There is Always More Than What You See

After spending some good 3 yrs in sales I have decided to move to marketing with Asian Paints. Soon ( second week of April) I would be moving to Bombay in my new marketing role as Brand Manager. So right now I am in this exit mode where there is no will to do the market visits, meeting dealers and settling issues and the new role is a week away. Sitting in office knowing you dont have much to do is really painful. On 28th of the month I would start handing over to the new soul coming all the way from calcutta to take up my role here in Delhi.
Now when the date is coming closer to move I am getting into this reminiscent mode about by sales stint till now in Asian Paints. First day in sales and I had to manage a group of dealers from Chandigarh to jalandhar for a product launch. Not knowing anything about them or sales it was the most painful shock which I got. Then after spending some good 6 months as trainee I moved to Ludhiana where in I tasted the real flavor of sales. Painful dealers and sales pressure actually kept me on toes. My visits to dealers and interaction with team Amit, Ashwani,Ravi, Sanjeev and Ankur is something I would always remember. Staying in Ludhiana which is not among the best of the cities to enjoy urban hood was an experience in its own. I bought my firt car Maruti Esteem and a truck slammed into it in Ludhiana.The brawls with Vijay Hardware, SK paints, Kallu building material and many more is something which I never thought I would get into. I never thought that I would be using strong words and closing shops and business with people. I went there very timid and by the time came was posted to Delhi I was a very confident sales manager.
Then came Delhi stint. I joined and realised that the entire team here is new. This is the phenomenon which is very prevalent in Metros because of the sunrise industries always ready to pay higher to our guys than what we pay. Holding on to them and dealing with the lowest market share depot for Asian paints in the entire country was a challenge. Driving 1 and a half hours one way was another pain. But staying at home was so much fun. Doing initiatives with my team Anurag, Amol,Ankit, Arvind,Sudeep,Chadhaji and laxmi was quite fun. We are on a verge of closing the unit at a very healthy growth rate.
Now moving to marketing comes with 2 thoughts: one is new role entirely different and a completely different set up. secondly moving to Mumbai. Though I have stayed in Mumbai and I found it okie but living with family is a different ball game all together. Lets hope things all in place fast.
Right now I can just keep my fingers crossed and hope the worst will not hit me right away...:)

Well time actually flies once you stop giving importance or stop noticing it. Thats exactly what has happened to me in the last month or so. Work is one of the culprit as October is a season time for all the paint companies.It seems every one is getting there house painted,though it is good, but still keeps me very busy. Getting up early and then driving one and half hour to office to see things in mess. Irrate dealers, empty godowns and I dont know what not. Last few days have been killing with market visits and season on full swing.
Parents also want house to be painted but some how I am not able to get paint for my own house. Its actually really frustrating when you arent ready to support. Mom gets really agitated when she sees me working like this.
Even wedding shopping has come to a halt and the whole blame comes on me...well I guess one has to be prepared for all this.

Right now me reading "papillon" and thats the only thing I am able to do for myself....
Bets of luck to me...lot of things to be done...!

Well it is actually true and I am feeling a little uncomfortable while posting this blog entry after 20 Weeks....thats quite a while to be away from the partner who has been more loyal than anyone here. I am not pretty sure about the mannerism and nuances of writing a "coming back blog" so I would just try and see what all have happened in those 20 weeks.
Well I got settled in Delhi office and have started doing well after the April debacle.Team here has started getting into the flavour of DC....(thats me..hehehe).
Indian Football team won nehru cup first time since its inception.
Indian Hockey team won Asia Cup after 4 years.
Indian Cricket team has won 20-20 world cup.
Share market has seen a full swing and is back on track.
Most of the batch mates have switched yet another job.
India as a Nation got a year older.
and so did I....hehehe
I have become a little more wiser by attending a couple of trainung programs from the company....
and I have met "the ONE", with whom I am gonna spend my life with...( i know i could have been more romantic) but thats the way I am.

This is fine for a start and I have recapped the 20 weeks so lets see how things move on from here....

I was not like this and never wanted to be either
That’s why I cried at my first breather
I was pure without any impressions
But then I was spoiled as I learnt emotions

Never wanted to be famous and I was completely fine with it
That’s why I was nervous on every start line, to begin with
I was pure not thinking to achieve a feat
But then I was spoiled as I tasted defeat

Never was a head turner and was just normal
That’s why I was so timid and probably so formal
I was so much in love and was so caring
But then I was spoiled when she left without saying

Never was the best and nor did I claim
That’s why I was upset when they judged me, what a shame
I was making friends without hesitations
But then I was spoiled as I started making impressions


Never brought anything with me and could not take much
Left smiles on some faces and tears in few eyes
Would like them remember me as a crying child
Who wanted to resist but was spoiled.

