LIFES LESSONS - My Poem

LIFES LESSONS - A Poem by Rajan Venkateswaran 

At Eight and Fifty 

I learned to take baby steps again 

For neuropathy had laid me down 

Making the path to recovery ardous and painful 

With lead in the thighs 

Gritting the teeth 

I took one ginger step ahead of another 

Braving the pain shooting up the legs 

As the days went by 

One step led to ten 

Ten to hundred 

Hundred to thousands 

Calling out to Devi in anguish 

Turned to a song in praise of her 

As she handheld me slowly but steadily 

To attain a sense of normalcy 

Life last few months hasn't been easy 

Living with pain never is 

But there is always a silver lining 

In the darkest of the skies 

The ordeal made me shed my haughtiness 

Taught me not to take anything for granted 

Made me humble and thankful 

Only regret being it took me so long to realize 

PS: I tried my hands at poetry just to satisfy a personal whim. Do not intend to write poems again

Father, Son and Teacher

A father told his Teenage son Do whatever you want in the School. I will back you, except 1. Disrespect towards teachers 2. Bullying other Students 3. Indulging unethical practices in Examinations I wont even ask you your marks. And he didnt The Son, given the responsibility for his behaviour, turned out to be model student. The School had regular Parent - Teacher one on one interactions Father never attended any of those Son was in 10th second term and complained to father that his teacher of 2 years is pointing out that his father never met her Father sighed and promised the son to attend the next PTM, and he did The Teacher was surprised to see him. The interaction started. As is wont, the Teacher pushed the mark sheet in front of the Father, and started "See, your son has scored 94 in maths, 96 in english.." Father raised a hand to stop her I am quite capable of reading a progress report. I dont want to discuss this" "You dont?", the teacher was perplexed "Ma'am, please let me know how my son is as an individual? How does he get along with others?" "Err..Sir. He is ok. Fine" , Teacher was at a loss for words "You have been his class teacher for two years now. May I ask what do you know about him?" "Sir, he is well behaved, academically good, disciplined" "What else do you know about him?" "Well Sir, actually I dont get close to Students" "You are his class teacher and mentor, right?" "Yes Sir" "Do you know that he is a voracious reader?" "No Sir" "Do you know that he plays Tennis?" "No Sir" She was a bit embarassed now "Do you know that he writes wonderful Essays and Articles?" "Why didnt you tell me?" She asked at the Boy accusingly "Do you know that he knows a lot about Investing in Business?" Teacher was totally lost now "Do you know what he wants to be in life?" "No Sir" "He wants to be an Astro Physicist" Teacher nearly had apoplexy Father rose. "Thank you Ma'am for your time. Have a good day" On the way out the perceptive Son remarked "Sorry Appa, now I realize why you never attend these PTMs" Father fondled his sons hair in affection

Dangers posed by Food Aggregators

Food Aggregators is the flavour of the season - be it Swiggy, Zomato, Food Panda. It really is convenient for lot of people and I know many who swear by them. ( I am not a great fan of getting packed hotel food. I like them fresh.

One of the reason I stick to Ghee Roast in hotels, at least they are made fresh, unlike Iddli or Pongal or Vada which are pre prepared) Restaurants have got themselves associated with Food Aggregators because 1. It gives them better reach 2. Better Deal Flow 3. Reduces their Delivery Cost But they are 1. Forced to give up to 30% Discount to the Food Aggregator eating into their profits Since the profit margin in food business is much higher, the increased volume compensates to some extend for their revenue loss. In the short run, it is fine. But there is a major pitfall The Restaurants have handed over their "Home/Office Delivery Customers" on a Platter to the Food Aggregators. The Food Aggregators are quietly building up their Customer base at the expense of the Restaurants. Once they attain a critical volume, they have plans to have have their own massive base kitchens that operate 24x7. Admitted customers still have loyalty to Restaurants through Food Aggregator App. This will vanish once Food Aggregators start offering quality food at affordable cost. They can do that because of Economies of Scale Since nearly 40-60% of a Restaurants sale is through "Take Away and Home Delivery",they will be hit very badly & even pushed out of Business. 2-3 years ago, Restaurant owners in Eranakulam took a decision to not engage Food Aggregators, sensing the above. I am not sure whether that still holds. Businesses evolve but one has to be aware of long term dangers to survive

