Grab your seats!

Picture taken at Thane S.T. (State Transport) Bus Stand, Thane, India

Found this picture while clearing the old files in my system. Had clicked this picture way back in the year 2007 while on my way to College. 

There is always a huge queue of people to catch the 'Thane- Bhiwandi' Bus in the morning. These people are however trying to break the queue and getting in from the emergency exit door to grab a seat. Smart!! The monkeyness in humans is still present.

Al though, it may seem funny, but its the depiction of a common man in India. A Common man in India spends his entire life trying to cross the limits just to grab a seat in a bus or struggles to find a fourth seat in the second class compartment of a crowded Mumbai local train (my fellow Mumbaikars will definitely understand what 'fourth seat' means). I seriously think, a common man deserves more than that!

The present infrastructure in India needs to be revived. This may be the deterrent for GDP growth in India. The current infrastructure isn't sufficient or satisfactory for the 1.2 bn + population in India.

Mind your feet!

I had been to South Mumbai last weekend. While waiting for my train, I just thought of clicking this picture. Had been thinking about it since so many years.

Figure: Picture taken at Santacruz Railway station in Mumbai, India

Just take a close look at the platform gap. It is around 12 inches in this case. I have even observed a platform gap of around 15 inches in some suburban railway stations in Mumbai.

For a young and energetic person like me, it quite cool to jump of the train when it stops or board the train very easily but, what about our elders and senior citizens? Can they jump like youngsters? The answer is definitely NO! I honestly think, something should be done. Consider the plight of the senior citizens when they have to board or get off the train during peak hours. It must be so very bad. There have been so many accidents in past years and even few months back when people just slip off while boarding and end up even loosing their feet.

I have stayed in Singapore for more than a year and travelled to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as well. I just observed how careful these countries are towards their senior citizens. These countries have the basic infrastructure which I feel, not only senior citizens need but we youngsters need as well. They have Air Conditioned stations and Escalators and even travelators to save the travelling time and make the journey less tiring. It is good because, the amount of energy we spend in climbing the stairs and sweating out in the heat can be put to proper use in school or at work. Also, the platform gap is just negligible in these countries but still they keep on announcing in the MRT's and LRT's over there to mind the platform gap. We need to have such announcements over here as well. Maybe, someone's feet could be saved!

If not the Air conditioned stations or the Escalators, I think there should be some initiative to at least amend the platform gaps at different stations in Mumbai and also the responsibility lies with people to protect the public infrastructure from getting damaged. We need to think about our parents, elders and senior citizens right now! There is no point in duplicating the world class cities in other countries to build our infrastructure if the basic necessities of our elders aren't safeguarded!

I am sure, if these small issues are rectified which I don't think is impossible, together we can move towards a sustainable city and a nation!

Lets all look up towards the shining India.

Officially M.B.A.!

Happy for being officially conferred the Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the Chancellor of James Cook University- Australia, Lieutenant General John Grey AC (ret'd)

Now, looking ahead to begin the next exciting phase of my life!

Cheers!

Celebrity Spotted!

Picture taken outside Trident at Nariman Point, Mumbai, India where the players from IPL teams- Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab stayed 

Throughout my life, I have seen people gathering around a Bollywood star's house or when a Cricket player visits a certain place in the city just to catch a glimpse of their favourite star. I used to be really amazed thinking what joy do they get looking at them (they are the normal people whom we see on TV and movies, what's so special about them to create a fuss)

Today. I couldn't resist myself. I was walking through the busy street of South Mumbai when I spotted people gathering near the entrance of a 5 star hotel with Z level security around. I asked one person standing there and he told me that the team players of IPL (Indian Premier League) are moving from the hotel to play the match at Wankhede Stadium, which was scheduled later in the evening. The match between the home team 'Mumbai Indians' and 'Kings XI Punjab'.

I stood there and tried to catch a glimpse of the cricketers amid the tight security. I have finally understood the joy, a common man dervies when he catches a glimpse of his favourite cricket star or a Bollywood star. I could see the joy, the excitement in their eyes.

A Common man always dreams of becoming rich or a star or a famous cricketer or maybe witness their life but sometimes it isn't possible practically. A common man who sometimes survives on less than $3 a day cannot full fill all his dreams and aspiration. So, whenever he gets an opportunity to see someone famous, he tries to get a glimpse of him and gets entertained and inspired.

A Common man's life is sometimes quite complex but he tries his best to be happy with what he has!

A salute to the Common Man! I am glad that I did my best to understand him!

Being Different!

One of my friends recently posted a quote by Tina Fey on Facebook, which says "You can tell how smart people are by what they laugh at".

I remember one incident during my Junior college days. It was the beginning of a new semester and we had Founders Day celebration. The highlight of the celebration was a Fashion show. I always wanted to be a part of a Fashion show to experience the feeling of standing in front of the crowd and fearlessly present myself. So, I registered myself for the Fashion show without giving any second thoughts or thinking about who my competitors will be. 

Finally, the day arrived. I dressed up in my usual Jeans and half sleeved shirt. I went there and did my best to walk up to the ramp and answer the random question from the panel of judges. I was overwhelmed by the crowd which consisted of our College founder and Principal, the teaching and non teaching staff and the Students. It was a life time experience. But, my answers did sound a bit naive to some of my classmates and they laughed at me telling me that I made a fool of myself participating and answering the questions in an inept and stupid manner and that I was nothing in front of the other participants. I did accept that criticism sportingly but laughed back at them because they could just laugh at me and never experience how it feels to stand there in front of the crowd. 

Now, whenever I watch any fashion show on Television; I can understand the feeling of the participating contestants because I have experienced it. It makes me feel happy. 

I want to convey a message from this part of my life. In life, there may be incidents where you may be trying something which you have never done before. People may laugh at you. Now, it depends on you whether you take their criticisms negatively and be where you are or go and do what your heart says. I might have failed to win that Fashion show but it was a life time experience for me. Doesn't matter if I failed in it; at least I tried. 

Do something unconventional, try something new everyday. Don't just follow what others do. If you win, you become an inspiration for others and if you fail, you still become an inspiration for yourself.

Your success may be delayed because you are trying all permutations and combinations with your life but in the end you will succeed. Even if you don’t, be happy that you at least tried and didn’t follow the negative criticisms and didn’t settle for mediocrity!!