Sunday, May 31, 2009

Truly me.... 100 Truths....

Warning: Reading this article is a waste of time…. It’s again all about me, me and me… ;)
So... Karan... Finally i've completed the tag.. here it goes.... :D

1. Last drink: Black Coffee
2. Last phone call : Missed, disconnected or attended?? ;)
3. Last text message: Don’t remember… even if I do…. You dunno that person…. :P
4. Last song you listened to: Where do you go….. No mercy
5. Last time you cried: Few days back…. I don’t think I need to mention the reason…

Have you ever?...
6. Dated someone twice: Dated??? That was not a date :P
7.Been cheated on?: I don’t think so…
8. Kissed someone & regretted it?: No… And I won’t regret it when I’ll….
9. Lost someone special?: A few…. Good Friends
10. Been depressed?: Yup…. I go into extremes… At times…
11. Been drunk and threw up?: Neeah…

Four Favourite Colors...
12. Black
13. Red
14. Brown
15. Purple
..
Firsts....
16. Made new friends: yup….. I love it….
17. Fallen out of love: Sounds funny!!
18.Laughed until you cried: Many times….. Whenever am with my friends :D
19. Met someone who changed you: Yes… one of them was my Marketing professor who is no more… I miss his presence :’(
20. Found out who your true friends were: yup…… I feel lucky….. :)
21. Found out someone was talking about you: Many times…. Famous people.... always in NEWS ;)

Have You...
22. Kissed anyone on your friend's list: Nopes
23. How many people on your friends list do you know in real life: Amost all
24. How many kids do you want to have: As many as I can afford to adopt and take care of from my earnings
25. Do you have any pets: No
26. Do you want to change your name: Nopes… its not so bad I guess
27. What did you do for your last birthday: PARTY!!! Though next day was my Accounts exam :D
28.What time did you wake up today: Around 8 (its my off today… So its allowed :P)
29. What were you doing at midnight last night: was helping my brother with accounts…..
30. Name something you CANNOT wait for: you mean just one thing?? :P
31. Last time you saw your father: just now…. Its Sunday….
32. What is one thing you wish you could change about your life: Nothing at all…. M a blessed kid…
33. Most visited web page: gmail

What's Your...
34. Name: yaad nahi aa raha :P
35. Nicknames: Anything my friends like….
36. Zodiac sign: A libran with few scorpio traits
37. Male or female or transgender: Female
38. Elementary: Shyama Prasad Vidyalaya, Delhi
39. School: Shyama Prasad Vidyalaya, Delhi
40. Colleges: Hansraj College, Delhi University….. I loved it…. miss it a lot :(…. Now its ICFAI Business School, Noida…. Its cool too…. :D
41.Hair color: Burgundy
42. Long or short: more towards Short…
43. Height: 5 feet 6 inches
44. Do you have a crush on someone?: Yesss… (blushing)
45. Ever been in love?: Many times…
46. Piercings?: 3 in each ear
47. Tattoos?: no
48. Righty or lefty: Righty
49. First surgery: Nooooo
50. First piercing: Ear piercing
51. First best friend: Myself
52. First sport you loved: Cricket..
53. First pet: Cat… but someone came and snatched it saying it was her pet :(
54. First vacation: Dehradun…. I guess… No…. Massurie…. Dunno :(
55. First concert: Euphoria… in first year graduation…
56. First crush: I guess when I was 4-5 years old… Don't remember his name or face or anything...

Right Now...
57. Eating: Nothing
58. Drinking: Nothing
59. I'm about to: Finish this tag
60. Listening to: Silence
61. Waiting for: Nothing

Your Future...
62. Want kids?: Yeea… I love kids…. They are so like me :D
63. Want to get married?: Not yet... M just 21!!
64. Careers in mind?: Yup, I have something in ma mind but its too early to disclose

