Graduate'd

Tomorrow, 2nd july marks the completion of my one year. This one year has been a rollicking time, travelling across the country, meeting numerous people, doing things I never ever thought of, and as they say, getting into the corporate groove.

Last week I was in Mumbai, for my graduation party (yes! After post graduating!). The new batch was there with the same dreamy scared curious eyes, the older batch (ME!!) trying to show off Who is the boss? N everyone else more or less the same. This got me thinking. One year has passed, how fast time passes away. It has been 12 months that I have been receiving this pay cheque in my bank account – month on month. That is a good long time for introspection.

It has been on roller coaster ride right from the day go. Right from the outbound training in garudamaachi to the present ASM stint handling north karnataka has been one helluva ride.



The travel across the country along with fellow management trainees, each one stud in their own league. Going around, right from the southernmost Kerala to see the cocoa plantations to the Himachal to see the factory and CSR. Getting to know my batchmates even more better in the process and making friends for life. Who had thought that these would be the people I would talking to and cribbing to on a daily basis?

The first stint in Delhi metro. Whoa! I was the cynosure of all eyes. People generally get random far off obscure places in their initial years and here I was in DELHI metro – the capital of the country for my first sales stint. Those four months in delhi just went on like a whiff. Staying with Abhinav, thivahar, preteesh and Sashi in the south delhi house, trying to adjust to live out of campus and fit in into the corporate life. (yeah! Puneet I am not forgetting you!) Those wonderful all night chats and weekends with that someone special! It all seems like a beautiful dream now.

Then in November just as the winters started kicking in delhi, I was parceled of to Chennai. Yes, my next stint was scheduled in Bangalore( once more Metro! I must really be lucky!). Bangalore metro with its young crowd and happening life was simply amazing. Friends here, and hanging out and doing crazy stuff which I had never ever thought off( Remember Ahen, the bus ride to the airport!) and the wonderful climate here just mesmerizes ones senses.

Now after one month in Bangalore, any one would fall in love with it and this thought that I was just training here was sure killing me. I will soon have to leave this place to take over some territory. Which territory would it be? Where would I based out of for the next two years? How would my career shape up? All these thoughts just took over my entire mind, until that one fine night in Chennai.

“Congratulations. Welcome to the South branch. You would now be handling North karnataka”, I still remember those words. My joy knew no bounds. I am not too sure if it was more for the posting being announced? Or was it that I would be based out of Bangalore? Or was it the challenging territory I was given? well, a mix of all i would say!

It is all still very fresh in my mind, that chat I had with Ahen that night from the hotel room in Chennai. The yellow smiley ball really proved to be lucky huh!

From then on, it has been no looking back. It has been six months that I have been posted, and now “graduated”, it has been, to say the least, a fun ride. Hoping for more!

And yes, it felt good to be graduating once again!!!

Targets on a new year

Well, one more year passed and quite an eventful year it was. What’s so great about the New Year dawning in then? Nothing really. It is just, that time of the year, where the calendar and the diary need to be replaced. People go to all extent and wish many other things changed! Hello, it is just a change in the year – 2009 to 2010.

After partying hard last night, I slept at about 2AM something. At 7AM, my new blackberry started ringing, and woke me up. Damn! I should have disabled the alarm. My prayer to God in the morning –
God Bhai (well, this is the way I refer to him).. So far this year I've done well.
I haven't boasted, I haven't lost my temper, I haven't been grumpy, cribbing, greedy, selfish, nasty, selfish, or overindulgent. I'm very thankful for that. But in a few minutes, boss, I'm going to get out of bed, and from then on I'm probably going to need a lot more help. Please help.

This is the way life is – nothing much changes in a single day. Just because the year changed does not mean anything changes.

Talking about the party last night – it was an amazing party. I went there with three other friends, and it was “drinks unlimited”. I had made up this resolution (more about them later) to reduce the intake of alcohol and save the liver from cribbing. But well, unlimited drinks dude, I had to reach my target (sales ka banda hun!). I pretty much got drunk.

