20 years and counting

It was the summer of '92-'93...at Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 Air Force Station Kalaikunda, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. 

Last day of the batch. Think it was the Biology exam!

Back from a long vacation a bunch of students joined XI Std Science. Giving them a foothold in a field they always wanted to be in. Stakes were high, so were the ambitions. Some wanted to pass the sound barriers in their MIGs & MIRAGEs, some others took a nosedive into the world of Physics & Chemistry hoping to make it to the elite league. And there were some others like me 'Live life as it comes...' 

This was the bunch which along with everything else enjoyed life and whatever it had to offer, to the fullest. Woh bhi kya din the!!! Soon everybody left in pursuit of their ambitions, their dreams, their aspirations... Days became months and soon years. 

Most of us being from defense background hand moved multiple schools & cities before Kalaikunda. And sadly at the end of that year it was my turn. Much against my wish I had to move...to a new city, a new school, a new bunch of classmates. 

Inland letters from a few close friends kept the connections going. I still cherish almost all of them. Soon it was the time of internet & e mails followed by facebook & chat. With the advent of mobile phones it should have become so convenient? Not really! Life took is in all different directions. Still pretty much chasing their own ambitions!

Inspite of all this I did keep track of a few friends of mine. Met Shalini first in Pune & then in Hyderabad, Nitin, Harvinder & Tushar in Bangalore. Soon thanks to DD got back in touch with Anu, Showmic & a few others. Thanks to facebook a few other busy souls do drop in an ocassional one liner!

Harvinder and couple of other friends did try to have a reunion meeting which thanks to distances and varied locations is yet to become a reality. It was a good decade back when yahoo was in vogue, I tried bringing the group together with a yahoo group titled kkdclan (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kkdclan/?tab=s) only to fizzle out shortly.

I think it was a couple of weeks back when I suddenly realized that's its been 20 years...yes 2 decades since we all came together. From 50th birthday and 50 weeks of successful outing for movies to today's times where every year and everyday is celebrated 20 years is a really really long time! And the best part is some 8-10 of us are in good touch. As a part of celebrating this moment I was planning to create some memorabilia and put the word out. Response was muted & not encouraging. Expected that!

Moving on I thought the least I could do is capture the journey in my own way and celebrate it in my own way....

Happy 20 guys!!!! Happy to be in touch with a few of you. Happy to have known each & everyone of you.

Cheers!

I'm 12 today!!!

Well if you are wondering as to what am talking about, as of today I complete 12 years of work experience. To start with I didn’t realize it till noon when somebody mentioned that its 2nd of June, when it struck me!

It was today way back in 1999 on this very day when I kick started my career with entering the world of advertising. From India's no. 1 food brand, Britannia to Tanishq, India's largest jewellery brand; from Lux India's largest soap brand, to Godrej Securities, India's leading brand in safes and security systems. And this was done working with two of the country's leading advertising agencies - Lowe Worldwide and JWT. Over the 7 plus years I spent in advertising I was lucky to work with some of the best people in the business...creative directors, photographers, studios, production houses and most importantly some of the most memorable pieces of work!

After 7 1/2 years with advertising agencies, I decided to move on...from Mumbai back to Bangalore as I was newly married. And from advertising to marketing as I felt that its time for me to play a bigger role. Joining Air Deccan originally I was part of the historic merger with India's favourite airline, Kingfisher Airlines.

3 more years and after domestic, international & low fare businesses I moved to the ever dynamic telecom space with Idea Cellular in Tamil Nadu to help replicate its successes elsewhere in the most challenging marketplace in India today.

Today when I look back have some really mixed feelings. Memories of some great work, making some really good friends (most of them are busy in their own world) and most importantly learning and contributing to the success of the businesses I was part of.

And every year apart from other days June 2nd has become a day of celebration, reflection on the past, contemplating what next etc etc. Much to the amusement of my colleagues and friends right from the first year, I have celebrated this day like my second birthday!!!

As one of the wishes went and like everybody else I'll continue to work towards a successful and fulfilling career!

Weekend break with a bundle of joy - 3

Concluding part of a 3 part series of one of the most fun filled trip I have had in my life (given I haven't had many in the last decade or so!!!).

