5th November 2008, ...All hail Obama..!!

"The black guy who CHANGED America"...would be how Obama like himself to be immortalized in history texts...

I caught his first public address, post being elected president, in Chicago today on TV. Hadnt seen so many "whites" cheering for a black guy ever since Micheal Jackson last performed. A Harvard Law Grad, i hope he brings some desperately needed Law and Order in the current crisis facing the American economy.

So..cheers to Obama & hope to see a new world order in the reckoning..

28th Sept 2008, ...this scene moves me to tears..again & again

I saw this scene from the movie "The Pursuit of Happyness" for the 3rd time since the movie released and it never fails to moist my eyes...

Cant imagine the plight of the homeless salesman Chris Gardener (amazingly portrayed by Will Smith) & his son, forced to spend the night at a subway restroom. The heart rending scene begins when Chris talks his son out in spending the night at the restroom and covers his ears when there are people knocking the doors in the middle of the night. The apparent helplessness displayed in Chris's tears is enough to drive even the most apathetic person to sympathy.

View the scene here:

20th Sept 2008, ...A book about Business, Cricket and Religion

Enter into the lives of Govind, Ishaan and Omi - 3 cricket crazy friends from Ahmedabad. This engrossing story which starts off with a suicide attempt note, is set in the dark chapters of Gujrats recent past.

Through his characters, Chetan has personified events like the bhuj earthquake, godhra carnage and the india - australia test series (in 2000). Chetan has been successful in making you empathize with the lead protagonist and ponder on the issues dealt with in the novel.

Overall, an interesting read.

15th Sept 2008, ...Lehman Ko Le Liya, Merrill ko kha liya, AIG line mein hai...

Best of Luck to all my friends who are working with any of these cos directly/indirectly...

Am awaiting who's next...They say Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley are also trying to save their asses.

There is this interesting "simple" diagram explaining the Subprime Crisis in the US (the cause for the current financial meltdown). You can find it here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Subprime_diagram.png

If any of you guys understand it, please explain me....Gosh, why do these Americans make things so difficult to understand? No wonder, they couldnt figure out this financial crisis approaching...:)

3rd Sept 2008, ...Zindagi mein kuch compromises to karne padte hain, sabhi karte hain...

This statement from Farhan Akhtar aka Aditya from "Rock On" keeps ringing in my ears, ever since i saw the most awaited movie of the season...

There are thousands of people across the world who would identify with the common dilemma facing the lead protagonist....."Are we really doing what we like doing the most?"

Lack of Support, Financial Issues, Family, Responsibilities, Fear of Failure etc etc ...deprive us of listening to our heart and living our dreams. The more "material" we get, the more we shy away from joys of life. Very few people in the world make a living doing what they like doing the most....

The movie approaches these issues beautifully and inspires us to never give up on dreams & old relationships.

So, Rock On my friend.....Zindagi Milegi naa Dobara...

14th Aug 2008, ...Wats the craziest thing you've done lately..?

There are some movies which you just watch for fun...and unexpectedly they leave you pondering on certain questions on life?

"The Girl Next Door" is one such movie. On the face of it, its another teen comedy.....with its own share of raunchy humor and college gags.
But...I could identify with the protagonist - Emile Hirsch in certain sequences. The movie revolves around an interesting romance of a nerdy college grad & Elisha Cuthbert (she is beauty personified). But thats not the part I am identifying with...:)
There is a scene in which his girlfriend asks him "So whats the craziest thing you've done lately?" and he doesnt have any answer to it (Hes lived a plain nerdy uninteresting life so far). He does have an answer by the end of the movie though...and thats whats the fun part.

By the end of the movie, i realized Its great to have friends who make you try different things, however wild they are...you should give it a shot atleast once...and remove all inhibitions.

Trust me...being from a fairly conservative background, i have had my share of reluctance.. and believe me its not good. It makes you more of a closed persona in the long run...

So..go ahead..ask yourself "Whats the craziest thing you've done lately?"..& if u dont have an answer...you did better have one soon.

Here is a beautiful song from the Movie Soundtrack (2004 release..catch it on DVD)

6th July 2008, ...Moved by the movie "The Bucket List"

Have you wondered if you were told that you have only 6 months left to live, how would you like to spend it?......

