KHADKI - PRIDE PREJUDICE AND PLACE OF HONOR

There is one common factor that is common between battles and Sports and if you wish to see a rare combination than turn your wheels to Khadki.

Khadki a battle ground of historic importance, now house to Bombay Sappers, ammunition factories and a war cemetery. And some of the finest sportsman has come out of this land of spirits.  The common thing that connects is spirits. “I am honored to serve these dead people sleeping beneath concrete”. Said Mr.Behnwaal of Khadki War cemetery, which is maintained by funds, provided by commonwealth countries “many have come to salute their spirits from far off east and west. And the list include all the chiefs of UK defense forces” says Mr.Behnwaal who adds that a piper of British Army who spend his retirement income on visiting all the war cemeteries around the world and played pipe till his last breath in the honor of soldiers. Sevak Nayyar CEO Khadki Cantonment board adds,” like lot many people from Milkha Singh’s village followed his path when he made it big on track and field. But I am not aware who has started this movement. Here hockey players are in plenty. There is demand for hockey if somebody else approach we are open to it.

Agrees M.Pillai father of Dhanraj Pillai  “In fact we are thankful that they are contributing to Hockey and other games”. He came here with this father in pre independence time and settled down here while he played for India and his coming two generations are dedicated to it. “From Ammunition factory ground I have seen many players coming out and shining at international scenario. During rains whole Pune and Khadki is flooded the ground dries with in five minutes after rains that I haven’t seen anywhere in India as long as I served as coach to many teams” authenticate Pillai whose son is fighting a tough battle to prove his love and continuity for Hockey.

It is amazing to see sports all around in Khadki. Everything to anything is being played out here. Cricket, Football, Boxing, Karate, Hockey, Swimming, you name a game sportsman of the same are there. “From alone Bombay Sappers there are some 45 players who have represented India in different competitions. Five are Arjun awardees and to add more the very first Dhyanchand award for sports came to us.” Boasts Lt.col. Sunil Kumar of Bombay sappers. It was established in 1820 and looking at its valor, glamour and gorgeous nature Queen named it as Royal Engineers corps. And at that time commanders gave a special room to sports and till date the tradition is followed. While they command some 3 param vir charka till date, in pre independence time the company was entitled with one Victoria Cross. “Every year we send Talent scouting team to rope in more and more talent in sports from all over country and followed by their recruitment in Army. And from here many have made it big internationally and the list includes Sub. Shivaji Bhosale first Indian boxer to fetch medal in commonwealth games, Col. M.S.Pillai who sat a record while winning national championship for five times col.J.S.Rawat who set a new record in Ranji trophy acclaiming two hat tricks in Ranji trophy” claims Sunil Kumar.

“After I completed my tenure with Army I chose to settle down here. I was recruited owing to my skills in Boxing and from here my career took a flight in fight” says Ajit Singh, ex-olympian and International boxer whose fight with the than world champion Gama in Mumbai in 80’s is still remembered. He is living a low profile life and actively involved as coach in boxing, “It’s been years teaching boxing and under my hand came out boxers who took their career to even International level”. In a nearby school he has been teaching boxing for more than a decade during evening hours. “I have special sentiments for this place as not only I was champion of rings but created many such champion of rings”, concludes Ajit Singh.

Khadki boys have a rare quality that they never give up till the last drop. So we have tried many methods to raise tempo of our team also we should trykhadki. Its weather, healthy food, cheap living could turn them into a spirit-ful fighter as games are won by spirits rest everything is just training.
 

