Aap k lie App

Do you miss your mobile bill deadlines and get penalized for it? Just because you didn't find the time to go to a bill pay facility or were lazy to start your laptop and pay it online?

Do you wish to change your plan, try something that suits to your usage more but still stuck with the same plan for the same reasons?

Do you find it difficult to manage all the Airtel services you have subscribed to and keep a track of all of them?

Well, the solution is here. Khas aap k lie ak app.

Airtel has come up with #MyAirtelApp that empowers you to do it all any time in your palms, on your smart phone.

This cool new app makes all the above tasks a lot easier and convenient.

Image Source

You may have subscribed to Aitel mobile, Airtel DTH service, Airtel broadband service, this app lets you view and manage all these services in single and simple place.

Image Source

Many people are opting for net banking and doing things online, but there is still some fear of doing it on phones. Hence they prefer it to do it on desktops, but with MyAirtelApp you can rely on the secure payment service available here.

We love to connect and express but our communication patterns keep changing. When we are busy with work, in movies, we prefer to text and not to talk. When we are relaxed and feel like talking to a friend we last spoke with weeks ago, we prefer to do it on call rather than a chat.

In some months we may download a lot of apps and have many online activities, and in the next it may lower down.

The point is, even if your usage changes and you are still using and paying with the same plan, you might be doing it wrong way.

My Airtel App lets you keep a track of your usage, current outstanding amount, already used volumes of voice and data, and let you make informed decision of buying additional top ups required, or change plan completely.

And all this is available on the app itself. You need not waste time in finding and visiting a nearest Airtel store in their working hours (compromising yours), with a few touches on your screen you can do it yourself.

You can also set easy alerts for you to be aware when you are running out of data or balance, when you are near your due date, etc.

Image Source

If you observe that you do certain activities more often than others, you can mark them as favorite under "I want to" and reach them quickly.

The best is yet to come. With all these convenience and benefits of doing it smartly, you get rewarded for doing it.

Airtel surprises literally surprises you with the exciting vouchers and discount coupons with various other partners like flipkart, CCD, Dominos, etc.

So imagine, you get an app, you use it, decide on your services, and pay for it all at the comfort of your couch in your house. The tedious and boring part is done.

But for this you get rewarded and are encouraged to go out and use these surprises and celebrate the awesome moments with your loved ones.

 I don’t think it can get better than this. So be smart, download the #MyAirtelApp now on your smartphone, and use it smartly.

This post is my entry for #MyAirtelApp activity by Airtel

Decade Of Leagues

Every era, every age, every century, every decade is later identified for some unique and historical events and inventions that happened in that duration. Because such events and inventions have a lasting impact on the mankind and its history. Hence it is important to remember such times with their highlights.

If you look at the present decade in India, especially sports and games field, the decade can easily be identified as a decade of leagues.

Every game is played at different levels across the world, like school and college teams, regional teams, state level to national and international level. Apart from the official tournaments where countries send their teams, there are also tournaments held by other organizers, where teams privately owned by individuals or partners play with each other. 

Football leagues are among the most popular leagues in the world. The teams participating in these leagues like Manchester United, Barcelona have worldwide fan base. 

In India, cricket being the most popular game, the league culture was prominently brought to the nation by IPL (Indian Premier League). It is one of the most followed cricket tournament in the world now. 

Other games followed the suit, and in recent years we saw leagues for hockey, boxing, kabaddi etc. A cricket league for celebrities (CCL) was also started. 

The league is formed by a number of teams which select talented players from any country, region, religion to play for them. Talent is the only defining factor here. 

Apart from the official games within countries, these leagues have their own benefits. When a country is playing against other it is a matter of national pride and patriotism for the fans of each country. The love for nation unites with love for the game.

But in the leagues, it is purely the love for the game. It helps to increase the popularity of the game, and give a chance to fans to see great players from different countries and regions join forces to play with each other.

In IPL, it was a treat to see a pair of Sachin and Sanath open batting together, or to see Sachin and Ponting play together. This would not have been possible otherwise. Players like Harbhajan and Andrew Simonds which were involved in a row in major controversy were able to forget it all and play cricket professionally for a same team.

Celebrities who would be seen on field very rarely playing a exhibition game or a charity match were seen regularly playing together. It was a sure delight for fans.

An Indian game like Kabaddi, which was sidelined by cricket for ages, and had been ignored by audiences for long, was revived and popularized again by a Pro Kabaddi League.

