Fingers Crossed

25^th Evening

“Hey Papa!! Good Evening.”

It was a nice afternoon of 25^th Jan. Shree was playing with his toys. He was happy that his father has promised to take him for 26^th Jan parade.

Shree is only son of Major Satish Roy. Major Satish, an Arms and Ammunition specialist in Indian Army and always been praised for his bull’s eye hit on target.

After his wife passed away, he has aptly fulfilled Shree’s all responsibilities as a father and never let Shree feel that he is without his mother. Every demands of Shree which Satish thought is not harming Shree or his future were never left in despondency.

Shree was growing and with all sort of disciplined and dignified environments around him, he always felt proud of his father. He always thought that his father is best. He is always dressed best and has best voice. Also, he knew his father loves him a lot but he never took undue advantage of this.

This time Shree wanted to accompany his father in 26^th Jan parade but since Satish had his duty same day, he expressed his unavailability but asked if Shree wanted to watch it with his friend. Shree agreed. After all he had a chance to watch Republic Day proceedings closely.

“Sambhu, can you check if we can get a couple of passes in VIP place. I think that place is more convenient.” – Major in his vindicating voice asked his colleague.

Major also knew, since his position of guard includes VIP area as well. He will be more closely watching Shree and his activities.

“Yes!!” – Sambhu replied in unexpected excitement.

He continued as his voice lowered towards end – “Though I already have two pass and I am pretty sure you can use it. I had this for my wife and myself but you know ladies. Her mood changed and she wanted to go her home now.”

26^th Morning

It was 26^th morning. Shree was very excited and was thinking how those Jhankis would be like. He would see those big elephants and brave children sitting on them, lots of big tanks, missiles and art of aeroplanes as well.

“Papa, where is my blue shirt? I won’t be wearing red shirt on white trouser. Does it go well? No... It cannot.  White and Red cannot go well.” Shree stated all this as he was saying just a line.

Major Satish came out of his room and pulled a brand new grey shirt from almirah for Shree.

“I knew your shirt won’t get laundry so quickly. So, I bought it for you. After all son of Major Satish Roy should wear a new shirt on Republic Day”. Major Satish smiled along.

Shree knew it. He knew it. His father is best.

Shree quickly packed his small bag. Plucked his water-bottle and ran outside as his father was waiting.

Major Satish took Shree on his vehicle to Lal Qila. He dropped him and told him to accompany his colleague.

“I know you won’t but even make sure you don’t trouble him. Be a good boy.” – Major Satish kissed Shree on his cheek.

A suspect

It was high Alarm in the cabin. Major Satish was holding sniper position.

“A suspect… Height 5’7” wearing blue jeans is a probable terrorist with explosive in his company. We are not sure if explosive is hand detonated or timer paced.” – Radio shouted.

Major Satish pulled his eye off his viewer and tried to look out in the crowd if he can see anyone. But at distant everything was blurred and recognising a suspect out of so many people wasn’t easy. Also, he knew that there would be lot many innocent people as well wearing that coloured jeans and with similar height. How will he find out his man?

He placed his fingers back on trigger and eye beside viewer and started looking around. He gave glance at VIP area. He saw Shree - both hands up and waving at Jhankis going around. A smile oozed on the face of Major Satish even in this situation. He focussed back.

“Major Satish – Hold your position, we have located target near VIP area”.

Major responded quickly and swiftly moved his gun towards VIP area. In the corner of his mind, he was also getting worried for Shree.

“How that pig went inside and how inside VIP area?”- Major mind was troubling him.

“Location of explosive traced – 23⁰N and 24⁰E. Target is moving. Get your position there and wait.”

Major Satish got some relief with anger. He zoomed at location.

“Yes. I can see him. I should pull the hell out of that man.” But he couldn’t. He knew his one wrong step can cause many lives. Suspect might be having some sort of explosive which can go off if he falls backward/forward or if he presses it somehow.

“Exact location as of now - Location of explosive traced– 24⁰N and 27⁰E. Explosive isn’t moving. Hence I am sure the man also. We are sending agents. On the count of 5 hit him. Agents will make sure a least of movement from man and we can ensure explosive is untouched.”

“Yes Sir!! On Position. Waiting for go ahead” – Replied Major Satish.

