Reconciling BMI

Last December, I still remember how my Sensai Virendra Lautkar reacted when he saw me in Nagpur after 9 years, completely disfigured. The only words he uttered were – “I did not train you for this. Don’t show me your face, till you become what you were earlier. Unexpectedly, you look dead”. And he shut his doors on me where as I was hoping for lovable moments from him as we met after such a long time. Suddenly, I realized that my mirror never gave me my correct reflection…

It was a high time, for me to stop by and do some introspection. The fact that I devote 12 hours in my office thereby handling staggered shift of 40 team members reporting to me and another 4 hours of traveling time made me feel jittery about the course of action that was much needed that time. I somehow felt that I cannot work on my health due to lack of time and this would continue until I move to another job / role. Historically, I have always been a poor player with handling clocks – meaning, I always loose time on many things. But the question here was not of the clock but of the compass. I was lacking DIRECTIONS too. I was not making my own flow but was flowing where ever I got the slope, just like water.

On February 01^st, 2012 I weighed 68 Kgs. The formula for BMI calculation reveals that my ideal body weight should be between 50 to 52 Kgs. Meaning, I was overweight by 16 to 18 Kgs. Not a good sign for a person like me who value martial arts to the core of my heart. Even for an average person, it’s a sign of lethargy, unclear physical & mental priorities, lack of focus or simply said – a poor execution in life.

I realized that I don’t have time to attend martial arts classes or for that matter attending gym, but there’s nothing that was stopping me from redesigning my plate. Subsequently, I had a sprout salad that morning and a fruit salad in the evening. That kind of, relieved me from the mental tension I was going through. But that was just for a day…where as I had to make this adjustment in my daily lifestyle. When I came back home at night, the aroma of Pulao & Matar Mushrooms that my sister cooked that day hypnotically attracted me to the kitchen. And I ended up finishing all that was left in the bowl…This was nothing but a failure…he he he

The very next day I started a fresh with vegetable salad, had Nestle Dahi in the noon and ate veg sub without mayonnaise and sauces in it. And when I came back home, I was again attracted to kitchen by the aroma of vermicelli pulao… I ignited the gas stove to make it warm, regained my senses after 5 minutes, smelled the aroma of the pulao, placed the lid on the bowl, switched off the stove and went to my room only to sleep immediately before I get carried away with pulao…he he he…that was like – winning a battle that day.

The very next day, I wrote a message to my sister that she should not cook food for me and should consume everything she cooks for herself. Well, well, well…my sister is my sister…when I came back home, there were few aaloo ke paraathe kept in the kitchen…along with a message – “Dieting is not healthy, if you want to lose weight, do it through exercise”…I was extremely irritated by the message but was still left spellbound by the parathas…nonetheless to mention, it was a failure that day too…

And then started a battle between me and my poor attitude of kneeling down against the dishes cooked by my sister…sometimes, I won and mostly I lost. Rather I should put it this way – mostly, I used to win during the day and lose at night when I entered my home…the cycle continued for about a month and one fine day one of my direct reportee in my office noticed that I lost a few centimeters of fats on my belly. On March 01^st, 2012, I weighed 65 Kgs unexpectedly...I lost 3 Kgs in a month’s time…that was the AHA moment for me which charged me up again...

I was motivated for more… The challenge was to find time…I had no clue when will I do it but had a vague idea that I can do it after returning from office at 2 am in the dark…I pulled my track suite the very next day and started jogging. After about 5 minutes of jogging, unexpectedly I was chased by a dog who got suspicious as to why am I running in the dark…Consequently I had to rush back home in a jet speed. I took a breath of relief the moment I shut the door and decided not to jog in the night anymore. The very next weekend, I bought an exercise kit and thought to start burning calories at home itself, how so ever small in number they might be. But then while exercising at home; I broke a few items due to lack of spatial awareness, especially a glass show piece, a fancy alarm watch and a ceramic flower pot that too, in just a week’s time. Funny, isn’t it?

Yesterday, I noticed I lost a few more inches around my belly which made me a super happy man…but I was not sure if it appears only to me or to others as well…so I shot a few photographs of mine, and sent it to my brother and 3 close friends. The fact that all of them either use a blackberry or an iPhone, made me sure that I would get a reply immediately…moreover, it was a HOLI-day as well…so I eagerly waited for their responses. However, none of them responded. By evening, I was upset and restless, partly because of hunger and partly because no one responded. I slept at 7 in the evening to avoid the feeling of hunger which weakens me from inside. And when I woke up, I actually woke up – meaning, that short nap opened my eyes…I realized, that losing weight is MY goal and it does not matter to others. Forget about acknowledging or giving feedback, others won’t even pay attention. I smiled, recollected my narcissism and went on for a 20 minute jog around my place…

While writing this post, I now have a better understanding that reconciling BMI is more of a mental fight rather than dealing with physical exercises. It starts with mind and if it has to, it ends in the mind as well.

• Choosing sprouts & fruits over pulaos & parathas
• Dealing with hunger throughout the day
• Controlling your emotions while watching others, relishing mouthwatering food
• Being regular with exercises
• Protecting ourselves from street dogs while jogging at night
• Avoiding the emotions of a caring sister / mother
• Not getting boggled by people who can’t even find a minute to align themselves to my goals

See – everything listed above are mind games, and one really has to win each of it every day…

And it’s not impossible. All one needs is a bit of VANITY…and that’s fair…he he he

Next December when I would be meeting my Sensai in Nagpur, I won’t give him the doors to shut on me…Rather; I would take him to Japanese Garden which happens to be my Dojo in Nagpur, and would have a nice sparring with him…Time for a jog now… J

Movies I Watched In 2012...

My love for movies continues...