1971 Pakistan war - Before it and after that

Before it and after that

As per mythological stories whenever good have won over evil that triumph is celebrated till date as like festival Diwali Dusshera, Holi. Akin to it in real world when some ones efforts yield results in terms of triumph over all vexing conditions than it is celebrated as day of National importance likes 15^th Aug, 2^nd oct. 1st may and so on. The concept signifies valor and sacrifices of heroes. They sacrificed their today to make our tomorrow better. As matter of fact one such day is going unnoticed since many years when we talk of celebrations on the name and karma of heroes. It is Vijay Diwas, when India won over Pakistan and formed a whole new country as a cumulative effect of it. “I wrote many letters and columns in newspapers urging government to declare it as day of national importance.” Explain Lt.Col. Walia but subject matter hasn’t found even proper place in pages of history. “It was 26^th Nov.1971 when war was in the air but nobody of us talking about it openly and we had increased our exercises on border area of Badmer in Rajasthan where we were patrolling in wee hours for some 25-30 kms daily rehearsing for unknown time that every army man waits for.” Said Lt.Col Walia of 2^nd Grenadiers. “For us it was only task that was in our mind and rest all was secondary and sometime family well being worries us but there was no fear of death as I was very clear that there is one bullet on which my name is written till time that bullet gets fired nothing can count on me”. Worry keeps one assured of survival and subsequently he takes precautionary steps during war. “IN 1965 war against Pakistan and 1962 war against China where I was prisoner with Chinese army for one year I was fearless and worriless as I was bachelor but in ‘71 war I was fearless but worrisome for my wife with whom I tied the knot and promised to come back.” Narrates Col. Kapil of Gurkha regiment who was posted at Rajouri sector during that time. “But I never let the worries to get reflected on face and daily I use to pump in lot of zeal in troops with gusto in my talk. And as far as our counterpart is concerned we were not suffering from any hostile feeling but we embarked on theory of bullet to bullet and men for man.” And after war he managed to arrange a holiday in Kausali in Punjab with his wife to get along with life afterwards. But things were different with Col. Lele who was part of strategic operations and was near to family as he was posted in border area of Gurdaspur and family in Ambala so that distance was not felt. “I still remember the day when field Marshal Maneckshaw urged us to wipe off 1 crore plus Bangladeshi intruders and said enough is enough. As part of our strategy we need to blow off rail and road Bridges built on river Ravi and capture Dera baba Nanak (that is considered to be seat of Guru Nanak as per anecdote). And I was anxious for family that what they must be doing in case of bombarding in particularly” recalls Col Lele of first Gurkha rifles. He discovered Pakistani soldiers as very professional who inherited this profession from their forefathers and he had very sweet memories attached to 65 war. “I felt intensely bad and I don’t know why, when I saw bridge assimilated to dust particles in front of me as if I lost a link it was such kind of feeling.” These three infantry officers are retired and leading a peaceful life and accomplished life but regret that government doesn’t pay much heed to sacrifices of dead and living heroes in terms of other days it celebrates. Lt. Col. Walia expressed his regret on 25^th anniversary of Vijay Diwas while writing columns and letters in newspapers. It is sad to see Army man who are known for their comradeship and initiatives lagging behind when event is very much related to them. “Bombay life and attitude” is the best defense they take when it comes to not living up to some human considerations. Why not adding another party amidst so many parties in Mumbai on the name and sake of soldiers?

2005 - life in AC bus of Mumbai

Mumbai possesses a heart of stone. This is the perception of Mumbai embedded in common man's mind and it is justifiable to an extent. Stress and strain at work front have dehumanized people that interpersonal relationships are on the fringes of partition.  Verbal exchange of feelings brings two people close naturally.  When one is deprive of than strain offshoots from there. And in this scenario of chaos in and out AC buses are proving to be manna in hot desert.

On condition of anonymity a couple discloses the reason to choose this vehicle over others "Here we bought tickets to buy privacy. From dawn to dusk life keeps us apart and on toes and household jobs take toll over weekends. In lack of communication I noticed a chasm developing between us so I decided to choose this bus that gives us plenty of time to get in touch with each other."   This getting in touch is accompanied with smooches and cuddles that draw attention of many. "We know they are watching us but where else we channelize our aggression, in those dingy flats that brings in feelings of hatred over love."

Ashok Kadam a conductor (popularly known as Masters)  on witnessing such scenes that troubled an orthodox Maharashtrain in him, approached top officials but they overruled his objection stating that it is not causing any physical harm to anybody and restricts him to take care of passengers' comfort and convenience only. "I haven't seen any couple stepping beyond boundaries while expressing their love in form of hugs, whispers and smooches". He is now getting well along with this considering it as part and parcel of Mumbai life where interference is prohibited in such private affairs.

