Chail Trip - The RBS Rejoice Trip

Saturday - October 6, 2007.

I got up at 4 30 am on that morning and got ready first and then I woke up Sidharth, who is my room mate, accompanying me in the trip to Chail along with the Risk Technology team of RBS. Our cab came at 5 30 am and we got into the cab at 6 00 am. Suraj Goswami our team mate joined us at our Mahalaxmi Apartments and got into cab. We then went to Sector 56 of Gugaon to pick up Gaurav Gupta and Abhinav Kumar. They were delayed, so we need to wait for more than 20 mins for them near their Apartment complex Devendra Vihar. Meanwhile Arul Selvan, our project manager who was to join us had got tense and gave atleast 10 calls to know the status of where we were exactly. Finally we picked Gaurav, Abhinav and went to pick Arul Selvan near the Metropolitan Mall, MG Road, Gurgaon. We all were in one cab and reached station exactly at 7 10 am though we started late as our driver Ajit drove the car like a two wheeler at 120 kms/hr. We were joined by Vinay's family, Pankaj Mandan, Sandeep Vats and Neha Arora first and then the remaining team.

As soon as we got on to the platform, the train which we were to board New Delhi - Kalka - Shatabdi Express came on to the platform. We checked our tickets and seat numbers and then got into the train. We adjusted ourselves and came down to guide the remaining people who were yet to join the us. Unfortunately Minhaj who was to interested to come had to drop because of Migraine problem. Finally by 7 30 am every one including Sujatha, RBS Risk BAU head also came and occupied their seats. The train left the station exactly on time at 7 40 am. We all were into the C9 compartment of the train. If we need to explain about the Shatabdi express, then we need to explain a lot. It was simply the luxury aeroplane brought down to earth or still more in simple terms, it is just more or less similar to the business class in domestic airways. We were served everything on time all the meals during the travel. As soon as the train left the station we were given newspapers to read. After that we were served with tea, then we were served breakfast and they gave a bottle of water. After breakfast we were again served tea. The food was good enough to resist ourselves till 2 pm for lunch near Dharampur in Himachal. We were joined by Manoj Garg at Panipat and Bhushan's family at Kalka.

We had lot of fun in the train, there were some sudden snaps taken by our colleagues in the train. We reached kalka an hr late, i.e, at 1 30 pm. We got down and when we came out there were cabs waiting for us outside the station, which came all the way from Chandigarh. They were booked by Bhushan. All the cabs came at a very resonable price of Rs. 4100 /- for complete up and down trip to Chail. We all ( Sujatha, Myself,Suraj, Vinay's family and Amarjeet's family) got into one car. Bhushan's family, Sidharth and Arul got into another car. All the remaining got into the third one. We all went and stopped at Giani's dhaba, Dharampur for our lunch. We all had a good lunch there and then we started the mountain trip to Chail from there. The road way is completely on mountains ( Himalayas) , not that much steep roads, but with good amount of curves. It passes through one of the biggest towns in Himachal, Solan. On the way to Chail, the two ladies in our car felt very uneasy due to the curves on the hills. They vomited almost 10 to 15 times each on the way. So we had to stop many times on the way to help the two ladies to settle and move. We utilized the oppurtunity to take some snaps too on those mountain terrains. Finally we reached very lately in the last some where around 6 pm to Chail. We first went to the Chail palace where we did our bookings to report and then we came to the actual cottages where all our remaining team reached before. There were so many monkeys there trying to steal things from us. We had to struggle a bit to safeguard our luggage and put it safely inside the room. Once we dumped our luggages in the rooms we all started towards the palace to have something and to plan the entertainment activities that evening.

We all are guided by Sujatha, and we all went to the palace by walk from the cottage. By the time we reached the cottage it was completely dark and there were no streetlights too. Since all were there we did not feel the fear. We assembled in the King's Dining Hall of the palace to have some snacks and tea. During that assembly we planned to arrange a DJ for that night. At first we thought of going backto the cottage and arrange for the DJ in the dark, with firewood in between. But the Chail Palace authorities warned us that it would be too cold to dance and also would be difficult for them to serve the food after 10 30 pm. However they said that they can arrange the same in the ball room they have in the palace. Then we cancelled the DJ and asked them to arrange for music, drinks and food in the ball room itself. Meanwhile some of the guys went to play billiards in the billiards room and some went roaming inside the palace before everything is arranged. We ordered our food which will be served to us again in the ball room. Palace authorites took care to serve the food hot.

