Sorry coz am using a really profound word as my subject today.... I am feeling quite low today, just got the news one of my close family friends Son expired, of a freak accident. This guy was just 20, young and budding. Someone every parent would be proud of, almost like a brother to me.... and now here it is, he is no more. May his soul rest in peace...
Death, how many times have we all thought abt this. I dont know abt others, but atleast I sure can say that have thought atleast some hundreds of time abt this. What happens to a person when He / She dies. Is is like going to sleep, but I always know the fact that I will be getting up in few hours once I go to sleep. How will it be when I am on my deathbed and I know I will never be getting up, atleast in this form. How I would like to know what happens when one dies, when I am living. Science in spite of all its advancements, somehow has always failed to discover this feeling, and its a mystery ever since the advent of mankind.
One thing which gives me some hope against this despair is the chance to live my life. I spend everyday of my life planning to make my life worthwhile. Some where I have a dream, a dream to live beyond my stipulated life, some thing to make me immortal. I want to perform some action in my life, which will make me IMMORTAL. Something after which people would remember me and my works, something which will make my Descendents really proud of myself. But then that means I still have loads to do, which brings me to my Fav peice of Poetry. As Robert Frost pens it "The Woods are Lovely, Dark & Deep; but I have Promises to Keep. And Miles to Go Before I Sleep & Miles to Go Before I Sleep"
So Adios for now, and may my Bro's Soul Rest in Piece !!!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Visit to Nagaland
Well I got a once in a lifetime chance to go to Nagaland few weeks back. I took the option of going to Dimapur - a major city in Nagaland. Dimapur is the eastern most airport of India, and is close to the border of Assam & Nagaland for my Dealership visit from M&M.
So after 2 flights, from Mumbai, there I was in a realatively big town in the middle of no where. The Air Port was a bare basic one, with no buses and stuff. As it is I went to Dimapur in a small ATR plane. The reception at Dimapur was quite an experience, some politicians had come in the same flight after getting assembly elections tickets and so there were few hundred supporters who had come to welcome them, so after waiting for some time, we got in our pick up vehicel - a Bolero (which was obvious) and went to the Dealership. All along the way it felt like we were in a different country all together, seeing the people, type of houses and also the trees. All people there were with the Mongolion features, talking to person who had come to pick us up, we realised that 95% of population of Nagaland were followers of Christianity and English was the official language of the state, that gave all of us a sense of relief, having the knowledge that atleast we would be able to converse easily with the locals there.
So after a quite eventful journey, which mostly involved observing the locals, and trying to count the Mahindra vehicles along the way, we reached the Dealership. Here we met the Dealer Principal, a real Gentleman, who the guided us to our hotel. So after some lunch, rest and seeing India screw the 20-20 game against Australia, we went back to the dealership for the next day planning. Here we got to know the state of affairs in this state. The condition was really quite critical, few people had been murdered the same day. Due to this, the whole town was supposed to remain closed the next day, so went all our hopes of shopping. We also got to learn that there were close to 20 local dialects in the 16 Districts in Nagaland, due to which the locals preffered the use of English. Also because of the condition of roads and also the absence of paved roads in majority of places, Mahindra vehicles were quite popular there, especially the 4x4 ones. So after being advised against leaving the Hotel after 6 PM, we went back to the Hotel. Here also we experienced the life of the locals, locals had dinner by 8 PM and went to sleep early, so by 9 the whole town was shut off. For us it was quite odd, as our days generally end at 11 PM....
The next day, we went to the Dealership and did some work. We saw the vehicles which had come for service there, observed the regular concerns in the vehicles. We also interacted with many customers, learning about their likes and dislikes about their vehicles. Really quite an enlightening experience, and it should be quite helpfull in our customer centricity approach. After our Lunch, we went around the town, which was closed due to the Band enforced protesting the murder of the people. We got to see the houses, few churches from outsides and also the locals, then again it was the usual, back to Hotel, Dinner and stuff...
The final day, was quite uneventful, we took our first flight to Kolkata, there after spending a few hours with some family friends, it was back to Mumbai. The last flight was really boring, it was congestion as usual at Mumbai airport, so we flew all the way to Pune and came back and finally landed almost 2 hours late, from there it was a cab ride all the way to Nashik...
Looking back at the visit, I have few regrets that didnt get to do much sightseeing or shopping. But then it was once in a lifetime experience. Having the knowledge that you are in a place which has many problems of extremists, no stable government, seeing the tension on faces of all the people was surely quite chilling, plus being referred to as a Main Land Indian !!!!
