A Story about Onsite...! Software Professional;

Husband (Deepak) and his Wife (Deepika)

One fine day, Deepak's PL Sidartha asks him whether he has any time for a small meeting. Deepak obviously has time and so the two go to a conference room. Sidartha then clears his throat and says "Deepak, there is an on- site requirement. It is in Covina, Los Angeles. It is for six months. I can suggest your name. Do you have any problems?"Deepak cannot believe his ears. Of course why should any one have problems going to the Sam land. "Of course no Sidartha... I have no problems." he says. Sidartha looks at him very kindly and says "You better draw up your personal plans with your wife and let me know in a day or two" That's when Deepak remembers that he has a wife. Then it strikes him that there is a Himalayan problem in front of him. Deepika is working in Infosys. She is in the middle of a project in which she is a module leader. She cannot leave it all and come to Covina with Deepak. On the other hand it will be cruel on Deepak's part to leave her here and go to Covina for more than half a year. Moreover, they have just been married. Deepak can stay back. But one day he has to go.. He cannot stay back in India indefinitely. Project requirements are too demanding. Deepika can resign Infosys and accompany Deepak. But what is the guarantee that she would find such a nice job in such a nice company after they come back from Covina? So Deepika and Deepak discuss this issue. They reluctantly agree to get separated for six months. Deepak hugs Deepika in the airport and says "I will be BACK" in a typical Arnold Scharzegger tone and then boards Delta Airways leaving Deepika in tears. In Covina Deepak gets lots of work and his stay gets extended by two more months. The days and months move very slowly. Deepak starts counting even minutes.
During this period, Deepika's PL Nagaraj calls her one day and asks her whether she has any time for a small meeting. Deepika wonders what that meeting is… They go to the conference room and Mehta tells her about a great on-site requirement in Berlin, Germany for their customer. "It is for six months and you are most suited person for this. I am going to suggest your name. Do you have any problems?" Mehta asks her. Deepika gets excited.. Berlin! She has never been out of India. So she instantly nods her head. Mehta then smiles and says "Okay discuss with your hubby and let me know in a day or two" That's when Deepika gets the gravity of the situation. It will be two months before Deepak can come home..... By the time Deepika will have left to Berlin for six months. Deepika cannot decline this as this is an important assignment. That night Deepak spends hundred dollars on telephone to discuss this matter with Deepika. Finally they decide to go ahead. Deepika breaks down in the phone and Deepak breaks down thinking about his phone bill. And then Deepika leaves to Berlin. One month after that, Deepak comes back to India. Then Deepika calls him almost everyday and they discuss about all petty things on the phone.Deepika applies for a loan to clear her telephone bills. Deepak gets into a new project which is not yet started. His PL Tushar calls him one day and says that he has to go to Toledo-Ohio for the requirement analysis of that project. Deepak frantically says no. Deepika is arriving next month. He doesn't want to miss her. But Ray assures him that the work is only for one month and that he would be back before Deepika comes to India. Thus Deepak flies to Toledo-Ohio and gets into the requirement analysis of the new project. That's when he comes to know how difficult it is to retrieve information from the users. You can design a system the user wants only when the user knows what he wants. Deepak gets baffled by the questions his users put……….."Do you think I need those fields "GMG_TYPE_HJHJ_TW" and "Auto_level_ind"?What are they by the way?" The requirements analysis stage continues for three full months at this pace. Deepika comes to India one month after that. And she tells her PL that she doesn't want anymore on-site assignments. "I understand" says Mehta and she desperately waits for Deepak to come back to India. It has already been two months over a year since they last met. Deepak then gets the role of an on-site co-coordinator for this customer. He calls Deepika that night and they really don't know what to do. Deepika offers to resign her job and join him in Toledo. But she is getting 21 grand per month in India and Deepak doesn't want to lose that. "Two more months Deepika and I promise I will be back" Deepika retorts back, "There is no solution for this problem." Deepak gets surprised. "What are you talking about?" he asks her. Deepika fights back her tears. "As long as I am in Infosys I will be getting a lot of on-site opportunities. Even if I decline all of them, what about you? You also work for a software company and there you need to go abroad almost once every quarter. I cannot accompany you as you don't want me to resign my job here. Does that mean we have to stay like this forever? Deepak! I love you and I don't know how I spent fifteen months without even seeing you once. I may not recognize you also if you come in front of me now... Tell me Deepak; is there a solution for this problem?" Deepak doesn't speak anything for a moment. He then realizes the truth in her sentences. It is a never ending problem. But what about the 20 grand she is getting per month? "Deepak, is money everything? Can't we comfortably live with what you are getting? Please Deepak, try to understand the situation" Deepika breaks down. Deepak is still undecided. He married a software engineer with a hope that with two incomes he would have a good deal of money to plan their future. "Let us face the reality, Deepak" Deepika says, "How much are you paying for the phone calls now?
More than 20 grand per month. If I am with you there will your phone bill be so astronomical? Just tell me one thing. Won't you be happy having me there with you?" Deepikaslowly turns hysterical. Deepak gets into the crux of the situation. It is true. He has been spending around 600 to 700 dollars per month on India calls...that is far more than what Deepika is getting then. He thinks and thinks…...for two days he does nothing else but thinking. Finally he decides that he should have Deepika with him all the time from then onwards at any cost.

