I wanted to initially post my experiences on a weekly basis! Turns out, I should be more commited! I thought I would better share once in a while a few of my experiences and also many of others! Good Quotes! Great emotions etc! Lets c!
Saturday, June 6, 2020
The World today and our Hypocrisy!
Sunday, March 1, 2020
COVID-19: Aftermath
I was sitting in office today for the weekly leadership meeting. One of the guys was sneezing and worst is he traveled into Texas, the previous day! I even nudged him politely stating it worries me that he is sneezing and that, may be, he should not be in office! But he shrugged it off and the other guy wasn't worried like I was.
During my presentation, the risk aware me, raised the potential risk of disruption due to COVID-19 and almost instantly the question from the two was like, what about it? I said, we need to come up with a BCP for it because it is spreading fast and it was question of time that we prepare for it. It was a pause for a moment and I was hoping that it was taken seriously. The answer was, a lot more silence!! Mind you, this was last week, when the number of cases around the globe was raising and Italy is at the kind of brink.
That evening when I was driving back, I could not help but think of the below and I thought I may want to record it and look back how this had panned out.
- This virus is gonna bull doze a lot of things.
- The world would have changed forever.
- Economy will go down a lot. A lot of us will lose jobs.
- Food shortage because of transport and/or famine.
- Across the globe, social unrest will be there. With no money and job to earn money, people will turn to looting and stealing.
This will not be an easy world going forward. I for one, feel a bit weird. I feel a lot scared, but have to pretend to be brave for the sake of my girls!
At the other end of the pandemic, we may have changed forever. Whoever survives the virus and the violence, may be can restore what we used to call as humanity!
Hope that I'm wrong. Generally am not this pessimistic, but 1 week into that discussion, my folks at office do not realize what is and why we need a BCP.
And so is the leadership of many countries. Some have kind of shut things down and some haven't. But to me this is not just about virus, but also about the world after that! I'm not sure if any country leader is thinking about it! What and how to go about the disruption and potential social unrest!
All I can do today is to hope! Hope is the first cure for all problems!
Saturday, October 5, 2019
Why do we need sports in life
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Possibility from Probability
Just a random thought...
Can possibility and probability co-exist? While in theory, it is not possible, I think in reality all of us are a real good example of them.
Let's look at it simply. We are one in a billion which is allowed by an egg, That is the probability. From there on, here we are a possibility. If that tiny little sperm can beat all odds and bring us into reality, what can we not acheive?
All of us are born acheivers! It is just that we need to keep it going!
Raj.
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Lesson from Tides and Sun.
Last month, at dawn, on a Chennai beach resort, I happened to be sipping a coffee in a relaxed fashion and watching the Sun rise over Bay of Bengal!
I was seeing this beautiful work of Universe/Galaxy/Mother Earth in play. As serene and calming it was, this is what was stuck with me on how arrogant or in one sense igonorant, we have all become.
What do tides teach us? Perseverance: They keep trying every moment to breach the shore. They never give up!
What does Sun teach us? Hope: Each day Sun comes (I know earth rotates and not Sun) back with a hope that we will get better and not giving up on us, giving us another chance.
Imagine, if the tides succeed and/or Sun gives up! It is destruction! That is how fragile we are as the potentially only conscience in this universe, at least at this point!
The lesson I took from that morning is, keep hoping and persevere! If we lose hope and don't keep trying, life ends!
Regards,
Raj.
Thursday, May 24, 2018
Integrity undefined
There was a question on Integrity in one of the conversations I was having with my friends. Not sure if I read it somewhere, but, here was what I said as my definition.
Integrity is not about doing something right when someone is watching, but it is about not doing the wrong thing when none is watching! Meaning, doing the right thing, being the right thing at all times! Is it possible? I believe yes! If we are true to ourselves, I think we can!!
Raj.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Friendship's Day
என்னை விட இந்த வரிகளை உணர்தவர் யார் உண்டோ....
நண்பர்கள் தின நல் வாழ்த்துகள்...
"இந்த தேகம் மறைந்தாலும் நட்பாய் மலர்வேன்..."
Friends are so important and friendships are the key to anyone's life. That is why every culture in the world keeps telling even the parents to be a friend with their children....
Happy Friendships day to everyone...
- Raj
Sunday, June 9, 2013
What is Lust?
Most often than not, people tend to portray lust as a very dangerous, derogatory, unwanted, unneeded and unpleasant factor. Especially relating to Humans.
In my view, lust is the most misunderstood and misrepresented term and only defined from the view of sexual desires within the confines of physical pleasure. Little does anyone acknowledge that without lust this world wouldn't even grow. Let's try dissecting my statement. If lust is something that attracts opposite genders physically, that's a bee does to a flower, which creates pollination turning a flower into a fruit and in turn giving us seeds to have more trees! Likewise, a male-female attraction is what allowed to world to blossom into what it is now! And that attraction was fair and square because of lust, how can that be scary than being sacred!
