Someone, of late, was talking about a symptom called laptop shoulder.. The gradual build up of pain on your shoulders if you are regular carrying your lappie on your shoulder. But then, again of late, lappies come in handy backpacks for carrying with ease and giving that casual look (get away from the regular nerdie look, eh?)..
Well, the side story apart.. Thinking about this hitherto unknown symptom (that would not potentially affect me because my Dell came in handy with a mediocre backpack, not stylish, but convenient, and light! sigh).
I stepped onto the company bus. My usual window seat was empty..The morning traffic was slowly building up.. The gentle man beside was deeply engrossed in his BBerry, busy checking/responding to emails, his face revealing that straight-on-the-face expectation 'do not disturb please!.. The gals sitting on the front row were completely lost in their iPods, probably tuning to the latest hit from mausm?? Could not notice any taps though! Most of the crowd on the other side were busy picking up the news updates from DNA..
The silence in the bus was contagious, a complete show stopper for anyone wanting to say hi to his neighbour.. The mundane sights and scenics on my everyday route usually fails to keep me wide awake in those morning hours.. Lost in reverie, and falling in and out of momentary naps, my 50mins morning commute to the workplace were a cakewalk, by any score.
The bus stopped in the huge parking bay, and rows and rows of techies with lappies on shoulders (and backpacks for some...), marched through the security gates, reminding me of those military parades, sans the march and drills. My efforts in building a strong professional network in the workplace failed miserably when my His and hellos were reciprocated with the coldest of responses.
The ladies and gentlemen who never said a hi/good morning/how r u to his/her neighbour during a 1hour commute to the work place now have hundreds of friends on social networking sites.. Sharing their photos, family pics, and trivia from day to day lives.. The ones who marched through the security checks in a military parade, without even sporting a cheer to the folks around.. Give me a break!
Reason enough for me to stay away from the social networking sites..
Cheers
Roy
Musings from everyday life.. Family, kids, food, movies, books, travel, friends, inspirations, aspirations, dreams!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Incredible street foods!
The busy pavements in Russel Market off Shivaji Nagar bust station were bustling with activities. It's holy Ramdan time, and people head to the umpteen eateries on both sides of the narrow streets to break their day long fasting. The Sunday edition of a city newspaper had an exclusive coverage on the gamut of food items on display, and the garam-garam samoosas, pavs, kebabs, tandoors served straight off the grills. Being a foodie, and a connoisseur myself,the pictures accompanying the exclusive were truly captivating, to say the least!
Heading straight to the city's most popular market place, soon after our afternoon siesta, we were a little too excited to savor the numerous Ramdan specials. Walking hand in hand, we decided to explore the eateries and small time single cart counters end to end before venturing out to place our order.. The Hyderabadi Haleem looked so inviting and appetizing that my wife ended up gulping down a single serving herself! Her it tastes so yummy kinda smile endorsed this hitherto unexplored delicacy. Walking down further, we ordered a handful of golden fried mutton samoosas, and another pack of kebabs, fiery red and crispy. Unaware of the crowd, and the folks in queue to place the orders, the little ones picked up a fight over the last remaining piece:-)
The food apart, we were totally engrossed in the bustling charm of this naive, incredibly crowded street. And everything seemed to have an order, a discipline in the middle of chaos! The honking vehicles, the passers by, the waiting customers, the window shoppers..
Heading back home, happily carrying hot samosas packed in foils, the four of us vowed together, we will be back! The little one on the back seat was already enjoying yet another fiesta-siesta combo!
Cheers
Roy
Heading straight to the city's most popular market place, soon after our afternoon siesta, we were a little too excited to savor the numerous Ramdan specials. Walking hand in hand, we decided to explore the eateries and small time single cart counters end to end before venturing out to place our order.. The Hyderabadi Haleem looked so inviting and appetizing that my wife ended up gulping down a single serving herself! Her it tastes so yummy kinda smile endorsed this hitherto unexplored delicacy. Walking down further, we ordered a handful of golden fried mutton samoosas, and another pack of kebabs, fiery red and crispy. Unaware of the crowd, and the folks in queue to place the orders, the little ones picked up a fight over the last remaining piece:-)
The food apart, we were totally engrossed in the bustling charm of this naive, incredibly crowded street. And everything seemed to have an order, a discipline in the middle of chaos! The honking vehicles, the passers by, the waiting customers, the window shoppers..
