Oh god, it's that July again. Perhaps a mere coincidence, it's this time of the year, I really go down tumbling to bed for whatever reasons. Last year, I was hit by a wave of high fever and I was reduced to bed for nearly two weeks. Out of T.V, out of internet and, more importantly, out of happenings, really made me go nuts.
Surprisingly, during this July, I was again put to bed (This time it's not a natural calamity but a man made mistake :-)) as I, myself, opted for an eye surgery. I was asked to stay away from the T.V and the internet and of course, was advised to close my eyes as much as possible and SLEEP(one of my favorite activities). However, I felt that this is the most cruel punishment ever. Asking a person to sleep too much is just a mental torture. Believe me! You may reckon and even be surprised, but you would know how hard it is to lay on bed with eyes closed when you really want to come out into the world.
The caption of a popular beverage, " The world is waiting, where are you" struck my mind, though nothing is really waiting for me. I get all sorts of emotionally weak thoughts and fears and I succumb to them to death during this ugly idle period. Perhaps, the old adage, "Idle man's mind is a devil's workshop" , holds good here. Though I feel great and on top of the world with " I'm single and I'm loving it" attitude, at this point of time, I feel lonely and feel that there isn't really anyone who would really care for me "genuinely" and "unconditionally".
I wanted to test it practically, taking some real-time data to find out that is there anyone really concerned about me. So, I picked up my mobile and perused through the received numbers list. To my surprise, over 70% of the calls were from my credit card sales buddies, who are really concerned about my investments, credits, savings, loans, health insurance(wow they are concerned about my family too). With a pun intended, they are the true friends.
Ironically, we generally tend to take people, who really care about, for granted and ignore them while we long and beg for someone else to care for. Typically, I tend to ignore those bank calls by saying "I am busy" or "not interested". It's Harsh. Isn't it? As I write this, a practical joke flashed in my mind all of a sudden. It was during my engineering, a period during which cell phones were new and talking to a girl over the phone for us was an eight wonder. One of my class mates was known to possess posh northie gals' numbers. Knowing this, another guy bribed him, begged him and somehow managed to get a number. With hell a lot of excitement he went home to call her up and the next day told that she was saying the same thing again and again and that he was pissed off. We were bewildered. The real joke is here, the other guy had given him the hutch customer care number and the voice is a pre-recorded female speech. Poor fellow he didn't even know that such a service ever existed.
Back from the joke, the other calls were from my clients. Are you wondering who these clients are? These are people who find me on orkut or some pagalguy forums and even people I know at TCS ,or at my college etc. They generally call me to seek help on GMAT, Management programmes, U.K MBA etc. (Lately, I have become one big consultant and about to start a consultancy too (just joking)). They quite politely and sweetly start with this "Hi, Prashant. How are you?". All they would expect is a very mundane "I am fine.How about you?". There is no real intent in knowing how you really are. In fact, they would be taken aback and become speechless if I say anything other than that mundane reply. Because they are not expecting it and they are not prepared for it.
I had such strange experience when I was interviewed by Dr. Chris Storey, Director of the full time MBA at CASS business school. I typically started off with "Hi Chris. How are you doing?". He replied "Hi Prashant. I am not doing well, had head ache all morning as I screened many applications and my kid is not well too." Wow, what a surprise that was. I never expected that answer. However, I somehow managed to get through. Perhaps, it was intentional from Chris to test my ability to manage during uncertainty.
Alright back again, so overall, after this swot analysis, there is only one caller, who unconditionally, affectionately, truly and genuinely called me day and again. Who else it can be. It is my mom. That's why they say, as god cannot be everywhere to take care of everyone, and thus, he created mother, my world. Apart from mom, there is nobody really. Yes of course people do call me, scrap me and mail me, however, they do it when they need something and my name flashes in their minds once they are in need of some information, or some monetary help or whatever. I find a lot of females falling into this category. Previously, I felt good that at least I am remembered in need. However, deep down it has been gripping me when I learned that I am confined to this mere role and none is really taking me to the next level of the relationship-A friend (here friend is defined a bit tightly, it is not just a person who you know).
You might question me "Prashant, do you care for others? If so, they would do surely reciprocate". I have an answer for this too. As I know, the importance of this, I regularly go through my contacts list, browse through it and call people alphabetically, just to know their well being and whereabouts. I may not be really interested but the fact that my show of concern can lift the other guy's spirits is what I look out for. I do the same on orkut as well. I just want to make sure that there is no mistake from my end.
So I asked myself. Am I missing something in life? The answer is unarguably "Yes" to me. I really wonder how so much is said about, written about friendship. The poems, the songs, the quotes and the stories. It must have existed surely, but where? I haven't experienced it yet. Mind you, all this while I am talking about friendship but not love. I am miles away from it and it out of my sight and reach and I threw it long ago out of my basket.
P.S: I wrote the above blog with ideas that flew around my mind when I was physically and mentally inactive. So, please don't take it seriously huh, as this is some crap :-)
7/21/08
Parting with a long time companion
Writing this article is making me feel seriously nostalgic. As time passes by, lot change, people depart and, of course, memories fade. This long time confidant has been with me, through my thick and thin, successes and failures (I guess I had lot many failures) and for a staggering 17 years. Day-in and day-out, I just couldn't do away with.
