Dreams n Reflections

  The soothing view from Sister Lisa’s waiting room. Many with whom I have worked, will be surprised to hear that I am a certified hardcore introvert. Its just that my profession has seen me morph into a more “outgoing” form, “as and when required”. So oftentimes, I have found myself tongue tied. Things like, meeting someone for the first time or meeting someone after a really long time, has always had me thinking “how do I open up the conversation without making it sound artificial”. People say,  “you will figure it out over time, as you get into a variety of situations”. Though I subscribe to this view, I still find myself in a spot once a while. And that’s exactly what happened to me when I was visiting Mission Hospital after a really long time. It so happened that I had been my company's relationship manager for this Mission Hospital account since early days in my sales career. This long association meant I knew a lot of folks at this hospital, and they knew me...

  The “old” story as I remember: I was sixteen, it was December 1984. The Nation had been shaken out of sleep on a cold winter morning with the news from Bhopal. Poisonous gas had leaked at the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal and thousands of people had died. Even more had run away for their dear life.  It was a chaos, missing people – some dead, some in hospitals, people trying to reach each other & outsiders eager for contact with dear ones. Public administration was overburdened with communications traffic. I remember the cold evening of December 4th, I got a message from my father Shashi (call sign VU2NA), that there was to be a meeting at Vasantbhai’s place (VU2RX) that night. Subject: the HAMS from Mumbai had got a request from Sharan (VU2NB) of  Bhopal.   “Can you guys come – we need some help in establishing an emergency communications   network – to assist the local administration in handling the unprecedented “communications traffic” ....

    Many of us may be already familiar with the book "How to Win Friends & Influence People" - Dale Carnegie - 1936. a guide to human relations, rooted in empathy, persuasion, and positive influence. Carnegie distils principles of social interaction into actionable steps that help readers foster goodwill, win cooperation, and lead others effectively. Here is the exact opposite of it, in the Authorial Voice of... "HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS & ALIENIATE NATIONS": - written by The US State Department Executive Summary: If Carnegie’s book is about charm and connection, the "opposite" would be about alienation, coercion, and manipulation that result in resentment and broken alliances. This "reverse-manual" provides an unwritten playbook —perfectly demonstrated over decades—on how a global superpower inadvertently (or sometimes deliberately) estranges allies, undermines trust, and provokes resentment across the world, while pursuing short-term geopoli...

  (the scenic view on NH48 - this picture is from the ride towards Dahanu - you can see Mahalaxmi Peak in the centre right of this shot)    Having driven more than a quarter of a million kilometres in my lifetime, there is one thing I have understood.  Its always good to prepare for your long drives, but its equally important to be ready for the unexpected. While unexpected traffic jams & flat tyres can be tackled with good music & extra tyres...what does one do with a raging bull? “Expect the unexpected” couldn’t have factored for a raging bull coming charging at you on an expressway! Well that is what happened that day, as we were driving back from Dahanu to Mumbai on a cloudy afternoon. NH48 is a very scenic route from Charoti crossing right through Vasai, before entering into the crowded northern suburbs of Mumbai. The road meanders thru beautiful, lush green countryside, and a couple of uncomplicated mountainous ghat sections. Mostly an easy driv...

  Travelling by Mumbai's local trains is an enriching experience. I am sitting in the "Mumbai Local" finishing my emails as the first class carriage trundles thru the smelly western suburbs... A "beggar family" boards at a station...led by a blind woman.... and followed by  a teenage girl carrying a child ... ...with another 3yr old kid tagging along. As they walk past the sitting passengers... ...this trailing kid stops by a passenger sitting next to me... and peeps into the presentation on the passenger's phone... then...extends his hand to the phone.... with two tiny fingers ..the beggar child articulately enlarges the picture on the mobile screen.... Looks up at the passenger who is bewildered.... Both give each other a smile ... ...the child gets called by his "family"..... and they get down at the just arrived station.... The train trundles along....in a rush ...a rush to catch .....Digital India❗

  (The photo i have managed to preserve so long, is low resolution. Else the chauffer's smile is revealing!) We are standing outside a star hotel - me and the "kids"...and a white limo drives onto the driveway. Some "apparently famous" personality get outs and "walks on clouds" into the hotel while we await our cab. I ask the "kids", "...guys did I tell you about the day I rode a limo?" The boys look at each other and smile. A knowing smile that says "..but we thought you only had coffee a while ago, not whiskey..." "NO GUYS, I really did!" I insist, closing the cab door behind me.    "Ok, baba, so tell us - what do they serve you in the Limousine? Is it expensive wine & whiskey with snacks? Does it have colourful lighting like they show in the movies with classical music and all? And...Is there a hostess too?" I laughed out loud " ..hahahaha...believe it or not, I have no idea, but one thing I...