Nobel Peace Prize Undeserved

The Nobel Peace Prize has long been used as a tool to pacify the politics. Probably the least credible of the Nobel Prizes, I feel as there has been a long standing preference for American politicians who are the least deserving.

How many people do we know who are much more capable and who demand a Global Achievement just for their great achievements. I would say the credibility of the award grew in my eyes when Muhammed Yunus was recognized for his great achievements. There have been tremendous who miss out. I know Mahatma Gandhi stands out because of his sheer stature. But it’s believed that his teachings percolated slower to the west and most obviously because he was Anti- British.

Some real achievements by social workers in India such as Baba Amte and Vinobha Bhave, people who worked so hard for leprosy eradication and religional harmony deserved much more. Our very own Bharat Ratna has been used abused and misused by various governments of the past. The Magsaysay award has in that sense identified real deserving awardees.

But why Obama?

Here is a man who leads a country with troops all over the world with no promise of a withdrawal. He has had a bucket list of promises but nothing that’s close to reality. The world truth has been that all awards are always on achievements rather than promises. But this is a shocking annihilation of any such theory. It’s just an elevation of a stated achiever to cult status without any delivery on promise. Hope Obama sees the award as an incentive to fulfill rather than sit back and wait as he has while handling the financial crisis where his performance has been just about average.

i went Roller Blading

Oh my god what a day it was!!!!! One that i will definitely not forget for a lifetime.

We decided to head to East Coast park for an evening of cycling and some light hearted fun filled with beach volleyball and maybe a dip in the sea... The entire gang was there. Myself, Vivek, Bharat and Rishi took the cab and others in different cabs to East Coast Park. THe day looked promising. we got a Hyundai Sonata for a cab and the drive was fab.

Well First impressions first: It was a picnic paradise. People with tents, hundreds by the cycle. and thousands with skates. Well decided first to have a nice NewZeland icecream.. True to the day, it was amazingly good. Thats when Shaheen and Bharat turned left and got hooked to the roller blades/ skates shop out there. It looked quite a deal. $10 and equipment and protection gear free. I shy away from it at first and move with the crowd thats going to play volleyball.. Then Rishi calls me for something and i return back with fascination. Thats a call... Now i m too engrossed not to skate today... Everyone around is. what if i fall, i have arm and knee guards.. Yes i will go. Yes i will try. I think and ask the shop guy to give me my blades....

Yes i was in all the gear and before long i had locked out all my stuff into the locker. There's no looking back now.. Shaheen has taken well to skating, it cant be tough.. I move, first few meters, felt like heaven, and then a big thud and a crash landing.. I am down.... Felt so good, they say a fall in the first few steps is a sign of an amazing experience to come..
i get up,, Bharat is there with glides doing alright himself and gives me a helping hand.. Lo, i take Bharat down and ho we fall. What a start!!!!!

Priyanka, Naazish and Kriti take up their skates and i feel they are arent too bad at it.. then like a pack of cards we fall near the first intersection. Shaheen is talking like an expert now. Dude legs in a V, just glide forward, its easy, see i can do it so easily!!!!! Yaaa and thud he falls!!!..

Next quarter of an hour was a bliss. we reached one end of the stretch , slowly walking speed almost, small strides, but good progress. All 7 of us were now pretty alright. Shaheen was good and was often showing off, Priyanka was steady and boasting she hadnt fallen even once. I was falling every few steps. Rishi was suggesting new strategies and somehow disappeared into the Blue.. Bharat was too good. he was helping me all the way to the end..

We now decide to turn back and now, head to the main road.. The Main road looks tricky, a zillion cyclists, pediastrians and more skaters all with great skills showing off. So far so good.
Some thuddy falls here and there, but apart from a few bruises to the hand, we were all doing alright... Turn, i go a bit fast and thump!!!! I fall forward right on the support of my right arm and just with head to the side. Big fall. My arm is writhing.. I know something is wrong.. i just sit there and good amount of pain on the elbow. I just get up slowly. and sit back again.. Bharat helps me on to my feet and we are back on the way. i know theres a problem, but i keep going.

Next, Priyanka falls big time, with two other people also. but no one is hurt. Then finally all land up near the skates shop.. Its over folks!!!!!!.. What an experience. Inspite or even because of the falls and the like, it was mind blowing experience. its sooo tough to learn. soo tough, yet so enjoyable.

The days isnt over yet.. Shaheen and Bharat have a Rang de Basanti moment by immersing themselves in the sea.. Then they play volleyball, throwball and what not. Amazing fun watching while i still writh in pain.. It went to the limit that when Kriti doc was checking the arm/ i just coudlnt stand, felt dizzy and just fell.. Finally doc concludes no fracture.. Thank god. But she still keeps option open of maybe doing a heath check tomorrow. lets see!!!!

Its still not over, Naazish twists her ankle and is probably an even worse situation than i am in. Shes in a soup and cant even walk properly, but she says shes used to it and takes it better than even i have!!!

