Xraaz's Weblog

Golden dayz of ma school life….!

xraaz — Mon, 18 May 2009 09:44:26 +0000

Last weekend I was with my friend, while lighting the cigarette he just asked me, if I could ring his ex-girlfriend…, why not?? But from you mobile – I replied.

We started to remember the time we spend in school (1989 – 98) and soon we were swimming on flood of memories…. about the days we spend in Convent, teasing girls (especially few of girls we were linked to…!) few were too notorious to tease the Missionary nuns in the convent..!!

We just realized what a wonderful life we had in 90s… while reminiscing the notorious events, I told my friend I wish if I could go back to 90s and enjoy the school life again…!!

As we went through the images, all the nick names flashed back….I’m glad to have those images back in my album, thanks to Saritha…..

I really miss my school life a lot…. I miss everything which I had in my school… I miss friends, school bus journey (fighting for window seat), my school, my uniform, my stress free life, my playing, at last my happiness….. Couple of bugs use to get happiness worth of millions….. now earning a million cant get even a single jiffy of school life back.

I & Imran were able to recognize many of our classmates…. I told him “Man we had a habit of bunking class since den…”

Thought of adding the image to my blog with my comments to my school mates…”

1. Prasad sitting alone with girls around him, thinking why this teacher made me sit with girls.

2. Sarith its you beside the Teacher, (no comments as you send this beautiful memories)

3. Sunethra….. (The same dangerous looks)

4. Abeshiekh…….. (I’m hungry man…just take the snap, got to go for lunch)

5. Mazhar….. (Idiot left the school in 7th)

6. Sandhiya….. (She is sleeping…..wakeup yaar, its a group snap….)

7. Fatima & Aasifoon (colonial cousins…..lol)

8. Ansari…. (Gosh she was healthy form KG….., sorry don’t mind)

9. Sara…. (yaar don’t look like dat…. u wanna break camera / camera man????)

10. Afshan… (you would have been stayed till 10, you missed beautiful moments )

11. Heena, P.Shrisha & Shajli……. (Guyz fine their email IDs)

12. Asim……( kahan hai bye…., phone kar kabhi)

13. Vinod……….. (The glaring looks……)

14. Jawwad …. (the Crazy idiot… i had ever seen)

15. Nizam…. (don’t bite nails….man, I believe you are not irretated by girlz…. lolzzzz)

16. Manoj…..(Anji use to call you by some name I dont remember man……..lolzzzz)

17. Iniyath … (The Iron man of school)

18. Altaf….. (now I realized why all use call you aaaluuuuuuuuuuuu)

19. Ravi… ( The dabur bajridant manjan man……, wah raju tumhare daant to motiyon jaise chamak rahe hein…..)

20. Ranjit… (doctor, Anil ka ilaaj kar saala pagal hogaya….)

21. Anil ….. (Dev D – 2009 lolz……abye saale dam mat kar……., aur kya kaam nahi rehta jab dekhe jab online raheta tuu…….)

22. Ashwaq…. (I wonder why he was scared of pushpy….I came to know from imran he is still scared to meet her…..)

23. Anjineyulu.. (elaaaaaaa unnav raaaa “that all telugu I remember” I remember he use to utter bad word in telugu…..every time he got teased)

Satyam Leadership…..

xraaz — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:30:36 +0000

What I feel, it might be the psychological pressure what most of the leaders face, such as command, addiction to power, fear of envy……it might be an impact of narcissistic behavior.

If I’m not wrong, 2005 HBR Magazine had an excellent cartoon which shows two children fighting, when they are pulled apart by their mother, one of the children points at the other and says, “He called me a CEO first!”

As an HR Advisor, I see Satyam scandal as another case of dysfunctional leadership after Tyco, Enron & WorldCom…., I don’t say it’s a darth-vader aspect of leadership, but it grows out of personality traits such as self exaggeration and entitlement, thrives on narcissism, self-deceit and abuse of power.

It’s not sure when and how the 5,400 crores were transferred to Maytas….might be prior to buyout plans or even Maytas were being funded for years….what happened with funds, will the employees get paid…. I’m least bother about that…!!!

After going through few of these scandal reports, I can merely say, its coz of psychological pressures that most of these leaders face….!!!