"We were akin to them in our green salad days why to make fuss out of it" justifies Patrachari CEO of a logistics company and worked abroad who chose this bus over his car and explaining the cause he quotes "I was spending some 20,000 on car and its maintenance with driver's salary per month. So the expenditure was not justifying the convenience. Now the decision has just doubled up the satisfaction while cost has trimmed down to one third of what I was spending. This satisfaction is not merely coming out of saving cash but also I am proud to say that I am adding value to save fuel campaign. More use of this bus by people like me would have its merit in terms that it could alleviate roads of traffic problem as number of cars is expected to go down." He further elaborates on merits of traveling "I have made two three travel companions and we discuss topics ranging from sports to economics, politics and business."

But Aradhana Takhtani an editor with business magazine of fame keeps herself apart from chatting. That seat is her private space where she is assured of private moments. "Amidst flurry of activities from managing kids, house and work place it becomes hectic. while traveling I catch up with self after finishing puja and this recoup pumps in freshness and when mind wish to get out of this indulgence I lend ears to muttering of old ladies in particular who have some problems with their young daughter in laws. She is among very few passengers who love to observe things in and out. Biswas, a teacher by profession is close to many passengers as a friend. "When co passenger comes to know about my profession they become open to discuss learning problems of their kids. and I play a role of advisor without intruding into personal details of intricacies of their life." says Biswas who adores the courteous behavior of Masters and to express his attitude of gratitude he makes it a point to carry change and hand over to Master whenever he run short of it. He prefers this bus over train or cab as he is sensitive to heat and dust. And this is not only reason but also that kind nature of Masters and drivers drive many to take this option for traveling. "We lend special favors like stopping bus for old and disabled people and this favor extends to our regular customers. we give them tickets directly as we know that where he wishes to get down in case of change in his itinerary he says 'who roz wala nahi'" explains Kadam his relationship that his colleague Ganpat Patil also enjoys giving an instance "From lokhandwala a disabled boy aboard bus and his father request for special attention on mobile and I make it sure that he lands safely at Opera house. We find long absence of our regular passenger very disturbing and when we come back from long leave they promptly ask about our well being and whereabouts." For passengers this toting and froing daily amidst chaos is pleasure and same pervading problem of traffic for car owners is proving a nightmare experience. "Driving on Mumbai road is akin to punishment for me. decision of spending on fare offset expenses that I was incurring in car." justify 75 year Abdullah Pitalwallah who is business man by profession dealing in hardware "my wife is avid fan as she finds more comfortable than First class compartment and far from jostling crowd" says this arthritis patient who have made just one or two companion of his age group. On back benchers lovers he comments with a grin "it is their cozy corner that brings them close mentally strengthening bonds". In cubby hole flat with plethora of people sharing space and office is like second home, this bus is doing task of bringing people close to each other. Here they get chance to talk to strangers, caring and sharing is at its bloom reflecting in small favors, help, greetings and pouring of thoughts. Here they discuss something they love and hate. They know each other over years but strange fact is that they are completely unaware of name of each other. And here this thought by a philosopher holds true that love inspects the heart not the face and once the tunes matches than what is there in name?

A Sadhu's life

When there is no thing left to win over and there is nothing to loose. Where worries have no place and there is no reason to be happy. Man to animals nothing fear. Living in rational terms, is not life but beyond it such a life lives a sadhu. “One who attains perfect control over self is sadhak, henceforth termed as Sadhu” says Ranjit Singh Verma alias Aftab Dahalvi, an insurance employee, a known Urdu poet and now a Sadhu, “Not exactly but vying to become. There are two ways to become Sadhu either seva (service) Sadhana (penance). What drives an individual to choose either way is difficult to explain like air that you can feel but not able to explain it. It is reality worth experiencing than debating over it verbally.” No responsibility, no emotional bondage makes them fearless and many fear them. “They are trouble causer sometime. In crowd some of them turned out to be drug peddlers, thugs, shawman creating nuisance in the system.” Add R.K. sudhanshu Collector Hardwar region highlighting fact of their given traveling status there are no such records that how many they are in numbers. “SSP of this region has a plan where we would be able to maintain record of every arriving Sadhu. And it is important as they leave body there is nobody many a time to claim their body and many times it causes trouble as they die without antecedent leaving assets crossing billion marks in value subsequently it becomes headache for system.” Explains Sudhanshu giving instance of a murder of Sadhu took place some days back who left a huge property behind, “Constitution of India recognize them as normal citizen but their free and fearless way of living causes panic in common man sometime.”

