Be Safe than Sorry!

Last night I had a bad dream about me facing death. I have always valued my family more than anyone else. My wife, children, parents all played a crucial role on all my achievements this far and it would not be fair on my part to just leave them when that dream becomes a reality.

It is not that I don't care about them now, I have always shown my care and concern on all matters to each and every member of my family. But it is when I am not around that I am really concerned now. Whether they would be able to or not able to survive is another issue. For my satisfaction I realized the need to do something for my family even after any potential negative happenings.

I came to know of NAA Life’s mortgage insurance and several other plans which I felt would do justice to my family in any worst cases. I felt it is just not about a piece of paper but rather a sense of satisfaction and an investment in piece of mind. Their plan included the likes of burial insurance, life insurance, mortgage protection insurance, etc. Each plan has a detailed listing which I went through thoroughly and it gave me the satisfaction that my family would be protected even in the case of my death.

Back to Chepauk Madness!

The last time I was at the stadium watching cricket match was during the IPL. That was ultimate fun one could never even imagine of. The dance, the beat, the mexican wave, shouting and yelling, babe watching. Babe watching? Yes these days you need not go to beach or shopping malls to watch babes, you can find hell a lot even in the stadium. They come there to watch the likes of Dhoni and co. but we go there to watch cricket and of course these gift of god. :P

Now getting back to the topic, the primary reason for me along with my mates to go there is to have total fun forgetting all the tensions we go through at home or colleges or even work. Now that the Test series between England and India is about to begin I am getting ready to mask my face, paint all around, and enjoy 5 days of action filled events. From my past experiences you actually get a lot more than just the cricket. Whether I get that, time will tell. :)

Should I be Happy for this or Sad for that?

When there are two events of extremes happening concurrently, the dilemma arises as to whether feel happy for the positive event or to feel sad for the other. Life has taught me lots of lessons this far and many times I have been through this situation.

I would like to share one such situation of mine where in at one point of my life, I was made to sacrifice one love for another. Although the ideal situation would be to keep hold of both but circumstances forced me to sacrifice one which was really really sad. What got me going is the fact that I had something else equally to replace it. Ever since that, I learned that nothing in life is permanent and that one should never feel down upon losing a valuable and just get on with life. The valuable I mean here can be anything.

Happy Birthday!!

This post is dedicated to my dear friend. First of all wishing you a very very happy birthday and hope you have wonderful years ahead, succeeding in every aspect of your life. You have always had negative thoughts about me but honestly it has never been my intention to hurt you or anything of those sort. I have always wanted to make you happy and see you happy(might sound a little too much but thats fact). Maybe in the past I was wrong in getting involved in too much conversational exchanges but that was not for any specific purpose but just wanted to be your best companion. I never knew that would lead you to some feelings which I dont want to mention here but nevertheless you have been special and will be special always. I was able to take in whatever you have given me in the past except for the last that was just way too hurting to bare. Anyway wishing you again a Happy Birthday and may you have a prosperous career and a happy life. :)

As one among the TATA

This post is going to be about my first ever interview experience. It was my campus interview semester. All talks about this semester being the turning point in my life from everyone made me sick. I wanted just to enjoy my last few semesters in college as much as possible and not want to put any pressure onto myself.

I never took this serious but I wanted to face it. The semester began some 15 days before the first company (TCS) came to our campus. I had actually flunked in 2 papers the semester before. So that being an issue, I wouldn’t be able to sit for companies that doesn’t allow arrears or even companies that allows just 1 arrear. TCS actually allowed 2 arrears therefore I was eligible to sit for their interview. Even if I wasn’t eligible for any of the companies I had this self-confidence that there’ll be some company waiting for me thereby not putting myself under any pressure. :D

Most of my friends in class were very serious about this and they were seen with the RS Agarwal book doing the aptitude problems whenever they get free hour. That had actually got into me and made me feel if I’m taking things too lightly. After all I’m just a normal human. :DWe then had a placement program for a week. It was total waste and nothing was gained apart from the GD session we had. We enjoyed the GD also mainly because the person conducting it was good looking. :D

The interview happened to be during my birthday week. Lots of wishes came in saying that my best ever birthday gift would be to get a job in TCS. It was at that time then I realized that if I’m going to flunk in TCS it will really be tough to even sit for companies that came after it (infosys, HCL and so on). Though I still didn’t start to work for it by practicing the aptitudes and stuffs, I mentally had this hunger to somehow get this job.

