'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, O for grace to trust Him more!

It's the last day of the year.. as it is every year that we reflect and give thanks in the last of days of the year, given the goodness of God in our lives, this song has been continuously going on in my heart.. 

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, And to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise, And to know, “Thus says the Lord!” 

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

King David sings in the Psalms, "Thou crownest the year with thy goodness", but it does apply to all the days of our lives, cos He crowns all of the days of our lives with His goodness.

This year has I've had many blessings, from exploring new places in and out of India, a positive career move, establishing good relationships, while I've also lost few really good friends, and there's a thorn in my flesh as well... 

The good times certainly make me and anyone feel good, and thankful about.. but, I just pray for more of His grace to trust Him more in times of weakness, when temptations take over that I'll still be able to say - Thank you, Lord! 

Wanna wish everyone who's been a part of me, and I've been a part of... A very happy and a richly blessed new year ahead! May His love ever enfold you!

Don’t save it all for Christmas!!!

I’ve seen myself, my family and many other families and churches which save a lot of their love only to shower during Christmas time. Well, I mean there’s a lot of giving in ways of giving to each other, giving to the poor and needy, giving to their neighbors among others that can be seen.. But, why does that giving have to wait till Christmas? Undoubtedly it’s the spirit of Christmas and of the divine gift of Jesus that inspires the act of giving in everyone. But, Jesus was born, and throughout His life, He kept giving.. and He never paused, nor withheld, even to the point that he gave His life so willingly… 

Perhaps the message this Christmas is that we ought to give throughout… whatever we can, sacrificially! Not pause, not withhold till the next Christmas!

Secret Santa works the magic of Christmas!

A recent fun activity (as a part of our employee relations initiative) at our office has triggered off a lot of excitement, and surprisingly some positive connecting. It was the game of Secret Santa. Unfortunately (we thought) a few had picked up names of people who they either didn’t like, had bad relation with, interacted less.. or the least were not much comfortable with. But, they had no choice.. They had to give them goodies over a week, and exchange gifts on the last day. Well, the Christmas spirit was setting in.. and it was a big hit.. People were getting surprises.. and on the last Gift exchange day, when everyone came to know who their secret Santa was, it was all the more surprise, an ACTUAL SURPRISE. What next, see the way the greet each other from the next day onwards.. there’s a newness to it.. There’s a lot of positivity to it!

Cool! So many secret Santas did work the magic of Christmas!

Hate begets hatred, so does terror!

"Bada hoke fauji banoonga... woh logon ko jalaavoonga... maroonga un logon ko", Bada hoke unko maardaloonga", (translated as "I'll be a soldier when I grow up... I will burn them.. I will surely kill them").. These are words of a 5-6 year old who has not even learnt numbers till 10 from Ramesh Sharma's ‘Final Solution’.

‘Hatred begets hatred’, we've all read that. It comes to life as we hear the witness of one or the other terrorist involved in some act of terror quote another act of terrorism against his community in the past which had motivated him to this end. 

While I am in absolute agreement to the fact that there can be no reasoning to committ an act of terror nor to justify one, a look at the various acts of internal terror that infest India show us how, specifically, the extremist and fundamentalist groups create such breeding grounds for terror within. With their hate speeches, acts of  violence like the demolition of Babri Masjid, the rioting that followed across various parts of India, in Godhra. In the midst of all the stones flying, knives, swords and trishuls flashing there’s many a life which didn’t deserve to be treated so, and this one act of terror ignites a spark of vengeance and leads to another act of terror just like the little kid swears in the Final Solution. While these were instances that have come into the notice of international media, there are many such other major and minor acts happening across of which we may not be aware..

These acts of terror are strong indicators to the government, politicians other powerful and influential people in the society to act justly and not be biased on grounds of communal and religious grounds. It’s high time we’ve moved up the ladder socially.

Wonder where has the sanctity of the Great Indian Constitution has gone—

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens: JUSTICE, social, economic and political; LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; EQUALITY of status and of opportunity; and to promote among them all FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;

IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949, do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.

Even as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the constitution during the Republic Day, let’s take a vow to do this from now at least, in all its sanctity!

The Sunday before Christmas...

It was the Sunday before Christmas this year, and we had the Sunday School children presenting the special songs, skit and nativity for Christmas.. It was a very 'cute' presentation indeed, just as Uncle Prince David called it..

As he took over the pulpit to deliver the Sunday's message, he gave us a reality show of the nativity and effectively illustrated the then circumstances and the political, social and judicial framework that existed. The essence of it, perhaps was the way he questioned the audience for response in case the same situation today occurred. If one had adequate ability of imagination, it was a virtual re-living of the times of the birth of Jesus.

• For example, if today there was a call for ‘census registration’, that you had to register at the place of your birth, how convenient it would be to trace and travel to the place of your birth?
  
• For women, they had to travel with their husbands to his place of birth; as if her existence and her place of birth didn’t have any significance, at least anywhere on official registers.
  
• What financial, physical and psychological impact it would have had on you to make necessary travel arrangements and take leave from your workplace to travel back to your place of birth for registration?
  
• Given the rush of travelers, the public means of transport would be running full and all the hotels /  inns would have no space to accommodate you, what would you do?
  
• Moreover, you’ve got your wife with you who’s about to deliver a child any time now, what would you be going through?
  

Amidst all these questions, “the nativity we see in children’s presentation suddenly loses its ‘cuteness’,” he remarked. The meditation went on to examine the gifts wise men brought to Jesus.

Ah! That we were experiencing virtual reality of the times of Jesus’ birth, a few questions went off again…

First— What all security arrangements would we make while traveling with some precious items?  

Specially while journeying in trains, we hide precious items somewhere deep inside the baggage and not only lock our baggage, but we lock them with chains under the seats, and place them where we can keep a watch… Air travelers secure their baggage with insurance as well… So, it must have actually cost the wise men to first procure the gifts that they wished to bring. Also, that they were valuable, they had to perhaps have adequate security arrangements with them by taking along with them necessary guards and sundry… There was a meditation on this for few minutes. The message brought out the difference between a sacrificial gift and a contribution that we make to Jesus; that unless it hurts in giving a gift, it’s only a contribution. Also illustrated by the Pig & Chicken story.

Second— If there were some wise-women instead of wise-men, what gifts would they’ have brought for Jesus?

It was a complete chance for the women to answer, some said Diapers, some said baby clothing, some milk bottle and other necessities they guessed. Given the contrast coming from the responses against the gifts of the wise-men, there was a meditation on the gifts offered by the wise-men.

• Gold— Given that gold was even more rare and a royal possession, in those days; and the fact that Mary and Joseph had to leave their country and travel to Egypt, which was an unknown land, Gold may have helped Joseph to sustain a living by exchanging it for some money over a period of time. Perhaps one of God’s arrangements to secure their financial sustenance in the days to come..

• Frankincense— This has a special significance religiously as frankincense was used extensively in performing religious rites, and it also represented life. In Egypt, frankincense was used extensively, and perhaps, this gift received by Mary & Joseph would have not only helped in personal usage, but also as a means for trade in a new land they were stepping into.