Heading back home, happily carrying hot samosas packed in foils, the four of us vowed together, we will be back! The little one on the back seat was already enjoying yet another fiesta-siesta combo!
Cheers
Roy
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Connecting the dots!
The rusty, worn out cart on four wheels pulled off on the roadside. Couple of grayed out green buckets, a gas stove, a few steel plates, knives and steel glasses found their places quickly on the makeshift diner. The lady lighted the stove and her first cauldron of hot coffee was up in the making. Passers by and auto drivers made short stops and grabbed the idli-vada, and rice-pav combo, washing them down with hot coffee. While the lady dished out the hot dishes one by one, her husband managed the front office, collecting cash and tending out change. The little girl standing beside her mom, was reading out a lesson from her English reader. Closing her book, she dashed out occassionally to do the dishes and filling the wash area with water. She would rush to the nearby primary school when the clock hits a quarter to 9 to be back before the evening rush hours.
The NGO that we are part of ran a connect the dots drive to meet several children in the city's government primary schools and their parents. Prizes were distributed to the top performers in each class and also to those excelled in co-curricular activities. Much to my surprise, the little girl, who am so familiar with, made her presence twice on stage, bagging the topper award for class V and another first prize for water coloring. Her parents clapped in excitement from the front row, misty eyed and beaming with pride.
And BTW, her poem appeared in a popular national daily in their children's section!
Meals on the wheels is still a hit, and the little girl continues to be a brilliant multi-tasker, waiting for her day to come..
Did I say the title of the poem read 'Dreams on the wheels' when translated?
Best
Roy
The NGO that we are part of ran a connect the dots drive to meet several children in the city's government primary schools and their parents. Prizes were distributed to the top performers in each class and also to those excelled in co-curricular activities. Much to my surprise, the little girl, who am so familiar with, made her presence twice on stage, bagging the topper award for class V and another first prize for water coloring. Her parents clapped in excitement from the front row, misty eyed and beaming with pride.
And BTW, her poem appeared in a popular national daily in their children's section!
Meals on the wheels is still a hit, and the little girl continues to be a brilliant multi-tasker, waiting for her day to come..
Did I say the title of the poem read 'Dreams on the wheels' when translated?
Best
Roy
Monday, June 13, 2011
Look who is going to BSchool this fall!
The tall, dusky lady at the back row in the class was very silent until the last day of our three day workshop organized for rural women.The targeted audience was women who could not continue their studies after matriculation or PUC due to different reasons. We spoke about various options available to pursue higher education even within the comforts of their homes, even without spending thousands for admission fees, tuitions, living expenses etc. Most of them were working in an Auto Manufacturing unit that employed about 500+ women in their factory floors and assembly lines. With ageing parents to support, and kids attending the local primary school, quitting the job to pursue higher education was out of question for all of them. They worked 8hrs a day, six days a week, for a meager 2000 per month.
In the first two days, we were mostly talking about opportunities in pharmacy, nursing, engineering diploma, trade certifications etc. Majority of them were matriculates; and talking about anything beyond this repertoire did not make sense to us. My colleague was winding up the last session on the third day. The lady at the back row stood up, sir "can you also talk about management education? I know it may not make sense for me to even dream about a MBA at this time, but I would really like to know." The rest of the class was silent.
Shira Banu was a school drop out. She worked in the factory floors for two years as a cleaner, sold pan and tea near the bus stop in the evenings and went back to school the following year. With an ageing father, and two siblings still in primary schools, Shira struggled to complete her PUC. Having secured 65% marks in the commerce stream; and standing fourth in the state, she caught media attention. Her life and achievements were featured in most of the city news papers, and TV channels!
