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Saturday, October 3, 2015

A true leader



Often we are asked to write essays on a good leader, the person you admire most, the person you want to follow. Most ones would write about Mahatma Gandhi, their own dads, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Ambani etc etc. Let me speak about the leader I admired, I mean I still do.
        I had turned a week old at work after completion of my first phase of training. Now comes, the second phase. A seemingly young guy stepped in. He introduced himself to be the trainer for the rest of the duration. He informed that we were his first batch. He had never trained anyone. But we never felt that he was a new bee, during the course of the training. He was flawless, answering the stupidest of doubts that we had with no pauses. Once you are out of the training, he will be your friend more than your trainer. We could discuss anything to everything and yes everything!!
     We started working and soon he got promoted. His peers murmured, however I personally felt, he deserved it more than anybody else around. Soon I became part of his team. He was encouraging to the core. Every small piece of success at work was much appreciated during team huddles. Also the team strived to achieve more, especially with tempting offers like “Get the figures, pizza for breakfast”.  It was a competitive atmosphere at work, with all his assistance, all the time. Our pride was at stake. But the sad part was for those who didn’t follow the rule book. Half an hour of breakfast break extended for a 10 more led to serious question -answer sessions. Few were miffed. But, nobody could question, when he himself followed the same rule. At times, we were asked to work for 6 days a week; he made sure that he was available for the same 6 days. So, nobody found a chance to complain neither could anyone question his hard work and dedication at any point of time. He was the one whom his superiors could completely rely on. I felt if he was working for me, I could have planned a trip to the Bahamas for a month without worries.
   Time flied, he climbed up the success ladder. He had to.  Hard work will reap its fruits sooner or later.  So guys stop complaining about your peers mistakes and scoring the brownie points, instead start performing on your own, sooner or later you will do get noticed! You don’t need to keep telling everyone who you are and what you are doing.  A true leader always gives credit to his team and takes the responsibility for any flaws by his team and he was/is indeed a true leader.

Bhaiyaji and Edge puff

Me waiting at the food counter, eagerly awaiting for my favorite snack: Egg puff.
Me: "Bhaiya, one egg puff please".
Bhaiyaji: *No response*
Me: "Bhaiya, egg puff"
Bhaiyaji: *No response*

He was busy counting his 500s, meanwhile I chose to wait.
After 2 minutes, Bhaiyaji's sudden realization
Bhaiyaji: "You wanted something?"
My inner thought wanted me to say "No, I am just waiting to snatch your 500s"
Me: "Egg Puff, Bhaiyaji"
Bhaiyaji: "You should have said that instead of waiting" - in sarcasm
Me: "Okay, my mistake, sorry"
After 2 minutes, Bhaiyaji passes me the plate and it was a Veg puff and not the egg one
Me: "Bhaiya, I had asked for Egg puff"
Bhaiyaji: "Arey, aapne to Ek puff bola tha na."
Me: "No, I had said Egg puff" and pointed my finger to the displayed Egg puff in his counter
Bhaiyaji: "Oh EDGE puff, say it clearly na. Calling it to be Ek puff, so I thought you wanted 1 veg puff. So, you want one EDGE puff?"
His tone clearly depicting that I should be ashamed of myself.
Me: "Sorry Bhaiyaji, give me that one" and pointed my finger again
Bhaiyaji: "Arey inko Edge puff dena ek."
I wanted some tomato sauce, but thought not to embarrass myself again. God knows what he would call it. I took the egg oops **edge puff and vowed not to return to the food counter until I improve my pronunciation!!

Technology, happiness etc...

