Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Of guts and brains
I have recently made friends with a cardiac surgeon from Ruby Hall in my German classes. Ashish is often tense and worried in the evenings, especially when he gets calls from junior doctors monitoring patients back in the hospital. At times he has had to leave the classes and rush to the hospital. A professional hazard, I guess.
Reminds me of David, the paediatrician from Sick Kids in Edinburgh. I made friends with David during my 8 month stay in Scotland this year. David was equally tense at times in the evenings when he was on call and there was a critically ill child back in the hospital. My conversations with David and Praveen were anything but boring. Praveen is a dentist practising in Edinburgh and a common friend. We discussed anything and everything, a refreshing change for me who was happy to escape the usual dull conversations with techies. The state of the economy, NHS, Indian software professionals, the Edinburgh Fringe, books, stand-up comedians, investments, theatre, Bible, their stay in the middle east, Bangalore, the local church, nightlife, Indian eateries in Edinburgh, the social security system in UK and David's sick kids of course.
One evening when David was driving me and Praveen back home after dinner, he gazed pensively at the road ahead and described the irony of it all. Think of all the tension he had to go through in ensuring that those premature babies in the neonatal units survive while it is legal for termination to be carried out up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. "Jigar, those premature babies have all sorts of problems. Underdeveloped guts, problems with their brain and I have to ensure they survive."
"Underdeveloped guts and brains? Sounds so familiar" I said. "I meet these kind all the time. And in my world they not only survive, they thrive !"
Reminds me of David, the paediatrician from Sick Kids in Edinburgh. I made friends with David during my 8 month stay in Scotland this year. David was equally tense at times in the evenings when he was on call and there was a critically ill child back in the hospital. My conversations with David and Praveen were anything but boring. Praveen is a dentist practising in Edinburgh and a common friend. We discussed anything and everything, a refreshing change for me who was happy to escape the usual dull conversations with techies. The state of the economy, NHS, Indian software professionals, the Edinburgh Fringe, books, stand-up comedians, investments, theatre, Bible, their stay in the middle east, Bangalore, the local church, nightlife, Indian eateries in Edinburgh, the social security system in UK and David's sick kids of course.
One evening when David was driving me and Praveen back home after dinner, he gazed pensively at the road ahead and described the irony of it all. Think of all the tension he had to go through in ensuring that those premature babies in the neonatal units survive while it is legal for termination to be carried out up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. "Jigar, those premature babies have all sorts of problems. Underdeveloped guts, problems with their brain and I have to ensure they survive."
"Underdeveloped guts and brains? Sounds so familiar" I said. "I meet these kind all the time. And in my world they not only survive, they thrive !"
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Arrash
Arrash is the name of Hussain's new family member, his and Rutu's first baby. I can imagine how happy and proud they must be feeling. They have posted their pictures with Arrash on the net and the smiles on their faces say it all.
The news of his birth got me to wake up after a longish slumber and key in this posting. Thank you technology. You keep friends together even when separated by thousands of miles. I wish I was there to see Hussain and Rutu enjoy this moment.
The news of his birth got me to wake up after a longish slumber and key in this posting. Thank you technology. You keep friends together even when separated by thousands of miles. I wish I was there to see Hussain and Rutu enjoy this moment.
My old friend, I apologize
For the years that have passed
Since the last time you and I
Dusted off those memories
But the running and the races
The people and the places
There's always somewhere else I had to be
Time gets slim, my old friend
Don't know why, don't know why
Don't know why, don't know why
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Take me home, country roads
It is that time of the year when I would want to be with my larger family for Diwali and New Year. But I just cancelled my two week vacation yesterday to be in office on November 6th and meet a senior executive who is travelling to Pune. I am still hoping to be able to board a flight to my native place on Friday AM and be home by evening.
It is that time of the year when I have often found myself at crossroads and deciding on which road to take. Time and time again I have found myself taking the road less travelled, only to find myself lonely and disappointed later. This time, this year, the highlands are calling me. Those snow-capped mountains beckon me to come and make happen what has been destined. But destiny had some other promises too !!
It is that time of the year when I have often found myself at crossroads and deciding on which road to take. Time and time again I have found myself taking the road less travelled, only to find myself lonely and disappointed later. This time, this year, the highlands are calling me. Those snow-capped mountains beckon me to come and make happen what has been destined. But destiny had some other promises too !!
I hear her voice, in the mornin' hours she calls me,
The radio reminds me of my home far away.
And drivin' down the road,
I get a feelin' that I should have been home yesterday,
Yesterday.Country Roads, take me home,
To the place I belong:
West Virginia, mountain momma,
Take me home, country roads.
