People People People…

Penning a few thoughts…

“There are two kinds of people: the ones who have to be told, and the ones who figure it out all by themselves” – Tom Clancy

But I feel, (rather I’m pretty sure) there are more than 2 kinds of people.

True, there may be:
1) The ones who have to be told
2) The ones who figure it out all by themselves
but there are also…
3) The ones who had to be told, but later on when asked to do it again, had to ask again….
4) The ones who were too intoxicated to remember what they were told…or completely rearrange what they were told
5) Askholes: Who first ask you, and then no matter how many times you tell them, they don’t follow

This list is endless…but I think you get the idea…and if you don’t, you are technically a #5~

Ex and Knots

Penning a few thoughts…

Ever played the game – X and O, where you fill a 3×3 matrix with “x” and “o” to strike three in a line. And why do we play? To win – mindfully – with a good strategy. Of course! The person choosing “x” gets to start, and if smart enough wins too!

In real life – have you ever looked back and wondered – Ex-es are nothing but Knots.

Think about it – ever been “just friends” with your ex?
Do you entice your “ex” to be on your side and play games just to win?
All wise people know that you can never be friends with your “ex”. I sadly realized it late. It was a knot that needed to be untied.

At one point, I thought there is just no harm in being “just friends”.
But Life is a strict teacher. It teaches you all your lessons – one by one. And definitely not in the most docile manner.

Why do you need to be friends with your “ex”? Don’t you already have “other” friends?

Yeah, but maybe no one is as close to you as your “ex” – who knows you in-&-out; who knows every little detail of your life; right from the time you open your eyes each morning, till the time you shut them at night – in bed. Right from your favorite colors to your favorite food to each item in your closet. And who’d also let you throw in your tantrums and your “mood swings” without as much a flinch, be it in your bad days and good days and average days. Who’d care for you the most when even it’s just a thorn that scratched your arm; or a blade that almost ripped your finger apart. Who’d sometimes stay awake just to see you sleep peacefully. Who’d always hold you in his heart even when you decide to move on.

It in fact is a very selfish move to be friends with your ex. A game if you may. Just because you like the “comfort zone”; just because you are habituated to that person’s existence; just because you can be in your skin around him. Just because you know each time you turn, the familiar face would greet you with a smile, if not arms wide open. Just because having an “ex” by your side, sometimes makes you win.
Just because….

Now – turn the tables for a bit. Be the “ex” who is tagged as “a friend”. Think about all that you undergo – you’re the one comforting and cajoling and “being there” for him. And why? Because deep down somewhere, that rotten thing called “hope” keeps pushing you to “stick around” for a second chance maybe.

But it’s time you stop being selfish.

It’s time you let him and yourself off the hook.

It’s time you realize – You can never be “friends” with your ex.

“Ex”s are knots that you need to cut if not untangle soon. Ex-s are meant to be “let go”.

Ex are Not friends.

I might not make much sense today. But that’s okay. I make sense to me. And I’m happy not winning the game.

Saala Bhaalu

A short story I wrote in 2010…and tried sharing this with a publisher. It was turned down since it mentioned “dope / joint/ weed / maal” – strange how most of the shows openly showcase consumption of the same unapologetically.

A figment of my imagination none the less, I share here today – unabashedly.

Andy stormed into Vishal’s room, unannounced of course.
“Vishal? Dude …where art thou?”
“In a minute…” yelled Vishal from the bathroom.
“I don’t really need you out here. You are no good. Just tell me where the maal is…”

The thing about a guys’ room is the informal atmosphere – welcoming anyone and everyone who has dope and/or moolah or easy access to them.

Andy made himself comfortable on Eppa’s bed – legs dangling, upper body supported by the left elbow and mind engrossed in solving the rubik’s cube that was an essential part of Eppa’s property.
Vishal stepped out of the bathroom and looked around. Jat had just walked in. His perfect physique always attracted many a girls but the moment he opened his mouth they disappeared faster than the speed of light. Or the way Andy usually said – “faster than a fart in a fan factory”.
The trio looked at each other. Expressionless as usual.
“Koi mar gaya kya?” Andy asked Jat.
“Filhaal toh nahi. Kyu tera irada hai kya?” said Jat – trying to sound smart – and macho.