Suddenly, Major Satish saw that man was just beside Shree and was little worried. But he also knew, he hasn’t missed any target till now and he won’t miss this one also. Also, he man was just standing.

Lots of things were going suddenly in Major Satish mind.

“Final location 24⁰N and 28⁰E. Explosive isn’t moving. Major Hit as I finish 5.”

“1”

Major Satish quickly adjusted location”.

“2”

The location wasn’t that man !!

“3”

Oh it’s Shree Bag

“4”

Order is to shoot Shree. That man has placed bomb in Shree’s Bag.

“5”.

…

…

…

“Papa, where is my blue shirt? I won’t be wearing red shirt on white trouser. Does it go well? No... It cannot.  White and Red cannot go well.” 

Do Not loose a Good One - Art of Picking

I found that I love telling a story rather than thesis and here I go.

I was 13 and was growing younger ( or older .. its complicated). My parents thinking of burdening me with at least one responsibility decided that I should bring vegetables alternate days. Being a young quickie, I used to rush to the vendor and ask him for vegetables. He would tell me he has two types of vegetable: one is imported from other places which always looks good and another is local. I inspected local vegetables when I visited first time and out of them few looked pale and I decided not to take them and opted for good looking vegetables every time.

After few weeks of this practice, my mother walked with me ( though I never liked, it used to take lot of time for any activity when she accompanied). We reached to take vegetables and she started selecting from the local vegetables basket. She picked them one by one, inspected and put in our bag. Finally, we were able to buy vegetables ( and I was not sure did we invested or wasted time).

On our way back, I asked for logic. She stated "Local vegetables are always more fresh and hence a better choice but we often reject them because either there packaging is not good or because they always have few or more pale cousins along. But this doesn't mean that we should overlook them as if we do so then we would loosing some good vegetables". I was though impressed in adolescence.

When we reached our house, she turned back to me and said "Do not loose Good one". I heard that, nodded head and was off for play in whisker.

But now I understand it. Its two things rather:
You don't always get good things by their brand or packaging.
We invest time when we look for something good.

And its always an art of picking.

I wanted it to be a prank

It’s a story about friends:  Vijay, Raman and Chintan. They had been friends since school days. Definitely loads of good times during school days and fighting as well. Raman being more mischievous had always some or more pranks in his pocket to throw away on Vijay. Vijay sometimes shouted, sometimes smiled and sometimes kept mum. On the contrary, Raman was equally emotional and sensitive. He always used to surprise Vijay with his efforts on his birthdays and good days. And Vijay knowing that every activity of Raman being provoked by Chintan and Chintan a sadist, had a job to keep Chintan positive which in turn kept Raman in usual instinct and protected him from being over mischievous.

School days ended and they parted. Life went more complicated and friends more busy. One day a letter arrived at Vijay house. Vijay opened it and was shocked, unmoved; tears rolled down his face. The letter was from one of his friend stating Chintan has killed Raman and himself.

Vijay tried to contact Raman in best possible ways but no luck. He called one of the friends to look for him. Friend asked for 2 hrs till he reaches Raman’s house and gets any information. Vijay was disturbed. Vijay panicked and cursed his friend. He remembered old days and was not able to believe the message.  Vijay wept.

Vijay wanted it to be a prank. He desperately wanted it to be a prank.

After 2 hrs, phone ranged. Vijay picked it. His friend told that the message is true. Vijay was not able to respond. He knew it could only be Chintan and no one else. He knew keeping Raman and Chintan alone to themselves is only reason. In sometime some common friends came to his residence and as Vijay was moving away after opening the door, suddenly from behind Raman appeared and started laughing. Yes, it was a prank. Vijay angrily went to him and slapped tight and hard and hugged tight and hard.

Yes, it was a prank and it was a story but in real life and in most cases, it’s not prank.

In my life, Vijay are a group of lot and I am one of them. And Chintan is an emotion.

 I too wanted it to be prank as well and see him coming, smiling from behind and slap him hard.

But he betrayed us. Left us shocked, disturbed, panicked, cursing him, remembering old days and weeping. He will never appear from behind.


I too wanted it to be a prank.

