“You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop”
― Rumi
My friend shared this quote. What does the great sufi poet mean?
Perhaps the entire existence lies in you and you are the answer to everything..
All possibilities lie in you..
Think about that dear friends. What do you think?
Goodnight from these parts. Hope you have a good day!
Love, suresh
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
–Japanese proverb
We had interviews in office. People came in good numbers. My job was to screen and interview candidates in a auditorium. I had to turn people away in large numbers. I stood on a podium with a little stand ( lectern) and called people one by one to speak to them and often turn them away. I stood for five hours and spoke to nearly two hundred people. I progressed some for more interviews with the recruiting panel and declined most of them. I tried to do it with dignity. I have experience in these matters.
I had a candidate who cried and she couldn’t control her tears as she persuaded me with all her passion to give her an opportunity. I am true to work. I had to decline her, took her outside the auditorium and gave her a glass of water. She saw my identity card and asked me ” Are you a south indian? my husband is a south indian” Her last bait perhaps. I finally gave her my email and number and promised to help for future requirements. She left with a paltry smile. I could see her pain and tried my best to restore dignity. There is no personal rejection.
There was older candidate who showed up with a framed certificate issued by a district collector with picture of former prime minister. I had to decline him. He tried all he could, some times the means are suspect, he may have picked it up from his native town where the neighborhood bully wins, never mind, shook his hands. He left and later saw him walking away with his wife. I wondered why he had to work at his age and try so hard, may be he is a street fighter.
I tried to share my thoughts and give reasons for a decline. Many took advise and counsel, how they can break into the industry? Should they do a course? a certification?
A pretty girl waited for a long time in auditorium and she moved from last row to front row to watch me speak, came and told me she is tired of doing a Ph.d. She wanted to break into information technology industry. I told her ” my dream is to study” and she laughed and left in good spirits, hopefully with some ideas. Her companion had spoken to me too at length.
I try to share all that can and keep the dignity in a conversation. For me every person is important.
I lost my voice a bit because of non stop speaking and air conditioning in the auditorium.
As had lunch at five pm. I reflected on following…
I only drill the suspect and dubious uncompromisingly..
Every other conversation is a polite conversation, even if it’s mostly a decline…
I was a job seeker once and often went for such interviews and many times was not even given an audience to speak. I remember my days. I never got a reference for a job interview. No body bothered. I struggled for a long time. People who wanted me at all costs hired me …..
Here is the thing about job interviews then – It’s not personal rejection. It is just the needs of a job or role are different or the vision and parameters of a role are different. It has mostly nothing to do with your experience. One must never take it as a personal rejection. It should end as a useful conversation with some benefit to the candidate. They may not realize it then, but if it helps or hones or makes them try harder the purpose is served.
My advise would be ” Try harder, never give up and you will succeed.” And also ” Don’t look upto self congratulatory people, you are good as you are and your success is important. What ever that may be.”
I like dignity and persistence.
This was my day today.
Good night dear friends! There is no rejection..
Have a good weekend! I missed biking ( cycling) today..
Love, Suresh
My days are same
The nights have been same
Long long time
I have been same
Why things are same?
I live the same struggles
The hospital and medicines
I want family well
I want them in grace
I must pray with folded hands
I must pray with bended knee
I too need some help
Why things are same?
I sound pensive and absorbed
Such is the day and the feeling
I always work hard and that’s my salvation
I am happy and that’s my nature
My nature too needs full expression
I need one chance..
I need one hell of a happy period.
Why must things be same?
My heart is in good shape
Save a thought or two
I have many blessings
I am very grateful
I have met every one love
I need some luck
Some peace
A spell of study
Some moments of insane passion
A candle
A long stem rose
I want things to change..
I have been away from blogging for a few days. I haven’t had the time. The work and struggles keep me busy. My new boss had something nice to say and he has given two young colleagues a new assignment ” To get suresh married ” with great management insight ” Do the market segmentation? You need to find a different segment..:)
This for today! Good night dear friends!
