There are times when you sit back and think what you have accomplished in life and what you would like to achieve with the rest of it.
Life is too short to enjoy to the fullest. Super busy schedules hardly give us time to ponder anything out of our comfort zone or to mull over all the things we want to do in our life, atleast once.
I am sure you must have given some consideration to an idea of preparing a bucket list – stuff you would like to do before your last breadth.
If you haven’t yet, I hope my post would inspire you to make one ;-)
Here’s my bucket list, which I am trying to make since a long time, and I believe I now have a long enough to-do list before I breathe my last.
I shall update this page as and when I accomplish any of these or I figure out any other stuff to be added to this list.
The order is not significant. :-)
1. Participate in a Cyclothon.
2. Learn Street Biking Stunts
3. Skydive in Dubai
4. Take my parents for a World Tour
5. Visit Pattaya/ Amsterdam/ Macau – partly accomplished
6. Own a BMW 7 Series
7. Travel in Space
8. Reach home completely drunk - done
9. Own a Vineyard
10. Bungee Jump from world’s tallest tower
11. Drive Buggati Veyron
12. Own a Beach House in Goa
13. Travel on Cruise for a month
14. Get a Pic with GOD: Sachin Tendulkar
15. Be a Certified Paraglider – hopefully this November
16. Buy a Revolver
17. Stay awake for 2 days straight – almost there
18. Drink wine from a bucket
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
FB: a basic necessity of life
Facebook, a mouthful topic, has certainly become a basic necessity of life and is absolutely one of the best things to have happened in the last decade. In fact, people are getting addicted to such an extent that FB notifications are preferred to the Office Outlook/Office Mailbox. According to Nielsen, in January 2010, the amount of time the average person spent on Facebook was more than seven hours and each American FB user spent an average of 421 minutes per month, which amounts to more than 14 minutes per day. Currently, 2.6 million minutes are spent on FB each day!!
Undoubtedly, FB is a great platform to promote businesses, to endorse campaigns and to do show-offs. However, it has faced condemnation on issues such as online privacy, child safety, inability to terminate accounts without deleting the content, etcetera. To add to this, the censorship issues have taken their toll on FB as there is no control over the inappropriate content. There are loads of applications which post unsuitable and ill-fitted images on the page with just one click.
Is downfall looming?
Last month, a Market Research company published a report on how and why FB is losing millions of users. It claimed that privacy issues and fatigue have caused 1lakh Britons and 6 million users in the US to shut their FB accounts. Even Canada is catching up fast in this race of FB dropouts. It saw a fall of about 1.5 million users while in Russia the numbers fell by more than a hundred thousand. Ironically, when FB was aiming to touch the feat of one billion members, its growth rate slumped for the second consecutive month. Some internet psychologists have predicted that Facebook users would suffer the same kind of fatigue that comes whenever men and women get bored with trying anything that is new.
Well, it’s dead right that people get terribly excited about something new (such as posting some random objects captured with their SLRs(courtesy Mishraji)) and after a while the novelty wears off.
Friday, March 11, 2011
GOD
The year was 1989, Pakistan. The official one-dayer had been abandoned because of bad light and a 20-over exhibition match was organized instead. The Little Master had recently made his debut in Pakistan. Sachin Tendulkar, not even old enough to get a driving license, was facing the best bowlers in the business. As the Pakistani crowds jeered and mocked Sachin holding out the placards saying, ”Dudh Pita Bachcha, ghar jaake dhoodh pee”(Milk drinking baby,go home and drink milk), Sachin sent the young leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed hiding for cover as he hit him for two sixes in one over. The frustrated mentor of Mushtaq Ahmed, the legendary Abdul Qadir challenged Sachin saying, “Bachchon ko kyun maar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao”(Why are you hitting kids. Try and Hit me too). AQ then decided to bring himself in action and before the commencement of his over he went towards Sachin and said,”Main tumhe maarne nahi dunga”(I will not allow you to hit). To which Sachin obliged, “Main aapko kaise maar sakta hu. Aap toh bahot bade bowler ho”(How can I hit you. You are a great bowler). He was tacit and let his bat did the talking. AQ had made a simple request and Sachin indebted, and how!! He hit four sixes in an over, making the spinner look the kid in the contest. The over read 6, 0, 4, 6, 6, 6. And yes, a legend was born.