So after 2 flights, from Mumbai, there I was in a realatively big town in the middle of no where. The Air Port was a bare basic one, with no buses and stuff. As it is I went to Dimapur in a small ATR plane. The reception at Dimapur was quite an experience, some politicians had come in the same flight after getting assembly elections tickets and so there were few hundred supporters who had come to welcome them, so after waiting for some time, we got in our pick up vehicel - a Bolero (which was obvious) and went to the Dealership. All along the way it felt like we were in a different country all together, seeing the people, type of houses and also the trees. All people there were with the Mongolion features, talking to person who had come to pick us up, we realised that 95% of population of Nagaland were followers of Christianity and English was the official language of the state, that gave all of us a sense of relief, having the knowledge that atleast we would be able to converse easily with the locals there.
So after a quite eventful journey, which mostly involved observing the locals, and trying to count the Mahindra vehicles along the way, we reached the Dealership. Here we met the Dealer Principal, a real Gentleman, who the guided us to our hotel. So after some lunch, rest and seeing India screw the 20-20 game against Australia, we went back to the dealership for the next day planning. Here we got to know the state of affairs in this state. The condition was really quite critical, few people had been murdered the same day. Due to this, the whole town was supposed to remain closed the next day, so went all our hopes of shopping. We also got to learn that there were close to 20 local dialects in the 16 Districts in Nagaland, due to which the locals preffered the use of English. Also because of the condition of roads and also the absence of paved roads in majority of places, Mahindra vehicles were quite popular there, especially the 4x4 ones. So after being advised against leaving the Hotel after 6 PM, we went back to the Hotel. Here also we experienced the life of the locals, locals had dinner by 8 PM and went to sleep early, so by 9 the whole town was shut off. For us it was quite odd, as our days generally end at 11 PM....
The next day, we went to the Dealership and did some work. We saw the vehicles which had come for service there, observed the regular concerns in the vehicles. We also interacted with many customers, learning about their likes and dislikes about their vehicles. Really quite an enlightening experience, and it should be quite helpfull in our customer centricity approach. After our Lunch, we went around the town, which was closed due to the Band enforced protesting the murder of the people. We got to see the houses, few churches from outsides and also the locals, then again it was the usual, back to Hotel, Dinner and stuff...
The final day, was quite uneventful, we took our first flight to Kolkata, there after spending a few hours with some family friends, it was back to Mumbai. The last flight was really boring, it was congestion as usual at Mumbai airport, so we flew all the way to Pune and came back and finally landed almost 2 hours late, from there it was a cab ride all the way to Nashik...
Looking back at the visit, I have few regrets that didnt get to do much sightseeing or shopping. But then it was once in a lifetime experience. Having the knowledge that you are in a place which has many problems of extremists, no stable government, seeing the tension on faces of all the people was surely quite chilling, plus being referred to as a Main Land Indian !!!!
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Auto Expo 2008
Well for those of you who dont know, Auto Expo - a biyearly Auto Show was organized in Delhi between 10-17th Jan. It is one of the biggest Auto shows of Asia and is very good.
I wanted to visit it this year but somehow was finding it not possible, then just on Thrusday I got a call from my Boss saying that instead of a collegue i was being nominated to go to the show !!! Thus I reached the show on Sunday morning after a tiring late night flight....
This year's biggest attraction at the show was the launch of the Tata Nano, the 1 Lakh ($ 2500) car. The car which is believed to change the way people in India travel, a real revolution. Plus there were the usual bells and whistles with the technology showcase by various companies.
After seeing the launch of the nano on the TV, i was real excited to check it out in flesh, and i should tell you, is that i came back impressed. Here was an amazingly cute car, something which was so affordable but still didnt actually feel cheap. Something which people could buy and ferry around their family in, instead of loading their scooters or bikes. I am sure this car will be real hit in the market, and if Tata can maintain reasonable quality in the product, then it can surely sell much more than the Maruti 800.... Here is the Car for the masses, and i am sure it can be sold in many countries like ours be a valuable proposition there.
Apart from the Nano there was not much memorable about the show, the rush seemed much more than my last visit in 2004, which made my passing more time with the cars really difficult. There were some nice cars like the Ferrari 430, Lamborghini Gallardo, plus F1 cars of Renault & Honda and some nice concept cars from GM, Hyundai & Honda. Another major attraction at the expo were the show girls, really pretty bimbettes whose only work there was to pose in their reveaing outfits and keep on circling their respective cars & bikes and pose endlessly for the visitors to click photographs to their heart's content.... Something i didnt enjoy much seeing the frustration on those female's faces !!!!
