Happy New Year - 2010

The year begins now and my first impression lands on the online world. With this new beginning, I take the opportunity to wish all my readers A Very Happy New Year 2010. I hope this year brings all the positive energy that you require & great success ahead.

A few glimpse of New Year Eve at Gandhinagar.

3A Trip - II

As the mind was boggling on various issues, the uncertain plans made more concentration on mind to mingle around. Tring Tring…. The phone rang, hey at what time you would be reaching my place…. Voice came from other end. Surprisingly it was my cousin’s call. Oh… now it was like… threads were unwinding & I was able to see the path ahead too saputara through the mist.

We discussed over half an hour, with the help of Gujarat Tourism’s map in my cousins hand and Google at my desk. Humpty dumpty sat on the wall & I & cousin chalked out the plan. Finally, things moved on and next day morning at 8.35Am my bike started its engine. The 3A trip begins.

Heading towards Kalol, near Baroda my bike took a 142KM ride through Chiloda, Dehgam, Kapadganj, Dakor, Galteshwar on the smooth roads till I land to dunde… The roads from dunde to Kalol was full of hips and humps. Though I enjoyed the journey of 3 hours till I reached my cousins place. We had a lunch at his home and then after little discussions with uncles our tentative way ahead plans were ready.

Leaving at 2PM from Kalol through Halol, Pavagad, we reached Rajpipla to see Sardar Sarovar Dam. The journey was very good due to the well connectivity & signs at the road. We reached around 4.30PM to dam. Thinking what to do next, we thought to have Amul Kool & discuss the route the guys over there. There suggestion helped us and we took the shorter route to rajpipla and way ahead from there.

75kmph, cold breeze, steep turns… almost eyes open with no sign of blink…… What you doing…. I shouted to my cousin…. As the truck passed us. Huuuuu…. Saved…. My heart said. Are brother “Mere shaadi abhi baki hain” pyaar se chala…. I told him. Too this… bugger raised the speed by 5kmph and took it to 80kmph and said “Toh maine kaunsi shaadi karli hain”…. With camera in my hand and thoughts in my mind… I said to myself… enjoy the speed & let him drive…. Enjoy the adventure & let the wind blow…

We took a route to Mandvi and thought that by the time sun sets we should reach there, so that we don’t need to drive at night. Anyhow we reached there by 7.30PM. Saw an Jain store with the name “Vardhaman… something something”. Uncle can we get any Dharamshala or Guesthouse over here… I asked. No … this is small town and thus not much facility is available… was his reply. How far is Mahua from here… my cousin interrupted. He had been to Mahua before and was aware about the Dharamshala and other arrangements there. Its around 40-50 Km from here… Go to Bardoli & change the route from there was his answer.

What… What are you saying… at this night, with no sight of light; cold breeze on height & traffic on right… I wont drive…. I shouted. Don’t worry I will drive & take you alright.. he replied. Waah.. I wanted this only, I said to myself. While on the way to Bardoli we saw a very nice decorated temple. Lets see this, I said to my cousin. We parked the bike, took out the helmet, bags and shoes. Went inside the temple…. It was very beautiful. The temple was of Saibaba.

After haulting for 10 minutes & few snaps, we again geared ourself for another 20-30Km journey. Took help of few localites in knowing the roads and finally reached Mahua at 8.30PM. After keeping our lugguage in the Hall at Dharamshala, we headed for dinner at Chamunda Hotel which is around 1KM from there. Had Dalfry, Sev Tamato ki Sabji and Roti… The best Gujju food, I love while on travel.