After I visit any country there are couple of thoughts which come to my mind. One is the country across this beautiful, clean and systematic or as a tourist we are exposed to only the best part. Second, though I like the country and experience but will I ever consider living here and work.
Malaysia trip was no different. We landed at KLIA and just to see that airport you feel that a country is putting its best foot forward in welcoming the tourists. Our stay in KL was at Hotel Crown Princess. Hotel was a pretty normal one and the service was as poor as you can expect. This is another thing which I have observed that hospitality in hotels is something which in India is much better than foreign land at the same cost. We were given rooms at 4 pm while we kept on waiting since 2 pm. Anyway the view from the hotel was amazing; Petrona towers, Citibank tower, May bank and KL towers all standing tall and shouting loud the prosperity and urban hood of Malaysia.
That night we had a ‘gala dinner’ at KL towers and we arranged Mercedes pick up for everyone in the group which was quite an experience. Sitting at the back seat of the luxurious sedan and zipping past the smoothest roads with skyscrapers standing all around you fully lit and glowing made you feel like “Don- in Malaysia”.
After the gala night we all went clubbing and were experienced to a live band and believe me it was one of the best live bands that I have ever seen. Later on the club became a pick up joint so we all left the place at around 1 am.
Next morning we went to the amusement park in KL and relaxed completely there in wet and dry theme park with joy rides all around. Again you could not stop yourself from admiring the effort these guys put in to promote tourism. I completely freaked out on Columbus ride which was 360 degress and g-force where you were made to sit on a chair and thrown up. The best part was there was a DVD camera recording happened all the way when you are experiencing the fear and rush which is quite embarrassing and enjoying to see later on.
Third day we left for Penang, where we went to the vernacular train ride to Penang hill. Weather was very humid and we sweated like a pig which I think was one of the reasons of not enjoying that train ride apart from the fact that it was very slow. On the top were some bungalows and restaurants which looked down on the whole city with magnamity.
The stay in Penang was a beach hotel and it was simply awesome. The dinner party was arranged at the beach but rains spoiled the party and we were forced to have it indoors. Nevertheless the party went off well and I guess where ever there is good food, liquor the party goes off smooth…hehehe…
Next morning was an early wake up at 6 am as we went to Lankavi on a catamaran which took 3 hrs to reach Lankavi Island. Did shopping as lankavi is a duty free island and went on the longest cable ride to a hill top. The cable ride was really cool and few of my colleagues really had some weird fantasies of cable ride which I would share some other time.
Catamaran brought us back and we had our dinner at “palace de India” which was an India joint with amazing cuisine. Next morning I did water sports like jet ski and para sailing. Then we all packed and boarded the plane to KL and from there to sweet home India.
All in all it was a nice experience and I guess Malaysia really have a lot to offer to tourists. I am sure now Malaysia govt should pay me for promoting.

I would like start this blog by wishing you all a very happy and colorful Holi. Well this coming from a man who sells paints...so I mean the statement literally.
Yesterday I went to Noida for some official work and after finishing off the work I ended up watching " The Last King Of Scotland". When I came to know Leo D caprio is not getting the academy awards I was very disappointed coz I really thought he has done an awesome job in Blood Diamond and even The Departeed (though it wasnt nominated). But when I saw Forest Whitaker in the role of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin , I was the just completely taken aback and enjoyed the joy ride. The man was apt for the role and he just mixed the strange fear he use to instill and the candour. Carrying off that kinda shade is not easy..I guess Mr Macdonald did more or less perfect job by casting him and James McAvoy (As Nicholas Garrigan). James is an charming personality and he had an air around him and one was pretty sure by just looking at him that girls gonna go crazy abt him. Anyway I best scene from the movie was when he shot the cow with complete aplomb and became the favourite of the dictator. there are a lot of scenes which would make you smile and then suddenly make you sit on the edge of your seats. One movie you guys would not like to miss...The Last King Of Scotland...go ahead...you wont regret it.

There are 2 things which happen on a month end. Either you are short of materials or short of orders. One makes you shout at the supply chain and the other at “innocence faking”- dealers. Then month end comes with in genuine demands and some genuine rejections. If you have done the value then volume is short. If you have sold interior emulsions then exteriors is lagging. If you bigger dealer has picked the material then smaller dealers have suddenly turned deaf. So in a nut shell month end is one dreaded day which comes every month in a life of a sales personal and he just can’t avoid it. Few of you would be jumping out of their seats to say that I should be use to it now…well that’s what I flaunt but frankly speaking no one can be use to month end. One forgets his birthday and anniversaries but would never forget the month end.
So today being a month end I am sitting at 85% base and trying my level best to do base.
Today when I was woken up by my sis calling out loud (she prefers that way…), “hey get up its lovely weather outside, look it’s raining”…I just jumped off my bed not of happiness or ecstasy but of sheer hope that she is faking it. Coz rains are not good for paint business. To my sorrow it was raining in Delhi this morning. Coming towards office I could see a lot of people happy about the whole weather and I was the only one I guess who was driving with a sad face. So at this month end I have enough stocks to spare…..hehhehe…
Anyway yesterday saw “Eklavya- the royal guard”….Asian Paints is one of the media partner and I hope the movie does well. The best part is that it is just a 2hr movie. In the cinema hall I saw a face which was looking very familiar. Though my friend was apprehensive that I would get bashed but luckily that face was known and was a school junior. Anyway had a nice time watching the movie. Today one of my friend is coming from Calcutta heading to Amsterdam and wants me to be there at airport…so lets see..!
I think I should get back to work considering today is the day when salary is getting credit.

Weddings are serving a lot of purpose to a lot of people these days. Its a perfect get away from your same routine corporate life. Its a good time to catch up old time friends and its a good time to be the same old you...!! And the bonus is that you get to meet new people and enjoy the ride...
Well I came back from Neel's wedding today afternoon. I went to Jaipur on friday afternoon. Sam, Yash, Ron ( who was virtually a tourist) and I drove to Jaipur on friday afternoon to reach in time for the sangeet. (which is more off girls flaunting their dancing talent and bachelors on both sides checking each other out and ya a lot of booooozzeeeee). The drive was good and we entered Jaipur city at around 5 pm. Weather at Jaipur was awesome and we did what we were suppose to do en route to Jaipur. SO after being happy and jovial..:P we called up another frnd of ours who was directing the way to the place where stay arrangements were there. One thing which is the biggest side affect of drinking on the way is that you really wanna pee...:P By the time we reached the place where all the guys were staying we four were about to blast. SO it was really funny that we all got out of the car and barged into the appartment where strange faces were shocked to see 4 pf us just gate crash and head for the loo....the expressions on their faces was nothing less than caught naked. Then we all went to the place where sangeet function was scheduled. Met the couple , made the groom drunk in the parking lot when he was begging us not todo that ...but I guess frnds are too angry with the groom for leaving us and joining the married gang...:)
There was some nice dance performances from the girls and boys there on stage (most were his relatives)...
Next morning few more IIM K species joined us. For me the ocassion was very starnge in a way coz I met a lot of people from NEW ERA PUBLIC SCHOOL. Neel was my junior at school and batch mate at IIM K so his batchmates and his brother's batchmates all saw me after like 10 years ( wow..thats some time...)..the reaction on everyone's face was " Deepak you use to be very simple .." . Still couldnt figure out what did they mean by that...did I look stupid in school and smarter now or vice a versa..anyway that didnt bother me much.
Saturday morning we all went to Nahargarh fort, Amer qilla and padao...well the view was awesome ...we could see the whole of Jaipur city from there..I must say Ron completely freaked out. It was his birthday and he was very adamant that he need to do site seeing in Jaipur. By the evening when were suppose to be ready for barat we all were sooooooo damn tired that we slept and reached an hour late. Anyway still barat was far behind the gate and we had ample time to dance and enjoy out moment.
Finally wedding was nice and the couple looked great. Met a lot of people,some old friends, acquaintances, new faces, new friends...and then came back this morning to delhi.

