Scamsters, Gangsters and ...

Not so long ago India was touted as the land of elephants and snake charmers. Not anymore...India today is known as the land of information technology and call centre...or is it truly so...I think India should be known as the land of scamsters, gangsters (and masters). Let me explain in detail.

Scamsters: A dictionary defines a scamster to be one who perpetrates scams (or perpetrates something that invariably ends up in the involvement of lot of money...hell of a lot). But can we define all the scamsters in the same light...Certainly not...In the world of Madoffs (of the infamous Ponzi fame) and dirty US bankers (the ones who brought the world to its knees) Indian scamsters are to be considered in a different league altogether...Yes, no prizes for guessing that I will be talking about the dirty rotten scoundrels – Indian politicians...and not one or two but a plethora of them. The year that is about to end in a few days time, was marked by the occurence of atleast half a dozen “mother of all scams”. Such was the magnanimity of each scams that each one would fight for the coveted “mother of all scams” title. First it was the Commonwealth Games (should I call it common wealth scam), a scam of roughly around INR70,000 crore...then came the Telecom Spectrum Allocation Saga, a scam of roughly around INR170,000 crore. I would stop the listing here, leave alone the superstars involved in these scams...these numbers do numb my mind and boggle mind in drawing bizarre conclusions...Land of Scamsters – hence proved.

Gangsters: Men (or women, pardon me if I hurt the female sentiments!) with dark character and an uncanny poise and charm that works wonders to create the aura of invincibility around them. Contract killing, extortion, kidnapping, murder (and many more) are his watchwords. Such dogged is their determination that it would put the greatest of all determinists to shame. These stars, a breed which is abundant in India, determine the fate of the common man and the politicians (to whom they are close associates) alike. They can control the profits of your business (read extortion) or manipulate the results of assembly elections (read contract killing, murder, kidnapping...). Such is their stronghold that it is quite common in our conutry for many of them to lead political parties. After all they have that innate ability to influence and lead people!I would not tarnish their glorified names here...but needless to say they hold a status quo in the society which is time and again glorified by the Indian media...Land of Gangsters – hence proved.

Till now I have tried to deduce a lot (not much deduction I should say, but applied inferences)...in a fashion similar to Holmesian inference (For the ignorant soul, I would leave it to them to find out the meaning of Holmesian inference). In the end, I would like to deduce that India is also a land of masters. These men are ordinary men with extraordinary deeds. They are masters in their own right...who have actually brought a lot of laurels to our motherland. Once again I would not want to take names (just in case I miss out on any and alas! The media also does not glorify them always like it does for the previous two cases) But nevertheless, these men of extraordinary repertoire deservedly command respect and I salute them. Not for their great deeds, that I deem them worthy of the honour but for the hope that they give me...that hardwork and determination pays and that all things can't go wrong in this great country.

Hail our heroes, whether they are scamsters, drilling a unmendable hole in the Indian exchequer or gangsters, killing and extorting ruthlessly or masters, glorifying India in the world stage. Don't get me wrong...I am just asking you to hail the heroes...laurels or brickbats ultimately they are the stars which defines or lends a meaning to India...the “LAND OF 'STERS''...upto you to decide what should be appended to 'STER'.

Romantic Rain

I am neither a poet nor a romanticist…but I love rains – a conclusion that probably defies logic. My romanticism with rains began since the very early days of my life. No, I was not influenced by the Bengali poetry (It requires a special mention here that lot of Bengali poetry, especially Tagore, has been inspired by rains), I was not influenced by the Bengali delicacy of ‘Khichudi’ (Hotchpotch, an English word which probably can never describe Khichudi) and ‘Bhaja Ilish’ (Deep fried Hilsa. Coincidentally, monsoon also marks the arrival of Hilsa fish, considered to be the most tasty fish, in the Bengali fish market) – an influence of sorts for lot of Bongs to like rains. But, as a kid I loved, and ever since love rains because of altogether different reasons. Pre-NDP days ‘Rainy Day’ – a chance to skip school and enjoy a lazy day at home, was the biggest influence. That actually changed when I went to NDP (NDP is always open – on a ‘Bandh’, on a day when it rains cats and dogs or on other ‘worldly’ holidays). I started enjoying the beauty of nature during rains and enjoy football. The dark skies, white lightning, smell of wet soil, toad’s croak, clean green tree leaves – ah! I love rains. And of course, football. Bongs love their F’s – Food and Football (Or else how do you explain a Hilsa fish as the logo of a football club?). Rain and football is a combination quite awesome. I should say that those who are lucky have had that opportunity to play football in rain. I got that chance while I was in NDP. Nothing is more fun than that. Really, even now I long for those football matches whenever it rains. I consider myself lucky to be born in a tropical country, which receives considerable rains.

