There is Always More To What You See

Kaminey

2009-08-22T18:48:38Z

Fahid Kapoor: " Fubah Fubah ifke fakal dekh lo tu faam tak maeeyat pake fhamjho".....
Fahid: "wo kya hai na mein Fh ko Fh bolta hoon"
Amol Gupte: " abey F ko F nahi bolega tu kya L bolega"....

There are many more memorable dialogs from the movie which I can just keep scribbling here to say how much I liked the movie. And hey before some of you start the usual like ..."It was good but not as good as I expected"..."Not upto the hype"...."Too much of a brainer..."....I have to say that this one is from top drawer and is a SUPERHIT movie ( or should I say Fuperhit)with fantastic performance by one and all.
When I saw this movie I loved the characterisation and screenplay which ensured that the movie does not slackens even a bit. Shahid Kapoor was fantastic, Priyanka Chopra in the Marathi Mulgi's role stood out. Bhope Bhai, Tashi and Bengali brothers all contributed to the excitement in the movie. After a long time here is a movie where in your remember the characters distinctly and are able to appreciate the nuances.
I would just say that its a "FEXY movie" and people who haven't seen should not miss it.
But surprisingly few people havent liked the movie much...well I dont know why but one of the reason was also that they dont like Shahid Kapoor stammering. I would just say that you can have your own likes and dislikes but a stammering Shahid is better than stammering and stuttering Shah Rukh.

Star Wreck...Who??

2009-06-04T13:30:12Z

Well there are times when one wonders what should I do to get paid in multiple lakhs for a 5 Hr job, fly business class at some one's expense, stay in suites and still dont have to pick the tab, be loved by people more than they have adored anyone at any moment of truth and have a name which everyone would like to be known with.
You wonder all this when you are with any Bollywood celebrity and yes you are the one paying in lakhs, you are the one making him fly, you are the one picking the tabs and you are the one making him more richer and more famous.I my line of work when we do celebrity round for our channel partners it makes me wonder why are people in India or for that matter anywhere so celeb crazy.One moment with celeb, one photograph with them and one hand shake with them in public is valued so much that we buy more than our capacity, we spend more than we would have liked and we wait more than we should. For just one moment with them.
Recently I went with the one of the Deols ( yes he is still a celeb for all of you who are raring to jump and say he is gone for good) to Indore market and realised that people do all sort of crazy stuff to get a glimpse of the celeb.
Take an autograph on a child's hand. ( what are you going to do with it)
Fighting the security ring to pat his back...
Wait in line for that elusive handshake...
Get bashed but determined enough to get near his car with black tinted glasses and try and peep in...
These are just few moments of truth....but I was astonish to see the crowd which goes crazy when a celeb waves hand and smiles but they dont know that he is wishpering into me to take him back to hotel as its too hot. Experience was good but equally sad to see that people stop respecting each other at that moment and only one thing matters to them....
We actually had to stop the visit after 2 counters and could only resume once we had more security....
Just that one Photograph....Star Wreck country...including me.!!

Amazing Thailand

2009-05-06T17:19:35Z

It all started when I came to know that we are having 4 day off from 29th April till 3rd May in Mumbai.Brains got together and ideas started flying to nail on to a destination for the weekend.Goa is good but would be hot, andaman is far and flight connectivity did not suit us. Daman & Diu was proclaimed boring and then finally 'Thailand' came into the picture....!!
So finally we landed in Bangkok on 29th evening still coming to terms that we started with Goa and ended in Bangkok.I must say it was an exhilarating experience. We travelled across the city and moved around near by states ( suburbs of Bangkok). We wanted to see the Tiger Temple in Thailand and found that it is just 2-3 hrs drive. So we headed for Tiger Temple in a district called Kanchanburi. On the way we stopped at 'Floating Market-Bangkok',which is a local market completely immersed in water and you move around and shop on a boat. Its an experience which would stick on to you. Though you dont have much to shop apart from T-shirts and candles. Remember the market from Roadies 5.0 (One in Thailand where Ashutosh won).
Then we headed towards an Elephant safari where the high point was when the giant leaps into the water with you holding your breath and sitting on top. Yes they click that pic and then sell you for 200 THB.
We moved closer towards the destination and stopped at the famous - Bridge on River Kwae. Thats the bridge which was made by POW from WW2 for Japanese connecting Thailand and Burma. It never got completed as the allied forces bombed it. For more details watch the movie....Its amazing watch..!!

Finally we reached the Tiger Temple-a Buddhist Monastery where tigers cubs are raised and they roam freely. You can touch them and pat them and get your selves clicked with the sexy cats...Its an experience beyond imagination. You have to touch and feel the animal to realise how Royale and magnificent they are....
We also went to Pattaya next day and walked the infamous Walking Street. Saw the GoGo bar and shows....did a lot of pub hopping. Water sports was another highlight - with ParaSailing, Jet Ski, Speed Boat and Under Sea Walk...
Exhausted ourselves at the shopping malls and returned to India with funfilled memories and empty pockets...!!

