Ladder of Life

A labour was digging land for pillar construction for Bangalore Metro train works. All he has to do was to dig the land throughout the day and get money for that day. His aim and worry was to get money for that day and get some work for next day/week -- be the digging work for Metro Train pillars or for a shopping complex or for road or bridge construction or a house/apartment work. He did not and may be need not know, `What he is doing for`.

This labour was monitored by a supervisor, who has to get labors every day to the site and get the digging done for that day. He has to supply labors till digging is over for N number of pillars in that stretch of Metro train work. Has to search for a new assignment there after -- be it an apartment, shopping complex, bridge, etc.

A pillar contractor was responsible for erecting N number of pillars for that stretch of Metro train works. He has to depend on labour supervisors for getting labors and some engineers to supervise pillar construction quality and progress as per the given design and schedule. Need to get approval from Metro train authorities for his work and he knew a bit on what he is doing for.

A level above in the pyramid sits a Manager/Chief Engineer of that stretch of work, who supervises all civil and electrical works of all the pillars and ducts; would definitely know what he is doing and what for; when to complete and what is in the next chain. Still he needn't worry what kind of train bogey would run on this; what is the costing of those and what should be price offered to the commuters or frequency of train, etc.

At the other end of spectrum, there are commuters like me, who wants faster connectivity, comfortable trains, ease of ticketing, etc. Those who comment
"it should have been like this or like that", etc.

There can be only one person in this whole game -- "Metro Man" , like E Sreedharan of Delhi Metro, for example, who supervises every thing and has pulse of every bit -- pillars to interiors of bogeys to train ticket styling to frequency of trains. He is the one who feels, live, breath and dream the work he is doing every day and every minute. His worry does not end at finishing today's digging!!

In our career and personal life we come across such ladder/chain. With the choice we'd made we end up doing digging work all along our life or move up as a Manager. It is our choice based on our capability, drive and interest.



Many times in our life, we remain struck at "Digging Labor's" position -- just doing days' work for the money for that day. We get more satisfaction in insuring next day's work. Never understanding purpose of life. More embroiled in small problems of day today, losing focus of totality.

Brain Vs Heart

Stress on brain creates Heart Problem.

A hearty living gives joy to Brain.

So, let heart lead your life, not brain.


What an Idea Sir Ji !!!!

Cycling on a Rainy Day

Finally I decided to commute office on my bicycle and selected Diwali (ದೀಪಾವಳಿ )day -- Thursday 27th Oct, expecting thin traffic and also was on half day off. Perfectly planned day to a start.

All was well in the morning ride. Even rode middle of the road and reached office with no sweat and full on energy.

Was waiting for noon to pass by and lunch time to set in, for return journey. Peeped from office window, sun being covered by darker clouds, already looking like an early evening. My watch said it is time to go.

After a few cycles of paddle, was blessed with a few water drops dripping from side by trees. Looks pleasant. A few drops converted into drizzle which ultimately to a downpour. Was not having rain coat and no shelter to stop by, cycled for half a kilometer or so, before finding a crowded bus shelter.

About 15 minutes of wait, the water from top gave in. Motor bikers started to shrug off and enter into the road. Slowly I ventured as well. Next 15 minutes of ride till my house was nightmarish in that afternoon. Water pounding from sky was bearable, if not enjoyable, but the ponds and streams created aftermath were at worse even life threatening. Regularly my shoes dipped into newly created water cups along the road and splash from passing vehicles became the order. A 40ft wide road became 10ft; BMTC bus to my bicycle had to pass though that creek only. Finally I gave in and lifted my bike on elevated footpath(as soon as I found one) and pulled all along till reached my home. The security person at my apt'ment opened the gate with bit of amused look --'why the hell this guy is pulling the bike instead of zipping in a car'.

That's end of my first day bike commute to office. Literally put water on my enthu. More than water pouring from sky, the aftermath water, gushing across or half-inundated roads looks scary and discouraging.

(PS: Fortunately the shown photo was not the one belonged to the ride I was talking about :-))

Bread development....?

My great grand mother used to work at field, get wheat from there during harvest, grind it at home, make chapati and eat.

My grand mother used to purchase wheat from market grind at home and make chapati before serving us.

In mothers' time, we used to purchase wheat from market, mother (or maid servant later) used to carry wheat to flour mill and get the flour and prepare chapatis.

Now we get packed flour ('Atta?') and that's the source of roti/chapati we eat.

Slowly we are moving or atworst during my daughter's/son's time, we may get ready made bread from super market and eat it.


Is this progression called development ....?

Travel Tips

Some tips for travel out of my own experience,

1. Planning : It is very important to know well in advance the place you are visiting -- geography, weather, etiquette of place, correct time/season to visit, must see/do things, etc. But leave some space for ignorance, to make visit more lively. Learn a few words/sentences/greeting styles of places you are visiting. But be careful while using them and donot show any disrespect to those words and not use in a derogatory way.

2. What to carry : I would like to be a back-pack traveler. My suggestion would be to carry as little as possible -- essentials, a few pair of dresses, camera, etc.Donot stuff your bag with multiple pairs of shoes, slippers, etc. Instead of one big suite case, better to split the goods into two medium sized ones. Handling one Jumbo bag becomes troublesome all along during journey.

