Going the extra mile: Blog # 54

Going the extra mile

* My first write up as an HR Professional for a University's Magazine

            Next time you visit a public transport terminus, look around. Invariably there will be one rundown, dusty public telephone booth. It was in the not so distant past that telephone booths were a thriving source of employment for many people. The emergence of the cellular phones forced these booths to shut down in a time period of just under two years. All those people had to seek an alternate source of employment. If the need to have an open mind towards new challenges is prevalent in those strata of employment, the importance of it in the higher echelons of corporate scenario is never over emphasized.

  In this day and age of intense competition, having a degree can take you only as far. Gone are the days where having a degree ensured a job. Today, a degree is just a qualifier, not a differentiator.

Today’s students are expected to explore various horizons of learning. The objective of learning shouldn’t be confined to the academic curriculum alone. A student should extend his/her mind map to include the ever evolving demands of macro environment too. They should traverse the extra mile. Only then shall one become ‘employable’ in today’s world.

            The term employability in its literal sense describes those competencies which equips a person to secure a job with an organization. But it doesn’t stop there. In a broader sense, it is about constantly evolving and updating oneself. It is about being competitive and remaining in the race. The core of it lies in learnability which is one of the key skills any organization looks for in an employee. Learnability depicts the urge to keep oneself informed and move ahead.

            Let us look at the ways to attain Employability. Keeping oneself abreast with the happenings in the macro environment can be the flag off for the long looping lap ahead. Being aware of the ongoing events in one’s immediate social environment enables a person to obtain a holistic perspective. This translates to a clear understanding of where to focus one’s energy on and in which direction should ones dedicated efforts be expended.

            Being employable requires prioritising. One needs to understand what skills are sought after in the current situation. Again, it is not a stagnant process. The requirements keep on evolving and changing. A person seeking employment should acquire skills as per the situation demands.

            Equipping oneself with employability also means inculcating the ability to unlearn. To deconstruct the older methodologies either by incorporating newer ones or by adopting a newer process altogether.

            To keep up with the changing times and its demands, it is important to look and think ahead. The best way to do this is to push oneself in to attaining better than what is expected. Always take up tougher assignments which push one out of the comfort zone. That is the closest which one can reach to tomorrow’s needs.

            In a nutshell, making oneself employable is to not resist change and allow oneself to get moulded by the forces of evolution – be it of technology, skills or life at large.

Arun Babu

           

Resilience turns 70: Blog # 53

Resilience turns 70 : Blog on Amitabh Bachchan

            The world is celebrating Seven decades of the phenomenon that is Amitabh Bachchan. A television channel played the immortalised dialogues of ‘Agneepath’ and ‘Kabhi Kabhi’ one after the other in the unmistakable baritone. I think that should define the benchmark of versatility.

            In my generation at least, there has been no other actor who has achieved as much cinematic excellence and histrionic brilliance. But, I am not here to comment on those. Rather, I would like to look at the path he treaded all the while – more often than not, the less traversed.

To begin with ,‘KBC’!. It seems he has a penchant for all that which is against the conventional wisdom of the time .Main stream actors being on the small screen is fashionable only now. I believe he was among the early birds when it came to endorsements too.

            There is this ongoing debate about visibility affecting the enigma of an actor. Again, Mr.Bachchan took to social media like a fish to water. And if the hits that he receives on his Face book page and the following that he has on twitter is anything to go by, the enigma has only got more elusive.       

           The kind of roles he adorns on screen at this stage of his career adds to the testimony. Be it the uber cool widower in a multi starrer or the chef who falls for a much younger lady, he has always explored newer horizons. It will be a crime if I do not pause and admire his seminal work in the film, Black.

         It’s often said one shouldn't spread oneself too thin. One should focus on ones core competency. Enter, Mr. Bachchan. By his own admission, his blogs alone can constitute a stack of books without much effort.

The root of all this lies in one single quality that Mr.Bachchan has epitomised by now - Resilience. The urge to rise from the dust. The hunger to keep oneself going. The passion to be at it. I know I speak for a million minds when I say through all this, he has kept the Indian cinema also resilient.

                                                                                                            Arun Babu.