• Myrrh— This too, had a special significance religiously and was highly valuable. It was also used for embalming human bodies after death, this is seen as a gift which was referring to the future of the life of Jesus.
  

In whole, the three gifts represent royalty, priesthood & life and death… In the midst of how many troubles that surround us, God does take care of our needs at all times..

Well, soon after Church service, we’d entered into a time of Fellowship lunch, and it all ended on a very good note of fellowship!

Unite against Internal terror in the name of God!

There's terror stirring within our nation, within the same brotherhood.. where in the name of religion and 'so-called' injustice one community is turning against another and terrorizing the lives of thousands in Orissa. We've all heard the extremists (led by Sangh Parivar) rioting against tribal people (Christian converts) where many were killed and thousands were forced to flee for their lives from their homes and even villages and districts. There are so many finding shelter in refugee camps living in the shade of the sword, terrorized by a group of extremists who go about seeking their death and strike 'em off from the face of the land.

In a protest (yet again) against the murder of Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati (who was leading the Hindutva / VHP movement) .. extremist groups are planning to carry out a state-wide 'Bandh' (Strike) on December 25, 2008 (when Christians across celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ).

It was on December 24, the last year that these fanatics had entered into clashes with the local Christians during Christmas celebrations and raked up the violence, and even today the impact of that fire of hate can be seen in the hearts of so many homeless and suffering innocent. The violence got even worse this year through August and September which also spread into other states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra Gujarat, Karnataka among others. It was a well schemed attack against the Church and innocent Chritstians, and yet this time, they dare to do so. The Orissa government as usual is sleeping over the issue and perhaps will not even awake after any mass destruction (GOD FORBID) that may occur!

Christmas is an event which has changed the course of time, redefined many political, social, legal frameworks for the better.. It celebrates the Divine Gift of God to Man. Love was embodied that day in the form of a child, which was Jesus Christ. And on that day, we seek to hate and kill.

Join in fighting the terror within our nation which is causing a brother rise against another, and creating a hate, violence and disaster struck nation... Pray for the Christians in Orissa and other parts of the country who're constantly facing the threat and live in fear of death from extremist groups who're contributing in no better way but planting seeds of violence and hatred in our wonderful nation..

Raise your voice against this manner of terrorism. There can be no justification for terror, no matter what! To read an account of attacks in Orrissa against Christians by Tehelka, click here: In the name of God

Give me your hand..

The Christmas Message!

I've found the best song of this Christmas season that gives out the Christmas message clear and loud.. Jesus was born to bring love and light to this world. He came as a light into the darkness, to seek out the hopeless, confused and torn.. He is the Savior, he came to seek and save the lost.. He said: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life."

Trust in Jesus, follow him.. be lit by the light of life..

Lyrics: There is a candle.. Go light your world..

There is a candle..
There is a candle in every soul,
some brightly burning some dark and cold..
There is a spirit who brings the fire
Ignites a candle and makes his home

Carry your candle run to the darkness,
Seek out the hopeless confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it,
Take your candle and go light your world

Frustrated brother see how he's tried to,
Light his own candle some other way
See now our sister she's been robbed and lied to..
And still holds a candle without a flame

We are a family whose hearts are blazing,
We raise our candles and light up the sky,
Praying to our father in the name of Jesus,
Make us a beacon in darkest hours...

You can find the video of the song here:

1. http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=DtIIFJIxdUw&feature=related
2. http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=yiSix6Stilo&NR=1

Terrorism teaches us to be just!

"Bada hoke fauji banoonga... woh logon ko jalaavoonga... maroonga un logon ko", Bada hoke unko maardaloonga", (I'll be a soldier when I grow up... I will burn them.. I will surely kill them).. These are words of a 5-6 year old who has not even learnt numbers till 10 from Ramesh Sharma's Final Solution.

You can feel you blood boil and adrenalin pumping listening to the treason, blasphemy, stories and viewing all that hate. Hatred begets hatred, we've all read that. You will see it all come to life as we hear the witness of one after the other oppressed..

I may not be a expert, or a learned man but, what I know is injustice by rulers certainly makes for breeding grounds for hate and the accumulated discontent and frustration among the oppressed vents out in various forms of terrorism - Attacks on prime places, places of worship, murdering, rioting, waging wars among many others...

I wonder if I'd not be wrong to assume, that every terrorist that is, or is in the making has a story of oppression personally, or relating to his family or community. As they say it's never too late; it is actually not late for authorities to start behaving fair and with justice. Perhaps it'll somehow blow chill and cool down the fires of anger and hate that have already consumed many thus far...

How do we often Pray?

We plead for victory when Christ is in us as more-than-conquering life. We beg for Holy Spirit as through He were not already indwelling us, as though He were not yearning for our consent to fill and control us and produce His fruit in our lives. We pray for spiritual & emotional resources as though they were extra bonuses. We forget that they are part of our birthright in Christ.

Competent enough to prevent AIDS?

It's was the first Sunday of December yesterday when the whole world observes AIDS day. Just like last year, it was Uncle Prince David who took the briefing on readying each one to prevent aids, and questioned the audience:

• "Are you educated enough to prevent AIDS?"
• "Are you competent enough to educate how to prevent AIDS?"

A notable fact he'd cited was that in 2006, the number of HIV positive people was about 5.2 (approx) million, but in 2007 the numbers have dropped to 2.4 (approx). Which was not for any obvious reason that the actual numbers have gone down, but due to some changes in WHO parameters for statistics. The pressing fact of the matter is the numbers are phenomenal by any measure.

Nevertheless, what matters most is how much is the rate of this pandemic spreading coming down by.. Let's all educate ourselves about preventing AIDS, and also become competent in educating others how to prevent AIDS.

Give me your hand.. to hold!

The first Christmas programme (Love unraveled, by South & West Delhi ICEU) of the year just ended a few hours ago...

Praise God it was good, and many that attended enjoyed.. There's a moment in all such programmes, where I've had a personal encounter with a special person.. God himself..

Today, it was during the slide show created by Prarthna Dickson, and it was the song that touched my heart.. The lyrics I'm sharing below.. But, what's surprising is.. I saw that slide show yesterday twice, and the newness it had as I watched in the auditorium and the moment of encounter with God.. a truly heavenly feeling.. Thank God for such moments..!

Here's the song:

Give me your hand..

No one would love me
if they knew all the things I hide
My words fall to the floor
As tears drip through the telephone line
And the hands I’ve seen raised to the sky
Not waving but drowning all this time
I'll try to build an ark that they need
To float to you upon the crystal sea

Give me your hand to hold
'Cause I can't stand to love alone
And love alone is not enough to hold us up
We've got to touch your robe
So swing your robe down low
Swing your robe down low

The prince of despair's been beaten
But the loser still fights
Death's on a long leash
Stealing my friends to the night
And everyone cries for the innocent
You say to love the guilty too
And I'm surrounded by suffering and sickness

So I'm working tearing back the roof
And the pain of the world is a burden
And it's my cross to bear
And I stumble under all the weight
I know you're Simon standing there
And I know you're standing there

Challenges for Training function & Trainer’s Role in Global Recession

A talk by Dr. M.B. Athreya

Training Needs in a Recession Scenario—

• Strategising for slowdown: Companies need to evolve a strategy to slowdown their growth in the same manner as they would have planned for robust growth. The market trends may put a real squeeze on the survival of the company and hence a strategy for slowdown is an absolute necessity.

