Just one smoke

People have different reasons to smoke. It could be peer pressure, the 'feel good factor',the 'cool element', and maybe just to be rebellious because someone else said please dont do it. The interesting part of this whole cigarette phenomenon is the fact that even when on the packaging it says- Smoking kills , it does not seem to effect the smokers. What smokers donot understand is, that they are not only harming themselves but harming others by their habit. Secondhand smoke contains a higher concentration of cancer-causing agents.

The saying goes- Its just one smoke- one cigarette- but research indicates that Just one cigarette increases the stiffness of the arteries and a person is more likely to suffer from heart disease or a stroke. One cigarette causes adverse effects on a person's lungs, heart,arteries- so why continue. Do you want to reduce your life by 11 minutes- have one smoke. People donot understand that they have loved ones who care for them- and they shouldnt be so irresponsible to not care for their life. Life is given by God- and who are we to damage it, carelessly.

My request- give up smoking since it makes your clothes stink, your breath smell, and is harmful to you, others and the environment. We all breathe the same air- let it be fresh and stay that way.

Ruhaniyat- The Night of interesting Sounds

That was quite a night of music! Variety was interesting- Egypt, Assam, Rajasthan , but was it any good- that was the question. It was a bhelpuri mix - with girls swirling around with braids, spinning humans, clapping hands, Assamese instruments. I couldn't understand what the central theme really was. The best part of the night was the kawali - melodious and SOFT. The rest of the sound was soo loud- i couldn't hear myself in the end.

It is wonderful to see that India and Mumbai in particular is attracting all kinds of talent- but sometimes we need to be overly selective in who we attract. Sufi is a mystic kind of music and the essence needs to be retained and not distorted when trying to bring diversity.

Social Network- The much talked about film of the year!

Social Network is an interesting movie and soo fitting to today's youth and generation. We are a Google graduate - everything can be learned by the click of a mouse and a search on the google page. This movie stems from the idea that - every invention needs a motivation- the inventor of facebook was upset with his girlfriend for breaking up with him- that he ended up creating a site to ridicule women- and went one step further to create a 25 billion dollar company! A must watch. The story is woven between the past and the present . It is a heavy movie though- and you need to follow each line- so if you are looking for a laugh or romance- its not there but whats there is the making of a real entrepreneur. Inspirational story of a university student and another Bill Gates!

Remember Me ...

Being remembered is an amazing feeling and you then know you made a difference. Little signs of gratitude after you leave any organization shows you are still part of their lives. It makes one feel giddy with happiness. Rewards need not be monetary- a room full of smiling faces is enough to make you feel elevated for the rest of the day. As Arundhati Roy states- God of small things. The smaller things in life are what teach us the bigger lessons of life- cause you do not know how their effect multiplies and impacts us.

Thakan - Tiredness

At 12:00 am every night- I want to hit the bed. Is it fatigue, is it hard work, is it lack of exercise , or is it long hours or sitting for 11 hours throughout at work?? Todays youth starts developing spinal pain, back pain, migraines at such an early stage that our ancestors will laugh. They walked a lot more than we do, they did a lot more physical labour but always seem to have energy for a lot more. I think nowadays we focus so much of our energy in complaining about our present life, and live mostly what has happened in the past and what will happen in the future that we forget to enjoy life for what it really is.

Tiredness for todays youth is caused by a combination of all these blockages, and mindsets . A change of attitude is needed, where there is more patience when it comes to achieving ones goals and being more in the present than in the past and future.

Exercise is needed- but important to make it part of one's routine and not something one is forced to do- or it will never happen. After every one hour of work a 5 min break is deserved and much needed or else productivity might stop. Water needs to be taken at regular intervals - and suggest one carries their own bottle from home and puts it on ones desk- that reminds you to drink water- if you donot have a habit of drinking too much.

People might agree with me - but tiredness is brought about - when nothing is there to look forward for- a general feeling of getting old comes about since the mind becomes dull and doesnt want to try anything new. Try to do one new thing every day at work or at home- to always keep your mind active. The day you stop being adventurous - thats the day you know your end is near.

Remember - Life is worth living for- and making the most of!

Obama in Town

In India , Guests are like God- we need to treat them with utmost respect . As the saying goes 'Athithi devo bhava' . Obama is in Mumbai. What the government could not do for years- Obama has done it with his 3 day visit- Got the streets cleaned up! Traffic is to the maximum in certain junctions- since some roads have been blocked- to allow Obama and his black cars to move around in a quiet city- since they are not used to the hustle bustle of India and crowded city of Mumbai.

 I went to get a preview of Obama when he came to Mani bhavan but alas- after having walked a kilometer to the special place- was told that we could even enter the street going to Mani Bhavan. The people who stayed opposite Mani Bhavan also could not see him.

The news channels are flooded with news all about him - and the fact that he did not mention the 'P' word - as soon as he set foot in India. Our scriptwriter did not send Obama the right speech - so it is not his fault he faulted.

A meeting in Trident is coming up- lets see what is Obama's agenda to come to India- is it business, is it to bring 'world peace' or is it to see the land everyone talks about. Who knows- but we will wait to see - what says he!

The Professional by Subroto Bagchi

A very good book to read! It is an extremely recommended book for any people manager. Lets you into the life of a corporate- and what is really meant by ethics, and being a good professional. A handy guide to know what to expect of the human assets of any company. The best part of the book- is the fact that it is an easy read, very relevant, you can really relate to all the topics Subroto mentions and you understand the indian context much better . A book that sticks to your fingers like fevicol and only when it is completed , the fevicol wears out. Enjoy!

Diwali

Today is the festival of lights. After a long time I am celebrating this auspicious day with my parents. From pukwan to rangoli to firecrackers- it had all the elements of fun and joy!! Festivals are when you miss being with family- especially when you live abroad. When you are away from family- you want to be with them. I was fortunate and understood the true value of family when I lived alone. Diwali to me means- colours of life = family = ultimate happiness.