Here's a piece I'd written last year, but it's still contemporary in subject since little has changed since I wrote this piece. Guess I've been penny wise and few hundred pounds foolish. Here goes:
One of the most intriguing questions that has troubled mankind since creation has finally taken a turn in my life. How does one bear the weight of expectations; from parents, friends, spouse, boss, the significant other(or in the absence of one, your own!) etc?
Much inspired by one smart alec’s comment which goes like “to fight an ideology, have one of your own”, the realization finally dawned upon me. So dear netizens, the only way to fight the weight of expectations is by mustering some yourself.
With this new found self-belief I started out in right earnest by devouring big mac’s by the dozen. This seemed ok till the inhabitants of my wardrobe refused to cooperate. Humph! The circumstances demanded some tact on my part. After all draping a body that had assumed the shape of an overgrown ectoplasm would be stretching it too far(my poor levis that is). To say I am in good shape would only expose my wicked sense of humour. In fact Euclid himself would have a tough time “figuring” me out at my present disposition.
So now, a new problem? I need to shed some weight to fit in! It’s the time to “weigh” my options. I should probably try restricting my food intake, was a popular suggestion. But given my “never say diet” attitude, the chances of that happening are, honestly speaking, slim! Besides it would force me to eat, if nothing else, my own words, aptly employed at the start of this entry. Maybe I should try some “weapons of mass destruction” ie gym equipment. This would entail a disciplined visit to a gym for at least a couple of months! Doesn’t seem worth the weight...err…wait! I could definitely use some advice. Any suggestions?
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
The Write Way
Recently I was asked about the rules I follow when I attempt to write. Humm! I’d never been made to feel like an expert before, so I thought I’d strike the iron when the sun shines, err, I mean making hay when it’s hot. I’ll list down all the “proverbial” rules I am conscious of when I attempt to write:
1. Convince your readers with brevity. I never use more words, phrases, sentences, or other linguistic elements and parts of speech than I, myself, can actually and precisely use or employ when expressing myself or otherwise giving voice to what I may or may not be thinking when I am trying to say how many words I should use or not use while using words.
2. And I never begin a sentence with a conjunction.
3. To begin a sentence with an infinitive is incorrect.
4. I avoid clichés; they are old chestnuts.
5. I avoid annoying alliterations that are also abrasive and awkward.
6. And the secret of funny writing? …timing! Let me explain once more, I never drag a joke to such an extent that it outlives its lifetime and is easily forgotten. Did you get it? Wait! I’ll say that again…(read rule no.7 again)
7. Employing foreign words and phrases ad infinitum hovers on ad nauseam.
8. Starting a sentence with a hanging gerund is one of my favourite “no-nos”.
9. I use my commas wisely lest I’m labeled forgive the pun “rebel without a clause”.
10. I hate using single word sentences. Period!
11. I avoid using quotations that digress from the subject. As Ralph Waldo Emerson is said to have once remarked, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
12. Puns are entertaining for kids, or the children-at-heart. For “groan” readers, they are “pun”ishing.
13. I use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
14. It’s my blog. So I make the rules. And I rewrite them with every new entry. So my own suggestion, never follow any rules. Just blame it on your creativity.
1. Convince your readers with brevity. I never use more words, phrases, sentences, or other linguistic elements and parts of speech than I, myself, can actually and precisely use or employ when expressing myself or otherwise giving voice to what I may or may not be thinking when I am trying to say how many words I should use or not use while using words.
2. And I never begin a sentence with a conjunction.
3. To begin a sentence with an infinitive is incorrect.
4. I avoid clichés; they are old chestnuts.
5. I avoid annoying alliterations that are also abrasive and awkward.
6. And the secret of funny writing? …timing! Let me explain once more, I never drag a joke to such an extent that it outlives its lifetime and is easily forgotten. Did you get it? Wait! I’ll say that again…(read rule no.7 again)
7. Employing foreign words and phrases ad infinitum hovers on ad nauseam.
8. Starting a sentence with a hanging gerund is one of my favourite “no-nos”.
9. I use my commas wisely lest I’m labeled forgive the pun “rebel without a clause”.
10. I hate using single word sentences. Period!
11. I avoid using quotations that digress from the subject. As Ralph Waldo Emerson is said to have once remarked, "I hate quotations. Tell me what you know."
12. Puns are entertaining for kids, or the children-at-heart. For “groan” readers, they are “pun”ishing.
13. I use the apostrophe in it's proper place and omit it when its not needed.
14. It’s my blog. So I make the rules. And I rewrite them with every new entry. So my own suggestion, never follow any rules. Just blame it on your creativity.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
..And then there were none!
Tributes:
To Bappa, a good friend and the best writer i've ever known.
To Agatha Christie, for the title and lots more...
Monday, February 21, 2001
Arrive on Saturday morning and found all arrangements in order. Settling in has been a tiresome business and so no diary entries for a last couple of days. Professor Jacob invited me over for lunch today, but I was too exhausted to go over. I reviewed my class schedule which begins on Wednesday. I must admit I’ve been fortunate to get to teach precisely the same subject I am doing my thesis on. Teaching undergraduate classes is always boring and more importantly, time-consuming for a doctorate student, especially since I am planning to finish off my thesis inside of four years. It’s a task of mammoth proportions, but I think my idea may revolutionise the entire treatment of schizophrenia. With a co-operative class, I should be able to take out enough time to work on it.
