Salaries

Most of the discussions on or off the work place directly or indirectly related to salaries. Points of discussion vary from ‘he must be earning x amount of salary’ to ‘this fellow doesn’t deserve this much salary’ etc… most of the tea time discussions focused on earnings.

Everyone individual ranging from Anil Ambani to Anil Polineni is having their own struggled past to sustain at a certain level or to make a living .In most of the cases, after 10 to 15 years of persistent hard by the virtue of god, virtue of manager, virtue of market condition, virtue of company’s growth, virtue of colleague’s support and luck by chance, life may give an opportunity for an individual to start and continue to earn few rupees or dollars or whatever the form it has.

I have seen days where my villagers used to exchange grown crop for most of their needs and all the life’s requirements was managed very well with that exchange process, for education also we used to pay rice etc...Even if few had little money that was just static in their pockets, there was never a need for money around 18 years back in and around my villages. I clearly remember the transition from crop exchange to money exchange, reason for this transition was the brokers who came in between, now money needs has grown leaps and bounds even in villages and its obvious that money is the only medium of exchange for everything.(1) The point here is money itself was never there and it was never a requirement, it was just created by us to exchange requirements.

I am sure everyone feels happy if we help a person with in our capabilities. Small example if someone is in very much need of a seat in train or bus while travelling, most of the people offer their seat, and the satisfaction we get after offering seat is enormous . (2)Everyone likes to help others if that helping process not impacting us in any way, there are exceptional people who compromise on themselves to help others.

Every human have their self defined lifestyle and all of us work only to fulfill defined life style. Life style of a beggar is eat food and sleep, so he just needs daily salary to eat food. Life style of common man is pay rent, fulfill the responsibilities of parents, brothers, sisters, dependants etc and save some money for future if possible. My life style is have enough money to live the life for next one month. So called rich also have their defined needs and pain is more if the rich life style is not fulfilled (3) Every life style requires monthly or daily salary to fulfill their defined minimum needs.

We see the people who don’t know anything that person’s back ground, his struggle in life, his responsibilities but cry or crib on his/her salaries on and off the work. Typical comments are ‘This guy earning that much without doing anything’,’ why should company pay this much for this stupid fellow’, ‘ what the hell he/she is doing sitting in that position’, ‘this manager just take huge perk without much work’. To find a group who sing chorus with these kind of comments is easy and start their actions to their possible limits. On personal front I saw people who forcefully ask salaries and start their consequent actions like pulling your legs if they believe that you don’t deserve that much or if they think that you are above them, showing too much interest in knowing others salaries. It even happens between own sisters and brothers who feel jealous of each other’s earnings. First thing most people want to know when you call abt a new job is earning capabilities, when I met a classmate after 10 years ,first two questions he forced me to answer was me and my wife salaries. When I asked few colleagues about the reason for showing interest to know others salaries weird answers like ‘want to know where I stand in the market’, ‘want to know my position in the company based on others salary’ etc…not even a single valid reason.

When it comes to myself I can assure that you never find me showing interest for others earnings, I don’t initiate a discussion about salaries to satisfy my ego, I don’t even clearly know my wife salary.

When I was in my previous company, 2 people felt that I am getting more than what I deserve and started a meeting in McDonalds , invited others for support to complain against me, if they use that time to clean toilets in McDonalds atleast they would have made some money to themselves. By chance if someone earning more least we may do is observe and learn from them rather than try to pull them down. If anyone try to pull others do remember that they are above us that’s why we are trying to pull down.

Everyone’s feelings in this world look valid to me except the people who discuss on others earnings or who pass sarcastic praising. Read points 1, 2 and 3 again, you agree with me that everyone is earning just to fulfill their defined minimal needs and everyone wants to help others. So discussing on others earnings is nothing but trying to take away others happiness or trying to push others into problems intentionally. We can enjoy the real happiness of appreciating others and opportunity to learn from others be it relatives of friends or colleagues if there is no place for others earnings in mind. By saying all this I am not excluding myself, I am also part of this jungle.

Missing

After my fifth standard I was forced to study high school at my mom's parents place. I still remember how much I cried for being away from parents.I used to go to lonely place, cry for an hour and come back to hell.It was mentally intoxicating to stay away from parents and village with the limited attachment I had with them.Today when I look back those memories are very funny.

Parents in-laws are here in Singapore from the last one month, wife had the best time with them. Starting from how to cross signal in foreign land till she gives sendoff at airport she took care of them like her children, wife's parents scolding her with pride for teaching even small things of life just like they did in her childhood. Long hours of discussion, late night sleeps, roaming around the city, movies , small fights in between ,theme parks anything and everything in Singapore most of the times three of them enjoyed, I was just providing my support to them and playing the role of audience. Today they just left to India, when I was observing wife's feelings at departure gate she was missing them just like me in my childhood but with more intensity.

Came back to home, home is full of silence,wife is hardly replying to me, she went to the room where they spent most of the time, crying alone, its reflecting my childhood days, all I am doing is letting her to drop down all the tears as she will treasure them forever, when she is still not stopping I entered into altercation for a small thing to divert her attention but thats not giving any result,now just sitting and talking to her some nonsense.

Being a husband I don't think I can ever replace parents love and affection, parents love is unconditional , where as husband's love start with need and grows with time depending on thinking of the person, it will take a life time to match with parents, will continue to understand and improve on this.

Wife's parents will be reaching India midnight Singapore time and she is not going to sleep until she hear their voice from India. The least I am doing is be with her, talk some nonsense and write this blog while she is watching the tv. I am off to India day after on business trip, has to do something tomorrow to bring back wife to mechanical life we have chosen profoundly.

India visit

One week visit to Bombay as part of work, excited about the trip as it was first time for me in business class travel and the best hotel facilities there. Requested wife to join me but she didn't accept.

Reached Bombay on Sunday morning, Me with three other colleagues went for a city trip in taxi, at most of the places there is huge difference in entry price for foreigners so colleagues didn't show much interest not that they can't afford, I didn't understand the logic behind this high price, when I asked the same to the people at the counter they also don't have any clue :-) With my memory I didn't remember any such price difference in any foreign land I have visited.Gandhi's museum, a good place to revisit my history knowledge and to take something back with me while leaving the place.

