Project Team in Bosch

I had a lot of apprehensions in making a career shift and that was obvious because I was well settled in one field for 8 long years. After such a long duration, business knowledge starts coming to you naturally. This is when I took a very critical decision in doing certification and entering a new industry, in a new field, in a new role.

My first project in my new role was really demanding in Bosch. This sentence will bring smiles and laughs to most of the faces. But yes, there was a phase for me in Bosch when was at my wit’s end as to how to complete work. This was not because of the actual workload but real faulty planning. Night shifts, incident management, no one to help and I were a freaking beginner in SAP.

Eventually I managed to move out of this project. I had the smallest stint in BSR with Athul for one week. Yes that can be Bosch record. Due to my excellent personal planning I lost an absolutely marvelous chance of getting into Rollouts.

But whatever happens is for best. I was assigned SSCR with Sivarajesh, Nagabhushan, V Naresh and Suresh as experienced SD consultants. Awesome foursome right. But the joy was short lived. The day I joined SSCR, the onsite approvals for Nag, Naresh and Suresh came. They left the very next day. But of course they gave me all the KT, in half hour.

I was still lost and Ramesh was not in country. For everything I was only talking to Sivarajesh and Natesh. So much so, I didn’t even know Ramesh was my manager.

The only earlier acquaintance was Saraswathi, who also was in the same project as mine under Athul. The only difference being she didn’t mess up with her passport. I remember my SSCR stint started with some output change which was developed by Saraswathi. She was a frantic listener but would come up with solutions eventually. For the first instance I felt I was finally in the right project.

It was BMH and we were all sharing seats. I took up Nagabhushan’s seat and PC between Sivarajesh and Geetha. It took me almost a week to talk to Geetha. I used to feel then that she was a genius and will talk to you only if you know SAP. But how first impressions can be wrong. Once the barrier was broken we started talking more and she did help me a lot in getting the authorizations and stuff. Yes, I think I was in the right project.

Sivarajesh is an unimaginable personality. Getting information from him is like chewing iron nails. He was never gentle and quite crude when it came to SAP. He definitely had a decent knowledge. But the drawback was he never saw beginners as beginners. And boy was he short tempered. All of you may not agree but during my early days in SSCR, I was actually scared of him. But patience is a virtue. I understood him well. Pretty much like me, he was frank on your face and very true about his work. He is the one who taught me finish your job in less than given time and enjoy the remainder time. He has been an excellent mentor and one of my best friend’s now. Yes, I was in the right project.

I was not a part of Smile CR directly. So my interaction with Bhavya was solely restricted to smiles and probably greetings. All of these developers worked so furiously on their systems, it was difficult to break the ice for some unofficial conversation. We started talking more only after we moved to EC. But it was never difficult to not miss her for her bright and pleasant attires. Thinking back, now I know that there was hardly any instance when we have worked together on any CR except for small bug fixing here and there. And then she also left for her maternity leave. The first instance when we really talked was after Athul sir’s party in Koramangala restaurant. I dropped her later that night at MG Road. I was in the right project.

Saravanan introduced me to Sarvani. We had to commonly work on CR11-021, FOC for C budget. I remember the cat and mouse game which started then which went on for almost a week. Sarvani was getting ready for her maternity leave and was transferring data to her laptop. It was difficult to get her time. I even remember I used to call her madam and thought it was impossible to get her appointment. But once we started working, I came to know she was not that unapproachable. It was one God forbidden – son of a crazy – CR for which we created a trillion test cases but could not be solved till the time she left for her leave. I think I was definitely in the right project.

“Ramesh has come, let us get some chocolates” said Geetha. And I thought he was some celebrity. Mind you, I still didn’t know he was my manager. I vaguely recall to have talked to him for some authorization in DCD after 3 days of his arrival in BMH. Now I knew who he was. He was sugar sweet in helping me get the necessary stuff. I thought of it as a dream. Only SSCR, hardly 2 hours of work a day and a cool manager. Oh boy, I was in the right project.

Yes, the much talked about rumor turned reality, we were moving to EC. We were all packing away stuff and being one of the first batches to move, were anxious and skeptical. How can you expect something smooth where Sanjay is involved. Not to my surprise, Saraswathi’s and my assets were not listed in the ‘Hit List’. I was just trying to get happy that I will get some more time to stay in BMH when I saw Saraswathi. As usual we were n top of our pranks- Siva and me. But it looked like she will cry any moment. Then came the messiah. Mr.Kothandaraman caught hold of the secretary, the packers and somehow convinced them to move our assets. Problem solved.