Then finally the day came. There was some sort of tension. I wasn’t at all feeling good to have my breakfast as I wanted this day to end positively as soon as possible. But eventually I was forced to have the breakfast and I left to college after ensuring that I’ve taken all the documents and things that were required for the interview. It was somewhat an unusual sight in my college. Everybody were in formals having a file and somewhat tensed and not in the usual manner.

I understood the situation and very soon we were asked to be seated in the auditorium for the TCS people to give pre-interview talks. They showed their presentation video and spoke about the schedule for the day and where to assemble for aptitude test, interviews and stuffs.

Once it got over, I was put in 2nd batch for the aptitude test. It was a long wait and once those who were in the 1st batch came out, I saw some happy faces and some looked really disappointed. So from that reaction I came to know who got selected and who didn’t. There wasn’t any time to even go and talk to those who were done with aptitude test. Within minutes our batch was called in.

It was an online test. I entered my user-id and password and started the test. I had my full concentration on the test and didn’t think about anything else. The toughest part was when the test was completed and when about to click the submit button. Once the submit button was clicked it’ll either say “Congratulations, and please proceed to next stage” or “Sorry, better luck next time” but there’ll never be a next time!. I clicked the submit button and while it was processing, I was really tensed and nervous. I just didn’t want the day to end this early.

To my relief, the window displayed a positive result and I was able to proceed to the next stage. Next is the technical interview! I very well knew the fact that this round is my weakest link. What I had planned was to talk some crap for any questions asked and just not remain silent or a response with “I don’t know” and just hope for the best.

While waiting for my turn I had this chance to interact with one beautiful HR from TCS.:P She seemed very young and she was actually the support staff who take in the forms and do other works. So I took the chance to ask her if the interview will be tough and what will they be expecting from us and so on. She just smiled and replied to me saying “just be confident and don’t show any sort of tension”. At that time I didn’t know what that smile meant.

Then my turn came. There were 2 interviewers for me and both of them were male and seemed to be in late 20’s. One from that panel asked me to introduce myself. I took this opportunity to talk for at least 10 minutes and told him about my history, background. Then he himself went on asking what my area of interest is. I replied saying my two area of interests which I had already planned before. The two area of interests I told was “theory of computation” and “computer networks”. I actually had put in lots of efforts to decide on these two areas of interest even before the interview. Theory of computation mainly because I very well knew this subject is theoretical and therefore the chances of interviewer being aware of this subject are very less. At the same time I just learnt this subject the previous semester and so I had this confidence of talking some stuff that’s related to it.

The plan worked out to perfection. He asked me simply to tell whatever I know about TOC (theory of computation). From the way he asked this question itself I understood that he knew nothing about this.:D If he had known this subject he wouldn’t have bluntly asked about TOC. I took this chance and vomited my entire 5 Units in that subject and briefly explained to him about those details. From his reaction I was able to make out that he was satisfied.

Next came the funny part. He asked me “what is a bus?” I was actually shocked for a moment because out of nowhere he asked me “what is a bus?”. Before explaining the funny part here, the thing that should be noted here for all those non IT background people reading this is, bus is a networking terminology. It is one of the topologies used in computer networks. That I knew very well but I wasn’t really sure if that’s what he had meant or was it some kind of stress interview he was doing to me. There were all kinds of rumors before the interview that TCS has this thing called a stress interview and that is done mainly to test the person’s calmness or whatever. Realizing that, I calmly replied saying “A bus is a mode of transport”. Before I could even continue, the 2 interviewers started laughing. I wasn’t sure how to respond to that situation and so I remained silent with an unnatural smile. Then he asked again to me and this time clearly asked me “what is a bus topology?”. :D I told him some crap explanation that came to my mind at that time and he asked me if whatever I was telling was correct. Frankly I wasn’t sure if what I told was correct but I responded confidently saying that whatever I said was correct. :D