“This pious place is meant for Jal Samadhi of Saints and sadhus. ‘Grihast’ should go to either chandi or kankhal ghats. One who doesn’t follow the order would be subjected to legal procedures. – By orders. Sudhanshu is not aware of this hoarding placed at ghat number 10 on banks of Ganges in Hardwar. “Many reporters worldwide came here and expressed their opinion in media channels. I maintain record of every Sadhu brought here for cremation. They come from every nook and corner of India even if they leave their body outside India they are brought here. First we give them bath of Milk, honey, sandal paste, pure ghee and than perform their last rites closing their body in Sandal wood coffin or huge knapsack (Depending on their financial standing) filled with stones and push them in sapt dhara into fathoms deep water.” Says Sukhdev giri Maharaj performing rites at ghat since 40 years and in charge of maintenance of records of every arrival.

Often their initiation and previous life is subjected to mysterious circumstances. “I am OM that’s it” explains Om when been asked about his previous life putting full stops on all questions. A Greek and musician by profession his life now sings altogether a different tune. He heard it at age of 18 and gave up everything at age of 26. “It was like trading I was giving things away and it was coming to me rapidly. I don’t look it as that I am not contributing to society but I am not taking something away and I could be a part of faith governing system as I devote all time to prayers and penance.”

It’s a devoted life where they owe nothing and after they leave body it is devoted to taste buds of myriad tortoises and fish. To sum it up when I live I don’t owe anything to anybody and I die I belong to everybody.

Agile CIO- Transformation from an IT Leader to Business Leader – challenges ahead.

Agile CIO- Transformation from an IT Leader to Business Leader – challenges ahead.

In reality, technology is changing quickly, but the CIO’s responsibility is to understand the needs of the business and then translate that need into how they meet them. New technology is not that interesting unless it solves our business problems. We need to understand the business problem first and then understand the technology. What is important is to decide where one can apply new technology to the business. CIOs need to be literate but need not be updated on every single technology. One of the key challenges for IT is to keep up to the business. Business keeps changing. There are talk around how to align IT with their business. Main challenge for CIOs would be how to globalize and start connecting with the rest of the world. As companies become more global, being a CIO of that single country company is actually easier than being a global CIO of a global company. It is challenging due to issues such as regulatory requirements, understanding the culture and connect with business leaders.  

With unprecedented business growth and IT being the key driver for it, expectations from a CIO are increasing. Technology enables the ‘C’ suite to run a sound business. That said, technology investments need to be made wisely, otherwise they can adversely affect a business. The role of IT is defined in most organizations today as a business partner. There is complete awareness at the top about the potential of IT to facilitate fulfillment of business objectives. If an organization gets results from a few IT deployments, those strengthen its positive conviction about IT. Once this happens, the sky is the limit for the growth of the IT function in that organization. This is the most opportune time for IT to grow by aligning with the business. It’s time to act as business partner and to be a CIO Leader not merely into a support function.

“If you are in Production kind of set up than bottom line is that production should go up with cost coming down,” says Manik Pal CIO, Orica “ So you need to come out of technology kind of thinking and say YES to innovations”. True CIO leadership requires two important abilities. Firstly you must lead with your business colleagues to set expectations and to identify what is valued by enterprise leaders and secondly, you must lead your IS Team to deliver on that.

“Legal and regulatory issues, New products introduced by competitors, the entry of new competitors, their success or failures, product pricing, raw material pricing, trading and there are other issues you must know to be a leader.” Continues Manik Pal.

