On 19th July this year, I came to know that I had finally got into an MBA college. After exactly 3 years and 1 day, I put in my papers here. And thus, began my last month in my company which has been like a home to me for the last three years.
It all started when I was in Ranchi enjoying myself after my sixth semester holidays. I got a call from my friend saying that there was a company coming to college which would allow people with less % to sit. I took a flight to Calcutta the very next morning and then a connecting flight to Mumbai. Once I was in Mumbai, I came to know I had to report to the Logitech office of some “CITOS”. I just knew C in CITOS stood for Citigroup. This was a big thing. I mean who didn’t know what Citigroup was (Believe me, many people still don’t know what Citigroup is. You have to tell them that it’s basically Citibank). So I reached the office, cleared my written exams, followed by GD, then two rounds of Interviews. Thankfully for me, the interviews were a mix of both technical and HR questions. I made a mess of all the technical questions but did pretty well on my HR segments. Anyways around 7:30 in the night, the final results were announced. I was in. my first job! More than been happy at that moment, I was more relieved that atleast I had a job in hand when I got out of college. The last year of Engineering just flew by. And it was already 18th July 2008 and I had to report to office. CITOS was CTS by that time.
Now, when you are joining the private sector, people tell you all sort of horror stories of how they are blood suckers and what not. So, I reported to Interface very apprehensive on 18th July morning fearing the worst. That whole day is just a blur in my mind. All I remember is just signing the mountain of papers in front of me and that the Airtel network was down that day. Then one of the best months of my life started. There was a month long training. And the people I met inside that conference room have become my closest friends since. There was Karan who was from my college only. We had never ever looked at each other during our college mainly because he was in a different branch from me. The more mind baffling case was of Nipun. We were in the same branch in the same college and lived like a 200 yards away from each other, yet for some reason we had never spoken to each other. These two guys quickly became my very good friends once we started our training. Then slowly and surely I become friends with nearly everyone from that room. There was Arvind. A typical nerd. (sorry Bro! but you know that I felt like that initially). He always had a question after a long winding session. Then there was Abhishek Kalapatapu. A really nice guy. Nisha Patel, the sweet chocolate loving girl. Then, there was Liana Deboo, one of my best friends with an amazing sense of homour. There was Furhad Jidda, who could turn Pink at the drop of a Hat, literally! Manan Shah, the most chindi-est person I have had the honour to call one of my best friends (come on Builder, you know that you are Chindi) and then we come to Santosh Sai Venkat, a most amazing friend and the biggest flirt I have ever met in my life till now. And though, he didn’t join with Batch 3 initially, but Mark Fernandes, one of the funniest guys..EVER!! This was our small group and we prided ourselves as “BATCH-3”. Things were damn good when all of these guys were around.
I was allotted a team which was easily one of the stress free ones. There was Nimisha, who taught me everything about the work and who was and still is a very hard working person. Pooja, one of the biggest gossip mongers I have come across! Just kidding but she does like to talk. Then there was Shweta “Ma’am”. Atul, a guy who did all his work without any issues and Sumith, one of the best friends I have around here. Rahul was my 1st TL and a cool one at that. There were also Eunice and Darshan. Then there’s Dhiraj. The official Batch 3 buddy and an amazing guy. Sandeep Naik, one of my best friends once I shifted to Powai and an awesome boss(he was for like 3 months which were the most hard working months in this office for me). There were quite a lot of other people from that time who were my good friends. Those initial 6-7 months were really fun. Whoever would have thought working could be so much fun.
Then in Jan of 2009, our company was sold off to an Indian MNC(don’t want to name it here) and things started to change. But still it was fun working with my friends all around. Till March 31st 2010, everything went on as usual. People left and moved on to higher studies and with Arvind leaving and me shifting to Powai Office from 1st April, things completely changed. Coming to Powai had some plus points also. I met and made quite a number of new friends like Sayali, Yogesh, Smruti, Ameya, Vandana, Shreyashi, Sanjayji, Mukul, Gati, Bijal, Rasika, Viraj, Ashish and Chinmay to name a few. I got along very well with my new TL, Vipul. So, nearly after an year in April 2011, every old face of the team was gone, moved on to different projects. The only guys who were left behind were me, Yogesh and Dhiraj in the team. The last few months have flown by because I was busy with work and what not. And with 19th August fast approaching, the day I leave office, I am very sure that I will have mixed feelings. I would like to take this opportunity and thank everyone who made these last three years fly by. Post 19th August , I am going to miss you all.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
End of an Era
10 years ago, I watched the 1st Harry Potter movie “Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone”. Now 7 movies and 7 books after, I bid adieu to another bit of my childhood. In the last 10 years many things have changed but the Potter series was one of the constants.