Then I was tested on some queries (DBMS). Thankfully, he asked me that instead of some other programming languages like C++ or java because if he had asked me from that then it would’ve been curtains! But DBMS was the only lab subject I was good at mainly because it’s bloody simple. :D

After about 20-30 minutes of interaction with him, he finally concluded and asked me to wait at the entrance. At the waiting area, one more guy from ECE dept. (vijay karthik) was also waiting and we were just discussing about the interview questions asked to us. While doing that, the lady, whom I was talking with initially, came and called out “Vijay Karthik, you’re selected and please proceed to HR interview”. The more I was made to wait, the more anxious and restless I started to become.

Then finally my moment came, the lady read out “Arvind, please proceed to HR interview” and that gave me a huge sense of relief. I knew after coming this far, I will not let this opportunity go off in HR round. So my confidence level got up and I was pretty sure I am going to make it. Without any break, I straight went to the HR interviewer desk and stood and greeted him. He asked me to sit and was enquired how my day has been so far. I told him everything was going on well and hope everything goes according to my liking when the day ends as well. :P He smiled and had my resume. He noted my achievements I got in football. He asked me some football related questions. I told him a-z about football without any pause: D. He asked me if had this chance to represent the national team and at the same time have this project in TCS and its deadline being the next day, what would I do? That was a testing question and I knew it required a smart answer! Now ill put you guys on spot and u comment on what you would’ve answered before I tell what I answered. ;)

He asked few more questions about the college and he thanked me and said “hope to see you in TCS”. I didn’t know if that was a positive thing or whether the word “hope” means my selection was in doubt. I went out and discussed with my classmates (karthik, sombu, ganesh, laxman, manoj and few more). Then my senior Wencut and one more of my friend from other college, Sneha, came to college and was talking to them before the result was about to be announced.

After a long wait, at around 11.45 pm the result was announced. And all the names were being called and finally as soon as I heard my name being called, the joy was immense! I was totally out of this world and I wasn’t sure if whatever happened was just a dream or if it was real. I called up my parents who were waiting anxiously to tell that I got selected and that ill come back and talk. :D

Everything got over and I just felt great about myself because, more than anyone else this was huge for me, for the reason I told before. 28th June 2007 is one of the most memorable days for me in my life calendar. :D


PS: While writing this I just got a message saying my call for TCS will be in December. :p

The honeymoon period!!

Ever since college got over, many of them are under the impression that I have been idle but I have done plenty of things in this period, more than what I did while I was in college. It had positive effect both financially as well as entertainment.

I have been playing almost everyday since college got over. It has been really jolly times with all my mates in the famous SCG, a ground where we play cricket and football. During the early days after college, we had around 20 of us turning up to play. We divided ourselves into two teams and usually start off with a game of cricket followed by football.

It's not just about sports because our gossip sessions after that equally matched the entertainment level of the games we played. Those gossips combined with cracking of jokes will just make anyone's day.

Then it was the part time which I did for Renault. That was again fun as it gave me the opportunity to interact with lots of people and gave me the chance to learn lots of new things and at the same time earn! Once that got over, we had some dinner outings and beach outings. These are some moments which I will always cherish in my life. What more one could as for? This has really been a honey moon period for me. ;)

Unqualified Disaster!!

I woke up 10 in the morning. It seemed to be a fine day as usual. The day before only I had work and I was dead tired so I had decided to have a good sleep and enjoy the whole day after 2 days of continuous work. This day also happened to be the day when my mom and dad were to be back from Singapore.

My plan for the day was simple!

1. To laze around until 4 pm
2. Take the car from my cousin
3. Dinner with friends in dhaba
4. Pick my parents from airport

If football is my first wife, then my car I can deign it to be my scandal. :P While I was on the way, I saw a deadly gang fight near a wine shop. It was really shocking as I saw those people beating one another using the bottles and that scene was horrible. I got really disturbed seeing that and had this strange feeling of something bad happening to me that day. But at the same time the thought of having the car back after a long time and roaming around the city in it made me feel slightly better.

