to be one, which can leave a bad taste in your mind, you may want to carry a disgusting look at me... But never mind, I am penning it down!

I thought I was the only girl in this country rather in this world, to be sexually exploited when I was around 7 years of age... And this was a long buried secret in me for a very long time. Later, slowly I came to understand my friend, friend's friend, my next door aunt, sister, kids were also affected like me.

About seven years back, I was in a group of more than five hundred women and we were asked to share their deepest secret, which bothered or hurt us the most. I thought people would come up with life loss, near and dear lives lost. I was shocked, terrified when more and more ladies of different ages stood up, choked, cried and shared their molestation agony... and that too by whom? Step father, uncle, cousin brother, servant etc etc.

Now what really bothered me is that not many of these ladies could come out of these incidents even after many many years. That was still the most painful incident in their life. Somewhere it left an indelible scar in them.

Some ladies have become introvert, some girls have become eternally fearful, it had a deep impact in their personality. [This is my personal feeling... and I am definitely not an introvert!]

Even before I came to know of this, I was reading so many articles around this... Not that I was doing any research... Just every other day's newspaper carried such news.

When I was in my pre-final year of Engineering, someone asked 'what is your field of interest'. I remember I said, 'Fight Child molestation'. Few of the girls around me had a weird look at me... like 'What... Yuck' and by then they also knew I am kind of a girl to give such replies :))

From then on, I want to do something about it. The first thing that came to my mind was to educate parents, especially mothers on this topic.

What mothers can do about it.
1) Never leave your child alone with anyone(Day care centers and schools are exceptions. We got to trust them anyway)
2) Educate your kid - Good touch, Bad touch.
Someone touches their sensitive areas - Nay, it is a bad touch. Train them in such a way, the moment some thing like that happens, they report to you. You can train them like a play. Like while giving them a shower, tell them 'this is your private part... Only mom can touch for cleaning. If someone else touches, you will tell mom'

Child psychologists say 'Good touch, Bad touch' is an effective tool to protect them against this kind of an act. Atleast we will get a fore warning about such people, the first time when an attempt is made.

Good age to introduce this 'Good touch Bad touch' game is 3 years. This is applicable to toddlers of both sex.

Take care of your little precious one against this kind of barbaric act!

Finally please pass this message to as many people as possible.

New husbands!

2010-04-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

Most new husbands I have seen are choked between their mother and wife. I had a casual conversation with my husband on this. While we were discussing about it, he made a comment, 'Any husband who loves his wife will do what is required for the situation. He will not sit through as the rift grows between the most two important ladies in his life'. I was actually shocked to hear this from him. Because it was quite blunt, second he puts the entire onus on the husband to strike a balance between mom and wife...

Now, as I think about it, I would say what he said is true... assuming you have good wife and good mother-in-law in your mother (mothers can never be bad, but mothers-in-law can be), if the husband does the mediator job properly, their marriage life can be very successful.

What if, they are not... some new brides are never understanding... they don't consider the MIL as their mother. Well, I also agree the feeling should be mutual. but c'mon someone has to start it...

and some MILs don't give the necessary time and space for the new girl to settle down. They don't realize the youngsters are having the most memorable time in their life. They are impatient and want to judge their daughter-in-law too soon, with their insurmountable expectations on her.

Oh yes, yes... there are plenty of reasons! If you watch any of the serials in Sun TV just one day, you will get to know... and if you watch it for a week, you may even commit suicide, beware of that channel!!

The message I am trying to convey is that husband plays a huge role in building the bridge between his bride and his family. If he is not interested in taking the right step, all three or the entire family's happiness is doomed. He should look through the situation or the problem with his maturity glasses and take the right action. Lots of tactfulness and diplomacy is required, in chiding or cajoling any party involved.

Ah... how easily said! But my dear gentlemen, give it a shot! :)

Fulfilling experience...

2010-02-20T05:19:00.000-08:00

Do you remember the day you came to know that you are going to become a mom or dad? Have you savored each and every moment, the first time you held your child? Heaven isn't? I thought my life was made! It was definitely the most intense experience next to being with my Guru.

After being a mother, almost each day I underwent agony, when I see underprivileged children. It is even more agonizing to witness myself just being a passer by...

What am I doing to these children? I carry a heavy pay check home. But I know I live an unfulfilled life. I can't adopt all those children and provide food and shelter to my soul's satisfaction. Should I leave them like that because I didn't carry them in my womb. I want to do something, but.