Travel diaries

2008-10-16T12:15:27Z

Last week was a hectic week for me as far as travelling was concerned. But before anything I must congratulate Asian Paints and me too :P on getting a thumbs up by Brand Equity on our latest Tractor Emulsion commercial with Vijay Raaz and Atul Kulkarni.
Moving on to my trip to Punjab and Jharkand ( yes state which was a part of Bihar)...Punjab Visit was primarily Jalandhar city and near by towns. The visit was fruitful and the network was excited about the product display and judgment done by us. Then on thursday I came back to Mumbai and then went to Calcutta the same day so that next morning I am able to catch a flight to Ranchi at 5:45am. People who know me can very well claim that I am not a typical morning guy. Getting up becomes even difficult when you have been travelling for the entire week and you have a cozy bed of Taj Bengal. Things become worst when you hit the bed at 12 in the night only to get up at 3:30 because the drive from Taj bengal to airport is some 40 minutes.
So as I made myself comfortable in bed I should have known that by no means I am gonna get up....and as I feared I got up at 5:10am. So I rushed down and some how got to the airport at 5:45am, so like one catches a train I asked the ground staff to put me on to the flight. Well I cant explain but a lot of coaxing went in to make her agree. Showing my conecting flights back from Jamshedpur with them helped a little. So finally I got in....
Stay in Ranchi and Jamshedpur was fine. Things about these small towns is that pace of life is very comfortable and you actually see more satisfaction and glee on their faces in the evening unlike hassled mumbaikar or tired and irate delhite. One funny thing which happened was that when I was checking out from Ranchi Hotel they asked me to pay Rs 50 for business centre usage and I was a little surprised because I had not used it. Then they told me that one of my collegue who was sitting in the lobby had used. So I just inquired and to my surprise he said that he also has not used it. Confirming this to the hotel desk they told that he has been charging his laptop in the lobby so the electricity usage is charged. My jaw dropped at their audacity and foolishness in saying that. Anyway the charges got reversed but principally they felt that they were correct in charging us for using electricity from lobby...:))
On my way back from Jamshedpur in flight a man inquired about the book I was reading " We are like that only" by Rama Bijapur. I told him its a nice book. The conversation started and he introduced himself as an employee of Microsoft. The purpose of visit was disclosed as a book launch at XLRI Jamshedpur. We kept on discussing about books, blogs and the new breed of hardworking-middleclass-MBA-lost love-smiling authors describing the story of an MBA or engineers in college and how Indian fiction is a rave right now. Discussed the chances of Arvind Adiga Winning Booker Prize for "The White Tiger".
When we got down at Calcutta airport I was waiting in the lounge for the connecting flight to Mumbai when I met him again. There I actually realised that this person himself has written a book which I have read before. You all would have guessed it by now from the XLRI connect and his famous Management Institute of Jamshedpur in his book. "Mediocre But Arrogant" was his book.
He showed me his new book and we again had some discussions as to how he manages being a director HR in an MNC and writing a book. How did he actually decided to write and how did he actually approached the publishers. Hmm...
He was just not a celebrity but a celebrity to me as it was the first time I read an author and met him and had a beer with him.
It was a good trip overall and this Sunday I would going to Patna market with a celebrity Divya Dutta.
Lets see how it goes as I am suppose to accompany her to 12 dealers in Patna....Jai ho...!

Marketing Mix

2008-10-06T08:25:34Z

I have spent decent enough time in marketing to realise the positives and negatives of moving to Marketing and with that moving to Mumbai. It has been some good 6 months in marketing. Moving to marketing meant I would be having 5 days a week and no late night monthend sittings. Yes its true that I dont have to sit till 2 am in the morning to do sales targets but on the other hand I see that the time I spend in office is much more engrossing and tiring than in sales. Here in marketing I have to punch in before 10am else I loose my half days salary. This is adhered to by one and all in the hierarchy. Tyre punctures and traffic jams are of no good to your rescue. So now I feel that I have become much more organised. Other thing which I have learnt here is multi-tasking. Well yes the much over used term in corporate life has stuck me and I am being forced to do multi tasking here. Handling a range of products for the entire nation forces you to do that. All the while something or the other is happening and you being a single point of contact for sales in marketing doesnt help it.
Got involved in making a commercial ( well being there at sets and screwing your sundays) for Tractor Emulsion. Used BUDGET as a hook and did this Budget Shaadi commercial. Seems to be fine. Also did a lot of consumer driven activities for Royale and other brands.
Another thing which is there in marketing is coordination. Working with agencies and getting work done out of them has never been easy. Your entire schedule gets stuck till some creative brain in agency comes out with something "different" and "unique".
Have travelled almost all parts of the country and air hostesses now recognise me like they would any celebrity. I am sure airlines would be doing their sales targets comfortably. I even see them projecting growths ex-me as a tough challenge.
Staying in Mumbai is a mix feeling again. I miss Delhi badly. Better roads,better eating joints,nice weather and ofcourse best parents...:)
Mumbai also has its advantages like 24 hr water, 24hr electricity but I suddenly realise that these are the basic things which any city should provide to its residents. Drinking and driving in Mumbai is inviting trouble. So this is another thing which I miss...:P
Weekends ( whatever I have got) have been one big movie experience and setting up house and reading. Setting up house is so expensive ( after marriage). You need to buy separate sets of towel for hand wash and separate for bathing. And yes 2 separate sets for guests...uhhh.! Coaster sets, microwave oven,refrigerator,DVD player,Washing machine, Proper Sofa Set, Dinning table....ohh God...life was simpler. But yes you also enjoy when everything is in place...
This is a season time for us ( paint companies) and work is all around. I am travelling to Mumbai-Delhi-Amritsar-Jalandhar-Chandigarh-Mumbai-Calcutta-Ranchi-Jamshedpur-Calcutta-Mumbai...in next 5 days..:(
There are more things in store I would keep all interested and disinterested folks up to date.
Till then go and get your house painted. We are running this initiative called Colourweek from 4rth Oct till 11th Oct

Time to move on.....

