Abhimanyu...

Abhimanyu Speaks

This is the speech made by a simple boy that didn’t do anything great, but was proud to achieve what he did in limited resources. A sentimental and motivational story, of love, sadness, joy and achievement. TO tell you once more, it’s not a speech of any great person. Ok let’s give a name to that Guy…. Abhimanyu as I like this name.

Abhimanyu is playing truth and dare with his friends in a birthday party of Akshar. He got trapped and chooses to say truthJ. The friends consulted and asked him to explain why he is being so miser even after having a great Job. Abhimanyu starts….
“Yes I am a miser because the money I am earning is not for me, but for my family. You people might not understand some of my points and I don’t care as I know I am doing what I am supposed to do. To start with, I belong to a middle class family and have seen both the highs and lows in terms of love, trust, friendship, money, relationships. Initially we had a joint family; I am taking when I am 4-5 years old. My father has 4 Brothers, all were good for nothing to be very straightforward. Only my father has the responsibility for food and the rest of my uncle get other things. My grandpa was not good with my father, I don’t know why, but my father is the only one now he would have been proud of if he would have been alive. My uncle and grandpa did some conspiracy and finally my grandpa asked my father to get out from the house and make his own arrangements. My father can’t even claim a single item as his responsibility includes filling in the food items and that can’t be claimed once gone in stomach. Well when we were thrown out, they gave my family a pillow and a thin bed sheet; well I can’t call that bed sheet also. My father didn’t say a single word as he is very proud and knows that it’s only the hard work needed to establish a person. My mother also supported thousand folds and it’s there vision and long sightedness that make them stand and now we have all the things that are needed to live a comfortable and normal life. Now my family not only has all the things of joy, but also a feeling of peace and satisfaction. And it took them 20 years to achieve this and they have worked day and night literally to achieve this for us. Now its time for me to repay them back what they actually deserves and for that I need money and I can do anything to save even a penny so as to use it on my family. Each person has a dream to achieve high and if I have that than its not surprising, yes the only difference is that I want to achieve big not for me but for my family. People say ‘you have to live for yourself’ and I deny that fact as I don’t wanna live for myself as I am nothing without my parents, friends and relatives and I always strive to make them happy at my own cost. So that’s my story in short…………. If you people have time to think the purpose of your life, then you will get to know the importance. And if you place your family ahead of everything, then you don’t have to think about the cause and results as the person having a clear picture and love and respect of the parents will definitely succeed in life.
May GOD bless all!”

Ratan Tata and the CORUS deal

India's Tata Steel has won the battle to take over the Anglo-Dutch steelmaker Corus by making a £5.75bn ($11.3bn) bid. Tata chairman Ratan Tata is not among the Forbes' list of 40 richest Indians around the world. His sprawling business empire is no longer the largest among privately-owned Indian groups. He's not even considered the most powerful businessman in India. More importantly, there's still a lack of clarity about who'll be his successor after his planned retirement in 2012. But he's one of the most respected corporate chieftains in India.
And when London-based steelmaker Corus agreed to his takeover bid in October, he had arrived on the global arena.

Aggressive and ambitious
That's a short snapshot of Ratan Tata, 69, who controls the $22bn Tata group, which includes 96 companies manufacturing a range of products from automobiles to watches, steel to fertilisers.
The takeover - the largest by any Indian company - marks yet another transformation in the corporate image of Ratan Tata during his 15 years' stint as the group chairman.
Today, the smooth, suave, and introvert Ratan is being seen as an aggressive and ambitious businessman, whose strategic vision has shifted from local to global.