Cricket's greatest ever player, Sir Donald Bradman, was watching a 1996 World Cup match on television when he first saw Sachin Tendulkar bat. The Little Master's technique seemed strangely familiar. Though his stance and his movements were compact and efficient, he hit the ball hard and his shots were ruthlessly effective. The Australian called his wife into the living room of their suburban Adelaide home. "Who does this remind you of?" asked Bradman, then 87. The answer was obvious. "I never saw myself play," Bradman said later. "But I feel that this player is playing much the same [way] I used to play." Being labeled the next Bradman has never been an easy honor. But perhaps no batsman has worn the tag with so much grace—and so deserved it—as Tendulkar.
His prowess as the best batsman is well known and his sublime form in last year’s IPL showed his mastery on the shortest format of the cricket, believed to be a game for younger generation. After tasting defeats and registering bottom positions on the charts in first 2 editions of IPL, the onus was on him to take his team out of the abject. He played an indispensible role as a captain for the team with his sterling performances and almost making sure whenever he bats he finishes with victory for his team. It sends a wave of panic among the packed stands every time he gets out. The incessantly chanting crowd suddenly comes to a silent after he gets out. He was awarded as the best batsman and the best captain of IPL 3 with 618 runs, at an phenomenal average of 47.54, 5 half centuries and 4 Man of the Match titles.
Sobriqueted as the Tendlya, Little Champion, Master Blaster and more recently the God of Cricket by his fellow team mates, he is the only cricketer to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honor and the only cricketer to receive Padma Vibhushan (2008), the second highest civilian honor of India. He is the only man to hold a record of double-century in One-Day Internationals. I hope his enthusiasm for batting, hunger for runs and oomph to play cricket continues for years to come. With 98 centuries (51-Test and 47-One day) in International space, his infinite fans around the world are waiting for ‘Century of Centuries’ feat, which I believe is a dream of every INDIAN.
Cricket's greatest ever player, Sir Donald Bradman, was watching a 1996 World Cup match on television when he first saw Sachin Tendulkar bat. The Little Master's technique seemed strangely familiar. Though his stance and his movements were compact and efficient, he hit the ball hard and his shots were ruthlessly effective. The Australian called his wife into the living room of their suburban Adelaide home. "Who does this remind you of?" asked Bradman, then 87. The answer was obvious. "I never saw myself play," Bradman said later. "But I feel that this player is playing much the same [way] I used to play." Being labeled the next Bradman has never been an easy honor. But perhaps no batsman has worn the tag with so much grace—and so deserved it—as Tendulkar.
His prowess as the best batsman is well known and his sublime form in last year’s IPL showed his mastery on the shortest format of the cricket, believed to be a game for younger generation. After tasting defeats and registering bottom positions on the charts in first 2 editions of IPL, the onus was on him to take his team out of the abject. He played an indispensible role as a captain for the team with his sterling performances and almost making sure whenever he bats he finishes with victory for his team. It sends a wave of panic among the packed stands every time he gets out. The incessantly chanting crowd suddenly comes to a silent after he gets out. He was awarded as the best batsman and the best captain of IPL 3 with 618 runs, at an phenomenal average of 47.54, 5 half centuries and 4 Man of the Match titles.
