It is always a pleasure to share, espeically when it comes to happy occasions like Maya's Wedding.
Click this link: http://picasaweb.google.com/dr.l.ramakrishnan/MayaSWedding?authkey=ICbNcQ6pN6E
to see all the photos taken during Maya's Wedding. I shall add the other photos taken and Tirunelveli and Pune later.
In the meanwhile if you would like to add captions to the photos...to make the album more fun..please let me know
This is only for those who have access to my blog
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Some stray thoughts......learning from the past
Yesterday I received a presentation on Philips Lighting Sustainable New Business Initiatives. When this project was started in 2004, I was very active as a member of a small team of four...now only two of the original members remain in the team..(that is what I presume !!!). We decided to have project managers to handle the day-to-day affairs to take the project to success....even after appointing project managers at fat salaries, the project is limping.....the project managers are on their own trejectory....establishing their own network within and outside Philips Lighting....why am I talking all these....are they relevant...YES
Now I don't find my name in the Project team published by one of the project managers...I have become an outsider in my own project !!! I don't want to make a noise about this.....but the learning is clear...."If you spend your time and energy in an area away from your Core area of competence (as decided by the organization), it is almost certain that you don't reap the benefit of your efforts"...someone else, who has more contacts, will hijack the whole programme...you have helped them to build their own empire....losing in the process precious time and effort.
Looking back, I believe there were so many instances like this in my career....sweet talks and "right things to do" , "team work" talks have made me work in areas which were not my core areas...essentially what I was doing was helping others to build their career...as these contributions were never considered in my appraisals....Those guys presented the results (bosses bother about the results...to hell with process, even if they profess that they would insist on the right process) and got their rewards. If I had spent this time and effort in my area, the situation would have been different...who knows.
If you look back you will have enough experiences already like this...be careful in the future.
Now I don't find my name in the Project team published by one of the project managers...I have become an outsider in my own project !!! I don't want to make a noise about this.....but the learning is clear...."If you spend your time and energy in an area away from your Core area of competence (as decided by the organization), it is almost certain that you don't reap the benefit of your efforts"...someone else, who has more contacts, will hijack the whole programme...you have helped them to build their own empire....losing in the process precious time and effort.
Looking back, I believe there were so many instances like this in my career....sweet talks and "right things to do" , "team work" talks have made me work in areas which were not my core areas...essentially what I was doing was helping others to build their career...as these contributions were never considered in my appraisals....Those guys presented the results (bosses bother about the results...to hell with process, even if they profess that they would insist on the right process) and got their rewards. If I had spent this time and effort in my area, the situation would have been different...who knows.
If you look back you will have enough experiences already like this...be careful in the future.
Friday, 16 November 2007
I have been fortunate.....
God has been kind to me....I could visit Tirchendur twice last month...once with Indhu, Ramji and Arjun on 16 October, 2007 and again on 26 October, 2007, with Sheila, Maya, Ashwin, Mrs & Mr. Ramasamy....on both the occasions I had fantastic dharshans of Sri Subrmania Swamy...on 16 we had abhishekam....it was indeed the grace of God that Arjun did not bother us much (it appears that ARJUN himself is a grace of God, especially indicated by his date of birth, 27 September, and his star, Visakam)...he appeared to be in peace with Lord Subramanya....only towards the end of the Abhishekam he became a little restless....over all both the visits gave me internal peace.
Another visit that I cannot forget during the period is the one to Ayikudi on 27 October, 2007. Ayikudi Balasubramania Swamy happens to be the Kuladeivam of Mr. Ramaswamy; we had abhishekam and a quiet dharshan of Balasubramania Swamy...the smiling deity will always be in our hearts.....the "padi payasam" that is given to people on the banks of the river next to the temple by pouring the payasam (prasadam) on the steps (padi) is unique to this place...I cannot, however, understand the reason for this.....
It was very nice of Shri S. Ramakrishnan to have come all the way to the Balasubramania Swamy temple to meet me....I am fortunate that I met him and have his love and affection....I see GOD in him....on his invitation we visited Amarseva Sangam...and as usual, Shri Ramakrishnan has been an excellent host, providing all of us tasty Lunch....I missed Shri Sankara Raman who had to attend to some other meeting elsewhere...but his absence was more than compensated by Dr. Sumathi, his sister....I salute all the three, Shri Ramakrishnan, Shri Sankara Raman and Dr. Sumathi, for being so kind to me and those who visited Amarseva Sangam along with me on 27 Ocotber 2007....it is (Bala) Subramania Swamy's will that I had to meet them...hopefully one day I will come to know why HE willed so!!!!