Hope you have a good day! I work tomorrow also….
Love, Suresh
” Nothing can add more power to your life, than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets.”
― P . V. Sindhu
P V Sindhu won silver medal for Badminton in Women’s singles at Rio 2016. India’s highest medal and the only other medal was bronze also won by a woman in freestyle wrestling (58 kg) Sakshi Malik. So far only these two women along with gymnast Dipa Karmakar have been India’s pride at the ongoing olympics. India’s other medal hope Dipa Karmakar finished a very impressive fourth in Women’s Vault Gymnastics event of Rio Olympics 2016. India’s saving grace has been women. India’s pride has always been women.
This is a post about Sindhu. I have some interest in Badminton a sport like very much and played with some interest in childhood. I have been a Sindhu fan ever since she broke out in top 20 in Badminton world federation ranking as a seventeen year old in 2012. All eyes deservedly have been on her illustrious team mate Saina Nehwal. Saina has been superlative and is a former World No.1. Somehow felt it is Sindhu who could beat the top players Li Xuerui, Wang Yihan and Carolina Marin. Carolina Marin beat her for gold at Rio 2016. She had defeated Saina at 2015 World Championships. Carolina Marin is the best player in women’s badminton having won All England, World championships and now Olympics. Sindhu has won two bronze at 2013 Gungzhou and 2014 Copenhangen world championships in women’s singles. What was most heartening was how close she ran Carolina Marin at Rio 2016. There is no need to compare Saina and Sindhu, both are wonderful for Indian Badminton. Both play different games. I feel Sindhu at this point is at the cusp of something special. Saina has always been special. Sindhu if she catches up on Marin’s agility and am sure she will is well poised to become a Champion. I will watch with bated breath her progress..
There is no doubt Carolina Marin is very special and the way she pulled herself up after the first set loss at Rio finals and played with relentless intensity and panache to win in the end. Sindhu could have won it too and put up a stellar fight and that’s what makes her effort so special. She is very much there..
All credit must go to one man who has changed the face of Indian Badminton- Pullela Gopichand. India always produced great badminton players Prakash Padukone, Syed Modi, P Gopichand now we have host of top players playing the circuit Saina Nehwal, P V Sindhu, Srikanth Kidambi, Parupalli Kashyap...
P Gopichand has carried forward the great Prakash Padukone leagcy by changing the face on Indian Badminton by producing the next breed of champions..
In India where there is no sporting culture, champions emerge purely because of family support, athletes drive and determination and a single minded coach who guides their dreams.
Sindhu’s father PV Ramana, India’s former volleyball captain wakes up at 3.30 am and gets ready in 15 minutes and arrives at the Pullela Gopichand Academy along with his daughter PV Sindhu according to a Times of India’s report. It’s the same as read in a profile of champion swimmer Katie Ledecky ( Please refer earlier post) . The family contribution and sacrifice is huge in these champion’s daily grind..
Some pictures
Silver medalist V. Sindhu Pusarla of India, gold medalist Carolina Marin of Spain and bronze medalist Nozomi Okuhara of Japan.
Sindhu and Carolina Marin after women’s singles finals. It was a great match.
Congratulations P V Sindhu and you inspire me.
All images: https://www.facebook.com/olympics/ and https://www.facebook.com/PVSindhu.OGQ/
I think she gave hope and reason to smile to a billion people. That’s a great achievement.
Have a good day dear friends!
Love, Suresh
“Every now and then one paints a picture that seems to have opened a door and serves as a stepping stone to other things.”
― Pablo Picasso
Pictures from my life
Floor art near my office entrance on Independence day. Such designs drawn on floor are called Rangoli. Flower petals, chalk powder, colored rice etc are all used to draw decorative art on floor. This is done on most festivals and auspicious occasions in India.