EC became famous like IPL. You either hate it or like it, but can never live without it. When we moved to EC, it was practically empty. 90% BMH had not yet shifted and we felt cheated!!! Why !! No canteen !! But really guys, this was the instance when I got close with my team. This is because we used to share lunch. I got a chance to flaunt my cooking skills too. Unlike my SAP skills my cooking skills were much appreciated. There was unrest, because EC was farther and because the canteen was missing, but frankly the other infrastructure was better than BMH for me. Your own dedicated cubicle and lot of parking space!!

Around this time Ramesh entrusted me with Smile tasks. Siva was  surely retiring from Smile and I was taking up. I saw a similar face, a face that I had seen in BMH but was not aware of him. Sudhakar was a live wire. He had the nag of pulling some best jokes straight face. He was somewhat of an inspiration in SAP as I have seen many developers approaching him for assistance. I will learn a lot from him. Okay, I think I am in the right project.

Some personalities are undoubtedly subtle yet dominating. I had seen a different version of Vishalakshi when we were in BMH. We never talked but I always use to adore her flamboyance. She was a great buddy with Siva. So we started talking more and more. We both came to know we are not half as cute as the other had perceived. The long scoring session of insults and leg pulling has started. I was enjoying and thought I was in the right project.

A quiet, nonexistent, non-interfering person was sitting with us! I didn’t know if this guy even knew this was not his project. But as usual, I was wrong with my official guesses. Ramakrishna was now a part of Smile team. When it happened, how it happened probably even Ramesh doesn’t know. It took a hundred years for him to open up fully when we met for Kalyan’s farewell. And then a new version Rama came to office. Smooth as silk but hilarious, he was spontaneous and wicked good with his jokes. And suddenly I came to know he is also my manager, I was definitely in the right project.

Shital was already in her notice period when we moved to EC. All the dialogues she shared with the rest of the team was either about her previous experience or her next venture. We always had a common topic – Pune City. I started my career in Pune and have stayed there for 3 years. She had quit Bosch and was joining ‘some’ company in Pune. Gosh, I could talk about my sweet experiences about Pune with someone, I think I was in the right project.

The most dangerous eyes are not the most dangerous minds. She sees through your soul and does a character mapping when you meet her first itself. Ramesh introduced Balambigai as a replacement for Shital. Initially quiet, now we feel when she will be quiet!! The best part of Bala is that she takes jokes on her like no one else. I have a scapegoat, I think I am in the right project.

Then of course I met Jayashree, Deepa, Usha, Vinod. Too early to write about them. But friends just a matter of time.

New members joined the team(some even left like Kalyan). Lidhya, Srinivasu, Honey Goyal, Rajkumar, Antony and the latest addition being Dhanamjay. I have known them less but has been fun working with them nevertheless.

There are two important characters in this story still not introduced. Special appearance Natesh and the upcoming prankster Sumanth. Till the time I came to know about Ramesh, I thought Natesh was my manager. He has this loud and clear way of dialogues which can be sometimes confusing. One marked out observation was that he was always on a call with either Geetha or Saraswathi when they were still supporting Smile. My conversation with him was about updates on status. So I was definitely in the right project.

Sumanth has all qualities of a businessman. He will make all the seniors work for him and they wont even know about it. Well, pretty much what I used to do when I started in this project. We hit on this uncanny but very effective partners in crime for pranks. He is my undoubted successor in pranks. He may pretty well surpass me.

Aspirations are either ambition born or circumstances born. No one wants to leave a perfect world. But a perfect world never exists and neither does a perfect project. With want of the hour one may need more learning or earning which your current work may not give you. Either of these factors will compel you to take uncomfortable decisions. For me leaving this project was one such decision. It’s a dream team no doubt and will remain my favourite.

Thank you all for being my teammates and more importantly my friends.

Keep Smiling 

Be the change

In a world where all around, people want something out of you, it is very necessary to know what you want. And for this it is inevitable to have a self assessment.

It is quite amazing how most books teach you excellent theories on motivation, learning, leadership and all those mind boggling attributes a successful person always has, but, it is very ironical that they always mention how these theories vary from premises to employees.

Ultimately it comes to this, that all these books reflect the virtual stories of all such successful people in form of theories which act just as a benchmark for us to compare our ratings with.

