Just a few days ago I read news article where some minister for earth affairs (I think I read something like that) announced to a packed press conference that “Rains are going to be below normal!” Then a volley of questions followed as to Why? What? When? Where? … etc. Well nothing great in that article but it left me with some questions.

What questions? Well some days ago I read in the newspaper that we are going to have “normal” monsoon. Then the prediction was 96% which is “normal”. Now our earthly minister is saying 93% which is normal in some parts of India. You can trust the great government and the MET to come up with some more funny numbers and definitions of “normal”. It makes no difference to the common man on the ground as he will be trying to look at the foreign weather forecasters and have some faith in their predictions. On the matter of predictions there was front page news which the weather bureau has predicted “heavy rains with thunder showers”. I had a bet with my wife that it is not even going to rain for more than 30 mins, and there will be no thunder and lightning. But my wife being a Government loyalist was more than willing to trust the MET office.

This prediction made me take out my car and drive it through the traffic madness of Mumbai. Well the overnight rain did leave some puddles which made the cars like mercs and toyata’s try to avoid it, thereby making poor maruti owners like me strictly following lane discipline and following the traffic.

Who makes these fly overs? Who reviews their design?? Can’t they see the obvious design flaws?? I mean the water on the fly over is definitely going to flow down unless we have issues with what one Mr. Newton discovered. So we have one flyover over Aarey Road in Goregaon which is a design disaster, as all the rain water accumulates at the bottom of the fly over and all vehicals brake and try to avoid the water puddle. To make matters worse, the road adjoining to the flyover near the petrol pump is also elevated and there is no drainage. This is how a bad design and lack of coordination between the implementing agencies and the planners is affecting the tax payers.

Back to the issue of rains, what that news article made me think is that – from the last 62 odd years since we have become independent, how can we not plan for something as basic as water security and food security? Is it that we are facing shortage or a drought like situation for the first time in this country? Where are the “lessons learnt” from the past such experiences?

It reminds me of one of the prestigious project which Sir Atal Behari Vajpayee had wished to accomplish at the time when he was at the helm of affairs of our country. Interlinking of all rivers in India. We have so many big and small rivers in India who empty their contents into the sea, or who are used as drainage system by some of the developing industrial cities of our country.  To get that project even kickstarted, it will take more than 20 years and by that time only God can save us! Remember a simple project like Bandra – Worli sea link took more than 10 years to build, and overshot the cost by more than 300% isn’t it? We can be world class if we can plan better, act better and do better risk management.

We are a democracy and that’s the biggest advantage (or a disadvantage as some may see), but we are sadly more underdeveloped than the rest of the nations. There is no use competing with the developed countries if we cannot think and plan for the risks affecting our country. Time for the normal and the learned to take over the reins of the country or we will be reactive to all the issues rather than being proactive!

Well this is not the first time that I have got wet in the rains. But this was a first in a long time that I got wet because I wanted to. It seems funny and childish, but hey … I enjoyed it.

When was the last time I had such fun? Well I started thinking about it and many monsoon seasons in my childhood are strongly etched in my mind. One when I was I engineering. It was a Saturday, and for some reason a holiday. It started raining outside. I was sitting with a drawing board on my lap, trying to draw a machine part using a machine (called as drafter – Engineering folks should know what a drafter is, others can please Google it J). I looked out of the window and wondered … Oh dear, now I will have to get wet in this rain while going to my friend’s home to work on an thermodynamics assignment.

Just then one of my classmates called me and said that they all are going out. “Are you nuts??” I asked him on the phone as if he is asking me to write an assignment on my own J. He was serious. He briefed me on the dress code and the essentials to bring and meet the gang at National Park gate in 30 mins. Since I stay a stone throw away from there, I had ample time to pack and go. I owned a small Kinetic Honda at that time, whereas all my other friends were having their swanky bikes with them. Its not that I was regretting my scooter, infact I was lucky to have one, some of my friends were not that fortunate to even have a Kinetic Honda.