Power of Fact Checking

My Paati (Grandmother) had two children. My father and his younger sister 1 1/2 years younger. Paati was never tired of telling that my father was special, as she did not bear a child for a long time after marriage, and she had to do special intense prayers,which finally bore fruit in the form of my father. We could understand the pressure she would have gone through those days, as not bearing a child resulted in a stigma. That my father was thus born out of penance became a kind of folklore in the family. When I was in my mid 20s, I had started taking an interest in Astrology. I was rummaging through some old wooden boxes in my Paatis Agraharam House as I had nothing else to do, when I stumbled upon her horoscope written in Palm Leaves. I started reading it. Suddenly it stuck me that something was amiss. Her birth year was written in Malayalam as was the practice then. I quickly converted it to English Calendar year and noted that she was born in 1916 January.I went up to her and asked when she got married. She told me she remembered she got married immediately on turning 13 (they did marry young those days) and in the month of Makaram, which makes it from Jan 16-Feb 15 of 1929. My father was born 6th May 1930. Hence Father was born to her when she was 14 years and 4 months old, and 1 year and 3 months after her Marriage. It also meant, she conceived him within 5 months of her wedding!!!! I went back and asked her where then did the question of her not having a child for a long time and praying arose? She was wishy washy and diverted the topic. I posed the same question to my father, who was quite surprised at this finding but asked me to let it be. There is always a huge advantage in doing a simple fact check before opining or taking a stand. It may reveal a different picture, and avoid getting splashed with mud on your face. You dont have to rely on palm leaves but have Google.

It is lonely up there in the Front

Year was 1986. I was in my 3rd Semester of MBA. We were only 11 in our Class, and we had another 15 as our Juniors Our Enterprising Head of the Department used to get top professionals and academicians for VFac lectures and programs. One such was a 3 day program on T-Group Training conducted by Dr. Veeraraghavan, then Dy Director of SITRA (South India Textile Research Association), Coimbatore. He was a Harvard Alumni. I had always considered to be a leader and took pride in it. On the first day, he conducted a simple exercise. He asked all of us to write in a piece of paper whom we would like to lead, other than us, an expedition. We were to rank our choices 1,2,3. We were told we should also write down how many we thought will choose us as 1,2,3. Then we were to assign 3 to every 1, 2 to 2 and 3 to 3 and arrive at our expectation total (maximum possible was 25*3 = 75) I looked around, assumed who will chose me 1,2,3 and who wont choose me at all, and arrived at a total of 47. Then we were made to sit in a chair in the middle of a circle with others in the perimeter and asked to tell our expected score following which others told their option regarding me. I was shocked that many who I thought will back me had not ranked me, and I ended up with a measly 18. The first was 38, second 29, third 24 and then me. I was given the option of knowing why I was or was not chosen.Some of the comments stung. I was called too arrogant, autocratic, lacking diplomacy, poor listening skills and even some didnt like me because I dressed well. I was left red faced as it was the first time I was getting such a blunt feedback. We were asked to assemble under a Mango Tree outside, & were requested to take one step for every mark scored. We were to only look ahead The leader was far ahead, the other two reasonably ahead, but there was a huge group of 15-16 who got 0-1 and grouped at the rear I looked at the three ahead. The leader was a poor decision maker but acceptable to all because he agreed with everyone. The number two was older than all of us by 6 years and a very quiet calm person. The number three was a crackpot, maverick and fun to be with. The big group at the rear were giggling, not concerned at all, making fun of those ahead, criticizing the Faculty, and in general having a good time at others expense. Dr. Veeraraghavan came to each of us and talked to us. He asked me how I felt. I expressed my unhappiness and he understood my ambition. He asked me evaluate the feedback. He empathized. We went back, and he explained about Expectation vs Reality. We continued with the 3 day session and had many Management Games. One of which was where we were all supposed to be in a Hot Air Balloon, and the Balloon was losing height. Only way out was for us to decide to either ask people to jump or throw them out. The leader jumped off during the first 5 minutes, 'sacrificing' himself for the group. He was asked to stand on top of a table (meaning he was up there dead!). This went on for 3 hours. I stood my ground, and was one of the 3 left when the game ended. We assembled again, and the same exercise of ranking 1,2,3 based on the game was asked to be given. Once bitten, twice shy, I marked 26. But was surprised to get 43 and the First position. The leader in the first exercise was pushed back to 3rd (Halo Effect!). The group of 14-16 still remained where they were. Some minor reshuffling apart. Still giggling, making fun of others and living in denial. Dr.Veeraraghavan came to me after talking to them. I was swelled with pride. He asked how I felt. It dawned on me suddenly, though I was happy, I was very lonely there up front. I told him this. He patted me on my back and told me never to forget that a 'Leader is always lonely' and it is a natural feeling.