We shared the bed, whether it's exams or movies, long drives or sports, I was with. My best moments on T.V and on my p.c were shared. In sum, I looked at this beautiful world only through its eyes. So now guess who? This dude is none other than my glasses.
I still remember that day, when I was in my 4th class, I cringed back when I saw my classmate wearing glasses. Then, the very next day, I was incumbent with the task of wearing glasses for the rest of my life. What misery. I hated them to the core, I found them not as a fascination but as an obstruction, and the additional overhead of maintenance gripped me. For heavens sake, I didn't want to look like a nerd.
I shunned them from day one and to entice me, my parents put in extreme efforts. The next few paras are entirely dedicated to the efforts that my parents had put in. For nominal eye check-ups, I was taken to Madras (now Chennai) all the way from Kakinada and I was thoroughly checked by one of the best ophthalmologists in the country. My first pair of glasses were bought in Lawrence and Mayo, Chennai (I haven't had a clue of the brand then) and they were over 2000 bucks. (Mind you I was talking about a period that was 17 years ago). They bought another pair of specs that was opthalmic coated, which would reflect a blue light. This specs are my all time favorite and my friends used to love them and play with them
It took only a few months to destroy one specs and the other was a story. During my lunch-break, we all used to play in the play ground and I used to put my glasses inside my pockets. However, one fine day, I wore a sweater and I put them inside it. After the break we rushed to our class rooms and in the process, I dropped them somewhere in the vast play ground. As, I reached my class room, to my utter disgust, I found them lost somewhere. Then, my friends were disappointed and they searched the entire ground, as I gave up thinking about my new specs and some days off without study.
Nearly after four months, one of my friends found those specs in the ground, specs that weathered the sun and the storm. The frame was faded though the glass was great. And, I used them again.
That was the beginning of my huge collection of glasses. I tried photo-sun, carbon frame, half-frame, gold frame, oval, square, plastic ones, metal ones, what not, expensive brands, cheaper brands, a number that is uncountable and unthinkable, my specs arsenal grew and grew. I chewed the legs, bent the rims, threw them off, stepped on them, dropped them hundreds of times, slept with them and slept on them. But, I couldn't do away with them.
After some time, I tried my luck with the contacts during my intermediate. With cylindrical power, contacts didn't fit the bill. I felt irritated, scared and abhorred those lens and switched back to my dear glasses. Innumerable times, I used to repent while searching for them when they are badly needed after I threw them somewhere in disgust. Half the time I spent each day searching for them. They used to creep in, somehow, underneath me while I was asleep and to my horror, I used to wake up with a broken frame or popped out glass or a bent rim.
If this is one side of the problem, the other is a bit more social and even emotional. As I grew, I limited the usage of my glasses to reading, watching T.V and working on my comp. I restricted them to my pockets. I moved around without a clear vision and saw the world through a mist. In the process, I missed out on recognizing people a bit far off and more importantly, their smiles at me. I felt that I was missing something seriously.
Now at 25, I felt that it's the time to bade a happy goodbye to my buddy. I got my sight corrected with a laser eye surgery known as LASIK. I felt sorry for my mate, but cannot help, I finally got rid of them and I feel proud that I am looking at this beautiful world with my own eyes and will never let those smiles at me go in vain.
We shared the bed, whether it's exams or movies, long drives or sports, I was with. My best moments on T.V and on my p.c were shared. In sum, I looked at this beautiful world only through its eyes. So now guess who? This dude is none other than my glasses.
I still remember that day, when I was in my 4th class, I cringed back when I saw my classmate wearing glasses. Then, the very next day, I was incumbent with the task of wearing glasses for the rest of my life. What misery. I hated them to the core, I found them not as a fascination but as an obstruction, and the additional overhead of maintenance gripped me. For heavens sake, I didn't want to look like a nerd.
I shunned them from day one and to entice me, my parents put in extreme efforts. The next few paras are entirely dedicated to the efforts that my parents had put in. For nominal eye check-ups, I was taken to Madras (now Chennai) all the way from Kakinada and I was thoroughly checked by one of the best ophthalmologists in the country. My first pair of glasses were bought in Lawrence and Mayo, Chennai (I haven't had a clue of the brand then) and they were over 2000 bucks. (Mind you I was talking about a period that was 17 years ago). They bought another pair of specs that was opthalmic coated, which would reflect a blue light. This specs are my all time favorite and my friends used to love them and play with them
It took only a few months to destroy one specs and the other was a story. During my lunch-break, we all used to play in the play ground and I used to put my glasses inside my pockets. However, one fine day, I wore a sweater and I put them inside it. After the break we rushed to our class rooms and in the process, I dropped them somewhere in the vast play ground. As, I reached my class room, to my utter disgust, I found them lost somewhere. Then, my friends were disappointed and they searched the entire ground, as I gave up thinking about my new specs and some days off without study.
Nearly after four months, one of my friends found those specs in the ground, specs that weathered the sun and the storm. The frame was faded though the glass was great. And, I used them again.
That was the beginning of my huge collection of glasses. I tried photo-sun, carbon frame, half-frame, gold frame, oval, square, plastic ones, metal ones, what not, expensive brands, cheaper brands, a number that is uncountable and unthinkable, my specs arsenal grew and grew. I chewed the legs, bent the rims, threw them off, stepped on them, dropped them hundreds of times, slept with them and slept on them. But, I couldn't do away with them.
