Time Pass

Even though I decided that I wanted to put across my thoughts about few things, I am not sure if I would do able to bring in any kind of change in this world, but being positive, I would go ahead and try to cover the simple yet complicated things around me.
A normal human being spends 1/3 of his life by mitigating or criticizing or complaining what he/she did was correct. Being a common man I am gonna speak, rather do the same. In my previous blogs and the ones which I am still writing for months, I have mentioned that I am typical Bangalorean.
Even though, it’s going to be close to 2 years in Chennai, I still miss Blore for all possible and impossible reasons. The feel of your own place doesn’t come with Chennai; neither do few people allow that to come. Over the past few weeks, people around me are complaining about my mobile network – Aircel. The best part is that it is one of the leading providers in Chennai and TN. But still somewhere down the line, they do not have a good customer service and network. Today, all of a sudden, am not able to make any outgoing calls, still not sure what the reason is as it’s a weekend. I know for sure that Airtel in Blore has a good base and the service is comparatively good, given the much higher customer base. Although I had in mind that I need to change the provider, I was awaiting for the uniform network plan that was announced by the government years back. The plan, if implemented would have helped me by ensuring that I do not need to change my number, but only the provider. Given the poor administration skills, we cannot proceed much further on this. Hence I am one among the common sufferers of the sick plans made by the government.
Many people in Chennai are more inclined or learn there curriculum from the adamant and atrocious Chennai auto drivers. That’s one of the reasons why they don’t want to change their attitude. This morning, I had been to a BP petrol bunk in Cathedral Road; usually, the service in the bunk is par excellence. But one off cases like the one whom I met today puts down your whole impression. Yes, the attendant was really rude and lazy to the core. Even though it should not bother me much, I was a bit disturbed, coz this incident happened at the start of the day.
In the last two years, I have created ruckus in my office especially with the tech team and the admin team. The only reason is that I find that they do not do the work on time or as expected. When I moved into this company, I had 6 yrs of prior experience and I had seen how the tech and the admin team react in my previous organisations. With the same level of expectations, I started to expect from my Chennai counterparts; but in vain, they had their own way of sluggish working nature. This does cause a lot of problems, but doesn’t deter them to change for good. As a common man, it does annoy me; hence I lose my temper and blurt out on them. Once we got a hang of each other, today I can say that either they get the work done for me quickly or I know the way to get that done. May be the way I opted is wrong, but when people do not want to change for good, I do not have a choice. I am not justifying that what I am doing is correct; I would need a lot of patience, time and perseverance to change the people around me. But before that, I need to change the bad qualities in me.
Ever since I joined the company where I am working, I have been working on audits, or preparing for audits; there are few audits which recur once a quarter. Even though there are many financial BPOs, there aren’t that many audits in those companies. Is it that my company has too much of money or leisure time to spend on such stupid audits? The question remains unanswered as the top management would not want to change the working style. They consider the grandfathered methods are the only ways to curb any kind of fraud. To add to the worries, you have different kinds of documents that need annual/semi-annual kind of approvals. I cannot understand the reason why this is required when you can run the show without these.
Recently, I was watching a news channel; the headlines were that in IPL 4 there will be two new teams – Pune and Kochi, wherein kochi would be captained by Sreesanth – an immature grown up spoilt brat. The very next news was that six people died of hunger in Bihar. When you actually look into this, the first news was not that important, however the second one needs to be known, also we need to analyse on both the news. Reason:
The initial news was that, these two teams were bought for a whopping 730 Cr. The government is not willing to look into this money spindling game as the exchequer is gaining 340Cr approx as tax (in all forms). Neither is the government interested in spending the money on the people who die ddue to hunger, neither are the MNCs willing to adopt such small villages. To add to our woes, the Indian Captain is the highest earning sportsman of the year. Where does all these unaccounted money come in and go. The answer should be - nobody knows about it, but somehow I feel that the answer is that nobody has taken the effort or the courage to find or reveal what they know. Like any other Indian, I too am sitting and complaining about the same; in one of the popular movies in Tamil, there is a dialogue, which states that the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer. Undoubtedly, anyone would agree to this. We all need to fight against all these things. Than complaining or criticizing, lets do it.
