No GOATS, only the great warriors!

One of the key sporting things that I am looking forward to in 2024 is the comeback of Rafael Nadal to Tennis. Every time he made a comeback in the past, he had also made a statement with his unbelievable play. This looks to be the last possible comeback though! Hoping to see him enjoying what he does out there and recreate some of his magical shots again. Seeing him holding a grand slam trophy would just be a bonus, nevermind really. 

With that I also want to express views about the whole GOAT topic. I completely believe there is no meaning to compare players, be it with their contemporaries or with the players from a different timeline altogether. Numbers speak, of course, but they don't speak enough to name anyone the GOAT. Ridiculous is what I feel that this entire GOAT debate is. 

There have been great warriors in the sports; take anyone, name anyone. Let's see them so. Let's not put them together and draw any kind of conclusions, which none of them deserve. 

Simple. 

No GOATs. Only the great warriors. 

Nadal is undoubtedly one of the greatest warriors Tennis has seen! Not 'the greatest' as written in the picture above! 

One of the best advises!

One of the best advises I picked up in my career is the following: 

"Don't question like a master. Ask like a student"

I noticed this advise being given to a colleague. We were fresh from college back then without knowing much about what to do in the corporate world. More than what to do, we were unsure of how to do or how not to, rather. 

That was the time I picked up this advise. Believe me, it stayed with me till date. Even after fifteen years of career, I haven't developed that way of questioning like a master. Be it with seniors or peers or juniors, asking like a student is something I do, consciously and subconsciously as well. It has become a part of life by now. A good part to be specific, that I feel good about myself. 

Shopping and weight reduction!

After "bank balance", the most significant thing that shopping reduces is 'weight'. 

Live electric vehicle apps showing the amount of CO2 saved, retail brands can showcase the amount of calories burned out by a person in their outlet, and probably can incentivize it at the time of billing! 

Shopping malls aka small-scale gyms!

And food courts do the balancing act though! 

Such a provocative yet useful ecosystem. 

Can anti-suicidal devices prevent suicides?

Back in 2000, when I was in the first year of intermediate course after schooling, was when I first encountered a situation that made me ask myself if anti-suicidal devices prevent suicides! There was a student who committed suicide by hanging herself to the fan. After few weeks, another student jumped off from top floor, to death. In the next few days, the management had installed iron mesh to the balconies of the our hostel. In those days, no one managed to invent the anti-suicidal fans, otherwise they would have installed them as well. Just like how the anti suicidal fans have been installed in some of the hostels in Kota, Rajasthan, after a few students took their lives succumbing to the JEE-stress. Here I ask again, can anti-suicidal devices prevent suicides? May be they will reduce the number of cases happen due to that particular device, but in totality they won't. Everyone is aware of this simple fact, but not many seem bothered. They just don't want it to happen in their hostel or apartment. It can very well continue in the neighborhood

So much of stress the JEE aspirants especially go through that it's nearly impossible with the current way of affairs to prevent the suicides. Competition is huge, seats are less. Again, increasing the seats is not the solution that I think is ideal. Making the students believe that if not JEE, there are many means of proving oneself, many ways of living a dream life. This doesn't mean one must not aspire to be cracking the JEE, but if one cannot do that, the world doesn't end. Students to get this incepted thoroughly in their minds and hearts. Who can do that? Parents, teachers, professors, mentors, friends and many more can actually take ahead this thinking through the minds and hearts of the aspirants. 

Whoever says whatever, at the end of the day one needs to have their own thinking in a certain way to stand up and face the results. 

Commercialized education has succeeded in making students fragile year after year, decade after decade, so much so that they won't have any other thought than taking their own lives upon failure. 

Fantasized wishes of parents have succeeded in pushing their children to the corner, from where they see no one to share what they are going through or thinking about. 

Innovative products are now being looked at to prevent the suicides. After all , people who are thinking so are also the products of the same education system!

Nothing is in stars, it's all in our minds. 

Parents must take first steps to not let their children feel cornered if they don't crack competitive exams. 

Teachers must stand by the students irrespective of their merit. After all, every student is unique. 

Government must take steps towards eradicating the commercialization in education. Must improve the quality of colleges, teaching staff, teaching aids and many more necessities to make sure students get opportunities to explore their interests and strengths. 

