Gas Booking

Gas booking had been always an elusive chore for me in the past.  The Gas distributor use to open his shop by 10 am and promptly shut down by 5.30 pm  -   Many a days I was so consumed at my work (ok,  u saw through the excuse!!   ), I will miss the time window for gas booking.  So, I use to wait for a Saturday ………..

So, when the Indane Gas announced the streamlined LPG GAS Booking through IVRS around May last year, I was one of those who was relieved.   I went through the details on the newspapers (Now Book Indane Gas any hour of the day), promptly understood the process and noted down the relevant new numbers.   I started using the Indane gas IVRS and once I got my phone number registered, all I need to do was to press few numbers on the phone pad and I was done.  I was thrilled that the technology solved my gas booking  challenge!!  Happy ……….

Having solved my gas booking challenge,  I was living ‘happily ever after’……….Suddenly, one day my maid started complaining that she is not getting her LPG cylinder on time……..As I was busy in the kitchen and with my limited mixed up local language skills, all I understood was - she needs me to book her LPG.  I did not even react as I was not sure why she is asking me to do her booking   -  especially she witnesses my daily morning crazy circus in the kitchen trying to meet my target of school bus…….and how does she think I will have time to do a gas booking?

Then over the weekend (when my mornings are not-so-crazy), she mentioned that she took help from one of her friends for gas booking, but was not successful.   I was intrigued now as I thought the IVRS is the most simple way to get the gas booking and why it is tough for my maid and her friend.  My maid is definitely a smart lady  -   she is good in using her mobile phone  -  she has even suggested me on how to download ring tones!!  So, why is this IVRS tough for her?   I told her there is also “Kannada“version of IVRS.

For a minute, she looked at me as though I am crazy and said “amma, athunalli matthaduvadhu computer amma……………(Madam, if you call that number, it is computer which is talking to you.  If you say something also, it will keep telling, please press this number, please press that number……they have put some computer which can not understand what we are talking…..and it will never take our booking)!!”……….I was completely flabbergasted and then could not control laughing……….

Gas booking  -  IVRS  -  Vagaries of it!!!

Koyambedu Bus Stop (CMBT) – Chennai

Last weekend, I was in Chennai Koyambedu Bus Stop (Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus).  It is more than a decade since I travelled long distances in buses  -   most of the time we end up in trains or air.  Obviously I never had the opportunity to see the Koyambedu Bus Stop so far, though I have heard about it many times in the past.   It was an unplanned trip to Chennai (to support my relatives in their sudden bereavement) and I was returning to Bangalore and  the state transport bus seem to be the most viable option for unplanned travel.

My first impression when I stepped into the Koyambedu bus stop was “WOW, it is huge”.  I was even more impressed when I saw a nice central welcome hall which gave lot of space for passengers and public to wait.  I was completely sold on the CMBT when I saw the excellent direction boards which clearly listed the platforms and the corresponding places where buses ply.   I saw few wandering foreigners who were looking at the direction boards and making notes.

I was thrilled that I  got easy directions from sign boards and started walking towards the platform bay where Bangalore buses start.  I was so relaxed that I spent good time on the way in a small shop getting magazines and newspapers.   When I reached the bay, I was in for a shock  -  as I saw buses travelling to some Tamilnadu cities were in the bay.   I again went and checked on the sign board which clearly said -  platform 5, bay 23.  I enquired with couple of bus drivers who were standing and chatting -  they were very helpful.  Here is the conversation

me:  sir, where is Bangalore bus?

conductor 1 : Bangalore busa?  antha pakkam sutthi ponga (Bangalore bus? go around to the other side)

me (confused!): board said 5th platform…this is 5th platform

conductor 2 (looking at me as though I am from another planet): idatha mathidanga -  board appidiye irruku!  (changed the place, but the direction board is not changed!).

Now, I just ran around to find the right platform ……..God, you made my happiness short-lived!!  And if you think that the story stops here……it continues  ………….

Having used to making advance bookings on trains and air using net (especially, I have mastered the Tatkal booking scheme of Indian railways!!),  I fell into the prey of booking the bus travel ticket over net (www.tnstc.in).  As it was a hurried trip and it was a sunday morning, I did not get a print out assuming that the handheld I carry can display the ticket to the conductor.  I also had my ID card listed in the ticket and thought it should suffice.

