Beneath the stars in the sky,
Our train moves by.
I’m in solitude
Which, I have always pursued!
I look out at the night that is moon-lit.
Unexpectedly beside me you come and sit.
Your eyes meet mine
With a sparkling shine.
Mildly the cold breeze blows.
Only then I realise that we are sitting so close.
As a sentence or two you speak,
It makes me so much meek
And also over-whelming.
I don’t want to stop this feeling
‘Cause it seems to be very new
And forever I want this to continue.
But so soon you leave!
This makes me hard to believe
That I never again want to be in solitude
Because, I’m subdued!
September 24, 2010
August 15, 2010
Will India Become A Super Power As Per The Vision 2020 Inspite Of Today's Market Conditions?
The world today is struggling with the financial crisis and recession. As countries struggle to come back to normal, they will try to avoid job losses and stimulate their economy in whatever way they can. One of those ways is to protect jobs for their citizens and to encourage consumption of resources produced within the country. At times like this the free market system is suddenly an inconvenience.
These are clear signs that we are entering an era of protectionism brought on by the worldwide recession or slow down. Protectionism is likely to become more common as country after country feels the heat. Getting visas for professionals to do work in other countries will become increasingly difficult. How is the Indian IT services industry going to cope with the coming challenges? The response of the industry will have to be creative, and transcend the obstacles that we will face.
A key reason for success in future will continue to be the level of connectivity we have with our markets. After all, connectivity was the key to the growth and success of Indian IT companies. But is India prepared for a future where the quality and capacity of connectivity, both domestic and international, will be a key driver of the industry? The answer is an obvious yes as the Vision 2020 for India already includes world class connectivity, both within the country as well as to international markets. This will be a key determinant in how strategically positioned we are to continue to grow our share of the IT services market worldwide.
India would be able to weather any recession in the United States, because rising trade and investment within the region makes it less dependent on the U.S. economy than in the past. While a recession in the United States would drag on India’s growth by eroding demand for exports but a rapidly growing middle class in India is craving for automobiles, electronics and housing much of which will be supplied from India itself. Demand for oil, iron ore and other commodities to build roads, sewage systems, and office buildings in the booming economy of India will help it sustain through any US slowdown. Well, the US economy is not that important anymore. A drop in U.S. growth rate might lower down India’s growth rate due to recession but since India is growing so fast, it isn’t likely to be affected that much as India’s economy will still continue to expand but just slightly slower than the previous year, i.e., India's growth will likely slow to 7 percent from the current rate of about 9 percent but still the growth will be sustainable at 7 percent.
If the policy initiatives that were taken in 1991 economic liberalization, privatization, globalization and modernization are continued to be taken, India’s economy will be a dynamic economy and it will launch our economy on a healthy growth curve. Now India is on a visible path to progress towards the status of a developed nation. Whether the nation crawls, walks or runs, it does not matter as long as the policies are continued to be taken up at the right time as it will ensure a speedy progress towards the goal.
Thus the experienced capitalists who have the skill to evaluate technological risks and have the self-confidence to invest in untried technology. During recession, if India continues to go too slow, it will miss out on worthwhile opportunities. It is technology, not money, that brings prosperity these days and India has many talented technologists who are capable of creating a continuous stream of innovative products.
Consider the case of an industry that normally has sales of Rs 1 crore, an interest burden of Rs 20 lakh, and leaving a net profit of Rs 5 lakh. Suppose prices double due to recession, sales go up to Rs 2 crore, the interest remains at Rs 20 lakh and the net profit shoots up to Rs 30 lakh - six times. Thus though the banks might suffer due to recession and increase in the interest rates, the equity share holders will make lots of income. If the financial institutions continue to have self-confidence and keep investing, the Indian firms with valuable indigenous technology will continue to grow even during recession.