Movies Watched in Auditoriums:

1. Sherlock Holmes - A Game Of Shadows (4 / 5)
2. Players (3 / 5)
3. Chalees Chaurasi (2 / 5)
4. Underworld - Awakening 3D (3 / 5)
5. Coriolanus (3 / 5)
6. Agneepath (3.5 /5)
7. Haywire (3 / 5)
8. Chronicles (3 / 5)
9. The Descendants (4 / 5)
10. War Horse (4.5 / 5)
11. Ek Mai Aur Ek Tu (2.5 / 5)
12. Ek Mai Aur Ek Tu (2.5 / 5) Repeated
13. Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance (3 / 5)
14. The Artist (4.5 / 5)
15. Pan Singh Tomar (5 /5)
16. John Carter (2.5 / 5)
17. Kahaani (4 / 5)
18. This Means War (4 / 5)
19. The Iron Lady (4 / 5)
20. Agent Vinod (3.5 / 5)
21. Blood Money (3 / 5)
22. Wrath Of The Titans (3.5 / 5)
23. The Hunger Games (4.5 / 5)
24. Battleship (3.5 / 5)
25. Houseful 2 (2 / 5)
26. Hate Story (3 / 5)
27. Avengers (4.5 / 5)
28. Vicky Donor (4 / 5)
29. Jannat 2 (3 / 5)
30. Tezzz (3 / 5)
31. Ishaqzaade (3.5 / 5)
32. Department (3 / 5)
33. Men In Black 3 - 3D (4 / 5)
34. Rowdy Rathore (1.5 / 5)
35. Snow White & The Huntsman (3 / 5)
36. Prometheus (4 / 5)
37. Ferrari Ki Sawari (3.5 / 5)
38. Shanghai (3 / 5)
39. Gangs Of Wassepur (4.5 / 5)
40. Teri Meri Kahaani (2.5 / 5)
41. The Amazing Spiderman (3 / 5)
42. Bol Bachchan (2.5 / 5)
43. Abraham Lincoln : Vampire Hunter (3.5 / 5)
44. Cocktail (3 / 5)
45. The Dark Night Rises (4.5 / 5)
46. Kya Super Cool Hai Hum (3.5 / 5)
47. Ice Age 4 (3.5 / 5)
48. Jism 2 (2.5 / 5)
49. Total Recall (3 / 5)
50. Bourne Legacy (3 / 5)
51. Gangs Of Wassepur 2 (4 / 5)
52. Ek Tha Tiger (3 / 5)
53. The Expendables 2 (4 / 5)
54. Finding Nemo 3D (3.5 / 5)
55. Shark Nights 3D (2.5 / 5)
56. Raaz 3D (3.5 / 5)
57. Barfi (4.5 / 5)
58. Dredd 3D (3 / 5)
59. Heroine (3.5 / 5)
60. Resident Evil: Retribution (4 / 5)
61. English Vinglish (4.5 / 5)
62. The Possession (4 /5)
63. Makkhi (4 / 5)
64. Taken 2 (3.5 / 5)
65. Bhoot Returns (3.5 / 5)
66. Looper (4 / 5)
67. Premium Rush (3.5 / 5)
68. Student Of The Year (3 / 5)
69. Chakravyuh (4 / 5)
70. Cloud Atlas (4.5 / 5)
71. 1920: Evil Returns (3.5 / 5)
72. Skyfall (4 / 5)
73. Luv Shuv Te Chicken Khurana (3 / 5)
74. Jab Tak Hai Jaan (4 / 5)
75. Son Of Sardar (1 / 5)
76. Life Of Pie 3D (4.5 / 5)
77. Talaash (4 / 5)
78. Khiladi 786 (1 / 5)
79. The Hobbit 3D (3 / 5)
80.  Dabangg 2 (2 / 5)
81. Jack Reacher (4 / 5)

Movies Watched on Laptop:

1. Aarakshan (4.5 / 5)
2. C U At 9 (2 / 5)
3. Another Earth (3 / 5)
4. One Day (4 / 5)
5. Bad Teacher (2.5 / 5)
6. The Insider (4.5 / 5)
7. Reel Steel (3 / 5)
8. The Smurfs (2.5 / 5)
9. The Grudge (4 / 5)
10. The Grudge 2 (3 / 5)
11. The Grudge 3 (3 / 5)
12. The Last House On The Left (4 / 5)
13. The Devil's Advocate (4 / 5)
14. Winter's Bones (3.5 / 5)
15. Proof Of Life (4 / 5)
16. My Bloody Valentine (4 / 5)
17. Wolf Creek (3.5 / 5)
18. House of Wax (2.5 / 5)
19. The Amityville Horror (3.5 /5)
20. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (4 / 5)
21. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (4 / 5)
22. Dawn Of The Dead (4 / 5)
23. The Fighter (3.5 / 5)
24. Vanilla Sky (4 / 5)
25. Sucker Punch (4 / 5)
26. Super 8 (3.5 / 5)
27. Season Of The Witch (3.5 / 5)
28. The Way Back (4.5 / 5)
29. Catch 44 (3 / 5)
30. Thor (4 / 5) Repeated
31. Shor In The City (4 / 5)
32. The Company Men (4 / 5)
33. Ghajini (4 / 5)
34. Just Go With It (2.5 / 5)
35. Contraband (3.5 / 5)
36. Man On A Ledge (4.5 / 5)
37. Striker (3.5 / 5)
38. Ghutan (1 / 5)
39. Ghost (2 / 5)
40. Perfect Sense (3 / 5)
41. Rockstar (5 / 5) .......Repeated
42. Rockstar (5 / 5) .......Repeated
43. Love Aajkal (5 / 5)....Repeated
44. Tere Naal Love Ho Gayaa (2.5 / 5)
45. Jodi Breakers (2 / 5)
46. Force (4 / 5)
47. Azaan (3.5 / 5)
48. 17 Again (2.5 / 5)
49. Batman Begins (4 / 5)......Repeated
50. The Dark Knight (5 / 5).....Repeated
51. Kya Cool Hai Hum (2.5 / 5)
52. Rakhtacharitra 2 (3.5 / 5)
53. Rascals (1 / 5)
54. Buried (4 / 5)
55. Bourne Identity (4.5 / 5).......Repeated
56. Bourne Supremacy (4.5 / 5).......Repeated
57. Bourne Ultimatum (4.5 / 5).......Repeated
58. Phhirrr (3 / 5)
59. Mujhse Fraaaandship Karoge (3.5 / 5)
60. Sadda Adda (3 / 5)
61. Patiyala House (3.5 / 5)
62. Love Breakups Zindagi (3.5 / 5)
63. Pappu Can't Dance Sala (3 / 5)
64. Krishnaa (3 / 5)
65. 2012 (4 / 5)......Repeated
66. Woman In Black (4 / 5)
67. Safe House (4 / 5)
68. Silent House (3 / 5)
69. The Cabin In The Woods (4 / 5)
70. Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (3.5 / 5)
71. The Raven (3 /5)
72. American Beauty (3 / 5)
73. Rakshak (3.5 / 5)
74. Vinashak (4 / 5)
75. Khiladi 420 (2 / 5)
76. The Pact (3.5 / 5)
77. 1920 (4.5 / 5)
78. Haunted (4 / 5)
79. Anth (3 / 5)
80. The Pact (3.5 / 5)
81. Grave Encounters (3 / 5)
82. The Ward (3 / 5)
83. Apollo 18 (3.5 / 5)
84. In Time  (4 / 5)
85. Faces In The Crowd ( 3.5 / 5)
86. Killer Elite (4.5 / 5)
87. 247 Degree Fahrenheit (2 /5)
88. Chained (3.5 / 5)
89. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (3 / 5)
90. Piranha 3DD (2.5 / 5)
91. The Devil Seed (3 / 5)
92. Fertile Ground (4 / 5)
93. No Tell Motel (3 / 5)
94. The Devil's Rock (2.5 / 5)
95. Red State (2.5 / 5)
96. Gone (4 / 5)
97. Let Me In (5 / 5)

Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps

A fisherman always sees another fisherman from afar - is the latest dialog by the legend called Gordon Gekko.