No...I aint trying to freak you out....but the movie "The Bucket List" has some pointers on the situation. You would like to read a quick synopsis of the movie here
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bucket_List

If somebody's baritone enjoys an equivalent status in Hollywood when compared to the likes of "Big B" in Bollywood, then it has to be Morgan Freeman. That guy just forces you to think, to ponder about things you havent given a serious thought earlier.

I am starting to make my bucket list...even though luckily, i am not in the same boat as these guys were in the movie.

Here is a beautiful song sung by John Mayer as a soundtrack for this movie

24th April, 2008: 3 days of Bliss in Mumbai..

If you are a Mumbaiite and travel by your own vehicle, you would probably understand what I am trying to say.

Yeah!!..the autorickshaw strike is a boon in disguise....for 3 days, Mumbai would be free of 70% of its traffic problems..:)

I was ecstatic when i found that at 9:15 am the usually crammed Andheri Kurla road was surprisingly empty....
And for once, i reached lokhandwala within 15 minutes from home...(which normally takes atleast 45 minutes)

So..comrades....enjoy this new found freedom on the road..till it lasts..

12th April, 2008: Swinging to "Tengo La Camisa Negra"

I first heard this song 2 months back in my spanish class. Cant get out of my head since then.

I was exploring youtube today to my hearts content and chanced upon its energy filled video. The song is beautifully sung by Juanes and makes u wanna jive to its beats.Interestingly the song has a very sad meaning, but is a rage at discotheques. You can get the english translation of the lyrics here :http://www.allthelyrics.com/forum/topic-juanes_tengo_la_camisa_negra_translated_into_english/
You have to hear it to believe it. I am offering you a sneak preview here

Check it out..:)

22nd March, 2008: 3rd Visit to Amby Valley..:)

This place personifies luxury. Right from the time you enter its pearly gates, the overwhelming statue of "Bharatmata" greets you (see pic). It marks the beginning of something you have never seen in India before....After that, everything you experience delights your senses. The lavish reception, the bridge, the man-made lakes, the enchanting gardens, balmy mountain breeze, its own version of "banaras ghat", the envious chalets, the "biggest" gym i have ever seen...etc...

You have to see it to believe it. I am offering you a glimpse of paradise through some pics here. Check it out..:)

17th Feb, 2008: An exhibit thats food for creative thought...

On a cousins invitation, I visited an exhibit of fine arts conducted by Rachana Sansad's Students at their campus.

Must say, i was totally overawed by the creative intellect showcased in their projects. There were mindblowing Print AD's, storyboards, TVC's, illustrations etc for brands like Heinz, Zipouch, CRY etc...Some of them i have put up in my album..take a peek

I was surprised to find that these creative geniuses didnt have a proper placement program at the end of their final year. Well...always keen on giving advice, i suggested their team to form a portfolio of their work, visit some advtsg agencies, invite them to campus and set the ball rolling.

It was really sad to see such high quality creative work going unnoticed. I hope these guys get their dues for hardwork.

Cheers

15th Feb, 2008: ACT! by SAGE. Salespeople swear by it. Not at it...:)

The number one contact management solution in the world. Log on to http://www.act.com/ for more details.

Yeah..you guessed it right.. .it is a blatant product promotion drive goin on here.

If you are:

- in sales or managing a business depending on a lot of customer contacts

- you have long sales cycles and

- you wanna know your sales team productivity in real time.....

then you should'nt think twice. Go ahead, buy this app.

I am involved in sales for this amazing product. I have personally seen productivity levels of sales teams rise ten fold after using this application. You will get a real time view of all your customer contacts, leads, activities, contact history and sales team performance in a single dashboard.

If you wanna know more about the product then you know whom to call....:)

Cheers

13th Februaury 2008: Increase in Mobile Penetration is leading to increase in Employee Attrition rates.

There's a good friend of mine who has just recently switched jobs. Not that he was unhappy with his previous job, but the offer he got was too good to refuse. The culprit (which made him change his job) was his cellphone.

Ever since he graduated from B-School and started work, he had been inundated with Interview calls on his cellphone. Even after removing his resume from job portals, he used to get calls. One such call got him an offer which was too good to to be true (in terms of both - profile and remuneration). He was barely 6 months old in the industry and is already working in his 3rd company.