It is prime importance for a CIO to have in-depth knowledge of business processes in order to identify a problem and than suggesting technology oriented solution to it. “So identify Key Performance indicators in given environment. This is where your actual transformation strategy starts taking place.” Explains Subroto Banerjee General Manager IT, Sterlite Group. “When you implement a system it is very important to relate it with business processes and do a thorough profitability analysis before identifying Key performance indicators.” Any investment needs a return visible in profitability of company. And first stage to show that visibility is sound planning of any system. Anything devised should be close to Product management having direct impact on sales of product. “A value proposition analysis will help but most importantly you must put your house in order. You must create effective governance weaving Business strategy and IT strategy. IT strategy is the content of key IT domains – IT maxims, infrastructure, architecture and application strategies and investment.” Advocate Shyamal Raichowdhary CIO Tata Tea, “once you have developed a vision aligned with business goals you must develop team to achieve business goals. Develop such teams and building competencies required for IS organization one that relies much more on internal and external relationships. Than comply issues like Information security, data privacy, cyber terrorism with regulatory structure of business.”

A leader is best when people barely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him, worse when they despise him....But of a good leader who talks little when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say, "We did it ourselves. Another challenge in way to become Business leader from IT Leader!

Learning Transition process

CIO	CIO Leader
Help to let business function	Help to business grow
Technology up gradation	Business up gradation
Serve department requirements	Serve organizational requirements
Concern about cost, quality and security	Strategic partner in decision making
Technology process improvement	Business process improvement
Contributing to technology innovations	Contributing to Enterprise agility

 

From Captain to Coach

Leading a business is a tough job in the best of circumstances. How one balances the complex roles of business leader, steward of corporate assets and fallible human being can lead to vastly different outcomes. The roles often have conflicting demands and may leave the CEO feeling, at the end of the day, that there's no way to win. While there are no easy answers, the CEO can change these circumstances with a deliberate, considered effort to lead in collaborative ways. And one of them is to be a coach. In today’s competitive environment you need to attain and practice new work habits. To become a coach from a captain is not a luxury but a necessity.

Power play doesn’t work but it needs a mentorship. In past CEO’s focus was on result and now paradigms are shifting to people.

 It is time when organization run short of talent so CEO should play a mentoring role looking organization from outside. He must analyze how is decision is perceived and what perception people carry about their roles and organization.

“Training is now a need, which has to be undertaken everyday at every level. So a new CEO means who remains behind curtain and train people.” Says Prince Augustine, President, Mahindra Group “There is a lot of change in attitude that time is demanding and it has to be context specific. Leaders must take step towards fulfilling personal self-actualization needs. They must enhance their social responsibility.”

Enhancing Social responsibility of business also means strengthening corporate branding strategies, enhancing role of business and be more sensitive towards society needs and its progress. “While playing this role he must see organization from all the angles from outside and see where actually shaping and reshaping is needed” continues Prince.

Information revolution has empowered everyone and people are empowered with ideas like ever before. It’s not about managing people but managing ideas and intellectualism. “A Leader must be direction provider now helping people to club their personal goals with organizational goals so as they achieve want they want at the same time enhancing growth of their organizations.” Says Sridhar Patrachari CEO of Aqua logistics, “In past CEO’s focus was result but now employees awareness levels have gone up so paradigms should shift to people. They must convey Team Leaders to mentor thoughts and coach them in training minds. A CEO not only has wisdom but power of experience that young mind needs”. Explain Patrachari.

Looking at recent Sharukh flick Chak De India Leaders must know that when a team captain lift the cup the whole credit goes to coach. How a coach handles situation, handles people and handles professional and personal problems of players affect overall performance of team. A coach reserve power to change Captain and has power to raise a 12^th man to achieve status of captain.

“In corporate sector best example is of Narayan Murthy of Infosys, a Chief Mentor Officer now. He is playing a perfect role of a coach and growth of Infosys is exemplary and credit goes to his coaching and mentoring abilities” accentuates Gaurav Verma HR Professional from Heinz India “How a CEO is being perceived by people plays a pivotal role when we talk about transition of role from being a captain to coach. If his way of doing things have brought success to company than it is best time for him to share his ways of doing day to day things shaping long term goals.”