A Software Engineer and the City

It was a beautiful day and I was walking along my girlfriend and so beautiful was the climate. We just walked lit bit, talked lit bit and then I called my Driver to pick us in my beautiful red shining Ferrari and drove us to my 10 acre villa. Just at the gate we jumped over a little bump and I Fell down off my chair.

Oh Crap!! I was dreaming. I am Software Engineer.

It was my Manager who pushed my chair while I was sleeping and as I woke up he was yelling at me with few technical, few professional, few abusive and lots of menace words. As usual it didn’t bother my processor and went ear to ear. Sometimes I really doubt how can an input device route these jargons to another input device for output and feel confident that at least I understood something in this profession.

Once upon a time, it was prestigious to be an engineer and honorable and most profitable to be a software engineer but as time progressed the profession descended from riches to rags and yes this article displays a darker side.

My alarm was ringing hard at 6:30 am with tune “Om Jai Jagdish Hare”. With closed eyes I was trying to locate my cell phone. Finally I succeeded and pressed it to snooze after 15 min. This process continued for 3 more times and finally I woke up at 7:15 and my day started. Let me clarify about the tune as well. It was my mother’s earnest desire that I should wake up and do some prayer before going to office and I thought of same as well before joining the job but after the job I realized that one shouldn’t think of something which is way beyond his capability but showing some respect to my mother’s anticipation I recommended myself to have at least morning alarm of the Bhajan. God please forgive my sins for not being obedient but you can see this is the best I can do for you.

After my morning daily schedules which I do flawlessly like a robot I ensured to do some exercises. Ohkk why exercises? It’s never due to fact that exercises keeps you fit because earlier I never did and never thought of its benefits instead it’s because since few days when I sit anywhere I find some 4-6 packs of my bulky stomach come up like a man became pregnant with 2 month baby.. Aaaah!! I hate it and I started doing exercises.

I galloped litre milk... some cornflakes or bananas or sometimes nothing and rush for the company bus. While I was on the way I saw the bus at few meters and I shouted at driver but the completely rule bound and loyal driver didn’t stopped for 2 seconds and drove away leaving me in only option that now I have to walk for 2-3 km in this soaring sun to get the public bus as I cannot afford a private taxi.

Walking all the way I reached a stop where I could get some public transport but in next 20 min I couldn’t find a bus hence at last I had to go for the six seater autos.

Now let me tell you about these popular vehicles first. Most of these don’t have seats but just wooden planks and you can imagine the state of bums when these autos run on the high density Indian bumpy roads. These auto sounds like a 400 cc bike running without silencer and exhausts as much as pollution an inefficient US rocket emits.

As these are completely open... you can expect lots of dust on your face, body and hair and of courses your clean and crisp dresses go to hell. The most fascinating part is the auto can barely accommodate 3 person on a single slab but the drivers insist rather force to seat 4 in a jig jag way if you want you get transported.

I really wonder and appreciate the Indian s/w engineers who regularly ferry using this transport. May be they would be saving some penny to get closer to their dreams.

Finally after doing something whole day, I thought of having some fun so I skipped my bus to go for hang out with my friends. We three friends jumped into an auto rickshaw to minimize our expenses and asked the driver that we need to go MG Road. He told us fare as Rs. 200 for that. I was quite amused and asked him “Is his taxi air conditioned for he has got the seats from Germany VW”. A 10 km travel nowhere asks for such a big rate. We left him and asked other drivers as well but the drivers were well in unity and we had no option. I don’t know why the hell these guys think that we are earning the salary of Prime Minister. Hey dude!! the buildings doesn’t belong to me and please make a note that we might save less than you guys as for many education loan repayment tears one-third salary.

I was travelling to MG Road and I suddenly felt like I am in Afghanistan. All the ladies had covered their faces with cloth. In excitement I tried to talk with one for direction and peep into the face but bared eyes of the girl feared me. I pulled my legs back. It’s always a stupidity to annoy educated and literate ladies. They always have lots of reasons and solutions.

We crossed the road and went in a restaurant to have some food. Food was good, ambience was beautiful and so was the bill. My friend placed his credit card on the table and I placed my Identity card to get some discount; at least 10%. I still remember the look waiter gave to me and he was also sure that we are never going to give any tips as well. We paid the bill; waiter used the card and didn’t return it, he almost threw it to us. We gathered our accessories and moved back to our flats, obviously crossing Afghan gals.

