Verghese Kurien - End of an era in milk revolution

Swiss considered to be best in the world when it comes to milk products. But, Dr. Kurien demonstrated power of co-operative societies, and created world class milk products under the brand name "Amul".

Born in Kerala, excelled in Gujarath for his expertise in agricultural and veterinary science.

Unfortunately, he passed away on 9-9-11. Read his biography in the book, "I too had a Dream".

Wockhardt - A raising star

It was in 2009, Wockhardt, a generic drug maker was almost declared NPA after defaulting $110 million. Fortunately the lenders obeyed for corporate debt restructuring (CDR), and now it turned a success story. I still remembered Wockhardt scared to bid IPO due to then market conditions.

Now it is a turn around story, paid all it's debts, and making huge profits. I have seen their pride ad in ET Wealth. The share was as low as Rs.67/- during March 2009 (down trend), and today it hit all time highest of Rs.1240/-, an 18 fold raise, and I don't see it has hit it's saturation.

News feference: http://goo.gl/Q2iyo

See charts here.

Bus Accident

16 - June - 2012

It was frightening and disgusting news that over 30 people were killed in a private bus accident in Maharastra. The bus appearetly heading to Shiridi, a devotional place. Even more heart breaking news was that seven of these are from same family, 14 are from TCS Secunderabad campus, a kid left alone and her parents could not able to escape the misfortune.

Why people don’t realize when it is not safe to opt private travelers. Horrifying, these buses catch more than 160 to 200 km/hr on highways (I have seen many times that APSRTC Garuda service itself was travelled at 160 km/hr). May be this speed is nothing for western countries. In India, it is far above the limit.

More over, does a person need to travel such long distance for so called “moksham”? It will be even more encouraging to go for a trip with family, build more intimacy among family members and explore the world. Above all, life is set of great memories and contentment. I don’t see why people head for such long distance historical places, and feel that they have achieved something. Not even sure, what king of satisfaction do they get when they look at the God just for couple of minutes and struggling for water, food, accommodation, many more to experience. I mean, it is more reasonable to go for family trip in your near town than visiting these devotional places.

My Name First Time on a News Magazine

Thrilling to see my name on a financial news magazine !!!

It is Economic Times Wealth magazine, in which I have suggested a solution to weekly wizard. A person of 40 year old was in dilemma whether to buy a property or not. Seeking reader's suggestions, I too sent my opinion via mail.

Surprisingly, mine was best suggestion. For details, read ET Wealth magazine of the week March 19-25, 2012. My suggestion appears as VR SANAKA, the winner. Bingo !!!

Wealth Management Talk at Nokia

Recently (24^th, Feb 2012), our HR organized one hour session on wealth management by Ferdinand Wealth Management Pvt. Ltd. The session was useful for beginners. I expected to know available investment channels. The session ended more-or-less question hour.

The presenter Sharath having bundle of knowledge. However, he was not successful in meeting the objective. We were not able to walk though all of the slides, nor it is organised. I learnt lesson on how to be away from deviations due to some question. The problem with audience was every one aware of investment options, and bought different investment products. Most of the session time went to into argument of “who is correct”. Constructive discussion really helps than arguments.

Surprisingly, he mentioned there are only four financial planners in Bangalore who dedicated their career to personal finance (an opportunity for would be CFP??). Manish Chouhan is one the name mentioned by him. Few of employees in my cab are getting guidance by Sharath. Their feedback was good.

Thanks to Sharath for the session. Hope the criticism helps him in next session.

http://goo.gl/hDwIH

New book - Jago Investor

I read a new book titled "Jago Investor" (Jago - Hindi equivalent to 'weak up'). It is nice book capturing personal finance in precise articles. Even though I am following few of the principles in the book, it is an eye opener in many aspects. Especially, it makes you to question yourself "What is the target of every rupee that you are spending" prior to actually spending.

After reading the book, don't fall into the jargon of just saving, contented life and personal commitments are also equally important. Defining targets will balance personal life and savings.

Good book, and recommended for the people who started their career recently. It is available on Flipkart.

Stupid papers, I hate them, but I am part of the society

1-11-11 ---- 1 November 11

All ones will repeat on 11 November too.

An year ago, I wrote a note about occurrence of date 10-10-10. Is it different from usual days? Yes, definitely. For pseudo intelligent people it is great opportunity to play with public.

I know few people who insist on multiples of 9 at any cost. Many of them hate 8. When NTR passed away, one Pandith written an article in a Telugu daily, collecting pros and cons of NTR life related to numerology. I heard that he became millionaire later time.

