The curious case of "photos"

Recently a marriage took place in my family, a grand Indian affair with loads of ceremonies. So many ceremonies that i can’t still remember what was for what. Maybe the purpose being different and God too. Now curiously there was one person that was common in all this, No not the groom, the “cameraman”. Where the groom or the family went, the cameraman went. Especially the awkward moment of eating or drinking are captured to showcase to the world that “we served food too”. Now the funny thing is 3000 photos were clicked but even after three months the groom hasn’t seen them.

Now, I attended a seminar recently and have a habit of taking notes. During this seminar i wasn’t allowed to do take notes or record it. The said purpose was to keep my attention 100% there. The instructor said that when we take notes or record our mind relaxes as it has an option of backup. Now this is true because all the notes that i have taken till now are carefully kept in my drawer gathering dust and awaiting recall. And surprisingly, i still remember the key points from the seminar because i was there 100% listening. 

I want you to carefully combine both of these and imagine an event with no photos or a trip which isn’t photo shooted. It is like saying country without borders or world without fb but try to. Just like the old days when we had 30 reels to cover the whole trip.Now, those photographs are still cherished, the recents one just hog space on our laptops. Would we not be there 100% present trying to capture every sight to be told as a story later. 

Clicking photos is not bad but the point is let us restrict the invasion of camera in our life and number of photos that we click. Because if standing on Madagascar beach at dawn with your partner all you want to do is to click a pic then you have missed the point. Click photos which are essential or just forget that camera when you go the next time.

Dhoti Up

First year of my MBA has passed and it was really a roller coaster ride with the same intensity, speed and craziness. Thankfully for me it was a lot of learning experience and opportunities to reflect and grow. When I look back, CTRL C, CTRL V and then rephrasing the sentence is the most important learning of all. Jokes apart ego was crushed, leadership style challenged, managing people improved and broadening of knowledge in every aspect. 

Even though we are taught the same theories and concepts, we differ by laws of nature as human beings. Every manager has a distinct style of management, behaviour, thinking and conduct. But the one thing that binds us together across globe is our so-called uniform “business suits”. If we reflect carefully, suits are a British legacy to the world and it spread because of the extent of British colonising the world. But if you ever have transported suit from one place to another you would know the excruciating pain in the ass they are. It often reminds me of the rowdy kid of my aunt, whom you can’t scold and he just never ever ever listens to you. The purpose of them, besides looking formal, according to my roommate is that they keep manager’s conduct in check, they don’t eat, drink, sleep, (pun intended) anywhere.

Now imagine had India been the world conqueror like British what would have been the world’s business dress code “”Dhoti””. Dhoti has a lot of characteristics to replace suits; it is airy, fairy and generally dress code of the enlightened. It is one size fits all, no tailor or alterations to trouble you. Recently I worn one in a public function, I would agree that it is a task to wear one. But hell it is comfortable and breezy beneath. And unlike suits it does not have a lot of accessories to go with. I remember the time when I forgot my shoes for my job training in Himalayas. Just ask my friends how good suits look with sandals for 15 continuous days. 

So, in your next family function, wear a dhoti. Now I am not saying it would be a smooth going and you would not face difficulties, challenges await you but the end result will make you feel proud of yourself. I certainly felt good and elite. It would get you attention of every single soul in the function. So in your next function as my friend Barney would say “dhoti up”. 

P.S. I am not a sexist. This article is for both male and female. Just replace dhoti with attire of your choice.   

The wife and mistress of finance

Some time back my uncle was discussing with me the mistakes that he has made during his life. One of them was investing into stock market directly. Apparently, his wife (my aunt) was getting bored from the daily chores of life so to keep her busy they decided to invest in stock market. It was and seemed pretty lucrative with the markets churning out gold for everybody. But after the initial success the 2008 crisis happened and down went the market and my aunt’s profession. My aunt never looked in that direction again and the stocks are still worth half their value.

The story got me thinking that is the stock market for the ordinary like us or for the spectacle guy with 4-5 finance degrees. With all the moods, sentiments and tantrums is it not the like the mistress which can only be managed by some. Initially, She will show you the best of time, giving you hefty returns beyond your imaginations. But then something happens and your luck reverses and down goes your money, the classic case of beginners luck. Oh! And god forbid “that time of the month” where for no reason she goes on a rampage taking everything along. You give her your time, money, life and love but you always fear her leaving you for another guy. That is true because believe it or not if you are winning somebody else is losing that money or will lose.

Now accounting in finance is like a wife. She works hard for the complete family’s well-being. Day in and day out thinking about how to add value to the organization it is working for. And keeping good relations with her keeps the house in order and brings harmony. She looks after your profits, losses and manages assets. It is there in good and bad times to support and take you forward.

I believe that for business to work well and progress one should keep his wife happy. Pamper her and take good care of her. Well for the mistress, flirting with her once in a while is fine but don’t get involved. She will leave you empty handed and unsatisfied. She can only be understood by few, and let us leave it to them to handle her.

Pakistani 'Serial' lover

Lately I have been watching a Pakistani serial Aunn Zara airing on zee group channel Zindagi. Rarely serials or dramas interest me and admission to watch one is quite embarrassing too. The channel has been started with an aim to bring showcase across border serials and bring two communities together. Surprisingly I find myself quite addicted to the serial. The lightness, comedy and freshness associated with the drama are quite engrossing.

The serial revolves around a couple that gets married to run away from the clutches of their family. Girl gets married to avoid her father’s pressure to join air force and boy to dissipate the love that is showered on their only son to a newly wed member in the family. The serial runs along for only 19 episodes and is based on Faiza Iftikhar's novel, 'Hisaar-e-Mohabbat'.

Surprisingly for me across border seems a very calm and serene place to live. They are people like us and share the same values like we do. They sing the latest hindi blockbuster songs like sheela ki jawani or the old classic inteha ho gayi intezaar ki. These are all contrary to what is portrayed in the news and media or what the popular media plays out.

Maybe what separates us is not the boundaries or the culture; maybe it is aspirations of some people or politicians. Aspirations of some politicians led to the partition and animosity between millions since then. The two countries India and Pakistan are like two brothers fighting for a toy. What they need is a mother to scold them and ask them to say sorry to each other and play along. Even though some factions like to spread hatred but let us give love a chance again and again. Let us not be bogged down by events and in the long run it won’t matter. Does year 1962 mean anything to the young generation to them it is just a date but to others it is a humiliating defeat.

The people are the same everywhere it is just that we don’t reach out. It is time we do and for me the view towards nations and people living in it has changed. I guess the aim of channel Zindagi has achieved it purpose because it has brought the two nations closer. It has made me realize that peace is a just a perception it is already there in every home.