After some time, I tried my luck with the contacts during my intermediate. With cylindrical power, contacts didn't fit the bill. I felt irritated, scared and abhorred those lens and switched back to my dear glasses. Innumerable times, I used to repent while searching for them when they are badly needed after I threw them somewhere in disgust. Half the time I spent each day searching for them. They used to creep in, somehow, underneath me while I was asleep and to my horror, I used to wake up with a broken frame or popped out glass or a bent rim.
If this is one side of the problem, the other is a bit more social and even emotional. As I grew, I limited the usage of my glasses to reading, watching T.V and working on my comp. I restricted them to my pockets. I moved around without a clear vision and saw the world through a mist. In the process, I missed out on recognizing people a bit far off and more importantly, their smiles at me. I felt that I was missing something seriously.
Now at 25, I felt that it's the time to bade a happy goodbye to my buddy. I got my sight corrected with a laser eye surgery known as LASIK. I felt sorry for my mate, but cannot help, I finally got rid of them and I feel proud that I am looking at this beautiful world with my own eyes and will never let those smiles at me go in vain.
7/9/08
All Hail The New Champion
All of a sudden it flashed in my mind. How come I still didn't write on this arguably the best Wimbledon final in the history of Tennis? So, I am now poised to explode with my heart stopping emotions, views and reviews on Wimbledon final 08. Before jumping into detail, I desperately want to state my stance i.e " I want to see somebody (damn anybody) beating Federer".
All Fedex fans out there, you must be wondering why? This instinct has been deeply rooted for a reason. I cannot take anything against my all time Tennis hero, Pete 'The Great' Sampras. I still remember the game, where that Swiss teen defeated and dethroned the Champion, as somber Pete Sampras lingered at his changeover chair, engulfed by cheers that weren't for him. I just couldn't take that sight. I had cursed Federer then and it continued. Had that match not happened, I would have been a huge fan of Federer. However, unfortunately it happened and the rest is history.
With my knees down and arms together I admit that Federer is one of the most, if not the most, talented players I have seen. He is a classic and he is poetry in motion. A great human on and off the court. In terms of quality, I tip him over Sampras even. However, unfortunately, Mr. Roger, I didn't happen and I don't support you.
So, what next? I was looking for someone all these years to be my role model, a favorite to cheer for and most importantly, a man who would dethrone the Emperor. There were quite a few pretenders who passed by, the Roddicks, the Safins, the Djokovics and even the Tsongas. But, Fedex was matchless. His quality is way beyond their reach. However, after nearly 5 years of reign, there emerged a warrior, the Spanish Armada, Rafael Nadal. I was following him for quite sometime now. I was convinced that this lad has quality, consistency and prowess, but was still unsure whether he is the answer for Federer.
Forget about clay, Nadal is unsurmountable. Fedex's only chance to win the French is when Nadal gets injured. But, I am looking at the grass. The 7 titles that my Pete holds are at threat. I want someone to stop Roger's run. Last year's final was a cracker. So close but yet so far. But, Nadal showed this world what is he made of. And, that final gave me hope. I knew that the days of Fedex's reign were numbered.
Federer looked out of touch this year following his loss to Djokovic and ofcourse the truly one-sided Ronald Garos Final. However, when it comes to Wimbledon, his den, he is a different player who is untouchable. He has that destructive weapon, the Serve. I keep saying, if you have the serve, you are almost there. That's the reason why Ivanisevic went on the win the title though he is a mediocre game player.
I watched some of the matches of this year Wimbledon. I found new players coming in, some showed glimpses of quality, some tight matches but none really a threat to Federer. However, I watched Nadal's games and found that he is just as sublime as Federer. So, there is only one man in Federer's way now. I want them to meet. I looked at the draw at the Nadal's end. For a moment, I analyzed the players in Nadal's way. A bit worried that would any of these players pose a serious challenge. However, I felt that it is silly to worry. If Nadal struggles against anyone, then he cannot beat Federer and of course, doesn't deserve to beat him.
Both reached final with great form under their belt. Both of them were poised and determined. The 'dream' final is on. Where the number one takes on number two (mind you, I dint state who is number one and number two). There was a Asian Cup final at the same time. India taking on Srilanka. Heck, who cares about that?
I just finished off my pending jobs to get ready for the final. I was bit late though. When I switched on my TV, Nadal already broke Fedex serve in the first set. I felt happy and continued watching. Nadal took the first set without much resistance. Then, I thought, "Do I see a Federer fight back now?". I knew that he wouldn't give away easily. As I thought it happened. Federer broke Nadal early in the second. Game on. However, amazingly this lad came back strong and clinched the second too. With two sets down, I thought it will be a mountain to climb for Federer. Moreover, he wasn't in this situation before. I doubted how Federer would respond to this. Now, I was relaxed and went out for dinner as there was a short rain break.
In the third, things have changed, both played equally well, matching game to game, point to point, stroke to stroke. An array of winners that you don't often see. If one comes up with an amazing point, the other answers it with another fabulous one. Third set, thus eventually ended up in the tie-breaker. It was 50-50. Federer was serving well and took the early lead. I knew this set would go to Federer. And, it did. Now, I felt Nadal should wrap it up in the fourth else Fedex would grow in confidence and he would be unstoppable if it goes to the decider.