Is a simple "THANKS" to HIM is enough for ensuring that Maya's wedding went off well .....for blessing them .....for blessing other members of the family mentioned above.....Lord Subramanya Swamy please GUIDE me.
Another visit that I cannot forget during the period is the one to Ayikudi on 27 October, 2007. Ayikudi Balasubramania Swamy happens to be the Kuladeivam of Mr. Ramaswamy; we had abhishekam and a quiet dharshan of Balasubramania Swamy...the smiling deity will always be in our hearts.....the "padi payasam" that is given to people on the banks of the river next to the temple by pouring the payasam (prasadam) on the steps (padi) is unique to this place...I cannot, however, understand the reason for this.....
It was very nice of Shri S. Ramakrishnan to have come all the way to the Balasubramania Swamy temple to meet me....I am fortunate that I met him and have his love and affection....I see GOD in him....on his invitation we visited Amarseva Sangam...and as usual, Shri Ramakrishnan has been an excellent host, providing all of us tasty Lunch....I missed Shri Sankara Raman who had to attend to some other meeting elsewhere...but his absence was more than compensated by Dr. Sumathi, his sister....I salute all the three, Shri Ramakrishnan, Shri Sankara Raman and Dr. Sumathi, for being so kind to me and those who visited Amarseva Sangam along with me on 27 Ocotber 2007....it is (Bala) Subramania Swamy's will that I had to meet them...hopefully one day I will come to know why HE willed so!!!!
Is a simple "THANKS" to HIM is enough for ensuring that Maya's wedding went off well .....for blessing them .....for blessing other members of the family mentioned above.....Lord Subramanya Swamy please GUIDE me.
Wednesday, 14 November 2007
What they say....what they mean
"Random Walk in Science" is an interesting book published by the Physical Society of London .....among many interesting information in the book is this chapter on what people mean when they write something in the scientific paper (e.g. when they say "after a thorough literature survey" they mean "we have gone through a few journals available in our library"), I thought I should attempt a similar one on what people say and what they mean. Here are some of the initial entries........we can enrich this as the days go....
1. "Beautiful Couple" - I cannot say otherwise, you will throw me out
2. "Nice Food" - Worth the spending to come here
3. "Made for each other" - I had rehersed this dialogue even before coming here; I cannot change it now
4. "Excellent Arrangements" - You are normally untidy; how could you do this?
5. "Shall I take leave" - Give me the momento - don't forget
6. "Ask me for any help" - Forget it...I am too busy to waste my time here
7. "Cute Baby" - I can't say the same thing about you
8. "You are very kind" - Let me tell you after my job is over
9. "Great Wedding" - The food was fantastic-I, with my family, enjoyed it in
all the sessions
10. "Good People" - Stupid fellows..
Add more if you have.....enjoy
1. "Beautiful Couple" - I cannot say otherwise, you will throw me out
2. "Nice Food" - Worth the spending to come here
3. "Made for each other" - I had rehersed this dialogue even before coming here; I cannot change it now
4. "Excellent Arrangements" - You are normally untidy; how could you do this?
5. "Shall I take leave" - Give me the momento - don't forget
6. "Ask me for any help" - Forget it...I am too busy to waste my time here
7. "Cute Baby" - I can't say the same thing about you
8. "You are very kind" - Let me tell you after my job is over
9. "Great Wedding" - The food was fantastic-I, with my family, enjoyed it in
all the sessions
10. "Good People" - Stupid fellows..
Add more if you have.....enjoy
Excuses.....