Deepika gladly prepares the resignation letter and submits it. Her PL smiles and says "You've made the right decision Deepika….
Congratulations for the bold step. I understand your problems. Anyway! You have a three months notice period here, right? We have a one month assignment in Singapore ....."
MORAL : No software professional should marry another software professional.... unless one of them is ready to resign.

Thanks

~Bulu

A man at taxi stand and beggar story;

Once a man was waiting for a taxi;

A beggar came along and asked him for some money. The man ignored him. But being a professional, the beggar kept on pestering him. The man became irritated when he realized that the beggar would not leave him alone unless he parts with some money. Suddenly an idea struck him.
He told the beggar, "I do not have money, but if you tell me what you want to do with the money, I will certainly help you." "I would have bought a cup of tea", replied the beggar. The man said, "Sorry man. I can offer you a cigarette instead of tea".

He then took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and offered one to the beggar. The beggar told, "I don't smoke as it is injurious to health." The man smiled and took a bottle of whisky from his pocket and told the beggar,

"Here, take this bottle and enjoy the stuff. It is really good". The beggar refused by saying, "Alcohol muddles the brain and damages the liver".

The man smiled again. He told the beggar, "I am going to the race course. Come with me and I will arrange for some tickets and we will place bets. If we win, you take the whole amount and leave me alone".
As before, the beggar politely refused the latest offer by saying,
"Sorry sir, I can't come with you as betting on horses is a bad habit." Suddenly the man felt relieved and asked the beggar to come to his home with him.

Finally, the beggar's face lit up in anticipation of receiving at least something from the man. But he still had his doubts and asked the man,
"Why do you want me to go to your house with you".

The man replied, "My wife always wanted to see how a man with no bad habits looks like."

Thanks
~ Deepak

Some Marketing Strategies;

A Professor at one of the IIM's (INDIA) was explaining marketing concept to the Students:

1. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say:
--->“I am very rich; Will you Marry me!”
^---That's Direct Marketing.

2. You are at a party with a bunch of friends and see a gorgeous girl. One of your friends goes up to her and pointing at you says:

--->“He's very rich; Will you Marry him!”
^---That's Advertising.

3. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and get her telephone number. The next day, you call and say:

--->“I am very rich; Will you Marry me!”
^---That's Telemarketing.

4. You're at a party and see gorgeous girl. You get up and straighten your tie, you walk up to her and pour her a drink and you open the door (of the car) for her, pick up her bag after she drops it, offer her ride and then say:

--->“By the way, I'm very rich; will you Marry me!”
^---That's Public Relations.

