Six Monthly Resolutions

 I don't do things by halves-except resolutions. Half-yearly resolutions are more fun. You can make and break them more often than yearly ones, for one. Like celebrating a birthday more than once. You can even celebrate daily. But anyway, I am digressing. On to my 2022 half-yearly resolutions.

Will (or Shall- sounds better) meet old friends - or any friends- more often.

Shall live life more, and work less, progressively. That's progress, right?

Shall try and appreciate other people's achievements, including simple ones, a lot more.

Shall not give speeches longer than 5 minutes, even under pressure.

Shall not stop punning, unless the brain stops functioning. If it has already, you gotta tell me.

Shall try and taste the best of food and drink, and something new regularly. Time is running out, that's why. 'Miles to go before I sleep' kind of thing, taken positively.

I will not break any resolutions, until I make ones that contradict these. Then, I will decide whether to break these or those.

I think that's pretty comprehensive...

Big B to Z

 Why should B have all the fun? What about, A and C to Z? I am a great believer in equality (liberty and fraternity too, but that's another discussion)

So here goes, a list of Big A to Big Z (most are Indians)- 

Big A- Amol Palekar, Asrani, Amjad Khan, Ameen Sayani

Big C- Chetan Anand

Big D - Dev Anand

Big E - Ehsaan (music director), Ekta Kapoor, Emraan Hashmi

Big F - Farida Jalal

Big G -Govinda

Big H - Hema Malini, Hariprasad Chaurasia

Big I - Iftekhar the perpetual Police Commissioner, Irrfan Khan

Big J - Johnny Walker, Jan Nisar Akhtar, Javed Akhtar

Big K - KK, the singer who left us recently, Kishore Kumar, who left earlier

 Big L - Lucky Ali

Big M -Madhubala, Mumtaz, Mehmood

Big N - Nasir Husain the entertainer, Nanda

Big O - OP Nayyar

Big P- Prabhu Deva, Preity Zinta 

Big Q - Quentin Tarantino

Big R Rajesh Khanna, Rajnikanth, Rishi Kapoor, RD Burman, Rekha

Big S Smita Patil, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Saie Paranjpe, Saigal, Shabana Azmi, Shah Rukh

Big T- Tabu, Tanuja

Big U - Umesh Mehra

Big V - Vyjayanthimala, Vijay Anand, V. Shantaram, Vinod Khanna

Big W -Wadia Movietone

Big X-  Ximena Duque- a Colombian actress -this is she

Big Y -Yash Chopra

Big Z Zakir Husain

Golf Training

 Since I am at least a part-time Golf trainer by choice now in addition to my regular job, let me share a few pics from my recent attempts - this is in our backyard at NMIMS Bangalore. Wherever I see a green patch, it magically turns into a mini Golf course.

getting a grip...addressing the ball

and A Practice swing.. before the real thing.

Father's Day Thoughts

 My father was a cool guy, and we saw lots of Hindi movies together. We drove to the theatre in a Ford Prefect 1955 that my parents had acquired, to the movie hall, since I was 8 or so.. almost any film would do. Jewel Thief is one I remember seeing early when I was a kid. 

He was also into photography, and had a folding camera- German make, I think. We have plenty of black and white pics from that period. Some studio pics also, to boot.

Travel was another of his passions, and I have continued, at least till recently when the Coronavirus slowed things down.

He started humbly and grew to be an admin. head of Stores at a coal mining company, so had no airs at all. He also knew how to cook, and made a special recipe of Kashmiri Mutton Curry almost every Sunday. We kids loved it. 

We do pick up at least some traits from parents or elders. I did not pick up gardening, which he was passionate about. I remember him planting a variety of plants each year, and used to know some names too. 

He loved kids, and we were lucky he was around when our first daughter came home.. 

Creative Names of Characters

 Probably the best set of names is in the Asterix comics.

Obelix

Cacofonix

Unhygienix

Vitalstatistix

Getafix

Names of various Roman Centurions- Crismus Bonus, Nefarius Purpus, and Dubius Status. Also Squareonthehypotenuse.

Impedimenta

Dogmatix

Geriatrix

Bacteria

Fan Mail to Self 3

 Now I am really getting addicted- Nishka is to be blamed for this idea! The third fan mail to myself, in as many days- 

Dear Raj,

One thing I like about you is that you steer clear of controversial (read political/religious) stuff like those WhatsApp members who try and provoke (internet) breakups. Except with close members of your circle, where you might express yourself in person, without acrimony.

Your travel pics are amazing! Also your really old pics - I mean, when you were young. Or your kids were really kids. I can never get enough of those. I understand your parents were avid readers and photographers, and these traits have rubbed off, obviously. 

