Back on the writing pad

Thanks to all of my friends:  especially Thari, Ravi Gupta, kethy, Harinda, Suchith, Sudantha, Dash, Kanchana akka and Udani akka for giving candid views in to my writing. It is quite a while from the last post somewhere in February. I was in such a busy period of time with many things happening in many frontiers. Good part is I went around the country and met loads of great people online. Great discussions in different themes had opened many vistas for me to ponder. As usual I keep on supporting and facilitating some of my friends and kids to get in to the groove. As always it has been such a vibrant life.

Can't wait to get in to the writing mode :)

Aal izz well !!!

This is one of the rare instances, I would start to review a movie, yet would end up being passionate about the wonderful gift we have - life.

At this moment, 3 idiots is a youth cult, the highest Bollywood box-office hit ever, and transforming the the audience to a deep spiritual context. To achieve such extremes in a spectrum of a movie, you need magicians, innovators and down-to-earth humbleness. The core team: Aamir, Madavan, and Sharman Joshi, led by Rajkumar Hirani, the director, is a reason to explore its case study.

Aamir decided to accomodate at the selected university, during the entire period of shooting. That infected co-actors and then the rest of the crew, which was reported, the university students could not distinguish themselves from the actors. Such was the depth, the creators of this movie have gone to entertain us. And that sums up the success: be close to your audience (customers).

Aamir took another step forward just before the opening on  December 25th. He announced that he would be in theatres, disguised, watching the movie with the masses, and challenged to recognize him.  It is a nicely created PR stunt, yet imagine, the unfiltered feedback Aamir would get from his fans - real time !.

If you have not seen the movie yet, make no excuses, just go and enjoy !.
Now, tell me what you think of the movie. Comments please !

How I learnt English - part 1

I remember very well when I was in grade 10 (1995). I was 15 years old and the country was witnessing the first wave of English private channels rolling in to the air waves. I had a friend who was fluent in English and he used to sing songs, I ve never heard of. They sounded very hippy, and he was boasting about how artists have composed songs and went on to win grammy. I asked how he listens to those songs. He gave me 2 channels. One was TNL radio, and the other was i guess at that time- FM99.

I felt awkward. I could read and write well, but singing and talking english was not in my diet. The next vacation came, and i was glued to TNL radio from 6 AM!. I peeled off the top10 songs published in the Sunday Times, and listened intently until the DJ muttered the songs in the top 10 list. I was very pleased when I could follow the top 10. Then there was the lyrics page in the sunday papers. I cut and pasted them on a used note book. I sang with Michael Bolton, Guns'n Roses, Bryan Adams, Roxette and many more artists from the 90s. I guess this is the reason why I get a chill everytime I listen to a song from 90s.

By the time the vacation was over, I was fluent in Pop songs as Rick Dees.!! And I still remember the glare in the face of my friend when I enlightened him on the upcoming album of Michael Jackson.

I could remember album names, genre, artists-by heart, just because of the passion I had to speak and sing English !! The need converted to a passion and the passion still lives on.

Then I switched to movies -- English Movies with English subtitles ! I learnt the accents and felt comfortable in enjoying movies, than any one else. Because I was adding more words to my vocabulory.

The time flew to 1996. I did OL exams. And until AL classes I had some precious time left. Watch this blog when I come back with the part 2 of "How I learnt English"

Prevention is better than cure

“ Like Chinese medicine, like Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Tibetan medicine usually divided in to hot and cold. Most illnesses of lower body are connected with too much cold. Liver problems, headaches mean too much heat ”
Dalai Lama, The wisdom of forgiveness

How many of us would have a health insurance, and always want to attend the best hospital in an illness? How many of us would have made a thought on prevention, instead of cure?. How many illnesses would we have avoided, if we were bit extra attentive?
The issue with the present society is the image of fast food: the convenience and the taste buds. This comes with the attached high price and eroding health. I also have this craving for pizzas every time I see a franchise outlet. The indulgence is so acute that I would use my credit card, when I have no cash. After each meal I would analyze the pre and post meal experience. Always there is this uncontrollable desire to get my hands on a crusty pizza. Then after meal, I would leave the place with a heavy stomach and an empty purse (worse, once more swiped plastic card). The post-meal experience was painful than the pre-meal experience, but the rapid gushing desire at the sight of a pizza was overshadowing my pain after the meal.
When I saw the lines of his holiness the Dalai Lama, on the simple classification of heat and cold of illnesses, I felt ashamed of my self. How childish am I to seek instant pleasure by putting my health and stability on line?
Health is our prime asset. Happiness starts at the status of your health. Be alert!

decision making at market

One of my greatest experience in week, boils down to Sunday Morning at the market. This is where I meet (extra)ordinary entrepreneurs from all walks of life. Ram Charan was right on spot when he said, there is not much difference between a street vendor and a corporate in business fundamentals.

I learn from the vendors each day, as I scan through vegetables and fruits.
I met a very confident vendor in his mid fifties, selling only coconuts. He was very calm and did not shout that much. When I approached him, he said 28 rupees per nut. I realized the nuts were good in quality and bigger in size than what others around him offered. I asked ” why are you selling 2 rupees lesser, these are good nuts? “
Calmly he said ” Well, I may get a lower margin, but I ll be able to finish the stock by noon, and will be home early, AND that sky is not going to hold till evening “
I knew what he was talking about. Instant decision making in the face of changing environment, and anticipating risks. He was way over the usual business decision making. He was the boss, making his decisions, and winning peacefully.
Rain started pouring around 1 PM, when I was re-reading a chapter of  What the CEO wants you to know.