• Rightsizing for survival: Most of us have heard the terms downsizing, but do not mistake rightsizing for downsizing. While downsizing may be an absolute cut-down of manpower, many a time without much a thought to the aftermath of it, but rightsizing is a much more thoughtful and strategized action with a retention plan for high performers which ensures that an organization has optimized its manpower to see it through the recession times.

• Cost reduction: The focus of organizations will be great on reducing costs, and training may be one of the functions where budgets may get impacted majorly. Gone will be days when few days of training meant a nice vacation in a hill station or a swanky hotel. The training function also needs to look at this aspect seriously and assist the organization to reduce costs significantly wherever possible by cutting down on the frills associated with training.

• Retention Marketing: Various market trends and the social disturbances like terrorism attacks have also influenced the consumer buying behaviour, and it’s clearly emerging that companies will have to focus on retention marketing. The focus here is going to be mostly on retaining a customer even if the margins earned are lesser.

• Flexibility for upturn: In all the various HR measures to the see the organization through the pressures of global recession, the organization with a strategy and action plan for slowdown can retain the flexibility and muscle to revive and take an upturn when market show a positive trend. Organizations must not become so lean and weak in terms of market image that they have lost the ability to take an upturn when trends seem to change.

Trainers’ Role—

• Proactive alert to top management: Trainer’s role takes precedence when there’s an action plan proactively presented to the management. Training managers must be able to foresee the impact on the organization in the coming times and identify areas where the function can significantly contribute to the sustainability of the organization.

• Mobilising all employees & Create awareness of the big crisis: With tough times in the economy, and organizations across making different moves, there’s certainly an unrest that creeps into the employees mindset. Therefore, it’s very necessary to create awareness among employees about the recession, it’s impact and the uncertainties anticipated in the near future.

• Low-cost Training & Instant use of the Learning: A lot of debates have happened on this significant area in the training function - Measuring the results and the transfer of learning onto the job, but in tough times like recession, it’s time to exhibit the results in a more visible manner, and focus on the instant use of learning acquired from various training initiatives.

Action Plan for Training Managers —

• Prepare a recession training plan: Just as the organization needs to strategize for slowdown, even the function needs to draft a recession training plan to ensure that the function is aligned with organizational objectives and strategy for a given period of time.

• Note/Presentation to Top Management: A presentation may be given to the top management with the recession training plan to keep the chief executives informed and also to get their perspective and optimize the recession training plan.

• Train mostly with internal resources: Well focus on cost reduction certainly points out to identifying talent within the organization that can be used as internal trainers or training resources by selecting individuals from various functions and engagements and utilizing them aptly.

• Select external expertise: External resources always bring in a thought from the world around, and share the best practices from various other organizations, so wherever required, external expertise needs to be employed for training.

• Real time measurement of results: “The market will discipline the industry”, an expert spoke. It’s time to buckle up tight for the ride where questions on the result of trainings and return of investment will be plenty. The measurement mechanisms of training function also better be in place to justify the same!

Profile of the Speaker:
Dr. Mrithyunjay Athreya (M.B. Athreya) is a Management Advisor of great international repute. He has a doctorate in Business Administration from Harvard Business School, USA besides being a Gold Medallist in Cost Accountancy. He taught at Indian Institute of Management, Kolkata, London Business School, and Scottish Business School. He has been Director on many corporate boards. He has acted as Chairman and Member of many Government Policy Committees. Particular mention may be made of Athreya Committee on Telecom Sector, which paved the way for Telecom Revolution of last fifteen years.

O Lord of my heart!

Sitting in the church, this song was playing over and over again in my mind.. and I thought I'd share it here with everyone.. It's just a verbalization of my thoughts and feelings.. this lovely old hymn!

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all..

Terrorism - Too little, too late!

Media's been zooming into the goings-on at the Taj as we all watched dumbstruck, and it continued broadcasting the events that followed with a stir in political realms..

All that the opposition parties could come up with against the government was that 'It was too little, too late'. But, even as the opposition party members kept maintaining with the media 'this is not the time to talk about differences', they must've really really been thinking when Shivraj Patil resigned, "Why didn't we get a chance to snap at the government? We could have got some media light in the wake of elections to do some damage to the ruling party.. Grrr... we lost a golden chance!" I'm sure they've been thinking that..

Through Praise, we can be...

“Sorrowful, yet rejoicing”, and “Learn to triumph in Our Hope”

Through Praise You Can:

• Strengthen your Faith

• Tune into God’s enriching Presence: God inhabits the Praise of His people. He is seated on the throne of our praise.

• Activate God’s Power: Praise is that slender nerve that moves God’s mighty hand. Consider the King Jehoshophat’s battle, how the Lord had delivered him through Praise and Worship.
  

• Profit more from your trials: Praise can turn Trials into Triumphs. Praise will help us identify that ‘Distressing circumstances are God’s blessings in disguise’. Praise so that you’re faith strengthens and quality of endurance is produced in you. Praise is a catalyst that speeds up God’s maturing process in your life.
  

• Help you experience Christ ‘as’ your life: Any born again Christian is “dead to sin, but alive to Christ”. Death does not necessarily means being annihilated but being separated. It means our innermost being is separated from sin, it is no longer our nature and we no longer need to let it be our master. Our sin springs from our old sinful tendencies that are no longer our true identity.
  

• Demonstrate God’s reality in a Secular & Materialistic society: Refer Romans 11:33-34. Secularism means God and his will has no part in our lives.
  

• Overcome Satan and His Crafty Strategies: Even the highly educated have turned to Spiritism, to the occult and Satan worship. He gets us preoccupied with him in ways that seem to be strategic to our spiritual warfare. It’s a serious mistake to underestimate Satan’s power, but a tragedy to overestimate it. Any Praise thwarts Satan. Make your praise more powerful by coupling it with God’s word, which is a double-edged sword.
  

• Bring Glory & Pleasure to God: This is something no one but you on this earth or in heaven can give: “the love and adoration of your heart”. Sometimes people try to attach praise unto an indifferent or self willed life, hoping for an emotional lift or special visible rewards. And sometimes, even a disobedient Christian can get into a mood of worship or experience high while listening to Praise music CDs and cassettes. After all, pagans worshiping false gods also experience times of ecstasy. But neither a disobedient Christian nor the pagan honor the true Living God. So how can their praise be a joy to God?
  

Worship is more than emotional turn on. It includes offering ourselves to God, to be His servants, to do His will – nothing more, nothing less, nothing else. It means we radically change our goals. We chose basic life goals that are centered in Cod: to know Him better, to love Him with all our being, to do His will at any cost, to Glorify Him and to please Him.

“O Lord Jesus, my beloved, may I be a joy to thee”. Out of such surrender & worship flows the kind of Praise that fully honors and glorifies and delights God!

Giving thanks in every Situation...

