Cost of compromise!

Cost of compromise! A lesson from the world of cricket.

World of professionals (irrespective of what the profession is) is inevitably and inexplicably tied to business, and lure of money. The more the money and visibility involved, the more is responsibility that comes with it.

Cricketers of modern India are part and parcel of 'sports and entertainment business'. Those who cannot, are simply not worth the position that they are given. Position of respect, power and/or fame comes with the responsibility conducting oneself in a manner which is, and looks, responsible and accountable. One cannot take part of the deal and decide not to take the other.

In this context, blaming failure in T20 world cup on IPL looks more of kiddish argument, and no where close to being a professional. This is more alarming than failure in itself. I think, it is time they start behaving like a professional

India, and the new world order

No more than a couple of decades back, India was considered to be 'land of bullock carts' or 'land of oriental mystics'. Pace of changes after globalization/liberalization since 1991 has, indeed, changed the face of India beyond recognition,in the emerging world order. Some of those are good while some others are not!

As an Indian, I am proud to see India basking in the new found glory yet it pains to observe that much of what has changed is only the face. I miss the bank officials in friendly neighbourhood of old times. When I go to the bank now, it costs me more (any time banking.. It is for my convenience or bank's?)

I am glad to see computing reach out to rural India in the form of mobile phones but I am sad to see that they still live in miserable conditions. It pains because what goes around in the name of development is breaking apart the social fabric and development is tearing apart the social fabric. It raises fundamental questions and development, without addressing these, is not sustainable.

Deep within India is still the same. To know what I mean, get closer to the life of an average Indian. I am not referring to the Indian that you find in Airports walking around with laptops, iPhones and what not. That is only a small fraction. Rest of India is still starving

Yes, World is going through a turmoil triggered by a chain of economic crises and that raises fundamental questions. I believe India does hold answers to many of them but, before that, we have a long way to go to keep our house in order.

An interesting(?) paradox

Two news items in Mathrubhumi today has caught my attention.

One item reports that two people drowned in the river Pamba and another reports that there is no water in Pamba (Sabarimala), both places being in the same district in Kerala

A moment in history!

Now is an important moment in history. World seems to have come a full circle

East India Company which left an indelible mark on history of India for good and bad. Days of colonialism is lost into annals of history but not necessarily from minds of people yet. English has almost become language connecting the whole world

Now it is interesting to observe that East India Company is bought by an Indian.

Politics of Technology

Internet has simplified computing manifold, in 1990s, and thereby taking technology to every walk of life. First decade of the new millennium has seen it evolving increasingly into a platform for social collaboration. By and large, collective human endeavor has been behind this success with open and free interaction.

Popularity and adoption has also led to burgeoning trends in attack of malicious intent on this wonderland, and sometimes with political undertones. This runs counter to spirit of largely trust based interaction of professionals and volunteers. But, then, it is a natural consequence of social adoption of technology and cannot be wished away.

As is made out sometimes, problem is neither with technology nor with social adoption but the recklessness of its adoption. Technology is often adoption without adequate cost-benefit analysis; obviously, cost-benefit mentioned here is not just from economic perspectives

I think it is time for sociologist take a serious look at unprecedented social changes triggered by evolving technology, to contain its negative impacts, before it turns out to be a frankenstein

Sociological challenges in a changing world!

I tend to agree Grady Booch's advice that "not everything we want to build, can be built. Not everything we want to build, should be built". By extension, we should not be doing everything we want to; there are moral, social and political limits. Yet the social landscape is changing.

Advancements in science and technology is changing the world we live in beyond recognition, whether we like it or not. While fundamental human values may not be at risk, social norms are. They are being challenged and tested, albeit in pockets in isolation.

It seems that notion of building blocks of society like family, community, nation etc requires a new definition in the light of new possibilities emerging; and that need to happen at global scale in a shrinking world

Innocence lost

Child in me is lost somewhere here? Well, this is where I was born. This is where I spend my childhood and teens. As I went in search of future, I lost my past somewhere; changed in an irreversible manner! I am still looking around... Do you see me around? Do you see me in you?