Friends must cheer up each other beyond the ranks, grades and all those materialistic things that are relative in nature, but don't demonstrate the capabilities of any of their friends. 

One must be strong from within to give it all to something that's desired but stay strong in the situation takes it away. 

Not anti-suicidal devices, but improving the thinking methodology can definitely prevent suicides. This needs collective efforts of all the stakeholders. 

Celebrating together - ParenthoodDiaries #62

I overserved my five year old boys playing cricket at home, one day. One of them was blowing and the other one was swinging the bat. They played few balls & shots. One ball touched the stumps and he got out. Surprising to me, they both started enjoying that moment together, saying "Yaay... out". 

I realized that going by basics, theirs is a valid reaction. Considering that the ball hit stump, they were enjoying that crucial moment of the game irrespective of what's going to happen the next minutes. After that, the one bowing continues to bowl and the one batting continued to do so. They basically were just continuing to do their job. 

When we know what we need to be doing, nothing else matters. Doesn't matter if you get out or something else happens. The moment we start relating the out situation to the fact that you need to leave the crease, there starts the thought process and so as the unnecessary stress that comes with! 

Celebrate things out, irrespective of their outcome. Differentiate what needs a response and what needs just acceptance, in life. 

Efficiency - Take Home #682

 Make people around you more efficient, to be more efficient together. 

Kids and their enjoyment - ParenthoodDiaries #61

I have observed that kids enjoy the things in their hand. Toys, books, pens, flowers, water, papers and what not. They enjoy them thoroughly, so much that we can learn a lot about how to be happy with what we have. 

And when they have nothing in their hand, they start enjoying the moon, the sun, the air, the clouds and so on. They find their happiness. How blissful that thinking is!

Movie: Animal

There is nobody like anybody. Everyone is unique, so is the story of each. 

While some movies portray the protagonist as a super human, some portray as somebody else. Some portray in a unique way, so is the case I feel with Animal. Many termed it as misogynic, but I couldn't get that flavor of misogynic in a character that stands for sisters, loves the father beyond practical possibilities, submits to the woman of his life to silently take the tight-slaps when on wrong foot. 

The entire movie has been an emotional roller coaster ride. The antagonist' portray is although questionable in some sequences, it's been beautifully played by Bobby Deol. Fit or misfit, not sure what to call Rashmika! She could have done it better for sure. I read that Parineeti Chopra was the first choice for that role, she would have done a splendid job. This script lost her. 

Ranbir Kapoor gave in everything to the character. Wonderful job done by him. Liked many sequences of the movie. Script work could have been more deeper, but I believe some sequences are left for the Animal Park! 

Those who could not take the 'misogyny' for over three hours, I wonder what they would have ever done to save someone from misogyny in real life. There seems to be no problem with misogyny in real life, unless it happens to us. In films it shall not be portrayed! I no means support this kind of thinking. 

Freedom of expression and cinematic liberty are needed to bring up good stories to audience. There can be no restrictions as to what type of people are shown in movies. Watch a movie like a movie, especially when it's a fictional story. 

Looking forward to Animal Park.

A cycle of perceptions - Take Home #682

Life is a cycle of perceptions. What makes us breaks us. And what breaks us makes us even more precious! Make or break, it's a perception. Nothing is sacrosanct. It's about how important the perception is for oneself is. Nothing else really matters.

Smartness - Take Home #681

Smartness is also about knowing when to hold back showcasing smartness! 

Break the stereotypes!

It takes generations to create stereotypes but it only takes a moment to break them. 

What all examples I should give under stereotypes! Each one of us can name a few ourselves without efforts. Let's not take any particular one, but in general think about breaking stereotypes. It actually takes only a moment to break that thinking if one is willing to do so, if one consciously questions oneself about the belief carried about the stereotype thinking about a set of people! 

How unfair it is to just judge a person based on what had happened in the past or based on how the other people from that region had behaved earlier on. Being in the moment and completely conscious about the given moment, we will always be able to make out what's right or wrong, which way to judge and which way to not! At the least, we can give it  a try rather than accepting that the stereotypes that have been developed about a given set of people. 

One can also take care of breaking the stereotypes in the same way. One can always stay in the moment, observe, judge as to what shall be the outcome of his or her behavior rather than blindly following any particular way that has been followed for whatever reasons! Given that thinking, a lot of subconscious acts can be avoided and hence can set examples to the next generations. 