2008-03-24T11:10:55Z

After spending some good 3 yrs in sales I have decided to move to marketing with Asian Paints. Soon ( second week of April) I would be moving to Bombay in my new marketing role as Brand Manager. So right now I am in this exit mode where there is no will to do the market visits, meeting dealers and settling issues and the new role is a week away. Sitting in office knowing you dont have much to do is really painful. On 28th of the month I would start handing over to the new soul coming all the way from calcutta to take up my role here in Delhi.
Now when the date is coming closer to move I am getting into this reminiscent mode about by sales stint till now in Asian Paints. First day in sales and I had to manage a group of dealers from Chandigarh to jalandhar for a product launch. Not knowing anything about them or sales it was the most painful shock which I got. Then after spending some good 6 months as trainee I moved to Ludhiana where in I tasted the real flavor of sales. Painful dealers and sales pressure actually kept me on toes. My visits to dealers and interaction with team Amit, Ashwani,Ravi, Sanjeev and Ankur is something I would always remember. Staying in Ludhiana which is not among the best of the cities to enjoy urban hood was an experience in its own. I bought my firt car Maruti Esteem and a truck slammed into it in Ludhiana.The brawls with Vijay Hardware, SK paints, Kallu building material and many more is something which I never thought I would get into. I never thought that I would be using strong words and closing shops and business with people. I went there very timid and by the time came was posted to Delhi I was a very confident sales manager.
Then came Delhi stint. I joined and realised that the entire team here is new. This is the phenomenon which is very prevalent in Metros because of the sunrise industries always ready to pay higher to our guys than what we pay. Holding on to them and dealing with the lowest market share depot for Asian paints in the entire country was a challenge. Driving 1 and a half hours one way was another pain. But staying at home was so much fun. Doing initiatives with my team Anurag, Amol,Ankit, Arvind,Sudeep,Chadhaji and laxmi was quite fun. We are on a verge of closing the unit at a very healthy growth rate.
Now moving to marketing comes with 2 thoughts: one is new role entirely different and a completely different set up. secondly moving to Mumbai. Though I have stayed in Mumbai and I found it okie but living with family is a different ball game all together. Lets hope things all in place fast.
Right now I can just keep my fingers crossed and hope the worst will not hit me right away...:)

Time Flies..!

2007-10-28T09:36:16Z

Well time actually flies once you stop giving importance or stop noticing it. Thats exactly what has happened to me in the last month or so. Work is one of the culprit as October is a season time for all the paint companies.It seems every one is getting there house painted,though it is good, but still keeps me very busy. Getting up early and then driving one and half hour to office to see things in mess. Irrate dealers, empty godowns and I dont know what not. Last few days have been killing with market visits and season on full swing.
Parents also want house to be painted but some how I am not able to get paint for my own house. Its actually really frustrating when you arent ready to support. Mom gets really agitated when she sees me working like this.
Even wedding shopping has come to a halt and the whole blame comes on me...well I guess one has to be prepared for all this.

Right now me reading "papillon" and thats the only thing I am able to do for myself....
Bets of luck to me...lot of things to be done...!

Back after 20 weeks...!!

2007-09-27T11:34:42Z

Well it is actually true and I am feeling a little uncomfortable while posting this blog entry after 20 Weeks....thats quite a while to be away from the partner who has been more loyal than anyone here. I am not pretty sure about the mannerism and nuances of writing a "coming back blog" so I would just try and see what all have happened in those 20 weeks.
Well I got settled in Delhi office and have started doing well after the April debacle.Team here has started getting into the flavour of DC....(thats me..hehehe).
Indian Football team won nehru cup first time since its inception.
Indian Hockey team won Asia Cup after 4 years.
Indian Cricket team has won 20-20 world cup.
Share market has seen a full swing and is back on track.
Most of the batch mates have switched yet another job.
India as a Nation got a year older.
and so did I....hehehe
I have become a little more wiser by attending a couple of trainung programs from the company....
and I have met "the ONE", with whom I am gonna spend my life with...( i know i could have been more romantic) but thats the way I am.

This is fine for a start and I have recapped the 20 weeks so lets see how things move on from here....

Spoilt...!

2007-05-08T09:18:11Z

I was not like this and never wanted to be either
That’s why I cried at my first breather
I was pure without any impressions
But then I was spoiled as I learnt emotions

Never wanted to be famous and I was completely fine with it
That’s why I was nervous on every start line, to begin with
I was pure not thinking to achieve a feat
But then I was spoiled as I tasted defeat

Never was a head turner and was just normal
That’s why I was so timid and probably so formal
I was so much in love and was so caring
But then I was spoiled when she left without saying

Never was the best and nor did I claim
That’s why I was upset when they judged me, what a shame
I was making friends without hesitations
But then I was spoiled as I started making impressions

Never brought anything with me and could not take much
Left smiles on some faces and tears in few eyes
Would like them remember me as a crying child
Who wanted to resist but was spoiled.

Colors of Malaysia

2007-04-20T07:49:39Z

After I visit any country there are couple of thoughts which come to my mind. One is the country across this beautiful, clean and systematic or as a tourist we are exposed to only the best part. Second, though I like the country and experience but will I ever consider living here and work.
Malaysia trip was no different. We landed at KLIA and just to see that airport you feel that a country is putting its best foot forward in welcoming the tourists. Our stay in KL was at Hotel Crown Princess. Hotel was a pretty normal one and the service was as poor as you can expect. This is another thing which I have observed that hospitality in hotels is something which in India is much better than foreign land at the same cost. We were given rooms at 4 pm while we kept on waiting since 2 pm. Anyway the view from the hotel was amazing; Petrona towers, Citibank tower, May bank and KL towers all standing tall and shouting loud the prosperity and urban hood of Malaysia.
That night we had a ‘gala dinner’ at KL towers and we arranged Mercedes pick up for everyone in the group which was quite an experience. Sitting at the back seat of the luxurious sedan and zipping past the smoothest roads with skyscrapers standing all around you fully lit and glowing made you feel like “Don- in Malaysia”.
After the gala night we all went clubbing and were experienced to a live band and believe me it was one of the best live bands that I have ever seen. Later on the club became a pick up joint so we all left the place at around 1 am.
Next morning we went to the amusement park in KL and relaxed completely there in wet and dry theme park with joy rides all around. Again you could not stop yourself from admiring the effort these guys put in to promote tourism. I completely freaked out on Columbus ride which was 360 degress and g-force where you were made to sit on a chair and thrown up. The best part was there was a DVD camera recording happened all the way when you are experiencing the fear and rush which is quite embarrassing and enjoying to see later on.
Third day we left for Penang, where we went to the vernacular train ride to Penang hill. Weather was very humid and we sweated like a pig which I think was one of the reasons of not enjoying that train ride apart from the fact that it was very slow. On the top were some bungalows and restaurants which looked down on the whole city with magnamity.
The stay in Penang was a beach hotel and it was simply awesome. The dinner party was arranged at the beach but rains spoiled the party and we were forced to have it indoors. Nevertheless the party went off well and I guess where ever there is good food, liquor the party goes off smooth…hehehe…
Next morning was an early wake up at 6 am as we went to Lankavi on a catamaran which took 3 hrs to reach Lankavi Island. Did shopping as lankavi is a duty free island and went on the longest cable ride to a hill top. The cable ride was really cool and few of my colleagues really had some weird fantasies of cable ride which I would share some other time.
Catamaran brought us back and we had our dinner at “palace de India” which was an India joint with amazing cuisine. Next morning I did water sports like jet ski and para sailing. Then we all packed and boarded the plane to KL and from there to sweet home India.
All in all it was a nice experience and I guess Malaysia really have a lot to offer to tourists. I am sure now Malaysia govt should pay me for promoting.