The league are also benefiting their respective games by giving a huge platform for the budding talent in young players to be recognized quickly. 

India is a populous country. It's population is many times larger than many small countries in world which produce legendary players. So statistically speaking, India should produce more talented players, if not legendary. But it is not that way.

The sports infra in India is still developing and has a tremendous scope for improvement.

The leagues push the country in that direction. Many talented players which were struggling before to get noticed have found fame and money by playing leagues.

Now, India's first world cup winning captain, Kapil Dev has come up with a new league. He's been reaching out to public with tweets and videos about this league. #EkNayiLeague is trending. What's that is about? Well that's the suspense. Kapil is posting tweets and videos speaking about this league.

Watch in above video, where he is explaining the hit wicket in cricket (getting out because of yourself), and says if you play with your heart in this new league, you would loose.

Now in this video message, he is praising Dhoni for making a wonderful team, and in which he's put his heart. But he is also saying that don't put your heart in my new league, because you would loose. One more surprise in this video is Kapil Dev's never before seen mimicry skills.

Here is a similar message for Sania Mirza. Kapil praises Sania, for performing well in the tennis, which is a rare arena for Indian girls. He also advises her that don't play my league using your heart.

In these videos, he is promising viewers that he will tell them about this league on his twitter handle. So here is the link to Kapil Dev's twitter handle, keep a watch on it to know more.

Since he is emphasizing in each video, that this league is not the one to play with your heart, my guess is it is to be played using your brains, your mind. So I guess it is a league of chess. 

If my guess is correct, it would be a welcome event. India is the origin of this wonderful mind game. Grand masters like Vishwanathan Anand belong to India. And a league of chess would do wonders for budding chess players in India.

Whatever it is, I am one of many who are eagerly waiting for this. You also check it out on this website, make a guess.

This post is my entry in #EkNayiLeague activity by EkNayiLeague.com

Let's Go Digital

The new government in India has started many positive and useful campaigns like “Clean India” (स्वच्छ भारत), “Make in India”, “PM Jan Dhan Yojana”, etc. All these campaigns have a good purpose, and huge potential if implemented appropriately. One such initiative is “Digital India”.

Image Source : MapsOfIndia.com

India is still under developing country. Many parts of India are yet to be connected by strong telephone networks, lack regular power supply, proper infra-structure. Work towards Digital India will also push for improvements in these aspects.

When the era of computers started, many opposed to it fearing computers may replace human work, may take jobs away. This is true partially. Computer will replace human work which is redundant, will only take jobs of people who refuse to learn and update themselves.

If we look at the larger picture, computers have only helped mankind in achieving accuracy, efficiency, greater scientific feats. The industries that identified the benefits of automation, are now flourishing.

Take the example of banking today. A customer has many ways of accessing and transacting on his account like internet, mobile, twitter (surprising, but yes) that never existed before. A quick alert on a mobile of every transaction, a mini statement from ATM enabled him to be informed and aware of his account without having the need to go to a branch to update his passbook. Moreover he got the freedom of not having to go to a branch for almost all possible banking activities.

Earlier customer depended on the bank, and was required to go to the branch and stand in queue for everything. With technology coming in picture, the scenario has changed to be customer oriented. Due to the heavy competition by private banks, even the nationalized banks are forced to be techno savvy and customer friendly. The banking is the best example of what technology can do to empower both the customer and a service provider.

The same needs to happen to the biggest and most important sector in India, The Government. Like banking, people heavily depend on government for many things. From birth certificate to death certificate, identity documents, property documents, tax documents etc. all major aspects of our life on paper is issued and monitored by government.

We elect a government; they hire people, to do things for us, to serve us. We pay tax to help them run the nation. But unfortunately we don’t get the (well deserved) friendly feeling in any government office. We have to wait long for the smallest of things, to get answer for simple questions. Even though we comply all the rules, complete our documentation, we don’t have a certainty of getting things done in reasonable time.

That’s why we go to unofficial agents, who have contacts and promise to do our work in lesser time, and charge hefty commission for it. To save our time, we ignore that we are becoming a part of corrupt act.

Technology can change all this. E-Governance can bring in many necessary changes in the way government and related services function. It can make it more reliable and efficient. Taking government digital will automatically promote and increase digital literacy in India, and fulfill the vision of Digital India.

Here is how it should work and benefit:

Efficiency

Computers are obviously way faster than humans in certain things, and this brings efficiency in work. Things that usually take time in government are communication within departments, horizontal communication within peers, or vertical communication in hierarchy for approvals can work faster, and help getting results faster.