Nadal started well. So did Federer. It was his vicious serve that was coming in handy. Nadal looked vulnerable at times with his weak serve. However, his game is a touch more in quality that Fedex's and thus he survived. In open play, the chances of winning the point for both players were 67-33 to Nadal. Nadal threatened to break Roger's serve. However, time and again Fedex came up with a moment of magic and survived. Similar to the third, the fourth too went to a tie-breaker. I felt that this should be the decider. Nadal, if he were to win the title, he should do it now, in the fourth. If it goes to the fifth, Federer will be unsurmountable.
Nadal took the lead. Fingers crossed. Now, this tie-breaker holds a special place in the history books. To me, two of the greatest points in the history of the Wimbledon final are played. One a stunner forehand pass from Nadal. At this moment, I felt, one got to produce such moments to beat Roger and so, he would win. Finally, Nadal got the championship point on his own serve. Both players under huge pressure. God alone knows what emotions must be going on within them. Nadal severed in and approached the net. Then, the maestro, delivers a backhand pass winner that a Champion alone can, and Roger alone can. It was sheer audacity on the Championship point. He had to go for the winner. And the Champion gets the winner. Fourth set Federer. The momentum certainly swung Fedex's way. I felt, it would be a repeat of last year's final.
Federer game can be summarized by some moments of magic and some moments of madness. He can alone produce both the extremities in his pursuit to finish the point quickly. In contrast, Nadal is more consistent, has more perseverance and makes very few unforced errors. Mind you, I am only talking relatively, comparing two players with outstanding quality. The Tennis played so far is just different quality and no other player or match would even come a mile closer. I felt that the center court was in a different planet all together.
Fedex has a mighty advantage serving first in the fifth set. Thank god, no more tie-breakers. Two sets all, two game all and deuce. What a time for a rain break. I switched off my desktop and opened my laptop and connected the cable hoping for a change of fortune. The game restarted after the rain break. It's getting late. Already 4 hours of Tennis excluding the rain delays. Each player tried hard to hold on and they did. Some amazing points played. It was at 7-7 Finally Nadal broke Fedex's serve. And, he should serve out for the match, the Championship. Through those tense moments and amidst quality Nadal finally defeated the defending Champion and fell to the ground in disbelief, conquering the throne.
A sight that I haven't seen before, a refreshing sign to the world of Tennis, it heralded the emergence of a new Hero, and the beginning of a rivalry on grass. Nadal climbed on to the box and was greeted by this family. He even walked on the commentary box's roof to meet the Prince and Princess of Spain. When he lifted the trophy it was darkness and the photographers shot pics using flash lights. All in all, I felt that I have witnessed one of the best. if not the best, Wimbledon final. A match that was matchless and a match that had a two deserved winners, who are so different in style, physique, game and demeanor but yet two great champions.
P.S: India lost the Asia cup final, which was played parallel to this game, to Srilanka again. Looked silly to give away wickets cheaply to a youngster. But, heck, who cares? :-)
6/23/08
6/17/08
The Turkish revival
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UEFA EURO 2008 Group A - 15 June 2008 - Genève - Stade de Genève
TURKEY 3 - 2 CZECH REPUBLIC
Koller 34,Plašil 62
Arda Turan 75
Nihat Kahveci 87, 89
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above details go quietly into the history books. However, there is something to share about this game that is beyond what these statistics reveal.
This is not just a football match where 22 jobless fellas run after a ball. This game should be packaged and shown as a part of crucial management training in business schools, firms and where ever required. Most management books state what to do, and some even describe how it has been done. However, this match 'shows' what is written in those management bibles. I thought of tagging this article to my 'Sports Mirror' section alone. However, it is not just about sport. There is a lot for an MBA to extract out of it. So, I tagged it to my "MBA talk" as well.
It was a crucial Group A clash between Turkey and the Czech Republic and the winner automatically reserves a berth in the last eight. With every thing to play for and a penalty shoot out on cards, this pulsating encounter started off with both the teams playing football, interfacing caution with aggression.
In football matches such as these, for that matter any sport, where I am a neutral, when not really biased towards any side, I desire that a weaker team comes from behind and wins the game. In other words, I develop favorites as the match progresses. I particularly don't have any bitter experiences with either sides and I just let the game move on.
I must say that this game is of two halves, where the Czechs dominated and the Turks looked vulnerable in the first half. To show-up for their efforts, the Czechs got their goal, thanks to Koller, The 6 foot 8 tower. I sensed that the game was turning out to be a one sided encounter and made a move to go to bed as it was 1:30 a.m already.
But hang on guys. I sensed something else too: A "Turkish revival". I just wanted to check if those Turks have that grit, that verve to make a game of it. So, I waited for the second half to start. And, I tell you, my decision not to go to bed was probably one the best decisions that I have taken for a long time. Had I slept without watching the second half, I wouldn't have witnessed and shared this remarkable come back of the Turks in the history of the European Championships.
The second half was underway. I had absolutely no idea what the Turkish coach, Fatih Terim, said to his players during, perhaps, the most crucial half time talk of his tenure. He must have hypnotized the entire contingent and fed them the elixir of "BELIEF".
They came out roaring in the second half, with delicately balancing aggression with caution. Move after move, chance after chance they pressed forward with that belief, yes the belief alone. The face of the game transformed quite amazingly. It was all Turks and the Czechs sat back on their knees praying. What a dramatic turn around.