Wednesday, February 23, 2001
I took my first class today. The class I have been allotted does not seem to be all that exceptional, in fact rather mediocre if I may put it bluntly. But maybe, I am being too judgemental about them. They would probably be alright once I got to know them better. Also Professor Jacob dropped into my room today. He is a large man in his mid-forties, mild-mannered and extremely affable. His knowledge of the subject is profound. We discussed the outlines of my idea for a while. He was rather taken aback when I told him I planned to finish my thesis in less than four years. “By all means, do aim to meet that target. Although I must add that you should try and ensure that the shortened time frame does not affect the quality of your research.” He left shortly, waving off my profuse thanks for unbending enough to drop into his student’s room.
Wednesday, May 3, 2001
My work has come to a complete standstill or rather, it would be more correct to say that it had never begun in the first place. My class has, in the meantime, confirmed my worst fears. Dull, lacking motivation and only concerned with clearing their exams, they are a researcher’s worst nightmare. It is next to impossible to raise one’s intellectual state to the level required for my work after interacting with such a dead class. Professor Jacob was quite sympathetic to my plight in the beginning but has begun to grow increasingly impatient over the last two weeks. I do not blame him, I am losing patience with myself as well.
Tuesday, May 23, 2001
The inevitable has happened. Professor Jacob has formally expressed dissatisfaction with my lack of progress. He curtly informed me that unless I manage to get some solid work done soon, he is no longer willing to act as my advisor. This warning was not unexpected and I have been trying to get myself to get myself to put more time and effort into my thesis of late, but to no avail. Recalling my excitement when I arrived here three months ago, the only thing I can say is that I was terribly naïve. Its been only a matter of months and I am already wondering if I will ever be able to complete my thesis.
Tuesday, July 17, 2001
Only habit allows me to make an entry tonight. I am too weary, too low-spirited. I seem to be sinking deeper into a morass with every passing week. I have managed to come up with a synopsis of my projected line of research to satisfy my advisor, but little else. Looking back through my dairy, I found an entry in May saying that I wondered if I would ever be able to complete my thesis. Now I have stopped wondering, I am pretty sure I will never be able to finish my thesis…
Friday, August 1, 2001
I had an interesting experience today. I was killing time at the local café when I happened to meet this gentleman named Dr.Bhaskar. He is also on the faculty of the Department of Psychology although I have never met him before. This is not as surprising as it seems at first as there are more than sixty teachers in the department. But today the place was deserted except for the two of us and we just introduced ourselves. He empathized when I told him of my case and advised me not to lose heart. “You’ve just started out. Once you come up with a clearer picture of exactly you are trying to work on, your work will speed up vastly”, he told me.
Saturday, October 24,2001
I have been meeting Dr. Bhaskar regularly over the last two and a half months. Indeed he has become the closest to what I believe is a friend in this place. He is fifteen years older than I and of Spartan habits. Being a bachelor, he shares my loneliness and we are thrown together very often. He is highly qualified and teaches post-graduate classes. One of his classes, in particular, is supposed to be exceedingly brilliant. His frequent description of their calibre has aroused my envy. My work is proceeding somewhat better now though the pace at which it is proceeding leaves a lot to be desired. I owe it all to Dr. Bhaskar , whose company is so intellectually stimulating.
Sunday, December 28, 2001
At last, there seems to be light at the end of the long dark tunnel. A solution to my woes may be knocking at my door. Dr. Bhaskar has made a kind offer, which would allow me to teach his class for an indefinite period. He has been a patient listener to all my problems and feels my chief problem is the lack of an atmosphere condusive to research. He believes a few hours with his class would get me back on track. Needless to say, I took up his kind offer at once.
Wednesday, May 5, 2002
The last few months have gone by in a blur. I have been extremely busy teaching both an undergraduate and a post-graduate class. In addition to that, my own work has finally begun in right earnest. I claim no credit for this fact, the entire share goes to my wonderful new class who have motivated me as well as challenged me intellectually at a level where all my mental faculties were stimulated to their utmost. Some of the students in particular have been very interesting. There is Sourav who plans to go on and specialize in treatment of MPD, Nithin wants to go into academia and research full time and Deepa who, like yours truly, envisions a future in the treatment of schizophrenia. These three and their fellow students have easily taught me much more than I have taught them. In fact, I have started paying minimal attention to the undergraduate morons I am forced to teach.
To
Mr. Atul Basu 15th November, 2002
Research Scholar
Dept of Psychology
Dear Mr. Basu
Sub: Prolonged absence from classes
It has come to our notice that you have been absenting yourself from 2nd year BA class allotted to you. Your prolonged neglect of this class has caused their performance to fall dramatically as evidenced by their recent examination results.i would advice you to devote more time to teaching this class so that such an episode is not repeated anytime in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. P.S.Reddy
Head of Dept (Psychology)
Sunday, November 17,2002
The letter was quite shocking to say the least. I know I have been devoting all my time and attention to the postgraduate class. Dr. Bhaskar did say that he would inform them of the change. I went to the departmental office to discuss the matter with them yesterday but the gentleman there took my protests with a pinch of salt, " Mr. Basu, we know that most PhD scholars neglect their teaching duties in order to take out more time to work on their thesis. Just make sure that this does not recur and let us end the matter there."
