I have a queer notion of train journeys..There is something special about train journeys in India..i am sure each of us at 1 point of time must have got off a train with a smile..remembering the incidents & instances that made the journey memorable.
I have always tried to observe people around me specially in trains during my journeys..they have always been event full so far.
I have only tried to gather my numerous experiences..and they are as follows
" Yeh saman kiska hai/Yeh apka seat hai "?? - the most commonly used conversation openers.
The challenge is to rest your a**** on the lower seat when you have an upper berth without having to confront scowling faces.Even before you occupy space on the seats, to shovel your luggage beneath the seats draws lot of flak..1 would not find ample space to park 1's luggage ( that is 8 out of 10 times).i have seen as few as 2 people carrying a truckload of luggage and then shamelessly feeling good about it.
It is all the more interesting when you have families travelling with young, pretty. petite & svelte girls along with you. Just observe how the father,brother & mother keep an eye on you as if you are a fugitive who would run away if they blinked or took their eyes off you.
Journeys in A.C compartments are less ill fated but have their own share of woes especially when a man or woman (understandably middle aged or older)suffer from indigestion.The nightmarish part is to use the toilets in the mornings. The benefits are you do not have many vendors screaming on top of their voices and shaking you off your slumber trying to sell chess boards to tea.
The inferior cousin (Sleeper class)is all about chaos, commotion and unrest. What i have invariably noticed is that the passage is covered with remnants of pea nuts & crushed paper balls.
Here is where you find the most intricate mannerisms of people..I have seen people digging their noses endlessly as if they had struck upon gold & them making small mucus balls and then releasing them in the air with utmost self confidence.
what tires the ears is the sound of scratching!! when 1 out of curiosity opens the eye finds people trying to scratch at places which are meant to be private with great ease and then give out a sigh of relief!! Just imagine when they shake hands with you or pass a cup of tea/coffee from the vendor to you.
The next feat is to resist the snoring around you.Sometimes it is so loud that 1 is unable to hear the sound of the moving train!! i must say like in every other field women are catching up really fast in this 1 as well.
Today Ipod's & MP3 players or cell phones with music players are very essential and should never be forgotten to be carried.
The landscapes , the excitement to realize that your destination has arrived, the bargaining hassles with the porters are the other factors that just make a journey more complete!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
SIDDHARTH-up ,close & personal!!
I started my blog with IPL,dance India dance & few more..but i have failed to introduce myself to my blog readers & followers..
Like many i am an ambitious guy..always thinking of new possibilities & avenues to spruce up my career...MBA & banking was not a matter of choice in the sense(i opted for the conventional route because MBA fetched jobs)!!even today i still have a strong urge to quit my job and follow my dreams..i always had this ambition of becoming a cartoonist ever since good sense had prevailed in me..which was when i was about 3-4 years..in my formative years i had picked up a pencil and drawn a front side view of a galloping horse much to the surprise of my parents & relatives..for a little boy who had not even learnt cursive writing, the strokes were more than ordinary!!
As time flew by i horned my skills, won many prizes, did my parents proud..the only times they were upset with me was when my academic reports were pressed into their hands with utter disgust by my teachers!! and to be honest that happened almost every year.
People within my family & outside thought i was a dud..i used to fare badly only in maths..but the truth is i never wanted to study.and when 1 sits idle in math class without paying attention..the basics just tend to fade and once that happens it is difficult to pull back things.
But things changed when i moved up the ladder to standard 10.I somehow managed to pull back things..i got a 76 in maths ( i thank my tutor for this..he was amazing).it was a complete makeover for a guy who used to score miserably..
*i remember before every math test my parents would spend sleepless nights & i would constantly ask my grandfather whether i would pass or not.
This restored some confidence in my parents & to my dismay i was asked to take up maths along with commerce..this time it was my tutor again..a different 1 who was a struggler and was trying to earn his livelihood.. Tutions were a source of income for him..he was far more dedicated than i was.It seemed as if he had to appear for exams.
