Letter to Arvind

Dear Arvind,

                     Thank You. "Thank You" for so many things. "Thank You" for the hope that you ignited among millions. For the hope that politics can no more be of few privileged or crooks. First time in the Indian political arena you have shown it can be fought on white money, candidate can be selected with no money and muscle power. "Hope" that fight be fought on Issue not on Individual, fight on system-change than vote bank politics. "Corruption" which became part of DNA, people started challenging the fact. I know there are many, who might be thinking million times before offering a bribe like me. It will not make life of receiver life any more easy as well for years to come.

During, Anna agitation, I was impressed by the simplicity you are explaining the laws, how things can be implemented. I was more than happy after few failed attempts of hunger strike which didn't pull the crowd the way it did in first place, you decided to form political party. I always knew Good politics is answer to bad politics, than No politics. To the miss-fortune of this country good decision were taken by accidents. Before election if we talk about pay commission, or welfare programme we know that where exactly it is targeting to. So its not always shouting from the sideline helps, for any correction in the government, where it needs a complete overhauling. We need a huge change in the system in terms of re-definition of democracy, at-least the way it is practised, judicial reform, citizen charter and the list can go on and on and on. 

I know, AAP can change the rule of the game. Which it shown a trailer in Delhi election. It can no more be hindu-muslim divide, it certainly can't be free cash, liquor, TV, or free goodies. Here in Singapore in the national rally (annual day) where PM disclose the plan for 2030, our window limited to a year-on-year or maximum five years. We decide our policy on the basis where we get our vote most, which can't be the game any more. So "Thank you" for that. We have not seen tomorrow. We don't know what will happen to the party, but we know the impact it left on the millions of voters, thousands of politicians that idealism cant be ignored. If you see the dream with sincerity "सारे काइनात उससे मिलाने की कोसिश में लग जाती है " and I am sure people will not afraid to see the dream, no matter how idealistic or unrealistic it looks like. It will provide nice ingredients for hours of discussion, number churning, statistical analysis tomorrow for news channel, but I know the impact it created is far beyond numbers, beyond TV-room discussion. It is on the way to set a new trend in coming future.  

I am little dis-hearten by the figure of exit poll, though still optimistic. But even if things doesn't go the way we think it should, we have a long long way to go. I still remember when Malaysia disowned Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, just cried in a press conference. Secluded himself for few days as he was not sure how he will manage the small place. But he changed the whole scenario. Same applies for David Ben-Gurion of Israel, converting the desert into one of the fastest growing country. I as a volunteer assure you no matter if election has to be fought on above issue, you have my financial, emotional and physical support. For the sake of country we can fight the battle again and again. 


Thanks Again for re -kindling the hope.

NaMo - The choice or alternative or fluke

UPA I and UPA II in there almost ten years of ruling given every possible foul taste that politics could ever possibly give, coupled with arrogance,  attitude and defiance. If you are educated, little in touch with day to day proceedings you are might be tired by this time with endless corruptions, missing files and off late CBI's clean chits after hanging the case for decades. Exasperation doesn't end here, with weakening currency, reducing cash reserve and tons of miss-governance led to the phase where India is no more shining, "Gandhi" word sounds curse to the country and if you prefix it with "Rahul" then it's a disaster.

As 2014 is approaching for election, the desperation of getting rid of them give others a chance to blossom in the congress dominated governance since 1947. The leading name is Narendra Modi. He is in the race, for his governance his Gujarat, no communal violence since 12 years which itself is a milestone, and several other projects like solar power, or Industrialisation etc. No doubt he is deserving from the current run up to Delhi, and trust me thousand time better than Pappu. The torture of UPA for ten years is so paramount, I sometimes wonder if I were a candidate I would have a slim chance for the chair as well. So NaMo seems a better choice from his performance as CM, much more better in terms of alternative.