Believe in yourself.

Focus, Faith and Hope

31-Oct-11

Few days ago when Nokia Lumia series announced, I watch an internal video (I can't disclose it as it is confidential, but it is inspiring) on Nokia intranet. Our CEO Stephen narrated an excellent real story of a Finn happened few years ago. The Finn who was new to Olympics long run competition, fell down onto grass after few min. Interestingly he stood up, and ran at consistent speed and finally own the race. Time will answer how Nokia can (re)win the smart phone race.

I recap similar video, have a look (thanks to HTML5)

There are plenty of people who regained their success.

Tribute to Steve

After four months gap, with a lament face on the eve of Dussara, writing the post. Even though it is Dussara, lament … because due to loss of legendary Steve Jobs.

Watch his inspirational speech at Stanford commencement, an excellent quote from his speech, “Don’t loose faith, I love what I did, You got to find, what you love. And that is true for your work as it is for your lovers”.

On M. K. Gandhi’s death, an American author wrote “it was the best way of Mahatma preaching us”. Steve’s three stories are no less, every story is a lesson. He sought an opportunity every time he needs to face failure (?).

Steve, we miss you physically, but you are with us as long as technology survives.

Ooops - Finally on to Facebook :)

1 - May - 2011

I was reluctant to Facebook and kind of social networking. Recently I read a post on Gulli blog that facebook is uniquely depending on open source software. I read few articles on http://www.facebook.com/Engineering and decided to have an account. It also helping in keeping track of my friends. It is interesting to note that Facebook depending on Bing results of Internet search. Thank you, Facebook.

It is fun to know the data center design of Facebook. Handling such large amounts of data, really amazing. Earlier I was very impressive with the thought of Twitter, which stem from struggle some situation of a company. Twitter's fast way of news propagation was attracted me to have an account. I was also impressed by the technology behind Twitter (Scala, Lift and Hadoop), a team of just 150 people created all.

Friends ? shake your hand on http://www.facebook.com/ramanawithu.

A Response to "Dumb World" - "stupid minds"

My friend Rajesh recently posted on "Dumb World". I don't think world is that much dumb, it is even smarter than what we think. My comments are here and here.

Seer and Babas: Every coin will have head and tail, unless manipulated, so is Baba. What ever he preached, adopt only that suits your personality. "Love your parents", "Spread your love to co-human", and many more nice words were preached by him. The same thing also said multiple times by Kalam and others, but why they don’t get such attention?

I also remembered some strange statements, "today I will appear in moon", "I will re-born on so and so date", "Because god exists, there are two opinions of god, otherwise everyone would say no-god"… what a logical conclusion. For a mathematician, it is 50-50 probability on existence of god, but for a devotee only the first 50% will appear, their mind won’t be in a position to think about other 50%.

I don’t believe in reincarnation. Let us leave that topic to novel writers, and other seers.

A Story of Street Child: Dr. Manihara

In few cities, it is easy to gather street children, and forming groups among them. These kids forming groups like chain batch, blade batch, some bla – bla batch… and involving in illegal activities. If no one cares at them, the society would see turning all these into professional gangs.

But there are kind enough people.

How many of us aware of non-profit organization "Sri Krishna Chaitanya Vidyavihara (SKCV) Children’s Trust"? The story behind SKCV is inspiring.

SKCV was formed by a person called Matthew William who was born in 1953, Manchester in England. Mathew himself was a runaway child and had experienced the pain and anguish of being left uncared on streets for many years.

Some how, Mathew had great opinion at Indian culture. In worst conditions, he reached India and managed to get citizenship. He felt lament nights after looking at these street children. SKCV was started to protect these orphan (sorry for the word orphan, no one is orphan in this world) children. Later he changed his name to "Manihara" and married an Indian woman.

Unfortunately he passed away in 2009 due to osteoporosis. Still SKCV activities are going on well. If any one willing to visit SKCV, see their website.

Now, do you think Dr. Manihara is any way less than Babas? Why people failed to recognize Manihara, who acted upon than simply preaching? My thought is that many of us needs some emotional dependency, and even don't dare to think against the word God.

Common man requires some kind of dependency on others, let it be Baba, God, or even Mother. We won’t recognize parent’s value, because they are nearer to us, and they may not be as good as Babas in talking power. If we observe, those at celebrity level, political level, and many more are the sincere devotees of these Babas. Even Dr. Kalam allocated one chapter in his "Wings of Fire" as "Learning from Seers". Nothing wrong in adopting good values, who ever preach them.

