How to Make Friends

Look around you. Virtually everybody is a potential friend (or stranger-depends on how you look at them). So how do we make friends?

I can explain how I seem to make them. I already have many-cousins, playmates from childhood, hobby-mates, classmates from school, college, MBA class, Ph.D., and so on. So one way is to get an education-plenty of it. The upside is you will make lots of friends.

But you also have that funda about two or three degrees of separation. You know person A, he or she introduces you to B and C. You then have potential friends. Most ex-colleagues are also friends-Shahida, Bhagyalakshmi, Manasa, Murli, SP Kumar, Manoharan, TK Chatterjee, Anant Ram, Halve, Saleena, Jayanti, Lubna,  are some of them. So are ex-assistants or staff colleagues, like Saumya Sharma, Vinod Jadhav and Madhuri Helchel.

Former students who I meet are also among friends. With some, I am more like family, having visited them at home- Swapna (in Singapore), Vrinda and Pallavi in Delhi and Bangalore respectively, come to mind. Sirisha, Shraddha in Mumbai, and Padmapriya in Delhi also. Anupriya and Nidhi Kanungo have visited me at my place in Indore. I keep running into students everywhere on a regular basis, and each meeting is a potential friendship opportunity- particularly after they have forgotten their grades! Some, like Jogeswari and Abhinav, have helped me write cases about their companies, that I use regularly! Planned meetings, I have had with Shafique, Zargar, Divya Singh, Supriya Jain, Pragya Singh, Tosha Dubey, Abha Kulkarni, Khyati Jha, Meghna Sinha,... 

My wife has ex-students, many of whom are my friends now (Vaseem, Vittal). So is the case with my daughters' friends-some of them, at least- I am connected to them on fb.

My book has helped me make friends-I run into people who have read it, and strike up a conversation. Starting with Marketing Research, and moving on to less boring things (!).

My Hindi music group has resulted in my making lots of like-minded friends. It's a long list- Poonam, Subbu, Shiva (and his Mom), Usha, OP, Geeta, Indira, ..

Running a contest for DP Awards on fb has made me a lot of friends (and enemies who spit fire when they don't win!).

And I haven't even talked about Golf!

Airport Blogging

Blogging from the airport maybe for the second time. It is a nice experience if you have a comfortable seat and a table- obviously, not in the waiting area. But a lounge, yes. Lounging around with a laptop and time on your hands? Ideal.

No bandhs, no rain, and nothing to delay the arrival into the airport. Mumbai has never been pleasanter. Sunday evening too, so the lounge is also pleasantly uncrowded. Rare are such happenings, like a Blood Moon or a sighting of Halley's Comet (next expected in 2061, so I shall have a view from the other side).

Digital Marketing-the course- is on at Mumbai, and (hopefully) a training program on it will run in September at IIM Indore. Blogging is part of the curriculum in the course, so at least here, I practice what I preach-every available chance.

My stint in MBA

This was a marketing research firm founded by three IIM Ahmedabad alumni. The MBA stood for Marketing and Business Associates. I joined them in Bangalore, and we had an office in Benson Town, which I usually reached by crossing the railway tracks from Coles Park.

It was a very comfortable workplace. Being mostly MBA-populated, it was easy to understand the jargon. It was also a very open workplace, with ideas exchanged freely, and the language used was informal-everyone was on first name basis. My three bosses were Matthew Paul, CK (Sharma), and Shyam (Sundar) later in Mumbai. I also met Karopadi (Karo) who was an alum of IIM Calcutta, and Muthu, who was from XLRI.

Our work comprised executing marketing research projects. One of the first assignments had me going to Coonoor to survey tea estates and Potato farmers for a client who manufactured plant nutrient sprays. I had to estimate demand for it. An excellent chance to see some of the finest parts of the Nilagiri mountains. I took buses, mostly (I was on a budget), so I could experience life like a local, and also took a train ride for fun. The tea estate guys were mostly welcoming, and had a chat regarding what I wanted without much fuss.