What about providing food and education to a rural village girl? She has the will to learn, but doesn't have a school near by. She dreams of becoming a doctor, but her parents are struggling for the next meal. Majority of India's next generation only "dream" of a happy living...

How about participating in the democracy, enriching my nation's future generation with good health and sound mind?

I came to know of Isha Vidhya! I sponsor a child. Her name is Padmasree. Isha Vidhya takes care of her education and they provide healthy meals. I have been sponsoring her education for the last 2 years. Now she is in standard IV. I have seen her, she has written to me in that little hand writing... I was moved to know what a difference I have made in her. Ever since, I sponsored her education and meals, its like I adopted her virtually. I see her progress report every term. I write to her asking to concentrate on the subjects she should improve. It is a very wonderful relationship I share with that kid.

All I did is, I donated Rs.7000/year for her wellbeing. That's all it takes. I don't need to bother if she is doing her homework, if she is having her meals properly. Because, I know she is in the safe hands of Isha Vidhya. What else can I expect!

Isha Vidhya has constructed matriculation schools equivalent to a city school with computer facilities in remote villages. They have a very nominal fee structure. But most kids in that village couldn't afford even that. So, they have come up with a unique opportunity for every one of us to participate in rural village children's education. More than 60% of the pupils studying there are sponsored by people like me.

I request all the city folks, especially the ones who are in the lap of growing and blooming IT industry, to please sponsor a child. It only takes Rs. 7000, 170USD, 100 Euro. You may not realize until you sponsor and receive a letter from that little one thanking you for the help, what a new fulfilled experience it is. If you sponsor a child, please don't stop sponsoring midway. The kid has to look for another donor. Try to sponsor them until they reach their matriculation standard.

My sponsored child, Padmasree is now having good meals and education. She even aims to become a great professional and a super great human being! Because she is brought up in love and grace!

More details please visit http://ishavidhya.org

Is there a solution?

2009-12-28T09:06:00.000-08:00

It was 10.45 PM, 12/21/2009. I was on my way back home, sitting inside the cab, watching the wiper move - up - down up - down... heavy rains outside! The wipers were dutifully clearing up the vision. When I was lost in my thoughts, suddenly I heard the cab driver speak , 'I dont know how next generation is going to be' I was startled to hear that while he continued, 'this month is margazhi and there is no fog or mist in the morning... there is too much of rain now which is not good for this season...' Like this he continued... How should I feel?! While I was glad to see the climate change awareness among common people, I was immensely sad to realize what kind of Earth or environment I am leaving for my child, my future generation. We, the current residents of the earth are already victims of the pollution and other contamination we are doing to the environment.

A few generations ago, asthma was not known to many people. Now it is a very common disease. 3 out of 10 children in US are suffering from asthma.
What about India... I have a living example. My two and a half year old toddler was diagnosed of wheezing, the beginning signs of asthma.

It sends shivers through my spine.
What am I doing about it!? A few months back, I planted two saplings in some unused space near my place. For every new leaf I saw in those future trees, I carried a wide smile on my face and happiness in my heart. I know it is a very small step, but remember, little drops make an ocean!

Interested in knowing what more can be done about global warming? Read this article - Precious

Let me appeal to you, Guys and gals, Save our earth. Plant trees! That could be our only saviour, if at all anything is there. Lets be kind to our children and their chuldren. It is not some X or Y. It is my child and your child, you and me who are the victims!

My husband slapped me!

2009-12-12T03:53:00.000-08:00

I did it! It took 5 years and several months to happen. Finally he laid his hands on me. Hey wait...! This was for a big blow! Yes, he slapped me! It was not easy for either of us. It took several hours to reconcile. Atleast to talk to each other. On top of this, we visited his mom's place that night. Did that help or cause more trouble? Lets see... With not too much of sham we did, they found out something fishy was going on between us. So we were forced to get into terms faster. I too was not interested in making them(my parents-in-law) wonder or worry for a longer time. While everyone was contemplating what caused all this, the eldest soul in the family, his grandpa (he is like my own too), decided to get some story out from me. While I didn't let out the entire drama for there is nothing much to be said, profound advice started pouring in, from e'one there (except my in-laws) on what! how to keep him (my husband) happy!!! On any day, I wouldn't have taken it. For whatever reason, I stayed calm. I went ahead to convince them, 'we will be ok' (and we were after a while). We returned home after 2 days. On the way back, I simply commented, ' There is nothing wrong with them (grandpa and others there), just this society is fabricated that way... It is a male dominated society, you cannot expect much from it' Let me also tell you, my in-laws and family are the best one could get! The entire episode along with reconciliation happened very fast. The visit did help reduce the tension between us.