As soon as I got the car, I went to dhaba to have dinner with my friends. We went there at around 8.30 pm. My moms flight was scheduled at 1030 pm and I was there in dhaba until around 10 pm. It was a fine dinner and everything was smooth until disaster struck while executing my last and final plan of the day, to pick my mom in airport!

You might feel that im showing off but before I explain what exactly the disaster was, I’d like to tell that my driving ability is something I’ve always been proud of. I am one who never likes to be distracted by anything while driving, my full concentration will always be on the road whether I’m driving a car or riding a bike. I obey all the rules and ive always kept up my safety measures while driving.

I was nearing nandanam signal. It was a 3 lane road. I was driving my car in the center lane accelerating at around 80 km/h. A mahindra scorpia car came speeding on the right lane and when at the point the scorpio car was just beside my car in centre lane, the scorpio driver abruptly tried to shift his car to my lane in order to overtake the car in front of his, in his lane, not noticing my car beside. I saw his car moving to my lane and when I realized he’s going to crash on my car, I immediately shifted my car to the leftmost lane to avoid both our cars to crash. Had our cars crashed it would’ve been deadly because he was clocking more than 80 km/h and mine was around the same speed. In that speed if the two cars had even kissed it would’ve been real bad. Before I had any time to even feel safe, I spotted one auto right in front of me just after shifting to left lane which I was initially blinded by another vehicle. As the auto was stationary I had to stop the vehicle within a second to avoid hitting it. I almost stood on the brakes. The breaking was as sudden as it could get but I couldn’t help but to knock my cars front left part onto that auto.

Although the impact wasn’t that bad the auto driver made use of this opportunity to put up a scene as though his whole auto was crushed. Within minutes many other auto drivers joined him and I knew all they want is money. I knew even if I explain to them the reason behind me hitting them they wouldn’t compromise for anything but money. So I told them ill bare the damage cost but to my horror they asked me Rs 10000 and leave, or else that he’ll wait for the police. He wasn’t even concerned about the passenger he was on with. There were 2 guys in the back seat of the auto, one working in HCL, and other in CTS. They happened to be room mates coming back from coimbatore after spending the holiday in their native place. One guy was fine but the other was in some sort of discomfort. I approached him and though he was able to talk there was actually some kind of water dripping from his nose. He had his head actually hit on the meter thing from that impact of my car hitting the auto.

There was a held up in that area as all the cars and motorist started slowing down at that place out of curiosity to see what was happening and having noticed that the traffic police who was at the signal came to the spot. The auto drivers started complaining to him and told him that I was drunk and driving the car and that I had hit his auto because I was drunk. I told the police that I’m not and he asked me to blow to verify it. He made them know that I wasn’t drunk and then he asked me to park the car at the side of the road and surrender the car keys. I knew that I was in trouble and the time was 10.30 pm. That’s when the flight was scheduled. I knew that the auto drivers will be making this a big issue so I immediately called my brother to arrange a travels car and pick my parents.

The traffic police immediately asked me to bring the guy who had a knock on his head to the hospital. Eventhough the guy seemed to be normal, but just the liquid dripping from his nose a little, the traffic police asked me to bring him to hospital just because that he got hit in the head. He told me head knocks can turn out to be serious and that it might not have immediate effect so he ordered me to take him to the hospital.

I took him to the hospital nearby. I explained to the doctor whatever that has happened and that guy was telling him how he got hit. Then the doctor told me that he wasn’t very sure whether the fluid is coming from the brain directly through skull or it was just from the nose remainings. However I tried to explain the doctor that it wasn’t a hard or serious accident and it might just be from the nose, he wasn’t in a position to conclude the case. Probably it being a private hospital even the doctor wanted to make it look serious and earn. Had it been a serious brain injury I don’t think he would be walking and talking normally. He looked perfectly fine to me. The doctor then made me do a scan on his skull for him and that itself had cost me Rs 2500. Once the scan report came he said the scan wasn’t very conclusive and that the guy should be kept in ICU for observation until the neuro doctor comes tomorrow. I was like totally shocked and somewhat frustrated because for such a small matter I was wondering why was everyone making it look so big.