View My Hometown in a larger map

This used to be part of a small village during my childhood, people around so well known but now a crowded with old timers sparsely spread. Buzz of beetles are now replaced by roar of the concrete jungle; a nostalgic past is being lost into a dream of future. Frightening peace of quiet nights are no more around. Culture has become a show piece and celebrations too have become urbanized

Oh Janus, where are you? Tell us the art of looking into past yet keeping future in sight

Fear vs Respect

Fear and Respect. Surprisingly, these are words often used synonymously. Have you not heard of people talking about being 'god-fearing' instead of being 'god-believing'?

Fear is a negative feeling coming from a position of weakness. It comes either out of guilt or sheer helplessness. Fear gets exploited everywhere. In the places of work, workshop, with friends and even at home. Fear terrifies you of consequences and stops you from an action. Fear blocks your mind and hinders free thinking. Fear is demanded by the weak from the weak. Fear comes out of ignorance; not knowing what is in other person's mind, what is to happen next, what if ......

Respect is a positive feeling, comes from a position of strength. You respect a person when you see a person (or an entity) better in some aspect; may be knowledge, power, position, money... be it whatever, it energizes your mind and propels you into action. Respect is commanded by the strong and respect is given by the strong. Respect comes knowledge; knowing you, knowing your choices, knowing others and knowing the world

Fear breaks; Respect mends.
Fear hurts; Respect heals.
Fear suffocates; Respect motivates.
Fear arrests; Respect enables.

For a better life, better family, better business, better world, nurture respect always and everywhere. Destroy fear always, everywhere

My parents

An old snap from archives (from 2006 photos)

Divine inspiration

Blending past, present and future

<

Where the time stands still...

Tribute to the timeless, limitness, absolute, ...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Again, another year is coming to a end. It is time for a new beginning.

Personally for me, 2008 represented a successful completion of a journey commenced in 2002, and 2009 was a new beginning. Foundation is being built yet for my new dream, and realization of that is a long journey; a journey that may probably take about 10 years. Therefore, 2010 represents a continuity for me personally rather than totally a new beginning

Yet it make sense to look back into the times gone by and then look ahead. Year 2009 started on a gloomy note with the world in the grip of recession. As we see the world gradually wriggling out of recession, the coming year 2010 promises to be better.

2009 was a mixed bag, in general. As I look back into 2009, what comes to the top of my mind, on a positive note, is Oscar awards coming to India for the first time. What I recall on a melancholic note is the unexpected loss of an icon of our times 'Michael Jackson'

Professionally, software development is poised for further challenges with computing set to scale new horizons in collaboration and natural user interface. Software engineering has undergone severe churning under apparently conflicting pulls from visionaries, theoriticians, methodologists, practitioner and tool vendors. It seems now that world of software engineering is ready to be settling into a dynamic equilibrium centered around delivering value to success critical stakeholders in a healthy business environment

Future beckons and that seems to exciting!

Happy new year!

Country roads, Take me home

Almost into the fag end of the year 2009, world is set into a festive mood. It is also time for looking back as we move into 2010

I am all set to go back to Kerala for a short vacation. As usual, my vacation is a combination of pilgrimage and connecting to the past, visiting my friends and relatives.

This time around. it is a visit to attend 'Pattamudayam' celebration at Chirakkal Kovilakam, Kodungallur, starting with short visit to Tattamangalam, Pazhayannur, Guruvayur and Paambum Mekkad

A part of this is pilgrimage and a part is connection with the past as always

'Pattamudayam' is an important celebration both as a family get together and religious function. 'Pattamudayam' translates to mean 10th dawn and is celebrated on 11th day of the month 'Dhanu' in Malayalam calendar. As often, it happens to be on December 26th in this year.

I have been to 'Pattamudayam' celebration, a couple of times in the past, both as a child and grown up. I am feeling a greater sense of significance this time around.

My father Sudhakara Raja used to associate a great deal of importance to this celebration and used to religiously attend this celebration. His elder, and only, brother Dinakara Raja has played an instrumental role in reviving 'Pattamudayam' celebration to instill a sense of belonging within the family, a big joint family at that. Now, my father is old and ailing, and is far away in Delhi and his elder brother is no more



I feel a sense of importance in this time now to connect to the past. I am afraid if I do not connect now, I may never be able to connect back.