However the weekend is not over yet. Isha was not OK with her health. She kept falling sick and still is... That evening, she was so adamant on eating something which is not good for her health. I admonished her with a loud voice! That's it! She broke into big time tears and started saying with her weeping voice, 'Amma vendam' (I don't want mom). I heard her say that for the first time. I was always her favorite person, not anymore :( Somewhere I am turning to be stricter mother! Thus she added more to my weekend blues which finally got over.

Uff!! I am happy it got over... I despise such weekends, I am better off without such tormenting ones!!!

Oh Yes! We are ok and happily married for 5 years and 5 months now with a little princess :)

Baby Ramayana

2009-08-19T13:04:00.000-07:00

I don't understand how kids like to listen to the same story again and again... I have been saying this story (The story name 'Rama Story' or Baby Ramayana) every night with little variation to my little one, Isha Krupa. She doesn't fall asleep unless she hears this story...

So now, the story... Be careful, you may doze off when you finish reading :))

Once upon a time, there lived a king. The King had four babies. First baby's name was Rama, Second baby's name Lakshmana, third baby's name was Bharatha, Fourth baby's name Shatrugna.
Baby Rama was very fond of Baby Lakshmana (in her language Rama paappa, lakshmana paappa and so on...). Every day Lakshmana used to get lots of kisses from Baby Rama.

One day, all four babies - Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna - went to a forest for playing. They were playing 'Ringa Ringa roses, Pocket full of roses, Hasha Busha ... All fall down' game...

All of a sudden, a big lion came that way and saw these kids playing there... Lion came close by and threatened Rama, 'Hey Rama, go home... This is our place. Who asked you to come here?' Baby Rama replied 'Lion, I am not scared of you... I have a big bow and arrow and a stick also' 'I'll beat you up'.
'More over', Rama said, 'I drink Pediasure every day so I am very strong... So you better go inside the forest. We will not go home, we are going to play another game'
and Rama and his baby brothers continued to play...

The Lion was angry, but he decided to use his mind. So he went to the big elephant of the forest. He went and narrated the encounter with Rama. The elephant listened carefully and said, 'King Lion... you don't worry about Rama and his baby brothers. I'll smash them'

The lion gleefully followed the elephant and reached the kid's play area. Rama saw them both. Elephant told the same thing as lion did. He asked them to disappear from the forest or he might get angry. Rama said the same thing that he had a big bow and arrow and he would hurt them.

Elephant was shocked and didn't know what to do. He stood stunned before Rama. Immediately, Baby Rama smiled, 'Elephant and Lion... ha ha ha... don't be scared. I was jus kidding. I won't beat you. I would like to be friends with you, if you wish... We can play together'... Lion and elephant were so relieved for Baby Rama was not afraid of elephant and his big appearance also. They both became so happy, and agreed to the proposal. They realized Rama and his baby brothers were all so brave, intelligent, honest and friendly.

So the elephant and lion became friends with Rama, Lakshmana, Bharatha and Shatrugna and played every day in the forest ever after :)

By this time, Isha will be yawning... But if you stop in the middle, she'll nag you to continue...

I am writing this today for two reasons

1) One day, I'll read this story back to her :)
2) Some one reading this can use it as their kid's bed time story
This story relates to her day to day activities and teaches some morals. *like drinking pediasure makes Rama strong, lion and elephant play and that they can be Rama's playmates, how lion decided to call elephant when he was alone, how rama used non violence to conquer those mammoth animals ;-)

The list continues....

We tried Krishna story, but apparently, this became her favorite bed time story :)

Good night folks :)

My experience in jail...

2009-07-11T05:16:00.000-07:00

Her name is Angel... Couldn't forget her! She just completed one year when I first went to that jail... Her mom asked me to take chocolate, very candidly, who was a prisoner there... I didn't know why initially; couldn't managed to find out as the "Isha inner engineering class" was about to start in a couple of minutes.