The radio reminds me of my home far away.
And drivin' down the road,
I get a feelin' that I should have been home yesterday,
Yesterday.Country Roads, take me home,
To the place I belong:
West Virginia, mountain momma,
Take me home, country roads.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
I'm gonna treat you so nice, you're never gonna let me go.
Letting go was never easy. When you have loved someone so much.
Can one just vanish, howsoever one wishes to? And not think of or be thought of? Only if He made memory that could be erased or overwritten. The pain lingers for a lifetime.
Edward Lewis: So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?
Vivian: She rescues him right back.
Not all knights are rescued right back.
Can one just vanish, howsoever one wishes to? And not think of or be thought of? Only if He made memory that could be erased or overwritten. The pain lingers for a lifetime.
Edward Lewis: So what happens after he climbs up and rescues her?
Vivian: She rescues him right back.
Not all knights are rescued right back.
Friday, October 05, 2007
How many roads
The season for rewards is here. Yesterday the SBU head, who had come down from Chennai, was addressing the team. The names of a few associates getting promoted were announced, most of them my team, with the intention of cheering them up. Some were happy, some others sad. Some could conceal, some others could not.
A boy who had not walked as many roads, but lost no opportunity to sing the protest song, was named a man. A white dove was given a shore to rest. This dove still does not seem to have found the sand to sleep. I hope she does not sail the wrong seas and end up hurt. Earlier in the day, I had a chat with her and quizzed her about her wishes. I think she did not really get my message. Even if she did, she has her sight on different shores. I can only give her wings now, and hope the winds carry her to the shores I want. Two members have not yet received their rewards. I owe it to you guys.
Some men still walk down many roads, waiting to be called men.
A boy who had not walked as many roads, but lost no opportunity to sing the protest song, was named a man. A white dove was given a shore to rest. This dove still does not seem to have found the sand to sleep. I hope she does not sail the wrong seas and end up hurt. Earlier in the day, I had a chat with her and quizzed her about her wishes. I think she did not really get my message. Even if she did, she has her sight on different shores. I can only give her wings now, and hope the winds carry her to the shores I want. Two members have not yet received their rewards. I owe it to you guys.
Some men still walk down many roads, waiting to be called men.
How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, 'n' how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Friday, July 20, 2007
Of DJIA And Tai
DJIA is down 149.33 points (1.07%) as I write this and I am expecting at least 100 points rise in the BSE sensex on Monday.
Also expected is the ascent of the Tai and the fall of Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Poor man. He has friends across political outfits but cannot speak to spirits !
Also expected is the ascent of the Tai and the fall of Mr. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat. Poor man. He has friends across political outfits but cannot speak to spirits !
Loss
The markets ended flat today. NSE at 4,566 (+3.95) and BSE at 15,566 (+15.42) today. But the loss on this 2oth day of July 2007 was big.
Today I lost a very nice colleague. A colleague who shall take off to a distant land to pursue her dreams and maybe her father's dreams too.
The young lady in question was too good for her age and experience. Hardly six months out of college, she turned out to be so dependable. So sincere and such a sweetheart. I am not sure how much I was able to influence her, but I shall never forget her for certain.
Manjiri, if you are reading this, take a bow !
Today I lost a very nice colleague. A colleague who shall take off to a distant land to pursue her dreams and maybe her father's dreams too.
The young lady in question was too good for her age and experience. Hardly six months out of college, she turned out to be so dependable. So sincere and such a sweetheart. I am not sure how much I was able to influence her, but I shall never forget her for certain.
Manjiri, if you are reading this, take a bow !
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Of Software "Tasters", Influential People, Flying Mamas & Papa's Darling Daughters
Scene I - Me on WWW
I have done this in the past for some good humor and I keep on doing this once in a while. I run a search on Orkut for all having Infosys in their profile. The idea is to find out about young people in my profession. I have a soft corner for Infy as I learnt my tricks there and thought highly of the young crowd who joined the place until I was around.
One gent has put "Software Taster" in his career skills. Then there is a testimonial written for a lady that reads something like "she is the most influential person in my life". Obviously the references are to software testing and some lady who has been the greatest influence in this guys life. Once again I am reminded of Basab and his claim about young techies in India.
Scene II - Me at Piramyd (TruMart)
I am shopping at TruMart on SB Road when I see a mama with a kid in tow. The kid is old enough to comprehend simple sentences. So? What is it about this mama and this kid? You find plenty of them at Piramyd!
Mama is wearing a black tee-shirt that has a smart message on the front. It reads:
"Avoid airport security. Fly nude."
