A Typical Day at THE Office...!!!

Ney! Misleading title! A typical day at my office is now becoming more like an ordinary day. The guy who used to work almost for 12-13 hours, gradually learned how to live the corporate life :) And Bingo! Only with a book named "How to manage(or kill!) time when you are at office" (Don't ask me who is the author. It's a hidden treasure) and with some guidance from my cohorts, I have aced the art of keeping my professional and personal life way apart from each other. Though the work load is triple than it used to be, now I usually devote only 20% of the time working efficiently. (Come on! Don't give me that look, everyone else in IT does it). I no longer care about my manager's "I-will-throw-you-out-if-you-don't-work" look neither I care about the deadlines. Gone are the days when I used to slog my ass for the entire night to solve a priority issue.

Here was my regular day at office 1 year before.

9 in the morning and I am at my desk! (Every neonate goes through it), spending maximum half an hour in checking mails and other crap. Like a newly honeymoon couple committed to sex, I then used to switch to the client port and get myself immersed in that coding and debugging stuff. Terms like "coffee breaks" or "going down for a walk" were yet to be invented in those days. After 3 hours of mental torture and struggle with that "you-need-a-genetically-cloned-brain-from-Newton-to-understand-me" technical stuff, I used to leave for lunch.

Overwhelmed with "I-have-to-be-honest-in-my-work-to-go-up-in-the-corporate-ladder" feeling, I used to finish my lunch within 45 minutes and used to come back to the desk again! For Next five hours (yes, without a single coffee break. And if sometimes I got that opportunity to go for a coffee with someone ,it was more like an incentive), the situation used to be no less than a battlefield, with the only soldier fighting with c++, Linux, Telecom, protocols and debugging the most critical issues that have no solution.(I mean, at least logically, no solution).

By the time I debug something and could even enjoy the satisfaction like a cat having eaten the mouse, It used to be 9 PM! (No, it was not a typical day, it alarmingly used to be EVERYDAY at my dear office.) I continued this schedule for almost 9-10 months, opening up myself to every single client and manager's mail which literally had the potential to rape me (Of course, mentally! :P. You guys never think sober, do you?) . And to be honest, this did not bring me anything apart from my manager's "You-are-still-not-there-buddy" opinion. He is obdurate in his determination to hate me. I made every attempt to show myself in better aspect but some people are immune to notice work. But then, as they say,"TIME CHANGED."

Now after 20 months, Here is what I do in my office :)

My phone rings, "where the hell are you Mani? you are again late!" and I jump out the bed and don't even dare to look at the watch (Because I very well know, it's either mid-day or ahead). Find a reason you idiot, I murmur to myself. Well, as my friends say, I am good at it! There are standard reasons to which no one can object and I have a list of them, which I use alternate day. (And yes, recycle them after some point in time!) The most effective one's include

1.MONDAY - "My aunt suddenly showed up, I had to go to pick her up at the airport" [If it's quarter past 11]

2.TUESDAY - I am not feeling well (Yes, you can be sick as many times as you want.) [if it's half past 11]

3.WEDNESDAY - Hussshhhh. My favorite day as my manager works from home!

4.THURSDAY - My roommate forgot to keep the key. (As we have only one key and he is careless, I have to wait for him until he comes back. I cannot leave the door open) works most of the times. (Usually when it's 12 PM. Yes, I do have my own key. Do you mind? :P). My rumie, the poor creature doesn't even know how much I use him.

5. FRIDAY- I got stuck in traffic. Well, no one can complain about it, everybody knows it's Bangalore. (Though very few people know the fact that I stay right beside my office, which is a 5-min walk from my apartment. But as long as my manager doesn't figure it out, who cares?). This is again when it's quarter past 11)

I switch the"day-reason" combination depending upon various situations and time availability and in rare cases, if I am in a good mood (or have nothing else to do on this Earth), I show up at 10 :)

Well, This is just an exercise before coming .What do you think I do after coming to office? Sample this.