It's individual responsibility to be conscious in the given moment, think and act. The basic way of dealing life, nothing more it asks. 

The moment - Take Home #680

 Not the past moment, but what you are in the current moments paves the path for your next moment. 

The toughest to break - Take Home #679

The toughest to break is the motivation that comes from within. It's also the easiest to get, provided one is sticking to the basics & values that one believes in. 

The helpless disclaimer!

Of all the disclaimers I have seen, the most difficult one to accept is the one that runs before the beginning of the movie in theaters, about the usage of paan, gutka and tambaku. Also, when they write that smoking & drinking alcohol is injurious to health in the scenes where the characters are shown either smoking or drinking. In some commercial oriented movies, it's even difficult to find a frame without this written, especially in the scenes of protagonist or antagonist with the respective habits. 

Does it really help? I don't think so. 

Many a times I ask this question myself, may be many out there have it too, that why can't the sale of these products be stopped by government. In fact, some actors and players had gone ahead and endorsed the respective brands. There was a backlash I recall, which didn't help much though. 

As I understand it, there will be a lot of political influence on that decision to not sell those products. Practically it is not even possible to completely enforce a law to ban those products, at least under the current circumstances. With that concern, it seems some mid-way was found out under the guiding principles of democracy that a disclaimer needed to be shown on the screen! 

Such a helpless one though! 

The difficult responsibility!

Out of all the responsibilities I handle, the responsibilities towards bringing up the next generation is the most difficult I feel. We all handle diverse responsibilities hence it cannot be generically said if this is applicable to everyone. As far as I'm concerned, it's absolutely true that nurturing kids is the most difficult one that I feel.

The highest challenge is especially when I cannot answer them with facts; rather when they ask questions that cannot be answered with facts. The collective wisdom of this generation of kids helps in framing up deeper questions!

As I say it, nurturing kids is also the most beautiful thing which makes me feel accomplished a lot of times and frustrated a few times too. Everything has two sides; it's just about what we want to see, which side we want to hang onto in our thoughts.

Such a key responsibility cannot be handled alone. Society and people around play a huge role, including the family, friends, neighbors, school, teachers, maids and everyone involved. Of all these, at least in the circumstances I'm in, I observe that kids have huge influence of their maid. They are friends with her. They consider her as a family member; according to them, we are five people in our family, including her. 

While they are lucky to have got her, I too feel blessed a lot of times. The discipline with which she handles things out is unmatchable at least to me! The way I'm damn involved in the job that I do, she is a totally involved woman in her job. And that makes her achieve a special place in kids' hearts. So much that at times they wake up suddenly at night asking for her. 

I realize that she is good at what she does and that makes me good at what I do, eventually. This fact cannot be denied. There is no regret about not being available to kids all the times. I have never developed that thinking in my entire parenthood journey. I have accepted the fact that I will be away from kids at times; that might make me miss out on some important moments, but no regrets. No point regretting when you are doing what you need to do.

Contribution matters - Take Home #678

Contribution and actions are rewarded. Neither capability nor intention. Hence it's important to make actionable resolutions around our intentions. Having capability alone is not the strength one can rely upon every time. Capability is at its place but how we are putting that capability to the best use is something that differentiates successful people from the rest. 

Team India @ICC CWC 2023

Irrespective of what's going to happen in the remaining ten days of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup, on this day at this moment, the performance statistics put up by Team India are the "Never-before" for all of us who grew up following cricket in India.

Not the best team but the team that puts up the best performance at right time wins, always.

May Team India continue to be the best in the remaining three matches too!

May my prediction about who will win this world cup go WRONG.

Webseries: Taali

I have not watched the Webseries "Taali" yet. But I cannot stop appreciating the bold decision by Susmita Sen to play the role of a transgender woman. Being a Miss Universe herself, it absolutely takes guts and boldness to have accepted that role. By far, I consider this as one of the boldest decisions by an actress in the recent times. One of the truest demonstrations of the moto of the beauty pageant, 'beauty with a purpose".

 

Happy to see great feedback about the whole series. Would be looking forward to watching it sometime! 

Quality 168 hours!

'Pandemic' and 'Parenthood' have changed my perception about work-life balance. It's not about a defined hours of work a week. It's about a quality 168 hours of life a week! The real 24/7.

