Wednesday, March 17, 2010

THE Garland...

Just day before yesterday, we were watching the news and Mayawati appeared on the screen with some 4-5 men putting a huge garland on her. Thought, its just another wastage of so many flowers (some different kind of flowers) as had been done on several other occassions by the so-called followers of the most annoying politicians (sorry, but yes they are annoying, and these are my views. Anyone having counter-views can keep with themselves).

But later came to know that it was not a flower garland, it was the garland made out of currency notes of 1000 denomination and supposedly some 50,000 such notes were used to build up that huge garland. Which makes it worth Rs. 5 crore !!!!!!!!!

Imagine, what this 5 crore rupees would have done for the upliftment of any poor section of our society. It could have meant 2 meals per day for atleast a year for so many people. It could have meant 1 room decent house for atleast 1000 families. It could have meant basic education for hundreds of students who cannot afford to go to school. I wonder if her party workers in karnataka have so much of money, why dont they utilize it for something fruitful instead of showing their creativity in making a garland out of it and presenting it to Ms. Mayawati and getting themselves clicked? If the amount is later meant to be donated (which I seriously doubt), then they could have made a cheque or a draft and presented it to her and then let her donate to the respective needy organizations.

When are we going to get out of this cheap publicity and boot-licking by the local politicians and when will they actually start benefitting the needy people? Do they ever actually sit down and think how can they eradicate a social problem instead of thinking how to make their party leaders happy (even if this means, coming in front of their leader for nano-seconds, which their 'gurus" do not even acknowledge ever). Forget these local small time politicians, do these Party leaders ever sit and think for the country people? Opposition is busy in finding ways to oppose the ruling party and ruling party is busy in cancelling whatever projects/policies earlier ruling party had started/framed during their tenure. And then starts the blame game.

If Ms. Mayawati still have some shame (which she never has), she can still donate this money somewhere... 

Self Appraisal...

Few days back all of us at office got the mail from our HR Head. It again was the time for the Annual APPRAISAL. We are supposed to do our self appraisal first, which will be reviewed by our immediate supervisor, who would give us ratings and other feedback, we then have to approve of it (if not, then have to give provide the reasons for disapproval), this will go to the next level of supervisor and finally the Group Head.

This mail made me think of the answers that I would submit to the questions asked in the Self Appraisal form: roles and responsibilities (if you have a working project you would have work and thus the roles and responsibilities), two major accomplishments (if you would have worked, then only you could have accomplished something), facilitating factors (NONE), limiting factors (long list), feedback etc etc.

I was wondering what all to write. Wanted to write so many things in the most rude manner and put forward my anger for the fact that I have been stuck in a wrong project. For the facilitating factors, I cannot think of anything. Wanted to write NONE, but cannot. Limiting factors were many, but cannot mention it. Feedback for what I require to improve my performance- as if they are going to seriously consider them.

What is the point of filling this self appraisal form or rather, I should fill this form and send it directly to HR and let my manager give his/her feedback about my work separately. If this self appraisal form is just about praising the company, the project and the managers, then it is of no use. But if the suggestions and feedbacks have to be seriously communicated and considered, I dont mind doing the self appraisal.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Give time to our family...

Just sitting idle at office for sometime, I thought of browsing through some random blogs and sites. Clicking on interconnected links, I ended up on one of the blogs and read this story. Found it very touching, so thought to share with all of you. Here it goes...

Source:http://academictips.org/blogs/give-time-to-our-family/

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After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said, “I love you, but I know this other woman loves you and would love to spend some time with you.”

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well?” she asked.

My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, and then said, “I would like that very much.”

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel’s. “I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed, “she said, as she got into the car. “They can’t wait to hear about our meeting.”

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic smile was on her lips. “It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small,” she said. “Then it’s time that you relax and let me return the favor,” I responded. During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation – nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other’s life. We talked so much that we missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later, she said, “I’ll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.” I agreed.

“How was your dinner date?” asked my wife when I got home. “Very nice. Much more so than I could have imagined,” I answered.

A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn’t have a chance to do anything for her. Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined. An attached note said: “I paid this bill in advance. I wasn’t sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I paid for two plates – one for you and the other for your wife. You will never know what that night meant for me. I love you, son.”

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying in time: “I LOVE YOU” and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more important than your family. Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off till “some other time.”

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Thursday, March 11, 2010

Once upon a time...A Month Ago...

Here I am: Mrs. Nikita Mathur. As per my last post, I have lost my bachelor status and today the new status- Married, has completed its one month. Although, there was a twist in my wedding ceremonies ("Nikita" and "last minute twists" are inseparable phrases)...
People do fall ill, they are at times admitted to the hospital and they do feel weak at times but I had it all during my wedding. Yes, I caught jaundice, I was hospitalized for roughly 1.5 days and I was extremely weak because of this. The D-day was 11th Feb and I, instead of going to parlour on 7th Feb, landed straight to hospital. Each family member and few close guests as well took turn to feed me regularly with Glucose, fruits, and other recommended food items. Everyone made sure that I do not sit for too long at a stretch.
No one, including myself, to be blamed, but this deprived me of enjoying my own "once-in-a-lifetime" wedding, which I always used to dream as the most lavish and enjoyable event of my life. Wanted to look the best but could manage that only in the Wedding Lehenga and reception saree, else for all other ceremonies, I looked the worst. Had prepared a dance with bhabhi and wished it to be appreciated by all but could barely manage to dance for a minute, which seemed like a year at that time.
Where I should have been working as a new bride- Delhi, I had to lie down on the bed for most of the time, while my in-laws got busier as they took charge of my diet and rest. The expensive and most looked-after honeymoon had to be cancelled. Though, because of all this care by all my family members and friends, I have recovered in less than a month, but this is something I am never going to forget throughout my life and hate myself for troubling all at that time.
On a lighter note, I console myself by saying it was like, Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi... Everyone would remember it for years to come and I just pray to God that our relationship and bonding lasts long and strong... CHEERS !!!!!!
(Wish to relive the experience Minus Jaundice (or any other stupid disease) on our First Wedding Anniversary :) )