Well, that's the reason I went there. When Swami Vishnu called up and said the previous night, 'why not you come as a volunteer for organizing the Isha yoga class?'... I immediately said 'yes'. But there were some slight discomfort in me. How will the people be in jail, will they be harsh, cruel, dishonest! Will I return safe? All these questions just surfaced in my mind... But I am not a person to give up new experiences for socially inflicted fears! Somewhere in the corner of the mind, I probably knew this was false fear! So I managed to get up early the next day and headed for the 'Puzhal' jail, where Isha Yoga conducted a Yoga program for Women! Inner Engineering program for women in Jail!

Angel's mom Julie was one of the many participants in the yoga program. She handed over the kid to one another volunteer(Naga akka) and attended the class. She managed Angel quite well... However I couldn't resist taking care of Angel as kids are inseparable part of my life! So, went there, relieved Naga akka and I took Angel in my arms! She's falling asleep as I rocked her gently! Finally she dozed off and I managed to return to the program class!

When the 3 hours class was over for the day, kid woke up. I thought Julie will run to pick her little one. Much to my surprise, she was not anxious and I found her playing volleyball! I was stunned for a moment and quite didn't understand what was going on there...

Julie is an excellent volley ball player and when she found the ball there (which was brought there for Isha games), she couldn't but play it!

Angel was born in jail, she was brought up by e'one there! She belongs to e'one. She's brought up in such a big family. She takes food from e'body there. She easily get along with strangers! My heart sank when I came to know that Angel was born in there, she's even having her first b'day there... I don't know why, because both mom and kid seemed to be happier than many people I see outside.

May be because, Angel doesn't enjoy a life that Isha enjoys (my 2 year old daughter)! I dont know exactly... But the pain continues to be there...

A glimpse at Isha's 2nd B'day party

2009-05-19T02:53:00.000-07:00

It started wtih a hasty return from work to take care of the arrangements at home for a small celebration. I was worried about Isha's health; on the eve of her b'day, she showed up 101 degree Fahrenheit, and we took her to emergency at 3 AM in the night. She was prescribed crocin and another medicine for setting bowel movements right.
So with all this in mind, I went out of my mind all through the day at office and during my return home, until I saw Raj. [He's always been my morale booster... He's always convinces me things are ok.] When I anxiously asked him, how the kid was doing. He said, she's sleeping and just doing fine.
Finally, a moment of relief! Happy to know that her illness had not progressed. We set out in full swing to prepare the house for a small party, if I can call that so...
Balloons, decoration papers, hangings on the wall, paper cone caps written 'happy b'day', cake, snacks etc etc set the celebration mood at home :)
We decorated the hall to whatever extent possible with the little ones (Isha and Anush) around... They went on and on in extending my patience level :)) As I blow a balloon, these tiny ones will be in the queue to take it from me. Finally managed to stick a few in the walls and moved to the next phase...
Dressing up the party princess... All of us almost failed in this one single event! We succeeded just to make her wear the panty! not the party dress from aunt, the one from mom & dad couldn't stand longer than the photo sessions... so the cake cutting ceremony happened with isha on her real b'day suit with just the old trunk around!

Lets look at the highlights!

Highlights of the event:
1) Decoration truned out to be simple and beautiful
2) Bonus balloons for the kids
3) Isha cried her tonsils out for wearing the b'day dress, liked just her shorts
4) Grandpa got another big cake for all of us (so totally we had about 3 boxes of cake)
5) Cutting cake was another big mess
6) Cake was made into a cake crums at the end
7) Photo session was absolutely random (Poor dad was missed out in the mess that happened)
8) Girls liked their toys (Teddy and Tigky) and accepted them as their doubles partners.
9) Heavy thunderstorm and rain, followed by cool night (A much wanted break from the zapping heat)
10) And a dinner for all of us bought from some ABC hotel :) which Prasad managed to get it in the heavy rains! (Special thanks to him :) )

My BF told 'I love you'!

2009-04-21T04:23:00.000-07:00

No no no... it's not 'Boy Friend', it is 'Best Friend'... my BF told 'I love you' to her date (if i can call him so). She seems to be set well into the groove - "Courtship with her would be husband!" A perfect relationship, ideal couple, they look like...

As I turn back, and walk along the memory lanes of the times I spent with her, I know, 'Romance, love, longingness, anxiety of separation' were all once 'Greek & Latin' to her... Now this thin lady is dancing in love's rhythms! I can't tell you how happy I am and definitely not how happy she is :)
Mind is capable of doing many things that you wouldn't imagine, and Love will be a key player in the game... My dear lady is doing/saying unimaginable things for her stature and character!

