Hear it from a loser

Yeah !! you heard it right. I am a loser , I finally lost 6 kgs, after almost "struggling" for 4 years finally manged to lose weight & and now I walk much faster.As per my BMI , I need to lose 8 more kgs . You see 4 years is long time & not being able reduce could demotivate  anyone. The worst part was to end up giving excuses for same why can't I lose, especially when you hear from your friends , that lady lost in three months, yeah the other one she took 6 months and the worst case scenario was your own colleague lost 10 kgs in 6 months .

First ,  if people around me were able to do it in a half year, lets see why I took lose a weight in 4 years. The  first reason is I am lazy . I believe in finding an easier way to do things. It took me  4  years to find an easier way. No, I didn't do  any kind of crash  diet. Neither  any fairy grant me wish . The easier way is to lose it with determination. I lost is because I exercised a lot . I spent 2-3 hrs in gym. At times husband would call me crazy but I  would do anything to lose that extra flab . I also
indulged in power Yoga and Pranayam . It had huge positive impact on me .

I was addressing  100 odd people in an auditorium . All were lauding me and  suddenly someone pushed me from  behind . I fell from the stage. I saw him sitting on bed  and grinning at me . Well,
being loser is a long cherished dream.

Gift

She was getting ready, when she saw those earrings placed on dressing table .She put them on and checked in mirror. They were not real diamonds, though it looked good.  Her thoughts traveled to O'Henry's "Gift of Magi."  A beautiful story of love and sacrifice. A year ago she would think, how Jim and Della made futile efforts for each other. Only if Jim and Della talked to each other and coordinated. But then today these 10 bucks earrings weigh more than world's heaviest stone. They now weigh on her soul. As Riddhima got ready to conclude first job, a tear fell from her eyes.

Ashish was a ghost. He didn't exist on papers. Ashish had rather achieved a unique fiat in India. He had brought all the investigation agencies of India together to flush him out. He smiled on this thought but the agencies were still on a wild goose chase. Today was a remarkable day. He would buy something special for Riddhima. Riddhima, the innocent young girl unaware of world's treachery. He also had one last job to do and he would get papers. He had it all planned, he would vanish in thin air with Riddhima.  He would tell her everything today.

Riddhima dialed his number, from a line which no one tracked. She had an opportunity to tell him about the trap lay ahead. But the courage left her all alone in this battle. He was a paranoid fellow, when they met first. He was like wind the always changing places. But Riddhima was a sharp woman, she figured his movements and later his trust on her had grown manifolds .He would never lie to her. So, it had been easy to track Ashish for past six months. They decided to meet around 5.00 at coffee shop.  She called her team and said meeting is scheduled at 4.00.

The whole area around Citymall was cordoned off by the agency. The central agency was tracking Ashish for a year now with the help of Riddhima who was a local cop. Ashish was wanted for 11 murders in past three years.  He had killed cops , news traders ,billionaires . He worked for a high profile group. A group that knew Governments, Companies and Mafia. Riddhima wondered if Ashish ever had an idea about the group. Like Ashish , the group was a ghost too and they were untouchable . The agency could only eliminate people like Ashish and cut the chain, slow them down.

The mall was quarantined. Every shop was occupied by cops. At 3.30, Rididhima was in her police van tracking movements around mall, and hoped agency would move on over her false tip. But fate had brought Ashish there early. Riddhima froze as she saw Ashish walking down the road on her laptop. 

Ashish was a happy man. He was so consumed from within that he didn't notice the changes around him. Tea stall hawker looked bright, the road had minimum traffic. A professional would have sniffed the trap but love. He was not expecting Riddhima anytime soon. He planned to buy a ring to propose her. He intended to buy many more things for her. In the coffee shop, Riddhima was growing restless. She called Ashish; this would be their last conversation. "Hi!" As Ashish heard her voice, he raised his head. He noticed every bit of agency’s preparation.  He felt a sudden pang from within, no the bullet didn't hit him. He now saw what lay ahead.  So, she is a prop or she planned everything, thought Ashish .She spoke again," Ashish, don’t"." He cut the conversation there and begun to walk towards the Citymall. Almost everyone from agency was having a clear shot at Ashish. They were waiting for a go from Riddhima.