Your interest in music is something I share, and also interest in singing, in the right company. It relaxes the mind, and also celebrates life. Sports are also something I have always tried out, and I like the fact that you picked up Golf and stayed with it, and you try and make it look easy by training novices who may not have access to it elsewhere. Helps you stay young, I am sure. 

Ok, more next time, Chow!

Yours truly..

Fan Mail to Self 2

 Why stop with one? Now that I have got started, let me write about other good qualities. (Ahem!). 

Dear Raj,

You always try and keep in touch. I like this quality in you. It's very old world, like the media you use - facebook, for instance, which nobody of the young generation uses any more. But I must say you use it to good effect on those who count. I realise you have managed to engage people by some really creative means, like your DP Awards, and Awards for Quizzes that you seem to have almost on a daily basis.

Not just that, you are available for chats on Messenger at various times of the day, even if it's a simple hello or an answer to a question that someone has. Also, to meet, when you travel. You seek out old students, friends and share a chat over chai (will not say Chai pe charcha, it's copyrighted :) )

You are also quite funny with your posts, and routinely bring a smile to my face, and many others too, I am sure. In a world full of gun shots, migrants and wars over nothing, we need a calming influence of some kind to keep us sane. I am glad you are doing your bit. It might not change the world, but it helps.

I am happy to be connected, and occasionally, meet up. 

Yours truly..

Fan-mail to Self

 This is an idea from Nishka, a former student and friend who writes stuff. So let me try this out. This one's restricted to blogging, one of many things I may have fans for - sounds conceited? Ha, ha,.. anyway, here goes..

Dear Raj,

I have followed your blog ever since you started it-around 12 years, I believe. Plenty of people blog, and some write about food, or plants, or poetry. Some use a lot of photographs, and some are bare. Some have serious content bordering on proselytising (not sure if that's the right word, but I wanted to use it), and some are full of humour.

I can't really categorise your blog, because it's all over the place, like life itself. Not a tear-jerker, fortunately, because I hate that kind of stuff. Even when you have some "learnings" that you share, it's in palatable doses, and I am thankful for that.

What I most like about it, is each piece is short, so even if I dislike it, there's not much to dislike. Of course, mostly I veer towards liking them. Just wanted to let you know. If possible, keep writing. You know you have at least one reader who looks forward to it.

Yours truly..

Anopheles on the Ukraine War

 Anopheles, my winged female friend, was back after a hiatus. So I updated her on the Coronavirus pandemic that I had managed to survive, and a few other things, like the war in Ukraine. And, of course, the school shootings in the U.S.

She was perplexed. 

"I thought you people had more sense," she said.

That was justified, given how it looked. But I tried a defence. 

"Not all of us are like that," was my lame defence.

"What are you going to do about this? Are you trying to stop the war? At least the rich guys in the West?"

I had to confess "Not exactly, they are sending more weapons, huge quantities, to Ukraine." 

"And the gun lobby is not about to give up either, on tighter laws to stop individual proliferation."

"But we have almost stopped the pandemic," I said, looking at the brighter things.

"Tell me, do you also have wars?" I was curious about her world.

"Yes, but only a war of words. Or buzzwords, if you want to be technical about it. Whoever creates a larger buzz, wins," she said.

"And what are some of these buzzwords?" I asked her.

"Energy through Efficient Flapping, Minimum noise, maximum output or Efficiency in Bites, Working around Mosquito Nets and other Obstacles, Co-opetition for Sharing Prey, Information System Updates to Find your Quarry, Investigating the Effect of Burgers and Pizzas on Blood Quality of Humans... there are lots."

"Illuminating, I said," and switched off the light, while bidding her good night! 

Hyderabadi and Gun Control

 A blue-blooded American was trying to make a Hyderabadi understand the Gun Laws of his great nation- and not succeeding. We will try and follow the conversation, for a bit.

Hyderabadi- Kya pareshaani hai bhai, yeh bandookaan..

American- You see, we have the right to defend ourselves.

Hyderabadi- Kya bolre miyaan, humareku nahi hai kya? Ek ungli uthaake dekho tum, kya haal hota malum padinga..

American- No, no, I mean we can carry a gun to defend ourselves.

Hyderabadi- Aisa? Phukat mein milta kya ye bandook aap logon ku?

American (proudly)- Of course not, man. We buy them at the nearest supermarket..

Hyderabadi- Paise deke apne aapku barbaad karre bolo na phir..

American- You call that barbaadi? What if a thief enters your house and opens fire when you catch him? Don't you want a gun to shoot him?

Hyderabadi- Kya baataan karre bhai, usku chappal phenkke martun na main.. dekhe mera chappal? Bandook apne pairon mein maar liye to, chupke to bi lene ke dene pad jaate na..

American- Oh my God! You are impossible. (Exits)

Meetings of the Heart

 How do we meet people? Frequently, at college, school, workplaces, but increasingly, online too. Or we are introduced by someone. In my case, I have met people through my books also, because someone who has read them, will come up and say so.. 