5. You are at a party and see gorgeous girl. She walks up to you and say:

--->“You are very rich! Can you Marry me?”
^---That's Brand Recognition.

6. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say:

--->“I am very rich; Will you Marry me!" ***She gives you a nice hard slap on your face.
^---That's Customer Feedback.

7. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and say:

--->“I am very rich; Will you Marry me!” ***And she introduces you to her husband.
^---That's demand and supply gap.

8. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say anything, another person come and tells her:

--->“I am very rich; Will you Marry me?" ***And she goes with him.
^---That's competition eating into your market share.

9. You see a gorgeous girl at a party. You go up to her and before you say:

--->“I am very rich; Will you Marry me!” ***And your wife arrives.
^---That's restriction for entering new markets.

Thanks
~D here

Puzzle-D: Equal Product!!!

A	***	D
B	G	E
C	***	F

Each of seven digits from 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 is :::

(1) Represented by a different letter in the figure above.
(2) Positioned in the figure above so that AxBxC=BxGxE=DxExF

Which digit does "G" represents?

Thanks
~Deepak

Honest Answers :-)

Honest Answers:-----

1.Why did you apply for this job?
I have applied for many jobs along with this and you called me now.

2. Why do you want to work for this company?
I have to work for some company who ever gives me a job, I don't have anyspecific company in mind.

3. Why should I hire you?
You have to hire some one, you may give me a try.

4.What would you do if this happened?
Well, it depends my mindset and mood at that situation...

5.What is your biggest strength?
Basically, daring to join any company who pays me well, without work pressure.

6.What is your biggest weakness?
Girls

7.What was your worst mistake, and how did you learn from it?
Joining my earlier company and learnt that I need to jump to get more money, so I am here today.

8.What accomplishments in your last position are you most proud of?
Had I accomplished any in my last position, why do I need to change my job? I could demand more and stay there.

9.Describe a challenge you faced and how you overcame it?
Biggest challenge is answering the question "why are you looking for achange" and I started blabbering irrelevantly to overcome that.

10.Why did you leave/ are you leaving your last job?
For the same reason why you left your earlier job.

11.What do you want from this job?
If no work is given but keep giving good hikes.

12.What are your career goals and how do you plan to achieve them?
Make more money and for that keep jumping companies for every 2 yrs

13.Did you hear of our company and what do you know of us?
Yeah, I know that you will ask this, I've gone through your website.

14.What is the salary expected and how do justify that?
Well, no one will change job for the same salary,

hence, give me 20% extra than what I am getting and that is unpublished industry standard
(I know you will bargain on what ever I ask, hence, I have already hiked mycurrent salary by 30%)

Thanks
~Deepak

Read On...A Nice Article By Swami Vivekananda..............

A Nice Article By Swami Vivekananda...............

I once had a friend who grew to be very close to me.Once when we were sitting at the edge of a swimming pool, she filled the palm of her hand with some water and held it before me, and said this: "You see this water carefully contained on my hand? It symbolizes Love." This was how I saw it: As long as you keep your hand caringly open and allow it to remain there, it will always be there. However, if you attempt to close your fingers round it and try to posses it, it will spill through the first cracks it finds This is the greatest mistake that people do when they meet love...they try to posses it, they demand, they expect... and just like the water spilling out of your hand, love will retrieve from you. For love is meant to be free, youcannot change its nature. If there are people you love, allow them to be free beings.

Give and don't expect.
Advise, but don't order.
Ask, but never demand.

It might sound simple, but it is a lesson that may take a lifetime to truly practice. It is the secret to true love. To truly practice it, you must sincerely feel no expectations from those who you love, and yet an unconditional caring." Passing thought..."

Thanks
~Deepak

Short Story with a beautiful message...really.......!!!

Here is a short story with a beautiful message

Little girl and her father were crossing a bridge.
The father was kind of scared so he asked his little daughter,
"Sweetheart, please hold my hand so that you don't fall into the river." The little girl said, "No, Dad. You hold my hand."