Relationships become key to the effective sharing of needed information. Collaborative relationships create the connections inside the organization required to operationalize its strategic intent. These relationship interconnections are referred as "thought partnerships." More specifically, a thought partnership is a relationship formed among two or more people, in a value creating enterprise for the purpose of generating social or intellectual value. Thought partnerships are the fundamental ingredient needed to be successful in any collaborative relationship between the Coach and his/her team. No team can afford "victim thinking" or "finger-pointing." To stay positive and productive, leaders must be able to adjust their own attitudes when discouragements or unwelcome situations come their way. And they must encourage those they lead to do likewise. With a variety of easy-to-use "Attitude Adjustments," leaders learn to accept and even profit from difficult change and crisis, instead of resenting and resisting them. Being authoritative and dictator is good when you have people who are not responsive to change and happy and content with way they are doing their job. But when you want same set of people should be responsive, have an urge to grow and wish to be progressive than coach them dictatorship won’t work.

Its all about growing organizations not individual.

Temple for all - Ganesha temple in Kuala lumpur

Temple for all - Ganesha temple in Pudu raya, Kuala lumpur

Time is 4 pm Thursday in Malaysia. Place is Puduraya, a transnational bus depot. It’s chaotic with hordes of tourist and travelers rushing to catch their buses. Street full of pedestrian, vendor stalls occupied with customers and hustle – bustle is on its peak.

Diagonally opposite to bus stand, behind there is stillness and tranquility prevailing as it is time for prayer and Aarti (act of burning camphor and singing hymns in praise of God) in Ganesha temple.

People from all walks of life and religion are there to ask the divine for fulfillment of their wishes. Hindus, Chinese, Sikhs and everyone standing out there are devotees now standing in front of divine.

Located in an Islamic nation Malaysia in heart of Kuala lumpur this temple is known for its divine powers.

As per Vastu science the temple built upon 3 sloping corners is a source of divine power where cosmic energy flows naturally. Its only temple noticed in the world where shankh pooja (conch shell with holy sacred water) is performed.

It is spectacular to see glittering black statue of Ganesha taking bath of water, honey, curd, sandal and milk.

Looking at one of the bell with 1913 carved on it one can presume day when it came to existence but its history as told by narrator dates back to 1897. An Indian gardener employed in residence of British police officer Wagner Durai discovered this statue placed under a peepal tree. It is believed that migrant workers that British bought from India should have placed the statue. He then started performing rituals and build a small shrine hanging bells. Its vibes started drawing attention of people around and sound of bell there annoyed Wagner that he ordered to remove statue from there. And next day he had paralytic stroke. All treatments tried and tested failed to treat paralyzed body and one day sitting in front of statue he surrendered and prayed for his recovery. Than gardener applied ash of aarti saw a miraculous recovery of officer. Then he donated land and an amount to construct a temple that till date numbers of devotees are growing.

Some years back High court building was located there. Any lawyer taking up the case in state of dilemma;  any judge giving verdict on sensitive matter; any petitioner who had lost his hopes and seeking justice, use to pray before proceeding to building. There are many such stories of prayers being answered and people donating bounty as offering to God that today High Court building is not there but lawyers still do come and pray. Majority of donation comes from the lawyers that they bow in front of supreme law before taking up any case.

People have witnessed miracles happening and there are many such stories to prove authenticity of such acts. Daily they make place vibrant with mantras and yagyas. In Hindu philosophy mantra is a medium to please gods and evoking powers. At one end of spectrum it is believed Chanting Mantra is a form of prayer that Hindus believe Gods listen to. On other end of spectrum it is a believe Prayer is a universal philosophy. It doesn’t matter how you pray but what matter is that you pray.

Indulge yourself in vibrations of temple and feel the power. Close your eyes and look into your heart and pray. Your prayer will go up and answer come down. Arrival of people from all religion multi ethnic background proves a point that it’s not mantra that God listen to but your devotion with which you have offered prayer.  With all reverence when you surrender in front of a statue than power gets evoke in stone and you than are connected. When you still yourself and calm down you already have started process of connecting to cosmic powers. Once you feel the union happening you have started wakening the God within.