After the initial meeting, though, it's up to both sides to decide if you want to continue to meet, just as in a dating situation. Therefore, the third or fourth meeting may decide if the silsila is likely to continue. I have been fortunate to have many friends acquired through all the above means, that have been wanting to meet up, and have, in many cases. Many are alumni of various B schools I have been at, Many are classmates, too. 

Shatakshi is one I have caught up with frequently, as she knew me from IIM I, but not directly, as I did not teach her. I have met her and Varun, her husband, several times now. We had a recent meeting just two days ago. Nishka Kumar I have met twice in the last 3 years. Abha Kulkarni is another ex-student I never taught, but have met a few times.. Sheetal Garg too (we share an interest in Hindi music). Tosha Dubey, Sirisha Adi, Khyati Jha, Anuj Mathew, Harshad Lunavat, Shruti Sharma, Aditya Naag, Nikita Kumar, Kanika Mhendiratta, Anshita Chetty, Gowri and Sreeram, Rupam Verma, Ishita and Anurag, Anusha M. and Aashish, Surbhi Mehta, Supriya Jain, Animesh Jain, Anant Ajmera, Divya Singh, Shraddha Nigdikar, Meghna Sinha, Meghana Joshi, Varun Somaiya, Garima Shah, Pragya Singh, Manjari, Ishan, Ankita, Keyur are some IMTians I have met on and off. Also Smita in Dubai, and Swapna and Vidya TC in Singapore a few years ago, all from KIAMS. Rajeev (and his wife Sangeeta) I got re-acquainted with recently. Shailaja Gupta has formed a regular group of IIM alums who meet up, and she also gently coerced me into doing a video on Personal Branding- I enjoyed it!

More recently, Pratima Gaikwad took me out in Hyderabad for a biryani- long live Pratima! And Anusha Soni took me out for some exotic stuff in my backyard, Pune- Prabhat Road. She will also live long! :) Anushka Mishra and Savitha are regulars in Bangalore, both from KIAMS. Also Jogeswari and Padmapriya in Hyderabad and Delhi. Nidhi Kanungo of course, visited me at Indore since she's an Indori. Met Bharath Shenoy, and Nagendra Shenoy from IFIM, once or twice at Bangalore also. And Chaithu too. Pooja Varun from PES, who is an agri-entrepreneur, a unique thing in itself. Played Golf with Vikram of IMTG recently at ASC Bangalore!

Also have been meeting a few of NMIMS Bangalore alums since I got here. Hope to meet a few more!

Met many of my ex-colleagues from PES, IFIM, VJIM, KIAMS, IMTN, IMTG, IIM I, IIML, and XIM over the years. Dhanapal and Vijayakumar I met recently at Coimbatore, and we also went Golfing earlier to hill stations in Tamilnadu. And classmates based here too, from the 1982-84 batch of IIMB. A couple of meetups with engineering classmates happened at Hyderabad, and a few schoolmates too, since last October! Played Golf with Venu from O.U. over the years, at Delhi and recently Hyderabad. Muthu from my company MBA, and I have played at KGA and ASC. 

Feels great to be in touch, and to be touched by so many nice people!

Amazing Golf Session

 How many B schools can boast of all incoming MBA students learning Golf basics in a single day? May be some food for thought for folks at Guinness Book of Records? Well, we did that today, with 220 plus incoming students of 2022-24. Think Big! If we focus on the number of women who played today, it could be another record- around 45 percent of the batch is women, this year.

Here are some early pics from the session, helped by Prof. Rama Sastry, and Vishnu Bhat and Rajesh from our admin team.

Above- With some seniors who helped out with pics!

Muskan tries out a tee shot!

Woman Umpire in Cricket

 More bastions are being conquered by women. One such is cricket umpiring. We got lucky, and met Gayathri, one of only 3 umpires in India who are women. She happens to be a friend of our colleague Preeti Ravikiran, and was on campus to meet her. So naturally, we hijacked her for a while, and had a scintillating conversation, and a little Golf Putting outing too (my idea). During the conversation, I found out she is an alum of XIMB where I taught early in my career (though she was there later). Some pics.

Prof. Preeti, Gayathri, Prof. Narayani and I try out putting on the front lawn of our campus.

Meetups with IIMB Classmates

 Recently had two occasions to meet. One was the visit of Prof. Harish Chaudhary from IIT Delhi, and a classmate. So one of our Bangalore classmates, Sudhir Goel, hosted a party. Another was the wedding reception of J. Suresh's daughter. Met many Bangalore-based classmates and it was great fun. Many are retired or on the verge, but a couple are still into teaching, consulting or running their business (like Arvind Rao)

.