"What's the difference?" Asked the puzzled father.
"There's a big difference," replied the little girl.
"If I hold your hand and something happens to me,
chances are that I may let your hand go. But if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens,
you will never let my hand go."



In any relationship, the essence of trust is not in its bind, but in its bond.
So hold the hand of the person who loves you rather than expecting them to hold yours... This message is too short......but carries a lot of Feelings.

Thanks
Deepak

A Samaja Op-ed on IIT in Orissa and Upgradation of UCE Burla

This article is mostly well argued and has a lot of information regarding recent announcements. My only issue is that it is a bit short-sighted at the end: If Andhra Pradesh can upgrade two of its existing colleges to IIESTs and still get a greenfield IIT, why should Orissa just ask for one upgradation; Orissa should ask for upgradation of UCE Burla to an IIEST and the establishment of a greenfield IIT. Also, just asking for UCE Burla to an upgradation to an IIT is a bit dangerous as the central govt. may say that they are not upgrading any institution to an IIT. If that happens we become double losers. So, Orissa govt should ask that UCE Burla be upgraded to an IIEST and Orissa should get one of the proposed 5 new IITs. Furthermore, as we have argued earlier Orissa govt, should immediately make UCE Burla a state university.

Thanks
Deepak

All Software Professionals should know

Six software professionals under the age of 33 have died and 2 top executives from renowned software companies have become paralysed because of stress-related heart ailments in the last six months in Chennai, says a study by Mitran Foundation, a Bangalore-based voluntary association of practising doctors. "All the six who died, and the two who became invalid, had no family history of heart attacks or any pre-history of heart ailments or paralysis. They were all in their prime, between 27 and 33 years, and handled challenging projects at work in their respective companies. They worked long and continuous hours. The end struck them very suddenly, and it looked as if their hearts refused to take any more stress," said Dr Dwarakanath, director of Mitran Foundation, who has studied stress components in 40 software companies in Chennai during the last six months. The study, conducted at a cost of Rs 45 lakhs, covered more than 4,000 software professionals from 80 companies who were in service for a minimum of three years. The email responses were scientifically tabulated and the findings were ready in 2002. Dr Dwarakanath, who was the late Dhirubhai Ambani's personal stress management consultant, said questionnaires extracting every minute detail were sent to the respondents. The personal background, family history and personal characteristics of these individuals were assessed and it was found that the stress in these professionals was only due to work pressure. All other factors were eliminated. "Our study confirmed that the number of suicides, divorces, heart ailments, BP and diabetes patients and mental depression are the highest in the software industry. The fancy salaries of software professionals are no longer something to rejoice about," Dr Dwarakanath said. "We found that the software industry has simply no routine. Deadlines hang before them and every day they chase new problems. During weekends more than 60 per cent of the vehicles are found parked in the office complexes. There is no physical exercise and new food habits favoured by pizza culture fuel the problem. Cervical spondilitis and wrist problems due to uncomfortable handling of the computer mouse, eye problems and discomfort in bowel movements are common. The stress for couples where both are employed in the IT industry is the worst. The simple step of taking time off from work for three months allowed an IT couple wanting a child for years to conceive one," Dr Dwarakanath said. M.T.R. Venukopalan, senior training coordinator, Covansys India, acknowledged that IT professionals were the most stressed individuals. "Even if the company sponsors a movie or self-care lecture, not many attend them," he said. Jyothsana, a travel coordinator for Temenos India Pvt Ltd, expressed concern for the young employees who complain of back and knee pains. She acknowledged that IT professionals require a specific eating and physical exercise routine to ease their stress. "Our lives are becoming mechanical, guided only by deadlines," she said. So think again if you are staying late in the office regularly. Think again about your family. Think again about your social life and health.

Work is essential. Your contribution to the goal should be great. But, don't make it a habit to stay late.