(...continued from 31 days of praise)

Sometimes when we are down, we really are upset and disgusted with the situations. We sometimes feel, 'How long will this be - rejected by the society and sometimes even left by God!' At such times, do we really feel thankful? Doesn’t thanking in such a situation mean hypocrisy? How then, can we be thankful in times of distress & trouble?

The Holy Bible doesn’t command us ‘to feel’ thankful in every situation. It doesn’t command us to ‘manufacture positive feelings’. Instead, it commands us to ‘GIVE THANKS’ whether you are in good situation or in bad, whether you are experiencing high or low. A man of God put it this way: “To give thanks when you don’t feel like, it is not hypocrisy; it’s obedience”.

31 Days of Praise

A book I purchased some 3 years ago authored by Ruth Myers.. It was a good refreshing one, I found it so useful, that I just passed it onto someone and asked him to keep it passed on.. A few quotes from this..

• We need to cultivate a lifestyle of Praise which is the basic response that our Lord God looks for.
• Worship is a beautiful crown adorned with two jewels. One jewel is Praise; the other one is Thanksgiving.
• Of all the gifts we offer, the chief gift is offering ourselves.
• Praise and give thanks for three things: “Who He is; What He Does; and What He Gives.

Will put up more from this book shortly..

Employee Engagement in action!

Listed are a few HR initiatives which could ensure maximum engagement of employee with any organization could be--

1. Periodical Communication / Discussion Platforms (Townhall / Org-wide update / Business Development Update) with employees - Everybody would like to know what's happening with their organization. Whether we accept it or not, there's always rumour mills running, and the best way to clear confusion to employees would be a monthly or quarterly Townhall meeting followed by a MoM / Letter of Update from Management. Townhalls would give a greater experience for the sheer joy of meeting up with a senior management member.
2. Fun at Work - Out of 5 or 6 working days, perhaps 1 hour in a week can be taken out for 'Fun at Work', which would be a great destressor for everyone, and also motivate employees. You can arrange for small games, the objective being 'fun at work', and 'not winning'. Most organizations have it already, in a more informal way. It just needs a little more branding and institutionalization. These little things somewhere add up to a more healthier workplace. The only thing at the end is that you need to look at the ROI of these things in terms of engagement of employees at work, retention and healthier workplace climate rather than monetary returns.
   
3. Reward & Recognition Programme (A scoreboard defining the Hot-Shots / Hi-Performers of the Company on a display to all) - It's not necessary that all rewards & recognition provided to employee have a significant monetary bearing on the organization. A board of fame like this on display to everyone would surely create an enthusiasm and get the adrenaline pumping to get their names up there. Of course, a little difference here and there can surely add zing and spice up the competition to perform. Even a board for TLs (Team Leader)/ PMs (Project Manager) specially can get them running. Only, the criteria of judging best performers must be clear and transparent to all to avoid negative crop-up of issues.
4. Appraisal / Increment Clarity - It is natural and acceptable for employees to think that appraisal means or would result in salary increment. So, it is the Management / HR Communication through various initiatives which needs to make it clear that while increments would only be effective once a year, mid term appraisals have a bearing on the same, or whatever wise the policy of the company states.This small clarification does wonders.. do not underestimate it.
   
5. Goal Setting - Employees are lost and are in absolute 'lost' situation with only 'perceived' and 'assumed' goals about their work. At least for employees with a vintage of 6 months, you may encourage the team to team to do goal setting for the next 6 months. This will ensure focus and goal-orientedness for organizational delivery to be aligned with primary objectuves at all levels all the time. This ideally, needs to be a top-down exercise, where first SBU heads have their goals, which then are cascaded to Project Managers, TLs, and eventually to the bottomline drivers. Alignment certainly can't work any other way.
6. Career Pathing - This can be clubbed with Goal Setting, where the focus is on employee development for progression and promotion. This needs individual attention and a plan for employee to attain necessary skills to move up the ladder professionally through necessary trainings, and skills development programmes which can be critical for taking up advanced roles as the employee gains vintage in the organization. A great motivator / and keeps employee on track.
7. Early Warning Indicators (EWIs) - Most of the IT companies follow the practise of EWIs, which is a tool managed by TLs to keep abreast with attrition, and help them plan proactively. Typically, this is done twice a month, at the beginning and at the end of every month. This tool helps determine the attrites in advance, and help taking any proactive steps to retain or replace as the case may be with individual employees.
8. Culture Building - Policy Sessions - Each organization has its own culture and values specified, and it's necessary to ensure all employees align themselves to the same. If communication about organization policies / events / values does not happen regularly, the reinforcement is lost. Typically, this are only done during the New Joinee Induction only. But, human nature easily tends to forget it with time. For this, some refresher sessions, or some sessions on regular basis about different policies need to be conducted to ensure adherence to organizational policies and values thus establishing an organization's Culture.
9. Employee Satisfaction Index & HR Skips - Employees certainly have many issues and feedback which they may not share with their TLs or operations managers. If not given an opportunity for them to speak, they would start talking among themselves and creating a parallel communication channel which may be unhealthy for the organization. Therefore, it is necessary for HR to give them a channel / platform to voice their concerns through open-house sessions and SKIPs to make actionables as necessary and give back the feedback. This will also ensure that the employee satisfaction as far as work and work environment is concerned stays high.
10. Team-Building Initiatives (Budget Driven) - Lead by the PM / TL, the teams could have some time off-work or on-site activities which may lead to more bonding and cohesiveness of team members for better performance as a whole. A org-wide consensus needs to arrive at this for implementation as it may have a significant financial bearing..

These need to take place in organization with Operations & HR Collaboration to make them more productive and bring better ROI to the organization.

O, She was young and beautiful!

(A song composed out of Proverbs chapter 5, which I heard in '99 during the CMTC camp at Kotagiri)

Proverbs Chapter 5

She was young and beautiful
She was anytime on the phone, I talked o her all the time
She said that she loves me and be with me all of my life
Honey drips from her lips and sweeter were her words
I thought she's the one and only woman of my life

O She lied all the time!
She had many others on her mind
She wasted all the time and made me cry all night..

All these things made me recall Proverbs Chapter 5
Wrong became the trend, bitter was the end
Wasterd were all those days, so foolish were my ways
I've come to be much wise, to a stranger woman is disguise..

O she lied all the time..!

Bond with your boss..

Though I'm of an opinion that each should bond with their bosses, what I've generally experienced is what is shared below-

Bonding over a period of time leads to cohesiveness; and cohesiveness leads to things happening on a very personal level. Trust me when I say then, bonding crosses the professional limitations.. if not, I'd suggest it's not bonding at all. But then, "Survival of the fittest" operates strongly in the corporate jungle. Well, when it comes to survival, any bond comes after 'ME', even for one's boss. Leaving apart the exceptions who go the extra mile, bonding, in my experience has failed to work in the corporate world, where it's all about cut-throat wars.

And yes, there's always a chance where bonding may somewhere also divert focus from work deliveries. Bosses can't really can't talk hard for results, deliveries on time etc. because of the personal touch (or who knows, some even do). So, bonding, in it's sanctity, is actually not done!

