This and that

Hello! It's been sometime since I've been here. There's so much happening around me that it becomes difficult to keep the momentum going on all fronts.

Firstly, been busy trying to get my business to the next level. Business really takes a lot out of you. Talk to me if you intend to start one!

Saw Kaminey some weeks back. While I do feel Vishal Bhardwaj is really talented, I think Omkara was a far better movie and sorry, but Saif Ali Khan really scored over Shahid if one is to compare the success quotient post their VB association.

Have yet to see QGM.

Have been reading The Kite Runner. The book holds my attention even when I am dog tired and I marvel at the story teller in Khaled Hosseini.

Been to Delhi a few times in this month. The city is getting ready for the Commonwealth Games 2010. So many flyovers! And the Metro! The city is happening, man!

Where the hell are the millions in our slumdog city?

Listen or hear?

I needed an envelope of a specific size urgently. I told my office boy, in chaste hindi, the details of what I wanted and also gave him a sample of the envelope to match. What came to me was something that no way could I use.

Why did I get this?

One, because the boy was more comfortable in his mother tongue and not Hindi. So I couldn't communicate my need for the exact replica of the envelope. Second, he couldn't find the envelope in the first shop, therefore, found a solution that suited him and his intellect.

So both of us, the boy and I, went throught the process all over again and went on till I went with the boy to a shop where I got what I wanted.

In my professional interactions I meet people from all walks of life. Of different kinds and from different strata of society.

This is because I am a communications expert and consultant. I also run a business which offers communications solutions to the industrial, engineering and services.

As I go along meeting people, I realise - all the time - that most people hear but don't listen!

Today, before I meet anyone of consequence, I work on the communication process before I meet the person.

I find it's a good beginning.

The Secret and the power of positive thinking

This book landed on my lap with a thud some months back when I was caught up in a complicated web called life. I didn't really have the time to have a look at it.
One sunday aftenoon, after many had passed, the owner of the book placed her rightful demand on it. And I, just to make sure that I wasn't losing out on priceless diamonds, delved into the pages of The Secret with great vigour.
To say the least, the book took me by surprise. The unexpected power of language and rationale quite floored me. The book went and I went to Crossword the next day to pick up a copy. I ended up with a copy of the book and a copy of the DVD!
Well, there began my journey into trying to practice the Secret which I thought was a great art which I should try and master - the practice of positivity.
Don't know if it'll work for me, but more on the effectiveness of the Secret in days to come.

IPL and the Sunday siesta

I dunno about you guys but I've chewed my nails silly. I mean, in IPL2 all the known stars have been sent into orbit and the newer ones have come charging at us through the idiot box.
On a late Sunday afternoon, after not so light a lunch, a 6 pm suspense leaves you in quite a state of nerves, I would think. Sacrificing Formula1 at Monaco for IPL, Mr Vijay Mallya has sure thrown his mighty weight behind Anil Kumble and his boys. But what about the hurricane in the name of Adam Gilchrist?
Well, my drooping eyelids fly open in anticipation as the wretched ball smashes into my woozy thoughts through my imagination.
But if Kumble fails to spin or Gilly fails to smash...should I mourn my lost siesta? Or should I join the chorus of analysis?
Nope, I think I will take the siesta after all. No, no, I'll watch the match! Siesta, match, siesta, match...zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Television, intellectual tete-a-tete and theatrics

Life is so busy when you are watching the TV news channels! So many views, hues and meows! Decibel levels notwithstanding, you are transported to another planet of intellectual upliftment, propriety and dimensions of an issue.
Whether it is the exit poll, formation of the cabinet or Rahul Gandhi's charisma, we many choices of viewpoints to dip into and take out a myriad of thoughts.
I sometimes wonder whether the hype that is created over an issue that goes on and on for hours with different dialog deliverance is intended or a fallout of tireless inspection of the dimensions.
Sometimes, I gleefully find that the issue has created a hype sans the intellectual tete-a-tete as well.
Take the IPL for instance. No intellectual energy spent on the shows there. The sheer dominance of the stars have created the hype.
As I switch channels with a flick and land on the soaps, it's such a comedown! No real, real meows and no intellectual exchange. Only theatrics...with a storyline.
Intellectual tete-a-tete and theatrics? Maybe :)

I had happened to meet Sabina Sehgal Saikia on a few occasions. I have been wondering what would have happened if people around her had given her confidence and told her to try and escape. Don't know if it would have worked but it definitely would have been what she was good at - aggression. Fear was not her strength.
Terror is knocking at our doorsteps. Public action at this stage is critical for our survival.
The valiant commandos are providing Z security to our countless politicians. What happens to India Inc.? Let's revisit the Z catgory security.
Sensationalising terrorism is what the terrorists want. People need to get rid of their fear of these mindless guntotters. If it means building infrastructure, changing mindsets, manage training, etc., let's get this going.
Does it sound far fetched? Don't know. But we could make an honest attempt.
We may not have discipline but we too have emotions. We may not be the US, but we too value our lives. India has to be resilient. We don't have a choice. But we do have a choice of moulding a better future.
And I begin by believing in my being the change agent.

Let's declare war on terrorism

It is time we took a serious look terrorism beyond the realms of the common man. We should get out of this playful attitude and treat this as war. The steps that would be more effective would include:
1. People of India should declare a collective war on terrorism and be committed to it as if it were their own house burning
2. Z plus security should be removed immediately from all except from the Prime Minister of India
3. Journalists should use their communication power to activate effective action to kill terrorism at its roots, like Ireland or Israel. Public should not be allowed to forget this mission
4. Police should be empowered and trained to handle crisis situations
5. News channels and papers should not sensationalise terrorists

Faith

Sometimes, having faith is important. Faith in yourself, in your partner, in family, in situations, in God...

I really don't believe this is the right approach...logically thinking. But I realise, sometimes, just believing gets you through near impossible situations.

I am trying to believe in blind faith now. Maybe, it will work!

a saturday

Today's a saturday. I'm home! It's a luxury for a person like me who wants to have loads of free time but can't find any.

But what am I to do with it? Read? Write? Put my feet up and watch TV? Listen to music? Talk to Dad? Chat with a friend? Go out on a binge? Sit by the sea? Go shopping? Take a walk? Go to the local bookshop, sit and pontificate with a book?

The options are one too many. It's difficult to choose. I do nothing. I just think of the options, the luxury of having time on my hands and feel helplessness seep into me.

I wanted a saturday free, I have it. But it's too late. I have forgotten to make the easiest of choices anymore.

Commitment

In a day, I meet all kinds of people from all walks of life. The most important aspect of the human ethos that I encounter today is the lack of serious commitment. Commitment to work, relationships, to promises, punctuality, code of conduct, value systems...all are just words whcih threaten disappear as soon as the person disappears from your sight!

The consistency in the inconsistency is so striking that I decided to write about it.

Does this inconsistency bother you? It sure bothers me!

Was it like this a couple of decades ago? I wonder. I do so hope that two decades later such incosistencies just become thing of the past.

Cheers to the thought!