Keywords: Indian Cinema,Bollywood,Hindi Films, Indian films, Indian movies, Indian film industry, Indian actors, Indian actresses,100 years of Indian Cinema,Bachchan, Amitabh Bachchan, Zanjeer, KBC, Kaun Banega Crorepati,Agneepath, Deewar

            

I Know you will like it!!!: Blog # 52

I Know you will like it!!!

This is one phrase in the English language which oozes a lot of warmth. Count yourselves blessed if you have a handful of people in your life who tells you this.

When someone tells you “I know you will like it”, it shows that the person have known you for long and for good. She/he has an idea as to what ticks you.

In a way, it is the basic premise for any relationship to work. For instance when you gift something to someone , you expect that person to like it. So this phrase conveys a lot of mutual understanding too.

Also, it tells you that the other person accepts you with all your preferences and prejudices.

It conveys a lot of intimacy too. That person knows that when he/she recommends something to you – be it a book, a film or some music, you will give it a thought.

So next time when someone says this sunny phrase to you, understand they are telling you that you are someone they count in; in their circle of trust J.

Arun Babu

Three’s company: Blog # 51

Three’s company

            The city of Coimbatore is home away from home. Much to my glee, I get to travel to Cbe on work , a lot.

I came out of the hotel room to the long corridor with a steaming cup of tea. It overlooks a pool surrounded by palm trees and a couple of pine trees bordering a beautiful lawn. There are cane chairs lined up with a small side table. Add to this, the enticing evening weather of Coimbatore with a slight breeze. Who wouldn't want to write! J.

            It has always amazed me how much camaraderie a third person can add to a group of two. It’s like this. When only two people are there, things get boring pretty fast. The moment a third person enters, there is a lot of room for chemistry.

There is no need to be concerned about the flow of conversation. Since there are three people, it will happen organically. In the case of two, they will be conscious as to whether one is speaking too much or too less.

When there are only two people, they get mindful of space too – of self and of the other person. The moment a third person walks in, this guard is let down.

In our society, one to one interaction is not as easy as a group conversation. There is only as much that two people can talk about where as a third person can add a lot of flavor.

Add to that, the ego factor. If something goes wrong between two people, even though they are friends, communication gets clogged. The presence of a third person opens up an easy channel of communication.

            Having said all that, in the most intimate of relationships, three is not company but a crowd. J

                                                                                                                        Arun Babu.

A century of fascination that is Cinema: Blog # 50

A century of fascination that is Cinema

       It was one of those lazy Sundays when I along with a few friends went for a movie. It was quite an emotional one and I saw one of our friends trying hard to fight the tears. That is the kind of connect this art form has with its audience. People internalize what is depicted on the silver screen. There is a bit of transmigration happening over those two hours in the cinema hall.

            I find Cinema, enamoring to say the least. It is one of the most beautiful depictions of creativity. Add to that there is this aura of charm and celebrity hood.

            There are few media which has as much reach. The beauty of it lies in the fact that it is effortless to enjoy yet not passive.

          Another noteworthy facet is the interpretation and thus the persona which the people involved lends to the story. No two actors can depict the same role in similar way. Same goes for the directors who are the custodians of a cinema’s soul.

       I would say no other art form captures the socio - cultural scenario of a time period with as much authenticity. To get a feel of how life was in the bygone era, all you need to do is to watch the films of those times.

     Cinema connects people of all demography – it cuts across age, wealth, religion, education – these days, languages too.

           Our kind of cinema is incomplete without our melodious songs and dance sequences. Hardly a day in our lives passes by without humming a song or at least listening to it. How bland our life would be without them!

          Over the 100 years, Indian cinema has evolved from a time when the ‘masses’ lived through their fancies for those 2 hours in the movie halls and the ‘classes’ emulated the on screen life styles to today’s raw – close to life and bold, experimental, unconventional stories.

There is more to cinema than entertainment. The ‘soft power’ that cinema lends to a country is unparalleled – our own country stands testimony to this fact. It is said Russians used to hum Raj kapoor’s tunes. And today, Indian cinema has transcended boundaries – commercially and other wise. There are very few film festivals where Indian cinema has not left a mark.