Three years down the line, Shira graduated in Commerce by attending evening classes, and continued working on the factory floors during the day. Her absolute commitment and sincerity at the workplace got her multiple accolades, and was promoted as an accountant in the back office. The NGO that we were part of worked through various media to bring her story to the masses. Well wishers came forward with the offers of sponsoring her higher education.
Sipping coffee and skimming through the newspaper on that lazy Sunday morning, it took quite a while for me to recollect the smiling face of Shira. Come next fall, she is heading to one of the world's leading BSchools to pursue the management education that she has been dreaming for years! With exemplary academics, five years of solid work experience, and armed with hard learned lessons from her own life, am sure she had one of the most genuine, straight from the heart Statement of Purpose!
What an incredible journey! Dreams come free of cost; but she also knew their realization doesn't!
Cheers
Roy
In the first two days, we were mostly talking about opportunities in pharmacy, nursing, engineering diploma, trade certifications etc. Majority of them were matriculates; and talking about anything beyond this repertoire did not make sense to us. My colleague was winding up the last session on the third day. The lady at the back row stood up, sir "can you also talk about management education? I know it may not make sense for me to even dream about a MBA at this time, but I would really like to know." The rest of the class was silent.
Shira Banu was a school drop out. She worked in the factory floors for two years as a cleaner, sold pan and tea near the bus stop in the evenings and went back to school the following year. With an ageing father, and two siblings still in primary schools, Shira struggled to complete her PUC. Having secured 65% marks in the commerce stream; and standing fourth in the state, she caught media attention. Her life and achievements were featured in most of the city news papers, and TV channels!
Three years down the line, Shira graduated in Commerce by attending evening classes, and continued working on the factory floors during the day. Her absolute commitment and sincerity at the workplace got her multiple accolades, and was promoted as an accountant in the back office. The NGO that we were part of worked through various media to bring her story to the masses. Well wishers came forward with the offers of sponsoring her higher education.
Sipping coffee and skimming through the newspaper on that lazy Sunday morning, it took quite a while for me to recollect the smiling face of Shira. Come next fall, she is heading to one of the world's leading BSchools to pursue the management education that she has been dreaming for years! With exemplary academics, five years of solid work experience, and armed with hard learned lessons from her own life, am sure she had one of the most genuine, straight from the heart Statement of Purpose!
What an incredible journey! Dreams come free of cost; but she also knew their realization doesn't!
Cheers
Roy
Look who is going to BSchool this fall!
The tall, dusky lady at the back row in the class was very silent until the last day of our three day workshop organized for rural women.The targeted audience was women who could not continue their studies after matriculation or PUC due to different reasons. We spoke about various options available to pursue higher education even within the comforts of their homes, even without spending thousands for admission fees, tuitions, living expenses etc. Most of them were working in an Auto Manufacturing unit that employed about 500+ women in their factory floors and assembly lines. With ageing parents to support, and kids attending the local primary school, quitting the job to pursue higher education was out of question for all of them. They worked 8hrs a day, six days a week, for a meager 2000 per month.
In the first two days, we were mostly talking about opportunities in pharmacy, nursing, engineering diploma, trade certifications etc. Majority of them were matriculates; and talking about anything beyond this repertoire did not make sense to us. My colleague was winding up the last session on the third day. The lady at the back row stood up, sir "can you also talk about management education? I know it may not make sense for me to even dream about a MBA at this time, but I would really like to know." The rest of the class was silent.
Shira Banu was a school drop out. She worked in the factory floors for two years as a cleaner, sold pan and tea near the bus stop in the evenings and went back to school the following year. With an ageing father, and two siblings still in primary schools, Shira struggled to complete her PUC. Having secured 65% marks in the commerce stream; and standing fourth in the state, she caught media attention. Her life and achievements were featured in most of the city news papers, and TV channels!
Three years down the line, Shira graduated in Commerce by attending evening classes, and continued working on the factory floors during the day. Her absolute commitment and sincerity at the workplace got her multiple accolades, and was promoted as an accountant in the back office. The NGO that we were part of worked through various media to bring her story to the masses. Well wishers came forward with the offers of sponsoring her higher education.
