Mumbai.. the city which has seen all.

Well, its been more than 48 hours now since the time, the first reports of firing at the CST and Leopold Cafe came in. Its been more than 48 hours since the ordeal began. Something that would forever change the way Urban rich and top brass Indian looked at terror. An incident which would have far reaching consequences, one which has brought the rich and the mighty on their knees. An attack which rattled every mumbaikar and rather every Indian. The brutality and the in compassionate manner of action of the 'terrorists' is shocking even by all forgone standards. The preparation undoubtedly immense, the targets were also chosen very specifically and this was something that has given them a fighting power of more than 48 hours. All this combined with the tremendous training to be insensitive, in compassionate and ruthless has resulted in 125 dead and more than 3 times as many injured. Apart from the brave Indian Police officers, policemen, NSG commanders, NSG men, and Army officers. All in all, the best of the best men in Indian Force have had to be deployed for bringing an end to this ordeal at the minimum possible damage.

Its sad, that a bunch of 10 - 15 people can hold a country to ransom. Though, the precarious nature of the situation forced the forces to be cautious as it involved the lives of 100's of guests and high profile citizens in the hotels, on the roads as well as in the hospitals where the terrorists had taken refuge.

I wouldnt write much here as emotions can not always be put in words.. The past two days were amongst the saddest and the gloomiest days around. When the apostles of glory and pomp succumb to such brutal and ruthless attacks, even the most hardened humans being to feel the pinch. Its not everyday that someone simply walks into a railway station and start shooting at will, take hostages in a hospital only to then enter a 5 star hotel and apart from killing scores, hold many to ransom and destroy the entire imperial structure. The beautiful Taj was to bear the brunt along with the Trident-Oberoi and Nariman House. The alert had already sounded all across the city and to all the hotels, but thankfully it was concentrated only in this part of the town, lest even more loss to life and property would have happened.

Everywhere there were headlines... - War on Mumbai.. But what is a war? When one aims to destroy the other, though try to save oneself. Here it was nothing like wanting to save. All those who had come here knew very well, that they were not going to die. They never wanted any ransom. They were not here for a safe passage. But they were here to kill. And simply didnt care for anything more.

However one may condemn these acts of barbarism, it led to the killing of over 125 people and injuring hundreds. It brings us back to the question of what to do as responsible and concerned citizens. Many in the circles of elite said much. They spoke with passion and conviction. Talked of having to lead, 'do a walk'. And then one soul responded... with the below:

" excerpts from the mail....

2. We need to write to editorials of newspapers when there are communal fights like Mumbaikar v/s bihari etc... etc .

3. we need to ask lot of questions through RTI an file cases through PILs if we really want to lead towards change.... Walk is a great idea but our politicians will never bother ...for walks ..

4. we need to vote .. elections are our weapon to tell those who can act .. that we are angry and need action from them....

5. following rules and co-operatig with security guards .. stop paying bribe for its corruption which generates black money which sponsors all wrong things...

I appluad this honest practical answer to what we as citizens should do. People talk shit and people may talk big, but this is the real answer to a lot many of the issues that we in modern India are facing. This is the answer to the many questions raised by the so called concerned.
The politicians if held responsible are well equipped to take the right measures to deal with such situations. There is no dearth of talent in this land of Dr Radhakrishnan. There is no lack of will in this land of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. There is no dearth of character in this land of Gandhi. Just that, we the people have forgotten that these are the very fundamentals of living a better, more just and more prosperous life.

Lastly... above all the passions and call for unity, someone needs to know what being an Indian is. Mr Raj Thakeray - It were the NSG commandos from New Delhi and the multi ethinic Indian Armed Forces that had to be called into action to save the Marathi manoos's life, while ur MNS was peeing in its pants and the clarion sounding manoos were all holed up in the safety of their homes. Kindly understand, there is no way u or anyone can divide this country............