Framework

Software works on logic and clear decision framework. If you input 2+2, you are bound to get 4.

So, in many offices you will see government officials seating on files with various proposals, applications with no logical reason. Clear framework and guidelines enforced by system will ensure faster decisions.

When person applies for some certificate, or a contractor submits a tender, if he has satisfied all the conditions, he should get it in stipulated time, and not wait for mercy from some officer.

Reporting

Statistical reporting is one of the areas computers are best at. When a carefully detailed database of all the activities and transactions government does, is created and maintained, computers can generate all kinds of reports.

So it will be easy to generate reports of running projects, deadlines, pending projects, stuck projects etc. So is applicable for all applications pending in government offices.

Access to Information

Anna Hazare fought for and won the RTI act for public. But it is still a tedious and time consuming task. With technology, it will be easier to access and provide required information faster.

People will be able to monitor all small to big government projects. They can ask for the status of road construction in their area, its budget, name of contractor etc. If they find any irregularity they can report it.

Now there is an app for everything. Imagine an app, where you can take photo of potholes on the road, a leaking pipeline or uncollected garbage, and send it to relevant department. You will get a ticket number for your report, and sent alerts on progress.

Transparency

When a good e-governance system is implemented, it brings transparency in decision making. It is easy to derive why a certain decision was taken, why something was selected over the other. There is no place for nepotism in e-governance.

Less Corruption

With all above, it is obvious that e-governance will help reduce the corruption. Like I explained above, in current system, you have to bribe to get things done faster than usual, or for legalizing illegal things. When things will be done transparently, efficiently, and in friendly manner, people who are forced to bribe will choose to avoid it. People who love to bribe will find it difficult.

Good Implementation is essential

Image Source : Wikipedia

When a promising initiative like Aadhar (providing unique identity to citizens) struggles to be accepted by people, I feel sad. A unique identity can turn things around in this country.

It can save a lot of documentation; it can help government identify individuals and their assets. To identify people who are earning enough but not paying taxes will be easy. To identify people who (really) need help will be easy. This will help generate more revenues for government, and providing aid only for those who really need it.

Image Source : Wikipedia

Though a man like Nandan Nilekani, was involved at top level of this project, it was the staff who mishandled things at ground level, which caused the issues like corruption to get the Aadhar Card, delays and duplicate records in a database that is created with a purpose of providing unique identification to citizens.

But the scheme is gearing up now. Aadhar card is widely demanded and accepted as important documentation. With Aadhar card, and linked bank accounts, central government successfully launched the PEHEL initiative to transfer the LPG subsidy directly to eligible customer accounts.

Like the benefits I have listed above, this will reduce the subsidy leakage in the system, i.e. wrong use of subsidy. This also enabled Government to ask rich people to stop getting subsidy, and many came forward in response to this. The response saved crores of rupees for government.

So it highlights that only having good schemes or initiatives will not be enough, we need people to understand its importance. By people I mean both who implement it, and who participate in the change. So that, implementing people will be aware of the impact they will create, and do it sincerely. Also we will get less complaints from the people who are supposed to participate in and benefir from the scheme. Only then we can hope for the fulfillment of the purpose of starting an initiative.

I realize that this post is getting longer, and may seem like a campaigning material for government. But I really see the potential in technology to do good for our nation. I feel really passionate about this topic.

It is good to see companies like Intel (http://www.intel.in/) also share this passion. Intel is committed towards our government's vision of a Digital India. Through its ‘Digital Skills for India’ and ‘Innovate for India’ initiatives, Intel has been fostering technology as the enabler for creating a digitized India.

As a software engineer, I can visualize the positive change e-governance can bring to India. I want to be a part of #DigitalIndia. I expect the same from you. Let's go Digital.

This post is my entry in the #DigitalIndia contest by Intel and +IndiBlogger 

Break It Fast

I am a Software Engineer and so is my wife. We both go to work at the same time, and work all the day. We travel by the company bus, and the timing is fixed. If on some unfortunate day, we miss our bus, we have to travel by pathetic public transport of Pune, and get late to our office.

So naturally, in the maximum window of 2-2.5 hours in morning, between waking up and getting into bus, there are too many things to do. Waking up (must), brush up (must), flush up (must), exercise up (it’s a must, but one can happily and lazily miss it sometimes) getting ready up (bathing is must in summer, and can skip in winter) etc.