Those who have seen the movie, Wall Street in 1987 could not have forgotten how Gordon Gekko became a Demi-God for most of the financial Yuppies and B-School grads immediately after the release of the movie. The way he dressed and presented himself made him a charismatic boardroom icon and a sole inspiration to the powerful market players and so called Wall Street wannabes. The role of Gordon Gekko not only did wonders at that time but also fetched Michael Douglas an Academy Award for Best Actor. And none of the audiences who watched that movie can forget his famous speech – GREED IS GOOD…

In my opinion, the 2010 sequel, Wall Street Money: Money Never Sleeps matches the standards and expectations set by Gordon Gekko in 1987.

Speaking about performance, Michael Douglas reprises his Godly character of Gordon Gekko with the same élan which he portrayed in the 1987 film. Look at the ruthlessness on his face and you will fall in love with him if you are anywhere closer to the markets. He handles the character superbly and portrays every scene as if he is a real trader, even if he has to trade his daughter’s photographs. His acting capabilities are at its peak when he confronts his daughter, so as to repair his broken relationship and turns himself as a mournful father even though he is driven by some malevolent ideas of becoming rich.

Louis Zabel head of Keller Zabel Investments, played by Frank Langella is one character which will hit you very hard. Look at Frank’s face expression which truly represents the tensions that could have been on the face of Richard Fuld who headed Lehman during its crash. I personally became a fan of him when he utters – “Good day, I am ok…bad day, I am ok. What’s the difference?” When the Fed refuses to bail out his company, his emotional meltdown is worth watching. And look at the calm and composed way of his self destruction when his companies’ stock price is valued at $3.00 a share and not a dime more, even though it’s actual price a week before the crash was at $74.00.

Not to forget, the evil spirits of the hedge fund manager Bretton James, played by J Brolin, who heads Churchill Schwartz, truly depicted what could have contributed towards bringing down the entire US economy. His character has the same depth and cunningness of what Gordon Gekko’s character had in the 1987 film. He truly represents the current financial biggies of Wall Street, who consider themselves too big to fail and then ultimately fail due to the felony they commit to derail the market by manipulating it.

Jacob Moore (Jake) played by Shia LaBeouf, was a perfect choice of the director. His chocolaty looks make him look a perfect lover boy and the way he transforms himself into an energy trader is simply awesome. To get into the skin of the character, Shia La-Beouf traded with different firms, playing with up to $1 million and became so interested in trading that he began studying for his Series 7 exam and later earned a broker license. A fact, which instantly makes him a Method Actor, isn’t it?

All other characters also do justice to their role, prominent among them are Winnie, played by Carrey Mulligan and Julie, a Federal Reserve Board Executive played by Eli Wallach, who considers the meltdown of 2008 to be more fatal than the 1929’s Great Depression in his unique whistling way…wishhhhhhhhhhh… Susan Sarandon’s character of being Jakes mother who turns herself from a real time nurse to a real estate broker garnishes the film only to reflect the dependencies of normal American Elders who still don’t believe in phasing out.

The movie truly belongs to two people, Michael Douglas and Oliver Stone (director). The presentation of the movie works great, especially when the director shows every minor details of the script with a new unforeseen style of presentation, like - S&P 500, NASDAQ and DJIA performance graphs are shown moving south corresponding to the background slope of a bridge or moving from a high altitude of the skyscrapers to the lower ones... I truly admire the director’s vision when he shows few children play in Central Park, NY playing around innocently and blowing bubbles using soap water and toys. One such bubble is shown rising, rising and again rising. Be smart to understand what the director wants to show with this BUBBLE...he he he...showcasing the technology & housing bubbles over the Wall Street in the recent past which normally get created by the innocent people, who don’t even know what’s actually going on. Extremely presentable-isn’t it?

While in the movie, Jake watches TV, where in Gordon Gekko is introduced & interviewed by a lady news anchor on a TV show, it did not take me more than few seconds to recognize the news anchor as Maria Bartiromo. In reality, she is an iconic figure in Global Financial Journalism. I have read so many articles covered by her on Bloomberg, Business-week, CNBC and Wall Street Journal. Seems the director, Oliver Stone left no stone unturned to bring a touch of reality to his movie…Hats off

When Louis Zabel (Frank Langella) tries to arrange a bailout for his company Keller Zabel, in a high profile meeting with leading bankers and Fed officials, he (Lou) addresses the speaker on intercom as Paul…Guess who is the director addressing here as Paul? Former US Treasury Secretary, Henry Paulson.

When Jake learns on TV that his mentor, Lou has committed suicide, as he could not save his company Jake is deeply grieved. This is the moment, when Jake proposes marriage to his girlfriend Winnie and it doesn’t look odd because it gives the audiences a feeling that he does so, to fulfill his mentors last wishes (before his death, Lou rewards Jake with a hefty bonus and wants Jake to marry Winnie). What an extremely emotional sequence which blends love with mentorship.

While Gordon Gekko has a brief encounter with Bud Fox (an employee of Gekko, who helps SEC officials to conduct a sting operation in 1987 movie, wherein Gekko is charged for Insider Trading) look at the face expression of Gekko when Bud places his hands on Gekko’s shoulders…he he he…Gekko gives him such a vindictive look yet finds himself helpless against Bud’s market growth…what an expression.

Gordon Gekko addresses, CDO’s (Collateralized Debt Obligation), CMO’s (Collateralized Mortgage Obligations) and ABS’s (Asset Backed Securities) as Weapons Of Mass Destruction…he he he…What a cynical yet realistic interpretation of modern financial risk mitigation instruments. Amazing…simply amazing. To make such a realistic remark, you really need to be an insider to the investment industry just like Oliver Stone, whose father, in reality used to be an investment broker.