This change started in February 2000, when Tata Tea purchased the UK-based Tetley for over $400m. In the financial year 2005-06, the group made 14 acquisitions (worth nearly $1.5bn).
In a recent interview to an Indian magazine, Ratan Tata said: "We were very obsessed with ourselves in India. So, I have felt for some time that we didn't need to be that."
Today, nearly a third of group revenues, some $6.7bn, comes from overseas markets.
"I think we've only just begun. If we stay in India, we'll be at a competitive disadvantage," Alan Rosling, director, Tata Sons, which is the group's holding company, told Reuters recently.
This realisation has struck many Indian promoters and, after the Tata-Corus deal, India's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) outflows will exceed FDI inflows in the first seven months of this financial year.
But it hasn't been a smooth ride for Ratan Tata. When he became the chairman in 1991, he was seen as a pushover by the group companies' CEOs, who lorded over their entities.
He had to battle it out with these satraps, who treated their companies as their fiefdoms. So, the new chairman eased out CEOs like Rusi Mody (of Tata Steel) and Ajit Kerkar (Indian Hotels).

Revamps
In the late 1990s, two of the top firms, Tata Steel and Tata Motors went through tumultuous crises and were saddled with huge losses.

Ratan revamped the operations of Tata Steel and made it one of the lowest-cost producers in the world.
He made the critics eat their own words, when he launched India's first indigenous car, Indica, which turned around Tata Motors' fortunes.
As the group entered the 21st Century, Ratan Tata was obsessed with four critical issues.
The first was to globalise his group's operations, where he has succeeded to a certain extent.
The second was to safeguard his companies against possible hostile takeovers after the London-based Indian, Lakshmi Mittal, purchased the Luxembourg-based Arcelor early in 2006 to become the world's largest steelmaker, and announced his ambitious plans in India.
So, to thwart any threats, Tata decided to up his stakes in most of the group companies.
Ratan Tata's most important concern, however, was to protect his top lines and bottom lines in the face of ever-increasing competition from domestic and global players.
To achieve this objective, he had no option but to become aggressive, a quality that helped him in other areas.
Today, the group, which was seen as risk-averse and cautious, has no qualms about taking on competitors publicly - be it in areas of policy-making, products launched or marketing tactics.

Staying on
Finally, the unmarried Ratan Tata had to look for a successor.
There were several candidates - including his step-brother, Noel - but none of them had an established track record. Some of them didn't have the character to carry on the legacy of a group that's synonymous with reliability of products, honesty, integrity and public service.

When he couldn't find a credible contender, Tata decided to take the bull by the horns and postponed his retirement.
Last year, the retirement age for non-executive directors of Tata Sons, the holding company, was raised from 70 to 75 years.
Thanks to that, Tata, a non-executive director, who was to retire in 2007, got a five-year extension. Now it appears it is time for Ratan Tata to establish himself on the global map. The Corus buyout makes Tata Steel the world's fifth largest steelmaker.
But it needs to play the catch-up game with Mittal. Tata has to do the same with Mukesh Ambani, the promoter of India's largest private sector firm, Reliance Industries, which aims to be among the top 100 in the Fortune 500 list.

Ratan Tata has a long way to go before he can bid farewell (or "tata" to use the Hindi word) to the world of work.