Random

The topic itself makes it very clear that all that you are about to read is completely random and doesnt know why it is being written.. forget it being read. :)
But, isnt it true that in life, one of the best works and one of the best creations are all out of randomness? Not that this post has something unraveling or something path breaking, but then such times are the best. When all you do is listen to music and type what, whatever comes to your mind and let it run in any direction your neurons may want it to. Or the sensory buds of your fingers may direct it. However, the basic reason for such randomness today is nothing but complete boredom. Boredom of sitting at home and preparing. Preparing for something that one has already wasted more than..... k, and is going to go abroad for the same. Something for which people study for months and are afraid, the prince is going to go and give and come back un-ashamed. Nevertheless, right now, nothing else suits me or my pocket. And playing a game is not as good as writing here. And then again.. its back to the monotony which I am forcing myself to undertake. For a person whom coming home before 2 a.m. in the night was a uncommon, staying at home for the whole day is nothing short of crime. But then what to do, cant go to pune, nor can go home. Its so funny. I paid for it and I only have to suffer. What would I get at the end of all of this is again debatable, considering that I may not clear it again, and also that there are no I Banks today to join, as also the basic purpose of doing this wasnt ever to get into an I Bank.. :) Why then am I f...... myself so bad? Why cant I go for a movie, chat with friends as much as I would love to? Why is the market scenario so bad that any and all companies are welcome? Why are we graduating this year.. ? Wow !! one the most intriguing of questions arent they? hahaha.. well, these are the questions that have only one answer - Because God wanted it that way..!!! :):)

This one is to Rashmi mama..... I remember the "Because God wanted it that way.. "

p.s. If someone has a better way to pass time when in such a stupid, moronic state, lemme know..

Paragana '08 - The Story Behind the Scenes

Well, it all began on the day when we became the council. The day when our destinies were charted. When we were handed over the mantle of organizing the most coveted of the B School fests - Paragana '08.

From the time we embarked on this journey we were advised to put it through, in a 5 star. Something we always had in mind when we were the juniors even last year. To make it grand, to have speakers of a cadre which would bring students in on their own. No force to be put up. It was all supposed to be immaculate, properly planned and professionally managed. A show put up so as to shame even the best event management groups. None of us though at that time could predict how it would actually be. What all we would face and the repercussions that would follow.

The last few days though make it seem like "Alls well, that ends well". Undoubtedly the show put up on the 15th and the events that followed it up seemed like a dream come true. Today I can proudly say that we were trained. Trained by our seniors, trained by our work, our abilities, our experience, our surroundings. Support was something that was never less from the day we embarked on this journey. From the management - aka - Dean, to the juniors, there was nothing more expected apart except for the senior batch being sad.

Day -2

The tension creeps in, are the things sorted?? NO is the answer. We rush to Hyatt for a negotiation on the liquor to the equipment and the costing and the numbers are finally into place. All the various logistical requirements are clarified. We learn what we get and what we dont. At the same time, the printing expenses keep piling and there is suddenly a need for extra T Shirts. A heavy price we paid for ordering less in the first place when the designs were done long. But cant blame, the finances wouldnt have supported at all. It was really very sad when the banners were not to be ready before friday night. The council is a war room, phones ringing, people shouting and jumping on the top of each other and around the countless chairs and bags around. The participants are to come in tomorrow and we need a decent reliable place for them. The boys are as usual sorted by Jani, but when it comes to the heavenly pain - S.M. the hostel is always full and not for guests. Other options are explored and confirmed. The events team though is a little lax in giving the final numbers, has done a wonderful job in placement and selection of events. Huge response from all across the country is to see some 52 teams coming on campus, the maximum ever heard of. The scene for liquor might just get sorted when there is another problem of sending across the proper bytes on TV, Radio and through the news print. The speakers have not yet confirmed their travel iteniary nor have a few slots of speakers been still filled. The musical night is finally , "finally confirmed" and thankfully no hit at the pocket here. Tension is palpable as we have the seniors meeting. People are not registering, what if there is no one in the hall that day?? What if the halls are empty and instead of the expected 700 only 300 turn up? What if .... and so it goes. Decisions are taken as, how to tackle the issue and how to address the growing concern of the attendance. Finally it is upon the HODs and the pleas that we can make to student community movers. The juniors are told to clear up the mess and get ready for the kill the next day. Decorations are decided and lighting is to be put up.