To be very honest, I never was going to read the books. The movies were doing it just fine for me. Emma Watson was more or less the reason why I watched the movies initially. Then after the Goblet of Fire (the movie) came out, I was at my friends place and she started talking about how awesome the books were. And she asked me what I think of them. I told her point blank that I haven’t read any books and nor I am going to read them….EVER! I also told her that I watch the movies because of Emma Watson. She gave me Order of the Phoenix to read. 700 odd pages. I was like when will I ever read it. But she made me promise that I have to atleast give it a try. Two days and 700 pages later, I was a Potter maniac. And then I started reading the books one by one and I came to realise how much better the books were from the movies. The movies never showed it all!
The whole series is quite a reflection on many things relevant: The good v/s evil, friendships, sacrifices, first crushes, love and heartbreaks. The Harry-Ron-Hermione friendship has to be one of the best examples of friendships today. They have gone through their ups and downs but never let go of each other. Maybe Ron, in the 7th book leaves them, but he more than makes up for it by saving Harry’s life. One of the things which J.K.Rowling did different from the other authors was that Hermione ended up with Ron and not Harry. The sidekick never gets the girl..NEVER! The romantic angle between Ron and Hermione was build up throughout the series and finally culminated in the last few chapters of the last book.
My favourite character from the series is Ron. I see a lot of my traits in me. Another character which I really like in the whole series is that of Severus Snape. He has to be one of the best if not the best Anti-Hero of our generation. He did everything in his power to protect Harry and Harry realised it in the end and that’s why named his son Albus Severus Potter. Another character which constantly grew during the series was Neville Longbottom. From a fat chubby kid to leading the DA in his 7th book. If you catch the last instalment on screen, you will realise that Neville’s the man! The scene in which he kills Nagini is one of the highpoints of the movie. People were actually cheering for Neville in the theatre.
It has been a truly amazing ride for me in the Potter Universe and today it’s all over. There won’t be another movie or a book. I am really going to miss it.
Farewell Hogwarts! You will always be remembered!
And thank you J.K.Rowling for giving us the Potter Universe! It was quite a ride!!
To be very honest, I never was going to read the books. The movies were doing it just fine for me. Emma Watson was more or less the reason why I watched the movies initially. Then after the Goblet of Fire (the movie) came out, I was at my friends place and she started talking about how awesome the books were. And she asked me what I think of them. I told her point blank that I haven’t read any books and nor I am going to read them….EVER! I also told her that I watch the movies because of Emma Watson. She gave me Order of the Phoenix to read. 700 odd pages. I was like when will I ever read it. But she made me promise that I have to atleast give it a try. Two days and 700 pages later, I was a Potter maniac. And then I started reading the books one by one and I came to realise how much better the books were from the movies. The movies never showed it all!
The whole series is quite a reflection on many things relevant: The good v/s evil, friendships, sacrifices, first crushes, love and heartbreaks. The Harry-Ron-Hermione friendship has to be one of the best examples of friendships today. They have gone through their ups and downs but never let go of each other. Maybe Ron, in the 7th book leaves them, but he more than makes up for it by saving Harry’s life. One of the things which J.K.Rowling did different from the other authors was that Hermione ended up with Ron and not Harry. The sidekick never gets the girl..NEVER! The romantic angle between Ron and Hermione was build up throughout the series and finally culminated in the last few chapters of the last book.
My favourite character from the series is Ron. I see a lot of my traits in me. Another character which I really like in the whole series is that of Severus Snape. He has to be one of the best if not the best Anti-Hero of our generation. He did everything in his power to protect Harry and Harry realised it in the end and that’s why named his son Albus Severus Potter. Another character which constantly grew during the series was Neville Longbottom. From a fat chubby kid to leading the DA in his 7th book. If you catch the last instalment on screen, you will realise that Neville’s the man! The scene in which he kills Nagini is one of the highpoints of the movie. People were actually cheering for Neville in the theatre.
It has been a truly amazing ride for me in the Potter Universe and today it’s all over. There won’t be another movie or a book. I am really going to miss it.
Farewell Hogwarts! You will always be remembered!
And thank you J.K.Rowling for giving us the Potter Universe! It was quite a ride!!
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Mumbai’s 26/11 Part Deux
Another series of blasts, many died, even more got injured. It’s just another day for us Mumbaikars. I got the news while I was going back from work and was stuck in a traffic jam. When I came to know about all this, I was just thinking about getting home as soon as possible. I started calling my friends in all parts of the city just to make sure. But suddenly all the networks were jammed. Anyways I got home and a miracle happened. I got through to my parents on the first dial. Told them I was fine and at home. Then again started calling up everyone. Thankfully was able to contact them.
All the news channels were beaming the pictures, getting accounts from the witnesses. Some of what the eye-witnesses to the blast said was horrifying. I would never want to be caught in such a situation. I thanked God that everyone I know was fine.
