As I Look Back At 2011

Yes, No. Yes, No. This is how my mind is jumping at the thoughts of writing this post. Finally, Yes has triumphed over No. And here I am penning down my thoughts about the year that was - 2011.

The year started with a few giant steps being taken towards achieving a milestone in the professional sphere. Emotions were palpable, team work was evident. Long days, and extra long nights that stretched into mornings characterized the first month of the year 2011. Sleep was priceless, and warmth was invaluable as we crossed a finishing line. 

The next couple of months were invested in giving further shape to the creation. Long hours at work meant long days away from home. Looking back today, I think how silly I have been to take a single holiday of 15 days in the entire year. The holiday came only in October. And I should thank my family for being kind and supporting a careless me.

The Cricket World Cup offered some exciting and interesting moments to get away from work. And with India winning, it was a moment of great pride.

As I Look Back At 2011

The next couple of months involved transformations and transitions. Change is always difficult. The mind never fails to accept it or resists it. Yet, the mind learns to mould itself. The thoughts learn to heal itself over time.

These few months also offered a chance to return home from work at 6.00 PM. This was quite something considering that it had not happened for quite some time - rather quite some years.  

The next few months had thoughts bubbling with rebellion. The mind is a canvas of contrasting colors - sometimes it is dark and negative, and the next moment it is colorful and bright. 

I blogged a lot this entire year. By God's grace, I had a lot of buzzing thoughts. A quick check tells that I clocked 162 odd blog posts in the entire year. It were these words which were my companions in times of sheer loneliness. 

Surprisingly, I took to writing poetry - something which I thought I could never manage. Yet, life continues to give surprises.

I discovered some new and interesting people, some of whom are now my friends. I cherished the company of my friends. Although the chances to meet up and relax were few and far between, each of these opportunities were treasured close to my heart. Only when things are rare do you learn to care for them. 

I learned to let go of my thoughts. I also learned to hold back my views. I learned that that world and life is neither black nor white. And no, it is not grey either. What is it? I am still discovering it as I enter into a brand new year 2012.  

Special Thanks to God Himself for putting the winds into my sails yearlong. And for helping me navigate through the choppy waters and the calm seas.

Wishing you a Very Happy New Year 2012.

Happy New Year 2012

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Future Perfect

The owner of this blog - V - has been requesting me to write a guest post on his blog. I have been trying to put it away for some time, but he has been pursuing me relentlessly. Finally, I had to oblige.

Let me take this blog post to answer a question which V always asks me. What makes people winners? Be it late night, or early morning, he never lets go of a chance to ask this question.

Let me delve directly into the answer. You may or may not agree with me. However, let me share my two cents on this question.

Although there are several reasons which would make someone a winner, there is one quality which unify such people. These people dream about the future, and make every possible effort to make that future a reality.

These are the men and women who cherish their present. They are happy about the current situation. Yet, they aim to make their future brighter. They utilize the strengths of the present to build a strong future.

They may procrastinate. But they don't procrastinate permanently. They try their best to get out of the deadlock situations created by procrastination. And for all practical purposes, they succeed.

They believe in one fundamental ideology - their vision of the future is beautiful, and every single effort should be made to paint that future. And don't they succeed!!

They may face roadblocks on the course to achieve their dreams. They may face a lot of challenges. Yet, they work towards overcoming those roadblocks. Or sometimes, they walk around them. They keep it simple and just believe in the Johnny Walker quote - Keep Walking!!

These men and women may not be the best. But everyone can't be the best. They know what is The Best for them. And they achieve it.

These guys believe in one cardinal idea - the past is behind us, the present with us. The future is the key, and all energies must be directed towards making the future perfect.

~~ An Anonymous Guest Blogger.

Keep Walking - Make The Future Perfect

P.S. It was not without reason that Les Brown said "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

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Information Is Power

This thought has been reflecting in my mind for the last 8-9 months. Ultimately, it was one such incident where Information was used as a tool of power (and it was my lack of information and someone's possession of information) which prompted me to write this note.

Information Is Power

Let me start with a humorous anecdote. This is joke which I must have heard a decade back. It's a bit saucy, but gives an important lesson - Information Is Power.

~~

A woman is just getting out of the shower when the doorbell rings. Her husband, heading to the shower himself, asks her to see who's at the door, so she wraps herself up in a towel and runs downstairs. 

