How To Fast track Your Career

I was have been down last week and was fast sinking in to what appeared to be a bottomless pit of anger and self-righteousness. It was due certain event (actually non-event) in my career front. I reached out a friend and colleague whom I respect and discussed this non-event.

We were generally chatting and he mentioned three things consultants ought to have to fast track their careers. Though I didn't pay much attention to it at that time, as I mulled over, I was impressed with those 3 simple and yet comprehensive things he mentioned. These are not just for consultants but for anyone who want to advance in any group envrionment.

Here they are:

1. Know your stuff: This is basically saying, you should be up to snuff on the things you are supposed to be doing and knowing. It doesn't mean you know it all but it the ability to always learn and be ahead of the curve.
   
2. Communicate well: This is a must for consultants who are always on the move and interact with newer group of people over and over again. But, our ability to communicate succinctly is one of the core skills that we need in all spheres of our life. I have a colleague who is excels in 'two minute summations'. He is a senior technical leader who quietly listens to our all our dribbles and steps in at the right time to put forth his views and summarize the core of what appeared to be an aimless discussion. Almost always, these summations are effective and re-focuses our meetings and that sets him apart from the rest.
   
3. Network: This is a catch all phrase, from expanding our contact base to PC (politically Correct) expressions. Lot of time, this means turning a blind eye to the 'dead moose' on the table and let the foul smell permeate. But it also means how we stick to our core beliefs and yet interact and communicate in a way that doesn't ruffle feathers. It might not get you to where you want to be all the time but wouldn't adversely impact either.
   

In my case, I am fairly comfortable with the first two but the last one is a continuous challenge. I am more comfortable in doing things than politicking and in PC talks. Regardless of the definition of advancement, these skills (politicking and PC) are as important as doing things to progress in any group environment.

So where does the fast track come in this? It comes in the degree to which we are able to internalize and successfully execute on all three fronts. What say you?

Marathon in Space

Sunita Williams will run Boston Marathon in space tethered to bungee harness. To run the earth equivalent of 26.2 miles, she will run 210 miles in space void of gravity.

I don't know the funda of how the 26.2 miles became 210 miles, nor do I know how she will complete it in 43.28 seconds. But I do know that she completed Houston Marathon under 3:30 is qualified to run the Boston Marathon if she is on earth and I can only dream of it.
Good Luck Suni & Go Girl

(via kk)

Mozhi - A Must Watch

Finally got to see Mozhi last night. We have been wanting to see this movie for a few weeks now but couldn't get tickets online, hence the decision to go in a weekday. I was mildly surprised to a full house even for the late show on a weekday but then that shows the popularity and the success of the movie even after 4-5 weeks.

Mozhi is a path breaking effort by director Radha Mohan and actor / producer Prakash Raj on several counts from the typical Tamil Cinemas:

1. There are no fights or 'item numbers'
2. Women are portrayed as equals and strong
3. No vulgar / double meaning dialog that makes one cringe
   
4. Simple story line handled with much finesse and told in a entertaining way.

Jyothika is the anchor for this movie and has been so, without saying a single word. Yes, she plays the role of deaf and mute person in this movie. She is strong and just wants to be treated like 'normal people'.

I understand this movie wouldn't hit the screens if not for Praksh Raj's timely intervention. He rescued the project by stepping in to become the producer when the original production team went belly up. I am glad Prakash Raj took on teh producer mantle and i sure hope he feels the same way too. Mozhi is doing well commercially and is bound to bounce him from earlier failures including the one he produced for his Guru K. Balachander.

The gap in production does show up in few places in Jyothika and Prakash Raj. Both of them appear in different hair styles at different parts of the movie and it show.. Also, I would have liked to see fewer songs but then, they aren't as abrupt and intrusive as other movies, so will ignore that..

