Circa September 2009, I switched over to ALICO to join a band of ex-Citibankers who, in the quest of fire, action and glory moved to this company en-masse. Each of these ex-Citibankers was a star in their own right. Like all Citibankers starved of action, I was desperately trying to find that "action" within the bank. However, I realised that I had to move out of my comfort-zone if I wanted action. That prompted me to look outside of Citi, and so, to cut the long story short, I joined ALICO towards the fag end of 3Q '09.
The first thing that prompted me to join ALICO was the role on offer...exciting, scary & one that was made for the not-so-weak hearted. Coupled with this was the fact that the men who were above me on the ladder were all ex-Citibankers, and so, I for some profound-yet-unexplicable reason, decided to take up the job.
Before I took up the job, I was mentally prepared to face the grind. I knew that I would be heading a branch which for all practical purposes did not exist as far as the top-line was concerned, let alone functioning like one. I got my first taste of this in my first briefing with my reviewer [in case you don't understand the corp lingo, reviewer is supposed to be your boss' boss !] when he told me with a smirk that I was about to get into a stormy chair. That little 'smirk' in the guise of a metaphor whispered a lot of unfolded-horror tales about what was in store for me. I was curious, excited and a bit apprehensive..curious to know as to how the other guys managed to screw up..excited about the sea of opportunity that lay in front of me, and apprehensive about my decision to quit Citi when every soul worth his dime raised an eyebrow at my decision to switch from an upmarket bank to a masses' product.
The past 90 days have been action packed, exhilarating, hectic and everything that will make a moron of a sane man. No matter how hard I tried to take this as a passing phase, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast to what I was doing at Citi. Here, despite giving in my best for close to 13-14 hours a day, I still don't hit the bed at night with a satisfied feeling about the way my day went by. There is a vacuum which seems more like a black hole 'coz no matter how many productive hours one puts in, the vacuum never fills.
3 months into the job, I feel I work in an assembly line with a bunch of morons, who just cannot think straight. I usually am not very critical of the people around me, but there is nobody who I can look-up to, nobody who I think I would want to emulate. This job is moronic and is turning me into a maniac with each passing day, and the more I talk about it, the more I hate this industry. But, ladies and gentlemen, this is what I do for a living, and so, good or bad, sweet or bitter, gotta take this in my stride, at least for now !
Huh...now that I've given a vent to what I am going through, I feel a lot better !
More on this, very soon !
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
26/11...a year on..
Another reason for me to think that 2009 is moving like there's no tomorrow. 12 months have gone by since that frightening wednesday when a bunch of thugs entered the city of dreams to create mayhem, and ended up accomplishing their task successfully, and yet, the 3-day saga comes back to haunt us of the extremely dangerous times that we are living in.
Last thursday was the first anniversary of the fateful "26/11" terrorist attack on some of the signature properties of the Mumbai landscape. This terrorist attack was not significantly different from the earlier ones, for, the ultras have been repeatedly training their guns on the financial nerve centre - Mumbai for a variety of reasons, be it the resultant panic that such an attack creates globally, or the fact that a brazen attack on the most popular & powerful city in the country demonstrates the audacity of the terrorists - they have not fired from across the border, they have entered our home and created havoc !
Every news channel worth its salt was repeatedly flashing images of that dastardly siege...some on the pretext of demanding justice, some on fixing accountability, while some to capitalise on the opportunity to ring in their cash registers. Yes, our hearts go out for all those innocent & brave brethren who lost their near and dear, but would hosting a few talk shows or holding some candle light vigils get us a solution to ensure that another "26/11" does not repeat ! A year on, we still dont seem to have learnt our lessons. The territorial waters still do not have "water-tight" coverage[pun very much intended !], absence of information flow amongst various intelligence agencies continues to date, the same old story of the affected running around for compensation, and most importantly - the same political party winning elections and forming a government with the same bunch of jokers at the helm.
A popular celebrity spoke on a talk-show about the role of citizens in coming up with solutions to safegaurd ourselves...then what is the government there to do? We elect governments, pay taxes and do "our" designated roles...then why cant the government do its own job of protecting its people ! Why do the citizens have to take on this rather complex problem of finding solutions to terrorist attacks ?
Is there no solution in sight for this global mania..perhaps, there are solutions galore...for a lay-man, simplistic solutions to this problem seem something like these -
[a] Secure the territorial borders in water-tight fashion.
[b] Equip the security agencies with modern arms & world-class training to combat various situations
[c] Provide immunity to people who come up to speak against suspects.
[d] Fast track all cases of terrorist-acts/suspects.
[e] Increase diplomatic pressure on the 1st world countries to end this menace, for they are facing greater risks of the effects of terrorism.
