"Oh wow.Oh wow.Oh wow."

                                  

        Sixty three years ago, Mahatma utterred "Hey Ram". Three decades back, one of the founders of The Beatles, John Lennon's last words were "I'm shot. I'm shot". Almost a decade back, Mother Teresa said, "Jesus, I love you. Jesus I love you".And Job's sister Mona Simpson reveals in her eulogy in New York Times detailing his last words as "Oh wow.Oh wow.Oh wow.".People are often intrigued by what was there in the minds of those great people who were leaving for their heavenly abode.These are the personalities who grab the headlines not only when they are making this world a better place to live in but also when we are lost in the grief of their departure.

                                          

                                  Why are these last words so important? We as the creatures of curosity always tend to dig deeper.These last words are from the people who changed this world in a positive way. Mahatma showed the world path of Truth and Non-Violence. Probably, Had he been not there, we would have been getting independent ten years after the Independence of Hong Kong, given the time lag credit to beauracratic country.Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela would have to dig deeper to get that inspiration. We would not be able to enjoy Beatles. These people were achievers they lended the life a new meaning and added a whole new dimesion to it. These were the people who had the cult and mass following. These were the people who did what normal people don't dare to dream of.

                                      

                                                                                                      Having achieved so much, they should be a content soul and  this we tend to find through their last words. Instead, this is not true all the times. Ludwig Beethoven expressed his inherent desire to hear in his last words, "I shall hear in heaven.". Beethoven himself composed the music and conducted operas inspite of being deaf. His unending desire to hear may have been fulfilled in heaven.  While Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian Renaissance polymath. He was  painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer , inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer,botanist and writer. He said , "I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reached the quality it should have". His unending thirst of excellence never parted with him even on his death bed.

                  It is quite important to be ambitious and go getter but its also necessary that we find happiness in the little things that life gifts us as moments. It can be with our friends, family and loved ones. Instead of having repercussions, we can actually make our present worthwhile by giving it our best shot with whatever we can do with whatever little time and resources we are left with . I would like to end it with the parting words of Thomaas Edison. Before resting in peace Thomas Edison emerged from a coma and said " It is very beautiful over there". Similarly, Steve Jobs overcoming his excruciating painful stay on Earth during last few days said, "Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow"

                                                     

                                  

Reflections

There is a sheer melancholy coming to my ears

When this sea complains that nobody has heard me in years

I am tired of taking so many tears

Life of man has changed from unknown fears

As if thoughts of sustenance a King rears

As if a snail could not pierce the conch it wears

As if children of Lord have lost the ultimate grace

And they don’t tend to look in face

This is the same man who intends to beat light in the race

It is the man who is ready for the challenge to brace

Rise up Achilles, this time leave no trace

You are child of the mother who wants another Alexander to raise!

B-School Chale Hum

                                                                        

      Another morning I wake up to find        this irresistible urge to go back to my bed and dump my face in my pillow.  Sleep is not the luxury I can afford now. This thought takes me back to the day where I just paid for the ticket to enter into this awesome, bumpy, exhausting, thrilling , exhilarating ride of MBA.

                                                                                  

                                                                                                              

                                                                                                                It was 30th March,2011 the day I took admission into NMIMS. I was finding my way to Admissions Department on 8th Floor when I spotted few students wearing this dark midnight blue coloured t-shirt. This T-shirt said it all. It had a palm engraved on the front depicting 6 firsts in the life of a student at NMIMS. These six were : First Day at NMIMS, First Job, First promotion, First takeover, First BMW, First Greek Island. I felt taking an admission and being part of this journey called  MBA is destiny. It is written. I gave NMAT thrice during past three years. In first year I missed it by 1 mark. In second year, I missed it by two questions.

                                                                                                                                                                   The first day at NMIMS was the day when Dean and Vice-Chancellor were going to address us. I was all excited and geared up. A strong count of around 500 people ready to be addressed before they tie their seatbelts. Indeed a flight of time. I can never imagine how fast the time flew by. The induction days made it pretty clear when we were starting the first day of induction by waking up at 4 ‘O Clock in the morning. It was one of the most friendly crowds. These are the few days I can describe with vivid memories.

