Unfortunately that day has come….

How many roads must a man walk down?

Before they call him a man? .....

How many years must a mountain exist

Before it is washed to the sea

Yes, ’n’ how many years can some people exist

Before they’re allowed to be free?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind… (Bob Dylan – 1963)

Few days back, I was fondly watching all those humor strips on FB about Apple (I tune, I POD, I Phone and I paid types!) and was just wondering about Apple’s success story and it being a ‘cult’ brand. The other day , my husband and I were waiting for I phone -5 and were postponing our buy ( probably due to ‘Osborne effect’!!) and then I heard that Apple launched I phone – 4S and was bit disappointed like many.

Things change fast, sometimes within span of seconds. Never, have I thought that after few hours, I would hear deeply saddening news. This was the person who has touched the common man and changed the world. Spectacled yet visionary, frail yet possessing sharp brains and strong determination; this Man in ‘Blue and black’ (as he mostly appeared in his public addresses) carried the optimism and magnetism.

For me, he was just not the one who revolutionized technology and changed the rules of business, a true inspirer, a great innovator with 317 patents (and yes a risk taker!) but a great ‘Marketing man’ too. Mr. Jobs is a Marketing Genius! He possessed that infallible convincing capability.. Yes, he could sell with ease! The RDF (Reality Distortion Field) was the term coined by an Apple Engineer to describe his charismatic personality as he had the ability to convince about anything. He made the technology look so beautiful. However, he defied the rules of marketing research and had a different understanding. Mr. Jobs followed his intuition and did not believe in focus groups. When asked what market research went into the iPad, Mr. Jobs replied: “None. It’s not the consumers’ job to know what they want.” Still, he won the hearts of millions of consumer. Apple stores and genius bar (Apple’s retail strategy) is another story to tell. Not to forget, being secretive was a key ingredient to its successful marketing recipe.

He had those far-reaching ideas of tech revolution and I found this true as I finished reading the article in WSJ by Walter S Mossberg about the long conversations Mr. Jobs used to have with him about his columns and product reviews.

Apple and Steve Jobs have always remained one of my favorites. I ardently wish Apple a successful life ahead. Unfortunately the day has come when I have to say to the Edison of my era.... Goodbye Mr. Jobs! As you said, “No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be.." May your soul rest in peace.

मन

मन हैं यायावर , समझा कर जतन कर बिठाया

फिर भी न माना , झगड़ कर ऊँचा उड़ा और तूफ़ान से जा टकराया....

आवरण मैं हैं होता रहना , इस प्रथा को उसने न जाने कैसे ठुकराया

गायल होकर गिरा, जख्मो से ह्रदय को आखिर दुखलाया ....

जो मिला सबक , तो सोचा फिर न मन बहेकागा

न चोट लगेगी , न दर्द से फिर परिचय होगा...

पर हमेशा की तरह एस बार भी मैं मन को कहाँ बाँध पायी

अपने खोल से निकल कर नीर बन प्रवाहित हो उसने अपनी जगह बनायीं ....

वही कहानी फिर से थी दुहरायी , अंजाम की चिंता अब किसको थी

उड़ने का शौक लगा था ..अब गिरने की परवाह किसको थी......

ख्वाबों का गुलिस्ताँ हो और....

सतरंगी ख्वाबों का गुलिस्ताँ हो
कल कल बहती नदी का उन्माद हो
ऊँचे वृक्षों और लताओं सी फूलती चाहत हो
कभी ना ख़त्म होने वाली ऐसी हमारी कहानी हो...



अग्नि की तपन और धुँआ मैं उठती वो खलिश का अहसास हो
आसमां की चादर और मखमली गास की सेज हो

कभी ना ख़त्म होने वाला ऐसा सुन्दर हमारा जहाँ हो...

झूमती झीले और बल खाते फव्वारे हो

रौशनी की झिलमिल हो और बस नजारो के मेले हो
कभी ना ख़त्म होने वाले ऐसे सारे मंजर हो....


हवा के झोंको मैं बर्फ सी ठंडक हो
चट्टानों सा विश्वास और पर्वतो सा अंदाज़ हो
भटकती राहो मैं फिर कुछ पाने की तलाश हो
कभी ना ख़त्म होने वाली ऐसी हमारी आस हो...


