My World

Born Again - Chapter 5

2011-12-28T22:38:00.000-08:00

Go GOA!! 365 days on a holiday……!!!! Anubhav exclaimed as he walked down from the sea towards the sea bench where Bhumi was sitting. He came next to her and seated himself on the bench beside her. She smiled and handed him a towel to clean his body.

“So how are you finding GOA?” she asked Anubhav….

“Refreshing and rejuvenating!!! I must say it was a very good choice of a holiday!!” Anubhav replied

Bhumi: “It is, so what happened between you and Selly?”

Anubhav: “Nothing much, what did she tell you?” replied sheepishly

Bhumi: “Well nothing as such, I just happened to meet her accidentally at the Iscon Mall the day before we left for GOA and she seemed out of sorts. No make up, no more the bubbly ness or the energy she just seems like she was very SAD”

Anubhav: “How can that be attributed to me?”

Bhumi: “Cos, she told me everything!! She told me how she had fallen in love with you and how you had spurned her” Her voice intensified as she continued: “Anubhav, I thought you were a nice guy just a little reserved…. But I never knew that you were a heartless idiot…..”

Anubhav: “Hello, mind your language; you can’t reach at a decision without hearing both the sides of the story. I never said that I don’t love her. I just told her that you don’t know me enough to Love me. In only two meetings you can only get attracted and not fall in love”

Bhumi: “It only takes one glance……” she would have continued but she saw Sanjay coming and stopped

Sanjay: “So what is the discussion going on?” He asked as he came and seated himself next to Bhumi

Anubhav: ”Well we were just discussing how beautiful the beach is and how refreshing it is to be here, Sanju, thank you so much!!!”

Sanjay: “You’re always welcome, So, now you appreciate that all the good things in life are meant to enjoy.”

Anubhav: “Yeah!!! I guess ……..now I would appreciate.”

“Come on now we r getting late we have to get ready for dinner…” Bhumi said getting up

*****************************************************************************************

Basking in the glory of Moon light on the balcony little did Bhumi realize that Sanjay was standing behind her, he stealthily came from behind and held her in her arms…….

“Oh my God!!!” Bhumi exclaimed shock!!! “I didn’t know you were there.” …….

“I just came now and saw my chand enjoying the chandni….” Sanjay replied romantically…

Bhumi looked in his eyes and their lips locked. The nature also admired the two of it’s most beautiful inmates making love. Sanjay carried her to the bed and switched of the lights.

The next day morning he was woken up by bright sun light that fell on his eyes as Bhumi drew the curtains aside….

“Good Morning, Darling!!!” Bhumi smiled….

“Mornings are never good till the time I get a kiss.” Sanjay replied sleepily.

Bhumi went across to the bed and bent down to kiss him. Sanjay quickly grabbed her in his arms and kissed her all over. Bhumi responded to his passionate kissing by kissing her man back. Both their lips were locked for eternity and Sanjay started massaging her boobs. Both of them enjoying the marital bliss for what it seemed to be eternity, silently they broke the kiss and embraced each other in a tight lock and Bhumi hid her face in Sanjay’s arms and said “It just reminds me of our honey moon days isn’t it.”

Sanjay: “Yes Honey, somewhere in the busy life of Ahmedabad our romance seems to have lost. It just gets difficult to spend time with you, to enjoy your beauty, to say that I LOVE you, to spend hours in your arms……”

He would have continued but a faint knock on the door. Quickly both of them got up and Sanjay disappeared in the bathroom while Bhumi adjusted her clothes and opened the door. It was Anubhav….

They exchanged an uncomfortable stare before AB spoke: “Er… I thought you guys must be ready for break fast. I just thought of coming over to go along with you..”

Sanjay replied from the bathroom: “Why don’t the two of you push off, I’ll just join you in a bit…”

Bhumi: “It’s OK!! We’ll wait for you…” she clearly wanted to avoid any further discussions with Anubhav post yesterday’s argument and motioned to AB: “You may want to carry on we’ll just join you..”

Before AB could reply Sanjay’s voice came from Bathroom: “You guys carry on I’ll join you.”

Bhumi pondered about it for a while and said: “Fine, we’ll go but you don’t take long.” – It is better not to give an impression of Sanjay that I am trying to avoid AB – She thought and made a move towards the door….

At the break fast table both of them sat with an unpleasant silence surrounding them which Anubhav broke as if trying to stitch together the conversation from where they left it yesterday

“Listen, all said to Selly was that she doesn’t know me enough and it takes a lot of understanding and knowledge of each other in order to say that we are in love. Her feelings towards me can be called as infatuation or attraction and not love, but then the situation could have gotten out of hands and hence preferred to leave.”

Bhumi remained silent for a while wondering whether she should speak or not and after much deliberation she couldn’t hold herself back and said: “See AB, sometimes it takes years to be in love, sometimes it’s just a glance…..you may be correct but you could have atleast said that you were ready give the relationship a chance….unless you give a relationship a chance you will never know whether it would work or not…” AB got up and started to stare towards the sea from the glassed wall of the restaurant as if trying to absorb what Bhumi was saying….she continued….: “AB give it chance, who knows she might be the missing love in your life….you need someone to be much closer to you than me or Sanju….maybe she might be the person who would could help you through this phase of depression…” she paused as AB turned towards her slowly trying to gather his thoughts before he could speak……

“I think you are right…let me give it shot…I was thinking from mind but these matters are better thought from Heart!!!” AB replied seemingly convinced with her argument.

“She always is” Sanjay said coming from behind and seating himself beside her. He heard only the last part and was seemingly interested in the discussion and said…”So wat were you two talking about…”

“Bhumi and I were discussing Selly……She proposed me and I…” AB tried to reply and Bhumi interrupted: “And he walked out on her!!”

“What!!” Sanju said with a shock surprise in his voice “You must be a fool doing that AB…my GOD just look at her……she is a damsel….and you walked out on her.”

He could not digest the fact that AB could do something like this…

“Yeah, I was not sure what to do, haven’t been in such a situation before so could really connect, look you must be thinking I am out of my mind or something….but to be honest I was not sure… glad that Bhumi gave me the perspective.” AB replied apologetically..

“May be you should talk to her once we reach there tomorrow do let me know if you need my help” ….Sanju winked….”OH and BTW we are planning to go shopping interested…..”

“Yeah, I think I’ll buy some Kaju for Ramu Kaka”….AB replied as he started his breakfast.

Born Again - Chapter 4

2010-05-01T03:05:00.000-07:00

Mean while in Paris….

Five Flights from five different locations landed at the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris in a space of an hour in the wee hours of the morning.

Five eminent people from New Delhi, London, Moscow, Islamabad and Washington D.C. embarked from their respective aircrafts. The airport authorities had the orders not to ask them for immigrations or visa but to guide them to a separate exit to a waiting line of Porches.

Each one of them took a separate car and a separate route to reach their destination though their destination was the same: An Old Log wood Cabin at the end of 7th Arrondisment, Rue de Greniale. One of them took an enroute to Champ Elyees, stopped at BNP Paribas and transferred 100 M Francs from a G-15 Account to another account in Bank de Switzerland in the name of Red Sea Trading Corporation.

Each of the cars arrived at the 7th Arrondisment of Rue de Greniale at an interval of 20 minutes from the other and the gentlemen walked their way to phag end of the 3rd lane where their meeting point was decided. The log wood cabin was a sound proof room which had jammers around it. This place couldn’t be bugged or traced by any man or device alive.

The meeting began as soon as the last man entered the room. This meeting was called by the Head of NSA – Tim Saunders and consisted of men from Intelligence Agencies like SIS, KGB, the RAW and ISI along with NSA. It was for the first time in the history of the Modern world that such a meeting was organized. As a matter of fact the other four were highly surprised by such an invitation from the NSA.

“Gentlemen..” Tim Saunders began “We’ve gathered here to discuss a serious threat to the millions of lives in the universe and one man in particular. We have received a very strong intelligence that Carlos has been activated once again. I have kept a dossier on Carlos. Please read each line carefully. ”

The dossier contained a five page report on Carlos.

'Real name Vladimir Illich Ramirez Sanchez, son of Venezuelan immigrants, who had migrated to Chechen in USSR and practiced law. He learnt law from his father was involved in the liberation movement of Chechen. Due to his ruthless ways to conduct operations his own men disowned him and was arrested and sent to jail in Moscow. He fled from the prison and escaped to Cuba where he helped Fidel Castro gain power over Cuba. After some disagreements with Castro Carlos left Cuba and started on his own. In a short space of time he had established links with all the major terrorist outfits across the world ranging from IRA and LTTE to Al Quida and LeT. He currently has charges of assassinations and aiding terrorism in various countries across the world and is one of the World’s most feared and notorious criminals. His whereabouts: unknown. The only way he can be contacted is through his Mistress Bizarre Nunez who is currently believed to be somewhere in Argentina.'

“I see…, interesting data on Carlos” Ranvir Thakur commented on the report and continued further: “Now I understand why you called us here. This guy is a serious threat to the world and he must be nabbed, dead or alive.”

“Carlos can only be caught Red Handed. He is master of disguises and can fool some of the most intelligent people and systems around. We can never chase him and catch him.” General Pobrosky from KGB suggested. He wasn’t amused at receiving an invitation from the American. He infact had a strong dislike towards Americans and was surprised at receiving an invitation from them.

“Evidently General, of all gathered here you are probably the most knowledgeable on Carlos.” Martin Jacobs of SIS interjected. “Probably you can add Mr. Zia to that list as well.”

“For us he is a pain, and we want to see him dead as much as you do, but we have reports that he is well connected with the ISI.” General replied hoarsely.

“That’s not true…” Liakat Zia from ISI shot back angrily

“Oh come on Liakat, we all know his role in helping Al Quida to pull off 9/11 in US and 26/10 in India, and the attackers in both these cases came from Pakistan. Diplomatically you guys may want to deny the proofs we’ve submitted but we all know that they were yours.” Ranvir Thakur from the RAW shot back at him.

Liakat Zia was at loss of words. He turned to Saunders and said: “Mr. Saunders, have you called me in here to get insulted……”

Saunders: “Now Now gentlemen, let’s put our differences behind and focus on the problems ahead.” He turned to Zia and continued: “While there is no denying of the fact that Carlos has connection with ISI, he can be a serious pain to you as well."

Saunders made this statement with an air of authority that every one turned silent. Liakat frowned and sat there sulking and making faces, scowling at others.

Tim Saunders paused to take a sip of water and continued.

“Gentlemen, post 26/11 Carlos has turned his focus towards assassinations….his next targets are rich and famous people, politicians, industrialists, actors and sportsmen etc. If we don’t stop him he would start a series of Murders here.”

“It doesn’t make sense to me…why would someone who is in college want to appear for a Board exam” Ranvir Thakur asked.

“The answer is easy and quick money. Pulling off an international crime takes time and there are lots of risks involved. Assassinations are easy, quickly done and the money is good as well if the person is a Big Name.” Martin Jacobs from the SIS replied.

He paused to see the expressions on other people faces and continued.

“We’ve intercepted a coded message that went from Zambia to Argentina where the details of his next target were sent to him and Ranvir this might be of an interest to you.” He looked towards Ranvir and continued, “Cos his next Target is Anubhav Bindra.”

There was a stunned silence in the entire cabin you could hear the sound of cars passing by which were almost 4 kms away. Every one knew that SIS’s intelligence is the best in the world and it could never be wrong.

“B B But why him….” Ranvir asked nervously.