Just consider the bold business decision made by Ratan Tata, in taking the plunge to launch the much awaited ‘Nano’ into the Indian market! If an automobile company, which was most hit by the recession can do it, so can other companies. Moreover, Tata group is taking over the U.K.’s Jaguar and Land Rover. But the U.S is resisting a take over of general motors. So the lesson is obvious. U.S’s economy has failed. The inflation demonstrates that the rich tend to get richer not only at the expense of the poor but at the expense of their own economic system. From the past recessions it can be observed that companies emerged stronger after a recession were the ones that had less cash in hand but decided to spend and invest heavily. A recession like this adds urgency to the situation and as a result companies start rethinking their strategies and sort out issues. This is where there will be a rise of the markets which will see a double digit growth.
The global economic slowdown presents an opportunity for the Indian industry to work on products produced by the small scale industries, one of the key strengths that we have.
The world economy is in grave consequences and this situation has had adverse implication on our economy. But the Government has taken wide ranging measures to mitigate the impact and to ensure that actualization of our vision 2020 remains on course and the Government remains focused on erecting the building blocks for the attainment of the economic vision 2020!
These are clear signs that we are entering an era of protectionism brought on by the worldwide recession or slow down. Protectionism is likely to become more common as country after country feels the heat. Getting visas for professionals to do work in other countries will become increasingly difficult. How is the Indian IT services industry going to cope with the coming challenges? The response of the industry will have to be creative, and transcend the obstacles that we will face.
A key reason for success in future will continue to be the level of connectivity we have with our markets. After all, connectivity was the key to the growth and success of Indian IT companies. But is India prepared for a future where the quality and capacity of connectivity, both domestic and international, will be a key driver of the industry? The answer is an obvious yes as the Vision 2020 for India already includes world class connectivity, both within the country as well as to international markets. This will be a key determinant in how strategically positioned we are to continue to grow our share of the IT services market worldwide.
India would be able to weather any recession in the United States, because rising trade and investment within the region makes it less dependent on the U.S. economy than in the past. While a recession in the United States would drag on India’s growth by eroding demand for exports but a rapidly growing middle class in India is craving for automobiles, electronics and housing much of which will be supplied from India itself. Demand for oil, iron ore and other commodities to build roads, sewage systems, and office buildings in the booming economy of India will help it sustain through any US slowdown. Well, the US economy is not that important anymore. A drop in U.S. growth rate might lower down India’s growth rate due to recession but since India is growing so fast, it isn’t likely to be affected that much as India’s economy will still continue to expand but just slightly slower than the previous year, i.e., India's growth will likely slow to 7 percent from the current rate of about 9 percent but still the growth will be sustainable at 7 percent.
If the policy initiatives that were taken in 1991 economic liberalization, privatization, globalization and modernization are continued to be taken, India’s economy will be a dynamic economy and it will launch our economy on a healthy growth curve. Now India is on a visible path to progress towards the status of a developed nation. Whether the nation crawls, walks or runs, it does not matter as long as the policies are continued to be taken up at the right time as it will ensure a speedy progress towards the goal.
Thus the experienced capitalists who have the skill to evaluate technological risks and have the self-confidence to invest in untried technology. During recession, if India continues to go too slow, it will miss out on worthwhile opportunities. It is technology, not money, that brings prosperity these days and India has many talented technologists who are capable of creating a continuous stream of innovative products.
Consider the case of an industry that normally has sales of Rs 1 crore, an interest burden of Rs 20 lakh, and leaving a net profit of Rs 5 lakh. Suppose prices double due to recession, sales go up to Rs 2 crore, the interest remains at Rs 20 lakh and the net profit shoots up to Rs 30 lakh - six times. Thus though the banks might suffer due to recession and increase in the interest rates, the equity share holders will make lots of income. If the financial institutions continue to have self-confidence and keep investing, the Indian firms with valuable indigenous technology will continue to grow even during recession.
Just consider the bold business decision made by Ratan Tata, in taking the plunge to launch the much awaited ‘Nano’ into the Indian market! If an automobile company, which was most hit by the recession can do it, so can other companies. Moreover, Tata group is taking over the U.K.’s Jaguar and Land Rover. But the U.S is resisting a take over of general motors. So the lesson is obvious. U.S’s economy has failed. The inflation demonstrates that the rich tend to get richer not only at the expense of the poor but at the expense of their own economic system. From the past recessions it can be observed that companies emerged stronger after a recession were the ones that had less cash in hand but decided to spend and invest heavily. A recession like this adds urgency to the situation and as a result companies start rethinking their strategies and sort out issues. This is where there will be a rise of the markets which will see a double digit growth.
