Divine Bliss 2010

During the month of June 2010, I planned for a vacation trip after a gap of 1.6 years. I met lot of wonderful and exciting people on the trip, the reverberation during the journey and time spent at different places (alone, with group of people from different countries/nationalities, and friends) was an amazing experience in its own perspective.
The discussion with Maxis from Greece (architecture) regarding various aspects of ecological friendly infrastructure and livelihood management by utilizing the replenishing energy from Nature was enlightening.Delrio from Mexico (Toy designer), working for Mexico Group as coordinator, shared with me regarding his experiences about Veda and Indian culture. He came after 16 years on his vacation with 300+ groups, for organizing the cultural event @ parthy. The 18 days spent with my spiritual master were full of experiences and exploration in the environment purified by the Veda chanting and bhajans in morning and evening sessions.
Arushtan from Kazakhstan came with his mother and has learnt a lot about Veda, his English is very good now. Friend from Venezuela predicted that SPAIN will win the world cup before the match between Spain and Germany. He was right like Paul (Octo). He was trying to improvise his English with me and Pavel, during my trip.
Meeting Vivek and Roop brought back the memories of Bangalore and parthy. God is always great and has kept all of us well. Roop was busy with his trips between kolkata and Bangalore in past couple of months.
I boarded the train in 3rd AC coach; it had rained heavily last night and was continuing at various places/stations. In my adjacent seat a young IT professional, Miss Dash working for Software Company (iGATE) @ Bangalore, shared her experiences about god, Spirituality/Divinity and marriage life w.r.t religion, faith and culture of Orissa.She thanked me for the lively discussion and helpful points regarding life and journey. She was on vacation for 7 days to her home town Berhampur, Orissa.
Vacations are an important part and parcel of life, which reenergizes the life and bring in new experiences. Only important element is that the money should be ensured for incurring the expense, as pointed out by one of my Russian friend Pavel from Russia (architecture), He said he works hard throughout the year and spends 2 months every year in India (Ukraine-Mumbai/Bangalore-parthy).
On the last day of my vacation schedule, I reached Bhubaneshwar at 9 pm. The night Spain won the world cup 2010 beating Netherlands.

“Life is a Game, Play It”

The Exploration & Impact of Recession 2008 to 2010: An Experience-I

In 2008 (March) QoQ results were announced, the picture was not so good in comparison to the Previous year performance.

A wake up call on my cell phone from Bhubaneswar started my day on a beautiful weekend (Saturday), full of comfort and warmth. During this phase of work @ office and holidays @ home, today I found lot of free time to discuss about the well being of family members with my mom. Truly speaking I was missing my home; the discussion lasted for almost 30 min.

Sunday evening my friend called me up and shared about his company taking the decision to Layoff 2000 employees in the coming week (Wipro). He is an experienced professional and few weeks ago he had his engagement ceremony for marriage after coming back from USA (Client Location). He was rewarded 2000$ for his Excellent performance for the services he provided to them on behalf of the Organization. He conveyed me that due to this crisis his engagement is over and he has postponed his marriage date till he gets a suitable job. I wished him good luck.

Monday @ office I found the scenario very dull, I heard our VP (My boss) has also putted his papers. He is leaving the company with lot of senior management people to a Rival company (Collabera). The Impact of this crisis was clearly reflected on the face of senior managers @ Corporate. We lost a 20 million dollar account to Infosys. Companies becoming bankrupt in USA and other regions, due to the recession phase.

In the meantime I took a break and travelled to Bhubaneswar. It was a good decision to fix my health and spiritual requirements in the weekend. In August 2008 I suffered a knee injury on the pavement of the bus stand, it was very painful, but I continued on my trip to Parthi Ashram.After coming back from the trip, I experienced some pain in my left Leg knee Joint.

But my determination over came the pain and I keep on moving from office to home and vice versa @ Bangalore. After all “Life is a Journey, Keep Walking”…

In September I suffered from spondilysis because of working long hours at office & home. I was planning for doing my Phd program as soon as possible. But it is always advisable to “Drive Slow as Slow and Steady wins the race”. Due to busy work schedules I was unable to consult the doctor, as I thought that because of doing regular exercise, these minor problems will recover automatically (experience from past injuries).

In Dec 2008 I suffered from @ fatal attack of joint pains in my left Leg, Neck and Back. I was living alone @ Bangalore, there was no one near by and I was unable to call anyone. I visioned death in front of my eyes. Suddenly @ miracle happened the moment my eyes fall on the Big Poster of Bhagwan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in my room. I looked at his eyes and prayed, you are staying just 4hrs drive by road, away from me. I need you now, will you hold my hand and help me please. The moment these thoughts aroused. I felt something under my back, giving me a sensation of ice being kept under my back. I felt relaxed and my legs started moving and feet touching the ground I slowly left my bed and my arms stretched to the image of his Lotus feet kept in the rack I bowed my head and thanked him from my heart for helping me.