Sobriqueted as the Tendlya, Little Champion, Master Blaster and more recently the God of Cricket by his fellow team mates, he is the only cricketer to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honor and the only cricketer to receive Padma Vibhushan (2008), the second highest civilian honor of India. He is the only man to hold a record of double-century in One-Day Internationals. I hope his enthusiasm for batting, hunger for runs and oomph to play cricket continues for years to come. With 98 centuries (51-Test and 47-One day) in International space, his infinite fans around the world are waiting for ‘Century of Centuries’ feat, which I believe is a dream of every INDIAN.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Productivity vs Smoke-tivity
It is considered as a stress-reducing exercise that helps to de-stress and re-focus - no matter how busy you are. It is legalized at tapdi’s near office premises. It is looked upon as a mandatory break in-between the jaded office hours. It acts as a productivity booster. But is it worth giving so much significance? The answer to this may not bother to them who live with it!!!I am talking about Smoking...the buzzword in the corporate world.
Packets hauling tobacco sticks have a caveat : ‘Smoking is injurious to health’. But who cares!!!
In a recent survey conducted at various corporate offices at diversified geographical locations across the globe, it was illustrated that a person breaks for around 30-40 mins in a day on an average for “ciggie breaks”, excluding the time of reaching the smoking zone and gathering folks as well for the same on the way. As a result of this, even non-smokers end up wasting time occasionally. Like me ;-). Few days back an article in ET alleged, “Smoking and excessive drinking by employees was resulting in an annual loss of about Rs 700 to Rs 800 crore for companies”. The study assumed that 29 per cent corporate employees indulge in "self destructive" activities such as smoking, drinking and consuming junk food, which cause chronic illnesses. This results in about 20% of absenteeism in corporate offices and loss of productivity hours as well thereby affecting profits big time!!On the contrary, smokers believe the other way round. They reckon that smoking increases their productivity by dipping the stress levels and thereby permit them to work for some extra hours. Well, I don't know if its irrefutable.
According to a research by Couriermail, smoking costs businesses nearly 800 million dollars in absenteeism each year as smokers are 1.4 times more likely to be absent from work than non-smokers.
“Unfortunately at many workplaces, smoke breaks can turn into an unproductive social get-together where groups of employees take pre-arranged smoke breaks, favorite coffee mug in hand, and usually get involved in a gossip fest about the latest workplace goings-on”, the concern raised by the HR personnel of a MNC.
The HR spokesperson of some companies even believe, ”banning or keeping a check on smoking might result in demotivation among Cigarette-liking employees”.
Undeniably, it’s an arguable subject matter and difficult to choose, whether it(smoking) surges productivity or diminishes profits....
Packets hauling tobacco sticks have a caveat : ‘Smoking is injurious to health’. But who cares!!!
In a recent survey conducted at various corporate offices at diversified geographical locations across the globe, it was illustrated that a person breaks for around 30-40 mins in a day on an average for “ciggie breaks”, excluding the time of reaching the smoking zone and gathering folks as well for the same on the way. As a result of this, even non-smokers end up wasting time occasionally. Like me ;-). Few days back an article in ET alleged, “Smoking and excessive drinking by employees was resulting in an annual loss of about Rs 700 to Rs 800 crore for companies”. The study assumed that 29 per cent corporate employees indulge in "self destructive" activities such as smoking, drinking and consuming junk food, which cause chronic illnesses. This results in about 20% of absenteeism in corporate offices and loss of productivity hours as well thereby affecting profits big time!!On the contrary, smokers believe the other way round. They reckon that smoking increases their productivity by dipping the stress levels and thereby permit them to work for some extra hours. Well, I don't know if its irrefutable.
According to a research by Couriermail, smoking costs businesses nearly 800 million dollars in absenteeism each year as smokers are 1.4 times more likely to be absent from work than non-smokers.
“Unfortunately at many workplaces, smoke breaks can turn into an unproductive social get-together where groups of employees take pre-arranged smoke breaks, favorite coffee mug in hand, and usually get involved in a gossip fest about the latest workplace goings-on”, the concern raised by the HR personnel of a MNC.
The HR spokesperson of some companies even believe, ”banning or keeping a check on smoking might result in demotivation among Cigarette-liking employees”.
