Prashant's blog

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Day dreaming at work

I am sure some of you must have had a similar dream. Anyways enjoy the dream...

I was in flight, was going to on-site once again. was very happy plane takes off, n takes me to the sky. i looked outside the window, nice evening scene, feels like heaven.

i just lost myself in that beauty.

someone's voice disturbed me "excuse me sir, would you like to have something?" i turned back, and was surprise to see my beautiful old schoolmate, Saakshi.

"Hey Saakshi, is that you, how come you... wow, you looks still the same, pretty.. in this Air-hostess suit"

"Paras, wo.....w, I can’t believe this is you.. ohh sorry I am on my job, will talk to you later"

she left smile on my face. I coudnt believe in my eyes, It reminded me my school days memories.

How crazy i was about her, always followed her after the school, wrote love letters, but never dared to give one of them. Always looking at her in the class,

from last bench. she was the queen of our class. I fought with 2-3 other guys for her, how stupid I was.

I coudnt stop myself, looking at her again, I was amazed to see that, she became more beautiful then she were at school.

she too looked at me and smile, then she said something to her fellow air-hostess, then they both started smiling.

I was clueless that wat happened. her colleague was also damn pretty. Oh my god, today you fulfil one of my dream.

I thought of going there and having chat with her, but i knew that, its her job, so I stopped myself.

again started looking outside the window.

we were above the clouds making an awesome scene outside, also inside, because of her smile.

I got some courage, and pretended that I am going towards toilet.

I looked at her, she understood what I desired.

she came toward me and said : "extremly sorry yaar, I couldnt talk to you much,

so say how are you, where have you been these many years, and whats your success story? for what purpose you are going?"

"hmmm... i was always there, it was you who left everything after school, i searched you, so many places wherever i could, but no existence of you.

then i completed my college, got a job in such a nice company, i didnt know, my company will give me this much, still i m going for an onsite

job, dont know when will return back. you know, i got everything in my life except someone, with whom i can actually share my world, my success.

someone..."

i looked straight into her eyes.. those blue eyes, i think she got the answer, who is that 'someone'

with some pain in her eyes, she said, "sorry got to go,will give you my number"

i again, sat back to my seat,very silent, looking outside, and hoping some answer.

it was dark outside by that time, some thunder in cloud, just like inside my heart.

then suddenly, plane started getting hiccups.. everone got scared..

i saw Saakshi running towards mic, she made an announcement, that dont be panic as they are facing a storm outside.

but plane started shaking badly, everyone started feeling its the last moment of their lives...

i keep on watching Saakshi, and she to me...

then something hit my back hard.. and there was a complete darkness in front of me..

deep silent, but i could still feel the shaking plane, and people's scream..

then someone shouted... 'Paaaaarrrrrrraaaaaasssss !!!!!'

"Paras, wake up you are again sleeping in office, wake up, i need that report urgently"

Damn.. I looked here-there, same ODC, no Onsite, no plane.. no Saakshi..

I stared at my PM in anger.. Because of you only, that plane crashed!!

I STILL DONT KNOW, WHY IT HAPPENS DAILY BETWEEN 2 AND 3.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Provident Fund Interest rate for the year 2010 - 2011 to be 9.5%

Something to cheer for public and private sector employee. The Provident Fund Trustees has decided to give a higher interest rate of 9.5 per cent for 2010-11 on their retirement savings as compared to the current 8.5% per annum.

For further details click here .

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Me - Non Medallist Singles Champion - Belgaum August 2010

Finally finished my NMS (Non-Medalist Singles) in Belgaum city held on August 12th and 13th of 2010 organized by LIC affiliated by KTTA (Karnataka Table Tennis Academy). This was my 4th attempt in my table tennis carrier. Details in link below:

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/88478/vedant-ridhi-power-sub-junior.html

After all its a good feeling to make a small achievement.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Indian Government Online Services

Monday, February 16, 2009

Indianised version of Valentines Day...

The Gujarati Story of Valentine's Day.

No matter what you've been told before, the truth is that Valentine's Day originated hundreds of years ago, in India , and to top it all, in Gujarat !!

It is a well known fact that Gujarati men, specially the Patels, continually mistreat and disrespect their wives (Patelianis). One fine day, it happened to be the 14th day of February, one brave Pateliani, having had enough "torture" by her husband, finally chose to rebel by beating him up with a Velan (rolling pin).

Yes....the same Velan which she used daily, to make chapattis for him....only this time, instead of the dough, it was the husband who was flattened.

This was a momentous occasion for all Gujarati women and a revolt soon spread, like wild fire, with thousands of housewives beating up their husbands with the Velan.