For the past few months, people around me are complaining about each other. In spite of the fact that they know each other than I know them, they still are not in good terms. What exactly could be the reason is something I started analysing – is it lack of communication which leads to misunderstanding; or is it something to do with ego; is it something that they have reached the stage where do not want to compromise their own self for the sake of other (even though they have known for years); When you drill down, everything boils down to one problem that people are emotional. Again a common proud Indian mentality comes into play. In the earlier days, when one plants a sapling, they ensured proper care by watering it, protecting it & providing enough fertilizers to it. They never thought that if it would give any yield to them, probably that’s one reasons why Blore is left with some greenery. But in today’s world, we spend so much time on relationships; one or few mistakes from one or both the ends creates a cold war which actually is supported by ego which leads to a break up in relationships. This is a common phenomenon; it still has various reasons which actually support their decisions. In this modern world, we always go to a coffee shop just to kill time, but we never take any effort to call the person for a cup of coffee. Probably, we can discuss everything underneath the sun and resolve the misconceptions. If not in a coffee shop, we can always sit back home and speak to each other and try and get things resolved. Even though emails, letters and smses have become a part of human life, still a personal interaction would always make a lot of difference. Lets move on an initiate a change in the way we lead our life. I always feel one thing in life is true – all those who ever said some quotes in the ancient periods are not fools, they have tested them, tried them and are successful. Hence these quotes or famously known as pazhamuli has come into existence. In the day to day life, when you actually use few quotes in your self interest, why not be a broad minded and consider more quotes which actually can resolve the problem. After all, its one life we are going to lead, why not lead it happily without hurting others. I have been in the wrong side on many occasions, but today I have reached a stage where, I just feel that we need to reduce and watch out for our words, so as to ensure that it doesn’t hurt others. If a sculpture has to be created, the architect has lot of work to do before completion. Let’s compare the same with relationships, only when you make up your mind and try and try like the King Bruce story, will you succeed. No human is heartless, one fine day, they will change their attitude and thoughts, and it’s just a matter of time which needs to allow the wound to heal. By the way, the scar would always remain; one bad incident from there on would still lead to lot of problems. Hence, let’s lead a life without hurting others.
All these while when I was sharing the above few lines, I was introspecting my self. I just realized that I get anger quickly with an unknown person and a known unknown person. Confusing? That’s how life is.
But why is it that I am not angry with the people whom I know well? That’s something I am not aware, neither do I want to interrogate on. As long as the relationships don’t get affected, I wouldn’t think about it.
Just before I move on to the next subject, let me tell you one thing – people feel angry with all those who are unknown to them, known unknown person and a known person. They do not take advantage on the first two cases, but certainly with the third. Reason – you should have known by now. Once you realize the law of relationships, you will start working towards a healthier one not with few people, but with all the people in your life.
In order to lead your life in a good and prosperous way, it should have some qualities; the world will change when people start practicing these qualities. Yes I am referring about the six sigma principles, if they use the methods in their day to day life, there can be enormous change. Probably, that is something which has helped my perspective towards people and life change. I Define each and every problem I come across; once I define it, I start Measuring it in terms of the importance and the effects that it would cause. While measuring the problem, I start Analysing the problem. When I am complete with the 1st three steps, I move into the Improve stage and Control it over the end of the improvement stage; this helps me to sustain the improvement I have made. It does sound easy and sometimes stupid to use the DMAIC procedure in life; but it leaves an everlasting impact on ones life.
Before we expect a change from other end, we need to proactively show that we are willing to change and it should be consistent. Only then, there would be some kind of impact on the other end which would lead to change. The best example off late from the Indian cinema is Munna Bhai MBBS… quite a few scenes depict that the willingness to change and forgiving people would make everyone’s life happy. Let’s lead a happy life and help others too (whenever needed).