                                                                                                                                                     

   The academic rigour began when we were almost losing our little bit left brains to figure out the balance of balance sheets, to find out the Marketing mix before getting mixed by the Demand Supply Curves or understanding indifferent curves( How can somebody be indifferent to Curves !) or just remembering the holy grail of Statistics with no. 30 as the correction factor for finite population or trying to sustain ourselves in the Corporate Social responsibility. What responsibilities can be weighed on an individual leader with ethics!                                   

                                      Else time just refuses to stop and let me savour every moment of it with utter delight. It’s such an exhilarating part I want to live every moment thoroughly. 



Gyaniji Says : Many People take this home!

                               



The Ghost of Recession that looms over: US Debt Crisis

                                  US on Tuesday 2^nd August increased the limit of Sovereign Debt Limit. US has a Sovereign Debt Limit of 14.294 trillion$. To present before you some facts, figures and interpretations, it becomes pertinent that we throw some light on certain facts that lay foundation of this situation.

                                  In 1917, US began borrowing to finance its entry into World War I. The borrowing spree gathered momentum from the era of Reagan borrowing from Treasury more than 1 trillion $. During the eight years of Bush’s regime, the total borrowing crossed more than 6 trillion $. It was hugely because of the wars waged on Afghanistan and Iraq.  US presently has spent more than 3.5 trillion $ on the restructuring to be done of Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

               What does it mean if US defaults on Sovereign Debt limit. It would imply when the private institutions are about to default there would not be anyone else other than US government to help them but in case of Sovereign Debt Default even US government  will not be able to provide loan or bailout packages to private organisations. The government will have to rely on other sources of revenue like tax collection. The Bureau of Economic Analysis tells that total US spending has increased from 27% of GDP in 1960 to 37% of GDP today. The Tax Foundation shows that between 1986 and 2009 the average number of zero tax payers or negative tax payers increased from 18.5% to 51%.There can be closing of certain public offices. Mean while, the US gross debt as percentage of GDP increased from 42 % of GDP in 1980 to 100 % of GDP in 2011. Thus, the prevailing conditions aided by this scenario would bring the whole economy into global melt down.

                      Thanks to America’s decision of increasing the upper cap of Sovereign Debt Limit, there has been a boost in investors’ confidence. But this also indicates fears of global meltdown. Hence investors are taking out their money from market and investing in safer havens like gold, silver and other precious metals like Platinum and Palladium. The global meltdown is further fuelled with European Debt crisis. Hence, investors vary of their wealth and trying to switch to safer havens which include US government security bonds. US will continue to remain safer haven because of innovation and academic strength in economy. On an average daily average trading in US bonds is approximately 518 billion$ in contrast to British gilts of 34 billion $ and German bunds of 28 billion $.  All these figures show the investor confidence in US government security bonds in spite of the fact that not a long ago the US, the UK and Germany enjoyed credit rating of AAA.

                                                                                                                           On 5^th August, S&P downgraded its rating of AAA to AA+. In 1917, Standard and Poors gave US AAA rating. Since then it has enjoyed a patriarchal status and investor confidence. It has been able to maintain this status because of its academic strength and innovation. A rating of AA+ increases the element of risk relatively in an investment. To retain the continuing investment, US Government is supposed to increase the interest rates. Since an investment at greater risk ought to give better returns. This would imply higher costs of taking a loan. This will curb the liquidity in the market.

                                                                                                                                     China holds approximately 25.7% of US Treasury securities at 1.159 trillion $ till May 2011. China’s state controlled credit rating agency Dagong Global Credit Rating Co. has already reduced the credit rating of US implying severe cuts in China’s investment in US bonds. Moody and Fitch still maintain the AAA rating for US                                                                                   Warren Buffet’s majority share holder in Moody ( S&P’s rival ) maintains that this debt crises will not affect the US as investment shore denying any fears of double dip recession.               

                                                                                                                                                         What this holds for India, India has 0.9% of US Treasury securities which is negligible when compared with economies of scale. Goldman Sachs expects India to grow at the rate of 7.3% from previous rating of 7.5%. RBI expects the country to grow at 8%. Emerging markets are still a safe bet for FIIs but the sentiment will find place in heart of investors with time. The present decline is because of removal of foreign money from Hedge Fund Managers/Investors and private investors vary of their funds. Sensex was the worst performer vis a vis  global indices. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs has upgraded India rating to Market weight from the previous underweight rating for past one year. The future cannot be predicted but with Indian Foreign investment policies and growth rate we can be assured that recession shocks will come to India after passing through these buffers.