Scene III - Me at Dominos Pizza outlet (flashback)
A cute kid and her warm n huge dad (a sardar with turban and beard) are playing a game while all of us wait for our takeaway pizza. The kid wants to take a short run-up and jump off from the plinth which is about 2 feet high. She is slightly worried if daddy dearest would be able to hold her in his arms when she takes off! "Papa aap pakadoge naa?" she asks and papa assures her.
After the first attempt she realises that papa would be there and she does an encore. Wish daddy dearest will always be there to break her fall when she grows up & takes off for other kind of flights.
I have done this in the past for some good humor and I keep on doing this once in a while. I run a search on Orkut for all having Infosys in their profile. The idea is to find out about young people in my profession. I have a soft corner for Infy as I learnt my tricks there and thought highly of the young crowd who joined the place until I was around.
One gent has put "Software Taster" in his career skills. Then there is a testimonial written for a lady that reads something like "she is the most influential person in my life". Obviously the references are to software testing and some lady who has been the greatest influence in this guys life. Once again I am reminded of Basab and his claim about young techies in India.
Scene II - Me at Piramyd (TruMart)
I am shopping at TruMart on SB Road when I see a mama with a kid in tow. The kid is old enough to comprehend simple sentences. So? What is it about this mama and this kid? You find plenty of them at Piramyd!
Mama is wearing a black tee-shirt that has a smart message on the front. It reads:
"Avoid airport security. Fly nude."
Scene III - Me at Dominos Pizza outlet (flashback)
A cute kid and her warm n huge dad (a sardar with turban and beard) are playing a game while all of us wait for our takeaway pizza. The kid wants to take a short run-up and jump off from the plinth which is about 2 feet high. She is slightly worried if daddy dearest would be able to hold her in his arms when she takes off! "Papa aap pakadoge naa?" she asks and papa assures her.
After the first attempt she realises that papa would be there and she does an encore. Wish daddy dearest will always be there to break her fall when she grows up & takes off for other kind of flights.
Their Cheese, My Cheese
Last night I started keying in a paper on the contractual aspects of setting up an India to India engagement between Indian IT service firms and India captives of US/ European firms. Something that I was closely involved with in my previous job and I suspect was one of the first few attempts in India. The paper was nearly done before I switched over to Orkut and my weblogs. But I was left with a couple of thoughts.
It has been a while (more than six months) since I did something that was intellectually challenging and professionally satisfying. All these six months I was involved in business development, resource mobilization and management of program and/or project objectives. Not that these activities are less challenging in themselves, but these were not the kind of challenges I am looking for. And when you end up doing something you do not enjoy, it is like pushin' shit uphill.
The second thought that crossed my mind was that maybe I am working with people who are less intense than me, or with people who have a different set of priorities.
I can understand that programmers and analysts who are too junior might have a different set of challenges and different priorities. Their immediate challenge might be to get the piece of software working and still manage to leave office in time enough to catch the latest movie they planned with their buddies & the dinner at a chic restaurant on high street. Good for them !
What worries me more are the priorities of peers & superiors. They seem to be in no hurry to get home in time for a movie or a dinner at some fancy eatery. They spend most of their times at their desks adding very little value to the firm and the industry. Their immediate priority seems to be to settle into a position, overseas for most of them, where they have a promised tenure and a decent sized crowd to manage. A promised tenure for the overseas candidates so that they can repatriate dollar savings back home and fund the purchase of that fancy row house. A decent sized crowd for the ones left in India so that they can stake their claim to the next big title and the next big cubicle. Their cheese !
It has been a while (more than six months) since I did something that was intellectually challenging and professionally satisfying. All these six months I was involved in business development, resource mobilization and management of program and/or project objectives. Not that these activities are less challenging in themselves, but these were not the kind of challenges I am looking for. And when you end up doing something you do not enjoy, it is like pushin' shit uphill.
The second thought that crossed my mind was that maybe I am working with people who are less intense than me, or with people who have a different set of priorities.
I can understand that programmers and analysts who are too junior might have a different set of challenges and different priorities. Their immediate challenge might be to get the piece of software working and still manage to leave office in time enough to catch the latest movie they planned with their buddies & the dinner at a chic restaurant on high street. Good for them !
What worries me more are the priorities of peers & superiors. They seem to be in no hurry to get home in time for a movie or a dinner at some fancy eatery. They spend most of their times at their desks adding very little value to the firm and the industry. Their immediate priority seems to be to settle into a position, overseas for most of them, where they have a promised tenure and a decent sized crowd to manage. A promised tenure for the overseas candidates so that they can repatriate dollar savings back home and fund the purchase of that fancy row house. A decent sized crowd for the ones left in India so that they can stake their claim to the next big title and the next big cubicle. Their cheese !
