making of an institution - part 1

Dear friends,
For past couple of months I was busy searching for right Institute for my son. Born in a family of engineers, engineering became a natural choice.
As the date for entrances, counselling approached our anxiety level too increased. Unfortunately missing out on IITs and good NITs, we were at cross roads.
Everyone offered free consultancy based on their perception or experience.
He had an offer from Manipal, SRM and VIT Vellore. We researched and researched. Finally concluded to take a call on VIT.
The university opened on 2nd July and as a parent I accompanied my son to supposedly settle him in the Institute. From Chennai airport it was a nice 2 hours drive to the Vellore campus. Anxiety was still there. But when we reached VIT Vellore, the green and extremely well laid out campus gave us the first level of comfort.
The procedures and the help available for allotment of hostels / mess was extremely simplistic and streamlined. The comfort level that was provided by the mentors and authorities was just just terrific.
No wonder in a short span of 30 years, VIT has carved out a niche for itself.
I'll share my experiences in part 2. Till then bye.

a date with bureaucracy - part 3

Dear friends,

Its been a long time since my previous post on the subject. Nation is the grip of politics with election fever all around us. Every candidate is promising us moon with promises of cleansing the system. For past 60 years or so its been going on. Promises and promises; hope and hopes....

Well to come to the point in my recent experience with bureaucracy a friend out of inquisitiveness asked did the system work or did u make the system work by greasing the palms of people at helm. Its interesting.

After doing 4 rounds to the officers and spending hours and hours of waiting in their offices when I dropped tired I too tried the time tested formula i.e the agent. My decision was brilliant. Now only the work was done in a time bound manner but also the document was home delivered.

I was just wondering. Its just a win-win formula. My time was saved-i spend the time more productively; good for the nation !! The fuel that I burnt driving 4 times to meet the officers-bad for environment. So good for cleansing the air !! The small gratification fees that I paid helps run the homes of agent !!

Not that I am propagating the so called corruption; but it makes the system run so very efficiently. Any takers?

a date with bureaucracy - part 2

Dear friends,

In a coffee table discussion in office a friend gave a brilliant suggestion.

He suggested that since all of us are reasonably well paid every month we should set aside just 1000 bucks as facilitation charges. Now if someone's expectation is 100 bucks, we should pay 150. Things would move absolutely fast. Life would move immensely comfortable too. Kejriwal or no Kejriwal.....

Life would be just zinga lala.

The point is that how much facilitation charges does a commoner like me pay in a year; surely not more than 12000 in a year. So he suggested that all that we need to do is change our mindset rather than have a mindset of a changed system.

Probably this why an average Indian is contented with the so called corruption in the system. Atleast things move on. Else under the garb of a clean system, people at helm would entangle you in a myriad of hazaar rules and regulations. This is precisely what I experienced yesterday.

Do we really have any need to cleanse the system? Any comments / suggestions?

a date with bureaucracy

Dear friends,

Today I had an opportunity to experience our grand bureaucracy yet once again. A lot has been said and heard about the ways of bureaucracy but I was privileged to have a first hand experience today.

I wanted a dependency certificate for my son aged 17. On reaching the office at 10 I asked a office boy for the concerned officer. First remark was 'dont get after the agents and get it done yourself'. I was amused and decided to give it a try myself. Waited till 11ish but the so called sahab did not appear.

Finally when he came I handed over all the papers to his staff to get the signatures of sahab. The officer told me that it could not be done as it required verification by his junior. I told him that my son was a minor and hence dependent on me but he said its a border case. Imagine a boy still studying in class 12 and yet not dependent.

Now my agony started. I was running from one room to another only to find most of the so called officers missing. Finally dead tired I had to catch hold of an agent who promised to get the work done by tomorrow.

God bless me....

green energy

Dear friends,

The other day I attended a seminar on Solar Energy where almost whos-who of industry was present. Speeches, presentations and discussions as were expected took place. Major focus of the seminar was on roof top solar; perhaps India too wants to emulate the success of Germany.