My father in law came to Mumbai all the way from Andhra for a day to see me, travel time to Bombay was 20 hours one way to him where it was 4 hours for me from Singapore, it was so touching, these are the precious moments one get through out the life if you don't take dowry,had good time with him.I can feel that he is missing his daughter too much more than me. Requested him to come to Singapore soon, he accepted.

At work, made so many good friends and met senior people of the country. Get opportunity to meet very talented people and the market makers.Not speaking much about the work as I am not supped to do so.While interacting with them came to know that all of them made entry to that place after clearing toughest exams and interviews of India. One woman who made impact one me was Sucharita mam, being a woman managing so many things and people effectively with passion. When I told the same to her, she just smiled.Mam I learned many things from you in this week. One week just passed like that, while leaving the place it was a bit painful to leave all the wonderful people, I do miss them.

Farewell to Uday yesterday who is leaving to UK for work. Uday, nice and intelligent guy, around three years back when he came to me for a suggestion about his work and career , I became the reason for him to enter into Murex consulting area ,at that time he took the bold decision of quitting high paid job and joined this for a lesser salary, he is going to enjoy the fruits of his risky decision now.


Wife booked badminton court for me and my friends by the time when I am back, had tiring badminton,now going for a telugu movie "maryada ramanna" as she decides and I follow:-), already started scolding for not getting ready.

Money-Phase2

After going through worst experiences with money, I told to myself that when I start earning, money savings should never control me-my thoughts-my actions. I wanted to enjoy every bit of life without thinking too much about so called security and with out loosing control on my responsibilities.Mine is a hyper active mind, always thinking about so many impossibilities and irregularities of life,never allow myself to think on savings. I do think abt earnings but never on savings, unfortunately most of the times pay is the parameter for judging the talent of an individual, I love to create too much wealth if possible for my capabilities with honesty but never earn just for saving. I have been working for 5 years,my wife scolding me literally for not having any savings for myself, giving everything to those who helped me or to dependents .Definitely I am not sacrificing anything here, I am spending the way I like.All that I need in life is prediction for next one month earnings and medical insurance, that itself is my savings, the moment I get monthly salary I disperse it everything on the first day itself keeping something for my next one month so that I utilize my time for better things in life.My dependents are of highest priority , today its family and known people urgent needs with out expecting returns, after sometime family and something else.

But its not easy to get acceptance for this kind of behavior from family that to after going through struggles for money, so lot of sweet arguments and suggestions from family which I pretend to follow.


After clearing all my loans, one day me and my friend was going on a bike,we stopped at a beggar in Bangalore, I gave him my ray ban glasses and around 8000 rupees, that beggar didn't understand whats happening,after few seconds he throw the glasses at us and ran away with the money. I broke those glasses recently when I fought with my wife :-), another fight going to happen after this blog if saps reads it, as I didn't tell this to her till now :-)...


Few days back when my uncle applying for my tax returns on behalf of me in India through an agent, that accountant told that "sir , I haven't seen this kind of person in my experience so far who doesn't have any savings for this pay and paying this much extra tax etc......"., another round of class from wife...

It's not that I don't care for money, I love money only till I earn but not to hide it. Create wealth not just for myself but for people who trust, may be I am going to end my life with this thought and its subsequent actions.

Now so called great friends and well wishers and their behavior after earnings and salaries .....coming soon :-)...

Money, PHASE 1

Everyone might have experienced the worst and best experiences with money. Through out my life I was bitten by money in many many ways.My first experience with money was when I am 9 years old and suffering from fever , my father asked my mom for money which he has given few days back.My mom used it for household expenses, dispute there, then we went to hospital with no money to the near by village and doctor treated us after assurance to pay soon.That was the beginning for my journey to money. I was around 10, me with friends found a half rupee coin at the bottom of a big iron pipe, we 4 friends worked on it for more than 4 hours and enjoyed 10 chocolates we got with that money.My needs with money were growing with my age, but I was unable to find any source for money.Once in a while relatives comes to my home and they give some change while leaving home, that happens very rare.My frustration levels going up, then I tried my own ways of getting money like selling books which my father buy at the beginning of academic year for me,doing some construction jobs without knowing at home,writing notebooks for seniors of nearby village so that they give some money etc etc. all these was not giving enough confidence for me.... Real pain with money started when I am 15,so many of my seniors and my batch mates discontinued their education as their parents cannot afford education expenses, my younger brother also one among them later I forced him to restart his studies where he left.A genius friend in my intermediate left his studies for the same money, I have to give a miss for Anna University and Regional colleges, the best colleges in India for the same money,I gave all my first 4 years of earnings to my uncle with 45% FOURTY FICE PERCENT -- interest rate just I don't have relatively small money at the right time,me and many mates like me were never concentrated fully on studies or job as money was always biting some way or other,lost relations for money,lied hell lot of times- again for the same money, friends fought for the same money.


All the money I was talking at each instance above is probably any layman in developed countries can earn from a an hour to a month odd job. In my life I have seen so many people decided their fate at the early age itself as there is no hope or support for the so called minimum money.Where is that god who is allowing others to ruin their fate for no reasons???


Poor people lives are badly effected by very very little money, not even money,just hope for money.God, jesus-allah or what so ever,its not just giving life but show some ray of hope for everyone man.....everyone actually not living the life u have given, just passing the days with pain, I am doing my efforts to reach u god,will question him when I meet him.

one of my lecturer who was in his 60's once told that "Anil, it will take one person's life time to bring up the family living standard's ", it was a statement come from life time experience, that one person in the family needs a vision and courage. I have seen and seeing so many families in my village itself who didn't find that one person in the family, still living the poverty life with half meals and no hope.

Will write in the next blog on what money means to me now....

