Time to move on from IQ, EQ, SQ towards HQ

Innumerable scandals, slowing economy, policy paralysis, rampant corruption with greed devouring our despicable politicians India is going through a hidden depression even though it boasts of rich cultural diversity, so called demographic dividend and highly intellectual citizens. Is it growing materialism, widening gap between the classes or decomposition of human values ?

       With the advent of technology the world has moved from Intelligence Quotient (IQ) & Emotional Quotient (EQ) to Social Quotient (SQ) - which does help people connect across boundaries, surpassing all barriers and geographies. But has it helped improved lives of all individuals - a person with high SQ might not    necessarily be in a position to improve quality of life for themselves or for others. Hence for those who are so "Quotient Conscious" there needs to be brought a revolutionary change in the approach to scales and measures - developing a new "Humanity Quotient" (HQ) which might help those belonging to the cadre of self-centred class in eradicating the curses highlighted in the introductory statement above.
       Of all we read and hear the practical and most recent display of both the sides of humanity was during Uttarakhand Disaster where - on one side was indian army and other relief workers who were working tirelessly in rescuing so many lives while on the other hand was display of greed by people who decided to ignore the voice of helpless victims.
       A recent example of such inhuman-human clash was when my friend was stuck in Pune  rains and asked couple of auto-rickshaw drivers to drive him home - a distance of 7 kms. They non-chalantly asked a price double than the normal meter rate although due to rains my friend was ready to pay a slight premium. Determined not to give in to the demands of such inhumane people he moved further ahead and found an honest driver who was ready to go by meter. On reaching his destination he still paid the premium amount same, as offered to greedy drivers to honor the integrity of those whose character is not yet rotten.
      We come across many such encounters of clashes between righteousness and greed and may be a "Humanity Quotient" would make people more conscious of how they portray as well as generate awareness among the needy to be at an arms distance of such politicians, entrepreneurs and other such victims of greed. HQ might be one revolution that might bring back the society to its glory.

Wildlife and nature ...

Some images clicked from nature and wildlife which are close to my heart :)

Food for thought ...

Read some interesting quotes in Sunday Times dated 17th January 2010.

We turn to God for help
when our foundations are shaking,
only to learn that it is God
who is shaking them.

--- Charles C West

There is no education like adversity.

--- Disraeli

A bend in the road is not the end of the road
.... unless you fail to make the turn.

--- Anonymous

Pain is inevitable.
Suffering is optional.

--- M Kathleen Casey

I know God will not give me
anything I can't handle. I just
wish he didn't trust me so much.

--- Mother Teresa

The only thing that overcomes hard luck
is hard work.

--- Harry Golden

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.

--- Garth Brooks

I ask not for a lighter burden,
but for broader shoulders.

--- Proverb

If you don't like something change it;
if you can't change it, change the
way you think about it.

--- Mary Engelbreit

Making India shine forever ...

It hurts to hear that the world bank report cites Uttar Pradesh as the least favourable investment destination in India. It hurts more on showing ignorance in being part of the change that each one of us could bring to metamorph it into another Maharashtra or Karnataka.
Given below is the extract from the World Bank Financial Accountability Assessment for UP :

"Uttar Pradesh (UP) is India's most populous State, and one of the poorest. Serious fiscal problems have emerged since the 1990s: the revenue deficit has increased significantly over the years, as well as the fiscal deficit, and, arrangements for accountability in the public sector have been undermined. Procedures exist for budgeting and monitoring the use of public resources, but there is little incentive to follow them. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India questions numerous departmental actions each year, but there is no compulsion on the executive branch to provide prompt answers, and to make necessary changes. Some useful progress has been made in implementing the financial management reform program over the last three years, as follows: 1) Computerization of the Treasuries in a network system has been completed at state government level, enabling the Government to monitor cash flows and prevent excess expenditures; 2) a Directorate of Internal Audit has been established in the Department of Finance to provide central leadership, and guidance in the development of departmental audit; and, 3) measures are being taken to establish better control over payrolls. The report reviews the strengths and weaknesses in financial management and accountability, to present a risk analysis that highlights widespread irregularities, and lack of prompt and predictable corrective action, meaning that the overall level of fiduciary risk remains high. It suggests there is significant scope for the Government of UP to improve the efficiency, and effectiveness of public spending through further consolidation of the budget, better matching of accountability with responsibility, routine enforcement of accountability, and greater transparency. This would be fully consistent with the fiscal reform program, and would have a direct impact on the GoUP's ability to provide more, and better quality public services to the poor. Recommendations suggest to a) depute one or more senior officials in the Finance Department to oversee public financial accountability reforms; b) review and update Financial Handbooks, Treasury Rules and Budget Manuals; c) develop and implement a Medium Term Expenditure framework in major spending departments of GoUP; and, d) strengthen accountability in Rural Local Bodies, in internal controls in Development Authorities, in internal audit within GoUP, in state government training institutions, and, build capacities within the Finance Department."