“That’s a question only you can Answer..” Saunders replied “Ranvir, I want you to brief us about Anubhav Bindra, we need to protect him in a way he doesn’t come to know of, Martin will help you with the Gadgets and training to help your cause. General Pobrosky, please provide all the details and information you have on Carlos.” Saunders replied with an air of authority.

“What on your mind Tim.” General Pobrosky asked inquisitively.

“To catch the Rat we need to showing the cheese, we’ll set up a trap for him and ISI will help us get to him” Saunders smiled “We’ll meet here next week same day same time and in a similar fashion with a definitive plan. Please get cracking we don’t have much time.”

Saunders adjourned the meeting and all the Gentlemen left in the similar fashion in which they had come.

They all gathered at the same place after a week’s time and the intensity of the occasion was clearly visible on the faces of them all.

Ranvir Thakur began:”We’ve collected all the details about Anubhav Bindra, it’s placed in the dossier in front of you.”

All of them opened their respective dossiers and started reading it with Curiosity written all over their faces

'Name: Anubhav Bindra a.k.a AB stays in the city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Is the CEO of the fasting growing company in the world InfoGleam Corporation. Loves, to read books and travel. His parents died in a car accident when he was 20 and has been all alone since then. His only friends in this world are Sanjay and Bhumika Solanki the Chairman of Infogleam Corporation. Is not known to socialize much, but recently attended an Infogleam party and is reported that he left the party early but went home quite late, which is quite unusual for someone like him, currently he is Vacationing with Sanjay and Bhumika in Goa.

He follows a strict routine in his life and wakes up sharp at 7:00 am in the morning and goes to Karnavati Club for jogging and exercising. From there he heads straight to the office and returns home at about 8:00 PM in the evening and goes to bed sharp at 10:00'

“The only places he is vulnerable is while driving his car and when he is at the club.” Ranvir said when all of them had completed reading his report.

“You can also add his home.” Martin Jacobs said

“So what information do we have on Carlos General?” Tim Saunders asked General Pobrosky.

“Carlos loves playing with the law. He will give you traces and clues about the crime he is gonna commit and I believe the code that you intercepted the other day is just that clue.” General Pobrosky said

“Our sources say that currently he is somewhere in Mauritius….” Liakat Zia added.

“Aha” excalimed Martin Jacobs. “Just yesterday we received intelligence that the Famous Adnan Khashoggi has brought an Island near Mauritius. Now this clears the air. Maybe they are trying to set up a base camp over there” he exclaimed.

“Gentlemen this is not good news, we need to act fast. Ranvir, please make arrangements for a Chauffer for Mr. Bindra and also try and fix all the monitoring Gadgets in his house ASAP. I would also like to have you recruit two of your men at that K Club so that they can guard him from a distance.” Saunders said anxiously.

“Will be done, Tim” Ranvir Thakur assured him.

“Liakat, please arrange a trap for him. I know he has been of help to you in the past but you never know when he’ll turn his back on you guys, if you guys help us in here we’ll surely help you sort out the Taliban problem” Saunders said to Liakat Zia.

Zia thought for a while and outweighed his options on one hand there was a notorious criminal who could never be trusted on the other hand there was international help on Taliban threat. The latter certainly seemed more attractive.

“Okay Gentlemen, the ISI is with you in here. You’ll get all the help you need.” Zia confirmed.

“Great” Saunders continued. “General Pobrosky and Jacobs, we’ll need your help with the intelligence as you two are the best on it. Please keep a close eye on Carlos and other related happenings and I shall head this operation and provide you with all the necessary funding required for this operation. I have already transferred 100 M Francs in the Swiss bank account in the name of Red Sea Trading Corporation. The details of the account are given in the Memory card placed in front of you.”

He paused for effect and then continued in his characteristic style with an air of authority.

“Team, together we shall and we will nab the world’s most notorious criminal. We’ll call ourselves ‘the Brood’ and it’s gonna be ‘the Brood’ v/s Carlos. This is gonna be our last face to face meeting from now on we shall communicate only via the satellite phone. All the best of luck to everybody” Saunders adjourned the meeting.

All of them left the place wondering about only one thing “Why Anubhav Bindra…”

Born Again - Chapter 3

2010-04-11T04:44:00.000-07:00

“You just can’t seem to stop talking about him.” Priyanka said

“Yes Pree, he is just too magnetic.” Selly replied.

It was a nice lazy Sunday evening with cool breeze from west giving the city of Ahmedabad a feeling being a pleasant place to be in. Selly and her room mate decided to enjoy the beauty of the evening by having a cup of tea in their balcony.

This was the same day Selly had done an interview with Anubhav. She was so taken over by him that she couldn’t just stop talking about him. His simplicity, his love for books and gadgets, those little things that he did. So much was her banter about her interview that her roommate Priyanka was literally bored of it.

“Well take care not to fall in love with him. These corporate guys can never be trusted.” Priyanka continued.

“Oh common Pree, I don’t think I am in love with him. It’s just that I am way too impressed. Most of the people I’ve interviewed have a flashy lifestyle. Want to flaunt something or the other. But this guy is different. He prefers to keep things to himself. He is simple, decent, down-to-earth and extremely honest. I think my respect has grown for him since the interview.” Selly said trying to conceal her feelings but in vain though.

Priyanka knew her roommate and her friend too well to gauge the fact that Selly indeed had fallen in love with Anubhav. Selly had the men all over falling for her and she had never even given a second thought about most of them. This was the only time when Selly was talking intently about someone. However, she chooses to keep her knowledge to herself.
Just then Selly’s cell phone rang. It was Richa, InforGleam’s PR head.
Richa: “Hi Selly, sorry to bother you on a Sunday. I just wanted to invite you.”

Selly: “Oh that’s no problem Richa. It’s always a privilege to receive your invitation. BTW, even I have something exciting to share with you.”

Richa: “Oh really, what is it.”

Selly: “Well, I did a cover story interview with Anubhav Bindra today. He is appearing on our magazine’s cover in the next edition.”

Richa: “Not bad Selly, getting AB for an interview is in itself a big deal and the fact that he agreed. God must be very pleased with you. I’ll look forward to your next edition now. BTW I called you invite you for our Party tomorrow evening 7:00 pm at the Taj Ummed. Please be there to cover the entire party it’s a big event for us.”

Selly: “Sure Richa, I’ll be there.” As she disconnected the phone. “Another chance to meet him.” She thought.

*******************************************************************************

At the right place, at the right time Selly and Kedar the photographer of the magazine started to cover the party. Taking bytes from guests, clicking snaps of each one of them as they arrived. They had the orders to cover the maximum of the party and they were just doing that.

The Ambience was jut like it would have suited the Royal lineage that Sanjay and Bhumi had. There were perfume sprays, flowered entrance, white coated waiters, finest blends of scotch, and the most exquisite cuisines. It wasn’t just first class it was Royal class.

“Hi, Selly” came a voice from behind as she sipped her welcome drink. She turned around

“Hi, Richa, it’s so nice to see you. You look gorgeous.” Selly said sweetly greeting Richa with a peck on either cheek.

“Oh thanks, so howz the party.” Richa asked.

“It’s just……Royal class.” Selly replied struggling to find superlatives.

Their conversation was interrupted by a voice on the microphone. It was of Anubhav Bindra. Selly switched on her Dictaphone to record what he said.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, lend me your ears. Today is a great day for us. “

Listening to Anubhav was so magnetic that Selly almost forgot the fact that she was in a public place. She felt as if she was at some alone uninhabited place and Anubhav’s voice her only guiding light. The clamor of applause broke her thoughts.

It was official Sanjay Solanki and Mark Rupertson from NBC signed their respective contracts and exchanged them. They shook hands and struck a pose for the swarms of photographers who just couldn’t take their hands away from the click button.

After the contract signing ceremony there were rounds of cocktail and it was Sanjay himself raised the toast signaling the party to begin. The DJ played the latest music the dancers did the jig like there was no tomorrow. Wines flowed, and Mr. Rupertson could just hide his glee at the hospitality.

Selly was done with her interviewing and picked up a glass of wine. She saw Anubhav; she couldn’t resist the strong desire to talk to him. She started moving towards him but was suddenly interrupted by Sanjay Solanki.

“Hey Selly, so nice to see you here.” Sanjay came and greeted her. “I want you to meet a couple of people.” He took her arm and led her towards Bhumi and the other guests. “Selly, this is my Wife Bhumika and He’s our CEO Anubhav Bindra – the genius as we all call him.”

“It’s so nice to meet you Mrs. Solanki.” Selly greeted Bhumi with a Peck on either cheek.

“Same here Selly, please call me Bhumi.” Bhumi replied sweetly.

Selly turned to Sanjay and said.

“And as far as your CEO is concerned. I’ve met him before; I just did a cover story interview on him yesterday.”

“Oh that's gr8…..so AB you’ve started to take my variety advice rather seriously.” Sanjay laughed clearly he was surpried as well as happy for his friend.

“Well it’s just that I met her by the roadside the other day and…..” Anubhav started to explain

“Oh come on AB, it’ good to be social you need not explain everything you do to your Boss, and Sanju can you for once stop taking a dig at him.” Bhumi said with concern for Anubhav clearly in her voice.

“OK OK Boss no more of leg pulling.” Sanjay said in a voice of mock apology.

“Well Sanju, the Boss is always right. So Bhumi agreed I will be more social from now on.” AB said.

All of them burst into laughter. The party continued to flow in its elements. Mr. Rupertson was clearly stumped with the hospitality that he received. The party ended at 2:30 am past midnight and Selly as usual was waiting for some transportation to reach back home when Anubhav’s accent stopped in front of her.

“What on earth are you doing here at this ungodly hour?” Anubhav asked concernedly.

“Just hoping to get some transportation back home.” Selly replied with helplessness apparent in her voice.

“Come on get in, you should have informed Richa earlier and we could have arranged for something.” AB said rebuking her.

“That’s ok Mr. Bindra I am used to late hours, it’ a part of my profession.” Said replied.

Selly sat inside the car and Anubhav drove on. There were a few silent moments in the car. No one said a word till they reached Subash Bridge. Selly tried hard to conceal her feelings but finally her heart won the battle.

“Mr. Bindra…” she started.

“Anubhav or AB.” Anubhav corrected.

“Ok Anubhav, I wanted to tell you something. “ Selly said

“Go on.” Anubhav replied without looking at her.

“You can call it feminine instincts or a plain banter, but after our interview yesterday and listening to your speech today. I always get a repeated intuition about one thing.” Selly said.

“I don’t think I am getting you.” AB said seeming interested.

“Well I feel that there is some load of energy within you which is waiting to burst. You don’t seem to be satisfied with what you are currently and you want to break free. You want to do something different; something ground breaking, something…….” She would have continued but a strong sound of the car breaking stopped her.

Anubhav just kept looking in her eyes with a look that would pierce the soul. It didn’t take a behavioral expert to gauge the fact that Selly’s banter had touched AB’s raw painful nerve.

“I I am sorry if I’ve hurt you but …..” she said her voice faltering not being able to withstand AB’s stare she lowered her eyes.

“You are right Selly” he said silently. His face expressionless “if only I could explain it to you.” He said regaining his composure driving on. No word was spoken in the car till they reached Selly residence.

“I don’t know if I’d be saying this but would you mind in having a cup of coffee.” Selly said getting down the car.

“Well it’s too late in the night for coffee.” AB said in a tone wanting to avoid further conversation.