धरा मैं ही हैं एक दिन मिटना और यह हो की कुछ नहीं हमारा हो
हैं सब कुछ नश्वर , फिर भी
ख्वाबों का गुलिस्ताँ हो और
कभी ना ख़त्म होने वाला ऐसा अमर हमारा साथ हो...
(नश्वर: Mortal)

P.S. : Photographs Shot at Yellowstone National Park, US

Aha, God’s own canvas…

After days of hibernation and hush- hush, I am out of my blanket and have bestirred myself; probably because the trip to Alaska has revitalized me. All beautiful things have the power to do that and there is no doubt that Alaska is drop dead gorgeous. It was an incredible feeling to step down on this picturesque land and Boy nothing can be better than the midnight Sun welcoming you with its golden rays. Had some movie script writer been asked to define the “great land”, s/he would surely define it is as a painter’s best creation, a musician’s most symphonic melody, a poet’s wonderful imagination, a bird’s fearless flight, a writer’s ironic plot, lover’s true love and what not. The unending snow clad mountains, majestic coast line and turquoise sea, glacier fed rivers, waterfalls, mesmerizing ferns, spruces, willows and the wildlife; all trying to embrace you in their own mystic charm. (This reminded me of Yash Chopra movies and I did very much wish to wear a Chiffon sari!) Well….there is no end to it and words really fall short when it comes to describing the divine beauty of the terrain painted by God and I bet you can’t withdraw yourself from its magnetic pull. Nature at its best!!

Going adrift in the wilderness or in the treasures of nature was indeed the best way to celebrate my wedding anniversary. It will sound bit filmy and dramatic but the goodness of huckleberry ice-cream, trees, ocean, mountains, glaciers, descending clouds, seals, whales, grizzly bears, moose and various other creatures - all witnessed the vows of our togetherness.

People say that Mt. McKinley creates its own weather. In the morning, when it was drizzling, we thought we won’t be able to catch a glimpse of the summit. But in the afternoon, the sun peeped out and brought with it a gift of “Mt. McKinley’s invitation” for us. The spectacular view of lofty ‘Mt McKinley’ is still etched in my mind. At an elevation of 20,000 ft, I really felt as if I was on top of the world. I just loved the very sight of icebergs calved from glaciers.

Another good thing about such trips is that you meet different types of people and learn so much from them. I picked up some odd contrasts too. Along with the silence of lakes and choppy waters of sea; gigantic mountains and narrow trails, Ice age and tech era, meandering along the trails and getting an adrenaline rush to encounter wild life or being at peaceful Talkeetna; I got close to watch few visitors.

While going to Denali, we boarded McKinley Explorer (Alaskan railroad) from Anchorage. I don’t know whether it was just a coincidence or something else that we got the coach shared by gray hairs and wrinkled faces, mostly ranging from mid 50’s to Mid 80’s. Yes! You read it correctly the lady sitting in front of us was 86 years old and was travelling with her friend who almost shared the same age. This lady was full of enthusiasm and was capturing every moment in the camera. As the narrator was pointing out, this lady flipped sometimes to 9 0’ clock position and at other times to 3 o’ clock position and throughout, she was energetic to capture and enjoy the beauty of nature. She was a real shutter bug and was in no mood to give up and I was amazed to see her energy level while I was already tired. I always grumble of ageing and not doing much in all these years but watching them, I realize one can enjoy at any point of time in one’s life span. Though you can’t beat age but when an 86 year old can plan to go and explore wilderness, that too with her friend; I don’t think age can come in between anything. And did I tell you that most of the elderly ladies in their 60’s and 70’s were well maintained and decked up, giving me a strong complex.

My experience on the cruise was to the contrary. After driving through one of the most scenic highway (Anchorage to Seward), we reached Seward to board the cruise. While we were busy running outside on the deck on 8 o’ clock and 2 o’ clock positions to watch and spot the marine life, a middle aged Indian couple was sitting calmly. Especially the lady was enjoying the “nature” very calmly. Very rarely did his husband come outside and take photographs. I could see the content on her face and she was coolly watching from inside, enjoying every bit of it. Later we realized that we were too busy taking pictures and videos and missed just sitting calmly- relaxing and enjoying.

Odd contrasts of high energy level and being composed and poised! Whatsoever! One must break routine and go out on such excursions to get recharged. It definitely helps and would fill you with enduring happiness!

Thoughts on Detour

I am with my daily newspaper near the poolside, just to inhale some fresh air. I look around and it seems that spring is back with all its beautiful colors. Weather is pleasant. And aha… my favorite chipmunk who occasionally roams around in the building is there too. The beautiful colors, fresh air and not even the chipmunk could hold me for long and I am back in my room.

It is a bit uncomfortable situation, when you and your bare thoughts are alone!! You don’t have that “mute” option to stop the volume of the thoughts. Both conspire in their own way leading to the place unfamiliar and uncharted. You argue with your own thoughts and it is always a win –win situation as it is either you win or your thoughts. But I kind of like such situations where I am just “me”: the best, good, bad and the worst of me all together; free from all pretensions.