In addition to this, we also need to cook one meal, to take it in lunchbox. Many people prefer eating in cafeteria to avoid this morning rush, but we try hard to have as many homemade meals as possible.

I have a tendency to gain weight easily, and loose it is really tough. Even now I have enough of excess weight to shed. Cafeteria food though eatable, it usually tends to be oily, unhealthy, and with lots of fats. A full course meal in office always comes with a sweet dish, and you need tremendous self-control to resist the temptation to eat the dish you like more and more. With a lunch box, you are restricted to eat only what and how much you have brought.

So for us, a lunch box is also a must. Now the challenge is to also manage to prepare something for breakfast. Typical Indian (to be precise, Maharashtrian) dishes for breakfast need at least 15-20 minutes to prepare. We don’t have that much of extra time more than often. So many times we end up skipping breakfast at home, and eating something once we reach office.

There are two problems with this. First, it is too late to have breakfast; the ideal breakfast time is gone. Second, the breakfast food in office is even oilier than the lunch in canteen. So, this is unhealthy option.

It is not good to be ignorant about your breakfast. Dieticians often say “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper”. So you can see how important your breakfast is.

A wise man named W. S. Kellogg solved this 100 years ago. His company with the same name started preparing corn flakes, which is a very instant and healthy breakfast solution. You just have to mix it with milk and its ready to eat, and offers a good nutritional value.

Although it is a very old and popular product, it took time for Indians to get acquainted with it, to get used to it. Nowadays it is a household name in common Indian market and families.  

We started having Kellogg’s corn flakes a while ago. It is awesome. You can prepare and have your breakfast in no time. Breakfast means to break your fast (since dinner to morning, around 10 long hours), and with Kellogg’s corn flakes you can break it fast.

I love corn flakes, but if you eat the same thing each and every day, you most likely can get bored with the economy. Thank god (and Kellogg’s) that they invented many flavors, (and also using wheat and rice) in addition to the classic one. For aspiring (weight) losers they also have a diet special.

But even with all these flavors, it is still the same dish. And if you are supposed to eat breakfast like a king, what kind of king has only one dish every day? That is why we need innovative ideas to make interesting combinations with cornflakes, and other tasty stuff.

Although, all such recipes are available at facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/anaajkanashta ) of Kellog’s, we Indians love it and believe it if we can see it, feel it, taste it. If somebody we know tells us to do something, we accept it more easily.

That’s why like everyone else in the above video, I want to go for breakfast at Guptaji’s place. Mrs. Gupta has mastered the art of making delicious dishes for breakfast using corn flakes. I want to taste all those dishes, and learn how to make it. Because I am eager to try all those at my place, and be a king of breakfast, and to break it fast.

This post is my entry in "Kellogg's Waale Guptaji ka Nashta" activity by Kellogg's India

Smart and Smarter

Using smartphone and being smart are not the same things. :P Well a smartphone enables you to do a lot of things in smart way, but you need to be smart to identify its potential and actually do it.

One of my friends was first among the group to get an expensive smart phone. We often used to tease him, "dude, may be your phone is smart, but you are definitely not." :D I'll tell you one incident, for why we said so. 

Soon after that, we went for a Goa trip. We used navigator in his phone to reach places, but almost every time, some other guy would take his phone and gave directions. Once he himself was navigating us, and was simply reading the instructions. Take second left, third right, etc. Instead of looking up and see where we are, and tracking the same location via GPS, he was only reading instructions.

So at one point, he read "take second left". And after that we skipped a turn or two, which were too short and leading in some small alley, which wasn't likely to lead to our destination. So when we reached a turn that seemed to be the right one, we asked him, should we turn now? He said "Take second left". We asked again, but do we turn now? He said, "I don't know, it says take second left". Irritated with this, another friend took his mobile and opened GPS tracker and led us in correct direction.

See? The point here is, a smart phone cannot make you smart. But you need a smart phone to do many things in smarter way.

That is why I was keen to buy a smart phone within my budget. Motorola launched an awesome phone in India, called Moto e, providing all the wonderful features, a good camera and within budget of common Indian people like me.

I couldn’t do so yet, but as there is a saying, “everything happens for good.” The good thing it has done to me is, the 2^nd generation of Moto e is launched now, and I can go directly for the new and improved Moto e.

Image source Motorola.com

When I have a smartphone like that, I believe I’ll have a power to do a lot of things on the go that I cannot today.