Mostly these people get addicted to power after reaching certain position in an organization, however stress & frustration often develops and colleagues become distant, and the fear of losing what has been so difficult to gain leads them to engage in malevolent acts.

For years Ramalinga raju refused to acknowledge his weaknesses but finally got to give-up…., many CEOs despite of leadership traits, hesitate to look inside themselves and even if they do, they refuse to acknowledge it…they are unwilling to face up to how their defensive structures and character traits can negatively effect their organizations….

However these people deny that the pressures that come with leadership can contribute to dysfunctional behavior and decisions, some time fear of envy can reach the point where dysfunctional self – destructive behavior “Snatches defeat out of the jaws of victory.”

Good quote …..by ~ Tad Williams!!!

“We tell lies when we are afraid… afraid of what we don’t know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be found out about us. But every time we tell a lie, the thing that we fear only grows stronger.”

No use of being Remorseful later on….

xraaz — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 07:38:25 +0000

I don’t want to be repentant later-on that I haven’t lived the way I asked. I’m in mid 20′s… some time I feel, I had lived my life to fullest, I enjoyed every jiffy of college life, travelled around the country with family & friends…. I’m sure its not gonna help me on day of judgment except my deeds…..I’m not a bad person coz I never pass unkind remarks or I don’t keep malice with others, the only thing missing is, Prayers.

We get busy with social needs and our life starts pulling us from many directions. Last week I was assigned with another project, that has to be completed by March 15, this project made me completely busy with external consultants & agencies.

Every day I start from home committing that I should not miss the prayer, but unfortunately sometimes I miss all….

We all know that we got to leave every thing here, just got to carry our deeds…..this is the wonderful message I received this morning…..

Here its goes…….

One day of the many days there was a man traveling on a trip with his Wife and Kids And on the way he met someone standing in the roadway So he asked him: Who are you?

He said: I am the money so the man asked his wife and kids: Should we ask him to ride with us?

They said together: Yes of course because with the money it can help us if we wanted to do anything and if we wanted to get anything we desired, So they took the Money to ride with them.

And the vehicle continued its way until the man met someone else on the road So the Father asked: Who are you?

He said: I am the high position and power So the father asked his wife and kids: Should we ask him to ride with us?

So they all answered together in one voice: Yes of course because with the high position and power we have the ability to do anything we want and own anything we desired.

So they took the high position and power with them And the vehicle continued to finish its trip.

And likewise he met in the same manner many people which give the pleasures and desires of this life, UNTIL .. They met one person on the way… The Father asks him Who are you?

He said: I am the Deen (Islam) So the father, wife, and kids said all together in one voice: No no this isn’t the time, we desire the pleasures of this life and dunyah, and the Deen will prevent us and ban us from these things and it will take control over us, and we will be worn-out from being loyal to it and its learning. And the halal and the Haram, and this thing prayer and that thing hijab, and this fasting, and and and and and etc, It will be a burden upon us!!! But what is certain is that we will definitely return for you to pick you up but only after we enjoy this life and everything in it.

So sadly they left him behind and the vehicle continued its trip. And out of no where something appeared in the middle of the road It was a check point in the road and it had a sign saying STOP!!!

And they found a man gesturing for the father to get out of the vehicle.

So the man said to the father: The trip has ended as far as you are concerned!!!! And it is upon you to get out and come with me.

The father was shocked with fear and didn’t say a word. So the man said to him: I am searching for the DEEN.e Islam Is he with you?

He answered: No I left him not too far back. So if you can let me go back, I can get him for you :You do not have the ability to go back, your trip has ended and there is no going back now.. returning is impossible said the man.

But I have The Money, The high position and power, My Wife, My Kids, and and and and and and on.

The man said to him: They will not benefit you nor will they protect you in front of Allah.> Not one bit! And you will leave all of this, and not one of them will help you except for The Deen e Islam you know? The one which YOU left back in the road. So the father asked: And who are you exactly?

I AM DEATH

The one which you were needless of and didn’t take into account in your trip!! The father looked at his vehicle and found his wife taking control of it and continuing the trip with all of its passengers but him And none of them stayed with him, and none of them helped him in any way.