Well, most of the people questioned me how Gordon Gekko becomes a Billionaire again in such a short span of time after stealing $100 Million from his daughter. Many of the audiences could not understand it and hence termed it extremely filmy. Well, the movie clearly shows that Gordon uses a hedging technique known as short selling and turns $100 Million capital in bear markets into billions of dollars. In a scene where Gekko watches the status of his financial strength in a spreadsheet, it is clearly shown how much he made using Long & Short exposures to the market. It’s only that people who don’t understand the financial jargons could not understand it. In reality, those who tracked the financial crisis of 2008 may know that due to many such occurrences, SEC had to ban short selling for a considerable amount of time. Quite insightful, isn’t it?

By far, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is the first movie, which explains Moral Hazard, a widespread buzz word during the bailout & TARP announcements. It’s a situation in which one person makes the decision about how much risk to take, while someone else bears the cost, if things go badly. Financial bail-outs can encourage risky lending in the future, if those that take the risks come to believe that they will not have to carry the full burden of losses and will be bailed out by the taxpayers / Govt. if things backfire.

The movie showcases how in reality, stocks are actually killed and markets are manipulated by few greedy players in order to survive the cut throat competition. It also vaguely explains that the first financial bubble dates back to 1600's when Dutch’s created it by selling Tulips at overly priced rate and found the markets collapsed by it. It is often referred to as “Tulip Mania”.

Dialogues of this movie are its high point. They instantly connect with the audiences and give you parabolic insights about how markets are driven.

Gordon Gekko – You are fucked…You all belong to the so called Ninja Generation who has no income, no job and no assets.

Gordon Gekko - Someone reminded me, I once said - Greed is good. Now it seems - it's legal...

Gordon Gekko - The mother of all evil is Speculation...

Gordon Gekko - They take all your money & call it easy "Bucks" and inject some steroids into it, only to call it Leverage Banking. Well, I call it Steroid Banking.

Gordon Gekko – Bulls make money; bears make money and pigs - only get slaughtered.

Gordon Gekko – You stop telling lies about me and I will stop telling truths about you.

Gordon Gekko - Money is a "she". She sleeps in bed with you with one eye open. Next thing you know, she might be gone forever. Money is a Bitch which never sleeps.

Gordon Gekko – This is ugly times ugly where ugly gets going. Let the world know that Gordon Gekko is back.

Gordon Gekko – See that’s what you people don’t get right. It was never about money. It's about the game.

Bretton James - When you don't know what you are doing, its fatal Mr. Moore.

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Jake - Hey Bretton, everyone has a number. What's your exact number to walk away?

Bretton - More...

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Gordon - It's easy to get in, hard to get out...

Jake - is that a threat?

Gordon - Absolutely

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Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps is one of the finest movies I have watched lately. It’s well researched and well presented. It only cements my fondness for Mr. Gekko, how so ever malevolent he might be in his mind and deeds. Seriously, I would love to see another sequel in this series... I would highly recommend this movie with a 5 Star Rating.

My Facebook Status...on Indian Independence Day

“Lead India. It’s a TOI initiative”. Ye nahi likhenge to Times of India kaon padhega? Publicity kaise hogi? Kaonsa ise dekh ke log safai abhiyaan karenge? Ek do ne kar bhi liya, to kya India saaf ho jayega? Bus do minute ka josh hi to jagana hai, log likh denge facebook pe “every Indian should watch this”.

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Is desh me har bande ko jaldi hai. Koi thamnaa hi nahi chahta. Aur iske liye thode bahut traffic signal tod bhi liye to kya bura hai? Wrong side gadi dal bhi lee to kaonsa bada gunah kar liya? Thode bahut scratches kisi ki gadi ko marke khud ka rasta bana bhi liya to isme harz hi kya hai?

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Aji gaddho kaa kya hai? Gaao khede chhod do, ye to Delhi aur Mumbai ke national & express highway me bhi kafi matra me hai. Khule gataro me aur gaddho me girke marna to shan ki baat hai Hindustan me. Prince bhi gira tha, hero ban gaya. Mahanagar palika gaddhe hi to khodti hai. Bhartee kahaa hai?

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Bus ek ghante ki barish, aur Delhi Mumbai me baadh jaisi halat hona to aam baat hai. Aise me gadiya band padna aur traffic jam me fasne ka to alag hi mazaa hai. Hamare Hindustan me to chief minister aur prime minister ke gharo ke aas paas bhi paani bhartaa hai. Aur wo bhi traffic me faste hai.

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Ek to sarkari afsaro se waise bhi paan chabake thookne ke alawa kuch aur nahi hota. Aur jitna hota hai, use bhi hamari janta janardan Bharat Band karke jalaa deti hai. Yaha political partiyo ko lagta hai ke todfod karne se mehangai kam hoti hai. Economics ke naye naye funde to koi yaha aake seekhe.

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Hamare Bharat me dengu ke machhar jab tak aake puppy naa le, maza hi nahi ataa. Gandi galiya ho yaafir posh CWG ke stadiums, har jagah hote hai ye aajkal. Eelaaj karwane hospital jao, to doctor badme aate hai, pehle machhar aake swagat kar jaate hai. Kya AIIMS aur kya Apollo…

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

To kya hua agar stadium ki chhat tapakti hai, aur paani talaab ki tarah bhar jata hai. Khel apni jagah hote rahenge, aur majdoor apni jagah kaam karte rahenge. Deadline kya cheez hai bhaiyya? Abhi kuch aur ghotaale karne baaki bhi to hai. Hindustani hone ka saboot bhi to dena hai duniya ko.

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Do minute ki aish karne ke liye, na jaane kitne bachhe paida kar jaate hai. Paal payenge bhi yaa nahi, baadme sochenge. Ladka hua, to jeene ke sahara hoga. Aur ladki to jaise paap hoti hai. Janam lene se pehle hi maar denge. Aur janam le liya, to jeene ki sajaa jhelegi bechari, aur kya?

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Naklee doodh, dahi, achar, ghee to ham bade shan se bechte aaye hai. Ab sabziyo me chemical daalke aur expired item bechke bhi to paisa kamaenge na? Dhaabo aur Hotelo me kaon check karta hai ye sab? Aur hamari chain ki neend bhi kaonsi haraam hoti hai. Food Corporation of India bhi to maze se soti rehti hai.