Rating:
Direction - A (For Radha Mohan's wonderful and clean story telling style)
Casting - A (For selecting the right person for the right character - except for Swarnamalya who appears to be kind of out of place in that movie)
Acting - A (with the best coming from Jyothika)
Music - B (VidyaSagar is good but was discordant and loud in some places)

Bottom Line - A (Must Watch with the family)

Reservation Ruling

Affirmative action in the news again for the nth time and I am afraid wouldn't be the last time either. This issue back on the spot light because of the the apex court ruling which is bound to impact admissions to only to select central schools like IIMs & IITs.

Yet, most of the political parties in Tamil Nadu are up in arms and taking a leaf from West Bengal, there is a state government sponsored stoppage of work (Bandh) being planned for tomorrow.

My views on this row are well known, so I wouldn't spend ink on it. Former Prime Minister VP Singh is suggesting a referendum on this issue which is kind of novel idea for India. However, I doubt if that will make difference as it is likely further polarize people.

As Supreme Court suggests, what is needed is a fair and accurate count of various groups and their economic status such the discussions on this subject can be based on facts and not just on emotions. It is a mockery to use colonial era (1931) data to perpetuate a system that is fundamentally anti-merit.

The court rejected the government argument that reservation was not anti-merit; and in the absence of caste data after 1931, there was no alternative to projecting the population proportion of socially and educationally backward classes and OBCs from the next best source — the latest available census of 1931.

How to Create a Good Relationship with Your Indian Vendor

Interesting article about working with IT shops in India...

During a workshop for Indian employees of a leading American retailer, Storti posed the question: “When your American bosses tell you about coding they want you to do, and you don’t understand, what do you do?”
The group answered: “We talk amongst ourselves to see if anyone understands.”
Storti: “But what if nobody understands?”
Group: “We would just try something and hope it works.”

In other words, they are more likely to chance doing the wrong thing than to ask for clarification. Why? In Indian culture, asking a boss to clarify instructions is tantamount to saying he doesn’t know the subject well or didn’t explain it well, says Storti. “Questioning the boss can be seen as shaming him.”

I am not able connect with this article fully though I understand some of the things that are being said. Having said, that I have also been on both sides of the coin, so my views are considerably altered.

What's your take on the story? Do you agree with the comments?

PMK & DMK - Love Hate Relationship

There is more Hate than Love in the relationship of convenience between PMK and DMK now. Since the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, PMK and DMK have been sparing over some issue or the other from Chennai satellite city proposal to airport expansion plans and everything in between. But, their relationship seems to have hit a new low with this interview in a popular Tamil weekly. It was a highly virulent attack on Dr. Ramadoss by one of the lower rung leaders (Vetrikondan) of DMK. PMK doesn't take these sleights on its almighty leader lightly and has been up in arms with its legislatures protesting right outside Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's office in Fort St. George. Not satisfied with the response, Dr. Ramadoss has now personally entered the fray accusing Mr. Karunanidhi of approving the slanderous interview.

Regardless of all this noise, Dr. Ramadoss is unlikely to end his relationship with DMK because the link to sharing power in Delhi. PMK likes to be in power and will not do anything 'volunteerily' to jeopardize its position in federal government.

But, Dr. Ramadoss and PMK will continue to irk DMK in every possible avenue and continue to be an irritant on Mr. Karunanidhi's side.

Demise of a Forerunner

Do you know John Backus? I didn't till I read his obituary today.

Though I never used it commercially, Fortran was first computer language I learnt and quickly forgot. In fact, Fortran was the only computer language taught in schools in my time (now guess when?). But, since then I didn't see much of Fortran till today. So, I was mildly surprised to see the 'my first language' resurface in the media, that too in a obituary. And thats how I came to know that John Backus and his team developed it in 1957 and that too in IBM.

Yielding to Itch

I have been eying this toy right from the day Shahid introduced me to it. I am happy to report that I yielded to the itch and now a proud owner Garmin Forerunner 305. Will be testing it out tomorrow.. in the ChennaiRunners weekly run..

Why I was fired?