Jewellery vs electronics

very hectic weekend ,shirt trip to Perth for just 2 days to validate wife's pr .Good news from friends, whom I know from the last 5 years are getting married , may be the best achievement of his life ,getting acceptance from one of the finest girl very happy for them,
should try my best to attend their marriage.

on this weekend bought an iPad for myself in perth after playing lot of dramas and pretensions to convince and to see smile on wife's face even after buying . Girls are ready to buy anything in the form of jewellery but not happy to spend on electronics.She was telling that gold at any point of time will give at least 90 percent of investment but not digital things . Then I argued that if u sell any of ur jewellery n bring back that 90% then I never buy anything... but no reply from wife.

Jewellery is the worst possible investment I have ever seen, the moment u start selling jewellery means bad phase of life has began , go to the same shop where u bought the jewellery u will see the difference in treatment, if ur circle knows this news then treatment differs , your consciousness treatment ......everything changes just with selling one jewellery . Also most of the times women buy jewellery to showoff in parties which obviously creates either jealousy or hatred feeling in many ways , will try for revenge with another showoff somewhere else and this process never ends .

Where as most of the electrons people enjoy sitting in a room through out it's durability ,electronics brings out lot of creativity , saves lot of time ,helps to do things faster,brings comfort for life, etcetcetc everything is positive about electronics ..where is with gold everything is useless reason......

Imagine few years down the line if gold available like stones or iron what will happen all these people's investment :-)
Some of these silly reasons I tried to convince my wife for buying iPad , after all these illogical reasons she convinced a bit and accepted. simple solutions are always there for complex things ...just right logic....

iPad , it seems to be replacement for laptop,no start n stop process, very handy...worth investment ....
Wrote blog with iPad

Marriage day

One year in married life, revisiting past one year from wife's point of view, silently observing her feelings to correct myself to be better. We being a different individuals , despite of exciting moments , she had her complaints too, if everything is happy and smooth then life will be dull, its only complaints which bring value to happy moments provided complaints don’t dominate happiness. So I will correct these complaints but sincerely will give opportunity for her to complain some more, otherwise life will be boring :-).

From my point of view, this one year is beautiful. She scolds me when I am lazy, she beats me when I irritate her, she gives her opinion when I need one, she tolerates my mad philosophy, she feels proud of my character, more importantly she loves me almost equal to my mother, she is best friend too. She talks anything and everything with me, even her too personal as well,

I am leading the life exactly the way I want to be, without taking her life for my selfishness, setting right expectations will avoid most of the problems in life. Money, we never had fight for money, I give all my salary to her keeping very minimal for my expenses, I request from her if I need some, I never asked or bothered about what she is doing with money. At any point of time, my mind thinking so many things out of which money has no or least priority. When I am like that, she is even more responsible. Guys , one tip , if u want to save more money , give full rights on earnings to wife, u will see the difference. When you respect her parents then automatically she respects ur parents more than u do, so not even a single problem between families so far.

Someone said that if you want to know purpose of your life “ write down answer to ‘purpose of life’ again n again till you find an answer which makes you cry”, my purpose of life is “taking care of my wife as long as I am alive”, This feeling going to evolve with time. I learned this from illiterate and very matured human, my father.

Circle of life

Jackey, I met him around 5 years back in Japan. I vaguely remember how I met him. I was working in Japan , after lunch I went for a walk with my friend to nearby Hibiya park of Tokyo, Jackey was also there having lunch with his parents, I think he asked me to take his photo with his parents , he took a photo with us as well in his camera.I left Japan after that, now after 5 years I joined a company where they have branch in Japan. Present company published my photo in their intranet, he saw my photo , with his great memory he send an email to confirm my identity. After exchange of few emails , he searched his albums and send me the old photo which we had taken 5 years. It was quite a surprise for both us to meet at the same company. Its proving again and again that world is very small, present company is having an annual event in few months time at an island , will be meeting Jackey there soon.

My engineering classmate Kiran , blessed with baby girl, happy to hear from him, it was just few months back where we were fighting for girl friends and for silly issues in college days, today he is a proud father.

My sister in law got placed in the best possible company , happy mood at homes, high pay adding more happiness. Wife is very excited to see her sister growing in career, its 16 years of her hard work resulted in the form of this job, excellent, I should congratulate her after this blog and I wish she achieve everything in life with her dedication, I am sure she will. My memories going back to my first job, when I called my dad after getting offer, I hardly see any reaction from my father where as classmates praising me for cracking in the first company ,my father told me that “don’t excite for just a job”, I felt bad for not sharing my happiness but down the time if I look back that’s the best thing my dad has gifted me, few words taught me so many truths of life.

My wife and her sister both are from BITS, two girls in a family are from one of the India’s prestigious institute. At my wife’s time , she was the only girl in town who made entry to BITS. She grabbed enough attention at that time. Her dad awarded with “BITS” prefix in his office. What a proud moments his daughters has given for him. In my college days I can’t even dare to dream about BITS, that’s my intelligence level J.

It’s a good day today. Good news from friend and family members and surprise from Jackey

Offered Food is ok or its the best???

Whenever someone offer me home food, after I finish eating my compliments to host vary from “ very good, excellent, delicious, the best food I have ever had etc……” irrespective of taste .My comments not just for the food but for their effort in preparing food. Someone calling to home, pain in preparing food, serving and the attention they give to you..after all this if anyone gives adverse comments then I feel that’s the worse anyone can do for others. Give any negative comment about food and observe the feeling of the invitee, at least for a moment she will think to kill you by poisoning the same food. On the other hand, even a simple compliment makes them very happy and make them forget all the pain they have gone through in preparing, thats the least one can do for offering food.

I had discussions on this topic with friends many times, their view is that “ if we don’t correct, how will they improve”, as if your job is to make others as THE BEST CHEF. Life is not going to stop with a single normal meal or many such meals. But negative comments will stop others life for a second at least.

Today my wife learned and prepared delicious dosa. It was really very good . I called her mom and informed about her daughter’s cooking abilities, everyone is exceedingly happy, my wife didn’t even allowed me to wash the dishes today, just an hour before she very very angry with me for opposing her view on a discussion and she want to beat me like anything but not now, positive comment is simple but its advantages are many.