Another assignment for a client sent me off on a meeting with Power plant managers, and those from fertilizer and chemical industries. I went as far as Tuticorin (SPIC had a factory there), and tried to assess interest in some pollution control equipment. The old IPCL plant in Baroda was also one that I visited.

In other sectors, we did projects for ready-made chapatis, and fabric softeners, and for soaps with additives like Tulsi and coconut oil (for WIPRO). HDFC was also a client for one of their husing finance schemes (this was later, when I moved to Bombay with their Worli office, behind Glaxo). We also did a project for Trikaya, where my client's name was Armaity Cabinetmaker-no less than Almighty for us!

Very interesting work, and great learning, till the call for a Ph.D. came and put a stop to it- I still use the war stories!!

Wooden Actors

A Wooden Spoon is what a guy who comes last in a race gets.. some actors in my view who need to get this for their acting chops-

Kishan Kumar- this was a relative (son?) of the famous Gulshan Kumar and exclusively appeared in movies produced by him.

Kumar Gaurav- he had only one expression for all situations, and hence went out as fast as he came into films.

Ok, (deep breath)- Manoj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar (mere naam par batta), and,...the guy who was with Simi Garewal in the marvelous song Chalte Chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna in the film Chalte Chalte..don't even know his name.

Karisma Kapoor and Harish Kumar, in her debut film Prem Qaidi, seemed to compete for the Wooden Spoon. She improved, and (thankfully) we did not hear of him again.

And in contrast, we have great ones like Pankaj Kapur, Om Puri, Irrfan Khan, Naseeruddin Shah, ...

The Making of Hyderabadi Biryani

This is not dumb, but Dum Biryani.  This is how it's made in Hyderabad. A friend made it in Indore this time though, and these are pics describing the process briefly.

 The finished product is above. But let's begin at the beginning. First, make flavourful rice with spices added to water, which is boiled, and rice and salt added, and cooked about 80%  in the open vessel so that the rice is non-sticky -drain extra water (left, below). Fry onions till brown, and keep aside (right).

 Cook chicken (again, slightly less than fully cooked) after marinating it in dahi (curd) and spices. It should have some gravy, similar to a chicken curry. Have some ghee handy.

 After these are all ready, comes the interesting part. Put a layer of rice, followed by chicken and fried onion, and some ghee, chicken again, and all the rest, until you come to the top of the vessel. Sprinkle some garam masala and some saffron mixed with milk, and seal the vessel-use a clean wet cloth, or some wet flour as the seal. Let it simmer after putting it on a hot tava, for about 30 minutes. Enjoy with raita and mirchi ka saalan, a spicy green chilli curry.

One of the secret ingredients is Shahjira!

Advice, 2018 Edition

I am back, with advice. No, you don't have to follow it..just read and forget. Because this is not mine, or original. Just a random collection..from sources that are too widespread to remember..

Live your life..(eh? What's THAT?)

Follow your passion- Sanju did, and see what happened?

Get in line for ration, or reservation- that seems workable!

Travel..Ok, you don't need this.

Marry at the right age  (I mean late-the later you marry, the less time you have to regret it)

Watch Rajnikant and Prabhas films..those  Superheroes are nothing compared to these guys..Kabali, da..

Read books..well, not all of them. Avoid best-sellers sold at airports, for example.

Ok, last one. Read my blog. The End.

My Name is Anthony Gonsalves

No, of course, it isn't. I am simple trying to recall some songs which made an impact when I first saw them on screen. Some like this one, were fun, with Amitabh emerging out of an Egg..egdum jhakaas. Some others-

O manchali, kahaan chali..the music, and the masti in the picturisation caught my attention.

Aaj kal tere mere pyar ke charche har zabaan par and from another movie, Badan pe sitare lapete hue..Shammi Kappor's unique dance style.