The thing that makes a smart phone work is the range of applications it provides. People can get hardware (camera, simple phone, I pod etc.) separately, and all the applications (office, mail, organizer etc.) separately. But the USP is to have it all in one device.

The applications in mobile phones were initially limited to self-organizer, music players, games etc. When people realized the potential a good smartphone can provide with its processing power, they also started developing application for stuff you couldn't imagine you could do it on your phone.

There are many things I want to start with my moto e.

Start banking

Many people are still scared of doing internet banking. I find it liberating. I don’t need to go to branch, stand in queue for transferring money, issuing drafts etc. I can do it all on my PC. But with my moto e, I don’t even need to go to my PC; I can do it in my palms from anywhere. Almost all banks provide android applications today.

Start Connecting

I love to be on social media. I love to connect, and stay in touch. I can install all of Facebook, google+, twitter and every social media application on my moto e and connect with my friends.

Start expressing

As you are reading my blog, you can see I love to express. My favorite blogging platform blogger also offers a mobile application, and a future post on my blog might have been written on my moto e.

Start Reading

I am a proud bookworm. I have read a lot of Marathi and English books, and my family boasts of a pretty good library of books in both of these languages. But purchasing hard copy of a book and taking it to places can be difficult sometimes. Moto e has a pretty big screen and I am sure it will help me continue my hobby and read eBooks anywhere I go.

Start Selfies

Photography is my hobby. I have taken training for it and I am passionate about it. After a long wait I got myself a new DSLR recently. No matter how much I love my DSLR, I have to admit it’s difficult to take selfie on a DSLR. With the front camera on moto e (only in 2^nd generation), I will be taking a lot of selfies.

Start a new life

When I am starting so many things in addition to what I have already listed, it clearly means, with new moto e, it will be a different and better life. I believe I am a smart (not smartest, I am honest ;) ) man, and I want to be smarter. I am starting a new life with moto e. What are you going to start?

P.S. : To check what all you can start check out this link. http://www.startwithmotoe.com/

This post is my entry in #ChooseToStart contest by Moto E and +IndiBlogger 

Battery Recharge Trip

Have you seen PK? The film was about an alien (Aamir) who lands on earth for research on human beings. He gets into a lot of trouble due to his curios questions about mankind, our culture, ironies in the customs and rituals we follow.

A young journalist helps him out to find some answers, and get back to his planet. She learns a lot in this endeavour and once when she is depressed and sad, the alien teaches her a battery recharge dance from his planet. The message is that dancing (or read: such activities) relieves you from stress, and get you back in mood.

I have one more activity to list here which can also recharge your batteries. It is to spend some time with the people you love, people who you admire, and people with whom time flies very quickly, and you create memories you cherish for years to come.

It may be your immediate family, your relatives or your friends. Getting them together and doing things you love to do together will definitely recharge your batteries.

I and my group of friends go on a trip to Alibaug and Nagaon beach every year. I call it our battery recharge trip. It is just a weekend trip, with no big activity, just relaxing hangout.

It all started few years ago. I joined my first job in Mumbai, and along with me there were around a dozen of fresher students. We had basic training for a couple of months, in which we bonded really well with each other, a friendship that will last a lifetime.

We started hanging out with each other in city almost every weekend, for movies, shopping etc. One long weekend, we thought of going for a picnic, and decided to go to Nagaon near Alibaug.

We booked a cottage for ourselves, and reached via a very enjoyable ferry ride from Gateway of India to Mandva. At lunch we ate at Fulora restaurant, which is best for seafood. Everybody just loved the food, and ate a lot more than normal.

We reached at our cottage in Nagaon, and had rest in afternoon. We spent all the evening on the beach, played water sports, gave each other tips on swimming. We got back to our cottage, and had an all-night session of drinks (of individual choice J), singing and chatter.

We followed the same routine the next day, the next year and every year after that. It was so refreshing, that the hangover of this trip lasts for weeks to come. We go on various other trips or treks, but we feel bound to go to this trip.

It’s been four consecutive years of the same plan being executed again and again, with same enthusiasm, participation and fun. Our families, other friends laugh at us for doing so, but we don’t mind.

For us it is very important. Over time almost all of us changed jobs and work for different companies and are divided in different cities.

Long trips to other destination needs more planning, and faces more hurdles to ensure everybody makes it. This is one fixed plan that is easy for everyone to follow. This is our best chance to get together and meet everyone, and we make the best of it.