It's about the contribution to the organization and doing full justification to the qualities & skills we possess as individuals, as professionals.

It's about being there for family, facing the situations, and developing the capability to prioritize.

It's about taking care of oneself, so that the genuine care for others can be expressed.

We have the potential to make everything fall in place. At times when we fail, we must have the attitude to learn and keep going. That's all. No need to think if life is easy or difficult. Just live it full throttle and give it the best version of ourselves.

Let's have the quality 168 hours ahead!

Colours & Cricket - ParenthoodDiaries #60

So, my kids have a different definition for colours now. Courtesy, Cricket World Cup!

Black - New Zealand

Blue - India

Green - Pakistan

Orange - Netherlands

&

Their favorite... Pink is UMPIRE.

Digital Generation - ParenthoodDiaries #59

 Indeed, it's the "Digital Generation" of kids in the making, who push the parents to be thinking digital too!

- Their toothpaste had got over; they came to me and said "Tell Big Basket uncle to bring it".

- YouTube had stopped working and they wanted me to do the recharge.

- After learning about Chandrayan-3, they now want a rocket with a remote!

Now that technology is contagious, even I keep thinking if I can get a Digital Twin of myself made. Or if I can get a colour changing car, so that kids won't recognize me going out of the society if they see while playing!!

Movie: Jawan

With the whopping world-wide collection of this film, Jawan producers can clear few farmers' loans, can equip few government hospitals with medical facilities. They wont do that. I won't ask that either. They can just return the ticket amount, if I may ask. They can't anyway return the time I lost watching the film's lost-story.

You will understand this more when you watch it. But wait for its OTT release. Not a theater-film according to me. Just trying to at least save your money and time!

The comeback!

Just how champions make comebacks! 

What is dominance?

What is dominance?

Simone Biles.

Colour theme in metro and a mother's perspective!

Yet another addition to my list of "mother's perspective" on System Engineering!

Today we traveled in Pune Metro along with kids. At first, I really liked that idea of maintaining colour theme inside the train based on the line's name, like purple line trains in purple color and blue line trains in blue colour.

But at the end, I had to hold my head when kids wanted to travel in the train with their favorite colour theme, but not in the one that actually goes to the required destination!

I wouldn't have thought of this use case, even if I myself was designing those system requirements related to colour theme!

Chandrayaan 3 - India's Landing on Moon

The joy of seeing moon is changed forever. The Indian Flag is up above there, standing tall, signifying the momentous achievement of Team ISRO.

India is indeed on the moon. Equally pleasingly, moon is in many Indian households tonight.

My joy multiplied, when I showed my 5 year old boys the Chandrayan-3's soft landing, and we together made the below drawing. Hope we will one day witness the first Indians stepping on moon. #Gaganyaan.

Learning from sport - Cricket World Cup 2023

As India is gearing up to host the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, I go back to my memories from the first ever world cup I watched, back in 1999. And that SA vs AUS semi-final has had a long lasting impact!

Hansie Cronje was the first "captain" I remember admiring. There is this dialogue in a movie made on his story - "You do not get 100% better by doing one thing 100% better. You get there by doing a hundred things 1% better".

That's so true for any sport, prominently for a team sport and equally for any individual or a team.

Irrespective of what later happened in Hansie Cronje's life, my admiration towards his captaincy has remained intact. Mistakes happen; traits stay.

Viral effect - ParenthoodDiaries #58

 Irony but that's how it is!

The moment I get to know that kids are recovering from viral infection is also the same moment I realize I have started showing its symptoms. Masks are the new myth, unless used aptly!

Runny nose is the relevant emoji to be used to represent "rainy season"!

Toys are the path way - ParenthoodDiaries #57

Kids came to receive me, as I had returned from a 9 day business tour. They were absolutely excited to see me, and even more excited to see the toys I brought along.

Toys are my pathway to their heart!

Because toys are their language - ParenthoodDiaries #56

Because, toys are their language.

My mom keeps telling me the story about how I used to take out all the toys on Sunday, play the whole day, sleep getting tired and she would arrange the toys back in the rack on the Monday morning.

So, here is my version of it now, just that it's double the size and maids are there to help me out.