This time around, the reaction was swift. The police and ambulances were at ground zero (3 in this case) within 15 mins of the blast. All the eye-witnesses praised the police in dealing with the situation. They must have been good. They are not praised that often. The official statements were coming in at regular intervals always increasing the death and injury toll. But atleast there were statements! The emergency numbers were being flashed continuously. People were asked to maintain calm and stay at home.
I am glad that we can have such quick reactions. It’s better than the last time. But why do such instances take place again and again. In Mumbai’s case, once every two years. We never seem to be able to stop them. But kudos to the Mumbai police for swinging into action so soon.
Now, moving on to the political reactions. Every politician worth his bread and butter “CONDEMNED” the attacks. The word is fast becoming the most over-used word in the case of terrorist attacks in India. For that matter, even Pakistan CONDEMNED the blasts. Yeah, even PAKISTAN uses this word! So, anyways from the Prime minister to the taluka head of a remote village in the middle of nowhere, “CONDEMNED” these blasts and promised a detailed investigation into the blasts. They all promised to bring the culprits who did this heinous act of terror to justice and keep them as an honourary guest at our prisons and keep them happy for the rest of their lives. They said as it is the tax payers money is going to be eaten by us the politicians, may as well include these guests of state. Prime example – Kasab. Futhermore, the political brass was quick to add that they worry about how we live our life and not our lives. They have already embarked to make a rule to ban holding hands anywhere in public. They were quick to add that increasing the drinking age to 25 was the first step in constructing a better future as the current generation is so immature. Maybe, that’s why we keep voting for dumbasses like you! Get off your asses, do something useful with your time. Instead of increasing the drinking age, maybe give a lot more time and attention to internal security. You won’t be able to tell the people how to live their lives if there aren’t any left around.
I know the above para sounds like a Rant and it is a rant. I am sick and tired of politicians “COMDEMNING” the attacks. If we do compare USA and India on this scale, after 9/11, USA no terrorist attacks. India: every now and then. The apathy shown in such cases is appalling. There’s always the detailed investigation and even if someone is caught finally, they are treated like royalty.
I don’t know what will shake the Political class out of its present indifference to the common man’s life. Mumbai will be back on it’s feet AGAIN! Life goes on here. We “MOVE ON”. How many times do we have to “MOVE ON? It seems only God knows the answer to that question.
Keep safe everyone!
P.S: Yesterday according to some reports was Kasab's B'day. Go figure....
All the news channels were beaming the pictures, getting accounts from the witnesses. Some of what the eye-witnesses to the blast said was horrifying. I would never want to be caught in such a situation. I thanked God that everyone I know was fine.
This time around, the reaction was swift. The police and ambulances were at ground zero (3 in this case) within 15 mins of the blast. All the eye-witnesses praised the police in dealing with the situation. They must have been good. They are not praised that often. The official statements were coming in at regular intervals always increasing the death and injury toll. But atleast there were statements! The emergency numbers were being flashed continuously. People were asked to maintain calm and stay at home.
I am glad that we can have such quick reactions. It’s better than the last time. But why do such instances take place again and again. In Mumbai’s case, once every two years. We never seem to be able to stop them. But kudos to the Mumbai police for swinging into action so soon.
Now, moving on to the political reactions. Every politician worth his bread and butter “CONDEMNED” the attacks. The word is fast becoming the most over-used word in the case of terrorist attacks in India. For that matter, even Pakistan CONDEMNED the blasts. Yeah, even PAKISTAN uses this word! So, anyways from the Prime minister to the taluka head of a remote village in the middle of nowhere, “CONDEMNED” these blasts and promised a detailed investigation into the blasts. They all promised to bring the culprits who did this heinous act of terror to justice and keep them as an honourary guest at our prisons and keep them happy for the rest of their lives. They said as it is the tax payers money is going to be eaten by us the politicians, may as well include these guests of state. Prime example – Kasab. Futhermore, the political brass was quick to add that they worry about how we live our life and not our lives. They have already embarked to make a rule to ban holding hands anywhere in public. They were quick to add that increasing the drinking age to 25 was the first step in constructing a better future as the current generation is so immature. Maybe, that’s why we keep voting for dumbasses like you! Get off your asses, do something useful with your time. Instead of increasing the drinking age, maybe give a lot more time and attention to internal security. You won’t be able to tell the people how to live their lives if there aren’t any left around.
I know the above para sounds like a Rant and it is a rant. I am sick and tired of politicians “COMDEMNING” the attacks. If we do compare USA and India on this scale, after 9/11, USA no terrorist attacks. India: every now and then. The apathy shown in such cases is appalling. There’s always the detailed investigation and even if someone is caught finally, they are treated like royalty.
I don’t know what will shake the Political class out of its present indifference to the common man’s life. Mumbai will be back on it’s feet AGAIN! Life goes on here. We “MOVE ON”. How many times do we have to “MOVE ON? It seems only God knows the answer to that question.
Keep safe everyone!
P.S: Yesterday according to some reports was Kasab's B'day. Go figure....
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