Monday, June 9, 2003
I have been taking a back-breaking workload for a few months now, which explains why I have not had an entry in the diary for ages. I have had perforce to teach those undergraduate idiots as well as my post-graduate class. The best news is that my research work continues to make excellent progress. I think I can fully implement the revolutionary ideas I came here with. The sad part is that my post-graduate class will pass out in a couple of months time. I will miss them dearly. I will forever be indebted to them.
Thursday, January 3, 2004
I just received news that the doctors I wrote to at NIMHANS have agreed to try out the treatment I have been working on for their serious cases of schizophrenia. Also my paper on the subject has appeared in the British Psychiatric Journal. Dr. Bhaskar and I went out and celebrated with champagne.
Deccan Herald
St.Johns PhD scholar pioneers breakthrough in schizophrenia treatment.
Bangalore, 5th November, 2004
Mr. Atul Basu, a PhD scholar at the St. John’s Medical College has reportedly developed a treatment for even the most acute cases of schizophrenia. His method has been successfully tested by doctors at NIMHANS, Bangalore…..
Tuesday, February 21, 2005
Today , four years after I made my first diary entry in this place, I stand on the verge of a momentous occasion. I will receive my PhD at the University Convocation this Saturday. The accolades I have garnered from my faculty members and students alike are overwhelming to say the least. I write this sitting in the main hall of the college. I wanted to invite Dr. Bhaskar to my convocation as a special guest when I realized did not even have his address or phone number. No matter! I’ll head to the office right away and collect it.
Tuesday, February 21, 2005 ....2 hours later
I do not understand what is happening. I went to the office and asked for Dr. Bhaskar’s number, only to receive a mystifying reply that there was no faculty member of that name in college. All my protestations to the effect that I had known the gentleman for four years were of no avail. As I came out of the office, my eyes fell on the board displayed near the main entrance.
Roll of Honour
Mr. Sourav Pal(1969)
….
….
Mr. Nithin Ram(1975)
….
….
Ms. Deepa Rajan(1982)
… Oh my god! What is happening here? All of them were my students and yet…. The Roll Of Honour…And where is Dr. Bhaskar … and my thesis…ON SCHIZOPHRENIA!! I HAVE DEVELOPED A TREATMENT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA….ME … ON SCHIZOPHRENIA…HA! HA! HA!
Deccan Herald
Bangalore, February 25
……in the most bizarre of events witnessed at the convocation yesterday, a graduate walked up on stage to receive his degree – A PhD in Psychology- from the chief guest. Right there he tore it to pieces and threw it down. He then unearthed a cigarette lighter from his pocket and set the pieces on fire.
To Bappa, a good friend and the best writer i've ever known.
To Agatha Christie, for the title and lots more...
Monday, February 21, 2001
Arrive on Saturday morning and found all arrangements in order. Settling in has been a tiresome business and so no diary entries for a last couple of days. Professor Jacob invited me over for lunch today, but I was too exhausted to go over. I reviewed my class schedule which begins on Wednesday. I must admit I’ve been fortunate to get to teach precisely the same subject I am doing my thesis on. Teaching undergraduate classes is always boring and more importantly, time-consuming for a doctorate student, especially since I am planning to finish off my thesis inside of four years. It’s a task of mammoth proportions, but I think my idea may revolutionise the entire treatment of schizophrenia. With a co-operative class, I should be able to take out enough time to work on it.
Wednesday, February 23, 2001
I took my first class today. The class I have been allotted does not seem to be all that exceptional, in fact rather mediocre if I may put it bluntly. But maybe, I am being too judgemental about them. They would probably be alright once I got to know them better. Also Professor Jacob dropped into my room today. He is a large man in his mid-forties, mild-mannered and extremely affable. His knowledge of the subject is profound. We discussed the outlines of my idea for a while. He was rather taken aback when I told him I planned to finish my thesis in less than four years. “By all means, do aim to meet that target. Although I must add that you should try and ensure that the shortened time frame does not affect the quality of your research.” He left shortly, waving off my profuse thanks for unbending enough to drop into his student’s room.
Wednesday, May 3, 2001
My work has come to a complete standstill or rather, it would be more correct to say that it had never begun in the first place. My class has, in the meantime, confirmed my worst fears. Dull, lacking motivation and only concerned with clearing their exams, they are a researcher’s worst nightmare. It is next to impossible to raise one’s intellectual state to the level required for my work after interacting with such a dead class. Professor Jacob was quite sympathetic to my plight in the beginning but has begun to grow increasingly impatient over the last two weeks. I do not blame him, I am losing patience with myself as well.
Tuesday, May 23, 2001
The inevitable has happened. Professor Jacob has formally expressed dissatisfaction with my lack of progress. He curtly informed me that unless I manage to get some solid work done soon, he is no longer willing to act as my advisor. This warning was not unexpected and I have been trying to get myself to get myself to put more time and effort into my thesis of late, but to no avail. Recalling my excitement when I arrived here three months ago, the only thing I can say is that I was terribly naïve. Its been only a matter of months and I am already wondering if I will ever be able to complete my thesis.