I again surprised every 1 around for having solved some intriguing calculus sums in my 12th board..
* i remember my tutor telling me that he had never expected me to solve those problems and he could now be sure of his teaching abilities..i was his 1st student :)
As most Indians i loved outdoor sports specially cricket...i badly wanted to play cricket..& when time came i played it badly :)
But i have always worked hard to develop my skills in this game..till date i play cricket whenever i get a chance & then get back working on my weaknesses..Some may think i am being pompous..but the fact is i have improved in this game by leaps & bounds..
As a child i always loved dancing ...i only danced on occasions like Pujas at my apartment's community center..i would rehearse in front of the mirror endlessly..i still love dancing but now getting into the act with a hefty built that i have is going to cause serious problems..
I am a big foodie..my mother tells even when i was a toddler i used to finish my food and then crawl around and look at others plates..with empathy and love,i used to be fed with adult food
Thats about me as brief yet narrative as possible..someday i shall fulfill my dreams and would reminisce this post.
Like many i am an ambitious guy..always thinking of new possibilities & avenues to spruce up my career...MBA & banking was not a matter of choice in the sense(i opted for the conventional route because MBA fetched jobs)!!even today i still have a strong urge to quit my job and follow my dreams..i always had this ambition of becoming a cartoonist ever since good sense had prevailed in me..which was when i was about 3-4 years..in my formative years i had picked up a pencil and drawn a front side view of a galloping horse much to the surprise of my parents & relatives..for a little boy who had not even learnt cursive writing, the strokes were more than ordinary!!
As time flew by i horned my skills, won many prizes, did my parents proud..the only times they were upset with me was when my academic reports were pressed into their hands with utter disgust by my teachers!! and to be honest that happened almost every year.
People within my family & outside thought i was a dud..i used to fare badly only in maths..but the truth is i never wanted to study.and when 1 sits idle in math class without paying attention..the basics just tend to fade and once that happens it is difficult to pull back things.
But things changed when i moved up the ladder to standard 10.I somehow managed to pull back things..i got a 76 in maths ( i thank my tutor for this..he was amazing).it was a complete makeover for a guy who used to score miserably..
*i remember before every math test my parents would spend sleepless nights & i would constantly ask my grandfather whether i would pass or not.
This restored some confidence in my parents & to my dismay i was asked to take up maths along with commerce..this time it was my tutor again..a different 1 who was a struggler and was trying to earn his livelihood.. Tutions were a source of income for him..he was far more dedicated than i was.It seemed as if he had to appear for exams.
I again surprised every 1 around for having solved some intriguing calculus sums in my 12th board..
* i remember my tutor telling me that he had never expected me to solve those problems and he could now be sure of his teaching abilities..i was his 1st student :)
As most Indians i loved outdoor sports specially cricket...i badly wanted to play cricket..& when time came i played it badly :)
But i have always worked hard to develop my skills in this game..till date i play cricket whenever i get a chance & then get back working on my weaknesses..Some may think i am being pompous..but the fact is i have improved in this game by leaps & bounds..
As a child i always loved dancing ...i only danced on occasions like Pujas at my apartment's community center..i would rehearse in front of the mirror endlessly..i still love dancing but now getting into the act with a hefty built that i have is going to cause serious problems..
I am a big foodie..my mother tells even when i was a toddler i used to finish my food and then crawl around and look at others plates..with empathy and love,i used to be fed with adult food
Thats about me as brief yet narrative as possible..someday i shall fulfill my dreams and would reminisce this post.
Friday, April 9, 2010
life in a metro!!
lt has almost been close to a year since i came to Bangalore!! On the 16th of June 2009 I stepped out of the Volvo bus and i was welcomed with a gust of cold air that slapped me across my face.I was thrilled and excited.Coming from Eastern India (Bhubaneshwar) and then boarding the bus from Chennai,Bangalore's weather was some kind of a blessing.