I always love to see fight backs, come backs, twists in the tails, heroics that sport and the war alone provide. Movies do provide. However, it is unreal, a movie after all. They don't excite me. I said to myself, is this the game where I can see such a fight back? Not every game produces such thrillers as these. You must be lucky or else you would end up watching a boring one sided game.
Ok. Back to the game. I could see a goal coming sooner or later from the Turks. At least, not one from the Czechs. The Turks really pressed on and on. They showed all the quality to equalize to get on level terms. By all means they deserved an equalizer. However, chances knocked and disappeared like a playful kid troubling his neighbors. The Turks still played with loads of energy and with a level head until this happened. Just after hour mark, one move from the Czechs and Plasil darted forward and slotted the ball for a second.
This is the point and this is moment that many teams fall apart. The second goal from the Czechs virtually sealed the game off. Any other side would have given it up after this unrecoverable blow. However, now, the actual Turkish revival, the remarkable come back that I was talking about started.
With just 15 minutes to go, with exit doors opening wide and handsome, with the thousands of Czech fans already celebrating, the Turks never ever gave up. They just didn't want to quit. Here goes the famous saying "You lose only when you quit". Turks followed it and they followed it badly. Their shoulders never dropped. Though with aching bodies and draining energy, they hit back hard. They showed tremendous belief that alone won them the first opening, a goal. The much needed one from Arda Turan. With pumped confidence and punching fists Turks were on their way for a second one.
Now, just 5 minutes to go. Seconds draining like anything, Turks hit and hit. It was a delight to watch the positive body language of the Turks and the coach Terim even in those tense moments. You all must have heard this saying too: "The fortune favors the brave". I too heard it many times. However, I was not sure of relevance of this saying until Petr Cech, one of the best goal keepers in the world at the moment, spilled a cutting cross on to the brave Turkish captain Nihat and to delight of the Turkish fans he placed the ball at the back of the net.
The thousands of Turkish fans behind the Czech goal were just amazing. They pulled their team off. It is all square now. Certainly a penalty shoot seemed coming. But, I felt that Turks with this tremendous momentum could just finish the Czech off. It was all Turkey at the moment and exactly after 2 minutes of finding a unlikely equalizer, the captain courageous, Nihat, broke the off-side trap, and curled a stunner past the goal keeper on to the back of the net. The Winner it was. And one of the remarkable come backs in the history of the game was complete. Czechs, who were comfortably heading to the quarter finals just 15 minutes ago found themselves out of the tournament to their utter disbelief.
This game teaches some essential management lessons such as Team work, Leadership, Strategy etc and practically shows the applicability of these theories. The way the Turkish captain, Nihat, lead from the front and the way the team responded to him is out of the top draw. The sense of urgency and the 'never say die' attitude of the Turks are the qualities that stand out.
When the Turks got the winner, I wasn't excited. I just smiled within me as I know what was coming when a team shows such qualities. I don't know how far Turks go in this championships. But, in this game they not only showed the world what they can do, but also showed the world that one can achieve the so-called impossible with BELIEF.
UEFA EURO 2008 Group A - 15 June 2008 - Genève - Stade de Genève
TURKEY 3 - 2 CZECH REPUBLIC
Koller 34,Plašil 62
Arda Turan 75
Nihat Kahveci 87, 89
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The above details go quietly into the history books. However, there is something to share about this game that is beyond what these statistics reveal.
This is not just a football match where 22 jobless fellas run after a ball. This game should be packaged and shown as a part of crucial management training in business schools, firms and where ever required. Most management books state what to do, and some even describe how it has been done. However, this match 'shows' what is written in those management bibles. I thought of tagging this article to my 'Sports Mirror' section alone. However, it is not just about sport. There is a lot for an MBA to extract out of it. So, I tagged it to my "MBA talk" as well.
It was a crucial Group A clash between Turkey and the Czech Republic and the winner automatically reserves a berth in the last eight. With every thing to play for and a penalty shoot out on cards, this pulsating encounter started off with both the teams playing football, interfacing caution with aggression.
In football matches such as these, for that matter any sport, where I am a neutral, when not really biased towards any side, I desire that a weaker team comes from behind and wins the game. In other words, I develop favorites as the match progresses. I particularly don't have any bitter experiences with either sides and I just let the game move on.
I must say that this game is of two halves, where the Czechs dominated and the Turks looked vulnerable in the first half. To show-up for their efforts, the Czechs got their goal, thanks to Koller, The 6 foot 8 tower. I sensed that the game was turning out to be a one sided encounter and made a move to go to bed as it was 1:30 a.m already.
But hang on guys. I sensed something else too: A "Turkish revival". I just wanted to check if those Turks have that grit, that verve to make a game of it. So, I waited for the second half to start. And, I tell you, my decision not to go to bed was probably one the best decisions that I have taken for a long time. Had I slept without watching the second half, I wouldn't have witnessed and shared this remarkable come back of the Turks in the history of the European Championships.
The second half was underway. I had absolutely no idea what the Turkish coach, Fatih Terim, said to his players during, perhaps, the most crucial half time talk of his tenure. He must have hypnotized the entire contingent and fed them the elixir of "BELIEF".
