Life has come a Full Circle

As a part of class activity, one day, we were asked to close our eyes and think of one thing that we would think of, if those were the last 5 minutes of our life. Some thought of their families, some thought of their mothers, Vedu remembered his GF (not to be named) , Sandy saw himself getting married, Kittu managed a 5 minutes nap, while Madia woke up from his slumber. :D ( vedu, sandy, kittu, hardik are my WESchool buddies).
Me? Well !!!
When I closed my eyes I saw the magnificent dome in Hyderabad DC.
Voila !!!!!!!!! Am I in love with it ?
Mmm.... well ....amm
And then I remembered this mail, quoting NRN saying “Love Your Job But Never Fall In Love With Your Company, Because You Never Know When It Stops Loving You.” I am not sure of the context of this statement and neither its authenticity. But then Sir, why did u make such architectural masterpieces, in first place, which made lovelorn like me fall in love with it?
Infy was certainly not my dream company, neither did I intended to join it, but then I miss being part of it, even more, after I quit on 3rd July 09. Distance makes hearts grow fonder. May be!
Standing right at the centre of the hyd DC , camouflaged by lush green ! To me, the dome epitomises, the first time I ever saw Infy, my first day @ job, my first time away-from-home life. We were so naive then, so much more accepting and easily willing to let each other in our lives. Remember how we hugged each other, when we got homesick. The dome to me reminds me of my struggle to establish myself. At the same time, it also reminds me of the leisure to sit in the cricket ground and stare at the skies; spot a bright star in dark skies and feel like one. On top of the world!!! World seemed like a white canvas, all for me to paint! Infy to me meant freedom to take my own decisions and stand by them. (And yet be responsible to care for others). Freedom to be me. To live life on my own terms.
Last year at this point of time, there was so much that, I had put at stake. Even as you wonderful friends congratulated me, I remained half convinced, half confused about my MBA. All I knew was I had to move from there. Which way? I was still unsure. I knew that it was my last chance to pursue higher education and yet I didn’t know if that was the best option I had. Sometimes you just have to take decisions and stand by them and work towards making them right. I did the same. Recently i have heard a lot of my friends complain about their last days @ Infy. Good / bad, sweet / bitter, whichever way u tag life @ infy , I prefer to call it best and leave the rest.
Now as I look back I feel more confident. Life has come full circle. Saying good bye was never a comfortable thing and that’s why may be I have never been able to. Now, as we all tread different paths, I know at some crossroads we will all come Roobaroo (may be with a different song in our hearts).

PS: Infy pays me for this PR that I do. ;)

The Hand That Rocks The Cradle

This weekend as I was strolling through the malls, fancy decorations caught my eye. I observed cute snaps of moms and babies all over. Oh, so cute!!! I thought. Immediately it reminded me of George Cooper's poem I had learnt in standard II,

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,
Hundreds of shells on the shore together,
Hundreds of birds that go singing by,
Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather.

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.

Only one mother who nurtured you in her womb, who fed from her gentle breast, who hushed you in her arms to rest, who ran to help when you fell down and who would tell pretty stories before kissing your crown. A mother is a person who gives up her piece of your favourite pie, promptly announcing she never did care for it. I would go on and on, but words have become cliché now. I know, enough has been written and told on mothers and motherhood and yet it is all too small. I wonder at times, what prompts mothers of such selfless, love. Is it the fact that you are a part of her flesh and blood? Why do they say, motherhood completes womanhood? What makes reproduction so irresistible in spite of the fact that it ends with labour pains? What makes her loose her own identity and feel proud of being your mom? All these feelings are so beyond my comprehension! I guess only a mother can know these answers. With the cutting of the umbilical cord at birth, the physical attachment to our mothers ceases but even then psychological and emotional attachments stays. Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother, says Oprah Winfrey.
Mom, you taught me to soar for the skies, you sowed dreams in my eyes, gave strength in my wings to fly, you taught me to stand up and face the world while you stood firmly behind me. I see you in me. And it confirms the Right Thing in things I do. And yet it confuses me, coz I don’t want to be like you. I want to be me. It is you who has given me this identity.
Luv u mom, the most, muahhhhhh!

A Humble Experience

This is a old one, I had written for PE website in Pune. Just thought of sharing it here.