Tuesday, July 17, 2001
Only habit allows me to make an entry tonight. I am too weary, too low-spirited. I seem to be sinking deeper into a morass with every passing week. I have managed to come up with a synopsis of my projected line of research to satisfy my advisor, but little else. Looking back through my dairy, I found an entry in May saying that I wondered if I would ever be able to complete my thesis. Now I have stopped wondering, I am pretty sure I will never be able to finish my thesis…
Friday, August 1, 2001
I had an interesting experience today. I was killing time at the local café when I happened to meet this gentleman named Dr.Bhaskar. He is also on the faculty of the Department of Psychology although I have never met him before. This is not as surprising as it seems at first as there are more than sixty teachers in the department. But today the place was deserted except for the two of us and we just introduced ourselves. He empathized when I told him of my case and advised me not to lose heart. “You’ve just started out. Once you come up with a clearer picture of exactly you are trying to work on, your work will speed up vastly”, he told me.
Saturday, October 24,2001
I have been meeting Dr. Bhaskar regularly over the last two and a half months. Indeed he has become the closest to what I believe is a friend in this place. He is fifteen years older than I and of Spartan habits. Being a bachelor, he shares my loneliness and we are thrown together very often. He is highly qualified and teaches post-graduate classes. One of his classes, in particular, is supposed to be exceedingly brilliant. His frequent description of their calibre has aroused my envy. My work is proceeding somewhat better now though the pace at which it is proceeding leaves a lot to be desired. I owe it all to Dr. Bhaskar , whose company is so intellectually stimulating.
Sunday, December 28, 2001
At last, there seems to be light at the end of the long dark tunnel. A solution to my woes may be knocking at my door. Dr. Bhaskar has made a kind offer, which would allow me to teach his class for an indefinite period. He has been a patient listener to all my problems and feels my chief problem is the lack of an atmosphere condusive to research. He believes a few hours with his class would get me back on track. Needless to say, I took up his kind offer at once.
Wednesday, May 5, 2002
The last few months have gone by in a blur. I have been extremely busy teaching both an undergraduate and a post-graduate class. In addition to that, my own work has finally begun in right earnest. I claim no credit for this fact, the entire share goes to my wonderful new class who have motivated me as well as challenged me intellectually at a level where all my mental faculties were stimulated to their utmost. Some of the students in particular have been very interesting. There is Sourav who plans to go on and specialize in treatment of MPD, Nithin wants to go into academia and research full time and Deepa who, like yours truly, envisions a future in the treatment of schizophrenia. These three and their fellow students have easily taught me much more than I have taught them. In fact, I have started paying minimal attention to the undergraduate morons I am forced to teach.
To
Mr. Atul Basu 15th November, 2002
Research Scholar
Dept of Psychology
Dear Mr. Basu
Sub: Prolonged absence from classes
It has come to our notice that you have been absenting yourself from 2nd year BA class allotted to you. Your prolonged neglect of this class has caused their performance to fall dramatically as evidenced by their recent examination results.i would advice you to devote more time to teaching this class so that such an episode is not repeated anytime in the future.
Yours sincerely,
Prof. P.S.Reddy
Head of Dept (Psychology)
Sunday, November 17,2002
The letter was quite shocking to say the least. I know I have been devoting all my time and attention to the postgraduate class. Dr. Bhaskar did say that he would inform them of the change. I went to the departmental office to discuss the matter with them yesterday but the gentleman there took my protests with a pinch of salt, " Mr. Basu, we know that most PhD scholars neglect their teaching duties in order to take out more time to work on their thesis. Just make sure that this does not recur and let us end the matter there."
Monday, June 9, 2003
I have been taking a back-breaking workload for a few months now, which explains why I have not had an entry in the diary for ages. I have had perforce to teach those undergraduate idiots as well as my post-graduate class. The best news is that my research work continues to make excellent progress. I think I can fully implement the revolutionary ideas I came here with. The sad part is that my post-graduate class will pass out in a couple of months time. I will miss them dearly. I will forever be indebted to them.
Thursday, January 3, 2004
I just received news that the doctors I wrote to at NIMHANS have agreed to try out the treatment I have been working on for their serious cases of schizophrenia. Also my paper on the subject has appeared in the British Psychiatric Journal. Dr. Bhaskar and I went out and celebrated with champagne.
Deccan Herald
St.Johns PhD scholar pioneers breakthrough in schizophrenia treatment.
Bangalore, 5th November, 2004
Mr. Atul Basu, a PhD scholar at the St. John’s Medical College has reportedly developed a treatment for even the most acute cases of schizophrenia. His method has been successfully tested by doctors at NIMHANS, Bangalore…..
Tuesday, February 21, 2005
Today , four years after I made my first diary entry in this place, I stand on the verge of a momentous occasion. I will receive my PhD at the University Convocation this Saturday. The accolades I have garnered from my faculty members and students alike are overwhelming to say the least. I write this sitting in the main hall of the college. I wanted to invite Dr. Bhaskar to my convocation as a special guest when I realized did not even have his address or phone number. No matter! I’ll head to the office right away and collect it.
Tuesday, February 21, 2005 ....2 hours later
I do not understand what is happening. I went to the office and asked for Dr. Bhaskar’s number, only to receive a mystifying reply that there was no faculty member of that name in college. All my protestations to the effect that I had known the gentleman for four years were of no avail. As I came out of the office, my eyes fell on the board displayed near the main entrance.