Sitting in my Delhi office on an important date of sales..I wonder how different the punjab and delhi markets are. Here unlike punjab the sales volume plummet dramatically...being a typical local market the expectations of the dealers is very high when it comes to delivery. The profile varies so much and the market shares are so evenly divided that some time you start thinking that its a different company you are working for. The monopoly of Asian Paints is a feature which is missing here in Delhi market. Dealers hold the chains and drive the pattern of sales.
Even if you talk about the team, they are new and completly inexperience to handle the pressure of a competitive market and low market share dynamics.Anyway all's well...I am in Delhi and I am trying hard to settle down here with ease...trying to get a grip to my life and enjoying home food and clean clothes without bothering how to clean them...hehehe....
In my effort to catch up the movies which were missed out...I saw "SAW 2", sequel of the "SAW"...it was good but as usual I liked Saw better than the sequel.
Planning to go to my frnds wedding to Jaipur with some of the campus batchmates...I am sure it would be fun....as after a long time I would be catching up with this junta...
sales is not happening, stocks are in abundance, team is naive, and area manager is on net blogging...kya hoga Delhi ka..??
I have a new guy in my team who is just a few days old....a fresh passout from b school and few minutes back he just came in to my room and said " I felt good today after doing some sale". Actually it was his first important sales day where he called up the network and asked for orders. I could see a glow in his eyes and saw the kick he has got in delivering the numbers. I am sure he would have a nice sleep today. As far as I am concern...well if I am able to bring a desire to perform in the team my job is done...and I would be a happy man..contributing some way to an individual.

Today was a funfilled day and without a doubt I can say the BEST V-Day I ever had. After finishing my work in office which anyway is not much these days apart from some data filling up. Somehow work load is less in Delhi or I have learnt to take it easy.
Yesterday one of my vendor came up to me with "Sunidhi Chauhan- live concert" passes. Called up a few friends and then we all went to that show. stayed there for an hour and then drove to south ex market for some drinks. We all got high and enjoyed the good DJ there. Around 10 pm we left that place and went to "Dilli Haat". well I always use to hear about that place but never got an opportunity to go there. We all got into our cars and drove to dilli haat. It was quite a festive environment inside. With couples all around and we with our blind dates as in our common friends strolled about in that place. checked out the khadi and accessories there. Got our cartoon painted and did all the stuff which doesnt suit our ages and life style. Got our names written on rice, cartoon painted and played some games there. Then there we had some good food which was needed badly. I had momos and choupsey, while others tried rajasthani food and punjabi stuff. Then we all went to a private party in Defence Colony hosted by a friend. Though we entered late but the party was young. People were still in full mood to make it a memorable day. After enjoying the music we all headed towards Lajpat Nagar market to have coffee. You see this what happens you all are drunk and just dont wanna go home and dont want the day to end. We had coffee and there I got a few movies and software exchanged from a friends Lappie. I got all the latest movies on my lappie now: The Departed, Happy Feet, Rocky Balboa,Saw1,2,3 and many more...
Then after dropping few of them to places where ever they live I headed back home. Driving was soooooo fun on Delhi roads after 11 pm. I just loved it....
Came back home and while lying on my bed I felt that I could not have asked for a better day out . Movies, live concert, music, party, company, window shopping, driving and laughing all the way. Its always nice to be with people who understand your tastes and dont judge you for what you say and what you do. They accept you the way you are and that I think makes them so much better than the rest.
So again I would like to say: A very happy valentine's day and may this year bring a lot of love in our lives and your's too...hehehe

" Life is not about how hard you hit but how hard you can take the hits and keep moving on"-- Rocky Balboa