Some pics.

Inaugurating Batch 13 of MBA

 The excitement is building up. A new batch of students is coming in this week, and the inauguration is slated for June 9th. There are a variety of things planned for them, including talks from industry experts and alumni. 

But as a slightly different take, we also have a Golf intro session planned in our campus. I tried this with the help of colleagues at IMT Nagpur before, and some batches after 2009 may remember this outing. We had developed a golf green at IMT. Here at NMIMS Bangalore, it's only a green patch of grass we have, but the lawn serves well as a putting green. So a tee shot and some putting is possible for a basic introduction to the game. 

Golf is a useful game to future managers to know and talk about, or play. Helps network and make new friends or business partners too. Apart from being a fun-filled intro to our MBA program out on the field! We could be the only B school doing this!

I am also doing a session on Personal Branding for them, separately on another day.

All That Jazz

 Don't remember a lot from that film, but I knew there was one. It is rare that we see concerts involving people such as Louis Banks, and it was a wonderful surprise to see him and Sivamani in the same hall that we saw Manna Dey perform in a decade or so ago.. Chowdiah Memorial Hall, Bangalore. 

Anyway, it was an energetic performance by four or five of them, including these two. There was flute, guitar and keyboard along with various percussion instruments. 

The compere also was a familiar name from FM radio- Vasanti Hariprakash. A great evening, on the whole.

Google Plus

 We often concentrate on the positives, and successful products. But there are a few products that have failed, after having had a great pedigree, and a huge initial success, or interest from many users.

I am not talking of airlines, though there have been a few of those too. Maybe Yahoo, and others like Yahoo. In particular, this is about Google Plus. Seemingly, this product had everything going for it. A good pedigree, being from the Google stable, and a good interface for connection, easy access through a Google account, as another app.

Why did it fail? Was it just a poor conceptual imitation of facebook? Since facebook was already a platform of choice for most, was there a cool reaction to another similar product? But then, Instagram did succeed in taking people away from FB, so why not Google Plus?

I don't have a ready answer, but I personally was never enthusiastic about it. May have tried it, but unlike Google Photos, or Blogger which I continue to use, I found no motivation for using this one.

NFOMO

 No Fear. That's the opposite of FOMO, or the Fear of Missing Out.

If your friend goes to Ladakh, you want to. OK, forget Goa or Ladakh, if he is going out to get a cup of tea or a beer, you don't want to miss out. Whatever your other priorities may have been. That's one way to describe FOMO. So the opposite would be, doing your own thing. Regardless. 

It's not teenagers alone who have FOMO, but people of all ages. If I don't switch on my TV, I may miss a great show. Today, it's about other gadgets like the cell phone. Social media like WhatsApp and others are constantly bombarding you with nonsense, and are the new idiot-boxes. 

But the addiction is so strong, that you are constantly checking for messages or posts or reactions. For a retiree with nothing better to do, that could still be understandable, but if you are doing things like that, it could take you away from important things.

So have fun doing your thing, but with NFOMO.

Souvenir Shops

 One thing about the U.S. that I had noticed while living there, was there were souvenir shops every place we went. Even in the middle of nowhere, as in a distant sight-to-see, there would always be a shop selling mugs, magnets, tees and more.

Clemson University itself had a shop that sold all kinds of merchandise with the Tiger-paw symbol on it. Represented Clemson Tigers, the name for its sports teams. Visiting Alumni bought them by the dozens, especially in the sports season. Football, basketball were big, followed by a few other sports. 

What can we learn from them? That there is a market for memorabilia, in all forms. I have magnets from many places I have visited. They are cheap, easy to carry and fix on your fridge. Mugs also get used, and t shirts are Ok too, if not too pricey. If they have some local motif, all the better.

Uncles and Aunties

 These, as per Indian tradition, need not actually be related to you. An Uncle is an elderly sort of person known to the family, and an Aunty, likewise.

We had several while growing up, and we sometimes watched them play Tennis, Badminton, or Bridge in the Club we were regularly going to. They were invariably nice to us kids, and we were lucky to learn something from the conversations or interactions we had. Some taught us Billiards, or let us watch while they played.

Some were socially connected, and I learnt of the existence of some Marathi detective/mystery novels due to one of them..it was an author called Baburao Arnalkar. Another Uncle was a music fan, and I first saw/heard a stereophonic sound at his place. 

The aunties were hospitable, and fed us non-stop whenever we visited. The kids and we played through our summer holidays, and went for long walks in heat that we cannot tolerate today.

Our real aunts (or Uncles who took us on long walks or to parks) were no less, and we visited them in holidays or at weddings or other events like birthdays. My point is that the multiple aunts/uncles played a part in bringing us up, and we learnt a lot due to them. Sleepovers were common too. As they say, it takes a village to bring up a child.