Undeniably, it’s an arguable subject matter and difficult to choose, whether it(smoking) surges productivity or diminishes profits....
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Nuisance @ Workplace
July 18 was the last day for me to complete a mandatory training on ‘Preventing Workplace Harassment’ and that too of 2.5 hours (obvsly at Deloitte ;-)). While going through the training I doubted, do we actually need to do this training?? Do other firms have this compulsory training?? That reminded me of an article, I read few days back, something about a good-looking (sexy) female employee being sued from a MNC. The reason being her dressing style, which according to the officials was sexually distracting. I thought of google-ing something around the same and I caught the article on the roster. It was of Debrahlee Lorenzana, a 5'5“, slim-n-trim, attractive brunette. So attractive, that her employer had to fire her for being `too distracting' for her male colleagues. C’mon, WTF!!! Is it her predicament if the male doles are not able to control their feelings or concentrate on work or whatever. The brawl begin sometime back when she sued her bosses at Citibank for creating a “discriminatory atmosphere“ at the workplace.
Does that mean that the women need to be behenjis at work?? Or the dress code for women needs a transform??
Do the companies have a sexual harassment act in place??
A recent survey suggests, more than 52% of Indian Private companies lack any kind of act or policy against sexual harassment. However, all the MNCs have a strict policy and a training plan in hand to tackle workplace harassment. It implies that the Indian private companies seriously need to act before it’s too late.
Nevertheless, there are always two sides to every story. A survey reveals that the harassment policies are biased towards women, favoring them 80% and around 40% women colleagues take undue advantage of the act as well!! Now, it all depends on the women how they dress up at the workplace and help in creating a healthy environment.;-)
Does that mean that the women need to be behenjis at work?? Or the dress code for women needs a transform??
Do the companies have a sexual harassment act in place??
A recent survey suggests, more than 52% of Indian Private companies lack any kind of act or policy against sexual harassment. However, all the MNCs have a strict policy and a training plan in hand to tackle workplace harassment. It implies that the Indian private companies seriously need to act before it’s too late.
Nevertheless, there are always two sides to every story. A survey reveals that the harassment policies are biased towards women, favoring them 80% and around 40% women colleagues take undue advantage of the act as well!! Now, it all depends on the women how they dress up at the workplace and help in creating a healthy environment.;-)
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Its all about walking!!
Never imagined a place that houses numerous brands can ever be used as a runway for walk or jog. The concept, not new in the West, is gaining some impetus here as well. Called Mall Walk, the exclusive concept has been initiated keeping in mind the paucity of green space around Malad and the increasing awareness towards a healthy lifestyle. A new place for walking and jogging for health freaks has come up in the shape of Malls. Everyday in the dawn at around 6 am, Malad’s Inorbit Mall is a flurry of activity. The gigantic arena is used for regular morning walk by the people in the vicinity of the mall. Nearly 50 -60 people can be spotted from 6 am to around 8 am, mostly middle-aged group. After passing the customary security check, patrons can use the entire area of the mall (first and second floor) as well as the car parking for walking or jogging. On the top of it a trainer is also available to give fitness tips. Though the notion is currently active only at InOrbit mall, Malad but the InOrbit mall at Vashi is also toying with the idea of something similar.
It won’t be a surprise to see some juice wallas and breakfast vendors in these malls offering their stuff in the early hours of the day. It anyways is a earning practice for them. Plus it provides additional free marketing to the uncountable branded stores in the mall. I guess these community-building measures will actuate people not to skip their walks even in the rainy seasons. Great job, Mall owners or whoever brought this inspiration to Mumbaikars.