It's funny to see those awkward saved names on truecaller. The latest one was "Miss Tirur" and incidentally 1823 persons have reported "Miss Tirur" as spam. Still remember those days when we had first installed an external caller ID on our phone. Was always excited to check the missed calls log and call each of them back. Then came our Panasonic cordless phone, used to roam around the neighborhood trying to find out the coverage. Now, it feels like it was a different life at all.Used to eagerly wait to watch Chitrahaar on DD, every Wednesday. Now plethora of music channels, but hardly any time or feeling to watch any. Life was much simpler with lesser technology and more happiness.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

50% Off on some shopping dot com, 70% off on more shopping dot com, numerous ads on TV hardly bothers me. A deal for me will be for a branded shirt with a tag of 1599 sold at 299 or probably even lesser. That will be like more than 80% off; nobody online gives you that, (forgetting the big billion day sale). Weekend shopping for me is going to a supermarket, getting grocery plus if I see any 80% off deals. That makes me happy!
This happened last weekend, while returning from “Tanu weds Manu part 2” which I felt should be watched on a theatre. I have rarely missed any Madhavan movie in big screen. I have been a fan ever since Sea Hawks came in DD-metro. A banner with Branded shirts in a store: 199 only. That’s my kind of deal!! Let’s check out. Went in, yes it was! 3 shirts.. Pure cotton.. 600 bucks.. DEAL STRUCK!!!
I ensure that each new clothing must be worn immediately. So, obviously had to the very next day to office. Grocery shopping makes me so happy, that I keep some items on hold for the weekdays. I entered my favorite supermarket. I had to get dal, atta and rice. So I was fetching them. One supermarket rule: make sure that you get the items from the last of the row, they are the newer ones. Anybody from MBA background will know that, even though I am not frown emoticon They keep the older ones at the front. One guy comes and asks: “Bhaiya, Toor dal kaha milega”. I pointed out ----> there!! Few minutes later, “Bhaiya, Non veg kaha milega”. I guided him too. I am so familiar with this supermarket that I knew their exact floor plan! And being from customer service industry, I should be always happy to help. It went for like 4-5 guys. Sudden realization, Why me?? Do they already know that I am familiar with this supermarket? I glanced around.. Goodness my 199 bucks shirt which I proudly adore, resembled the shirts of the store staff !! Without losing a minute, I ran to the billing counter and told to bill my stuff. Now, the billing lady says something, I didn’t understand at all but it must be my shirt again. I told her firmly that I am not her colleague but a customer and to bill it soon. Paid the bill and disappeared like a hurricane. Vowed never to wear the shirt, especially if I have plans to visit the store.

MORAL OF THE STORY
Next time you visit a store,make sure that you know their uniform:)

Friday, January 9, 2015

Yes, I do love you!

More than a hundred kms by drive and then more than 3 kms of trekking through a very rough terrain, and I was sweating after a very long time. Yes, it was not namma Bengaluru but Andhra. Finally we reached our destination. Wow! what a beauty. The rocky mountain with scarce greenery and the stream of the water fall. It was truly a mystic view to sooth your eyes and your body after the hard trip walking. I never knew that there will be so much of arduous trekking. With just my slippers and my fractured ankle which I am still recovering, I managed to reach the location, last but not the least. By then my friends had already started chit chatting.
I could hear their whistles and their South Indian dialects from far off. Food was ready, chicken kababs and a host of other snacks. Everyone started enjoying the party. Few went to the stream and few chose to sit back. I was amongst the later lot. I got mixed in their Andhra-Kannada dialects, trying to get in their conversation with a few occasional comments, bringing in a roar of laughter. I enjoyed the party. But somehow somewhere I missed something. I missed someone whom I used to chit chat almost every day from almost a year, this very time. I looked at my phone, which showed "Emergency calls only". **** no network in this jungle. The party went on. And I kept missing my someone at regular intervals. All this time throughout the year, I never thought that I may even loved her. I had failed relationships and I never dared to fall in love again. But in a span of 6 hours, I did. I began thinking of my life without her. If I can't spend 6 straight hours without her, how will be my life when she gets someone and does not have time for me. All those thoughts came to my mind. I had to take the step forward. I had to atleast take the chance. On our way back, the only thing I did was searching for Vodafone IN network. As soon as I did, I texted her:" We have been friends for long, to a stage I could not properly concentrate my party amongst friends without you. I want you and want to spend my lifetime with you. I have a simple question and I want a simpler answer: Will you be my soulmate? I don't expect for 7 lives but for this life atleast ?"
I was too scared after texting her and kept my phone inside my pocket and continued walking.
There was a beep for a text message, but I was too scared to check the reply. I chose to ignore. As I reached our vehicle, I took my phone and I opened the text which was as follows : "I was angry at you that you were ignoring me today. I thought not to reply you when you texted me after 6 hours of our usual chat time. Then when I opened the text, it was the message I was expecting almost every day for the past few months but you never did. And finally when I was angry at you for the very first time, you made me cry with your text. Yes, I do love you! with all my heart and soul and not for this life but every life I take birth. But first, be my best buddy always, like you were all this while"