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Ladka uchi jaati ka nahi hai. Ladki us gao ki kyu hai? Gotra nahi milta. Dahej nahi de rahe. Haisiyat aur Biradari bhi to koi cheez hai Hindustan me. Ladka ladki ne pariwar ki marzi ke bagair shadi kar li, to jaan se mar do unhe. Panchayat bulao, tuglaki farman nikalo, kissa khatam karo.

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Bhookmari se log mar jaye to chalega, lekin hazaaro ton anaaj sarkari godamo me hi sadna chahiye. Aur godam ke bahar pada anaaj pani se bheeg ke kharab ho jaye to galti to barish ki hai na? News walo ka kya hai? Dikhane do unhe. “Mahangai daayan khaaee jaat hai” bhi to hona chahiye na?

26 January & 15 August ko “Mera Bharat Mahan” kahenge naa, ekdum Indian isshtyle me. Desh mahan ho jayega, simple. he he he

Bond

Bingo...

COMING SOON

The Name Is Bond...Simply Bond

If money doesn’t grow on trees, why do banks have “Branches”?

Why round pizzas are packed in “square” boxes?

If we are not supposed to drink and drive, why do bars have “parking lots”?

Why do we still call it a “building”, when it’s already built?

He he he…we are a funny bunch of people, living in a seriously funny world? Isn’t it? And the best part is that we never question these things?

But when a person like me calls himself “Bond”, there exists, not just a big question mark in front of the entire world, but people also expect a very high degree of interrogation that should lead me to some serious non-bail able charges…He he he…

Few of them just become curious though, to know what makes me feel that I am a “Bond”. Still there are few who are thinkers…who do not accept whatever is presented to them until they are highly convinced about things?

Hundreds of times, I have been questioned why do I call myself “Bond”? But believe me, till yesterday, I never met a thinker who questioned my nick name. So I also never bothered to answer this question as to why “Bond”? Every time I preferred to be MUTE and used to IGNORE the question?

The very essence of the existence of this blog is to answer my status quo to that thinker, who is not just expecting an answer but an explanation too… So here it goes…

Datch, Panditji, Sukhanwar and Bond are few of my nick names representing me in a different group of people at different time zones of my life. Each nick name refers to a separate alter ego of the same person, that’s me. This one is specifically for Bond…

The first impression that gets created in our minds when we say Bond is that of Ian Flemming’s James Bond 007. I am a die hard fan of James Bond movies, especially the ones which features Peirce Brosnan as the lead. Right from his dressing sense to the ways of his execution, witty style, whacky one liner’s, use of modern technology, ability to see beyond what is portrayed and 100% commitment to his mission, I simply get charged up when Mr. Bond comes onscreen. And who won’t love to be a Bond in real life. Well, that could be one of the reasons why I call myself “Bond”. More stress should be given on the words – “could be”…

Bond generically means something that binds. People who are close to me know it very well that I bind them with each other and with myself too, to such an extent that loosening does not remain an option. But for that, one really must be close to me. He he he…see what Rashmi an ex-colleague from Xchanging has to write on my orkut (a social networking site) profile testimonial…

Three years post leaving Xchanging, she currently works for Ernst & Young as a Sr. Analyst and still remains a very close friend to me. Apart from many others, Sumit, Rohan, Mohit, Shailly and Dheeraj along with Puneet, Brijesh and Manoj are very closely bonded to me at my existing workplace. And I value them as MY PEOPLE…They too feel the same for me…We are closely BONDED with each other.

My name Rishi in Hindi means a Monk / Saint…but as mentioned in my earlier blogs, I consider myself a scientist who invented his own religion – BONDING…free from every caste, creed, races and classes. Bonding has more depth when compared to words like affair, companionship, relationship and so on and so froth. And that could be another reason why I call myself “Bond”. More stress should again be given on the words – “could be”…he he he

After much introspection, I finally found my love of life. And they are two, not just one. Martial Arts and Investment Research. And I am passionate about both. Leave martial arts aside, the world of investments just fascinates me to the core of my heart.

May be that’s the reason, I see myself as a hardcore investment analyst throughout my life.

Ask any investment professional and he / she will quote -

Bond is a security, in which if invested, the investor will reap fixed and guaranteed benefits at regular intervals, till the time, Bond actually expires.

Now that’s the real reason why I like to call myself “Bond”. May be I should leave upon you people to find out, what prudent investing is all about?

Dear Pops - You Are Now Officially Declared A Senior Citizen...

With every key tone that my Pops was pressing, on his cell phones keypad, I was getting irritated as I could hardly concentrate on my studies. I immediately addressed him…

Me – Pops wo keytone off karo bala…ekdum uncivilized tareeke se rehte ho aap.

I asked for his cell phone so that I can switch off the key tone. However, my Dad took what I said lightly and locked his cell phone and kept it aside. He did not allow me to switch off the key tone. Now that’s something which he might like it. Although working for multinational companies made me imbibe certain attributes which we generally call professional mannerisms, my father was always posted in the remote areas of various states in India, with a public sector company. His ways and mannerisms mostly reflect country side culture for which we always poke him with our comments…he he he…that’s how we try to irritate each other…sometimes knowingly and mostly inadvertently.

Pops – My dear son…I want to give you the best…

Me – Pops now I can get it myself, you don’t have to worry about it…

Pops – See on my 60^th birthday, I want to give you a present…

And my father presented me a video CD. When I opened the pack, it turned out to be a Movie called – Hitler. My father very well knows that I am a die hard fan of Adolf Hitler. Now that’s when we refer to international historical icons…I do have a national one too – Shivaji. My father recalls my college days, when I kept Hitler styled moustache for a week, as a fashion statement. Everyone laughed at it when I did so, but my Pops appreciated it. In fact today also he appreciates my dictatorship very much, but not on him…he he he…people who know me know it very well that in real life, I live like Hitler. In fact, many of my colleagues, subordinates and friends address me as Hitler, sometimes on my face and mostly when I am not around. And my father knows it very well that I simply love the way military works - by command. You all might have heard your friends / colleagues addressing their fathers as Hitler, but in my case, my father calls me a Hitler…he he he

This year, it was my sister’s idea to change my father’s style. Now that my father would be getting retired and would be leading a city / metro life, she thought that my father must not look like a government babu…he he he…consequently, she got her two Polo T-shirts. When he wore them, he looked different, more of an urban father….he he he. Realizing this, I gifted him 8 pairs of Polo T-shirts along with 2 pairs of Corduroy trousers. So he has undergone a complete makeover…he he he…and the best part is that even my father liked it very much…he he he