The Last King Of Scotland

2007-03-03T18:23:52Z

I would like start this blog by wishing you all a very happy and colorful Holi. Well this coming from a man who sells paints...so I mean the statement literally.
Yesterday I went to Noida for some official work and after finishing off the work I ended up watching " The Last King Of Scotland". When I came to know Leo D caprio is not getting the academy awards I was very disappointed coz I really thought he has done an awesome job in Blood Diamond and even The Departeed (though it wasnt nominated). But when I saw Forest Whitaker in the role of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin , I was the just completely taken aback and enjoyed the joy ride. The man was apt for the role and he just mixed the strange fear he use to instill and the candour. Carrying off that kinda shade is not easy..I guess Mr Macdonald did more or less perfect job by casting him and James McAvoy (As Nicholas Garrigan). James is an charming personality and he had an air around him and one was pretty sure by just looking at him that girls gonna go crazy abt him. Anyway I best scene from the movie was when he shot the cow with complete aplomb and became the favourite of the dictator. there are a lot of scenes which would make you smile and then suddenly make you sit on the edge of your seats. One movie you guys would not like to miss...The Last King Of Scotland...go ahead...you wont regret it.

Month End

2007-02-28T10:57:05Z

There are 2 things which happen on a month end. Either you are short of materials or short of orders. One makes you shout at the supply chain and the other at “innocence faking”- dealers. Then month end comes with in genuine demands and some genuine rejections. If you have done the value then volume is short. If you have sold interior emulsions then exteriors is lagging. If you bigger dealer has picked the material then smaller dealers have suddenly turned deaf. So in a nut shell month end is one dreaded day which comes every month in a life of a sales personal and he just can’t avoid it. Few of you would be jumping out of their seats to say that I should be use to it now…well that’s what I flaunt but frankly speaking no one can be use to month end. One forgets his birthday and anniversaries but would never forget the month end.
So today being a month end I am sitting at 85% base and trying my level best to do base.
Today when I was woken up by my sis calling out loud (she prefers that way…), “hey get up its lovely weather outside, look it’s raining”…I just jumped off my bed not of happiness or ecstasy but of sheer hope that she is faking it. Coz rains are not good for paint business. To my sorrow it was raining in Delhi this morning. Coming towards office I could see a lot of people happy about the whole weather and I was the only one I guess who was driving with a sad face. So at this month end I have enough stocks to spare…..hehhehe…
Anyway yesterday saw “Eklavya- the royal guard”….Asian Paints is one of the media partner and I hope the movie does well. The best part is that it is just a 2hr movie. In the cinema hall I saw a face which was looking very familiar. Though my friend was apprehensive that I would get bashed but luckily that face was known and was a school junior. Anyway had a nice time watching the movie. Today one of my friend is coming from Calcutta heading to Amsterdam and wants me to be there at airport…so lets see..!
I think I should get back to work considering today is the day when salary is getting credit.

Another one bites the dust..! ( Neel's wedding)

2007-02-25T19:37:21Z

Weddings are serving a lot of purpose to a lot of people these days. Its a perfect get away from your same routine corporate life. Its a good time to catch up old time friends and its a good time to be the same old you...!! And the bonus is that you get to meet new people and enjoy the ride...
Well I came back from Neel's wedding today afternoon. I went to Jaipur on friday afternoon. Sam, Yash, Ron ( who was virtually a tourist) and I drove to Jaipur on friday afternoon to reach in time for the sangeet. (which is more off girls flaunting their dancing talent and bachelors on both sides checking each other out and ya a lot of booooozzeeeee). The drive was good and we entered Jaipur city at around 5 pm. Weather at Jaipur was awesome and we did what we were suppose to do en route to Jaipur. SO after being happy and jovial..:P we called up another frnd of ours who was directing the way to the place where stay arrangements were there. One thing which is the biggest side affect of drinking on the way is that you really wanna pee...:P By the time we reached the place where all the guys were staying we four were about to blast. SO it was really funny that we all got out of the car and barged into the appartment where strange faces were shocked to see 4 pf us just gate crash and head for the loo....the expressions on their faces was nothing less than caught naked. Then we all went to the place where sangeet function was scheduled. Met the couple , made the groom drunk in the parking lot when he was begging us not todo that ...but I guess frnds are too angry with the groom for leaving us and joining the married gang...:)
There was some nice dance performances from the girls and boys there on stage (most were his relatives)...
Next morning few more IIM K species joined us. For me the ocassion was very starnge in a way coz I met a lot of people from NEW ERA PUBLIC SCHOOL. Neel was my junior at school and batch mate at IIM K so his batchmates and his brother's batchmates all saw me after like 10 years ( wow..thats some time...)..the reaction on everyone's face was " Deepak you use to be very simple .." . Still couldnt figure out what did they mean by that...did I look stupid in school and smarter now or vice a versa..anyway that didnt bother me much.
Saturday morning we all went to Nahargarh fort, Amer qilla and padao...well the view was awesome ...we could see the whole of Jaipur city from there..I must say Ron completely freaked out. It was his birthday and he was very adamant that he need to do site seeing in Jaipur. By the evening when were suppose to be ready for barat we all were sooooooo damn tired that we slept and reached an hour late. Anyway still barat was far behind the gate and we had ample time to dance and enjoy out moment.
Finally wedding was nice and the couple looked great. Met a lot of people,some old friends, acquaintances, new faces, new friends...and then came back this morning to delhi.

There is no one to kill but time...!