An interesting op-ed in NYTimes from attorney by name David C. Iglesias who was fired under mysterious circumstances at that time. Now with the release of several thousand emails by the justice department, it has become clear that David Iglesias and 7 other attorneys were fired for doing there job (that is being apolitical).

United States attorneys have a long history of being insulated from politics. Although we receive our appointments through the political process (I am a Republican who was recommended by Senator Pete Domenici), we are expected to be apolitical once we are in office. I will never forget John Ashcroft, then the attorney general, telling me during the summer of 2001 that politics should play no role during my tenure. I took that message to heart. Little did I know that I could be fired for not being political.

What interested in me in this story not the actual firings but the transparency and independence of the justice department even though it is under political control. There is possibly a lesson or two we can pick up from this.

Congratulations Mr. Karunanidhi, but when are you going to retire?

Mr. Karunadhi, the undisputed leader of one of the largest Dravidan parties of Tamil Nadu is celebrating his golden jubilee in political arena. This is no ordinary achievement. Time and time again, Mr. Karunanidhi has shown he is a true survivor in a landscape that is strewn with political land mine.

Right from Mr. Annadurai days, he has astutely sidelined his competition and ensured he survived at all costs. Whether it was Mr.Neduenchezian, MGR or Vaiko, Mr. Karunanidhi has outsmarted them all in his long political career which seems to be going on like the energizer bunny.

While, I applaud and congratulate Mr.Karunanidhi for remaining undefeated at the hustings, I also think it is time for him to retire graciously, even if it means handing over the regime to his son or daughter.

Travelog # 29 - MLA Pesarattu

Have you heard of MLA Pesaratu? I heard, saw and ate it for the first time in Hyderabad last night.

I had no idea as to what it was when I asked for it in Chutneys. I ordered for it purely based on order taker's advise and out of my curiosity. When I was served with it, it looked like a typical Masala Dosa and for a minute thought it was just another type of Masala Dosa. But quickly saw the difference as I started munching away.

It is like Masala Dosa but the stuffing is Upma instead of Aloo curry and the Dosa mix felt different too. But it looked and tasted like Dosa and Upma and was delicious and filling. But why in the world is it called MLA Pesarattu? I asked the Hotel guys and they didn't know and even googling didn't help.

Do you know why a Upma stuffed Dosa is called MLA Pesarattu?

One Bullet Away.. Really?

Is General Musharaf really one bullet away? What would happen to Pakistan, nuclear warheads and the war on terror? A NYTimes article tries address some of these questions and what is evident is there is shift in US position. It has significantly hardened from General Musharaf being irreplaceable to limited damage.

For years, the notion that Mr. Musharraf is all that stands between Washington and a group of nuclear-armed mullahs has dictated just how far the White House feels it can push him to root out Al Qaeda and Taliban operatives who enjoy a relatively safe existence in Pakistan.

“I am not particularly worried about an extremist government coming to power and getting hold of nuclear weapons,” said Robert Richer, who was associate director of operations in 2004 and 2005 for the Central Intelligence Agency. “If something happened to Musharraf tomorrow, another general would step in.”

So, the larger questions are 'Is there a coup underway' 'Would US cut aid to Pakistan'.. My take is neither would happen. US would continue to apply various types of pressure on General Musharaf, but would stop short of cutting aid or engineering a coup.

Mahabs Run

ChennaiRunners had record participation (13) yesterday and it was wonderful. We ran from Uthandi to Mahapallipuram covering a distance of about 30 kms.

When I saw this board, knew the destination wasn't far off and that was a great sense of relief. Incidentally, the entire stretch of ECR was plastered with party festoons and I kind of felt that DPI and Thol Thirumavalavan have garnered bulk of the compound wall real estate for free publicity.


A Pallava temple ruins under ASI governance.


After the run, we chilled out for a while at German Bakery (oddly run by Nepalis) and it was great just to relax and munch away (though the food was just passe).

