She had been tired and unwell and upset that weekend two years ago. Then on Monday, he asked her a question she had not at all expected. Don't think Eminem was telling him "If you had one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment, would you capture it or let it slip?"
He felt at peace after a long time. She went home, he sat at the library he ran on campus with some friends.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Reminder...
Every once in a while, something happens that reminds you of what is well and truly important.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Thoughts from an alumnus
Harsha Bhogle, famous cricket commentator and quizmaster on ESPN, is an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad. Recently saw a video of his, of a talk he gave in the auditorium on campus.
Had many wonderful thoughts: why live life like its a 100 m race? Why get into a job thinking about exit options and early retirements?
He says, "If you choose your first job based on the salary it offers, you might be making a mistake. Choose a career, that is what you came to (or should ideally come to) IIMA for." Maybe someday, when the day zero fever subsides and the media stops blaring the crore-plus salaries, maybe then some of us might get some of this perspective.
To end the talk he recited 4 lines of his (and my) favourite Urdu poetry:
"ख़ुद ही को कर बुलंद इतना
की हर तकदीर से पहले ,
खुदा बन्दे से ख़ुद पूछे,
बता तेरी रज़ा क्या है?"
Had many wonderful thoughts: why live life like its a 100 m race? Why get into a job thinking about exit options and early retirements?
He says, "If you choose your first job based on the salary it offers, you might be making a mistake. Choose a career, that is what you came to (or should ideally come to) IIMA for." Maybe someday, when the day zero fever subsides and the media stops blaring the crore-plus salaries, maybe then some of us might get some of this perspective.
To end the talk he recited 4 lines of his (and my) favourite Urdu poetry:
"ख़ुद ही को कर बुलंद इतना
की हर तकदीर से पहले ,
खुदा बन्दे से ख़ुद पूछे,
बता तेरी रज़ा क्या है?"
Saturday, September 05, 2009
Teachers' Day - a long overdue thank you note.
I've been a student all my life and teachers have played a very important role in my life. Right from the ones in KG (which I sadly have not much recollection of) to the ones at IIMA, they have shaped the person I am and I will be.
This blog is for all the teachers who I have not been able to thank in person: I will be ever grateful for your guidance. The foundation you laid has helped me get to where I have got, in the way I have got there.
To my teachers in KG - Chincholkar teacher and the others, who taught me the absolute basics (literally the ABC), who made sure I never had stage fright- thank you. I cannot imagine the effort and patience you must have had to handle the number of rambunctious kids that you did.
To my teachers in primary school: who made sure I got talking in English, the ones that made me write fast and in good handwriting, the ones that supported my fascination for astronomy, the ones that encouraged me to participate in many extracurricular activities; thank you. They gave me an excellent base in English and Mathematics (what you taught me was extremely useful in the CAT). Nisha teacher, Rajput teacher, Anuvi teacher, Seetha teacher, Radha madam, Jaya madam- thanks for your teaching. I still aim for the sky; sometimes get there but atleast reach the top of the tree.
To my teachers in secondary school - too numerous to name; you made a wonderful impression on my mind. When a teacher who taught you 3 years ago says, "Nissim, your problem is that you take the languages for granted", it makes you take a good hard look at all the things you are doing wrong. Your constant encouragement was very important to me- thanks a lot for all of it.
I hope some day I get a chance to thank all of my teachers in person, but this blog is atleast a start.
This blog is for all the teachers who I have not been able to thank in person: I will be ever grateful for your guidance. The foundation you laid has helped me get to where I have got, in the way I have got there.
To my teachers in KG - Chincholkar teacher and the others, who taught me the absolute basics (literally the ABC), who made sure I never had stage fright- thank you. I cannot imagine the effort and patience you must have had to handle the number of rambunctious kids that you did.