2007-02-22T13:56:45Z

Sitting in my Delhi office on an important date of sales..I wonder how different the punjab and delhi markets are. Here unlike punjab the sales volume plummet dramatically...being a typical local market the expectations of the dealers is very high when it comes to delivery. The profile varies so much and the market shares are so evenly divided that some time you start thinking that its a different company you are working for. The monopoly of Asian Paints is a feature which is missing here in Delhi market. Dealers hold the chains and drive the pattern of sales.
Even if you talk about the team, they are new and completly inexperience to handle the pressure of a competitive market and low market share dynamics.Anyway all's well...I am in Delhi and I am trying hard to settle down here with ease...trying to get a grip to my life and enjoying home food and clean clothes without bothering how to clean them...hehehe....
In my effort to catch up the movies which were missed out...I saw "SAW 2", sequel of the "SAW"...it was good but as usual I liked Saw better than the sequel.
Planning to go to my frnds wedding to Jaipur with some of the campus batchmates...I am sure it would be fun....as after a long time I would be catching up with this junta...
sales is not happening, stocks are in abundance, team is naive, and area manager is on net blogging...kya hoga Delhi ka..??
I have a new guy in my team who is just a few days old....a fresh passout from b school and few minutes back he just came in to my room and said " I felt good today after doing some sale". Actually it was his first important sales day where he called up the network and asked for orders. I could see a glow in his eyes and saw the kick he has got in delivering the numbers. I am sure he would have a nice sleep today. As far as I am concern...well if I am able to bring a desire to perform in the team my job is done...and I would be a happy man..contributing some way to an individual.

Valentine's Day Celebration

2007-02-14T20:06:05Z

Today was a funfilled day and without a doubt I can say the BEST V-Day I ever had. After finishing my work in office which anyway is not much these days apart from some data filling up. Somehow work load is less in Delhi or I have learnt to take it easy.
Yesterday one of my vendor came up to me with "Sunidhi Chauhan- live concert" passes. Called up a few friends and then we all went to that show. stayed there for an hour and then drove to south ex market for some drinks. We all got high and enjoyed the good DJ there. Around 10 pm we left that place and went to "Dilli Haat". well I always use to hear about that place but never got an opportunity to go there. We all got into our cars and drove to dilli haat. It was quite a festive environment inside. With couples all around and we with our blind dates as in our common friends strolled about in that place. checked out the khadi and accessories there. Got our cartoon painted and did all the stuff which doesnt suit our ages and life style. Got our names written on rice, cartoon painted and played some games there. Then there we had some good food which was needed badly. I had momos and choupsey, while others tried rajasthani food and punjabi stuff. Then we all went to a private party in Defence Colony hosted by a friend. Though we entered late but the party was young. People were still in full mood to make it a memorable day. After enjoying the music we all headed towards Lajpat Nagar market to have coffee. You see this what happens you all are drunk and just dont wanna go home and dont want the day to end. We had coffee and there I got a few movies and software exchanged from a friends Lappie. I got all the latest movies on my lappie now: The Departed, Happy Feet, Rocky Balboa,Saw1,2,3 and many more...
Then after dropping few of them to places where ever they live I headed back home. Driving was soooooo fun on Delhi roads after 11 pm. I just loved it....
Came back home and while lying on my bed I felt that I could not have asked for a better day out . Movies, live concert, music, party, company, window shopping, driving and laughing all the way. Its always nice to be with people who understand your tastes and dont judge you for what you say and what you do. They accept you the way you are and that I think makes them so much better than the rest.
So again I would like to say: A very happy valentine's day and may this year bring a lot of love in our lives and your's too...hehehe

" Life is not about how hard you hit but how hard you can take the hits and keep moving on"-- Rocky Balboa

Delhi Masala...!!

2007-02-11T19:17:38Z

Delhi till now have not been anything less than a masala dish. It had all the ingredients like spice, sauce ( ya i mean it..!), sweat, disturbing and totally new.
I took over charge to find out that there are so many things which happens in the company and I have been a total stranger to all of it. Being in delhi I am sure would open me to a lot of experiences.
My area of operation is very contrasting in itself. On one hand I am handling South Delhi market which is posh, sauve and rude..!!! and on the other hand I am handling a Central delhi which is typically a whole sale market and the places are Sadar bazaar, daryaganj, and the infamous GB road. When first time I went in that market my heart was pumping and frankly my legs were shaking. Cabs dont go inside so I had to walk through those streets to meet my dealers. You could voices coming from top floors and you might find pimps bumping into you. So all in all it wasnt a very comfortable market visit. Apart from all the wrong reasons GB Road is a huge market...lets see ...!!
South delhi is very different, but frankly speaking after Ludhiana the delhi market is very depressing and stressful. Market shares are abysmally low, team is new, stability is an issue, our reaction time is long, competition is aggressive and if all this wasnt enough Government plans to seal the market.
One day when I visited my south delhi market I was not offered a chair by the Damn dealer and we kept standing for 3 hrs at his counter. This reminded me of the time when I was in Ludhiana , where no matter what the relation was dealers offered the seat and first thing they use to ask was , "what will you have ?". Things are different here....I personally dont like rude and impersonbal people...but anyway that the market like...!
Other thing is the drive from home to office one way is around 90 minutes. It gets really tiring when you were in ahbbit of getting up at 9:30 and be there at 10:00 am in Ludhiana. Here you have to leave early to avoid traffic.So I am use to listening FM in my car and the best part is the road in delhi. Its simply awesome...I love Delhi..!!
Good part is I get to meet my friends regularly in Delhi. Went to gurgaon to meet Smruti after a long time. It was really nice to see her happy and working in a job which she is liking. Then met Baid, Sinha ( I was shocked to see his new hair style), Abhinav and yes Deboo. Yesterday only saw "The Departed"- awesome flick.
Walked out of -"Holiday"...I guess I have grown up to enjoy stupid comedies. Went to IMI , as they were having a rock show. Though left early as it was pouring heavily.
My laptop in delhi conked off so wasnt connected to mail for a few days. Didnt answer some important mails from some body important and wasnt able to even answer the call...and she knows I cant call back...( I am poor..)
So Delhi has been a masala mix till now..lets see till when I enjoy it...