Delhi till now have not been anything less than a masala dish. It had all the ingredients like spice, sauce ( ya i mean it..!), sweat, disturbing and totally new.
I took over charge to find out that there are so many things which happens in the company and I have been a total stranger to all of it. Being in delhi I am sure would open me to a lot of experiences.
My area of operation is very contrasting in itself. On one hand I am handling South Delhi market which is posh, sauve and rude..!!! and on the other hand I am handling a Central delhi which is typically a whole sale market and the places are Sadar bazaar, daryaganj, and the infamous GB road. When first time I went in that market my heart was pumping and frankly my legs were shaking. Cabs dont go inside so I had to walk through those streets to meet my dealers. You could voices coming from top floors and you might find pimps bumping into you. So all in all it wasnt a very comfortable market visit. Apart from all the wrong reasons GB Road is a huge market...lets see ...!!
South delhi is very different, but frankly speaking after Ludhiana the delhi market is very depressing and stressful. Market shares are abysmally low, team is new, stability is an issue, our reaction time is long, competition is aggressive and if all this wasnt enough Government plans to seal the market.
One day when I visited my south delhi market I was not offered a chair by the Damn dealer and we kept standing for 3 hrs at his counter. This reminded me of the time when I was in Ludhiana , where no matter what the relation was dealers offered the seat and first thing they use to ask was , "what will you have ?". Things are different here....I personally dont like rude and impersonbal people...but anyway that the market like...!
Other thing is the drive from home to office one way is around 90 minutes. It gets really tiring when you were in ahbbit of getting up at 9:30 and be there at 10:00 am in Ludhiana. Here you have to leave early to avoid traffic.So I am use to listening FM in my car and the best part is the road in delhi. Its simply awesome...I love Delhi..!!
Good part is I get to meet my friends regularly in Delhi. Went to gurgaon to meet Smruti after a long time. It was really nice to see her happy and working in a job which she is liking. Then met Baid, Sinha ( I was shocked to see his new hair style), Abhinav and yes Deboo. Yesterday only saw "The Departed"- awesome flick.
Walked out of -"Holiday"...I guess I have grown up to enjoy stupid comedies. Went to IMI , as they were having a rock show. Though left early as it was pouring heavily.
My laptop in delhi conked off so wasnt connected to mail for a few days. Didnt answer some important mails from some body important and wasnt able to even answer the call...and she knows I cant call back...( I am poor..)
So Delhi has been a masala mix till now..lets see till when I enjoy it...

" I dont want to be the product of my environment, I want the environment to be the product of me"--The Departed

A very Happy New Year to everyone who is reading this and even to those who aren't..!!
2007 has brought in a good news for me that I have been posted to delhi...yipeee..! I am home and after almost 8 yrs I am back at home. On 22nd December my RM called me up and broke in this wonderful news that I would be taking charge of the Badarpur sales depot (south delhi) in the new year. I dont think I could have asked for a better gift that this ....so I was just speechless and concluded my last monthend responsibilities in Ludhiana. Though I would go back once and hand over the Ludhiana depot to the incoming guy but for now I am in delhi and enjoying the winters of Delhi.
I have started taking charge here in Delhi and the market is very different than Ludhiana. Travel time is there but I dont mind travelling this right now...( I am sure I would hate it soon). But the good part about being in delhi is that once I get free early I am able to meet my friends. Handling south Delhi puts me in a better location to enjoy and chill. Since I am here I have been going out and catching up with friends literally everyday. Met a friend who lives in Sarita Vihar one day for evening coffee, then met deboo for a couple of drinks at PVR...it feels nice after a long time to be in a place where you can have a life of your own. Another friend of mine has shifted her job to Delhi and I am sure we would be catching up soon...suddenly friends have become more than free days...:)...some interesting incidences have happened during my market visits but right now I am too tired and would not be able to do justice to their explanation....hehehe...so would keep it for my next blog....
but before I pen down...I must say December monthend at Ludhiana was awesome and it was my last monthend at Ludhiana...and I remember last year December was my first monthend at Ludhiana....so a complete circle I must say...

Indian television has come a long way from the times of Krishi darshan ,chitrahaar, ramayan to what are called reality shows. There are a plenty of these today airing on Indian television. There is show called Big Boss where some losers from different genres of life are put together in a house with no mobile and no contact with the outside world except a lousy voice of the master of the house who is called the Big Boss. Must say the casting crew has tried its best to put a lot of masala while selecting the cast. Rakhee sawant, ravi kisan, carol…and there are a lot more. Some where they have forgotten that one of the main reasons of success of reality shows abroad is what the night infrared camera catches…hehehe…in all it’s a stupid show but is Indian audience intelligent? Well that’s something debatable and I don’t want to get into that.
Another reality show of different kind just got concluded-“Nach Baliyee 2” and “Jalak Dikhalaja”. Well these dance competitions have taken a form of reality shows cause what the producer is more interested is not in dance but the cries and wining of the participants. Arrogant judges and attention craving couples and some good choreographers, all in all an okie show. “Jhalak Dikhlaja” was not as good a dancing show but yeah definitely an interesting concept where non-dancer celebrities were given a sexy partner cum choreographers and were made to dance. Show which got finished and was easily forgotten.
One show which has all the masala and is some what good to watch is “MTV Roadies 4”. I know before you jump to snap my statement I must tell you this is my blog…hehehhe..
I never use to watch Roadies but somehow whenever I use to turn on the idiot box MTV was showing Roadies. So I was inadvertently a follower of the show and started watching their fights, politics, tasks and vote outs. I must say it’s a decent show to track. It’s fun, exciting and very intriguing.
All in all reality shows have come to India and if TV shows reflect the society what does all of this reflects? Fun, games, relaxing…think again I guess it is reflecting very much different than all of the above. Are we having fun watching other people fighting and crying? Are we getting excitement by watching somebody having sleepless nights somewhere?
I feel that is showing the hollowness in our society today and a toned down version of sadism. Fiendish nature of an individual makes him enjoys others tears and that what reality shows give you. People colluding against each other. Hurting themselves and others and finally kicking somebody out joyously. Its not that talent hunts and events haven’t happened before but what is sad to see is that the main feature of all these shows is the moment when somebody is kicked out with tears in his or her eyes. And the worst is the whole nation is enjoying that in their bedrooms. This somehow shows how callous and sadist we have become. We want to get a sneak into others life and when everything is happy we don’t enjoy. The episode we enjoy is when the participants fight, use the F word, we love the ‘beep’ and would crave for any physical assault.
Think about it and I am sure it would not be a very pleasing realization within. An all happy show is called bland and reality shows are called in vogue.
It’s actually giving pleasure to dark side of your personality. The wicked inside you is happy seeing all this. Mr Freud was true…!!!