Two young girls were patiently drawing the design. May be only women have the dexterity and talent. I have never seen men do this. I think men only gloat. I guess we have very little talent. But am not self congratulatory 🙂
I am doing 16 hours a day on work days and on weekends at least one day goes in hospital. When am not doing that, am biking on the street, that is my only pleasure. I spend around three hours on the road cycling on weekends. The Bike and street are my friends.
That’s me at a medical shop buying medicines. I look forward to weekends!
” You must write a book.” my friend told me. Yes, truly wish to write a book. When was twenty one year old had shown my writing to a very kind professor who asked me ” Don’t you have a girl friend.” I had run faster than Usain Bolt in the other direction and that was the end of my writing career.
As for Usain Bolt, man how can you do that…
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Usain Bolt of Jamaica competes in the Men’s 100 meter semifinal on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
What an image, Bolt has the time to look back and smile gleefully at others in 9. 8 seconds..
For more: http://time.com/4452585/usain-bolt-2016-rio-olympics/
I read a piece on Charles Aznavour. This is a translation from French magazine l’ Hebdo. On happiness..
” Family first, then my trade,” Aznavour answered without hesitation.Friends also figure prominently in the life of Charles Aznavour. “Friends, when true, are part of the family. I do not see them differently from mine. ”
I thought this was wonderful. I think true friends are part of family. Think about that dear friends!
Charles Aznavour’s spirit inspires me and sometimes wish was a artist with a gift for something, may be singing or painting or a sports person, never mind…
I would then just read and concentrate on my trade. I wish to write a book. I will pursue it like a craft. A novel perhaps..
I spent the day in hospital with mother. Somethings never change..
I need some luck and grace. Who knows my time might come and that might worry some people 🙂
Have a good day dear friends! This is for you my dear friends. We should be true friends and then we will be family.
Love, Suresh
“When it can be said by any country in the world, my poor are happy, neither ignorance nor distress is to be found among them, my jails are empty of prisoners, my streets of beggars, the aged are not in want, the taxes are not oppressive, the rational world is my friend because I am the friend of happiness. When these things can be said, then may that country boast its constitution and government. Independence is my happiness, the world is my country and my religion is to do good.”
― Thomas Paine, Rights of Man
Today is Independence day! Happy Independence day to fellow countrymen. India turns 70!
What are my thoughts?
The country has progressed remarkably in every area – science, space, arts, engineering and building institutions of excellence etc.
The country has upheld democratic norms and institutions. Elections every five years is a remarkable triumph of its parliamentary system and constitutional values.
The country has a vibrant press and active judiciary which not only imparts justice but is also seen doing so.
The country has progressed from Hindu rate of growth to excellent numbers consistently in last two decades.
The country has wonderful cultural ethos and remarkable mix of languages, dialects and cultures.
The country’s spiritual heritage is a great source of attraction to seekers and pilgrims.
Am i a nationalist?
I love my country but am not nationalist in a muscular vein. I love the whole world and as a Sanskrit phrase from ancient texts says ” Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” ( The whole world is one family.) I love India and the whole world is my family. I really love the world.
I am neither center or right, or right of center or left or left of center, am for whole world…
What would I like my country to do?
To create sustainable and inclusive growth. The growth must include poor, vulnerable and disenfranchised and growth must lead to job creation and employment.
The government must increase outlay in public expenditure to create necessary infrastructure – roads, highways, education, public hospitals and jobs.
The rural -urban infrastructure and town planning needs improvement.
We get the leaders we deserve. More than leadership, we need accountability checks in systems.
The government must invest in education and healthcare. It must create schools, colleges, hospitals, public health institutions. This must be it’s biggest focus.
The government must remove discretion in implementation of policies and should embrace new digital technologies.
The crony capitalism must go and bad debtors list should be published. There is no shame if the debt is legitimate or a business failure.
The government must give the highest salaries to teachers. It must do away with quotas and reservations in teaching. Like in armed forces.This is the first step to meritocracy. They will create the future.
I am saying remove reservations in teaching not in education.