" I dont want to be the product of my environment, I want the environment to be the product of me"--The Departed

2007...A good start..!!

2007-01-04T19:31:52Z

A very Happy New Year to everyone who is reading this and even to those who aren't..!!
2007 has brought in a good news for me that I have been posted to delhi...yipeee..! I am home and after almost 8 yrs I am back at home. On 22nd December my RM called me up and broke in this wonderful news that I would be taking charge of the Badarpur sales depot (south delhi) in the new year. I dont think I could have asked for a better gift that this ....so I was just speechless and concluded my last monthend responsibilities in Ludhiana. Though I would go back once and hand over the Ludhiana depot to the incoming guy but for now I am in delhi and enjoying the winters of Delhi.
I have started taking charge here in Delhi and the market is very different than Ludhiana. Travel time is there but I dont mind travelling this right now...( I am sure I would hate it soon). But the good part about being in delhi is that once I get free early I am able to meet my friends. Handling south Delhi puts me in a better location to enjoy and chill. Since I am here I have been going out and catching up with friends literally everyday. Met a friend who lives in Sarita Vihar one day for evening coffee, then met deboo for a couple of drinks at PVR...it feels nice after a long time to be in a place where you can have a life of your own. Another friend of mine has shifted her job to Delhi and I am sure we would be catching up soon...suddenly friends have become more than free days...:)...some interesting incidences have happened during my market visits but right now I am too tired and would not be able to do justice to their explanation....hehehe...so would keep it for my next blog....
but before I pen down...I must say December monthend at Ludhiana was awesome and it was my last monthend at Ludhiana...and I remember last year December was my first monthend at Ludhiana....so a complete circle I must say...

Reality Shows Bites

2006-12-20T17:39:29Z

Indian television has come a long way from the times of Krishi darshan ,chitrahaar, ramayan to what are called reality shows. There are a plenty of these today airing on Indian television. There is show called Big Boss where some losers from different genres of life are put together in a house with no mobile and no contact with the outside world except a lousy voice of the master of the house who is called the Big Boss. Must say the casting crew has tried its best to put a lot of masala while selecting the cast. Rakhee sawant, ravi kisan, carol…and there are a lot more. Some where they have forgotten that one of the main reasons of success of reality shows abroad is what the night infrared camera catches…hehehe…in all it’s a stupid show but is Indian audience intelligent? Well that’s something debatable and I don’t want to get into that.
Another reality show of different kind just got concluded-“Nach Baliyee 2” and “Jalak Dikhalaja”. Well these dance competitions have taken a form of reality shows cause what the producer is more interested is not in dance but the cries and wining of the participants. Arrogant judges and attention craving couples and some good choreographers, all in all an okie show. “Jhalak Dikhlaja” was not as good a dancing show but yeah definitely an interesting concept where non-dancer celebrities were given a sexy partner cum choreographers and were made to dance. Show which got finished and was easily forgotten.
One show which has all the masala and is some what good to watch is “MTV Roadies 4”. I know before you jump to snap my statement I must tell you this is my blog…hehehhe..
I never use to watch Roadies but somehow whenever I use to turn on the idiot box MTV was showing Roadies. So I was inadvertently a follower of the show and started watching their fights, politics, tasks and vote outs. I must say it’s a decent show to track. It’s fun, exciting and very intriguing.
All in all reality shows have come to India and if TV shows reflect the society what does all of this reflects? Fun, games, relaxing…think again I guess it is reflecting very much different than all of the above. Are we having fun watching other people fighting and crying? Are we getting excitement by watching somebody having sleepless nights somewhere?
I feel that is showing the hollowness in our society today and a toned down version of sadism. Fiendish nature of an individual makes him enjoys others tears and that what reality shows give you. People colluding against each other. Hurting themselves and others and finally kicking somebody out joyously. Its not that talent hunts and events haven’t happened before but what is sad to see is that the main feature of all these shows is the moment when somebody is kicked out with tears in his or her eyes. And the worst is the whole nation is enjoying that in their bedrooms. This somehow shows how callous and sadist we have become. We want to get a sneak into others life and when everything is happy we don’t enjoy. The episode we enjoy is when the participants fight, use the F word, we love the ‘beep’ and would crave for any physical assault.
Think about it and I am sure it would not be a very pleasing realization within. An all happy show is called bland and reality shows are called in vogue.
It’s actually giving pleasure to dark side of your personality. The wicked inside you is happy seeing all this. Mr Freud was true…!!!

Sing a Song..!!

2006-12-12T17:47:43Z

I was just wondering today that in our life time how many songs we would have heard....any guesses? Well lets not get into a guessing game and try and put a figure to it. Every month there are around 10 releases on screen and on an average every movie has 5 of them, which makes it 50 a month and 600 songs a year. If you are 25 years old and started listening music at age of 10 then the set becomes 9000 songs. And even discounting 50% of movie songs you would not have never heard of , still there are around 4500 songs which one must have listened, hummed and then shunned.You must be wondering why am I asking you or myself rather all these questions....wait a sec...the real question is yet to be thrown at you...and I am warning you no matter how innocous it may sound it may catch you off guard..?...hehehhe...it caught me atleast...so I want to ask you that out of 4500 songs which you have heard till now
HOW MANY DO YOU REMEMBER?
I dont mean the lyrics but how many of them you remember.I am sure you would started counted as to how many you remember...well okie do that but the point I am trying to make here is that what is there that made you remember that song and not others...
Good music..Actors...Picturisation...Voice...Movie...Rythm...Beat....
I would say to some extent you are correct but if that would have been the only reason I would not have written this.....think there must be something more....Coz there have been songs who have had better music, more grandeur picturisation, better actors dancing on it,more heart moving voice,fantastic beat and rythm but they didnt come in your list or on your friend's list or his friend's list (if the question is asked individually)
There is more than what all is obvious that makes you remember a song.....
Its the time that the song takes you to....the association with that song you made coz you were in a mind frame...As we grow we do have our milestones emotionally and these songs make you go back to them.
Your first crush:...some song from early salman and ajay devgan movie
Your teenage : some song from DDLJ
Your love : Kal Ho Na Ho
your break up...your job party...your feeling of freedom...your marriage...your honeymoon...your times with old friends....you remembering somebody....you spending some time with somebody.....
I dont know how true it is for you but yes it is definitely true for me..!
That makes a song stick on to you and along with that song the person/situation/times everything comes back.
But I am sure once you would start living your life and more lives get attach to you ...you would not remember any new song......
Try asking your parents the same question and they would go back in their times.....
Songs bring back a long time memories....:)

Stranger remarked: "you are vulnerable"....