When she opens the door, there stands her next-door neighbor, Rob. Before she can say a word, Rob says, "I'll give you $500 dollars to drop that towel you have on." 

After thinking for a moment, the woman drops her towel and stands naked in front of him. He looks for a few seconds, hands her $500 dollars, and leaves. 

Excited about her earnings, the woman puts the towel back on and runs upstairs. Her husband yells out from the shower, "Who was that?" "It was Rob from next door," she replies. 

"Great," the husband says. "Did he say anything about the $500 dollars he owes me?"

~~

The woman was not Jennifer Aniston.

Jennifer Aniston - Lolavie

The moral of the story was summarized as below.

~~

If you share critical information pertaining to credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a position to prevent avoidable exposure.

~~

In simple terms, if you posses some useful and critical information, share it with your partners and stakeholders. It will be beneficial for you and for them. If you do not share, you and your stakeholder are at a risk of being exploited.

Well, if this was a joke, I faced a real life situation akin to the above. Me and my friend desperately sought some information from someone. We had a very strong opinion that possession of this information was crucial for the functioning of some subsequent important events.

As luck would turn out, some of the subsequent events failed. And the cause of the failure turned out to be revolving around the very information which we were desperately seeking. 

If we had access to that information, we could have possibly avoided the failure.

Things had happened, and it was not the time for any blame game. We had to put up an united front, manage the situation and resolve it.

And we reflected on a few thoughts - what if we were in possession of that piece of information which we were seeking? Could we have had avoided the present situation?

Well, that situation was recoverable to a fair extent. But that might not be the case in other situation. We learnt the same lesson again - Information Is Power.

In the corporate world, you might have heard about Insider Trading. Recently, Mr. Rajat Gupta, a former director of Goldman Sachs and a respected Indian in the USA, was accused of divulging and sharing important information, to which he was privy, with his close friend. 

Rajat Gupta Insider Trading 

His friend - Raj Rajaratnam - used the information to get some substantial monetary benefit. In this case, Information was a powerful element. It might have been shared accidentally. However, it was utilized for incorrect purposes.

This brings us to another very important lesson - Think with whom you are sharing the information. Share information on a need to know basis.

Lastly, let me share the lesson which I learnt recently. Many a times, you find yourself in a situation where someone is holding back information purposefully. Or conveying a twisted form of that information. 

This is usually done because if the information is shared correctly, completely and in the right spirit, it will be detrimental to that persons interest. And beneficial to your interest. 

Insider Trading Cartoon

In this world of intense competition, such things happen. Sadly, I learnt this lesson the hard way.

And lastly, there are fools like me, who do not utilize the information they have at hand. In the situation mentioned above, I reasoned with my mind - "I should not possess this information. Even if I possess, I should not use this information."

I convinced my mind not to use this information. And when someone projected the wrong information to me, when the correct information was known to me, I accepted it at face value. And I fell on my face. 

Well, maybe I need to learn a bit more on this topic. Until then, I think I should hold on to my belief - use the information that I have at my hand appropriately. And share the information I possess appropriately.

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Pangs Of Guilt

This is about something which happened a few Saturdays earlier. I was walking from home from work. It was an hour past noon, and I had just had a sumptuous meal. I think I had a bit more than I should have done.

I was just a hundred meters away from home when my path crossed with a lady. Our eyes met, filling me with shame and possessing me with self directed anger. 

I could see the hunger in her eyes. I could see her desperate situation.

I compared her situation of scarceness against my situation of abundance. She was facing pangs of hunger. And I was possessed with pangs of guilt.

My conscience pricked me.

Pangs of Guilt

The only thought which came to my mind immediately was something which my father had told me a decade or so earlier - Always eat one morsel less.

My head hanged in shame as I walked home alone. 

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Uncertain Future

Faced with an uncertain future, yet brimming with hope, all that we need is a lot of strength to go past the finishing line. And be blessed by God Almighty for the grueling journey ahead.