I am against to "వ్యక్తి పూజ" (prising a person spiritually). I don’t encourage any emotional dependency, let it be on God or Seers. It is my opinion, your opinion might be different. Opinions won’t change due to arguments. Adopt what you like and what makes you happy should be our policy.

References:

The Hindu Note and SKCV.

The Gift to Baba:

Dear "Baba" we will all missing you, but not what you preached. Adopting and practicing what ever wellness you taught to society is the best gift that we can give it to you.

(Y)our thinking is our path, shape it well.

The Modern Action of Legacy (?) Women

20, April 2011

I read a news article in Eenadu today. It is about change of thought, so posting here.

A women was regularly harassed by her husband. She waited for a change in the husband behaviour, but no hope. As a reaction, the vexed women pored less concentrated acid into her husband mouth. Good to know that she surrendered to police after the incident.

Though some violence involved in the incident, I look at it, as sign of change of thought.

Many of us reluctant to accept change management. Because we are in comfort zone with the present way of thinking, is it called the peter principle?

శ్రీరామనవమి - A wonderful day to celebrate at my village

April 12, 2011

Today is Sreeramanavami, the wedding anniversary of lord Sita-Rama. In childhood, it was very exciting to celebrate this day, as we (all the villagers) go to bath in river Krisha along with lord Sita-Rama statue. Everyone prises the way Sita-Rama lived on the Earth.

The other side of the coin.

Do you think Ravana is such a bad person? How many of us aware, Rama sent Lakshmana to Ravana at his last minute of life, to learn ethical values. The only draw back of Ravana was lack of self control, week at woman. Otherwise he should be on the top of all the gods.

Was Sita really happy all over her life?

As far as I know, Smt. Sita was the only one women who had worst struggle. She hardly spend time with Rama except during those 14 years. But, we praise their life, we adopt them as best couple. Certainly, they are best couple (I too believe in that fact), as per social limitations about 4 lack years ago.

I am not criticizing the way Rama lead life, nor, accepting him as he preached. One can learn a lot from his life. Change is inevitable , we follow the same customs built thousands of years ago. And reluctant to accept change. ఎందుకంటె అదంతే, ("why because it was like that").

See the five monkey's experiment about human psychology.
However Ramayana and Mahabharatha are the best ethics in the world. It is upto the human to understand them and adopt.

Anna Hazare - Thank you

Apr 10, 2011

Anna Hazare, a 70 year old young man. Time will answer the result of "Jan Lokpal Bill". But some one need to be proactive. As citizen of the country I fully support the young man Hazare, who inspired from the trio, Bhagaht Singh, Raj Guru and Sukdev. The trio were executed at the age of just 21. They left great fragrance on the Indian society. Though  I don't encourage violence, we must learn from the kind of commitment from the trio.

India, teaching and preaching to the world unity-in-diversity. I am proud to be Indian. No country except India realized the emphasis of RTI. Now Jan-Lokpal.

There are many problems in the country, but the kind of development achieved in just 60 years, must be appreciated. Change is inevitable. RTI and JLP (janlokpal) are critical weapons on the future direction of the democracy in the country.

I am happy that the key people behind RTI are also participating anti-corruption movement. People like Aravind, Kiranbedi, Sandeep Pande, Agnivesh, Arunarai are few to name. Read Sandeep Pande article on Eeenadu (archive on 9th April, under "వ్యాఖ్యానం").

Grate lawyers and excellent narrators like Jatmalani, Kapil Sibal must use their law-expertise for society than for politics.

What makes us different?

20th, February 2011

What makes us different? I believe in that every person is unique, and smart enough. What makes them different or unique!

Our passion makes us unique. The passion in doing contended work makes us different. Whatever may be the profession, if the person is passionate in doing it, that can bring the difference. Let, others think whatever they want, it doesn't matter, it is just their opinion, neither need to be correct. If we (we - I mean the person and the people closely connected to him, probably the circle is limited) are happy, we need not concern at others comments.

An example Sudarsan Pattnaik is an expert (perhaps the first person) in sculpting images on sand. He is now well know due to his art, even though financially not much worth. Passion driving him?

Another example is Naveen Kumar, a flute player. There are many classical tunes from him flute. The one (Fluid song) from Maya's Lounge is my favorite. Ofcourse there are many excellent tunes, especially from Rahman's direction. Passion or enjoyment in playing flute?

Fame is one side of the coin. If it happens to see any musical presentations, see the kind of enjoyment that the artist is experiencing. I am jealous in this sense. Devi Sri prasad's violin play also very inspiring.