Not sure how and when every culture started disrespecting lust. But in tamil literature, to be very specific our own Thiruvalluvar defines all of his kurals under categories. அறத்துப்பால் (pronounced as Arathupaal meaning Morality), பொருட்பால் (pronounced as porutpaal meaning Material), காமத்துப்பால் (pronounced as Kaamathupaal meaning desires and Kaamam alone translates to lust); 3rd one being what we are speaking about. If Valluvar defined it as one of the main elements/pillars of your life, it has to be important. After all, all of tamil literature references back to Thirukkural!
Over the course of time, Lust from being one important element of life to, being the most dangerous element, I think, the humans made it into that!
So in all, my perspective, Lust is like every other emotion, feeling and also the most basic instinct that any living being has. There should be no shame in admitting to that!
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Oviyaa Arrives
Nilaa Receives....
Leela Delivers our second part of our lives...
Thanks to all your wishes to be blessed with a baby girl....
எங்கள் வாழ்கையின் பாதைக்கு நிலவின் வெளிச்சம்...
எங்கள் வாழ்கையின் கனவுகளுக்கு ஓவியத்தின் வண்ணம்...
என் வாழ்கை இன்றும், என்றும், எப்பொழுதும் லீலைகளோடு...
வாழ்திய அணைத்து உள்ளங்களுக்கும், எங்கள் நன்றிகள்....
- Raj
Monday, March 11, 2013
Women!
- Raj
Thursday, January 24, 2013
A Talent called Kamal Hassan!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Childhood now and 20-25 years back.
- Raj
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
The Tree - Happy Independence Day!
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”
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
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
Saturday, August 4, 2012
What is Growth?
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
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Charity at Work!
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.
Saturday, June 16, 2012
Lesson from Traffic 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
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Optimism?
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.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Relationship
- 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
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Leadership by Ownership.
However, this is not about that and we as customers will always complain about the service. It is about an young flight attendant called Runal and how his attitude and passion inspired me.
The boarding was supposed to be 2:00 PM and we almost ran to the gate at Singapore after all the free lunch and duty paid purchases (you know what) and somehow reached on time to secure place for baggage. The flight was normal cramped one and the take was good. Then came the service, the food was not to our liking, but we were not complaining as we had a blast of a lunch within Changi Airport. And Wine was disappointing.
As always, I took the Aisle seat, Leela next and Nilaa on the window seat. There was a Gentleman called Srini (name changed) seated on the other side of the Aisle, who I believe was flying from the US and was on the phone until take off. Probably due to jet lag or tiredness because of the long wait at Changi, he dozed off and was not even taking food served.
The flight was normal after an hour and Nilaa wanted to use the rest room. Just when I was taking here, Srini was walking ahead of us towards the rear side rest room. The path was blocked because the flight attendants were serving food still. Srini probably was feeling uncomfortable and was desperate to get to the rear. But the passage was blocked and seeing his desperation, people were trying to help him go past the food cart. Just when crossed, he just crashed and fainted on the floor. Quickly, people chipped in sprayed water, pulse was checked and he somehow regained consciousness but was too week. There were seats which were made free for him to lie down and he was given a juice and may be it was low sugar. However, he dozed of again. And it was this young man called Runal who was leading the taking care part of it with others as well. I also for my part informed them about his seat number and that it could be low sugar as he could not have had food in a long time and got back to my seat with Nilaa.
I had collected the passport, mobile phone and the boarding card of Srini and was waiting to hand it over to one of the flight attendants. Runal was back to collect the food tray and he was standing next to me in no time. I handed it over to him and was checking how Srini was doing and was suggesting that may be lot of fluids should help Srini. And for his part Runal was checking what exactly happened and I explained things as I saw it. He took note of all of it and out curiosity I was saying may be a doctor on board could help and that it was the first time I've experienced such a thing.
He was looking at me calmly and said, "Don't worry sir. I'll never let anything happen grave on my flight." I was really inspired by his statement. Here was a flight attendant who was probably the lowest in the organizational chain of Jet Airways from Naresh Goyal's until him and yet was stating my flight! It might sound a bit arrogant, but to me it was assuring. He wanted to ensure that none on his flight should feel insecure and was exhibiting sheer passion which really inspired me.
This is what leaders do. They take ownership, inspire people and guide them to success. They run what ever they own as their company. Leadership is not complete without 100% ownership which I always understood, but Runal made me realize it one more time. Am sure Runal would really fare well in his life because he is a leader. All the best Runal.