Mentioned below are a few quotes which reflect the dreams, the ambition to achieve those dreams, staying put when the going gets tough and ultimately cherishing the results.

~~~~

What’s a vision? It is a compelling image of an achievable future.

~~ Laura Berman Fortgang

Whenever you see darkness, there is extraordinary opportunity for the light to burn brighter.
~~ Bono

Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.

~~ John Updike

People who believe a problem can be solved tend to get busy solving it.
~~ William Raspberry

The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision something, you can do it.
~~ Arnold Schwarzenegger  

If you think you can or you cant, you're always right.
~~ Henry Ford

A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory.
~~ Arthur Golden

Fight the tendency to quit while you're behind.
~~ Dave Weinbaum

The ability, to use the present in the anticipation of the future, will make the difference.
~~ Author Unknown

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in.
~~ Bill Eardley

~~~~

Difficult Times Uncertain Future

The times may be difficult, and the future uncertain. Yet, by God's grace, we will survive.

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Priceless Asset

~~~~

You are a wonderful girl,

Having the world at your feet.

Precious and exquisite, a priceless pearl,

Your regal ambitions are clean and neat.

Humble is your thought every, 

Admirable are your views. 

To the deserving many, 

You want to give their dues. 

Pursued relentlessly are you, 

You don't want any of it.  

Dreams and hopes are what you pursue,

To aspirations, your life you commit.   

You could be a starlet glorious, 

Yet you want to let go. 

You could be a diva ageless, 

Fame and fortune you wish to forego. 

Take a flight in the dark sky, 

Color it white, oh dove pure.  

Sparking bright is the firefly,

Brightening the night, wishing to be a saviour.

You think beyond your years, 

Aim to wipe out many a tears. 

Ain't you different and special,

You never rest on any past laurel.

I hold you in high regard,

A lady that you are avant garde.

The world is your canvas vast,

Your ambitions are flowing in high mast.

Kind virtues you extol,

With hope and dreams you brim.

Simple and beautiful is your soul,

For you is this thankful hymn.

I value your friendship, 

Although we may be far. 

Sharing with you this invaluable scrip,

A Priceless Asset that you are.

~~~~

Priceless Asset

P.S. This is for a Priceless Asset who I know. 

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Corruption In India

At the very beginning, let me assure you - this story will speak for itself. It highlights the manner in which corruption is deep routed in India.

~~~~

This is the story of my cook. I stay in the city of Hyderabad. My cook is all of 28 years. 

Last Saturday, as I was rushing to my office at 8 in the morning, my cook informed me that he was going to his hometown for a couple of days and would be back on Monday. 

He had  informed me earlier that he planned to sell a piece of land which he had acquired a few years back for Rs. 10000. The land was now worth Rs. 35000. He was selling it and making a handsome profit. I thought this might be the reason of his sudden travel.

I hadn't met him this entire week, although he had diligently cooked food for me in the evening every single day. I came across him today, and inquired whether his land selling transaction was successful. He confirmed it was indeed the case. 

He added that he had traveled to his hometown for voting in the municipality (local body) elections. I was impressed by him commitment towards this democratic process.

He added that he was paid handsomely for voting in the elections. I was surprised. I probed him further.

Corruption In India

He said that he had traveled from Hyderabad to a small town in Maharashtra just to vote during the elections. His elderly mother and a younger brother traveled with him too. 

A local party paid him Rs. 3600 for securing the three votes for them.  This local party is formed by a person who had been a representative of a nationalist party earlier. Surprisingly, another party - a nationalist party - paid him Rs. 4000 for voting for them. 

Net in net, two parties paid him Rs. 7600 for three votes. My cook had incurred travelling expenses of Rs. 600 plus some other miscellaneous expenses for the two day trip. He would have made anywhere between Rs. 6500 to Rs. 7000 in this two day sojourn. 

I asked him why had he taken money from two parties for voting in the polls. He replied that the parties themselves are cheaters and will do a lot of corruption in the next five years. He said he didn't want to miss this "once in a 5 year" chance to make money. 

Corruption In India

Rs. 7000 is a very substantial money for someone whose monthly income is approximately Rs. 10000.

I asked him how did he manage to vote in Maharashtra given that he was staying in Hyderabad. He said that he a Ration Card (used for public distribution system in India) issued in Maharashtra. This was the reason why his name was listed in the voters list.

I asked him how did the parties contact him. He told that after the voting list was prepared, the party representatives reached his home in the same locality and requested his brother to connect them to him. They called him to come back to his hometown for the votes, and promised to pay generously.

He added that there was a twist in the tale during the voting process. His mother was able to cast the votes successfully. Both his brother and him couldn't cast their votes due to sufficient lack of proof. He tried two times but the polling officer wouldn't allow him. He said that a Bank Pass Book or a Voter ID Card could be considered as a proof.

That is when he went to the party who had promised to pay him Rs. 3600. The person who ran this party also owned a bank. The party representatives opened an account for him in this bank (15 days back dated) and deposited Rs. 200 into his account. A Pass Book was issued to him immediately and he went to the poll booth again to cast his vote with "a valid proof".

The officer once again rejected him. This was when the party representative asked the officer to be let him in, since he was "their" man. After he was finally let in, he cast his vote.

Corrupt Politician

Since he was voting for a total of 4 wards, he divided his votes between the two parties from who had taken the money. 

Later in the evening, the agent of one of the party refused to pay him as per the deal. My cook told him that he would escalate to agent's boss. He was paid Rs. 3600 within 10 minutes. The other party paid him Rs. 4000 without any hassles.

He also added that he was offered a particular sum by another nationalist party for his three precious votes. He had refused their offer and had decided to be loyal to the other two parties.

A very broad smile reflected on my cook's face today.

And I can safely conclude, although with a tad of disappointment, that these parties and their representatives will plunder public money when they are voted to power to recover their costs, and make some money for themselves.