Which is better with the opposite sex...??
65. Lips or eyes: Both….
66. Hugs or kisses: Hugs in public…….. Kisses in private ;)
67. Shorter or taller: Taller of course… I love to wear heels :P
68. Older or Younger: Older
69. Romantic or spontaneous: Both…..
70. Nice stomach or nice arms: Both….. I can’t name one…. :P
71. Sensitive or loud: Sensitive….. Aur loud bhi…… :D
72. Hook-up or relationship: Relationship…
73. Trouble maker or hesitant: None

Have you ever...??
73. Kissed a stranger: It’s not asking time….. :P
74. Lost glasses/contacts: Nopes…
75. Sex on first Date: Naah
76. Broken someone's heart: Never intentionally
77. Had your own heart broken: Many times.. am a very sensitive person…
78. Been arrested: Nopes
79. Turned someone down: Don’t remember, i guess no...
80. Cried when someone died: Yes…. (My marketing professor)
81. Liked a friend that is a girl?: Yeah.. but not that ways….. M straight…

DO YOU BELIEVE IN...
82. Yourself: Strongly
83. Miracles: Very Strongly
84. God: Very strongly
85. Love at first sight: May be
86. Heaven: Yes
87. Santa Claus: Yess :D….. when I was a kid I used to wait for Santa on Christmas eve…. But he never came :((…. Then I grew up.. And started keeping gifts for my younger brothers on behalf of Santa :D
88. Kiss on the first date?: Neah..
89. Angels: Yes.. M one of them… ;)
90. Devils: yes… Mess with me and i'll show you one…. ;)

ANSWER TRUTHFULLY...
91. Is there one person you want to be with right now?: Yeeah…. :((
92. Had more than one boyfriend/girlfriend at one time?: ummm…. Don’t think so…
93. Wanted to kill someone ever?: When I am angry I do….. My anger is bad.. Very Bad
94. Among you blog mates, whom would you like to kiss?: No one
95. Committed a blunder and regretted later?: I committed many… but no regrets…
96. Wanted to steal your friend's boyfriend / girlfriend?: Neeeah…

ASSOCIATE WITH SOMETHING YOU WEAR...
97. White: Shirt, Skirt…
98. Black: Anything…. And everything… from head to toe….. including kajal, mascara, nail polish, wrist band…. Every damn thing
99. Red: Shoes, wrist watch, tee, Skirt, belt, nail polish, Ethnic wear…
100. Pink: Lip balm…

Posting this as 100 Truths? Yeeah…. I’ll for sure.. It was fun!! :D
Am tagging my friends now Amal..... Sharad.... Nazish.... Saif.... Sourav.... Neha
Would love to read your Answers.... :)

Monday, May 18, 2009

A Mind-boggling Experience…..