We have a team meeting at quarter to 12, and If I am available, we spend next one hour in the cafeteria( Yes, My teammates, including team-lead are compatible with me in every aspect of this corporate time management. Sometimes I even think we did our graduation from the same collage. Thanks a ton to them for creating "we-don't-give-a-damn" milieu..). So by the time we finish our "coffee-cum-official(?)-meeting", it's lunch time..:)

My lunch now takes almost 2 hours (Which includes meandering around feminine creatures and discussing the most useless topics in the world). Real work starts at 3. Now if there are critical issues, I actually work..( Yes, experience of more than one year in the same field and struggle in those initial days have made me efficient enough to complete the work in half of the time, which, otherwise needed a full day attention.) Then dot at 6 PM, I close my shop (In this case, shut down my computer, no matter what)

Welcome to the corporate world. :D

The Life Cycle :)

No matter how much we struggle in life, eventually, we end up at the point where we started.

At age 4 success is not peeing in your pants.
At age 12 success is having friends
At age 16 success is having a drivers license.

At age 20 success is having sex.

At age 35 success is having money.


At age 50 success is having money.

At age 60 success is having sex.

At age 70 success is having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is having friends.
At age 80 success is not peeing in your pants.


Weird..isn't it? :)

Go Greeen. Please!

Day before yesterday, Bangalore recorded the highest temperature of 39.5 in last 25 years. Who cares? Right?

We, the inhabitants of earth have reached the state where we need to redesign and reconsider our living ways for further survival on this planet. My heart aches for the fact that we, human devils, have destroyed almost 89% of the forest cover that the earth had in 19th century and the remaining 11% too is under the serious threat of ruin. Can't we see, what are we doing for our greed?


Now a days, it rains even in the peak of summer and we can no longer call June-September a "rainy season". What have we gained from this? A 10 stories IT building or a fucking 1000 acres industry? Or a huge 3-BHK apartment having no oxygen?


India sucks the most. We don't have proper laws for pollution control. Even if they are there, nobody gives a fuck. The politicians are only interested in money and the pollution caused by this cab drivers and autoworkers is something I can't even express in words.


I vividly remember our campus of Manyata Embassy Business Park before 2 years. It was a place to stay around. Over the years, number of trees reduced almost to zero. I wrote a  letter to the owner of this park about the importance of trees in campus areas and how much we are screwed by this fact. But all I got in response was, "Dude, relax. I cannot control the entire Bangalore's pollution. Anyway, having trees won't help me to earn money, but having a company campus in the same place gives me enough to satisfy my daily needs!". Now how should I reply to this idiot? If a person earning more than 1 crore per year can say this, what would be the thinking of middle class people?


I don't want to give lectures about how trees are useful or what can we do to stop global warming. I am very well aware that all of us know how to do it. But the point is will we ever open our eyes? Are we really the most talented creatures on the earth? If someone thinks so, I feel pity about it.

All I can say is, there has to be a starting. If you think that you alone cannot save the world, then you are right. But you can at least save yourself by doing the needful. Go Green..Please.

Life's Lessons Learned

1. If you can't achieve something in normal ways, try being a Psycho. It works. All that matters is your passion and attitude.


2. Ignorance is bliss as long as it's from your side. But it becomes a curse otherwise.


3. Stay away from love and trust till the time you achieve something in life. Do I even need to elaborate on this?


4. After 9 failures,10th is the success. But most of the times, we quit at 9. Patience is a learned skill.


5. One category of people is your parents, who will never leave you alone, no matter what. Another is Everyone else.


6.Time Does heal everything. Give time, some time.


7. You just lost everything? Think again? There ALWAYS is a new start. Remember rule number 6.


8. Laugh, cry, joy and anger. All are vital. These mixed feelings make us Human. Learn to make peace with each feeling. 


9. People deserve a second chance, but not the third.


10. Things you need the most come back to you if you don't follow them. They will. It's all written.

The Time Factor...!!