The Value of Money…from Adam Khoo’s blogs, Interesting.

xraaz — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 17:04:22 +0000

I don’t know how to say the money, coz I never cared to save….! Now I need to as I will be having responsibilities coming ahead, I read many books which includes how to become a millionaire, how banks bet you money and quite a few on investing as well. I found all the books inspirational, but don’t know why I was unable to follow it…

Adam khoo, the well known entrepreneur, a best-selling author and a peak performance trainer. A self-made millionaire, he owns and runs several businesses in education, training, event management and advertising, all with a combined annual turnover of $30 million….

One of his blog was really interesting…..hope you all like it,

“Some of you may already know that I travel around the region pretty frequently, having to visit and conduct seminars at my offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Suzhou (China). I am in the airport almost every other week so I get to bump into many people who have attended my seminars or have read my books.

Recently, someone came up to me on a plane to KL and looked rather shocked. He asked, ‘How come a millionaire like you is travelling economy?’ My reply was, ‘That’s why I am a millionaire. ‘ He still looked pretty confused. This again confirms that greatest lie ever told about wealth (which I wrote about in my latest book ‘Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires’ ). Many people have been brainwashed to think that millionaires have to wear Gucci, Hugo Boss, Rolex, and sit on first class in air travel. This is why so many people never become rich because the moment that earn more money, they think that it is only natural that they spend more, putting them back to square one.

The truth is that most self-made millionaires are frugal and only spend on what is necessary and of value. That is why they are able to accumulate and multiply their wealth so much faster. Over the last 7 years, I have saved about 80% of my income while today I save only about 60% (because I have my wife, mother in law, 2 maids, 2 kids, etc. to support). Still, it is way above most people who save 10% of their income (if they are lucky). I refuse to buy a first class ticket or to buy a $300 shirt because I think that it is a complete waste of money. However, I happily pay $1,300 to send my 2-year old daughter to Julia Gabriel Speech and Drama without thinking twice.

When I joined the YEO (Young Entrepreneur’ s Organization) a few years back (YEO is an exclusive club open to those who are under 40 and make over $1m a year in their own business) I discovered that those who were self-made thought like me. Many of them with net worths well over $5m, travelled economy class and some even drove Toyota’s and Nissans (not Audis, Mercs, BMWs).

I noticed that it was only those who never had to work hard to build their own wealth (there were also a few ministers’ and tycoons’ sons in the club) who spent like there was no tomorrow. Somehow, when you did not have to build everything from scratch, you do not really value money. This is precisely the reason why a family’s wealth (no matter how much) rarely lasts past the third generation. Thank God my rich dad (oh no! I sound like Kiyosaki) foresaw this terrible possibility and refused to give me a cent to start my business.

Then some people ask me, ‘What is the point in making so much money if you don’t enjoy it?’ The thing is that I don’t really find happiness in buying branded clothes, jewellery or sitting first class. Even if buying something makes me happy it is only for a while, it does not last. Material happiness never lasts, it just give you a quick fix. After a while you feel lousy again and have to buy the next thing which you think will make you happy. I always think that if you need material things to make you happy, then you live a pretty sad and unfulfilled life.

Instead, what make ME happy is when I see my children laughing and playing and learning so fast. What makes me happy is when I see my companies and trainers reaching more and more people every year in so many more countries. What makes me really happy is when I read all the emails about how my books and seminars have touched and inspired someone’s life. What makes me really happy is reading all your wonderful posts about how this BLOG is inspiring you. This happiness makes me feel really good for a long time, much more than what a Rolex would do for me.

I think the point I want to put across is that happiness must come from doing your life’s work (be in teaching, building homes, designing, trading, winning tournaments etc.) and the money that comes is only a by-product. If you hate what you are doing and rely on the money you earn to make you happy by buying stuff, then I think that you are living a life of meaninglessness.”

“Train to Pakistan” – Cars full of Corpses

xraaz — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:03:31 +0000

“Train to Pakistan” I read this novel some time ago when I was staying about 140km away from the city….it was a time when I made my self Isolated… away from the city and away from people…..the place was very calm and secluded (new economic city)…”Train to Pakistan” is really a heart touching Novel, I believe it was a refreshing change…. Its not lengthy novels that seize weeks to finish it off….. It’s kinda pithy and as happened that time; I believe it hardly tuk 2 nights to complete…..!!!