Some news on the locations of new IITs and IIMs

Following are excerpts from a Business Standard report.
The eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and seven new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced, are likely to come up in the states of Orissa, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.
An official source said the government was working on ways to give these institutes an even, regional spread.
The states will be selected on the basis of their economic and social status. A count is being done on the number of engineering and management colleges that these states have currently and their student population.
For instance, Jammu and Kashmir has a high chance of getting either an IIT or an IIM as it has only five engineering colleges and four management colleges affiliated to the University of Jammu and University Kashmir.
Among the states in the West, Rajasthan could also be considered as Gujarat and Maharashtra already have an IIM and an IIT, respectively. In the East, with Shillong having an IIM now and Guwahati having an IIT, Mizoram and Nagaland could stand a chance, said a source close to the development.
Among the southern states, Andhra Pradesh could get an IIM or an IIT as Bangalore and Kozhikode have an IIM each and Chennai boasts of an IIT.
The idea of choosing these states to establish these centres of excellence is to maintain a regional balance in the country. This will be done keeping in mind the government?s inclusive growth agenda, the source added.
This is a very speculative news and the writer is unaware that IITs for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan have already been announced, and IIMs for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh have also been announced earlier.
In regards to Orissa, if it comes down to be a choice between an IIT and an IIM, it is definitely preferable to get an IIT, as Orissa already has a top notch business school in XIM, an IIT can have its own business school, and the investment in an IIT is more than 10 times than that of an IIM.
Business Standard also has another article. Following are some excerpts from it.
Even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced the setting up of eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), seven Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) and 30 central universities in his Independence day speech, the government is shortlisting states where the institutes will be located.
Economic Times also has a report which talks about the difficulty and impact of having so many new IITs and IIMs.Entry Filed under: IIT, oDishA (http://iitorissa.org), IIT Kharagpur branch campus in Bhubaneswar, Orissa, other states and the center

Thanks
Deepak

Using mobiles for a decade raises brain cancer risk: study

Do cell phones cause brain cancer? There's no sign of it, say many. But, if researchers in Europe are to be believed, regular use of a mobile phone over more than a decade raises the risk of brain cancer.
Yes, according to Swedish researchers, who carried out a study, long-term users have double the chance of getting a malignant tumor on the side of the brain where they hold the handset, the Daily Mail reported in London on Monday.
And, an hour a day on a mobile phone for over ten years, is be enough to increase the risk. "The international standard employed to protect users from radiation emissions is not safe and needs updating.
30 mins/day on mobile may harm hearing
"Children should be discouraged from using mobiles because their thinner skulls and developing nervous systems make them especially vulnerable. Adults should exercise caution," lead researcher Professor Lennart Hardell of the University Hospital in Orebro was quoted as saying.
In fact, Professor Hardell and his fellow researcher Professor Kjell Hansson Mild of Umea University came to the conclusion after examining long-term mobile users because cancer can take more than a decade to develop.
After analysing the results of 11 studies carried out around the world, the team found found almost all had discovered an increased risk of cancer of the glial cells that support and protect the nerve cells.
Those who have used their phones for at least a decade are 20 per cent more likely to contract acoustic neuromas and 30 per cent more likely to get malignant gliomas, they said.There was also an increased risk of acoustic neuromas, benig

What are the Chak De women up to?

After the blazing success of Chak De! India, the film's 15 beauties exploded into the limelight.
Now, two months after the film released, the dust has started to settle and each member of the dream hockey team are embarking on their lone ventures.
Find out what's in store for these girls post the Chak De craze.

