UTOPIA


May 24, 2006

When in Rome, behave like Romans

Filed under: General — Asset @ 12:22 am

I have been to Europe earlier and have now had to come to US on an official trip. One thing I found most wanting was my lack of knowledge of culture,attitudes, values etc etc. of people abroad.

When I dig deep,I can make out that how I cud have got this knowledge.Either thro. my own efforts of Googling, or through some colleague telling me all the details, which generally varies from one’s experience to another. These days, many companies in India have some orientation course which tells one abt all these details, but this practice is even not tht prevalent.
But wht wud hv been better is if I was more prepared b4hand, and had better knowledge of all these details instead of going abt the ritual of learning it through good/bad experiences.I wud have dealt with these ppl much better and say in a manner that suites my business needs.N i feel its an issue which matters to anyone who comes across initially.

Now, that Indian corporates are going global, ppl are moving places. Most of the ppl, esp. if they are in IT industry, will b going sooner or later to some foreign country.So, this demands the need to inculcate this teaching very early in ppl.
What I wud suggest is to get it going at the school level.Students shud have a course at HSC or SSC levels, which teaches them abt the foreign culture.
It shud give a brief history of their evolution, how they went abt building up their countries.Wht is the culture in these countries, and how is it diff. from our culture. Wht are their values, their attitudes towards various aspects in a broad manner.

The question of faculty can be tackled by involving ppl working in MNC’s who can be used as guest faculty. They can share their experiences with children at school level. If the course demands them to cover other topics like history, culture etc. as I mentioned earlier, then these corporates can brief their experiences with the concerned faculty.
All colleges of higher education shud make such a course compulsary.

There is a urgent need to make our skillset more in line at global levels.English as a language has already given us a headstart against other nations, but add to tht if v can bring up our youths to come up with better soft skills, tagged along with superior technical skills, nothing like it.

This idea thus seem worth experiementing.

Asset

May 7, 2006

Agla Kaun?

Filed under: General — Asset @ 3:16 pm

Weekends make me take in more n more of TV, n the appetite just goes on increasing.
If u ppl hv read one of my previous article, u ppl know tht already.Neway, i’m not here 2 enlighten ppl abt my likes or dislikes, but 2 offer sthg interesting, in bollywood terms , sthg “HAT KE”.

So, apart from the usual Pramod Mahajan news flashing on TV, TV had sthg more 2 offer. SONY TV crowned its second “Indian Idol”, n once again it was anti-climax, n on unexpected lines, as the less favorite contestant won.
I have been following all these reality shows of late, n so I was thinking abt the psyche of
Indian ppl who make these simple ppl overnight celebrities.
So, wht makes these ppl click with Indian public, n wht is it they vote for?
Wht is the voting pattern, n next time if sthg of this comes, how can u take bets based on this analysis?

The winners of different shows are Abhijit Sawant and Sandeep Acharya for Indian Idol, Qazi Tauqeer and Rooprekha Banerjee for Fame Gurukul, Debojit for Challenge 2005, Ravindra Upadhayay for Channel V Super Singer( though he won by judge voting).
I cud find some similarity in these ppl n thus cud predict the voting pattern.
So,wht are the reasons these guys won?

1. Wht I cud find among these ppl is tht Indian public likes simple ppl, transparent ppl, who are good at heart and are good human beings, even if lacking on talent.
As these reality shows are becoming more and more personal, viewers get to know these guys more closely, they understand their whims n fancies, their nature etc.
So, attitude is one hell lotta contributing factor in the win. These contest saw many
talented contestants being voted out coz they were too haughty, n had lot of self-conceit.

2. U need to be a swht loser in life. This is how ppl can relate easily 2 u, n out of this
emotional surge, they vote for u in droves.
Ppl who are bullied in the show, who are insulted by the judges, are the hot favorites with
the public. This was aptly vindicated in no. of cases like that of Ravinder Ravi.

3. U need to belong to a Hindi speaking belt to think abt winning such competitions. This
was illustrated in Challenge 2005, n also in the Indian Idol, where worthy contestants were
eliminated as they din receive any votes from their region.

4. The X-factor does contribute to an extent. If u look hap, n hv the looks, there r chances u cud make it to a decent levels.