I got a call from a good friend, MoBulAri at about 10PM.

Bharat: “yeah dude.. happy new year.. slurp!”

MoBulAri (MBA): “dude.. these things can wait. Have any idea if any bookstore would be open now?”

Bharat: “ bookstore.. try the airport, no other reason why anybody should open shop at his time? By the way, why do you want a book shop now?”

MBA: “My wife saw this dream in the afternoon where I gave her a diamond ring”

Bharat: “Aha!” (should he not be asking for a jewellery shop? When did they start stocking diamonds at bookshops? Hope he is not referring to Arindham Chaudhari’s book!)

MBA: “And she asked me what does the dream mean?”

Bharat: “Aha.. slurp” (dude, unlimited beer inside, don’t waste my time)

MBA: “So, I want to gift her this book – THE MEANING OF DREAMS!”

Bharat: “%&^ $%&^$% $&$^% phone rakh saale!”

I was back to the party, cribbing to Ahen how MBA (referring to MoBulAri here, not the last two years in Lucknow) wasted time – precious time, when beer is served unlimted. I so wish I had powers like a camel, where I could store all the beer needed inside somewhere! I ran to the bartender (oh btw, they had female bartenders here. Ooh!)

There was VJ bani of MTV fame, and she did a good job of keeping the crowd occupied. At about 11:30PM, she announced it was time to get ready. (for what?)

She announced that there are just 30minutes to go for the new years eve, and she wanted every husband to be standing next to the one person who made his life worth living.

Well, it was kind of embarrassing. The bartender was almost crushed to death. And the wives were just looking, more concerned about their appearance, than the behavior.

The party went on well, and I had set targets which I over achieved. Yes, I am a sales guy, and targets are something that drives me.

At about 10PM, I realized that I had just downed one beer, and it dawned that I should be extracting more bang out of it. So, I set myself a target of 6 beers before the clock strikes 12 midnight. It was mutually signed off with Ahen.

11:30PM. Damn I just finished my fourth beer, and only half an hour to go. The bartender was totally crowded by swarms of people (thank you Bani), but I did manage to squeeze in and asked for two bottles in one go.

With time running, I had no other option but to do a “rang de basanti” with the first bottle (drink the entire bottle of beer in one go!). I did. 11:40PM, and I had one more to go. Was the target too much? Should I actually revise it? NO. targets are always stretched, else they would not be called targets. Damn it. I have to finish the sixth bottle.

Slowly gulping it down, not caring for anyone close by, I did finish the 6th bottle, and heard Bani announce – “5 more minutes left!”. Yes, I completed my target well before the closing, and I still have time. I should now strive for the awards. Over achieve it.

After a tough ordeal at the bar, I managed a bottle of beer, and was again drinking. My friends at this time, were wondering if I had fallen off somewhere. No guys! I am just running.. running ahead of the targets.

The clock struck 12, people cheered, crackers bursted, we hugged, and here I had my seventh bottle in hand – half done.

Awesome feeling. Targets overachieved. Achievement : 108% (do the math!). Great beginning to a new year. See even i get carried away by this change in one day thing!

Well anyways, to all my blog readers - A very Happy new year to you!! have a RoKing time ahead!!

The Big fat Indian Wedding

I am just back from Hotel Green Park, with Dad. Well, my general trips to this hotel are to its bar (obviously) – The one plus one offer on beers is simply irresistible. Oh! Gawd! How I love beer. But well, the thing that I was back with dad might have given you a hint – the visit tonight was not to the bar. A family friends son was salvaged off today and it was his reception (He got married!).