We don't do any extravagant thing there. We just spend time on beach, chat with each other, make fun of each other, debate on any personal or national topic, go for a walk any time of the day, play with each other.

It recharges our batteries for the rest of the year, and by the end of the year we look forward to go for it again. The next battery recharge trip for us is coming soon. When are you planning?

This post is part of #together activity by https://housing.com/

Metamorphosis

We often here saying everyone is born with some unique personality, unique skill set and unique destiny. I agree.

They say, everyone grows up in different environments, everyone gets different lifestyle, and their personality and nature is result of all these. I agree.

They also say, everyone has some basic character, own nature, and one behaves according to it. I agree.

This nature includes some qualities, some habits. Old habits die hard. I agree.

But when they say, one can change anything but his nature, I don't agree.

As we can change (i mean improve, for good) our clothes, our style, our living standards, we can also change the aspects of our personality that are creating problems for us.

And when I say this, it is not a theory. I have tried to do it on myself, and in my opinion, I was able to bring changes that I thought were essential in my progress.

Image : processexcellencenetwork.com

I was an introvert from my childhood. I wouldn't open up with people so easily. It took me time to make friends, to take them to my inner circle, and start sharing with them.

All my relatives, friends, teachers considered me as a very shy and quiet boy. I wouldn't mix up with guests coming to our place, or when we used to go to other places.

I loved to be alone, and to read. I would sit reading alone for hours. I don't regret reading; books are very useful friends you can make. But you also need real human friends in your life.

It doesn't mean I was not interested in other activities. I was actively participating in many extracurricular activities. But those activities like writing for school magazines, drawing competition were not social in nature.

When some good orators of my batch would impress entire school with their speeches, I used to envy their skill and influence. The content of speech wasn't my problem. Thanks to my reading hobby, I would come up with a lot of good ideas. But to deliver and convey it effectively was something I lacked at.

I decided to change this. I started to talk more, interact more. I tried to engage people in conversation. I also realized how listening is also very important in communication.

I joined a short personality development course. We used to practice debates, group discussions, and public speaking. As I said, I never had the problem with thoughts or ideas on any topic. So I was good at coming up with new points to discuss, but with practice, my speaking skills, and more importantly speaking in English was improving. 

I won a prize in one public speaking competition in my institution. And when the institution was celebrating its anniversary in annual function, our mentor gave me a chance to anchor a part of this event.

While graduating I also participated in many paper presentation competitions. I remember one competition of web design, where I and my partner presented our website in a technical festival in another town. Local teams of that college had created bulkier web sites, using every possible technology and cool technical stuff in web design. 

But I was able to convince the judges in my presentation, that web design is not about displaying technical prowess of its designer, but its purpose is to broadcast information about the organization for which it is made. And our website even though using less technical stuff is delivering all information effectively. As a result, we got ourselves a runner up prize.

Metamorphosis is a term used to describe when a person undergoes a drastic change, and turns out to be a completely different person. I went under such metamorphosis. I won't claim to be an extrovert now, but I am certainly not an introvert any more. The closest thing I can relate to now is being ambivert.

I led myself to a completely new life with this change. I was given more and more opportunities to speak. My opinion was considered and respected. I discovered a leader hidden within myself. I was chosen as a president for our student association. I am happy with this change.

One should not change himself just for the sake of it. But we can identify the part of personality that's causing us more trouble than use. We can decide and find ways to change it.

Newton's law states, that every object continues to be in its state of rest or in motion, unless it's course is altered by some other force.

I believe our nature is that object which will stay as it is, unless some other force tries to change it. This force can be our friends, our mentors, our parents, or we ourselves. Sometimes a bad situation acts as that force. But why to wait for it, when we can do the job for ourselves?

Change is good. Change is inevitable. Change is the only constant thing in this world. Go ahead, and embrace it. #StartANewLife.

This post is a part of #StartANewLife activity by +Housing.com 

When I learnt how to C

Some times in life, all you can see around you are problems. In every part of your life, you come across some problem and struggle to find a solution, as if it is hidden somewhere in dark. If you manage to solve even one problem, it is tremendous boost to your psyche. It opens a window for light, for fresh air, and gives you hope that the way you solve this problem, you can solve others too.

This happened to me also. When I passed out of 12th standard, I was going through a lot of difficulties. First was the choice of graduate course (which in turn is a choice of career). To make it difficult than it was, I had scored low in my 12th standard, and entrance exams. It wasn't due to lack of potential, but due to lack of focus. I couldn't get rid of the guilt of not living up to my potential. 