Vasda, Awha….. Saputara, Daman….. Wagai, Shirdi…. Diu, Girnarji…. Errrr….. Girls… Noooo… Food…. Tring Tring…. Tring Tring…. With all this topics and discussions we both landed on our phones… the best thing during travel to share the experience with your close ones. I started talking with my close pals in Hyderabad, Jaipur, Beawer, Gandhinagar and my cousin started his talks with his closed ones in Baroda, Dakor, Mumbai (I heard him silently… and that’s how I knew J )

Lights off and we ended our day long journey starting from Gandhinagar till Mahua… the KM started at 2704 when I left Sec 29 and it was 3115 till we reach Mahua…

3A Trip

1 Bike, 2 Idiots, 3 Days, 11 Districts and 1050 KM that’s what can make this journey too adventurous. An Amazing Adventure trip, that’s what I would call it. It all began with a dream to travel to some place far enough on cycle. Those were the days when I used to nurture this dream. It was around Year 2000 when I had just passed my school and entered into college. The dream was to travel Daman on cycle from Vasai – a place outskirts’ to Mumbai (where I used to live at that time). Though being a kid and no access to cycle, it never came true. Yet the dream was in eyes with full power in mind & heart to fulfill the same.

Things changed and the circumstances too. A kid was now grown up kid with Bike in hand leave the cycle. Daman got more adventurous and was replaced with Saputara. Now this time, more seriousness in eyes and risk in heart, I discussed the plans with friends. One said “sounds good but let me think” another said “What? Are you mad?” …. Wow Now I need to ask him that Am I Mad? I murmured “Buddy Since birth I am listening this and you are not new to say the same”.

Things moved on “No No No” was the answer from most of them. I got bucked and thought to change the plan. Later I modified this adventure trip of bike and asked them “Lets go to Saputara – May be by Bus”. Yes we can do that – Said one. To this another said “Yes, I wish to come too but probably we would leave another day and not on 24^th” he had his commitments. Unfortunately things did’nt moved as planned.

Surprisingly, I got another idea and discussed the same with one of my cousin. What you saying “By Bus? But you initially told me by Bike. Oh yeah I remembered “I did had a talk with him 2-3 weeks back and he was quite interested too”. Ok doesn’t matter we can go on bike…. I said. To this he said let’s see I shall confirm you by evening.

With no hopes of going to Saputara, plans for other places such as Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh National Park, Gir Forest, Dholavera, Pirotan Island, Mandhvi Beach, etc got in vain too due to some or other constraints. This was the first time when I was irritated as 4 days holidays and I don’t have any plan nor company to visit anywhere?

Huh… that’s what I said to myself. And then I started searching for websites and finding people who can accompany me… be it strangers but I would love to find some company… that’s what I told to myself. With this hope in eyes… I started posting in few forums. On this I also discussed about this with few of my friends from Singapore. Asked them, how you all plan your trip that too solo? What motivates you? Yes few of my Singapore friends are great traveler and that too solo. I would love to learn these tricks from them. To this Yashira & Fang Wie both replied…. Its more of adventure, fun, loving yourself, exploring yourself, etc etc. I was like… whatttt… and how about difficultly that one might face if one gets stuck somewhere? That’s what more adventurous…. Hehehe and how you plan it… said one. I am like “Amazing, you all should be nominated with Travel Oscar (thought in my mind). But thanks to them, who motivated and showed me another way of travelling.

Well to this, I again got back on search of my travel partner and planning my trip and suddenly on last day, i.e 24^th Dec 2009 at around 3PM I made a call to my cousin. I was about to initiate my call, when I got reply on chat from my friend that “let’s go on 25^th Night instead of day” and I was like “leave it, let’s cancel the plan” as I don’t like to waste the time. What will I do sitting at home on 25^th? We will go for a movie 3 idiot, he said. I will be going tonight; I had already booked the tickets… I replied. To this I was dishearten, as I don’t like to cancel my travel plans L

The phone got disconnected and the plans were shattered too. I was sitting with sad face, hoping some miracle takes place. I can travel alone, as I never been before? I don’t have any company as of now? I don’t want to go to some nearby places or Mumbai as many were going there and I had been to such places numerous times. What should I do…..

P.S: Part 2 in process.

A Dream Come True

It was dreams come true – a dream seen through an open eye.

A dream seen through the day light.

A Dream unleashed.

A dream cherished throughout the life.

The day when B School word used to sell in a premium, when MBA meant Finance & MBA (Finance) was Ahmedabad. It was that day somewhere in mid of 2000 when I heard first time that highly talented people land into Ahmedabad to pursue MBA in Finance. Without knowing what is MBA and F or Finance, I started cherishing the dream of coming to Ahmedabad someday for pursuing this three letter word MBA.

