NAAZHIGAI Part 1

“Stop crying now and tell me, where did he go? Prathi asked.

“Nowhere to be found”, I repeated again.

Prathi: Did you call Maya? Ask her if she knows, or call his parents they will know where he is off to.

I went to my room. My eyes were filled with tears

The memories of the last seven years appeared before me. I picked up my diary to travel through the last 7 years of bliss 

September 1 2008

“It’s already late, wake up, else you are just going to be early for your last hour in college on your first day", shouted my sister, as she was packing her bag for school

Yes it’s my first day at college, I had made all the preps, right from what dress to wear to which bag to carry and for a girl you exactly have no idea on the things that go into her bag

So thought I would get some comfy and cozy time in bed a little longer until my mom said, ”We are all ready kanna. See if dad’s shirt looks fine”

I woke up in haste” What! Mom this is college and I have my bus from here, it’s not school anymore”

Yes! My dad dropped me in school for about 12 years and I was so happy for it. But not now. The spirit of entering into college already thrilled me and I was floating in my dreams since I got admission into college.

“I would be more than happy to see my kid in college when I dint have a chance to go to college” said mom kissing me in happiness. I said okay, as I got flawlessly ready for “THE DAY”

Though my answer to all my friends and relatives was “to become a doc” when they asked me what I wanted to become, I was happy on staying with my parents as I dint get a medical college in my hometown.

Hi I’m Subhu, Subathra Balakrishnan, hailed from the same city. I wish to pursue engineering and I’m here to chase my dreams. Hope we all have fun time learning and exploring together.

I practiced along the way when I was in the car.

“Vignesh joined the same college isn’t it? “, dad asked. Mom said “Yes he is coming by bus; I asked if he wished to join but then he wanted to take the bus”

Vicks, that’s how I call him, is my closest friend ever and he is my cousin. We used to play all genera of games, cricket; when I always used to field, badminton though we both were pro in it, and all sorts of indoor games as well. He is the one guy whom I think I could easily approach to at any times.

We reached college. “Dad stop, I’ll walk from the gate” He said that’s okay Subhu. The secretary is a friend of mine I’ll meet him to invite him for a cup of coffee. I said okay and I left.

I met Prathi; Prathiksha, who was my schoolmate and quite popular too. She looked cute but we dint have a chance to get close. I said “Hai Prathi, do you remember me?”

“Heyyy Subhu, wow you joined the same college; happy go lucky I found you” Come lets join the orientation meet and see what these guys have to say.

The orientation was over and we were divided into different sections based on the alphabetical order, the sections would be intact for a year after which we would then be amalgamated based on the streams we opted for.

Prathi and I glanced the names in the sheet that was pasted in the door who would be potential friends for our lifetime. We shared certain common things but she was little more to know who the guys in class were. She did her schooling in a co-ed school till 10^th and joined in our school at 11^th grade. We glanced from the bottom; Vignesh was not in my class. Shiv, Subhu, Sindhya………. Rithika……..Prathi………Hey Nithin is here!, Prathi exclaimed.

And who is he Prathi? Your friend from school?

Yeah, Nithin, fondly called Nithi, believes that fairy tales are actually made from small and sweet happenings between people in earth and nothing related to fantasy. He enjoys each moment of his life, pious in religious life, smart in academic profile, loving in relationships and popular in school. There he is.

Okay now! I just forgot to submit my certificates in the office, give me a minute before classes start, deliberately to avoid an unanticipated scene with “THE NITHI”. Yes he was smart and cool but I was quite introverted to meet new people particularly guys, particularly good-looking guys

We went to library as we were taken around the college to take a look at the facilities there.

I loved the library. It was hushed and peaceful. I took a look at all the big sized books and breathed a moment thinking those were all the subject matter volumes that I would need to master in.

Excuse me Mam, are you Subhu? The librarian shouted. And everyone turned back though I was the only Subhu there.

Nithi was standing there, I was like Oh! What now! It’s definitely destiny playing its game. I intentionally avoided a scene with him as I felt he had something that could change the rate of my heart beat.