The global economic slowdown presents an opportunity for the Indian industry to work on products produced by the small scale industries, one of the key strengths that we have.
The world economy is in grave consequences and this situation has had adverse implication on our economy. But the Government has taken wide ranging measures to mitigate the impact and to ensure that actualization of our vision 2020 remains on course and the Government remains focused on erecting the building blocks for the attainment of the economic vision 2020!
June 11, 2010
My Answer.... In Silence.
Do you think I really don't care?
Actually, the hurt and the pain, my heart is not able to bear.
Nowadays, you are the only one whom I miss
But how do I tell you this?
When you pass me by, a beat, my heart skips.
When I want to talk to you, there is only movement of my lips.
All through the night I cry,
Hoping that you'll find an 'answer in my silence' before we say Good-Bye!
Actually, the hurt and the pain, my heart is not able to bear.
Nowadays, you are the only one whom I miss
But how do I tell you this?
When you pass me by, a beat, my heart skips.
When I want to talk to you, there is only movement of my lips.
All through the night I cry,
Hoping that you'll find an 'answer in my silence' before we say Good-Bye!
June 10, 2010
Getting Drenched In The Rain
(I had written this article when I was in 10th standard and it was featured in my school magazine.)
Just then, it had began to drizzle. I could sense the lovely smell of the earth. The maths class was going on. My teacher was teaching us Theorems on Triangles. I sat uninterestedly in the class. I heard nothing but the melodious music of the rain. I was completely lost in its beauty. Drops that were falling mildly captured all my attention. I badly wanted to get drenched in the rain but getting permission from the maths teacher to get drenched in rain was impossible. So, sitting inside the classroom itself, I began to imagine as if I were getting drenched.
Here goes my imagination:
Everyone inside the classroom is concentrating so well that they are not noticing the natural showers. So I, slowly and silently get up from my place, remove my specks and slip away from the class, leaving the door closed behind me. All of a sudden, I feel cold. The rain drops fall on me leaving no traces but making me wet. I feel as thought I'm paralyzed, but still, I try hard and move further. There's a mild breeze and I experience chillness. I hug myself as I feel very cold. I spread my hands widely and feel the delicate drops of water. I go around in circles. There's a smile on my face, satisfaction in my mind and contentment in my heart. Everything else in the whole wide world is forgotten.
"Sandhya?" My maths teacher's voice interrupts my imagination.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"How far have you understood the Theorem?"
"Completely!" I answered abruptly.
I drift back into my imaginary world.
There are puddles everywhere. I jump in it ignoring how dirty my uniform and shoes become. The rhythm of the falling rain drops is so melodious that it soothes my soul. I try to hum to catch up with the tune of the falling droplets.
But all of a sudden, unexpectedly, I hear a loud shrill noise- and I'm interrupted again. The shrill was nothing other than my school bell. The maths class was over and the teacher had left the classroom.
I look at the blackboard and the theorem is Greek and Latin to me.
"Would you mind explaining the theorem to me?", I ask my friend who sits beside me.
"Sure I'll explain! But, didn't you understand it?"
"No! Not even a single part of it!"
"Why? What were you doing when ma'am was explaining?"
"Getting drenched in the rain!", I reply and of-course, my friend is confused.
Just then, it had began to drizzle. I could sense the lovely smell of the earth. The maths class was going on. My teacher was teaching us Theorems on Triangles. I sat uninterestedly in the class. I heard nothing but the melodious music of the rain. I was completely lost in its beauty. Drops that were falling mildly captured all my attention. I badly wanted to get drenched in the rain but getting permission from the maths teacher to get drenched in rain was impossible. So, sitting inside the classroom itself, I began to imagine as if I were getting drenched.