When I found the right place of Bangalore buses, I was into the second shock. There was no unique number for the bus which I was supposed to go (may be, I am still not very sure if I have missed it).  There were three buses waiting to start to Bangalore and all the three had the same route number.  Again, I reach out to the conductor standing near one of the buses

me: I have  booking for the bus which starts at 10.45.  which bus is that?

conductor 3 (looks very vaguely at me – again it is the look of  “which planet did you come from?”): “intha busu pathinoru manniku pogum.  eeri seatla okkarunga (this bus will go at 11. get in and sit).

me: (puzzled!): I do not have a print out of the ticket, it is in this phone and you can see it in this. is it ok?”

conductor 3 (completely convinced that I am in no way a passenger who can go by bus): “illa illa, print out venum. (no-no, need print out)”

me (not lost confidence yet!):   I have my id card -  voters card (with too much of a confidence!) also.  you can compare it with your list.

conductor 3 (irritated now!):   ”print irrunthathan vandilla eeralam (only if you have print out, you can get into the bus)”

me (bit tensed now!):   Is there any office where they can print out here?

conductor 3 (totally lost interest):   poi keetu paarunga anga  - (go and ask in office)

Now, considering I have less time, I run into the office and ask them if they can print the tickets out (as there were no shops inside the entire CMBT bus stop which can print).  While there were two computers and two folks operating it, they were least interested to even hear about my problem.  I came back to the bus again and this time there was another conductor 4 who felt it was ok to get into the bus. I just got in and sat  -  yes, I did come to Bangalore.

So, if you are a first timer in CMBT,  remember two basic lessons  -  ensure you validate the platform numbers with conductors and not just go by those direction boards. And avoid net booking and get the tickets directly from the conductors  – considering there are so many buses plying it should be ok to just go and get the tickets on a normal day (may be, the reservation may help on some holidays or festival days where the crowd is too high).

Koyambedu  -   I know how to handle you now!  

Pranav Mistry – making India proud!

Almost few years back, while we were stuck in a traffic jam, the little one was getting restless.  Reason - We will miss her favorite TV show.  To keep the cool, I was telling her that how nice it will be if we have some technology where we can get to just beam the TV rays on any surface and we can watch TV anywhere.  That idea kept the conversation interesting and saved the day.  It was long still I forgot about this -  and then, one of the days I saw the details of the project by Pranav Mistry  -  Sixth Sense. You can watch the video here.  I was amazed about his innovation and felt that what I discussed with my kid may become a reality sooner than I thought.    I was very impressed by this Indian researcher’s innovation quotient.

The last 2.5 years, I have been following randomly about Pranav Mistry’s projects.   They were very interesting.  The latest one was Sparsh which he presented in the Nasscom‘s India Leadership Forum last week.  As always, Sparsh was also equally impressive  -  a technology which conceptually transfer media from one digital device to your body and pass it to the other digital device by simple touch gestures.  Watch the video here.

But this post is just beyond Pranav Mistry’s innovation quotient  -  It is about his Social Awareness and his thought about giving back to the society.  Pranav is very open in sharing his ideas and even technologies for free.  In the current world of commercialism where every company plan to make money with every new version of their gadgets (ipad 2, 3 and so on of Apple is an example!), it was very unique that he is doing this.  I was very curious about this part of Pranav   -   how is he going to get his fundings for future research if he is going to give his ideas/technology for free.   I was more than convinced when I read his response to almost same question asked by a reporter……..this is what Pranav says

Yes, many people tell me that I can make lots of money if I sell the patented  technologies I have helped create. But my goal isn’t to be the richest person in  the world. And this also has to do with the way I grew up in Palanpur, my hometown. I realised early in life that no one  remembers you post death just because you were a rich person. Do YOU remember  such a person? We now know the richest when they are alive. But do you know the  top 10 richest of 18th century? But we all do know Albert Einstein, Mother  Teresa, so we do remember those who make a change in history. We always remember  those who contribute to society. And money shall come and go, I shall have  enough to be happy but not necessarily want so much that I don’t know what to do  with it.