5. In shows where two ppl need to be chosen, its better to support the “Junta Ka Fav” rather than trying to score points on him. Junta generally makes up their mind on s.one, n the final result doesn’t come as sthg diff than previous weeks. This was shown in the case of “Fame Gurukul” where Qazi Tauqeer was the ppl’s fav. n Rooprekha did well in time to switch sides.

6. Generally, it is seen, ppl have some grudge against the judges. If judges extoll s.one,
there r good chances that guy’s result is screwed.

7. N finally, if the contestant of their region is eliminated, ppl tend to vote on
North-South-East-West divide.Instead of states or cities coming into picture, ppl tend to
gather around the NSEW pattern.

So, next time a new talent show comes up, come bak to this blog, and verify how many of my predictions abt the voting patterns came true.

Asset

May 4, 2006

Obituary

Filed under: General — Asset @ 5:20 am

Yesterday marked an end of the road for a great leader.Pramod Mahajan or PM showcased the typical rags to riches story shown in only reel life.
He was a humble son of a teacher who had the ambition and the determination to reach the highest echeleons of power.To travel from such humble background to among the most important people of a national party deserves a standing ovation.

But what marked PM as someone different?Pramod Mahajan
He was the visionary, a man ahead of times, and very much ahead in the Indian politics, when it came to making it better.He was not a mass leader, he made to Lok Sabha only once in 1996, and lost in the next elections. But he was a master strategist, an amicable person who could get around with anyone, and one who can get a solution to tough problem, or had a bent to sort out conflicting parties. He showed his acumen after the 1996 13-day BJP govt., when he played a major role in getting a 24 party coalition ready for the 1999 elections, and tht paid rich dividends.Also, not many ppl know that it was he who got all the parties to agree on Kalam’s nomination for President.
His stature within the BJP was rising each day, with Vajpayee even anointing him the “Lakshman” of BJP.Though he had a poor equation with the Sangh, due to his moderate inclinations, but even then there were few ppl who doubted abt him becoming the next BJP President.
He had a penchant for path-breaking steps, which he actively showed with the use of
technology in politics. He would be ascribed as a revolutionary in scientific management of
elections.Though BJP didn’t win coz of PM’s hard hitting “India Shining” campaign, but it
was due to some other factors than due to any technical mishmash.Ppl within BJP were not very comfortable with his use of such gadgetry power in politics.
Another quality that made him apart from today’s politician was his candour, courage to
accept defeat. He had no qualms in taking onus of BJP’s failure in last elections.Also, on
Jinnah issue, he said on TV that almost 99% of BJP was opposed to Advani’s remarks.He also had a clean image, devoid of corruption or indulgence. The Shivani Bhatnagar case and the Madhu Sharma case were just the part and parcel of the political life, which never had any weight.
He was witty, candid and a media savvy person.One who knew the trick to manipulate media aptly.His candour and forthright attitude made him a poster boy with TV journalism.His closeness with the corporates also drew a lot of flak, but it just showed his skills at getting along with ppl in all walks of society.

All in all,a ‘modern politician’, one who cud have served India well in coming years with
his far-sighted vision, and his recognition of youth and technology as the torch-bearers of
India in future.One who would have played a major role in India’s success, whether he stayed in or out of power.It is a great loss not only for BJP but to country as such.
May his soul rest in peace.

Asset

May 2, 2006

He……

Filed under: Poetry — Asset @ 4:38 am

He has been an idol to me since childhood.
What generally every child has in his growing years.
He is one helluva perfectionist.
He taught me all the ethics and ideals in life.
He taught me to stand up to any wrong being done.
He instilled in me enof courage to fight any indiscretion.
He taught me to fight even if nothing goes your way,
except the Will that says “Hold On”(IF i cud lift some lines)
N this is wht he still makes me do, in times of distress.
He inspired me to lead a life of sacrifices,
As what he always does, leading by example.
He didn’t blink when my studies costed beyond the reach.
He changed his ways to let me prosper.
He is damn emotional, but has the spirit to fight the odds.
He is transparent with heart, n anybody can read him inside out.
He is the crowd puller, and has the gift of the gab.
He can talk on any topic, and make sense of it.
He is a charmer, loving as well as lovable.
Wht is more, he is my Dad.
N today is his b’day.
Happy B’day Dad.

This is for you.

Asset