I wish the Mayan Calendar ended yesterday!

Not sure how to express my grief and anger.... 
I do not know how the families of those kids would live with this tragedy for ever! 
Can't imagine what we call as free world and see this happening....

Is it that, we can be at peace only we die and cannot enjoy peace when we live?
I'm very literally disturbed....

May those who died rest in peace! :(

I wish the Mayan Calendar ended yesterday!

- Raj

5th October, 2012 - 35 years passed

Well one more time and one more time during this era of social networking with blogs and face books of the world.

I've been wanting to pen down my 50th blog, thought I could hold until this date to do so! And here I'm!

As always, it felt good to be remembered and good to see love of people. All I can say is that am fortunate. I wish, I could have this love and affection till my end! So many phone calls, SMS', emails and Facebook messages. It will take a lot of time for me to thank everyone individually, but for sure I'll do that.

Now, at 35, am I cross roads? Of Course Yes!. I realize that! I also realize that time is running fast and there are a lot that I would want to close before the steam is over. But this blog is not for what I want to do going forward, but for what I have had in the last 35 years and where I think I stand now!

Have these years been very tough? For sure they were and I think it is the same for each one of the living being in this world. May be mine was a bit more tough than a few at my age as life always thrust me to take up responsibilities too early in my life. Be it starting schooling at the age of 2+ and completing graduation when I was 20, to losing dad at 24, to even good growth in my professional career, I was probably ahead of people of my age in terms of being thrust with responsibilities. And I now know what my mentor used to say, responsibilities are the measure of your growth and for sure I've grown.

Can I complain? I do not know.

On one hand, it has given me a lot of valid lessons  unforgettable experiences, unconventional wisdom and a bit more maturity which has ensured that I take life as it comes with lesser fuss. On the other hand, it does sometimes overwhelms in certain situations be it personal or professional. But then, those are one of times and I get back to normality easily.

I have faced so many adversities that now with no challenges or small challenges am really scared if all is well with my life. But all of these scares go away very quickly because of whatever people call it as maturity for it makes me understand that life goes on and that I need to move on.

Looking back at this one year, this has been more than significant particularly the last one month on certain decisions I've made regarding change within myself and external and trust me, the transition has been easy. Now, I'm looking forward for the changes to give visible benefits. The last one week has been really terrific with a lot of mixed emotions and of course will pen down the outcome in the coming months.

This year had a lot of milestones, one certainly Nilaa's school going would mark as a very one important in my personal life. On the professional front, being identified as a MVP and Key Talent within my organization was a certain high!

For today, the day started off well, went on with a day long meeting, so could not take calls or even respond to emails. Towards the end was a farewell for a long timer in my organization and then had to rush back home with Nlaa, Leela and Amma. And could not believe myself, doing a celebration because Nilaa forced me literally. Went and bought few balloons, cake and candles, and had a very private celebration at 8:30 in the evening! A moment, that made me realize that my priority is only keep people happy. I have never wanted to celebrate my b'day and had to do so because of Nilaa! And I just had to budge to see her smile and that was worth it all!

Coming back to my life, one thing that has been certain and probably a clue or cue or example or experience from my life is that, no matter what you collect in your life, the precious ones are people. Like responsibilities are the measure of one's growth, people are the measure of one's wealth!

I know, I'm wealthier than a lot of folks by means of people wanting something good to happen to me always and I do not know whom to thank for this. I feel, I'm just fortunate. Sometimes I feel that Mother Nature has been so liberal for she had sent me a lot of people who make me feel worth of their love.

While, I embark onto my second phase in my life, I acknowledge all the love, care, support and cheer that has been showered on me. I wish I come back the same day, next year and say the same and that Nature treats me as good as it treats me now.

And Miles to go before I sleep,
And Miles to go before I sleep.

Keep loving me!

I love to be loved!

I live to be loved!

- Raj.

The Tree - Happy Independence Day!

On the Eve of our 66^th Independence day, I thought I’ll pen down my thoughts on what we can do to this wonderful country.

I know all of us are frustrated with the current state of affairs and we are in utter despair on how India would fare well!

I was thinking how we can become so hopeless when we have everything within ourselves to make an impact. The fact that I sit in an Air Conditioned office and type what I want to type means that we have a lot of freedom to do what we want to do and yet so we are expecting someone else to do it.

