Society...

A couple of brushes today...with the workings of society...

I was going through a friend's essay on Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. The essay dealt with how mass culture is affected by movies. And the essay clearly brought out certain trends depicted in the movie that Indian society follows - like the male need to be macho, the male character asserting himself physically, etc.

Another incident moved me even more. I really feel for girls and guys who are pushed into marriage unwillingly by their parents. Its sad that in such cases the people being pressurised have to use further studies as a tool to get out of it. It is highly regressive that such a situation arises. I hope Hema gets through her situation. And KJ get well soon.

-- Kairav Parikh

Mumbai Marathon....

We had quite a blast at the Mumbai Marathon on Sunday. We were 56 of us taking part in the Dream Run for the NGO AmeriCares, which provides international disaster relief. I am glad that many of my colleagues from b-school could make it and were enthusiastic in their support. Of course though the run was to be 6 km, by the end of it we had easily covered 10 km or so. For quite a few of my friends it was their first time as a part of the marathon and I think they quite enjoyed it. Hope we can make it an annual event.

:-)

--Kairav Parikh

Happy 75th Ba!!

My grandmom's 75th birthday tomorrow. And we had this big party today so that relatives from out of town could make it down to celebrate the occasion. 

Wow!!! The stuff my dad did to make the occasion special was out of this world. I was shocked when I entered the venue. There were these huge flex banners with pics of the family and family friends and other people who were to be at the party. It must have taken a huge amount of effort to do all that.

Not to mention the quiz that was conducted for the audience to see who knows my grandmother well and the stage handled by my bro and cousin. 

I hope I can do the same and more for my parents when I am on the other side.

Love you guys.

--K1

how OPT is that...

My friend KT is a source of constant entertainment. We rib him so much about some of his habits but he in his good natured way manages to laugh at himself with the rest of us all times. Well actually almost all times, the rest of the times he's beating me up about it.

Just yesterday as we sat sipping our chair and coffees....'slrrrrrrrrp'....went our friend....and HD, GJ, makkadman and me burst out laughing while KT got all red-faced.

Later on during the same cuppa tea, KT very optly decided to refer to a mail that was sent only to the 'opt' people.

Oh man. And he didnt have a clue what he'd said. But he laughed along as well when I told him what he'd said.

It was also good to meet Maddy and Nikhil after a long time. I missed meeting Spinach and Popeye though. Maybe next time.

--Kairav Parikh

Outbound Adventures - this one's for you

It was a completely different feeling to be referred to as an instructor by a friend talking to a third person. I had completely forgotten about that.

It brought back fond memories of all those times spent on camp. Thank you Andre Morris for Outbound Adventures and all those wonderful times. Its been 6 long years since I was out on camp and I am aching to get back out there. I will definitely make it out there soon.

My friend A went to Rajmachi recently and that brought back fond memories as well. I met my old school buddy K who was there on that trip to Rajmachi. It was fun remembering all those times. Rock climbing and rappelling up and down those fort walls. Archery to go with it too. And how can I forget R got stung by a scorprion. How R howled! It was most amusing that the sting was on the middle finger and Pops kept asking the teacher from R's school why R kept waving her middle finger around.

My last trip out was to Igatpuri. That was fun too. The waterfall and everything. All in the rain too. We were soaked but it was great. I remember I went for Pat's leaving for USA farewell straight on the way back from there.

sacrifice

I am currently reading this book on entrepreneurs who graduated from IIMA and have gone on to make it big. The book is titled 'Stay Hungy, Stay Foolish'.

It's certainly making for a very interesting read so far. And it is definitely in the mould that would inspire someone who reads it with even the slightest of entrepreneurial streak, to seriously consider entrepreneurship as an option.

What remains as a common thread throughout most of the success stories highlighted in the book is the amount of sacrifice that each individual has had to go through along the way to success.

Inevitably, there are family break ups, not enough time for spouse and kids, etc. But there are those that have balanced it out as well. I wonder how these people can decide what amount of sacrifice that they are willing to go through to follow their dreams or passions about their venture.

Pretty much the same can be extended to every feature of your life that you are passionate about. How much are you willing to sacrifice along the way? For someone who deems family important, that is a sacrifice, similarly a regular corporate career v/s your own venture. There were even examples where the spouse has worked to earn for the family while the entrepreneurial venture was being started up. There were even cases where the spouse has dived into it head on. That is the kind of sacrifice and dedication needed to succeed.

But does there always have to be a payout of personal life against professional? Or can things be more balanced?

I will continue to read on, but what strikes me as slightly odd is that why are all the people feature in the book so far male? Is that because of the inherent nature of women to be considered as homemakers? Does society have anything to do with it? Or are women just more comfortable with lesser risk and higher stability?

Life is what you make of it

And yes i am back again after a break. 

I am a strong advocate of the belief that 'life is what you make of it'. Again none of this aims to disprove or prove the existence of God. But our reactions to situations and circumstances is within our control. And hence the ability to change the situation. 

Very debatable I am sure. But I believe that especially in times when one normally tends to mope or be sad, it is up you to lift yourself out of that feeling. 

While you feel that you deserve sympathy and empathy, it is up to you not to resort to things like going on binges or taking to smoking or drinking in the hope that it will help drown your sorrows. That would only compound the problem and make things worse. What is needed is a clear mind and not a mind with a judgement that would be clouded by such things. 

Lift yourself up from your misery and realise that life is but for you to make what you want of it. All the best to one and all.

-- Kairav Parikh