Reference: www.bbc.co.uk

Saddam - Hitler of Iraq

SADDAM – Hitler of Iraq

The first time I heard this name, when I was in class 3rd, nearly 15 years ago. It was the time when Iraq declared war with Kuwait. That time I was completely ignorant about what is the difference between a ‘Shia’ and ‘Sunni’. I always thought we are one people and one Muslim. Well that time I was influenced by the image of Saddam as portrayed by my fellow Muslim friends. I thought he was fighting for the justice of Muslim against the foreign powers, but I was wrong as no one doubts on that. Saddam Hussein dictator of Iraq, a powerful and brutal ruler that was in the picture because of the OIL. If Iraq won’t have Oil, might be we don’t have any popular name like Saddam and Iraq might be a normal city as others. The present and past of Iraq rotated between Oil and it also became a major factor in the downfall of Saddam’s regime.
I gave my title as ‘Saddam – Hitler of Iraq’ because I think he is similar the way Hitler is during his time. Saddam was a brutal person involved in the killing of several innocent fellow countrymen but he also keep his country safe against the invasion of many foreign forces that constantly tried to get hold of Iraq. But that doesn’t change the mindset of the common man. He killed so many people during his rule and made Iraq as one of the country where people not dare to go and live. The people in this country treat Shia and Sunni as enemies, where people are not even looking out for reasons to kill each other. Iraq being the Holy place of Shia’s and where Shia’s are not allowed to visit there holy places, not even allowed to grief on the holy graves. The two most important places include ‘Karbala’ and ‘Najaf’. Karbala where the famous battle took place and Imam Hussain being killed by the enemies. Iraq has created a picture of terror and injustice where there is no democracy and human rights. The person having gun is supreme and can rule over the weak and poor.
Now Saddam is no more, he was hanged by the Iraqi government after a long struggle when US and Allied forces attacked Iraq and captured the country and Saddam. For nearly 2 years, he was prosecuted and finally in a day his execution was announced. Right now Iraq is being governed by Iraqi government formed with the help of US and still the forces are in Iraq to stabilize the situation and to bring peace. Hope one day we will see Iraq as a prospering nation where all people are equal and peace and harmony will be across the nation and will contribute in not only its own growth, but for the entire world…..
NOTE: This article is just a view from an individual perspective and not be treated personally. No other intensions involved in this article.

My Journry from Chennai to London - Part 3 (Last part)

Chapter 3
Airport to Home – The last battle

I went outside the arrival and was searching for free phone that was available in Dubai. But unfortunately no free phones and I need to have 30 pense to call. I didn’t had the change. I went out and asked for a taxi to Basingstoke the place where I need to go. The driver told me 143 pounds. I was shocked as my collegues told me it will charge 50 pounds max. I went inside and encashed my travellers cheque. That lady was sweet and she make me understand how to read. I then called my collegue here and told all this. He told me to heck with the information counter and if I find any trouble, he will come and pick me up. I then went to the information counter and asked about my destination details as to how can I reach there. She told me two ways, taxi or catch a bus at the central bus station. I again took this as a challenge and decided to go by Bus. The othet thing in my mind was to save money. Also one of the friend in offshore who came for leave from UK told me to do the same. I then went along with the direction to Central bus station. It was a long distance of I think 1 Km and I reached there. I then went to the ticket counter and asked for the ticket to Basingstoke. She told me that there is a coach at 17:50 an will reach by 18:40. It was 16:00 local time. I had no option but to say yes. I got the ticket. It cost me 9.80 pounds. I then again called my collegue and updated him that I will be coming via bus and will probably reach by 7:00. I was really excited as first I had done everything alone without disturbing anyone, next I will be experiencing the bus travel also. I was waiting and nect tome was an aunty. She was an Indian settled in London. We had a normal talk and she asked me about myself. I told about me and where I am working. I also praise my company TCS and TATA. She was also impressed and told about the recent overtake of tata steel. It was a nice discussion and next the time went well. I was not at all feeling lonely. Well yes that loneliness of leaving India, my family and friends is a different thing and no one can fill this. I mean that darr was not there now and I was enjoying. Also the whether was cold and finally I thought I got relieved from Chennai climateJ. It was my bus time, I said bye to the Aunty and boarded on to the bus. The bus was on time and as expected reached my destination on time. I enjoyed the journey and was feeling sleepy. I then get down at the stop and searched for the taxi. There I asked a guy and he told me the point. I went in a call taxi office at the stand and asked for a taxi. The lady told me to wait and after 10 mins, the taxi was available. It was not far away the house of my collegue. After 10 mins we were at the place, but he didn’t find the house number. There a group of girls were passing and the driver asked them the number. One of the girl went in and searched the number for me. I thanks them all and to the driver and went along. It was dark by the time. Finally the number was correct and the house also. I ring the bell and my collegue went in. I was relieved finally that I have reached safely.