When I started writing on my recent journey to Rasoolpur a village 155km away from Dehradun... I couldn’t find word better than “Mind-boggling”….
Yes, this was something I never seen before…. Everything teaches us something new…. And so was this one…. I am a kind of person who loves beauty and I adore it by heart….. Whenever I get a chance to spend some time with nature…. I grab it…. this journey was somehow different….Yup, I was lost in the beauty of hills and greenery of Rajaji National park but apart from that I came across a lifestyle…. Which was new to me….
Where people think before spending 1 rupee…. for whom 100 Rupees means a month’s income….. People who don’t even have fans where I can’t think of being without AC….. Where 95% people are illiterate and children don’t want to study….. Though I have read about such villages in India but this was my first practical experience and am sure this was not the last one…. This will definitely not gonna end here…. It touched me internally….
It was a 5 day trip to Dehradun in which I visited Rasoolpur twice….. Inbetween I also interacted with 7 guys of the same village who are staying in Dehradun for their vocational training… And we played cricket, had conversations…. And of course work…. :D
Dehradun is a beautiful place… Perfect blend of a city life with cool weather…. You won’t feel anything missing… from Barista to Levis…. Everything is there….
After reaching Dehradun I realized that I was not carrying any Indian outfit for village visit…. So I went to the market to buy a suit… but see my hard luck that was election day and entire market was closed then in the evening I luckily got one shop and had to buy whatever I got with very few options.. :(( and only I know how I managed that….. but that was too fun…. :D
In between my trip I touched Massurie too…. I said touched coz I went there for just 2-3 hours… Went there had lunch and came back… Then again work….
But I loved my journey…. Had long drives which I just love like anything…. Drive to massurie in hills, to Rasoolpur through Rajaji National Park….. It was just wonderful….. The beautiful scenic beauty throughout the journey….
I have so much in my mind… but I can say am feeling kinda speechless…. Dunno from where to start…. It was all so perfect….. From morning till evening…. For all 5 days…. I wish to explain every bit of it…. From the very moment I reached there…..
Okey let me try….. It all wanna come out of me…. I reached Dehradun…. It was Election Day… A car was waiting… I went to my hotel…. Refreshed myself and went to the office…. There I discussed the entire project with the head of the organization….. And decided the schedule for the next four days.... And here started my work….
Next day was Rasoolpur visit…. It was a memorable experience……. but somehow it was very disturbing to see people in such condition…. Then came the evening…. I don’t remember much… I guess I went market…. Umm… yeaa I went market…. And had my favorite ‘Hot Chocolate Fudge’ :D…..
Next day was in Dehradun when I interacted with village guys and we played cricket…. Then had meeting in the evening with project officer….. And the day ended…. With of course many other things :D
After that I got one day for making report in which I decided to see Massurie as well… :))
The day was really good and the weather was just awesome…. It rained as well…. :D
And here comes the last day when I had to catch train…. That day I went Rasoolpur again…. Had interaction with people…. Discussed the project going on there…. And rushed back to catch train….
Overall I had a good learning experience…. though it was very painful to see people in such condition…
I remember I asked God before few days… I wanna see people who really need my help…. And I got my Answer………..

You know what God!! You always do this when I ask something you just show me the reality…. which at times hurt me too…. But then…. I love you for that…. Now just show me the path to walk upon…. Just help me to be ‘Human’…...... I just wanna be a human…..
Yup, this time I got time for photography too......

Just clicked :)


I dunno its name.... :)


Hard life.... :(


Plastic is everywhere.... Spoiling environment :(


Meenu(in pink).... people preparing turmeric powder :)


Barren land due to the lack of water..


Women group meeting....


Cattle life ;)


Rasoolpur Lifestyle.....


Rasoolpur.... An afternoon


Village Cattle


Temple in Rasoolpur


Rasoolpur....


Massurie.... A Road through hills :)


Beautiful hills of Massurie


My Cricket team..... Don't ask me the names :P


Dehradun... Rajpur Road Market


Dehradun.... An evening....


People prepare rope from grass for which they are largely dependent upon forests....

Monday, May 11, 2009

Inspiration- I

I never copy and paste articles or information from anywhere else… but when I came across this article I was unable to stop myself from pasting it here… Its really touching and I want you all to read it and express your views over it… Hope you’ll enjoy it…. :D
(I know it’s quite long but m sure you won’t regret spending your time reading it) :D
Here it goes……………

“It was probably the April of 1974. Bangalore was getting warm and gulmohars were blooming at the IISc campus. I was the only girl in my postgraduate department and was staying at the ladies' hostel. Other girls were pursuing research in different departments of Science.


I was looking forward to going abroad to complete a doctorate in computer science. I had been offered scholarships from Universities in the US .... I had not thought of taking up a job in India .

One day, while on the way to my hostel from our lecture-hall complex, I saw an advertisement on the notice board. It was a standard job-requirement notice from the famous automobile company Telco (now Tata Motors)... It stated that the company required young, bright engineers, hardworking and with an excellent academic background, etc.

At the bottom was a small line: 'Lady Candidates need not apply.'

I read it and was very upset. For the first time in my life I was up against gender discrimination.

Though I was not keen on taking up the job, I saw it as a challenge. I had done extremely well in academics, better than most of my male peers... Little did I know then that in real life academic excellence is not enough to be successful?