Actual party night began with guys gulping the drinks, children and women dancing. All the guys and gals danced, ate food and enjoyed themselves in the music whole night till 1am. Half of the team went to the cottages early as they felt tired. I was there till the end and left the palace in the last batch around 1 am. Then I went in to the room where Sidharth, Arul and Suraj are there. Finally I came to know that there was one room still vacant and which can accomodate 2 people. I took Arul with me and we both shared that room. We were so tired and it was so cold outside, we dont know when we slept that night actually.


Sunday - October 7, 2007.

We did not know what was happening outside until sun is out completely that morning. When the first rays of sun felll over our eyes then we got up and got ready to have coffee and breakfast. We were the first persons to get ready that day. By the time we got ready and started roaming, Sujatha and some others who went for morning walk returned. Then we all went for breakfast and came back to cottage. By the time we returned most of the people got up and went for breakfast. After breakfast we played Badminton, Cricket and had photo sessions near the cottage.

By 11 30 am every body was there near the cottage. Then we packed all our luggage and started back, to Delhi. We have seen the world's highest cricket pitch and went to market place to buy some eatables on the way back to Kalka. All the people in the cabs are same again. This time we took all precautionary measures to avoid vomitings during the in the hill ride. After that our return journey started actually on the hills again and our precautionary meacures yielded good results. We did not have much vomitings. As far as I remember we had only one. In the middle of the journey Sujatha shifted from our car to Bhushan's car. Then after she got into their car, Bhushan's two kids vomited 2 times and gave some trouble. Our car and Bhushan's car stopped near McDonald's to have a quick bite of some burger as lunch. We all had the McDonald's special burgers there and we decided to get back to Kalka soon as it was already 4 20 pm and the train is at 5 20 pm. Then Sidharth who was speaking to his friend got missed, as he was hiding himself between two cars near McDonald's. Arul, Bhushan went on searching him and finally found him. Due to him their car got delayed and we were quite ahead of them.

As we are on the way back and when we are about to reach the Kalka station then we got a call from Sujatha and Arul that their car had a break down due to tyre puncture and it takes time to change the tyre. Even the extra tyre they had in their car is also punctured. So they wanted our car to be sent back to pick those three, as they were to catch the train. They had tense time as it was 5 pm already. It is really useless to send the car back as they will miss the train if we do like that. Then we gave suggestion to adjust themselves by getting into the car in which all the remaining guys are coming and reach station. But by the time we gave the suggestion they got hold of some alternative and Arul and Sujatha along with Neha got a life till station in some Scorpio. Sidharth got into the third car. Finally out of tense they all reached station by 5 15 pm, where as we all reached the station by 5 pm. By the time they came to station, we all got into the train and occupied our respective seats and were eagerly looking out. Any ways we have to thank god who provided the lift exactly when needed and also the driver who took lot of care to make sure we all reach station in time and board the train back to Delhi.

Again we were in the Shatabdi express, this time it is from Kalka to New Delhi, in the C3 compartment. The train started on time and this time we got the chance to have Evening Snacks, Tea, Evening Tomato Soup with soup stick and finally sumptuous dinner with Ice cream. All our belly are full with food they gave inside the nice A/C train. We were just eating and sleeping on our way back inside the train. All the bodies needed rest as they had a hectic and rejoicing weekend. Body pains began by the time we reached New Delhi. We all got down in New Delhi station and I came along with Sujatha in their car while Aurl, Sidharth and all others came in other cabs. I reached home at 11 15 pm finally on Sunday night and had a sound sleep with all the memories in heart.

About marriage
Srirasthu Subhamastu Sreekaram Chuttukundi Pelli Pustakam Ika aakaram dalchutundi kotta jeevitham


Marriage is a wonderful system where in two families, two cultures meet and grow and grow. Its starts with finding the right person and being the right person. Its a strong bonding of compatibility and understanding. The success depends when the wavelength of the boy and girl ( also the families ) matches and its total commitment, love, sharing ,caring, concern and togetherness. Marriage is a course of forgiving, it is FOR GIVING... a feeling like what best I can give for my better half. There is every thrill and excitement in each moment of life. Life it self is a great opportunity of Love and after marriage it spreads across the garden of the rest of life. Its unconditional love the way it is and not the way one feel like it has to be.