“Sir, you’ve given me lift twice now please allow me to return the favor. Maybe a coffee might just be the best thing to help you to pour you heart out.” Selly persisted.

“Well if you insist.” AB said and parked his car. Both of them went to their apartment on the 8th floor.

“So you stay alone.” AB said looking around her apartment inquisitively as he seated himself.

“I stay here with my room mate who is an airhostess. She had an overnight international flight today and won’t be back till day after.” Selly replied from the kitchen as she started preparing coffee.

Anubhav sat there glancing a few magazines as Selly prepared coffee for both of them.

“So now tell me what’s been bothering you.” Selly asked as she entered the living room with a tray carrying two cups of coffee.

“I must say you have fantastic apartment. Can you show me around?” Anubhav asked as if he didn’t hear the question.

“Yeah come along.” Selly said.

“So now can I have my answer?” Selly asked again.

“That’s a nice wind chrime that you have.” AB said avoiding the question.

“It Is, what about my question, I want an answer.” Selly said impatiently.

“Quite a breezy place is this apartment.” AB continued further.

“AB, for God’s sake will you please stop avoiding me and answer my question” Selly yelled.

“Why on earth are you so keen on it? Don’t you see that I don’t want to answer…?” AB yelled back.

“Why?” Selly asked again raising her voice with tears in developing in her eyes.

“And why should I tell you?” Anubhav asked getting irritated…

“Cos….Cos I LOVE YOU AB……….” Selly began to sob “and I can’t see you in the distress that you are in right now. You have forgotten how to smile, how to be happy and I want you to be happy. I want to be happy with you.” Selly sobbed as she hid her face within her palms and sat on the sofa.

“You don’t know me enough to love me.” AB said as he left.

The very next moment there was silence in the room and AB’s car starting could be heard in the silence of the night and Selly collapsed crying on her sofa.

Born Again - Chapter - 2

2010-03-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

The Same day at the office of Ahmedabad Magazine....

"Selly, I need a cover story on Anubhav Bindra for this week's edition." - Mark Whitmore the Chief Editor of Ahmedabad Magazine ordered.

For, 20 years in Journalism Mark had many interviews and cover-stories done for the publications he had worked with. He joined Ahmedabad a lifestyle magazine of the rich and famous five years ago and had celebrities like the Ambanis', the Adanis', Amitabh Bacchan, Sachin Tendulkar, the local boy Parthiv Patel among the few who had appeared on the cover of his magazine. Sanjay Solanki himself had appeared thrice on the cover of Ahmedabad. As a matter of fact it was considered as a special previledge to appear on the cover on this magazine.

He was chasing Anubhav Bindra for almost a six month for an exclusive but with no success. Finally he choose to use his trump card. Celina D'Souza, a gorgeous, ambitious and a drop dead sexy looking asst. journalist who wanted to make it big in the world of Journalism.

Selly : "You know sir, it's impossible. He is a boor. He would never yeild." Ozzing her oomph even as she spoke.

Mark: "Oh then make it possible, Selly" Mark Vent out his frustration on the poor soul. Quickly he realized that this fragile thing is not the one who can cope up to his yelling he composed himself and continued. "listen, this is important for our magazine to have his cover. Anubhav Bindra is an umknown quantity the world wants to know more about him. Go find out. You crack this one for me and I'll ensure you get a good raise."

Selly: "That's so nice of you. I'll try my level best. Sir, can you give me a few leads as to where I can start." she added sweetly. "It's always so good to learn from you."

Mark:"You, really have to be lucky to get this guy. But I am sure you'll do a good job. I'll let you know if I can think of something. You may go now I have something else to do right now."

Selly:"Ok Sir."

Mark didn't have much to do but he was finding it hard to control the feelings of lust he had towards this girl. "How can one not fuck her." he thought. He almost had an erection but controlled it somehow.

Selly came back to her desk and was thinking of ways in which she could get a Cover Story on AB. Getting to him was a real problem. She saw a muse trap and an idea flashed in her mind. "To catch the mice you need to show him cheeze." she thought. "Why not circulate a rumour and he'll himself come out of is shell and we'll get him." She hadn't even seen him or had no clue what AB looked like or is like. All she knew was that he was the CEO of the fastest growing company in Asia and was considered a genious.

She was so lost in her thoughts about the "cheeze" that little did she realize that it was almost 9:30 and everybody had left the office for the day. She went out of the office to realize that it had started raining rather heavily. She reached the bus stop completely drenched. There were no signs of any bus or rickshaw coming that way. The rain was making her feel cold and the chill prompted her to put out her hand and ask for lift.

She saw a white Hyundai Accent coming towards her and she signalled it for a lift. The signal was enough to stop the car. She just went to the car as the driver lowered the window.

"I am sorry to bother you sir. I need to go to Vastrapur and it seems I won't get any bus or a rickshaw. Could you please help me reach Vastrapur." She said to the Man whom she didn't recognize.

"Get in" said the voice.

She got inside the car.

"Where in Vastrapur do you stay." asked the Voice.

Selly: "I stay in Lad Society near Management Enclave. It's ok if you can drop me near Mansi cross roads."

"Fine, I can drop you till Management Enclave." said the Voice.

Selly: "Thats so nice of you, sir! BTW I am Celina De'Souza. I work with Ahmedabad Magazine."

Voice: "Oh that's gud. I do read your Magazine at times. Our Company's Chairman has appreared on the cover a couple of times as well."

Selly:"Oh really, which company do you work with?"

" I am with InfoGleam Software Corporation." the Voice said.

Selly: "Oh yes! Sanjay Solanki. He is a good friend of our magazine. Nice man. Infact, your CEO Mr. Anubhav Bindra is also quite cool. He's gonna be on our Cover Page in the next edition."

Voice (Sarcastically): "Oh really."

Selly:" Well, actually we plan to and I have been assigned the job to do a cover story."

They turned towards Vastapur from IIM Cross roads and the Voice inquired further.

"So you really think AB will agree to do an interview?"

"Well I know it's gonna be tough. Probably the toughest job of my life. " Selly shrugged "But it's a challenge and I don't even know where to begin from. I just want to do it cos I want to bring it out to the world what is the real Anubhav Bindra till date he is an unknown commodity and the whole world wants to know. I want to show it to the world what Mr. Bindra thinks. How is he able to do all that he has done. The guy's real a genious, I am sure he can be an inspiration" Selly said with a sense of excitement in her voice.

"So here we are at the Management Enclave." said the Voice "All the best for your cover story. I'll let AB know that he is needed for a coverstory somewhere."

"Thanks a lot, Sir! Can you tell me where cud I meet him." Selly Inquired.

"Well! he stays in Rajpath Bungalows. Bungalow No. 37. You can meet him at his home this Sunday." The Voice said.

Selly:"BTW Sir, I don't know your name as yet."

Voice:" I am Anubhav Bindra." as he drove off.

Selly just stood there. The heavy downpour didn't matter. She couldn't believe her ears as to what they have heard. "God can't love me so much." she thought. She just wanted to shout and dance her way to her home.

"You wouldn't believe what happened today." she said as she just hugged her room mate......

"There's something about this girl. Either she is a crook or an angel." AB thought as he changed into his favourite kurta and pyjama. There was a feeling he couldn't comprehend. His senses told him that everything was ok but he didn't feel it that way. For the first time in five years he was feeling happy. "There's something about this girl which wants me to talk to her more." he said to himself as he was having dinner. For the first time in his life he felt he needs to have some fun. He just looked around and told his servant.

"I think we should buy a new house, new car and should buy some new clothes as well. What say Ghelabhai."

Ghelabhai: "Motabhai, I am so happy today. For the first time in all these years you have expressed the desire for all the good things in life. " Ghelabhai beamed with Happiness.

"Haa Ghelabhai, aaj jine ki tamanna jag uthi hai." he said to himself.....

Born Again - Chapter 1

2010-03-21T02:10:00.000-07:00

"Your Coffee Sir",

The waiteress puzzeled muzzeled....perplexed that she might disturb the club's most respected and expensive guests, and so she did. Certainly if not disturb the voice did stir up one Mr. Anubhav Bindra who seemed to be lost in the world of his own thoughts & the waitress's voice brought him to ground zero and when he touched down to the real world the impact of the thoughts could still be felt.

"Good Morning Sir, Your Coffee." the waitress smiled apologetically, left the coffee and went away. For a few moments Anubhav just stared at his coffee wondering where to collect his thoughts from. For some time everything seemed unreal to him.

"Sir, your Coffee has cooled down, would you want me to reheat it." - The waiteress said coming back again.

"Yes please, thank you" Anubhav replied calmly as if he didn't care.

"And would like something else as well.." the waitress inquired

"YES, another cup of hot steaming coffee and a Henry IV sandwitch" said a loud and cheeful voice from behind. The waitress turned around to find Mr. Sanjay Solanki standing there.....

"Oh! Good Morning, Sir how was your US Trip..." the waitress said...

"It was very good Sweetheart." Sanjay replied.

"That's so gr8, I'll get you your stuff." The waitress said and left.

"Hey AB..." Sanjay said as he held his frd in a bear hug. "Hey Sanju.." Anubhav replied as he greeted him.

The two then settled down on the table and Sanjay asked.......

"What's the matter with you AB. You don't seemed to have slept properly last night, also you didn't drink your coffee, Is there something bothering you...." Sanjay asked.

"Nothing, We'll discuss that later....First you tell me how was the trip. Did the Yankees Yeild." Anubhav replied..

Sanjay: "OH YEAH!, we got'em square and round" he paused to sip his coffee and then continued. " We cracked the USD 120 M deal with NBC with 50% paid in advance & the job gets done at our terms."

AB(Elated): " Oh that's Super Sanju, this calls for one of your Royal Celebrations. "

Sanjay: "Yeah that's gonna happen soon as soon. When would you want to start working."

AB: " I hope to begin from the first of next month. I'll need to take that time to put the team together. We'll deliver the first package by the end of next month. Don't worry technically I've worked it out all. We'll deliver the best."

Sanjay: "Yeah I know, You're gonna do a gr8 job. I trust you on that one as a matter of fact my job with this deal is now over, it's all your show now, so now tell me what was it that was bothering you."

AB: " Nothing my Friend, I was lost in the past years of my life. I could remember everything. The College, the Chai ketli where we used to sit and chill out, Mom and Dad, their death, Our starting of Infogleam, our first contract, your first girl friend, your marriage etc. some how my memory goes blank for the last 5 yrs. All I can remember is nothing........ that's what is perplexing me. I don't know what happened to the last five yrs of my life."

Sanjay: "Come Let's go for a walk."

The two friends leave the sidewalk cafe and go for a walk at the jogging track of the Karnavati club.

Sanjay: "So tell me more"

AB: "Sanju, my life is all about Ideas, Ideas that have propelled us ahead. The idea to provide IT Enabled Services when the whole world was going bonkers on the DOT coms. However, for the past few days these ideas seem to have deserted me. I couldn't think anything new, anything ground breaking, anything that would take the world by the storm as we did almost five years ago. This made me go back and think in my past to investigate this further and somehow I'm still struggling figure it out what is it, why have I become so monotonous, so singular, so much in the box that I can't think of anything out of the box....." Anubhav shrugged and continued " If we don't come up with anything new I fear we will die into obscurity all these mega million deals are fine but we need to do things differently and that's what we are unable to do right now.I am not thing about the present but I am thinking about the future...."

Sanjay: "Hmmmm...... yes you are right we'll need to invent and reinvent, engineer and reengineer always and I think I know the solution to the problem."