“This guy assumes that you are Subhu and that you have lost your ID” the librarian said. Nithi was almost perplexed and tensed as I walked towards them! "Oh no! she doesn’t know me, no no no" he said to the librarian. I then realized I missed it in office. Oh yeah Nithi, thanks much. I’m Subhu :)  as we shook hands.

To be continued………..

This is the first time I’m writing a story. Please bear with me. Will ensure that you live the storyJ

Kamsahamnida

Bred and grown up in an environment of business entrepreneurs I wanted to excel in business and entrepreneurship as well, though there wasn’t much sustenance from the inner circle of my family. I felt I should create history just like my uncle who did his project on Vision/Navigation for Blind which attracted the interests of the Indian Government and got an offer for 50 lakhs. Though not to that mark, I wanted to become the second most popular kid in the family to be a social entrepreneur animating my academic gen and first girl to be so.

I was determined to achieve all this independently though there were many compromises to work collaboratively. But I was sure I want to have my own identity and not to bask in the shades of my family. Maybe this spirit inculcated in me was simply due to the fact that I was named after the great leader who fought for women liberty; my heart throbbed to the same beat of thoughts. In fact this was my theatrical dialogue on one of my stage plays

நிமிர்ந்த நன்னடை நேர்கொண்ட பார்வையும்,

நிலத்தில் யார்க்கும் அஞ்சாத நெறிகளும்,

திமிர்ந்த ஞானச் செருக்கும் இருப்பதால்

செம்மை மாதர் திறம்புவ தில்லையாம்;

அமிழ்ந்து பேரிரு ளாமறி யாமையில்

அவல மெய்திக் கலையின்றி வாழ்வதை

உமிழ்ந்து தள்ளுதல் பெண்ணற மாகுமாம்

உதய கன்ன உரைப்பது கேட்டிரோ!

சாத்தி ரங்கள் பலபல கற்பராம்;

சவுரி யங்கள் பலபல செய்வராம்;

மூத்த பொய்மைகள் யாவும் அழிப்பராம்;

மூடக் கட்டுக்கள் யாவுந் தகர்ப்பராம்;

காத்து மானிடர் செய்கை யனைத்தையும்

கடவு ளர்க்கினி தாகச் சமைப்பராம்;

ஏத்தி ஆண்மக்கள் போற்றிட வாழ்வராம்;

இளைய நங்கையின் எண்ணங்கள் கேட்டிரோ;

Here are few testimonials to institutions which equally have made contributions to bring me up to the position where I am now 

Testimonial—St. Josephs Anglo Indian Girls Higher Secondary School Batch 1995-2008

14 years Convent education has made me no lesser than a Thasavathar as an orator, writer, sketcher, dancer, artist, math lover, Basketball player, confidant, blogger, and a maverick indeed. My school had been with me during three stages of my life: infancy, childhood and adolescence. Convent will you take me back as your student?!

"An awesome school to explore and discover who you want to be. 

It not only teaches you academics but other extracurricular activities and gives you opportunities to bring out your skills that are dormant in you 

“If you are from Convent you must be good in English” is not just a stereotype. 

They encourage kids to speak English even at home and when conversing with friends. This makes us a natural in English Communication which many colleges and companies do training for.

Thank you Sisters of the Chavnod, Excelsior"

Testimonial-- Saranathan College of Engineering Batch 2008-2012

I completed my engineering from a not so famous college called Saranathan engineering college of Engineering. But I got the best pick of friends in my college life. Had fun, learnt few academic concepts, Fortunate for the field, unfortunate for me – my heart said to my brain “Please, you don’t want to be a pro in it!” So I dint chose a masters. Just wanted to be a Bachelor in it. I liked MBA instead and it liked me back!  Saranathan this is for you.