I am sorry to find that people are not innovative.....they use the same excuses, in one form or the other, for their failure to attend the wedding or the reception...for the benefit of my own invitees here are the excuses recorded during Maya's wedding:
1. Someone expired in our family...today is the 10th day.....
2. The Muhurtham is too early to attend on a working day...
3. We had planned a trip to USA/SWEDEN/Germany/Timbaktu long ago....we will be away
4. We are too old to attend the marriage; however, our blessings are with the young couple
5. Boss made us sit till late in the evening...there was no chance for us to start till 8.30 pm which was too late to start for the reception
6. We did not receive the invitation
7. I suddenly had my periods ....I sat only yesterday (covering all the three days)
8. We wanted to come...but you see it rained heavily and we could not get any auto....
9. We started...but got delayed in a traffic jam....we had to go back
10. I have fallen ill suddenly
11. My sister has fallen ill...I had to be with her
12. There were many muhurthams on the same day...we had to skip a few
13. You did not attend my daughter/son 's wedding...why should I attend your daughter's???
14. You did not invite me personally....
15. I am sorry...I had been called by the Ministry for an important meeting at the last minute
16. Today my boss completes 25 years in the company...I have to be there for the function
17. We had sent so-and-so as the representative of our family...did he attend ?
18. I cannot climb up three floors....sorry I cannot come
19. My children have been having exams, you see 10th exam is important
20. I don't want to waste money travelling all the way to Chennai for the wedding
21. Oh!!Baba !!! I have completely forgotten...you had given the invitation long ago.....
22. You see...my parents had suddently landed up at Chennai and I had to take them to Kanyakumari
23. Due to unavoidable circumstances I could not make it to Chennai to attend the wedding
24. We had sent so-and-so to represent us in the wedding...because you were busy he did not meet you
25. I would have loved to have attended the Wedding/Reception....I was too busy to move out
26. As my mother/father/son/wife expired only recently I don't attend any function......
27. (I made a calculation...the food we eat there would cost Rs.200/= for that I would not like to spend Rs.300/= worth petrol)
You can add more if you remember.......
1. Someone expired in our family...today is the 10th day.....
2. The Muhurtham is too early to attend on a working day...
3. We had planned a trip to USA/SWEDEN/Germany/Timbaktu long ago....we will be away
4. We are too old to attend the marriage; however, our blessings are with the young couple
5. Boss made us sit till late in the evening...there was no chance for us to start till 8.30 pm which was too late to start for the reception
6. We did not receive the invitation
7. I suddenly had my periods ....I sat only yesterday (covering all the three days)
8. We wanted to come...but you see it rained heavily and we could not get any auto....
9. We started...but got delayed in a traffic jam....we had to go back
10. I have fallen ill suddenly
11. My sister has fallen ill...I had to be with her
12. There were many muhurthams on the same day...we had to skip a few
13. You did not attend my daughter/son 's wedding...why should I attend your daughter's???
14. You did not invite me personally....
15. I am sorry...I had been called by the Ministry for an important meeting at the last minute
16. Today my boss completes 25 years in the company...I have to be there for the function
17. We had sent so-and-so as the representative of our family...did he attend ?
18. I cannot climb up three floors....sorry I cannot come
19. My children have been having exams, you see 10th exam is important
20. I don't want to waste money travelling all the way to Chennai for the wedding
21. Oh!!Baba !!! I have completely forgotten...you had given the invitation long ago.....
22. You see...my parents had suddently landed up at Chennai and I had to take them to Kanyakumari
23. Due to unavoidable circumstances I could not make it to Chennai to attend the wedding
24. We had sent so-and-so to represent us in the wedding...because you were busy he did not meet you
25. I would have loved to have attended the Wedding/Reception....I was too busy to move out
26. As my mother/father/son/wife expired only recently I don't attend any function......
27. (I made a calculation...the food we eat there would cost Rs.200/= for that I would not like to spend Rs.300/= worth petrol)
You can add more if you remember.......
Exploitation in a Wedding......
Maya's wedding was over last month (24 October)......while we, the family members, all enjoyed the wedding, there were a few who also enjoyed exploiting us......the smart ones around have perfected the art as they repeat the same with all those who happen to come to them.....during the wedding...here are some "lessons" in exploitation.....
The foremost is the Kalyana Manadapam Guy.....if you book the Kalyana Mandapam, you have to engage the decorator, flower decorator, electrical decorator etc., as suggested by the Mandapam....whatever be the charges they demand. For a Chair for reception, you have to pay Rs.3000/= for three hours !!!!! For an extention of the stage for the musical performance for three hours, you have to pay Rs.3000/= (which in my opinion has to be provided as a routine !!!).....for keeping the Venkatachalapathy & Alamelu background (which has been used for many times already) you have to pay Rs. 1000/= !!!! If you are booking rooms for guest in the Kalyana Mandapam, you have to book for the whole period you have booked the Mandapam...especially if you need the booking from the first day...even though you do not need the room for the second day (as the guest leave by the afternoon), the Mandapam policy demands that you book the room till the time you leave the Mandapam.....easy way of earning one day's rent for the room without occupancy.....You have to book the Mandapam well in advance (at least six months in advance) paying the full amount (say Rs. 75000/=) ....what about the interest accruing on this amount....ten days before the marriage you have to pay another Rs.75000/= as advance for gas, electricity and other facilities. Pay for pillows, Jamakalams....in advance. In my case I had to pay for one broken wash basin too !!!!