Its not just at food, about job , about , about jewellary, about appearance etc.....even a slightly negative comment take away life from others for few moments, we cover comments with the so called "suggestions", only our consciousness know its suggestion or not.

Ok , enough of your philosophy for today Anil, as if you never give any negative comments, yes I never:-)..........my consicousness...


Attached photo is the view I see from my office desk if I turn my head. Tallest building of the world, a river in between those buildings, heart of Singapore.

Hourly goals

What’s new year resolution?? What’s birthday resolution?? What’s this year resolution that year..so on……I have been hearing these questions and respective answers from individuals throughout my life. Some achieving at the end of the year and most end up in postponing their resolutions for the next year or ending up with disappointment. Many times, this disappointment gives lot of positive energy to measure/extend themselves and achieve the goals next time, this is even more effective in case of exams in school and college days.

Setting long term goals and ending up either in happiness or disappointment once or few times in an year, and most valuable outcome of setting goals called “EXPERIENCE” comes just few times in an year. Imagine if that experience comes 10 times in an year, 20 times, 100 times in an year , 1000 times in an year and …….…….

Six months back, when I was working on some work at SCB myself set a target of finishing work in 2 hours and the end result after two hours was nothing, too much frustrated but deep down thoroughly enjoyed the process of setting goal, measuring myself and gaining the experience. Then continued the same for the whole day and at the end of the day found a valuable realistic hourly life cycle “set goals-measure-experience”. I stated enjoying work and work place more than ever, every hour of my life looking so valuable for me, I report to my work to manager once in a fortnight or once in a month but I am reporting to my consciousness many times in a day, it became part of my life. It’s not just for work but for anything I do, when I play , when I help my wife for cooking, when I travel, when I have to escape work for next one hour ,when I think……for everything this hourly goals automatically triggering in my mind and the experience I am gaining out of it is so wonderful.

These hourly goals are not obligation on me, these are something which helping me to know myself better, to gain experience many times in a day, to enjoy life better and to enjoy the life journey better.

Rather than having yearly goals or quarterly or few times in an year and just few experiences, I feel hourly goals are realistic for individuals and one can have many experiences in a day itself. one may consider to try it…

PS: I finished my hourly goal of watching IPL, replying to my wife’s questions and writing this blog before sleep in parallel :-)

New beginning

Just joined new job, first days itself started working. Murex office, it’s the most happening place, one get to know global picture of investment banking at this place. Got some injury , muscles paining too much, confined to bed rest, looking forward to go to office and add some value to the team.

Life at SCB

My journey which started 5 months back at Standard Chartered Bank(SCB) is going to end today, don't know where to start, but some where I have to begin to write this wonderful journey. After first day formalities and a warmth welcome from my manager, started to get adjusted to SCB work environment. It didn't take much time to realize that I am with passionate individuals working as a team. Everyone is unique and very talented. The more I interact ,the more I am learning from each and everyone both personally and professionally. One should be fortunate enough to be part of this team, I still wonder how its possible for one person to manage these many talented people. My beginning itself started at an abstract level and I got all the freedom ,support and environment to experiment everything I wanted. When I get up every day morning its always like “wah... one more exciting working day”, it was never “ oh god one more day at work”. Everyday work life is a combination of some learning from team mates, lot of fun, some achievement which gave me happy sleep, new ideas, positive energy for next day. Around 20 people in the team and everyone always ready to help and share knowledge. In these 5 months I never had view clash or at least a small hurt in my mind, my consciousness didn’t give me any negative vibration . I have adapted the habit of setting up hourly goals which gave me very good results, will write blog on setting hourly goals soon.
Work and work culture is great, managers are excellent ,people are very friendly, but still I am moving on after convincing my manager, may be this is called destiny. I don’t have any reason to move out of this place , only reason is offer I am considering never even dreamt of , seems to be tough days are ahead.
Carrying lot of memories which I am going to cherish forever , made many friends, going to be in touch with these wonderful people forever, I may not leave them even if they want to :-).
Very expensive and memorable farewell , should thank everyone today.

Freelance

Many of my friends and colleagues asking me to list down my experiences as a free lancer/ contractor, hence the below post

I worked as a permanent employee for almost all my 5 years career with a single company. When I decided to move on, with that continuous employment history I would have continued another so called safe permanent position, but dunno somehow unable to do so. Hidden thrust to experiment something different continuously disturbing me, then I decided to work for myself to satisfy me at that time. After some time an offer came to me as an independent contractor, with out any hesitation accepted offer leaving permanent offers in hand. The decision itself was not an easy one.

The journey began.

When I was a permanent employee traveled to many countries, many more flight travels, never ever bothered about my flight tickets or hotels or foreign currency or guidance in the foreign country etc..etc.. Everything was spoon feeding, company’s travel desk, people function, so many people are at your service. Company find you job, find a place to live, escort you for your first day, make you comfortable with people and place etc... You are no more with these facilities as a contractor…everything is “SELF” managed, you have to change mindset and have to start living with ultimate truth of life “don’t expect anything from anyone”.

Then your work life starts, you should burn your ego completely, you should not say no what ever work comes to you which you wouldn’t have taken that risk as a permanent employee, you should be acceptable by everyone, you should prove to your manager and to your colleagues that you add value to the team, you should not even discuss work politics by chance, you should be optimistic always, you should take inspiration from everyone and in turn inspire the team in at least one good thing, you should always focus on delivery … if you observe all are “should”.. there is no other option…..everything is should……then only you have a place and eventually you will build a career in this path.

As a free lancer pay is more, why should clients pay you better pay unless you have something extra in you. This is where true life starts to explore that “EXTRA”. Keep questioning this always, then sooner you will find that extra in you. Always focus on delivery; you should impress the client only with results. If you do this perfectly then you will build very good contacts, you will have the best around you and this best will always help you for your career graph.

As a contractor you are a bit insecure deep down the heart, because of this bit of insecurity you always want to give best of your abilities, you work to do some thing better and different to be recognized, you unknowingly do many things which adds more value to the team and to your career.