"The college has a current annual intake of 600 students for the 6 branches offered at the undergraduate level and 174 students for the 5 courses offered at the post-graduate level.With a built up area of 200000 sq ft, 8 seminar halls and a state of the art library with more than 40000 books and 225 periodicals and journals (both national and international), the college offers the ideal environment for the students to absorb and assimilate the top class technical education and professional training offered.With such amenities in the college and with the students entering already with good cut offs there is no doubt that it produces university rank holders easily every year. Came across department Symposiums organized by students, clubs and sports but missed few aspects of college life like Culturals and theatrics

Hats off Saranathan"

Testimonial- SSN School of Management Batch 2012-2014

 I was an avid fan of getting into one of the A, B, C, K, L, R, S, T, and U’s of the times. I dint take my CAT that year for which I had placed my hearts and soul into. But the place I ended up to be dint make me regret for it at any instance. All the professors had a very good impression on me and I kept up to it. I topped all the semesters, with the title of best outgoing student and my name inscribed on a board in my college. I saw the best in myself there Here goes the testimonial for SSN

"Whether it’s the palpable vibe of an alma mater, having tons to do, or the fact that my college is a great place to learn and explore, I have a lot of experiences to share about SSN School of Management, few of which I would like pen down in my testimonial"The facilities at the SSN are 

impeccable; a beautiful and historic campus setting, classmates from many different cultures and backgrounds, lecturers with interesting insights into current best industry practice and academic thinking, an intimate class-tutor environment, a focus on individual personal development, and multiple company projects offering the immediate opportunity to apply academic learning; all of these made the SSN MBA program a truly stimulating experience, and a very worthwhile investment in terms of both personal and professional development. My experience at SSN has meant career advancement to a highly responsible and strategically challenging position in a leading-edge company. Along with that goes an increased sense of  self-esteem and a feeling of accomplishment and personal satisfaction”

Thank you SSN"

Testimonial- HCL Technologies 2014-Engine still hot

 I joined HCL 2 months after graduating. I was the youngest among a team of 8 members and I was the only fresher in the team. I worked hard and sincerely, thanks to my boss and colleagues, my learning curve was exponential.

"HCL helped me to achieve what I wanted to be along with accomplishing  its organization goals. HCL is one of only eight 21st century listed technology companies in the world to cross $1bn in Net Profit, $6bn in Revenue and $15bn in Market Capitalization. Our business philosophies are pretty popular, “Relationship beyond the contract”, “Employees First”, and “Ideapreneurship culture”. We operate around 31 countries with 24% women in global workforce. Offerings include product engineering, custom & package applications, BPO, IT  infrastructure services, IT hardware, systems integration, and distribution of information and communications technology (ICT) products across a wide range of industries.If you want to work in an environment which encourages your dreams then HCL is the place"

Gift of the Decade

The work of Malinowski and Sahlins suggests a relationship between the closeness of social relationships and the purity of the gift. But I have wondered which gifts are most likely to succeed – and to fail? Who gets more anxious about gift buying, men or women? What gifts do they like, Material or experiences? As far as I perceive, we give gifts...

·         To show contemplation, love and regard. A simple gift that comes candidly from the heart will certainly be acknowledged

·         To present a gift of laughter. Imagine the happiness of a kid who would smile at a simple gift.

·         To sincerely express thanksgiving. We thank God for his perfect gift of life; for the blessings that we have received and will receive in the future; and I believe this is the reason we donate  in temples and churches

·         Ultimately to make the receiver feel special/thrilled without expectations of returns

Here are three thumb rules for giving gifts: 

1. A gift must be appropriate and relevant to the person.
2. Always go for anything handmade but ensure it’s versatile too.
3. Gifts should be memorable, need not be expensive. 