It was that day and it is today that I actually landed into “Worlds toughest institute to get admission for MBA or one of the Best B School in Management in the world”. Though MDP program – the one in which I was participating is altogether different from MBA/PGO offered by IIM. But yet the dreams to sit in IIM A, participate, reside and engage with the knowledge of Professor of IIM A came true.

Since it’s a week Program @ IIM, I got an opportunity to be at hostel too. It feels like in cloud nine with a flag in hand saying “A Dream Come True”.

I would like to thank the God and the management of Moi Company for nominating me for this program.

Somewhere, someone has rightly said “Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true”.

|| Government & Young Indian ||

Ever wondered why only in politics there is no age barrier. I asked myself? All the government jobs, be it Bank exam or entry level in PSU or even IAS is governed by entry level age criteria but then why is only Politicians have the liberty to join at any time and exit at anytime.

Do we select/elect our minister’s voluntary or are we bounded to select them indirectly. Ever questioned yourself on this? Thus think for a while. We say India is a young country and around 70% of india’s pollution in youngsters than how come there are so many oldies in politics.

While 70 per cent of India’s population is below 40 years of age, 80 per cent of India’s politicians are over 70 years. A time has come to change the rules of the game in Indian politics for an emerging India, aspiring to become part of the developed world, says PRABHAT KUMAR.

Source: Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications || Friday, Feb 06, 2009

http://www.blonnet.com/2009/02/06/stories/2009020650150800.htm (accessed on 4.12.09)

Despite that we are been ruled by oldies. Isn’t this unfair, since today in the time of globalization where each country is moving with its own pace, one might leave behind just because of politics and those decade old rules and regulations.

What? My mind shouted….. Wait… I told again to myself.

I am not opposing the ruling of aged person in politics but I have a different point of view. Youngsters shall be recruited in government and may be placed in each department along with the experienced fellows. This would help in understanding the young minds and device policies. This would help in bridging the gap between the thinking of the experienced fellow and what youngsters demand or wish to see the future India. Development is the key to success and thus devising the policies towards development/growth centric is very essential.

The best example would be of climate change. As young Indians are the one who will bear the fruit or will suffer if the right action is not taken at this point. Thus the key to success is more youngsters may be involved in the politics and even the politics shall be inculcated with professionalism. This would not only change the outlook of politics nor the politicians but also of the country.

Corp-O-Rate Glitz

Corporate or Corp-o-rate, what’s it all about. Is it superficial or is it professionalism. Is it perfection or it is dependence. There are many theories and do’s & don’t hindering around. What to do and what not to do in the corporate world. What to do during the interview and what not to do during the interview. Ever wondered if everything is working under this do’s and don’ts than how everyone can performs or delivers to the extent one is to.

Corporate is all about irregularities, one success is mostly dependent on others. In such a scenario, a single shake can bring a big momentum. It’s like a bullwhip effect. Corporate is full of uncertainty. You never know who can bug you when. It’s just like a fish in a sea. Where there is not only external threat but a threat can be from within.

1 rotten mango can spoil the entire basket is very true. In case of corporate world, one rotten mango can make many other rotten. Though 1 rotten mango can be looked as rotten but in some case that mango has an extreme quality which none others might have and thus corporate take along with it.

In fact the other view point here can be, everyone is unique and rotten for others. When one flourishes others don’t like and this moves on. Thus it’s a tit-for that. The good old days where life was a journey and hurdles were station, this dint create much problem. But in today’s world where life is a journey and hurdles are considered setback which can be overcome by money, this creates a problem.

But to be frank enough, one should consider this corp-o-rate world as a Family and not a money minting machine. Than the day will come where one will be considered relative of other and collogue will be treated as none other than a member of a family. As the world is moving and the globalization is the key to development. Thus in this pace, the only way to move ahead is compromise, adjust, do what you like and follow the rules; finally its your home and you need to keep it clean.