“Saala mera he room milta hai tumko har baar- no khoon kharaba here…” Vishal muttered as if talking to the air. He walked towards his cupboard and started fiddling with the items– and soon his casual search turned fanatic.
“What the fuck…!!!”
“Yeah tell me you misplaced it – loser. Saala ek kaam you can’t do properly” came Andy’s flying comment, who by the way was still engrossed in solving the cube.
“Fuck Fuck Fuck Fuck….”
“Eh you stop fucking and tell me what’s happening” interrupted Jat as usual in his thick Haryanvi accent.
“Don’t bother brother…aaand I’m done!” said Andy flinging the cube towards Jat. Jat managed to catch the cube before it hit his privates. “Aee…future khatre mein mat daal!!!”
“Jat ko ghaath nahi hota…” laughed Andy and winked at Jat.
“Yo loser – mila kya?” Andy said turning his lazy gaze towards Vishal.
“I rolled the last joint with the maal- 80% maal 20% tobacco – put the joint in a small packet – put the packet in my brown jacket’s left pocket and put the jacket in here. Saala – no Jacket now!”
“Lair. I’m sure you smoked up without us…stop making stories”
“Fucker I’m not lying. Jat ki kasam…”
“Meri maaro tum sab…” Jat looked at them as he stopped playing with the cube.
“Yaar woh jacket…? Is it on the bed? Or the door? Or the chair?”

The trio looked around the room and finally at each other.
“Shit! EPPA!!!” they screamed unanimously and darted out of the room like the first bullet out of an H&K – MP5 threatening its target with grave, imminent and lethal damage!
Running across the campus they bumped into Gosh.
“Oye did you see Eppa?”
“You know something’s happened in senior’s ka room…Rajan was freaking out majorly and literally stripping some of our classmates. Saala juniors ki bohot le raha hai…” Gosh went on.
“We’ve been in our room. So no idea. No care. Did you see Eppa woh bol…” spurted Vishal.
“I guess I saw him walk towards the canteen or the amphitheatre…whaa…”
And before Gosh could ask or say anything more the trio charged towards the canteen. They rushed in and started looking for their “bear” figured Eppa. For a split second, everyone in there stared at them blankly before resuming their banter and eating.

They rushed out again to hunt the “bear” and found him sitting under a tree behind the canteen. Smoking, smiling and waving at them.
“Eppa…bhaalu…tell me u didn’t…” started Vishal.
“Tell you I didn’t….but what?” smiled Eppa stubbing the cigarette butt.
“Did you smoke the joint from this jacket?” questioned Andy, pretty sternly.
“Yep”
“Saala bhaalu..!!” cursed Andy.
The constant grinning and smirking of Eppa made the jokers ultimately smile too.

They sat beside him.
“My first time you see…hehehe…” Eppa grinned like a five year girl. “And you know what – I’m feeling very impatient..very jumpy..tingling sensations all over…kuch kuch ho raha haiiii” he tried explaining in his Mallu accent.
“I feel like jumping…and running…or maybe run and jump…or..,” he continued.
“You mean hurdles?” completed Jat, and got a dhaap from Andy.
“Yeah put more words in his mouth. Saala. Stop giving him ideas.”
“Hurdles it is!!!” jumped Eppa excitedly.
“Shit!” sighed Vishal.
And before they could say Jack Robinson, Eppa was already running and jumping over imaginary hurdles.
“Catch him before a professor spots him,” screamed Andy and jumped up.

But Eppa was on a different trip now. He was like the uncontrollable grizzly bear on a rampage. But he made a rather disgustingly funny sight running in his dirty black trousers that hung pretty low revealing his brown Dixcye innerwear, the stinky red tee-shirt which hadn’t been washed for over a month now tugging out of his trousers and Vishal’s brown jacket that he zabardasti tried to fit in looking trapped on his big bulky frame. And he was sprinting with his hands in the air, jumping like a five year lass in open fields, full of glee on attaining her first Barbie doll (maybe).
It was an uphill task for the three musketeers to get a hold of Eppa and humor him all the way to the hostel room, but not before they stumbled, fell and tripped over the stones and over each other multiple times. It was a task untangling their legs at times in the feeble attempt to reach the hostel room.

