Stunned!!!

One of my favorite reality shows on Indian Television channels is MTV Roadies. And the best part of any reality show is the audition - be it Indian Idol or India's got Talent or MTV Roadies. 


So, obviously, the auditions of MTV Roadies is so much fun. You will find the weirdest of characters there, getting blasted by Raghu and Rajiv. They make a poor show of themselves and face the ignominy right on national television,  in front of millions of viewers. And 90% of the applicants fall in that category. The remaining 10%, from the sensible lot, probably never make it to the auditions.


But this post is not about the norm, this post is dedicated to the exception. I was so stunned when I saw this fellow's audition.





Only if 10% of India's next gen is made up of such people.


Edited on 03/21/2011 -- A friend pointed me to this link which says that the entire story narrated by this fellow is untrue. I did not know the reality when I posted the blog - neither do I know the truth today.


Edited on 03/23/2011 -- And here it is, from the horse's mouth.

Facts...

Here is one rule of any and every business -- 
Everyone wants work done faster, cheaper and better. And, only (up to) 2 of these 3 attributes can be achieved in reality.
Either you can get it faster and cheaper, but the work will lack quality. You can get it done faster and better, but it will be expensive. Or You can it cheaper and better, but it will take time. Sometimes, in an attempt to chase all the 3 desirable attributes, companies lose on 2 fronts, and occasionally it can be a disaster where you never get any product.


Organizations choose to live in denial that this triple crown can be achieved, and sustained, and continue to pursue this goal. The day any company realizes the facts, and accepts it as a truth, it will make a lot of money. They will stop spending a lot of money to achieve this elusive trio, instead choose their top 2 attributes, compromise on the 3rd one, plan accordingly, and be successful.


A lot of people today are making money (writing books, become management gurus, conduct seminars) or even make a living riding on this elusive chase. They sell nonsense, and organizations buy it - year after year, decade after decade.


I am reading a book on this today, and within a few pages, I have to admit that the book is full of nonsense.



Anyone who says that this triple whammy can be achieved is telling that there can be a electric car which on one charge can drive 1000 miles, give 1000 bhp of raw power and is also very affordable. And yes, this car can go up to 300K+ miles.

Give me this book to read when such a car hits the market.

10 years...

Today is 2/5/11.


Exactly 10 years ago, a tall, thin boy, all of 21, boarded a bus in Aundh, Pune and began a journey.


The waiting in a queue to get into that bus, the orderly way of sitting in the bus, wearing a tie etc was all too intimidating for him. But even though he was nervous, he was enjoying the moment. He soaked himself in that experience and within a few days, he knew that he belonged there.


Every day, week, month and year that he spent there, of the 5 long years that he did, he learnt something new. Some bad experiences, some good ones and a few memorable ones.


His sis got married from the savings of his first overseas tour. He got married to someone whom he met there. He made friends of a lifetime there and got a solid platform to build a good future for himself.


The man who walked out of the office after putting down his papers, was a much confident and a polished version of the boy who stepped into that bus. It might be ironical that on his first day at work and the last day at work, he was wearing a sky blue shirt and a cream trouser - a good indication that not much had changed on the exterior, although a lot had changed in the mind and the body.


Today, 10 years later, a lot has changed, although nothing really seems to have changed. A lot of water has flown under the bridge that I once camped on for 5 long years. The bridge is not that attractive to others, but it is still very charming for me.


It is still one of the most revered companies in India. When I joined, there were around 9000 employees, today it has 126000 employees. So, it may not be as employee friendly as it was 10 years ago. Employees may not be as proud to carry that badge, as I was on the day.


But I know one thing for sure - I might be out of Infosys, Infosys will never be out of me. What that company taught me, will never be forgotten. What I got from that company, I can never squander.


Thank you so much for everything.