If this is so, then why fluke? Politics in India is always face or name driven, that's why few people cling to the surname "Gandhi" even though there is no gandhi'ism about them. If we have a visionary leader then the results were good, if not results were equally disastrous. And if we start digging for the root cause it is the "System". System that creates and nurture politician, political parties with absolute power, low accountability and no transparency.  To make it further worse thresh-hold muscle or money needed to get in to politics is beyond you and me, the powerful one don't want to change it against there favour, and we expect the system to change by them who don't want to change it. It is such a vicious circle, like a chicken and egg question. And in this direction I don't see any answer from NaMo at all. He is SILENT on Lokpal, SILENT on RTI inclusion of political parties, SILENT on goons be debarred from politics, SILENT on seat cancellation on convicted legislature and so on. SILENCE all over. But if he has to comment on Pappu or MMS, he don't let a single chance go by. I am not surprised he is encashing on anti-congress, but on self scoring he is loosing many.

So, lets consider this analogy, country as a corporation, PM as the CEO. What should be the role of a good CEO. To standardize the process in such a way that his absence in future will not be affect the business at all or least. It should be business as usual with or without CEO. Even if Narayan Murthy goes Infosys should run, Bill Gates goes Microsoft runs, or Steve Job go Apple remains. Its high time now he should drink some water, clear his throat and unmute his perennials silence on key issues, to set a process (read as System) so that if this Pappu or some other Pappu comes tomorrow he can't mess around.

Jai Hind. Lets good sense prevail.

Disclaimer - I am a AAP supporter for the time being. I tried my best to sound neutral and not judgemental. Image used is not owned by me. 

             

Part 2 - Why you should join IBM India?

I know your WTF reaction if your are coming from Part 1. But after checking the statistics of the visitors visiting my blog, i see most of the crowd are into the article Why you should not join IBM India? Then it evokes another perspective of the same Why not? How bad it is compared to rest? Does my article makes you think whether you accept the offer or not? I request you to spare another five to ten minutes to read the rest. Which might help you in making a wiser and more informed decision.

Before i proceed further, and if you are asking why the hell you are flipping the side? Simple answer is "Context". Nothing in the universe is absolute. If we are standing on the ground where we consider we are still at zero velocity or not moving, for an observer in space which sees earth rotational speed is at 1670 km/hour. Do remember earth completes its rotation in 24hrs and have its radius close to 6000km. So virtually everything on earth living or dead moving at 1670 kmph. But the point is "What is your frame of reference?". So the change of mind is solely not to mislead the reader, but to give an holistic view and take a call if you are in a fix to join IBM or not, or if you are normal reader enjoy for the sake of fun or information again depending on context.

So my article was for a time frame of 2006 and 2010. Yes it changed in terms of facility, training, consolidation or even charging money for the tea you drink. But does it really matter to you if you are planning to join IBM in year 2012 or 2013 with 2006 frame of reference. Answer will be NO. But for you, it does matter how it is going to change post your joining, and how much facility they are adding or reducing after that. And change is only things constant. If you don't change with time and environment, it will not long enough to be extinct as dinosaurs.

If you feel good about the brand IBM, you should be. Even though most of the project considered as cost center (IBM US outsource its work to India), IBM India is a different entity than IBM Global from the functioning perspective but it does provide a wide range of projects to work on. IBM doesn't have single client focus, nor they are single industry focused  So they are virtually into every possible domains with dozens of clients. So if you want to change inter-domain or inter-project you can. Probably big name can gives that flexibility.

Does HR policy are employee friendly? This is not a true false question. So this question should be dealt with sort of relative to others. It has got good number of sick leaves, PL and others, late commutation get reimbursed, day care at some facility, no dress restriction, no MUST formals with tie in scorching Indian summer, no time bound entry or exit as long as you deliver your stuff. What else you want? And if go to US for an onsite we used to get a reasonable amount (not sure of now, check it if it is your concern).

So by telling all these i want to re-iterate its a company like any other IT company you find in the street of Bangalore. They have a set up in India for the cheap labour. If tomorrow they find some other place like Philippines or Vietnam they won't hesitate to migrate there business and sack dozen of employees as they do in US. That's the truth you have to accept. That's how a business survives. My question was never on the nature of business. Profit is a very sacred word in business. But having said all these never expect or treat as a real MNC, with free food at cafeteria, coke vending machine to quench your carbonated thirst. Its just a company with a brand name.