They were almost seriously injured by the time they reached the room and Jat tried putting Eppa on his bed. Eppa dropped with a plop on the bed crushing Jat’s right arm underneath him.
“Ahh…my head is spinning crazy…” cried Eppa.
“Ahh…my hand is hurting crazy…” cried Jat.
Andy and Vishal sat panting on Vishal’s bed facing the other two.
Jat managed to free his arm and got up heaving a sigh of relief.

“Dekho yaar…don’t spoil Eppa,” preached Jat.
“But we didn’t force him or ask him to smoke up. He found it. He did it. Bhaalu is not a minor anymore and I’m guessing he has a mind of his own,” Vishal replied, a bit angry.
“Jo bhi…you guys smoke in front of him…so maybe he’s trying to imitate you or fit in”, Jat went on.
“Yeah we smoke in front of you too. But you are still the same. Body builder Jat,” the critic in Andy answered.
“Meri baat alag hai…”
“Bhaalu is not a kid. Or wait. Maybe he is. Did you see him run and jump and dance…hahahaha…” cracked Andy.
Andy leaned on Vishal’s bed and happened to see a dirty filthy tee-shirt on the bed and Vishal followed his gaze. Their eyes met.
“When’s your birthday man?” asked Andy.
“That’s not mine…”
Andy picked up the tee carefully by the tip of his forefinger and thumb and threw it on Eppa’s face, who seemed to have passed out instantly after dropping on the bed.
“Fatte strong joint tha…look at bhaalu pass out” smirked Andy.
“Saala Bhaalu…”
Andy turned to where he’d picked up the shirt from and noticed a small white packet. He picked it up and opened it – to discover a joint.
Vishal stared blankly at Andy and Jat’s towering figure closed in on them.
“Fuck! Yeh… bhaalu ne kya maara!?!?” blurted a shocked Vishal.
“Yeh pooch – kiska maara!” exclaimed Andy.
No sooner had Andy completed his sentence Gosh came running in, “Vishal, Andy…Juniors have been summoned to Rajan’s room…major panga man! Someone flicked his expensive Manali ka maal!”

Andy and Vishal froze. They looked at Jat who was standing – expressionless (yes, as usual). Vishal looked at Eppa move. He was trying to get up. Maybe the stench from the tee-shirt disturbed his sweet slumber. He tried opening his eyes. “I’m hungry…” he said rubbing his eyes.
“Koi mar gaya kya…?” asked Eppa in a funny tone with his eyes still red.
“Haan…tu,” came Andy’s blank response.

Book Review of Profit Wise: How to Make More Money in Business by Doing the Right Thing by Jeff Morrill

Jeff Morrill’s Profit Wise: How to Make Money in Business by Doing the Right Thing comes with deep insights of life & leadership experiences and lessons.

While I was initially skeptical about picking up the book, it turned out to be a nice easy-breezy read.

The author pens his experiences and learnings of running his first car dealership venture – Plant Subaro. It is not always easy leading / managing other people. The book proves to be a guide to building a good team, managing people, and of course retaining them.

The book reminded me of all the important things I have come to value in my life – like – Hiring the best, and trusting them; breaking the norms; valuing the potential in people not just skills; valuing people overall (being employee / customer centric); clarity of thought; taking a stand; doing the right thing always; being diverse in hiring; being a responsible corporate citizen; building the right culture from Day 1; course corrections in the journey as required; effective time-management – well you name it!

What really kept me glued were the real-life stories / experiences shared by the author that brought out all the learnings in a more relatable manner. It is sad how most corporate giants and mammoth organizations forget their basics with time.

As I was mentioning, this is a quick read. The chapters are precisely drawn up to give a holistic view and approach towards running a business (which can also be used in the corporate world across all levels). The language is easy, relatable and the reader is bound to feel connected at all times. A smart move by the author to incorporate mind-tickling questions at the end of each chapter to reflect on.

This book, I believe, is a must-have / must-read for young entrepreneurs and all the young adults venturing in the corporate world. Well, others can read it too – it is never too late to learn a thing or two about how successful businesses are run and what it takes to ensure you stay in the running, and reach the next-level. It outlines some really good leadership principles which I have personally experienced in my career journey with some really great leaders.

This one I would highly recommend to read, and re-read!

Book Review of Contagious by Jonah Berger

Why do somethings catch on, while others don’t? Why are some stories and songs more popular than others? Why is rumor and negativity more contagious than facts and positivity?