2006-12-10T13:46:23Z

Today my Sunday was ruined as I was suppose to attend a ceremony of house puja of one of my dealer at Moga ....so one thing which I love on Sunday mornings that is to sleep, I had to give up. About half an hour back I returned to Ludhiana...and before I ram more about the trip to Moga and back let me stick to the purpose of this blog.
Few days back I was ping on chat by a stranger whom I just met on orkut. Last thing which I knew about her was that she was getting married. So with a big hi I asked the usual questions about how she is doing and when is the marriage day? After a few message exchanges she said “Deepak, coz you are a stranger and we wont be meeting ever in my life, I would like to say/express a few things”. With apprehension I said “go ahead”. Then she told me that she doesn’t wanna get married right now and the parents have fixed up the marriage and she hasn’t even met the groom. In a nut shell she was upset about it and bloated out whatever she wanted knowing that I am no one….as in I am a total STRANGER. And suddenly I started feeling heavy at heart. Conversation ended and that night I didn’t have a very nice sleep. Yes its true I was a stranger but there was a bond which I felt was stuck there coz now she has shared the deepest and truest feeling with me. I prayed for her that she should stay happy forever and all her apprehensions about marriage ends happily….I am sure God would grant her that.
So suddenly that stranger is no longer a stranger to me. Few days later she again met me online and this time we had a fight about something I don’t remember now. And then she came up with a statement…”You seem to be very vulnerable and touchy”…..well I disagreed and was extremely pissed off. I mean a complete stranger how can she say something like that with out even knowing me. I mean that’s a limit…..I asked her how can u say that and she said that you are easily pleased and easily upset about things…..hmmm …that’s true…! I am vulnerable that way. I am touchy about how people talk to me or treat me and the sad part is that even a comment made generally sticks to my mind and I am not able to forget that. I am always anxious as to what made somebody say that…hehehhe……
So dear stranger , though I didn’t agree with you then…but as an after thought I am sure and is not shameful in accepting that yes I am vulnerable. It doesn’t require an effort to please me. Small token of concern and an ear makes me happy. Not big gifts but just a hug would be enough. A compliment like “you are trustworthy” would take me on cloud nine…hahaha…so ya I am vunerable that way.
On the other hand even a joking comment would stick on and unless and until it is clarified it stays on…..
And the most amazing part of this simple thing was that before this I have had angry people saying that you stick onto things and you are vindictive,revengeful but none of them realised that I am vulnerable. Realising something so mundane about somebody's nature sorts of a lot of arguements and things...
With this realization and confession I would end this blog…..
So yes I am vulnerable…..!!

GM's Visit..!

2006-12-09T17:46:21Z

Last few days have been fairly busy and somehow I have been always on my toes. GM-retail sales Mr. Sunderasan, came to Ludhiana alongwith the Divisional manager north and regional manager a couple of days back. As I went to station to pick him up I was trying and picture how we would be.My imagination was drawing a picture of a man who would be having a moustache and would be blessed with pounch (prosperity as they say). Then when I saw them coming out of the station I was surprised to see a lean,clean shaven person walking up to me and introducing himself as "hi, I am Sunderasan"....in a british accent. Well its true that he was in Asian Paints International business unit lately but still I havent met anyone in Asian Paints as suede as him. Market visit was okie and in the evening they left for Jalandhar.
Next day was another long day in the market where in I came back at around 12 in the night. Covered a lot of areas and would have drank atleast 12 cups of tea. You just cant deny the tea offered by the dealer at the counter. As there is a lot of fog these days in this part of the country so we drove slowly back to Ludhiana.
Tomorrow though its a Sunday I am working and it is really bad.

First Fog of this Winter

2006-12-06T14:28:05Z

Today morning I woke up to a foggy day in Ludhiana. Fog was so heavy that the visibility was hardly 20mts. It happens in this part of the country.I dressed up and drove slowly to office.Then decided that I should go to the market and check the last minute grievances from the dealers as tomorrow company's GM-sales alongwith North DM and my regional manager are coming for market visit. Though I have got use to these higher up visits but still you always should be cautious as you never know what the market would throw. So tomorrow morning I have to be ready to take all of them to 4 of our critical dealers.Position is that one of them is upset coz I scolded him for no behaving properly and I am not sure how he would react to it.The other one is upset about a previous display contest result as he didnt get the first prize. Thankfully the other 2 are happy.....
All the basics like bookings and sales reports are in place.Godown is clean and stocks are arranged.
Today I got a call from one of my friend and she told me that she is quitting the company and coming back to Delhi and joining a company in Gurgaon.Well sometimes you feel is that the only way out to get to a place which you want...hmmm...I dunnu but lets see...!!

I Am Back...!