During the Q&A session, one gentleman made a remark that if a layman wanted to go in for a roof-top installation whom should he approach. Another point that emerged was that there is no mechanism for information dissemination on this.

The issue that all of us face is that all these seminars and conferences in starred hotels are for enlightening the people who are perhaps already enlightened. This point I have been making time and again. Now for a commoner, what is it that we should do.

One suggestion is that free lancers / professionals may conduct series of workshops in universities, schools and colleges which of-course must to be a two way process. This would have a much needed multiplier effect in resource creation (trained manpower or rather informed manpower). Once we have people who are able to appreciate these technologies then only our mission of green energy can be fulfilled.

This I am speaking from my own personal experience. As a trainer for green technologies right from solar to wind to hydrogen etc etc,  I have been conducting many workshops in variety of places. This is helping generate the much needed awareness for green technologies. I guess this is a vital step in promoting such technologies.

Any suggestions.

Pride of Uttrakhand

Dear friends,

Being born and brought up in Uttrakhand, let me introduce you to the beautiful hill station of Nainital. I am sure many of you would have visited it; but the place has so much to explore that every time it appears a brand new place.

Its a wonderful drive from Delhi; the road is well laid with not much of traffic.

Let me take you around the beautiful environs of the city beautiful. The city revolves around the scenic lake surrounded by majestic hills. Beautiful breeze and the freshness in the environment just rejuvenates you.

The city has excellent collection of hotels all around the lake which offer just picture perfect view from their rooms. There are good eateries around. In addition, there are good places for window shopping too.

Nainital is yet another jewel which everyone must explore again and again

Nainital lake

Lake from my hotel

date with God

Dear friends,

As the eve of Mahaveer Jayanti started on 13th April scores of texts started flooding my inbox.  I was just wondering - are we really becoming more religious? I guess that occasions like this were a good way to connect and re-connect.  

Towards evening, Jain society had organized a bhajan program at amphi theatre in Indirapuram. Again, a new way to connect and re-connect. Lot of people from in and around the place came in.  However, the program was quite professionally organized and it gave an opportunity to relax and enjoy.

On 14th, the day of Mahaveer Jayanti, a huge procession started from the Jain temple at Vaishali and covered a mammoth route of 20 kms. Many first timers thronged in. It was a huge success.

Occasions like this give us a reason to meet, socialise and interact with so many people. It adds a new dimension and colour to our lives. This is what makes India so unique and vibrant !

when to stop investing - part 2

Dear friends,

Today I met a gentleman who had superannuated from service almost 5 years back. As we sat to talk he revealed that he has booked an apartment in Kondli. I promptly asked him reply and pat came the reply 'for investment'. I looked at him and once again the thought emerged 'when to stop investing'.

There could be many more such examples. At times I see fragile old people haggling on the bank counters or post offices for the interest rates of their fixed deposits. The question is will they ever use this so-called hard earned money on themselves.

What happens to our present? Are we all in the race for creating a brighter future for ourselves? Or is its in our DNA that somehow we are unable to control our urge to invest.

Imagine a scenario where we just stop investing at some pre-decided age and start relishing our today. Will we ever do this?

Isn't it complex that having known all this, yet we choose to compromise our present for a brighter tomorrow and the cycle goes on. And as they say, tomorrow never comes !!

when to stop investing

Dear friends,

Every morning, at the sight of newspapers the first thing that i do is to flip over is the business page. Right from corporate news to stock news to currency to commodity markets to gold to real estate and so on catch my fancy.

I am a typical average salaried person and yet these pages have always been my favorite. I often wonder why? Honestly speaking, its more of looking for investment opportunities. Ever investment possibility fascinates and day in day out it keeps my mind occupied.

The big question is 'how much to invest'? And probably even bigger is 'when to stop investing'?  Can it go on perpetually or rather should it go on perpetually? As I try to find my own answers, I try to reason out 'is it greed' or 'maybe just passion'.