But, yes, as a fashionable and another wasteful word that can be used by management to adorn their hollow practices... and they call for team bonding activities, and a few also allocate budgets for team-building exercised and outing to encourage bonding among colleagues. But, that bonding as I already said is with a non-connecting emotional distance, which is like, I'm not doing this cos I wanna do it, but I'm doing this cos I have to.

I hope somebody would be able to see some reality in these words. Don't take it for a pessimistic POV, it's just experiences..

National Prayer Alliance

For the will of God, and the love of a nation!

It's mostly out of my Mom's force that I go to Jesus Calls meetings, and so it was even with this one being led by Dr. Paul Dinakaran. After an hour and a half long drive from Dwarka, we reached this venue near Civil Lines. I wasn't expecting the sight which caught my eye, thought it was usual for Dinakarans' meetings. Though the number wasn't so great, it was an absolute delight to see young, old, men and women gathering in one accord and pray for one cause...

The agenda was to pray for the six states in which elections were going to be held. Delhi, Mizoram, Chattisgar, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Jammu & Kashmir. The agenda was this simple... Pray for God's will to be done in these few states, that the leaders coming into authority will be after God's will, and that which get elected may be led in the fear and love of our Lord Jesus.

What's touching, is the spirit of the multitudes as they raise their hands towards heavens and shout out in agreement.. Ah! It's truly a national prayer alliance for the will of God and the love of our nation! After returning home, I felt good and blessed I did go there.. thanks to my Mom :)

LK Advani & Gangs on a Chicken Run

LK Advani and his Sangh Parivar associates are on a chicken run. Thanks to ATS revelation of terror linked with people in safrron! What I've been failing to understand, rather the whole intelligent lot digging the case is 'If one religion's leaders can be accused of sedition and violence, why are not the Sangh Parivar leaders not being arrested, and put to judgment?'

LK Advani has been a lifetime supporter of the militant Hindu fundamentalism, and has led many such militant and Hindu fundamentalist movements like the Babri Masjid demolition, and the continued 'Rath Yatras' and 'whatnot yatras' during the election time and other wise which only lead to endless violence and hate among communities and always have resulted in rioting between communities.

LK is now the BJPs prime ministerial candidate for the coming elections, and now he's on a facelift exercise to his personal image and the party's image. No doubt that the party has a few intellectual and able leaders, but the roots of the party ideology called 'Hindutva' run deep in them. The point of fear here is that the idea of 'Hindutva' stems out of violence and terrorism. Though the nation's consitution and judicial framework has not given the propogaters the latitude they need, this nation would have been still waging civil wars and rioting within taking it to doom.

The idea of 'Hindutva' is based on hate, intolerant and selfish motives by a few militant Hindu fundamentalists and the implementers of the idea are such inhuman and merciless mercenaries, that images of that brutality can be seen in the demolition of Babri masjid, the riots that followed, the Godhra burning, the Gujarat riots, burning of Staines' family, the blood-thirst killing of tribal Christians across parts of India, and continued attacks across various parts of the nation of India. These are all just glimpses of the pitiable idea called 'Hindutva' generated by a terrorist group called Sangh Parivar where all parties like BJP, VHP, RSS, Bajrang dal among others.

Take a search of Sangh Parivar, or why, visit their site: www.sanghparivar.org and read through what hate they spit, what ideas they propogate, and how dubious they stand in their own partnership with each other in the parivar. Also, remember, Nathuram Godsey, who murdered Gandhi, the father of our nation was also a RSS supporter, or had his ideas nurtured by the Sangh Parivar.. and the most dismal of all, is that the Sangh Parivar is absolutely unapologetic towards any of their disastrous and inhuman acts. What else do we call terrorism?

I urge everyone to please educate yourself about the ideas of Sangh Parivar which propogates Hindutva - a terrorist idea, and create awareness around the same.

Coming back to LK Advani, no matter how much he may try, the ghosts of his past will certainly haunt his future, and no matter how much he may try to cover his wolverine instincts in sheep's clothing and bleeting, his ideas are vicious, his influence is violence and his roots are from a terrorist organization!

Making right decision ain't so easy...

Remember the decision making puzzle on group of children playing on two railway tracks? If you haven't heard that, it is given below (a popular email forward, though)...

I was facing a similar kind of situation a month back, when I had limited number of job openings and a whole lot of applicants.. and everyone was trying their best to influence by getting recommendations. Recommendations, such that they would surely get the job. There are other eligible and more qualified ones too... but, it was a matter of collective decision, cos the recommendation went at all levels of selection.. though we all know the others have not made a mistake to get them one opportunity less and allowing a fair competition, we do such things, many a time out of choice, sometime out of helplessness. Anyways, who said the life's easy and the world fair? Wonder if I'd say the same thing if were in the receiving end.

For now, here's the Railway Track and Group of Children puzzle:
A group of children were playing near two railway tracks, one still in use while the other disused. Only one child played on the disused track, the rest on the operational track.

The train is coming, and you are just beside the track interchange. You can make the train change its course to the disused track and save most of the kids. However, that would also mean the lone child playing by the disused track would be sacrificed. Or would you rather let the train go its way?

Let's take a pause to think what kind of decision we could make................

...

Most people might choose to divert the course of the train, and sacrifice only one child. You might think the same way, I guess. Exactly, I thought the same way initially because to save most of the children at the expense of only one child was rational decision most people would make, morally and emotionally. But, have you ever thought that the child choosing to play on the disused track had in fact made the right decision to play at a safe place?

Nevertheless, he had to be sacrificed because of his ignorant friends who chose to play where the danger was. This kind of dilemma happens around us everyday. In the office, community, in politics and especially in a democratic society, the minority is often sacrificed for the interest of the majority, no matter how foolish or ignorant the majority are, and how farsighted and knowledgeable the minority are. The child who chose not to play with the rest on the operational track was sidelined. And in the case he was sacrificed, no one would shed a tear for him.

The great critic Leo Velski Julian who told the story said he would not try to change the course of the train because he believed that the kids playing on the operational track should have known very well that track was still in use, and that they should have run away if they heard the train's sirens. If the train was diverted, that lone child would definitely die because he never thought the train could come over to that track! Moreover, that track was not in use probably because it was not safe. If the train was diverted to the track, we could put the lives of all passengers on board at stake! And in your attempt to save a few kids by sacrificing one child, you might end up sacrificing hundreds of people to save these few kids.

While we are all aware that life is full of tough decisions that need to be made, we may not realize that hasty decisions may not always be the right one.

"Remember that what's right isn't always popular... and what's popular isn't always right."

Everybody makes mistakes; that's why they put erasers on pencils.

Terrorism has no religion ‘now’!

Indian politicians (specially BJP and Gang) and other religious leaders are now singing – ‘Terrorism has no religion’. So far it’s been a question very aptly scripted in ‘Shoot on Sight’, which is “Why is every terrorist a Muslim?” With the revealing investigations of Malegon blasts it’s become clear (without drawing conclusions) that there is a fair chance of Hindu extremists involved directly in the incident. Thankfully, it’s just not me who’s realized that but a couple of few Hindu extremist leaders including politicians who’ve also come to terms with the fact, and are singing the chorus now – ‘Terrorism has no religion’. The last of bamboozlers to admit that, finally..

