Ahmedabad Reunions 2019

I don't go to Ahmedabad too often. But during this trip, I managed to catch up with some more IMT Nagpur alumni..we had talked about it recently, and it actually happened. So here is the photographic evidence- a larger group first, and later, two more at another place. This visit came about courtesy an invite from Prof. Varsha Jain of MICA, but more on that in another post-

We tried out different angles, to find the best one-

At Ahd. Mgt. Association Board Room, with Manjari and Punyashlok, both pursuing a Ph.D.

Batla House

Not many good films in this genre are made in India. This one's quite realistic-maybe because it is inspired by a real incident- and topical, because terrorism/shooting of all kinds is going up all across the world.

Except for the fact that John Abraham has almost the same expression throughout the film (Mrunal Thakur outperforms him by miles in her much briefer role), the movie is well-written for the screen. I would have preferred it ten minutes shorter to make it even more crisp, but it is quite riveting, and doesn't wander from its main theme.

Some minor blips apart, it is good to watch.

Nostalgic Meet of IMT Alumni 2019

We did a lot of alumni meets when I worked with IMT Nagpur, across India. I still get invited to some, and I attend when I can.. some proof below, in the form of candid shots :) No 360 degree zoom, but have tried to get everyone in with these..

at the end, we were joined by another pretty young lady.. oh, that expression on meeting so many aliens is so lovely!

How to Deal With Bosses

I have to credit a group of bright alumni of IMT Nagpur with whom I had an outing recently for the title of this blog. We thought that MBA programs should include a course on this. So I am setting out a possible map of contents here-

1. Who is the boss? Some understanding of whose orders you follow in life should help in identifying this character-sometimes it's more than one.

2. Why is he the boss? (Could be a she-I had a lady boss in my first job). Understanding whether he is the promoter, his son/daughter, nephew puts things in perspective. If not, how he managed to get there will serve as a useful lesson in how to deal with him.

3. What can he do to you? The worst case scenario and the best case scenario..a range of possibilities, in other words.

4. What can you do? Scenarios and responses to those scenarios if you are a reacting type, or plot possibilities, if you are the proactive type.

5. Should you stay or leave? The million-dollar question. Signals that ask you to look around can be identified early, combined with some of the above.

More can be added, such as a typology of bosses. But that would be in the main course- this was only an appetizer!

Urban Versus Rural

I have grown up in rural or semi-urban areas in my early life, but having come in to the city of Hyderabad, rarely went back to rural areas except on holidays or when driving through.

Rural life looks idyllic from an urban lens, but there are hardships that may not be apparent. Availability of water, electricity and so on is the first major difference, and is one reason why we (India) are still considered underdeveloped.

Given equal opportunity, rural kids can do as well as any other, but availability of schools and training in spoken English is not easy to find in many parts. That creates a lifelong handicap and gives an edge to the Urban kids. Not easy to correct in later years of a person's life.

One way to develop rural areas may be through Tourism. With greater interest today in sustainable tourism and its many variants, it is possible to come up with a plan for the variety of lifestyles and learning opportunities that tourists have, potentially. 

Fond Recollections of Days Gone By

I thought I was old, because I keep remembering the good old days. But I am convinced now that I am young, because I have now listened to many individuals who are young... and still remember their good old days. Not once or twice, but multiple times, at various places across India (sometimes with visitors living elsewhere too). The nostalgia is about friends, roomies, hostel food (even bad food), non-hostel food, events inside class and outside of it (from old students, as you may have guessed). And guess what, it is a magical feeling. Happy to be a part of such conversations, now across many of my former students from IIMI, IMT, PES, IFIM, and KIAMS. Golden oldies and Golden youngies are both nostalgic, and happy about it!

The strongest memories are of playing hookey, and being scolded for it, surprisingly! No, I am not leading up to anything, simply reporting on observations.. :)

What I Learnt From Hindi Films

Life is song and dance- if you don't appreciate these, you have not lived (Osho has said much the same thing somewhere).