Its all about you, you own everything here, you represent your self, any recognition comes to you directly, good or bad you build your brand name, you report to your self, you set and review your objectives for yourself, more control on your life, in all this process you realize where and how you want to lead your life.

When it comes to me personally, it’s the best experience of life , I met and interacted with best people of this industry, worked with best managers , I am able to imagine and do better than ever, my confidence level has gone up to altogether different level. If I didn’t try this, I should have missed something great in life.

Free lancing is a very exciting and challenging path. It’s nothing but running your own company with just you as everything. A bit tough to decide, find and adjust in the first job, but worth going through this phase which gives many rewards in so many ways. End result of this journey is as beautiful as the attached flowers.

My mom's compliment

Typically I call my parents every Saturday or Sunday morning times, yesterday I missed talking to my mom despite of repetitive trials to reach home. In the past I didn’t remember any days calling home on Monday night. When I called today, mom being mom, with first ring itself she guessed that it would be Anil, she was very happy to receive unexpected and predicted call. After a minute suddenly she told me that “ Swapna is very honest girl raaa, I am observing her from the last nine months I like her very much than any one else “.. wav… what a genuine compliment to my wife, when I asked my mom for reasons, she didn’t say any but stressing on Saps good nature. It takes a while to get compliment from my mom, not everyone deserves her compliment from her, she must have analyzed a lot before making such well deserved and honest compliment. Keep up the spirit Saps, you have a reason to celebrate your tomorrow, getting a compliment from your mother in law.

It has been 9 months since my marriage, between my mom& Swapna or my parents & saps parents or between families not even a single misunderstanding so far. Few days back when I was telling this to my friend, all he was telling was “you are exceptional”. Everyone is doing their bit for this smooth and happy relation. My parents, though they didn’t take even a single rupee dowry in any form my parents never expected anything either from my in-laws or from my wife, they always want to give something with in their possible limits, my in laws - they are like my parents, they are there always there when ever I need them, in these 9 months they took utmost care of me, especially when I was suffering from chickenpox. I think it was house warming ceremony in Bangalore, I was bit frustrated and showed that anger on my mother-in-law , I felt very bad that night and next day early morning apologized and she was very happy for that. After that my mother in law was telling that “ Anil knows how to behave even in worse times ”..pat on your back Anil… She is like my mother. My father in law, all his life revolves around his daughters, he will go to any extent for his daughters…….. My sister in law, she is like my sister, my wife always irritate and test her patience, but she is always nice... Last but not least my wife, she is my life and she manages all these relations perfectly. My parents are uneducated not so fashioned, my in laws and their families are very well off and educated, I am a hard to understand person and atheist, sister in law is sweet, more intelligent than me and my wife, my sweet brother who is so innocent and not as smart as me don’t know what to talk when but pure at heart, some hard core devotees are there in this group, despite of odds everything working out very well, its all because of everyone trying to give some thing without any expectations. I would have done so many virtues to be part of this wonderful family. I should thank each and everyone by phone and probably should send cheque for the treat, will do that definitely this weekend.

JAPAN’S NUMBER ONE CASUAL WEAR BRAND--VEGETARIAN-SPIRITUALITY

First time I traveled to Tokyo in June 2005, it was a Sunday. When I enquired about Japan before my travel, people scared me about Japan and their work culture, few of the points are Japanese work very hard & its impossible to get adjusted to their work culture, language problem , no Indian food so on….I landed in Tokyo with all those apprehensions in Mind, to reach guest house from airport I have to change three trains and a taxi. Through out my travel from airport, every where people wearing formals with suits, even taxi driver also wearing formal dress, it was a summer season at that time. Already people warned about Japanese work culture , after seeing formal dresses that to on Sunday afternoon, my future is in front of my eyes. But all that was a myth, reality is different. I stayed for exactly one year in Tokyo, that was best part of my life, will write all my experiences in a different blog, as the reason for this blog is altogether different. In my one year life, I have hardly seen people wearing casual dress to office. Even while my travels on weekend percentage of people who wear casual dresses is few.

From the past few months observed ads in Singapore captioned as Japanese best brands. Most of them are electronics ads, Japanese already proved to rest of the world about their capabilities in electronics, so no wonder people show interest in buying Japanese electronics products. Even myself when I am abroad, I buy Japanese brands without even second thought, I go for other brand only if Japanese brand is not available , that’s the trust I am carrying about Japan and its people.

Today while traveling, found the ad as “JAPAN’S NUMBER ONE CASUAL WEAR BRAND” and rates starts from very high price, people are relatively in large numbers at this shop. I have hardly seen people wearing casuals in Japan , in Singapore people are buying by paying higher prices just it is tagged as Japan’s brand. If we go by percentage statistics of casual dresses wearing people, may be every country will beat Japan. So how would Japanese brand will be more saleable in Singapore than any other western brand. So many answers coming to my mind, in few words “JAPANESE PEOPLE’S ATTITUDE IS THE BEST SO IS THEIR PRODUCTS” ..

Would I ever be able to any ad abroad saying “INDIA’S BEST BRAND HAS ARRIVED ABORAD”,??? Yes why not, definitely. It’s all with attitude.

Vegetarianism: In tea time, my friend was telling his side of stories as “ he wants to stop eating nonveg food but……… “, I also have similar stories of but…..then I immediately told that “I will stop nonveg food from now onwards”,.. he also said “ he will also stop”. All this happened 10 days before and so far it is going well. I don’t know what prompted me to take that decision at that moment, may be expecting that reply from my friend .Few others still suspecting my ability to continue vegetarianism, I don’t have any doubt , I will be continuing same state forever.

Spirituality: Sanjeev my colleague invited me for spirituality he is following, attended three classes so far, though it will be difficult for me to worship any individual ,but I am taking what ever appealing to me. Interestingly in today’s “satsang”, preacher mentioned about vegetarian food.

While returning from Spirituality class by train, one man practicing drawings in train, he was drawing pictures of people sleeping in the train, in less than a minute he was drawing one picture. Lovely live pictures of the people in a moving train in few seconds , what else could be amazing more than this?? I approached that person and requested to draw my picture as well. He felt happy for recognizing his talent and accepted my request. I was moving poses in between , he wasted three papers in drawing my picture, my stop has arrived , finally he gave me one of my ok kind of drawing and he apologized me for not giving his best, rather giving his worst. All this happened in 5 to 7 minutes time. Attached is the drawing.