Then there is our /their Vadyar....in our initial discussions he wanted amount "X".....later he wanted another Rs.2000/= (this happened during Indhu's marriage too).....the Vadyar from Tirunelveli hinted that I should give him and his assitanct Rs. 500/= each as they did not receive their share from our Vadyar......great !!!!
Someone said he had to fix the machine for spraying Panneer during the reception......said the amout was Rs.650/=....again from the Mandapam....while settling the bill he made it 850 and wanted Rs. 100 /= for him as tips.!!!!! money anyway grows in trees...pluck and give the guy...
Then there was this guy who had taken care of the Vaidika needs ...he is from Chellappa....he hinted in the beginning itself that he need to be taken care of...another guy, a server, from Chellappa used his English to entertain Frank and his wife,...was not satisfied with Rs.100/= as he has two little girls to take care of ....so another Rs.100/= for their education.!!!!
The liftman, sweepers, cleaners, watchmen.....the list goes on....they have to be given some tips...when you give tips...the number of sweepers, cleaners, liftman etc....swells - you see many faces whom you had not seen in the last three days...but they were there...they insist...working without break.....for ensuring the success of the function...
The supervisor had to be taken care off too !!!! At the Kattusada Kudai formally the cook and servers have to be taken care off !!!! (this is official)
I shall fill up further as and when I remember other exploiters........
The foremost is the Kalyana Manadapam Guy.....if you book the Kalyana Mandapam, you have to engage the decorator, flower decorator, electrical decorator etc., as suggested by the Mandapam....whatever be the charges they demand. For a Chair for reception, you have to pay Rs.3000/= for three hours !!!!! For an extention of the stage for the musical performance for three hours, you have to pay Rs.3000/= (which in my opinion has to be provided as a routine !!!).....for keeping the Venkatachalapathy & Alamelu background (which has been used for many times already) you have to pay Rs. 1000/= !!!! If you are booking rooms for guest in the Kalyana Mandapam, you have to book for the whole period you have booked the Mandapam...especially if you need the booking from the first day...even though you do not need the room for the second day (as the guest leave by the afternoon), the Mandapam policy demands that you book the room till the time you leave the Mandapam.....easy way of earning one day's rent for the room without occupancy.....You have to book the Mandapam well in advance (at least six months in advance) paying the full amount (say Rs. 75000/=) ....what about the interest accruing on this amount....ten days before the marriage you have to pay another Rs.75000/= as advance for gas, electricity and other facilities. Pay for pillows, Jamakalams....in advance. In my case I had to pay for one broken wash basin too !!!!
Then there is our /their Vadyar....in our initial discussions he wanted amount "X".....later he wanted another Rs.2000/= (this happened during Indhu's marriage too).....the Vadyar from Tirunelveli hinted that I should give him and his assitanct Rs. 500/= each as they did not receive their share from our Vadyar......great !!!!
Someone said he had to fix the machine for spraying Panneer during the reception......said the amout was Rs.650/=....again from the Mandapam....while settling the bill he made it 850 and wanted Rs. 100 /= for him as tips.!!!!! money anyway grows in trees...pluck and give the guy...
Then there was this guy who had taken care of the Vaidika needs ...he is from Chellappa....he hinted in the beginning itself that he need to be taken care of...another guy, a server, from Chellappa used his English to entertain Frank and his wife,...was not satisfied with Rs.100/= as he has two little girls to take care of ....so another Rs.100/= for their education.!!!!
The liftman, sweepers, cleaners, watchmen.....the list goes on....they have to be given some tips...when you give tips...the number of sweepers, cleaners, liftman etc....swells - you see many faces whom you had not seen in the last three days...but they were there...they insist...working without break.....for ensuring the success of the function...
The supervisor had to be taken care off too !!!! At the Kattusada Kudai formally the cook and servers have to be taken care off !!!! (this is official)
I shall fill up further as and when I remember other exploiters........