Some uncommon yet thoughtful gifts you can give to your loved ones

1. Handmade Journal with a Little Pen
2. Handwritten letter. Let your heart talk.
3. A small sapling/ A seed of their favorite fruit/vegetable/flower
4. Fill a nice jar with slips of paper, each with a reason you appreciate (or love) someone.
5. Voucher for dinner at his/her favorite restaurant.
6. Birds in a bird house/ Fish in a fish bowl/ Or a pet of their choice
7. Subscriptions. For example, one-year favorite magazine subscription.
8. T-shirt with their favorite superhero or their favorite  philosophy
9. Remote control vehicle even if he/ she is grown up
10. Polaroid camera
11. Hundi if he/she loves to save
12. Tracking tile
13. Dancing water speakers
14. Alarm Clock on Wheels which moves when it alarms
15. Art Kit if he/she loves artwork
16. Calendar with their pics for every month’s page
17. 3D paper weight of their image
18.  Swing set or a Bean Bag
19. A day to spend in an Ashram
20. A photo shoot with him/her and making an album out of it
21. Do graffiti in a wall together
22. Day outing at a Country Club resort with your siblings on their birthdays
23. Day outing to an exotic snow resort/ theme park/ themed candle light restaurant along with your loved ones
24. A subscription for classes that they are interested in (Eg: Rhythm and combat/ instrumental)
25. Deep sea diving or Catamaran ride
26. And if you just can’t decide at all, take them for shopping

 I would wish to quote few excerpts from conversations with friends that celebrate the spirit of gift giving and receiving. This yielded in awesome replies some of which were characteristic to the person’s own reflection. I don’t know if I could give justice by narrating exactly what they felt without giving specifics but let me give it a shot.

Moments Matter

Nithin, whose Birthday falls on summer vacation and who has never distributed chocolates, never heard claps or birthday songs; went to school ironically that May, when his 10th results were announced. The walls were made of dusky stone, dimly lit by torches. Empty benches rose on either side of him, but ahead, in the highest benches of all, were many shadowy figures. They had been talking and discussing, as they were skimming through the results. To his disenchantment, one of his teachers came out with the news saying something was wrong!

He then asked, “Did I fail in Social?” She said “No, Nithin, you have just got 69 in Mathematics”

He was speechless with no words to reply cos he had never scored anything less than 90 in his entire 10th standard.

Whenever he found himself feeling claustrophobic, he would go to a ground behind his school. It was the most pacific place he had ever been. Rocks and dirt clods clanged against the benches there and onto the gravel path that led to the ground. He threw the chocolates away and sat there watching gully cricket for hours; the climate was unbearable that day. He felt a bead of sweat slowly drip down his neck and sacrifice itself to the cotton confines of his already-damp birthday shirt.

The only sound he could hear was the guys yelling and arguing on a sticky wicket. He slowly walked to the temple nearby and slept there by afternoon. Time flew and the dark clouds were almost heavy for a downpour.

Out of the blue one of his friends came and woke him calling his name thrice. He had no idea, no clue how he found him there. His friend then got him a soda and dropped him with his cycle, went back to the temple and brought his’ too. At last he gave a greeting card wishing him “Happy Birthday”. Nithin felt a ray of happiness make its way through the vents of his sad mood.

The next day he came to know that the guy who found him scored first marks in the CBSE exams. He then realized that the guy who spent all day searching for him without even reveling is a rare gift himself.

The friendship that he got that day is the best gift anyone could get. “Place and money doesn’t matter when the subject is you and the theme is love and the gift be it anything great or small”, says Nithin.

Sathya- The Secret Angel

When Sathya was a kid growing up in Trichy, he was labeled soft and kind. His teachers never suspected that he was a genius at caring: 2015 will mark the 4thyear anniversary for the team he had set up along with best friend to serve the foster children in Trichy

Sathya is a man of modest means, but each month he sets aside a portion of his paycheck to buy gifts to give the children. “If I hadn’t been a volunteer, I would have missed the best part of my life as a human being. I just want to show these children there is somebody out there in the community who loves them.” His unpretentious example has inspired many juniors to make the ‘Joy of Giving’ a priority.

Twenty-year-old Sathya with his friends, was huddled in front of the lengthy lists, checking out the gifts the children had asked for Christmas

His friends were blown away by his efforts, but doubts quickly emerged. The cost of all those special favors were as high as 80000. They thought they could never raise the money. Nonetheless, all his generous and compassionate friends got together to make the pool of funds. Within three days, checks and cash began arriving. Then word got around about the campaign, and as Christmas neared, more and more donations rolled in. The teen ultimately raised more than 1.5 lakh; enough to pay for all the gifts.