AB(Happily): "Really, please tell me..."

Sanjay: "The solution to the most complex problems lies in the simplicity of adressing it. Sometimes when we think hard, we tend to complicate our thought process so much so that we tend to forget to stick to the basics. You need to ask yourself are you sticking to the basics, are the solutions to complex problems simple enough and is the effort enough....."

AB: "Go on I am Listening..." his face lightening up

Sanjay: "AB, your problem is that you've hardly had a break in the last five years, hence the thought process is very much the same. You need a break, maybe just for a few days, this will help you to recollect your thoughts maybe. Also, you need to spice up your life a bit. You have got into the monotony of the routine life. Look at your dressing style seems as though a man of sixties."

AB: " And how will that help.."

Sanjay: " Don't undermine them. These small changes like going for a holiday, socialising, dressing up as per the trends will add a variety to your life, and variety my dear is the spice of life. they help one to rejuvinate which is not happening in your life right now. So let's plan for a holiday. How about Goa."

AB: "Oh common Sanju, there's hell a lot of work that we got to do."

Sanjay: " Oh just don't worry everythng will be taken care of. So it is all settled we are going to Goa next week. Even Bhumi will love break. Please yaar you need it....."

"Oh the two of you are here! I have been searching for you in the enitre club." - Before Anubhav could reply he heard a faminie voice and it was of Bhumika Sanjay's wife. "Anything wrong guys. You seem to be having a serious discussion."

Sanjay: "Nothing Honey!, we've decided to go on a holiday next week to Goa."

Bhumi: "That's gr8, I'd love to go to Goa. It will be gr8 fun, but how did Anubhaiya agree..."

Anubhav: "Well it's not right to say no to your Boss, isn't it."

Sanjay(Sarcastically): " And the Boss is always right."

And they all started laughing heartily.....

Bhumi: "Chalo, let's go or you guys will be late for the office.."

Born Again - Characterisation!!!!

2010-02-06T17:59:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking of writing out the characterization of My Novel: "Born Again" for some time now however, unfortunately due to time constaints I haven't been able to do so. Let's look at what the character's look like:

ANUBHAV BINDRA:

Anubhav - The experience... Experiences can be good and they can be bad. When you meet this guy you'll have both. A vain guy, silent, unassuming, thinks more speaks less, even the people very close to him cannot claim that they know him well. He has one of the most poweful brains and can solve complex problems in one go. Astute managerial skills, brilliant technological knowledge, make him one of the best in his breed.

Anubhav who prefers a simple life lives in a world of his own and has created his own space in the world is known to guard his privacy so hard that almost throws Selly out of his car when she tries to ask him a question which he doesn't want to answer. No one know what relationship Selly and he share cos by the time knows that time the world knows about his relationship with Selly, she is DEAD.

Beneath the calm, cool and simple exterior there is a burning desire in him that transforms him from being a good man to a bad man. A desire to rule, a lust for power, a dream to destroy and feeling to kill, vulgar ambitions. Can he fulfill them... let's find out......

SANJAY SOLANKI:

The king of good times wants to live his life king size. Born in the family of princely Solanki's of Chittorgarh this fun-loving, super rich, super handsome has a penchant for all good things in life. From the best of wines & cuisines, to the best of cars and gadgets. This guy lives his life Royale class.

His world revolves around two people Anubhav and Bhumi - his lovely wife. He's full of energy and spirit and he'll make feel so good for even five minutes that you spend with him. By nature he is a complete contrast to the Anubhav and probably Bhumi as well and that's probably something that keeps them together. Well who knows my guesses as good as yours.

His world recieves a rude shock when he knows that his close friend has been brutually murdered. He refuses to agree with the fact that Anubhav is no more. Now he must find out the truth and save the world. Will he or will he not? Let's find out.

BHUMIKA SOLANKI:

If you were to describe this Rajput girl in one word you'll say: AWESOME, oh yes! she is Sanjay's wife. Though to her he husband is eveything in the world she is one the most strong willed characters in the story. She always felt the Anubhav is upto something incorrect but she prefered not to speak as she feared her husband might not like it.

She played the perfect hostess to all the parties that Sanjay used to throw and enjoyed the company of people, press and media. However, despite of such a high-profile lifestyle she was always the down-to-earth girl next door. She is the one who encourages Sanjay to find out the truth behind Anubhav's death.

CELINA D'SILVA:

She is a BOMB. Not only she is hot in terms of her looks but also is excellent at reading people. This reporter of AHMEDABAD magazine is the first and only person to have judged Anubhav correctly. Call it feminine instincts or call it pure art she has an awesome capacity to know people's minds and read in between the lines as well.

We don't know that whether she was smitten by Anubhav's simplicity or was curious for the suspense surrounding him but she falls for him. And as they say some relationships are dangerous. They truly are.

CARLOS:

Vladimir Illich Ramirez Sanchez or simply Carlos is the world's most feared and dreaded assasin. He was last seen in Robert Ludlum's Bourne series of novels, now what's he doing here.

Is he out to kill someone here as well or is he just another guy or is he a pawn in someone else's game. Only time can tell.......

To be continued........

VODKA - Some Facts

2009-12-25T02:09:00.000-08:00

1. To remove a bandage painlessly, saturate the bandage with vodka. The stuff dissolves adhesive.

2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mould and mildew.

3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.

4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

5. Spray vodka on wine stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.

6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.

7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo. The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair, and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.

8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle with vodka and spray bees or wasps to kill them.

9 Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water into a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshing ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes.

10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains.

11. To relieve a fever, use a washcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.

12. To cure foot odour, wash your feet with vodka.

13 Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.

14. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy to remove the urushiol oil from your skin.

15. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.

What Men Really Mean

2009-12-25T01:38:00.000-08:00

It's a guy thing."
Really means...."There is no rational thought pattern connected with it, and you have no chance at all of making it logical."

"Can I help with dinner?"
Really means...."Why isn't it already on the table?"

"Uh huh," "Sure, honey," or "Yes, dear."
Really means....Absolutely nothing. It's a conditioned response.

"It would take too long to explain."
Really means..."I have no idea how it works.

"We're going to be late."
Really means...."Now I have a legitimate excuse to drive like a maniac."

"Take a break, honey, you're working too hard."
Really means...."I can't hear the game over the vacuum cleaner."

"That's interesting, dear."
Really means...."Are you still talking?"

"It's a really good movie."
Really means...."It's got guns, knives, fast cars, and beautiful women."

"That's women's work."
Really means...."It's difficult, dirty, and thankless."

"You know how bad my memory is."
"Really means.... "I remember the theme song to 'F Troop', the address of the first girl I ever kissed and the Vehicle Identification Numbers of every car I've ever owned, but I forgot your birthday."

"I was just thinking about you, and got you these roses."
Really means.... "The girl selling them on the corner was a real babe."

"Oh, don't fuss. I just cut myself, it's no big deal."
Really means.... "I have actually severed a limb, but will bleed to death before I admit I'm hurt."

"Hey, I've got my reasons for what I'm doing."
Really means.... "...And I sure hope I think of some pretty soon."

"I can't find it."
Really means.... "It didn't fall right into my outstretched hands, so I'm completely clueless."

"What did I do this time?"
Really means.... "What did you catch me at?"

"I heard you."
Really means.... "I haven't the foggiest clue what you just said, and am hoping desperately that I can fake it well enough so that you don't spend the next 3 days yelling at me."

"You know I could never love anyone else."
Really means.... "I am used to the way you yell at me, and realize it could be worse."

"You look terrific."
Really means.... "Oh, God, please don't try on one more outfit. I'm starving."

"I'm not lost. I know exactly where we are."
Really means.... "No one will ever see us alive again."

"We share the housework."
Really means.... "I make the messes, she cleans them up!

Born Again - Prelude

2009-12-13T23:06:00.000-08:00

Many people ask me a question why do you want to write a Novel......... The simple answer is I always wanted to do things which I like the most and writing is just one of them. Today when I have completed penning the whole novel I am pretty much satisfied with the way things have shaped up.

Let's have a brief look at what "Born Again" is all about.

Plot:

Born Again is a story of a corporate genius - Anubhav Bindra who takes his company from zero to $ 1 Billion in 5 years. He is a fast thinker, quicker action-taker, result oriented and very very brilliant individual. He feels his personal life has a void and due to this he begins to loose his focus. He decides to go on a holiday where he hits upon a brilliant idea for a new product that could change the dynamics of Automobile and Software market. Could this be another shot to glory for Anubhav and his company or could this spell peril...... only time will tell......

Movie Reviews on Rediff

2009-12-01T06:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I at times wonder why does rediff publish movie reviews. Is it just to give employment to some nerds who don't even know how to rate a movie or is it because they want to play some kind of a practical joke with their readers. I have been reading their reviews on rediff for over 4 years now and the films that they have published good reviews have been box office bloppers. The movies that rediff has given a poor review (2012) have done wonders at the box office.

It is clear from this indictment that rediff's writers views are far from what the audience's views are about the film. It is time that rediff's management took this into consideration and take some necessary steps about the same.

How to Be a DAD

2009-10-31T23:08:00.000-07:00

Sheena was out walking with her 4 year old daughter.

She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. Sheena took the item away from her and asked her not to do that.

'Why?' the daughter asked. 'Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs' she replied.

At this point, the daughter looked at her with total admiration and asked, 'Momma, how do you know all this stuff, you are so smart.'

Sheena was thinking quickly. 'All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mom Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mom.' They walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but the daughter was evidently pondering this new information. '

OH...I get it!' she beamed, 'So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad. '

'Exactly' Sheena replied back with a big smile on my face.

November 1/2009

2009-10-31T22:40:00.000-07:00

I am thinking to update my blog more regularly........
Rather than just funny smses and cool saying I want to write something more serious and content rich............

Let's hope I get good ideas regularly.......

Ek bona suhag raat walay din

2009-10-31T22:38:00.000-07:00

Ek bona suhag raat walay din apne room mein gaya
aur biwi se kaha: Chal ghodi ban
Biwi boli bohat jaldi ho rahi hai kya?
Bona: Abay gate ki kundi lagani hai.

Supernatural Powers

2009-10-31T22:26:00.000-07:00

There was this case in this hospital's Intensive Care ward where patients always died in the same bed on Friday mornings around 9am regardless of their age, gender, medical history or medical condition.

This puzzled the doctors and some even thought that it had to do with the supernatural: Why did death occur at that same bed around the same time every Friday?

So the doctors decided to go down to that particular ward to investigate the cause of the deaths.

Come Friday morning, everyone at the hospital ward nervously waited for the terrible phenomenon to occur again. The new (unknowing) patient laid there.

Some doctors held wooden crosses, prayer books and other holy objects to ward off evil...and they waited.

8am, the patient was still alive...

8.30am...still breathing...

Just before the 'cursed' time, the door to the ward swung open...

Then Ah Soh, the part-time Friday cleaner, comes in and unplugs the life support system so that she can use the vacuum cleaner!

Khuda Khus

2009-10-28T04:16:00.000-07:00

Bhagwaan (god) sabse zyada kab khush hote hain?...

When a girl is getting raped & she screams."MUJHE BHAGWAAN KE LIYE CHODE DO PLEASE!!!!
............ ......... ......... ......... .........
What do ! u usually say after sex?
--I luv u!.......... .Wrong!--That was great!...... ....wrong again!
--I luv it!........wrong again!--the answer is :"mera kacha kithe hai?"
............ ......... ......... ......... .........
Arz hai....
College se nikalte hi kitaabain seenay se laga leti ho
Hum kya marr gaye jo khud hi daba leti ho !!!!
............ ......... ......... ......... .........
A bra falls on a doodhwala entering a building.
He looks up n shouts"ohbhenji! aapke doodh ka dhakkan gir gaya !"
............ ......... ......... ......... .........

