Sunday, July 19, 2009

the dilemma of non-participant

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In any given class, there are approximately 20% students who participate. Among these Ps, half are active in all the classes (call them APs) while the rest half change with the interest of subject. The rest 80% of the class comprise of active non-participants (ANPs) in the sense that they choose not to participate.

Two questions arise. How does it matter and to whom? Some basic thoughts would say that the group misses on the contribution of an ANP and the ANP loses vital opportunities of putting forward his / her thoughts in a structured way. These, however, are concerns that come later and are related to individual or the group he /she belongs to. The more important concern is how to use the potential of an ANP in the best possible way. In a class, it may be a trivial matter but in corporates, it is essential to strive to bring the best of ALL employees .

It has intrigued me frequently as to why an organization designs itself to push only the APs who are any way ready to take initiatives. My experience says that they would anyway find ways to contribute. The real goldmine is the majority who sit on their desk and wait to be told what to be done. Pushing them into active participation would be more productive according to me.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

and then i laughed

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As I entered the campus, I felt big. Why today? I have no idea but I felt big. I just moved through the green surroundings towards Admin Block. Suddenly there came an urge to explore the Insti. I walked to a remote corner from where I could see the series of pillars supporting a ceiling which was covered with creepers. At that moment I realized that the grey structure was sending strange cold vibes. It made me feel lonely. Deserted. I started looking for someone. Anyone. Computer Centre was nearby. There must be a few people down there. I took the stairs. As I entered, a cute looking girl looked at me and gave a smile. Whoa! That never happened to me before. Well, not never but the timing here was immaculate. Suddenly I started feeling a lot better. Girls should smile. I came out. It was raining in sunshine. I walked out into the rain. It was one of those mild drizzles that leave me with goosebumps. I love rain. It rains everyday in Bangalore. I love Bangalore. Suddenly I realized the chain of thoughts from feeling big to lonely to exuberent. I laughed. I laughed like a child and it started raining harder. I was wet and life was as beautiful as ever.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

thirteen days on wheel

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Delhi > Jaipur > Udaipur > Ahmedabad > Mumbai > Davangere > Bangalore

It all started on 8th of June. I began my long drive from Delhi to Bangalore on dear Walle (my little zen estilo). A total of 2000 miles was to be covered in 13 days. I remember different people reacting differently to this supposedly crazy idea but the one I found most amusing was what Sabiha said :) "PK drive kar ke Bangalore jaa rahaa hai". Both of us laughed on that comment but that seems to be a different era.

There is so much to tell about this journey and so much to share from my experience that one blog is insufficient. However I would recount one - the last one. At the closing stage of this journey, I was crossing Chitradurga, some 130 miles from Bangalore. I realized that there is an ancient fort at the top of the city. I drove my car, walked my way and found myself at the top of this fort. The view was simply surreal. On one side I could see the ruins of palatial complex. On the other side, there was this huge farm of windmills visible for miles. It was as if with a 180 degree turn, I could move from 500 BC to 2500 AD.

That was the last of memories that I collected before entering the realms of a city that has found itself a place even in English dictionary.

Friday, July 3, 2009

जो बीत गई सो बात गई

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जीवन में मधु का प्याला था
तुमने तन मन दे डाला था
वो टूट गया तो टूट गया
मदिरालय का आँगन देखो
कितने प्याले हिल जाते हैं
गिर मिटटी में मिल जाते हैं
जो गिरते हैं कब उठते हैं
पर बोलो टूटे प्यालों पर
कब मदिरालय पछताता है

-बच्चन