Roll of Honour
Mr. Sourav Pal(1969)
….
….
Mr. Nithin Ram(1975)
….
….
Ms. Deepa Rajan(1982)
… Oh my god! What is happening here? All of them were my students and yet…. The Roll Of Honour…And where is Dr. Bhaskar … and my thesis…ON SCHIZOPHRENIA!! I HAVE DEVELOPED A TREATMENT FOR SCHIZOPHRENIA….ME … ON SCHIZOPHRENIA…HA! HA! HA!
Deccan Herald
Bangalore, February 25
……in the most bizarre of events witnessed at the convocation yesterday, a graduate walked up on stage to receive his degree – A PhD in Psychology- from the chief guest. Right there he tore it to pieces and threw it down. He then unearthed a cigarette lighter from his pocket and set the pieces on fire.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Spit Wide Open
We Indians have always taken a lot of pride in our free society. So much so that it’s forced upon us. A child is forced to believe, “ We live in a free world; we have no choice”. One of the pleasures of living in a free country like India is the pleasure of spitting like the world is your personal spittoon. Being an Indian, it’s your birthright to enjoy your share of spits and spats. I was at the receiving at not so long ago. Recently,a few ladies in hyderabad were at the receiving end of some hospitality from their paan-chewing hosts as they were passing by a street. Subsequently, they raised a paan-demonium at the police station. Fortunately for them, the ladies did have their share of listeners.
The authorities now have woken up to the fact the freedom does indeed come “at a price”. So now you can spit at a woman for Rs.50 only. To make the pricing even more attractive, if the lady is in the company of a man, one can spit at him for no additional costs. The authorities with their capitalistic ideologies do know how to set a “Fine” example for the citizens of this great country.
The authorities now have woken up to the fact the freedom does indeed come “at a price”. So now you can spit at a woman for Rs.50 only. To make the pricing even more attractive, if the lady is in the company of a man, one can spit at him for no additional costs. The authorities with their capitalistic ideologies do know how to set a “Fine” example for the citizens of this great country.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
IT's a mad, mad, mad, mad world
At one time or another, most of us will come to a point in our careers when we sit on the fence, wondering, ruminating, contemplating if we are really cut-out for our chosen profession. It often results in a desire to take a leap over the fence into a newer field, but it is not without some doubts and anxiety. “ If I get out of this line of work, I have to be sure I’m not coming back.” A vast majority is less inclined to take this leap and try to find comfort in their own professional lives. One of the industries that thrive on this trend among employees in India is ITES/BPO sector.
This also influences many Indians to give up on their jobs (non-software) and take a lunge into the software industry. A mechanical engineer may give up on his job in the manufacturing sector to become a software engineer. Ask him why? “ I think I’ve had more than my share of mechanical engineering, I need a change”. Things may be going well, or not so well, but for whatever reason; they're thinking that it's time for change.
I honestly believe many of us people are not in jobs that we planned and studied for. As a matter of fact, it's pretty clear that many people are in careers that just "happened". They started working at a job thinking it was going to be something they'd do until they decided what they really wanted to get involved in, and then they just stayed around until it became a kind of career. “ I’ll work in a software company for two years. This experience should help me in my MBA interviews”.
In other cases, individuals are in jobs or professions based on the guidance or encouragement of other people in their lives. “ I belong to a family of engineers, so I have to become one”. It is simply the continuation of “ My dad is an IITian, it’ll be an embarrassment if I’m not one” paradigm. Regardless of how they got to where they are now, it wasn't, for most of the populace, a well thought-out plan that was skilfully executed.
Which brings me to the three reasons why people like yours truly should not take up the quintessential ITES/BPO job. You are forewarned, the authors opinion is based on the feedback based on engineers working for various IT companies. This does not apply to software engineers who have taken up their jobs for the love of it. Or those who want to believe they love their IT jobs. By no means am I challenging the policies of the IT world. I just intend to warn like-minded folks of what they are to expect.
All work and no play makes Jack a manager
Everybody dreams of 7 digit pay check annually. But what we fail to see is a 16 lakh p.a job comes with a 16 hour a day work schedule. Are you really willing to make those sacrifices? That’s a question one needs to ask himself. Also the ones who earn such a paycheck are the ones who have rightfully earned it. They’ve missed every F1 race of the season trying to meet deadlines. They’ve planned their vacation, which would coincide with a conference. Not to mention the number of meals skipped to take a client call or to close a sales deal.
I also find subordinates always have a grouse against their manager, who quintessentially, does not have a life. Yet, everybody would love to be in his shoes. Everybody loves to become a manager, but hates their own manager. A universal phenomenon indeed! Being a manager is not about winning a popularity contest. So one is required to kill that desire of being liked if one is to go up the hierarchy in IT company and this could probably be extended to the management in every company.
To err is human; to forgive is against company policy
Now some really interesting facts that is specific to ITES/BPO. I’ll neither name the company or the people who have narrated their experiences to me. The pay in IT is good compared to many other professions, but since they pay you well, employees believe companies often think they own you. And if your reason with your manager on why you think its unfair on you, the reply is standard. “This is a part of your job. You are on our payroll. That's why we pay you the big bucks!” You are left to wonder if a payroll and a parole are more than just homonyms. Or is it a sadistic corporate pun?