Went for a telugu movie, “Ye maaya chesaave”. Yesterday night friend sms ed me that “ this movie is not for us, its for below 20 years age, don’t go for it”, despite of his warning still went for the movie. Through out the movie I was in trance, movie mesmerized me, I will be carrying that feelings through out my life, I was just seeing my wife character in female lead. I kindly requested friends many time not to give any unwanted suggestions at lest for me but who bothers to listen me. I would have missed life time experience if I missed this movie.

Its 3 am now and have to sleep for few hours before I do some passionate work next week.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!!

Title is Chinese version of Happy Lunar New year .Its Chinese new year , celebrated for winning good over evil , similar to Indian Diwali. My neighbor is a Chinese and very nice person. He and his family always maintain eye contact with smile always, exchange few words occasionally. They invited us repeatedly for a new year lunch with his family, also gave us some fruits which is traditional thing for this new year Attached is the photo of lunch, all raw non veg items, rice and a boiler in front of us. One lady described few non veg items as happiness, wealth and longevity and she asked us to cook and eat all of them completely. I wish I would have been Chinese to enjoy that lunch fully, they were so hospitable, we boiled most of them and managed to eat little. Raj had the most unforgettable time there. I should give some gift them tomorrow as its my turn now to show affection.

It’s a 4 days long weekend in Singapore, Friday evening played tennis at Andrews place, after tennis went to Andrew home, Andrew in his late 40’s , most eligible bachelor. Apart from his technical skills & his own business, he is a great professional photographer. Few days back mentioned that he shoot for 3 to 4 hours and deliver 2 or 3 photos, when he showed photos all my doubts were very clear, he photographed most beautiful models across the globe, 8 countries best models are his clients, he told me so may secrets of this fashion world. I will share his photos link after Andrew’s permissions. At Titanic times, hero drawing Kate’s pose was not an acceptable thing to my mind but I should believe now after seeing professionalism in Andrew’s photography. I can’t speak more than that , he gave me different view of professionalism today. My respect towards him doubled. I will request him to teach photography (Of course for free, I can’t afford his price).

Saturday morning few hours badminton, I invited my colleague Mukundan for badminton, unfortunately his leg injured seriously while playing, I felt very bad as it was me who requested him many times to join me, I hope Mukundan will come to office on Wednesday with full recovery. Tennis again in the evening, it was good going for me in tennis , I can able to serve which is quite a good achievement for a first time player. I should aim to give tough competition for Andrew. Swimming in the night, Raj taught me some tips of swimming, badminton again on Sunday morning, quick lunch, back to back tamil and hindi movies with Raj till 5 AM in the morning.

Cycling for some time, and then chatting with Swapnil. Swapnil was my practice head or similar role when I was with Mindtree , he mentioned about my blog and asked me with concern to take proper rest and not to spend nights awake on blogs n work, to the contrary my wife scolding me over phone for sleeping like anything as she only know the truth. It’s Monday late night now and I should catch up some sleep now.

Life's twists

I have one younger sweet brother Ramesh , one of the most honest, very helpful , modest …so on….., all of my villagers including my dad used to like him a lot in my childhood for so many good reasons, he is in good books of almost all my villagers. On the other hand me, hardly people likes me for my different character which was unable to be digested by many villagers.

We were the poorest family in my village in our community. Reasons for having so many fans for my brother are, we being poor he always helps to all those relatively rich people in doing their works, he is there when ever they need him, he bows his head in front of them,. On the other hand, I always have thoughts of conquering whole world. I think it pains a lot if anyone growing or try to grow in and around our surroundings (how many people dare to accept this fact), this pain is directly proportional to growth, more the growth more the pain..that pain is even more in villages, we always tend to think that a sub ordinate should remain at that position throughout the life. So no one even listen to what ever I say. I didn’t remember any good words from my villagers for me , where as lots of praising to my brother, when ever I do something different which obviously looks like a stupid thing to others, everyone came together and gave me a big lecture to be like my brother. I like my brother a lot because of his honesty, his helping nature, he simple life style, ect..etc.. I learned many things unknowingly from him, applied all those on my thoughts to be where I am today.

My brother had the best of childhood life with lot of attention and praising from everyone, stopped his studies due to my family financial conditions, started again as I promised to my dad that I will take care of his educational expenses once I start work, so many twists in his life, he enjoyed what ever the path he chooses always or what ever comes in his away. My parents were too much worried about my career, but they were sure that my brother will earn his food with his good nature and hard working capabilities. All that my parents were expecting is both of their sons to settle down in village or nearby places with some decent life style. In 10 years life changed a lot. Me who is almost useless stupid worst fellow achieved larger than life with my village standards( it might looks like exaggerated statement, one should be in my life to experience that life), my brother where everyone never expected him to be educated completed his graduation and enjoying his time to pass further studies now.

Reason for writing this blog is my brother is studying his CA now (For me this feeling itself is awesome), he failed 7 times so far, the same villagers who used to praise him are showing me as inspiration to my brother which is obvious to their standards of thinking. He is still having faith in him that he will complete his CA, he is not feeling bad as he is always trying his best. When I called home my mom, she is too much worried about my brother career, I explained to my mom that go back to 10 years of your thoughts, then you will enjoy for his achievement of where he is today rather than worrying about present results.

My parents forcefully joined him into MCA after he failed twice in CA, when I realized that his heart is not there I gave him the freedom to choose where ever his heart lies. He is back in his CA, and constantly putting his best. I have seen quite a few people who is dead though they are living as they were never given chance to choose what they want, where as in my brother case its different, he is doing what he wants to do, he is putting his best but still the results are adverse. For me his energy and enthusiasm is inspiring a lot, if he would have passed in his first attempt he also would have been in this rat race of jobs and salaries, at least he is enjoying his time the way he wants. I am more keen on seeing how he is going to take his life forward despite of these failures. I am sure it is going to be inspiring for me.