All others peers are no exception. Most of them behaves same way or the other with few plus or minuses here and there. So if you are happy with the offer you are getting, take it. But if there are several offers from several Indian/Other MNC treat equally. Check your convenience. Don't get fooled by name itself.

With above note, I must say welcome to corporate world. It might look cool from outside, but inside its survival of the fittest. Fittest in terms or performance or vocabulary or both. All the time we talk about "team effort", "team building" but do remember there is nothing known as "team appraisal cycle" where everybody get same rating or same hike. Its always 1 on 1. If you are dancing too much on team building activity, remember 1-on-1 is round the corner :) If you get good rating it seems you are indispensable else system sucks. If it happens everywhere then why not in IBM.


Disclaimer - I am not a job consultant, nor i advice on career. Intention is not to confuse you but to let you know the bit of reality. 

Respect, Command to Demand in sixty odd years

Ailing health of Bala Saheb Thackeray, put Mumbai on high alert few days back. His son repeatedly repeatedly asking the party worker and people to remain non-violent and maintain peace. When finally on Saturday he breathed his last, all shops were closed. Taxi and Auto guys were on jammed wheel for a day. Schools and colleges were declared off for Monday, and extension of it considering the situation. Lively Mumbai, all of a sudden went to comma.

The next logical question that comes to my mind, is it all happened out of respect? Answer will be a "NO" but a candid one. Even if you ask the same question to a SENA worker answer will still be the same, but little more candid. 

If you compare the first generation of politician, post independent they earn there respect. They sacrificed there lives. Be it Abdul Azad or Sashtri or Patel. They command respects. But now politics and politician made these post highly negative, and if you think of the word itself by closing your eye, it always reminds of a corrupt guy, with a mustache and a licking tongue dangling out of mouth, about to lick anything and everything that comes in his way. Scam after scam, CD after CD and pants down video in half a dozen cases. So over the years the reputation has corrupted to that extent even an illiterate guy knows the closest synonymous of politician is "chor" (thief). 

The new generation of politician which lost its respect now started demanding it. They also sense they are not being treated with same scale except there party worker. I was watching an interview few days back where a SENA worker was addressing Bala Saheb and his son with adjective "honorable". This sort of adjective were used to the rulers and kings hundreds of years back, but never to the politicians to my knowledge. They are there to serve people. I don't understand why the f**k i will use such words, which alienate them from the common man.

So the procedure of demanding respect has changed. They need red beacon on there car hood, security guards or many Scorpios in there cavalcade. Even deep inside they know there is no threat, nor they are busy working so that traffic delays will hamper there efficiency,  these are all the means to get a salute from here and there and wild pass to cross the traffic signal just to feel important which he is not. So in sixty odd years we have shifted from command to demand. Though not related, someone said why an animal husbandry director needs a red beacon on his car?

Now, how far we are going to support the Girls who voiced there candid answer over Facebook. If i believe NDTV report the status was "People like Thackeray are born and die daily and one should not observe a bandh for that". For a second lets assume that this is an offensive statement for argument sake (i could do a better job though ;). So SENA should have the guts to assimilate it. In democracy all are legally entitled to have there own opinion. If you consider him to be leader of masses then the gal well in her rights to her opinion on him. Else, if you think its your prerogative don't talk about a Memorial at Shivaji Park which is still a public place. Make the memorial in your party office. 

Well, will talk about Thackeray in next article. Those who can't digest one line full article sounds little harsh on them.

Take care.

People, System and corruption

Going to a news site on regular basis becomes part of life. Checking Facebook and news handle in twitter for extra kick is also a ritual. Being in proximity to the media (Indian media in particular) you are not going to miss corruption for sure. After Arvind Kejriwal got into politics in a big way, and hitting his target mercilessly on a 4-5 o clock press conference, so the evening discussion picks the topic till late night, adds extra spice to all of these.