~~~~

This is the small story which highlights the menace of corruption. Let me add that all the nationalist parties described earlier are well known. One of them had their representatives sharing the dais with Anna Hazare during his one day token fast earlier this week. 

One thing is certain, these political parties just believe in tokenism. They are clowns who wear a mask. Hidden behind the mask is a demon, a self service demon.

Such examples make me think - is it really possible to kill the monster of corruption?

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Long Plans

My mind was troubled a lot today. I was extremely restless and unable to focus. But at the same time, I didn't want to quit.

The reason :- The conversation below I had sometime yesterday.

~~

Me :-
You know, I always wanted to learn tennis.
Maybe I will start some day.

Her :-
Just start.
Do not plan anything for too long. :-)
Long plans fail :-) :-)
~~

The last line buzzed through my mind the entire night yesterday, and through the day today. 

I wish I could wipe procrastination from my life's dictionary. 

And I should thank God Almighty for helping me get acquainted with such exquisite people - who possess extreme clarity of thoughts, and share them with me.

Long Plans Fail

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2011 The Year Through Pictures

It's the last month of the year 2011.

It is time to look at some of the pictures which defined 2011 across the world. One thing is certain - this year can be considered as the years of milestones. Regimes Changed. Protests were the order of the day. The world saw some huge natural disasters. And the list is endless.

It all started with the Arab Spring. People across the entire Arab world started mass protests against the authoritative rulers. Most importantly, they succeeded in bringing down the incumbent regimes. 

This is the picture of mass civilian protests in Egypt in Feb 2011. The people protested and in no time Hosni Mubarak was out of power.

Feb 2011 Egypt Cairo Tahrir Square Protests

This is a file picture from Libya where there were huge protests against the 4 decade rule of Muammar Gaddafi. The Libyan people - aided by the NATO forces - brought down the Gaddafi regime and killed Muammar Gaddafi  ultimately. This snap highlights the celebration of one small victory in Benghazi. 

March 2011 Libya Protest

Next one from Japan. A huge Tsunami struck the Japan, in March , causing heavy floods, havoc and destruction. It caused tremendous loss to life and property.

March 2011 Japan Tsunami

April 2011 was the month of the World Cup and the Wedding. India won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 after a long gap of 28 years, sending the entire nation into a state of frenzy.

April 2011 India Wins World Cup

And in late April, Prince William of England married Kate Middleton in an extravagant Royal Wedding in London. 

April 2011 Prince William Weds Kate

Along with Kate and William, it was the little bridesmaid who caught the world's attention. Her reaction when she couldn't bear the sound of the air force planes buzzing above the sky gained her instant stardom across the world.

And just a few days later, in early May, Osama Bin Laden, the world's most wanted terrorist, was killed in the sleepy garrison town of Abbotabad, Pakistan. 

May 2011 Osama Bin Laden Killed

In a pre dawn operation, monitored live from The White House, American forces took him down making the world a safer place to live.

India's Social crusader Anna Hazare took on the Indian Government to ensure that a strong Jan Lokpal Bill (or the Citizen's Ombudsman Bill) is passed. It set off a wave of protests across India.

Aug 2011 Anna Hazare for The Jan Lokpal Bill

Aug 2011 The Jan Lokpal Bill Protests

In September 2011, the world remembered the decade old horrific terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York. 