They came out roaring in the second half, with delicately balancing aggression with caution. Move after move, chance after chance they pressed forward with that belief, yes the belief alone. The face of the game transformed quite amazingly. It was all Turks and the Czechs sat back on their knees praying. What a dramatic turn around.
I always love to see fight backs, come backs, twists in the tails, heroics that sport and the war alone provide. Movies do provide. However, it is unreal, a movie after all. They don't excite me. I said to myself, is this the game where I can see such a fight back? Not every game produces such thrillers as these. You must be lucky or else you would end up watching a boring one sided game.
Ok. Back to the game. I could see a goal coming sooner or later from the Turks. At least, not one from the Czechs. The Turks really pressed on and on. They showed all the quality to equalize to get on level terms. By all means they deserved an equalizer. However, chances knocked and disappeared like a playful kid troubling his neighbors. The Turks still played with loads of energy and with a level head until this happened. Just after hour mark, one move from the Czechs and Plasil darted forward and slotted the ball for a second.
This is the point and this is moment that many teams fall apart. The second goal from the Czechs virtually sealed the game off. Any other side would have given it up after this unrecoverable blow. However, now, the actual Turkish revival, the remarkable come back that I was talking about started.
With just 15 minutes to go, with exit doors opening wide and handsome, with the thousands of Czech fans already celebrating, the Turks never ever gave up. They just didn't want to quit. Here goes the famous saying "You lose only when you quit". Turks followed it and they followed it badly. Their shoulders never dropped. Though with aching bodies and draining energy, they hit back hard. They showed tremendous belief that alone won them the first opening, a goal. The much needed one from Arda Turan. With pumped confidence and punching fists Turks were on their way for a second one.
Now, just 5 minutes to go. Seconds draining like anything, Turks hit and hit. It was a delight to watch the positive body language of the Turks and the coach Terim even in those tense moments. You all must have heard this saying too: "The fortune favors the brave". I too heard it many times. However, I was not sure of relevance of this saying until Petr Cech, one of the best goal keepers in the world at the moment, spilled a cutting cross on to the brave Turkish captain Nihat and to delight of the Turkish fans he placed the ball at the back of the net.
The thousands of Turkish fans behind the Czech goal were just amazing. They pulled their team off. It is all square now. Certainly a penalty shoot seemed coming. But, I felt that Turks with this tremendous momentum could just finish the Czech off. It was all Turkey at the moment and exactly after 2 minutes of finding a unlikely equalizer, the captain courageous, Nihat, broke the off-side trap, and curled a stunner past the goal keeper on to the back of the net. The Winner it was. And one of the remarkable come backs in the history of the game was complete. Czechs, who were comfortably heading to the quarter finals just 15 minutes ago found themselves out of the tournament to their utter disbelief.
This game teaches some essential management lessons such as Team work, Leadership, Strategy etc and practically shows the applicability of these theories. The way the Turkish captain, Nihat, lead from the front and the way the team responded to him is out of the top draw. The sense of urgency and the 'never say die' attitude of the Turks are the qualities that stand out.
When the Turks got the winner, I wasn't excited. I just smiled within me as I know what was coming when a team shows such qualities. I don't know how far Turks go in this championships. But, in this game they not only showed the world what they can do, but also showed the world that one can achieve the so-called impossible with BELIEF.
6/14/08
Key issues in the face of TCS - my insight
The key issues that TCS faces are typical of Indian IT giants that provide consulting and global offshore outsourcing services. The competitive comparisons in business consulting capabilities between Indian IT services firms and global services majors present an interesting picture. The Indian players today face a myriad of challenges that they need to overcome before they can match the likes of IBM and Accenture in becoming consulting champions. The obvious difficulty first is in building the capability itself. As demonstrated, the company needs to gain both vertical and horizontal expertise (domain and process knowledge) to make its presence felt in the consulting echelon.
Another challenge is that like all other Indian IT companies TCS operates at the lower end of the value chain and to be a really dominant player it needs to move up the value chain. The two-way movement of jobs and labor creates interesting implications for the future. As Indian firms expand in the
P.S: The above article is one of my MBA admission essays, which has been submitted to Warwick Business School.
6/2/08
My trip to the "religious heaven" - Tirupathi
I am seriously agnostic. As any fellow agnostic human, I too have my two sides. One of which is the belief in the existence of god. Perhaps my "never take chances" attitude makes me agnostic. Who knows, after I die, if heaven and hell exist? And that If I don't care about god through out my life, I will be taken to hell straight away. Therefore, as I never take chances, I do place a bit of belief in god.
To me, if there is god it has to be Lord Venkateshwara(Balaji). This belief has been passed on to me by my grandmother in particular and the rest of my family in general. I don't place a lot of overhead on him though. However, I feel that I should do my best and the god will 'then' do the rest. As, my wish is full filled and as I promised god that I would climb the seven sacred hills on foot and as I promised him that I would get a tonsure done, I decided to make a trip to Tirupathi.
Making a trip to Tirupathi is by no means a joke. If you screw your planning then it will be a religious hell. Especially, in this season, the crowd will be terrible. I booked my tickets 20 days ago and planned that my mom, dad and my cousin from Bangalore would join me at Tirupathi on 30th. To make our lives easier, my mom has a very close friend there who is a Judge in Tirupathi. What else is required with a Judge around. I met my parents in the morning at my aunt's place and after refreshing and regrouping, I started off with my cousin to climb the hill by foot. Well, this is my fifth time by foot and I have a substantial experience in this regard.