After reading the notice I went fuming to my room. I decided to inform the topmost person in Telco's management about the injustice the company was perpetrating. I got a postcard and started to write, but there was a problem: I did not know who headed Telco I thought it must be one of the Tatas. I knew JRD Tata was the head of the Tata Group; I had seen his pictures in newspapers (actually, Sumant Moolgaokar was the company's chairman then) I took the card, addressed it to JRD and started writing. To this day I remember clearly what I wrote..

'The great Tatas have always been pioneers. They are the people who started the basic infrastructure industries in India , such as iron and steel, chemicals, textiles and locomotives they have cared for higher education in India since 1900 and they were responsible for the establishment of the Indian Institute of Science. Fortunately, I study there. But I am surprised how a company such as Telco is discriminating on the basis of gender.'

I posted the letter and forgot about it. Less than 10 days later, I received a telegram stating that I had to appear for an interview at Telco's Pune facility at the company's expense. I was taken aback by the telegram. My hostel mate told me I should use the opportunity to go to Pune free of cost and buy them the famous Pune saris for cheap! I collected Rs30 each from everyone who wanted a sari when I look back, I feel like laughing at the reasons for my going, but back then they seemed good enough to make the trip.

It was my first visit to Pune and I immediately fell in love with the city. To this day it remains dear to me. I feel as much at home in Pune as I do in Hubli, my hometown. The place changed my life in so many ways. As directed, I went to Telco's Pimpri office for the interview.

There were six people on the panel and I realized then that this was serious business.

'This is the girl who wrote to JRD,' I heard somebody whisper as soon as I entered the room. By then I knew for sure that I would not get the job. The realization abolished all fear from my mind, so I was rather cool while the interview was being conducted.

Even before the interview started, I reckoned the panel was biased, so I told them, rather impolitely, 'I hope this is only a technical interview.'

They were taken aback by my rudeness, and even today I am ashamed about my attitude. The panel asked me technical questions and I answered all of them.

Then an elderly gentleman with an affectionate voice told me, 'Do you know why we said lady candidates need not apply? The reason is that we have never employed any ladies on the shop floor. This is not a co-ed college; this is a factory. When it comes to academics, you are a first ranker throughout. We appreciate that, but people like you should work in research laboratories.

I was a young girl from small-town Hubli. My world had been a limited place. I did not know the ways of large corporate houses and their difficulties, so I answered, 'But you must start somewhere, otherwise no woman will ever be able to work in your factories.'

Finally, after a long interview, I was told I had been successful. So this was what the future had in store for me. Never had I thought I would take up a job in Pune. I met a shy young man from Karnataka there, we became good friends and we got married.

It was only after joining Telco that I realized who JRD was: the uncrowned king of Indian industry. Now I was scared, but I did not get to meet him till I was transferred to Bombay. One day I had to show some reports to Mr Moolgaokar, our chairman, who we all knew as SM.. I was in his office on the first floor of Bombay House (the Tata headquarters) when, suddenly JRD walked in. That was the first time I saw 'appro JRD'. Appro means 'our' in Gujarati. This was the affectionate term by which people at Bombay House called him.

I was feeling very nervous, remembering my postcard episode. SM introduced me nicely, 'Jeh (that's what his close associates called him), this young woman is an engineer and that too a postgraduate.

She is the first woman to work on the Telco shop floor.' JRD looked at me. I was praying he would not ask me any questions about my interview (or the postcard that preceded it).

Thankfully, he didn't. Instead, he remarked. 'It is nice that girls are getting into engineering in our country. By the way, what is your name?'

'When I joined Telco I was Sudha Kulkarni, Sir,' I replied. 'Now I am Sudha Murthy.' He smiled and kindly smile and started a discussion with SM. As for me, I almost ran out of the room.

After that I used to see JRD on and off. He was the Tata Group chairman and I was merely an engineer. There was nothing that we had in common. I was in awe of him.

One day I was waiting for Murthy, my husband, to pick me up after office hours. To my surprise I saw JRD standing next to me. I did not know how to react. Yet again I started worrying about that postcard. Looking back, I realize JRD had forgotten about it. It must have been a small incident for him, but not so for me.

