Passion!! The word in real sense!!

Well it is another such post where in I going to talk more about the quality of the word. It's that kind of a experience that I've been having for the past three to four weeks. I've learnt the real sense of the word in the last three weeks. It has been something that misses out from the so called "Leaders of a large firm". Everybody will talk ill about their company but I would not do that fully but in bits and pieces. Apparently, the non-parliamentary words used by the senior management during a meeting shows me the intensified meaning of the word "Passion". Yes, Passion it is and once I have it, everything else would follow me. Determination, honesty, skills, knowledge, commitment, every follows when we possess passion.

Reason to be in the act!!

If there is a reason for me to be in a tire industry, it is nothing but the passion. People know it only as a black stuff but it has got so much in it. Like I've said before I proud that I've seen a world that people ignore. A product that people do not care about but which does all the job. The way in which you have love for your product. There is no substitute other than that. People especially in the senior management have got a lot of responsibilities and because of that every time they feel a pressure on their shoulders and in turn because of that they possess job insecurity. This focus on having the job in their hands, makes them act like mechanical elements which doesn't know how to react to situations which are really sensitive.

Instead of feeling insecure about their jobs, if they have the passion for what they do and realize that they possess something that creates a change, they would definitely do their work and save their jobs.

When I see a vehicle moving on the road with our tires, I really feel proud about the fact that in some way in the process of making the product I've been a part of it. I've taken care of the product in a way or the other in the middle of making it. That is the only reason which makes me stick on to the job I'm in. No matter what, when I see a product of ours, I can proudly say to the people of this world that I've been in the making of it and you're using something that I've created. It a really good feeling indeed. A unique feeling that I wanted to experience for so many years and I've done that. When a owner of a company achieves in incorporating this feeling in every individual who works in his company, he shall be considered as a leader. More than the skills of the personnel it is important to inculcate the same kind of feeling, the real sense of the vision, and passion into each and everyone. The word "Politics" have got a good meaning. But nowadays when we spell the word, we would be seen with different eyes. There is no space for politics in a company, especially a place wherein everybody is working towards the same cause. Everybody has to ensure that the job is done is a very good manner.

Business in real sense!!

In recent times, I've been analyzing the meaning of a leader and I would tell the above mentioned act of creating an impact through the psychological difference in individuals will make one a leader. He is the one who leads the way for success. A productive one and I won't take even a single bit from the meaning of this word.

Passion Centered!!

As far as I've seen the generations that are new especially of the 1980's and 90's understand the meaning of leader more than those of the 1960's. As far as my knowledge and experience most of them really do not have the qualities that a leader should have. I would prefer to work under someone who really would make my value of work, matter for the company in a larger way and recognize my role in the department as something positive. Though I'm still trying to find the real meaning of leader, I find out that already a lot are losing out in the race. I'm yet to find a good leader. You never know you might have some leader in you which would give a new meaning or definition to the word.It can happen if you've the seven lettered word called "Passion".

-SATZ

Burning the oil in the midnight to toil!!

For the past three months I've experienced a new world, which is not quite good or maybe I don't like it. It is strange indeed for me. I was working in the night shifts for sometime in my company (still doing it) and it has been a really terrible experience and especially being under extreme pressure to perform at the wee hours of the day when everybody else are asleep and you've to perform at your fullest strength. It was quite intimidating and sometimes when I think about the hours of the day I feel haunted. It is not really good to work against your circadian rhythm. But certain people are real task masters who make sure that nothing comes in their way of earning money through people.

This is the circadian rhythm of a normal human being.

It is a 24-hour biochemical, physiological and behavioural process that happens in a human being. Working in the night shift is not that bad, but anyhow your routine is obviously affected. You won't know when to eat. Sleep will be a huge problem in the morning when everybody else will be working. You won't get sleep at your will. It will be absolutely bright in the morning that you won't feel like sleeping. Melatonin is the chemical that controls the sleeping pattern of our body. It will be at the highest level in the middle of the night. This also reduces the productivity of the person because the natural signals of the person become weak. Sudden mood swings also happen because of that. It is the transition that is very difficult to do. A half night shift to a full night shift. Or a full day shift to a full night shift.