So talking politics and talking corruption over lunch is common practice. so when things comes to point fingers towards politician over corruption, we act as a perfect opposition with no speaker to monitor the proceedings in the cafeteria. But fact remains we are the 95th corrupt country from 180 odd countries as per Transparency International. if you ask Diggy or Kapil Sibal they might simply write off by telling, for your country rating why to consider the fact of an Intentional organisation without any vested interest.

off late i was thinking what could be the root cause? Why the people who got elected, overnight have a different mindset? Why in a mood to amass so much wealth much more what they can chew or digest? A country where we strongly believe in karma ( कर्म), and the result as per our good or bad karma has to be faced in this life, and we do a carry-forward to next life if account can't be settled, yet fearless in looting.  

Country where the ruling party got it's origin from Gandhian ideology, communist party whose philosophy should be structured social order, and that of RSS backed BJP should be of high integrity. Then why people of so varied category does these crimes. So there is something wrong in the system for sure. No matter how colorful Biriyani you eat, the stuff that comes out in the morning have the same odor.

But honestly speaking is there a difference between people and system? Or we the people different from the system that we follow. I don't think so. Even if we argue on it, the line will be very flimsy. According to Rory Stewart, a UK parliamentarian "For politician to be honest, the public needs to allow them to be honest. If the democracy needs to be flourished its the active and informed engagement of every citizen". Why isn't the politician of Newzeland, Singapore or USA are not contaminated with this virus? Are they genetically or morally more sophisticated than us? Just blaming the system is enough as if the so called "system" has fallen from the sky to us. It is fabricated, nurtured by us. Can we not take this moral responsibility of not letting any corrupt practice which will directly or indirectly affect our society and people. Be it in bribing for jumping the signal, or getting a seat in the train, or to get a quick service or be silent on someone doing some wrong. Start objecting and start cleaning self, rest will fall in place.      

In one his interview Imran Khan said "Corruption is what makes a third world country".  it is so true. He further added if you see the list of countries of Transparency International, those who lead the chart are not only clean but are developed. There is such a strong correlation between these two, corruption is difficult to ignore. So lets pledge we do our part, as the people no different from the system. Cleaning ourselves indirectly leads to the cleaning of the country. So next time we accuse someone do remember part of it's we owe as well.

- Jai Hind

PS - Please do comment if you agree, disagree or i need a pat or kick on back.

How long.... we are going to be in grass-root?

In one of the interview i hear MR Obrean talk the definition of TMC. Its grass root. I am pissed off with his explanation and more on the vision one politician posess. For how long my dear minister you are going to keep the people on grass root? Running a country or state is no less than running a enterprise and running a enterprise one need business accumen not seer politics.


I always strongly feel we need to change the eco-system. For instance women-reservation (empowerment) bill. If a woman is not empowered to walk alone in the street whats the point in the bill? I feel if a country is safe enough to walk down on the street in the mid night for a woman without a fear or aprehension of being mobbed or stalked then trust me we don't need a bill. If we can address that rest will be taken care by itself.

Similarily on the reservation (be it on caste or religion). Always change the playing field. If we facilitate a guy from minority to take up education, information or knowledge with mainstream trust me he don't need reservation. Once the earlier is addressed rest will be taken care of as side effect. But explaing the process in a political rally is difficult compared to one word as reservation.

Avg income of people are growing along with the economy. PPP is on raise as well. Same people if need to travel on same railway which is more prone to accident, i bet my wallet on this people don't mind to pay a premium for safety and other services. Empower people with information, infrastructure and vibrant environment. Once they alleveate from there so called grass-root they don't mind paying for the service.

So i want a leader who take them from the grass root to sky level, inflate there expectation and meet them. Once you do that they don't want any f**kin subsidy on petrol, gas or commutation. Playing to the gallery for petty politics will drag the whole generation behind. Call is yours.