Yes! The challenge is that most of us do not take accountability or ownership for that! It is after all our country and we are responsible for what it is!

Let us not lose hope and let us ensure that we give our 100% commitment to turn things around!

Why are we expecting others to lead us when we ourselves can!

Why are we waiting for someone to initiate the change when we can be the change!

August 15^th, 1947 was not the fruit, but just a seed. For 65 years we have not nourished it well and tree looks a bit out of shape. Starting now, if we can water it properly, if we can give it proper fertilizers, things will be lot better every single year. It need not be a revolution by itself. It can be like what I said earlier. http://kuttiraj.blogspot.in/2009/11/do-we-need-revolution-in-india.html.

Education, Healthcare and Agriculture are the main areas where I would want to concentrate. Once these get the prominence, other things will fall in place! So let us concentrate on giving education to the eligible and the needy. Let's make healthcare affordable. Let us ensure that we help the agricultural sector in anyway that is possible.

For others it need not be the same two choices. You can pick two others areas. But show intent, and am sure things will fall in place.

The seed called Independence that was sown long back is now the tree that is growing. All we need is that as responsible citizens, we need to is feed the tree so the fruits of which are for our future Indians!

I was inspired by this small film. “The Tree”

It tells what we need to Do! As Simple as that :). 

Jai Hind! Let us keep the flame of freedom alive!

Regards,

Raj

CAP for Life.....

A lot of times, I've heard people talking about productivity, ability and capability and how to improve these.

To me, these are a bit abstract terms and are very dependent on a lot of other factors.

Rather than talking about people's views on these terms/factors, I would state what my understanding and belief are how to achieve these and what people should worry about or concentrate on to improve them. Here is what I call CAP of life.


C - I would work on the commitment of a person than his/her capability. I know that capability, while it can be improved, I feel that it depends on a person's COMMITMENT towards that. If we do not have a commitment towards a certain cause, I would say, no matter what capability we have within ourselves we would never be able to achieve that cause.

A - If I were to groom a person in my team, I would not worry about hi/hers ability much. I would rather look deep into his/her attitude on life! No matter what your ability is, if you do not have the right attitude, you are as good as nothing. Attitude can be changed and with that ones ability to perform to the expectations enhances! So let us concentrate on our ATTITUDE and ability will follow.

P - Productivity. This of course is probably dependent on Ability and Capability of an individual. So one has to have the attitude and commitment to improve him/herself. However, what's so more important is the PASSION he/she has towards the cause. Without PASSION, nothing goes on in life! I keep telling my team the below. 

Cleaning shit or having sex, do it with passion for it defines whether you are doing a shitty job or a sexy job.
With Passion - a sexy job in cleaning shit; Without passion - A shitty job in having sex!
(forgive my choice of words)


My thought - Without COMMITMENT, ATTITUDE and PASSION, nothing moves on in life!

- Raj

What is Growth?

In today's fast paced world, growth has become a mockery. I'm purely talking about one's growth in career.
People relate growth to money and power. They say I'm this much experienced and I deserve to grow!

Can growth be so easy that with years passing by and yet a person continues to do what he/she did three years back?
Can growth happen to a person within a company without contributing anything to it?
Can promotions happens because he has to be promoted rather than he deserved to be promoted?
Can a person by virtue of jumping companies be positioned for something substantially higher that what he can do?

What would happen in these circumstances? He/She is set for failure! And that means that everything around that person also fails. Be it team, be it business. All are set for failure.

To people who think money is measure of growth; you are wrong. Knowledge is!
To people who think power or authority or numbers (I lead so many people), is a measure of growth; you are wrong. Responsibilities are!

Money is not everything that can solve all the problems. Neither does power! Remember the end of the Hosini's and Saddam's.

When you have knowledge, you have more maturity.
When you have more maturity you are ready for more responsibilites!

Growth can neither be money nor authority.

It is the measure of your responsibilities!!
Seek to gain more knowledge and experience.
With both seek more responsibilities.

When you have them and the right attitude, the growth in terms of power and money follows!

- Raj

Charity at Work!

I know almost all of us do this one called Charity.
After all, what the parents gave us is in itself Charity. Almost all, does give a lot satisfaction; Be it on the road, be it a cheque to an organization, be it for your maids and so. Because all these will give a sense thankfulness back be it immediate or be it late. And we know that deep down in the heart.

