20th Oct-3rd Now

CHANDIGARH I came back from Gurgaon after my presentation only last afternoon. The presentation had gone well I thought. The MUGM seemed satisfied if not exhilarant but yes, more than anything I was relieved. I wanted to get to back to Chandigarh- pack myself to Delhi- the next evening, today evening. This wish was by no means to sigh relief, but because I just felt like getting a change. Chandigarh had slowly started growing on me and I feared before inertia beckons- I better get away. I am in the train now. CHANDI- KALKA SHATABDI I was all packed, stuffed up the car, fuelled it to capacity and I was all set! Reached office to hear, from that I was glowing and was surprisingly very happy to leave. Because I had enjoyed my stint. Guess, what? The coach was almost wholly occupied by a group that seemed to have returned from a ‘’shaadi’’ and they were about 4 couples with two kids each! And then there was a ‘’Charmie”, no that was not a pet! It was the name of an infant who lay on the table right infront of me! She sprayed from time to time inviting a nappie change, she strew chips all over, she screamed she yelled and if that was enough attractive other kids around her. I love kids, will dote on my own. But what does one do when you can’t get out of a situation? It’s some more minutes to Delhi. By the way I ate paneer BETTER masala in the train today.

BANGALORE Flew off to Bangalore to attend my quaddie’s wedding. It was a very special occasion for I had seen this dainty girl through many occasions but this one was where she was entering into a totally changed life…Ms. Anusha Verma is how she would be known! Felt nice having gone all the way to Blr to attend her wedding, have never done such a leg before. Met up quite a few people from ISB, plus also Smita’s mom who is ever so doting, Jyotsna too.. RISHIKESH Came back stayed in delhi for three days and now was time to go to Rishikesh for an offsite. Three days of arduous classroom sessions with Ajit Mulla our trainer, combined with exciting treks, rafting and rappelling- overall a fantabulous experience. Also managed to passively feel a near death experience with one of the team’s rafts capsizing.. All rescued all accounted..Only now can say Hindsight is 20-20. NEW DELHI Recovering from Viral infection. I have now joined work in Delhi will be here on a project till Dec 7. I have to work with one the biggest bottlers of Pepsi, and observe the departures and synergies with the parent organization. Hope to take back some concrete learnings on Modern Trade this time. Hoping this is enthusiasm remains as the days unfold. Overall, it’s been a packed ten days and am still orienting myself!! Looking forward to : Diwali at Home and OM Shanti OM

Bidding Adieu...

15th Oct, 07

Time flies, and it has! I came here on July 28th. The first two days were spent just looking around the place, trying to explore PG accos, getting a phone connection, internet connection and so many other errands! Don't believe it is already time to surrender all of that.. Having got the orders to relocate- trying to recount all my experiences and I have to say I have enjoyed these ups and downs!

Our Management Trainee regroup is happening, three months after our orientations. I have to be in Delhi from 24-26th and then they take us for an outbound to Rishikesh.. should be rocking. As per initial schedule I was supposed to have come back to Chandigarh on 30th and relocated to another territory by 15/19th. However, Saturday morning- my eyes opened to this mail which said that I should not be booking tickets back from Delhi as I would straight away be moving for my next stint! GULLP... well it was no more than a week's notice. After having been here some 3 months - I did get attached to this lazy but pretty city. As is natural- made some friends, started enjoying work, felt good knowing the market...and whoa! it's time to leave. My small little room here with knick knacks in different nooks, am used to this place now.. liked the Guest House food ... basically made myself quite comfortable... At work, there are some people I will surely miss... The ADC, Mr. Bhagat - a great person, a sensible guide and very nice at heart. He is the one who manage to allay most of my fears and apprehensions at various stages. Not to deny his absolutely electifying sense of humour. I am going to miss the AE- the accounts manager for his constant banter and extremely funny way of intruding, some innuendo accompanied and that smoky cigarette in one hand which was enuf to drive me out of the room when he entered...no matter how rude that might have -appeared. Mohanji- the pantry person... who gave me tea and coffee just when I was about to sleep off. Hari Singh- the guest house keeper- who makes awesome home food. I am also going to miss the Punjabi lingo intertwined with curses - right left and center.. well I guess it is systemic to this profession - SALES! I am going to miss the LASSI in sector 17, the awesome shoe shops and also the onsetting winter of chandigarh.

Guess this week too will fly off-- i am in delhi on thursday, then back to chandigarh for two days and then I take off for Delhi to go to Blr to attend Anusha's (my quaddie in ISB) wedding. Moreover, midway a lot lined up- bye bye party, my project wind up, packing, Unit Office goodbye handshakes and yes- very importantly - my appraisal presentation!

What I did right - Ate butter chicken in a dhaba, had lassi, went to a gurudwara, checked out the markets(no option there), went to kapil dev's restaurant, saw bhajji's & yuvraj's house, went to the mohali cricket ground, ate enuf and more times at the famous Gopal's sweet shop, bought all varieties of 'mojaris'.

What I missed- Missed going to Kasauli n Shimla on a weekend, did not shop enough, did not go to amritsar or anantji sahib... Will add to this list of unaccomplished tasks end of this week!

Much Awaited...Much disappointing

The promos of Laaga Chunari Mein Daag had worked on me and I had been eagerly waiting for the movie to release. Following my heart I went and got myself tickets for the first day!... I have to say that nothing lasts forever, even if it is sensibility! It would have taken Pradeep Sarkar a load of effort to churn out this disaster of a movie.. and whatever happened to the much talked about brilliance of stalwarts like Jaya Bachhan, Anupam Kher and Konkana Sen? They make u laugh in a scene which would have ideally been emotional, amateur screenplay and very average performances on the whole. Varanasi lacks culture, Mumbai remains no more than a scape-goat city-of-sins, Switzerland and Italy happen in a blink... this is only the country salad...there is more... The way Rani transforms is certainly not the most aesthetic one, rather shallow infact. Abhishek seems to have only been a buy one get one free with Jaya!! I think I need another movie to compensate for this eye strain.. Bhool Bhullaiyya..here I come.. :) Two thumbs down! PS: Abhishek looks nice in a sherwani, Rani wears awesome jewelery!

Winter Breaks...

It's that nip; It's that dew, on the anvil is the winter hue

The sun has been benevolent since the last day or two....

The quiet, the coffee, the mittens and blankets are by far a favourite

If only winter weren't so beautiful, I would not wait a bit!