That Christmas Eve, they pulled on a Santa hat and delivered the gifts to all the kids. “This is the best Christmas I ever had,” said a kid from one of that foster homes.

“The smiles that you see in the faces of those kids is the best way to feel the real meaning of happiness”, says Sathya.

Play Cupid

Most of us know that Alexander Graham Bell is the inventor of the telephone and was National Geographic’s second president. But did you know about his romantic love story? In 1873 Alexander fell in love with Mabel when she was only 16, but it was an unreciprocated fancy. Despite her initial disinterest, she began to grow fond of him during his time as her speech teacher and their relationship evolved. In a letter to Mabel on the night of their engagement, Alexander wrote, “I am afraid to fall asleep, lest I should find it all a dream—so I shall lie awake and think of you.” Even though she was deaf, Mabel gave Alexander a piano as a wedding gift and asked that he play for her every day.

But even if the gifts didn't prove to be a match, there’s still this little lot of momentous situations where you can play Cupid to… We would probably cringe at every attempt to wow the opposite sex with horribly cheesy one-liners, but there’s no denying that each one of us would have our fair share of success stories.

A colleague of mine who is a writer of the modern era felt the book called “The Alchemist” is the best gift one can give on somebody for a lifetime.

One of my friends who studied in the so called IIM quoted with facts and figures that a study has recently showed most of the men wish for materialistic gifts while girls crave for gifts of experience showing that girl’s attachment to materialistic gifts is a fallacy.

Each one has their own way of expressing compassion through gifts. At the upshot if you are able to get an answer “Yes” to the question “Did you make them feel special?!” then you have succeeded in your mission.

“I believe that each reader creates his own film inside his head, gives faces to the characters, constructs every scene, hears the voices, smells the smells when he reads a story”, says Paulo Coelho.

Similarly a gift reflects your soul. Open your heart and hear its voice.

My first boss

As I reflect on what I’m grateful for over the past year, there is one person who stands out to me: my boss, Jagannath Bhashyam (I like to call him Jags). Last year right around this time, I graduated from my college and chose to work (Thanks to my parents for respecting my choice). It’s not all rainbows and unicorns, but it is striking to me how much more fulfilled I am now. Truth be told, a lot of that has to do with my boss who loves trains and google maps (which is of substantial interest to me as well).

I won’t mention specifics, but as we talk I realize how important it is for people early in their careers to have a great boss.

During the first few years of your working life you have much to learn:

· How do I get things done?

· Should I mimic or copy behaviours of others?

· How hard should I work?

· Should I speak up in meetings?

· Even something as important as... What should I wear?

Early in my career this was all very stressful. Of course I wanted to succeed - but I wasn’t sure how. My advice is to be yourself (that’s what I did). But in the meantime, it often comes down to having a great boss.

To be honest, I’m not the easiest girl to manage (People call DRB which says Dhivya “Rebel” Bharathy). I act on my instincts 90% of the time, and that translates to obsessive and crazy swings of both innovative ideas and moods. But he manages. Here’s one of the things I love most about the way he manages me: He pretty much leaves me alone. He knows I’m incredibly driven and he lets me do what he wants me to do. He knows I’ll make his projects my projects and do my best.

1. He rarely gave criticism but always helped.

His philosophy was to give great advice, help us succeed, and always work as a team. I looked up to him and always "copied" what he did to make myself better. The few times he gave me specific advice, I really listened.

2. He took us with him.

He was the type of manager who would always take someone junior with him on the big proposal call. He drove a Wagon R (he had it for 8 years now and it looks just as new as it could be) and he would drop me at home, when there are extended work hours

3. He took care of us.

Jags was the kind of person who always worried if someone wasn't in the office or had a problem with the proposals. He wasn't interested in our personal lives that much, but he sure cared if we had any problems.