We all gathered at the National park gate. 8 bikes and 17 passengers, we all were clad in shorts and a rain jacket, with some backpacks filled with snacks and water bottles. Plan was to ride down to Kanheri caves in the pelting rain. One skinny fellow had to carry 2 co passengers, I was lucky though to have a skinny guy sitting behind my back. The poor scooter had to bear the rain, wet road and all the loose stones and gravel. I removed its worry of shifting centre of gravity by having all the weight focussed on the centre of the bike … scooter.

So we all started driving down the national park in the rains. Our jackets had to bear the brunt of the big plonks of rain drops hitting it at high velocity and at an angle of 45 degrees (no I did not measure it!). We enjoyed the ride thoroughly, on the way we stopped at some waterfalls and some streams, and enjoyed the flowing water. It was an experience one could not get even after paying millions of rupees.

After some time we reached Kanheri Caves. We parked our bikes (including my tuk tuk) in a line and headed straight for the huge waterfall above one of the inner caves. There was some crowd there, but we managed to tread through the flowing streams and make our way to the other side of the waterfall which was a bit deserted. We dropped our luggage on the grass and head straight into the waterfall. Man it was cold and clean water flowing from a stream above our head. A chill went across my body and I screamed as soon as the water flowed inside my jacket. After some hours of playing a changed and tweaked version of water polo, we came out of the waterfall, had some snacks and drinks (soft drinks … for the imaginative amongst you all), we headed back to the base all drenched. Coming back was relatively easy as the rain did not matter since we all were already drenched.

Once back we had some nice warm tea with kanda bhaji. Man let me tell you, that particular dish seems like magical food at that time. I never thought road side tea was so tasty, but it was the weather that was making it taste good.

We picked up our bikes (and tuk tuks), and rode back to come home all drenched. Ofcourse the tuk tuk had to skid 2 – 3 times on the way as the centre of gravity kept on shifting because of two shivering bodies. We managed to reach home in one piece. All the guys on the bikes took off to their homes on their roaring mean machines.

When I think of that time now, I wonder … where is all the fun gone. Now a days we all are too busy even to call with half the junta sitting in different part of the world making a living. I miss all that adventure I had and I am sure I will try to get some of those moments back.

Maybe today’s rain drenching was a start ….

Next : … Monsoon adventures of Simhagad. …. Comin soon!

What is “Excellence”?

A man once visited a temple under construction where he saw a sculptor making an idol of God. Suddenly he noticed a similar idol lying nearby. Surprised, he asked the sculptor, “Do you need two statues of the same idol?”

“No,” said the sculptor without looking up, “We need only one, but the first one got damaged at the last stage.”

The gentleman examined the idol and found no apparent damage.
“Where is the damage?” he asked.

“There is a scratch on the nose of the idol.” said the sculptor, still busy with his work.

“Where are you going to install the idol?”

The sculptor replied that it would be installed on a pillar twenty feet high.

“If the idol is that far, who is going to know that there is a scratch on the nose?” the gentleman asked.

The sculptor stopped his work, looked up at the gentleman, smiled and said, “I will know it.”

The desire to excel is exclusive of the fact whether someone else is watching or appreciates it or not.

“Excellence” is a drive from inside, not outside”.

This is dedicated to the Sandwichwala at Naigaon station, whose sandwichs have made our brains good enough to be where we are now!

Enjoy the post. Thanks to Suhas for getting back the memories!

NORMAL PERSON : All that glitters is not gold.
GRE STUDENT : All articles that coruscate with resplendence are not truly auriferous.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Beggars are not choosers.
GRE STUDENT : Sorting on the part of mendicants must be interdicted.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Dead men tell no tales.
GRE STUDENT : Male cadavers are incapable of rendering any testimony.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Beginner’s luck.
GRE STUDENT : Neophyte’s serendipity.
 