It is very difficult to control all the other activities of the day as well since you will feel like half sleep throughout the day. It seems to me like I waste a lot of time when I'm in the night shift rather than in anyother shift.

All the chemicals in the body should be secreted in the right amount at the right moment of time or else there will be other detrimental side effects which will affect you health with age. What I normally experience is something that nobody would like to experience. Mood swings. My mood swings frequently. I'll suddenly be in a state of avidity and suddenly become dull with no enthusiasm whatsoever. Socialising becomes a problem because I work in the night and most of the people I know have day jobs. It is a horrible kind of situation, I wish nobody should be put in.

People say that having bright artificial light in the night at your office and closing all the windows and making your room dark while sleeping will make you overcome the problem. Especially having lot of fruits, water, and good food will keep our body regular. That is what the experts have got to say. Whatever it might be,

"I hate night shifts".

I hate it a hundred times and even more.

-SATZ

Turbines that took me to Chennai!!

Nearly 2 years and my sister was back from the Us and she had come only for 5 days, that too working days. As I've got a job, I was worrying whether I could see her in person. Luckily it was announced that I will be put in the shift system and I was given the choice of taking a weekly off for myself. I chose Tuesday and decided to go to my hometown to meet my sis. It so happened that the next day after my weekly off I got my shift swapped to night shift. So I decided to stay and be with my sis for some more time and start say early morning in the first train. But there was no trains available and obviously no buses.

The only option that was left for me was catching up a flight to make it to the night shift. Thanks to the magnanimity of my sister she decided to sponsor me for the flight. She booked the ticket. It was the first time I was gonna get into a flight and reach another destination. First time is always memorable. I reached the airport with my sis accompanying me till that. I was really excited cause I didn't know how it is gonna feel while it takes off and lands down.

After bidding adieu to my sis I checked in and was waiting for the bus to take me to the machine. After some time the bus came to pick us up and it was boarding time. I saw this huge machine built up for flying. Once I saw the jet engine I was reminded of the General Electric, Pratt& Whitney, CFM international, Rolls-Royce etc. who do design and develop those engines with so much passion and commitment. I went into the flight and it was time for take off. I was offered a seat near the window and I was witnessing everything happening outside on the right wing. I could see the whole wing with the engines. The plane started and I could hear the engines vrooming and that sound is simply amazing to hear. What an invention it has been!! The flight went to the runway and started to catch some speed. Then suddenly a sinking kind of a feel. My stomach was full of butterflies when that happened.

A turbine of similar kind took me to Chennai!!

The flight took off and we were in an inclined position. The city started zoomed out. And soon we were at a very high altitude. Then there was this message from the captain that we were flying at an altitude of 9.5 kms above the ground and cruising at a speed of 850kmph. That is roughly, three times the speed of a racecar and I was not able to feel even a thing inside and what would I call it as!! Wonderful!! 10 minutes after that and I was in Chennai. It was funny to know that I'll be in the office in the next 1 hour. It was landing time and slowly like zooming in into Google Earth all the houses of chennai started showing up. It looked so small that I wondered how we could live in there. Then after getting the signal the flight was ready to land into the airport. I could sense the engines come down slowly as we reach the ground level. Sudden thud and we were into the land. The brakes were applied and the engines ceased. I came out and saw the giant again from the outside and it was awesome to see some other international airlines. I was in a state of awe for the whole of the night shift. I was not able to believe that I was in Chennai for quite sometime. Thanks to the thinking of so many people!! I was able to make it to the office on time!!

-SATZ

Divyadarisanam!!

