Main Aisa Hi Hoon

The title is a fun phrase mostly used among friends as a passing joke, but if analyzed in-depth, the statement signifies a very strong and adamant stand. It's a friendly way of conveying, "Come what may, I won't change." That to me is a character statement!

So what builds a character?

I firmly believe personal character evolves from the environment and culture you are exposed to. Surrounding plays a major role in building-up of the thought process, which leads to form a personal character.

Coming back, I often think chit-chatting among friends if suddenly you are offended, Is it good to put your feet down by using comments like "Main aisa hi hoon"? Or it's better to laugh out and move forward considering nothing ever happened? Most of us would say a fine balance between the two approaches is a perfect answer. But my question is where to draw a line between them?
Secondly, does the approach we select slowly starts molding our character/ attitude or the person we are? If yes, then how should one decide what kind of person he should be?

I sincerely feel it's a delicate moment when one stands-up for himself. Most of the times your friends/pals will understand you and your feelings, but at times matters can go worst. As it's wisely said that it takes years to build true friendship, but only a split second to destroy it!

Personally, I have made many passing comments on my friends, which I really don't mean in true sense. But I fear some day these mischievous remarks might make me loose a good friend!

Hum Bihar se aye hu!!

A couple of years back there was a famous joke making rounds, then the President of America "Bill Clinton" visits Bihar and conveys to Laloo Prasad Yadav,

"Give Bihar to my government and we will make Bihar like USA in one year."

To which Laloo, then the chief-minister of Bihar argues,

"Give USA to my government and I shall make it like Bihar in one day!!!!"

With two years as a railway minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav's ministry has out-performed any other ministry in the government in terms of performance, profit and expectations. No one in their dreams would have imagined awarding an important ministry to Laloo would reap the profits, it currently does. This guy, who is an epitome of illiteracy and whose name tops every list portraying corruption in government, has single-handedly transformed the Indian Railways into a cash-cow enterprise.

Before Laloo, "Indian railways" running cost was a burden on government. Each minister prior to Laloo had only increased ticket fares, not reasoning trains running efficiencies, nor did they try to profit on Indian railways true strengths. Weather it's keeping the tickets fares in-check or marketing railways goods department, Laloo has impressed the masses as well as the classes. For once people are discussing Laloo's performance and his ministerial skills instead of his Bihari accent!!

Laloo is trying to reason like an Industrial/ Production manager by trying to decrease the turn around time and accommodate more trains per route. He does not consider the mammoth Indian Railways as a monopoly business, but is trying to compete with the booming Indian Airline industry. He is in true sense optimizing Indian Railways potential!!

I always believed in education and its benefits.. But for once this Bihari Joker has made me believe in now the very famous statement

" You need not be from Harvard to function efficiently"

Do you smoke Pot?

At my work place, I have pinned-up different sketches which I drew during my free time in school/college days.

One of the sketches I drew was of a leaflet. This sketch is one of my favorites, as I have used only dots to shade the whole sketch. Don't want to sound arrogant, but guys this sketch really looks like its sketched by a professional!!

So as this beautiful sketch was hanging, our company's V.P. Finance/ HR noticed it. She is really a sweet lady and compliments all my sketches, but this time instead of complements she asked a question.

"DO YOU SMOKE POT?"

I have never even smoked a cigarette in my life, so was a bit shocked by the question. Answering negatively I asked her why did she think so? To which she answered:

" The painting (sketch) looks like enlarged weed leaves!!"

Wow!! Heard of people getting confused with modern art. But this was very normal art! Anyways not to create more curiosity among collogues, I quietly removed the sketch and put it inside a drawer!!

Success & Failure

What is success? How do I measure you?
Are you followed by hard-work and dedication? Or do you visit by fluke?
Do you need fame to be named? Or a blushing smile is good to recognise you?
Whatever way you wish to be defined, the truth is, everyone longs for you!

Failure why do you come to me, how do I get rid of you?
Are you a sign of end, or an inspiration to improve?
I pray not to see you again, but meeting you makes me grow,
So do pay a flying visit, but don't make me your home.

Umeed

Ea dost, Dil tera tutta hai,
Phir gum ke badal mandriya hai!
Lekin umeed ki jis kiran pe tu zinda hai,
Woh ujale ban ke khushya phir layegi.

Zindagi ke unh lamho ko yaad kar,
jab charo taraf phool khil-khilaya thee!
Dunya ka yeh dastur hai,
KePatzhad ke maussam me marne ko jee chahata hai!

Tu mayus na hona mere yaar,
Aur is kasti ko aage badhana.
Yeh samundar hai bahot phela,
Kahi to teri nav ka kinara hoga!

Nickname Confusion

American's have a habit of standardizing each and everything. That holds true for nicknames also. For e.g. Anthony is commonly addressed as Tony, so is William by Bill. I knew about it but generally did not paid much attention to it.
One fine day two gentlemen named Anthony and William from Ronald O'Mara Engineers visited me for an up-coming project at my workplace, and everything went fine.Now after two-three days this guy Anthony calls me for an update on their proposal. Generally I get useless sales calls throughout the day and I kind of answer them anything rubbish that comes to my mind. So this guy calls and speaks.
Guy: Hi, this is Tony from O'Mara.
At this point I am trying to recall who is this Tony and what the hell is O'Mara!Then he goes
Guy: Bill and myself were wondering when do you want to start the project!!
As off I am still trying to figure-out who is Tony and O'Mara and now who is this Bill?I though this is one of those sales-reps once again disturbing me, So stupidly I answered him the following.
Myself: Well! At present it seems we are not interested in moving forward but shall get back to you as soon as we make a decision!!
So Mr. Tony or lets call him Anthony was quite confused and replied
Tony: Frankly Purvin, we though you wanted to work very quickly on this project and were expecting an answer. Anyways let us know whenever you are ready to move forward. Thanks.
After hanging-up the phone I dig through my files to find out who was calling, to realize its Anthony (Tony) and William (Bill) from Ronald O'Mara Engineering company (O'Mara) guys working on one of our important project!!
Screw Me!!!!!