Harish Ranganathan's Personal Space

Its good to appreciate others.  It always brings in happiness and the momentary adrenalin pump for the person whom you are praising.  While these days praising other person is done as an orchestrated activity (you praise me => I praise you) or done to inherently show that "He/She did help..but you know what, I am the person behind the scenes".

 

In corporate world, it is even more tougher (Refer to the story where two IT professionals go through a forest.  When they see a Tiger, one of them quickly pulls out the sports shoe form his bag.  The other person asks, "Do you think wearing this shoe is going to make you run faster than the Tiger?" and the other person replies "I dont need to run faster than the Tiger.  I just have to run faster than you"). 

 

But, today, I received an endorsement from one of my ex-colleagues (http://www.janakiramm.net/) in Linked In and needless to say it was a selfless one without any hidden agenda.  It was very heartening to see it.  I am putting here below the transcript. 

 

 

 

 

For the benefit of non-it folks, I want to explain first.  Friday evenings are party (rather were) times in most of the Software companies.  Everybody gets casual on Friday evenings considering the next 2 days of relief.  (Now I dont want to tell the actual fate in many companies that force employes to work on Saturdays and in certain cases Sundays as well).

 

But in a realistic software company model, fridays are parties.  People try and leave early, some people try and work from home to avoid the hassle of driving forth and back.  Others try taking off and do a myriad of things to extend the bit of the day to the weekend mode.

 

Also, most of the team dinners (team building activities) happen on Friday evenings since its a time to chill out given that most of these end up being drinking party and the folks dont have to come to work the next day, being Saturday.  

 

However, in my 10 years of career, I have always found that some how or other, I screw up on Friday evenings that I can't leave early.   Either it would be a demanding work or something that is a burning issue or in certain cases, an installation/uninstallation I started which seems never ending.

 

Also, the anxiety that the next 2 days, I might be totally off from system, makes me dig up and complete everything in my task lisk ending up having to do the extra bit.  Now, I am not trying to show that I am the hardest working guy.  It is just that, I suck when it comes to time management and efficiently planning work so that this doesnt happen.  Also, that nerdiness in me, asks me to check that extra bit of everything before I feel comfortable.

 

Believe me, I have done this when I started my career - initial 2 years, became experienced did the same, got married - still did the same and after four years of getting married, I am still the same (while I type this I am at office trying to install a new product and that took hell a lot of time and is continuing).  The only difference is that, before marriage, people dont bother to call me and ask where I am since they know for granted that this guy comes late home.  The recent (rather 4 years) is that my wife calls up and asks when I would come.  Invariably I would say in another 15 minutes I am starting and end up spending one more hour. 

 

The reason for this post is that, today I got the infamous call from my wife who said that "I know its Friday evening so you end up at home only after 9pm" and kept the phone without waiting for me to react.

 

For all those out there envying Software professions and their huge pay checks (imaginary)  these are some of the things which you can find in most of the folks.  We have seldom seen sunsets and had very rare occasions to come home in the evening and then going out for shopping / functions etc.,

 

Cheers !!!

 

 

 

 

Its hard to believe six years have gone by since I met this wonderful young woman whom I share my life with.  One fine day, I walk into a brand new work place and as I wait for my peer mentor who would be briefing about my roles and responsibilities, I never knew that the peer mentor would be a life partner too.

 

There are a lot of things that gets hidden when you see this person who comes across as a soft spoken, quiet persona.  Secondly, the amount of detail that goes into everything she does surprises me.  Everything has to be perfect for her and that is one source of our arguments on a day to day basis.

 

I am a poor guy in romance, I never possess the art of making others admire out of what I talk and most of the time end up as a hopeless guy with a sense of humour.

 

For a person who never bothered for perfection, who never took life seriously and who thought a computer and internet could solve everything out in the world, she came as a clean sweep showing the real world out there and dealing with life.

 

I repeat what I said 2 years back - Manaivi Amaivadellam Iraivan Kodutha Varam which in Tamil means, Getting a Good Wife is God's Boon.

 

Cheers !!!

 

Believe me, Valentine's Day was never our culture.  It never was meant to be hyped up as much as it is done these days in India.  I vaguely remember of someone talking about Valentine's Day until the mid 90's.  Thats when this fever caught up with India.

 

Some of the funny things I noted about Valentine's Day is that, people no matter whether they are committed or not, they always turn up in Green to show up they are free.  Girls do come in green, but are a little skeptical.  They still wait for this day to see who proposes to them.  As always, they can dispose  but they still want to hear from every Tom, Dick and Harry who wants to propose.

 

Greeting Cards, Gift Shops, Flowers everything gain rapid sales on this day, not to mention the different marketing tactics they provide.

 

Ok, the first time I knew about Valentine's Day was when I was in my school final.  I was pretty Open  at that time but unfortunately the school uniform was white and blue so couldnt show up.

 

Anyways, if people have fun (and they know the limit for fun) its good to have these days because these things add a little cheer to the day-to-day hustles.

 

The other funny thing (culture) that has come up in the past decade to India, particularly down south is the Akshaya Thrithiyai.  Now this affects me the most because it involves Gold (which is expensive from the day I could remember).  I will write about this in a separate post, and it wont be long before I write since Akshaya Thritiya is also fast approaching.

 

Cheers !!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Its that time of the year when lights seem to be everywhere in India and wherever Indians live.  Its Diwali again and I couldnt be more happier than this. Diwali in a way brings the family together in India and its a festival of lights..hold on I am not going to write a 2nd standard essay on Diawli :)

 

My advice to folks is that wherever you live for work, staying away from family, relatives etc., take a break and visit your folks.  Atleast that is one of the reasons for why you are working hard.  Remember the golden theory 50% is personal life 30%  Work life and 20% Social Responsibilities could be arguably a great composition of the so called "Work Life Balance"  AT the end of the day all of us work for having a peaceful personal life and if you miss these small happy moments there is no point in working hard.

 

This Diwali celebrate happier and I bet money is not a thing that decides the level of happiness.   It is the togetherness, joy and giving to others whatever you have that makes the degree of happiness.

 

I am more excited about this Diwali than ever and I hope you carry the same happiness in your life.

 

Happy Diwali !!!

60 years of Independence and what a time to come when India is shining the global arena.  

 

We deliver the best talent in the world, cater to the second largest population in the world, hold the first largest employer of the world and continue to be the best country in the world.

 

We excel in Information Technology, Astronomy, Mathematics, Sports and Cultural Activities.  We are the second largest film industry in the world.

 

We speak more than 250 languages, have more than 200 cultures, 33 States each one speaking their own language and yet excel as a nation. 

 

We have the best institutions in the world and rich cultural heritage that challenges the world's top countries.

 

We never invade any country, nor introduce cold wars.  We show happiness to everyone in the world.  We have the best prime minister a country can have in Dr.Manmohan Singh.  We just bid farewell to the best President anyone can have, Hon.Dr.Abdul Kalam. 

 

We had one man whos bare body posed a serious threat to machine guns and tankers of the opposition. 

 

We take pride in what we are. 

 

We, the People!  We, INDIA !!!

 

Jai Hind !!!