This has not been new to me since I've been doing this for the past, I think, nearly 10 years of my life. It is a very different experience altogether, every time I visit him. It gives me some kind of peace that I don't know how to express. I'm talking about my recent visit to the holy shrine of Lord Ayyappa in Sabarimala. After having been under fasting for more than 48 days, it has been really good to see the lord, which was the ultimate aim. I found this time as very interesting and that's why I chose to write it on to my blog.

It all started on the 23th of February when I started my fasting. I started to chant those mantras that talk a lot about this lord. I started to be as clean as possible. Calm and focused as ever. Those 48+ days have been very difficult for me since people look at you as though you're someone untouchable and separate from a lot. People do not recognize you as a human being. Well no need to talk about the respect that they give you. Atleast for the fasting that you're there for. No, never. Modern people do not care about all those. Being an artificial professional is all they want and nothing else. Anyway the focus was on seeing the lord for a cause and realizing that without pain no one can come up in life and pain is always good. Though it has been difficult, I was waiting for the day to come when we finish our kattunera and start off to Sabarimalai. The adobe of the great Ayyappa. It was an awesome day. April 10,2011. There are so many customs to be followed which are told by your guru and those last few days are really terrible especially in the physical sense. You've to make sure that all the ritual items are ready and all the customs are ready to be followed.

The last day, April 10th, that is, the day of the kattunera, we consume literally nothing. Not even water and we wait for the time when we can do the puja. Once the time comes, it is all full of good signs. We pray the lord to help us see him without any trouble and we offer him the ghee, rice, money, dates, jaggery, fruits, rose water, aval, pori, etc.. We start off and have some nice food to break our fast. We start our journey and reach the river Pamba, after 9 hours. We give what we call as "Tharpanam", meaning a prayer and salute to all the dead souls of our family, and then take a holy dip in Pamba. After offering prayer to our ancestors we start from Pamba to the Sannidanam. First up is the Pamba Ganapathy. We pray Ganapathy to lead us into the forest without any problems and to take us to the Lord. Then we go through the Pandala raja vanam(Forest). The one that comes first in the forest is the Neelimalai Yettram. It is the steep part of the forest. We ascend our way towards the direction of the sannidanam. Once when we think that the steep Neelimalai is over we see that it is the start of Appachi medu(Ascent). Much steep than the previous one, we cross the Appachi medu with the help of the lord. Then we reach Sabari peedam, the place where the old lady, Sabari was given salvation. It is all about endurance. Then starts the plain terrain wherein we start running to reach the lord and bypass the crowd. Once we reach the mandapam, we have a clear view of the 18 steps which denotes the 18 siddhis that a man should attain. With no crowd whatsoever this time, we touch each of the steps and move towards the Sannidanam. Then we come in the platform provided around the Sannidanam, now with the golden shrine right in front of our eyes. We get closer to the Sannidanam. After being in the queue, we take a glimpse at the god. The face that is so peaceful. Crushes all the problems that you've in your life. It is a face that is never forgettable. A face that always lingers in your mind. A wonderful sense of feeling that is hard to describe and express. I told you that this time was a little different. I'll tell you the difference. I got the opportunity to take a glimpse at the god for three times. I was able to see the idol three times and that has not happened in my life before. You just can't take the eyes from the lord. Such a calm face that is hard to find in the entire world.

A Lord with utmost patience!!

Man takes advantage of everything and Lord Ayyappa is also not an exception. Man finds business opportunities everywhere and that is what is happening there also. The pilgrims take their ghee that they've brought and they bring it for the abhishekam to the sannidanam. What these priests do is that they give only half of what the pilgrims had given to them after doing the abhisekam. Rest of the ghee is given as Abhisheka nei(ghee) prasadam at a rate of Rs.40/- to the pilgrims. Man finds a business anywhere and people also fall for it because they have a belief. Exploitation of the feelings of the pilgrims takes place. People sell the abhisheka viboothi(holy ash) and mint money. Even the god will turn on the other side and sit, telling that "I don't want to see all these with my eyes." That is what has been created over there by the devasthanam people.New thing at Sabarimala is the slipper shops at the top near the sannidanam. People go to the temple, see the lord comeback and wear chappals for the rest of their journey. We do not wear slippers because, one, we give a due respect to the mala that we wear, second, we give a lot of respect to ourselves. It is said that we bear the god in us for which we give respect. All these happen. Where ever you go in Sabarimala you can see your money getting looted in some way or the other. It has changed a lot now. It is not the Sabarimala where you can find only the god and not many people. Now people have taken over.