As time flew ,what seemed like a refreshing change turned stale.The roads,traffic,inaccessibility to good road side food started taking a toll on me..how much i miss kolkata!!
Not many people know that everyday despite trying hard to converse with whatever kannada i have gathered, i still have to gulp down some solvent which is a mixture of tea & coffee at my office..every time i burp..i get to feel the taste of this magic solvent coupled with chutney & sambhar ( i eat chapatis & sabzi that are left over from the previous night's dinner but normally i get up late so i take my breakfast at my office) ...talking about burping only seems pretty decent on a public forum ..doesnt it??
I had to thrive & live on meals for the 1st 8 months..ofcourse dinner was cooked at my place so that was a big relief:)a meal typically has chapthi, rice,rice & rice with 2 bowls of curry.
But i have to admit that people who originally belong to Karnataka are very helpful,kind and have a pleasant disposition!
The summer this time has been unkind & unforgiving.I am still waiting for the rains..I am told it rains when it becomes so hot here..
Bangalore has its own charm but lot of sheen is gone now..the pubs & discos close down at 11..ofcourse there are places where RAAT BAKI BAAT BAKI happens but such places are not affordable if my means are anything to go by.The best I can do is watch a night show and then hit the sack!
Life is hectic may be because i have to lead life with a routine. What is more dreadful to think is that i ll have to work in big cities to tap better & more opportunities..to more than compensate for the expenses i have borne towards my education..i will have to work ..god knows for how many more years..
Life in a metro is difficult but is equally rewarding..i am ready to take anything that comes my way on my chin and propel towards prosperity.I am not complaining and cribbing..it is just that at times my affinity towards comfort and luxury gets the better off me..
As time flew ,what seemed like a refreshing change turned stale.The roads,traffic,inaccessibility to good road side food started taking a toll on me..how much i miss kolkata!!
Not many people know that everyday despite trying hard to converse with whatever kannada i have gathered, i still have to gulp down some solvent which is a mixture of tea & coffee at my office..every time i burp..i get to feel the taste of this magic solvent coupled with chutney & sambhar ( i eat chapatis & sabzi that are left over from the previous night's dinner but normally i get up late so i take my breakfast at my office) ...talking about burping only seems pretty decent on a public forum ..doesnt it??
I had to thrive & live on meals for the 1st 8 months..ofcourse dinner was cooked at my place so that was a big relief:)a meal typically has chapthi, rice,rice & rice with 2 bowls of curry.
But i have to admit that people who originally belong to Karnataka are very helpful,kind and have a pleasant disposition!
The summer this time has been unkind & unforgiving.I am still waiting for the rains..I am told it rains when it becomes so hot here..
Bangalore has its own charm but lot of sheen is gone now..the pubs & discos close down at 11..ofcourse there are places where RAAT BAKI BAAT BAKI happens but such places are not affordable if my means are anything to go by.The best I can do is watch a night show and then hit the sack!
Life is hectic may be because i have to lead life with a routine. What is more dreadful to think is that i ll have to work in big cities to tap better & more opportunities..to more than compensate for the expenses i have borne towards my education..i will have to work ..god knows for how many more years..
Life in a metro is difficult but is equally rewarding..i am ready to take anything that comes my way on my chin and propel towards prosperity.I am not complaining and cribbing..it is just that at times my affinity towards comfort and luxury gets the better off me..
Sunday, April 4, 2010
My 1st job: The story so far!!
REWIND:Well this has to be the most intimate & important part of my life....my 1st job!!Like many other aspiring MBA's i 2 had my own share of triumphs & tribulations..Last summer i was gearing up for my on campus placements along with my worthy batch mates & friends..excitement & drama on campuses throughout India was common.nail biting finishes much like the IPL!!