Hum kaale hain to kya hua dilwale hain..unique lyrics, and Mehmood. Aa ri aaja, nindiya tu lekar kahin udankhatole mein..is a moving lullaby also sung on screen by Mehmood.

Ek chatur naar karke singaar,..by Mehmood and Sunil Dutt on screen.

Zindagi ittefaq hai, kal bhi ittefaq thi, aaj bhi ittefaq hai..Mumtaz does a great job of bringing Asha Bhosle's singing to life on screen.

Mehbooba, mehbooba,..Helen sets the screen on fire. This was popular even before the film released.

Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi ban jaayein hum dono- the power of lyrics (by Sahir Ludhianvi) to mesmerise..Mahendra Kapoor's silken voice..

Saying Goodbye

It is known that we will grace the earth for a limited span. That we have to watch people we know and love and respect go, is known to each one of us. That does not necessarily make the parting easy. Sometimes, there is relief, if the person was suffering from a painful malady. But a sadness is inevitable.

I spent my childhood in Hyderabad or thereabouts, and stayed in my aunt's place for a few months while I enrolled in Hyderabad Public School, before they got a hostel-this was a new branch. While there, and after, my Uncle was a great help, both as a role model, and in teaching me how to ride a Luna- the first mass-scale moped sold in India, made by Kinetic-much before the Honda collaboration. He was in good health, full of life, and enthusiastic about sports-cricket included. We met reasonably regularly, and discussed everything under the Sun. Luckily, I also met him around this time last year to celebrate his 85th birthday. Lost him recently, but the great memories will keep me company.

 Above- last year at his 85th, and Below- many years earlier, with my aunt next to him. I am with one of my kids here.

A A Fair

You might not recognise the name, but this is the other name used by one of the bestselling authors. Erle Stanley Gardner, who created the criminal lawyer -Perry Mason-who escorts all his clients out of a murder rap. Clever as hell, he has an efficient secretary, Della Street, and Paul, a private detective who does the shadowing of suspects and witnesses. Typical fast-paced American murder mysteries.

The same author has created another unforgettable pair of private detectives, Bertha Cool and Donald Lam. They are as unlike each other as a strawberry and a potato, but complement each other and run a deadly agency, always coming out trumps, even in the face of obstruction from the local police in the form of Sgt. Frank Sellers. I have just been reading a couple of Cool and Lam books, and they are ..cool.

The other good pair of detectives in book form is by Rex Stout- Nero Wolfe,the orchid-loving fat, brainy guy who never stirs out of his New York home-cum-office, cooks and leaves the leg work to his assistant Archie Goodwin. Haven't found him on shelves of book stores lately, but may be available on digital sites.

Rain

Rain is special-it keeps us alive, along with air. Celebrating with some special pics of the season.

 At NITIE, overlooking Vihar Lake. Mumbai.

 IIM Indore (below)..trying out my photography skills.

Architecture

I have been in a few well-designed buildings as a visitor, or a student in the past. I don't understand the niceties, but can appreciate  good architecture- Roman, Greek, or Indian. One such building designed by a well-known architect in India, that of NITIE, Mumbai, is pictured above. It has the added advantage of a vantage point overlooking Vihar Lake.

Fun and Education

When you travel, it can be fun and educational at the same time. You learn by simply being there, observing what is happening around and challenging yourself to do things (eating included) that you might never have at home. I get this feeling every time. Here are some pics from a recent Thailand trip. Got to Golf a bit, after attending a conference, and saw a great initiative to help blind people.

1. An efficient public transport system helps the economy- Huai Khwang station, Bangkok MRT.
2. Trying out putting as part of the IIM Indore Golf Academy (Thailand extension) is Jayasimha (below)

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A training institute for the Blind Men teaches them massage. This (above) is a pic from the place, a great social initiative that makes them self-reliant. And below, learning about Retailing .. 😄

Stupid People-Strategies for Dealing with Them

These are simple strategies to deal with stupid people. I think we all can try them out, as they should work, unless you do something stupid..