-- The above paragraph is written by a girl

-- Based on the girl's paragraphs and views I express/share my thoughts below.

I will say in very simple words which came in a recent hindi film.

Marriage is about love,
Marriage is about compromise,
Marriage is about togetherness,
Marriage is about trust,
Marriage is about sharing,
Marriage is about acceptance,
But Marriages are full of surprises.

When I sent all these lines to one of my friends he said the below one

And above all Marriage is about Sacrifice.

When I had a discussion on this marriage topic with some of our family members most of them talked about sacrifice only as the key point.

One of the interesting inputs I had in that discussion in their exact words.

"aa sacrifies lo kooda chala aanandam vuntundi,nuvuu nee wife ni antaga love cheste.appudu aa ammai kooda neekosam eemaina cheyyadaniki istapadutundi.alage nuvvu kooda.

generalga adavalle ekkuva tyagam chestaru.magavallanundi anta ekkuva kanipinchadu.Kaani vallu kudaa konni sacrifice chestaru.Iddaru okalage aalochiste adi sacrifies chesamani badha padamu.ananda padatam.appude life chala baguntundi."

-- Above comment is as told by one of my aunts

Here are my clear views/expectations on my best half( Mostly people call as better half or life partner).

Simple gaa cheppali ante... Naaku kastapade pellam kavali kaani... kastapette pellam vaddu... Ala unte nenu naa maximum help extend cheyyataniki istapadataanu.. I will see her like a queen then.. believe me in this.

As I am looking for a girl who is working, I would like a woman to be well educated and to be indepedant in nature that doesn't mean that she will do everything on her own without sharing the views or discussion with partner, but on consultation with him only in every matter, even it is silly some times... i expect this will be same for the boy also. I believe if she is well educated and working she can be a very good home maker also. I also feel that she should give more preference to make her own home, her own new world with her husband and children, rather than thinking of her home( i.e., her parents, brothers & sisters). Here I am not saying dont think about them , but I am saying give second prefernece to them and once first is your own family. Hope you got it clearly. I will not get angry often. I usually be very jovial , cool and relaxed. I will enjoy the moment to the fullest and I will enjoy it in the most simple and the best way possible. I love to go to films and listen to music loudly. I love discos too. I am also very concerned about financial needs, I wish the girl should also know the value of money and also the value of life very well as it is very short. Whether to pool her salary or not to spend togetherly is left to the will and wish of the girl herself. As far as I am concerned I feel its better to pool both the salaries when they are working and spend together in wise manner. So that savings will be more.

Last one but not the least as it is the first factor which impresses others, infact the boy himself. I expect the girl to be more beautiful than me, atleast equally beautiful. Hope this is a valid point. As much is not known about her inner mind and soul.

-- Based on the girl's paragraphs and views I express/share my thoughts above.

I know we must aim big, have high aspirations etc., but what is the limitation......what ever I do whether in making a home, taking care of family or any thing, I need to be unique and a special one, One would love to be with, to be associated with. I leave a mark of maximum potential. I am confident of achieving and acquiring the maximum a life can give. Give joy and love and live in it.

-- The above paragraph is written by a girl

4 Months at RBS IDC ( Title inspired from the famous books one night at the call center)

Title of the blog is kept a bit similar to the famous book titled 'One night at the call center'.But I cannot write a blog which is almost as big as that book. I just want to share with all of you my experiences in the night shifts and the hardships we face in my stlye of narrating things elobarately. All the things are explained to my own perception there is nothing to do with my team mates opinions.

People will be now wondering what is RBS IDC. Yeah I am coing to that only. I am presently working for Royal Bank Of Scotland India Development Center at Gurgaon near New Delhi which is on the banks of pious Yamuna river. I came here on deputation basis in the month of January 2007 for a period of 6 months to test myself at the client side and also to see how production support teams do and what do they really need to perform. This RBS is a client of Polaris Software Labs Hyderabad Branch which is specialised in Investment Banking and Capital Markets. Since we are the vendors we are working here for them to migrate their support system from their head office to IDC. We have been successful in that till now though it is not claimed by the client people.

