Thursday, June 4, 2009
Sharad Poor :P
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Technology can change one's thinking :)
Saturday, May 23, 2009
IIM Bangalore beckons :)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
The Final Jinx :(
I have been a vivid cricket fan and follower since the time I understand there is something called "Passion". I was four when I started watching cricket (and guess what, it was the very series in which Sachin God Tendulkar announced his existence to the cricket world). Since then (a year after actually) I have followed it religiously. During this, I can proudly say I have garnered the expertise as a cricket viewer to understand and opine on all cricketing aspects. All these years I have heard this word "choking" associated with cricket quite very often. South Africa were always considered to be the perennial chokers. "Su
ccumbing in '96 WC after sweeping everyone before that" , "Losing out to India in the Titan Cup final", "Again faultering in the '99 WC semis" did nothing other than boosting their infamous Chokers image. But among this overhyped "Chokers" tag, junta forgot about the ruthlessness, Proteas had showcased in belting everyone before that final hurdle.
Till then India were doing considerably well in the finals (May be India was never a consistent winner to qualify for the Chokers tag). Then all of this India's image changed with the change of captainship. Sourav Dada Ganguly brought the essential change that every Indian success-hungry cricket fan longed to see: "The winning attitude", "The ruthlessness". And India started winning consistently to come in that infamous yet elite "Chokers" league. India won only a single Final during his tenure but people forgot the fact that under his captaincy India reached all but 2 (that is 15/16 in total) finals (and mind you that includes the
WC, Champions trophy finals twice).
Hmmm, alright, I have a point, but why I am barking all these all of a sudden now? May be, I qualify as one of them if not individually but surely as a team.
Episode 1 :- IPL 2008: Hehe, No, I am not that good to play for one of the "Pretty Preitys" or "Sensuous Shilpas" or "Lavish Mallyas" or even "King Khans". I am talking about the Intel Premier League (Intel's very own IPL). We formed a team rather squad of 15 players thanks in large to our dynamic enthu captain fantastic. All of us looked potent but Unknown. Then we started practicing almost daily and in process built up an a
wesome rapport among us. We were young (comparing to the average Intel junta, u see; the rest used to call us Under 19:P), ruthless who take their cricket seriously. And all those qualities were on show during the games. We crushed each and every team in the practice games (15 in total). Oh yea, did I forget about sledging? This was an integral part of our game, we used to play hard and it helped a lot in overcoming few tense games. Plus that adds to team spirit too. Finally the real tournament started. To no one's surprise, we won most of our matches easily and a few after some tussle. You see, we were the red hot favorites, the dallal' choice. Till then we hadn't faultered in any of the games. And probably did almost all the things correctly as we could have done. Then came the D day, the finale as they say. We had come a long way. From one of the 64 teams to a place in the "top two", not bad.
It was pleasant to see the typically aalsi Intel junta gathering in numbers to see the game. We bowled first and bowled well till that last over (25 runs). Still 105 was not difficult to chase in 15 overs for a team who till that point had the habit of scoring in excess of 80s, 90s in 10 overs. We started well and were clearly cruising till 87/3 in 11 overs. Then the lightning strike us. We lost the plot, lost the game (by 3 runs) and the trophy. In cricketing term, we CHOKED. But WHY? We clearly were a much better side than our opponent, phir kyon? May be our high standard, high expectation, high desire bite us back. We knew we were unlucky, hard-done. We consoled ourselves by saying coming 2nd in a group of 64 is actually not a bad thing. But inside we knew we CHOKED. Period!
Episode 2 :- It will seem as the reload of the last story, but I have to write to intense my point; people these days are difficult to convince, ain't they?
So IPL '09 it was. It was a different tournament, different format. 6 players-a-side with a mandatory lady in every side. 5-overs a game. Something which we were not very fond of but it suited us very nicely considering 4/5 of our prominent members were no longer with Intel. We started well, won all our matches comfortably (baring 1 or 2 in which we got some scare). I must honestly say, we were no longer invincible, but were doing enough to stay a foot distance from others. We were no longer ruthless yet had enough quality to see off the opponents with ease. We no longer sledged, but looked as arrogant as any winners. In process, another final loomed. Again in "top two" among 101 teams. A record even Australia would have been proud of. This time we seriously hoped to erase that memory of yesteryear. We were facing a really good team. And as always, the Intel junta had gathered in mass to cheer the two surviving gladiators. We bowled first yet again. Will it be another of those days? The worst started happening right from the first ball. And the memories of that painful day of the last year started flashing in front of eyes as if it happened yesterday. We bowled as pathetic we could have ever done in our nightmares. They belted us for 78 in just 5 overs. After that there was nothing left in that game apart from playing out our 5 batting overs. We lost it badly. Yes alright, this was not as painful as the previous one. We knew we were not unlucky, we were not hard done. Finishing in top two among 101 teams is not bad feat, you see. But inside we knew we CHOKED. But kyon? WHY?
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The nightmare blues before the D day
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Matchday 3: Showdown with IIM Lucknow
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Bhootiya Makaan & Anjani Maal
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Boka***** Kalkutta conductor
Friday, March 6, 2009
A date with IIM Banglaore
The Problem Statement: should there be an upper age limit on the people who is contesting for the higher office? and what should be the criteria in selecting them?