Love's got me again

I really wonder, if it is love actually? But I'm pretty sure it feels a lot like love... I don't really know what to say.. We get all excited at what we find, but it's only later (which we do not know when it is) that we really know if we did find love or not, ain't that so?

As for me, love remains Utopian for the very sanctity of it to beheld. We hear all the speech, that it's a great feeling to love rather than to be loved.. but, with experience, I've come to believe that love is as much for the other person to receive as much as it is for me to give. So as long as there is a receiver, whether active or passively, my love remains.

As I think of writing this, I cannot forget all that I've already written in parts in different posts, a mix of all those thoughts running in my mind.. whether it's just friends with/without faces and odd little names, or is it priceless words for people, or am I just trying to be a jerk living my lover of love dream? Whatever it is, I'll try to avoid my missed calls...

I know many who's reading this is lost! But, dear, it's my blog, my pour out! Tis ok if you don't get the head or tail of it!

Quotes from 'Memoirs of a Geisha'

From my 2006 Diary: These are quotes from the movie 'Memoirs of a Geisha', pl do correct in case of any mistakes..

• "You cannot read loss, you can only feel it" (When Sayuri, as a little girl is being read the news of her parents' death)

• "Don't be afraid to look at me" (Twice spoken by the Chairman to Sayuri 1. as a little girl on the bridge, 2. as a Geisha when he reveals his efforts towards her)

• "The heart dies a slow death, shedding each hope like leaves until one day there are none, no hopes; nothing remains."

• "She paints her face to hide her face, her eyes are deep water. It is not for Geisha to want, it is not for Geisha to feel. Geisha is the artist of a floating world."

• "She dances, she sings, she entertains you, very way you want. The rest is shadows; the rest is secret"
• "You cannot say to the sun, more sun; nor to the rain, less rain."

• "To a man, Geisha can only be a half wife. We are the wives of the nightfall."

• "To learn of kindness after so much unkindness; to understand that the little girl has more courage than she knew; would find her prayers were answered, can that not be called happiness? After all, these are not memoirs of an empress, nor of a queen, these are memoirs of another kind"

This was one very good movie.. can watch it again, anytime!

Chewing the cud - 'Anyway'

Found this from my '98 Diary, reading it was like chewing my cud.. posting it here now..

People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.
The favors you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do favors anyway.
Honesty and Frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years in building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.
People really need help, but may attack you if you help. Help them anyway.
Give the world your best, and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Keep giving the world the best you've got anyway. Always!

I looked up the internet, and looks like these words were authored by Dr. Kent M. Keith

Our savior does not cast us off!

As I keep diverting my focus that leads me away from the Lord and realize it, I can't help but think of Kefa (Peter), to whom Jesus Christ said, that He will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Later on, during the trial of Jesus, Peter disowns Jesus thrice, and declares not knowing Him.

Being the Lord of all the heavens and the earth, Jesus surely knew what wrong and right things Peter would do, but He still chose to bless him with the keys of the kingdom of heaven without any conditions whatsoever. Well, knowing all our weaknesses, is it not an evidence that our Savior will not cast of us off? I was encouraged these lines I came across in a ' Our Daily Bread' reading:

Our Savior does not cast us off
because we fail or turn aside;
He wins us back through ways of love
That in His love we may abide

"God can transform tragedies into triumphs"

Amen!

Raj Thackeray and his bloody speech

We all have heard what chaos and violence caused due to the sedition and stirring up of strife on regionalism by Raj Thackeray's venemous speeches and comments.. I just came across this piece of news on The Times of India, and then I recollected a chain mail that went about which is given below the piece of news.. Just sharing something that had to come a lot long back..

SMSes lampoon Raj & MNS stand (From Times of India (Delhi) 29 Nov, 08)
Politicians and their tall promises of bringing the guilty to book have been flogged on the SMS network. But we bring you one SMS that stood out from the rest. It read: ‘Where is Raj Thackeray and his “brave’’ Sena? Tell him that 200 NSG commandos from Delhi (no Marathi manoos, all south and north Indians) have been sent to Mumbai to fight the terrorists so that he can sleep peacefully tonight at Shivaji Park. Please forward this so that it finally reaches the coward bully.’

We should support Raj Thackeray.. (Chain Mail)
Yes, we all should support Raj Thackeray and take his initiative ahead by doing more...

1. We should teach our kids that if he is second in class, don't study harder.. just beat up the student coming first and throw him out of the school
2. Parliament should have only Delhiites as it is located in Delhi
3. Prime-minister, president and all other leaders should only be from Delhi
4. No Hindi movie should be made in Bombay. Only Marathi.
5. At every state border, buses, trains, flights should be stopped and staff changed to local men
6. All Maharashtrians working abroad or in other states should be sent back as they are SNATCHING employment from Locals
7. Lord Shiv, Ganesha and Parvati should not be worshiped in our state as they belong to north (Himalayas)
8. Visits to Taj Mahal should be restricted to people from UP only
9. Relief for farmers in Maharashtra should not come from center because that is the money collected as Tax from whole of India, so why should it be given to someone in Maharashtra?
10. Let's support Kashmiri Militants because they are right in killing and injuring innocent people for the benefit of their state and community..
11. Let's throw all MNCs out of Maharashtra, why should they earn from us? We will open our own Maharashtra Microsoft, MH Pepsi and MH Marutis of the world
12. Let's stop using cellphones, emails, TV, foreign Movies and dramas. James Bond should speak Marathi
13. We should be ready to die hungry or buy food at 10 times higher price but should not accept imports from other states
14. We should not allow any industry to be setup in Maharashtra because all machinery comes from outside
15. We should STOP using local trains... Trains are not manufactured by Marathi manoos and Railway Minister is a Bihari
16. Ensure that all our children are born, grow, live and die without ever stepping out of Maharasthra, then they will become true Marathis

But all these are only for Marathi peoples.
RAJ THACKERAY is excluded from this…

His children are going English medium school but any other Marathi children must go to Marathi schools…..

Jai Maharashtra …………… Jai Shivaji………………

I feel global, thank you FeedJIT

I use Feedburner to keep a track of people visiting my blog, and to have a pulse of what's being read mostly. Though it's good, I've stumbled upon this even better gadget for blogs called FeedJIT. Since I'd put it up on my website, boy I'm glad to see I have visitors from various parts of the world, US, Australia, Dubai, Malaysia, Italy, Britain, Iran, Canada, and a few from India too ;-)

Boy, feels global isn't it...

Well, I would request visitors to please leave comments and also your suggestions as to if you've found what you're looking for, or you may request content.. I'd be glad to provide it out if I can. Maybe I should look for a gadget 'Request / Suggest Topic / Content'. Should do that certainly! Well, for now, this feels great! :)

Do we need restrictions on Diwali?

Environment friendliness is the last thing one can think of on Diwali night, barring the few exceptions, of course. The next day, we have all the brilliant news channels giving their analysis of how much better or worse the air was polluted this year as against the previous years.