Well, the food today was also great... The day rocked after all!!!! My arm is still aching.. Ricky doc says its a tendon damage and i l take 4-5 days to recover. So not to worry!!! fingers crossed though. lets see what happens!! If anyone touches my right arm for the next few days, rest assured i l kill u before i leave singapore!!

I sang a song

It feels so great when you always you do something for the first time!!!

I did actually sing a song on stage for the first time in my life and i never imagined that it would also go well. It went alright according to me.. i was alright at the right places ( ie the high pitches that get noticed :) ), Ramiya thanks a ton for the amazing performance yourself. It is such a satisfying feelign that i am also bunking the night party that has to follow to put it in a blog :)

Ramiya and Myself sang the song Pudhu Vellai Mazhai from the movie Roja... Its all about the song!! This movie got me into film music and have been patronising A R Rahman songs ever since.. So many of his songs i could just sing along a hundred times in my sleep. It all started in Dubai when i reeled off Kabhi kabhi Aditi to THE group during a 2 AM Tea JAM session. That gave me the incentive to try when i got an oppurtunity to sing the next time.

Thanks to all my friends Roopa, Sanjay, Matt and Kanno for the encouragement to sing.. But thanks a ton to Sanup, Sojish, Jaejo, Ramiya and Divya ( all the way from Bangalore) who actually made me do this one time on stage.
Trust me it feels like mission accomplished !!! Well i guess the next one would be to learn dance which is another in my to-do list for the long run.

Retail Marketing - An Exciting World

Hey guys!!! To introduce myself as a Retailer would be just like a business card to the unknown. I am entering a world, that I have craven for, only armed with the zeal and wide eyes of a child taking his first steps.
Retailing – It’s an amazing concept that has evolved over the years. Tested over time Buying and selling of goods must have a past that I am unaware of but I can just assume that must have its roots even prior to the barter trade. Concepts evolved over hundreds of years would hence require more than just a lifetime to learn.
It is just fascinating how making goods available to the customer in a way replete with making him buy, would seem so complex that requires more than just an MBA course that would make us more than just an average Retailer.
Our study in the next few months would entail just that, making us smart retailers! Is retailing just about how stores are designed, studying the various formats of stores? Understanding why you and I buy and where? Is it learning about the various success stories that made the Walmarts, Metros and Carrefours of the world? Folks, it is much more, and I m dying to learn and share much more.
Thanks to the college that apart from just classroom study, we have a fascinating class mix of students providing ample scope to learn with and from everyone concerned. Another part of the jigsaw is an exposure to the Retail havens of Singapore and Dubai. There are also two batches in Singapore now to boost. We just formed the Retail Club to have a better coherence between the junior-senior link and enhance a learn-together environment.
This is just the beginning. An intense learning awaits us and I promise to update you on all the interesting news and learning that drives us into a world full of opportunities’ in three of the world’s most promising regions of South East Asia, Middle east, India and beyond, there are not just hurdles and challenges but more than a lifetime of learning to go.
Varun Sankar
Retail Management
December 08

Blood donation Camp

They say providing one meal to the needy is the biggest Dharma. An even bigger one is donating blood to the really needy. One is a life giver and the other is a life saver.
We at SPJCM Singapore followed the latter to conduct one of the most successful Blood Donation Drives for the Singapore Red Cross. Ably led by Thanneer Sir, our team of volunteers and the workers of the Red Cross made it an event to remember for one and all.

Starting at 1 pm at the registration desk, Donors faced the all new thermometer which went into of all places – the ear for reading the temperature. The panic about the H1N1 flu in this region was the reason behind the entry barrier. This was followed by a long registration form. It had the most interesting questions in the world. I would let the others answer what the questions were.
Then finally we had the hemoglobin count and then voila: The blood donation becomes a reality. 58 of us donated blood went through this process while 15 others who made the noble decision got left out due to one reason or the other; but have vowed to donate within the next month with Thanneer Sir who would take it up later. Well, the refreshments offered were also amazing making it a wholesome experience.
The whole affair was a resounding success with hardly any bottlenecks and smooth flow of donors right upto the evening. Kudos to us!! I am proud of being part of the whole drive as a volunteer and we promise that more of such initiatives as part of the Leadership Club are on their way..
Just looking forward to the Palau Ubin trip this weekend!!!

Missing the Great Indian Elections

I have been away from Chennai now for about 5 months. One of the things i miss most about home is the great Indian Political Tamasha as it is known according to NDTV... What can be more interesting than watching Indian elections live. Whether it is the Lalus and Amar Singhs of the world stepping over each other for the catchy sound byte that would Rock Indian News Channels for a while, or the Arun Jaitleys and Abhishek Manu Singhvi who perenially sit in TV studios justifying their parties actions, Or the Pranoy Roys and Rajdeeps of the world who do the predictions and Opinion Polls and the ultimate tamasha of the Election day when the dhols and Melas surrounding the winners and haunted offices about the losers.