Recently I am going through a very tough phase, which deals with managing my time.The work load is increasing like anything and I have no time to study. There was a time I used to study at least for 3 hours of day, despite any god damn fact, but now it has become impossible to be focused. 

Well,there are two main reasons.

1.My project went bust. NSN is one of the most expensive and innovative projects, and perhaps the only project which boasts to be in research and development type but still falls under GBS. (we usually have these kinda projects for ISL..err..just digest it..!). There are many reasons why this project went bust so lets not get into that. Over the time, branches in US,Germany closed and the work has been transferred to India. (Indians do the same amount of work in 1/3rd of any other IT animal's salary in the world. Budget management you see !) And now the condition is that every person in my team will be burning his ass almost three times as much as we used to . (of course with the same amount of salary) So unwillingly(yes,unwillingly !)I will have to be in office for more than 10 hours (hmm I usually work for 8 hours now-a-days, which include a 2 hour lunch and 3 coffee breaks, one hour each !:)) at any given point in a day. So when I come to my sweet home following this routine, forget about studying for an hour or two, even the very thought resting your ass on study table becomes atrocious. I have my GMAT exam in august and the only chance to get outta this poor(?) and unpredictable IT industry. And I am stuck with this project which has no future and can be shut down anytime. But I have no choice but to work(hey after all,I also pay my bills :()

2.My sleep routine..!!There was a time I was bound to (and used to) follow my sleep timings. Of late, I have been fluctuating between hyper insomnia and oversleeping and I cant find out why. Sometimes I sleep for almost 11-12 hours(And mind you, I do this on weekdays, weekends are a different story) and when I wake up, it's usually mid day and that is when I go to my dear office. (Perhaps the last person who enters in those hallowed walls of IBM) or some time, I literally wake up in d middle of a night(2-2.30AM..!!) and do nothing but try to sleep again. If that does not happen, (which in most cases, doesn't..I just pass the time by doing anything but study).And finally by mercy of my sleep, I doze off around 5-6 and when I wake up,its again mid-day or something, giving one more chance to my manager to put me on that  "I will-fire-this-asshole"s list..!!

Aww..I used to be a very punctual guy for the past 15 years.Now what the hell is happening to me? I even tried a time table(Yes, I actually follow it rigorously.No laughing please!) about my study and sleeping timings but it just doesn't work :(

Project is having very critical circumstances and if I don't get out of it this time, I am going to have no future. But still this bloody sleep overcomes these thoughts..!! :( well,what the hell, I don't wanna live just by earning 20k for my entire lifetime! I will get out of it..(hopefully at least on the day before taking the exam.)Because If I don't manage TIME this time, this Mr.time will be managing me soon !

Something From Deep Inside

Yesterday I was waiting at a railway station to receive my friend. One stranger came to me and asked for 100 Rs. change. While giving it to him, a 2 Rs. coin slipped outta my wallet, so, by habit, I Picked it and touched it to my forehead. And I realized the stranger in front of me was in tears !

I asked him the reason, he didn’t reply but on the other hand, he asked back a question. "Why did you touch that coin to your head?”. I, being a fool, gave a foolish reply, "It’s Goddess Lakshmi and I should respect her". And I was astounded by the stranger’s reply. “Always give respect to your money. There was a time I was a millionaire. But I never respected my wealth, and now look at me. I don’t even have money to eat daily bread." And without waiting for my reply, he disappeared in the crowd.

When experts discuss topics like Recession, slowdown, cash crunch, layoffs then I feel frustrated by the hype we have created about it. I am no finance expert neither this is the topic I can talk. But the effect that these things have on our daily life forces me to think about something.

Our forefathers came from many different villages to the city. They bought houses by saving each penny. During those days, words like “savings” were not for teaching people how to and why to save. That was an integral part of our forefather’s lives. People used to save money at least 2-2 months before buying an ordinary item like pressure cooker. The house was not addressed as “one-room-kitchen”. No matter how small the space is, the feeling that we are living in our “own” house was sufficient. No one really needed their “own space” for living. So dozens of guests were welcomed In a 2 room house. Women had so much daily work to do that they never had necessity of joining aerobic/yoga classes. People not only knew their neighbours but everyone in the town lived as if they are a family.