Here goes my imagination:
Everyone inside the classroom is concentrating so well that they are not noticing the natural showers. So I, slowly and silently get up from my place, remove my specks and slip away from the class, leaving the door closed behind me. All of a sudden, I feel cold. The rain drops fall on me leaving no traces but making me wet. I feel as thought I'm paralyzed, but still, I try hard and move further. There's a mild breeze and I experience chillness. I hug myself as I feel very cold. I spread my hands widely and feel the delicate drops of water. I go around in circles. There's a smile on my face, satisfaction in my mind and contentment in my heart. Everything else in the whole wide world is forgotten.
"Sandhya?" My maths teacher's voice interrupts my imagination.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"How far have you understood the Theorem?"
"Completely!" I answered abruptly.
I drift back into my imaginary world.
There are puddles everywhere. I jump in it ignoring how dirty my uniform and shoes become. The rhythm of the falling rain drops is so melodious that it soothes my soul. I try to hum to catch up with the tune of the falling droplets.
But all of a sudden, unexpectedly, I hear a loud shrill noise- and I'm interrupted again. The shrill was nothing other than my school bell. The maths class was over and the teacher had left the classroom.
I look at the blackboard and the theorem is Greek and Latin to me.
"Would you mind explaining the theorem to me?", I ask my friend who sits beside me.
"Sure I'll explain! But, didn't you understand it?"
"No! Not even a single part of it!"
"Why? What were you doing when ma'am was explaining?"
"Getting drenched in the rain!", I reply and of-course, my friend is confused.
May 29, 2010
The Game Basketball
I play basketball
Though I'm not good at it at all.
My dribbles are wrong,
My passes doesn't travel long,
My catches are not sure,
My shots are impure,
My team mates use words as their armaments,
The viewers pass comments,
My matches I lose,
What I hear is only boos
But to try again and again is the only thing I choose.
In the core of my heart there is a will
That tells me to improve still.
Though I'm not good at it at all.
My dribbles are wrong,
My passes doesn't travel long,
My catches are not sure,
My shots are impure,
My team mates use words as their armaments,
The viewers pass comments,
My matches I lose,
What I hear is only boos
But to try again and again is the only thing I choose.
In the core of my heart there is a will
That tells me to improve still.
May 28, 2010
My True Friend.
When things weren't going on well,
The day when I when I felt I was in hell,
You came placidly,
Listened to me patiently
And understood me greatly.
To all my traumas you put an end.
Then, you said, "I'll always be your friend!"
Those words flowed out of your mouth easily
And you welcomed me whole heartedly.
Those weren't just words
Because they made me fly
In the sky,
Like the birds.
My spirit- you made it elevate
And replaced love instead of inner hate.
You finally helped to find a "new" me!
Thank you my dear "true" friend and my "true" friend you will always be!
The day when I when I felt I was in hell,
You came placidly,
Listened to me patiently
And understood me greatly.
To all my traumas you put an end.
Then, you said, "I'll always be your friend!"
Those words flowed out of your mouth easily
And you welcomed me whole heartedly.
Those weren't just words
Because they made me fly
In the sky,
Like the birds.
My spirit- you made it elevate
And replaced love instead of inner hate.
You finally helped to find a "new" me!
Thank you my dear "true" friend and my "true" friend you will always be!
January 25, 2010
My Unforgettable Grandpa.
One hot afternoon, when I was young, I was spending my summer holidays with my relatives in my grandpa’s house at Sivakasi. I was having a casual talk with my grandpa after a heavy lunch. Through the door I saw a thin, white bearded old man who looked like a wanderer, limping all alone on the street. “Poor man,” my grandpa said. Something sad must have happened in his life, he explained. He told me that that old man deserved respect and love. My grandpa also told me that he has always been very glad about the unconditional respect and love that I have for him. And I was always glad that he is my grandpa!
I loved my grandpa. His name was Subbaiah. He was an active person, more than five and a half feet tall, with twinkling grey eyes and a thatch of white-brown hair. He was the best tutor for life I have ever had.
Grandpa was born in Rajapalayam to Periyathambhi Nadar and Mariammal in the year 1927. He grew up in Rajapalayam along with his siblings. He did his schooling also there itself.