Though i had lost faith in the placement system..destiny had something else..not many people know that i was not shortlisted for BANK OF BARODA the first time but i am told somebody spilled the beans (as in lack of transparency in the processes of shortlisting candidates)and again a new list was prepared containing my name in there..that was a treat for my eyes!!whoever that person was..i think for me he was a messenger of god:)
I do not remember the date but i was skeptical,apprehensive and had developed jelly knees on the D day..i was not very sure about my selection and was making frantic attempts to secure a job through personal contacts..Bhagwan ke Ghar me der hai Andher Nahi.i got a much awaited call from my college confirming my selection.my joy knew no bounds!!
With the passage of time i received intimation about my joining dates..the letter read Chennai!!my hopes of going to Kolkata and re-uniting with my friends were in tatters!!i had to make a dash as i only had a week to report from the day i got the letter..I reported on the 14th of June 09 at chennai and gave out a sigh of relief when i saw people of my age anxiously waiting and arranging their respective doubts in their minds..to shoot at the HR!!I did not have much to bother about as my father a retired banker himself had already briefed me about the challenges..with my half baked knowledge about PSU's i was the agony aunt in few minutes..people were hurriedly coming to me to raise their doubts and queries!!i d scored on day zero!!
Towards the fag end of the reporting session i was informed that i had to report to Bangalore..that was some respite!I went to the respective office to report for my job..how proud i must have been !As i entered the office i created quite a commotion .i saw GREY HEADS raising their heads slowly from their cubicles ..reminded me of Jurassic Park for a moment!!i must say there were some who had dyed their hair also.
Their eyes lit up..arey naya bakra aa gaya!! somebody asked me on the 1st day .kab chodoge yeh naukri??..i said to myself what motivation man!
I was posted at RLF along with another poor soul-SAMEER!My office was nothing short of an Ekta Kapoor serial..back biting ,backlashes etc.We were sandwiched between the clash of egos..I honestly confess that amidst the chaos & mundane schedule i came across some lighter moments..The typical dialogues and one liners from my senile colleagues were catchy..and what pained me was to laugh at their jokes forcibly..it was a tough call..My flair and fondness for crude jokes found a new impetus and direction!!I made some good friends of my age in my organization.It was like finding an oasis in a desert.
To be addressed & introduced as a colleague to my seniors was worrisome at times..My stint at RLF was memorable..everyday i had to do a couple of inspections & contact leads for retail loans!That experience will surely count someday..
Now i am comfortably working at SME division .getting to learn a lot about balance sheet analysis..it has just been a month so i do not have much to share..but i have good company to work with..
NOTE: My experience at RLF has not been discussed at length due to security reasons:)
Though i had lost faith in the placement system..destiny had something else..not many people know that i was not shortlisted for BANK OF BARODA the first time but i am told somebody spilled the beans (as in lack of transparency in the processes of shortlisting candidates)and again a new list was prepared containing my name in there..that was a treat for my eyes!!whoever that person was..i think for me he was a messenger of god:)
I do not remember the date but i was skeptical,apprehensive and had developed jelly knees on the D day..i was not very sure about my selection and was making frantic attempts to secure a job through personal contacts..Bhagwan ke Ghar me der hai Andher Nahi.i got a much awaited call from my college confirming my selection.my joy knew no bounds!!
With the passage of time i received intimation about my joining dates..the letter read Chennai!!my hopes of going to Kolkata and re-uniting with my friends were in tatters!!i had to make a dash as i only had a week to report from the day i got the letter..I reported on the 14th of June 09 at chennai and gave out a sigh of relief when i saw people of my age anxiously waiting and arranging their respective doubts in their minds..to shoot at the HR!!I did not have much to bother about as my father a retired banker himself had already briefed me about the challenges..with my half baked knowledge about PSU's i was the agony aunt in few minutes..people were hurriedly coming to me to raise their doubts and queries!!i d scored on day zero!!
Towards the fag end of the reporting session i was informed that i had to report to Bangalore..that was some respite!I went to the respective office to report for my job..how proud i must have been !As i entered the office i created quite a commotion .i saw GREY HEADS raising their heads slowly from their cubicles ..reminded me of Jurassic Park for a moment!!i must say there were some who had dyed their hair also.