But then to what extent should we aspire to become more like a successful person, so that we become the same!

Sachin Tendulkar was then eleven years when his brother took him to watch his first live cricket match. The maestro now was then commenting on how the batsman was making flaws to his brother. After a while, Big B was so annoyed, he asked the little fellow, “Ok Mr. Perfect. Who do you think is perfect? Whom would you want to be if you happen to be a cricketer?” Sachin replied ice cool, “No one. Wait till I get to the pitch some day. People will imitate me”.

Hence it is entirely learning from others and setting ones own benchmarks. ‘Never compete with others, COMPETE WITH YOURSELF’.

Look at the whole perspective by this angle. If you aspire to become like someone or want to beat someone, then the game is over once you do it. But when you keep competing with yourself, you just need not stop at anytime. You just keep getting better.

IF YOU FEEL YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN WHAT YOU ARE DOING, DO IT, AND YOU ARE BOUND TO HAVE AN EXPONENTIAL GROWTH IN LIFE.

Every year thousands of technical and professional graduates join the job stream. Because of the easy availability of such literates, people often comment that the value of technocrats or professional degree holders is decreasing. But it is so annoying to hear this. With such immense talent in a country like India it is only more beneficial. Competition has always proved to be the best eye opener. People following such principles can be put in a very ‘common’ category. They keep running in a “rat race” in life. But they forget that ‘the problem with rat race is that even if you win, you are still a rat’. So I have started believing that I am not just another Management Graduate, I want to make difference in whichever firm I serve or whichever field I choose.

It is the simplest way to abuse or criticize any system. But it is the exact opposite if you want to improve or maintain a good system. Any person in this world will definitely have some awesome talent which is unique. It is very inevitable to identify this talent, nourish it, and materialize it for better productivity. It is definitely very encouraging when someone else (especially a senior) praises this virtue you have. But I have found that one can achieve great heights if one does self assessment for such crucial attributes.

It is never easy to be an optimist all the time. But who is asking to look at the brighter side perpetually. Just take care that you polish the dull side instead.

This is no great motivation theory nor am I a philosopher or a great thinker. All I wanted to do was share what I always felt was keeping any individual from achieving newer heights.

Anonymous known faces, lifes like that!!!

I have now moved to Bangalore from Chennai But I still use the stress free bus services to commute to work.
This is an account of a marvelous experience which all of us feel.
I travel from Old Airport Road to Hosur Road in Bangalore in a particular Volvo bus 505A series. This is the only bus which directly connects the south east to the south west.
Each morning I reach the stop exactly at 7.35. Usually I am the first followed by many anonymously known faces who wait for the same series. We dont even know the other's name but still feel a sort of comfort when we meet each other.
The same bus of course, the same driver/conductor who dont even check our passes, the same people, the same seats and a glance to greet each other. The greet varies from a hundredth of a smile to a cordial good morning but we are definitely happy to meet each other.
Back in the office, there are almost 150 consultants on the same floor as I am. Except for associates from my immediate cubicle, I dont know anyone and now I feel strange about it.
Its all about how the mind is fresh, observant and human when it is relaxed. Its this unknown force in the morning which gives me quite a thrill in anticipation of yet another journey and a sense of work and urgency as soon as i enter the office premises.
I was talking about this to my friends and they have similar experiences. Of course all of us do.
I am not getting a proper end to this tale.
Maybe I will continue after your comments :))))

One of a kind experience

14 April 2010 Chennai

That day was a special experience - I can say that because i was traveling in a bus in Chennai in middle of noon.

But there were things which made it special-a unique experience for me at least.

I had to go to the annual medical check-up. as it was a holiday, my wife accompanied me and after the tests we thought of going to 'Sky mall' on P.H. road from Adyar.
We both have become accustomed to Chennai bus nowadays and it seemed the most economical, eco-friendly and no-stress option.

We took the 47 series from Adyar depot bus stop. Immediately after boarding the bus, which was practically empty, I put my hands in the wallet to find that I only had one 500 rupee note. Nothing else.
Nandini already gave me a look of ridicule - which said, (yes I should have expected only this from you, if I expected anything better, I were a fool) sort of a look.