4. He was fun.

Jags really was a fun-loving person, and even though he intimated almost everyone, he always told a joke at just the right time. He knew that even though we had a huge quota and a million problems to solve every day, it was all part of the game.

5. He went home on time, usually.

Believe it or not, in those days we worked incredibly hard but we rarely stayed in the office past 10. We had an enormous job but we got it done in 50-55 or so hours a week. It set the tempo that we were all expected to get stuff done without staying all night.

6. He’s the best damn networker I’ve ever seen.

The guy’s got connections. He’s got connections upon connections. Why? Because he works at it. It’s one of the reasons I have tremendous respect for him. This is important beyond just personal admiration. Why? Because it’s what will make our company thrive.

If you can find a "Jags" early in your career, you're very lucky. Do whatever you can to find this kind of manager early in your career.

I also know he’s not the only good boss out there. There are lots of helpful, caring, loyal, devoted, funny, supportive, skilled, classy managers. Maybe you work for one. Maybe you’re one of them. If you're a manager, remember you can "be Jags" Consider it an awesome responsibility. You could possibly impact someone for the rest of their life. So to all the great bosses out there, just in case you don’t get a note like this one, I’d like to say a big fat thank you.

Since he is retiring from job I dedicate this note to him cos he is not only a great leader but a man to be remembered.

My Experience with the Anonymous

The smallest donation to the life changing moments

When you wake up in the morning, glad to be alive, whom do you thank for? 

When you feel sad and forlorn, without a friend in the world, to whom do you turn? 

When you are puzzled and mystified by the challenges life throws your way, to whom do you turn for help and guidance?

If you did not know the answers to the above questions, you have come to the right place. And if you answered “The Lord” to the three questions above; you have already found the path to happiness and salvation!  

I used to picturize God in a throne, in the skies or maybe as a light, and sometimes in the form of human beings too.  Many times when the unexpected happens and a huge U turn happens in life (infinite ‘U’s) I just look up to say I know it was you Lord. And when days end up with unanswered prayers, unfinished jobs, betrayal by someone close, and at times when the most expected fails to happen I apprehend if the former was His plan then for sure the latter is also His design. I never get angry but keep asking Him Why and just talk to Him. I have heard answers and He has made me smile, not once but many a times, making me feel like God’s favorite child. For some have believed He do exist whereas some don't bother to take a look around.

Ultimately sun sets are followed by sunrise probably in an opposite direction. All we have to do is take a look at the horizon. Find opportunities to help others, serve & rejoice in the smiles of the needy.

God never checks out of your life. When your heart is not in the right place (with sin or anxiety), it is then more difficult to feel God, but that does not imply that God left you. It only means your heart is synchronized with Him and you need to silent yourself, go back to Him and He’s waiting for you with all His heart! 

When you feel sad and forlorn, without a friend in the world, to whom do you turn? 

When you are puzzled and mystified by the challenges life throws your way, to whom do you turn for help and guidance?

Therefore it is required to rise up beyond our feelings and trust Him every single minute. Then you will feel that though you are alone you are actually not. :)

A small metaphor to make it simple

When you go on a first date with someone, do you tell them how wonderful you are and all the great things you can do, then ask them to marry you? Probably not.

And yet, this is exactly what the vast majority of startups and small businesses do when it comes to their marketing materials. Whether it's a brochure, a landing page, or a video on You Tube, most new business owners feel compelled to share every last value proposition they can in one breath, then "seal the deal" at the very end.

But this isn't how a great date, or a great piece of marketing, actually works. What most entrepreneurs tend to forget in their rush to make the sale is that the first shot isn't their only shot. If everything goes well on that first date (with, for example, the initial brochure) then that customer will likely come back for a second date (perhaps to your website or your YouTube channel) to find out more

That's what great marketing and strategy is all about -- figuring out what exactly you need to say to make the right first impression in order keep the conversation going. Talk too much about yourself or say the wrong thing and the date is over.

So first impression ought to be a commendable one.