3. The travel : Plan onward journey well. If onward journey becomes tiring, whole travel is get affected. Keep good amount of money for onward journey, so that you reach destination quickly, without much travel weariness and at right time of the day/night. If you plan to drive(yourself or a hired vehicle), ensure that drive duration is restricted to 6-9 hours. Else it becomes boring and tiring. In such situation it is better to use Bus/train journey. If you are traveling in a bigger sized group, take care that vehicle you are using is not packed with travelers, one or two seats planned to be vacant. For example, 6 people journey, use a 8 seater vehicle.

4. Stay : Most controversial and discussed topic. My take on this is "not to spend too much on this". When you are on travel, most part of day you spend outside, requiring hotel to sleep, get fresh-up in the morning and keep your goods safely.To make an efficient travel, you should be spending too less time in Hotel. So your budget should decide which hotel to stay. Hotel should be in safe area and located closer to center of the city/town. Donot go by star rating of hotel( I mean 3 star, 5 star etc), unless you have lot of money to spend. Read online reviews to get some feeling. You should be a bit less fussy about cleanliness while on travel.

5. Local transport : It is better to use local taxi/hired car service, rather than using your own vehicle, unless you are very familiar with the place. The local driver knows nitty-gritties of the place and may take you to correct place and help in local planning. It is also good to use local public transport once or twice atleast, to know the place more in detail, people and culture better.

6. Food : My motto is "Lunch is something to grab and dinner to relish local food". Donot forget to relish local delicacies, taste and style of preparation. Enjoy oily and sweetish food, for example, in Gujarath, eventhough you donot eat such things at home. Donot waste time in searching for your native food -- looking out for Dosas in Rajasthan or Parathas in Tamil Nadu. Except local delicacies, food should be lower on your priority list. Fruits, juice, lussy, etc be good part of your food.

7. Sight Seeing : I am strict no to local conducted tour. But if have just one or two days, it may be a nice idea to join one such tour. Cover remaining places or place you liked, but tour operator did not allow sufficient time, during subsequent days on your own. Apart from regular places, make a point to visit some small not well known place as well. It may be surprising package. Hotel receiption desk, taxi driver or some tourist you happen to meet, may point such locations. Some time these place turnout to be damp squib.

8. Shopping : Generally we plan for sight seeing, but not for shopping. Shopping is an integral part of travel. Need to allocate some buffer time as well, because it is very time consuming business. Some time you've to shop some goods, eventhough it is available in your place. Just ensure that, the material you are purchasing can be carried easily and you have sufficient luggage space. Shop for local artifacts. Some pre-study is required on where to shop.


This is all out of my own experience, not copied from travel book nor claiming as an universal mantra for tourists.

Are we Greedy ?

Was talking to Manoj(my brother) the other day and came to know that in France, salary of 5k Euro per month is a luxury. Where as in India, a guy who earns even its equivalent converted amount, vouch for more salary. Why is it so? Are we Indians so much greedy ?

The answer lies in how French (and many other developed) society work. The state takes care of your health and children education. Your income will continue almost the same way, even after you retire ! Essentially you needn't worry for future. Once you are in that state of mind, you do not need more money to survive. Your salary is mainly to feed your pocket money. Just imagine, when you were kid or college going young -- all your expenses taken care by your parents and additionally you used to get some pocket money (mainly for entertainment or fun with your friends). How nice it will be if some one do the same for us for lifelong !!!! This will make young ones to choose a profession of passion rather than a money chaser.

Does such an arrangement makes us lazy ? Not sure; but those societies have produced wonderful achievers -- in any given field.

Can we return to old style, where govt takes care of education, health and retiral benefits and put a control on corporate salary? We donot need a growth just in terms of GDP, but a society which provides us a quality and stress free life. We need our young ones to take up a profession which they enjoy, rather than one that gives you more money with a mirage of higher quality of life.

"A mature person is one, who can enjoy every day like a boy even in his old age" --- Rajarshi

Resolution for the new year 11

Unlike last year, have made more solid, reasonably achievable and fresh/interesting resolutions for this year 2011. These are on health, wealth and hobby -- not in any order though.

1. Health : Keep my weight same as 2010 or preferably reduce by 1 kg -- not heavy target. Should continue diet practice and exercise, including Yoga as did last year. Pretty much well on target last time. Control blood sugar level, cholesterol and BP. Last year should be a good inspiration.

Additionally, start cycling (with my/Suki's new FF Cosmic Bike). Target 2 days in a week to office and 40 km per week. Get ready for more serious biking next year.

2. Hobby : Write a blog atleast once in month. Preferred -- 20 blogs during this year. Started some what blogging last year. Target an exam on flute or history (history of sciences preferably).

3. Wealth : Health and Hobby can take care of wealth (?!). Reduce debt as much as possible. Atleast by 20% and preferably by 30%. More leaner economy. Hindu rate of growth is OK.



Hope these are reasonable and let me revisit during mid of the year (June'11).

Happy New Year 2011.