But Riddhima couldn't give a go ahead.

As he walked towards cafe, Riddhima walked out in  police uniform with  gun in hand .She shot him.

Fiona's Mother

Fiona was 7-8 years old girl when people begun to call her freak. At least it was the time Fiona realised she didn't fit.  The classmates won't play with her. She rather loved time in her garden where she grew. She was thin with long messy hair.  Her mother left her when she was very young, probably a day old . Her father would go to sea for trip. She wondered, why?  He wouldn't see Fiona for days or months.  She asked her Nanny,"Why does Dadda go there, pointing at sea from their house?" “ That his job like taking care of you is my job." said Nanny.

Her father had managed to find investors for his trips. Some were interested in treasure hidden underneath a sea. Some would want to know about the rare species that lived in there. The sea provided innumerable opportunities to David, Fiona's father. That day he returned home, after a month. But he had no time to see Fiona.  

He directly went to his study in the house.  He studied the map and felt he was so close to it, yet he had to return.  There was a forecast was for storm.

Fiona was in garden, when Nanny called out to her. She told Fiona about her dad's arrival. At once Fiona ran to her father's study. She stood there looking at her dad and wondered if she would ever know why dad goes to sea. Her father David turned around, he was wearing a crimson blue shirt and khaki pants. He was in late 30s. He was tanned. David looked at his daughter and he thought his daughter had grown up so much. He asked her "Would you like to take a walk on beach?" Fiona was ready at once. 

Both of them were strolling on beach with Nanny watching from distance. Nanny hoped to see such walks more. It would help Fiona. Nanny knew about Fiona's dreaming habit at school.  She never mentioned it to David , as he was busy . She knew she can't keep all this hidden from David for long and even David also won't stay away from his daughter for long.

The duo of daughter and father were walking silently until Fiona broke the silence. "Dad, why do you love sea so much?" but David was lost in his geographical calculations. Fiona called out louder “Dad ?" which finally interrupted his flow of calculations. She repeated her question. David kneel down to Fiona, and said "I am searching or your mother. She went to Sea." The sirens came off indicating to vacate the beach in anticipation of storm.

They returned home, it was early evening and Nanny had cooked a handsome meal for much starved David. David complimented Nanny for delicious offerings. "Where is mom?”Asked Fiona. Nanny begun to interrupt her but David stopped Nanny. Nanny was certainly worried. David said, "Fiona, your mom is a very special woman. I met her here, right on the beach. She was fair just like you, she had same long black hair.  She was a very kind woman. She was the one who brought Nanny home. Our neighbors adored her .We lived very happily for a very long time.  " 

"Why did she go dad? She didn't like me?" asked little girl. Nanny's heart cringed .She was old woman and all her life she had struggled to give little smiles to Fiona. But David was blinded by his obsession for Gweyn, thought Nanny. Nanny was thinking, “Gweyn who probably killed herself, a fact from which David ran. Why is he now letting Fiona feel the pain of Gweyn's absence? ” 

David spoke while directing Nanny to sit quiet on sofa. “No, Fiona, your mom didn't hate you. I feel she had an obligation to fulfill, hence she left. I believe she would return someday. I go to look out for her, because sometimes I feel she might lose her way back home. I am going to sea again, once the storm settles. I feel, I finally found he home.” Nanny could hardly comprehend what David was saying.  He looked at Nanny, “I will be going with a troop on a ship. This is a duly government authorized trip. I will be insured.” Nanny knew what the last line meant.  Fiona said “will you bring Mom home.” David looked at Fiona and said, “Lets hope.” Fiona said I will also come to which David replied “we will see.”

He put his daughter to bed and went to his study. He had begun preparing for most dangerous trip of his life. He hoped to meet Gweyn soon.