Later when grandpa was old enough to work, he went to Sivakasi. His first job was in Standard Match industries as a supervisor. He worked there for a very long time but later he left that job. Grandpa then became the first counsellor of the Sivakasi town. He was even offered a MLA seat by the DMK party but grandpa refused it as he was no more interested in politics. He wanted to start a business on his own. He worked very hard for that. After saving a lot of money, he was ready to start a match industry in Sivakasi which was named as- SALCO Match industry. Grandpa some how had to shut down this business concern and again wanted to start an other business firm but this time he wanted to set his foot in a different field of business which was not explored much in Sivakasi. So he started Kumar Transport. The business went on really very well. The success of Kumar Transport made him open a medical shop in Sivakasi which is known as- Maharaj Medicals. Both these business concerns are very famous in the Sivakasi town. Around 200 employees work in these concerns. I have always been inspired by the fact that grandpa started from the scratch, soared high and shined like a star!
I used to go to Sivakasi only during the summer vacation and I never had an opportunity to spend all my time only with my grandpa as I used to be busy with my cousins and he used to be busy with his work. Once when I was in 6th standard, grandpa had planned to stay a month with me in Bangalore. That was the first time we both spent so much time with each other. After staying in our house for about one week, Grandpa wanted to go back to Sivakasi. He missed his friends and the medical shop very much.
Grandpa had many friends. Everyday he has so many visitors in the medical shop where he sits all day long. Everyone marveled at his energy, loved his gentle smile and the kind words he had for everyone.
One of my fondest memories is of listening to Grandpa relating his experiences about hunting in the wild. He was passionate about guns. I did not know about it until then. I was really surprised to know that he was such an adventurous person. Grandpa was always interested in sports. When ever he turned on the television, he watched only sports channels.
Grandpa was also good at poetry writing. Once I found a paper in his cupboard. He had written a kavithai. The kavithai which he had written was for my grandma. I suddenly copied that kavithai in another sheet of paper so that I could keep it with myself and replace the original version of the kavithai in the cupboard. Grandpa had expressed the deep love that he had for my grandma in that kavithai. That kavithai is definitely a masterpiece.
Though I lived in Bangalore, I used to keep in touch with my grandpa through the telephone. As soon as I press the last digit of the phone number, the phone bell rings and my grandpa picks up the call and answers in his cheery voice as he used to be happy to know that I am at the other end of the phone. I always used to ask him how he was and he used to tell me that he was doing well because of me. Then I used to tell him to take care of his health.
Grandpa grew older but he was always healthy. One day when he was in Sivakasi, he fell from stairs and he fractured his hand and hip. He was rushed to a hospital and was admitted there. Doctors told that he had to undergo an operation. Hearing all this, my father rushed to Sivakasi to be with my grandpa. It was really hard for me to digest the fact that grandpa was going through so much of pain and it was sad as I was not near him at that point of time. Just few minutes before the operation, I called up my grandpa and told him to be brave. He told me that he was already brave and convinced me that I was the one who had to be brave. Grandpa always had a strong will power. He was sure that he would be alright soon. The operation went on well and grandpa was fine. I called him up again that day night, after the operation. He could not talk to me properly as he was given anesthesia but he ensured that he would be able to talk to me the next day. But even the next day he could not talk to me. But I was sure that I could talk to him after he returned home from the hospital. Little did I know that that would be my last talk with my grandpa! Grandpa passed away just one day after the operation. On 17th April at 6.20 in the morning, his soul slipped away from his body. Grandpa was gone forever and I had to rush to Sivakasi with my mother. My grandpa’s house was jammed with hundreds of mourners.
A great man had died. As far as I know, he was the greatest man who had ever lived. He was my grandpa. I was thankful that God let me have him as my grandpa and that I always let him know how much I cared for him. Everyone who knows grandpa know that he was a great success as a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend, a business man and as a grandpa!
I loved my grandpa. His name was Subbaiah. He was an active person, more than five and a half feet tall, with twinkling grey eyes and a thatch of white-brown hair. He was the best tutor for life I have ever had.