We are a team of 10 members currently out of which 7 are from Polaris and 3 are from IDC. We work together in shift basis. We provide support to the application 24 X 7 X 365 days. There will be 3 shifts per day. Morning hift goes from 6 am to 3 pm , afternoon shift goes from 2 pm to 11 pm and night shift goes from 10 pm to 7 am. The one hour overlap time between in the shifts will be considered as handover time, transition time or changeover time. Next shift people will have to completely take the charge and control in between that ovelap time. If failed to take the next shift who need to take over will be blamed. For IDC people night shift is not applicable, They will only work in the first two shifts, we being the vendors have to face the Night shifts. This is the first and foremost point in seeing people who are providing you the service in a different angle. This is because they think since they are paying to the vendor they need to do everything possible to satisfy the customer. Right of equality does not apply here.

Since I am young I thought working in a shift system will be a challenging task and I can have fun. I just wanted to experience the call center type atmosphere accepting this project. Very soon I realised that it is very difficult to work in shift basis esp night shift for a long time. Irrespective of age I find a person should not and can not work more than a period of 6 months in such shift basis projects as it affects the person's health in the long run badly though the project and the company are benefited by you taking the pain and you will be having a mere monetary benefit with which you will be able to do nothing. Though many of my friends scolded me in choosing such a project I took it as a challenge for 6 months and now I decided strongly that I cannot continue after my 6 month duration completes here. I feel and hope that I will be able to go back after 6 months easily to my place as my manager gave a written confirmation of the same when I was starting in January 2007.

Woking in the night shifts will be a totally different experience compared to working in the day shifts. It is very tough some times to cope with the situation in the night shifts unless people are highly skilled to work fastly. Some times it will be very cool to work in that shift as every thing will be so cool. When some data base and space issues arise in the night shifts it will be very difficult to handle unless you have a concrete document with details of how to handle the problem. If there was no document with you, then your situation is in chaos. You don't know what to do, and also do not have any idea to handle to issue and everything will be held and nothing will move until you have a concrete solution. One advantage I find in the night shift in India in such development centers is we can get a close bonding with the other team members as there will be nobody to talk and share their words. We will be able to discuss many things under the sky from hair pin to Airbus380.

My Experience of going early to Office all this week

In this week I went to the office very early at 6 am and stayed upto 3 pm for 3 days continuously. I was there in the office mainly to run the important batches regarding our project and send the results as early as possible. On the first day of this schedule, in order to get into the office at 6 30 am I need to wake up very early in the morning at 4 30 am and then get ready. I usually started at 5 am on the first day and then waited for bus/auto at our flyover chowrasta. Finally I could get a bus and reached Secunderabad Station.From there I took the bus 10H and got down at Kothaguda Cross Roads.From there I took an auto for meter charge and went to the office. Auto charge was Rs 45 on that day. Seeing that charge I decided not to come in that route next day. By the time I reached the office it was already 6 30 am. I hurried inside and then called up our PL and then started my work. On the first day some errors occured in my work and finally we could resolve them in some way soon. At 3 pm I started back by the 3 pm shuttle service, got down at Gachibowli cross roads and then took an auto to Mehdipatnam. I went to my aunt's home as one of my aunt(telugu lo "PINNI") came from USA. Many of our relations came to that place on that day, We all had great fun on that day. Then I started from there at about 7 pm and reached my home at 8 30 pm. After that I had meal, browsed NET and then slept at 10 30 pm.
On the second day also I woke up at 4 30 am and got ready by 5 am. I started from the home a bit late only today and got auto at our junction to station, reached station at 5 20 am. As I decided to change the route today I took the bus to Mehdipatnam and then got down there 5 45 am. Then I got the bus immediately to Gachibowli. I got down at our cross roads at 6 05 am and then took a shared auto to office. This day I reached the office at 6 19 am and I took rest for some time as the work for me did not start. It started a bit late and ended up fine though some errors crept in. Again I started at 3 pm back to home and went to Mehdipatnam and spent there for about 3 hrs and started back to my home at 7 15 am along with my cousin. He got down in the middle and I reached home at 8 40 pm. I took my meal and then browsed for some time and then slept at 11 pm.
This is the third day and I repeated the same route but this time I took all shared autos only. Today the batch ran without any difficulties and I finished the work soon. I also did some other works. Today also I started back home at 3 pm as I have some work in the bank, I followed the route via Himayat Nagar and then reached home by 5 15 pm. I then took rest for some time and then started browsing. My mom also returned from Nellore after attending a function there. I got a call from my office when I am having my dinner that I need to go to Office on Monday also very early and not till today. This was the turning point of this blog which I never expected actually.
All these three days I enjoyed the work a lot and also did the work with full dedication and also concentration. Now I got the confidence in me that I can have both capacity and capability to do the work and to take up many responsibilities soon. I want to make place for myself in the team with my own mark. I am striving hard for that as it will not come or get created overnight.