I am not sure whether I want to write this, as my thoughts are still in conflict with my heart and ‘me’. No, I never want to sound so negative! Suddenly the spring colors are losing the sheen, world appear to be transacting and nothing else, though no radioactive radiations are around but the freshness is also not there, suffering and devastation is all I can see.

I fondly remember one of our friend’s son asking his favorite riddle every time we meet him: “the biggest pān (or Paan: betel leaf which is generally chewed) which nobody can eat?”

And he would then proudly answer Japan!

Now I wonder whether he can still ask this question when tsunami and earthquake have already engulfed the third most powerful economy of the world and when nuclear disaster is almost feared.

My thoughts are asking me, “Have you shed a single tear on those thousands of innocent deaths? You even cry when things don't work for you...”

I can’t lie. I answered: No!

Thoughts are playing rapid fire round with me ,“you seem to look busy preparing your weekend plan”.

I said, “Yes”.

My thoughts are back with a bang, “So nothing has changed for you?” and now I shrug and try to answer: No, it is not like that. I am worried about them.

Thoughts in action mode pose another question: “you look relaxed and think privileged that your family, friends and relatives are safe and so you do feel sympathy but not empathy.” Now I am in no situation to answer and I hate my thoughts when they ask such questions. I tried to overrule them by giving all possible explanations.

I want to give a pause to all such thoughts. I start reading the newspaper and find disturbing news. No one cares about real emotions. Doubt if Libyan Arab Jamahiriya as the name suggests is the state of masses. Don’t know if anybody cares about the civilians: Col. Gaddafi or European/ US and Arab forces marching towards Libya? Saudi Arabia is supporting the Sunni ruled Bahrain. On the another hand, Iran’s interest is adding fuel to fire to Shiite revolution ; which is nothing new as they have done it in Iraq and Afghanistan. So the nations are in rat race of grabbing the power and the emotions of the common masses are ruthlessly buried!

Somehow today my thoughts don’t want to leave me, but I want to; just like parents don’t want to leave their kids but they want to when grew older.

Now this one is real bouncer from my thoughts, “Haven’t you start losing emotions? Do you still feel the same way? Do you laugh at the jokes as you used to? Have you not become self centered? Nothing affects you so much”.

It was a real bummer. I feared to say, “Yes”. I speak to myself that I am becoming more like a computer. I could hear the inner voice which is shrieking on full volume and which I want to ignore, “not just computer but Watson!” as it only knows to win, though can’t feel anything.

Trivia…

It was Saturday morning…. Saturday mornings carry special sweetness and who wants to get up early? Gee!! It was 9 a.m. and I was all set and enthused to attend a FREE vegan cooking demo at one of the restaurant. So ‘Free’ and ‘Vegan’ were like music to my ears. On the contrary, my husband was already feeling as if he was in doghouse. The only incentive for him was the hope that whatever the Chef would demonstrate; he would get a sample to taste, as was written in their mail, “come hungry!”

So, I reached there and found that the place was already jam-packed. I finally grabbed a place to sit, though could hardly see what she was demonstrating. While the Chef was demonstrating, the waitresses with beautiful smile (second incentive for someone?) were serving the samples of the soups and stews. Darn…Why on earth do they keep such complicated names of the dishes, difficult to remember? May be, it is the way to glamorize the dish and give a feeling of enjoying something rich.

While collecting the used disposable cups and spoons, the young girl sitting next to me asked the waitress that she wanted to retain her spoon for the next delicacy as she did not want to waste one. Waitress smiled and said “Okay!” Meanwhile the lass gossiped with her friend that the waitress will fake it up and would take out a spoon from one cup and would serve it to her. She will still waste the spoon and pretend that she took care of her guest. Surprisingly, after three serves, I could see in my neighbor’s eye that she was wrong and that she realized of being genuinely served by waitress. Of course, this incident is no big whoop! But it tells that sometimes just fixing the things does not solve the purpose, but fixing it genuinely definitely does. Creating a difference between pretending and being original and genuine is quintessential. Such customers want more authentic experience.

I was wondering that the restaurant took no time in approaching and engaging us, immediately after becoming the member. Getting data is not a problem these days but using the data and engaging and partnering the customers is difficult. The restaurant tried all their efforts to make the cooking event successful (including giving gift bags to some) and in engaging guests. Another day while shopping for vegetables and fruits in a superstore, one unusual thing grabbed my attention. One fastidious shopper requested an associate that she wanted to taste apples. The superstore had no such policy. There were almost 8-9 varieties of apples and this guy cut each one of it and gave it to the lady to let her taste and decide. While removing those cut apples from the displayed position, this associate winked and whispered – ‘different types of customers!’ I smiled and thought he was right.