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Uff Ram Traffic Jam!!

Time: 6.30 PM
Place: Silkboard fly over
It was terrific traffic jam like always. Speeding my bike at 5 km/hr; It will take an hour or two to reach Koramangala. To add to the woes was a Honda Amaze right behind me honking continuously. There are two types of honks: one like "excuse me, side please" and the other "Get the hell out of my way". It was more like the 2nd one. Out of frustration, I turned backwards and gave him a look. " Do you want me to jump from the fly over?? " or you thought I drank Red bull and got wings to fly. Sitting in an AC car with music is certainly better than being on a bike. He stopped honking for a while. Minutes later , he started again. Now I turned back and have him an expression like "What??" He pointed his fingers like he was honking for the guys ahead of me. In turn, I showed him my middle finger and asked him to pass it to the guys behind him!!

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Humour and a girl

My girl is a big fan of Kapil Sharma. Her words "Oh he's so funny. he's so cute". Obviously he is funny, that's the reason for his popularity. Now let me tell you a story of me trying to act funny and her responses.

It happened last morning, I was texting her. Btw we live in different parts of the country.

Girl: Good morning honey.

Me: Good morning! So early? Was there an earthquake?

Girl: Stop joking. Why haven't you slept yet? Busy chatting with your stupid girls ah?

Me: Eh! Hell no! I was reading the KFC chicken receipe. Gonna prepare this weekend and this is gonna be legendary!

Girl: Please not now. Prepare when I go out there!

Me: God knows when you gonna come here. Will prepare then too honey.

Girl: I know somebody must be coming. One of your stupid girls. I will myself go to KFC today and enjoy the original one. You enjoy with your duplicate!!

Me: That's okay dr!

I slept off...

The same afternoon, I was awaiting for my office cab at the bus stop. I thought to text her.

Me: Take care, ready to board the cab

Girl: Okies. Me at KFC Having ginger burger and "babaji ka thullu" for you. Came with a friend on his bike

Me: Okay, me too.. but a ginger tea.. I did not know that they started making burgers without chicken and with ginger. Last time I had, it was zinger burger.

Girl: Whatever. Don't piss me now

I didn't reply. After 10 minutes:

Girl: Angry kya??:(

Me: nah! Remember the KFC ad, the guy sitting on his bike and having the burger blissfully. So I thought not to disturb you. Enjoy your zinger burger oops sorry, ginger burger.

Girl: Grrr.. I will throw you from the topmost building in India

Me: Accha!! And where is that? Which place and name, please?

For like 10 minutes, there was no response.

Me: What happened dear? Google search is not working kya?

Girl: Grr.. Will throw you from Qutub minar and also a bucket of chilled water.. Now don't talk to me.. katti

Girl: My brain is quiet faster than internet.. Samjhe!!

Me: Accha!! Quiet or quite???? Btw if you throw me from qutub minar and then throw a bucket of water, will the water really affect me?? Means will it really fall on top of me?? Gravity etc...

Me: Oyeee

Me: Are you there?

Me: Tring Tring

After 10 minutes....

Girl: Happy Deepawali

Moral of the Story: A girl can be a big fan of Kapil Sharma, however she will never tolerate even 0.1% of such humour in her own life.