Grandpa was born in Rajapalayam to Periyathambhi Nadar and Mariammal in the year 1927. He grew up in Rajapalayam along with his siblings. He did his schooling also there itself.
Later when grandpa was old enough to work, he went to Sivakasi. His first job was in Standard Match industries as a supervisor. He worked there for a very long time but later he left that job. Grandpa then became the first counsellor of the Sivakasi town. He was even offered a MLA seat by the DMK party but grandpa refused it as he was no more interested in politics. He wanted to start a business on his own. He worked very hard for that. After saving a lot of money, he was ready to start a match industry in Sivakasi which was named as- SALCO Match industry. Grandpa some how had to shut down this business concern and again wanted to start an other business firm but this time he wanted to set his foot in a different field of business which was not explored much in Sivakasi. So he started Kumar Transport. The business went on really very well. The success of Kumar Transport made him open a medical shop in Sivakasi which is known as- Maharaj Medicals. Both these business concerns are very famous in the Sivakasi town. Around 200 employees work in these concerns. I have always been inspired by the fact that grandpa started from the scratch, soared high and shined like a star!
I used to go to Sivakasi only during the summer vacation and I never had an opportunity to spend all my time only with my grandpa as I used to be busy with my cousins and he used to be busy with his work. Once when I was in 6th standard, grandpa had planned to stay a month with me in Bangalore. That was the first time we both spent so much time with each other. After staying in our house for about one week, Grandpa wanted to go back to Sivakasi. He missed his friends and the medical shop very much.
Grandpa had many friends. Everyday he has so many visitors in the medical shop where he sits all day long. Everyone marveled at his energy, loved his gentle smile and the kind words he had for everyone.
One of my fondest memories is of listening to Grandpa relating his experiences about hunting in the wild. He was passionate about guns. I did not know about it until then. I was really surprised to know that he was such an adventurous person. Grandpa was always interested in sports. When ever he turned on the television, he watched only sports channels.
Grandpa was also good at poetry writing. Once I found a paper in his cupboard. He had written a kavithai. The kavithai which he had written was for my grandma. I suddenly copied that kavithai in another sheet of paper so that I could keep it with myself and replace the original version of the kavithai in the cupboard. Grandpa had expressed the deep love that he had for my grandma in that kavithai. That kavithai is definitely a masterpiece.
Though I lived in Bangalore, I used to keep in touch with my grandpa through the telephone. As soon as I press the last digit of the phone number, the phone bell rings and my grandpa picks up the call and answers in his cheery voice as he used to be happy to know that I am at the other end of the phone. I always used to ask him how he was and he used to tell me that he was doing well because of me. Then I used to tell him to take care of his health.
Grandpa grew older but he was always healthy. One day when he was in Sivakasi, he fell from stairs and he fractured his hand and hip. He was rushed to a hospital and was admitted there. Doctors told that he had to undergo an operation. Hearing all this, my father rushed to Sivakasi to be with my grandpa. It was really hard for me to digest the fact that grandpa was going through so much of pain and it was sad as I was not near him at that point of time. Just few minutes before the operation, I called up my grandpa and told him to be brave. He told me that he was already brave and convinced me that I was the one who had to be brave. Grandpa always had a strong will power. He was sure that he would be alright soon. The operation went on well and grandpa was fine. I called him up again that day night, after the operation. He could not talk to me properly as he was given anesthesia but he ensured that he would be able to talk to me the next day. But even the next day he could not talk to me. But I was sure that I could talk to him after he returned home from the hospital. Little did I know that that would be my last talk with my grandpa! Grandpa passed away just one day after the operation. On 17th April at 6.20 in the morning, his soul slipped away from his body. Grandpa was gone forever and I had to rush to Sivakasi with my mother. My grandpa’s house was jammed with hundreds of mourners.
A great man had died. As far as I know, he was the greatest man who had ever lived. He was my grandpa. I was thankful that God let me have him as my grandpa and that I always let him know how much I cared for him. Everyone who knows grandpa know that he was a great success as a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a friend, a business man and as a grandpa!
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