Sunday, May 28, 2006

Death of Arjun Chakrabarty

Arjun was dead quite a few months before before he actually passed away.


Arjun joined DCIPS , Calcutta -- my current employer-- thanks to his brother Bidhan's clout in the company. He did not work hard. Was not good at work. Drank a lot when he was at Ramagundam site ( when I was transferred in June ,04 to head the team Palash Majumder left behind ) . When back home , he continued to have the problem of addiction. His bloated physique invited aversion. He progressed towards death slowly and surely. But , the recognition of the harsh reality was not there.


I do not know how his family faced this downhill journey of Arjun. I feel sad for them. His only son was in classX when he was admitted to hospital for failed liver. His studies and the tug-of-war with death continued through this crucial year of this boy's academic life. More than a Lakh was spent by the family and the Company to bring him out of danger. His liver was in a very bad condition and and could be partly 'repaired' with a 'shunt'. He came back to office for a few days.He was so weak that he used go around with a 'chadar' over his shoulder to combat the airconditioning of our Office.


His immediate family will now have to struggle for survival. It will be an uphill task for the widow and the teen-age boy. With Bidhan around, some help will probably be organised. But , nothing can fill up the void left behind by Arjun .


And the plight of the mother who is still alive!! The worst curse in a person's life to survive his or her child -- whatever be the age.


I pray for Arjun's family. And hope others with deadly habit of alcoholism will avert the grim end through good sense --- for their own and families' sake.

Thursday, May 25, 2006

Another gyan from Robin Sharma

"The place where your greatest fears live is also the place where your greatest growth lies."
-- Robin Sharma

Success is Predictable
It's so easy to fall into the trap of thinking successful businesses and world-class people started out that way. So easy to be seduced into thinking that those who achieve the extras got there through lucky breaks and superior talents. Not true. Every dream starts off small. Sam Walton started with a single store (Wal-Mart is now the world's largest company). U2 started with its first gig. Picasso started with his first painting. And then each and every day they took small, focused steps into the direction of the mountaintop. Success is no accident. Instead, it's a choice - and one you can make today. By reaching higher. By being bolder and by investing in yourself. Because as you learn more, you can be more.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

A QUOTE FROM ROBIN SHARMA 's PAGE

It takes great courage to be true to your values, hopes and dreams. Being authentic isn't just about speaking your truth - it's also about becoming the person you were meant to be and doing the dreams that reside within your heart.

So many people would rather be a part of the crowd than step out and live their greatness. Too many amongst us would rather be seduced by the illusion of security than take some risks to get to their personal mountaintops. And so their lives stay small.You are meant to shine. And you are meant to be your best you. Comfortable in your own skin. Authentic.

I had dinner the other night with one of my best friends. He shared that he's never been happier in his life. His secret? "I've always been my own man."Nothing worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing you lived your neighbor's life. Live your values. Enjoy your passions. Live life on your own terms. Live your truth (and the gigantic potential that resides within you). Doesn't matter if others laugh. You'll be you.

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

ORDEAL DURING LAST WEEK-END

I was to return from Gandhinagar to Calcutta.after 3-days long meetings with customer.

Saturday morning brings the news that the direct flight that evening has been cancelled! 'Will you please wait till Sunday evening' !! What an option offered ! A direct phonecall to IA ( now Indian ), however, brought some comfort - I was offered a seat by 9.10pm flight to Mumbai , a free hotel bed in Bombay and early morning flight to Cal.

But, life would not be that simple!!The flight to Bombay was late by an hour. Reached Bombay at 11.00pm Hotel at mid-night. A bath was a must . When I went to bed after a brush ,a shave and a shower, it was 00.57am !!

Next morning was eventless. Normal boarding. No delay . Poor AC, crowded cabin on a sunday moring , that too in an Indian flight, .... nothing much to report.

Drama was waiting for me at arrival. I got up from my seat a little late . Exit through front only. A hand-bag on the locker above my head .... collected the same.Bag containing my laptop, notebooks and credit card case was on the locker on the opposite side,4-5' from line of sight. AND .. it was not there.My heart kept on beating .. it should have missed a few!

Reported to the Air hostesses, the Security person on the turmac below the ladder, another Sp in the lounge and finally to the the Duty officer of the Airport Authority.The chain , fortunately, ended there. Another security guard was sent to the plane .. with me in the tow. I was not allowed to leave the lounge ... I waited in the lounge. I was sure that the the bag was taken away by a person by mistake. I insisted for an anouncement when I reported the case the Duty officer of the AAI.

But , the actual event was different.

The security person returned with my bag and I identified it and the issue was closed with relief/smiles/thanks. The bag was reportedly in the cabin.When it was discovered,I wonder, why the Air hostess did not report it to the appropriate person in the arrival lounge. She knew I was looking for the same........ Very likely , the bag was left somewhere in the cabin ,or, probably handed over to the Air hostess by a passenger while taking out his baggage from the overhead locker.....HOW CAN A PERSON BE SO FORGETFUL !

Monday, May 15, 2006

Rijeka - where Anurag stays


This is what I get from Internet :

" Rijeka
Rijeka (rēe'kä) [key]or Fiume (fēOO'mē, Ital. fyOO'mā) [key], city (1991 pop. 167,964), W Croatia, on the Adriatic Sea and the Gulf of Quarnero. Croatia's largest seaport, the city's industries include shipbuilding, oil refining, paper milling, and engine building.

Dating from Roman times, Rijeka was later held by the Franks. From the 9th to the 14th cent., Croatian dukes ruled the city. It passed to Austria in 1466. Rijeka, which became a free port in 1723, was united with Croatia in 1776, but three years later Austria transferred it to Hungary. It flourished as a major Hungarian port. The French held it briefly during the Napoleonic Wars, but in 1814 it was restored to Austria, which transferred it to Hungary in 1822. After World War I, Rijeka became an object of dispute between Italy and Yugoslavia. The secret Treaty of London (1915) promised it to Yugoslavia, but at the Paris Peace Conference Italy claimed it on the grounds that Italian-speaking inhabitants formed a majority of the population. While negotiations continued, the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio at the head of an Italian free corps seized the city in Sept., 1919. By the Treaty of Rapallo (1920), Italy and Yugoslavia agreed to establish Rijeka as a free state. In 1922, however, a Fascist coup overthrew the local government, and Italian troops occupied Rijeka. The Treaty of Rome (1924) eased tensions by leaving Rijeka in Italian hands but awarding its eastern suburb, Susak (Ital. Porto Barros), to Yugoslavia. Susak was developed into a leading Yugoslav seaport. In 1945 Rijeka passed under Yugoslav administration, and in 1947 the Allied peace treaty with Italy formally transferred it to Yugoslavia, which reunited it with Susak as a single city."

My 1st post - addressed to Anurag of Croatia

Hi Anurag,

I have created this address for reaching out to you and others .

I find it great that I can reach you and others who are thousands of kilometers away within a few minutes.

Best wishes to you .