Day -1
There is a tinge of panic, people are rushing to meet the timelines, we hear that the dockets wouldnt be ready till 4am and they would have to be made thereafter. The photo copy material is yet to be given, rather finallised and its only after really restrained shouting that its ready and goes in for the copy making. When he realises he is short of paper. Again, there is a need for pads and pens for the next day and he blasts us off for coming at this short notice. But thankfully there is sir to the rescue and he helps the maximum he can with all our requirements for the next two days. Something that we would need. From decoration material to chart material all is brought and stored. The dockets are to be made at night and the renowned assembly line concept to be practically employed. The admin staff has never been so nice and so helpful, but today they accept everything we tell them. All our requirements are fullfilled and met with. From LCD projectors to screens, from cars to buses to bouquets, we are helped through the way. The walkies are also finally done. Then there is the final meeting of who is to do what and how. The final call is given to all volunteers and the numbers counted and fixed. It is now decided as to who would be in charge in the morning and would bring what all from campus. The food is served and once all are well fed, work begins again. Its already past 10pm and there is no hint of any loss of energy. The team is ready to begin the packing of dockets sans the dockets which are to come in the morning.
Its 11pm and we get the idea that the residences booked are unsafe. We take the remaining to safer grounds and make plans for the next day. An alarming fact of the absence of registration sheets is brought to fore and tackled by calling up responsible chaps and making them convey the names and the numbers. By 1am the lists are still being compiled. The docket material is ready to be put inside the dockets when they arrive.
2 am and most of the juniors are forced to go home and get some sleep to be ready for the next day. There is still no way a truck to carry the 12ft X18ft banner can be found. As we go get some refreshments for the remaining team, there is another couplet which goes in search of a truck. Finally the sound system is also being put in place at Hyatt and so also is the banner being finally taken care of as it is 3am. There are 10 of the team going to be awake and on duty for more than 24 hours now. Its certain that there is no respite to anyone. No one would be spared and work once taken would have to be completed before anyone can even think of the sack. Lists and coupons are finally printed as we push off to get the dockets at 4am. A little morning snack does us good as we return with some snacks for the chaps in the college and have some people woken up for docket filling. The team now gets to work in the quad and is ready with all 800 files by the time the first of the cars come in. The car is loaded and pushed off. Its already 6.30am. The second car is taken and the chaps are asked to push off and reach Hyatt by 8am. The cars also are then by 8am and well... hello.............

Its D Day ...
For many like us, there was no night and hence no difference between day and night. The final backdrop in Hyatt was also put up no earlier than 6.30am thus giving those people, only enough time so as to rush home get ready and report to duty. Things worked with and without precision. The students were coming in and reporting. The materials sans one thing was brought in. The numerous rounds that the qualis did was really helpful as it helped in getting all the stuff across and also the volunteers could do proper checks.

With only 400 odd people having come by 9.30am, the 3rd partition was done and the dignitaries kept occupied by our beloved dean and the pro VC. As the programme began, there came in an entire batch of over 100 students who unfortunately were taken to the wrong hotel. It was sad, that they came late as they were to miss the session. The session got delayed, delaying and shortening the tea break. The students were now happy to hear our speakers and the major tension of lunch time management was put in place. There was a quick meeting of all the volunteers and new directives were given so as to prevent any further mis-management. The lunch time saw loads of people trying to leave and having to be stopped. The logistics team was wonderful as it stopped and prevented a large escapade. The sessions were split and the tea break also saw a lot of squandering of the people wanting to take photographs etc etc. Finally when they were all in for the final panel discussion and when the valedictory guest had arrived, it was all so nice. The valedictory started just as the panel discussion ended and that was nearly the end of a long and tiring journey for all of us.

The end saw a sweet photo session and a meeting with 'Team Paragana'.The invitation to the corporate dinner was conveyed to the team and there was a lot of fun in the air. The morning had also seen the hostel placement dealt with and hence, now there was no tension. The liquor and hotel still created issues, but DP had her charm working and the corporate dinner was on.

For all there, including the beloved sandy, it was just wonderful. It was just the feeling of release. The feeling that now we have done what we were to do. Though the end was no where near, it still seemed like an end of a major event. A major relief. Usually relief material is supplied to floodhit areas. Why then relief here..?? This saw a different kind of flooding and well, the night was undoubtedly a memorable one. The morning next was really very very late and it didnt matter much for, the team here was different from the team there.

Lastly, it was a memorable experience and amongst the best times that I have ever had after any event organised till date.

Love u Team Paragana...

Paragana '08 and the wonderful juniors...

We began on a new note as a council. The first to be led by a lady. We were a team never believed to cross the oceans. Never trusted to make sea changes. But guess, the past few days have proved that all wrong. The kind of work that this council has done, is probably not seen in, in the past few years.

Its been a nightmare since we embarked on the journey for which we were trained and equipped with all the power that is vested in this high body - Paragana '08. Been here and done that for ages, it was nothing new, but the fact that there were far more pressing issues than ever before, made us all re-think on whether we could do it or not. Be it the financial crisis or the fact that we were missing a lot of our old hands. We all had to face issues as we didnt have those many of the trained lot to handle the things when hot.