It’s the time to close this story. I hope you have enjoyed and I want all of them to write the same. Also I have definitely miss out many people. Please pass it on to the one who I and u knows. Apologies again for such a big mail and not informing you people as it all happened so fast.
Miss u all and take care. U people gave me a chance to live a life that I had never ever expected.All the best to all

My journey from Chennai to London - Chapter 2

Chapter 2
Flying High

It was still night when the plane took off, I can see Chennai in lights, not very much though but was good. I kept the downward camera to see and feel each and every moment. I still couldn’t believe, my fortune will turn like this. I always get what I desire, but it took time for me to get. Well I know two years in TCS is too much, but I was hoping some couple of months. Well I think all happens for good only. I was feeling hungry as I didn’t had proper food the last day. Not because I didn’t had time, I was not willing to have as I was in complete state of confusion. Finally after an hour they came with break fast and the air hostess asked me what would I like to have, veg or omelette. I told her omelette. Well that box contains cheese omelette, mushrooms and kabab. It was the best ever breakfast I had after a very long time. Very delicious. I was thinking to ask more but controlled my desire. Might be this was because of my hunger. Well I then tried to sleep and adjusted myself. I think economy class is good for an hour or 2 travel. But not for long distance journey. Also I m not used to sit for long and the people in my project knows better. Hey hold on that doesn’t means I didn’t work J. Now we have crossed land and now flying over Arabian sea. I still couldn’t see clearly as it was night continuing. Finally Dubai seems closer. Dubai is always been my dream place and if life permits I want to get settled there. The plane was on time and I like that being a punctual guyJ. Finally I can see Dubai from top and it looks fascinating. We landed by 10 AM as scheduled. From there we get down and went in bus for connecting flight terminal. There again I need to get pass the security and there also I need to ask to remove all my stuffs except clothesJ. I cleared and thinking what next. I asked one official about the next flight that I need to catch. He directed me to the information counter on first floor. TO tell u ppl, Dubai airport is awesome and has got everything from shopping to hot bath, to everything. Also it looks more or like Emirates airport. The airport is filled with emirates planes and all the other flights also. When I get down and saw in all four directions, I can see construction is going on. That’s why its the fastest growing city in the world. Well I reached the counter and show my ticket. The lady told me that I need to board from Gate no 15. I went to gate 15 and that lady told me that my boarding time is 09:05 and my flight time was 09:50 AM Dubai time. Well I then called up my brother staying in Dubai from the free phone. I talked with him for 20 mins and he adviced me lot of things and asked about my project and stay. I can feel the caring from his side and no one in my family and relative expects that I can do this and that too in such a short notice. Now definitely they will be proud of me. I then waited for the flight, I still had 1 hour to time pass. I was just sitting and browsing ppl. I know many of you thinking about that I am staring girls, well that’s also true, because after seeing them I realise why there is always praise for Indian women. Well hats off to all the India Women, you rocks the entire world with your beauty and elegance. Its 09:00 and I started towards gate 15 and then check in and was waiting in the lounge. There I was looking for Indians and I recognized couple of guys and family. I was still hoping that I might get a chance to sit with a babeJ. Well my seat number is K40 and I got that this was a window seat. I was really glad to knew that. Now I can see the sights as it will be a day journey. Finally they announced to board and I went in the plane. It was now my second experience. I get into the plane and as known it was a window seat. Agaaaaaaaaain fate played with me and I was supposed to sit with a father and his son. The guy must be around 16 yrs but was looking more grown up than me. Well that’s there physic. It’s a 7 hour journey and I was thrilled. Now the tension was little bit only as everything was going on smoothly. The plane took off. Since dubai is also a fast growing, we need to wait in line to take off. Finally the plane took off and I can see this now from my window. Unforgettable moment. The route that the plane took was that we flown over Dubai, then Sharjah, both looks great from top and I the feeling that I am on top of the world was coming regularly. We then cross the Black Sea across its breadth, then Istanbul, sorry I forgot some names, but it was great. In both the flights we were travelling at 38000ft (10852 meters) above ground and with a speed of 900 km/hr. It was looking as if I was seeing this via google earth. Well after an hour I got the snacks and cold drink. Then at 2:00 pm Dubai time I got the lunch. It was salad with rice and dal and sweet, etc. It was good. Near London because of traffic we circled 5 rounds and because of this our flight got delayed by 20 mins. It was all clouds and I can feel the cold and realized Abdul you are gone. You haven’t taken enough warm clothes with you. Well finally we landed and I now thought previously I was only 1500 km away from my home and now I am nearly 4500 km from my home in a country were I don’t know anybody. Well I just got off from the plane and went in to the exit. There first I went to the immigration. They told me to fill a form and go for your medical. I filled the form and went for medical. I met twu guys from TCS in the same flight and working for BT. We went along the medical then to immigration and finally I went in to get my luggage. All this happen very smoothly and I didn’t face any trouble. I was already briefed by my collegues and I felt confident that I can do this as I have to. Well I got down to get my luggage and also see off the two guys with good luck and went in my way outside the arrival. I also checked with an officer about to call and to encash my travellers cheque. He told me it was outside. I went I along my way.