Hi Raa Ramesh, I know that you will read this blog, I do have so many memories with you, the days you worried about my career, days you cried for me when I was lying in hospital bed, love and affection you are showing on me since childhood.. I will never forget all these things, we achieved something which others even can’t dreamt of in our village with our financial condition and support. You remained as my inspiration in many ways since childhood, I am there for you always no matter what happens in life, my unconditional support will continue to shower on you, these exams failures are nothing before you and your character, you are one of the finest human, you just decide what you want in life and continue to enjoy that.

Life gives so many twists and surprises, either we may convert those twists as opportunities or we can blame the same to satisfy our alter ego.

Gratest Devotees

I had an hour break between my back to back movies on Sautrday, so I went around for a walk, huge crowd was moving on streets, with curiosity I went there, few people carrying God’s idol on their heads, thin metal lords pierced through lips and hooks pierced into their body including head. I was a terrible incident for me and I also started following them. After some time I was curious to know whether those people will get pain or not? So I went to one woman who seems to be like a mother of one among those greatest devotees, I started pouring all my queries to her, she was telling that this is a Tipusam festival celebrated on the occasion of lord Murugan birthday, when I asked don’t they get pain while doing so, she replied “ they do fasting for lot of days and all precautions are taken before doing so”… so many stupid questions, she replied with lot of patience, when I observed the people who ever carrying those idols, they are too tired, swelling and bleeding, people around them are singing songs so that Murugesan gives lot of energy to them to carry his idol. I asked her will you take these people to hospital after this, her answer is no, will your Murugesan come and save these people , will these people live for 200 years for doing so, then a serious look at me.

Am I mad to ask all those questions to the greatest devotes, if I was in India someone should have beat me, I calculated all that risk before asking :-). One thing is very sure all those people doing all that stuff for their personal or family well being, do they have to beg some unknown person with that much pain for selfish acts, isn’t it possible to gain the same with much less effort than what they are doing?? Will God really apprciate this kind of acts?? Who is right, am I unable to see what ever they are seeing?? Is it my indifference??

While playing badminton my team mate hit badly on my finger accidentally, he was apologizing me so many times though the pain not even one millionth of those devotes pain, quite possible that those devotees also can’t bear small pain caused by their friends, expect to apologize but how can they bear so much pain for an unknown and unseen person.??? What is this...., some one please come and enlighten my brain.. Murugesan at least you give me some real knowledge……thoughts going on… I may find an answer when I go deep into this..


Friday night watched Mr honest Ram Gopal varma’s movie RANN with friends, though it was a good movie but his blog is more entertaining than his movie. After movie, conversation with friends in a bar till late night, little bit sleep, Saturday morning badminton for three hours, then back to back a telugu movie Namo venkatesha and a hindi movie 3 idiots alone, nostalgic feeling while watching 3 idiots as I can correlate so many things in that movie, again some sleep, Sunday morning some paper work which needs to be finished, few hours in office, badminton for three hours, long calls with family. Very hectic and fully utilized weekend, I wish I could have 48 hours in a day.


Will be going to office by cycle from tomorrow onwards , office moved nearer to my living place ..lot of time saving in travel, going to have great time while riding my cycle to office.

Its never late

After dinner at an Indian restaurant, I was traveling to home by bus. An old man sat next to me , after few minutes of travel I got a call from my friend Sridhar, it was a long call , due to sound pollution I was talking a bit louder, my voice is good enough to disturb old man’s mood. His health seems to be not good, he was looking seriously at me, it was an important call for me so I saw at him with an apology face and continued the call. When I told to Sridhar about this old man situation, he asked me “ till now you didn’t talk to that person aa????””, I think Sridhar’s impression was that old man would have known to me by that time…..After the call , old man still having bad impression on me.

Its Sridhar, who reminded me that I should have spoke to him by then so that my voice might not have created that much disturbance. Anyhow I told to my self that its not too late as I have few more minutes travel, its me who created frustration for him, so its my responsibility to take that off. With low voice I apologized but no response, second time apology-nodded his head, third time I told him gently that “ I am trying to talk to you so that you may forgive and leave the bus with good feeling”, I think he was impressed with my approach and started asking me questions like where I am from, what do I do so on…… it was between 5 to 10 minutes travel after the call, so many things happened in that time, he forgot his frustration, lot of questions and answers exchange, he opened the bag he was carrying and showed all the bronze drawings very fast as our stop is coming. He is a professional painter, he paints photos with metals like silver , bronze etc.. which very few people can do. He was a well known actor also, and he was having stage performance contracts with American associations so on…., he is in his 70’s to 80’s……..all that glory seems to be gone by. When I requested , he accepted to take photos of his drawing with my phone , he said ok to publish on my site. We two were the last to get down the bus, as always I forgot the way from bus station to my next bus stop, he came all the way and showed me the bus stop and dispersed. I am sure he left the place with a very good feeling.

What a strange life, in 15 minutes how many things happened, its never late to do any thing. If we have determination and try with honesty, even in the last minutes we can achieve what ever we want. Honesty always play key role in life. Attached are the pictures of his drawings and his acting days.

Its my wife birthday tomorrow, she is traveling from grand parents place to her parents place, travel disturbing her health, I do worry though I won’t express to her. I should have been with her to celebrate her b’day as she likes celebrations. I think her birthday resolution seems to be not to spend money on useless things. She is a girl born with golden spoon, I would like her to be as she was but somehow she seems to be changed. She is my best friend, I can talk anything and everything so is she, and tonight I will be thinking all these days of togetherness and how the time running.