Rainfall in India is one of the things which is very unpredictable. Some parts of the country receive record rainfall while others do not receive any. This monsoon probably is a record of sorts for Delhi. It received a lot of rains and ironically when it did not require it. Yes, this time Delhi would have been happy without rains or very little rains – the reason being the sports extravaganza, for which it is grossly underprepared. Even I, a lover of the monsoons, never wanted so much rain this time. Partly, because I love my country and I really want it to save itself from the blushes and partly, because it hurts to see the infrastructure crumbling so badly in a new metropolis (Gurgaon is touted as India’s latest metropolis).

From the bottom of my heart I want my Country to overcome all the challenges – especially posed by persistent rains, and organize an amazing Commonwealth Games. There’s nothing much I can do other than only praying for the rains to go away. The pride of India is at stake and I don’t want the rains to be a spoilsport. Oh! The least said about the infrastructure the better…Gurgaon has potholes a plenty with some roads, skyrocketing power bills without power and plenty of water to waste on its golf courses (golf courses in Gurgaon require a daily average of 300,000 gallons of water; is that the reason why the taps at home dry out very often? I can’t help myself but to believe it is). Apartments are built in Gurgaon as if every Indian will be accommodated in a Gurgaon apartment to live in, with utmost pomp and lavish, and of course at a premium price. But roads are built by misers – one spell of rain and everything is washed away. On one hand, the city dares to beat Mumbai and become the financial capital of the Country and on the other hand, it promises to beat even the modest of Indian towns in terms of infrastructure. No wonder, why it plans to woo the foreign delegates to its shopping malls by organizing shopping festivals. Other than malls it has nothing to showcase (even though I believe malls in other Indian cities are better, but of course Gurgaon pips everybody in terms of the number). I can’t do much myself (as I write this I hear a loud thunder, signaling rain. More rains and more problems…). As long as it rains I don’t how to react…whether to be happy or to be sad…I wish I could sing “Rain Rain Go Away…” Even if my mind sings so, ask my heart and you will get the answer…don’t get me wrong!!! I love India more than the rains…

Teacher's day

This Teacher’s Day I remembered or rather missed Narendrapur (NDP) for two reasons – one, the greatest teacher who taught me, Ajit da is no more and second, it had been ten years since I celebrated Teacher’s Day. A Teacher’s Day would be a celebration in any school, but in NDP it had a different meaning. Like everything else in NDP we celebrated Teacher’s Day differently. On every Teacher’s Day the students used to get an opportunity to teach a lesson or two to their revered and knowledgeable teachers. In a way it was simple role reversal. But it had a lot of meaning to lot of us. Some took it as an opportunity to showcase their teaching skills and some took it as an opportunity to make a mockery of our very humble teachers. To top it all, the day used to end with a football match featuring the teachers and students in two different teams. Mind you, it was no ordinary match – a full-fledged eleven a side football match on an 80x120 yard playing pitch (and not on a ground the size of a backyard) with the teachers and students cheering for their teams. All the cards were involved in the game. But the match was always refereed by a teacher. Nothing big was at stake but the pride was big enough stake to motivate each team. In the eight years which I spent at NDP, I think on most occasions the students used to win the match. Those days were pure fun…

This Teacher’s Day was also a celebration of sorts, which actually had started late on a Saturday evening. The evening was great in company of friends…and later ended with a sumptuous meal at Al-Jawahar, the famous Mughlai restaurant near Jama Masjid. The next day, I watched one of the better movies I have ever watched – Dead Poets Society. Starring Robin Williams at his motivational best, the film actually made me nostalgic about NDP. The story somewhat resembled the life at NDP – a boys hostel, strict time table, a strict principal and above all excellent teachers like Mr. Keating (played by Robin Williams in the movie). I especially liked the last scene when Mr. Keating was leaving the classroom, and his beloved students were standing on their desks. After the movie, it was time for me to say good-bye to my friend…my heart was heavy thinking about office the next day…

Ajit da no more...

Ajit Sengupta passed away yesterday at 1325 hours. He might not be alive anymore, but his legacy will live on for many years to come…Yes Ajit Sengupta aka Ajit da, the legend passed away…all he left away is his teaching legacy but he is irreplaceable though. How to begin writing about Ajit da? Let me start from 1999.