When it comes to birthdays, my father has his own style of celebrations. He does not believe in cake cutting ceremony. Rather he likes to keep it simple. Wait; please don’t get yourself deceived by the word – simple. As it is not that very simple as you might have thought. He just likes to give himself a treat…with his predetermined Baghaara Chawal along with Daalcha…and when it comes to his taste buds, believe me no one in this entire world can match it. My Mom generally follows SOP (standard operating procedures) while cooking food. Contrary to this, my father likes to experiment and comes up with very delicious innovations. Everytime he cooks, he comes up with the same things, but in a different avatar. And that’s what makes his cooking very special. This time also, he prepared his Daalcha with a different touch – soya nuggets in it. And trust me, it was heaven. Especially along with my Mom’s SOP based Baghaara Chaawal, which again is loved by everyone who tasted it. Generally I haven’t found any one till now who follows this SOP…which makes her baghaara chaawal not only unique but deliciously blissful too…

This year, I am kind off busy…with my exam preparation. As such, I found very difficult to spare time for my family affair. I couldn’t even manage celebrating Diwali, day before yesterday. Since, I was hooked up with my studies, I thought that my Pop’s birthday would also be just like Diwali…me being busy with studies…But then it’s his 60^th birthday. A time when he will be getting retired from all his duties. It’s a time, when he would be leaving all his official colleagues to join us back home…and be a family man 24 X 7. Isn’t it special? Definitely it is…so to hell with studies for a while…

I took time to get a birthday cake for him…hooked up a small family get together…asked him to cut his 60^th birthday cake…had some good & quality time spent with him…caught those moments in our camera and missed my younger brother Samrat a lot…He works in Dubai and hence we had to celebrate it without him…but then he is always the first one to whish us on our days…

When I am home, people know it very well that I have my lunch and dinner sitting on the floor (ground), that too with traditionally Indianized way of eating with my right hand…I just love it…he he he…so when I was enjoying my Bagharaa Chaawal and Daalcha tonight, my Pops didn’t miss a chance to comment.

Pops – Oye my dear son, tu naa neeche baith ke jangleeyo ki tarah haath se khana mat khayaa kar bala…hamko dekh, kaise shaan se table pe baithke, chammach se khana khaate hai…he he he…Multinational company me ek Assistant Manager hoke bhi aise jangleeyo ki tarah khaana khaataa hai…he he he...ekdum UNCIVILIZED lagtaa hai…he he he

Now that’s what we have - a family…our very own, very special family…with all our nok jhoks, we celebrate life. We celebrate the spirit of being together.

Along with our entire family, including Samrat, your Hitler wishes you – A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY POPS…

Love Aajkal...

Imtiaz Ali is a fabulous story teller…I liked both of his earlier movies…Socha Na Thaa and Jab We Met. Even Saif & Deepika starrer Love Aajkal is watchable…one time atleast…All the three films have one thing in common…the creatively realistic way of portraying real life incidents in a very simple way…now that’s how life unfolds…may be that’s the reason, Imtiaz connects with it’s audiences very well…

The movie has two parallel stories going on simultaneously…one belongs to the modern era…and the other belongs to the good old times of 60’s…while the modern story has lot more complications, the older one is just sweet and makes us feel nostalgic at times…The modern story is dwindled by complex practicality where as the older one is just based on a simple emotion called love…that’s exactly the point is…today, we have so many things which keeps bothering us that simple emotions like love has more challenges to face. Of course, there were challenges in older times as well, but they never confused people exhibiting emotions…they either used to be in love, or not…where as in today’s times, people always remain confused about it, sometimes unknowingly and most of the times, knowingly…he he he…and when they actually realize it, they mostly cause damages to themselves and others too…so what? The audiences still wants the hero and heroine to unite in the end…after all, it’s still love…isn’t it?...he he he

Back to my Convergys days, I had a friend called Rupinder who used to tell me his love story with Richa, a team leader working in the same company, but in another process. Both I and Rupinder used to sit besides each other answering customer emails as a part of our daily job. I used to wonder how Richa and Rupinder could be married to each other because both of them had different designations in the same company, Richa being more successful than Rupinder…yet I was confident about their love for each other which they certainly won from their parent’s opposition. They made a decent couple with a decent compatibility. How simple? Isn’t it?

And then there were Sapna and Ritesh, who used to date each other accepting their love publicly. Since Ritesh was my friend, I kind of knew that both of them were seriously seeing each other…with an end in their minds…Breakup…! Now, that’s what they already knew from the beginning, yet they continued to enjoy the companionship for more than two years…Both of them knew, they could never convince their parents and they never tried it even once…Again, both of them made their story so very simple that we all knew what would happen once they part with other…he he he…

The sweet and intellectual girl called Soni was very much attracted towards Bhasker, my team leader. However, she used to spend most of her time with Raunak discussing how to make Bhasker fall for her….She knew it very well that Raunak was also attracted towards her…but then, Bhasker was all that she wanted those days…Girls often fall for handsome guys, where as average looking Raunak type of guys are just ignored by them…that’s a fact, which even I don’t deny much…

Rupali for that matter knew that Gautam was cheating her…yet, she fell for him. Gautam on the other hand, was reluctant accepting her as love of his life…the entire floor was aware of their bedtime stories too…yet I could never convince Rupali to leave Gautam and accept her parent’s wish of getting married to the one, they chose for her, back in their hometown.

While I was speaking to my Dad once, I saw Richa (Rupinder’s wife) smooching some other guy in the back of our office. I was furious over the scene and reacted immediately as Richa was my best friends wife. I saw that guy for the first time. Richa requested me, to be out of it. Since the guy already escaped from the scene, I irritatingly chose to remain silent in raising the issue as I never had the courage to tell Rupinder about this incident. After an hour or so, Rupinder approached me with the entire story requesting me to forget the incident. That guy was Richa’s ex-boyfriend who used to date Richa prior to Rupinder. When Rupinder entered Richa’s life, Richa felt that she already dumped that guy whom she was spotted smooching later on. Rupinder knew it well from the beginning that it was not over between Richa and that guy. Yet, the complexities and confusions of love forced both Richa and Rupinder to get married. Today, Richa is raising her child in Dehradoon where as Rupinder is staying in a live-in relationship with his Lady Boss. That’s Love Aajkal…for Rupinder and Richa