As we reached our flats, there was some gathering outside. We oozed into that to know more and later we understood it was for us only. Few bachelors had created some nuisances and the society members had decided not to give flats to bachelors. I argued with some valid reasons but all in vain. It was like beating another child as other one has done mistakes.

Depressed: We had still 1 month’s time given by those folks to search for our new nest. So, we left this thought apart and came to our flat. It was really nice to them.

Tiffin was there and I had dinner.

Suddenly my friend came with beer bottles and he made my day. We initially blamed each other for making addictive to it and just yesterday I had vowed not to touch it. But I couldn’t have wasted it as he had brought with so pain. We scored some smiles, remembered our college days and he left.

While on bed I thought of my day… It was a waste but one day it will be mine… I slept for dream and  to face the city tomorrow again.

Last One Year – Fast Forward

Reserving a ticket for own or all…running hard to catch train…gossips on way useful or useless..stay at destination for a while and again fixing ourselves in same cycle. On the whole, I am paraphrasing about “A Journey” – comprising ruthless, robust, exciting and juvenile small journeys within a year.

It all started from our homes where we had smiles on our parents’ faces as we were placed in India’s promising IT company – Infosys. From there we travelled back to our college JIET, Guna -- A place comprising of two gender males and non- males. Hunting a lady was most daunting task there. Even though, we had managed our four most memorable year there and semester was 7^th by that time.

Right in the mid of semester, we got an e-mail from Infosys requesting to seek internship with them. And this was the time when we started moving forward.

College management took decision of sending us to Waknaghat, H.P for our last semester course which had to be covered in one and half month. Hence we packed our bags and moved to beautiful place only 30 km away from Shimla. But things were not so beautiful when we reached our campus. Staying in minus six floors and attending classes on 3^rd floor certainly required strong mettle. Account of same can be estimated by the fact that my colleagues used to call our rooms as Kalka (100km downhill from Waknaghat) and classrooms as Shimla (30 km uphill). For this brave act we surely need some kudos and thanks if you are feeling pity!

With few exciting moments of fight(one tight slap) , trips ;boring moments of classes and windy nights we completed 3 fortnight and meanwhile moving to next year 2009 too. Completion of exams marked our term end at Waknaghat hence we moved to our respective homes for a day or two before leaving to Infosys, Mysore.

By the time it was barely 3 months and we had already travelled from our home to Guna then to Waknaghat back to homes and moving forth to Mysore.

This journey comprised of lots of excitement for college guys going to be a part of Company. Obviously few people having little bit more knowledge tried to circumvent gossips to get importance but could not resist more and spring out if some data popping in discussion contradicted their knowledge. Thanks to this nature of human being, we always find few moments to intrigue on them and smile.

Finally we were in Mysore- City of Tipu Sultan. We started training but our momentous excitement shattered on training commencement. It was like waking up early morning, i.e. 7 am and sleeping at earliest morning, i.e. 2 am. And a normal human being requires 7 hours of sleep at minimum, at least an engineering student definitely needs it or even more. But as its being said ‘its good thing about bad times that they too fly away’ and we reached the stage of Internship project – ‘WOW’. Just this would be term if you ask about project days from people who did internship there. We were on paid holiday and adding value to this were food coupons. Food coupons were like Genie in our pocket. You pick it out have your favorite dish at Infosys, have largest and costliest Dominos Pizza with separate coke bottle at you room during matches or any other day, have two juice, one milk shake and one sundae simultaneously along with fruit chat and try out each and every item listed in CCD café. If not satisfied Genie gives you power of buying any cookies and merchandise at CCD. Few individuals even ordered as much of 75 cups, looks like they were waiting for internship only to start cup business. And by this if I conclude Café Coffee Day liked coupon system much more than others then that wouldn’t be unfair anyhow.

Finally our 4 month internship was over and we moved forward to our colleges for final presentation which lasted a week or two. This stay in college had everything from Hindi movies ending scene- sadness, emotions and sentiments, welled up eyes.

Saying good bye to our college and friends we moved to our homes for 2 months rest as we had to join Infosys, Mysore back in July.