In the month of April, 1999, when I went back to Narendrapr (NDP) after the spring break I was about to start in the ninth standard and in the C Section and had already spent 4 years in NDP. As a routine we used to check the time-table once we were in NDP before anything else. When I checked the teachers allotted to teach in IXC for the year I was very apprehensive. Ajit da was supposed to take Life Science classes for us. Before that I had heard about Ajit da and had also heard that he was very short tempered and that was the reason that he was always allotted classes in the ninth and tenth standards. To begin with, it did not make such an impression in my mind…I was waiting for the first class to give the judgment about this great man. Everything changes with time and my impression also was not an exception. A week later, after attending his first class, I prayed to God for forgiveness, for I was shameful and cursed myself for my first thoughts on this great man.

NDP has been blessed with many great gentlemen since its inception in 1958. Many still continue to serve NDP as they had done more than 50 years ago, with the same passion and zeal. I have not met many of such greats. But I was fortunate enough to meet Ajit da. Ajit da was a gem of a person with an uncanny ability of mending young minds towards a brighter career. He always stressed on knowledge, albeit not the bookish ones, preached by a lot of teachers whom I have interacted with in my life. He used to say that knowledge should be the morning star in the journey of a ‘bright’ career. He himself was the personification of that. Nobody could have been bored in his classes, be it during the toughest times of post-lunch or during the late afternoon, the time when everyone used to yearn for playground. He never used a chair during his classes and used to stand like a crane with one leg on the ground and the other folded on the edge of the table. We were challenged by him that if we attended his classes we need open the biology book again, not even before the exam. I remember those lessons even now. Such was his impact. Those lucky few ones, who had been fortunate enough to attend his class, can testify that. I personally learnt a lot of things from him, be it Life Sciences or Life minus the science.

The Ajit da we met was the Ajit da of the late 1990’s…By then he was approaching his sixties and time had taken a toll on his body. He was a severe asthmatic; I remember once he had come to take our class with a crepe-bandage strapped chest. It had happened due to excessive coughing. But he refused to quit cigarettes. On the same day he explained to us that why was he a bachelor for life. I won’t forget that class. I used to wonder and even wonder now that how have he been in his younger days. Had he not been attracted towards the materialistic side of life? Like we are…He was an admirer of Mother Teresa and had a heart like Mother Teresa. He was always seen with his trademark 32-inch smile and the last time I met him in 2008 was also same. He greeted me with his customary smile and spoke for some time and he even joked about my weight.

The simple dhoti-punjabi clad Ajit da was as elegant as a Tuxedoed actor or a business leader and could put to shame a stand-up comedian with his one-liners. He has touched many hearts and mended many minds in NDP since the 1960’s. I think he was born to teach and touch lives. Spending more than fifty years in an institution, speaks about his longevity, but also speaks volumes about his love and dedication for the Institution. I salute this great gentleman and pray to the almighty…May his soul rest in peace…Wherever you have gone Ajit da, you will continue to be in our hearts and minds…

In Pursuit of my Dreams...

“When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it” ~ Paulo Coelho

My father taught me to dream, and to dream really big. At times he reprimanded, for as a kid most often I used to dream the unrealistic. But then dreams are always unrealistic unless you achieve them. Isn’t it? Whatever it may be if you strive hard, you tend to realize your dream. So in a way I was in pursuit of my dreams ever since. And is still dreaming…dreaming for that ultimate glory…

When I got the offer letter from Copal Partners last month, to join them as a senior research analyst, one of my long cherished dreams was fulfilled. I wanted it so badly…maybe the entire universe had conspired to help me achieve my dream. But whatever it is I had worked hard to achieve this small bit. Dreams are so powerful and you tend to ignore them unless you realize them. Seriously, if you ever think, then you would realize that everything happens twice in your life…and I can tell this from my personal experiences. I say twice because once it happens in reality and once it happens in our minds. And the latter part always happens first. Unless it comes to your mind you cannot really achieve it.

I dream and if I want to make my dream a reality then I know I have not only to give my best but employ my mind to constantly think about it. Such is the power of mind that it will make you achieve what you think. I would say that I do not have such a strong mind, but what I have is dogged determination and a decent amount of self containment to see me through tough times. My mother says that I am the laziest person in this world, but I defy agreeing that. Neither have I been a brilliant student in school. During my formative years I lived in the shadow of my elder brother. He was a brilliant student and unfortunately I went to the same school. Most of my peers were amazingly gifted. I would not say that I was useless, but yes, when I used to compare myself with them I was not above the cut. But I always tried to develop myself. I had a dream, a burning desire to be successful and always believed in myself and God—that I am “Unputdownable”. That the desire and the dream have brought me so far is quite clear to me. By the end of my school I had an identity of my own, people realized my potential and my abilities. And when I went to college I started to become famous, albeit in a small way. I ended college as a “Sir”…people used to look up to me and asked me to counsel them. From a no-one in school to a university rank holder at the end of college is in my book an achievement. Something which would probably made my dad, had he been alive, really proud; something which was achieved only because I dreamt about them.