The great indian democracy, many people say is the most dynamic and lauded as one of the best, but what intrigues me is that i believe the exact opposite. Yes there is freedom, But is there too much freedom? Yes there are rights, But aren't there too many that is missing? Are they enough Duties? I am not sure.

As a 62 year old Democracy, why are elections held more on caste than ever before. Why aren't the most important issues concerning the voter today; education, development and livelihood but caste, religion and violence. It certainly is the bane of our democracy that we still fight over trivial issues and neglect the big ones. One such parameter that has been continually neglected is Education. We as Indians outside the country are lauded for our being an intellectual - knowledge based system. The system as such isnt bad, but where is the implementation? why arent we asking these questions?

The problem is that It is not the political class that is to blame? who are these politicians, they are promoted by us. It is the educated class that needs to set an example to the rest of country. Consider this. This is one thought that has always come to my mind which i plan to help do.

What if One contituency in the country, decides to set things right, say the most urban, educated constituency. What if all the voters choose their candidate? ( Read the words - All voters in the constituency-vote). That would be the start. More importantly people choose based on not caste but on the merit of the candidate. The politicians in the area realise that they are under scrutiny and their performance definitely goes up. Also a constant tab on their performance is kept by the really watchful media and self help groups. This is how a democracy needs to function. Is it possible?

Is it possible that this model can be replicated acorss the other constituencies?? What can we do to increase particupation of youth in the political system? These are questions we need to find answer and move out country towards better development... any pointers?

College anxieties

College and more likely Hostel life brings forward a collage of views and ideas, interests and conflicts. Its such an experience that all of us remember these days long after they are over.

Its such a lovely new world away from what we were. Now we are in an environment where the controlling variables are few. Brings out a different dimension in the person in you. Meeting, interacting with people from diverse backgrounds, new friends and acquaintances.

I have learned to respect people irrespective of their religion, their background, past experience, eating habits and many other things. With respect comes also a learning. A learning about Management that management schools can never dream to include in their sylabi. To work and learn to work around prudent administrators, identify trouble makers and learn to work with them and apart from them..

Learn to ignore the really loud , bombastic and overdone people , learn to listen to the really soft knowledgable people. Its all about learning. Lifes all about learning. The learning has just begun. The anxiety is over the few black sheep who try to impose themselves on others, try hard to create an environment of hate and love all according to their ideals. , The anxiety is whether i can learn from them how NOT to be.... Some people even think they teach the profs on their subject......
The best comment i have heard. " The prof doesnt seem to understand the subject well"...

Movies in Dubai

Movie watching in Dubai is really an expensive affair.. tickets cost abt 25-30 dirhams, so for us students we can watch only select movies, ones which we anticipate or ones that fall in the period where we are free.

Let me write about the two movies i watched over here.

One movie which i anticipated since a long while is Ghajini... And this released just as we had landed in here. I had huge expectations from this one. The original in Tamil was my all time favorite and me a fan of Surya and as such Aamir Khan is one of actors you look upto in Indian Cinema.. Well how was the movie ? Almost flawless adaptation into Hindi. The parts which were good in tamil were as good in tamil , esp the scenes showing Aamir and Asin in the flashback. The pretty poor ones having the villian in tamil were made moderately good and the climax in tamil was bad but was pretty impressive in hindi..
The acting, Surya lived the character and was a once in a lifetime performance while Aamir potrayed the character more intensely but wasnt as good as Surya in the flashback. Music was as good.. Kaise Mujhe tum mil gayi just touched me no end and has become my favorite song. The tamil ones also had Oru Maalai and Rangola hola hola which were super impressive.

The ghajini experience i will remember because when we returned, we came back on a egyptian cab driver. The cab driver gave us a brilliant scare. The first statement he made was " I hate Indians". We tried concentrating on other things and we started speaking in hindi abt the movie and generally other topics. The driver got angry and started playing with his car and started playing islamic music in full volume. He was obviously pissed for some reason and we didnt want to aggrevate it any further and just kept mum for the rest of the journey. Our first lesson in Global management probably for us.

Then after a hectic schedule of studies, finally after our first term exams got over yesterday and we decided to reward ourselves with a movie "Luck by Chance". One of the most colorful movies to come out of bollywood and it had to be about Hindi film industry, what else.
A movie that represented the struggle of an upcoming actor. How trends run in the industry, how alliances are made, how friendships run. A series of cameos by real film personalities and i loved SRK in his short interlude of how he advises the upcoming star on keeping his feet on the ground.

Konkana Sen Sharma breathes life into every scene she does and is THE best actress in the industry and Isha Shervani was spot on in her role as a star kid. A sensational performance. I expected better music from Shankar Ehsaan loy but they werent as disappointing as all the songs were very situational and pretty hummable.

After all i havent wasted a single penny on my movies so far and i m proud of the same :)
Keep blogging is the call. i l heed to it.