I very politely asked the conductor to stop the bus and explained him my situation. And the miracle happened. The conductor very meticulously started counting all his lose currency. After 3-4 minutes he came with a whole lot of change, a big bundle of tens, twenties, coins, fifties. He grinned as he said, saar-anda 500 kudanga(give me that 500).
I was stunned as he actually had nothing left with him. The usual conductor purse which keeps jingling was vaccum empty. I offered him that I will get down but he said he will get change from the next ticket checker(appointed at a few important stops) which he did a little later from Anna University stop.

He would not accept a tip, he wouldnt even tell me his name. He was just happy that he did his job in such a way that one of his customer was happy.
Frankly my experience in Chennai bus has been quite satisfactory, but of course all the route conductors are sensitive about currency change. This was a first for me.

Shahi Pulav - Recipe

- Put ghee and 2 tbsp butter in a kadhai and add garlic
- Add elaichi + cinnamon + lavang
- Add soaked rice , water(for cooking as per cooking rice), 1/2 cup milk, salt and allow it to boil

- Put ghee in a separate pan. Add beans, carrots, peas, cauliflower. Mix and saute. Add 2 tbsp of cream to this.

- Add the saute vegetables to the boling rice and let it cook for 5 minutes.

- After the rice is cooked, decorate with kaju, kismis, badam and paneer.



Shahi pulav has to be shahi ;))

cheers

SANJU

Handwa - Recipe

Rice - 1 Cup
Tuvar Dal - 1/2 cup
Chana Dal - 1/4 cup

(Soak the mixture overnight)

- Now put (ginger chilly) paste, turmeric powder, pinch of hing(asafoetida) and jaggery with the soaked ingredients.

- Mix thoroughly, tadka with rai, add til

- Cut either methi bhaji or lauki nicely(grating is better) and mis it to the above mixture. You can also grate some onion to the mixture for better taste.

- Take a non-stick pan and apply oil evenly on the entire surface. Add the batter and keep the flame on sim mode for a while. The edges will start getting crispy. Try to turn the batter.
Add some more oil as in dosai and keep it for cooking. Do cover the non-stick pan with a lid.

- The complete outer layer should become dark brown.

Thats it - enjoy with curd and lemon pickle

Yercaud - Get there, stay there

Hi folks,
This time around, I thought of contributing some useful information as usually whenever I share something its either bull**** or as such unnecessary :)))

Its always troublesome in getting the right information when you are ready or about to ready to travel to new place for the first time.

I had similar incidences, and keep happening.

I wanted to go on a weekend holiday very near to Chennai. I did not want to waste a lot of time in traveling as time was very precious for both of us(my wife and myself), we both are working.

We already visited Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram, Kancheepuram, etc. I had remembered seeing some hill station called Yercaud in google. I searched again and got some useful info. But I am not writing my experience here, am giving you a tip or two on Yercaud and how to get there.

1. Yercaud is a nice hill station in Salem district of Tamil Nadu.
2. You can either take a train from Chennai to Salem(around 5 hours) or Chennai to Erode(around 6 hours)
3. Erode is a little farther so I suggest you take a train to Salem.
4. From Salem railway station Yercaud is just 35 kms. You can google for taxi operators and take a pick up from Salem station itself. It should be somewhere around Rs.1200/- per day. Worth it.
5. Alternatively there are quite a few buses plying from Salem bus station which is 10 minutes from the railway station.

Yercaud does not have very fancy resorts and it is not a typical tourist place. If you can afford luxury, try to book yourslef in Hotel Grand Palace or GRT nature trails. Its heavy on purse but the location is stupendous.

Otherwise directly book at Hotel Shevoroys, which is very decent and the oldest 'good' hotel in Yercaud.

Its necessary to have advance booking so that you are not stranded as there are quite a few guys from Salem who just come over on weekends..

But in any case, its a beautiful place. Dont expect anything but natural beauty. there are hardly any sites to see. Theres a good enough botanical garden, other than that nothing.

Its ideal for families and groups as you can pack up some lunch and enjoy small outings.

You will find restaurants attached to big hotels. the food is average. Shevoroy again is the best as its priced moderately too.

I went a couple of times, once in monsoon and the other time during winter. So I cannot comment on the climate during summer. But winters and monsoons whould be chilly by Indian standard. Night was around 12-14 and day time was around 18-20 degrees C.

This place is called the poor man's Ooty for right reasons. Its not so commercialized either. But again, as warned earlier, dont expect big things, theres nothing in Yercaud except nature.

By the way, do try the freshly made bakery products from inside Shevoroy hotel's bakery. This is in the Hotel management college campus inside the hotel.

Cheers

Sanju