Wishing tons of luck to her 'would be' ;-), couldn't resist pitying him :) as he nods his head for e'thing she says!

Once the romance wears out a bit, its gonna be fun to watch them! But I hope they live long with the freshness of love and romance for many many years :)

Good luck buddies!

Pogaadhe...

2009-04-14T12:50:00.000-07:00

Guess what! today my little one told me 'pogaadhe' (dont go)! I was taken over by surprise for the little brat finally learnt to utter that one killing word! Out of the non stop talking she does like me, this is the first time she used this one!

Its a big achievement for her and me too... A number of days I have wondered and talked to my friends in despair, when I started going to work after exhausting maternity and e'other leave "I wish my kid opens her mouth and tell me, 'how is it for her when I leave to work?', but alas, she couldn't communicate... should i take it as OK or not OK... I don't know"

Now after more than a year, she sprouted that little mesmerizing word - "pogaadhe"... I just smiled and went back and asked her, ' what is it?', she blushed and burried her face into her hands and repeated it!

Oh! What a moment it was...
Know what!! My tiny one was saying it for fun :)) when I was just going to the kitchen to get her meal!! and she knows the running around is about to start anytime...

Ain't she smart!?!

How does it feel?! :-)

2009-04-11T12:39:00.000-07:00

Its gonna be almsot 2 years since my little one came to this world, or in other words I became a mother...
How does it feel?! It feels like e'thing... Yes, e'thing in my life... So far what ever feeling I felt in me, every bit of it has intensified. Happiness, tears of joy, love, compassion, passion, anxiety, disturbance, resentfulness, loneliness, helplessness! It was a different 'me' altogether to me! I never thought Isha will take Raj's place in terms of energy, attention & time... May be I took it very hard on me - The Parenting.

Not even 2 years and I kinda feel exhausted emotionally to bear her every mischief, every smile, every laughter, every hug, every illness, every cry, every tantrum and what not! It is so overwhelming... Having said all this, I feel so intense! very intense!
Intensely joyful, intensely compassionate and intensely sad too... It is like swinging from one end to the other end...
And you know what! I am enjoying the ride! (I better do! :-)) )

So with that,

I am saying 'Congratulations' to me and to all mothers in the world!

They deserve much more than what they do now!

Why my dad didn't like me cough at night?

2008-12-24T05:47:00.000-08:00

I still remember when I was around 10 or 11 years of age, my dad used to get tensed and even scold me when I cough at night. "What happened? Drink water!" I used to wonder how could anyone control cough and would not talk back anyway. I would close my mouth tight or hold it inside to the extent possible and it came out after a few seconds though!

Now why am I reminded of this all of a sudden? Last week, Isha had cold and cough. Every time, she coughs or rolls or makes some uncomfortable movement, it wakes me up. I literally don't go to sleep if she has any little inconvenience.

Now I understand why my dad was not happy when I coughed. It bothered him so much he vented it out on me. I love you dad :)

Game over...

2008-10-24T12:46:00.000-07:00

Now, this is getting a little serious...

This is what happened. I smashed my brother's mobile to the floor... it broke into tiny pieces! Raj said, 'you need not play... move out!'... I stayed unmoved there in front of Prasad with whom I was playing a game... Chess board stared at me with a no-way but defeat look! I gave a cold reply to Raj, 'ask him(Prasad) to play', not interested in talking to Prasad directly. He was busy trying to set the pieces of his broken mobile together... After a few moments, he quietly played the game while I helped fix the mobile.

Game was over, he won!

I knew I behaved violent... The comment he made when I was about to lose really really irritated me~ 'Dont come here to play chess... go take care of Isha. You are fit for that' ~ the next instant he was searching for the broken pieces of his mobile!
It was derogatory I felt...

But after giving some serious thought, there is nothing derogatory about his comment. ONLY I can take care of my toddler. Definitely he can't do it. For that matter even Raj cannot make her take a bite of food... Isha and I share the most intense relationship. Yes, I am fit to take care of Isha, 100%

Let me tell you something, I am a very deep and intense (rather mad) person! You are gaming with me, you better let me win :P or have your mobile away :))

Ringa Ringa Roses!!!

2008-09-26T06:52:00.000-07:00

From loo to rest room to washroom!!

2008-09-26T00:05:00.000-07:00

Well... this is a slightly embarrassing incident that happened to me a few years ago when i was a fresher in the company...