Sep 2011 WTC Attacks Commemoration

And it was in October 2011 that the world population hit the 7 Billion mark.

Oct 2011 Seven Billion World Population

In Dec 2011, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin suffered significant political reversals in the elections - triggering a wave of protests across Russia. 

Dec 2011 Russia Protests

This was seen as a dent in Putin's ambition to contest and win next years Presidential Elections. Putin however alleged that America played a role in fueling the protests. The allegations may not be false considering that America has indeed meddled in a lot of places this year - right from Africa to Pakistan.

All in all, these pictures bring back the memories of the moments which defined the year 2011. And to close, If the year 2011 belongs to someone, it is the ordinary people!!

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Soul Therapist

I came across this beautiful quote while having lunch today.

~~~~

Eight Doctors. Soul Doctors. 

Soul Healers. Soul Therapists.

• Sunlight

• Water

• Air

• Exercise

• Rest

• Diet

• Self-Confidence

• Friends

Maintain them in life to live life!!

~~~~

Ain't it clean and simple?

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A Void

~~~~

A sense of void, 

Fills up my mind. 

Of hope, My soul is devoid, 

Crushed by the grind. 

I feel myself in a vacuum, 

My thoughts so stale. 

Am I set for doom,

What holds in my tale?

A life so plain, 

You it does feel the pain. 

A book so colorless, 

All I feel is needlessly hapless. 

With a baggage of fancies and whim, 

I float in my shapeless dreams.

To be realised never ever, 

More elusive than a pimpernel.  

Will the sun rise over the horizon, 

Or set before a dawn bright?

The thoughts color my eyes crimson, 

Set my psyche in a fright. 

Should I let go of my frail soul, 

Should I hold on in the raging tsunami?

How can I calm my dark ghoul,

The answers are hidden within me.  

It is a void,

It will be fulfilled.

I wish to cease being an android,

My soul will be healed.

~~~~

Mind In a Void

P.S. For the last few days, feeling of emptiness have been strong. The void is talking, and talking aloud. My mind is empty and disturbed. 

Why is there a void? What do I do to fulfill the void? Questions are many. Answers are few. I seek answers from myself, but don't have any responses. Indeed, my mind is an extremely sorry state.

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It Is Winter

It is winter time.

It Is Winter

~~~~

The sun is shining bright, 

Yet there is a hint of cold.

The winter has arrived,

My soul renewed, my life old.

Cuddling up in a cold empty bed,

Under a feather warm quill.

Shivering are my thoughts unsaid,

The silence lets out a shrill.

Loneliness colors my eyes red, 

My thoughts it does kill.

Tears make a long sled,

A hole in my soul it does drill.

Stunning silence, without a din,

Calm and frigid is the air.

Feeling a crisp chill is her skin,

She hugs me, her Teddy bear.

Dew drops deck the leaves green,

Gems are they on nature's crown.

In my arms is an unseen queen,

In her love dear, I almost drown.

The days can be short,

The night dark and cold.

Blessed by God, with His gracious support,

A beautiful simple life I will mould!!

Floating around my eyes,

Are clouds of misty cream.

Am I in a hazy dream, 

Or with God Himself in guise.

~~~~

P.S. Why do we love winter so much? I think it is because we crave for warmth during such stark and cold days. Isn't that a reflection of what we desire as human beings?

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An Ugly Mind

~~~~

Possessed with an ugly mind,

It made me blind.

It left me maligned,

If only I could rewind.

A whirl of madness,

Sucked me and drowned me.

Devoid of any virtues, I wandered around aimless,

Lost in the present was a hopeless me.

Didn't I have a dark heart?

From my soul, love didn't ever depart.

Didn't I have black thoughts?

My life was covered with grime blots.

Without any remorse,

Without any shame.

Demons were my inspirational source,

My vices did they inflame.

A devil that I was,

I broke multiple unsaid laws.

My psyche was abound with filthy views,

If there is anyone, I have myself to accuse.

Exorcise my sinister thoughts,

Dig a dagger thtough my heart distraught.

Cleanse my soul, Release my monster captive,

Make the world a better place to live.

~~~~

An Ugly Mind

P.S. When the mind is ugly, bouts of remorse are most frequent. I possess one such mind. And in such moments of self-reproach and deep regret, I  hold my hands on my head. 

P.S.2 Sorry Shruti Hassan for using your picture for a dark topic.

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