Biodegradable......
I have been hearing this argument: "Plastics are not good for the environment....because they are not biodegradable"...Last month I was in Bhilai and met a few bright school children who have formed an Green Club....again they gave me a lecture why plastics are not good for the environment....they are not biodegradable. ...but they were wearing a uniform made of "Polyester" and cotton blend... I asked them if steel is biodegradable ? Is cement biodegradable ? Is porcelein or glass biodegradable ?...are they bad for the environment ? Are stinking dead bodies or rotting vegetables that add the BOD to water and making it unusable good for the environment ? Is "Biodegradable" the only criterion for deciding which material to be used for a specific purpose? Are we not misleading the children ?....Just because we don't know as to how to handle a waste/ used polythene bag (with < 25 micron thickness) and our (mis)handling of this waste results in choking of drains (including the alimentary canal of cows), do we teach our children that Plastics as a whole is bad for the environment....I cannot imagine a world without plastics (polymers)...the dress you wear, the paint you use, the brush with which you clean your teath, the comb you use for combing your hair, the shampoo bottle, the soap box, the water bucket and the mug, the washer you use in your tap, the TV you watch, the IPOD you enjoy, your washing machines, your refrigerators, your cooker handles, knobs of your LPG stove, and the insulator of the electrical conductors...and so on are made of plastics....can you avoid them and enjoy your life???? Children should be made to think....do they come to conclusions based on life-cycle thinking ? If they do so, the "bio-degrable" argument will die....dead bodies are still burried under ice in the arctic...not degraded for centuries!!!!!
Thursday, 1 November 2007
A long silence
October was a hectic month for me....
3-7 at Chandigarh - Energy Workshop
12 Started for Chennai via Mumbai
13 Received Ramji, Indhu and Arjun at 3.30 am
14 Arjun's Ayush-homam
15 Left for Tirunelveli / Munnirpallam (stayed at Ashwin's home)
16 Abhishekam at Tiruchendur
16 Return to Chennai
17-22 Hectic purchasing and coordinating activities for Maya's Wedding
23 Moved to the Balaji Shreemahal Kalyana Mandapam at 5.15 am
23 Wedding preliminaries throughout the day
24 Wedding (6.00-7.30 muhurtham) and Reception
25 Kattusada Kudai
25 Left for Tirunelveli / Munnipallam
26 Visit to Tiruchendur
27 Visit to Ayikudi / Murugan Temple + Amarseva Sangam
28 Reception at Tirunelveli
29 Returned to Chennai by the day train (Gurvayur Express)
30 Returned to Pune by morning Jet Flight
30 We (Arjun, Indhu and I along with Sheila) celebrated Sheila's 50 Birthday at Pune
The above explains why I did not write a blog for a long period.....a long silence as I did not have access to net and also did not have the energy or the time to sit and write
By the way I have completed 25 years with Philips on 18 October 2007!!!....a long period in Pune considering the present trend. By the way, Sheila has spent half her life in Pune so far.
3-7 at Chandigarh - Energy Workshop
12 Started for Chennai via Mumbai
13 Received Ramji, Indhu and Arjun at 3.30 am
14 Arjun's Ayush-homam
15 Left for Tirunelveli / Munnirpallam (stayed at Ashwin's home)
16 Abhishekam at Tiruchendur
16 Return to Chennai
17-22 Hectic purchasing and coordinating activities for Maya's Wedding
23 Moved to the Balaji Shreemahal Kalyana Mandapam at 5.15 am
23 Wedding preliminaries throughout the day
24 Wedding (6.00-7.30 muhurtham) and Reception
25 Kattusada Kudai
25 Left for Tirunelveli / Munnipallam
26 Visit to Tiruchendur
27 Visit to Ayikudi / Murugan Temple + Amarseva Sangam
28 Reception at Tirunelveli
29 Returned to Chennai by the day train (Gurvayur Express)
30 Returned to Pune by morning Jet Flight
30 We (Arjun, Indhu and I along with Sheila) celebrated Sheila's 50 Birthday at Pune
The above explains why I did not write a blog for a long period.....a long silence as I did not have access to net and also did not have the energy or the time to sit and write
By the way I have completed 25 years with Philips on 18 October 2007!!!....a long period in Pune considering the present trend. By the way, Sheila has spent half her life in Pune so far.
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