I can't say that I would have made it to IITs, had I studied hard then, but I can definitely say that I could have entered a better ranking college. 

With the limited choice my scores permitted, I got an admission to a computer engineering course in MIT Aurangabad. Out of engineering branches my interest was always inclined to computers. So I was feeling better to get that branch.

In an engineering course, the first year is common for all branches. The syllabus for first year includes subjects to introduce all branches of engineering e.g. traditional civil, mechanical and modern like instrumentation, computers etc.

In the first semester, we had nothing related to computers. Some of the subjects like EEE (Elements of Electrical (or Electronic) Engineering) were touted to have caused mass failure in every batch. 

The style of teaching and studying for these subjects was exact opposite of what we had been doing for years. The spoon feeding was suddenly stopped. We were actually supposed to understand the contents, think on it. Although it was welcoming change for me, it did nothing better to prepare for our first semester exams.

I have a natural flair for mathematics, and subjects having some math in it were not a problem. But I was scared of few subjects which were purely theoretical. I thought I will feel better after exam was over. Actually it was even worse. In my opinion I had done so badly in 1/2 subjects that I was bound to fail.

For first time I did not just hate my syllabus, but I was also scared of the results. But it was due in a couple of months, and in our university, it always gets delayed. 

Meanwhile our second semester started. I don't remember why but I missed college for initial few days. I was also bored of engineering college.

But the positive change in this semester was the C programming subject. C is a basic and legendary computer programming language. On my first day in second semester, I attended practical for C.

The task here was simple program to produce addition of two numbers. I had missed few basic classes and also first practical. So I was doing a lot of mistakes. In coding, the logic is almost same in any language. The challenge is to fit your solution in the grammar and syntax of the programming language you use.

I remember our lab assistant wasn't keen on answering my doubts. My batch mate +Pushpendra Chavan helped me out with my first program. But when I ran the program and it finally generated the output, I was very much excited. 

I immediately wrote a program for subtraction, division, multiplication. After having written first program for addition, this required very little efforts. But still seeing your code run and generate expected results gives me a joy even today.

I purchased a copy of "Let us C" a best seller on C language. I started studying this language on my own and solving all the programming tasks in the exercise section. I was enjoying myself doing all those programs.

Though I ignored all other subjects for few days, this got my interest back in engineering. I believed in myself, and felt confident that I would do well in computer field.

Due to my interest to solve problems by coding, I participated in many programming competitions and performed well, won some prizes.

I think performance, praise, confidence etc. are not isolated things. They are all related. You start with one and start a cycle of such things. It may be positive or negative. When I learnt to C, I broke out of the negative cycle (vicious circle) and started a positive one.

I am a computer engineer now (good one ;)), and I love what I do. All days are not same in job though, some tasks are interesting some or not. Whenever I get some interesting task, and I am able to code it and see my code running, I still enjoy it as much as my first program.

Programming languages or the tools I use have changed over years. But all this started when I learnt to C. 

This post is written as my submission entry to an activity https://housing.com/lookup organized by +IndiBlogger and +Housing.com 

Wear your best look

I was travelling in the local back home, at the end of the day, a very important day in my life. I had got my dream job that day, when I was least expecting it. A guy with average looks, but some above average intelligence, working in a good suburban hotel in Mumbai, made it to the international chain of hotels.

I got that job without approaching for it, without giving an interview, without any effort. Well, not actually without effort. Of course it was result of some efforts. Some small things you do every other day, but those which mattered.

I was thinking about a conversation I had with my Dad a couple of years ago. It was another important day in my life. It was my first day at job in the hotel I was working till today. I woke up with excitement, got ready quickly, and finished my breakfast with very big bites. My mother yelled at me to slow down. After breakfast I took her blessings, and went to my father. I touched his feet to take his blessings.

“Why aren’t you shaved? This is your first day at your job. Do you realize that?” asked my dad disapproving my rough look.

“It doesn’t matter dad. Nobody in my batch shaves every day. It is common now.” I answered.

“It matters. And you will shave before leaving for office.” He ordered.

“No dad, not today. I am getting late, one minute more and I will miss my local.” I resisted.

“I will drop you to office. But you have to shave.” He insisted.

And I complied, but showing every sign of frustration. He was noticing it. I got ready again. I was little angry with him for killing my excitement on my first working day. We got into the car, he started driving.