It was like last summer vacation for us as we all knew that while in job, nobody is going get even 3 day leave without seniors consent. So, it was used like anything and I can prove it by saying that almost everyone gained 5kg on an average and particularly those people too for whom gaining 5kg was like putting on 1/10^th of their total weight.

And as summer lasts, we moved to Infosys, Mysore but this time excitement was about getting our first handsome salary as Internship fetched us only 1000 per month and to add on 420 as first salary. What a ridicules sum to start your career. Isn’t it?

We reached Mysore but this time it was extended training of two and half months and we had all time in world to cultivate our hobbies even though we missed food coupons and at parallel CCD missed it too.

It was our last destination before being posted to various locations within India. Right now I am in Infosys, Pune with few people out of those 21. Working hard to fit myself into my job and always shying away from frequently uprising question which knocks now and then that is this best for me?

From last year to till date it has been total 10 months, 8 destinations,16 times luggage packing, 5 Mobile SIM for 5 states, ample of new local places, meeting people in profusion, Loads of information but on the darker side it was tough to adjust to people, tough to adjust to climate, tough to adjust to places. Seldom, we got time to think about ourselves and it was like we were moving with gale.

But thanks to all those who had been along with their jokes, thanks to cards, thanks to few misunderstandings, thanks to sex classes, thanks to OH compound and special thanks to people who had been subject of our pranks but never took things on other side.

It’s not over yet and we are expecting more journeys around the way. Hope that bring lots of fun too…

Cheers.

Opaque to Translucent to Transparent—A Testimonial

“OH! I would had studied”,”My 10^th and 12^th marks deceived me”!!—It was a blah blah start which reached to blah blah end in short time –“ Why do I lack communication skill” and likes of “Luck betrayed me.”

These engrossing comments were in air when we people were at the brink and the river was ready to afloat us to another side of our life -” a more competitive part”.

Sorry!! seems I have started midway; the journey was not so weird instead started off with some mixed colours.

Many of us were through for many of the companies and ‘few were for only few’ but finding them was not difficult. Vindicating nexus between their chance and attitude was quite easy. Faces blended with sense of uncertainty, enthusiasm, anxiety and hope were showing a rare fate of time.

Journey started fascinately. Joyous roar and welled eyes were contrast but all boarded the same train. Playing, enjoying, consoling were on the cards but time wasn't enough ; start and end of journey could be easily marked with no difference and all we found ourselves at the “test theatre” in no time , ready to face the music.

Since few were not eligible, hence were quite sad and cursing themselves for their semi-span of academics either in college or school “that start blah blah prevailed” and after every testing phase, short listing of candidates was there and that was time for “end blah blah to prevail”.

Those long hours of wait for result…my goodness..heart was on rampage..pumping hard and louder..ready to jump out.

Situation was even worse during final result-out. Again there was sorrow for few but this time flood of congratulations also confluxed giving immense relief and joy to selected candidates.

After the declaration of final result, there were shout of success all around even finding candidates weeping amidst was not difficult but it was all happiness after all.

Calling home, thanking faculties and seniors was forte but again one thing was in the mind was to help others, support them to find their way.

Thus the momentous halcyon slowly faded and turned into another planning and support strategy for next company.

Everyone tried their level best to ensure selection of each-other by working whole night on each others technical and communication skills, ensure their confidence and all.

Again from the “test theatre” all things repeated and still few remained left but were quite strong and fresh to encounter next.

Usually they feel ailed but with passing time they realized that there was nothing to sorrow or sadden. It was matter of chance in profusion. If they continue trying success is nowhere far.

At this stage we cannot work around our school academics but can influence our college academics to meet the eligibility criteria. And for sure a sound basic technical knowledge at least in all fields is must. By all fields I mean ALL because everyone is not lucky and get through easily. Besides a good communication skill and smart talking style are essential too. A prompt look at these points is quite necessary to “minimize start and end blah blah”.

Achieving all this is not a tough task and even many are erudite enough and tactful but they must know how to implement their strong points with confidence and impressive attitude.

There is high anticipation altogether and a message to those who are yet to face the music-

“Don’t be in opaque or translucent stage, be clear and have transparent vision.”

To conclude

Accept this challenge and enjoy it, all this is part and parcel of life. Take this in your stride and above all stay focused.

CHEERS!!!