Sachin is another best example, in enjoying the work what he is doing. One must see the professional play that he played against Pakistan in world cup 2003. Every shot he played was a master piece, and more over, he enjoyed them, we can see that in his body language.

Thanks to my parents, for putting me up with complete freedom.

నా ఇష్టం - An autobiography

26, Jan, 2011

Recently I traveled to home town and during journey finished a book "నా ఇష్టం", an autobiography of RGV, a famous director.
It happed to see the book in stands, and unintentionally pick the copy, glanced at the contents and read his mother article. Later paid the money to own the book.

Earlier, some how I don't have soft corner at him. After reading the book, I felt better to stick to my previous  opinion. Because I like, hate him. అది నా ఇష్టం.

It is not easy to accept his thought process, because it is truth, and we are reluctant to accept it. After reading his mother article, I decided to watch his movies (last watch of his movie, I guess అనగనగా ఒక రోజు).

All the best Ram ji, you are special. I learned few things from you. Thanks for the book.

People Whom I Admire – Arvind Kejriwal

Another person behind RTI movement, Arvind Kejriwal. A former IITan and civil services person, winner of Raman Magasaysay award. More on the following links,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvind_Kejriwal

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arvind-Kejriwal/126600607383679

Congratulations...! Nitish Ji...

“Congratulations Nitish Ji”.

It is the same public, same government bureaucracy, same voting system, same... same... everything same, except change in thought. The Bihar public created history by expressing what they want through vote, a powerful weapon, when correctly used.

I was keep reading few articles by some industry economics experts through news media. Bihar could able to attract better investment from investors than AP last few years. More over, they concentrated on basic infrastructure and education, results will follow, in future.

Once again, Congratulations to Bihar people and their CM.

Be Clear on What you are Doing

19, November 2010

I come across an inspiring story. Few people dare to achieve. They are clear on what they are doing. We need not to consider the useless critics. He is from my college (Andhra Polytechnique). Details can be found on the following links.

Most of software people hate the work they are doing. But the following guy (Purna) foresee the future in his work, and above it, he acted upon. I am happy that many of my friends are becoming entrepreneurs. It is what Prof. Kalam is expecting from the present generation.

http://chandoo.org/wp/

http://education.in.msn.com/news/article.aspx?cp-documentid=4583472

The MBA who quit his job to earn $100,000 doing Excel blogging.

Sincerity – A powerful personal weapon

16, November 2010

I collected the following narration from an online news portal.

If we are sincere from our internal harmony, no one can cheat us, and it keeps an individual contented. Whether it is preached by parents or by management gurus like Covey, or by successful personals like Ratanji, motto is same.

We can observe from his words, no time to start our life, every moment is right time.

A minister had asked for Rs 15 cr bribe: Tata

Mon, Nov 15 04:25 PM

Dehradun: When asked to reveal his mantra for success without compromising with ethics and values, Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata said he did not have a methodology in this regard but he has an example to tell the audience.

"Several years ago, Tatas were trying to set up a domestic airlines in collaboration with Singapore Airlines. Even though we were pioneer in airline industry, we had enormous problems if you remember through the reports in the media.

"We approached three Prime Ministers also. But an individual thwarted our efforts to form the airlines." he said.

Later, Tata said a fellow industrialist commented, "You are stupid people. The Minister was asking for Rs 15 crore. Why didn't he pay?"

The top industrialist was responding to a query from audience after delivering 8th Uttarakhand foundation lecture on "India in the 21st century: Opportunities and Challenges" on the occasion of 10th anniversary of formation of hill state.

Ratan Tata also made it clear there were no change in his plans to retire in 2012 even as he assured a successor who is committed to "ethics and value". Tata, who took the the USD 72 billion dollar company to new heights and made the world's cheapest car Nano, has already announced he will quit office by the end of 2012.

"I don't want to change my deadline I set for my retirement. There are lots of sacrifices, one has to make in terms of personal life. I wanted my life back. I want to enjoy the things that I wanted to do," the top industrialist said here.

In August this year, the Board of Tata Sons Ltd has formed a selection committee comprising five members, including an external member for eventually deciding on a suitable successor to Ratan N Tata.

"There is no such thing indispensably individual. The day I succeeded JRD Tata, I felt in very large shoes. I knew that I cannot be another JRD and I have to be my own person", Tata said in reply to a question after delivering a lecture here.

"I believe my successor will be his own person and hopefully will do things for the country and the group the way we have been doing till now or much better”. I ferociously wanted to ensure that my successor has total commitment for ethics and values, we fought for years now," Tata said.