I was just wondering today that in our life time how many songs we would have heard....any guesses? Well lets not get into a guessing game and try and put a figure to it. Every month there are around 10 releases on screen and on an average every movie has 5 of them, which makes it 50 a month and 600 songs a year. If you are 25 years old and started listening music at age of 10 then the set becomes 9000 songs. And even discounting 50% of movie songs you would not have never heard of , still there are around 4500 songs which one must have listened, hummed and then shunned.You must be wondering why am I asking you or myself rather all these questions....wait a sec...the real question is yet to be thrown at you...and I am warning you no matter how innocous it may sound it may catch you off guard..?...hehehhe...it caught me atleast...so I want to ask you that out of 4500 songs which you have heard till now
HOW MANY DO YOU REMEMBER?
I dont mean the lyrics but how many of them you remember.I am sure you would started counted as to how many you remember...well okie do that but the point I am trying to make here is that what is there that made you remember that song and not others...
Good music..Actors...Picturisation...Voice...Movie...Rythm...Beat....
I would say to some extent you are correct but if that would have been the only reason I would not have written this.....think there must be something more....Coz there have been songs who have had better music, more grandeur picturisation, better actors dancing on it,more heart moving voice,fantastic beat and rythm but they didnt come in your list or on your friend's list or his friend's list (if the question is asked individually)
There is more than what all is obvious that makes you remember a song.....
Its the time that the song takes you to....the association with that song you made coz you were in a mind frame...As we grow we do have our milestones emotionally and these songs make you go back to them.
Your first crush:...some song from early salman and ajay devgan movie
Your teenage : some song from DDLJ
Your love : Kal Ho Na Ho
your break up...your job party...your feeling of freedom...your marriage...your honeymoon...your times with old friends....you remembering somebody....you spending some time with somebody.....
I dont know how true it is for you but yes it is definitely true for me..!
That makes a song stick on to you and along with that song the person/situation/times everything comes back.
But I am sure once you would start living your life and more lives get attach to you ...you would not remember any new song......
Try asking your parents the same question and they would go back in their times.....
Songs bring back a long time memories....:)

Today my Sunday was ruined as I was suppose to attend a ceremony of house puja of one of my dealer at Moga ....so one thing which I love on Sunday mornings that is to sleep, I had to give up. About half an hour back I returned to Ludhiana...and before I ram more about the trip to Moga and back let me stick to the purpose of this blog.
Few days back I was ping on chat by a stranger whom I just met on orkut. Last thing which I knew about her was that she was getting married. So with a big hi I asked the usual questions about how she is doing and when is the marriage day? After a few message exchanges she said “Deepak, coz you are a stranger and we wont be meeting ever in my life, I would like to say/express a few things”. With apprehension I said “go ahead”. Then she told me that she doesn’t wanna get married right now and the parents have fixed up the marriage and she hasn’t even met the groom. In a nut shell she was upset about it and bloated out whatever she wanted knowing that I am no one….as in I am a total STRANGER. And suddenly I started feeling heavy at heart. Conversation ended and that night I didn’t have a very nice sleep. Yes its true I was a stranger but there was a bond which I felt was stuck there coz now she has shared the deepest and truest feeling with me. I prayed for her that she should stay happy forever and all her apprehensions about marriage ends happily….I am sure God would grant her that.
So suddenly that stranger is no longer a stranger to me. Few days later she again met me online and this time we had a fight about something I don’t remember now. And then she came up with a statement…”You seem to be very vulnerable and touchy”…..well I disagreed and was extremely pissed off. I mean a complete stranger how can she say something like that with out even knowing me. I mean that’s a limit…..I asked her how can u say that and she said that you are easily pleased and easily upset about things…..hmmm …that’s true…! I am vulnerable that way. I am touchy about how people talk to me or treat me and the sad part is that even a comment made generally sticks to my mind and I am not able to forget that. I am always anxious as to what made somebody say that…hehehhe……
So dear stranger , though I didn’t agree with you then…but as an after thought I am sure and is not shameful in accepting that yes I am vulnerable. It doesn’t require an effort to please me. Small token of concern and an ear makes me happy. Not big gifts but just a hug would be enough. A compliment like “you are trustworthy” would take me on cloud nine…hahaha…so ya I am vunerable that way.
On the other hand even a joking comment would stick on and unless and until it is clarified it stays on…..
And the most amazing part of this simple thing was that before this I have had angry people saying that you stick onto things and you are vindictive,revengeful but none of them realised that I am vulnerable. Realising something so mundane about somebody's nature sorts of a lot of arguements and things...
With this realization and confession I would end this blog…..
So yes I am vulnerable…..!!

Last few days have been fairly busy and somehow I have been always on my toes. GM-retail sales Mr. Sunderasan, came to Ludhiana alongwith the Divisional manager north and regional manager a couple of days back. As I went to station to pick him up I was trying and picture how we would be.My imagination was drawing a picture of a man who would be having a moustache and would be blessed with pounch (prosperity as they say). Then when I saw them coming out of the station I was surprised to see a lean,clean shaven person walking up to me and introducing himself as "hi, I am Sunderasan"....in a british accent. Well its true that he was in Asian Paints International business unit lately but still I havent met anyone in Asian Paints as suede as him. Market visit was okie and in the evening they left for Jalandhar.
Next day was another long day in the market where in I came back at around 12 in the night. Covered a lot of areas and would have drank atleast 12 cups of tea. You just cant deny the tea offered by the dealer at the counter. As there is a lot of fog these days in this part of the country so we drove slowly back to Ludhiana.
Tomorrow though its a Sunday I am working and it is really bad.