NORMAL PERSON : A rolling stone gathers no moss.
GRE STUDENT : A revolving lithic conglomerate accumulates no congeries of small, green, biophytic plants.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Birds of the same feather flock together.
GRE STUDENT: Members of an avian species of identical plumage tend to congregate.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Beauty is only skin deep.
GRE STUDENT : Pulchritude possesses solely cutaneous profundity.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Cleanliness is godliness.
GRE STUDENT : Freedom from incrustations of grime is contiguous to ectitude.
 
NORMAL PERSON : There’s no use crying over spilt milk.
GRE STUDENT : It is fruitless to become lachrymose of precipitately departed lactile fluid.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Spare the rod and spoil the child.
GRE STUDENT : Eschew the implement of correction and vitiate the scion.
 
NORMAL PERSON : The pen is mightier than the sword.
GRE STUDENT : The stylus is more potent than the rapier.
 
NORMAL PERSON : You can’t try to teach an old dog new tricks.
GRE STUDENT : It is fruitless to attempt to indoctrinate a superannuated canine with innovative maneuvers.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Look before you leap.
GRE STUDENT : Surveillance should precede saltation.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Twinkle, twinkle, little star.
GRE STUDENT : Scintillate, scintillate, asteroid minim.
 
NORMAL PERSON : He who laughs last, laughs the best.
GRE STUDENT : The person presenting the ultimate cachinnation possesses thereby the optimal cachinnation.
 
NORMAL PERSON : All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.
GRE STUDENT : Exclusive dedication to necessitous chores without interludes of hedonistic diversion renders Jack a hebetudinous fellow.
 
NORMAL PERSON : People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.
GRE STUDENT : Individuals who make their abodes in vitreous edifices would be advised to refrain from catapulting petrious projectiles.
 
NORMAL PERSON : Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
GRE STUDENT : Where there are visible vapors having their provenance in ignited carbonaceous materials, there is conflagration.

This is one of the Forwarded email which i received. All credit to Venkat for sending me this wonderful gem of a piece. Enjoyyyy!!! It was raining heavily outside. Dark clouds gathered in the sky and nature was in its ominous best. I took a break from my work and wentto the pantry to grab a cup of coffee. I had a sip and went near thewindow to see the rain pouring down heavily outside the glassstructure. I was inside our huge office building, unruffled by even the fierceness of the nature. Through the heavy transparent glass, I could see a small girl trying to hold on to her umbrella which the wind was snatching away from her. I felt sorry for the girl, and was happy that I was not in a similar pathetic situation.

Yes. I take pride for the fact that I am a software engineer. I have everything which a common man would envy; money, status, respect, you name it I have it. I always wanted to be software professional and here I am, working for one of the best firms in the world. But then, am I really happy? Now, I could see an imprint of my palm on the other glass window, through which I reminisced my past, basked in the warmth of the sun shine. My childhood was so much of fun. I vividly remember those rainy days, when I hugged my mother tightly during sleeping listening to all the stories told by her. Now, I have a big house here, but then it is just a house, not a home. My parents are pretty far away from me now. I have a cell phone to talk to them everyday, but then I really miss those dinners which I had with my family everyday. I could easily afford to taste all the different cuisines these days, but the bes tof food there, lack the love and affection which is present in the food prepared by my mother. I threw a lavish party for my colleagues for my birthday, but then they would never replace the birthdays when my friends secretlybrought a cake and at the end, half of the cake would have ended upon my face.

The couple of hundred bucks that u save for a long period just to give a treat to your friends in the road side chat shop can never give the pleasure even after spending a few thousand bucksthese days. The scene of me crying and refusing to have dinner on the day when I fought with my best friend came to my mind. Today, she has gone faraway from me, taking away my love and with it my life, but I am sitting and coding here with a false smile on my face. Everyday I meet new people, but then I long ceased to make a new friend. It’s true that I have a lot of things now. I have a nice bed, but no time to sleep. Lots of money, but no friends to spend it with. The latest designer clothes, but a worn out body. Quite a few to flirt, but no one to love. Awards for technical excellence, but no reward for the crave for peaceful ambience. A confident demeanor, but a reluctant and apathetic mind. Full of rain, but no sunshine even in the farthest distance.