"It's Up To You"

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room,
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey,
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,
One life can make the difference,
You see, it's up to YOU!

A Quotation about LIFE which made me think of it again.

Life is like having a cup of tea. You sit by the side of the window, lift the cup and take a careless sip, only to realize, somebody forgot to put the sugar. Too lazy to go for it you somehow struggle through the sugarless cup.Till you discover the undissolved sugar crystal sitting at the bottom... That's LIFE..

Hyderabad men shun dowry

Reporter : Tejeswi Pratima
Wednesday, April 19, 2006 (Hyderabad):

In a sign that shows times are changing for the better, young men in Hyderabad are shunning dowry.

Gautam Ramadugu is a technology engineer with a well-known software firm in Hyderabad.
Two weeks ago, the 25-year-old chanced upon a website www.idon'twantdowry.com and the next thing he knew he had registered.

Gautam says as far as he knows no one in his family has taken or given dowry. He claims he was only reaffirming a family tradition."I am earning enough. If she is well educated, if there is any problem, she can also earn but there is no reason to give and take dowry at the time of marriage,'' said Gautam.

Unique websiteThe unique website has been launched by NKG online, a Hyderabad based web service provider. Already more than 900 eligible singles have registered on the site. What's heartening is that men outnumber women with more than 500 eligible youth waiting to be grooms who don't want dowry."Initially we assumed that more number of brides would be listed. There would be more people who cannot pay dowry but it is the other way round.

We are seeing more number of grooms who are saying we don't want dowry,'' said Sarasri, Managing Director, NKG Online.The tremendous response the website has generated would tempt one to conclude that at least some things are changing for the better.

________________________________________________________________

The above article was appeared in the NDTV 24X7 news on April, 19th at 7 24 pm. The video clip is present on the web site said above in the media section. In addition to this MAA TV also covered us and presented regarding the website on April 19th 2006 in their 2 pm and 5 pm news bulletins. The article in the bulletin lasted for about 1 minute to 2 minutes in MAA TV.
Both the TV's covered me because I am against the dowry system and as I was the one who registered in that website in the early days. This TV coverage happened in a very surprising manner. I will explain it all below.

Actually I wanted to take leave on April 18th , 2006 as there was an operation for my uncle and I need to be there for the help. I applied for the same when I came to the office on April 17th, 2006. Suddenly I got a call from the website authorities asking my permission for giving the details about me and the phone number, so that the channel people would contact me for shooting. I was shocked for a moment and was in a dilemma whether to agree or not. But finally I agreed though I am not going to marry soon, because I dont want to miss the oppurtunity to appear on the small screen and that too in the news channel which is very popular in India. I was then waiting for the call from the channel people. But I did not receive the call till 7 pm ( It is the time I reached home on that day). I thought I will not get the call and all that was a like a fake.

But suddenly in the night I got a call from the channel reporter in Hyderabad, Tejeswi Pratima. She asked me when I will be free tomorrow morning ( i.e., on April 18th, 2006 ) for the shooting and that too before 10 30 am as they need to go to other places for covering other news. I told her first to come in the afternoon. But she did not accept. Then I asked her whether it would be convenient for her to visit my place in the morning at 6 30 am and complete the shoot before 7 30 am as we need to go to the hospital for the operation. Then she agreed for that. I got up early in the morning and got ready. I started waiting for the group. Finally they came near my place at 6 45 am and I went out to take them to my home. Then they shoot for about 40 min in my home with my aunt and uncle. I exchanged all my feelings with them. I also exchanged words of appreciation for them. Then they dropped all of us at the hospital in their vehicle as it awas getting late for us.

When the operation started we( I and my cousin) came back to the home to watch a film as it would take long time to finish. Then I got a call again from the website people to come down to their office near Medinova, Erramanzil colony as MAA TV people are visiting their office for the coverage and they want the youth who registered in the web site to speak with them in their office only. I accepted the request and also went to their office. I had a talk with the web site people and I felt that they are really doing a good job. They also appeciated me in this aspect. We had to wait for a long time for the MAA TV fellows to come to their office and after they came they shot for about 30 min and said the probable time of telecast and then left the place. I also left to home happily and got my uncle home from the hospital and explained what all had happened that day. He also felt happy. I told my parents regarding this, they also saw me in the TV on April 19th, 2006.