Lord over there does not change. Yet it feels something special every year. The lord has taught me patience, calmness, positiveness, good thoughts and I feel like I've been lucky enough to see the lord for 10 times, each time with a difference. The moment I see the lord every worry gets off and it feels like it is great. I don't know, as I always say, whether others like it or not, it is a place that fills up the heart with goodness. It is a sense of success that you've. All because of the "Divyadarisanam"

"Swamiye Sharanam Ayyapa"

-SATZ

An Unsung hero!!

What a cup to win!! The prestigious ICC Cricket World Cup was ecstatically won by the Indian team through their proper planning and execution. It has been a sensational moment for all the fans across the country. But there is always an unsung hero and he is "the cricket crazy fan". He doesn't get any tangible benefits just like how the Indian cricket team is getting now. The fans of the game can experience only a sense of joy which is priceless for him and worthless for others. So sometimes it feels like whats the point in being one. Especially after being a fan for nearly 12 years. It is a bit tough to digest the fact that there is no recognition for being a fan.

The Indian cricket team has gone through a lot of phases since the world cup of 2003 when they got defeated in the final and not against anyone except Australia in the final. That was the match that created havoc in the Indian cricket team. That was the start when some of the players went out of the team and were never recalled. Then when the fans were eagerly expecting the team to win the 2007 World Cup. There was this shocking exit because of the Bangladeshis. They were a whole surprise to the Indian team. After many changes in the team, the leap for the 2011 world cup begun. The preparations started after the 2007 fiasco. Then it has been a journey of roses for the Indian team. They won nearly every series. That was the transformation. After years of playing the game, 2011 World Cup seemed to be peanuts for the Indian team. It was a very good time to make the record. The team also deserved the world cup because it didn't win it against sub-standard teams but teams which has won world cups and which consists of high quality cricketers. Especially against Australia, which was winning it for the third time and was aiming for a better four. The winning streak of Australia was ended after it faced India in the quarters. Then came Pakistan and then finally Sri lanka. There has been a constant support from the fans in all the matches that India has played. Analysing team strategies, getting glued to the television for hours to see those matches, being an anorak, which gives nothing,talking hours together after each match gets over, all these done for nothing. But as a fan there is nothing except "fun at that moment" and feeling happy for the team. Whether they recognise or not, being a fan is a happiness within the self. We have passion for the game. That drives us crazy. Whether there are any tangible benefits or not. We're always "an Unsung Hero".

-By An Unsung Hero named
-SATZ

Start of destruction for a cause!!

Japan faced as we all know the worst that the nature can create. The worst havoc created by nature is of a very serious note indeed according to me. It is a very serious climatic breakthrough that has occurred. I was reading an article a few days ago which made me think with a positive frame of mind. The article had the following facts which give a view of what might happen after this terrible nature's fury. I'll list those facts below.

In the 17th century, there was a catastrophic fire that engulfed London and threatened to destroy the whole of the city. But after that London has evolved as one of the biggest economic hubs of the world, in spite of all the destruction that took place because of the fire.

Great fire of London!! 1666!!

Similarly in the year 1871, in the city of Chicago, a fire broke out and continued to destroy the city at a massive level. People believe that the fire broke out as a result of the tripping of an oil lantern over hay by a folklore. Whether it is true or not, but after the massive level of destruction, Chicago summoned best people for a contest to unleash their creativity and design a building. Many participated and came out with brilliant designs. Thus was born what we call today as the "skyscraper". Tall building with many floors were constructed and Chicago is known for the first skyscraper of this world. Since that there has been tremendous improvements.