Now, I could see the small girl on the road enjoying in the rain with her umbrella firmly in her grip. She might not have all the comforts which I have, but then she has the innocence and fun which I lost along time back. I have decided to come out of this false fantasy, even if it is at the expense of losing the tap of the software engineer. I am going to again enjoy my life. I am going to go out in the rain and play with the small kid now. I removed my tie, and went near my computer to shut it down.

Just then, I saw a new mail alert in my mail box. I slowly opened outlook and I found a message from my manager with an attachment saying that there was a build given and I have to test it soon. I convinced myself that I am not going to get bogged down again by these pressures and stick to my decision. I ignored the mail and went to the rest room.

After a couple of minutes, the software engineer in me came out, his shirt tucked inwith the perfect tie knot, sat before the computer, and started typing, -

XYZ,

I am looking into the application and will send the status before EOD.

Regards …

 Here are some lessons learnt – How to crack PMP examinations -

·         Planning : I took an examination date which was one and half month later. There was enough time for the exam and enough time to start worrying about it. What helped me is i made a plan for how I will go about doing it. Of course plan is not an MPP, but a generic plan as to what will I study? How will I study? and When will I study?

My plan also included all the material I will go through for the study. It was important as I was advised by my PMP friends and colleagues that too many books and material will be disaster and it will be better to stick to one or two in addition to PMBOK. Material should be selected as the one which helps us understand the basic concepts.

·         Goal Setting : Well the ultimate goal of all this was to pass the examination and get the PMP certificate and the degree. However what I am talking here is goals to cover the study material. For example my goals were –

o        Take diagnostic test and find weak areas

o        Study the PMBOK 2 – 3 times (emphasis on weak areas)

o        Study other material 3 times (Kim Heldman, Philip) (emphasis on weak areas)

o        Solve all questions appearing at the end of all chapters of Philip and Kim Heldman

o        Solve at least 5 practice tests

o        Solve Atleast 3 final tests.

o        All 44 processes and 9 knowledge areas should be by heart! You should be able to write down all 44 process by 9 knowledge areas and PM Processes without looking at any material

o        You should be able to write down Inputs, Tools and Techniques and Outputs of all Process areas randomly. (not in sequence)

·         Executing the Plan : Study according to plan and ensure that you complete all targeted work every day. I had a problem in that, my mind used to wander a lot while reading books especially PMBOK. To ensure that does not happen I took a large print out of Rs. 20,000 and pinned it on my table board. Every time my mind wandered, I looked at that print out and imagined loosing that amount of money, and viola … my mind was back on track.

·         One of the mistakes which I did early was to mug up some of the stuff I was reading (of course the stuff which was alien to me – like the Motivation theories and Team building stages etc). The following is the key aspect of my success. My brain works really well on pictures. (Call it photographic memory or “A picture is worth a thousand words”). So what I did I imagined myself to be the Project manager in question and imagined that I was doing all that was happening in the processes. Like for example, for Qualitative Risk Analysis, I imagined doing all the information gathering techniques etc. It helps you understand the processes and purpose of the processes when you start imagining things.

·         You will get a lot of resources on the internet for studying PMP, but if you are really that rich (unlike me) to purchase some good material, I suggest that you buy Rita Mulachy’s PMP material. That comprises of real good test prep and reading material. It is a well recommended material for PMP. More at http://www.rmcproject.com/

·         During the exam you will find a lot of situational questions. Key to cracking those questions is to read the question completely (sometimes the wording of question is such that it is asking something else than what you think it is asking). Also make sure that you read all the options for the question as you skim through the questions. I made it a habit to read upwards from option 4 to option 1

·         There will be a lot of questions which you will think are difficult or all options look correct to you. The key to cracking these questions is to analyze -

o        What is the problem?

o        What is the root cause of that problem?

o        Which of the options best resolves the root cause?

o        Think if you were in that situation, and you are a PMP, how would you have handled that situation?

·         Finally, keep your eyes on the timer. Sometimes we forget that there is a timer running J

All the best for the exam.