All the difficulty lies in the first leg. It will be literally a mountain to climb in the beginning. Once that phase is finished, one can feel a lot better. Along the way, we were accompanied by people from different backgrounds, the rich and the poor, some climbing by applying Pasupu(turmeric) and kunkum and also placing a lit candle on each step. Two other guys were climbing each step by their knees. I was amazed by the piece of belief that these people had. With minimum of the stoppages, my cousin and I, climbed the mountains and reached the Tirimula (Hill top) in 3 hours. My father, who reached before us in my aunt's car, had received us and took us a plush double bed room cottage. I have seen places packed with pilgrims and people having a tough time. It was lunch time and after a sumptuous meal at a nice restaurant, we headed back to our cottage.
Now, the moment. The barber had finally come to shave my head off. I was reluctant to go first and asked my cousin to get it done. Then, on my turn, I bribed the barber with 10 bucks and asked him to do it smoothly. It started, now all kinds of thoughts went around my mind: A few months of agony with 'gundu', my already useless look would go worse etc. However, I felt, it is all for the sake of the god and remained calm. I asked the barber about his earnings, which are staggering(100 tonsures in a matter of 12 hours each day and gets a minimum of 10 rupess per head). After that, I had a look at my face in the mirror. I instantly laughed at that sight. It's all over now.
Around 6 p.m, we were escorted by some judicial office staff to the temple entrance. It was people, people and people and nothing else. This is considered 'the rush hour' and with summer break on, Tirumala has been hit by a human tsunami. Both the rich and the poor, no matter what their back grounds are, no matter what places they had come from, they are dwelling on roads, waiting for hours and hours, running behind officials for rooms, for shelter and most importantly, one small glimpse of the Lord himself. People waiting in the line for 20-30 hours, just like prisoners inside Jewish camp, amidst horrible stampedes and hustles, made me feel that what great power is that, lying in the middle of the temple, and what great belief people place in one stony structure that is driving these millions.
I felt that I am blessed to have such a comfortable life and at least now, I should stop cursing god for what he hadn't given me. We were escorted all the way inside the temple for a 'break darshan'- the VVIPS alone get it. And came out after a small meet with the Lord. We also got tickets for 'Suprabhata Seva' and "Archana Anantara Darshan', which had 2:30 am and 4:30 am as the reporting times respectively the following day. My cousin, who came by foot with me, was seriously troubled by the aching legs and dropped out on the next darshan. My father too was reluctant for a second one. Therefore, my mom and I decided to go for the 'Suprabhata Seva' early in the morning at 2:30. We reached on time and not many people were around. The queues were just starting to get populated. This time my 'Darshan' was much more pleasant. We were made to stand inside the main temple and for the first time, I found some time to observe the beautiful golden cravings on the roof , a sight we generally miss out concentrating on scouts who would drag us off mercilessly. I just prayed god and told him that I hadn't had enough time to read my lengthy wish list now and as he is the god, he must have already known what I want and asked him to make me and the people around happy.
Then, my mom and I went to a place were we get the 'Laddu'(the sacred and famous prasadam). Then returned, looking at the plight of some well-to-do families, who couldn't find accommodation, sleeping under the trees. We had reached home at 4:30 am and I slept happily. I got up and was ready to get down the hill by foot. This time, I was all alone, as my cousin gave up due to his sore legs. I got down the hills without much hassle in 2 hours and reached my aunt's house. That evening we went to "Alivelu Mangapuram Temple", temple of Lord Venketeshwara's wife. We were escorted by the office staff and were treated royally. That trip was a breezy one even with hundreds of pilgrims fighting inside the queues.
TRIP TO SRI KALAHASTEESHWARA TEMPLE :
The following day, as we had a day in hand and more importantly a vehicle in hand, we decided to go to Sri Kalahasti. It is a 45 mins drive from Tirupathi where a very famous Shiva temple is located. 'Sri' means 'Spider', 'Kala' means 'Serpent', 'Hasti' means 'Elephant's tusks'. As the Shiva Lingam has Spider as its base, two Elephant's tusks as its trunk and a Serpent as its head, incarnation of Shiva is called "Sri Kalahasteeshwara". The temple is known for its huge four-fold structure and beautiful stone carvings, that survived hundreds of years. It is truly a beautiful temple.
As the E.O (Executive officer and the head of the temple) is known to my father and my father himself was a Regional Joint Commissioner of Endowments, we were greeted very warmly with priests and other staff guided us at each and every step. I had a 'Rahu-ketu-Sarpa' pooja done and then saw that famous Shiva Lingam without any coverings. That was really amazing and a aura of religious feeling struck within me. After that, we headed back home in the afternoon. I had lunch at my aunt's place and that evening caught the train back home to land of Biriyani, that I missed on this pilgrimage.
To me, if there is god it has to be Lord Venkateshwara(Balaji). This belief has been passed on to me by my grandmother in particular and the rest of my family in general. I don't place a lot of overhead on him though. However, I feel that I should do my best and the god will 'then' do the rest. As, my wish is full filled and as I promised god that I would climb the seven sacred hills on foot and as I promised him that I would get a tonsure done, I decided to make a trip to Tirupathi.