It was going to be high on spirituality. The day began as usual with Anu & Som packing for the day for Srishti as she was busy playing with us. Around 8.30am we left along with Namasya for the Matrimandir (http://bit.ly/bLn4BC). Sanskrit for Temple of The Mother, is an edifice of spiritual significance for practitioners of Integral yoga, situated at the center of Auroville initiated by The Mother (http://bit.ly/8maSvG), founder of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It is called soul of the city and is situated in a large open space called Peace. Matrimandir, does not belong to any particular religion or sect.

Situated just outside Pondicherry, it took us about 30 mins to reach. While Reema & myself have visited it earlier, given didn't have the pre-requisite permissions we just saw it from the outside. This time we were going for a guided tour and offer our 'prayers' inside the sanctum! Upon reaching there we were told that Srishti was not allowed to we have to leave her with Namasya and vanish while she was busy playing. Sad... A battery operated vehicle took us to the Matrimandir. The Matrimandir took 37 years to build, from the laying of the foundation stone at sunrise on 21st February 1971 - the Mother’s 93rd birthday - to completion in May 2008. It is in the form of a huge sphere surrounded by twelve pedestals. The central dome is covered by golden discs and reflects sunlight, which gives the structure its characteristic radiance.

Upon reaching the dropping point we alighted the vehicle and proceeded to obtain our tokens. Soon along with the rest of the people waiting there a volunteer took us in an orderly silent queue (much like the tiny tots in schools!!!) towards the main structure. While waiting outside for the previous group to exit we got to see this golden 'golf ball' from close quarters. It really was a marvel structure. Really wished we could take the camera inside! Soon we got into the structure where we were directed to wear a pair of socks and proceeded towards the sanctum. It was a circular walkway up to the prayer area much like the Reichstag (http://bit.ly/g0RfLL) in Berlin. After the prayers we came out to see the place for a bit before going back to the battery car. First thing Anu said once we got out was 'Srishti!!!'

When we got back we realised this li'l lady had forgotten about us and was blissfully playing with some flowers. She also had her snacks and water. Such a sweet kid. I was famished and rushed to the cafeteria to have some lime juice. After getting recharged I cajoled Srishti and carried her along for some window shopping. We left from there back to the city to have lunch at the Aashram Dining Room - a place which serves basic food for all ages 3 times a day. Once done we proceeded home to relax.

Evening

We found ourselves back at the Beach road where Anu, Reema & myself sat chatting. Soon we were joined by Srishti, Som & Namsya. After a bit of shopping we headed back home. And soon it was time to say good byes, get into the car and head back to Chennai.

Time has flown....all 3 days of it. But as I said in the starting it was one of the most fun filled trip of my life. Thank you Srishti, Anu, Som, Namasya and of course Reema for the memories which I'll cherish for a long time to come....

Weekend break with a bundle of joy - 2

As the first day was coming to an end we made our way to Pondicherry. We were staying at Som's cousin Namasya's (unique name!!! atleast I haven't heard it before) place. A few calls and we located her apartment and landed there. Namasya & her hubby Mr. Venkata Sashtry work for Kalinga Institute of Information Technology. She has a really adorable 8 yr old son Aniruddha who studies in SAICE (www.sriaurobindoashram.org/ashram/saice/index.php) a really interesting schooling concept. He is already learning a lot of languages. We counted Telugu (father), Oriya (mother), Hindi, English, Tamil (Pondicherry), French and many others. He's also learning skating, gymnastics, swimming, chess, cricket etc. Phew...that’s a lot!!!! We quickly settled down and dozed off for the night.