World Countries by S&P’s Credit Rating Legend just before US Debt Crisis

World countries by Standard & Poor's Foreign Rating. Legend:

·         Green - AAA

·         Turquoise - AA

·         Lighter blue - A

·         Darker blue - BBB

·         Purple - BB

·         Red – B

·         Grey not rated

References :

1.)IMF website  www.imf.org

2.) S&P website  www.standardandpoors.com

3.) Economic Times  www.economintimes.com 12^th July,2^nd August,8thAugust

4.) Swaminomics  www.swaminomics.org

5.) investopedia  www.investopedia.com

6.)Times of India www.timesofindia.com 7thAugust

7.) Wikipedia  www.wikipedia.org

Patagonia : A lonely dream!

My eyes see a dream

which is not a desire to people it seems

Theres is a world that I have seen

where people dont fight even when it hurts their esteem

They just raise their bar

so that others understand what they mean

I see a world in which there is one grand scheme

There is no religion which people claim

the wars to be seen

I see a world in which a child's eye never loses its sheen

I imagine a heart in which

the passion of humanity does not lose steam 

I visualise a world where every bread has its share of cream

Alas! there is no one else in this dream

My eyes see a dream

which is not a desire to people it seems!

Talk the Walk!

   Aah! Finally! India wakes up to the Desi Version of Slut Walk! Our Own Desi women dressed soberly walked the marched outnumbered by men in the March. Participation of Men in a conservative city like Bhopal is highly applauded. Bhopal happens to be the rape capital of country if we go by numbers.National capital follows closely. Although the message conveyed is clear, it makes the mockery of its raison d'etere. Many of the women were highly apprehensive of participating in this Besharmi Morcha, yes thats what they are calling it.This is because of the presence of right wing Hindu Parties, RSS or Bajrang Dal.This is the only country where we can state to live in harmony with such elements. The paradox and embarassment is this the counrty where we actually worship women in the form of Maa Shakti, Maa Durga, Maa Kali, Maa Saraswati and Maa Laxmi and in many other forms. Inspite of all this we rank so highly in numnber of crimes against women whethe it includes girl foeticide, dowry deaths or trauma. 
                                                                                  Friends, if we go down the memory lane to remeber the sexist comment of Constable Michael Sanguinette,"Women should avoid dressing like sluts", women in Toronto marched to Toronto Police head quarters. This protest march involved more than 3000 people and in which women dressed provocatively to protest against being called them sluts. Constable later apologized. It was not a protest against a constable but the chauvinist mentality of people who look women as an object to satisfy their carnal desires. If a woman dresses in shorter clothes and is not bothered about it, why should somebody else be. Women are sometimes "Dressed to kill" not "Raped for dressing". These assaults or offences are so brutal that many of them lose their lives rather "Killed for Dressing". Its completely a woman's prerogative with whom, under what conditions does she get intimate?
                                                                                                                      I would like to say that Sex is something that you have with somebody together , it is not you do to somebody.

                                                                                                 

Savera Honeko hai

Suraj ki pehli kiran hai kabse jagmagayi
par dilon mein savera abhi honeko hai
Manzil toh hamein kab se dikh gayi
magar raahon ka nazaara hone ko hai
Jung ki nisha toh kab se khatam ho gayi
par Aman ka Ujaala abhi honeko hai
Nafrat ki chingaariyan toh kab se khamosh hai
par Mohabbat ki muskurahat abhi chaane ko hai
Raat ke andhere ki saazish toh kab se ho gayi
par insaaniyat ka diya abhi jagne ko hai
Mandir mein Bhagwan ko toh kab se baitha diya
par dilon mein Allah ka basera honeko hai
Kshitij pe ek nanhi si kiran hai muskurayi
shayad duniya mein pyaar ka savera honeko hai.....

Splash from pothole!