The whole object of me penning down the above lines is to highlight few of the things that happen around us. Than complaining or criticizing, let’s work towards a better world and ensure to bring in the much needed change for good. Live life happily.

Road Trip 1

Just like others who want to go on a journey with their ardent vehicle, I too decided to go on a road trip.
As I vaguely remember my trip to Hogennakkal (2006), I wanted to make this one a memorable one. However, I wasn’t sure about my destination; hence like a common Indian – I went from Chennai to Tirupati. The journey was quite awesome, coz this was supposed to be my 1st trip without anyone accompanying me. To be honest, it was really nice to go alone, coz finding a good company in Chennai is really difficult. The people in Chennai are more passionate about the small rides on the ECR and OMR, they do not want to experience anything in long distance or any where else away from there home town (no offences ppl, its just my observation from the ppl I have met). But still I have found few people, who would like to go for long drives,
Any trip needs to have some kind of homework to be done. Before I could go to tirupati, I ensured to check all the possible routes from Chennai to Tirupati. From the blogs that I read and the feedbacks received from the near and dear ones, I got to know that the Tiruvallur – Tirutani route was one awesome route. With some must carry gadgets and a discontented service done to the vehicle (yup, the service done at Jai Motors, Adyar was not that great), I started off from Mylapore – yes that’s were I reside in Chennai – I 1st knocked the doors of Ganesha temple which is in the corner of my street - seeked his blessings and blazed through the PH Road and headed towards Poonamallee. Just before I could take a right near Thirumazhisai, I stopped in the Motel to energize myself after a long night in office.
Since this was my first road trip, I was speeding through the state highway with lots of enthusiasm, wasn’t sure about the route as there weren’t any sign boards. As a typical man, I never wanted to ask anyone the route, hence I ensured to venture on my own, by then I had reached Tiruvallur. Just then I realized, I had not switched on my i-pod. Hence stopped for a while, set the tunes right, started my journey. I need to mention this, listening to the songs of Kishore Kumar is always a pleasure especially when you’re travelling. Yes, it did set my mood in such a way that I drastically reduced my speed and concentrated on enjoying my ride.
Suddenly, I realized that the hoardings around me had a change in language; yes I had reached the Andhra border. As I wasn’t sure about the vehicles performance, stopped in to take a break. All this while, I never realized that the climate was horrible, when I stopped my journey – I really felt that no journeys should have pit stops.
Just when I started from the pit, I realized that all the cars, which I had zoomed past, had crossed me. This is another reason why I wouldn’t like to stop for a break. Nevertheless, I started my journey and reached Tirupati. Somehow, all my trips have been without any kind of prior bookings for darshan; however, I am being able to get a quick darshan. I should agree that it is b’coz of god’s grace.
I wanted to ride my bike all the way to up hill. Hence I resumed my journey and went up the hill. Had a good darshan after waiting for 2 hours; by now, my body was exhausted and wanted to catch up with some sleep. I reached the foothill and booked a dorm and settled there for a while. Probably within minutes of lying down, I slept for a long while; I realized that it was time to start my journey back home.
My return journey was more comfortable, coz to an extent I remembered the roads and the intersections, hence did not have much problems. With the same kind of pit stops, I was riding with much ease and ensured to meet the average biker’s timelines.
By night, I reached Chennai and gave a break for my bike coz by end of the month I was planning a trip to Bangalore, yes – that’s where I basically am from. A typical Bangalorean.

Feel Like God!!!

Since this is my first ever blog, I am not sure if this has the right start…nevertheless… all I want to speak about is my bike.