Sapna and Ritesh are not dating each other these days. Infact, Ritesh is still single with so many girlfriends along with his call center job. Whereas Sapna is well settled in America with her husband, who was no where in the picture those days. Well, that was still predictable. May be for Ritesh and Sapna, love was more of a short term assignment / project which they completed and then parted with each other happily. And no…unlike Saif and Deepika, they don’t try to contact each other post their break up…may be for them, that’s Love Aajkal…

Since Bhasker surprisingly got married to Kanchan, Soni was shattered. I also heard some stories of Raunak and Soni, but never believed…Raunak shifted himself to Kerala after getting married to a teacher where as Soni is still living in Delhi as a single…yet mother. Some say that she is raising Bhasker’s child, where as some say that Raunak dumped her after making her pregnant. I happened to meet her once…she is now working as a Company Secretary with Sharekhan Ltd., and is doing well in life. When I asked her about the real father of her child, she jokingly mentioned both Bhasker’s and Raunak’s name. I was zapped…how can this be possible…? She then revealed that she never knew out of Bhasker and Raunak, who is the real father of her child? But she loves her child very much…coz she sees both, Bhasker and Raunak in him…that’s Love Aajkal for Soni…

Even after six long years, Rupali is still seeing Gautam with a hope of getting married to him. Gautam, even today is a bastard, as he used to be earlier, using Rupali for his physical needs and yet not giving her the real commitment. I really don’t know whether it would give Rupali a new beginning or an end of her social life…but seriously, Rupali is expecting a lot from something which actually is nothing…may be that’s what is Love Aajkal for her…

The movie Love Aajkal might be about Saif and Deepika…where as there are other characters too in the film…Think of Saif’s Swiss girlfriend and Deepika’s husband, played by Rahul Khanna…Audiences are expected to forget those characters, where as real life is full of them roaming around us. Such people are nothing but victim of love…for them; love is more of a painful event, rather than a joyful life…

Now try this one…

About few years ago, on a business trip to Germany through Xchanging, Mitrashi and Akhilesh fell for each other…Mohnish and Rakhi realized love for each other…Ankit and Ritu started an affair…whereas, despite being friendly with Rakhi, Shubhangi silently loved Mohnish…it was nothing but team bonding…isn’t it? He he he…

Business? What’s that? All of them considered themselves tourists…The pairs enjoyed the time and life to the fullest, considering themselves Raj and Simran of Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge…where in both of them also visit Europe, in the movie…he he he…

However, as life unfolds back in India, Mohnish and Rakhi no longer see each other. Reason – Shubhangi who completely revived herself from no-one to someone. Stories are still told about Mohnish and Shubhangi even though Mohnish is now married to some other girl…Whereas Rakhi is now seeing Akhilesh these days, who already broke up with Mitrashi. But the team bonding still remains intact, as Mitrashi started seeing Ankit. So what happens to Ritu…? Well, hope is the only name of the game for her…

Ahhhhhhhhhhh…CONFUSING…isn’t it? Grrrrrrrrrr

Well that’s how things move on in real life…

Most of the GenX today are not sure of what they want in real life. Some choose “Expression” as a way of love life…multiple times with multiple people, where as some willingly choose to remain tacit about their secret relationships, sharing a mutual understanding.

Life in a metro, still continues…with more and more complexities which people still love to call it - LOVE…or secretly hide it from the world…

Of-course there are people who know the true meaning of love and get it in their life, sometimes easily, whereas most of the times, they have to fight for it…I SALUTE SUCH PEOPLE…whom I can count them on my fingers…

And those who did not receive my Salute, I would advice you all to go ahead and watch this movie called – Love Aajkal…

Atleast, you all will have a goodtime; with who so ever is your current partner…he he he

That’s the least I can wish for you people…

By the way Love Aajkal, for me is a combo pack of…Investment Research & Martial Arts…now let me post this blog and get back to my love...after all it's exercise time for me...he he he...

Movie Review : Shaurya

Uff…How tough can nights be...?  Specially, if they are filled with guilt, anger, frustration, misery, agony and many such emotions…just because boundaries set around ourselves don’t allow us to trespass them…specially when everyone, right from top to bottom turn themselves as wild animals juggling for those hidden interests or few extra bucks,  thereby leaving only one option for us – be a silent unaffected spectator.  And then suddenly, consciousness makes us awake to raise our voice against un-professionalism and set things right in place, so that triumph prevails and survival instinct of ethics, win.  The point is that – the entire situation gives us sleepless nights, as we remain aware that tomorrow morning we have to face the mirror.  And for that, one has to gather courage to set right things, right.  And that’s what the movie – Shaurya is all about.  If you haven’t attended those Moral Science and Community Living lectures in your schools and colleges, go ahead and watch the movie.  It has the power to fill that gap in your life. 

When I saw that movie today, I found a bit of myself, in the character of Kay Kay Menon who plays a tough, aggressive, hard hitter Brigadier Rudra Pratap Singh who is operationally efficient and extremely devoted towards his duties, yet possesses his own ideologies against certain set of wrong people.  Getting a feel of me…isn’t it?  He he he…

Watch him carrying himself with powerful elegance when he utters “Mere kisi sipaahi ki jaan ek golf ball pe nahi tiki hai”, showing his extreme concern & care towards the people reporting him. 

“Military humari necessity hai” is the power packed dialogue, through which he shows that lack of discipline and tranquility can only be controlled by facing hardships and designing & following strong rules & regulations.  But many people who are casual in their life take military as a negative word.  

“You know Malhotra, kuch log wakai me sher ka shikar karte hai fir mashoor hote hai, aur kuch hote hai jo mare hue sher ki dum kaatke, photo khichwaa lete hai akhbaar me chhap dete hai aur mashoor ho jaate hai…shortcuts, you know”…again a hard hitting dialogue which reminds us that we witness many people, who get their certificates, accolades and credits without knowing the exact technical know how of the subject matter and are the known figures in and around our society. 

“Meri hameshaa trigger pe ungli hai, isiliye tumhe sahuliyat milti hai buddhijeeviyo ki tarah baate karne ki, chhuttiyaa manaane ki, party karne ki, disco jaane ki, ishq ladaane ki, jeene ki”, is the dialogue which only thrusts you with elan & vigour to depict that because of his hardcore professionalism, others are living a casual & a carefree life, hunting for additional opportunities, thereby taking him for granted and using his regularity for their own benefits. 