I just happened to ask my bro...(who is quite elder to me) ...Did he get frequent calls by headhunters when he started off? The reply was a strict no...cos there were not many mobile connections back then to reach to the candidate. The headhunters had to pass messages through family/friends etc and hoped that it got to the right ears.

There are other factors too...like internet, job portals etc who are responsible for increase in attrition rates...but none of them would be as successful if it was not for the "Mobile Phone".

Cheers

7th Februaury 2008: Glimpses of the Kalaghoda Fest

Last Sunday, i visited the Kalaghoda Festival...and was in awe of the installations this year.

There was a huge "Mosquito Man" depicting the blood sucking urbanization of the city. There was "the boot"..., the honeybee named "Taxi"... and lotsa cool stuff.

The Potters...were definitely the most visited site on that day. For a paltry sum of Rs.30 you got to shape your own small formation in the mud. The very experience of giving birth to a new form from the wet mud...was exhilirating.

Then there were handicrafts and art stalls from accross the country. Pretty cool stuff and its worth a dekko....
I plan to go for some foreign screenings this week..provided i get time out from work.
Cheers

3rd Februaury 2008: I have survived a week without tea..:)

Yeah, its true...i finally managed to curb my addiction to the beverage. Its by no means a small achievement for a guy who till recently couldn’t start his day without tea. Lately, I realized, how dependant I had become on the same. I finally made a resolution to limit my intake to 2 cups a day (from 4-5 cups).

Since, last week I haven’t had any…Trust me, it was really hard all this time..watching people drinking the “life-inducing” nectar throughout the day. Especially being in sales, I get offered tea almost 3-4 times a day at any prospective customer’s office. Its difficult to refuse. I run the risk of being “unsocial” but I have swallowed the feeling. Its not that ...i have become anti-tea…its just that I hate being addicted to something (except for the “net”)

I was so much into tea…that some time back I wrote some rhymes in respect to the beverage. Sharing the same here…

Tribute to the TEA

At the crack of dawn
When a new day is spawned
You get up a little weary
Your eyes..still a bit teary

But your pupils light up soon
When you hear the sound of spoon
The stirring of the morning cup
Makes sure that you’re alive & up

The first sip does a foreplay
The subsequent.. make your senses sway
You feel like having regained new life
A welcome treat from your nagging wife

Work is smooth… till its three
Your eyes, then go for a hunting spree
That bastard peon hasn’t yet arrived
Of the evening cup, you’ve been deprived

You return home from the daily grind
All drained out & having lost your mind
But then the familiar sound of spoon
Reassuringly makes you wanna croon….

“Cheers to those who discovered this beverage,
Your crazy life ….it does seem to leverage
A much-needed companion in your unending strifeAn undisputed substitute for –The Elixir of Life”

1st February, 2008: Studying for the upcoming Spanish Language Exam

Ever wondered how would it be like to learn a foreign language...??
Ask me....i have been struggling to learn spanish since the past 2 months...At times, i feel just like the "Taare Zameen Par" protagonist "Ishaan" would've felt when questioned during the English Class..."Teacher, the letters are dancing"...is his cute reply...;). Something similar happens when i start confusing Spanish with English Grammar. The words start dancing.

Well..its not that bad...though, its just that it will take a little time to digest the grammar and the vocab. We have a very good teacher and I dont wanna let her down...:)
Adios

24th Janurary, 2008 – Start Teaching English…..the way to El-Dorado

Just caught this interesting piece of news on a local news channel….
The English Teaching Market in India is worth 1500 crores (And compare it to the CRM solutions market of just about 400 crores…which I am currently involved with….L..)
95% of the market comprises of the unorganized sector…(That means, there is great scope of a chain of “Sonesh’s English Classes” across India..

Every 1 out of 3 schools is an English Teaching School in India…(Hard to believe…isint it..)
So…I am seriously thinking of this business opportunity..;);) Anyone interested in partnering for the same…Do scrap me..J

10th January, 2008 - The Rs 1 lakh car

Atlast, amidst great hullabaloo, Tata's coveted Rs 1 lakh car (the NANO) was launched at the Autoexpo in Delhi yesterday. It definitely looks sexy and if we hold Mr.Ratan Tata's facts and figures about the model to be true, then it will create a furore in the Indian auto market.
But, what kinda repurcussions would it have ..if it hits indian roads in big numbers..
It would mean:
- Longer wait in Petrol Pump queues
- Unheard of - Pollution levels
- Paucity of already starved parking space in metros
- Record time spent in traffic Jams
I was wondering if it made sense to restrict this car to C- Class cities and not let anyone in the metro be allowed to buy it.....What say..?? If u have an opinion ..do scrap by..:)