We must build and sustain the scientific temper of our founding fathers.
Government should abstain from religion. It must give space to all religions. Religion should not be state concern or any one’s concern. It should be private.
We must leave history to historians and educators. The state need not change text books.
I wish the country would build more gardens, parks for children and stadiums.
I wish the country runs a sustained campaign to protect the girl child and creates necessary checks to protect from crimes. The rule of law must be seen and heard. This must be relentless..
I wish the country promotes its rich culture and spiritual heritage..
I wish the country is not so apathetic to plight of poor.
I wish cleanliness is taught as a subject in school.
I wish the country realizes cricket is no sport, just a past time left by English 🙂 you don’t even need to be athletic to play cricket, you can stand, sing a song and dream..
The country must instill a sporting culture which sorely lacks, it must encourage sports, athletics as much as it does education. Currently bullying is sports. There is no sportsmanship. Thus nation is very low in sporting culture..
The athletes in current Olympics are punching above their weight and are all world class for they have qualified for Olympics. They must be appreciated. The medals will come once the culture and sporting ethos change..
I hope the next leader lays emphasis on internal safety, education, parks, culture, hospitals, girl child, science and sports.
This is then my wish list.
I also wish to see my beautiful country and explore its culture and arts..
Happy Independence day!
Love, Suresh
” ” Michael leaned forward and his eyes narrowed. He looked at me and said, ” I’m thinking about coming back.” I stared at him. He smiled a bit. ” Yep.” he went on, ” I’m thinking about the Olympics one more time.”
” Do you remember those last four years? ” I finally asked him.
” It won’t be like that” he said.
” Yeah, sure,” I said. ” I’ve heard that before.” Then I shook my head.
There was silence for a minute or so. I thought about what his decision would mean, for him and me. Then I said, ” If you’re making a comeback for your sponsors, or if you’re doing it because you don’t have anything better to do with your life, or if you can’t figure your life out, then you should not do it. Michael, I mean it: You should not do it.”
He nodded. And waited. Then he said, ” Bob I can tell you, those aren’t the reasons.”
I came at him again ” Let me be clear, Michael. Unless you’re doing it for the right reasons, and those reasons have to be that you’re doing it only for yourself, then you should not do this.”
Now, for the first time all night – in fact, for the first time that I could remember – Michael looked at me with the face of a wizened young man. And he said. ” That’s the only reason I want to do it. For me. I love to swim. I want to swim.”
He paused for a second. ” And I have more things I want to accomplish.”
That’s when I knew for certain that he meant what he was saying…”
― Bob Bowman, USA Head Swim coach with Charles Butler, The Golden rules : 10 steps to world – class excellence in your life and work.
And what a comeback .. Michael Phelps has now 23 golds in a tally of 28 Olympic medals. He has added 5 more gold medals in Rio 2016!
Michael Phelps writes in a glowing foreword for coach Bob Bowman’s book – ” When I came out of retirement to train for the 2016 Olympics, it was because I still wanted to achieve things in the pool. But to do that. I needed to get back to training in the best way possible. That way is Bob’s way. ”
I had decided to read Bob Bowman’s book some time back. I am doing it now.
The book and those coffee chocolates have been eating since childhood..
” You can’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the farther you get.”
― Michael Phelps ( https://www.facebook.com/michaelphelps)
The learning is instructive ” We must do things for right reasons. We must do it only for ourselves. ”
Everything follows a decision.
Once finish the book will write a review. Please don’t say am not educated ” I did it only for myself.” I may have done more..
I am no swimmer and hope Michael Phelps inspires you as inspires me…
Have a good day dear friends!
Love, Suresh
“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.”
― Roald Dahl
I have embraced this thinking among others like gratefulness, focus on present, not thinking of self or self abnegation, positive realism and to be in a happy state. Magic completes my philosophical set. Some of them may be contradictory like having goals and denial of self, but the idea is to explore and experiment with our belief sets in life. Then reevaluate.