During the month of Oct’ 09, I wanted to buy something for myself. I wasn’t sure about what I needed. After a long thought, I decided about buying a vehicle for myself, coz relying on the Chennai buses /autos for long were not my cup of cake. My search began with a four wheeler; the scenario at that time was such that I wasn’t able to afford a four wheeler, hence zeroed in on a 2 wheeler. Thinking that the problem just ended, I started searching for a bike. I never wanted a usual or commonly seen vehicle. Hence was thinking about a Royal Enfield.
The 1st thought one would get about a bullet is that – it is gigantic in nature, not that user or street friendly. Somehow I overcame this mental block. After reading a lot about the Thunder Bird (TB) and Machismo, I looked into the availability of the vehicle and the pricing of the vehicle. Even though I wanted to buy a bike, I was sure that I am going to upgrade myself to a car. So I wasn’t much convinced about spending a lac for a TB or a machismo. That’s when I realized about my friend Lu, who owns this 180CC bike. For a while I thought that I had found my bike. But the initial research showed that this was one hefty vehicle which was not that great, given the same 200CC pulsar engine. All the blogs written about the vehicle made me think again n again… coz most of the owners weren’t feeling that gr8.
By now, it was the last week of Oct ’09, I was very sure that if I miss this opportunity, I wouldn’t decide on anything – I started checking for the prices in Blore n Chennai. As this bike falls under the pro-biking category, there weren’t many showrooms in Blore who were offering this vehicle. To make my life miserable, Chennai had only one showroom – Now I need to tell you about this god damn showroom - none of the guys here realize what customer satisfaction is, they are bunch of jokers, trying to spoil the reputation that Bajaj has built these many years. Among all the people from Jai Bajaj, Chennai – Mr Karthik was the best, he being a manager of the store, doesn’t know to treat prospective customers.
Though all the things were going against the – Feel like God vehicle, I was able to see some ray of hope, that’s when I spoke to Mr Ramachandran from Aakash Motors, Pondy, one awesome guy, who I think knew very well about attracting the customers 
I was very sure by now that I am going to buy this bike. Hence I went to Blore on the 31st of Oct ’09. As I didn’t want to ride a bike without a head guard, I got a MPI helmet for my self. I embarked on my journey to Pondy and reached on the 2nd of November ’09. By now, I had also informed Mr Ram, that I would come in on this day to make my payments and collect the bike on the following Saturday. Things took a turn when I reached; he wanted me to take the delivery the same day as he felt that it was advisable for me to take the bike on the same day. Hence, he ensured that he completed all the formalities in the local RTO on the same day. He offered me quite a few documents to sign, by then he introduced me to the bike Avenger – anyone who has ridden that bike, would agree that it does feel like God!!!
I had set my vision on the Avenger, a blue coloured bike – checked the bike to know if there were any scratches. Mr Ram – a bloke, assured me that there wouldn’t be any such things… time was passing and it was almost noon, by then I had lost my patience. Somehow, didn’t want to pester the people in the showroom. By 1PM, they asked me to take the bike on my own to the RTO for registration – that was really a special moment for me. I still remember the dew drops - called rain, that fell on my bike. It was a moment that I cherish a lot even today, coz… I have never felt that feeling till date for such things in life…
I rode my bike all the way to RTO for inspection, once it was completed; I started my journey to Chennai. Before I could take charge of the vehicle, Mr Ram had given me some tips about the vehicle and the steps that I need to follow while I am on the bike. Finally, I was all by myself, I took the ECR road and was on the way back to Chennai. A ride which I still remember and would cherish for a long time.
Today, the bike has covered 4400 Kms approx – it has been a tireless journey… as the seating arrangement is awesome and satisfies both the rider n the pillion.
I don’t want to give a pseudo name to my bike, coz even without this, it is my sweet heart - has shared a lot of memorable moments with me; has made me feel that we can choose any kind of path in life – be it well-built or rough roads, coz it has amazing tyres, which would accompany me in the path of life…Machines have replaced humans is all that I can say for now. Tomorrow, things might be different, one never knows.
Thank you!!!