Good music can take you through bad times..try it. Zindagi ek safar hai suhaana..

Happy endings are possible

(particularly with good editing, because then you decide the ending).

The cops cannot solve all your problems- you have to make an effort too. Same with God!

Looking good can make you feel good..even others looking good on screen, when you know they have used make-up.

Philosophy is easier to disseminate through a well-made film, than through other means- zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin, babu moshaay! (film Anand, circa 1970).

Corollary to the above- through good songs as well. Zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hain jo makaam, woh phir nahin aate, or Aanewala pal, jaanewala hai, ho sake to isme zindagi guzaro, pal jo yeh jaanewala hai. Or, Zindagi ittefaq hai (from Aadmi aur Insaan)

Discovering Roads Less Taken

One such road was taken yesterday, thanks to our driver, while returning from Khandwa. Here are a few pics- on the way, we also found where Indore's water comes from. Wanchoo Point has a filtration centre for it.

 In the distance, you can see Jam Ghat..on top. There were people doing crazy things there, as you can see below..

 and so, I joined in. (in the blue tee)

 Looking back at the awesome approach.

 Miniature tea cups like in Mandu.. surveying the territory like we own it.

and on to Mhow and Indore.

Fawning Over Flora at IIM Indore

Flora and fauna are unique at every place. Here is a look at some flora from our campus at IIM Indore.

Khandwa Memorial Kishore Kumar

 The house where he lived- decked up for the 90th birth anniversary- 2019, August 4th.

 The house is not in good shape, though, as these pics reveal.

 Bhakts at the memorial, where his ashes lie...and,  A portrait with him (below)

 The M.P. Govt. organises some festivities each year, on his anniversary.

 Ge ge geli zara Timbuktoo, Kathmandu Kathmandu geli hu.. a fun song he sang in Jhumroo.

 His bust at the memorial..a memorable visit for us.

A to Z of Kishore Kumar

I will try and list songs sung by Kishore Kumar that start with each letter or have it in the first word.

A- Are yaar meri tum bhi ho ghazab
B- Bhanwre ki gunjan hai mera dil
C- Chingari, koi bhadke..
D- Deewana leke aaya hai dil ka taraana
E- Ek main aur ek tu dono mile is tarah
F- Maaf karo o baba maaf karo
G- Guni jano re bhakt jano
H- Hum the woh thi aur sama rangeen samajh gaye na..mannu, tera hua ab mera kya hoga?
I - Is mod se jaate hain.
J- Jaane kya soch kar nahin guzra
K- Kuchh to log kahenge
L- Lekar hum deewana dil
M- Main hoon jhum jhum jhum jhum jhumroo
N- Nakhrewali, dekhne mein dekhlo yeh kaisi bholi bhali
O- O mere dil ke chain
P- Phoolon ke rang se
Q- Beqaraar dil tu gaaye ja
R- Raatkali ek khwab mein aayi aur gale ka haar hui
S- Saamne yeh kaun aaya dil mein hui hulchul
T- Teri duniya se hoke majboor chala
U- Ulfat mein zamaane ki har rasm ko thukrao
V- Vaada tera vaada..
W- Woh shaam kuchh ajeeb thee
X- (From Mr. X in Bombay)- Mere mehboob qayamat hogi..
Y- Yeh dil na hota bechara
Z- Zindagi ke safar mein guzar jaate hai jo makaam woh phir nahin aate..

Laws of the Rain

Duckworth and Lewis are not the only ones who have rules related to rains. I have a few of my own Rain Laws-

1. If it rains, you will not have an umbrella.

2. If you have one, it will turn sunny in a jiffy.

3. If there is a puddle you are trying to avoid, a passing car will make a splash-on you!

4. If you are riding a two-wheeler, you will not find anything you can take cover under, until you get wet.

5. If you want to dance in the rain, you will hit a pothole and swim/wade in it.

Well, at least we don't have crocs coming up from rainwater, as some city has reported recently.