Coming from the college days, stepping into the corporate was like a kid getting into a new school for me.

After the training period which was no different from a mini college project, I was put in a web development project in a different location. New to the place, all that was on my mind was how to get out of this place when the clock stuck 6. I didn't know what was located at which part of the building including water, rest rooms, conference rooms etc.

One day, my team lead Soumya said, 'I will be back in a while, after visiting the rest room'. I took it literally, I asked her 'is there a resting room here'. 'yes right there' she pointed to the rest room which I thought was a toilet or a loo!!
She understood my innocence, came closer and whispered in my ears 'rest room is a polished way of calling a toilet'. I had seen 'resting room' in railway station and other public places and thought 'resting' room and 'rest' rooms are same. Phew!!!

After a couple of years, I moved to US. Though 'rest room' term is accepted there, 'wash room' is more commonly used... This time, I am no innocent (mind you :) )

In Europe, people call it 'Water Closet'

and yes, I am talking in English and on the same thing 'toilet' (well.. Indians call it that way).

To know more about rest rooms term usage visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restroom
For some interesting discussion http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=238270

Electrifying presence!

2008-06-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

Electrifying presence - Anantha Sangamam

June 22, 2008.
We were waiting for this significant day for about a month. It was Sadhguru's satsang for Chennai Isha meditators. When I was in US, I had seen Sadhguru more frequently than what I see him here. In about 2 years of time since we reached India, I have seen him just a couple of times, during Isha Fest and Mahashivarathiri.

June 22nd - it was a Sunday morning. I woke up, got ready, but with difficulty because of the stupid nagging stomach pain. But there was just excitement all over me.

We reached Valluvar Kottam, found a parking space between two cars, parked our vehicle along side another two-wheeler. I would have rushed into the building, if it was a usual gathering. But it was Isha and Sadhguru, some gentleness embraced me. We went close to the hall looking for a place to leave our footwears and helmet. Then I saw rows and rows of neatly arranged footwears. Did someone come and arrange it?! It was left by meditators with such care and neatness. We did the same and entered into the hall. I could feel every step taken by me, so gentle so that I don't hurt the carpet spread across the vast hall. We sat at about 100 feet from the Sadhguru's dais. Sounds of Isha was being played by those eminent Isha ashram mates (mostly Brahmacharis) with rhythmic beats from the audience clapping their hands. The hall was roaring.

Suddenly the people seated in the front started getting up, more and more stoop up, like a wave. It was not difficult to figure out, it was my Master's arrival. I stood up along with others to get a glimpse of his face! My eyes started watering overwhelming with joy, bliss and happiness; my hands went up together, welcoming him. My life was made, I felt. He went up to the dais, looked at all of us gently spreading his wave of bliss over us.

After Sadhguru took his seat, we seated ourselves on the floor. The Satsang started with 'Brahmananda Swaroopa' chanting from Him. His electrifying presence and voice sent an indescribable feeling through my spine. My mind couldn't comprehend nor react to this. My eyes were watering more and more. It was like every nerve, every cell felt His presence.

What a state it was! I wish every human being experience what I experienced just for one moment in their life. Their lives will be made!

My Pranams to Sadhguru...

Fight or flight!

2008-06-24T22:32:00.000-07:00

This is about a resignation episode that went on in my previous company - one of the IT majors in India and around the globe.
Typical case how companies lose talented people.

His name is Dileep. He is a very bright highly talented person. He had a very nice manager by name Geetha. Well, are managers supposed to be nice or friendly or compassionate? Lets see...

He thought he was gifted to be with a manager like her.

His first project in Coimbatore (after his return from US) was a big hit in terms of roles, responsibilities, team management with no dearth of learnings in any front - technical, process and inter-personal
But somehow somewhere, his Bangalore management was not happy with him. His performance review went for a toss! He moved onto another project.

Now in the new project, he managed about 25 people, and the team was constantly growing in size and had not more than 2 team leads. The team was inexperienced and looking forward to Dileep for advice on their every move and handle any technology related issues. All his cry for senior resources was heard with sympathy - but nothing was actually done. He sent email over email to senior management.

Poor guy!

Onsite team turned out to be utter nonsense with no capability to handle the clients in whatever sensible manner. All they could do was do a blaming exercise so that they were safe.