1. Get them a job..if they are colleagues, get them a job elsewhere-preferably at your competitor's company.

2. Don't give them work, if they are your subordinates..this is because the stupid things they do will take days to remedy, and you would have to do that..and that would be..YES.

3. Ignore them..this is difficult, because like cranky kids, the stupid guys keep drawing your attention..well, you draw it back.

4. Promote them. This may seem stupid at first, but eventually, this works, because soon, they'll become the CEO. And since no CEO talks to underlings regularly, you are safe..

5. Write poetry or prose about them (like I am doing)..this will do nothing to them, but at least you would have done something useful, instead of something stupid.

Meetings with Students Past

Sometimes your students give you pleasant surprises..so it was this Saturday. Anupriya, a past student of IMT Nagpur 9/11 batch, came home at IIm Indore. We have met a few times elsewhere, but for the first time here. She's currently with Relaxo footwear, in marketing.

It was great catching up- Jayasimha has also taught her, and we did some photography at his place and on campus spots-

 My office (above) and Jayasimha's garden (below).

..and before the weekend was out, I got another pleasant surprise from Akash Gupta, IIM Indore  '17 batch, who turned up at the (make-shift) Golf course on campus..we played some Golf, chatted some more..

So, in all, a weekend well-spent. I also went to the inauguration of our brand new MBA-H.R. program this Saturday..more on that later.

Landscape and Portrait

Both are rectangular, but one is wide and the other is tall. Most of the time in photography, we do it Landscape style while in computer prints, it's mostly Portrait style. Here are three portrait style photographs.

 Above- Pooja looking at the Coonoor Horse-riding area near the Golf academy. Below- Jaggi Ashram, Velliangiri.

 Below- Pondicherry Botanical Garden

Golf Academy at IIM Indore

Well, this is an attempt to teach Golf (only what I know) to the IIM Indore community, starting at the top- with faculty. This has got an enthusiastic response, with around 10 percent of the faculty becoming Golf Beginners, to start with. We recently had a session in Thailand as a part of our extension abroad!! Here's proof. We even imported a coach, Dhanapal, from Coimbatore. Here in the first pic, he is seen with his trainee, Prof. Amitabh Kodwani.

 Prof. Jayasimha (above), and me try out our swing.

Retailing- Malls in Thailand

Retailing is a course I teach at the doctoral level. These observations are born out of a recent visit to Thailand. Malls, in particular.

There is this matter of creating an aesthetic display of whatever you sell. It's called Visual Merchandising in retail lingo, but it's simply the feeling that a customer gets by looking at what you have. We are miles behind Thailand in this aspect. In cleanliness too, though we are improving.

Abundance of brands and choices. For any category, there are lots of options, and stores. This gives a customer satisfaction that he has chosen well, whatever he chooses. In my view, the real thing beats the online thing for sheer visual experience and touch and feel, and ability to try out things instantly.

Attractive add-ons, like eateries, coffee shops and an offer to cook for you inside the store (it was a large grocery store in a mall) are some more value-adds you can think of.

Many categories are completely missing in India. Juices of different kinds, or yogurts of different flavours (I liked the coconut flavoured one).

On a different note, the same food is available on the street as in many high-end restaurants- Thai food, I mean. Indian food is expensive, and so is American food-relatively.

AHTMM 2018 Conference Pics

Conferences are wonderful networking opportunities with global audiences. Proved yet again. I presented a paper co-authored with Aradhya Vats, my student, on Positioning of Travel Brands.. some pics of the Conference in Bangkok, last week. The organiser is from the U.S.

A part of the gathering at the welcome dinner (above). Below, another session in progress.

I introduced myself with this pic from IIM Indore with some champions of the last batch (above).. and below, with a Nigerian (US Based), and a global Indian (Australia-based).

One pic of the presenters of a traditional Thai dance.and another of a fan of Amir Khan films from Turkey..