Another problem, which employees suffer in BPO’s, is an erosion of dignity and self-respect. A customer always thinks its your fault even if his software doesn’t run because he has accidently deleted his software. A customer rep with a presence of mind will probably ask the customer to check out his recycle bin. But with an avalanche of swear words hurled at you, you are likely to forget your own existence. A call centre is “ The customer is always right” taken far too seriously.
And for a person who is reasonably proficient as a tech support representative in office, he becomes a personal tech support for all the non-tech co-workers in office. As a result you’ll take calls 7 days a week, 5 days for your customers and two for your co-workers. You’ll wonder if your paycheck worth the thankless job.
If you think at the end of the day you’ll be dabbling with sophisticated software, think again. Majority of your assignments require you to baby-sit existing technologies. Afterall, a software without any glitches is inevitably absolutum obseletum (if it works, its outdated).
There ain’t no thing as free lunch
Some of the companies that rank very high in employee satisfaction employ this tactic. They simply pamper their employees. The jobs on offer are no rocket science stuff, mundane to say the least. The only factor that keeps the employees satisfied is probably the benefits the company offers. The company that boasts of a 1% attrition rate pays for all the Dominos pizzas that are ordered in office. Some offices have a mini-theatre, others have convenience stores that do not charge employees for the junk food they consume. Some companies go one step further, instead of rewarding the most outstanding employees with an onsite project, the whole team is sent on a company funded US trip. Everybody is happy! Also some companies encourage employees to splurge and indulge in luxuries by rewarding them some surprise bonus check. A good shopping spree can help you overcome the emotional void you are starting to experience at work. Says an employee “ It is an ethical way of killing ambition. Employees will dread to think of seeking employment in another company, simply because they cannot live without this culture”.
I personally feel an employee will find many points to complain about. The one point he’ll hate to admit is the fact that he cannot enjoy what he’s doing. He’d rather want to believe he’s living a rebellious life by bottling up all his anger and frustrations during the day and venting it out every evening. It is not very difficult to find suitable outlets. Reading one book a night, voracious blogging, incessant spending will only take you so far as to survive every single day till you fall asleep. But quality life is so much more than a cumulative sum of every single day you live. The only solution is the clichéd “ do what you love”. It may not satisfy all your needs, but it’ll surely render you impervious to all the aforementioned horrors. If nothing, it’ll save you the attempt and trouble of liking what you do.
This also influences many Indians to give up on their jobs (non-software) and take a lunge into the software industry. A mechanical engineer may give up on his job in the manufacturing sector to become a software engineer. Ask him why? “ I think I’ve had more than my share of mechanical engineering, I need a change”. Things may be going well, or not so well, but for whatever reason; they're thinking that it's time for change.
I honestly believe many of us people are not in jobs that we planned and studied for. As a matter of fact, it's pretty clear that many people are in careers that just "happened". They started working at a job thinking it was going to be something they'd do until they decided what they really wanted to get involved in, and then they just stayed around until it became a kind of career. “ I’ll work in a software company for two years. This experience should help me in my MBA interviews”.
In other cases, individuals are in jobs or professions based on the guidance or encouragement of other people in their lives. “ I belong to a family of engineers, so I have to become one”. It is simply the continuation of “ My dad is an IITian, it’ll be an embarrassment if I’m not one” paradigm. Regardless of how they got to where they are now, it wasn't, for most of the populace, a well thought-out plan that was skilfully executed.
Which brings me to the three reasons why people like yours truly should not take up the quintessential ITES/BPO job. You are forewarned, the authors opinion is based on the feedback based on engineers working for various IT companies. This does not apply to software engineers who have taken up their jobs for the love of it. Or those who want to believe they love their IT jobs. By no means am I challenging the policies of the IT world. I just intend to warn like-minded folks of what they are to expect.
All work and no play makes Jack a manager
Everybody dreams of 7 digit pay check annually. But what we fail to see is a 16 lakh p.a job comes with a 16 hour a day work schedule. Are you really willing to make those sacrifices? That’s a question one needs to ask himself. Also the ones who earn such a paycheck are the ones who have rightfully earned it. They’ve missed every F1 race of the season trying to meet deadlines. They’ve planned their vacation, which would coincide with a conference. Not to mention the number of meals skipped to take a client call or to close a sales deal.
I also find subordinates always have a grouse against their manager, who quintessentially, does not have a life. Yet, everybody would love to be in his shoes. Everybody loves to become a manager, but hates their own manager. A universal phenomenon indeed! Being a manager is not about winning a popularity contest. So one is required to kill that desire of being liked if one is to go up the hierarchy in IT company and this could probably be extended to the management in every company.
To err is human; to forgive is against company policy
Now some really interesting facts that is specific to ITES/BPO. I’ll neither name the company or the people who have narrated their experiences to me. The pay in IT is good compared to many other professions, but since they pay you well, employees believe companies often think they own you. And if your reason with your manager on why you think its unfair on you, the reply is standard. “This is a part of your job. You are on our payroll. That's why we pay you the big bucks!” You are left to wonder if a payroll and a parole are more than just homonyms. Or is it a sadistic corporate pun?