Their eyes lit up..arey naya bakra aa gaya!! somebody asked me on the 1st day .kab chodoge yeh naukri??..i said to myself what motivation man!
I was posted at RLF along with another poor soul-SAMEER!My office was nothing short of an Ekta Kapoor serial..back biting ,backlashes etc.We were sandwiched between the clash of egos..I honestly confess that amidst the chaos & mundane schedule i came across some lighter moments..The typical dialogues and one liners from my senile colleagues were catchy..and what pained me was to laugh at their jokes forcibly..it was a tough call..My flair and fondness for crude jokes found a new impetus and direction!!I made some good friends of my age in my organization.It was like finding an oasis in a desert.
To be addressed & introduced as a colleague to my seniors was worrisome at times..My stint at RLF was memorable..everyday i had to do a couple of inspections & contact leads for retail loans!That experience will surely count someday..
Now i am comfortably working at SME division .getting to learn a lot about balance sheet analysis..it has just been a month so i do not have much to share..but i have good company to work with..
NOTE: My experience at RLF has not been discussed at length due to security reasons:)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Dance India Dance!!
Well folks i am hooked to some shows on TV , one of which is DID..its good..i liked Boogie Woogie as well but DID has got more variety and a theme to it.Its hard to single out the performers as they put in so much into each of their performances.They are really good and to see girls do such dare devilry is really commendable..i think Sajan gets lot of support from the masters..he only specializes in Bee-Buoying.He looks clueless when asked to do a different form of dance..not fair!!
In any event the spoils are always up for grabs...Of the 3 judges i hate Geetha & Remo the most..Terrence does not overreact but that not discount the fact that he has an appalling dressing sense..I think god was really kind to Terrence..a bit here and there and we would have had 2 female masters on the show..but still he is tolerable.
Coming to Geetha..i really do not understand how can somebody be so ridiculous ..it beats me!!she is an eye sore..Geetha Ma is what she is fondly called by her students.She is a big put off..I pity the chair she sits on.Next is Remo..i sometimes whats wrong with him ..he sports a MJ band in all the episodes.I understand had he worn it for a couple of days as a mark of respect for the legendary MJ...but for so long!!he is very partial and i have observed that he talks through his hat most of the times when he judges the participants.I do not doubt his credentials but a judge has to be impartial,unbiased and fair!!and he too has a terrible dressing sense..
The last but not the least is the grandest of all 'The Grandmaster'-Mithun..i wonder who designs his dresses..i sympathize with Mithun for what he has gone through in life .he has come so far ..has fought,struggled and now he has put up a show which has a new concept..good attempt i say.I burst into peals of laughter when he stands up and says 'KYA BAAT'.I just hope he calls Hrithik on this show soon.
In any event the spoils are always up for grabs...Of the 3 judges i hate Geetha & Remo the most..Terrence does not overreact but that not discount the fact that he has an appalling dressing sense..I think god was really kind to Terrence..a bit here and there and we would have had 2 female masters on the show..but still he is tolerable.
Coming to Geetha..i really do not understand how can somebody be so ridiculous ..it beats me!!she is an eye sore..Geetha Ma is what she is fondly called by her students.She is a big put off..I pity the chair she sits on.Next is Remo..i sometimes whats wrong with him ..he sports a MJ band in all the episodes.I understand had he worn it for a couple of days as a mark of respect for the legendary MJ...but for so long!!he is very partial and i have observed that he talks through his hat most of the times when he judges the participants.I do not doubt his credentials but a judge has to be impartial,unbiased and fair!!and he too has a terrible dressing sense..
The last but not the least is the grandest of all 'The Grandmaster'-Mithun..i wonder who designs his dresses..i sympathize with Mithun for what he has gone through in life .he has come so far ..has fought,struggled and now he has put up a show which has a new concept..good attempt i say.I burst into peals of laughter when he stands up and says 'KYA BAAT'.I just hope he calls Hrithik on this show soon.
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