Most of the times it is not the big things which matter! It is those small incidents that help in creating an overall fruitful experience for customers. I have had many such experiences which are insignificant but impressive. Be it the guide who almost drove his cart all the way to help us in parking at right place in one of the shopping mall or the Clorox strips available outside one of the superstores to handle the shopping cart to prevent infection from other shoppers handling the cart. Or the very friendly exchange policy at one of the apparel store who refunded the entire amount even after the expiry of the term, as they understood the problem or the attendant wishing with great enthusiasm and cleaning the car at gas station while getting the fuel. Such stories are neither spicy as habanero chilies nor interesting as any reality Television show and bring no mirth but are significantly important to make the customers contented. Giving a good experience is like driving on the street and taking care of subtle aspects and not frenzying on a freeway. So piece of advice to companies from a customer: Trivial it may be.., but such small incidents if handled nicely can leave the experience of having some gourmet chocolate … melting slowly and smoothly in your customer’s mouth…

And did I mention the quote by the famous British novelist C.S. Lewis: “What does not satisfy when we find it, was not the thing we were desiring”?

Love is definitely in the air….

There has been a long gap between this post and the last post in spite of readership getting almost doubled from 18 to 36 profile visits. Voila, isn’t that remarkable? Only thing is that out of these 36 visits most of the clicks are done by me.

February is a month of love and love is there all around. Violin and guitar strings playing the right chords, classical romantic songs on the hit list, fragrances embracing the surroundings, cute teddy bears, chocolates and attractive roses, heart shaped balloons and philosophical status messages- all making love more lovable. Hold On!! I am not going to talk about tragic star lovers “Heer Ranjha’s” or “Romeo and Juliet’s” or the cheesy love story of Saif -Kareena! There is much more than that to talk about. You just have to move your neck and eyes to remove the veil of secrecy from the love stories whirling around.

Egyptians are perfectly in love with their hard earned freedom, ready to have a perfect candle light dinner with the ‘beautiful’ ever democracy. Love has become absolutely luscious for Deutsche Boerse. The sparkling wedding ring is all set for its beloved NYSE Euro next. Aah… an exchange with 219 years of rich history, almost for which New York is known for, is ready to sacrifice this for its love!!

Have you ever seen a person searching for love? His condition is exactly like the child, lost somewhere in the crowd, who keeps wandering , asking everyone and runs amok, till he finds his family members. Nokia was exactly in the same situation till it found Microsoft, with its smart phones sales declining, losing ground to the real hotties in the market, viz. , smart phones running on Google’s Android , sexy Apple I-phones and dashing Blackberry. Stephen Elop is trying to ignite the chemistry softly with not -so -soft “Microsoft”. Hopefully, this new valentine of Nokia may bring good fortune to it.

When somebody is in love, he or she truly feels ecstatic and so is Face book experiencing, being absolutely loved by all online advertisers (with 13.6% share of online ad display, as per Wall Street Journal) and being the heartthrob with 600 million users! How can I dare forget not mentioning the World Cup 2011 here! Almost every other Indian is madly in love with the game hoping that the history of 1983 will be repeated this time by 'De Ghuma Ke’.

But Beware!!Love sometimes taste sweet and sometimes bitter. As Robert Frost in his poem “To Earthward” talks about love then and now, evident from the two different stanzas, depicting its sweetness then :

‘Love at the lips was touch, as sweet as I could bear; and once that seemed too much; I lived on air’

And bitterness now:

‘Of tears, the aftermark, of almost too much love, the sweet of bitter bark, and burning clove’.

Therefore only time will tell that how love would taste for Sarkozy’s and Berlusconi’s. Love is saltier for the broken heart “Borders” too. When in love, you may commit mistakes, because love is often blind and so did Borders do. The biggest mistake Borders did was, when it transferred its internet operations to Amazon in 2001, including few finance and management gaffes. The lesson to learn: Play safe!! Hey…. don’t get dishearten, love is beautiful too as I said.

I have put enough of thoughts on boil. I have sufficiently stretched my neck and have almost popped my eyeballs out …and now let me do something for my love …. Oh! I can’t play around the trees like Bollywood actresses and sing songs and therefore, planning something special to bring smile on his face.. Love is definitely in the air… Don’t you think so?

PS: The first reader (or should I say the victim...) of this draft is obviously my husband and his instant comment was: “It is more like the play we just saw” and in sophisticated words he used the term ‘eclectic’ to describe it. And do you want to know what his reaction was after we saw the play 30 minutes before? He found that absolutely assorted, boring, unusual and was eager to move out of the theatre as soon as possible… I still believe love is in air as he read that for me.