[f] Re-create anti-terrorism law on the lines of POTA, even if it seems barbaric..!
All of this and much more is possible...what we need is political will & urgency, and this has to come from the complete political spectrum. The quantum of time that politicians from all parties spend on petty issues can be better used to get these solutions acted upon....or perhaps the solutions are'nt so simplistic !
Immediately after the siege, every self-proclaimed security-expert spoke about the government's lacklustre attitude towards interal security of the country despite RAW & IB reports hinting at possible fidayeen attacks on Mumbai. But, the government was in a denial mode, and evidently, hasnt acted in adequate fashion. Isnt the government of Maharashtra responsible for this carnage ? The answer is an emphatic yes, but have we fixed the responsibility - sadly, the answer is no, for, we do not care about these issues beyond the spotlight, and the politicos know it too well.
How else would you explain the dismal voter turnout in the Maharashtra assembly
elections barely 8 months after a horrendous attack on this country's marvel. The intelligentsia of our country is caught up in beaming with fancy anecdotes on television, for what else can explain their hypocrisy in not adhering to security standards set for everyone.
Some times I feel, the more things change, the more they remain the same. 26/11 has run shivers down our spines despite being miles away from the attack-zone, it has changed the way terror is looked at, the attack has compelled the United States to step-up pressure on Pakistan to burst the sleeper cells, has inspired many Indians to take up NSG as a serious career option, and has re-affirmed our natural nationalism, but we refuse to change into responsible citizens of a great democracy.
Any takers, countrymen ?
Last thursday was the first anniversary of the fateful "26/11" terrorist attack on some of the signature properties of the Mumbai landscape. This terrorist attack was not significantly different from the earlier ones, for, the ultras have been repeatedly training their guns on the financial nerve centre - Mumbai for a variety of reasons, be it the resultant panic that such an attack creates globally, or the fact that a brazen attack on the most popular & powerful city in the country demonstrates the audacity of the terrorists - they have not fired from across the border, they have entered our home and created havoc !
Every news channel worth its salt was repeatedly flashing images of that dastardly siege...some on the pretext of demanding justice, some on fixing accountability, while some to capitalise on the opportunity to ring in their cash registers. Yes, our hearts go out for all those innocent & brave brethren who lost their near and dear, but would hosting a few talk shows or holding some candle light vigils get us a solution to ensure that another "26/11" does not repeat ! A year on, we still dont seem to have learnt our lessons. The territorial waters still do not have "water-tight" coverage[pun very much intended !], absence of information flow amongst various intelligence agencies continues to date, the same old story of the affected running around for compensation, and most importantly - the same political party winning elections and forming a government with the same bunch of jokers at the helm.
A popular celebrity spoke on a talk-show about the role of citizens in coming up with solutions to safegaurd ourselves...then what is the government there to do? We elect governments, pay taxes and do "our" designated roles...then why cant the government do its own job of protecting its people ! Why do the citizens have to take on this rather complex problem of finding solutions to terrorist attacks ?
Is there no solution in sight for this global mania..perhaps, there are solutions galore...for a lay-man, simplistic solutions to this problem seem something like these -
[a] Secure the territorial borders in water-tight fashion.
[b] Equip the security agencies with modern arms & world-class training to combat various situations
[c] Provide immunity to people who come up to speak against suspects.
[d] Fast track all cases of terrorist-acts/suspects.
[e] Increase diplomatic pressure on the 1st world countries to end this menace, for they are facing greater risks of the effects of terrorism.
[f] Re-create anti-terrorism law on the lines of POTA, even if it seems barbaric..!
All of this and much more is possible...what we need is political will & urgency, and this has to come from the complete political spectrum. The quantum of time that politicians from all parties spend on petty issues can be better used to get these solutions acted upon....or perhaps the solutions are'nt so simplistic !
Immediately after the siege, every self-proclaimed security-expert spoke about the government's lacklustre attitude towards interal security of the country despite RAW & IB reports hinting at possible fidayeen attacks on Mumbai. But, the government was in a denial mode, and evidently, hasnt acted in adequate fashion. Isnt the government of Maharashtra responsible for this carnage ? The answer is an emphatic yes, but have we fixed the responsibility - sadly, the answer is no, for, we do not care about these issues beyond the spotlight, and the politicos know it too well.
How else would you explain the dismal voter turnout in the Maharashtra assembly
elections barely 8 months after a horrendous attack on this country's marvel. The intelligentsia of our country is caught up in beaming with fancy anecdotes on television, for what else can explain their hypocrisy in not adhering to security standards set for everyone.