Name: Sagarika Ghatke (Preeti)

How has the newfound fame affected you?
It's had a positive affect. I've changed for the better and am more confident. I'm able to push myself to do more and work harder. All this exposure has given me confidence in my own ability to perform. It's very encouraging.
What do you make of the fans' reaction to you and the film?
Immediately after the film people would only recognise me as Preeti but now, I'm recognised for who I am. People would come up and talk to me about the movie. They tell me how much they've enjoyed the film and loved my work.
What's next for you?
I've been offered many roles. I'll be signing a film really soon but can't say much about it. I am looking forward to doing more movies. There have been rumours that I'm doing a film called Mission Istanbul. That's completely untrue.
Besides films, what else have you been up to?
I've signed up with Reebok. They have launched a women's lifestyle line. Along with sports wear, women will now have more fashionable options to choose from. I inaugurated the new Reebok store at Gurgaon, New Delhi.

Few Lines Below;

Life is a journey, it has to be completed.
Life is a battle, it has to be finished.
Life is a pilgrimage, it has to be concluded.
Life is a race, it has to be won.
Life is a gift, it has to be lived!!!

My Love

Some thing Special.....Have a look..

Railways to install ATM in trains

"We already have ATMs in many stations. Now, as a further step, we are planning to install ATMs in some trains as a pilot project," said a senior railway ministry official.


Withdraw money while traveling in trains. Indian Railways are planning to install ATMs in selected trains.
"We already have ATMs in many stations. Now, as a further step, we are planning to install ATMs in some trains as a pilot project," said a senior railway ministry official.
"We are in discussion with some banks to finalize the ATM project", said the official adding a feasibility study is also being commissioned to study the proposed ATM plan.






In the first phase, ATMs would be installed in popular trains and later on depending upon the success of the facility it would be extended to other trains.
Beside ATMs in trains and platforms, railways are planning to install about 6,000 automatic ticket vending machines across the country, beginning with Mumbai and Bangalore, selling platform tickets and unreserved train tickets. Installation of ATVMs would help reduce the rush at ticket counters of daily passengers.
"We have strengthened security measures at railway stations and trains by deploying explosive detection devices, doorframe metal detectors, CCTV and smart video cameras at sensitive stations. Beside acquiring modern security gadgets our dog squads have also been strengthened as there is a need for deploying sniffer dogs at stations", he said.
Steps have been initiated to operate Global Positioning System (GPS) in trains to improve our trains tracking system. A GPS-based system for rail navigation has been planned in coordination with IIT Kanpur. The system provides real time tracking system using GPS.
Beside ATMs and ATVMs, Railway Ministry is planning a major upgradation of entertainment in some inter-city superfast trains.
As per the plan, the seats of the coaches will be equipped with flat-panel television touch screens with head phones offering passengers options of live and pre-recorded entertainment and movie channels.
However, trains passing through Naxal-affected areas are not being considered for ATM facility for security reasons, the railway official said.

Thanks
Deepak

Orissa boys win World School Rugby title

Bhubaneswar: Indian sports is on an upswing and nothing captures it better than the fact that a group of young boys from Orissa's tribal belt have won the World School Rugby title.Hailing from a non-descript corner of Orissa, young tribal boys of the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) got the Indian flag fluttering in London, when they beat South Africa to win the Under-14 World School Rugby title.For the young boys from Orissa, to win an international trophy in a game that isn't really a mass sport in India is nothing short of a huge achievement."We are simply speechless. We have no words to express the feeling. We went there as underdogs and were not considered a team also. South Africa were the strongest but we won," Summit Aagrwal, a student of the KISS, said.Homecoming couldn't have been any sweeter for them as coming from one of the most backward areas in India, they sure knew how to ! come up with their best tackles as they fought other teams from across the world."All of us are very proud from the moments we got the news that our children from Orissa and particularly tribal children from our state have done so brilliantly in an international rugby tournament in UK. All us from our state are very proud and will certainly popularise rugby as a sport even more," Orissa Chief Minster Naveen Pattnaik said."Cricket and football are popular sports in India but rugby is new to us. We also represent the country. We do the same things that cricketers and footballers do," Bikash Murmu, captain of the rugby team, said.Now a group of boys from the tribal belt of Orissa have shown that India can be world beaters even in a sport that is not very popular in the country.

Thanks
Deepak