Jonah’s book, Contagious, highlights some of such viral content, and factors that help make an idea big / sell-able and infectious.

The six principles of contagiousness shared by Jonah focus on the simplicity, effectiveness and credibility of ideas that make it viral. Social Currency (social relevancy, resonance), Triggers (stimuli that prompt people to think about related things), Emotion (evoking connect in terms of emotion), Public (creating behavioral residue that sticks and is visible), Practical Value (monetary value and otherwise) – all wrapped in to Stories (creatively shared for the viral effect).

Smartly, the six principles form the acronym – STEPPS, and showcase “the underlying psychological and sociological processes behind the science of social transmission”.

Diving into each of the principles, as separate chapters, Jonah takes you on a splendid journey of different brands that made it big, solely on “personal recommendation”. Remember: people share things that make them look good to others.

Rich with stories as examples, the book is a good read for anyone and everyone, who aims to be viral in this digital age. As long as the content is useful, worthy, and smartly put using one or more STEPPS, you can harness social influence and be contagious!

Book Review of Kiss That Frog by Brian Tracy & Christina Tracy Stein

For a person like me, shaken up by reality of people around, this book came as a much needed burst of positivity at the most crucial stage of my life.

The book highlights seven truths about us that we probably did not pay attention to. As humans, our conditioning is such that a negative thought, or feeling, pops us more often than not, instead of a positive one.

The books helps us introspect our natural state. And it is not the one that reflects sadness. It the happy state that we are born with.

The authors show us ways to unlock our potential, knowing that we are the best in all that we do, forgiving people and forgiving ourselves to unblock all channels in our mind that have hampered our progress.

Not all frogs are negative. We encounter them or meet them as a part of the bigger plan. We must have the belief and faith that there is a valid reason for them being in our life.

And as for the negative frogs, we have to be aware and alert enough to eliminate them from our life.

A Must Read!

Book Review of The Persecution of Madhav Tripathi by Aditya Sudarshan

The Persecution of Madhav Tripathi

by Aditya  Sudarshan

This fast paced, yet gentle read, treads carefully the life and prosecution of Madhav Tripathi – an officer in the ministry. And its not just him. Others around him too become a victim. Madhav is abducted, he manages to flee, and gets back to his girlfriend. There on anyone and everyone become their suspects.

With the turn of events, you see Madhav facing prosecution at all levels – physical, emotional and psychological. People, things and events from his past surface creating a matrix with his present only to ruin it for his future.  There’s an uprising, of feelings, emotions (guilt), and people. There’s democracy covered by the garb of hypocrisy. A latent desire to know more than one must. And an active roar to reach the top.

The perfect tiff between the past and the future.
The author takes you on an enthralling adventure unveiling the truth of our society.

I’d say treat it like a work of fiction which it is. But when you read it, it feels more real than truth itself. Aditya’s style of writing has evolved and he can sure keep his readers captive, slowly. There’s violence, humor, wit, and more importantly a mesmerizing mystery to solve.

It took me a while to pick up the book, but I’m glad I did. The thriller is quite a work of art. A good effort.

Book Review of ‘Shades of Sin: Behind the Mask’ by APK Publishers

‘Shades of Sin: Behind the Mask’
By APK Publishers

Shades of Sin

Call it my love for short stories but I simply loved this book

An anthology of 25 stories by six authors connected by a single thread: the dark side of human nature in all its hues.

Vices in us, we know, exist and breed. What fans them further and do we tame them (if at all)?

The diverse settings, relatable experiences, and the very humane nature of each story intrigued me. Every single minute of my “me time” was dedicated to the book.

The book is divided in to three portions: Light Grey, Dark Grey and Black. The stories in each section portray/reveal related darkness – not depression. Most of the stories are sure to linger in your mind even after you put the book down. They evoke emotions that we deny ever exist in us.

I appreciate the selection of the stories. I like the way each author has consciously contributed to each section, bringing out the apt “darkness”. It’s not easy to pen out such feelings strongly that stir the reader with each sentence. It reflects maturity – the work of seasoned authors.

The narrative skills of Vivek Banerjee, Upneet Grover, Saksham Agarwal, Aanandita Chawla, Vrinda Baliga, and Shreelatha Chakravarty are praise worthy, offering a different perspective, a refreshing take, a unique outlook towards the different shades of the dark forces within us all.