Then time changed. Wages of our young and dynamic generation increased day by day. We now came to our "Big" apartments! Earlier when relatives used to come, we had very little space to accommodate them. Today, space has expanded but now we don’t even have time to visit them, let alone staying there for a couple of weeks. In earlier days, there used to be only one TV and entire village could claim its authority on it. Now-a-days we have at least 3-4 TVs in a home because everyone wants to watch a different channel. Gone are the days when people used to buy new cloths only on some special occasion. Instead of having cheap or expensive category, we now have "full payment" or "EMI." or "credit/Debit card".

Do you even realize how much we have changed our definition of “NEED” with the changing time? (and of course salary). I am not saying this because I don’t want money. I certainly do. I love it as much as you do. But that is not the whole issue. The question is if tomorrow something bad happens and we have to manage with a very little amount of money, will we be able to do it? I guess NO. Are you aware that banks are not only for the purpose of drawing money but sometimes we should also deposit something in it?

Let’s see positively towards recession, slowdown or the layoffs incurred because of it. In these situations, we will at least come to know what our true "needs" are. When everything was fine, we had enjoyed it to the fullest. So why can't we accept it if the situation is not so good now? In greed of earning more and more money, do you remember how many old friends and relatives you have lost? When was the last time you called all the numbers you have in your cell? or visited all the people you lost contact with? When was the last time you saw the sunset or sunrise and smiled? when was the last time you actually not worked and relaxed for a day with your family? Have you even talked once to your next door family or your neighbour ?

Let’s spend 30% of the time in a week for doing the things that won't help us to earn a penny. Just fill your life with the people you love, for your hobbies, for the things you want to do and see, how Happy you are..! We really have "lot of money" but the problem is, all our money is wasted in showing people that we have it. Let’s not allow things like recession or depression affect us. Don't forget about the rule of nature. Something that is going up will certainly go down sometime.

Get hold of your "piggy bank" laying somewhere in the corner of your room. Open it gently. what do you find? You will find some coins that you had saved for buying something that you like, you will find a clock that you had bought for your father from your very first salary. You will find the ticket of a bus you boarded while going for your first interview! Can you see that yellow ticket?? It's the ticket of a movie you watched by saving money from your pocket. Search deeper in your piggy bank. What do you find? You will find a plenty of free time, memories, struggle, those funny moments with your near and dear ones, those crazy things you did with your friends, that canteen, your last bench, those 20 Rs. prepaid recharge coupons, friends who were so close to you once but now the inability to contact them, and many things that you gained or lost during your journey. Just watch that piggy bank once with your eyes wide open and then close it. Keep that piggy bank in a place where your eyes will always remain focused on it and then continue with your life. Does something just changed? If yes, what is it? :)

Before I Die..!

Few days before somebody asked me, "what do you want to do with your life Mani?" and to be honest I didn't have the answer. It's not that I am careless about my future or ambitions but the question was intended to what I want to do that will give me satisfaction of having a life. Well, here are the things I want to do before I die.

1. Write a novel which will reflect the other side of me.

Yes. Though I do have many things to say about my life, expressing them in the way I want is certainly not an easy task. I am trying my best on it. :)

2. Fall in love with someone, helplessly and unconditionally.

3. Learn to play guitar.

4. Meet my old school and college friends.

There are people who are not meant to be forgotten. People who were with me through thick and thin. Someone who taught me how to live the life, someone who taught me how to be firm, someone who taught me how to be careless, someone who taught me how to be sensitive, someone who taught me how to maintain relationships. The list will never end. They were, are and will remain with me, no matter what!