Event Name: Infosys EnR – Rural Reach Program
Event Date : Thursday 29th December 04-12-2007
Location : Paragaon Khandala, Satara District.
Description : “The program was to cover 3 centers comprising of around 3000 students.Tree Plantation: 120 saplings were planted\donated. Distribution of books and food to school children”

How did it all happen?
We all reported at ENR (Education & Research) desk at 8:45 in the morning. Task given to us seemed pretty simple: to impart basic computer knowledge to school children from class 4th to 10th. Despite this and grooming from EnR, first timers like me, Vineet, Paras and Smitha were point blank, jittery but also excited at same time. Believe me!!! you need to prepare more to teach, than to give exams yourself.

On the way to destination:
All dressed alike, with our food boxes in hands (packed by ENR for us), we all set to take our places in buses. Just like school kids. The two hour long journey was fun filled, with loads of songs, games and scenic beauty around. As we all started nearing the village, the anxiety increased, now I could hear murmurs from everyone around, people discussing various points, illustrating on certain topics. Some body was worried of handling a class of 50 students, others of speaking Marathi. Vineet, my PA, being experienced in handling a team of us pranksters, let out a few tips on controlling the class. As we passed the fields (no they weren’t lush green, mostly dry and barren), we could see kids walking towards our centers. They would wave at us, as our bus passed by. We would also return with same gesture. It was like breaking free from the corporate and getting back to school days.
When we landed there:
On reaching the center we immediately got dispersed into various classrooms that were allotted to us. The very little that I had prepared in the bus, was taking into consideration that I would be handling 10 year olds and here I was facing std 10 classroom. To my good luck Smitha and I were in same class. We started with basics, like what is computer, different parts, its uses. Initially the class was shy, but slowly both of us started getting comfortable with each other. It was not just them who had eased out with their new teacher. Slowly even I was gaining confidence in my new Avtar. Smitha, always came up with very innovative ideas and examples, whenever I ran out my wits. Truly, without her the task would have been very difficult for me alone. And guys, I think we did a great job, since the classroom was getting more and more interactive.
As my fears started settling down, I started taking notice of my environs. The school old with roof tops and red brick walls but well built, with bright and airy classrooms, but there was no electricity. There were no decorative charts and craft items. But it had all the basic amenities required in a school: blackboard, a small shelf, chalk box, desks and benches, table and chair for teacher. There was a decent garden opposite classrooms. The class entrance was decorated with colorful rangolis.
I started interacting with students. I learned that most of them had to walk a kilometer from their homes to reach schools. They were learning computers for two years but not all of them had used them. And Laptops!!!!!!! It was like world’s eighth wonder.
In spite of very little or no exposure that they had got their answers were accurate. They all had high ambitions. A girl told me she wanted to be an IT engineer like me and Smitha, we felt all the more burdened realizing that someone as looking up to us. There was curiosity in their minds. We showed them educational movies played games, explored MS office. Time lapsed by. It was time for us to leave.
Felicitation & Humbling Experience:
The day was not yet over. We had tree plantation in store. I also tried my hand with it. We were totally surprised that the school had arranged a felicitation program for us. All of us were felicitated with coconut and rose. (to those who don’t know, giving coconut, is sign of respect in Hindu traditions). It was followed by speeches from village Sarpanch, school Principal, Headmaster, and other teachers. A few students voluntarily walked up on the stage and gave a vote of thanks. (Gosh!!! We always needed pestering to do this all our lives). I realized that they were bold enough to express their views in front of 300 odd people. We were overwhelmed by the gratitude in their speeches.
On our way back:
As the sun set on the horizon we started our journey back with our hearts full satisfaction and minds full of thoughts. In this electronic era, where 2 year olds play video games and school children carry mobile phones, these kids craved for basic computer knowledge. We buy books and never bother to read them and these kids were soaring to get hold of every piece of information they could earn. I will never forget the joy on their faces when we distributed ‘PARLE-G’ packets and bananas to them, the way they enthusiastically answered to earn a prize of two coffee bite chocolates. I will never forget the dreams in their eyes and gratitude on their faces…
It was a humbling experience…

live like there was no tomorrow

May be, sometimes it is better not to think of the present,past and future,
And escape the shackles of logic and explanation....
To converge all my energy to this one moment,and embellish it with all my zeal..
To converge all my desires to this one moment,and live like there was no tomorrow...

Love is in the air

When I took up to studying, @ 26, everyone was shocked.
“What? Studies now? When will u marry?
Although it wasn’t a pre-planned decision it wasn’t a thoughtless one either. I was convinced about it (I am still :D).