“I never told how I met your mother, did I?”

“No. But why do you have to tell me now?” I was curious about his story, but still not in mood to hear it.

“Because you need to understand something.” With that he took a long pause.

“Yours was an arranged marriage right?”

“Yes. We met through a family friend of ours, and relative of your mom.”

“Like most of the arranged marriages in India.” I thought.

Father’s Story

“Gokhle uncle was an old friend of your grandpa. He had come to Mumbai for some meeting. He was staying at your mom’s place. After his meeting he came to our place to meet papa.”

“I had just started working then. I came back home as usual, and saw him in our hall talking to papa. Papa introduced me to him. I touched his feet in respect, and went inside. Papa was proudly talking about my achievements in college and my first job in a reputed bank. He looked impressed.”

“I went to my room, changed my clothes, and wore casual ones. I came back to dining hall; they were ready and waiting for me. They were discussing something, but stopped at once when I entered the room, and were smiling at me.”

“We had dinner together. Papa asked me to drop Gokhle Uncle to where he was staying. When I took the car keys, papa asked me to change into something decent. I reluctantly did so and left with uncle.”

“When we reached there, uncle asked me to come inside. He wanted to introduce me to the family. I couldn’t think of any reason for that. But I didn’t want to disobey my papa’s old friend. I went inside. Few guests were already in the hall.”

“From what it seemed like, the guests had come to see Gokhle uncle’s niece, means your mom. I looked at the boy and the girl. The boy seemed to be rich, wearing a nice suit and gold chain. The girl was damn beautiful. I liked her. But I was standing there when she was seeing other boy, considering him for marriage.”

“I was feeling awkward there. Gokhle uncle took me to guest room for some time, till the other guests left. Then we came into the hall. Uncle introduced me to everyone, even to your mom. They asked me some general questions, I told them about myself, had some conversation and left.”

“Few days later, I was surprised to know that Uncle had taken me there with a purpose. He was impressed with me, and wished I married his niece. It further shocked me that the girl had also said yes to me. I had liked her no doubt, so I was bound to say yes. But I was wondering how she preferred me over that rich guy.”

“After our marriage, I asked your mom this question on our honeymoon.”

She said, “Yes, that guy was pretty rich. He came wearing that suit, and gold chain which was easily available for him. But he had not shaved. It seemed to me that he didn’t care much about the fact that he was going to see a girl. Whereas you clearly didn’t know that why you came to our place, but still you were clean shaven, properly dressed. I thought you were a disciplined guy. So I picked you. But why are you asking this?”

“I am not complaining, dear. I was just curious.” I answered and changed the topic. And so his story ended.

Back to present

“Are you trying to tell me she said yes, just because you were clean shaved and dressed?”

“Well in our time son, you had to judge with such small things only. We didn’t have the privilege of meeting a girl alone to talk, like you guys have these days.” Dad taunted.

“Not again with that generation gap thing dad.”

“No, that’s not point today. It’s just that you should be presentable always. You never know when a girl or an opportunity will enter your life. You should be prepared. We are not men with looks to die for. We are normal people. To be dressed properly, to shave regularly is our way to look our best. That’s my point. Wear your best look.”

“Ok. I get it dad.” I said though I didn’t get it that day.

I got it today. From that day onwards, though I didn’t like it, I started shaving regularly, and being well dressed. Eventually it became a habit. I worked hard, rose through the ranks in my hotel. I made good contacts with our suppliers, clients. I was good at talking. My boss relied on me to deal with them. I was thinking since past few days, that it’s time to move on if I want to grow further.

And then this day, the senior manager of GTC International came to meet me at my hotel. He said he wanted discuss some important matter and took me out for lunch. Throughout the main course, he discussed about many general things. I was waiting for him to come to the point. And then while having desserts he offered me my dream job. I was stunned.

“Don’t be so surprised.” He said, and continued. “You deserve it. You are good at dealing with people. I have been observing you and few other candidates since last few days. You are always presentable, you make a good impression. That’s what we want for our Vendor Relationship Manager. Not like boys of your generation who don’t care about how they look. I hope you accept our offer.”

“Of course I will. Thanks a lot for this offer.” Was all I could say!

The small thing dad taught me really paid off. I couldn’t thank him enough for this. Yes these things matter. Not all of us are model material, but we can groom ourselves. We can wear our best look. Will you? #WillYouShave?

‘This post is a part of #WillYouShave activity at BlogAdda in association with Gillette”