Some times I feel, the more things change, the more they remain the same. 26/11 has run shivers down our spines despite being miles away from the attack-zone, it has changed the way terror is looked at, the attack has compelled the United States to step-up pressure on Pakistan to burst the sleeper cells, has inspired many Indians to take up NSG as a serious career option, and has re-affirmed our natural nationalism, but we refuse to change into responsible citizens of a great democracy.
Any takers, countrymen ?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sachin at 20 !
“If cricket is religion, Sachin is god”. We have heard of this quote at least a gazillion times and every single time you listen to it, it couldn’t sound truer. The name – “Sachin Tendulkar” is synonymous with Indian Cricket today. The year 1989 played host to some of the landmark events in world history – The fall of the Berlin Wall, Tiananmen Square protests, Billy Joel’s song “We didn’t Start the fire” and most importantly as far as the cricketing world is concerned, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar’s baptism to international cricket.
A whole generation to which I belong has grown up watching Sachin propel the game to a level that all of us feel privileged to have witnessed. As fiercely patriotic as we are, for the bulk of us, sub-consciously, the game revolved around Sachin, and not around the team. The best part about Sachin’s exploits is that every sport-loving Indian feels that he has a birth-right over Sachin Tendulkar and all those thousands of runs that he scored. Such is the belongingness and attachment that we have for this god of cricket that the nation comes to a screeching halt when he goes out to play, and shuts off television sets the moment he gets out. To us, he is the reason for our ecstasy as well as our despair.
In a country of a billion people, it is quite astonishing to have starved for a real super-star role model for such a long time. India, where cricket is not a mere sport, Sachin fulfilled that vacuum with his persona, both on and off the cricketing arena. Each of us has portrayed a picture of Sachin in our own special way. To me, there are two sides to him - Sachin:the athlete, and Sachin:the super-human.
Sachin:the athlete -
With a mountain of pressure and a billion expectations that he carries with him every single time he walks in the Indian colors on to a cricket park, there’s a billion prayers doing the rounds, for, Sachin is our only hope. It is a divine co-incidence that live cricket had come to the fore during the initial years of the master’s international career. This dose of watching Sachin demolish attacks brought life to a stand-still for most of us. As a nation, we believe that we are as successful or unsuccessful as Sachin is on a given day.
From Sachin’s first ton at Old Trafford to his magnificent century at the WACA in ‘91, to the heart-breaker of an innings against Pakistan in Chepauk in ‘99, to the desert-storm that he brought about with those twin-sensations in Sharjah, to the disciplined 241 against Australia at the SCG, one thing that personifies the great man is his determination. For an ardent worshipper of Sachin like me, each of these innings is etched in rock.
A notable quote that one of Sachin’s fans made during the famous Sharjah knock goes like this – “I will see god when I die, until then, I will see Sachin bat”. The best compliment that any athlete can get is from his opponents. And Sachin has admirers galore in the enemy camps too. Opponents no less than some of the other legends of the game - Shane Warne, Brian Lara and Viv Richards rate the maestro ahead of the rest. They lament appreciably on the daylight of stroke-play gap that exists between Sachin and other players. A cricketing immortal no less than the Don himself has spoken highly about Sachin’s game. It isn't just the brutality and finesse with which the master butchers the opponents, there was sweet poetry in his batting. Shane Warne once said that Sachin gave him nightmares after the 1998 tour to India.
Sachin, the super-human:
A billion self-proclaimed cricket experts dissecting every single stroke that the master has ever played, is reason enough for a mortal to buckle under pressure. Sachin translated these huge expectations into positive energy and gave us reason to joy. For a country ravaged with problems ranging from poverty to terrorism, Sachin gave us a ray of joy, the only hope to bring a smile on an otherwise frustrated billion Indians. I am not sure if I am in awe or admiration for this icon! Throughout his career, Sachin has erroneously been on the wrong-side of many an umpiring decision and on every single such occasion, his poise in accepting the verdict with dignity is mind-boggling. A picture of composure, Sachin has gained remarkable respect from every sport-lover on the face of the planet. Every single time when questions are raised about his utility to the team, he quietly lets his bat do the talking.
Twenty glorious years of international cricket and Sachin virtually has every conceivable batting record in his name. However, the passion and enthusiasm of a school-boy that he displays even today is what epitomizes his stature. Ever since I can remember Sachin give interviews, there is one common line that he makes, and I feel, something he truly believes in, is the pride that he carries in representing India. The fact that this pride was, and still continues to remain as one of the prime motivating factors, speaks volumes about the strength of natural nationalism. The tagline of Adidas – “Impossible is nothing” exemplifies Sachin’s character and will to succeed. His humility despite all the fame, glory and adulation is unthinkable for a mortal like you or me.