Geetha replaced APM Murthy with Martha to help Dileep since Murthy did not have enough bandwidth for Dileep's project. Unfortunately she hardly realized that it was like adding fuel to the fire. Martha was a newly promoted APM amongst lot of hassles (well... thats the opinion owned by many in that office). She was rude, unprofessional in handling her team members and had never liked Dileep or his wife who was in her team before. She wanted to prove a point to Geetha that her promotion was justified. There are a couple of ways to prove this.
1) You do your roles and responsibilities in an outstanding manner.
2) You put someone to bad light and you are done with your objective

Though it is unethical, she took route 2. Dileep was blissfully unaware and offered all support to make her transition smooth into the team.

Team was terrified on hearing the news. Dileep assured that her interaction would be restricted to him alone and not be allowed to step into the team members' arena, which didn't happen anyway.

When each of her attempts to dethrone Dileep from his position was shot down by him, she made bigger attempts. Finally she succeeded!

He resigned quietly.

Three months later, his name appeared in a casual chat with Geetha.

Geetha and I had an excellent rapport. To me she was (she still is) a compassionate person. She was supportive in every possible way without compromising any of the project demands.

When she casually asked about Dileep, someone said "he is having a toast as a technical manager". "Yeah... he does technical management better than project management", she replied instantly. I was taken aback for a moment.

Hmm... what made her make that comment?! She knew he was one of the best project managers and team managers across the company.

Well... she would not have any problems with convincing Chennai management because anyway, they weren't happy with him. Then where could be the problem? Where was the justification needed?

It was with the Coimbatore office. Most APMs, PLs and Managers knew Dileep as a star professional! It was conveyed, "He is good technically, but not so with project management"

Phew!! She too needed to save her back!

And there ends the drama.

But she did the best to two people - Martha and Dileep.

She rendered all her positive support to Martha despite her venomous behavior, thinking that she could straighten dog's tail.
The very same action made Dileep focus to the opportunities outside! He moved to another company. Having handled Martha and seemingly insane onsite, he was ready, fully equipped to handle any kind of person, situation and technology is his passion.

Now the question is 'did anyone do wrong here?'. Answer is 'no'. Every person trying to excel in whatever they do just do what they think is best.
When you are pushed to a point where fight and flight are the options left, it is important you choose among the two. Either you fight or quit!
Geetha, Martha and Dileep are all in good positions today carrying the learnings, experience from their past.

So, if things are not going fine, it is time you think about a change. If there is any good time to do it, it is NOW!

First day of my expecting period...

2008-06-13T00:29:00.000-07:00

First day of my expecting period...

It started like this... One fine day, all of a sudden I didn't quite feel alright. Shekhar sensed it! I didn't believe initially.

Thanks to Google - I was convinced even without any tests being taken, that it could be so. Next day, we rushed to hospital! Guess what! It turned out to be a Sunday and there were no doctors in the nearby hospital.

Could I wait till Monday? No way! So with loads of excitement, we went to Ramakrishna Hospital, about 5 km from my home; reached the place 20 minutes short of 12.

The receptionist asked us 'which doctor do you want to see?' We had no clue :) Libi was trying to reach me from Bangalore to know what was happening. I took her call and asked her if she knew someone in that hospital.

Libi's mom was answering from behind, "Ask her to go to Dr.Mridhubashini'. I blurted out to the receptionist 'Dr. Mridhubashini'.

"She is not available now. Would you like to meet one of her assistants?' ~Oh! What will we do now!~ We said 'OK!' without giving much thought.

'Please proceed to Women centre... Go fast, as the consultation closes by 12 today' she said nonchalantly.

I hung up the call with Libi while I moved towards the building. The women's center was located in the 1st floor of the building.

The person there asked us the registration number. ~Now what is that?!! Having done with the seemingly lengthy registration formalities, the registrar informed the sister there, 'one more to go. with this patient, we will close for today. ~Thank God!

There was little time to anticipate anything from the visit. As we were waiting in the waiting hall impatiently, 'Abirami, please come for the check up!' the microphone in the hall shouted. That was quick!! Oh! We are really going to meet the doctor now!

After 10 minutes of check up and test, she informed Shekhar, 'Your wife is pregnant, may be 9 weeks now. Come tomorrow morning for a scan.'

We moved into the parking area, he smiled at me and took my hands in his. No words exchanged! His mobile rang as he started the two wheeler. It was Libi again. I confirmed 'Yes it was that. I am expecting' :)