In March 2009 I took a very tough decision in keeping my Health as first priority to come back home @ Bhubaneswar, as Life is something else and it is defined beyond monetary satisfaction. I was lucky to found some free lance consulting assignments with SAAB group, India before leaving Bangalore.

GM Sold SAAB unit, for reducing its lossess.

A local IT company in Bhubaneswar, who hired me as Manager -Marketing also extracted 40 + days of hard work from me irrespective of my ill health , with regular trips to the client locations , and unable to pay my salary / TA/DA etc…during recession. Similar experiences were narrated by lot of professionals who came back home/passed out batches in the period of Recession Crisis.

In August 2009, I started teaching to Management students & Engineering Students in SOA, University @ Bhubaneswar. I got a call from the same friend (engagement was over few years ago), getting married in July 2010. I am also able to recover from illness and health issues in 2010 (Post Recession).I hope i will be 100% fit again during this break and keep on marching, with the lessons learned during the phase of Crisis vs Confidence and Determination.

MBA is always

Management of Mind Body and Atma,

Management by Attitude,

&

Must Be Active by thinking Positive

92nd IEA conference @ Experience

It was one of the fascinating days when I was sitting among the Eminent economist of our country assembled at KIIT University,Bhubaneswar for the 92nd IEA Conference from 27th to 29th December 2009, including our PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

I presented a paper on Global Economic Crisis & Economic Development Of Orissa on 28th Dec 2009 at the Convention Center, Ground floor. The paper was appreciated by the Eminent people in the Chair and other delegates. It was really an amazing experience in terms of sharing and imbibing knowledge in the field of economics from various facets of understanding and research work as highlighted by delegates in their paper, coming from all over india and abroad.

Meeting my teachers during lunch break and sharing the precious moments with new friends (delegates) from delhi and kolkata reminded me the fascinating days of my MBA program (2004-06) @ Krishna Campus, KIIT.

Life is a journey!! let's keep walking.

Discipline & Disciple- Keep Walking

Truly speaking! Life is a Journey; you will find lot of companions meeting you some day/ time/place. Generally we humans plan a lot to spend our day, but the Divine hands has shaped all our lives by writing a New book for us, to read and understand the true essence of life’s melody (start early, drive slowly and reach safely).

Life is a challenge, Face it. Life is a game, Play it. No matter you win or loose, remember that you are the one side of the same coin .Be thankful to him for keeping you connected to the Divine.

Last week, I was talking to one of my friend about the Global Recession and Companies Cutting Cost. The bottom line of our discussion ended on the conclusion that, all is in the hands of almighty. So whatever is there in present, be happy with that. Every day is a new day and new challenge.

It was nice to meet my Ex Boss/Professor/friend/Professional guide last weekend, during early morning hours. He has bought a New Luxury Flat close to my house. Sat was a fine morning , I planned to have a morning walk session, and the almighty bought in front of me a face of an ex colleague, whom I remember as an Professor, Friend, Professional guide and BOSS. He is a very down to earth and helpful soul, being so rich in terms of knowledge & experience, he has travelled a long way in his professional career and is now serving as Senior Vice President of a well known MNC @ Bangalore.

One day someone yelled SWAROOP…Good Morning, I turned back to see the lady, working for @ German MNC. She knew me from Bangalore, during the end of my journey I forget to repay the Shared Fare, because of our conversation on various topics related to economy, career etc. when I recalled the Auto was on move, so we decided, we will adjust it next time when we meet. I hope god will provide me the opportunity to clear my debt soon.

So, God has always a better plan to comfort us during our painful times & hurdles in life, during the testing times of our career & profession, so he sends someone in some way or other to keep us connected .As we all are the Same/Opp sides of the Coin connected/staying together thorough Divine Bond/connection.

Detachment is Happiness. Realized by yogis during their journey of Satwik Livelihood (staying in jungle’s and doing japa and dhyana), but I believe during this present time of human civilization, everyone will have to imbibe the example of POND & LOTUS.

Life is a cosmic melodrama, and every time/day we spend here has a divine purpose.

Love All, Serve All. Help ever, Hurt Never. Be positive and have faith that thorns bear the Roses not the vice versa. Good times follow the bad ones and fortune favors the brave.

What lies behind us and what lies before us .Are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.

“Satyam Gyanam, Anantam Brahma”

I miss the moments!!

Sometime during the day, I felt bored and thought to travel towards the sea, during my vacation to Bhubaneswar.

I took a break off from world and merge with the waves touching my bare feet. The excitement was great and awesome, suddenly I heard someone yelling my name Swaroop……Swaroop. I turned back to navigate the direction from which the person is calling me. I saw few people rushing towards me, and when they came closer I found some known faces, full of smile, joy and ecasty. Within fraction of minutes, I was surrounded by group of friends. It is a great experience for me to travel and mingle with all at one place, some coincidence happen for good.