My Journey from Chennai to London - Part 1

“My Journey to my Destiny”

Well how correct the name is I don know, but sounds cool right.

Chapter 1
The Preparation

It was a day of 26th Oct, 2006, time was say around 7:00 PM India, I was hinted by my PM, that I might have to leave UK the next day. I was surprised as I have expected something from them, but that early I was not sure. The problem seems to be my WP (Work Permit). I have got the WP long back as I was supposed to go for a UK short trip, but that got to no where. So as per the directions, if a person avails a WP then within 6 months, he/she needs to get travel. My WP issue date was 28th Mar and hence 6 months will get over on 28th Oct. this is why my managers needs me at least by 28th Oct to UK. So by night on 26th, they were 90% sure that I will be going to UK. The night was a bad night for me as I was confused as to what to do or not. I called my parents and asked them what to do. They told me its your decision and you only decide. My parents always been supportive and knows that I will do good only and that encourages me a lot. Well while talking with them, I can feel the desire to see me before I leave anywhere. In India if you go anywhere, its ok, you can come anytime you want, but abroad is something that is not feasible and the sole of anyone that goes is to earn money and save. Well that night I also discussed my friends and room mates and I got a mixed response. Some of them were praying that my trip gets delayed and I heartily love that from them as it make me feel that some ppl are there that will miss me when I wont be there. I have really got so many good friends far far better than me in all the respects. Well that night I just get all the stuffs ready and talked with my parents and friends late night. I tried to sleep. It was already 3 AM and I was just waiting for the sun to show his face. I got up by 6. I kept the alarm for 5 but didn’t know it rang or not. It was raining heavily and continued for the whole day. Well I get to the office by 7:15 AM and was very much tensed as to whats gonna happen next. I was praying that something will happen and my trip gets postponed for sometime. If that happens then I have to again re apply for my WP and it would have taken atleast 15 days. Well I was waiting for my PM Senthil sir. I waited till 9 and I didn’t get any hint of him. I then went for breakfast with my colleague Srijeet. He too asked whats the status and I was not having any answer as I too don’t know what will be my future in the next 8 hours. Well I finished off my break fast and checked if my PM came or not. There I came to know he was on leave for today. Friday always being a fun day for me, but that day I was just hoping to get over asap. Well the next thing I did was talked with my Operational Head Balaji. He told me that you have to go today anyhow. I asked him whether it can be postponed, he told me that we don’t have enough time to apply for a new WP. Well I had to agree on that. There then my tension started and they also at a time started my travel formalities. The rain was still on its full flow. I was thinking that the Chennai clouds were crying hearing this news and they came to know a day back itselfJ. So the whole day went like that, I have to couple of documents and need to collect my tickets, money and medical reports. Mani helped me via his friend to sign the overseas agreement. Once again thanks a lot to Mani and your friend who took the trouble in rain for the sake of me. Thanks a lot buddy, miss u. then I called my friend and colleague Vinhodh and asked him that we need to go to collect my reports and tickets. To be very frank, I didn’t gave him any option and I know he didn’t even mind in helping me in such a whether. Also I called my parents and updated them about my travel. Called my two very dear friends Kavi and Varsh and asked them to come asap. Also I called all my friends school, college, ILP, relationship and told them that I will be leaving today night. So all this happen in that single day and I cam back to office at 7 PM and was ready to go home as I need to prepare and pack my luggages. Also I called my room mate Abhi to get the cosmetic stuffs as I wont be having any time to buy. He too didn’t oppose or I didn’t gave him any option I say. Well just met all of my friends and departed. I can see the sadness and feeling that they gonna miss me when I wont be here. Well that’s what I wanted, that when I leave ppl should miss me and I think I have given them to the best of I can. I packed my bags and was ready for the airport. Once again I wanna thank all of them who were there during my good and bad times in Motorola. Well to mention my team is the best. Dev, Sudhir, Kavitha, Varshini, Priya, Sreedhar, Mani, Vinhodh, and my Kodai group, ILP mates and my never forgetting room mates Amit, Vicki, Abhishek and Prabhjot. All gave me good luck and best wishes.