On one side my mind says enough is enough; now live your life. But then I am already living well. On the other side, mind says you have a mind, multiply your wealth. But then for how long and how much.

Am I just caught in a vicious loop or it is just being normal? Any answers?

d race for engineering seat - part 2

Dear friends,

I shared some of  concerns in my first post on the subject. On 6th April, IIT mains exam was held. 

While I waited sitting outside the examination venue for my son who had gone to write the exam, many marketing people from private engineering colleges and admission consultants were busy distributing their pamphlets/cards etc. Many parents who sat waiting were a ready clientage for them.

With nothing much to do I glanced through the reading material provided by them . One such brochure from an admission consultant caught my attention. It gave a long list of colleges in various states with an assurance to get admission into these Institutes. While many were just average to below average colleges, some were the prestigious ones.

Out of curiosity I called up the admission consultant and discussed the modalities of securing an engineering seat in these prestigious Institutions. Unbelievably, he read out a virtual rate list. 

While 14 lakh plus aspirants will be writing IIT mains paper, here are the guys who are busy making mockery of the system. I really do not believe, how far such people can secure a seat but then mole has to exist for making a mountain of it.

Kudos to our education system !

d race for engineering seat

Dear friends,

Finally the big day has arrived. The largest and the biggest engineering entrance examination, perhaps on this earth, where an estimated 14 lakh plus students shall be competing for just a handful of seats. On an average each child would have slogged for almost 2 years now and waited for this day.

I too am a father of one such child and have seen the kind of mental stress that he has undergone. I fear what kind of trauma children would face if they doesn't make their mark. Is their a way out?

 Coaching centres have further aggravated their agony. Children are almost forced to abandon schools and run after coaching. You slog day in and day out in the hope to make a brighter future for yourself.

With 2 years of almost black-out in his life where he is just cut-off from the outside world the child is almost burnt out.

Is this good? In the name of reforms we created a single entrance examination. 

Can we not reverse back the system to just 12th class merit based entrance? Will it not de-stress the children? Too many questions but no answers. 

Any suggestions.

call of the hills - part 4

Dear friends,

a short drive from the city of Shimla (about 22 kms), is situated the beautiful scenic town of Naldhera (at an altitude of about 7000 feet).

This place boasts of the oldest golf course in the country and is home to beautiful tall deodar trees. The golf course is about 100 years old and is famous for its beauty.

I'll give you a snap shot of this beautiful place.....

the scenic golf club amidst pine trees

the perfect picture postcard

out of the world golf course

a long uphill trek

the valley from a distance

nature at its best

chai walas - part 2

Dear friends,

Taking the post forward, it reminds me of the famous caption "a lot can happen over coffee". In our case, a lot happens over chai. As we have all experienced, chai shop or the paan shop are the centers where everything on the earth is discussed. 

Not only are these places for  ideal discussion but are also de-stressing centers. These neighborhood shops act as binding forces amongst groups. 

In this election season where all political parties are leaving no stone un-turned for swaying voters attention these chai walas can certainly be used for molding public opinion. 

Lets realise their potential fully and give them their due....

chai walas

Dear friends,

Today during office discussions a colleague made a comment on the contribution of Indian chai walas (hot tea sellers) to our daily life. This set my mind wondering.

Have we ever thought about as to how many chai walas exist in India? A very conservative estimate could be 100,000 odd; maybe. But why suddenly this thought on chai walas. Is it because of so much gallata about a tea seller vying for the numero uno position in the country-maybe? Is it because of chai pey charcha series being hyped about? Whatever may be the reason but suddenly the focus has shifted to chai walas.

Just imagine how many cups of tea they prepare and sell on a daily basis. Almost all small or big shop keepers survive on them. Just imagine their contribution to our daily life. 

Further, all important events; big or small are usually discussed at the local chai wala shop. Just imagine in the election environment this important vote bank. Mr Kejriwal used the auto walas as an important vote bank. Now its the turn of chai walas.