Some more photos in flickr and from Kiruba

R2I # 12 - PIO Vs OCI

There has been lack of clarity on the benefits and eligibility between PIO and OCI, but this chart helps clarify some.. There are some real differences, while more people would qualify for PIO, OCI offers more benefits..

Please visit here for official take on OCI,

Unrealistic Expectations

Last week, we had a situation on hand to deal with which is painfully becoming a common scene in the IT industry. Satish Kapoor* who joined the company just 3 years back as fresher wanted to quit because he was assigned bug fix tasks. Mr. Kapoor didn't like the 'mundane' job and wants to 'move up' in the food chain to something else even though the bugs he was asked to fix were the ones created by him and the team during development. HR guys were more worried about loosing Satish Kapoor and wanted the team management to do something to keep him happy.

For a person who has been close to code till about 7 years back, this doesn't make sense. Everyone wants to be a Chief and not an Indian. This model where everyone will be Chief and no one as Indian is not sustainable. I have been in this game for 23 years now and have NO qualms in doing any job to get the work done. But, the new kids who have just arrived are extremely finicky and quit at the drop of a hat.

This may be sign of times.. but doesn't augur well for the industry. If everybody moves away from the code after 2 - 3 years who will code? what will be quality of the code?

I understand and acknowledge everyone has aspirations to move up, but the kind of expectations we see in the industry is unrealistic and unsustainable (If I were to quote Alan Greenspan out of context here.. - it is irrational exuberance).

What is your take?

*Name Changed

Auto Anarchy

This story kind of sums up my take on recent fare revision and enforcement in Chennai.

Though, Chennai has the highest regulated Auto fare of any metro in India, Chennai Auto guys aren't happy with it and are off to their usual ways of fleecing the hapless passengers.

I would have personally taken Autos at least 10 times since the new fare came in to effect in January and not even once did the drivers charge by the meter. Worse, most of the time, drivers didn't use the meter at all citing the 'grace period' and 'faulty' meters. The only time, the driver did put on the meter was for a long trek and even then made sure that he would get INR 20 over the meter. This wasn't a tip, but a pre-negotiated 'extra'.

Now that the Chennai Autos technically have time till July to re-calibrate meters, Autos will continue to charge arbitrarily and Government wouldn't take any action either. Not that, Autos will fall in line after the grace period, which will not happen till the City Government enforces rule of law.

According to some officials, the Transport department was going slow on enforcement only to give "grace period" to the drivers. An official, on the condition of anonymity, said they were forced to go slow because the revision had come after a decade. Strict enforcement would start in the second week of March.

Incredible Sivamani

Hiteswara 2007 organized by Shakthi Foundation

What a treat to see Mandolin U. Srinivas, Shankar Mahadevan, Sivamani & Ustad Zakhir Hussain performing together? It was simply amazing. Last Saturday, they were on for Shakthi Foundation and I enjoyed every minute of it..


Shankar Mahadevan did 'raga alabanais' just as masterfully as he does his melodious numbers for films.. He was brilliant..


Mandolin U Srinivas, Shankar Mahadevan & Ustad Zakhir Hussain with Sivamani (not in the picture) was a treat to watch and listen






(Recorded these grainy clips with permission)

Good Luck Team India

Team India is off to World Cup 2007, with billion eyes and trillion hopes trailing them, there is lot on the shoulders of these three grand old Dhadhas of Indian Cricket.

Saurav Ganguly: I am particularly not a fan of this guy, but I must applaud him for his great comeback, It must not have been easy for him with so much competition around and heavy sniping from the press. But he persisted and is now back in the team without any doubt or questions on his ability or inclusion. Good Job Saurav and I hope you do well in Windies.

Rahul Dravid the cool cat and the iron man of Indian Cricket has a lot to prove and contribute in this tour. He will have ample opportunities to show is leadership abilities and excel with his willow as well.

Sachin Tendulkar might well be retiring after this tour of dutry and I hope he steps down with a series of scintillating performance at the crease.

Go Blue