Sipping coffee and skimming through the newspaper on that lazy Sunday morning, it took quite a while for me to recollect the smiling face of Shira. Come next fall, she is heading to one of the world's leading BSchools to pursue the management education that she has been dreaming for years! With exemplary academics, five years of solid work experience, and armed with hard learned lessons from her own life, am sure she had one of the most genuine, straight from the heart Statement of Purpose!
What an incredible journey! Dreams come free of cost; but she also knew their realization doesn't!
Cheers
Roy
In the first two days, we were mostly talking about opportunities in pharmacy, nursing, engineering diploma, trade certifications etc. Majority of them were matriculates; and talking about anything beyond this repertoire did not make sense to us. My colleague was winding up the last session on the third day. The lady at the back row stood up, sir "can you also talk about management education? I know it may not make sense for me to even dream about a MBA at this time, but I would really like to know." The rest of the class was silent.
Shira Banu was a school drop out. She worked in the factory floors for two years as a cleaner, sold pan and tea near the bus stop in the evenings and went back to school the following year. With an ageing father, and two siblings still in primary schools, Shira struggled to complete her PUC. Having secured 65% marks in the commerce stream; and standing fourth in the state, she caught media attention. Her life and achievements were featured in most of the city news papers, and TV channels!
Three years down the line, Shira graduated in Commerce by attending evening classes, and continued working on the factory floors during the day. Her absolute commitment and sincerity at the workplace got her multiple accolades, and was promoted as an accountant in the back office. The NGO that we were part of worked through various media to bring her story to the masses. Well wishers came forward with the offers of sponsoring her higher education.
Sipping coffee and skimming through the newspaper on that lazy Sunday morning, it took quite a while for me to recollect the smiling face of Shira. Come next fall, she is heading to one of the world's leading BSchools to pursue the management education that she has been dreaming for years! With exemplary academics, five years of solid work experience, and armed with hard learned lessons from her own life, am sure she had one of the most genuine, straight from the heart Statement of Purpose!
What an incredible journey! Dreams come free of cost; but she also knew their realization doesn't!
Cheers
Roy
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Women's Day Run
I am running 10km on Women's Day (13th March) supporting the education of the girl child.
Like to register? Click Here!
Best
Roy
Like to register? Click Here!
Best
Roy
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The little things that matter!
Might feel a little odd, but true.. How come one regret missing a 730PM show of Grand Old Mumbai circus, even after a long 15years?
Reactions vary from ridiculous, to outrageous to simply non-issue:-) But you know what, this turns out to be a little more sensitive issue than you can imagine. Parashuraman a.k.a Pash is my ex-colleague. Having spent years together in a venerable Govt. of India Research Lab in the earlier stages of our career, we parted ways; but were destined to meet again to travel together on yet another roller coaster. Over a lager late last evening, Pash recollected the circus incident.
Grand old Mumbai circus had just landed in Trivandrum.. Posters sprouted all along the Kowdiar stretch, Palayam and Statue area.. Those unblemished Russian teens demonstrating their uncanny abilities in the ring. The jokers sporting the mundane, yet refreshing, costumes. The old yet majestic tuskers, the king of the jungle sans its aggression. Pash was so excited that our bike rides along the Kowdiar stretch to the office in the morning rush hours were unusually longer.