The traffic police came to the hospital and he made it an accident case. The auto driver was also there as he wouldn’t leave without a compensation made to him. The police took the report from both auto driver and the other guy who was traveling in that auto. The auto driver was somewhat exaggerating the matter but I was helpless.

At that point of time, I had given up and I was preparing myself to face anything and everything. By that time my mom had arrived and she called me to ask what was happening. She sort of got worried and immediately wanted to come to the hospital. I told her the address and she was on her way. Meanwhile, I was asked to go to the police station as that auto driver and the guy wanted to register a case. Since the guy seemed educated I was asking him to settle the matter within ourselves and that I would compromise on the medical charges for his friend. He told, this being head injury and that his parents are not in station to be on the safer side he wanted to file a case.

It seemed fair to me so I agreed upon that and we all went to the police station. I was asked to surrender my license and car keys. The police got the complaint letter both from the auto driver and that guy. However he told that if the patient gets normal by the next day he will not make it a case and that he asked us to settle the matter within ourselves. We agreed upon that and we left the police station and we were asked to come back the next day 1 pm. The auto driver left and we both made our way back to the hospital. That guy was still in ICU. My mom had arrived by then. She spoke to that guys friends and asked if the injured guy is fine.

After about an hour I asked my mom to leave because she looked so tired. One of the guys friend agreed to stay at the hospital. It won’t be nice from our side if everyone leaves so I decided to stay and asked my mom to go and take rest. I was really down and felt really bad but I wasn’t able to share it with anyone because it was 3 in the morning. Though I was really tired I was unable to sleep in the chair where I was seated.

In the morning we went to the ICU and saw the guy. He seemed fine and he told there wasn’t any liquid dripping the whole night. That was some sort of a relief for me as that means any injury in his brain is ruled out. But still we were waiting for the confirmation from the neuro doctor. He came at around 9 in the morning. He saw the patient and he told he’s completely fine but he should remain under observation for one day.

I then took leave from the hospital to bath and get ready to be at the police station at 1pm. Everybody was under the impression that everything will be settled as that guy is normal now. His friend who wrote the complaint letter was willing to withdraw.

When everything seemed to be on track the real shock came when we went to the police station. The station inspector told he has already lodged an FIR and that the case is on. There is no way now anyone can back-off. That was really shocking because it would mean I’d be under arrest!

I started to raise my voice to that SI. I told him that hes not keeping his words and that he had told the case would not be valid if the patient was fine. But he told, it being a head injury anything can happen to him anytime and that its already registered. But the SI called me in silently and told me that whatever he has done would only benefit me and that’s because if the case becomes invalid I will be made to bare the charges for the hospital which would come to about Rs 25000 and the auto damages would cost me around Rs 10000. He asked me whether I want to spend Rs 35000 or pay a fine of Rs 1500.

This was really tricky. My grandfather is somewhat very influential person. I called him up to the station. He has contact with traffic police head and also the AC. He came to the station to help me out. He made me speak to the traffic police head and that guy also suggested me to do the same and that it would not affect me in any way in future. It wont be recorded as a black mark as its just an accident and not a murder or a crime or those sorts. It seemed logical to me as Id just have to spend around Rs 10000 for the entire process but the other option I’d be made to spend Rs 35000! My mom and grandfather gave me the assurance that this would not affect my career or life and so I agreed upon that.

I was officially arrested and released on bail :D Anyway it was just a normal formality. Nothing serious or I wasn’t put under any sort of embarrassment. In fact the traffic inspector and the SI became so friendly with me. :D

Everything was settled in the end and I went through a very valuable experience in my life which I would never forget. Through this process I got some good contacts which might help me out in future in case I get caught for small traffic cases such as not wearing helmet I can escape through the contact I’ve developed. :D

The Snake and Snakes theory

A snake is said to be one of the first reptiles on planet Earth. Though snakes are generally thought to be poisonous, dangerous and basically a threat to other living things, some of them are non-poisonous. Poisonous snakes use their fangs in its mouth to either kill or immobilize its prey.