To my teachers in primary school: who made sure I got talking in English, the ones that made me write fast and in good handwriting, the ones that supported my fascination for astronomy, the ones that encouraged me to participate in many extracurricular activities; thank you. They gave me an excellent base in English and Mathematics (what you taught me was extremely useful in the CAT). Nisha teacher, Rajput teacher, Anuvi teacher, Seetha teacher, Radha madam, Jaya madam- thanks for your teaching. I still aim for the sky; sometimes get there but atleast reach the top of the tree.
To my teachers in secondary school - too numerous to name; you made a wonderful impression on my mind. When a teacher who taught you 3 years ago says, "Nissim, your problem is that you take the languages for granted", it makes you take a good hard look at all the things you are doing wrong. Your constant encouragement was very important to me- thanks a lot for all of it.
I hope some day I get a chance to thank all of my teachers in person, but this blog is atleast a start.
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Random Walk down memory lane
Read my old blogs today...should have been reading FORM.
I used to write well...the pain, the happiness it all comes through even 3 years down the line.
At some stage I should start writing again.
I used to write well...the pain, the happiness it all comes through even 3 years down the line.
At some stage I should start writing again.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
V-day for some, D-day for others.
February 14th, Valentines' Day- the day of reckoning for lovers around the world.
February 14th, IIMA interviews began- day of reckoning for some.
February 14th, IIMA interviews began- day of reckoning for some.
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
The Perfect 10
And I'm not talking about Nadia Comaneci.
Seven months ago she sent an SMS, "You were perfect today."
He did not...she has always been perfect.
Seven months ago she sent an SMS, "You were perfect today."
He did not...she has always been perfect.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Came across a couple of very interesting posts on the anti-terrorist steps India should take by Prof. R. Vaidyanathan of IIMB.
Given that a nuclear war is not at all beneficial to us, screwing the already MASSIVELY screwed economy of Pakistan seems reasonable. Have no money, feed no terrorist will happen.
Here are the links:
8 things India Inc must do.
12 steps to shock and awe the Pak economy.
On a very personal note, I felt like someone got into my own home when those bastards did what they did. I've grown up seeing the very spots they hit and I'm sure anyone who grew up in Mumbai feels the same. I spent a good amount of time thinking of innovative ways to torture the one bastard who got caught. Had a discussion with Aseem on whether terrorists have religion.
His take was that religious sentiments made them do what they did and hence terrorists have religion.
I am no believer, but religion is essentially a human thing, and I refuse to accept terrorists as humans. They should not have any human rights and the bodies of the dead terrorists must be disposed of in the most disrespectful way possible. Also, make a video of the same and pass it to Al Jazeera...that should scare them all right.
India needs a strong anti-terror law, it needs good anti-terror organization and most of all it needs a Guantanamo Bay where to keep the terrorists. Maybe its time to get the Cellular Jail back to its 'infamous' glory.
The message ought to be clear..."You don't attack my home and get away with it."
Given that a nuclear war is not at all beneficial to us, screwing the already MASSIVELY screwed economy of Pakistan seems reasonable. Have no money, feed no terrorist will happen.
Here are the links:
8 things India Inc must do.
12 steps to shock and awe the Pak economy.
On a very personal note, I felt like someone got into my own home when those bastards did what they did. I've grown up seeing the very spots they hit and I'm sure anyone who grew up in Mumbai feels the same. I spent a good amount of time thinking of innovative ways to torture the one bastard who got caught. Had a discussion with Aseem on whether terrorists have religion.
His take was that religious sentiments made them do what they did and hence terrorists have religion.
I am no believer, but religion is essentially a human thing, and I refuse to accept terrorists as humans. They should not have any human rights and the bodies of the dead terrorists must be disposed of in the most disrespectful way possible. Also, make a video of the same and pass it to Al Jazeera...that should scare them all right.
India needs a strong anti-terror law, it needs good anti-terror organization and most of all it needs a Guantanamo Bay where to keep the terrorists. Maybe its time to get the Cellular Jail back to its 'infamous' glory.