Later one evening, Pash flipped open his wallet and showed off that green Rs.50 first class pass.. He was planning to watch the 730PM show over the week end... Being part of the same team working on a key strategic project of the organization, I was not sure about making it over the week end, especially when the first prototype was up for a scheduled testing. But Pash was confident of sailing it through, and pack off well before 4pm that evening. The visiting officer from the collaborating firm was keen to get the testing done on day one itself. Everything was going pretty well, until we noticed a problem with the power supply. This was causing unsolicited signals in the input gate and the system started malfunctioning. Pash was cool handling it until he noticed the hour needle closing on to 7pm. Shutting down the unit, he put on his watch, packed his bag and started leaving.. The gentle man frowned, and shouted.Pash explained the reason why he should leave. Brazen, to say the least, was my take on it:-) How could you ever think of watching a circus when a priority work in office is still pending? 'Let me speak to your boss, I need to understand the priority of this work'. the gentleman continued to be aggressive on getting the stuff done. Half an hour later, Pash was back at work, flouted his Rs.50 pass and tore it off in the bin. I smiled inside, you need to have your wisdom to choose your priorities mate:-)
But now stepping into Pash's shoe; watching a circus, which has been in your list of to do things for long, was a must do. Life is not all about work, earning and spending.. It is also about the little things that we cherish, that we are so passionate about, that peps us up...Reading through your favorite book, sipping coffee in a cold windy evening, walking along the beach holding hands with your wife and little ones, watching your kids play hide n seek, the early morning workouts that you have been planning so long, drinking wine in the company of your wife and talking through the wee hours, enjoying that fiesta siesta combo on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Watching your little ones on stage on school day, attending their first dance performance, cooking your favorite dish with your wife, gossiping and talking through the day's rigors..
All these matters, and they don't pass onto the trivia list.. But my early twenties were too early to figure this out:-)
But then, I didn't have the luxury of so many gray cells then!
On a side real note: prototypes seldom work:-)
Regards
Roy
Reactions vary from ridiculous, to outrageous to simply non-issue:-) But you know what, this turns out to be a little more sensitive issue than you can imagine. Parashuraman a.k.a Pash is my ex-colleague. Having spent years together in a venerable Govt. of India Research Lab in the earlier stages of our career, we parted ways; but were destined to meet again to travel together on yet another roller coaster. Over a lager late last evening, Pash recollected the circus incident.
Grand old Mumbai circus had just landed in Trivandrum.. Posters sprouted all along the Kowdiar stretch, Palayam and Statue area.. Those unblemished Russian teens demonstrating their uncanny abilities in the ring. The jokers sporting the mundane, yet refreshing, costumes. The old yet majestic tuskers, the king of the jungle sans its aggression. Pash was so excited that our bike rides along the Kowdiar stretch to the office in the morning rush hours were unusually longer.
Later one evening, Pash flipped open his wallet and showed off that green Rs.50 first class pass.. He was planning to watch the 730PM show over the week end... Being part of the same team working on a key strategic project of the organization, I was not sure about making it over the week end, especially when the first prototype was up for a scheduled testing. But Pash was confident of sailing it through, and pack off well before 4pm that evening. The visiting officer from the collaborating firm was keen to get the testing done on day one itself. Everything was going pretty well, until we noticed a problem with the power supply. This was causing unsolicited signals in the input gate and the system started malfunctioning. Pash was cool handling it until he noticed the hour needle closing on to 7pm. Shutting down the unit, he put on his watch, packed his bag and started leaving.. The gentle man frowned, and shouted.Pash explained the reason why he should leave. Brazen, to say the least, was my take on it:-) How could you ever think of watching a circus when a priority work in office is still pending? 'Let me speak to your boss, I need to understand the priority of this work'. the gentleman continued to be aggressive on getting the stuff done. Half an hour later, Pash was back at work, flouted his Rs.50 pass and tore it off in the bin. I smiled inside, you need to have your wisdom to choose your priorities mate:-)
But now stepping into Pash's shoe; watching a circus, which has been in your list of to do things for long, was a must do. Life is not all about work, earning and spending.. It is also about the little things that we cherish, that we are so passionate about, that peps us up...Reading through your favorite book, sipping coffee in a cold windy evening, walking along the beach holding hands with your wife and little ones, watching your kids play hide n seek, the early morning workouts that you have been planning so long, drinking wine in the company of your wife and talking through the wee hours, enjoying that fiesta siesta combo on a lazy Saturday afternoon. Watching your little ones on stage on school day, attending their first dance performance, cooking your favorite dish with your wife, gossiping and talking through the day's rigors..
All these matters, and they don't pass onto the trivia list.. But my early twenties were too early to figure this out:-)
But then, I didn't have the luxury of so many gray cells then!
On a side real note: prototypes seldom work:-)
Regards
Roy
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