But there is one charity that you know deep down in your heart that it is betrayal. That is actions and help that you do at your job which benefits others either by ourselves or by themselves like by grabbing attention, claiming that they did it, sidelining people, politics and so on. It happens day in and day out and mostly by people whom we know. I know it really takes a lot of character to remain afloat when these things happen continuously and when you lack the support from your management, but then, that is the key! That is your character! Do not change it! 

And deep down we know it is after all charity and charity is supposed to give us a good life! 
And deep down we know betrayals ruin life!

So all betrayals, take it as a charity from you! Do not change your character, most importantly do no move away from being charitable! Giving is really good thing! Only people who give know the satisfaction out. It doesn't matter if you were fooled or you did it on your own! You are giving! Keep doing it.

One day, life will show the fruits of it, it will be sweet for you and ripe for the ones who betrayed! And for the ones who received it sweet, we will always enjoy. And for the ones who had it ripe, they have no choice as it would be too late!

So do not lose passion and do not lose pride! These will ensure that you will sail through!
Cheers!


- Raj.

Past is Past?

Nothing personal against anyone. I was triggered when one fellow manager said this to me regarding his direct report. I felt it was not right.
- Raj.

I hate when someone says, past is past! And let us forget it! Particularly when in discussion with higher ups. If past becomes irrelevant, why should I do what I'm to do today as I know it becomes insignificant tomorrow? 

For Managers!
The achievements of individuals in the past portrays the strengths of them!
The under achievements or mistakes of them gives you an opportunity to know where not to fit them in and where to concentrate to mold them into a better individual! 
We cannot simply say I do not care what you did in the past and discard their achievements and mistakes!
- Raj

Lesson from Traffic Signal.

I thought, life is as simple as waiting at a cross during a red signal! 


We never see a traffic red signal as a road block, rather we see it a check and also one that allows the people from different directions to move forward! It also allows us a moment to sit back, relax and see where we are at and how others move forward. Sometimes, we even tend to change course looking at the traffic ahead. While we wait at the cross, we know for sure that there will be a green signal that will allow us to move forward.


Like wise, in life all obstacles are like Red traffic signal. When we face one, we kind of take stock at what we have and where we are headed towards. If need be, we can change course from there on wards. The key is, when we face adversity (red signal), we need to give it sometime for us to move forward from there! All we need to know is that a red signal will always be followed by a green signal! So stay optimistic and stay afloat in times of adversity! Your time will come for you to move forward!


Regards,
Raj

Optimism?

I felt I should pen this one as I believe this is what I'm.
Treat mistakes as lessons; When you do the right thing, you remain modest.
Treat challenges as opportunities; When you face adversity, you remain focused.
Treat failures as successes; When you think you have succeeded, you remain humble.


I never feared failure, in fact never thought I failed. I've always thought I've under achieved. Any achievement is a success. This I think keeps me optimistic about the future.

If we lose our optimism, there are no lessons, there are no opportunities and eventually no success. 

- Raj
I remain convinced that there is no generic scale to measure success, for it is very relative. 

Relationship

Again, this based on the discussion I had with one of my team mates. I was explaining how we as part of the current engagements are able to keep things to no escalation record. Thought, I should draft it here as well. Of course, this is not the only means to do so, but this is my only way ;)
- Raj

Any relationship, be it professional or personal, is always based on two important factors. Trust and Respect. I do not think that we will ever be able to relate to someone without having these two. However, this does not come very easily and quickly! There are other factors that contribute to these two.
Honesty, Integrity, intent, passion, promise and so on. 

Now, in a professional environment, imagine a relationship with a customer and imagine not having these two. Of course, we start of, probably on a 50/50 note. But then to increase that, we will have to go with the right intent, show integrity, be honest, exhibit passion and pride and most importantly set the right expectations and live up to the promise made! Trust comes with Honest opinions and Respect comes with show of Integrity. These two increase, when we show ownership of what we manage or handle!

It might seem so simple, but it is not so easy to be so! It takes a lot of effort to be so. But once we make it an habit, it is all so simple and when we start a new relationship, we know how to build that and most importantly, that will be built very quickly! 
In essence, make honesty an habit, never compromise your Integrity, do not lose Focus or Intent, never bring down you Passion levels and do not break your Promises.
- Raj