Day 2
Up in the morning we got ready, planned the day and set out. First stop was the very popular Adyar Ananda Bhavan (http://www.aabsweets.in/). While we all ordered our Pongal (http://www.pongalfestival.org/rice-pongal.html) -Vadas, wasn’t surprised that Anu ordered Onion-Rava-Masala Dosa. Recollected that this was her favourite dish during her stay in Bangalore way back in 2001. Once done with breakfast we proceeded to the Sri Manakula Vinayagar Temple (http://manakulavinayagartemple.com/) and like any traditional Hindu temple in southern India especially Tamil Nadu we were greeted by the temple elephant, Lakshmi. As is the custom people visiting the temple make offerings / take blessings from the elephant thought to be a reincarnation of Lord Ganesha himself. With the idea of showing an elephant from close quarters I took Srishti along and made her give some offerings to Lakshmi. But as she brought her trunk over Srishti’s head scared she started crying. I quickly moved away and we entered the temple. Once done and out Srishti clearly told me not to go near the elephant. From there we walked a few steps to visit the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. It’s really a great experience visiting two different ‘shrines’ situated so close to each other. Looking at people around her Srishti, the good girl she is kept quiet during the entire time that we were inside. As we moved out Namasya rejoined us. While deciding what next Srishti kept herself busy playing with Reema on a bicycle and running up & down the steps in front of a gate. A few minutes later we went into the nearby Auroshika (www.auroshikha.com/) outlet. Colourful that it is, it did kept Srishti busy while Som & Anu shopped for stuff. Done with the place we left to meet one of Som’s aunt. She really stays is a beautiful apartment. Walking with her towards a place for lunch she told us a bit about the modern Pondicherry and the French attachment. Little did I realize that we were entering Rendezvous (http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g659792-d1116100-Reviews-Rendezvous-Pondicherry_Union_Territory_of_Pondicherry.html) a very famous restaurant where me & Reema enjoyed a great lunch when we went to Pondicherry! While everybody was busy chatting and ordering me & Srishti went about exploring the place and having a bit of fun…running up & down the steps, checking out different types of fish etc etc. Finally the food arrived followed by desserts which we all enjoyed. Soon we left to get back home. Needed to recharge ourselves a bit…

Evening
In the evening we all set out to go to the beach front where Srishti again enjoyed seeing the waves and lot of people around. With no vehicles on the road she was free to roam a bit too. While Namasya, Reema, Anu & Srishti left on the bike (quite a sight to watch!!!) Som & me roamed a bit. He was really enthralled by the architecture around, taking a lot of nice pictures before it was time for dinner and we headed to Don Giovanni (http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/02/27/stories/2010022750060100.htm) on the rooftop of Hotel Corbelli on Mission Street, recommended by Namasya of course. Run by a true-blue Italian chef, Massimiliano ‘Murali' Morsiani from Bologna it’s a quaint little place and already has its owns set of loyal customers. As we entered we noticed Max was asking the guests what they would be interested in having. After a lot of discussions we did order our dishes while Som was busy trying to capture a lizard on the wall!!! It was also the day when India was playing England in the World Cup…cricket of course. We were wondering there was no way to keep a tab on the match in an Italian restaurant. Sigh…but much to our delight there was a small TV on which the employees of the restaurant were watching the match. Me, Anu & Reema stayed back after dinner to watch the final overs. Relieved to witness a tied match we walked down the street to catch an auto to get back home…

Another day in Pondicherry well spent. Close friends, a darling of a kid around and a lovely place…what more can you ask for. Thus ends Day 2 of my trip…Hoping that the penultimate day is as exciting I go to bed…

Concluding part coming up...

Singara Chennai!

Airport, Anna Nagar, Sri Krishna Sweets, Amma, Marina Beach, Juggheads Joint, Spencers Plaza, Ponnuswamy, Pondy Bazaar, Globus, Fagun Mansion, Shakti Towers, KPN, Central Station, Lintas, Higginbothams, Besant Nagar Beach, Anand Bhavan, Egmore, Food World, T Nagar....

The memories are way too many. While I spent my first couple of years in Chennai (in an Air Force Station appa was posted in), the first memories of Chennai, then Madras was when we used to come down from Nagpur where appa was posted by train on our way to Udumalpet, our pit stop for summer vacations. But the real memories are from my MBA days when I moved to Chennai from Madurai to do a project with Lintas. In the little over two months that I was there I went around the city thanks to my friends, explored places, enjoyed evenings in beaches did window shopping in the malls, had lunches and dinners in great restaurants. It was just great. Just these 2 months made me take a liking to the city. Yes its hot almost right through the year but then it has its own charm. Kind of an unexplainable vibe.

Once the project was over I went back to Madurai. But kept coming down to Chennai over the next 2-3 years to catch up with my friends, explore the city a bit more, enjoy the city a bit more. And then there was a long gap as friends moved on. I didn't go down until a month back and then again 3-4 days back.

The minute I got out of the airport and felt the warm breeze I felt like I was back 'home', wonder why though. Got into the cab like an over-excited 8 year old, stuck a conversation with the cabbie and looked around as we proceeded to my destination, my sales office. Later during the day I went around places and landmarks which were so familiar though I was seeing them after ages. While unfortunately I couldn't stay for long in just a day I felt recharged! And left for the airport in the evening a bit upset and hoping to visit the city soon.

Lets see when that happens!