In a World of OTPs and KYCs

 And digital menus.. imagine these..

If you want to enter Heaven, you need to prove your credentials.. first, a KYC to prove your identity.. and then, enter your OTP to confirm you are dead- but how do you do this when you are dead?

KYC to use a public toilet.. so that you can be fined if you forgot to flush..

KYC to enter a classroom and get your attendance marked.. proxies will be eliminated.

Criminals who want to prove that they committed a crime can also do a KYC.. or else they can't take credit for it.

Moms of newborns need to do a KYC that they are what they say they are- mother of the new-born. Or else, that kid won't be given a birth certificate!

None of this proves you are a citizen.. go do an SIR, sir!

Frame- Marathi Film Review

 Saw an impressive film called Frame (Marathi). Apt title, because it charts out the life of a photojournalist- and his young apprentice.

Very well acted and directed, it stars Ameya Wagh and Nagaraj Manjule. The female parts are not as significant, though they help define the character of the main actor. Can't disclose the plot, but it's very interesting, and disturbing. 

This screening was at the Film Archives audi in Pune, on the same road as FTII. It was a full house, and the director, Vikram Patwardhan, was also there.

IMT Mini Meet

 Met two former students of IMT Nagpur currently in Mumbai. Shafique Gajdhar is from Dewas near Indore, and works in Mumbai. Vishakha Sugand is from Mumbai. We met at Juliette's Cafe in Oshiwara, Andheri. Recounted the good old days, and lots of common faculty and students we all know. 

Wonderful conversation that stretched for about 5 hours!

Khayyam- Musical Tribute

 Saw a good musical program dedicated to Khayyam on his death anniversary. Umrao Jaan, Noorie, Bazaar, Kabhi Kabhi and Trishul - and Sagoon were the major films from which songs were sung by Jitendra Bhuruk, Ghafar Momin, Ankita Takle-Tikekar and Pradnya Gaurkar. 

Amazing Drive around Pune

 This is the season for visiting the spots we drove across. The rains give it a special twist, and the greenery is amazing. We drove in a circle, taking Sinhagad road to Panshet, and then to Varasgaon, Lavasa and back, passing Temghar dam on the way. Had lunch at Ekaant in Lavasa (outskirts), and Kanda bhaji on way to Panshet. Took in many spots on the way, including a small waterfall. Did a speedboat ride at Panshet too.

Pics-

View from the restaurant at Ekaant resort.

Near Lavasa

Is Tech Bad for Management Ed?

 Courses in management- MBA in particular, used to be about free thinking, no single right answers, case studies with possibilities - and no certainty.

Now, it's more about Analytics, and AI-driven solutions. Where does that lead a student, or a faculty member?

Assignments that used to take all night with healthy discussions can mostly be done through AI at the click of a mouse. Case studies fed into a ChatGPT can churn out solutions in a jiffy. 

So what does that make a management student? A prompt manager? And a faculty of management? A judge of the best prompts that generated desired outputs? 

Maybe the fun is going out of learning management, and teaching it. Unless we all up our game, and transcend this BS.

Art Mandai- an Exhibition

 Saw a nice art exhibition with everyday things as its theme. Met a couple of artists too- one known, one unknown. Impressive work. A flower seller's basket was my favourite (first pic below). Got a pic, with the artist. A couple of good ones with a known artist, Anuradha and a chair painted by an unknown one.

Anuradha, the artist and her work.. two sides of Pune.