I do not remember the first film I ever saw. But what I know for sure is that it has left a lasting impression because my love for many things has changed in the growing up years, but for cinema.

                                                                                                           

Arun Babu

Keywords: Indian Cinema,Bollywood,Hindi Films, Indian films, Indian movies, Indian film industry, Indian actors, Indian actresses,100 years of Indian Cinema

            

Being a Recruiter: Blog # 49

Being a Recruiter

I would be lying if I say I had never given a thought as to how that moment will feel like. It did transgress my mind space quite often. But what I didn't know was that it would feel so great to stand in front of a 1000 strong audience in my Alma mater’s auditorium; being a recruiter.

The Sunday evening’s calm welcomed me and my friend Raghu at Planet E(that's what we fondly call the invitingly lush village of Ettimadai). As we drove in to the all too familiar road carpeted with the yellow flowers and bordering the university building, we knew we were home. We met some of the super seniors, thanks to the ongoing Alumni boot camp. It was heartening to know that there were some souls in each of the batches that preceded ours who longed to rush back to the foothills of planet E as much as we do, if not more.

We knew the juniors would have something up their sleeves. This time, it was a cultural event which had ‘Best of Utsav’ performances and boy, there was some serious talent on stage. Determined to meet up our professors, Kulkarni sir and DG sir,(whom we missed out during the convocation) Raghu and I marched past the store and the ashram to reach the faculty quarters. As is always, had a soulful chat with both the marketing gurus.

The next day morning, I came down to the guesthouse reception to be welcomed by a peacock in all its glory right at the door step. I realized planet E is a different world altogether, yet again.

         To quell a hint of apprehension that crept in early in the morning,I went to the faculty quarters to meet DG sir (as always). All it took was a hug to get my reassurance back in place that the Murphy's law won't wreak havoc.

Being in that auditorium where I sat through my convocation a week ago, now representing an organization, seemed surreal. There were quite a few familiar faces. I have each moment I spend there, tucked away in some corner of the happy place in my mind.

Each second seemed momentous. Be it interacting with the CIR personnel with whom I was discussing my job prospects hardly a year ago or going around in the golf cart on which I hopped on for a fleeting moment asking Vivek to take a quick pic, everything felt so wonderfully weird. Add to that, administering the test process for people with whom I have shared a PG hostel and had many a tea with.

Having got a break from the process, I walked through the stone laid pathway behind CIR block which lead to ASB, my B-School. Kulkarni sir walked in when I and our junior Geethu were having a tete-a-tete with Priya mam. As expected, sir made some veiled (and not so veiled) digs at HR, all in jest J.

The office staff were as welcoming as ever from where, I went for a quick tea at the canteen, just for the fun of it. After a small chat with some of the ASBians there, and post the process, we retired to the guest house.

Having had dinner, the whole team came out for a walk. With a hint of pride in my stride, I took all of them past the university building to the football ground and back to the guest house via the ashram. It was then that my Lead, Dinesh wondered how beautiful these mountains would look in the morning.

Before hitting the bed, I spend some time in the balcony which over looked the long road that came in to guest house. Sitting there listening to the creatures of planet E and the cool ettimadai breeze brushing past, I secretly wished if Dinesh would forget about the morning walk ;) .

I woke up to the morning train’s siren. We walked till the IT block recounting various incidents which made our campus life worthwhile, all the time admiring the elephant mountain basking in the twilight sun. The clouds moved at their own will revealing and hiding the twin mountains that marked the campus boundary.

The second day was even more unbelievable. Signing offer letters from the very same room where I awaited many a companies’ results and sitting through an interview in the room where I was interviewed!

Having finished the process by around 6, I came out for a walk and then for a Dosai and tea from the ASE canteenJ. I sat down at the ASB entrance making a couple of phone calls and sending out some smses when a girl and a boy walked up to me. Very sweetly, they said they just wanted to thank me for coming there and recruiting them. That moment, I knew I am doing a job that is real close to my heart.

Walking around aimlessly, I learned every corner, every road, every building in that campus reminded me of two years in my life which will rank right at the top, if I were to look back at the best years of my life.

