Smiley’s World

Its long time that I have been writing or posting content on this blog. At last I said good bye to my laziness and am writing something. Let me start of with this incident at office today. It was a normal day at office BAU (business as usual) as said in the corporate world. It all started late in the afternoon after I had some snacks (just 2 samosas, 1 chicken patty, chocolate moose and strawberry milk shake) still consider this little? I dont know, whatever. So let us get back to the story, after having the snacks I thought of going down and smoke a cigarette to give the finshing touch to the mini meal I just had. I went down to the smoking zone finished my cigarette and by the time I came back to my desk guess what I see. My desk white board is filled with all sorts of cigarette warnings (look at the picture above). This was the job of Anusha and Jayashree (my colleagues) who are keeping the count of number of hours I have already lost from my life due to smoking. The count stands at 60mins if I remember correctly, which looks like to be really small number at this very momemt when they are not around. I don’t know how these girls make it sound so big and scary when they say the total time I lost each time I go for a smoke. Trust me I get conscious when they actually say this time and now started thinking of it whenever I am smoking. They have also given me a name “mmm”. Muscle and Mazhar are the 2 m’s and I have no clue what the 3rd one stands for.

Okay let us talk about the facts and figures (another corporate word) this time monitoring and board scrapping has led to. I have become so conscious that I have cut down my smoking from 3 cigarettes to only 1 per day. Which is a good thing. I think Anusha, Jayashree and Ujjyini would agree with me. Well I am looking forward for a day when I can proudly say that I have quit smoking. Hope this day is close by. I tried hard to quit this habit but whenever I have a good meal or I get upset I end up smoking. Now that I have found what my areas of development are I would definately chalk out a plan to quit smoking (OMG whats up with me I am using so many management terms).

So lets wait and watch people how soon I would be doing this.

Shehnai maestro Ustad Bismillah Khan, 90, died of cardiac arrest at Varanasi’s Heritage Hospital early on Monday morning.  A day’s State mourning has been declared in Uttar Pradesh and the national flag flew at half-mast. All government offices and schools and colleges in the State remained closed on Monday as a mark of respect to the maestro.

Thousands paid homage to ustad at Benia Bagh Park. UP governor T.V. Rajeswar, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav, several ministers and other political leaders visited Varanasi to pay homage to Ustad Bismillah Khan. The ustad, who had been ailing for quite some time, was hospitalised on August 17 with age-related problems. He suffered a cardiac arrest at 1.45 am. Although he was put on the life-support system, doctors could not revive him. He was declared dead at 2.20 am on Monday.

Ustad Bismillah Khan had a keen desire to perform at India Gate in New Delhi. A recipient of the prestigious Bharat Ratna in 2001, Ustad Bismillah Khan had turned 90 in March this year, but he had refused to celebrate his birthday as a mark of protest against the Varanasi bomb blasts.

He was known for his secular leanings and had more friends in other communities than in his own. He was deeply attached to Varanasi and refused to leave the city even for treatment. He enthralled audiences at performances across the globe. He was conferred the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the Tansen Award and the Padma Vibhushan. He was also  awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. He was also conferred honorary doctorates by Benares Hindu University and Santiniketan.

Despite his fame, Bismillah Khan  he led a simple life till his death. He always used the cycle rickshaw as his chief mode of transport which is an example of his simplicity. Born on March 21, 1916 in Bihar, the ustad’s ancestors were court musicians in the princely state of Dumraon.

Ustad Bismillah Khan gave a soul-stirring shehnai recital and poured his heart out into Raga Kafi from Red Fort on the eve of India’s first Republic Day ceremony. He also has the honor  of performing in Indian Parliament. He was one of those rare
artistes who believed that musicians were supposed to be heard, and not seen. His Jugalbandi performnaces are one of the unforgetable moments for most of the people in India.

I would not say that Ustad’s demise has brought an end to Shehnai legacy in the country because there are lot of talented artists in India who can play this instrument but I am sure that it will really difficult for Indians to find one person who can match up with Bismillah Khan and continue his legacy and represent India and carry forward this culture.