The message ought to be clear..."You don't attack my home and get away with it."
Saturday, December 06, 2008
I spent seven biblically-lean years in the physics department.
One friend spent ten.We both got out alive.
Some didn't. It wasn't long before we had all heard the legend about
the graduate student who had shot his PhD advisor. Several years ago I
read a New York Times article about two graduate students who committed
suicide while studying in the Harvard laboratory of Nobel Prizewinner
Professor E. J. Corey. In a subsequent letter to the Sunday New
York Times magazine of December 20, 1998, Linda Logdberg of Upper
Nyack, New York, wrote in to comment on life as graduate student:
. . . Perhaps even more now than then, graduate education is an
extended adolescence during which highly intelligent young
people see their world shrink to fit the dimensions of their advisor's laboratory. . . . With their identities bound to the outcome
of the thesis project, graduate students are socialized to view
other options (teaching, industry, even changing to another type
of work altogether) with contempt.Wanting a decent wage and
meaningful work that occupies, say, only 50 hours per week are
considered signs of selling out.
From, 'My Life as a Quant' by Emanuel Derman, PhD (Physics, Columbia) who headed
Goldman Sachs' Quantitative Strategies group.
At IISc, I met a few of ppl who reacted almost violently to the idea of going on to do a mgmt degree and to
the idea of wanting to make more money. I thought I knew what they were thinking and this describes what I thought I saw perfectly.
One friend spent ten.We both got out alive.
Some didn't. It wasn't long before we had all heard the legend about
the graduate student who had shot his PhD advisor. Several years ago I
read a New York Times article about two graduate students who committed
suicide while studying in the Harvard laboratory of Nobel Prizewinner
Professor E. J. Corey. In a subsequent letter to the Sunday New
York Times magazine of December 20, 1998, Linda Logdberg of Upper
Nyack, New York, wrote in to comment on life as graduate student:
. . . Perhaps even more now than then, graduate education is an
extended adolescence during which highly intelligent young
people see their world shrink to fit the dimensions of their advisor's laboratory. . . . With their identities bound to the outcome
of the thesis project, graduate students are socialized to view
other options (teaching, industry, even changing to another type
of work altogether) with contempt.Wanting a decent wage and
meaningful work that occupies, say, only 50 hours per week are
considered signs of selling out.
From, 'My Life as a Quant' by Emanuel Derman, PhD (Physics, Columbia) who headed
Goldman Sachs' Quantitative Strategies group.
At IISc, I met a few of ppl who reacted almost violently to the idea of going on to do a mgmt degree and to
the idea of wanting to make more money. I thought I knew what they were thinking and this describes what I thought I saw perfectly.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
I knew then, as I know now...
A year ago, my throat sore with a horrible infection, my head spinning and stomach hurting from all the coughing, I said "I know". How wrong I was!! I didn't know anything, how my life would change, the experiences of the last year (happy and sad), decisions made and unmade and remade...the disappointments and the exultation of achievement, one thing has remained unchanged...in fact grown stronger.
My answer though, remains "I know".
And that I belonged to a stage in human evolution thats a step or two behind the rest of the world :P (this is what you call an 'inside' joke being made public).
My answer though, remains "I know".
And that I belonged to a stage in human evolution thats a step or two behind the rest of the world :P (this is what you call an 'inside' joke being made public).
Saturday, September 27, 2008
I wonder why...
Went to the library at IIMA today...to borrow books from which I need to revise for placements.
The only thing that is on anyone's mind these days...placements. maybe next week the short quizzes might take our minds off it once in a while.
Browsed books on probability and time series analysis...borrowed a couple of books.
Wondered what I was doing here...I loved these things so much. Reminded myself that this was what I wanted to do and that finance was probably my best chance of actually working on these things.
Blogging more frequently these days...maybe more on the current affairs soon.
The only thing that is on anyone's mind these days...placements. maybe next week the short quizzes might take our minds off it once in a while.