My journey to be successful continues…I would not stop dreaming. I work harder now. And I am waiting for the next milestone…I know I will reach there soon, because whatever I want I want it badly…

Adieu CK Prahalad...

Coimbatore Krishnarao Prahalad…CK to his loved ones…more famously CK Prahalad…is no more. I was one of his many admirers. One of the foremost thinkers in strategy and management donned many hats. He consulted Philips, AT&T, and Sony to name a few. He is the father of Core competence—a concept which finds its relevance everywhere, Bottom of Pyramid—once again a game changing concept to tap the market at the bottom level and many more modern management concepts. Unlike many other thinkers he was the one who firmly believed that globalization is actually bad for the poor of the world.

Rest in peace Prahalad Sir…May the almighty give all the strength to the family of Prahalad sir to see through this crisis.

The Indian 'Sponsors and Controversies' League

This is the time. The semifinals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are nearing. When I write this the four teams for the semifinals are not decided yet…but one thing is decided that the IPL cannot come out of controversy so easily in the future. Such is the situation or I should say such is the interests of the stakeholders that finally the government decided to step in. I decided this can be a hot issue to discuss. And why not when the stakes are so high and we are just mere cricket-crazy fanatics following the ruckus…which is to be described in a single word as “consumerism”, at its very best.

The league has created a niche for itself—be it commanding astronomical rates for an advertisement in a ten second slot or becoming the “manoranjan ka baap” for the Indian TV audiences or for that matter creating innovative ways to plug in more advertisements and breaks during a cricket match. Such is its influence that global giants like Vodafone have a featured advertising scheme for the IPL. The idea and initiative taken by Vodafone is noble—that to have a new advertisement featured during every match involving the zoozoos is brilliant per se. But what is the gross outcome? And how long can this cacophony sustain itself? Oh I forgot that one important hypothesis—Indian markets can absorb anything. I agree that the sponsors are spending a lot of money. Come on…they have the money, which is the reason why they are the sponsors. But in lieu of sponsorship you cannot just make a game an arena to showcase non-sense. I mean what is the use of commentators yelling “a Citi Moment of success” every time when a batsman hits a six or “a Karbon Kamal catch” when a fielder takes a catch. Doesn’t it sound repetitive and boring…Had it been a great shot or a great catch and had the commentator said so is quite justifiable…but when the ball touches the edge and flies past the keeper for a six what is the use of “a Citi Moment of success”? It not only kills the game but also kills the traditional style of commenting in a cricket match. Gone are the days when we had absolute brilliant commentary and commentators like the legendary Richie Benaud or Tony Greig or Barry Richards to name a few. Then there is the “MRF BLIP” flying high in the sky glorifying MRF and its association with cricket in India. Does it make sense to showcase the blip and the commentators be asked to rave about it?

As if all that was not enough, now there is the much needed twist in the latest controversy. Things were going smoothly for the IPL…the teams were making money, Lalit Modi (the IPL commissioner) was hogging the limelight everywhere he went and everything he did, the teams were competitive as well and the participants were minting money. But then the nemesis—the controversy…and is threatening to kill the tournament itself. Like always the Indian government now will involve itself and will bail out or should I say pull the IPL out of this muck. This actually sounds the death knell for cricket as a game. Instead of going global cricket is shrinking itself day by day. Look around the other popular leagues around the world in any other sport…the MLS in the USA, the English Premier League or the Spanish League…they all are so well managed. They neither have the cap on foreign players representing a team. That is the reason why they are truly global and not just followed locally but across the planet. I mean how many of us care to know follow about the I-league…the league of Indian Football Clubs? But I am sure there are thousands who actually follow the English Premier League. The IPL as a brand is very big, but unless it is managed well and unless some of the stupid restrictions are removed how can it call itself a global brand? How can it go shoulder to shoulder with the likes of the English Premier League or the MLS? Stakes are even higher there in the MLS or the English Premier League, but that does not pose a threat to the game. But all the hype and hoopla associated with the IPL and the controversies actually is posing a very big threat to the game of cricket. Unless something is done seriously to manage the things, the IPL will die and with it the game of cricket too. Come on BCCI, don’t just enjoy the scenic beauty of Dharamshala (the BCCI governing body is scheduled to meet at Dharamshala for a high profile discussion on the IPL), but break the stranglehold of petty politics and sponsors; and come out of the niche.