There was an outburst of moaning "chapatti-ed" husbands all over Anand and Amdavad. The Patel men-folk quickly learnt their lesson and started to behave more respectfully with their Patelianis.

Thereafter, on 14th February, every year, the womenfolk of Gujarat would beat up their husbands, to commemorate that eventful day.The wives having the satisfaction of beating up their husbands with the Velan and the men having the supreme joy of submitting to the will of the women they loved.

Soon The Gujju men realised that in order to avoid this ordeal they need to present gifts to their wives....they brought flowers and sweetmeats. Hence the tradition began.

As Gujarat fell under the influence of Western culture, that day was called 'Velan time' day.

The ritual soon spread to Britain and many other Western countries, specifically, the catch words 'Velan time!'. Of course in their foreign tongues, it was first anglisised to 'Velantime' and then to 'Valentine'.

And thereafter, 14th of February, came to be known as Valentine's Day!

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Simple tips to be followed during recession times...

Guys before you start reading this post, please be advised that I was inspired by reading at quite a few emails that are floating all over the world explaining how to cope up with this recession. I have taken points from most of them in the below post.

Well, if we look at the markets in the current scenario

We all know that markets have slumped.
We read about job-loses in news papers.
People talk about at least 24 months of recession.
Early entrants are not getting job.
Companies are closing.
Sales are not picking up.
Suddenly cash has evaporated from the market.
Profitability is severely hit.

As an individual, my needs are -

Keep my job to sustain myself and feel secure.
Pay my bills and EMI's (if any).
Run my family.
Save little money for a rainy day.
And so on & so forth....

Things to avoid or don't s -

Do not take too many vacations.
Do not ask for a promotion or raise in salary. Remember, there are people with better skills @ lower salary levels.
Do not complain too much or waste time gossiping.
Do not resist a transfer/travel.
Do not resist a salary cut or extra work load.
Do not resist extra time @ work if needed.
And last but not the least do not change jobs in these market scenarios. Remember its too risky and you might be the first one to be axed in the new company if something goes wrong & there is every possibility in these situation that something might go wrong.

So what do we do in situations like this?

Be punctual to office.
Make sure that you acquire new skills & take training program to help others learn as well.
Meet your deadlines in your day today activities @ work.
Contribute to knowledge forums. This will give an opportunity to lean new things as well.
Organize team meeting to improve productivity.
Always be engaged and productive.
Work even harder and save money for your company.
Remember, your boss is always right and is the best (recession or no recession).

Keep an eye on your expenses -

Take stock of your expenses - actually write it down.
Distinguish "Need to have" vs "Nice to have".
Get rid of all "Nice to have" expenses - right away!
For those who don't have a job - plan for cash to survive for 24 months. Apparently, this recession will take atleast 24 months to come out. So sit on cash! And in the meantime try your luck to get a job.

Other tips to cut expenses -

Malls are expensive.
Good restaurants are expensive.
Impulsive shopping is expensive.
Flights are expensive.
Eating out daily is expensive.
Going on vacation is expensive.

Handling your loans -

If you have a home and you are living in it and paying EMI, see if you can partially fore-close it.
If you have 2 homes and paying EMI on both, see if you can rent the second one - don't bother about the rent for the time being. Rent to get cash flows going. Don't feel bad that rental is not good enough. Trust me - it will soon be a great feeling to rent.
If you have enough money, then fore-close a significant part of your loan. If your interest rate is less than Fixed Deposit in banks (which is a rare case) and you don't have to fore-close the loan. Instead keep your money in FD.

Do I invest?

Generate spare money every month and invest in stocks & mutual funds through Systematic Investment Plan (about 15% of your salary) - keep buying @ low values for next 18 to 24 months.
If you have cash and feel secure, this is a great time to buy (house/apt/land). You can negotiate hard with builders/developers. Actually, you can write your own terms or the agreement. Give 1st preference - buy land(always buy small sites, it is easier to dispose. Else farm land is great option - big land, low cost). 2nd preference - buy house + land (again buy from known developers). 3rd preference - buy apartment (you always wanted to buy that 3-bed/4-bed apartment from a reputed builder, but could never afford) - now is the time. Some are being sold at ridiculous prices.

I am looking for a job - what do I do?

Enroll for a course/training/education as you are searching for a job. It enhances your skills.
Enroll as a trainee anywhere you get an opportunity. Most trainees end-up getting confirmed employment as they build relationships in the company.
Do not have any preferences regarding - city, salary, designation, location, shift, etc. Just take and gain experience. It is the first step for a long carrier.
Go through references of people who are already working.
During job-interviews - the keyword which employers are looking for is "flexibility".
Agree for "any place/date/time" to take job interviews. If you don't somebody else will take that interview slot.
Please improve your communication skills - this one skill fetches jobs!