But then, isnt it said that where there is will, there is way. Though nothing made our way, the very idea of assignments, SR's etc etc helped us all big time. The team that began to work was huge. But the only difference with all the years was that it remained so inspite of the time. Though God didnt give us the money that we would have loved, he gave us a team of juniors who were there eager to learn. One that would co exist yet compete. One that would join forces to make the impossible - possible.

Kudos to the entire team of juniors that we have here in the council. May God bless them all. I wouldnt usually say so. But here, we have a group that would pull our spirits up when we were down. One, that would go through shit if need be to get the thing through. One which shares our passion for work and for the council. One which believes in the fact, 'if it needs to be done, it should be done" come what may. Here is a team that helped us achieve what we wanted to. Its on their able shoulders that we had pinned our hopes of getting all we had worked for. From money, to people, to accomodation the juniors contribution is commendable. Its the immense hardwork, dedication and perseverance that has been shown by them as a team that helped our dreams come true.

I cant though discount the training that was imparted. Though they did it all, it was from the batch of seniors that the final deals were done. The very attitude that "Its decided that it would happen, so it should. Doesnt matter how and why" came from the stable of the experianced chaps. From being seniors, bossing over to being partners in the event, we all have travelled the paths together. The tension on our heads was just a little solace to them. Yet, there was no time when they werent there when we needed them. The last week or so was a time when the place was a war room. The time when they stood by us and with us. From the first to the last, they left no stone unturned. No company unapproached. No work undone. From marketing to calling, from creatives to logistics, it was all a part of the package that they were expected to do.

Though in varying degrees of sincerity, they stuck through thick and thin. From being juniors they became stakeholders in Paragana '08. They were the ones who offered their beds to the teams from outside. They were the ones who stayed put the whole night even when we werent there. The lot which didnt really expect much from us but was there to give in their best.

They have made us feel like a family. One which will remain through the years to come. A feeling of togetherness, of oneness. Its a bond that would go a long way. They have stood shoulder to shoulder with us to never make us feel that we were alone, but at the same time they have respected us all for what we are and for the year we have ahead of us.

We have given them what we could. We have taught them all we could, trained them more than how we were. Set a benchmark higher than was set for us. A benchmark which am sure they can surpass and do great wonders just if they apply all we have imparted and improve all where we fell.

Lastly, guys - a heartfelt thanks to u all. Love u all. Hope that you all get to where you are and dont go for the kill. Its always better to live and let live. Learn that and you would have the most powerful team that the council would have ever seen.

All the very best for all your future endeavours.

ps: Invite me for Paragana '09 next year...!!! Am sure you would do us proud.

It came, they saw and we conquered..!!!

Its something that I feel at this point in time. Its a culmination of all the hard work, all the toil, all the sleepless nights and all those fights and tiffs that we have had for the past so many months. Its the fructification of all that we have so longed for. The recognition, the feeling that 'yes, we have done it and its us and us only !!!' Finally the realisation dawns on us that we have done what we were to do. Our job has been done successfully and completely.
Well, its not been more than 1 hour since Paragana '08 ended and the deja vu has set in. The feeling of what to do now and how to get things "sorted" is here. How do I react? What do I do in life here at NMiMS now? Heavens, there is very little left for me to work on. Its been a year since we had cemented our place in this place and then on there was no looking back. Each and every moment in life is important. Each experiance is unique and special. The feeling of having grown old has now set in. Not literally but metaphorically yes, we have years behind us and have been here, done that. We have seen it all now, and I thank my stars that I didnt quit. I stayed put. I stayed where i was supposed to and did what I was meant to.

Lets put things into perspective now....
The things we gained here: The confidence, that NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE. Well, DP thanks a ton. U have made me realise that there is much more in life than acceptance. There is a lot of scope of getting things done. Its necessary that we say the right thing at the right time and in the right manner. Guess, HR skills is something I need. For the rest is sufficient to take wherever I may need to go.
Apart from the learnings, what I have is a great bunch of juniors I love. I wouldnt hesistate to say that I love my juniors come what may and would do anything for them as and when I can. I have a corner kept separately in my heart for them and all their woes. This event if not anything, gave me more friends than I would have made otherwise. Here is to all those wonderful chaps who spent hours in the council doing what we told them to. :) Yea, had fun bossing around.

Now its time we gracefully exited and stopped interfering every now and then. Its time we kept our eyes and ears open more and said less. Its time we realised that its 'it'. Sad to say, but now its time we handed over the baton to those we have trained.... :)

Well, am going to dedicate posts now to the event per se and the juniors... so hang on.