NON - VEG JOKES

2009-10-28T04:09:00.001-07:00

Wife undressd in bathrum & walked toward bed for sex and hit sum object.

Hsbnd rushed to her & askd: Oh honey! My darling! Chot to nahi lagi na!

After sex was over she hit the same thing again on way back to bathroom.

Hsbnd: Andhi hai kya? Dekh kar nahi chal sakti ??

............ ......... ......... ......... ......... ...

A girl asked a Guru 2 explain what is DevilHell &Heaven?

Guru replied: Btwn my 2 legs is Devilbtwn ur 2 legs is Hellput Devil in Hell & u'll feel heaven.

............ ......... ......... ......... ......... ...

On honeymoon Nightthe groom lights up a match stick near wife's private.

Wife: Why did u do this?Groom: Dosto ne kaha ki pehle achchhi tarah Garam karna.

............ ......... ......... ......... ......... ...
Lady 2 Doctor: sir Sex ke liye konsa samay Uchit hai..?Doctor: Dopahar 2 se 4...

Lady: woh kyon...?

Doctor: compounder nahi hota iss liye...

2009-07-24T03:51:00.000-07:00

Hame nasha to aapki baat ka hai,

Kuch nasha to dheemi barsaat ka hai,

Humein aap yun hi sharabi na kahiye,

Is dil par asar to aap se mulakat ka hai..
............ ......... ......... ......... ......... ...
Dil me ummido ki shama jala rakhi he,

Hamne apni alag dunia basa rakhi he,

Yakin ke sath ki ayega apka SMS,

Hamne apne mobile per ankhe biccha rakhi hai...
............ ......... ......... ......... ......... ...

La pila de saqiya paimana paimane ke baad

Hosh ki baate karunga hosh me aane ke baad,

Waqt do hi zindagi ke guzarte hai mushkil

Ek tere aane se pahle ek tere jane ke baad.
............ ......... ......... ......... ......... ...
Tamanna kuch bhi nahi hai,

Ek tere didar ke siva,

Jindagi adhuri hai,

Sanam tere pyar ke siva!!

Joke

2009-06-27T04:30:00.000-07:00

It was the end of the school day and all of the kids were anxious to go home.
The teacher told the kids,"As soon as you can name the speaker of a famous quote you may leave. O.K.,

Who said four score and seven years ago?"

Johnny lifts his hand in excitement.

"Yes, Johnny?"But before he could answer, Lucy jumped in and said Abraham Lincoln.

"Very good, Lucy, you may go home now." Johnny was red in the face with anger.

The teacher then gave the next quote,"Who said I have a dream.."Johnny lifted his hand excitedly again.

But this time Mary interjected and said "Martin Luther King.""Very good, Mary, you may go home now."

At this point Johnny was really frustrated and pissed off. But the teacher asked again, "Who said ask not what your country can do for you?"

Johnny knew this one, he raised his hand quickly.

This time Rebecca chimed in and said, "JFK""Very good, Rebecca, you may go home now."

Now, Johnny was BOILING MAD! He turns to the kid next to him and says, "I wish these bitches would keep their mouths shut!"

"Who said that?"asked the teacher.

"Bill Clinton," said Johnny, "Can I go home now?"

Why girls are better than boys

2009-05-05T04:20:00.000-07:00

1. We got off the Titanic first.

2. We can scare male bosses with mysterious gynaecological disorder excuses.

3. We never ejaculate prematurely.

4. We get to flirt with systems support men who always return our calls and are nice to us when we blow up our computers.

5. When we buy a vibrator it's glamorous. When men buy a blow-up doll, it's pathetic.

6. Our boyfriend's clothes make us look elfin and gorgeous. Guys look like complete idiots in ours.

7. We can be groupies. Male groupies are stalkers.

8. We can cry and get off speeding fines.

9. We've never lusted after a cartoon character or the central figure in a computer game.

10. Taxis stop for us.

11. Men die earlier, so we get to cash in on the life insurance.

12. We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing.

13. Free drinks, free dinners, free moving (you get the point?).

14. We can hug our friend without wondering if she thinks we're gay.

15. We know the truth about whether size matters.

16. New lipstick gives us a whole new lease on life.

17. If we have sex with someone and don't call the next day, we're not the devil.

18. Condoms make no significant difference in our enjoyment of sex.

19. We can sleep our way to the top.

20. Nothing crucial can be cut off with one clean sweep.

21. It is possible to live our whole lives without ever taking a group shower.

22. No fashion faux pas we make could rival Speedos.

23. It's cool to be a daddy's girl. It's sad to be a mommy's boy.

24. If we cheat on our spouse, people assume it's because we're being emotionally neglected.

25. We never have to wonder if his orgasm was real.

26. If we forget to shave, no one has to know.

27. We can congratulate our teammate without ever touching her arse.

28. If we have a zit, we know how to conceal it.

29. We never have to reach down every so often to make sure our privates are still there.

30. If we're dumb, some people will find it cute.

31. We have an excuse to be a total bitch at least once a month.

32. We can talk to people of the opposite sex without having to picture them naked.

33. If we marry someone 20 years younger, we're aware that we look like an idiot.

34. Our friends won't think we're weird if we ask whether there's spinach in our teeth.

35. There are times when chocolate really can solve all your problems.

36. Gay waiters don't make us uncomfortable.

37. We'll never regret piercing our ears.

38. We can fully assess a person just by looking at their shoes.

Alcohol Warning

2009-05-05T04:15:00.000-07:00

Due to increasing products liability litigation, American beer brewers haveaccepted the FDA's suggestion that the following warning labels be placedimmediately on all beer containers:

1. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may leave you wondering what thehell happened to your bra.

2. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you are whisperingwhen you are not.

3. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is a major factor in dancing like aretard.

4. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to tell your friendsover and over again that you love them.

5. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to think you can sing.

6. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe thatex-lovers are really dying for you to telephone them at four in the morning.

7. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you can logicallyconverse with other members of the opposite sex without spitting.

8. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may make you think you have mysticalKung Fu powers, resulting in you getting your ass kicked.

9. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause you to roll over in themorning and see something really scary.

10. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol is the leading cause of inexplicablerug burns on the forehead.

11. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may create the illusion that you aretougher, smarter, faster and better looking than most people.

12. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to believe you areinvisible.

13. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead you to think people arelaughing WITH you.

14. WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may cause a disturbance in thetime-space continuum, whereby gaps of time may seem to literally disappear.

Marketing Concepts.......

2009-04-30T08:35:00.000-07:00

Professor at IIM was explaining marketing concepts:

1. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I am very rich. Marry me!" - That's Direct Marketing.

2. You're at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says,"He's very rich. Marry him." - That's Advertising.

3. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and get her telephone number. The next day you call and say "Hi, I'm very rich. Marry me." - That's Telemarketing.

4. You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. Y ou get up and straighten your tie, You walk up to her and pour her a drink. You open the door for her, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her a ride, and then say, "By the way, I'm very rich. Will you marry me?"
- That's Public Relations.

5. You're at a party and see a gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and says, "You are very rich" - That's BrandRecognition.

6. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I'm rich. Marry me" She gives you a nice hard slap on your face. - That's Customer Feedback!!!!!

7. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say, "I am very rich. Marry me!" Andshe introduces you to her husband - That's demand and supply gap.

8. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say, I am very rich. Marry me!" she turns her face towards you ----------- she is your wife! -
- That's competition eating into your market share.

English is a Funny Language

2009-04-30T08:17:00.000-07:00

Let's face it - English is a crazy language.

In what other language do people drive in a parkway and park in a driveway?

Why does night fall but never break and day break but never fall?

Why is it that when we transport something by car, it's called a shipment, but when we transport something by ship, it's called cargo?

Why are people who ride motorcycles called bikers and people who ride bikes called cyclists?

In what other language do thay call the third hand on the clock the second hand?

Why is it called a TV set when you get only one?

Why - in our crazy language - can your nose run and your feet smell?

Sometimes you have to believe that all English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane:

If olive oil is made of olives, what do they make baby oil from?

If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian consume?

A writer is someone who writes, and a stinger is something that stings.

But fingers don't fing and grocers don't groce.

If the plural of tooth is teeth, shouldn't the plural of booth be beeth?

If the teacher taught, why isn't it also true that the preacher praught?

If harmless actions are the opposite of harmful actions, why are shameless and shameful behavior the same?

English is a language in which you can turn a light on and you can turn a light off and you can turn a light out, but you can't turn a light in;

In which the sun comes up and goes down, but prices go up and come down.

In which your nose can simultaneously burn up and burn down and your car can slow up and slow down, in which you can fill in a form by filling out a form and in which your alarm clock goes off by going on.

English is a crazy language. What is it that when the sun or the moon or the stars are out, they are visible, but when the lights are out, they are invisible?; and why when I wind up my watch, I start it, but when I wind up this essay, I shall end it?

40 Funny Quotes and Thoughts

2009-04-28T06:00:00.000-07:00

" Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?"

"It's amazing that the amount of news that happens in the world everyday always just exactly fits the newspaper."

"If it were not for Thomas Edison, we would all be watching television in the dark."

"Computers will never take the place of books. You can't stand on a floppy disk to reach a high shelf."

"An consultant is someone who takes a subject you understand and makes it sound confusing."

"Love is so confusing - you tell a girl she looks great and what's the first thing you do?Turn out the lights! "

"I don't suffer from stress. I'm a carrier."

"The male is a domestic animal which, if treated with firmness and kindness, can be trained to do most things."

"I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder."

"Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else."

"Never argue with a fool. People might not know the difference."

"The guy who invented the first wheel was an idiot; The guy who invented the other three, he was the genius. "

Terrrific quotes ( One liners)

2009-04-28T05:52:00.000-07:00

Love is photogenic it needs darkness to develop.

A good discussion is like a miniskirt, Short enough to pertain interest and long enough to cover the subject!

Children in backseats cause accidents, Accidents in backseats cause children!

"Your future depends on your dreams" So go to sleep!

There should be a better way to start a day than waking up every morning!

"ALCOHOL KILLS SLOWLY", So what? Who's in a hurry?

"Hard work never killed anybody", But why take the risk! (I don't want to be an exception!)

"Work fascinates me", I can sit and watch it for hours!

God made relatives, Thank God we can choose our friends.

My girlfriend ran away with my best friend and I really am sorry for him!

God is Alive! Speak to Him!, (It's cheaper after 9.30 p.m.!)

When two's company, three's the result!

A designer dress is like a barbed fence, It protects the premises without restricting the view!

You Know you are having a bad day when

2009-04-28T05:27:00.000-07:00

You Know you are having a bad day when...

Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles.

You call the suicide prevention hotline and they put you on hold.

Everyone avoids you the morning after the company office party.

The bird singing outside your window is a vulture.

You wake up and your braces are stuck together.

Your blind date turns out to be your ex-wife/husband.

You have to borrow from your Visa card to pay your MasterCard.

Nothing you own is actually paid for.

The Gypsy fortune teller offers to refund your money when she sees your future.

People think that you're 40 and you're only 25.

The doctor says you are in fine health for someone twice your age.

Murphy's laws on girls.....