Browsed books on probability and time series analysis...borrowed a couple of books.
Wondered what I was doing here...I loved these things so much. Reminded myself that this was what I wanted to do and that finance was probably my best chance of actually working on these things.
Blogging more frequently these days...maybe more on the current affairs soon.
Monday, September 22, 2008
A little break...
A 3-day break from WIMWI...a hurriedly arranged, tremendously anticipated visit to Bangalore.
Wanting to fill as much in every day as we could...to meet as many people as I could.
Thesis accepted pending small corrections for the award of the MSc degree.
Had really good coffee after almost 40 days, walked at Sankey, roamed Malleshwaram.
Then something unexpected, unwanted, horrific.
Somethings change your life, your outlook towards life.
Make what is REALLY IMPORTANT very clear. This was one of them.
Wanting to fill as much in every day as we could...to meet as many people as I could.
Thesis accepted pending small corrections for the award of the MSc degree.
Had really good coffee after almost 40 days, walked at Sankey, roamed Malleshwaram.
Then something unexpected, unwanted, horrific.
Somethings change your life, your outlook towards life.
Make what is REALLY IMPORTANT very clear. This was one of them.
Friday, September 05, 2008
The Tenth Anniversary
10 years ago a phenomenon was born. How I managed to be unaware of it for so long is an absolute mystery to me.
On 4th September 1998, Gunda was released. We at IIMA had a special screening of this cult movie.
Jab Gunda dikha rahe hon...toh dekhna hi padta haiii!
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
KFC...
My plight for the last 10 days reminds me of the comment that got our US envoy into trouble:
"Running around like a headless chicken".
Haven't had much good rest all these days as I stare at the daunting task of surviving PGP-1 at IIMA.
Finishing the report...getting it printed...getting the relieving memo.
the vaccinations and hurried meeting nearest-and-dearest ones.
Being scared and tired and hurting to leave the place I have known as Home
and the place that was getting there...finally I had begun to be at home in IISc.
Next post...probably CC at IIMA.
"Running around like a headless chicken".
Haven't had much good rest all these days as I stare at the daunting task of surviving PGP-1 at IIMA.
Finishing the report...getting it printed...getting the relieving memo.
the vaccinations and hurried meeting nearest-and-dearest ones.
Being scared and tired and hurting to leave the place I have known as Home
and the place that was getting there...finally I had begun to be at home in IISc.
Next post...probably CC at IIMA.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Leaving on a Jet (Kingfisher) Plane
Flew back to Mumbai from Bengalooru on a Kingfisher flight and this was the one song playing
in my mind all the way through:
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I'll tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times that I won't have to say ...
Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
And I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
in my mind all the way through:
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
There's so many times I've let you down
So many times I've played around
I'll tell you now, they don't mean a thing
Every place I go, I think of you
Every song I sing, I sing for you
When I come back I'll wear your wedding ring
So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Now the time has come to leave you
One more time, oh, let me kiss you
And close your eyes and I'll be on my way
Dream about the days to come
When I won't have to leave alone
About the times that I won't have to say ...
Oh, kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
'Cause I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
And I'm leaving on a jet plane
I don't know when I'll be back again
Oh, babe, I hate to go
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Writer's Block
Been thinking will blog about something for a while...but ideas flit in and out of mind.
Haven't been able to write much...unless you count a thesis with a number of changes.
Haven't been able to write much...unless you count a thesis with a number of changes.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Eternal Truth
Hundreds of years before Billy Shakespeare wrote :
" To B or not to B":
the Great Aristotle uttered the greatest truth in the world:
"A is A".
And Ahmedabad is 53 meters (171 ft) above C level.
Converted the IIM A waitlist to confirmed admit.
YAY!!!
" To B or not to B":
the Great Aristotle uttered the greatest truth in the world:
"A is A".
And Ahmedabad is 53 meters (171 ft) above C level.
Converted the IIM A waitlist to confirmed admit.
YAY!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)