Read more: http://forbesindia.com/blog/technology/touch-of-genius-pranav-mistry-introduces-sparsh/#ixzz1mjwwm9BU

I was amazed by this clarity!!   Here is one Indian in the new generation who not only is a great technical wiz kid, but the one who thinks of society…………makes us proud.

Congratulations and all the best, Pranav!!

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Yuvraj! – Yes, You can!

When I follow cricket as a news and live my life with two ardent cricket fans, it is inevitable I know Yuvraj to some extent  - I identify his name with these adjectives –  young, energetic, loving son to his parents, raring to make more of life and cricket………… and ofcourse, he is known in the Bollywood circuits also!

It was such a shocking piece of news when I heard  it   – ” Yuvraj has Cancer”

Knowing as much (actually, as little) as I know about Yuvraj and  his family with my as much knowledge about the “big C” disease, I can certainly empathize with what he and his family are going through.   While it makes it challenging for anyone to go through the deadly big ‘C’, it is even more challenging to be in the prime of your life and being knocked down by this big C for no fault of his!   Especially, knowing how his mother will be feeling now…………….I was really sad.  While I completely appreciate the philosophical “Life is just a journey”, this news still left me with an uncomfortable feeling.

And today morning, I was looking into Yahoo news and this is the link I got…………….the Cricket Vs Cancer ………made me  feel positive and hope that for Yuvraj,  the ONLY big C in his life will be the C in Cricket    -   if all the cricket fans and their family across the world can wish him and support him with their prayers for a minute   -  there definitely will be a miracle.

So, here is the wishing from me  and the sincere hopes -  “Yuvraj, Yes! You Can!” !!    The Big C in your life is ONLY the  BIG Cricket!

Join me in taking this HOPE statement (Yuvraj, Yes You Can!) across the globe to Boston!

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Republic Day – Surprise!

Any patriotic individual of any nationality across the globe feels proud about their national days   -   Independence day, Republic Day, …..  These are days were you feel that pride that you BELONG….

Especially, when I think of all those homeless refugees due to various reasons  across the globe, it really makes me realize on how much of a blessing it is to have the feeling of BELONGING to a place……..

And today being India’s 63rd Republic Day, I was very sweetly surprised by the Google Doodle…….  Looks like this is visible only to the India Google users and hence reproducing it here again….The represents the parade on Rajpath, New Delhi where the elephants carry the children who won the National Bravery Award  -   Look at the tricolor on the umbrellas and the nice chakras on the background!!

Nice surprise!!  Thank you -  Google!   Jai Hind!  

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New Age Americas!!

Many a times it happens  in the history -  a simple photograph unfolds a greater story about the changing world.  This is one such picture (thanks to my classmate who shared it with me)  -    amazing one!!

It says more about Obama as a leader  -   one who appreciates the dignity of labour and respects his fellow human being.   The worker looks like a Mexican origin!!   It definitely takes some compassion towards fellow human being to recognize our support staff   -  starting from the maid in our homes till the office support staff.   I think this says much about the new age Americas….Well done, Mr.President!  You are leading by example!

ps -  Ok, for those skeptical minds who think this is part of Obama’s political image building exercise considering the impending US elections…..so what?  atleast he is projecting this as a good leadership gesture….. You should still remember the other white house picture when the US hunted Bin Laden…….

ps 2  (only for Bollywood and Kollywood followers )  -  Remember the scene in Munna Bhai MBBS /  Vasool Raja MBBS where the hero hugs a cleaner and makes his day!!! ………our Indian movie makers probably are much ahead in times!!!    

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How to Dress Smart!

Let me declare that am still a novice on fashion and I continue to work on the mission to better my wardrobe …..!!So, what I am jotting down here are the three basic principles of smart dressing which work in IT industry in India (ideally, it should work globally for other industries also?)

Here goes the three basic principles of smart dressing

 • What is the IMAGE you want to project about yourself in your official environment? Mostly, it goes with your value systems is my observation. For me, it is DIGNITY

 • Dress for your next desk! – Just means that you got to dress for the highest role you are aspiring to reach in your career! If you plan to be the CEO, think how a CEO will dress!

 • Think what dress you are comfortable with – when you go shopping remember the advice from Sandra Bullock in ‘The blind side’ - “before you choose something, ask yourself IS THIS ME?”