Even with so much emphasis on global-warming and the environmental hazards, many would simply not take heed.. Here's some details on what problems the chemicals used in the fire-crackers can cause--

• Copper: Irritation of respiratory tract
• Cadmuim: Anemia and damage to kidney
• Lead: Affects the nervous system
• Magnesium: Dust and fumes cause metal fume fever
• Sodium: Reacts violently with moisture and can attack the skin.
• Zinc: Leads to vomiting
• Nitrate: Could lead to mental impairment
• Nitrite: Could lead to coma

In the US and European countries, I hear they have strict laws on usage of Fire-Crackers. People are allowed to use fire-crackers only on Independence days. 'We're actually lucky to be Indians', we get to use fire crackers for the smallest of celebrations if we want to.. Guess the authorities need to give this a fair bit of thought about restrictions on Diwali... no religion here.. only scientific reasons!

Friends who're reading this... Go Green! Say no to explosives this Diwali.. Happy Diwali!

Look what I'd found...

While on a jog last evening, I found this trampled piece of paper which I picked... I guess it was from some school news magazine, here are two couplets / poems in there...

Poem 1: No Title (the title got torn)
A light appeared like a dot
But it was there in deep rich sky
It was growing bigger slowly,
After a struggle of years,
After shedding blood and tears
There came a time
When hope was its prime
The little glow was no-where to be seen
Because the whole sky was white and clean!

Poem 2: Honesty
Learn to be honest,
Never tell a lie
For honesty is a virtue
That asks 'why'
So if for the truth you care,
Peace of mind would always be there...

The above poems seem to be have been contributed by some Gaganpreet Kohli, IX-C..

Where have all the experts gone?

Who had ever dreamed that the worlds leading banks and corporations like Citibank, Lehman, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley among many others would hold a begging bowl and go to the federal for loans? And look what the have!

These companies have the best of talent.. And all the toppers from the best of B-Schools are hired by these giants first, and many would do a great deal to earn a job in these companies.. But.. what happened? Couldn't all the experts, the cream of talent not predict what they (their companies) were heading to?

Coming up...

I've happened to finally find my notes (and Amit Paul Kerketta's) of UESI's 1999 CMTC camp at Kotagiri, and want to soon publish the best of them, especially on Relationships, Finding God's will apart from the DIY of Quiet Time, Personal & Group Bible study.. and yes.. with all the attacks happening on Christians in India, there was also a session on 'Christian response to persecution' which I'd like to share.. All of them coming up on http://youngpeopleinchrist.blogspot.com

Plague of insects on Delhi

Since over 5 days Delhi NCR is plagued with those tiny insects.. in such large numbers.. guess this is the first time so many insects are flying around, and everyone I know is complaining about them...

I got a real feel of them while I was on riding my bike at about 23:30 hrs yesterday and everytime I passed under a street light, there was a shower of those insects, and yucks!!! But, it just made me recall the great plague of locusts (of the ten plagues) that was sent on Egypt when he was persecuting God's chosen ones.. Those locusts didn't just fly around.. they just consumed everything on their way... I think I have some realistic estimate of what that would've been like!

To sell in the secular world.. Cosmic Ordering!

'Twas sometime in 2006, I was approached by a classmate from my MBA times to write for his client who was publishing a paperback on 'Cosmic Ordering' for the American audience. At that time I was looking for some freelancing assignment for writing, and I was glad this had come up.. that too from a class mate. When I said 'Yes', I had no clue what Cosmic ordering was all about.. Thanks to Google, I had found, perhaps the only few links that exist on the subject.. (Today, Google the word 'Cosmic Ordering', and you'll find a whole lotta links, though).

I had taken an ambitious deadline (of 21 days for 25000 words content) for submission as the client was in a hurry... What surprised me as I explored was that Cosmic Ordering is no new concept. It was a very religiously applied practice across many world religions.. It was a simple concept of 'Prayer', being creatively crafted (rather fudged) to sell in the secular world. I had an understanding of the very concept in the Christian way.

Here's the Christian version of Cosmic Ordering:
The Bible says "All things work for good for they that love the Lord". Also, Jesus said "Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you."

Cosmic Ordering, in my personal interpretation broadly says, "You make a wish and the whole cosmos (all things) will work towards making your wish come true." Well, get into details of Cosmic ordering, and you'll see it's just not about making a wish, but there's more to it..

Having realized that, I was divided in my mind, if or not I should be going ahead with writing for the paperback, cos I'd be writing in something I didn't believe in. I'd sold my soul to the devil for just a opportunity as I went ahead to write a draft for paperback with 7 chapters and some 25,000 words which got rejected due to some reasons of adaptation to the American market. God, I was glad it did get rejected.. Cos, I was divided within myself about it. And it meant manipulation, and diverting people from the truth to an illusion that doesn't exist.

Cosmos is created and controlled. There's no nature's law. It's just God's law that nature obeys. Why to order the cosmos when you have access to make a request with one who controls the cosmos? Forget Cosmic Ordering, get Praying! Pray to the true God, and you'll see the way.. I'm glad that I (my draft) was not sold in the secular world, just for the sake of it! This is just another new-age doctrine, and deviation from the truth.. deceiving others and deceiving themselves..

Do we grow to be more insensitive?

"I couldn't agree more with you!"a online friend without face exclaimed as soon I asked him that question. Not that many don't see what I see, and it's also not that all see what I see..

How many of us have made a very good friend or have a great relationship like the ones we've made during out school times or college times. Surely after we've crossed the age of 23 plus minus a year, we don't have that great a relationship to talk about.. Even when people fall in love, only a few end up marrying and the rest break-up.. again, a not-so-long-lasting relationship. Leaving a few exceptions aside, look at the reasons for the broken relationships, and you'll find the reasons would be more to do with some personal needs of ours or the others in the relation.

Growing old, we start thinking about objectives, we try to find a reason in every action / relation of ours sooner or later and end in some cases by breaking up as objectives are not met mutually or others continue for some ends to meet.. In the process may be some feelings grow and we become sensitive towards each other, but.. in principle, we all become more objective oriented and grow insensitive even as we grow older. Thoughts anyone?

Talent wars, no more... for now only

Gone are the days when the recruitment teams would relentlessly make calls to lure candidates from the market with their offers, and when the HR team would try hard to retain employees... With the whole global financial crisis, the recruitment teams are taking a bit of rest from this, but HR seems to have a reversed problem now...

The HR team really isn't spending much time on talking to people who are resigning voluntarily unless required. It's just a easy go for whoever wants to. Apparently, given the talent wars, it looks like companies have hired buffer staff to face the onslaught of attrition. However, with the latest market trends it's the same buffer talent which is first on the firing line now. We've all heard the big news of Jet Airways sacking 1900 even as they say more is in pipeline. What we have not heard so loud in the media is about the many other companies which are on the same act in small proportions, and some even more.

Well, even the employees who used to throw their weight around demanding for all benefits, this and that with all their tantrums are also kinda getting silent, cos they've analyzed the market situation and know there's no jobs readily available for them to give a good bargain. In effect, the talent wars right now has taken a setback.

As they say, the economy will discipline the industry, and it's perhaps times of crisis like this which will get back the gung-ho markets and even the high-headed to some discipline, and back to basics... But, yes, the talent wars are no more... for now only!

Did we love at all?

