Long Conversations

I have just realised that I like long conversations too. After having had some this week. Enlightenment does not happen in one shot; it can come in installments too.

I have already had three (long conversations, not bouts of enlightenment) this week. Met a student of IMT and her parents, at their place in Mumbai. We chatted about several things including places we'd lived in, and found some common peeves (cold weather), and likes-filter coffee for instance, which her dad made very well- I vouch for it. Saw a lovely Golf course which I did not know existed near her place too, and some beautiful rain-soaked mountains.

Two other students of IMT and I met for dinner, and we discussed important life and career matters, aided by some really unique stuff like Nitro Dhokla (talk about being politically correct!). The importance that Law has suddenly found as a career was one topic, and life in the U.S. (mine, erstwhile) was another. Also the importance of HR in different sectors in India. We did not realise how quickly time had passed, and quickly gobbled up our dark chocolate (with a rasgulla or rasmalai stuffed in it) and got back to our abodes.

I travelled in a cab with a lady prof. visiting to teach at our Mumbai campus, and realised that we had been to the same school in Kothagudem-St. Mary's. So obviously that took us on a long chat about our childhood (at different times!), and our Ph.D.s- she did hers at Monash in Australia, and I at Clemson in the U.S (at different times). Picnic spots near Kothagudem and rivers (Edla vagu and Muredu vagu) found a reference.

And today, I met my favourite ex-associate, who is between jobs- Saumya, who was at Indore briefly. Having met after a year and a half, we talked about Marketing Research (in which she works) and a lot besides.

So that is the long and short of it.

Happiness or Long Life?

What is your goal? Is it to be happy or to live long? Or something else?

One must try and achieve whatever goal one has. If you want to be the owner of your own island, you have to try and generate wealth so you can own one. Like one of those Bond film villains who all seem to live on an island-could be just a correlation, and not causation! Also, Bond could come and destroy it all, so think carefully.

But the point is, if you want quick money, you can try and trade in something that has the potential to get you there (with the downside being that it may wipe out what you have got)- real estate, stocks, commodities, or any other legal methods of gambling (include Las Vegas trips, and lotteries).

If you want long life, you should not go out on the road, because given our traffic, anyone can kill you in a minute -it's dangerous out there. I can vouch for it-I nearly got killed a few months ago. But seriously, you may have to get into watching what you eat, and exercise (why do I see a frown on your face?) and so on.

If you want to be happy, all you need to do is smile a lot, read funny stuff (Wodehouse, Woody Allen, Bill Bryson, Dave Barry etc..) and generate smiles around you. Sounds easy? Then try it-but only if that's your life goal.

Celebrating 4 Years at IIM Indore

My second longest work stint- I have worked at Clemson (Teaching Asst.), Lander University, XIM Bhubaneswar, Vignana Jyothi, Kirloskar Institute, IIM Lucknow, IIM Kozhikode, PESIT, IFIM B School, IMT Nagpur and Ghaziabad before I got here. Kirloskar was the longest I stayed-7 years approx.

I learnt a lot here, and have enjoyed the company of some lovely people. Taught in our Dubai program, PGP MX (Weekend), Exec PGP, FPM, and the flagship PGP. Also did a couple of administrative stints as MDP chair and now as Dean (Faculty). Went to a few conferences and designed a few programs on Retail and Digital Marketing. Watched some talented students perform my favourite plays such as "The Importance of Being Earnest"  and work on the Google Online Marketing Challenge and win it.

Some glimpses from these 4 years.

 Shweta Kushal becomes a Golfer!

 Me and the Narmada river at Maheshwar.

 A great view of IIM Indore.

 Jayasimha and Archana at Jahaz Mahal, Mandu. He and I have now worked together at 4 institutions.

 Office with a view.

 Mandu-interesting place.

 Road trip to Udaipur.

 Anjali (Ph. D. student) with our Conference poster.

 Starry visits. Suhita Thatte, my cousin, visits us.

 Pataal pani, and we pose, filmy style.

More sober pose at Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Hair and There

I am propagating a new theory about people and hair-styles.

My theory is that -

People with straight hair are simple and untwisted human beings.

Those with curls want to be different, like their tattoed counterparts.

Women with short hair are more career-minded and professional.

Those with long hair (women) are dedicated and persevere in their chosen task, whatever may be the effort.

Those with fancy hair styles (men and women) are unpredictable, could be be fun, or dangerous, depending on your perspective.

Balding gentlemen are mostly gentle, because they are conscious that their best hair days are behind them.

Pleats in hair (women) indicate they are comple(a)te women, and not afraid to do what they like.

Funky hair styles and tattoes are a heady mix..rocking? May be.