But some people seem unnecessarily worried about my marriage. And it takes me by surprise when somebody of my generation, comments something like,” Teja, you should have got married? All this MBA and all is good to say just coz u don’t have love in your life" So my dearest Friend this is for you ... not that m proving you anything , but if you read this and are able to identify love I will be happy...
I am deliberately not mentioning any names in this one.

When I come home from college, mom opens door for me with a smile in her eyes, I know she was waiting for her baby. Isn’t it Love?
When I come home, the 1st person I ask about is about my sis ... I have to find her around. Isn’t it Love?
When we friends meet , not at all times I am very comfortable .But there is one person among us not by my side, but overlooking things carefully, I look at him and he winks back, I know m taken care of. Isn’t it Love?
When I was working with Infy, we roommates fought on every small thing on this earth, dustbins to kitchen sinks to food and laundry, we would not see at each other when on bus stop, but by the time we reached breakfast table, we would be eating from each other’s plates. :) And by the time we reached back home again, we had thousand updates from the day’s happenings. If we were to stay together today also, history would repeat. Haahaa! But isn’t it Love?
One ex- roomy read a poem on ‘Sisters’, having had a brother, she mailed me from across seven oceans. :D . She thought I could fit the bill. Isn’t it Love?
We had our ups and downs in career .For long months office seemed the last place to be on earth, but we looked forward to lunch and breakfast tables get together. It kept us going in life. All of were sailing in same boat and the sea was not always calm. But we together kept sailing. Isn’t it Love?
When I quit Infy , another of my roomies wrote to me something which was more than compliment, "Tejashree, you have touched my life. Not many people can do it." I really don’t know how I did it for her in five months that we shared.
When I was preparing for MBA entrance exams, there was a friend who taught me. He was a MBA aspirant himself , but he taught me willingly, dedicatedly , I owe him my good results. How could he be so selfless? When he was in problem, he just mentioned me once; I couldn’t do much for him, so I prayed for him. My prayers were answered. The glee in his voice, brought smile to my face. Isn’t it Love?
We sit for projects till late. At times I have missed my meals, but my friend makes it a point to pack me a burger; this goes without saying. Isn’t it Love?
A friend recently got posted to Mumbai. My heart leaped with joy, we were already talking like we were together, me scolding him for the lost times and he listening to all my complaints. Isn’t it Love?
At slightest hint of me being disheartened , another friend will drop me (his bachu) a call immediately . I wonder what makes him do that. Isn't it love ?
Recently two love birds in our group finally decided they wanted to be together for life. All of us were so happy for them . Isn’t it Love?
I never even dreamt I would find a guy who would write poems for me...heehee, but I did. Unfortunately I never fell for him....”To be loved and dreaded it is better than to be lived and not loved” he said ... true my friend!!!
I loved a guy,
Thought of him day and night, Missed him at all sights
Laughed for him, Cried for him
Prayed for him.
But this time he didn’t reciprocate. But then doesn’t my love still remain love?
With a broken heart when I was sitting in cafeteria all alone, a friend walked in and asked what had happened? I told I had been let down. He said, "Teja be happy, you had the guts to face your love and courage to stand for it. You are a man. Even guys can’t do it. I am proud of u" that changed my world. Isn’t it Love?
The old Granny I mentioned in second blog, I met her the other day, as usual we exchanged smiles. This time she opened her bag, gave me a small fistful of mogra. She had very little with her ,but she had the power to give . The fragrance filed in my life .Isn’t it Love ?

Dear friend there is enough love around ... reciprocate it. :D

Magik!!!

Was watching 'Rock On' after long time today and the climax; it really rocks man!!!

"Uske the jo sapne , wahi uske the apne , SINDBAD THE SAILOR!!!"

My own memory started reeling back to the time when the movie was newly released. One afternoon when we were having lunch in B7 FC Pune Ph1 , Infosys Technologies Ltd . Me , Smitha ,Rashmi , Akhi , Javed, Gaurav ( and not sure if anyone else was there, please do remind me ) .. Rash & Vivek had watched the movie over the weekend and of all things to talk, she came up with question why is it Sindbad the Sailor??? Gossh how did it matter? BANG!!! Guys had topic to pull her legs.

Akhi: Right, it should have been Popeye!!!

Gaurav : ..... Popeye the sailor man ...

(Gaurav managed to sing it to the tune of sindbad the sailor)

Akhi : Poooooooo

Roar of laughter.