Relating to their names - ParenthoodDiaries #55

Kids learnt "Bharat Maata Ki Jai" and Orissa's capital as "Bhuvaneshwar", during their course work at school. So they came home and said:

Bharat: Amma, I'm 'Bharat Maata Ki Jai'

Bhuvan: Amma, I'm 'Bhuvaneshwar'

After hearing about Mahabharat, Bharat says "Amma, I'm Mahabharat". I'm thinking that I must be narrating the story of 'Lagaan' to Bhuvan! 

The Mahabharat exposure - ParenthoodDiaries #54

First exposure of Bharat & Bhuvan to "The Mahabharat" - here are their 5 Pandavas. They are eagerly waiting to get 100 Kauravas now!!!

We purchased these toys at ISCON, so they initially thought these are all different forms of Krishna. Later we told them about Pandavas. 

Plants & gardening - ParenthoodDiaries #53

 I picked up gardening from my mom. I'm glad Bharat & Bhuvan are, probably, picking the same from me.

They have planted seeds of Tomato, Methi, Jack fruit and Dates lately. Here are their first little plants, and they are waiting for the fruits already! The backyard in our society has been their favorite play-time-place since an year.

I'm pretty happy that they are developing love towards soil and plants.

That lovely "Thalaiva" connection between Tennis and Cricket!!

 

Wimbledon shaking hand with Kerala's annual snake boat race!

 

Wimbledon-2023 shakes hand with "Naatu Naatu"!! Wonderful thought.

 

Rain lilli plant at home garden!

When I was a student, one day my dad messaged me - "Along with what your professors are teaching, also learn how they are teaching". This advice has forever changed the way I see the learning process.

At some point in everyone's career, 'what we have learnt about how we do things' start mattering more than 'what we know about them'. The earlier we realize this, the better prepared we will be for facing difficult and diverse opportunities.

Learn how to do things!

When I was a student, one day my dad messaged me - "Along with what your professors are teaching, also learn how they are teaching". This advice has forever changed the way I see the learning process.

At some point in everyone's career, 'what we have learnt about how we do things' start mattering more than 'what we know about them'. The earlier we realize this, the better prepared we will be for facing difficult and diverse opportunities.

KGF Chapter 3 by Chat GPT!

Dear KGF makers, here is the ChatGPT for you!

Bring the Chapter 3 at the earliest, otherwise you will have to compete with the world's best AI bots to protect your storyline!

‐----------------

Can you imagine what will be the storyline of KGF Chapter 3?

Certainly! As an AI language model, I can speculate a potential storyline for "KGF Chapter 3," although it should be noted that this is purely speculative and not based on any official information. Here's one possible story concept:

"KGF Chapter 3" could continue the epic saga of Rocky's rise to power in the criminal underworld, exploring new challenges and conflicts that he must overcome. The story may delve deeper into the political landscape of Kolar Gold Fields, revealing intricate power struggles and rivalries among different factions.

In this installment, Rocky might face formidable adversaries who seek to dethrone him and seize control of the gold mines. These adversaries could include powerful politicians, rival gang leaders, or even international forces attracted by the immense wealth of the region.

Amidst the chaos, Rocky may find his personal life under threat, with loved ones and allies facing danger. He could be driven to make difficult choices to protect those he cares about, blurring the line between hero and anti-hero.

As the story progresses, Rocky could also uncover hidden secrets about the Kolar Gold Fields, potentially involving historical revelations, treacherous conspiracies, or even supernatural elements tied to the rich history of the mines.

"KGF Chapter 3" might culminate in a climactic showdown, where Rocky confronts his most formidable adversary yet, striving to reclaim his position as the ultimate power in Kolar Gold Fields and secure the legacy he has fought so hard to build.

Again, I must emphasize that this is purely speculative and not based on any official information. The actual storyline of "KGF Chapter 3" will be determined by the filmmakers and the creative team behind the movie.

Army activity - ParenthoodDiaries #52

 Below shown is the INDIAN ARMY activity done by Bharat & Bhuvan today evening at home!!

It's absolutely true that engaging them on an activity is much simpler than making them do the HOMEWORK. Kids absolutely are choosy, and they are right almost every time in their choices about what they want to do. Such raw minds and raw thoughts!! It's so beautiful to know about them day after day.

