Memories of the Sea

 I grew up in India, so the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal were what we saw most often. At Kanyakumari, the Southern end of the Indian peninsula, I also saw the Indian Ocean merging with these two- it's a sight worth seeing.

The Ha Long Bay in Vietnam, and the Sea around Bali, the Sea visible from a plane in Japan, are some others. Singapore is also surrounded by Sea waters all around.

In the U.S., both Atlantic Ocean (at Myrtle Beach, Charleston, New York city), and the Pacific (at Los Angeles) were the ones I remember.

In Europe, whatever is visible in North France (Mt. St. Michael), as well as South France- Marseilles. I guess the Mediterranean and the Sea between Italy and Greece too- the Adriatic? Took a cruise/ferry from Brindisi to Patras and back. Also in Venice.

These are some prominent ones that I remember.

Book Review- Tamarind City

 

It's a nice title, and a good book. About the city of Madras aka Chennai. Lots of detailing, particularly about some parts of it- Mylapore and Triplicane, for example.

The meeting with Saroja Devi and her singing Teri pyaari pyaari surat ko kisi ki nazar na lage spontaneously, was a highlight for me. Another interesting chapter describes his meeting with the Chandamama illustrator, Sankar, who drew many of their story illustrations, including the famous one of Vikram carrying Vetaal on his shoulders, walking through a cremation ground. 

I have visited Chennai several times, and could understand most of the nuances that he has brought out.

It's a good cultural chronicle of a traditional yet modern city, quite different from the other metros. 

Random Recollections- English Music

 Not of any specific genre, because I was never a regular listener. Just a few random songs that come to mind-

Mambo no. 5 by Lou Bega

Take me home, to the place I belong.. John Denver

Staying alive, staying alive.. from Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta

Walk like an Egyptian by The Bangles

Mamma Mia by Abba

I'm Bad, by Michael Jackson. Performed wonderfully by Katarina Witt at a Winter Olympics in the 80s.

Papa Don't Preach by Madonna

A couple of Elvis numbers that I don't remember the words of.

Bob Marley- Buffalo Soldier is my favourite, but a couple of others are I Shot the Sherriff.. and Stand up for For Your Rights

How to be Cool

 Well, the easiest way is to get an AC. But that works in summer, when it's hot. Not when your butt is freezing. 

There could be some harder ways. Some of them you could try and tell me what works-

1. Follow the Bhagwad Gita- I mean, do your thing, don't worry a lot about consequences.

2. Eat ice cream, or kulfi.  Coolfi- get it?

3. Add ice to whatever you are drinking. Not too much.

4. Find some shade. Not the shady kind.

5. Dance in the rain.

6. Read blogs. Especially mine, which gives you cool advice.

7. Watch films that are cool. Like Jaane bhi do yaaro, or DDLJ.

8. Listen to music that's cool. Not sure what it is now, you will have to find out. Michael Jackson and Jethro Tull were, at one time.

9. Travel to places that you think are cool.

10. Just be yourself- I think that's cool.

Linkedin Posts and Numbers

 A simple vintage pic of IIM Bangalore got 67,000 impressions in a day on Linkedin (now, 116,000 at last count- update). Lots of current students were amazed by what they saw- a totally different, young campus in the making. Our generation must have felt nostalgia. 

Making me nostalgic, was this pic, the view from my room - G 10. Where I spent 2 beautiful years.

Another post that recently got a lot of views was a pic of a pile of books that I have authored/edited. That was gratifying.

Sanjana's Wedding

 Sanjana Rao was a student I met at Indore when she was doing her 5 year IPM. She took one of my classes too. But she was also a friend who has remained in touch many years later. Sow hen she was getting married, we had to be there. My wife also knew her because of the preps. for a play The Importance of Being Earnest, where Sanjana acted, Shweta Kushal directed and we all played support roles of encouraging the actors, backstage. She acted like a pro. 

WE had a great time with her at the pre-wedding bash at her house, and at the wedding itself. Here's pictorial proof. Met her friend Nikhila from school in Pune also. She features in some pics too.

During the cremony.

The pre-wedding Haldi and Mehendi

The lovely bride..