I am connecting now to one of the last vestiges of a joint family system; a basic structure of social system of yesteryears. All of that is lost in the new world order of nuclear families, threatening to go even into a state of plasma.

I do not believe in holding on the past. Sure, life goes on and the show has to go on. Everything about the past is not good either. Old social order is getting lost and new order is yet to set in

To me, the past, present and future are inexplicably interlinked. I am connecting to the past now to revitalize myself and move into the future

Be the change!

This blog post is inspired a blog from my friend 'Are we losing a long term Vision'

I do not think this is a recent happening. This tendency used to there and will continue to be. It takes conviction in oneself to be different; determination will follow. Conviction, determination, observation, and perseverance are critical to success.

I agree that there is visible mediocrity and lethargy even highest echelons in corporate hierarchy. In my observation, it is intentional rather than accidental. It is a lack of application rather than a lack of skills. It is a matter of convenience, riding the wave created by some other leader in the past.

Well, it happens at the cost of the company. Is any one bothered? Patient is under close medical supervision while admitted into hospital, and under very close monitoring in the ICU. Routine sets in, after being discharged from the hospital. Do we take care even after that? How many of us do strictly follow medical instructions for healthy living? Personal health is one's own priority and responsibility. If that is compromised, there is surprise that organization health is compromised

As many times in the past, this brings me back to Mahatma Gandhi to say 'Be the change you want to see in the world'

Time to go back to Gandhi

Reality check: Brazil and China have been praised, but India criticised, in a new report that evaluates the efforts of developing countries to tackle hunger

Is this what we call progress? Have we forgotten Gandhiji's Talisman?

"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?

Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

- One of the last notes left behind by Gandhiji in 1948, expressing his deepest social thought.

Leadership and Character

Life, and business, comes with good times and bad times. Anyone would sound great in good times. Only a strong character takes you through tough times gracefully. Leadership is as much behavioural as much as it is character.

A case for inclusive growth

India has been basking in the glory of new found riches of new generation Indian entrepreneurs and professionals.

What should have been a matter of national pride has unfortunately been only a privilege of a few. This privilege sometimes finds expression bordering on unabashed arrogance as exemplified in "cattle class" remarks of the "elite".

For a nation professing democratic, socialistic ideologies and inspired by simple living style of Gandhiji, we need more than a lopsided growth. Trickle down effect has not yet reached the common man. If you are not convinced, take an open ticket and travel in unreserved compartment in any of India. You will get to see the face of India that you do not want to see. Hard to describe, hard to believe but yes, that is a hard fact.

Concern for common man is expressed as a ritual during the times of National celebrations but soon forgotten. We have almost ignored that the true strength of India lies still in our villages. Our true strength is the silent, tolerant, simple common man of India.

I would have been happier to read from Indian media But I am glad to see this is reported somewhere at least. Fortunately, drive for inclusive growth seems to be slowly gathering momentum, off late.

Well, I am not against technology, I am not against growth but I am for is inclusive a growth... A social relation which is truly win-win for all stakeholders. I believe, only such growth is sustainable in the long run


I do not want my house to be walled in on sides and my windows to be stuffed. I want the cultures of all the lands to be blown about my house as freely as possible. But I refuse to be blown off my feet by any

Gandhiji

Character, Integrity and Reputation

I came across an interesting write up on the subject. This was pointed to me by one of my friends in facebook

I like the analogy. Taking it further, I would say that integrity is part of character. Character is part of being oneself, being true to yourself to the people around you, and to the world at large. Reputation and respect are fruits of the tree, that is yourself. Character is the seed that grow into making you.

Character determines your behavior. Behavior and performance earns you reputation respect. Interestingly, visibility is in the reverse order. Reputation and respect is the most visible properties of the lot. Character is only visible who cares to see, and it takes time to understand. Character is the true strength, and it is internal; not an item for demonstration. It makes itself visible in a subtle manner through behavior

Well, what it takes to have character? I believe, it is partly nature and partly nurture; nurtured by experience with parents, friends, ..