Now there is something about this Indian wedding that you simply can't get in any part of the world. First thing – The marriage itself lasts so long that one can't forget it ever. 3 long days of rituals, a weeklong festivities, and preparations from a long time. I heard the lady (Bridegroom's mother) was on her shopping visits right since January, i.e. she had exhausted all her options in Vizag till then. Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Delhi, Mumbai – Shopping across four cities all by her. Now add another dozen cities from where she had asked many acquaintances to shop on her behalf (How much money do they blow up for this one ritual, er! Well, 3 day ritual). Now you know why the divorce rate in this country is so low, and people thought it has something to do with the culture, society, bringing up, blah! Blah!

Well, coming back to this wedding. The festivities started last week sometime, and the rituals as far as I know, started on Saturday (could be before that too). The one on Saturday was open to a little distant family. This is a good measure, if you want to check your relationship status with a particular family. The function that you are invited to says it all – your distance from the groom's, or bride's family.

I somehow get too lonely at these parties, and prefer not attending them. Well, this is the reason I give to mom for not attending these parties. I would not really get lonely as I don't mind approaching the weirdest of the strangers at the most obscure place, and chat up with them. The real reason I try avoiding these weddings is the constant look by over sized aunties. These get-togethers are typical venues for matchmaking. One couple being blessed and other couples being initiated. Any guy, or girl, above the age of 22 would fall in the eyes of these aunties. The normal chat between two aunties, say heavy auntie (HA), and the pompous Auntie (PA) would be like

"So how have you been? The earings look really pretty", says the HA, smirking in mind "her husband must surely be in illegal activities"

"Oh, thank you so much. Even yours are nice." The PA would reply trying to return the compliment, though celebrating her joy that she could make someone jealous with that costly allurement.

"hey, by the way. See that guy there", the PA would ask HA

"Come on, look at your age. You are still seeing young guys like this. Look at that pot bellied guy there", the HA chuckles.

"Ah! I was wondering whose son he is. Remember my sister's husband's third cousin's daughter?"

"I was wondering what a wonderful couple they would make", the PA remarks, still staring at the guy and trying to find out who the innocently standing guy's mom is.

There one more couple in the process of being formed. I am sure the next SRK starrer from yash raj's studio would be "Auntie ne bana di Jodi"

Now you know why I hate attending weddings, or such social family get-togethers. Too risky. I don't want myself to be the centre of talk for all aunties, and nor do I want my mom to handle them trying to reject the offer, in the most polite manner.

Yesterday though was different, and the bridegroom being the son of one of my mom's good friend, I had to attend the wedding. Thankfully I had my brother for company. I am sure he must be cribbing about it, as he had to stand with me all night, and not with his friends of the opposite gender. Now staying out of vizag for two years, does deluge one of all access to beautiful women. Many of the ones you know are themselves out of vizag – studying, working or otherwise. Some have shifted base with their families, etc. and a good healthy number of girls you could have very easily dated have got married in the last two years. So now you are left with girls too young, which your brother claims as his domain. SINGLE.

One more funny thing at these Indian weddings, or social gatherings. People like alcohol, non vegetarian but the host refuses. Nah! It is a wedding, a holy day, so - no chicken, no alcohol. Ah! Crap! It is not Lord Shiva getting married, in whose case too I don't see any reason to refrain from chicken. We Indians anyways don't consume much of pork to be afraid of the swine flu. My brother and I were very tempted to escape to ESCAPE – the in house bar, but had to restrain ourselves.

Sitting near the dinner spread in a buffet style I did happen to hear an interesting conversation between two elderly pot bellied men.

My positioning near the dinner has nothing to do with my interest in food, it was rather the perfect angle to a hot chik sitting opposite with a guy.

Was he her husband?

Nah! She looks too young to be married.

Her boyfriend?

Nah! Indian tradition, you don't get your boyfriend to family outing.

Must be her brother for sure.

But then why are they holding hands and chuckling so lovingly?

Chill! Botherly love.