It’s all about the love, emotions & loathing which turned border area into river of blood as the mass exchange of population took place between India and new born Pakistan. Millions of people left their homeland and moved to start a new life with the tragic legacy of an uncertain future….!!!

I urge, one should read this book….it really touches you heart, it is a pain full history of our Nation…. showing the human dimension of the historic event of partition…

The novel tells you the about one of the brutal periods in Indian history, more than 10 million people were uprooted from their homes & belongings….and over million were brutally killed…

As I went through pages I came to know how the village became graveyard which remained untouched by the aggression…. Though the abhorrence started soon after partition but this village was immune until an east-bound train made an unscheduled stop at village….the cars full of dead bodies…this was the first such incident witnessed by the inhabitants…

(Men, women and children who died in the riots were cremated on a mass scale…villagers even used oil and kerosene when wood was scare…)

I kept on reading page by page and found my self involved deeply in the situation… I must say, khuswant singh has scripted very well and it excels through out the novel. As you go through the book….you will find more and more heart-rending passages which include the decision of government to move all Muslim families from the village to Pakistan……and the army convoy ordering muslims to board the train within minutes…and also the climax when Jugga & Iqbal decides to save the train going to Pakistan, they know that it would cost their lives…

The most tear-jerking passage, when the bullet hits Jugga while he attempts to cut down the rope…even after getting hit by bullets Jugga kept his work on so that the train can move ahead safely…..finally after cutting the rope he collapsed and floored on the tracks, the train ran over him and reached Pakistan…… This is how a novel hero Jugga gave his life to save Noora (his love) and little baby yet to arrive in this world…..

At last the blame game started….Muslims pointing out to Hindus and vice versa but the fact is that both sides killed….the novel explored the political dispute of the partition of India & Pakistan…

I just wonder how those inhabitants took the decision that would affect rest of their life…people who left India thinking that they could find better life in Pakistan even till date are called as Muhajir (refugee)…..

xraaz — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:06:45 +0000

I don’t think life has much changed but certain habits are….. It is pretty comfortable living in the capital, you feel more relaxed if you are with family, here for me, the chores are being taken care of by cousins, and it’s a completely different experience when there is some to take care of each and every small errand…..

Having a favorite coffee spot with a whole bunch of locations is something I don’t experience a lot, I had been in Riyadh earlier but not for a long time, As I was getting proverbial to the road unexpectedly I hit dr.CAFE® very near to my office…I really liked dr.CAFE® spot, It’s to the main street with wood-planked exterior & fabulous interiors. Within 2 week I managed to find few of my favorite coffee spots in city….

Starbucks & dr.CAFE® has a nice variety of coffee, no doubt about it……

It was a steep joy having dr.CAFE® near my office…..it’s definitely gonna be a best place to pass time; I don’t feel like I’m addicted to coffee, but yes some time to work I need coffee, without it I get tired faster. habitually while going / coming back from office, I get my favorite, Arabian Mocha… just a sip before starting the day, takes me to a different level …

I got habituated to coffee way since 2001, it was a very small coffee shop on our way to college….we use to visit daily to have a chat over cup of coffee….I’m not sure where I stand right now, truth is I enjoy my coffee breaks vastly.

I haven’t counted yet, and I don’t know how much I spend on my coffee, but I’m sure I spend more than I do for my food….

Ramadan Kareem

xraaz — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:29:46 +0000

Yet another chance given by almighty to us…. to clear our record of bad deeds & become a good Muslim….. Ramadan is here and the doors of forgiveness are wide open…..

It is the most beautiful month and the time for you to reflect and hone your mind…let’s come close to the right path and lets all ask Allah to help us become the best of Muslims…….Ameen.

For me this month is precious…. All the other activities will be abridged, Last year I started Ramadan in Haram (Makkah) as I was in Jeddah and luckily got an opportunity to be in Haram most of the times….but now I’m 1000 miles away from Jeddah….. Now I feel that, my decision to move to Riyadh was quite wrong…..

I firmly believe that the month of Ramadan is a great time to clear all our bad deeds & build ourselves up and rejuvenate…. It is the time when the blessing of almighty will be showered enormously…a single deed will be multiplied by thousands….I really wish If I could be back to Jeddah…..

The Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH) was always generous but even more so in Ramadan, Let’s open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year……help the people in need.