Chicago burning!! 1871!!

Japan itself is a wonderful example for "economic magic". The 1945 bombings on the two cities totally devastated Japan but it came out with determination to fight out the economic breakdown and redeem itself as one of the leading economic nations of the world. That is still considered to be a development beyond imagination.

Man's tyranny unleashed!! 1945!! Bombing in Hiroshima, Japan!!

Another notable instant of breakthrough is the development of Surat after the 2001 earthquake that nearly destroyed nook and corner of the city. The quake consumed a lot of lives and did a lot of property damage that shook the whole government. But, after that it has turned out to be a well developed place.

Suffering of Surat!! Earthquake of 2001!!

The article's main point was the growth of Japan after this tsunami. They say that Japan will rise after this natural disaster to a very high level. The destruction caused by this tsunami is very low when compared to the destruction caused by the two bombs that man created and used to destroy the cities. Even nature has got some consideration for man. But it is sad that man doesn't want another of the the same kind to have a place in this world.

Nature's fury on Japan!! March, 2011!!

The point that I wanna make is that, whether man wants to do something with this world or not, this world wants to do something for itself. This tsunami might be the start of destruction of this world. I think water has started to show its power. There was a volcano that erupted after this tsunami which was not noticed by most of the people. I think this is how the world balances. It brings in water and brings in land at the other. December 21, 2012 might be a day on which the world would be new and fresh to start with another generation. This might be destruction for a positive cause.

-SATZ

Use of engineers!!

I've not been able to post anything since New Year. It has been a wonderful three months at my company. We 53 people from different states and regions had a lot of fun and knew a lot about, normally what people do not care about, called "The Tire". It has been an awesome three months with both management training and also technical training. Knowing a lot and exploring a new world that people think its nothing.There is so much in it that it takes a lot of time to understand the process itself and analyse why they do all those. People do not know the other side of the component. Everybody see the engine, the upholstery, luxury of a car, etc. but nobody cares about what does all the work, the tire.

It does everything. The mileage that people get, the braking, the grip during wet season, the comfort that people get, the power that they feel while moving, everything is provided by the toroidal shaped black component. There is so much of engineering in it that people can't even imagine what they've done to give you something really good. Engineers have been used up well in this case.

Engineers who make this world!!

But still I feel the use of engineers has been very less in every field, especially, in an unstable field like the tire industry. The tire has undergone a lot of phases and come to this level. Today's engineers need not do anything new. Anything new will create problems from business point of view. In today's world, engineers are used only for maintenance and making sure that the production keeps on increasing along with the demand. My point is that even a diploma guy will do the job. The creativity and imaginative power of the engineers are harnessed beyond an extent. People say that its the job of the academicians. Not that of the people in the industry. When I say this I exclude the top most companies in the field. Certain companies strive to take the industry forward and make sure that the engineers are used fully. Interestingly, there have been companies working in this field for the past 110years and are ready to set a new era in the business through their innovations. But it is equally necessary at this point of time for the competing industries to also contribute to the research and not just benchmark the same technology that the leading industries in the field does.

Engineers need to be given some freedom beyond the system to give some disruptive breakthroughs in the field. Not only in the tire industry but also in other broader and wide fields. Today, especially in India, we've got so many engineers. Having so many engineers is not the case. Using them to their fullest to create a wonderful world is the challenge.

-SATZ

12 Angry Men!!

Great to write a post about a movie. After a very long time. Yes. This is a 1981 movie that was shown to us by our unit head on the Dec 18th, 2010. It is a simple movie according to the production and the direction unit. It is about the story of 12 men who is in a room discussing about a case. These 12 men happen to be the jury to decide the outcome of the case. Among these 12 men first one of them votes against the 11 other men. But ultimately after a heated discussion the 11 men go with the decision of the one man. How they do get along with the man is what is the story.