Let your imagination run wild....

the vibrance of desert - part 2

Dear friends,

I have had the opportunity to visit the beautiful city of Dubai earlier as well and everytime that I have visited I have found something new with the city.

The pace of activity has grown manifolds and today Dubai has everything that a person can dream of. The roads, malls, lighting and above all cleanliness is amazing.

lovely musical fountains outside Dubai mall

changing colours of musical fountains

Dubai with my dearest friend

call of the hills - part 3

Dear friends,
I continue with my journey in the beautiful hills of Shivalik Ranges. Let me take you along in my adventures; enjoy the journey with me:

 birds eye view from my hotel

waiting for a joy ride

outside my hotel

near my hotel

call of the hills - part 2

Dear friends,

This is in continuation to my earlier post wherein I had shared some glimpses of my adventures in the hills. 

Now some more inputs...

shades of shimla

road to heaven

time to top up..

me in my hotel

call of the hills

Dear friends,

the hills of shimla

I have somehow had the privilege to travel across many many places. All these years, at first given opportunity I have traveled and developed a passion to see places ranging from beaches to hills to plains.

I love to drive and this is what took me to the hills of Shimla. Partner me in my adventures.

on route to Shimla

the ridge

enroute to shimla

the vibrance of desert...

Dear friends,

I just had an opportunity to first hand experience the vibrance of desert city of Dubai. The colorful city built through micro planning is today an architectural marvel.

What started as an oil economy today has everything what a human mind can imagine.

I will take you on a walk through tour....

Experience it !

the burj at night

the pulsating Dubai mall

the musical fountains at Dubai mall

welcoming Dubai airport

Its indeed true that the city never sleeps...

r temples of learning

Recently I happened to come across yet another 'modus operandi' of organised corruption in our so called temples of learning; yes our 'schools'.

Its difficult to believe but it is happening. On every appointment of a teacher, management is asking for a security deposit. Well nothing wrong with it. They ought to have some assurance. But it is being asked in cash with no receipt. Pathetic situation in a place where jobs are scarce. Prospective applicants are forced into accepting it. 

Is anyone listening?

Any suggestions?

romance of the romantic city

Dear friends,

I recently had an opportunity to travel to the worlds most admired romantic city. Guess where, Paris.

Day 1 started with the visit to world famous Louvre Museum which was simply astonishing.

Day 2 at the imposing Eiffel Tower and a cruise along the Seine river

Day 3 at the Lido.

Some of the snapshots of the beautiful city of Paris....

Have a look !

Green Buildings

Dear friends,

This is in continuation with my posts on climate change, sustainability and green energy. As some of you have rightly observed that focus on such an important issue has slowly got blurred. Though much work is happening but are we really on the right track?

In line with this, very recently there has been a spurt in activities towards 'green buildings'. This concept which as usual came from the west. Under the garb of creating sustainable and low carbon foot print buildings we have started creating green buildings.

I am not against this concept but do we really need to get Leeds Certification, Platinum Ratings and so on....

With a race to get them certified we are creating state of the art infrastructure with all the latest gadgets being imported. Beautiful glass facades, exotic designs but air-conditioning run and lights glow most of the time, even though the building is supposedly green !

Can we not imbibe our own 'desi' materials and designs in our country which have the likes of 'hawa mahal'....

climate change - part 2

Dear friends,

Further to my post on climate change, I feel its more of a propaganda by the powers with vested interests. On one hand they are probably trying to scuttle our progress and on the other they are trying to dump junk renewable energy projects in the country.

In the name of setting up green projects, restrictions and stringent conditions like importing a particular equipment / technology from 'the' manufacturer to loan from 'the' borrower.

How long can we be taken for a ride?

climate change

Today all newspapers and magazines have numerous articles on climate change and its impacts. India as a country with large coast line would definitely be adversely impacted. But is it only the policy issues or public debates which would mitigate this issue. The challenge lies in educating the public at large, training and re-training of professionals and faster implementation of green projects.