31st December, 2007 - The "Happy New Year" Poem
just penned these few lines ...heres wishing you all a very Happy New Year

Dear friend, the year 2007 is nearing its end
Remember the good times you all did spend
For all the trials and tribulations you did face
Dont forget to thank GOD for HIS saving grace
May the year 2008 be filled with joy and despair
Cos - Without both, life would never be truly fair
May every passing year make you a better person
Will end here!!, please dont consider this a sermon....:)

P.S: If you like my poem, dont forget to send it to your freinds. Dont forget to gimme credit though...;)CheersSonesh

23rd December, 2007 - Taare Zameen Par...or a trip back in time.

It took me back in time - the dreary mornings, everyday wake up call at 6 am, hurrying up with getting dressed for school, mom packing lunch..etc. The striking resemblances of the protagonist’s life with mine couldnt seem to be any more obvious (keeping aside the dyslexia bit). The comparisons with the older and intelligent sibling, the belligerent mockery by school colleagues, the "good for nothing" taunts by some people, the spanking from teachers....brought back some painful flashbacks from the past.

My eyes got moist in some scenes....and i realized that i wasn’t the only one. I was forewarned about this "outburst of emotions" by some people who had already seen the movie.

I am sure...each one of us would relate to certain incidents in the movie. Aamir’s directorial debut does manage to strike a cord in your heart. It does well to bring out the child in you, urges you to take up things which you thought werent worthwhile while in your formative years (in this case..."arts"). If you havent seen it...watch it ..and be touched.

21st Dec, 2007 - The "Beggar" Exchange

You might have heard about Foreign Exchange....but wat the hell is Beggar Exchange...??
well...its a term coined by me...after my recent conversation with the owner of the local Kirana store
It so happened, that i was buying my usual groceries and happened to overhear their (kiranawala and his team) conversation about some guy called "Ramu" and what they should feed him. Curious by nature....i was forced into asking him whom were they discussing about.. Their reply reminded me of the movie "Traffic Signal"
They said..."Sir, we require "Chhutta" (change) for our business everyday. The change should be in the dimension of 50 ps, 1 Re, 2 Re and 5 Re. Now, if we approach organized sources for this purpose, we buy change for 10 Rs per 100 Rs. Thats an expensive proposition. Now, Compare it with our friend "Ramu" - the beggar. This guys begs near the Mahalaxmi Temple, and earns (believe it or not) about Rs. 500 per day...all in loose change. He has his counterparts too... (Remember!!...The next time you give that sympathetic look to a beggar..., he might be earning more than you..:))

So, we struck a deal with him.You bring change of Rs 500 - Rs 1000 per day and in return we would provide you with the proper notes and food.(usually its worth 20-30 bucks)...Its a win-win situation for both. Since, we get change for less and these guys get food for free."
Now..I started thinking..."What the F***?...I have done an MBA...this stuff is defintely a case study material..?? Why do we, as students, have to read reams and reams of information about Whats happeneing to sales of some Cola giant in US...when there is so much innovative to learn out here..??......:)

Anyways...until i come accross anything interesting...
Adios.

16th Dec, 2007 - The Banganga Wallk

16th Dec....is the day i purged all my sins in this SIN CITY...:)I was a part of the - Bombay Heritage Walk's (http://www.bombayheritagewalks.com/) enthusiastic entourage gathered to explore the sacred Banganga tank.

We "circumambulated" the Banganga tank at Walkeshwar...probably the holiest place in this city. For the uninitiated....Banganga boasts of around 25-30 temples around its periphery.....& it would take you no less than 6-7 hours if you visit each and every temple and understand its history.We were lucky to be enlightened by some learned guides from the Bombay Heritage Club who made us understand & appreciate the sanctity of the place from various religious dimensions.

Right from temple architecture, its history, destruction and re-establishment, ...to localized versions of dieties...(one of them was of Lord Hanuman with a moustache)..it was a crash course in evolution of Banganga.

A peek in my album would give you a glimpse of what i experienced....:)