Poor Innovation - Indian perspective

When things comes about innovation we Indian are far behind compared to our western counterparts. Along with us if i include most of the Asian countries i would not be much wrong. Sometimes I amused by the fact that does this skill lie somewhere in some gene or chromose that we don't posess? Why we are always at consuming side but not at invention side? I know few of people might started thinking of the list of innovation but nothing much relevant, atleast to my knowledge. Lets talk about few of the innovation and then the nemesis of not-so-innovative cult.

Let me talk more about the Indian perspective as i don't have much knowledge on other Asian counterpart. When things comes about India we take pride on invention of Zero, Algebra, some quardatic equation, trignometry. We have mathematics in our gene for sure ;). But all these things happens in some hundreds of year BC. That is when India was rich and prosperous and one of the earlier civilization exist that we know of. We had world famous univerisy (Nalanda) which was demolished by Moughals. So the country was under intruder infulence from 800 to 1900 for almost 100 odd years by the moughals and British followed by poor political vision which made the country further poor. Since years it is fighting to come over that phase. So all these years we are deprived from the basic need of food, cloth and shelter. Till to date there is a huge chunk of people still under proverty line. So a man having no food can't think of Innovation which certainly took birth from the need. Need that doesn't belong to food, cloth and shelter. So one might argue that what about now. When there is a bunch of people in so called middle class why there is no innovation? Question is valid. Now we are in the phase of transformation of poor to not-so-reach. So our mentality is still around focusing on the three basic needs and then securing the three needs for the rest of our lives. So we follow the path of our peers who successfully did the same thing as our inspiration. The inspiration that were budding during our school days to become a Newton end up mugging his formula and jotting down on the exam paper. Everyone did so we followed. Probably that is the reason why Innovation never comes to forefront. Till now.

I remember when i joined Enginnering the idea i was toying around is to make water as fuel. Excited about the fact i was explaining my father how water can be dissociated to Hydrogen and Oxygen, one is combustible and another is a supporter of combustion. The reponse was,

"don't run after all these, make sure you get good grades on your exam".

I don't blame him if i didn't go further as my analysis were never encouraging (Mathematically) nor did i pursue it further. Just wondering if water can be turned to fuel, all the shaiks of Saudi will be dishwasher around the globe for sure :)

So the basic motive of all the education is to ensure future and three basic needs and few luxury stuff during the process. So there is definitely a connectione between poverty and innovation. To make my point further none of the early scientist are from poor family, even though all might not belong to affuluent family.

So the next paradox is about Middle-east. So called oil country. They are rich Yet no innovation? Then the answer is simple. They are rich by nature which is not attained by thriving to it. If you have more  resource then your need (Heaven is such a place) you can't be innovative. If America is rich, its not because they are blessed in terms of natural resources, its because they are good businessman. And business demands to be innovative, searching for new opportunity, new market, new product to explore. To do that they have to innovate. One beautiful example is Beer. Beer taste good when served at certain termprature which forced the beer manufacturer to invent something that can make temp come down artificially. Commuting with spped and without muscle force someone (Henery Ford) to think of an alternative which leads to invention of Motor and when there is global demand for the same which evolve further invention that will increase production exponentially. So invention complement or compelled for other invention to take place in turn helps in growing the economy. So Middle east countries inspite of there being rich never have the need to invent.

So what next. So when the Asian countries (excluding Japan, I just thought this name to be excluded) transformed themselves from poor to not-so-rich to rich i am sure it will create a section of businessmen, rich people, not so hungry people to invent new stuff that lead the way to production, industrialization, and further invention. So the transition of the people happeinign in India, China and few other countries from the same region which will create the new set of innovators. Hopefully.

Updated - 23rd Nov 2012

Probably things are changing in India. I am probably the person belong to the category asking, If India is growing, scientifically advanced then where is the Apple, Google or Viagra from India ? But the speaker clarified some of the fact. It gives me a feel we are not genetically any less, we are inching towards there. Remember we have 35 dollar tablet. yes, i know we can debate on user experience ;) Some invisible innovation.

Thanks for reading and watching. Please do comment if you like or otherwise.