There are poisonous snakes in every family of snakes. Poisonous snakes are classified into four families, the Elapids, Viperids, Colubrids and Hydrophiidae. These are very basic details but let me not get too detailed into it.

The thought of snakes usually brings fear to human mind. But there is an exception because there is one snake which I personally know, that/who bites harder than any other snake but “it’s” not poisonous and that snake is none other than

:D

We first met at one of my friends house. She seemed very homely and shy type. She was so shy or maybe was scared to even come to the room we(me and few more of my friends) were at and talk at that time. But slowly as time went she started to show her real self and then I came to know she’s one of the worst rowdy!!

Shes very popular among her friends especially guys. Her best friend is a dog actually (patti). I've always wondered how a snake and a dog can get along. She loves pepsi a lot so if anyone wants to take her out please do have a 2l bottle Pepsi in hand. For more details of this reptile do visit “its” orkut profile.

And finally, a public call for all zoo keepers to catch hold of this reptile before it gets dangerous. :D

A humble request!!

It was a boring day today but one good thing is that the court matter finally got solved. Evening cricket as usual was good but I feel slowly the number of people turning up is reducing. There was a time when we had around 20 of us for an evening of cricket and now it has reduced drastically to 5. These are some times that we would never be able to get it back once we start off our carrier and so it would be really great if everyone turns up with interest.

Then it was dinner time, I was damn hungry because I didn't have anything after my lunch which was at around 11. To my surprise, my mom prepared a great dinner so it was one hell of a feast and I capped of my day by having a chat with my friends in google talk. Nothing big nothing small.

The beginning of the end!!

The day began with a bang when i suddenly woke up realising that whatever that happened was just a dream. Let me not elaborate on that dream because i just dont feel like doing it now here. Then i did *myroutine and then called up the station inspector to ask whether my case was up on court and what time i had to come to the court.

That idiot gave one dumb reason and told i need not appear in court so what i did was to go and spend my evening playing cricket. The weather was awesome , cloudy and windy but there was no rain, perfect weather for evening of cricket.

My mood was in a way such that i wanted to attack all the balls. It is very unlike me because usually ill defend 2 or 3 balls, judging the pitch of the ball and the bowler before going for my shots. But today i wanted to attack from the first ball. It worked well as i was able to make the bat and ball meet to perfection but unfortunately i didnt last long.

The our usualy gang we played the "2 wicket" cricket match where i was paired with the great vishwanath and the first match we made a competitive total of 14 in 2 overs and managed to draw with the team comprising of laxman and water and beating ganesh prabu and ajay.

The final match was kinda dull as bad light appeared and we were just playing for formality sake and as expected lost that match comprehensively.

After that i had a long ride back home in the heavy traffic and now while writing this post i forgot that ive to put petrol for my bike!!!

Thats about for the day, nothing interesting but most importantly ive grown by a day today :)

*myroutine - brushing, washing up, coffee, newspaper

A day in Court!

Performed *myroutine and went to put petrol for my bike as i had forgotten yesterday. I went to court today and I felt really uncomfortable for some reason mainly because of the fact that I was facing everything for doing nothing wrong and the thought of life being cruel sometime just made me feel bad.

I took it positively and even though it has been really troublesome, an invaluable experience I had gained through this and to come out of this successfully made me feel really proud of myself because not many would be able to handle it all alone. The count of me coming through a tough time in life just got increased by one and definably it had made be stronger and bolder to face any situations that is to come.

Then I went to play cricket as usual with my college mates. We had 2 games of individual cricket. I won the first match by 2 runs :P. When i get the TCS call I will definitely be missing the evening sessions I've been having for the past 2 months.

Thats about it for today. :)

For all those who are wondering why I'm being made to go to the court, please click on here