Those 2 news clips are on the website. Any one interested can download and see.

I am really surprised with all this because I never expected that I would appear in the TV . But I appeared in the TV and that too for a very noble cause and I am very happy for that. I am also happy for all the appreciations received on that day of telecast. A moment of elation.

In my next blog I will narrate all my experience when I along with the team members appeared in a small scene in the recent telugu release "Godavari".

- Gowtham Ramadugu

Lakshmi Mittal's article on Jamshedpur & on TATA


I visited Jamshedpur over the weekend to see for myself an India that is fast disappearing despite all the wolf-cries of people like Narayanamurthy and his ilk. It is one thing to talk and quite another to do and I am delighted to tell you that Ratan Tata has kept alive the legacy of perhaps
India’s finest industrialist J.N. Tata. Something that some people doubted when Ratan took over the House of the Tatas but in hindsight, the best thing to have happened to the Tatas is unquestionably Ratan. I was amazed to see the extent of corporate philanthropy and this is no exaggeration.

For the breed that talks about corporate social responsibility and talks about the role of corporate India, a visit to Jamshedpur is a must. Go there and see the amount of money they pump into keeping the town going; see the smiling faces of workers in a region known for industrial unrest; see the standard of living in a city that is almost isolated from the mess in the rest of the country.

This is not meant to be a puff piece. I have nothing to do with Tata Steel,but I strongly believe the message of hope and the message of goodness that they are spreading is worth sharing. The fact that you do have companies in India which look at workers as human beings and who do not blow their software trumpet of having changed lives. In fact, I asked Mr Muthuraman, the managing director, as to why he was so quiet about all they had done and all he could offer in return was a smile wrapped in humility, which said it all. They have done so much more since I last visited Jamshedpur, which was in 1992. The town has obviously got busier but the values thankfully haven't changed. The food is still as amazing as it always was and I gorged, as I would normally do. I visited the plant and the last time I did that was with Russi Mody.

But the plant this time was gleaming and far from what it used to be. Greener and cleaner and a tribute to environment management. You could have been in the mountains. Such was the quality of air I inhaled! There was no belching smoke; no tired faces and so many more women workers, even on the shop floor. This is true gender equality and not the kind that is often espoused at seminars organised by angry activists. I met so many old friends. Most of them have aged but not grown old. There was a spring in the air which came from a certain calmness which has always been the hallmark of Jamshedpur and something I savoured for a full two days in between receiving messages of how boring and decrepit the Lacklustre Fashion Week was.

It is at times such as this that our city lives seem so meaningless. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata had created an edifice that is today a robust company and it is not about profits and about valuation. It is not about who becomes a millionaire and who doesnt'. It is about getting the job done with dignity and respect keeping the age-old values intact and this is what I learnt.

I jokingly asked someone as to whether they ever thought of joining and Infosys or a Wipro and pat came the reply: "We are not interested in becoming crorepatis but in making others crorepatis." Which is exactly what the Tatas have done for years in and around Jamshedpur. Very few people know that Jamshedpur has been selected as a UN Global Compact City, edging out the other nominee from India, Bangalore. Selected because of the quality of life, because of the conditions of sanitation and roads and welfare. If this is not a tribute to industrial India, then what is? Today, Indian needs several Jamshedpurs but it also needs this Jamshedpur to be given its fair due, its recognition. I am tired of campus visits being publicised to the Infosys and the Wipros of the world. Modern India is being built in Jamshedpur as we speak. An India built on the strength of core convictions and nothing was more apparent about that than the experiment with truth and reality that Tata Steel is conducting at Pipla.

Forty-eight tribal girls (yes, tribal girls who these corrupt and evil politicians only talk about but do nothing for) are being educated through a residential program over nine months. I went to visit them and I spoke to them in a language that they have just learnt: Bengali. Eight weeks ago, they could only speak in Sainthali, their local dialect. But today, they are brimming with a confidence that will bring tears to your eyes. It did to mine. One of them has just been selected to represent Jharkand in the state archery competition. They have their own womens football team and whats
more they are now fond of education. It is a passion and not a burden. This was possible because I guess people like Ratan Tata and Muthuraman haven’t sold their souls to some business management drivel, which tells us that we must only do business and nothing else. The fact that not one Tata executive has been touched by the Naxalites in that area talks about the social respect that the Tatas have earned.