Discussion: It went really smooth, absolutely NO fish market. Everyone got a fair amount of chance to speak. Overall a peaceful GD. Everyone went for the experience. I gave the proposal to have a change in the constitution to make an amendment for the political parties to put at least a certain number of youths in the elections so that they can be promoted. then i spoke about having a cabinet minister someone who is experienced and his understudy the state minister a youth, which normally happens. I spoke around 10-12 times i guess. In the last 3 4 minutes we ran out of new points, somehow i got a feeling we are nearing the 20 minutes mark, so i quickly pointed out saying, i think we have discussed enough to come to a conclusion. then we 2 3 persons summed it up. Pleasant surprise was the time we finished out the conclusion part, the time got up!!! I was more or less happy with myself, but still felt I could have done better. I for some unknown reason have an affinity towards the fish marketish GDs :D
My PI: The same profs were present.
I handed over the form to the lady. By that time they had gone thru my SOP, recos and other forms. I will refer them as G (guy) and L (lady). and myself as A (ashis)
L: Ashis Nayak, NIT Calicut haan!!!
A: Yes Ma'am
G: Ashis, which all games do you play?
A: (That came as a pleasant surprise to me as it was against the flow and i hadn't mentioned anything in my SOP about it; i had written these in my form; but who cares, I was loving it) Sir, I play Football, used to play cricket, I play Tennis, used to play TT before.
G: Which court do u prefer in Tennis?
A: My office has only a cement court (All laughter). I have started playing this from last 4 5 months.
G: Which position you play in Football?
A: CAM (central attacking midfielder)
G: Cricket?
A: 1 down bat, 2nd change bowler.
G: all rounder I see.
A: Smile
A: (It is all falling in place feeling) I sometime play and mostly watch football; I follow all the leagues, mostly EPL. Then I read a LOT about football. I am a religious supporter of Manchester United.
G: What made you a fan of Man United
A: Talked about the history, grooming the talent policy, attacking play and loyalty shown by players. told him I have been a fan since a decade now. gave the quote of "We don't buy stars, we make them here"
G: But then you are a fan of the manager Sir Alex not the club?
A: I explained it well stressing upon the point of the grooming, training, academy policy. And now Man United has this culture which will surely not change even if Alex leaves. Then talked about the support of the owners
G: what u think will happen to the club when Alex retires?
A: talked about the talent pool, support staff, the blend of youth and experience. talked about few players. admitted it will be difficult to fill up his shoes.
Then few counter questions on the attacking football, talent and all.
Answered them well with examples.
G: I have heard this word killer instinct quite a few times. Many people have told me, Indian team lacks killer instinct, Dhoni's boys lack killer instinct. I personally find this weird. Do you know, what is the killer instinct?
A: answered well i guess, the ruthlessness. gave the example of australian cricket team. then a comparison of ManUTD and chelsea.
G: who won the I-league?
A: Dempo
G: Santosh trophy?
A: Punjab
A: to be honest, i haven't watched much of them to comment about it. It comes in the afternoon, so difficult to catch up. i just follow them in paper.
L: (finally she joined the party) who is more important, manager or player in football?
A: Manager, talked about their respective roles. gave example of Beckham and Nistelrooy. Gave one quote "no player is bigger than the club"
By now easily 10 minutes would have passed with me speaking for some 8 minutes
L: enough of football, let's move to different sector?
A: Alright Ma'am
L: How these 2 1/2 years in Intel have made u a better person if at all you have become? what all you have learned?
A: talked about me becoming more disciplined, responsible that has come with the accountability in job (My manager will be proud to listen this duh!!!)
A: Smile, No ma'am i wasn't that disciplined, used to study before 1 or 2 days. devoted more time in time-pass, hobbies than the education
Then i continued with the works, the responsibility i take in job. told about the global teams i work in and the standards i had done (i had mentioned that in the SOP)
L: Are you happy with ur tech job?
A: I am happy but i strongly believe i can do more and lot better.
L: don't u find ur job challenging?
A: I won't say, it's not at all challenging, but to certain extent it is not that challenging. talked about few instances. I think i was convincing.
then G asked many counter questions on these challenges, standards and a talk on My own desire and overall company desire.
I think, i answered them to my satisfaction, they look to be satisfied.
G: i see you have done all these proof of concepts.
A: talked about them and how i convinced the customers to take it when initially they were not ready for it.
L: So what after IIMB?
before i can open my mouth, she only read it from the SOP. (be in a strategic management team taking crucial decessions)
A: talked a little. She had spoken almost everything.
G: but by seeing your attitude, your style of talking and your talks in GD, I think u can give ur 100% only in ur own company coz u need freedom, more space, no barriers (barriers, this is because the answer i had given for the challenges i faced in Intel question)
A: Sir nothing like that, i think if i reach that position, i believe, by that time i would have gathered enough skills to influence the concerned people which will give me the chance to fix the roadmap of the firm where it will head to. and my MBA study will also help me a lot in that regard.
G looks at L and said we are done, any questions:
A: Sir, can I know the names plz.
G: Anil
L: Malathi.
L: No that's ok, just close the door.