Today morning I woke up to a foggy day in Ludhiana. Fog was so heavy that the visibility was hardly 20mts. It happens in this part of the country.I dressed up and drove slowly to office.Then decided that I should go to the market and check the last minute grievances from the dealers as tomorrow company's GM-sales alongwith North DM and my regional manager are coming for market visit. Though I have got use to these higher up visits but still you always should be cautious as you never know what the market would throw. So tomorrow morning I have to be ready to take all of them to 4 of our critical dealers.Position is that one of them is upset coz I scolded him for no behaving properly and I am not sure how he would react to it.The other one is upset about a previous display contest result as he didnt get the first prize. Thankfully the other 2 are happy.....
All the basics like bookings and sales reports are in place.Godown is clean and stocks are arranged.
Today I got a call from one of my friend and she told me that she is quitting the company and coming back to Delhi and joining a company in Gurgaon.Well sometimes you feel is that the only way out to get to a place which you want...hmmm...I dunnu but lets see...!!

Coming back from home is never a good feeling. But as it is said that all good things come to an end, so did my stay at home. These 4 days in Delhi were really relaxing. After a month long gap I got to go home, took a leave on Monday and made it a stretch stay at home. Apart from being at home witnessing Delhi welcoming winters is another experience I didn’t want to miss. Delhi is beautiful in winters and it’s not only the weather but the people in Delhi who add a flavour to Delhi’s style in winters. I must say Delhilites are the most chic in winters. Men are smartly dressed up in there jackets and pullovers and women of Delhi needless to say are the most pretty kind of their species across. But in winters one just can’t ignore the designer shawls and jeans which add a new dimension to winter clothing. Roads look neat and there is a totally fresh look to otherwise rugged Delhi. Seeing the young crowd at bus stands reminded me of my college days and made me feel so guilty of not having enough fun. But I guess that guilt would remain no matter how much more fun I would have added.
Then at home though I was tied up with work on the first 2 days but still being pampered to the fullest with my regimen and schedule is something which can happen only at home. I got a hair cut and took out all my winter clothing. I had to meet a friend but she was too busy with work and I didn’t want to push it and be a cause for her discomfort. I hope we compensate on my next visit.
Another event which has become a more of a routine on my visit back home are the latest soaps which is making my mom glued to the television. I get 2 view points on each daily soap, one from my mom as to how good and nice storyline it is and second from my dad cribbing about the same story line and how it makes him miss the cricket match and news. I wanted to ask my dad as to how different is news from daily soaps but I left it for some other time.
On every visit I get to hear all the family gossip and sisters college gossip as to what is in fashion in DU this year and how left out I am on it….hehehe….I love both of them a lot.
Dad would enquire about my health and how am I doing at work. He would restrain himself from any personnal questions but I am sure catches up with all the gossip about me later from mom.
Then the morning comes when I am suppose to pack and come back to Ludhiana. These mornings are not the easiest as I can see tearful eyes of my mom and sister. Dad with a typical straight face coz men don’t cry…….
Shatbdi which is from Delhi to Amritsar is always full. Somewhere I never get a place to put my luggage no matter how less I have. It is so irritating to see bags of the size which can hold a man comfortably placed on the racks above and my tiny little suitcase has no place. It looks as if they are laughing at me with disdain. There is always an anxiety to know who would be my companion in the journey. May be a young damsel going to study at PAU Ludhiana, might be a business women going to the business capital of Punjab or a hot NRI babe coming back to Punjab…:P. But nothing of that sort happens with me and its not these species don’t travel on shatabdi. At station you would see the most amazing girls waiting to board the train; after all it’s a train which goes to Punjab.
So I settled at my seat C2-30, next to a gentleman who was in army. Anyhow the man was gregarious in nature and we had a good discussion ranging from Indian cricketing woes and criminal politics. He was from south and we had a journey down the memory to IIM K and beauty of it. Suddenly our banter was disturbed when one of the bags fell from the top on the southie. He was too polite in the way he reacted to it and didn’t say anything to the owner who was having a giggle. May be coz the owner was a 24 something beautiful female. Then when we ran out of topic I went to sleep and was woken up when somebody threw a stone on the glass window next to my seat. Luckily it’s a double glass protection window in Shatabdi and it left a perfect piece of modern art with crushed glass and a symbol of India’s social behaviour. I landed in Ludhiana and rains welcomed me to work. Had a long day at work and I am sure I would get grip of the things soon.

Last few days I was getting a feeling that I am not adding any value to my learning at the job. Predominantly there was a feeling that there isnt much work for me. Somebody up there definitely heard that and today I felt that the whole world around me is crumbling down. Where to start from...hmmm..
Morning: 8 am....alarm rang and I was awake but then thought that I can take a nap for 5 minutes.(I dont know what I would have achieved in 5 minutes)
10:20 am..: I woke up when my phone was ringing like crazy...shit its late. I knew that I had complete freedom of time but still it would not set the right example for juniors at office.
12 noon...got the first jolt when one of my dealers called up and said that rates in market is not stable and I should do something about it. (Man what do I do...its you people only who are cutting rates)
1 pm....godown guy comes in and says that boss there is acute shortage of stocks and my intervention is required.So I hurriedly called up RDC to reload our stocks..:D
2 pm....i got a call from a customer who threatened to take Asian Paints to consumer court as the product applied on the walls is not matching his expectations. I calmed him down and asked my sales rep to follow it up.
Then received a call from somebody who gave the reference of GM and wanted service for his resort.
3:30pm...a truck came with stocks which was completely damaged in transit. I estimated the damage and got it in my godown.
4:00 pm...office people reminded me that I had to take lunch and because of me they have also not had it till now.
had it fast and got 12 calls in between...(this has been a regular feature whenever we sit for lunch every one starts remembering me...my boss, my boss's boss, my dealers, my vendors, customers, juniors, some complaint, collegues, godown people..
5:00 pm...i got a call from Delhi that we are doing good but my monthly target figures have been revised...and yes there is only one way the revision happens...Up....
6:00pm sat with the team and tried convincing them that this is logical...
7:00pm As soon as I was about to leave office a dealer came in and killed some time....
finally I rushed back home coz i was too tired listening to phone calls and data planning...monthend is approaching and there is lot to do....
angry dealers
unsatisfied bosses
irrate juniors
jealous peers
unscrupulous elements...
unethical competitors...
just another day in my life...!