'Young lady, why are you here?' he asked. 'Office time is over.' I said, 'Sir, I'm waiting for my husband to come and pick me up.' JRD said, 'It is getting dark and there's no one in the corridor.

I'll wait with you till your husband comes.'

I was quite used to waiting for Murthy, but having JRD waiting alongside made me extremely uncomfortable.

I was nervous. Out of the corner of my eye I looked at him. He wore a simple white pant and shirt. He was old, yet his face was glowing. There wasn't any air of superiority about him. I was thinking, 'Look at this person. He is a chairman, a well-respected man in our country and he is waiting for the sake of an ordinary employee.'

Then I saw Murthy and I rushed out. JRD called and said, 'Young lady, tell your husband never to make his wife wait again.' In 1982 I had to resign from my job at Telco. I was reluctant to go, but I really did not have a choice. I was coming down the steps of Bombay House after wrapping up my final settlement when I saw JRD coming up. He was absorbed in thought. I wanted to say goodbye to him, so I stopped. He saw me and paused.

Gently, he said, 'So what are you doing, Mrs. Kulkarni?' (That was the way he always addressed me..) 'Sir, I am leaving Telco.'

'Where are you going?' he asked. 'Pune, Sir. My husband is starting a company called Infosys and I'm shifting to Pune.'

'Oh! And what will you do when you are successful.'

'Sir, I don't know whether we will be successful.' 'Never start with diffidence,' he advised me 'Always start with confidence. When you are successful you must give back to society. Society gives us so much; we must reciprocate. Wish you all the best.'

Then JRD continued walking up the stairs. I stood there for what seemed like a millennium. That was the last time I saw him alive.

Many years later I met Ratan Tata in the same Bombay House, occupying the chair JRD once did. I told him of my many sweet memories of working with Telco. Later, he wrote to me, 'It was nice hearing about Jeh from you. The sad part is that he's not alive to see you today.'

I consider JRD a great man because, despite being an extremely busy person, he valued one postcard written by a young girl seeking justice. He must have received thousands of letters everyday. He could have thrown mine away, but he didn't do that. He respected the intentions of that unknown girl, who had neither influence nor money, and gave her an opportunity in his company. He did not merely give her a job; he changed her life and mindset forever.

Close to 50 per cent of the students in today's engineering colleges are girls. And there are women on the shop floor in many industry segments. I see these changes and I think of JRD. If at all time stops and asks me what I want from life, I would say I wish JRD were alive today to see how the company we started has grown. He would have enjoyed it wholeheartedly.

My love and respect for the House of Tata remains undiminished by the passage of time. I always looked up to JRD. I saw him as a role model for his simplicity, his generosity, his kindness and the care he took of his employees. Those blue eyes always reminded me of the sky; they had the same vastness and magnificence. (The author,Sudha Murthy is a widely published writer and chairperson of the Infosys Foundation involved in a number of social development initiatives. Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy is her husband.) “


Article sourced from:
Lasting Legacies (Tata Review- Special Commemorative Issue 2004), brought out by the house of Tatas to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of JRD Tata on July 29,2004.

A Special Thanks to Sharad for mailing me this wonderful piece or writing…. :D

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Expressions-IV

Dominated by a kinda fear….. dunno what….. May be a fear of losing things I love…. Life is just great… And I am scared of the perfections or rather say m too blind to see the imperfections…. having strange dreams from last two nights about people I love and care about….. Last night in dream I was scared and hugged my mom tight and was feeling so safe and secured…. Had a similar dream last to last night too…. I love my mom though I never say this…. Why it’s always too hard to express to the people you truly love….!!! :(
Have to go office now and m feeling lethargic…. Had my espresso and work out… now feel like sleeping again but I can’t….. And this is the moment where I miss college…there I used to skip classes without giving it a second thought…… :((
Excited about my second official trip…. ;) leaving tomorrow morning for Dehradun for 5 days… have to start with packing but before that I have office and lotsa work….
Strange feelings within…. Though am excited…. Very excited about tomorrow…. :D
Please God take care of the people I love…. Love ya…. And thanks for giving me such a perfect Life.... :D