The next morning too, we went for a walk. This time, I decided to take Dinesh to the Ettimadai village and walk back through the railway station. As we approached the gate, the security bhaiyyas let out a “hmmm??” with a hint of irreverence which gave way to a smile when I pointed at the welcome board kept at the entrance. There were quite a few light hearted moments like these which made the stay all the more pleasant.

When we stopped at the railway gate waiting for the train to pass by, I looked back at the elephant mountain promising myself I wouldn’t be gone for longJ.

                       

                                                                                                                        Arun Babu

This too shall pass : Blog # 48

This too shall pass

            I was in third standard when my dad got me and my sister, a pup. I don’t think I have ever loved a pet more. Three years later when it died, I learned what grief meant. 

                      

All of us would have gone through that one phase in life when we were drowning in such sadness that we wonder if Life would ever look better. But then, that phase also passes by.

Ever wondered why people who have gone through some heart wrenching incidents in Life are always emotionally stronger? It may be due to the greatest learning that tragedies impart - the fact that nothing stays. There is a silver lining around the corner. All that we need to do is hang in there. But that thought never crosses our minds, does it? – Not at least when we are in that frame of mind.

            Same goes for happiness – but let’s not be a cynical misanthrope ;). When we are happy, let’s live in the moment and forget the swift transience of life.

            The essence lies in not giving up. This might explain why people turn to a perceived higher power - someone or some entity, when life takes a stroll down the grief Ville. That source helps them to be resilient, to realize that this too shall pass.

                                                                                                                       Arun Babu.

Identity: Blog # 47

Identity

           

  It is one of those things in life which is evident yet so elusive.

             It can be as simple a thing as the way you greet a person from which a person derives your identity.

One’s attire or food habits can lend an identity. Many a time, one’s job becomes one’s identity. So does a person’s education.

The way a person speaks – the language, the lingo also form the shade of an identity of a person.

The faith that a person chooses to practice is also an identity. But Personally, I believe faith is something that should be private. It shouldn't be flaunted just like money shouldn’t be.

These days, one’s ‘posts’, ‘comments’ and ‘tweets’ also throw some light in to the kind of persona he/she has (or wish to project ;) ).

But all these are peripheral. Real identity should come from a person’s life – one’s thoughts, deeds, and conduct. Blessed are those who can derive an identity out of their passion.

What is interesting is; for people who strive to carve an identity of their own, it always needs to be chased and for those who do not care as much, it is bestowed up on!

 Arun Babu

A matter of Hope & Faith: Blog # 46

A matter of Hope & Faith

                       Hope! , One of the finest gifts to mankind. Imagine a life with nothing to look forward to. In times when life looks grey, we all think of a better tomorrow and that drives us. The absence of hope will make our life bland and exasperating. A feel good movie is banking on this concept, so is a political campaign.

              What has all the gargantuan scams done to us apart from the economic loss to the exchequer? Name any well known industrialist, bureaucrat, politician; he/she is tainted. The highest damage is the gaping hole it has left in our faith.

              Hope has its root in faith. If your life has not given you enough instances to believe in the concept of faith, chances are you might never really understand what hope is all about. This might explain why some of us are pessimistic about life and the rest prefer to look at the brighter side.

            For ages, the human race has feasted on hope. That’s how we keep the journey going. Absence of hope means a closure, a dead end. It leads to anxiety. Ever thought what a death sentence does to a convict? It does instil grief and takes that person down the abyss of fear.  But most of all, it kills hope. The scariest part will be the absence of the existence of future beyond a point in time.

            Hope is always extrinsic where as faith can be both. One has faith in oneself and faith in the society at large. Loss of faith in the society leads to the unrest that we see today around the world although loss of faith in oneself can be as much destructive, if not more.

 It is interesting to note that there is an element of uncertainty attached to hope. By nature, most of us prefer clarity, certainty. But hope looks at the positive side of ambiguity. This positivity translates in to energy which keeps us going and that helps us to endure. 

 In this day and age when uncertainty is the order of the day - be it in economy , governance  or life in general ; Let’s hope our faith endures the test of time.

                                                                                                            
Arun Babu

Friendship: Blog # 45

Friendship

                      Friends are those people whom we first learn to trust, outside our family. They are those beings who teach us to love, fight and of course to have fun. 