Ok now its time for my journey details. I cant imagine I have written such a big mailJ. Well I think its what everyone feels away from home and India. I reached airport by 12 midnight with my room mate Abhi. My flight was at 4:15. Actually, i had flight from Chennai to Dubai and then Dubai to London. I was supposed to reach London by 2:15 PM UK tim ours will b in the evening. I was still talking with my friends and I was updating every action to my parents. The phone was ringing all the time. I have to change my battery with Kavi’s. everyone called and wish me luck. I then check in for security by 1 AM. Again It was a big queue. Ok finally I get passed the security, I was carrying one suitecase and a handbag. I then directly went to the boarding counter. There also, it was damn slow and I waited in the queue for almost 30 mins. When my turn came, I was a bit worried as to know how much weight I was carrying. It was totally 34 Kg. 25.5 the suitecase and rest hand bag. I was carrying all my docs and report in that and also the ticket. I went through that, gave my suitecase to the emirates and collect my tickets. I got two tickets, one from Chennai to Dubai and the other one was from Dubai to London. I then finally called up my parents and talked being in India. My mother cried and I couldn’t stop my emotions. Well I asked her not to worry and talked with my father and sister. I then asked Abhi to leave and told him all the best. I then went to the immigration check and there he examined my passport and asked me few questions reg my reason of travel, is it ur first travel to abroad, any doc that ur company gave to you…. I then cleared the immigration and went in directly for security check. There I was asked to remove all the stuffs except clothing J. I then was all set to wait for the flight. I called my friend and talked with her for an hour and she adviced me all the things. I was supposed to wait for more than an hour and hence while talking with her, the time went like a rocket. Then the announcement came for all the passengers travelling in flight no 543, please proceed to the gate. I again stood in line and waiting for the line to progress. It was a moment of mixed reactions. Happiness, excitement, sadness, a feeling of something I m gonna miss, my parents, my friends, my Motorola, JNR, HR of my JNRJ all came into my mind. Well I get in the plane and it was a biggie. I cheked in and searched my seat and got myself comfortable. Again luck played with me and I was surrounded by guysL. In plane there was a middle line and I was sitting on the left side. Thank GOD I didn’t get a seat in the middle. I was still tensed. Well the air hostesses were walking around and were checking all the security things for each and every passenger. Finally the time 4:15 arrived and the captain announced that we gonna take off soon. I was looking outside the window. People were trying to sleep, but I want to enjoy this moment of my life. I also opened the TV screen and set my option for the forward camera of the plane so that I can see each and every moment. People next to me were trying to sleep, but I don wanna loose this moment with my sleep. If I would have slept for the whole time, I would have nothing to write for you people. I have sacrificed my sleep for this mailJ, just kidding. The plane took off and I was flying in air. I have never imagined and thought all this gonna happen in a single day. I cried for a moment that I left India, where I stayed for 24 years and it gave me so many things that I cant even describe.

Chapter 2 in the Next Post

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