Oxymorons are something which have taken our levels of expression to a different level.Agruably, Love is the only other word in english which can convey emotions more than them.
In every genre of life we meet these characters called oxymorons.
you are in school debate team and your English teacher would like you to be Queen english while you express."common Deepak you cant be pronouncing the words like that and why for chirst sake you didnt counter the point.I want you to be correct and show some passive aggression." Passive Aggression...hmm
And when I finished my debate part she said, I am terribly pleased with your effort"..terribly pleased...oh God...and yes I am was Damn Good..!! oops ...thats catching me....
No matter how much you avoid these they keep coming back
Religious tolerance: thats an oxymoron our nation is well aware of..
Peace force: world has seen enough of them...hehhee
Act Naturally: well yes without putting any act, just act naturally...:))
Found Missing: what have you found which is still missing
Clearly misunderstood: hey darling I clearly misunderstood you, please forgive me....common dude dump her, you are being moronic
Political Science: common thats really funny, have the politicians ever studied science...?
Plastic glasses: ya they would not break
Business ethics: wow..! thats very interesting...show me where..?
Civil Engineer
Military Intelligence

well there are many more and you just cant keep a track whenever you use them.
So spare a thought they are such a lovely gift from english language to you all where in you can express so many things....

Birds were chirping that too in harmony
Sun light kissing the earth n creating a symphony
Wind blowing away the sheet of night
And there was a hoarding, “India’s future is bright”

That is when I saw a school rickshaw at a corner
With colorful patches saying “St. Mary’s n Corners’
They were not one but seven kids in all
Looking cute and not dozing at all

I glanced at the hoarding and back at them
Wondering they are the future and saw promise in them
There I saw little geniuses inside
And my heart said India’s future is bright

I saw a doctor in that cold
Curing the poor and helping the old
Then I looked and saw an engineer
Designing tools and sophisticated gears
There was an IAS officer beside him
Working for the welfare, and doing the admin
That girl next to him, looked busiest of all
Oh! She has just won Pulitzer, my God!
This boy seems to be talented
That world class painting, its he who painted
Girl with blue eyes, is how I know her
She has just surprised us, by winning Oscars

So I was a spectator to India’s future
Which looked all right and I am sure is bright
This must have given you a lot to smile
Reading this and imagining for a while

All seven of them are India’s future
They are bright, we just have to nurture
Promises will be fulfilled by them
On the condition that we guide them


You must be thinking who the seventh kid is
Have I missed him or you have over read him?
Well I could not have missed him, coz I saw
The seventh kid was pulling the rickshaw


I glanced at the hoarding and back at them
All the jingoism died that second
That boy was sweating from head to toe
I had tears and my eyes were staring the floor

Living alone can be all fun and free. But one thing is for sure that falling sick when you are living alone is the worst thing that can happen. For the past 2 days I am going through this stupid phase of “not being well”. It all started with fever and cold. Didn’t have any symptoms like running nose or cough, but yes suddenly the weather changed in Ludhiana and I am caught with throat pain and fever. Next day I acted like a doctor and rested whole day. Sitting at home is very boring that too alone. A person like me who is mostly busy and traveling sitting at home doing nothing is like a prison. Anyway I rested and assured myself that I am well. Next day fever was gone but still throat pain was there. Went to office in the morning but had to leave a little early because weakness was there. Then in the evening my office people took me to doctor and I was surprised because I thought they should be happy that Boss is not there in office. Contrary to that they wanted me to get back early. I rested the next day and yesterday night the pain was very acute…..somehow I managed the night and in the morning went to the doctor again. Have taken some medicine and went to office as I find house very boring and lonely. In office at least you can get tea/water/medicine on order while at home you have to get up and manage everything. Anyway didn’t want parents to know that I am so sick so have called them from office which would have definitely reassured them that I am fine…: D
Saturday is suppose to be off day for most of the people across but we guys have to work which I have started to dislike a lot now….(may be I am sick)…..
Again would like to say sorry to a few friends whom I wasn’t able to speak or was rude yesterday as I was very sick.
I don’t expect them to understand or something but yes I want to apologies…..
I hope I will recover soon and be back the same energetic and enthusiastic DC again, because right now everything is looking bleak and dull: Job, Office, home.
I know this is momentary but yes this is moment I am going through.

" Unhealthy times bring you closer to people "

I saw you for a moment and that was all
Can’t even dare to describe you at all
Its not that there aren’t words I know
But I fear I might miss out on a few, though

You don’t need the assurances of my words
As I am sure you must have got enough from the world
But just let me try and picture this for me
So that I cherish the memories which you have given me

I can see me sitting there clueless
When you entered in huffing puffing, a little breathless
As far as I remember that’s when we made an eye contact
Yes I am sure of that cause after that I remember your every act

My vision got stuck on you but I can’t say about you
You were busy settling down making sure everything is sound
I kept trying avoiding you but couldn’t
Not wanting you to notice that and I hope you didn’t

After a while we glanced towards each other at the same time
By now I guess you also know that, for me it was not the first time
You were kind enough to pause at me and turn with a smile
I wanted to freeze it and first time ever I wanted to be God for a while

But then being mortal I waited for another time
Wanted to say anything but didn’t commit that crime
Looking for the opportune moment in peace
When I can ask you,”would you care for coffee please?”