Charity begins at home and being an Indian we believe in taking the onus of making each and every state of India as competitive as the best in the league.
The greatest asset of India is its youth i.e WE, and to make a change we have to take the challenge head on. Being aware of the fact that education is one of the pillars of the sound economy I ensure that I take up the educational responsibilities of one underpriviliged child. If the youth of India takes a pledge to be responsible for just a single child's primary education the count would go upto whopping 350 million.

Eternal Happy Mothers Day

On this second sunday of May christened as Mothers Day by Anna Jarvis in 1912 almost 50% countries i.e. 71 of the 147 countries demonstrate/shower their feelings for their mums.
But do we need a special day or a reason to express our feelings or to thank a person who is the reason for our existence. I feel that even the countless breaths that i have taken would each be resounding the unspoken words ... "Happy Mothers Day Maa".
May be this day merely gives the stand to all these feelings as for the entire 364 days it was deep within your countless breath and on this day you express it in various forms of tokens,gifts,quality time etc.So sitting thousands of miles away I also take this opportunity to shower my love in the form of words. Thanks for teaching me the early lessons of walking - those lessons have made me a person who can anytime walk with head held high, thanks for holding the finger on times when i could have lost my way - it showed me the path of honesty and integrity on which i tread without compromise, thanks for teaching me the way to speak - that still makes me speak with love and warmth to young ones and with reverence to the elders.
I would like to wish and dedicate this article on your behalf to all the mums in this world and salute you all for nurturing us and making us the great global citizens and future leaders. At all times you protect us as a shield inflicting all hardships and pains upon you.
I would also like to apologize as well as thank for the times when i would have reasoned your judgements as that have made me a decision maker of sorts. Your suggestions were and will always be valuable as they are for the well being. If I could give you something for all the wealth I have received in being alive and successful is by following on your principles of taking care of everyone in good as well as bad times.Love you Maa.

Another new mall ... where is the Recession !!!

For months as a passerby I saw this grande architecture being built. I used to discuss with my friends and we always had an impression that a this sprawling space coming up would definitely have some huge MNC office coming up. The reason for this deductive reasoning .... RECESSION !!! DEPRESSION !!! FINANCIAL BUBBLE BURST !!!
As the finishing was being completed and the publicity started, to our surprise another Mall sprung - "TAMPINES 1" .
It was even more startling as it was a development project of around S$ 450 Million.
Being naive in the entrepreneurship skills it struck like a dumb idea with already two huge malls - 1) Tampines Mall , 2) Century Square - being in close proximity. But my notions were falsified when i visited to catch a glimpse of the architectural glamour of Tampines 1.
There was such a mad rush of shoppers and window shoppers that the promoters and shop owners would not even think of their PM Lee's statement that Singapore should get ready to face the recession.

Anniversary of notice ....

April 8th 2008 was a tough day for me ... I was in a Shakespearean dilemma of "To be or not to Be" and finally i decided to go for the plunge.
I went to my Project Lead and took him aside to convey the news .... "Sameer I would like to put down my papers". Sam as he was popularly known, was always as kewl as a cucumber even in a Pressure Cooker situation.
Capgemini for me was the company with which I wished to have a lifelong affair. Luckily, that was not destined to happen.I now realize the rewards of moving out of so called "comfort zone". Over the year there have been so many experiences that have become part of my life - learning which i have always cherished, seeing excellent managerial skills,handling pressure, and some unwanted change to my excellent disciplined routine. But all this has transitioned me as a better person with management skills and above all having extensive technical knowledge and domain expertise like never before.
Working at an onsite client location is an icing on the cake which was baked almost a year ago. Being sensitive about the cultural bridges and respecting them is one thing that is the gift of this anniversary. Capgemini for me is like a parent who has nurtured and brought me up in the professional world and Wipro is like an institution who has instilled in me the tenacity to handle the challenges that life throws out.