Another problem, which employees suffer in BPO’s, is an erosion of dignity and self-respect. A customer always thinks its your fault even if his software doesn’t run because he has accidently deleted his software. A customer rep with a presence of mind will probably ask the customer to check out his recycle bin. But with an avalanche of swear words hurled at you, you are likely to forget your own existence. A call centre is “ The customer is always right” taken far too seriously.
And for a person who is reasonably proficient as a tech support representative in office, he becomes a personal tech support for all the non-tech co-workers in office. As a result you’ll take calls 7 days a week, 5 days for your customers and two for your co-workers. You’ll wonder if your paycheck worth the thankless job.
If you think at the end of the day you’ll be dabbling with sophisticated software, think again. Majority of your assignments require you to baby-sit existing technologies. Afterall, a software without any glitches is inevitably absolutum obseletum (if it works, its outdated).
There ain’t no thing as free lunch
Some of the companies that rank very high in employee satisfaction employ this tactic. They simply pamper their employees. The jobs on offer are no rocket science stuff, mundane to say the least. The only factor that keeps the employees satisfied is probably the benefits the company offers. The company that boasts of a 1% attrition rate pays for all the Dominos pizzas that are ordered in office. Some offices have a mini-theatre, others have convenience stores that do not charge employees for the junk food they consume. Some companies go one step further, instead of rewarding the most outstanding employees with an onsite project, the whole team is sent on a company funded US trip. Everybody is happy! Also some companies encourage employees to splurge and indulge in luxuries by rewarding them some surprise bonus check. A good shopping spree can help you overcome the emotional void you are starting to experience at work. Says an employee “ It is an ethical way of killing ambition. Employees will dread to think of seeking employment in another company, simply because they cannot live without this culture”.
I personally feel an employee will find many points to complain about. The one point he’ll hate to admit is the fact that he cannot enjoy what he’s doing. He’d rather want to believe he’s living a rebellious life by bottling up all his anger and frustrations during the day and venting it out every evening. It is not very difficult to find suitable outlets. Reading one book a night, voracious blogging, incessant spending will only take you so far as to survive every single day till you fall asleep. But quality life is so much more than a cumulative sum of every single day you live. The only solution is the clichéd “ do what you love”. It may not satisfy all your needs, but it’ll surely render you impervious to all the aforementioned horrors. If nothing, it’ll save you the attempt and trouble of liking what you do.
Friday, September 21, 2007
To spit or not to spit !
Have any of you ever wondered what a spittoon feels like?
Wait till I enlighten you with an account of my misadventure last year...
Coming back from work, I was crossing the main road outside lifestyle, which to the uninitiated is one of the craziest roads if there is one in hyderabad. Suddenly this monstrosity( an Apsrtc bus) takes me by surprise. I was not particularly caught off guard by the sudden appearance of this grotesque apparition, but by its excretion!!!I felt this projectile which struck me on my cheek.When I felt it with my fingers, I realised I had a sticky situation at hand. Some nincompoop travelling in that very monstrosity was in a good mood to involve himself in a spat. And spotting a charming pedestrian like yours truly ( accuse me of massaging my vanity, but an apsrtc bus is one of the few places where I turn out to be the best looking chap!) he'd found his victim. He launched his chewing gum for my face and his aim was spectacular.
After debating the legality of the culprits relationship with his mother or sister in a fit of rage, I started rushing home with one hand covering the affected areas of my face. I suppose a bloke running with a thinker pose can be quite an amusing sight. I did see an odd passer-by giving me a very bemused grin. The thought of it actually sent me into sudden fits of laughter myself but being at the receiving end, I was'nt particularly amused. Still I sported a smile. I could imagine Jagjit dedicating a few lines to me
"Tum itna jo, muskura rahe ho,
kya GUM hai jisko, choopa rahe ho"
After reaching home, I could'nt help thinking of the man who I strongly believe changed the face of mankind. My gratitude for one Mr. King Camp Gillette got the better of me. After all the disposible variant of his invention saved my face. I dearsay it was a Shaving grace at an eventful end of a bad day.As for me, having written this piece, I am hoping not to lose or split any more hairs thinking about this incident.
Wait till I enlighten you with an account of my misadventure last year...
Coming back from work, I was crossing the main road outside lifestyle, which to the uninitiated is one of the craziest roads if there is one in hyderabad. Suddenly this monstrosity( an Apsrtc bus) takes me by surprise. I was not particularly caught off guard by the sudden appearance of this grotesque apparition, but by its excretion!!!I felt this projectile which struck me on my cheek.When I felt it with my fingers, I realised I had a sticky situation at hand. Some nincompoop travelling in that very monstrosity was in a good mood to involve himself in a spat. And spotting a charming pedestrian like yours truly ( accuse me of massaging my vanity, but an apsrtc bus is one of the few places where I turn out to be the best looking chap!) he'd found his victim. He launched his chewing gum for my face and his aim was spectacular.