It’s a great feeling when people fall in love... whether or not they know it’s love or just infatuation, one thing is for sure... the expressions they make and the thoughts they verbalize... sure they feel that nothing like this has happened before, and that this is the best thing that has ever occurred to them.. Also that this is what they want the most, ever more than anything, and this is the best time of their lives..Well, it's not just people, but even me ditto..

People in love.. come a break-off, and hear us out.. there is no one worse than the loved person, and there’s no one more hated than their erstwhile lovers, and this is when the question arises, “Did we love at all?”

Love, as I’ve learnt it from experiences, and scriptures, is something way beyond what we actually practise and profess it to be.. and by that yardstick (Love is?), we did not love at all. All that emotion that we have had and felt, and so passionately reciprocated do not matter at all..

The ensuing emotion of repulsion an hatred after a break-off, as understood is a impulse emotion, but, yes, if someone did love at all... just let your love endure.. That’s when you can really say: Yes, I did love! And it did endure!

A measure of Love

¶Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

¶Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

¶Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part...

...and now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.

What calamities can occur to us?

I came across this quote by Ambrose Bierce, which says:

"Calamities are of two kinds: misfortune to ourselves; good fortune to others"

Jealousy is a dangerous emotion. It is very detrimental, and also self-destructive. Applying this to a workplace setup, where I've actually come across this quote when a colleague was flashing the message to everyone, it shows a problematic attitude of an employee. Surely everyone has at least once had someone getting jealous towards them because of something good happening to them, by way of salary hike, promotions, sponsorship to training, or a performance reward among many others...

It's all about the way you see things.. but, as long as the focus is on anything outside of yourselves, I'm sure one is destined to disappointment. Focus on yourself, and you'll at least find something to work on and improve; keep looking at others, and you'll only find disappointment. The calamity is surely set to trigger more emotional misery in life.

How do we conduct ourselves?

It is common to have temptations, and more so for a believer who's chosen the narrow road. I did raise a question when I was first saved, how do we overcome temptations, and here's what I'd got back from my spiritual elders...

Do nothing you would not do if Jesus were coming
Say nothing you would not say if Jesus were coming
Think nothing you would not think if Jesus were coming

It's harder than said, but that's when our obedience is put to test. Say a prayer in the face of temptation, it will surely help!

Love is all around us, yet the dearth..

Listen to the music, the evergreen old, vintage classics, the contemporary.. love oozes from the lyrics and the videos... The movies, especially Bollywood, which is full of 'love' masala.. The great tales we cherish, Romeo & Juliet for the whole world, Devdas in India, start counting and there will be umpteen with a handful for each culture.. Listen to the speeches of leaders, great men and women, they all talk of tolerance, peace and love among brothers.. Read the scriptures, and they teach love.. Love is all around us!

Despite so much of 'talks of love', why is there so much dearth of love... Why is there the loneliness in everybody's life that they have to cry when no one sees them? Why do people flock to internet chatrooms trying to find love and end up finding anything but love?

When my heart's not right within me!

So typical of what I am...

I'm going through so much of mixed emotions these days, and am questioning every aspect
of my long held strong beliefs... I need His wisdom and direction so much more than ever..

I'm an angel, I'm a devil,
I am sometimes in between.
I'm as bad as it can get,
just as good as it can be.
Sometimes I'm a million colours,
sometimes I'm black & white.
I'm all extremes.
Try to figure me out?
You never can.
There's so many things I am.

I'm special, I'm beautiful.
I'm wonderful and powerful.
Unstoppable.
Sometimes I'm miserable,
sometimes I'm pitiful.
But that's so typical of all the things I am.

I'm someone filled with self-belief and haunted by self-doubt,
I got all the answers, I've got nothing figured out,
I like to be by myself, I hate to be alone,
I'm up and I'm down, but that's part of the thrill,
Part of the plan...
Part of all the things I am..

I'm a million contradictions.
Sometimes I make no sense
Sometimes I'm perfect
Sometimes I'm a mess
Sometimes I'm not sure who I am

But that's so typical of all the things I am..

The courage to love

Over a small discussion over tea, I just had a question to my parents who were watching a typical Indian masala movie with love story, and the family drama and all.. That we all love to watch movies based on love stories, and a few even cry watching those movies.. But I know of at least 3-4 families, and I'm sure they represent a majority of Indian families which dread such situation in their own homes.

One of many India's paradoxes I would say... A lot of admiration for love, but a question on the courage to love, isn't it?

Quotes from 'The Family' by Mario Puzo

The Family, by Mario Puzo was his last of novels, and it gives some insights into human behavior and a lot about the pattern of those times.. here's a few quotable quotes shared below..

• So it was, as God fell to earth as man and the rigid religious doctrine of the Middle Ages lost its power and was replaced by the study of great ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece & Egypt… man pitted his mind against the heart of God and Reason reigned.

• Enough money could buy churches, priests, pardon and even the forgiveness of God.

• If a man can sell his soul to one devil, can he not to another?

• Without free will, he is a mere puppet of his own need, a beast of burden yielding to the snap of another man’s whip.

• True love imperils a man, and empowers a woman.

• Love can steal free will using no weapon but itself

• Is a man’s destiny not always a gift and a burden? For who of us must not struggle with his own free will when praying “Thy will be done dear Lord, not mine?”

• I do not wish to engage myself in disagreements, and the way to do that is never to begin

• Human Nature goes against itself for lofty principles

• The minds of the humanists can twist the truth and make sense out of nonsense

• Live with your sins, confess them or not, but never lose your faith, for there is nothing else

• By claiming his will as her own, she had shifted the balance of power and so without a weapon she effectively disarmed him

• Freedom is not a right, but a privilege

• Power for itself proves nothing; it is an empty exercise of one man’s will over another.

• Without love power places man closer to the animals than to the angels.

Once upon 'A Wednesday'

I just happened to watch Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher starrer ‘A Wednesday’. It was just couple of weeks ago serial blasts took off in New Delhi, and given the pattern of the blasts in various cities and the terror in the air… the movie leaves everyone with a zeal and does trigger a thought to get sensible. Especially, the part when the actor chooses not to give a name to the ‘common man’ in the movie, it registers the impact.

I would not rate the movie very good or good nor satisfactory. I’d just say what my friend had said while sharing it with me: It’s a must see. Not for its entertainment value, but for the idea it presents, and the thought it leaves behind.

At the same time, I’m reminded of one ‘Cow Theory’ of Arindam Chaudhuri published in his book ‘Count your chicken before they hatch’. Indians, he goes about to compare with the cows which are found much in abundance across India especially on the roads blocking our ways. Constrained by his experiences, he shares the metro experience where a cow is resistant in moving an inch even if a bus is heading towards it in full speed. You hit the cow and then, lethargically, it gets up, goes a little ahead and down it goes to rest once again!

Relating this Cow Theory to human beings, these days of our lives when terror shadows every hour, we ought not to be so ignorant like the cow which doesn’t understand the reason why it’s being pushed by various attacks, nor so lethargic and complacent to not take appropriate action. Though the movie takes a violence-based solution, what’s to be captured and retained is the spirit of it rather than the way it was act upon.