Guys didn’t leave a leaf unturned in takings rash's case ; on how witty she is, the new gold adlabs , its cushion seats , free popcorn, everything was dragged in. our laughter volume had hit the roof by then.

But this was the usual scene on our lunch table. Of course the size had now reduced from 3 tables to 1. Some of our folks had quit Infy and others were onsite. But that never got our enthu down. Ours used to be the nosiest table in the whole food court. At times people used to give us looks. BUT!! WHO CARED??? We always had a topic to laugh on .Managers who claimed to have super natural powers, babes who over did their make ups, gossips, Infy policies, HR jokes, TV soaps, roomies chat, updates about friends sitting on other side of globe, Vivek-Rashmi after marriage jokes, pati patni and WOH (read Praveen) jokes, Javed and baddy court stories, mimicries, Smitha's before marriage jokes ;) :P, my own fights with Akhi ; the topics never seemed to end. And by chance if at all someday all the funny things in the world decided to hit the bottom of the sea, we would remember old jokes and laugh a new laugh.

HO HO HO!!!

We all being foodies lunch trips often went beyond campus to andhra mess or Tammna. At times they were even followed a small ice cream party in Infy lawns. It was like revisiting our childhoods again.

Not that all of us were going through best of life all through these years. But it was as if some observed protocol, no one ever discussed their problems on lunch tables. And probably that is what made the lunch times so enjoyable. And not just that, for me personally they made me go on in life for quite some time. My only motivation on such days used to be a small get together during lunch. That one hour instilled the feeling that everything would be well.

There was some magik in it !!!

Who Says Life is Fair ? Its up to U to make it Fair

"Kashya aahat Aaji?” (How are you, Granny?) , I called out, as I reached the platform to take Virar local. The pace of this city rarely gives u chance to wait back and say hello even to your neighbour, forget strangers. But yes, you manage to quench your thirst for socialising in the crowd packed local trains. I figured out two reasons for this. One you get a bigger pool of people to select from and second it is the best way to pass 2 hours of journey which is a daily task. I have also picked some moss rolling my way through these electrifying lanes.
Aaji always took 8:34 pm Virar local. Today it seemed she had missed it. "Aaj ushir zala.”(I got late today) she replied with a smile. She must be in her 60s or 70s.She had a face most delicate, pale and very lovely. Bent figure, wrinkled face, deep eyes, in which lied the experience of long ages. Meeting your look, she would smile, a smile full of warmth. Her white sari was faded and rugged, clearly indicating her not so good conditions, yet very clean and neat. Her stuff neatly packed in a worn-out bag. Train halted. She took her seat on the floor near the door.
Just then another lady asked, "Why do you work at this old age?"
Aaji replied, “What to do? I have to earn my living. But I am used to. I have done that all my life. Now I cannot sit at home idle. "
Like most grandparents love telling their stories, she started narrating hers. "I started working at age of seven, by helping my mom who was a house maid. Later I got married at fifteen. And as is the case in many low income households, my husband was a drunkard and died because of it. As such I had to take my own and my son’s responsibility. I lost my young 25 yr old son in a train accident. As such, I have to earn my living."
She begins her day at 4:00 am, with filling water. Water supply in Mumbai is restricted to some 1-2 hours especially in slums and chawls and the water timings are usually this weird. She and her sister then have tea with 2 Parle G biscuits, which is along with a banana at night is their only meal for the whole day. Her sister earns her living by doing some household work. At her age no one would offer her that work. She works in small scale packaging firm in Dadar. Although the firm manager does not give her any work, he pays her the wages for the efforts she takes to reach there every day. Alas! I thought, there are few good people around.
I got back to reading my book again. But the thought of her, lingered in my mind for long. I could sense there was some silence around. No not out of pity. Why should anyone pity her, when she herself didn’t? Possibly it was out of self introspection that everyone was doing, just like me. Here I was complaining and whining about small things in life. How mean I am I felt. I felt my insides churn. Poverty, grief, struggle neither could bring down this lady’s self respect. At her age she could have easily taken up to begging, asking for help and donations. But she still prefers to earn her living. She has the willingness and courage to face the world, start life all new. And even more she never had complaints from life. She taught me how life was full of hope. Very few people can make a difference to your life. She had in some way touched mine. Her smile was a tight slap in face of all those people who cry life is unfair. Who says life is fair? Life was always unfair. It’s up to us to make it fair.