It won’t be a surprise to see some juice wallas and breakfast vendors in these malls offering their stuff in the early hours of the day. It anyways is a earning practice for them. Plus it provides additional free marketing to the uncountable branded stores in the mall. I guess these community-building measures will actuate people not to skip their walks even in the rainy seasons. Great job, Mall owners or whoever brought this inspiration to Mumbaikars.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
La Econimics de una victoria
For a nation struggling with towering debts and weak banks, highest unemployment in the continent, and the recent burst of the housing bubble at least has something to savor now as their heroes have defeated Netherlands to lift their first FIFA World Cup trophy. This feat could materialize only after Iniesta’s winning kick in the 116th minute as both the sides were goal-less in the regulation 90 minutes in a short-tempered grand finale which saw 12 yellow cards, one red card, nearly 40 free kicks and uncountable fouls. The Spanish team obtained a warm reception when they reached the Madrid Airport on Monday. Throngs gathered at the airport to hail the team which emerged from the plane with keeper-captain Iker Casillas, coach Vicente del Bosque and the golden trophy. The team will be facilitated by Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and an open bus ride is also in the offing through the national capital. New world champions Spain, the eighth such team in history, joins the melee of the title holders - Brazil (five titles), Italy (four), Germany (three), Argentina (two), Uruguay (two), France (one) and England (one).
This victory should bolster the dilapidated economy of Spain. For all those who don’t have any idea about the Euro zone crisis, Spain belongs to a group of weaker economies, called PIGS – Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, in profound economic trouble in the Euro zone which is a term used for 16 members of the European Union that use a common currency, namely the Euro. Although Spain is the world’s 9th largest economy, almost 4 times as that of Greece, it could not bear the brunt of its debt burden. Even though is is one of the major exporters of automobiles in the entire Europe it failed to save its GDP declination of 3.6 percent and hence led to an all time high unemployment rate of 19.5 percent. It also lost its presence in global market by losing majority of international jobs. Collapse of a bubbled housing market led to a stagnant economic development and made the Socialist government in Madrid introduce tough austerity measures, including wage cuts for public-sector workers, in a bid to prevent a Greekstyle debt crisis. Also it is a part of EU and hence have zero control over its currency.
Well, Spain is on the route to follow Greece for the bailout package since deep financial crisis seems inevitable. But, will the German Chancellor Angela Merkel approve the trillion-dollar bailout package as she was the lone warrior against the Greece’ $1-trillion rescue plan that was co-financed by the euro region and the International Monetary Fund. I hope the World Cup will elevate the spirits in Spain to exchange blows against an uneven economy and help them evade the trillion-dollar bailout-rescue package.
Some of the factors keeping Spain awake at night :
Highest Unemployment rate in the European Continent
90% Banks in heavy debts
Weakening GDP
Blah blah blah...
This victory should bolster the dilapidated economy of Spain. For all those who don’t have any idea about the Euro zone crisis, Spain belongs to a group of weaker economies, called PIGS – Portugal, Ireland, Greece and Spain, in profound economic trouble in the Euro zone which is a term used for 16 members of the European Union that use a common currency, namely the Euro. Although Spain is the world’s 9th largest economy, almost 4 times as that of Greece, it could not bear the brunt of its debt burden. Even though is is one of the major exporters of automobiles in the entire Europe it failed to save its GDP declination of 3.6 percent and hence led to an all time high unemployment rate of 19.5 percent. It also lost its presence in global market by losing majority of international jobs. Collapse of a bubbled housing market led to a stagnant economic development and made the Socialist government in Madrid introduce tough austerity measures, including wage cuts for public-sector workers, in a bid to prevent a Greekstyle debt crisis. Also it is a part of EU and hence have zero control over its currency.
Well, Spain is on the route to follow Greece for the bailout package since deep financial crisis seems inevitable. But, will the German Chancellor Angela Merkel approve the trillion-dollar bailout package as she was the lone warrior against the Greece’ $1-trillion rescue plan that was co-financed by the euro region and the International Monetary Fund. I hope the World Cup will elevate the spirits in Spain to exchange blows against an uneven economy and help them evade the trillion-dollar bailout-rescue package.
Some of the factors keeping Spain awake at night :
Highest Unemployment rate in the European Continent
90% Banks in heavy debts
Weakening GDP
Blah blah blah...
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