Coming back to the eavesdropped talk. One guy slams to the other, "damn these people. I gave a full 200 rupees gift and this is what they serve. It was not a paisa wasool party for me". The other guy, with lots of hair all across his heavily built body, trying hard to stuff all the tawa sabji in his mouth, speaks difficulty," yes, I expected this, and that is the reason I brought along my wife, my 2 kids and also 3 of my nephews. My brother was not available so he had to miss the party" the fry brinjal still hanging out of his mouth. I hope he is now satisfied that his 200 rupees was a good investment.

One the whole, it was a wonderful evening, and it has only strengthened my decision to avoid all such parties. I don't want to wasool all the gift money that my parents would give. Also, it was a very heavy compromise to do with the beer party with friends. Nothing like beer!
"Congratulations! Wish you a happy married life". Thud.

Vizag trip - Genesis'08 rocked!!!

A Small idea. A small Venture. It just crossed my mind one lazy evening, talking to a junior.

The outcome: A decent scale event. Venue: a star hotel. Money involved: over Rs. 10,000. 40 odd participants. Vizag's best Verbal coach assisting me during the proceedings. A memorable evening.

Iit all started one evening chatting to a junior, who was depressed with his CV for the upcoming placement season in his engineering college. Some more juniors ask me about this. and there i get this idea. Should i not return something back to the people i have been brought up amidst. A CV WORKSHOP.

Spoke to my juniors to access the market need for the same. It was promising. Booked my flight tickets home, sacrificing the planned LEH-LADAKH trip. Reached home on tuesday evening itself, with the morning spent hopping malls in Delhi with someone special.

Tuesday: Reach home at about 8PM. At about 10, get out of home for a session with my cousins, and primarily with bro.

Wednesday: Vinayak Chaturthi, the Ganesh god festival, so met up all relatives to fulfill that formalities asap. Jatin, My brother left for hyderabad to attend some technical festival on robotics in an engineering college there. Feel more crippled. Now who is going to help me out with all the niceties. I am alone. Went out for a session with one of my cousins, and one other common friend. Drank with glory till the wee hours of morning, making the drinks atop a car, and driving crazy all the way to the new hills near GITAM. The venue for the upcoming software companies.

Thursday: Did all the groundwork for the workshop. Went about working for my PAN cad, and other official work. Set up appointments with possible stakeholders.


Friday: Went down to GITAM, to access the need and spread across the word informally. Also, to setup a team of people among juniors who could help me. Teachers day, so even they were happy seeing me, and was a day well spent. Ended the day with madu frens at Sandy lane, drinking away to glory.

Saturday: Lotsa work to do today. Nothing concrete has been happening on the workshop front. Went ahead with booking of the hotel venue. Thought TIME would help me out with it, at least sponsoring the venue, but to no avail. Daspalla is booked and TIME raises tis hand from this venture. Booked Meghalaya instead - my venue for the workshop. Went down to Career Launcher giving them a proposal of sponsoring the event, or at least using it for their publicity. Abdullah sir is really admirable. his business acumen and the person himself have a charm of their own. My first sponsorship, with the money coming in immediately. Printed the posters and the receipt tickets. Yes, now i can start off. The day was really good. Manage on more sponsorship from Praxis. Went pub hoppinng in the night along with iruag and her friends. We first went down to The Park for a beachside party, where we even got clicked for the newspaper.



And then hopped down to Chrome( a pub with the name of the new google web browser, one am using right now).

Sunday: My friend and junior, Abhishek, who has been helping me out from the beginning, was the one who woke me up with lots of pain that morning. i am dead in slumber. He calls Jatin, asks him to call up home and get me awake. Have to go to TIME AIMCAT Venue for marketing. We did. It was a lukewarm response, and i further built up contacts there. Identified a junior, and neighbour, Radhika, who was entrusted upon with the duty of selling a ticket booklet. Inn the evening went down to an SIBM event, with the same TG. Triued some marketing there.

