GenerallyCurious.. » My life

Annasaale trip

Sridutt — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 04:41:31 +0000

This is a trip I took with a friend to his house in a village called Annasaale, in Mandya, and some places close by. Amazing place, amazing colors. The fresh air, the long walks, and the lack of noise was so overwhelming, I think I went into shock for about 30 mins. when I entered the village. The routine was wake at 5:00 or 5:15, walk the entire day in the fields, eat, discuss art, photography, plans, and village politics.

I thought it was only in the BIMARU states that caste played a central role in village life. Well.. as it turns out, I was wrong. It happens everywhere. In a country like India, in the year 2010, that something like this is possible after we have progressed so far as a nation and are on the brink of becoming a world power is shameful.

But the only way, I figure, to change the world is to change oneself. Since all things exist in relation, the equation changes.

Well. Here are the photos. I took over 300 photos, of which maybe 200 are decent one’s. I was thinking of uploading all the 200 on the blog, but realizing how much time it would take, I have just uploaded random photos here. Feel free to use them if you want/need to use them anywhere. Just tell me where, so I can boast about it too ;)

A younger brother who never quite was

Sridutt — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:37:35 +0000

He was the second youngest in the hostel. When we went for a run early in the morning, when even the birds didn’t chirp, he was smiling when we came back sweaty. He was the always first to tell me on misty winter mornings – “Bhaiya, chai mil rahi hai, Mess khul gaya hai”.

He joined the airforce, got his wings, and realized his dreams. He learned to soar – Bhaiya uska main, aur mere upar woh.

There were times in the night when we all used to switch on the lights, and play a completely made up game of foot-volleyball. He used to wait his turn patiently. There were times when I asked him to go away because I was not in the mood to see a smile early in the morning. There were times when I could have spoken to him, and did not quite find a common topic.

There were times when I wanted to sleep and couldn’t because the guys were making a helluva racket – and I got out and yellled at them.

I miss the “muh bola” younger brother I never quite did have, whose elder brother called me Bhaiya. I miss the smile, and that silly guy who used to sit on the hostel mess’ steps every morning, with that goofy smile. I miss the friend I never had.

Is that smile the only thing that should remain in my memory? Is life really so cruel?

Happy flying my brother. “If” is a very cruel word.

Dedicated to Flight Lieutenant Manu Akhouri – a MAN who realized his dreams. To a friend I never quite knew. A younger brother who became the role model for me – a much older one.

Cubbon Park

Sridutt — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 14:17:49 +0000

I and a friend decided to photograph Cubbon park, early in the morning. These are some of the pics we clicked. a few good (at least I feel so) and a few.. well.. okay.

Some black and white

Sridutt — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 05:08:16 +0000

A few pics I clicked in black and white.. just every day things that I wanted to see in a black and white mode…

Nandi hills

Sridutt — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 15:02:33 +0000

A friend and I decided to go to the Nandi hills to do some photography. Never thought that some of the pictures would have colors like they do.

Sivanasamudram and Talakaadu

Sridutt — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 14:03:46 +0000

One day, tired of the city, I decided to drive out of town. Covered Sivanasamudram, and Talakaadu, both. In one trip. It was nice.

Social Networking access in large companies : to muzzle or not?

Sridutt — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:53:09 +0000

As per MessageLabsnew report on Social Networking: Brave New World or Revolution from Hell? regarding access to social networking sites – the greatest fears for employers are loss in productivity, followed by negative publicity.

Regarding loss in productivity – what I have noticed is whenever an employee faces a problem to which he does not know the solution, he checks on Google, and then resorts to various forums on which he might be able to look for solutions. Assuming an employer blocks access to sites which may actually be a community of developers or managers, wouldn’t productivity be damaged? moreover what about business opportunities that may arise from employee interactions on networking sites like linked in?

Regarding a possible threat to reputation, employers who have transparency in practices followed by them should actually encourage it. This is because a positive feedback from current employees may be one of the things which could influence talented individuals to join your organization. When everything else (Salary scales, perks etc.) is equal, then it’s the smaller things which swing the situation your way. A positive statement from a current employee may help the individual make up his mind. Also, Social networking ites could help in referrals, and the costs of hiring someone who is referred by an employee is much lower as compared to advertising employment opportunities. It also has the added advantage of having already vetted people being hired – people who have been vetted by the companies employees themselves.

It is also much better for productivity and morale if an employee joins who has an acquaintance or a friend working in the company as this would lead to faster acceptance – each company is a form of a closed society with it’s own unwritten protocols in terms of interactions among employees. Although every company would like to think it has a very open and friendly atmosphere, in fact this is not true.

Moreover, only a company that does not encourage transparency would actually be considering freedom of speech as a threat. Not to mention expecting any employee to praise a company when it does not in fact deserve praise would be, lets say… unrealistic?