I really admire my dad for his thoughts and belief……. He always says “whatever you earn here u got to leave here in this world, what comes with you are your deeds……just make sure its worth watching..!!!”

Working with emotional Intelligence

xraaz — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 12:54:09 +0000

It was in news from past 6 months that mega star chiranjeevi will be entering the politics. Last night while surfing the channels I stopped at TV5 where the party launch was being aired. I believe it was a reiterate as it was around 11 pm here in kingdom.

I can’t speak the language Telugu but I can effortlessly understand what a person tells. I don’t know the actor much but my friend; Naveen is a die hard fan of the actor. He says “If I don’t watch movie on first day first show; it’s a shame on me as fan” however the crowd was far-fetched may be around a million.

Out of his 3 hrs speech I can easily makeup that he was merely running on emotional intelligence…. His speech started with his underprivileged flash back where his parents struggled in life and the difficulties he faced in his childhood, 80% of his speech was about his underprivileged life (I just felt that he was captivating sympathy) and also quoted the visions of former president “APJ Abdul Kalaam” .

He lectured very well on description of his flag, Indeed I say very well scripted… lolz

I have few good comments on Chiranjeevi coz I’m aware his services such as blood bank & other charity issues…”Chiranjeevi is a good person by nature what I heard from the Naveen….. there is not doubt he might turn good for the state, but the bureaucracy is always knee-deep in dishonesty, bribery and un-trusted since independence so it is too early to predict if he turns out to be “for the people or far the people”

It really doesn’t matter who the leader is or which party he belongs to..!! what matters for me as a citizen, is the bureaucracy, I hope he bring some good changes to it, instead of driven to admit the old shitty system…..

If I’m not wrong 70% of our population breathes in villages and of those 90% are die-hard fan of this mega stars….I just wonder if history gonna repeat….. years ago it was NTR, who became the CM in just 9 months after his party (Telugu Desam) launch.

What I say is it will be an exigent responsibility for mega star…. It’s not an movie, where it’s very easy to solve the issues……it’s real life and here its very difficult, it effects the life of millions so I just say think twice before you vote….!!!

Investment

xraaz — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:01:51 +0000

This is the right time to collect coins… (lolz); the gold prices which was slipped on Friday further edged down to $821 an ounce today.

‘Right now, I think it is the right time to invest in gold, but for a longer period, though from past many years gold just covered the inflation, but from last 2 year investment in gold has given tremendous returns….there are many investors who believe jewelry demand is going to pick up in the next few months…

The precious metal is down more than 20 percent since hitting a record high of $1,030.80 on March 17.

Gold and Silver Investments Limited agree and believe gold will surpass its inflation adjusted high of $2,400 per ounce in the next 5 years…. of if we are planning for investment gold can be an good option as of now..!!!!

Mera Bharat Mahaan / Mera Bharat Kahaaan??????

xraaz — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:08:41 +0000

I still remember the morning of 15^th August when I was in school; woke up early morning and get my self ready to be part of the glorious day…. the memories still flick on my mind when all of us dressed in white, resembling peace….and our heart beats to the rhythm of National anthem & other patriotic songs. 15^th august, the day when we all pledge to work for our country and take care of its sovereignty, we also promise to make India shining with no barriers between religion.

It’s our Nation, we are responsible for its pride, dignity & development; we all know it was know as golden bird “soone-ki-chidiya” I just want to see my country shining as it was once.

Even after 61 years of Independence, the most discussed issues in our parliament is reservations, riots, changing name of state (which is no where linked to its growth) and many other which doesn’t have any impact on the growth of the nation, the each session in house of representatives cost around 3 Crores.

While having coffee with Eric (my colleague) I just asked him, what’s your opinion about new US president? He replied, It really doesn’t matter me who the president is, what matters me is the people around him.

I always feel if we could have the qualified people in the House of Representatives to take appropriate decision which helps in development of the nation, but unfortunately most of the people in our parliament have criminal back ground and they only think about their profit rather than the growth…. I don’t know what to expect from a person who was involved in criminal activities.

I really admire Manmohan Singh, Chidambaram and few other leaders who have vision in their mind, whose prime intention is to develop the nation rather to increase bank balance.

I always dream of one state one nation helping eachother with all focus on growth, development & security. I always dream of incredible India with love, unity, acceptance, forgiveness, strength & wisdom within us.