A poster of the film!!

The story tells everything about analysing a situation, assertiveness, how to lead, how to align others thoughts with the yours, how to handle different kind of people who have especially different behaviour, and a lot more. The storyline is simple, direction is simple, production is simple, characters are less, but the story ultimately was very effective. Each time you see it you interpret it in a different manner. Effective enough to make people think.

I think people have to see it for sure. There are many movies like this but this one is very special. Simple way of telling how to do what. I think simple things are always beautiful and reaches to the people easily. Hope you people see what is there in it. Though a small storyline well directed.

See you soon folks!!

-SATZ

Capturing the hearts!!

The day was Sunday Dec 5, 2010. Wow!! What a day!! We started the day at 9:30. The reason for starting out being a trip to Science City,Gandhinagar and Akshardam. It started off beautifully with some people coming, after denying to come, at the last moment. We were around 45 in number and a bus was arranged for us through the company. There was so much fun while going. We went to Ahmedabad and there was a surprise. There was a hotel in which the company had arranged for the lunch. The bus was parked on the highway and we went to have our food which was nothing but excellent, except that all the dishes had sugar(usual in Gujarat)and dessert was served at the first. The weird part of their culture. The sweets were good and we filled our bodies with so much of calories that we would not have needed 2 days of food. The real part of the story started when we came back after having food. The bus which was parked in the highway was standing but with that was standing a police jeep.

The bus was parked on the highway itself and hence we were fined for the same.

Then we moved on to science city which made me feel that I should have had this kind of practical explanations while I was studying these concepts. It would have made some sense or the other. But it was also really good except for the models which didn't work. We then had some fun time together over there and went on to Akshardam.

Hall of space and Hall of science at the Science city!!

There was a tight security procedure which was to be followed. After the terrorist attacks in this building in the year 2003, the security has been tightened. Security system filters the terrorists, but catches hold of the neck of common people. Then we went to the Swami Narayanan temple which was good. The work and the articles of the guru was kept there with awe-inspiring cleanliness and great devotion. But the fun part of Akshardam is the water laser show. Absolutely amazing. The water laser show had the crowd on their feet. A lot of people were waiting outside the auditorium and we were having fun by being amongst them.

The laser show!!

The laser show was about "Karma". The story of Nachiketa, the divine child. It was well scripted. The laser lighting and the sound with sync. It was fun to see it. It was a real life time experience. Since it was the that I've seen. It was something special. It was worth the money. They do it for the real purpose. This was an amazing experience and very good to remember. This is what "Capturing of the hearts!!" means.

-SATZ

Training experience!!

What a way to spend the two days of December 3 and 4. It was good to have some soft skills training after a long time and that to from a prestigious training institute known as Dale Carnegie Training institute. It is good because I'm having something after nearly 6 months. We didn't have such training in our college. But right now I can feel some positive change which is good on the outside. The training comprised of many things about attitude, memory linking techniques, how to maintain relationships, about the Dale Carnegie principles that makes us into leaders, conversation linking techniques and a lot of fun filled activities that the so called Fortune 500 companies of the world have tried out.



The trainer got friendly with us in no time and that showed so much about him. It was a good two days that will take a long time to forget. I was actually starting to work with something called as a team. There is show much of difference in working as a team and working alone. We made a skit as a team which was funny and at the same time informative. We made it all in just 10 minutes. We did an activity called "Duke of york". This was an activity that involved a poem with actions. This was done by the Coca Cola company in just 6.2 seconds. We came close to Vodafone which was 7.56 and we made 8.23 seconds. We learned more about coordination live. This was the day. Adding some more to it was another incident. The India and New Zealand cricket team were staying in a hotel near ours and we saw the cricketers live. That was amazing, though, they didn't wave at us because New Zealand had suffered the greatest defeat. It was an amazing two days and well spent indeed.We saw good motivational videos. Hope such programs continue to pour in my life.

-SATZ