Then something happen and I was left speechless
You untied your hair and brought life to that couch which was lifeless
You were reading something I can’t recall what
But I wanted to be that book and yes again I wanted to be God

At lunch I am sure you said something to me
Cause I replied and you were agreeing with me
We finished our part whatever was served
You said it isn’t good, but ask me every bite I loved

Then we parted and haven’t met ever again
Its not that you promised that it’s a beginning
But then, if it was there in your mind
Then for once I would pray you be the God
Do something and be mine…!

In this booming economy, where we have suddenly seen a surge in the numbers of cars and vehicles on road I guess we have completely forgotten to give them a conducive infrastructure.

Ludhiana is a place which is hub of industries like hosiery, spare parts, job wok and manufacturing equipments. You can find Vardhman Spinning mills, Hero cycles, Nihar oils , Bonn bread factories and umpteen number of hosiery workshops. It is one of the biggest car resell market in north India. So in a nut shell money and affluence is the way of life in Ludhiana and Punjab Government is very proud of this city, which I am sure is a huge revenue earner for the state. Ludhiana has car showrooms at every 5 kms and you would find all the latest cars and SUVs on road. A city where there are 7 malls with state of the art shopping complexes and multi theatres are coming up. Though it still hasn’t got the status of metro Ludhiana has everything what a metro is supposed to have. Good houses, buzz among the city dwellers, latest display of wealth and yes power (bureaucratic). It has KFC and McDonalds which lately has become the havens of young couples. It comes pretty high on some survey done of household expenditure pattern, which is shown to me every time I shrug from giving the desired growth by the higher ups stating, “common Deepak you are in a high potential and growing market..!”

How I tackle these situations is something I would elaborate some other time. This blog is to bring forth one issue through an incidence which happened in the morning with me; the insouciance nature of Police and despicable state of roads.

This morning before I started my journey (I should say journey because it was full of adventure and experience and yes it took time..) somehow I felt that I have been living in this city for an year now and I haven’t actually taken a note that how many Kms is my office (precisely) from my home. So I set the indicator to zero and took out my car. I put on the music which is first thing after starting my car. Then comes the seat belt and then a small token of asking God to be with me. (Yes music first…). My office is just a 15 minutes drive from my home so I took my usual route to workplace. Cranberries didn’t even started saying,”Zombie Zombie…” when I got the first shock.. Ludhiana Police was standing on the way and instructed me that the route is blocked due to security reason so take some different way. My car was diverted towards a route where the whole city was converging. Being an industrial town you have laborers on cycles, auto (medieval times) crawling slower than cycles, mobikes swirling to glory, trucks and canters with overloaded stuff (who seem to somehow always tilt towards me when I am there) and Mercedes Benz. All fighting for the same space on something like a black strip of tar coal. Roads are full of blisters and I think they are strategically placed so that I can’t avoid them.

As soon I reached there like everyone there I went deaf, horns are out of fashion in Ludhiana and its not because something better has come its just that there utility was lost long before. After driving or managing through that battlefield I came to a diversion where one road lead to Jallandhar and one toward Delhi GT road (on which my office is situated). You guess it correctly, smart elegant and impressive cops were standing there “aapke seva mein” and I was asked to take that Jallandhar road as CM and other Politicians were about to cross near my office. I lost my cool and came out of the car and asked them that I have to go to Delhi, how can I take Jallandhar road. Not having a satisfactory answer he called up his senior and I am sure it was not because of my smart question but the jam behind me that made his senior came running. He tried to threaten, coax, cajole and reason me out but I was adamant that I am ready to wait here but would not take Jallandhar route.

So finally he budged and allowed me to take the correct way. So I reached office after 75 minutes and yes whole CD got replayed and Cranberries was at top of its voice saying,” Zombie Zombie….”….

“If you aren’t heard it means you weren’t good enough”

My cries are their joys
And somehow they make out what I want
I bring a new meaning to their life
To see my smile they go through pain and strife

I am their pride and their life
They are my friends and they are the only ones I know
And then I grow and step out
Though tentative but is left out

Walking on the unknown path
Unsure of myself and greeting people
Working hard to bring smile on their face
They aren’t there and I am trying to trace

But those are the days gone
Somewhere I could not hold on
Memories linger on and they will die soon
And yes I am reborn

I make new journeys and new friends
And made promises to be for life
Diversions came and paths were different
We took ours and just left some imprints

Those first meeting and seniors ragging
Bold truths of life did come my way
There were some crushes and some likings
I want to revisit them that’s why I am citing

But those are the days gone
Somewhere I could not hold on
Memories linger on and they will die soon
And yes I am reborn

Reached in life which I can say as achievement
Met somebody and got a cue
Felt the feeling of love and today I know was true
Never could have controlled that even if I wanted to


Was so sweet and didn’t seem that it would end
But its not that you always come as a preferred one
Though she once said that I am the only one who fits
Now its history and I am sure she doesn’t remembers me a bit

But those are the days gone
Somewhere I could not hold on
Memories linger on and they will die soon
And yes I am reborn

New world was waiting for me
And I explored the limits
Work was fine and I was paid
Did do well and everyone praised

Met someone who stood out in crowd
But I was too shy to say aloud
Wasn’t sure that this one will last
But she loved me for what I was unlike the past

I had my life and was on cloud nine
But then she passed off without kissing me last time
I was left alone and this time a little older
Her touch was still warm inside but my feet became colder

But those are the days gone
Somewhere I could not hold on
Memories linger on and they will die soon
And yes I am reborn

when kids will have their own life
I would just sit there watching seasons go by
Remembering old times and people whom I met
Saying to myself “today is my last day, have a bet”

Then the moment would arrive and I hope I would smile
Eyes will be wet and family will be numb
I will stand there watching them cry and listening them say
“Was a nice man, shouldn’t have gone so soon”

But I say my days with you are gone
Try to hold on to memories and remember me sometime
I am not dead I have just moved on
Somebody is waiting I have to be reborn

:)