Personal Ramblings

Raju has been on my mind since morning. After finishing my Walking Tour I was riding back home. This school going kid asked for a drop so I stopped over to pick him up. He said he had missed his bus and looked so lost. He was studying in class 8 in one of the schools in the locality. I have a soft corner of kids these days for the truck load they carry on their back called ‘School Bag’ plus the disgust I have developed for our education system seems to add to it.

I asked Raju why did he miss the bus.Did he wake up late ?  He said No Uncle (yeah I know kids these days just cant tell my age right ; ) He was up at 5:30am to go to tuition classes which was delayed today so he got back home much later than the usual which is 8:30 am. He quickly grabbed breakfast and was on his way to school. Asked him how was school, he said it was okay, without much interest. Which started at 9:30 am everyday and the drama went on until 4:00 pm. So I asked him what he did once back home? He said he had tuitions in the evening as well. I asked ‘Tuitions Again !!’ He said yes, from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. It was a little hard for me to digest. Because after tuitions classes he got back home did his homework for the next coupla hours had dinner and went to sleep. And this was his routine everyday. I asked him if he understood what was thought in school. He said ‘Yes’. Then go for tuition classes I asked. He said so that he understood better coz the school thought at a fast pace.

The whole thing sounded like a military regime to me. I asked,So when do you get to play? He said “On weekends” Ola !! I thought it was only the working folks looking forward to the weekends and now you had school kids joining the bandwagon too !! Looking back at my childhood, what I cherish the most the time spent with friends playing and doing all the crazy things that one wanted to. So I asked Raju don’t you miss playing for a couple of hours everyday. He said like he was talking to an idiot ‘Uncle, I am in class 8, two more years before the all important class 10. How could I afford to play’ . I was shocked. These were not words of school kid but that of his parents and teachers who had succeeded in drilling such non sense into his head that Playtime sounded like a crime !! He said hoping to put some sense into my head ‘ Now was the time to study and not play’

Wonder what kids are taught these days in the name of education. There seemed to be no joy, no interest neither the innocence the came along with childhood. It seemed like we were all getting one step close to whats described in Aldus Huxley’s ‘Brave New World’ producing machines and all set to run the rat race. Like somebody said, The problem with the rat race is that even if you manage to win it you still remain a rat !!

As I stopped in front of his school, Raju thanked me and jumped off the bike and ran inside coz he was already late for his ’special class’ which his principal was taking coz their class was lagging behind in Math !!

I wondered when Raju grows up and realizes that his childhood was robbed. Who would he blame. His School, his teachers, his folks, his peers or just himself ?? I dint have an answer. Do you ?

I was asked on the first day of this year, What Plans ?? And I said I want to reflect upon the year that has passed by.Sounded heavy? No it wasn’t the hangover of the night before coz I went to sleep by 10:30 PM. I just wanted to revisit the year that passed and had so much action.. So here goes…

Highs

Himalayan Biking Trip : After reading the Motorcycle Diaries by Che Guvera years ago. I always wanted to bike to the Himalayas. And finally I did it this year. No amount of words can  describe that experience. 2500 kms over 3 odd weeks, breathtaking scenery and amazing people. I don’t think I’m still done with the Himalayas, I am definitely going up there again. And I so strongly feel Kashmir is Paradise on Earth. It should be high up on any travelers list.

Starting my Business : A year back all I had was an idea and over the last year it was great to see that this idea has become a reality, Royal Mysore Walks was up and running or should I say Walking and now it sustains me. Definitely a great feeling. The challenge in 2010 is to get more things done.

Meeting people : It was year where I got to meet a lot, a hell lot of people, from various backgrounds, Artists, Journalists, Architects, Top shot Govt. Officers, Entrepreneurs, Politicians, Organic farmers, Interesting Travelers and yeah a few techies too. It was great interacting with most of them.

Give it a Shot : This was undoubtedly the best lesson I learnt over the year. Never kill an idea in your head. You never know what might work. And you have NOTHING to lose by giving it a shot. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING !!

Better use of tech : Ironic but true, after I quit my job as techie I began to use technology much more. And in fact now I enjoy using technology to improve my business.  Looking forward to pick up a smart phone soon. To Stay connected is the Mantra if not its gonna cost you dearly.

Value People : I had always known that one needs to value people. But it was over the last year that I realised that its the people who make you or break you. Your BIGGEST asset is the people you invest in. Life is short choose the right people around you and invest in them selflessly.

Marketing !! Marketing !! : Over the last one year I have truly understood the importance of this magic word and why everybody keeps taking about it all the time. It sounds really really attractive but it is the MOST difficult thing to master. You never know what works. You can never give it up. Wishing I was married to a marketing guru , Life would have been so much easier and yeah, I also realised the most effective marketing tool is by the good old word of mouth, There is no better brand ambassador than a happy customer !!

Passion for Work : I had always strongly believed that there is nothing called Work satisfaction, It must have been a word invented by those creepy manager to get crappy work done. When I would hear people say I work for passion, I would always wonder how much the dude gets paid to say that. but I was so wrong all through I am glad I found mine over the last year. Hope everyone does find it. Because work cease to be work but its just fun !!

Marathons : It was also a year of long distance running. Ran the Bangalore 10k run and finished among the top 1500 out of 35,000 folks. My only achievement in the field of sports all my bludy life (have saved the certificate for my kids) also did the Kaveri Trail half marathon at Srirangapatna, It was a nice personal high. Want to do a full marathon in 2010. Takes a hell lotta preparation. I better be game.

Happy New Year !!

Lows

Relationships Suffered : When you out there trying to get things up and running, you are ought to miss out spending time with your loved ones. Personal relationships suffered. Where ever you go everybody around you is saying.. We just don’t get to see you these days. Hope to fix that this year

Lazy : Over the last 6 months I have been down right lazy. Thats the problem when you dont have a boss. Anytime is sleep time. Anytime is party time

Procrastination : The deadly disease that I have been suffering from and it could be suicidal when you are running your own show. Thankfully with great friends like Mihir, I have been trying to get cured I have also caught on to his slogan “Do it Wrong, Quickly !!” Thanks dude for being that huge moral boost. You rock !!

Follow ups : That is another department where I have slipped down. With so many people that I have been meeting. I have fallen behind in keeping touch or getting back to mails/calls. So I have put a 24hr deadline to return mails/ calls.

Attenti0n to Detail : I should sue my school for teaching me all this crap, like for ex this one, I have wasted so much time just trying to make things perfect but then you realize that what is most important is to be up and running. Over time you will achieve perfection. Or something close to it.

Double Standards : Over the turn of the year I realized or rather was made to realize that I use this weapon called Double standards in my dealing. Not good.. not good. Efforts are on to rectify it.

Fitness : All that running and Walking has done no good for fitness. One look at my size you will feel sad for my knees. So 2010 is gonna be a yr of fitness. Action speaks louder than words so I have decided not to speak on this.

I have faded : Yes its now official, I have definitely become a coulpla shades darker. Spending so much time out in sun has just not helped. For the skin I mean Damn I should have put this under the Highs as Tall, Dark n Handsome . Okay okay.. I can hear the protest for handsome. So chill its a low now

One glance above and you realize that among all those things that have either made me happy or sad over the last year.. there is one thing in common. Money doesn’t figure anywhere. And that has been a huge realization. Money does not buy you happiness nor the lack of it can make you sad

So finally 9 Highs and 8 Lows, Which means 2009 has been ‘a’ high

So.. Bring it on 2010 !!! I am rearing to go !!