The Tatas do not need this piece to be praised and lauded. My intent is to share the larger picture that we so often miss in the haze of the slime and sleaze that politics imparts. My submission to those who use phrases such as "feel-good" and "India Shining" is first visit Jamshedpur to understand what it all means. See Tata Steel in action to know what companies can do if they wish to. And what corporate India needs to do.

Murli Manohar Joshi would be better off seeing what Tata Steel has done by creating the Xavier Institute of Tribal Education rather than by proffering excuses for the imbroglio in the IIMs. This is where the Advanis and Vajpayees need to pay homage. Not to all the Sai Babas and the Hugging
saints that they are so busy with. India is changing inspite of them and they need to realise that.

I couldn't have spent a more humane and wonderful weekend. Jamshedpur is an eye-opener and a role model, which should be made mandatory for replication. I saw corporate India actually participate in basic nation-building, for when these tribal girls go back to their villages, they will return with knowledge that will truly be life-altering. Corporate India can do it but most of the time is willing to shy away. For those corporate leaders who are happier winning awards and being interviewed on their choice of clothes, my advise is visit Tata Steel, spend some days at Jamshedpur and see a nation's transformation. That is true service and true nationalism.

Tata Steel will celebrate 100 years of existence in 2007. It won't be just a milestone in this company's history. It will be a milestone, to my mind of corporate transparency and generosity in this country. It is indeed fitting that Ratan Tata today heads a group which has people who are committed to nation-building than just building inflluence and power. JRD must be smiling wherever he is. And so must Jamsetji Nusserwanji. These people today, have literally climbed Every Last Blue Mountain. And continue to do so with vigour and passion. Thank god for the Tatas!

Infosys Chairman - Mr.Narayana Murthy's Speech on Late sitting :

I know people who work 12 hours a day, six days a week, or more. Some people do so because of a work emergency where the long hours are only temporary.Other people I know have put in these hours for years. I don't know if they are working all these hours, but I do know they are in the office this long. Others put in long office hours because they are addicted to the workplace. Whatever the reason for putting in overtime, working long hours over the long term is harmful to the person and to the organization. There are things managers can do to change this for everyone's benefit. Being in the office long hours, over long periods of time, makes way for potential errors. My colleagues who are in the office long hours frequently make mistakes caused by fatigue! . Correcting these mistakes requires their time as well as the time and energy of others. I have seen people work Tuesday through Friday to correct mistakes made after 5 PM on Monday. Another problem is that people who are in the office for long hours are not pleasant company. They often complain about other people (who aren't working as hard); they are irritable, or cranky, or even angry. Other people avoid them. Such behaviour poses problems, where work goes much better when people work together instead of avoiding one another. As Managers, there are things we can do to help people leave the office. First and foremost is to set the example and go home ourselves. I work with a manager who chides people for working long hours. His words quickly lose their meaning when he sends these chiding group e-mails with a time-stamp of 2 AM, Sunday. Second is to encourage people to put some balance in their lives. For instance, here is a guideline I find helpful:
1) Wake up, eat a good breakfast, and go to work.
2) Work hard and smart for eight or nine hours.
3) Go home.
4) Read the comics, watch a funny movie, dig the dirt, play with your kids etc..
5) Eat well and sleep well.

This is called recreating. Doing steps 1, 3, 4, and 5 enable step 2.Working regular hours and recreating daily are simple concepts. They are hard for some of us because that requires personal change. They are possible since we all have the power to choose to do them. In considering the issue of overtime, I am reminded of my eldest son. When he was a toddler, If people were visiting the apartment, he would not fall asleep no matter how long the visit, and no matter what time of day it was.! He would fight off sleep until the visitors left. It was as if he was afraid that he would miss something. Once our vis! itors' left, he would go to sleep. By this time, howeve r, he was over tired and would scream through half the night with nightmares. He, my wife, and I, all paid the price for his fear of missing out. Perhaps some people put in such long hours because they don't want to miss anything when they leave the office. The trouble with this is that events will never stop happening. That is life ! Things happen 24 hours a day. Allowing for little rest is not ultimately practical. So, take a nap. Things will happen while you're asleep, but you will have the energy to catch up when you wake.

Hence "LOVE YOUR JOB BUT NEVER FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR COMPANY"

- Narayana Murthy