Garlands of Roses and Chappals

As Sales Officer in Charge of Coimbatore Sales Area of HPCL in early 1990s, I had 4 LPG Dealers and 16,000 LPG Customers under me. Those were the days of LPG shortage, malpractices and we were the focal point for any complaints. My hands were full with Complainants. 2 of my Dealers were rogues, one more so than the other. They used to give illegal connection, divert domestic LPG to Commercial Users, did not do Door Delivery and Domestic Customers at times had to wait for nearly 2 months to get a refill. I discussed with Regional Office. They were indifferent as it was the norm. I warned the Dealers, documented their malpractices but stopped short of suspending the Sale as that would involve massive logistics issues of arranging an alternative. Finally, I had enough. Situation was getting out of control.There were cases in the Consumer Court and HPCL were a party to it. Doubts were cast on even my Character. I barged into Regional Office, Cochin & told I am going ahead with suspending the dealer. Dy Manager LPG was very honest, he having once been in a Seminary He backed me to the hilt and both of us fought for 2 days to get the permission. We also created a rock solid backup plan. Phone calls were made to higher ups as the Dealer was a powerful Congress Ministers relative. He was young and actually a nice guy, always very polite I came back, gave order in writing for another dealer to take over, who rented a showroom quietly. I swooped down one morning at 8 am, did an inspection and suspended the existing Agency.People came to know and rushed to the showroom. They were very happy. I was surrounded, garlanded at least 14 times, and they praised me no end. I felt great having done a good deed. Supplies were arranged on a cash and carry basis with Rs 2 discount, and I explained to people why we cannot do door delivery. We worked in coordination with our filling plant and ensured 300 cylinders were made available every day, and cleared the backlog in 16 days. I personally sat and managed the operation in the upcountry location.Situation was controlled, people were happy. Except those who had bought LPG Connections illegally from the Dealer. They agitated. I personally confronted them and told them they were in the wrong too but stood my ground that I will not supply them.RO asked me to regularize those connection. But I put my foot down and said nothing doing. There were friction and some, at the prodding of the suspended dealer, went to the Consumer Court. 10/n Dealer met me many times, I told him to reimburse all the money he had collected from illegal consumers as a precondition. But he had invested in a Pandiarajan film that bombed and was broke. But he moved his cards politically In the meanwhile, I was hauled up by the Coimbatore Consumer Court and lot of unpleasant queries were asked. It was made out as if Dealer was innocent but me and HPCL were the guilty party. My lawyer did a good job telling the Court how I corrected a bad situation. But the Political Appointee in the Bench, a DMK Lady, was very nasty, till I had to use the then Collector, a professional acquaintance, intervened and had a quiet talk with her. Collector was very close to Karunanidhi. Things were under control and going on smoothly, when I got a call after 10 months from my Regional Manager.He was very apologetic and embarassed. He told me that the Suspension was revoked at HQ level due to Political Pressure & HPCL has decided to reinstate the Dealer I asked them what happens to the illegal connections as that issue was not resolved. No decision was taken on that. Just go back and reinstate the Dealer was the order. Regional Manager was kind "I can understand if you dont want to go back and reinstate him. I shall send the Dy Manager from RO" I told him "Dont bother. I am a professional. I argue my side till a decision is taken. But will go ahead and implement whatever the Decision is" The Dealer who was substituting for 10 months was furious. He refused to come with me. I could understand him. I went alone, was 27 years old then. The old dealer had kept the Showroom open. Word had got around that he was being reinstated. An angry mob of about 50-75 had gathered. I parked my Ambassador Car and got out. They surrounded me and abused me, my father, mother, family, HPCL for nearly 2 hours, with the choicest of words. I just leaned back on my car and heard it out. Didnt react, didnt explain. I had no explanation. One guy made a garland of Chappal and put it on me. I removed it calmly. The dealer did not come to my rescue. Finally, word got to the Sub Collector, who was a friend, and he came down with a Police Force.He spoke to the Crowd, explained I was just doing my job and should be left alone. They dispersed still shouting at me. I thanked him, walked in to the showroom and gave the letter handing over the Dealership back to the Dealer. I sat for an hour and left, called Regional Manager and told him "Job is done" . He just said Thanks RM, my Manager, Dy Manager came to Coimbatore after 4 days, didnt dare visit the Showroom but asked me whether I am alright. I just smiled though I was scarred badly