God has some plans for all of us on beach, so we spent lot of time together at beach. We all went back to our younger days, when we were just 16 and travelling across the vast sea, in the smaller fisherman boats was full of fun, and realizing the difference of it , that during this time, we all were free from the thoughts and process of life, where exactly the economy of India is moving etc.
But now a day’s life is different, exploring the business world. Some of us are in Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and many got married and settled. Truly speaking Friendship has always been a special moment in everyone’s life and its all the indwelling experience, some way or the other inspire us to move forward and face the day today challenges.
Inspiration is a gift and imagination is an art, the same difference between Reality and Dream.
The Auto rickshaw drivers, charge more and sabotage the meters to show higher reading, which organization is monitoring, question is why? Here the inspiration are the political leaders, the corrupt leaders leading the nation, someday I thought why not these leaders appear in an interview process by a panel of educationist and rated on basis of their performance and contribution for the growth and progress of nation. If everything is based on give and take policy, why we people vote for such people, the only reason is we have a dream for better future, but the answer lies in having the passion for achieving it.
The Cosmic melodrama will continue like this , but sometimes I feel we have better access to our future by leaving the control to the god , who sometimes behaves being in remote but connected through heart to heart , wireless medium.
May all of us land safe and do well during the test match of recession and depression….
Let’s pray to god for this gift. Miss you folks in this vast world….

Life Moves On

Every day is a new day and new collections of news and experience. I experienced in the Red Bus during my early morning journey to Office. I met a young lady with smiling face , wearing a traditional Indian girl dress carrying loads of work from home to office and vice versa (Black Bag), working for HCL. She reminded me of my mother carrying her bag to her School and spending her day among the students.

It was nice to see the traditional attire in the modern corporate culture; one young manger from ICICI asked me one day, what are your views about “Saree as a heavy item to wear and going to work during morning hours (Pointing towards a young lady standing outside at the bus stop)”.
Well my answer was very simple, do what you have faith in and belief in; it’s really great to carry that belief of tradition and faith from the value system. We have learnt from our ancient culture & tradition and carrying it during every day journey to our work life/profession, which every woman in this country should be proud of. Tough Q for a Man to answer about women attire ... Jai Mata Di... i believe women’s look beautiful in saree, as it reflects the inner thought process of tradition being reflected in the corporate world/life.

As Mahatma tried to do the same during his struggle for freedom by wearing, simple dhoti and carrying a stick to lead the movement of Dandi March to Quit India
Subash Bose , wearing the military attire to form the Azad Hind Fauz.
Everything is possible, just need belief and faith on self and keep moving in this journey of life 2 work, reflecting the values and thoughts we carry....
Have faith “Yes I Can” and time will come every “I” will become “we” (Unity in Diversity)

“Yes We Can”

Rural India & Political India

The day and assignment with a sense of responsibility and fulfillment motivated me with an inner inspiration to explore the cause and deprived looks, reflecting from the eyes of unconnected and unheard people staying away in the rural vicinity and cut off roads from the heart of City.

“If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never be truly fulfilled”

Analyzing their problems, revealing the truth of exploitation being caused by the system, which is trying to show the world a mask of development, the pride to be a known as modern India with resurgent values and fake notations, where the political system is full of regional feelings and communal sentiments.
The entire democratic system which is in the hands of Italian Gandhi’s (Congress), Pakistani Advanis (BJP), Chinese Communist (CPI/CPM) and many other small minded parties whose thought and vision are smaller ,similar to their national presence (Shiva Sena, BSP,BJD,DMK etc).
When these people cannot afford to stay together and think about developing India for five years and wasting millions of money, time & energy for elections, which has helped them in looting the money paid by the common man as taxes for running the show.
The rising inflation and weaker rupee impacting, the poor farmer’s lives surviving helplessly in rural India

“If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading”
“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try”

The election commission should check the educational qualification of the ministers and do their appraisal accordingly before allowing them to fight elections through a party and becoming eligible for the job opportunity provided by the country, for the Indians all over the world.
The political parties who violate the national sentiments and whose leaders speak against Indians in India and threat human survival in a free country like India should be arrested and debarred from contesting the elections.
In a healthy modern society there is no place for communal lines and regional division.
I remember the beautiful lines of Mother Teresa, while standing on the mud road waiting for the group of cattle cows and buffalo to cross the river.

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired. Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home it begins disrupting peace of the world, I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love”

It’s the time where the journey reaches a point where new exploration will start, when the river meeting the ocean and transforming into a notation with the name of Ocean, the waves reflecting the thought I belong to you, but the ocean never belongs to the waves.

Mother Teresa Lines: I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God. I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?
It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start. Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go. Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work. We can do no great things, only small things with great love.
We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
If you judge people, you have no time to love them, I never add up. I only subtract from the total dying... . . . It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.

Still the farmer showing the way to plough the land, hoping to have a bumper harvest and lucky year with some good fortunes, the village girl still looking at the sky and dreaming to fly like a bird in the sky, may the time will come when she will learn the tricks to fly higher and higher to see the world from, up above in the sky.