Once you have firmed up the above three, then you are already smartly dressed. While there are many opinions on “how deep  the neckline can be ? “to what is the right perfume  to wear at work, I strongly feel if you are clear on the above three, you can carry yourself well!

Some of the women who have mastered these are -  Priyanka Gandhi  (Politics),  Indira Nooyi (Business),  Bipasha Basu (Entertainment),  Mother Theresa (Social),  Arundathi Roy (Arts),  Sania Mirza (Sports) and  Kamala Selvaraj (Medicine)……..

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GONNA BE A BEAR!!

I just did an informative post for women before this …Women leaders and self-confidence. So, am justified to post this  satire actually  (God, am i feeling guilty to make fun!? and trying to be defensive and justify this post?).  This mailer definitely made me laugh!  

Disclaimer (oh, yes…..I can put a disclaimer!!):  This is not my writing - it is a forwarded mailer with a bold note “send  this on to a lady friend. She will get a big chuckle out of it!”  If you are someone who cannot stand the jokes which border sarcasm and if you are a guy ..…..i strongly recommend to “you skip this post…”

GONNA BE A BEAR

In this life I am a woman. In my next life, I would like to come back as a bear.

When you are a bear, you get to HIBERNATE.  You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with it. Before you hibernate, you’re supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with it too.

When you are a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of the walnuts) while you’re sleeping and wake to a partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you are a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you are a bear, your are expected to wake up growling and have excess body fat.

Yup, gonna be a bear!!  

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Women Leaders and Self-confidence

While self-confidence is the basis for any self-improvement, a recent article in Harvard Business Review (HBR) was very specific about the need for women leaders to be self-confident.  Leslie Pratch is the author of this article – she is a clinical psychologist who helps companies identify whether potential executives possess the psychological resources and personality strengths needed to succeed.  If you read the 16 page research paper referred in this article, it can become a long read….so i consolidated the key messages which I found helpful …….

You can read the HBR article here…..

-       Before a woman answers a question in the corporate scene, it may help to stop and ask yourself a question “do you think a man would have ever answered that question that way?”

-       You got be very confident, even though we are so self-critical inside about what it is you may or may not know.  And this will lead to taking risks

-       Gender based expectations for behavior influence the styles and evaluations of leaders

-       Men are freer to carry out leadership in different styles without encountering negative reactions because their leadership is ordinarily perceived as legitimate

-       The findings indicated that women have to have high self-esteem and high self-confidence so that they can cope with the constraints placed on their leadership styles.

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Adoption & IVF

It sure is a big sensational news (read here)!! Aamir khan - super star in Bollywood and his wife Kiran Rao (known for her intellectual brilliance as a director  -  Dhobi Ghat is a sample)  went for IVF and Surrogacy to become parents of a baby boy!

While I was reading the news and once again wondering at the advancement of medical sciences (any new-born is a wonder for me and makes be believe in some supernatural power),   I could not resist a query which popped up in my mind.

“What made Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao consider IVF/Surrogacy option  over the option of adopting a needy child?”

Given what I read about both of them, they are intelligent enough to consider adoption as a good option……

Adoption process in India has come a long way.   It has moved from a family affair/hush-hush activity to a  much more professional process -  it is well accepted by the modern Indian society  -   people who have adopted kids are open about it and they share the details with the kids also  -  I have couple of my close friends who have adopted kids in India and have shared their experiences with me, which makes me confident that it is now a well-planned process.

So, what made Aamir and Kiran look for IVF/Surrogacy?

The only reasonable explanation I could think of -  Aamir/Kiran couple may have thought that a biological child (even though it is using surrogacy) will be much easier to bond and may stand as a representation of their married life.  The reason I think so is based on an input from one of my friends.   My friend’s spouse wants to adopt a child as a sibling to their first biological child.  My friend is not very comfortable with this option and has refused the adoption option.  My friend feels that when the children grow together, it may be very tough for the parents to be neutral to the children  -  one being a biological child and the second being an adopted child will bring in a bias…..I can appreciate this fear of future and the need for a very stable outlook about adoption…

I think it is much  easier emotionally to accept a biological child (Even if it is through surrogacy) than an adopted kid.

A tough topic to mull over!