Deal with the Devil

Dian was walking down the lane to her home after a "no holds barred" quarrel with her boyfriend Jerry. Jerry was anticipating this quarrel for long and now he was a relieved man. He can move on . But Dian, her world had shattered. She had been crying all the way to her home. Everyone looked at her. Her eye liner has smudged, Foundation worn of  and Hair was messy.  And to top things, a thief came from nowhere ,snatched her bag and sped away on bike. She ran,but it was futile. It was dark, and the bag snatcher had vanished. She returned to her lane more consciously when she noticed a lot of women standing by and she thought, “Oh !they are there.”

A voice called and said "Yes, they are there.but by choice." Diana turned around and saw a magnificent woman standing behind. No words could contain her beauty.  She said "Did I say it loud ?" No ofcourse not girl, said the woman . Diana was 24 or 25 years old and the other woman was certainly older yet she was not motherly old. The older woman called herself Dafney.

"I see your pain. Dian, I saw it coming," said Dafney. Dian was confused, "who are you ?"and Dafney said, "I want to help you. Don't ask me who am I?" Dian looked, now sitting on one of the benches,trying to recall what were her feelings. Did something die within? What is it? Dafneyfelt pity for Dian's  heartbroken soul.  Dian was one of the few innocent souls left on earth. The oneswho distribute happiness to her. It was unfair on God's part to let the girl endure so much of pain.
Dafney's face had softened, her eyes welled up.  She said , "Dian,  just wish once that Jerry stays with you, forever . Just wish it once."  Dian asked,"Ändyou would grant me  my wish."Dafney  smiled "Yes!" Dian thought for a while and said "I want to fall in love again, that is my wish." “Someday you will”, said Dafney and took leave . Dian felt much better though the identity of Dafney remained unknown to her. Dian went down her lane.

Out of nowhere a man came and sat beside Dafney. Dafney was wearing the forlorn look."So,  you took all her sadness," said the God to his lovely wife . The Goddess said," She wanted to fall in love, again."They both sat there with her head on his shoulder. He changed her view to a sunset who would rise again tomorrow. She gave a vain smile.

Dian found her bag left at the fence with everything in place. It was a weird night and she hoped she didn't have to deal with devil. 

Customer Experience

Around two years ago , my mom was planning to buy spectacles for herself .  I told her about the new shop which offered 1 on 1 free . The offer had been running for quite some time . I said she should give it a try . She said  , "I went there , the shopkeeper wasted good 15 mins of mine . He offered me tea which I didn't want ."  I had many other things do , which she always has. So he was short on Manpower , I said  . Mom said , yes and he still wasted a lot of time with customer who also didn't buy anything.  This is a classic case which made me wonder on "what customer wants ?" while he would always know what he needs .

When you give what customer wants , you do good . However if you could also fulfill what custome wants, you create an experience . Experience  that would retain him longer . Ofcourse,
today it goes without saying that quality of your product/service  should meet the standards and it should be value for money . ( And yes , I think Apple is certainly value for Money)

How do you create an experience ? How much do you invest in creating an experience ?

Its not necessary what works for others will work for you .  This applies to both a marketing/sales manager and the owner of the company . The reason being every person and company is different . In short I am talking about traits of person or company .  A company which sells quality goods at value for money and offers an excellent after sales automatically creates an experience for customer. But will customer cherish it ,or will move on to another competitor as his own class rises with time . That , ability to pay has increased and you might do incremental improvements to product , but the product/service will be no longer being required by the customer . Hence , everyday is a challenge . Everyday you need to build new strategy and innovate to retain consumer,

The experience should be personalised  and personalised certainly does not mean filling inbox with promotions . There is this new term I'd like to coin, "You can't say "we don't do this"". Bata Shop at Viviana Mall Thane  created a small space for children's play area . The toys are are carefully selected & are placed on a thick mat  in view of safety .  I need not tell how wonderful it is for parents.   A person certainly looks forward to visit shop  with family again. People often question customer's intentions on such freebies. But what they should know is & it is true i.e, "Customer is the most important person on your premises" .

Its important for you to know who is your customer . While Restaurants & multiplexes could multiply this strategy , there are many businesses who can't afford to do this . This may not gel with their business model like supermarket or departmental store.

In first case strategy of tea failed with a waiting customer  , but same is successfully used by buzzing Crawford market in Mumbai . These salesman offer 4 variety of clothes to women  from store, if rejected they do not pursue them , however if women select something these people ensure a longer engagement leading to higher purchases and tea being complimentary in these engagements .