After debating the legality of the culprits relationship with his mother or sister in a fit of rage, I started rushing home with one hand covering the affected areas of my face. I suppose a bloke running with a thinker pose can be quite an amusing sight. I did see an odd passer-by giving me a very bemused grin. The thought of it actually sent me into sudden fits of laughter myself but being at the receiving end, I was'nt particularly amused. Still I sported a smile. I could imagine Jagjit dedicating a few lines to me
"Tum itna jo, muskura rahe ho,
kya GUM hai jisko, choopa rahe ho"
After reaching home, I could'nt help thinking of the man who I strongly believe changed the face of mankind. My gratitude for one Mr. King Camp Gillette got the better of me. After all the disposible variant of his invention saved my face. I dearsay it was a Shaving grace at an eventful end of a bad day.As for me, having written this piece, I am hoping not to lose or split any more hairs thinking about this incident.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Harmonic Progression
-2005-front.jpg)
I’ve always enjoyed sorting out my music on the computer. I don’t even need an excuse to get started. Every track on my computer has some sentiment attached. Every album sends me to unique imaginary realms. There are some tracks that are preserved only for the nostalgic value it provides, even though over the years my musical tastes have changed as drastically as I have as a person. Which is why this vocation (sorting out music and compiling play lists) turns out to be as refreshing as a vacation.
Last month I decided to organize my Hard disk and, it was an impulsive decision. July was particularly characterized by some anxiety and loneliness. My books and my music were my only bedfellows. Once while discussing my music collection with precocious perf(a friend whose name is not to be revealed), I began this odyssey which lasted nearly a month. As various songs played, they formed a soundtrack to the memories they invoked. It was a photo album for my ears; certain songs are inextricably attached to events in my past and when I listen to them, memories return.
My Columbine Voyage to the Newer world of music began with ABBA and Boney M. My sis plainly dismissed these as silly nursery rhymes when I played some of these numbers. She wouldn’t have guessed. I used to hum these tunes even before she was born. “Ring Ring ”, “Super trooper”, “ Another Town Another Train”, “Hasta manana” “Belfast”, “ Rasputin”….
Never understood the lyrics then, but loved the tunes. I subconsciously attached these tunes to all those days spent in Matunga, Bombay. And I’d sing those as any four-year old would.
“ I’m nothing special, in fact I’m a bit of a bore
If I tell a joke, you’ve probably heard it before
But I have a talent, a wonderful thing
coz everyone listens when I start to sing
I’m so grateful and proud
All I want is to sing it out loud”
Circa 1989.Those were the days of the tape recorder. Most Indians in their post-colonial hangover would say “You don’t have to pay at Spenser’s to meet your needs”. As Indians, we’d always found cheaper and more convenient ways to indulge in luxuries. Now, we didn’t need to buy album tapes for just a couple of good songs. We could always record our favourite numbers on blank audio tapes, and pretty good quality tapes ( the red cover Sony tapes) at that. So the music I listened to were not labeled. I had all these songs memorized on School bus trips between Chembur and Ghatkopar in Bombay (if you wondering how, my school bus was one of the very few that had a audio system). Only many years later would I make a serendipitous discovery of the name of the artist. When I listen to these tracks I’m often amused at the fact that as a six year old, the subjects that these numbers addressed were obviously beyond my comprehension, and yet we’d have a careless bus driver playing these in a school bus. “Papa don’t preach” and “la isa bonita” by Madonna, “I just called” and “part time lover” by Stevie Wonder, “Notorious” by Duran Duran, and a few by Foreigner, Boston, Tina Turner, USA for Africa, Berlin to name a few. Music and I were inseparable, and it was beyond my imagination that there is a whole world of music awaiting me. It was heavenly!
“Such a feelings coming over me
There is wonder in most everything I see
Not a cloud in the sky
Got the sun in my eyes
And I wont be surprised if its a dream
Everything I want the world to be
Is now coming true especially for me
And the reason is clear
Its because you are here
You’re the nearest thing to heaven that I’ve seen”
The '90s were mostly disappointing. Some excellent music completely overshadowed by syrupy shit! What I never realized then was the fact that my only source of music was MTV, and understandably music was sold based on visual appeal. This was the time I was starting to be really disillusioned with music. I did find some uplifting moments though.
“I get knocked down
But I get up again
You’re never going to
Keep me down”
I never really deciphered the “uplifting” pun in most songs and never figured out the drug or sexual connotations in the songs. I guess innocence and blissful ignorance did go hand in hand in my adolescence.
In the late 90’s I’d reached a point of giving up on music. Thought it’d just not be the same. I was probably one of those misguided by what music channels had to offer.
“I ain't saying you treated me unkind
You could have done better but I don't mind
You just kinda wasted my precious time
But don't think twice, it's all right”
Napster was a boon. It restored hope for a better tomorrow. I started discovering some new music, or some music that was lost in the sands of time. Suddenly my relationship with music took a more philosophical turn. Started believing I’d already missed out on some really good music but thanks to the internet, I did have some access to it.
“I was twenty-one years when I wrote this song.
I’m twenty-two now but I wont be for long
Time hurries on.
And the leaves that are green turn to brown”
And we now have torrents. So my musical tastes start traveling on auto pilot. First there’s metal, then all genres of classic rock, some rock and roll, then some world music and more blues, and even more jazz…I could probably write a book on all the music I’ve listened to ever since.
Some love stories never end. This one has just begun.
So dear bloggers, I implore you to check out your collection and enjoy the trip.
“So I say
Thank you for the music, the songs I’m singing
Thanks for all the joy they’re bringing
Who can live without it, I ask in all honesty
What would life be?
Without a song or a dance what are we?
So I say thank you for the music
For giving it to me”
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