But overall it was an amazing experience, plus what added to my fun was that this was the first time i was going as an industry insider, as an employee of M&M, I went to many of our suppliers and was really delighted with the response I got, I was painstakingly explained for all the doubts I had, and I also got loads of information for products we could use in our future engines...
So I will now that hope I can visit Auto Expo 2010 too !!!
I wanted to visit it this year but somehow was finding it not possible, then just on Thrusday I got a call from my Boss saying that instead of a collegue i was being nominated to go to the show !!! Thus I reached the show on Sunday morning after a tiring late night flight....
This year's biggest attraction at the show was the launch of the Tata Nano, the 1 Lakh ($ 2500) car. The car which is believed to change the way people in India travel, a real revolution. Plus there were the usual bells and whistles with the technology showcase by various companies.
After seeing the launch of the nano on the TV, i was real excited to check it out in flesh, and i should tell you, is that i came back impressed. Here was an amazingly cute car, something which was so affordable but still didnt actually feel cheap. Something which people could buy and ferry around their family in, instead of loading their scooters or bikes. I am sure this car will be real hit in the market, and if Tata can maintain reasonable quality in the product, then it can surely sell much more than the Maruti 800.... Here is the Car for the masses, and i am sure it can be sold in many countries like ours be a valuable proposition there.
Apart from the Nano there was not much memorable about the show, the rush seemed much more than my last visit in 2004, which made my passing more time with the cars really difficult. There were some nice cars like the Ferrari 430, Lamborghini Gallardo, plus F1 cars of Renault & Honda and some nice concept cars from GM, Hyundai & Honda. Another major attraction at the expo were the show girls, really pretty bimbettes whose only work there was to pose in their reveaing outfits and keep on circling their respective cars & bikes and pose endlessly for the visitors to click photographs to their heart's content.... Something i didnt enjoy much seeing the frustration on those female's faces !!!!
But overall it was an amazing experience, plus what added to my fun was that this was the first time i was going as an industry insider, as an employee of M&M, I went to many of our suppliers and was really delighted with the response I got, I was painstakingly explained for all the doubts I had, and I also got loads of information for products we could use in our future engines...
So I will now that hope I can visit Auto Expo 2010 too !!!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Cars !!!
Well today am going to talk about something thats been going on in my mind for quite a few years...
For people who dont know me, I love cars, and by love I mean they come first (i.e. before the members of the fairer sex). It gets quite evident on listening to my cries on seeing cars getting destroyed in a movie :-(
I have been in love with them for as long as I remember and for me seeing and reading about beautiful cars one of my life's greatest pleasures, and thats the main reason why I am in the industry right now...
I have always associated Cars with people, it goes like whenever i hear about someone from Mom or a friend or something, the first question I ask is which Car do they own. I then relate the level, standard and everything of that person based on the Car they own.
Over the years I have been trying to compile a list of cars with their owners and find a relation between the type / brand of the car with the nature of the owner. I have found quite good co-relations for the same. Though it does not apply to me as I own a Maruti 800 (a gift from Di) and own and drive it coz of its practicality and also cause I dont find it worth to buy a new one, though I do own a Pulsar which is undoubtedly one of the most desired Bikes in this part of the world.
So coming back to the co-relation, I will list a few of my findings in this post and then will make more entries in the future...
BMW - Generally a very Arrogant person, also someone who is self made.
Porsche - A person who loves Technologies and also quite proud of oneself.
Mercedes - The classical Aristocrat, generally owned by a person who always aspired to be rich and is generally a first sign of his / her reaching the level of wealth they always desired.
Rolls Royce - A perfect Gentleman, also the owner would have inherited his wealth to a great extent.
Toyota - A no nonsense person who generally doesnt have a big image and likes to live a non - descript life.
Honda - A person who aspires for a bigger and faster car but settles for a Honda for practical and financial reasons. High probability of street racing !!!
Ferrari - This person loves it all, speed, attention, lifestyle and glamour.
Lamborghini - Generally this person would look very sober on the outside but has a wild streak and this becomes evident on the wheels of the Lamborghini.
Well enough for today, will write about other Brands in the coming days !!!
Ciao !!!
For people who dont know me, I love cars, and by love I mean they come first (i.e. before the members of the fairer sex). It gets quite evident on listening to my cries on seeing cars getting destroyed in a movie :-(
I have been in love with them for as long as I remember and for me seeing and reading about beautiful cars one of my life's greatest pleasures, and thats the main reason why I am in the industry right now...
I have always associated Cars with people, it goes like whenever i hear about someone from Mom or a friend or something, the first question I ask is which Car do they own. I then relate the level, standard and everything of that person based on the Car they own.