5. Run an orphanage

Though it will take much time, I am determined to do it. It's something I want to do since my childhood. A way to pay back to the society.  Let’s see  :)

6. Spend an evening in a highly expensive restaurant(a candlelight dinner..!!) with my mother

Weird? Nah. I want to tell her how much I love her. That she is the only one who was always there for me. When I lost my identity, she told me who I am. When I lost my confidence, she assured me that I am destined to do greater things in my life. When everyone neglected me, she was the one who always had time for me. When I felt lonely, she was just a call (or sometimes a hug) away. I can do anything (I mean anything) to keep a word of her.

7. Be emotionally independent

This is one thing I tried many times but never succeeded. I get attached with people very soon and most of the times realize that they were never supposed to let me down, but they did. I was aware of the saying "Never trust anyone but yourself". As time passed I learned how true it is. I want to be the person who never trusts anyone. Odd it may sound, but we are supposed to learn from our experiences. Aren't we?

As I said, everything is very much achievable.! Someone just needs time to think and act accordingly  :)

My Team..!!!

Well,its high time I should talk about the people I have been working with.. :)

1.My Manager--xyz

aww..less said about him,the better :(

2.My Team Leader-Sidharth Singh

If you have any preconvinced notions about the creature team leader who always sue onto his teammates and is only there in order to get task accomplished then meet sidharth singh..!!One of the most influential persons in my life.He is a man everyone aspires to be..!!
He is my mentor,my adviser,my friend..no matter which role he plays,you feel so comfortable with him.Its not only me but everyone in the team admires his nature.I havn't seen even a single person talking negative about him.Despite being so cool and bindast,he has the ability to keep us on the track about our deadlines.He is very well organized about what he does.If you have frustration about your work,talk to him..if you have something to share,talk to him,If you need any advice..yes Virginia..!! talk to him..Having a vast experience in IT,he very well knows how to handle situtations.There are countless things you can learn from him.Well,I am very proud to have him as my team leader.. :)

2.Priyanka Mishra

God..She is a chatter box..the only person who keeps our work environment alive.If she does not speak for a minute or two,u can bet something is very wrong :P.We call her AIR(All Ibm Radio) :) .you dont really need to talk to her to understand whats happening..her ever changing expressions explain it all :) Its really a great fun having her around. :) .

3.Somu Shabadi

Dis guy is so honest in relations that u literally get pulled towards him.A Damn good kidda person and very very down to earth.When work was at its peak,he was the only one who spent endless nights in office with me,helping me to solve issues,sometimes just for moral support.Even if it was my work,and he doesn't even need to be there,he stayed..getting equally involved into an issue with me.Buddy,You are one of the very few people in ibm I admire the most
Love u :)

4.Anandu Suri

This guy is an insane techie.No one can beat him in technical(at least as far as I know :))
Coding is his passion and he can not think anything else.He has a super power of remembering anything once heard or listened or watched..Gosh..Why Cant I be like him? :P.A very simple person who does very limited things but in very well manner.. :)


5.Kumar Varun

He joined our team very lately but I guess I never felt in that way.It seems as if he is with us since our first day.With a vast experience of more than 5 years,this guy can debate and discuss any topic under the sun. :) and the insight he brings in any issue is immense. After sid,he is the one I can always rely on for any kidda problems and queries.The way he explains things is so adorable.He taught me many things which I think I wud have never bothered to learn without having him.He is a walking encyclopedia for my higher studies related questions.All I can say is,he ROCKS..!!!


6.Swati Dubey

Well she is not actually in my sub-team but is a part of team. If she is there,I don't really have to worry about completing my process based tasks. :).Right from completing any on line training to sometimes feeling my ILC,she does all for me (and many times for the entire team.)She may act like a careless person but you will never know how quickly she learns things.She has a really sharp mind and a good quality of how to make herself presentable.She is very candid and is never afraid to speak her mind.She believes in enjoying every moment and is a bindast and ever smiling gal :)

7.Wasim Ansari

Well this guy is my lunch mate and one of d best people to hang out with.He usually doesn't speak much but when he does,he leaves no choice but to laugh.This guy is so comfortable to be with that if he is with you,you don't need anyone else for the company.A very down to earth person and my best buddy :)