Helping with homework - ParenthoodDiaries #51

 I think they have already started helping each other in finishing homework! The below looks as if one of them has written in both the books. They did it on their own by the time I returned from work, so can't make out exactly!!!

Don't miss observing the "Uses of legs"!!!

Driving can be a blissful expereince!

 I have lately realized that driving can be a blissful experience, if we can "smile at small things", l- The music of horns that perfectly echo with the traffic signal turning GREEN, as if the V2X tech is already in place!

- Children at traffic signal, who spray soap water onto the windshield to clean, upon refusing to give money spray more water, and make a gesture saying "clean it yourself"!

- Drivers who use their hands to make "what madam!" sort of gestures, upon nearly missing a collision that was to happen due to their decision to display skills!

and lastly,

- Commuters sitting on the back seat of the bikes or pedestrians crossing the road anywhere else than zebra crossings, play the role of traffic police to enact a STOP signal with superior confidence!!!

Smile at small things and driving can be a blissful experience!

School reopen - ParenthoodDiaries #50

First day of school today after the summer break! Bharat and Bhuvan are into Sr.kg now. They very much enjoyed the summer vacation with their grand-mom being in Pune.

Kids are back to school. My mom is going back to our village today. And I'm back to my everyday adventurous routine.

The school-made traffic sign recognition!

 The "school-made" traffic sign recognition system! One more reason to be religiously following the traffic rules, as violation might result into much more damage than mere fines.

Such a pleasure observing this palm leaf growing!!!

 

Kids expression about going to school - #ParenthoodDiaries 49

Kids didn't know much language in JrKG, so they used to say "No school!", on the days that they didn't want go to school.

Now in SrKG, they have started saying, "Mujhe school nahi jaana hai, kithne baar jaana hai school (I don't want to go to school, how many times I have to go)"!!

Interesting times ahead!!

After the blackhole theory...!

 After the blackhole theory, the hardest to explain is...

... why a demo did not work, just at the time of demonstration!

Digital payments in India!

 Here are the amazing statistics about the growth of digital transactions in India, in the last five years. 

Some of us don't even recall how many months it's been, since we visited ATMs for money withdrawal. The era of digitalization has just begun.

 So, another spectacular 'R' has got added to the RRR - This time, The OSCAR!

Great exhibition of talent and perseverance.

Hearty congratulations to all the artists, technicians and audience associated with this song.

Didn't you know 'Naatu'? 😏

A little sweet gesture on this women's day!

 A little sweet gesture from our colleagues, which will stay long in the memory lane!

Due to the munching taste of the chocolate, didn't care enough at that moment, to know who arranged this for all the women at our Verolt, Pune office. Heartfelt thanks to everyone behind this. Means a lot.

Varaha Roopam moment - #ParenthoodDiaries 48

Today my kids saw people playing Holi in our apartments. After coming home, one of the kids said- "Amma, we saw people looking like Varaha Roopam!".

They recently had the annual day function in their school, in which Varaha Roopam song from Kantara movie was a part. They came home and said - "Amma, today Varaha Roopam came to our school and said whooaaaaaa"!

Book: Shivaji - The Great Maratha

I have been in a state of euphoria ever since I completed reading this book about Shivaji Maharaj. I'm yet to pick the next one to read!!!

Having been staying in Maharashtra for the last 14 years, and having visited almost all forts that Shivaji once either conquered or constructed, I got naturally connected to the anecdotes of bravery mentioned in the book.

I always was mesmerized about the legacy he left behind in terms of the cultural values here in Maharashtra. After reading this book, I have realized how he established it that strong, which is still lived and celebrated here. That's the greatest sign of the level of impact a leader can have, on not just his generation but the following too.

On Shivaji's birth anniversary today, I feel absolutely blessed to have learnt about him more through the book, which is extremely well researched and narrated by Mr. Ranjit Desai. We owe a lot to the writers like him, who bring the historic events to the knowledge of the next generations. 

London Underground!

My understanding of an 'Engineering Marvel' has got changed forever, after experiencing the London Underground train transportation. They call it 'The Tube'.

I'm still in the awe of its amazing construction and usage, which started 160 years ago! 

Learning just happens - #ParenthoodDiaries 47

 All that we need to do is to trigger the curiosity in kids. Learning just happen.

Monsters - #ParenthoodDiaries 46

M for Monster

And

M for 'Mother of Monsters'.