Modi and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

I am not a Political Analyst, but have been watching Indian Politics for close to 45 years. Allow me to take the liberty of sharing a few thoughts. This has nothing to do with any State, Political Party but a general observation I observe many exhorting people to vote out X, Y or Z and they give solid reasons. One of the fundamental principles of any marketing is to answer the question to the Consumer (here the voter) the answer to his WIIIFM - What Is In It For Me? Most of the exhorting is based on, 1. Why X, Y, Z is corrupt or lousy, hence need to be thrown out 2. Why X,Y, Z should not come to power to save Hindu Civilization Both valid premises definitely. But it is not likely to make much headway. Because it doesnt answer the WIIIFM to the Voter. Take the Second Point first and refer to Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. It is known that one has to satisfy Lower order or Basic needs-Physiological/Safety Needs - before thinking of higher order needs. When we talk of Saving the Hindu Civilization, we addressing to the Self Actualization Need of the Voter. In a situation when his Basic Needs are not met, it is unlikely the average voter will even think of Self Actualization Needs. Modi understands this very well During the last 6 years, Modi made a Conscious effort to address the Basic Needs - Food, Water, Electricity, Home, Sanitation, DBF, Gas, Medical Insurance. Slowly he moved towards 3rd and 4th order needs, once many of the basic needs are taken care of. He always starts his address "Bhayiyon or Behanon". This addresses the Love and Belongingness Needs apart from the way he takes us into confidence, trusts us - especially during the LD. He did not use the stick but tried to convince us the need to follow rules for OUR SAKE. Now he has gone one step ahead - He talks about National Pride, Atma Nirbhar which essentially aims at the 4th order Esteem need of each one of us. The next step is to address the Self Actualization Needs. Till then it is premature. Coming to Point 1, it is not easy to make people vote X, Y, Z out because they are corrupt or goondas or dumeels or commies, unless we are able to show an alternative. For ordinary voter (who is street smart), he doesnt care much if Tweedledum or Tweedledee rules. They are all corrupt in his eyes. For the first time, Modi at the Centre has shown them that it is not like that, and it is possible to rule without Corruption, and with benefits reaching the last man standing.

This needs to be the focal point and am sure this will achieve the purpose of throwing out those X, Y, Z Corrupt, Goonda, Dumeel, Commies....