2009-04-28T05:16:00.000-07:00

1. If u think a girl is beautiful, she'll always have a boyfriend to confirm that

2. the nicer she is...the quicker u will be dumped!!!!!

3. The more the makeup, worse the looks...

4. "99% of the girls in this world are beautiful. Remaining 1% would always be in your company."............ .....100% true
5. The guy standing next to a beautiful girl can never be her brother.

6. If by any chance the girl you like , likes you too, she will let you know in about 10 years from now ,when you are committed..

7. The more you ignore a girl, the more she'll want to be friends with you.

8. Theory of relativity.. ....The more u run towards a hot chick....the more she goes away from u...
9. Rule 1: Even if you got her out alone... just when you are about to let her know about your feelings...she will spot a long lost friend( I guess from Kumbh ka Mela)

Corollary to rule 1: The more desperate you are to tell your feelings to a girl on a private chat, the more probability the long lost friend she discovered is a handsome superman, who beats you in everything

9:1Axiom 1: The more dedicated you are to the girl, the longer it takes before things work out, but ultimately it will (somesmile for the guys)

10. the day the chick you really like comes and speaks to you will be the day when-
1. You are dressed badly
2. You forgot to brush your teeth for the first time in your life
3.Have a bad hair day

11. all the good girls are either nuns or married .the rest go around with u and ruin ur money,health and leave u a total wreck.

12. the more seriously u like a girl...the more seriously her dad will hate u

13. the love you shower a girl with is directly proportional to the number of bullets her dad will be showering at you

The Hierarchy Model of Advertising Effects

2009-04-16T14:11:00.000-07:00

AbstractThe most often cited hierarchy model was developed by Lavidge and Steiner (1961), and this has been regarded as the process by which advertising works for more a century. But some recent reviews of the empirical literature found little evidence to support the existence of an advertising hierarchy, and this continues to be the subject of debate. Most recently, Weilbacher (2001) and Barry (2002) have debated the hierarchy model of advertising effects in their articles published in “Journal of Advertising Research”. In this paper, the contribution of these articles to marketing theory, as well as practice are compared and assessed. The paper then concludes with implications for integrated marketing communications.
IntroductionAdvertising has existed for many decades but the intellectual theory of advertising such as how it works and why it works are still debatable issues in academia and industry (Barry & Howard 1990). One suggested explanation is the hierarchy of effects, a body of literature that posits that audiences go through a variety of stages (cognitive, affective, and conative) in responding to advertising and other persuasive marketing messages (Gallup 1974; Lavidge & Steiner 1961; Vakratsas & Ambler 1999). The most often cited hierarchy model was posited by Lavidge & Steiner (1961), who believed that advertising was an investment in a long term process that moved consumers over time through a series of stages beginning with product unawareness and ending with an actual purchase.
However, Vakratsas and Ambler (1999) have recently reviewed more than 250 journal articles and books in an effort to better understand how advertising works and affects the consumer. They state that ‘a review of the empirical literature found little evidence to support the existence of an advertising hierarchy’ (p. 26). Their evidence initiated much debate most recently by Weilbacher (2001) and Barry (2002) in their articles published in Journal of Advertising Research, where they discuss the hierarchy model of advertising effects.
In this paper, a comparison and assessment is made of the contribution of articles to marketing theory and practice, based on reviewing the published literature. The paper also examines the implications of this for integrated marketing communications.
The Hierarchy of Effects ModelsThe conceptual model they implicitly apply to advertising is a simple causal hierarchy of effects (Vakratsas & Ambler 1999), little changed in its essentials from the AIDA model, which has been around since 1898 (Strong, cited in Hall 2002).
Hierarchy of advertising effects models have been around in the literature of marketing for more than a century (Yoo, Kim & Stout 2004). The traditional hierarchy framework asserts that consumers respond to advertising messages in a very ordered way. According to Belch & Belch (2004), ‘a number of the hierarchy of effects models have been developed to depict the stages a consumer may pass through in moving from a stage of not being aware of a company, product, or brand to actual purchase behavior’ (p. 147). In two of the best-known response hierarchy models (see appendix, figure 2), while these response models may appear similar, they were developed for different reasons.
The AIDA model was developed to represent the stages a salesperson must take a customer through in the personal selling process (Strong, cited in Belch & Belch 2004). This model depicts the buyer as passing successively through attention, interest, desire, and action. The hierarchy of effects model was developed by Lavidge and Steiner (1961) showing the process by which advertising works. It assumes that ‘a consumer passes through a series of steps in sequential order from initial awareness of a product or service to actual purchase’ (cited in Belch & Belch 2004, p. 148). Consumers change their minds about a product, then they change their attitude, and then they act. In other words, the process begins with cognition, which translates to affect, which then translates to behaviour.
Arguments about the Hierarchy Model of Advertising EffectsIn Weilbacher’s article ‘Point of View: Does Advertising Cause a Hierarchy of Effect’ (2001), the author argues that ‘hierarchy of advertising effects models do not provide an accurate description of how advertising works and the effects of advertising’ (p. 19), and therefore it is unlikely to be used as a framework for measuring the true effects of advertising. In contrast, Barry (2002) in the article titled ‘In Defense of the Hierarchy of Effects: A Rejoinder to Weilbacher’ supports the concept of a hierarchy as a major guideline for advertising practice and research. The author adds that the marketing literature continues to embrace the hierarchy of advertising effects formulation as a basis for measuring the effects of advertising.
To begin with, there has been significant discrepancy regarding the explanation of advertising’s role among advertising researchers. According to Weilbacher, success or failure of advertising has always depended primarily on the ultimate sales when citing that ‘advertising– if it is successful– ultimately results in the sale of the product or service advertised to at least some of the consumers that have been exposed to the advertising. If such sales do not happen, the advertising is judged not to have been effective’ (p. 19). Meanwhile, others have regarded advertising as the communication process that attracts customer’s attention or features the product that will satisfy their needs. For example, it is proposed by Gallup (1974) that ‘advertising performs a vital communications function. It brings to buyer’s attention a product or service that will meet their needs. It tells buyers about the particular features of the product as opposed to other products’ (p. 7). Therefore, these dissimilar goals of advertising have reflected differences in approaching the way in which the effectiveness of advertising measured.
In terms of the hierarchy of advertising effects model, its basic premise is that advertising effects occur over a period of time (Lavidge & Steiner 1961) and ‘advertising communication may not lead to immediate behavioral response or purchase; rather, a series of effects must occur, with each step fulfilled before the consumer can move to the next stage in the hierarchy’ (Belch & Belch 2004, p. 148). Despite the fact that the hierarchy of advertising effects model of how advertising works has been around in the literature of marketing for a long time, Weilbacher (2001) claims it as an intuitive, non-validated explanation of how advertising works.
Weilbacher (2001) argues that there is an inconsistency in the hierarchy models of advertising effects in terms of multiple advertisements’ effects and competitive hierarchical interactions. Primarily, the hierarchy of effects is fragile, rewarding the relation of any consumer to any particular brand:
The model implies an immutable connection between a brand’s advertising and the prospective customer. But consumers, after all, live in a world of multiple brands within particular product/service categories and multiple advertisements for each of the individual brands within the category (Weilbacher 2001, p. 21).
In addition to competitive hierarchical interactions, the hierarchy of advertising effects for any one brand must be in constant competition with all the other brands’ in the category since each brand attempts to move the individual consumer along the brand’s own hierarchy.
As mentioned by Weilbacher (2001) in his article, the crucial conceptual weaknesses of the hierarchy model of advertising effects result in its intuition and non-validation. First, the hierarchy is relevant only to advertising. In some marketing situations, advertising alone may occasionally cause sales for some brands, but in the majority of marketing situations, sales are caused by a combination of marketing factors such as superior product, availability of distribution and competitive price, as well as an effective total program of marketing communications including, but not limited to, advertising. Second, the hierarchy models of advertising effects are based on a suspected model of human thought processes. Advertising is regarded as a distinct stimulus that ultimately leads through a rigid series of stages or steps to the eventual response of a consumer brand selection or purchase. However, ‘it completely ignores the broad store of information and experience that is always available to a consumer prior to and after advertising exposure as he/she thinks about or actively makes brand purchases’ (Weilbacher 2001, p. 22). Finally, the hierarchy models suggest that all advertisements affect consumers in the same ways, since the nature of hierarchy models of advertising effects is that every advertisement works in exactly the same way as every other advertisement.
Weilbacher (2001) concludes that crucial understanding of the effects of marketing communications, including advertising, may be illusive, because the understanding of the brain and how, exactly, it interacts with its environment based on the cognitive science is now not clear. He also suggests a new thinking toward an extension of the hierarchy of effects model to all the communications activities called “integrated marketing communications” should be approached.
At the same time, in his article, Barry (2002) believes that the hierarchy model remains important and valuable, although some of Weilbacher’s concerns are valid and should continue to be debated.
In terms of a single hierarchy model with one chronological sequence, Barry (2002) points out that ‘Weilbacher is right to challenge this sequencing’ (p. 44) but until now there have not been any alternative hierarchies. According to Barry (2002), this model has been rational and regarded as a guideline. Because the lack of explicit validation of the model is not a major problem, the key point ‘lies in the complexities of the measurement process to understand how people process information, form attitudes, and behave as a direct result of that information processed and those attitudes formed’ (p. 45). Thus, the model is still perceptive and rational as a result of its logic.
Unlike Weilbacher’s argument that the hierarchy model is relevant only for advertising and not for other marketing communications components, Barry (2002) argues that one can apply the concept of cognition, affect, and conation to many marketing communication. ‘The goal of all marketing communications is persuasion,… [so] all marketers send information to customers and prospects in the hopes of persuading them to do something’ (p. 44). In most cases, people have to process, value that information in positively or negatively manner, and then behave or not behave in some way. Hence, the hierarchy model is an appropriate framework for any of these forms of marketing communication.
And finally, Barry (2002) observes that there is no evidence that all advertisements have the same effect on all consumers reached, which differs from Weilbacher’s argument. Actually, ‘the concept of segmentation tells [marketers] that audiences are indeed different, even within relatively homogeneous segments’ (p. 45). Every advertising message that reaches an individual consumer affects that consumer differently, based in part on that consumer’s tendencies toward the product category and/or brand. All of these individuals reached have different preferences to process information, ‘form or change attitudes, and behave or not behave as a result’ (p. 45).
In all, points of view of the two authors suggest that there are many implications, as well as calls for action on further research to examine the hierarchy model and develop different hierarchical models for various consumer decision making situations.
Implications for Integrated Marketing CommunicationsEven though there are still arguments among advertising academics and practitioners about the theory of how advertising works, the hierarchy of effects models are clearly practical. There is no doubt that they bring some implications for marketers such as helping to predict behaviour regardless of how imperfect those predictions are, providing ‘practitioners information on where advertising strategies should focus (cognition, affect, or conation) based on audience or segment experiences’, and eventually providing ‘planners with a good planning, training, and conceptual tool’ (Barry & Howard, cited in Barry 2002, p. 46).
In fact, the hierarchy models are an appropriate framework for any of these forms of communication (Barry 2002; Belch & Belch 2004). They are useful to promotional planners from several perspectives. They describe ‘the series of steps potential purchasers must be taken through to move them from unawareness of a product or service to readiness to purchase it’ (Belch & Belch 2004, p. 149). Then, ‘potential buyers may be at different stages in the hierarchy, so the advertisers will face different sets of communication problems’ (p. 150).
Furthermore, the hierarchy models can also be useful as intermediate measures of communication effectiveness (Belch & Belch 2004). The marketer needs to know where audience members are on the response hierarchy. For example, it may suppose that:
… one target segment has low awareness of the advertiser’s brand, whereas another is aware of the brand and its various attributes but has a low level of liking or brand preference. For the first segment of the market, the communication task involves increasing the awareness level for the brand. The number of advertisements may be increased, or a product sampling program may be used. For the second segment, where awareness is already high but liking and preference are low, the advertiser must determine the reason for the negative feelings and then attempt to address this problem in future advertising (Belch & Belch 2004, pp. 149-150).
Nevertheless, some recent reviews of the empirical literature indicate the fragile existence of the hierarchy model and suggest that alternatives should be approached. For example, in their comprehensive review of relevant articles, Vakratsas & Ambler (1999) find little evidence to support the existence of an advertising hierarchy and they note that in trying to understand the response process and the manner in which advertising works, there are three critical intermediate effects between advertising and purchase (see appendix, figure 1). These include cognition- the “thinking” dimension of a person’s response, affect- the “feeling” dimension, and experience- which is a feedback dimension based on the outcomes of product purchasing and usage. Individual responses to advertising ‘are mediated or filtered by factors such as motivation and ability to process information, which can radically alter or change the individual’s response to advertising’ (p. 43). They suggest that the effects of advertising should be evaluated using three dimensions, with some intermediate variables being more important than others, depending on factors such as the product category, stage of the product life-cycle, target audience, competition, and impact of other marketing mix components (Vakratsas & Ambler, cited in Belch & Belch 2004).
Similarly, Hall (2002) argues that ‘advertisers need to move away from explicit and implicit reliance on hierarchical models of advertising effects and develop models that place affect and experience at the center of the advertising process’ (p. 23). The implication of these criticisms is that marketers should focus on cognition, affect, and experience as critical variables that advertising may affect. However, they should not assume a particular sequence of responses; but rather engage in research and analysis to better understand how advertising and other forms of promotion may affect these intermediate variables in various product/market situations.
In terms of the integrated marketing communication program, it is the responsibility of planners to learn as much as possible about their target audience and how it may respond to advertising, along with other forms of marketing communication. As Weilbacher (2001) noted, marketing communications programs include more than just advertising. Consumers are continually immersed in brand-sponsored communications that include public relations, a broad range of sales promotion activities, websites, direct marketing, event sponsorships, movie and television show product placements, and other forms of marketing communication. Hierarchy models must move beyond just explaining the effects of advertising and consider how, and with what effects, consumers synthesize information from all the various integrated marketing communications activities for a brand.
ConclusionFrom the well-known AIDA model to the recent alternative models, the hierarchy models of effects have been conceived as a managerial framework in advertising literature. They have a similar ordering of three stages: cognitive development precedes affective reactions, which precede behavior (Yoo, Kim & Stout 2004). It might be assumed that consumers become aware of and knowledgeable about a brand, develop feelings toward it, form a desire or preference, and then make a purchase. This logical progression is often accurate, the response sequence (cognitive, affective, behavioral), however, does not always operate this way (Belch & Belch 2004). The several alternatives to the original Lavidge and Steiner’s model suggest that advertising researchers have developed different hierarchical models for various consumer decision making situations. Moreover, to better understand the power of advertising, how it works alone, and how it complements other marketing communications tactics are challenges for further research.