Custmor experience is key to retention in today's competitive world where every product looks similar and services are equivalently same.

Being Indian

I wonder if there is more complicated subject  than this . Ever since I started writing, I wanted to write about my country and its citizens .  It has been near impossible for me to sum up the country in few words . It was lot easier when I was in school . I wrote essays and participated in elocution  which won prizes . Lines like "Anekta mein ekta hind ki vishehta" ( Unity in diversity) came easy . In one breath I could proudly take names of Mahatma Gandhi and Bhagat Singh .  As I graduated  (not maturing with age but still did get an official degree), my opinions of this were skewed . I am going to be the architect of building developed nations faded in journey of making money and I may add even name for myself !!!

 The west's  perception  of India bothers me as much our own perception of being Indian. There is something common in both's perception and something isn't common . The west sees India as an overpopulated, poor , unhygienic ,malnourished and corruption driven country . When we see our country from their eyes we agree . We do not have highways as good as built by them. We do have nearly 30% below poverty line population.  Our literacy rates are around 67% , i.e, still leaves 30 % or more illiterate . We belong to this country .  We do boast of being largest democracy and we do have people whose votes are bought for few bucks.We fight for reservation of backward class even after 63 years of independence .The list of flip side is endless.

However , India boasts to have a rich history .Our country boasts of being oldest on the map . We gave world a "zero" without which computing was impossible . It was once an export house for many products before being brought to colony of the Great Britain. We have been ancient in many ways .Our Independence marked , independence of many other countries.

We were a combination of 528 provinces before being converted into a nation of 28 states (& counting)  and 18 major languages.The famous saying is still very much applicable "Ghat ghat mein badle pani aur vani".  We are one of the most diversified country in food,language habits and culture. The nature has blessed us too , from Himalayas to Ganga .the western ghats , The seven sisters of north east,  the sunderban ,Kanyakumari, Andamaan and Nicobar islands and Anamalai. The beauty is vast and immense.

In past 150 years , we have come a very long way and continuously strive to be the best. We strive to educate people with emphasis on education of women . We critique our own cultural narrative which itself is so much multifaceted that seldom a narrative sounds false.  We have a new breed of entrepreneurs who are breaking barriers of society to create new jobs and opportunities . People are leaving jobs to go back to villages and do agriculture . We now have people returning from foreign countries who want to be active voice in creating this very nation. Today we have millions of daughters who are doctors , engineers , badminton player , actresses .

Yet we need to do much more than individual approach . We need education reforms , greater perforation of our history & literature ( as my friend says  "Dalits and woman have no history.")  Economic reforms and a greater social security for each one of the billion population. Yes it sounds chaotic and mundane too .But I'd like to be around and do my bit . Being Indian is way of life .

A Rememberance

How do we live every day without you?

How do we not miss you? 

Why have you gone so far that our voice won't reach you? 

Why did you leave so many forts and mountain un trekked? 

We had a pact of visiting Himalaya in this life. 

With Whom should I compete when a plateful of rice is served? 

Whom should I ask to teach me how to ride a bike? 

In whose eye should I look, which gleam at my happiness?  

Why do I forget to be happy anymore?  

I wish your fate could have been averted.

My mornings begin with the guilt,

when last time we met,

that I didn't cook for you.

My mornings begin with the guilt,

you couldn't see my kid 

for one last time,

My mornings begin with the guilt,

I should have been there,

and I wasn't.

That was a dream,

When I was screaming,

your name in nether,

searching for you,

hoping to see you 

one last time.

But I have seen your lifeless body,

I have witnessed that day

Grief engulfed my uncle's household

like never before.

After your last rites,

I returned home,

I don't remember if I ate plateful rice,

I remember many days after that day,

But I remember your handsome face,

That gleam in your eye,

and our hikes and treks,

I remember to keep you with me for every hike, 

after that day.

Gone too soon, people say.

For it is true, 

But, you will be always alive,

in lifelong memories

you have created with me.

(In Memory Of my Brother Mahesh whom we lost in May '14)