Over the years I have been trying to compile a list of cars with their owners and find a relation between the type / brand of the car with the nature of the owner. I have found quite good co-relations for the same. Though it does not apply to me as I own a Maruti 800 (a gift from Di) and own and drive it coz of its practicality and also cause I dont find it worth to buy a new one, though I do own a Pulsar which is undoubtedly one of the most desired Bikes in this part of the world.
So coming back to the co-relation, I will list a few of my findings in this post and then will make more entries in the future...
BMW - Generally a very Arrogant person, also someone who is self made.
Porsche - A person who loves Technologies and also quite proud of oneself.
Mercedes - The classical Aristocrat, generally owned by a person who always aspired to be rich and is generally a first sign of his / her reaching the level of wealth they always desired.
Rolls Royce - A perfect Gentleman, also the owner would have inherited his wealth to a great extent.
Toyota - A no nonsense person who generally doesnt have a big image and likes to live a non - descript life.
Honda - A person who aspires for a bigger and faster car but settles for a Honda for practical and financial reasons. High probability of street racing !!!
Ferrari - This person loves it all, speed, attention, lifestyle and glamour.
Lamborghini - Generally this person would look very sober on the outside but has a wild streak and this becomes evident on the wheels of the Lamborghini.
Well enough for today, will write about other Brands in the coming days !!!
Ciao !!!
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
2008 is here !!!
First of all Happy New Year !!! so 2008 is here and so "Bye Bye" 2007.
Had a wonderful party last night, gr8 music, gr8 food, gr8 dance and loads to drink...
So today had a hang over in office, not much but felt sleepy the whole day. Plus today another first happened in my life.. A lady i asked out refused to come, well for starters it felt odd, somehow it has nvr happened before. But then looking back i have never asked girls who were not my friends and so they never refused, today i asked someone out to make her a friend so i guess its normal to get a "No" for an answer sometime too...
Well one thing is certain 2008 is going to one of the most eventfull years in my life, so i am fully prepared for all the challenges life's gonna throw on me....
Life ! Here I Come !!! Ready to Rock !!!
Had a wonderful party last night, gr8 music, gr8 food, gr8 dance and loads to drink...
So today had a hang over in office, not much but felt sleepy the whole day. Plus today another first happened in my life.. A lady i asked out refused to come, well for starters it felt odd, somehow it has nvr happened before. But then looking back i have never asked girls who were not my friends and so they never refused, today i asked someone out to make her a friend so i guess its normal to get a "No" for an answer sometime too...
Well one thing is certain 2008 is going to one of the most eventfull years in my life, so i am fully prepared for all the challenges life's gonna throw on me....
Life ! Here I Come !!! Ready to Rock !!!
Friday, December 28, 2007
Start
Well its been years since i wanted to start a blog, something i would regularly post my thoughts on... I tried my hand before but some i either lost my patience or my laziness got the better of me...
Its close to 11 PM and while talking to SS, I realised after reading her blog that it was time i started mine and somehow preserved my thoughts. So decided on this common new year resolution with SS that for the next year "Bye Bye Laziness !!!". I am gonna take complete control of what i do and leave all the procastination behind, do what i feel needs to be done when...
So let this be the day when i successfully start this and continue to post weekly if not daily.
More about today, well today was quite an eventfull day. Yesterday Benazzir Bhutto was assasinated. For those who dont know her, she was a former prime minister of Pakistan and had recently come back from exile to contest elections. But now she is no more and my neighbour country is in shambles once more. India had a mixed day in cricket, Australia declared and now we have a target of 499 runs to win, if we manage it, then it will be a world record second innings chase. Rest the day went good in office, work pushed me further away and a good colleague of mine left....
So enough for this first post, more will follow for sure... In the mean time have a rocking new year party and c'ya in 2008 !!!
Its close to 11 PM and while talking to SS, I realised after reading her blog that it was time i started mine and somehow preserved my thoughts. So decided on this common new year resolution with SS that for the next year "Bye Bye Laziness !!!". I am gonna take complete control of what i do and leave all the procastination behind, do what i feel needs to be done when...
So let this be the day when i successfully start this and continue to post weekly if not daily.
More about today, well today was quite an eventfull day. Yesterday Benazzir Bhutto was assasinated. For those who dont know her, she was a former prime minister of Pakistan and had recently come back from exile to contest elections. But now she is no more and my neighbour country is in shambles once more. India had a mixed day in cricket, Australia declared and now we have a target of 499 runs to win, if we manage it, then it will be a world record second innings chase. Rest the day went good in office, work pushed me further away and a good colleague of mine left....
So enough for this first post, more will follow for sure... In the mean time have a rocking new year party and c'ya in 2008 !!!
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