This is me! Jason

Back then in 2007, I moved to Melbourne from Sydney for work. I think that was my first day in office. After firstday formalities I was told that I will be working for one highly respected person at ANZ , Hamish Talty. Hamish gave warmth welcome to ANZ and told me what I am supposed to work on. As part of regression testing, I have to read xml files stored as images from database but no idea how to do. Reading and writing blobs from databases is not as easy as inserting data to table. In my 5 years career many people gave partial or false information on reading blobs from database, all most all people whom so ever I approached either gave me some internet links or some document or something which is of no use. Hamish being so generous introduced me to one person who can help me in doing this; he was looking a bit fat than me, wearing half sleeves simple shirt, having his convocation photo in front of his desk. I requested him that I need help to retrieve xml’s from database and explained my problem in detail , I thought that it may take at least a week for him to help me partially just like others, to my surprise he read all thousands of xml’s in few minutes time and send me the link where I can access those xml files. That’s the first time I met a person who can play with database blobs, obviously he was looking a like a hero to me as I was looking forward for such person. His name is Jason, Jason Raynar.


As part of work, me and my teammates used to develop many things, when ever we were stuck up with some technical issue , if me my teammates or internet cann’t solve that problem then Jason is there. Like that I used to meet him quite often. If I approached he never disappointed, one of the best quality in Jason is he helps you till you become fully comfortable with his solution, he helps you 100%. In my every interaction with him he is looking so different and better than he was before. He is so much passionate about everything he do, he try to automate things where everyone waste time in doing things repeatedly and manually, he thinks out of the possibilities, his thoughts starts where most of others thoughts ends, highly self motivated, he lives every second of life with passion and purpose, … he can alone develop any technical product with THE BEST performance if opportunity given. His passion motivates others to achieve better results, That’s partial technical side of Jason which I know.

Jason as a person is amazing. He is so simple and down to earth, never showoff for anything, very caring for people whom he cares for, When ever people are crossing office door with him he always let others to go with his welcoming words “after you” which is welcome sign for helping hand, I think whom so ever working with Jason are the luckiest people as you don’t get a better person than Jason to work for in every way.

My life changed completely after meeting him, It’s not his technical skills but his working style and positive attitude inspired me a lot. I learned how to think out of the possibilities, how to be modest and simple and how to be a better human. Inspiration I took from him continuing in me in most of the things I do. The reason for writing this blog is yesterday I gave a presentation to the entire bank’s teams at my workplace, so many accolades came and coming in my way for my new initiatives, I am inundated with that recognition, if I look back Jason is the person who inspired me for all this. Unknowingly I do remember him everyday at work. On this earth one of the great thing happened to me is meeting Jason, I feel happy about this just before I die also, if at all god exists I am thankful to him for creating Jason.

I meet so many better people in life , everyone looks better for me as mostly I look at better side of the individual, but I meet Jason like people rarely , he is unique and best.

He presented me a microwave teddy bear while I was leaving Australia, which is next to me while I am writing this blog.

PS: This is me! Jason----- this was the first mail subject received from him. This is the only photo I have as hard disk with all photos crashed recently.

Purpose of life

I was searching in internet about purpose of life , few lines caught my attention, some great person suggested below steps to find purpose if life.

1.Take out a blank sheet of paper or open up a word processor where you can type .
2.Write at the top, “What is my true purpose in life?”
3.Write an answer (any answer) that pops into your head. It doesn’t have to be a complete sentence. A short phrase is fine.
4.Repeat step 3 until you write the answer that makes you cry. This is your purpose of your life.

I tried for enough time , didn't get any answer which makes me cry. In recent days I am thinking too much about life purpose and I became passionate about this topic. I am hoping that at least by end of this life I may find answer. Atheists like me will ever find answer to life's purpose??

I read somewhere that if you believe in god you can't become god, am I trying to become god?? If at all god exists does he believe in God?? If yes, whom does he believe?? Where this cycle started?? Cycle ......froget about life cycle, I have a cycle in front of me which is giving some exciting moments when I ride on it.Going to ride in this midnight , now the time is 1 AM.. Attached is the photo of my cycle.So many irrelevant stupid or genius questions, brain taking too much and energy for all these.

Going for cycle ride.

Met Andrew again

Its too much tiring day, cosmetic changes to last week production work and analisin new work items, on the way back to home good conversation with my colleague Sunil about Indian infrastructure and its consequences. He is so much fascinated about studies and doing some great things always. In mid thirties took a break, went to London and did post graduation from there.
Andrew Lavelle John from Australia joined me at work. He used to live in Gold coast, we both worked together for quite some time in Melbourne. I used to enjoy his company, so is now.
Swapna forgot her mobile at home, so no complaints today as I can't reach her by phone.
Its almost 13 hours of non stop work today and the time is 1 AM, have to catch up some sleep and reenergize for another hectic day.

Writing after 8 months

Never got an environment in these 8 months to communicate through blog. Moved to India from Australia in May 09, got married, honeymoon, back to work, purchase of house, furnishing house the most tiring job, change of job to a free lancer and lastly renting house after decorating the house for 6 months. This is where I stand now in my life, will write an elaborated blog every incident.

Marriage happened at my in-laws place and then reception in my village. Since I was born I didn't remember any function happened in my home, I think my parents can't afford one hence it never happened otherwise some greatest achievements of human life(sarcastic) like birthday, marriage day,panchelu icche day( telugu peoples ceremony) , this day that day will always be there to showoff to the possible world. Showoff is one of the agenda for most of the Indian functions, my parents got time for our showoff time.Attached is the photo taken before my marriage day .

Doing some kind of exercise is always my passion, today I did it a bit more. Two hours of badminton with friends at my place, cycling for an hour and then avatar ,Sherlock homes movies. Everyone expressed raving experiences abt avatar, for me worse telugu would have been better than avatar as I can't connect to it, what I enjoyed most today was my interaction with taxi driver while going for avatar. When I told him I was going for a movie , immediately he replied that "those who are bored or who don't know anything to do will waste time and money on movies", . He was a chain drinker and smoker, stopped everything after realizing that nothing is there in them , discussion went on ,he tokd that "he requested his kids to pay 300 dollars per month when I can't earn for himself", it was so touching for me as children’s demand for money from parents where as parents has to request for money from their kids when their time comes.

Lot of complaints from wife on me as I am not spending much time with her over phone; have to manage my time when she is free and ideas to impress her. Eagerly waiting for her to join me as I enjoy fighting with her most of the time and she likes to trouble me with her intelligence.

Its time to sleep and good night .