       Friends, Its Mumbai Rains and its pouring heavily! As usual BMC is not prepared and roads are filled with water. It is not difficult to witness streetkids crossing the streets and people jumping along the walkways to avoid that splash of muddy water on their clothes.I witnessed this stark contrast on the faces of two people on the road. An SUV passed by and thereby splash the water upon us. One of the people walking there in his fully suited attire started ranting and hurling abuses. Those splashes of muddy water also touched the tender legs of a girl who seemed to be a street kid asking alms or may be doing some daily chores in some house. She just laughed and moved ahead.
                                                                         If we see this stark contrast between the reactions of these two individuals, I am more than amazed to find this anamoly.The reaction of that girl was that of a person who doesnt mind the little splashes from the events of life, accept the events as they come and go and doesnt lament about the past. Instead it is like stealing few smiles from the closet of Mother Nature in a place like Mumbai where a person driving in a Bentley finds difficult to smile on a well said joke. A well educated person whose clothes got spoiled reacts as if he has lost another deal.
                                                                                                       I wonder why we dont we realise that we have toiled hard to become civilised educated person not an anti-social literate snob. The innocence in the laughter of that girl and the understanding earned by her from the lessons of life makes difficult for many of us to stand in front of the mirror. There are many things in our lives that get lost when we are running in this rat race. We tend to forget that tears in eyes also come when we laugh so whole heartedly. We tend to forget that there is some joy apart from receiving bonus, getting the next deal and completion of project. There is more to sheer excitement of returning home with greater returns from share market. That splash was not on those clothes but on all of us to startle us from running in this race and start living.
                                                                                                                                   Anyways, I guess I will be looking for another splash from nature to learn more and may be from an equally cute girl I saw today;)

Had 3 blasts last Night!

    Friends by the title that is eponymous to the inicdent that happened on 13th July, 2011 Mumbai, you must have guessed what I am talking about! To transcend a view of a Mumbaikar after blasts.I need to present before you the plot that shows the relationship between Mumbai and me. The romance began almost 4 years back. They truly say its your courtship period you remember the most. I have loved this city from the first day I came here. I have loved its pace, its energy, its tenacity , its acceptance. I have seen this city from 3 perspectives.
                  Courtship Period :When I was a teenager busting with this latent energy to come out, I had an opportunity to intern at Bhabha Atomic Reserch Centre, Mumbai. I came here in this city without any accomodation. To find an affordable accomodation in Mumbai on first day was a herculean task for me in metaphorical and literal task as I was carrying two suitcases in my hand and and one backpack. Roaming around in the city , I got to know of a Sindhi Dormitory in Dadar the area which was rocked with blasts 2 days ago. I found a place where I could eat my Rice plate at Rs.25/-.Mumbai has a place for everyone. Mumbai doesnot have space for careless people as well.  I lost my first costly mobile at that time N70 Music Edition in the rains of Mumbai.Ouch!
                                                      Romance:When I was working at Thermax, I used to come here a lot because of meetings. I loved the pace of Mumbai. I always made an attempt to walk ahead in this race, always made an effort to work faster and harder than Mumbai does. Sometimes I had to catch my flights from Mumbai. It was not until last year I discovered the scenic beauty of Necklace when my flight for Delhi was taking off in the Morning and I could actually sea the serenic beauty and formation of clouds early in the morning. It was one flight in which I didnt sleep all the time.
                                                                                       It was only during this time I saw 26/11 it jolted every Mumnbaikar and every Indian. The nightmare didnt budge to come off from Taj making it an unlikely crescent. It was also during these times I witnessed Peace March. It was now that many Mumbaikars were walking in Procession against Corruption to support Anna Hazare.
                                                                                                           Affair: My affair with Mumbai started a little more than a month ago when I resigned from my last company came here to study Full Time MBA at NM. I never had time enough for anything else. It was just a day before when I was in my college that Mumbai was rocked again with 3 blasts one at Dadar, Zhaveri Bazaar and Churney Road. It was a moment when I had this emotional catharsis.It was nothing new to Mumbai but somewhere deep in my heart I wanted Mumbai to react. I wanted something to happen. I wanted every Mumabikar to scream out from the top of his throat to say that Enough is Enough. How much will this city suffer? It was the first time that I was upset with Mumbai.Next morning, I saw everyone rushing to his workplace.I know pace of Mumbai never slows down. Nothing stops the pace of Mumbai . But it was first time I felt that Mumbaikars dont love their Mumbai as much as they used to. It may be the fact because or very oen Home Minister said next day that it was the first untoward incident that happened after 31 months.Is it the news or stastics to be raison d'etere or shall I make it the reason to party around in Malad bar where Mumbai Police will come around to catch us students accusing of indecent behaviour instead of checking the immigration of extremist into the city ready to explod or disrupt the life of city.
                                                            They say you keeping know your partner (here Mumbai) even when you are in affair with her!