2006-12-05T16:46:07Z

Coming back from home is never a good feeling. But as it is said that all good things come to an end, so did my stay at home. These 4 days in Delhi were really relaxing. After a month long gap I got to go home, took a leave on Monday and made it a stretch stay at home. Apart from being at home witnessing Delhi welcoming winters is another experience I didn’t want to miss. Delhi is beautiful in winters and it’s not only the weather but the people in Delhi who add a flavour to Delhi’s style in winters. I must say Delhilites are the most chic in winters. Men are smartly dressed up in there jackets and pullovers and women of Delhi needless to say are the most pretty kind of their species across. But in winters one just can’t ignore the designer shawls and jeans which add a new dimension to winter clothing. Roads look neat and there is a totally fresh look to otherwise rugged Delhi. Seeing the young crowd at bus stands reminded me of my college days and made me feel so guilty of not having enough fun. But I guess that guilt would remain no matter how much more fun I would have added.
Then at home though I was tied up with work on the first 2 days but still being pampered to the fullest with my regimen and schedule is something which can happen only at home. I got a hair cut and took out all my winter clothing. I had to meet a friend but she was too busy with work and I didn’t want to push it and be a cause for her discomfort. I hope we compensate on my next visit.
Another event which has become a more of a routine on my visit back home are the latest soaps which is making my mom glued to the television. I get 2 view points on each daily soap, one from my mom as to how good and nice storyline it is and second from my dad cribbing about the same story line and how it makes him miss the cricket match and news. I wanted to ask my dad as to how different is news from daily soaps but I left it for some other time.
On every visit I get to hear all the family gossip and sisters college gossip as to what is in fashion in DU this year and how left out I am on it….hehehe….I love both of them a lot.
Dad would enquire about my health and how am I doing at work. He would restrain himself from any personnal questions but I am sure catches up with all the gossip about me later from mom.
Then the morning comes when I am suppose to pack and come back to Ludhiana. These mornings are not the easiest as I can see tearful eyes of my mom and sister. Dad with a typical straight face coz men don’t cry…….
Shatbdi which is from Delhi to Amritsar is always full. Somewhere I never get a place to put my luggage no matter how less I have. It is so irritating to see bags of the size which can hold a man comfortably placed on the racks above and my tiny little suitcase has no place. It looks as if they are laughing at me with disdain. There is always an anxiety to know who would be my companion in the journey. May be a young damsel going to study at PAU Ludhiana, might be a business women going to the business capital of Punjab or a hot NRI babe coming back to Punjab…:P. But nothing of that sort happens with me and its not these species don’t travel on shatabdi. At station you would see the most amazing girls waiting to board the train; after all it’s a train which goes to Punjab.
So I settled at my seat C2-30, next to a gentleman who was in army. Anyhow the man was gregarious in nature and we had a good discussion ranging from Indian cricketing woes and criminal politics. He was from south and we had a journey down the memory to IIM K and beauty of it. Suddenly our banter was disturbed when one of the bags fell from the top on the southie. He was too polite in the way he reacted to it and didn’t say anything to the owner who was having a giggle. May be coz the owner was a 24 something beautiful female. Then when we ran out of topic I went to sleep and was woken up when somebody threw a stone on the glass window next to my seat. Luckily it’s a double glass protection window in Shatabdi and it left a perfect piece of modern art with crushed glass and a symbol of India’s social behaviour. I landed in Ludhiana and rains welcomed me to work. Had a long day at work and I am sure I would get grip of the things soon.

Just another day @ Asian paints

2006-11-28T14:49:58Z

Last few days I was getting a feeling that I am not adding any value to my learning at the job. Predominantly there was a feeling that there isnt much work for me. Somebody up there definitely heard that and today I felt that the whole world around me is crumbling down. Where to start from...hmmm..
Morning: 8 am....alarm rang and I was awake but then thought that I can take a nap for 5 minutes.(I dont know what I would have achieved in 5 minutes)
10:20 am..: I woke up when my phone was ringing like crazy...shit its late. I knew that I had complete freedom of time but still it would not set the right example for juniors at office.
12 noon...got the first jolt when one of my dealers called up and said that rates in market is not stable and I should do something about it. (Man what do I do...its you people only who are cutting rates)
1 pm....godown guy comes in and says that boss there is acute shortage of stocks and my intervention is required.So I hurriedly called up RDC to reload our stocks..:D
2 pm....i got a call from a customer who threatened to take Asian Paints to consumer court as the product applied on the walls is not matching his expectations. I calmed him down and asked my sales rep to follow it up.
Then received a call from somebody who gave the reference of GM and wanted service for his resort.
3:30pm...a truck came with stocks which was completely damaged in transit. I estimated the damage and got it in my godown.
4:00 pm...office people reminded me that I had to take lunch and because of me they have also not had it till now.
had it fast and got 12 calls in between...(this has been a regular feature whenever we sit for lunch every one starts remembering me...my boss, my boss's boss, my dealers, my vendors, customers, juniors, some complaint, collegues, godown people..
5:00 pm...i got a call from Delhi that we are doing good but my monthly target figures have been revised...and yes there is only one way the revision happens...Up....
6:00pm sat with the team and tried convincing them that this is logical...
7:00pm As soon as I was about to leave office a dealer came in and killed some time....
finally I rushed back home coz i was too tired listening to phone calls and data planning...monthend is approaching and there is lot to do....
angry dealers
unsatisfied bosses
irrate juniors
jealous peers
unscrupulous elements...
unethical competitors...
just another day in my life...!

Understanding oxymorons

2006-11-27T16:14:39Z

Oxymorons are something which have taken our levels of expression to a different level.Agruably, Love is the only other word in english which can convey emotions more than them.
In every genre of life we meet these characters called oxymorons.
you are in school debate team and your English teacher would like you to be Queen english while you express."common Deepak you cant be pronouncing the words like that and why for chirst sake you didnt counter the point.I want you to be correct and show some passive aggression." Passive Aggression...hmm
And when I finished my debate part she said, I am terribly pleased with your effort"..terribly pleased...oh God...and yes I am was Damn Good..!! oops ...thats catching me....
No matter how much you avoid these they keep coming back
Religious tolerance: thats an oxymoron our nation is well aware of..
Peace force: world has seen enough of them...hehhee
Act Naturally: well yes without putting any act, just act naturally...:))
Found Missing: what have you found which is still missing
Clearly misunderstood: hey darling I clearly misunderstood you, please forgive me....common dude dump her, you are being moronic
Political Science: common thats really funny, have the politicians ever studied science...?
Plastic glasses: ya they would not break
Business ethics: wow..! thats very interesting...show me where..?
Civil Engineer
Military Intelligence

well there are many more and you just cant keep a track whenever you use them.
So spare a thought they are such a lovely gift from english language to you all where in you can express so many things....