Monday: Jatin is back from Hyderabad. I spend the whole day in GITAM, going to various departments, to various classes marketing the workshop. I even went to the management college, with the help of Naidu, for further marketing. In the evening, i went down to TIME to market in their classrooms. It was overall a decent response.

Tuesday: THE D DAY. Am tensed form morning. Y?? I dunno. I start off for some more sponsors. I get updates from my team that not many passes have been sold. The event could be a total flop. After all the motivation shots from Nisha, Ahen, Mom, etc.. pull up a strong face, and start getting prepared. "Nothing is going to happen. I AM THE BEST." Theses words keep echoing in my head. And anyways, maximum what may happen? I may just end up loosing some money. Big Deal?.. nah. It was a wonderful learning experience. I have a pint beer in a can, as suggested by Ahen, for good Luck.


The workshop begins sharp at 6PM, as promised. We have decent turnout. Ram Mohan Sir joined me for the event, and it added to the confidence. A person from SDV News had also come down to cover the event. The CV gyan, Ram Mohan Sirs small speech on the does and dont's. Then the GDS, and critical inputs to each. Calling upon a random group to the stage and shooting it all for critical minute analysis. Then the interview gyan, and normal chat about CAT and best practices. It was followed with a detailed question answer session, where i was assisted by Dinesh and Vamsi- My GITAM Friends. Jatin And Abhishek had been managing the logistics from the beginning, at the venue. Overall, the session was a hit, and the participants went back a happy lot.







The night demands party. All of us cousins go down to the terrace bar for a relaxed beer and chat. And then head to the bus station for some Hot idlis. It was one of the most satisfying drinks i have had. A memorable evening.

Wednesday: My last day In Vizag, for these holidays. Next trip would only be in march after completion of MBA. Met up akived at CCD, and then headed to the PAB card office for application. Afternoon i waned to see a telugu movie, a luxury not available in Lucknow. So went to Srinu from Srikakulam on Jatin's recommendation. Evening, me and Vamsi spend some quality time at YMCA, smoking away on deep thoughts.Went down to Ahen's house to pick up a parcel for her, and then head home.

Dad, mom, Jatin and me, head down to Dhaba Express for dinner. After a real long time, all four of us were savouring a dinner together out in a hotel. It felt so good, spending quality time with family. After dinner i head down to Green park for a session with Sailesh, Abhishek, Goel, Siteesh and Jatin. A short session there and a long drive at the beach and some time in Naidu's room, i return back home to finish with the packing.

Thursday: Flight at 11:40AM. Meet up everyone in Family. finish the last minute packing stuff, and set off to the airport. Away from vizag for another six months. My last leg in B-School.

THE ART OF WAR

Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook
is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.
Have been reading The art of war by Sun Tzu. Amazing book. I am left wondering, how did Sun Tzu come up with a book long back which is still so very relevant. (Know there are loads of books like that).

One more thing to ponder upon is the striking similarity between a war and corporate life. It is not without any reason that Corporate warfare was coined. I have this keen interest in following what are the internal things that happen behind the board room wars that are more visible. It gives so much insight as how a person strategizes and wants to keep secret all his moves, while he would go to any extent to know info about his rival.

In War, it is as important to know your rival as much as it is to know yourself.

Moving on, i have laid my hands on Watch Out! We are MBA, by Nishant kaushik, an NMIMS grad. this is one more to the list of campus stories made famous by chetan Bhagat's Five point someone. A very light read, and going through it gives an idea, how close all the B Schools in the world work (Snapshots from hell also talked about the same kind of rigour).

Coming to my actual life, have been full with loads of activities and parties in campus. It has been a wonderful academic year till now. the first 4 weeks have been so engrossing and i don't even realize that it is already time for the mid terms (beginning on 17th july). Don't remember a single night in the last one month when i have slept before dawn. Well after the sun has risen.

Hope it continues the same way.

More later, now off to meet a mentee to review her CV.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.