For most Indians of my generation, Sachin is boss, Sachin is god. Sachin is the reason I followed the game…Sachin is the reason that a whole generation of Indians have taken up the sport and Sachin is the reason that unites a country cutting across all barriers. I dread to imagine the day Sachin bids adieu to the game, for according to me, an Indian cricket team cannot exist without the legend.
I am blessed to be born in the same era as Sachin and privileged to have witnessed his master play.
Jai Ho Sachin !
A whole generation to which I belong has grown up watching Sachin propel the game to a level that all of us feel privileged to have witnessed. As fiercely patriotic as we are, for the bulk of us, sub-consciously, the game revolved around Sachin, and not around the team. The best part about Sachin’s exploits is that every sport-loving Indian feels that he has a birth-right over Sachin Tendulkar and all those thousands of runs that he scored. Such is the belongingness and attachment that we have for this god of cricket that the nation comes to a screeching halt when he goes out to play, and shuts off television sets the moment he gets out. To us, he is the reason for our ecstasy as well as our despair.
In a country of a billion people, it is quite astonishing to have starved for a real super-star role model for such a long time. India, where cricket is not a mere sport, Sachin fulfilled that vacuum with his persona, both on and off the cricketing arena. Each of us has portrayed a picture of Sachin in our own special way. To me, there are two sides to him - Sachin:the athlete, and Sachin:the super-human.
Sachin:the athlete -
With a mountain of pressure and a billion expectations that he carries with him every single time he walks in the Indian colors on to a cricket park, there’s a billion prayers doing the rounds, for, Sachin is our only hope. It is a divine co-incidence that live cricket had come to the fore during the initial years of the master’s international career. This dose of watching Sachin demolish attacks brought life to a stand-still for most of us. As a nation, we believe that we are as successful or unsuccessful as Sachin is on a given day.
From Sachin’s first ton at Old Trafford to his magnificent century at the WACA in ‘91, to the heart-breaker of an innings against Pakistan in Chepauk in ‘99, to the desert-storm that he brought about with those twin-sensations in Sharjah, to the disciplined 241 against Australia at the SCG, one thing that personifies the great man is his determination. For an ardent worshipper of Sachin like me, each of these innings is etched in rock.
A notable quote that one of Sachin’s fans made during the famous Sharjah knock goes like this – “I will see god when I die, until then, I will see Sachin bat”. The best compliment that any athlete can get is from his opponents. And Sachin has admirers galore in the enemy camps too. Opponents no less than some of the other legends of the game - Shane Warne, Brian Lara and Viv Richards rate the maestro ahead of the rest. They lament appreciably on the daylight of stroke-play gap that exists between Sachin and other players. A cricketing immortal no less than the Don himself has spoken highly about Sachin’s game. It isn't just the brutality and finesse with which the master butchers the opponents, there was sweet poetry in his batting. Shane Warne once said that Sachin gave him nightmares after the 1998 tour to India.
Sachin, the super-human:
A billion self-proclaimed cricket experts dissecting every single stroke that the master has ever played, is reason enough for a mortal to buckle under pressure. Sachin translated these huge expectations into positive energy and gave us reason to joy. For a country ravaged with problems ranging from poverty to terrorism, Sachin gave us a ray of joy, the only hope to bring a smile on an otherwise frustrated billion Indians. I am not sure if I am in awe or admiration for this icon! Throughout his career, Sachin has erroneously been on the wrong-side of many an umpiring decision and on every single such occasion, his poise in accepting the verdict with dignity is mind-boggling. A picture of composure, Sachin has gained remarkable respect from every sport-lover on the face of the planet. Every single time when questions are raised about his utility to the team, he quietly lets his bat do the talking.
Twenty glorious years of international cricket and Sachin virtually has every conceivable batting record in his name. However, the passion and enthusiasm of a school-boy that he displays even today is what epitomizes his stature. Ever since I can remember Sachin give interviews, there is one common line that he makes, and I feel, something he truly believes in, is the pride that he carries in representing India. The fact that this pride was, and still continues to remain as one of the prime motivating factors, speaks volumes about the strength of natural nationalism. The tagline of Adidas – “Impossible is nothing” exemplifies Sachin’s character and will to succeed. His humility despite all the fame, glory and adulation is unthinkable for a mortal like you or me.
For most Indians of my generation, Sachin is boss, Sachin is god. Sachin is the reason I followed the game…Sachin is the reason that a whole generation of Indians have taken up the sport and Sachin is the reason that unites a country cutting across all barriers. I dread to imagine the day Sachin bids adieu to the game, for according to me, an Indian cricket team cannot exist without the legend.
I am blessed to be born in the same era as Sachin and privileged to have witnessed his master play.
Jai Ho Sachin !
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