Making a trip to Tirupathi is by no means a joke. If you screw your planning then it will be a religious hell. Especially, in this season, the crowd will be terrible. I booked my tickets 20 days ago and planned that my mom, dad and my cousin from Bangalore would join me at Tirupathi on 30th. To make our lives easier, my mom has a very close friend there who is a Judge in Tirupathi. What else is required with a Judge around. I met my parents in the morning at my aunt's place and after refreshing and regrouping, I started off with my cousin to climb the hill by foot. Well, this is my fifth time by foot and I have a substantial experience in this regard.
All the difficulty lies in the first leg. It will be literally a mountain to climb in the beginning. Once that phase is finished, one can feel a lot better. Along the way, we were accompanied by people from different backgrounds, the rich and the poor, some climbing by applying Pasupu(turmeric) and kunkum and also placing a lit candle on each step. Two other guys were climbing each step by their knees. I was amazed by the piece of belief that these people had. With minimum of the stoppages, my cousin and I, climbed the mountains and reached the Tirimula (Hill top) in 3 hours. My father, who reached before us in my aunt's car, had received us and took us a plush double bed room cottage. I have seen places packed with pilgrims and people having a tough time. It was lunch time and after a sumptuous meal at a nice restaurant, we headed back to our cottage.
Now, the moment. The barber had finally come to shave my head off. I was reluctant to go first and asked my cousin to get it done. Then, on my turn, I bribed the barber with 10 bucks and asked him to do it smoothly. It started, now all kinds of thoughts went around my mind: A few months of agony with 'gundu', my already useless look would go worse etc. However, I felt, it is all for the sake of the god and remained calm. I asked the barber about his earnings, which are staggering(100 tonsures in a matter of 12 hours each day and gets a minimum of 10 rupess per head). After that, I had a look at my face in the mirror. I instantly laughed at that sight. It's all over now.
Around 6 p.m, we were escorted by some judicial office staff to the temple entrance. It was people, people and people and nothing else. This is considered 'the rush hour' and with summer break on, Tirumala has been hit by a human tsunami. Both the rich and the poor, no matter what their back grounds are, no matter what places they had come from, they are dwelling on roads, waiting for hours and hours, running behind officials for rooms, for shelter and most importantly, one small glimpse of the Lord himself. People waiting in the line for 20-30 hours, just like prisoners inside Jewish camp, amidst horrible stampedes and hustles, made me feel that what great power is that, lying in the middle of the temple, and what great belief people place in one stony structure that is driving these millions.
I felt that I am blessed to have such a comfortable life and at least now, I should stop cursing god for what he hadn't given me. We were escorted all the way inside the temple for a 'break darshan'- the VVIPS alone get it. And came out after a small meet with the Lord. We also got tickets for 'Suprabhata Seva' and "Archana Anantara Darshan', which had 2:30 am and 4:30 am as the reporting times respectively the following day. My cousin, who came by foot with me, was seriously troubled by the aching legs and dropped out on the next darshan. My father too was reluctant for a second one. Therefore, my mom and I decided to go for the 'Suprabhata Seva' early in the morning at 2:30. We reached on time and not many people were around. The queues were just starting to get populated. This time my 'Darshan' was much more pleasant. We were made to stand inside the main temple and for the first time, I found some time to observe the beautiful golden cravings on the roof , a sight we generally miss out concentrating on scouts who would drag us off mercilessly. I just prayed god and told him that I hadn't had enough time to read my lengthy wish list now and as he is the god, he must have already known what I want and asked him to make me and the people around happy.
Then, my mom and I went to a place were we get the 'Laddu'(the sacred and famous prasadam). Then returned, looking at the plight of some well-to-do families, who couldn't find accommodation, sleeping under the trees. We had reached home at 4:30 am and I slept happily. I got up and was ready to get down the hill by foot. This time, I was all alone, as my cousin gave up due to his sore legs. I got down the hills without much hassle in 2 hours and reached my aunt's house. That evening we went to "Alivelu Mangapuram Temple", temple of Lord Venketeshwara's wife. We were escorted by the office staff and were treated royally. That trip was a breezy one even with hundreds of pilgrims fighting inside the queues.
TRIP TO SRI KALAHASTEESHWARA TEMPLE :
The following day, as we had a day in hand and more importantly a vehicle in hand, we decided to go to Sri Kalahasti. It is a 45 mins drive from Tirupathi where a very famous Shiva temple is located. 'Sri' means 'Spider', 'Kala' means 'Serpent', 'Hasti' means 'Elephant's tusks'. As the Shiva Lingam has Spider as its base, two Elephant's tusks as its trunk and a Serpent as its head, incarnation of Shiva is called "Sri Kalahasteeshwara". The temple is known for its huge four-fold structure and beautiful stone carvings, that survived hundreds of years. It is truly a beautiful temple.
As the E.O (Executive officer and the head of the temple) is known to my father and my father himself was a Regional Joint Commissioner of Endowments, we were greeted very warmly with priests and other staff guided us at each and every step. I had a 'Rahu-ketu-Sarpa' pooja done and then saw that famous Shiva Lingam without any coverings. That was really amazing and a aura of religious feeling struck within me. After that, we headed back home in the afternoon. I had lunch at my aunt's place and that evening caught the train back home to land of Biriyani, that I missed on this pilgrimage.
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