For anyone who loves short stories, I definitely recommend this book. Pick It Up! No second thoughts!!

This is one book I will keep going back to- just like the Urban Shots series.

Book Review of “The Other Side of the Table” by Madhumita Mukherjee

The Other Side of the Table
By
Madhumita Mukerjee

The other side of the table

When the book arrived, I was overtly excited to begin reading, given its soothing cover page and quite an appealing format (letters).

The book format quite unusual for a debut writer – in the form of letters, exchanged between two friends – Abhimanyu and Uma.

Spanning almost a decade, the letters reflect the friendship (and eventually the love) shared by the two protagonists. Uma is about 10 years younger to Abhi and is studying medicine in Calcutta, while Abhi is a practicing surgeon in London.

The ten years of their lives, captured through the letters exchanged, make for decent read. With each letter exchanged, you peep a bit deeper in to their lives and discover more about their personalities and surroundings. Their experiences, their joys, their sorrows, the challenge faced, the hurdles overcome, the dreams cherished and the ambitions brewed.

The format definitely is new and gripping but the language got me a little disinterested.

Given the fact that I can’t get myself to put a book down once I begin reading, saw me struggle through certain portions.

There were places where the language was overtly sweet, as if Abhi was trying to “impress” Uma. I personally do not like “sweet talk” or as you say “buttering-up”- for as far as I know, no one in the real world indulges in such verbose as used in the letters. No wonder I was immensely turned off to the extent of wondering if such people do still exist (and if they do, please steer clear of me!)

I agree that the premise of the story, though ordinary, does have a grip. I appreciate the fact that the author did not use medical terminology extensively at the risk of losing her readers. And the emotions, quite relatable, bring you closer to the protagonists.

Overall, it is a decent story of love, loss, friendship, overcoming difficulties and taking a stride in life to bring out the real you.

The story could have been more gripping, personally, had there been less of “jibber-jabber”.

Book Review of “A Bolt of Lightning” by Satyen Nabar

A Bolt of Lightning

By Satyen Nabar

This book arrived when I was in the middle of another book. It was pure curiosity that got me reading the first page. Before I knew it, I had breezed through the first 100 pages!

It wasn’t easy to read two books simultaneously. But I managed!

The plot overall is funny, engrossing, interesting, unique, relatable, with a fresh perspective.

I don’t think I could give a better plot summary than the one on the book: Shiva, 35, hotshot executive, recently divorced, disillusioned with his life and fed up of the rat race in the corporate world, topples completely over the edge after an unexpected tragic incident.
In a hilarious journey from the boardrooms of Bangalore to the hippies, face readers, casinos and rave parties on the verdant beaches of Goa, Shiva attempts to ‘escape from it all’ till his life suddenly changes in miraculous ways after an electrifying act of nature bestows him with an extraordinary gift. Anchored by the strong bond of friendship with his college mates, Sid and Adi, and propelled by love for Anita his estranged ex-wife, Shiva attempts to make the most of his incredible gift to unravel the secrets of life, death and happiness as the story races to its exhilarating conclusion in the exotic jungle valley of Arambol, Goa. And it is a “bolt of lightning” that somewhat sets things right in his life.

This story is a witty and contemporary take on a midlife crisis story with an unusual twist in the tale. It at once touches the heart and entertains while offering a fascinating new perspective of the world we inhabit.

The language is quite simple (mostly) but at places the author makes splendid sentences that make you smile, giggle, laugh, praise and feel jealous – all at once!
The realities of present day life – building work pressures, haphazard social and personal life, meaningless rat-race, need and desire for introspection, battle to make time for oneself and loved ones, depression, loneliness, and addictions that engulf us at the end of it all – interestingly portrayed and brilliantly connected.

The timeline (past and present) keeps you quite alert and awake. It keeps you hooked. it keeps you excited. The characters have been etched thoughtfully. Though I personally feel the author could’ve limited their description and habit- since they were bound to be understood / interpreted by the reader during the course of the story. Anyway, that’s just my perspective.

There is much more to the story, and its characters, apart from their emotions, actions, deeds, thoughts, and behaviour. A hidden message. The eternal quest. A gripping need to introspect right away. To live in the moment. To live for the day. To follow your heart. And to read more and more!

I would definitely recommend this book to all!