“Sach to ye hai ki is desh me, subah uthne per sabhi ko sadake aur naale saaf chaahiye, lekin is gandagi ko saaf karne me, haath kiske gande hote hai?  Hamaare!” what a punch of reality it is?  Haven’t we seen people who just surpass their responsibility of cleaning the mess of society to others so that their name should not come in the so called blame list prepared by the gentry executing those mistakes? 

“Bloody democracy…bloody…democracy”…now that’s something to understand by going deep into it…important decisions are not to be taken by immature group of people, who further ruin it, but to be taken actually by the Senior ones who have got experience and maturity to view the big picture.   

When frustrated by his own organization’s final verdict, watch his irritated persona raising immediate questions – “Ye kyaa mazaak banaa rakha hai?...Indian Army hai yaa Jumbo Circus?”…

No matter what the plot of the movie is, you will only fall in love with the powerful arrogance of Brigadier Rudra Pratap Singh. 

And when the movie progresses further, I also find traces of my personality in the character of Rahul Bose, as Major Siddhant Chaudhary, who dares to fight for an ethical cause and set’s right things right, even though he looses on few of his good relationships.  Do I really need to give examples?  He he he…  

Now that’s still a movie, where in our film directors show good and bad characteristics separately present in two different people.  When it comes to reality, I think that both the characteristics are present in a normal human being.  It’s just a prudential use of those characteristics that defines our personality.  May be that’s why, people identify me as Rishi Gajbhiye.  

Living With Our Choice

Sometimes we just keep our cell phones along with us expecting an important call. And the fact that it rings every now and then, but not when you actually expect it…can cause you an entirely different world. 

29^th September 2007 was the day when I was expecting such a call.  I waited for that one call since past one month then, after toiling hard for days and nights for about a year.  I already cleared three analytical rounds with the Research Managers and last one with the Country Director of McKinsey India, for a post called Research Consultant (Investments).  They were ready to hire me despite of the fact that my work experience was mostly earned in BPO’s.  However, some confusion occurred by the third party guys during my background verification due to which McKinsey did not roll out the offer letter.  They said they would call me once they confirm everything is all right with my candidature. 

It was for the first time I tried hard to get something worthwhile.  It was for the first time, I read, understood, grasped and built an insight about the investment world just to land up with McKinsey or Goldman Sachs.  It was for the first time, I challenged myself by making promises…that I will go beyond probabilities to create some possibilities.  Ethically and morally, I wanted to be positive to myself.  That’s the only reason why I did not incorporate any fraudulent means to get into something which I aspired to be.  After all I was dealing with my aspirations.  But then, too much of truth can make you look like a liar.  May be that’s why McKinsey guys did not call. 

Finally, when the ground service guys announced, I had to board the flight to Philadelphia via Chicago.  During my flight, I pretended to be sleepy as my colleagues and managers around me were happy and excited to be in US.  However, I was highly grieved.  It was for the first time in my life, when I literally cried…though, with closed eyes…and that too, 35,000 feet above the ground level.  That time, I knew it very well that I made a compromise by continuing my BPO job which I accepted a month earlier and continued my search after realizing that the profile did not turn out to be what was promised. 

It was really hard for me to digest the fact that I was again in the company of those who don’t really use their grey matter.  They just follow the SOP’s (Standard Operating Procedures) and execute their jobs.  At my workplace, I don’t intend to give lessons, but to grab them from those who qualify as intellectuals.  Prior to my existing job, I expected a company of elite people from my future professional assignments, where in my colleagues could teach me the algorithms of investment management & advanced financial modeling or could intelligently debate with me on various business related topics like – why Mr. Ben Bernanke is better than Mr. Allen Greenspan? Or why Blackstone & Carlyle are still optimistic about their private equity investments in the pan Asia Pacific zone?   Contrary to this, whenever I try striking such conversations, I end up teaching or preaching rather than learning.  Because, almost 99% of the gentry around me, are highly ignorant to facts & figures that corporate world on this planet is actually churning out every second. 

Ironically, the agony is that I still find few male managers with a pony-tail and ear-rings and few female ones discussing their love life casually with their boyfriends / fiancé over their cell-phones in a sonorous voice…that too in their official premises.  Their mantra is to look COOL…Most of them will curse you like hell, specially when you turn out in your business suites just to look professional during office hours.  Welcome to the world of BPO’s.  A perfect place to which I am trying hard since past few years failingly, to utter just one word…GOODBYE…and still find myself in it.  He he he…A perfect place where in you can have fun, enjoyment, parties, dance, booze, fag, dope, body piercing, wearing asset revealing casuals, have one night stands and do all sort of COOL activities.  A perfect place where in people use internet only for social networking, downloading music and watching porn.  A perfect place wherein you would find people who are technologically backward to such an extent, that they don’t even know the meaning of blogs, tweets, podcasts and feeds.  A perfect place, where in people don’t know the meaning of research and analysis, thereby considering reconciliation as a high end job. 

You might be thinking – what is stopping me from quitting my existing BPO job?

And the answer may appear as basic as it can be – Service Agreement of two years.  But then, there is more to it, as service agreements are easily bought by other companies for deserving candidates.  When I did not receive a call from McKinsey, it was me who boarded the plane thereby making a commitment to serve my existing organization for two years.  And if I break my commitment, how will I make few more in my life and still stick to it till its fulfillment.  It would just be unprofessional to leave the organization unless something untoward happens.  Also, after becoming an Assistant Manager, I find myself out of every rat race that others might run.  I don’t see my existing job as a career.  I already got what I wanted from my current job.  And I don’t really intend to grow just in terms of designation by spending another two to three years fighting for every rating, bonus, span, visibility or responsibility.  All I want to do is to work flawlessly for longer hours, without taking leaves and without getting bothered about my next growth, to discover the acme of professionalism within me, which would later on help me when I would actually be managing my own company.  If my current organization can give me an opportunity to expand myself as a true entrepreneur, then I can easily stay with it for next 1-2 years, thereby concentrating on international certification and investment related education.  Otherwise I always have an open option of mending my mistake of joining a BPO.  Needless to mention, I don’t exactly work for my organization.  I work for myself and professionalism.  And it is well evident by my choice of not taking leaves since past three years thereby working extended hours just to inculcate a habit of entrepreneurial way of execution.  My rules, philosophy and psychology set for myself are anyways above any organizational policies, both in terms of ethics and quality.  And it’s really hard to stick by what I have set for myself.  Still I don’t deter, because I am not an employee, but a future entrepreneur. 

And I am sure, my cell phone would definitely ring in future when I would be expecting it to ring, which would force me to write another blog depicting my success story, unlike this one which is actually a story of my failure.