Amitabh Bacchan Says

2009-03-30T08:50:00.000-07:00

One cannot discover new oceans, unless one has courage to lose sight of the shore
You can win life by all means.. yes… by simply avoiding two things… comparing and … expecting
If people start criticizing you, hurting you, shouting at you.. don’t be bothered. Because in any game, spectators make noise, not the player. So just play on !
Its hard to lead a cavalry charge if one thinks that he looks funny on a horse !
There are only two people who can tell the truth about yourself.. a friend who has lost his temper, or an enemy who starts loving you.

Nice ones AB.................I truly love it..........Main hu unke saath khada jo seethi rakhte apni reedh

HOW THEY CATCH MONKEYS IN INDIA

2009-03-30T08:42:00.000-07:00

Monkey-hunters use a box with an opening at the top, big enough for the monkey to slide its hand into. Inside the box are nuts. The monkey grabs the nuts and now its hand becomes a fist. The monkey tries to get its hand out but the opening is big enough for the hand to slide into, but too small for the fist to come out of. Now the monkey has a choice, either to let go off the nuts and be free forever or hang on to nuts and get caught. Guess what it picks every time? You guessed it, right. He hangs on to nuts and gets caught.
We are no different from monkeys. We all hang on to the nuts that keep us from going forward in life. We keep rationalizing by saying, “I cannot do this because……...” “ I would have finished my target, but because of……………” and whatever comes after “because” are nuts that we are hanging onto that are holding us back.
Successful people don’t rationalize. Good advice for failure is: Don’t think, don’t ask, and don’t listen. Just rationalize.

Do you want to become or stay monkey in cage...

An Interesting Story- Everybody should read Never underestimate your Clients' complaints, no matter how funny they might seem!

2009-03-30T08:41:00.000-07:00

This is a real story that happened between a customer of General Motors and its Customer-Care Executive. Pls read on.....
A complaint was received by the Pontiac Division of General Motors.

"This is the second time I have written to you, and I don't blame you for not answering me, because I sounded crazy, but it is a fact that we have a tradition in our family of having ice-cream for dessert after dinner each night, but the kind of ice cream varies. Every night, after we've eaten, the whole family votes on which kind of ice cream we should have, and I drive down to the store to get it. It's also a fact that I recently purchased a new Pontiac and since then my trips to the store have created a problem.....

You see, every time I buy a vanilla ice-cream, when I start back from the store my car won't start. If I get any other kind of ice-cream, the car starts just fine. I want you to know I'm serious about this question, no matter how silly it sounds. What is there about a Pontiac that makes it not start when I get vanilla ice-cream and easy to start whenever I get any other kind?"

The Pontiac President was understandably skeptical about the letter, but sent an Engineer to check it out anyway. The latter was surprised to be greeted by a successful, obviously well-educated man in a fine neighborhood. He had arranged to meet the man just after dinner time, so the two hopped into the car and drove to the ice-cream store. It was vanilla ice-cream that night and, sure enough, after they came back to the car, it wouldn't start.

The Engineer returned for three more nights. The first night, they got chocolate. The car started. The second night, he got strawberry. The car started. The third night he ordered vanilla. The car failed to start. Now the Engineer, being a logical man, refused to believe that this man's car was allergic to vanilla ice-cream. He arranged, therefore, to continue his visits for as long as it took to solve the problem. And toward this end he began to take notes: He jotted down all sorts of data: Time of day, type of gas used, time to drive back and forth etc.

In a short time, he had a clue: The man took less time to buy vanilla than any other flavor. Why? The answer was in the layout of the store. Vanilla, being the most popular flavor, was in a separate case at the front of the store for quick pickup. All the other flavors were kept in the back of the store at a different counter where it took considerably longer to check out the flavor.
Now, the question for the Engineer was why the car wouldn't start when it took less time. Eureka - Time was now the problem - not the vanilla ice-cream!!!! The engineer quickly came up with the answer: "Vapor Lock".

It was happening every night; but the extra time taken to get the other flavors allowed the engine to cool down sufficiently to start. When the man got vanilla, the engine was still too hot for the Vapor Lock to dissipate.
Even crazy-looking problems are sometimes real and all problems seem to be simple only when we find the solution, with cool thinking.

Don't just say it is " IMPOSSIBLE" without putting a sincere effort...

Observe the word "IMPOSSIBLE" carefully...

Looking closer, you will see, " I'M POSSIBLE"...

Principles of Life

2009-03-27T08:07:00.000-07:00

Winning isn't everything. But wanting to win is.
You would achieve more, if you don't mind who gets the credit.
When everything else is lost, the future stillremains.
Don't fight too much. Or the enemy would know your art of war.
The only job you start at the top is when you dig a grave.
If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for everything.
If you do little things well, you'll do big ones better.
Only thing that comes to you without effort is old age.
You won't get a second chance to make the first impression.
Only those who do nothing do not make mistakes.
Never take a problem to your boss unless you have a solution.
If you are not failing you're not taking enough risks.
Don't try to get rid of bad temper by losing it.
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
Those who don't make mistakes usually don't make anything
There are two kinds of failures. Those who think and never do, and those who do and never think.
Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win.
All progress has resulted from unpopular decisions.
Change your thoughts and you change your world.
Understanding proves intelligence, not the speed of the learning.
There are two kinds of fools in this world. Those who give advise and those who don't take it.
The best way to kill an idea is to take it to a meeting.
Management is doing things right. Leadership is doing the right things.
Friendship founded on business is always better than business founded on friendship

Some Amazing facts about Gujarat

2009-03-25T09:18:00.000-07:00

Here are some amazing facts about the place we live.

This is an extract from an article in a Pakistani newspaper 'The News International' (Part of the Jang Group) a hardcore Islamic Pakistani paper as at 6th September 2008

.........India’s wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani of Reliance, is Gujarati. Forbes says he is the world's fifth richest man, worth $43 billion. Azim Premji of Wipro is Gujarati. He is the word's 21st richest man, worth $17 billion.

Ten of the 25 richest Indians are Gujarati. Some of the best business communities in India -- Parsis, Jains, Memons, Banias, Khojas and Bohras -- speak Gujarati.

The two great leaders of the subcontinent, the Mahatma (GandhiJi) and the Quaid (Mohd. Ali Jinnah), were both Gujaratis from trading communities. One a Bania, the other a Khoja.

Gujaratis number 55 million, five per cent of India's population living on six per cent of surface area, but hold 30 per cent of all Indian stock. They account for 16 per cent of all Indian exports and 17 per cent of GDP.

On August 8, the National Council of Applied Economic Research published a report.

The richest city in India is now Surat, ahead of Bangalore and Madras, with an average annual household income of Rs0.45 million (over $11,000). 80 per cent of all diamonds sold anywhere in the world are polished in Surat's 10,000 diamond units The only non-Jews in the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem diamond bourse are Gujjus. Between 2004-5 and 2007-8 Surat's middle class doubled in size and its poor reduced by a third.

The fifth richest city in India is now Ahmedabad, ahead of Bombay and Delhi, and miles ahead of Calcutta. The Communists rule Bengal and Kerala. They are splendid at protecting Muslims but rubbish at running the economy. They hold million-man rallies with the Jamiat-ul-Ulema- i-Islam (yes, we have one too) demanding that America get out of Iraq, but cannot stop Tata from being chased out of Bengal. The percentage of man-days lost in Gujarat due to labour unrest is 0.42 per cent, the lowest in India.

Of Gujarat's 18,048 villages, 17,940 have electricity.

Under Modi the face of industrial Gujarat is changing. The world's largest oil refinery is coming up in Jamnagar. Owned by Reliance, it already refines 660,000 barrels of oil a day and will double that this year. Thirty per cent of India's cotton is grown in Gujarat, 40 per cent of India's art-silk is manufactured in Surat, employing 0.7 million people. The world's third largest denim manufacturer is Ahmedabad's Arvind Mills.

A KPMG report says 40 per cent of India's pharmacy industry is based in Gujarat with companies like Torrent, Zydus Cadila, Alembic, Dishman and Sun Pharma.

The state's GDP has been growing at 12 per cent a year for the last 12 years, as fast as China's and is the largest contributor to India’s GDP.