                     There is no secret so private that you can't tell your friend. No celebration so insignificant that you won't call your friend.

  

       No grief so hurtful that you won’t share with your friend. No mistake so shameful that you won't ask for your friend's forgiveness.

          

        They are those who you know for sure, Will be there- to give a hand, to lend an ear, to share a tear and to spread a smile.

         

             Almost all of our happier memories will be strewn around friends. Doesn’t that say something?

        

              You know why it is so special? - Because it is the most liberated of all relationships. No other relationship gives as much space. There is no other human bond which is so evolved yet so under stated.

       There is no friend who is not special - be it the first, best or the rest. A toast to all my friends – People, Life wouldn’t have been half as much fun if it were not for you guys. Here is to friendship! Love you all, Happy Friendship day :)

                                                                                      Arun Babu

Rail Diaries #5: Serendipity: Blog # 44

Rail Diaries #5: Serendipity

29th July 2012 – Onboard Aleppey Express J

                 

                          Remember this character from the olden days TV soap, ‘Chandrakantha’? And how does Kroor Singh feature in a rail diary? Read on to find out J.

                      Every Friday evening, the Chennai sky holds a false promise – of a torrential rain. Due to this, I have to get in to a worrisome rush to the Tambaram station and then further to Chennai Central. This week too was no different. This journey was full of chance meetings and that’s why the name, Serendipity.   

  

                        I took an auto to the suburban station from the place where I stay. Being fully aware that the driver will ask for 60 bucks, I tried my luck giving him a 50 rupees note. He said “What sir, last time also you gave me 50 and I asked for 60!” Then I realized it’s the same auto which I took last time and it’s the same person.

                        I made it in to the train parked on platform no.2, just in time. Searching for a window seat, I saw a familiar face. He is Devassy Uncle, the person whom I asked about the stations, route et al the previous week. He looks exactly like Kroor Singh J , complete with the thickest of eyebrows and a military style moustache and yes, not to forget the mean look. We had a chit chat and much to my friends’ glee, he asked me as to why do I go home every weekend! J . He got down at Nungambakkam and I got down at Park station.

                        After the usual Sharavana bhavan dinner, I was walking towards my compartment and there he was, my RAC friend. He is Girish, a PhD in Micro biology and working for Central government's Epidemic control and study department .Chances are I won’t see another person with the same profession in my lifetime – it is that niche!. We had a nice chat the last time. He said his family is also there this week. Having kept my baggage in s4, I went to s7 to meet Girish’s family. 

                   Coming back to S4, I met my cousin’s friend in S5!. This sort of serendipity was beginning to get a bit weird – it almost seemed like I was living in the past week. Not wanting to risk any more chance meetings, I hit the bed (berth) fast. J  .

Arun Babu.  

A Memoir that is Life...: Blog # 43

A Memoir that is Life...             

                   Do you remember the first time you balanced a cycle or drove a car without steering it away from the road? Have you forgotten the first time you stayed away from home or when you went on a second show with friends?

                    Life is a potpourri of memories, don’t you think? Its very essence is a string of memories – good, bad and ugly. The good ones keep us going, the bad ones humbles us and the ugly ones, just makes us wish if they were just not there.

    It is these memories which sail us through the voyage of life. Haven’t you seen people going through a low phase in life reminiscing about their hay days? It gives them the hope that things will change for good.

    Our likes and dislikes too are governed by our memories. Everyone love the city where they graduated as the memories associated with that city will be all sweet and good.

               You might like a film, not because the script is good but may be you might have watched it with a loved one. The memory of those happy times makes you like the movie.

      So it’s not exactly the entity which we dislike. Quite often, it’s the memories which define that object or person which make us love or loathe it. Even when someone close to us passes away, we do not grieve for that person per se, the memories which that person gifted make us miss them.

     The conscience acts as the custodian of memories – reminding us time and again of the pros and cons – making us think of the deeds and outcomes.

                 Our very existence is rooted in memories. They have made our yesterdays and they will mould our tomorrows. So let your life weave a fabric of memories which can be fondly reminisced about – for you and for those you hold close.

Arun Babu.