Nikhila (below and above, her friend), and Shweta Kushal, my friend from IIM Indore

Independence Day 2024

 We at Prestige University had some fun times while celebrating the 78th birthday of India as we know it.

The students planned and executed the program quite well. A variety of events included shayari, a song appropriate for the occasion- Kar chale, hum fida jaanon tan saathiyon.. , and a dance, a skit and some poetry reading.

Pics from the event and after!

Our lovely hosts for the show.

A debate, on the reality of the Demographic Dividend.

The Mad Hatter Anet, in my office post the event. The hat was the prize they all got for the show. She was the rep.

If I Become a Consultant

 I would make a good consultant in some areas. Can't compete with the McKinseys and BCGs in their areas of Core Competence, but I have my own.

1. How to tackle different kinds of bosses.

2. How to play Golf, and Why to Play Golf

3. How to Avoid Toxicity and Lead a Happy Life

4. How to Read Books and Forget the News Headlines

5. Why Life is Not a Four-letter Word

6. Careers That Give More Satisfaction Than Others, and Less Heartburn Too

7. Food Experiments You Should Try

8. Travel Tips for Oldies 

9. How to Avoid Stress

10. How to Make Friends- Listening Skills are paramount

11. How to be Funny and also be Liked!

Ulajh- Film Review

 It's a 100 times better than the nonsensical Kalki (that was the last one I saw). Better story, direction, acting, editing. 

It's the story of a young Indian lady appointed to a position beyond her experience level, for unknown reasons. The reasons become apparent only towards the end, as the complex web of interactions among the major political players unfolds.

The script is taut and the editing keeps you interested in what's happening, and in anticipating what might happen. The ending is handled pretty well, and so are the dilemmas in the young girl's mind at various points of time. The acting is decent, from all the major characters.

Worth a watch, definitely, in my view.

India at the Paris Olympics

 Ogle ogles

The mind boggles

The tower of Eiffel

Stands tall

Amid the the shower of medals

Aman, Sreejesh, Bhaker

The Vinesh case was a shocker

Hoping for a Gold were a billion

Stopped short by another Javelin

Wrestling demons real and surreal

Our boys and girls were quite wonderful

Monsoon Pics

 This is one of the best seasons in Indore, and much of India. The greenest, certainly. Some pics that

 prove a point.

Kalki - Film Review

 A Big B- I mean, a big bore.

What a waste of talent. A bad script can spoil anything, and this film is a living example. Prabhas, who was so good in Bahubali, looks forced into amateurish gimmicks that don't work. You are left wondering what's happening, why and when it will end. That hope is dashed, because it goes on for 3 hours, almost a night without end.

Why would anyone want to live in The Complex? It's inexplicable, and outright laughable. The Supreme - whatever that means- what is he trying to achieve? You don't empathise with any character, perhaps with the couple who lay down their lives trying to protect Deepika. At least the woman does. They are the only ones who show some normal human qualities. The others are too jaded, or artificial, or both. Going through the motions, mostly, and for too long. The sets are colourless, and depressing too. If the future is so bad, I would be happy not to be a part of it.

Outright silly most of the time, the film appears like a video game some kid is playing on a big screen instead of his console/mobile.

Give it a miss if you don't want a massive headache. Well, carry a couple of aspirins if you decide to ignore my advice!

Getting Better Pics of Yourself

 Avoid selfies, if you want really good pics. Usually they are the worst, other things being equal. Obviously, then, you have to get someone to click you and whoever is with you.

Assuming you do, get a good background, without standing at the edge of a cliff. But check around if you can find a better spot, and go for it. 

An angle and distance are the most important, and light is the most important.. that's what photography is about..

Smile, if that looks good on you. Sometimes, a non-smiley is more appropriate for the situation, or setting.

If the pic is really important, posed is better than candid. Candid ones can go either way. Silly poses too are fine, and sometimes better than serious ones. Wear a hat, if there's one. A Vietnamese conical one is best (from experience).. an Assamese one comes next. Or a detective type one, if you want to look like Sherlock Holmes.

If the background is unique, try and get it into the pic. Enhances you in the process. If it's not, close up on you is most effective.

Think about how you will use the pic- in what size, or where on social media.. of course, you can crop. Or correct some defects, but not all.