Here I am sitting in my office @ night…,Thi nking hard about life

2009-03-23T07:10:00.000-07:00

Here I am sitting in my office @ night…Thinking hard about lifeHow it changed from a college life to strict professionallife…...

How tiny pocket money changed to huge monthly paychecksbut then why it gives lesss happiness….

How a few local denim jeans changed to new branded wardrobe but then why there are less people to use themHow a single plate of samosa changed to a full Pizza or burgerBut then why there is less hunger…..

Here i am sitting in my office @ night…Thinking hard about lifeHow it changed…..

How a bike always in reserve changed to bike always onbut then why there are less places to go on……

How a small coffee shop changed to cafe coffee daybut then why its feels like shop is far away…..

How a limited prepaid card changed to postpaid packagebut then why there are less calls & more messages……

Here i am sitting in my office @ night…Thinking hard about lifeHow it changed…...

How a general class journey changed to Flight journey But then why there are less vacations for enjoyment….

How a old assembled desktop changed to new branded laptopbut then why there is less time to put it on……….

How a small bunch of friends changed to office mateBut then why we always feel lonely n miss those college frnz.….

Here i am sitting in my office @ night…Thinking hard about lifeHow it changed….. How it changed……..

Fundamental Principles of Project Management

2009-03-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

Introduction
From time to time, various attempts have been made to enunciate ‘Principles and Practices’ of project management. However, there appears to be no consensus on either the principles or the practices of ‘acceptable’ project management, nor doesthere appear to be much documentation of any ‘theories’ of project management either supporting these principles and practices or derived from them. Thus, the foundation of the project management discipline appears to be somewhat weak.
On the other hand, there is a wealth of literature researching projects to determine what people do in project management, followed by conclusions drawn, as well as a wealth of advice on ‘How to do it better’ (practices). However, since few projects appear to predefine their product success criteria, the results of these projects may be good, bad, or indifferent. Hence, some of the conclusions drawn may be questionable.
What appears to missing is a set of fundamental project management principles as a basis for comparison. This paper is an attempt to address this gap.
Issue: What are the Fundamental Principles of Project Management and how do these differ from Project Management Practices

Definitions
Webster (1) defines a ‘Principle’ as “a general truth, a law on which others are founded or from which others are derived…”
Cleland and Kerzner (2) go further in defining ‘Principle’ as follows:
1. A fundamental rule or law of action based upon desirable ends or objectives. A principle is more basic than a policy or a procedure and generally governs both.
2. A fundamental truth, or what is believed to be truth at a given time, explaining relationships between two or more sets of variables, usually an independent variable and a dependent variable; may be descriptive, explaining what will happen, orprescriptive (or normative), indicating what a person should do.
In the latter case, principles reflect some scale of values, such as efficiency, and therefore imply value judgments.
From the above it would appear that the use of the qualifier ‘Fundamental’ with 'principle’ is redundant. However, since there appears to be much indiscriminate use of the term ‘Principle’ in the marketplace, we will retain its usage to imply that it applies toall examples or aspects of project management and is distinct from the use of the word 'practice’.
Webster defines ‘Practice’, on the other hand, as “customary use, method or art of doing anything…” Cleland and Kerzner do not include this term.In other words, a ‘Practice’ is a way of doing things.
From these definitions it would appear that ‘Principles’ and ‘Practices’ may be distinguished by the difference between 'What’ and ‘How’. It would also appear that in Cleland and Kerzner’s second definition there is some overlap between principles and practices, perhaps reflecting the confusion evident in the marketplace.

Criteria for Establishing a Principle
Possible criteria for differentiating those principles of project management that are truly fundamental may be enunciated as follows:
A Project Management Principle should
1. Express a basic concept or idea.
2. Be universally applicable if a successful project result is to be achieved.
3. Be capable of straight forward expression in one or two sentences.
4. Be self-evident to project management personnel with considerable experienced of practical project work .
5. Be capable of self-evident naming with one or two words.
6. Provide the basis for research, practical testing as to value, and the development of supporting ‘Practices’.
Previous Works
Few authors appear to have addressed the issue of project management principles, although many use the term ‘principles‘ to describe ‘practices’ all as defined above. One exception, however, is an article by Bing (3) in which he describes eight“Principles of Successful Projects” based on his extensive practical experience in the field. This article appears to have received remarkably little attention. In it, Bing presents his eight principles as follows:
1. There must be a project as defined in the PMBOK, and not just a task or an ongoing activity.
2. There must be a single leader (project manager), who is experienced and willing to take the responsibility for the work.
3. There must be an informed and supportive management that delegates appropriate authority to the project manager.
4. There must be a dedicated team of qualified people to do the work of the project.
5. The project goal must be clearly defined along with priorities of the “shareholders.”
6. There must be an integrated plan that outlines the action required in order to reach the goal.
7. There must be a schedule establishing the time goals of the project.
8. There must be a budget of costs and/or resources required for the project.
In the original article, each principle is followed by clarifying text. To this list, Bing subsequently added a ninth principle:
9. There must be a system to accommodate changes.
Proposed ‘Fundamental Principles’
How do Bing’s ‘principles’ measure up to the ‘criteria’ suggested earlier? And, are they all-encompassing?
This author proposes the following consolidation of these 'principles’ together with other ‘fundamentals’ consistent with the criteria and format presented earlier.
1. The Success Principle
The goal of project management is to produce a successful product. Without achieving a successful product there is no merit in incurring the project management overhead cost. Contrary to conventional wisdom, there have been many projects that have been “On time and within budget” but the product has not been successful, and similarly many that have not been “On time and within budget” yet the product has been very successful.
2. The Commitment Principle
A mutually acceptable commitment between a project sponsor and a project team must exist before a viable project exists. A project sponsor is a knowledgeable person representing the eventual owner of the product of the project and who is responsible for providing the necessary resources (money, goods, services, and general direction, as appropriate.) A project team is aknowledgeable and qualified group able and willing to undertake the work of the project. A mutually acceptable commitment is one in which there is agreement on the goals and objectives of the project in terms of the product’s scope, quality grade, time to completion and final cost.
3. The Tetrad-Tradeoff Principle
The core variables of the project management process, namely: product scope, quality grade, time-to-produce and cost-to-complete must all be mutually consistent. The core variables of scope, quality, time and cost are interrelated somewhat similar toa four-cornered frame with flexible joints. One corner can be anchored and another moved, but not without affecting the other two.
4. The Primary Communication Channel (or Unity-of-Command) Principle
A single channel of communication must exist between the project sponsor and the project team leader for all decisions affecting the product of the project. This principle is necessary for the effective and efficient administration of the project commitment. The owner of the eventual product, if represented by more than one person, must nevertheless speak with one voice. Similarly, at any given time, the project’s team must have a single point of responsibility, a project manager, for the work of the project. Such person must have the skills, experience, dedication, commitment, authority and tenacity to lead the project to success.
5. The Cultural Environment (or Suitability) Principle
An informed management must provide a supportive cultural environment to enable the project team to produce its best work.An informed management is one which understands the project management process. A supportive cultural environment is one in which the project is clearly backed by management, and project team members are enabled to produce their best work without unnecessary bureaucratic hindrance. This principle includes the need for management to ensure that the leadership profile and management style are suited to both the type of project and its phase in the project life-cycle.
6. The Process Principle
Effective and efficient policies and procedures must be in place for the conduct of the project commitment. Such policies and procedures must cover, at a minimum, clear roles and responsibilities, delegation of authority, and processes for managing the scope of work, including changes, maintenance of quality, and schedule and cost control.
7. The Life-Cycle Principle
Plan first, then do. A successful project management process relies on two activities – planning first, and then doing. These two sequential activities form the basis of every project life-cycle, and can be expanded to suit the control requirements of every type of project in every area of project management application. The project life-cycle, characterized by a series of ‘milestones’ determines when the project starts, the ‘control gates’ through which it must pass, and when the project is finished

15 Management Principles

2009-03-17T08:20:00.001-07:00

1. If we want above average results, we must first become an above average person.

2. Management of people is a sales process.

3. We don't discover our greatest potential. We DECIDE on it.

4. Delegate the end result, not the method of achieving it.

5. Catch people doing something right, or nearly right.

6. People who feel good about themselves produce good results.

7. Regard everyone as a potential winner.

8. Success by the inch is a cinch, by the yard it is hard.

9. Keep the leaders leading.

10. Success is often dependent, not on doing amazing brilliant things, but on doing the commonplace unusually well.

11. Recognise the attitude demotivators.

12. Avoid making threats.

13. Work with the new people.

14. Be FOR things not against them.

15. LAUGH. Diffuse confrontations with humour, laughter.

The 4 Ps in the Outsourcing Pod: Place, Price, Process and People

2009-03-12T05:10:00.000-07:00

As outsourcing gaining more and more momentum in Asia where most of the outsourcing is happening in India and China, and some times outsourcing can turn nightmares where deals with both long-term strategic and day-to-day tactical issues related to outsourcing decision-making and management is gone wrong this happens only when the 4Ps as mentioned in the topic are in picture and something is missing, So how to make strategies, take decisions, and manage risk and what are the best practices to ensure the outsourcing achieves the desired objectives. Do share your views on this.....

Outsourcing Relationship Management: Excellence through Alignment

2009-03-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

Organizations undertaking information technology and business process outsourcing typically are very focused on doing the deal. This involves assessing service providers, determining geographies from which to source services, developing contracts, defining service levels, and a myriad of other tasks. Yet, arguably the hardest part of outsourcing occurs only after the deal is -done, which should include performing ongoing outsourcing management and governance, on why aligning understanding and agreeing upon the objectives of the total outsourcing project are critical to its success. Share your views on this.

Various Scenarios in India

2009-02-17T09:46:00.000-08:00

Ever observed this ..while in Mumbai ..Delhi ..and so on ..read on
Scenario 1

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, then a fourth and they start arguing about who's right. You are in Kolkata

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Scenario 2

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along, sees them and walks on. That's Mumbai

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Scenario 3

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes along & tries to make peace. The first two get together & beat him up. That's Delhi

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Scenario 4

Two guys are fighting. A crowd gathers to watch. A guy comes along and quietly opens a chai-stall. That's Ahmedabad.

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Scenario 5

Two guys are fighting and a third guy comes he writes a software program to stop the fight. But the fight doesn't stop b'cos of a bug in the program. That's Bangalore

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Scenario 6

Two guys are fighting. A crowd gathers to watch. A guy comes along and quietly says that "AMMA" doesn't like all this nonsense. Peace comes in. That's Chennai.

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Scenario 7

Two guys are fighting. Both of them take time out and call their friends on mobile. Now 50 guys are fighting. You are DEFINITELY IN HARYANA

New Budget nothing much to say

2009-02-16T16:29:00.000-08:00

Today as i eagerly watched Pranab Mukherjee give his interim budgetary speech I felt a strong sense of dejection. It seemed as though Pranab was trying to outline the achievements of UPA goverment in the past five years rather than trying to come with ideas in order to fight the growing recession. It a terribly disappointed by what I saw today...........

Pink Chaddi Campaign

2009-02-13T13:38:00.001-08:00

I recently came across the "Pink Chaddi Campaign" started by a few activitist groups as a measure to control the Menace of Sri Ram Sena. While I don't appreciate too much of Moral Policing and feel as the citizen of a free country it is one of our Fundamental rights to live and express ourselves the way we want. However, having said that I am not very happy about this entire imbroglio. Comments?

Recession

2009-02-11T13:10:00.000-08:00

These days the whole world is crying a loud that there is recession all around at times I begin to wonder whom should we consider responsible for this........