I try to explore same in work. I currently work for Virtusa Polaris. I have goals for 2016.
I started my journey with purpose as a novice student in 1993. I remember all my fellow students achieved their stated goals in a span of two or three years. I struggled. It’s a twenty three year journey. I must attain my short term goals for 2016.
If were to go back and start journey again would study and pursue academics. Then seek a role in industry or start a venture. I would play a sport to overcome anxiety. I would make careful choices. Alas there is no rewind button. We can still try to be our best selves in the present moment. The core qualities of a person never changes is my steadfast belief. Let’s hope for best.
I also learnt in life ” We are our own supporters.”If we come across one or two well wishers we are incredibly lucky. I found two friends. I found few well wishers.I am grateful.
My boss told me ” hard work, integrity, honesty, sincerity etc are all hygiene factors.” The real qualities are ” Proactive, thought leadership, being on top of game, team player etc…”
I took pictures late evening around 8.30pm as left for home yesterday
One more the lights are not good and me can’t smile for pictures
Then guard takes one more…
They have decorated office for Independence day on 15th August.
“The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan
I don’t doubt. You don’t either.
I share pictures as this is a personal space and this is for friends and well wishers who may stop by. I exist.
I wish to say ” people’s inherent qualities don’t change. Just because one choice went wrong doesn’t mean we are not the same person we were before. We change. We mutate. But the core never changes.”
Also as Robert De Niro said in a Tisch school of the arts- 201 5 speech ( posted earlier) ” ‘Rejection – it isn’t personal’. And on the front – your motto, your mantra, your battle cry, ‘Next!’ You didn’t get that part, that’s my point, ‘Next’, you’ll get the next one, or the next one after that. Break a leg! Next! ”
I will reevaluate goals in end of 2016
This for today, have a good day dear friends!
Love, Suresh
” Mulla Nasruddin applied for a job. The manager looked at him & felt that he’s not even qualified to apply for it. He asked him, “Can you read and write?”
Mulla said, “I cannot read, but I can write.”
The manager was surprised; this is a rare situation ,said, “Then write!” He gave him a paper and Mulla went fast — one page, two pages, three pages.
The manager said, “Now stop!please read what you have written”
Mulla said, “That I have told you before — I can only write! I can’t read.” “
I am back to doing interviews at work. I started early and can safely say have good experience. I myself was like Mulla once upon a time and now effort is to see the right Mulla get’s through:)
This for fun, have a good day dear friends!
Love, Suresh
” Gender inequality in my community is an everyday struggle. Women are still expected to be submissive to men in professional and social settings and are judged severely.
I had to present a project on women’s issues in my school. I decided to share my experience from the Olympic Villa of Mato Alto in Rio de Janeiro, where I attend the ‘One Win Leads to Another’ programme. I explained how it is empowering girls like me through sport. Playing sport teaches us confidence, how to develop leadership, honour our values and work as a team.
I see many girls who dream about being respected and making something big out of their lives, but sometimes they don’t know how to do it. The programme shows them a path. That’s what I like about it most and why I want to tell others about it.
I want all girls to believe in themselves, pursue their goals and not be deterred by what others think about them. Being a winner is fighting for what you believe in and never giving up. After all, trying to be better than you were yesterday already makes you a winner.”
― Micaele Fernandes, 16, handball player from Rio de Janeiro.
– See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2016/7/from-here-i-stand-micaele-fernandes#sthash.l8AlxY0i.dp
I read this message by a young handball player and felt compelled to share with you dear friends. I think world is harder on girls. I hope every girl gets an opportunity. They are generally better than boys – study more, more dedicated, work harder, more responsible and of course they are the charm of family, spread joy…
The best messages are one from the heart. Micaele Fernandes is a participant in ‘One Win Leads to Another’, a programme to empower young women and girls through sport in Brazil by UN Women and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Hope you like the heartfelt message of the young girl. Have a good day dear friends!
Love, Suresh
neverlamentcasually 