Government of India has banned accessing nearly 22 Blogging sites in India eventhough they are accessible outside the country. The step was taken in wake of Mumbai Bomb blasts on 11th of this month.

The government says that they had to make this decision as per the information from Intelligence Agencies that Terrorist/Militants are using blogs as means of communication.

Bloggers through out the country have criticised this decision of Indian Government and are planning to move to supreme court. They feel that this is agianst the freedom of expression.

I understand that terrorism is a major issue in our country but it is not only in our country US, UK and other countries are also fighting the same issue but they have not banned any sites. Banning blogging sites doesnot mean that militants can stop communicating they may choose other mediums. So I dont think this is a wise decision by the government because it is not only against the freedom of speech but there are people in world who share their knowledge, ideas and also make livelihood through Blogging.

 
 
 
 
Guys Checkout my Birthday Pics celebrated at the Office…Guys I look so dumb with cake all around my face… 

 
 
 
 
These pictures were taken in the Gym during Workout. 

 
Brian White whom we used to watch in Energizer videos is in office today on a saturday and I am the only person from my team working. He is technical program manager in our Mountain View office. It is so exciting to have him here. We were expecting him on Monday but he is here today working in office on the other side of my desk. I showed him the hyderabad office and he was so excited to see the colors, break out area, massage chair, bean bags, cafeteria and the outside view. He looked very impressed. We discussed few things about the team and he also told me about the purpose of his visit to hyderabad. He sat near my desk and explained an example related to our work. He also told me how we as a team are a making a difference or contributing to the company. He saw all the pictures on my desk and I briefed him about Charminar. He was surprised to know that charminar is a 400 year old monument. I am proud that he saw my blog and appreciated it.

I am very much looking forward to his meetings. I am sure we can learn many things from him that would really help us a lot in our job.

This is a one of the memorable day in my life for sure. I hope he enjoys his visit here in hyderabad and accomplishes all his tasks. 

 
 
 
 
We went to Pragati resort as a part of Company offsite for Q1. These pictures were clicked at that time. The one in shirt was taken in Office. The group picture is of my Team. 

Hey Joshi(my good friend) becomes Papa. This is the picture of his new born(Mihir) with his parents. Congratulations and God Bless new born and ofcourse you both. 

Patrick Chapman is Analyst who has visited tha office from Mountain View, California. Pat worked for NASA for 3 years prior to joining GOOGLE. My impression of him is he is a Cool guy.We talked about lot of things with him last wednesday at Lunch. He was sharing experiences about his tour of north india. As every tourist does, he found TAJMAHAL as wonderful creation of mankind. I could make out that he enjoyed his trip.

But his trip was not easy. He faced lots of problems as most of us do though the trip was properly planned. His car broke down which wasted 3 hours of his time. Not only this he was at Delhi airport coming to hyderabad when there was fire incident at the airport. He was describing the chaos, rummours at the airport and lack of security. He was also i think he was also afraid as he might have never seen this before. But the impression the incidents that have occurred, i reckon would have left a bad impression on his mind about the security system in India.

I could only tell him that people in India are used to such incidents. But i felt happy to know that he found our country to be a beautiful one. I think he leaving on Tuesday but I am sure he will never forget this trip to India.

Finished my work early today. Boyyyy this week has been amazing at office. Did some gud numbers this week. Noticed one thing that if i hit gud numbers on monday then whole week is gud. The best part is the module that i have created is successfully working and is really helpful atleast to me. Well i have made that module open to all. Let us see how many people will notice the module and atleast try using it.

Didnot go to gym from past 8days. Got mail on monday informin that gym is under renovation and before that i was on leave. Man got so used to gym that i am not at all active without working out. Now I understand how my body is used to workout and sweating. Gyming really makes me active and feel lighter. Hopefully, will start workout from tomorrow. Shal definatley burn out extra calories as i feel heavy. May be have put on extra weight. But one thing is fact I feel that Gyming is the only thing I do it for myself and feel happy about it. It is not that i dont enjoy any other things, I do but not as much as Gyming.