Author: anandnataraj

Entrepreneur, Blogger, Traveller, Pet Lover, Networker, Social Drinker, Party Animal, Movie Addict, Startup Enthusiast, Organic Gardner, Avid Reader....

Knowledgeable Sunday


Again Rooban made my day by introducing me to his BDE friend… We scheduled a meeting at noon in a Bar near Thambaram… The guy was marvelous with his knowledge and he gave me great insights about the subject and shared a great part of his experience which others resist to share.

Out meeting lasted for five hours and overall I got lot of cues from him… Not i’ve got some tips to start and from tomorrow it is upto me to strategies and execute all that we discussed…

Once again Thanks a million Rooban Bro…

A day at ECT Shelters Resort


Must thank Rooban for organizing a get together at Shelters Resort yesterday. He brought a bunch of his Business Development colleagues and I was thrilled because Business Development was one of my favorite area. As always it was fun to get linked with new buddies & we all got along immediately.

Totally we were 4 folks + 1 teetotaler :)… Asusual it all started formally by knowing each other and after couple of gulps we started discussing my favorite topic “Why they have not tried their hands on entrepreneurship?”… It was nice to know different reasons… But it all boiled down to Gut Factor…

Then we went out to see Shooting of some movie with all new faces… They were shooting an accident scene at ECR and immediately I got the dummy blood and applied it for some personal photo shoot… The shooting crew was polite in handling a bunch of drunken hooligans who were disturbing their shoot…

Over all it was a productive friday night.

What is my RealSelf?


It is been two years since I’m trying to find my real-self. When I look at myself after decade long career I’m not convinced with my achievements / accomplishments. Still in hunt for pursuit. What do I need? I don’t know. In this 10 years;

  • I choose a career of my like.
  • I choose hobbies of my like.
  • I choose friends of my like.
  • I choose business of my like.
  • Got parents who are very understanding & supporting.
  • Fairly independent when it comes to finances.
  • My second venture Cogzidel Consultancy Services is also picking up and moving on right path.
  • My main technology business is keeping me engaged.

But in spite of all that I’m not convinced / happy. I still keep thinking i’m missing something which I want. My friends advised me it is time to get married. But I’m sure i’m looking something for even better / bigger than marriage or a girl friend.

I must thank my friend for insisting me to watch the movie Fight Club and the Hero in the movie undergoes same problem as mine. Hero is a successful guy in his career and he buys all expensive stuff & enjoys a decent life. But in spite of that he suffers from insomnia and he starts hunting for his realself and he develops a split personality. He creates a fraternity without his knowledge.

Likewise i’m also in search of my realself and not sure how to do it. Not sure what to do and how to do? I’ve no idea. But sooner am planning to visit a buddhist monastery and lead the life of a Monk for couple of months to understand life. But my thought of this is being criticized by others. But I don’t know a method to find ones realself.

Unforgettable Events


There are many events that still lives in my memory and looks like it all happened yesterday;

  • Miss India event in with Sushmitha Sen & Aishwarya Rai contested in the year 1994.
  • Thiruda Thiruda was the first movie I watched by Bunking my Tuition during 1993.
  • Went to watch the movie Khadalan the day before my Maths Quarterly exam during 1994.
  • Cycled all round Chennai at Night with my ex-good Friend during 1995.
  • Watched the movie Ullathai Alli Thaa a day before my Common exams during 1996.
  • My first visit to Bangalore during 1997.
  • My vacation at Mangalore & Mysore during 1997.
  • 1999 New year Celebration at Bangalore.
  • My first day in College during 1997.
  • College trip to MGM Dizzy world during 1998.
  • College tour to Ooty during 1999.

All the above events happened before 2000 and it gives me a feel that I’m still living those days.

Ilaiyaraaja Vs A.R.Rehman


When we went for a Trip to Mysore there was an argument if Ilaiyaraaja or Rehman is great composer…. So, I thought I my make my point public… Letz compare both their achievements and then decide who is great;

Let us start with A.R.Rehman

  • Gave new dimension to Indian Cinemas.
  • Gave more opportunities to new Singers.
  • Took Indian cinemas Global.
  • Composed 65 movies till date.

Coming to Ilaiyaraaja

  • He set new trends in his times.
  • All his songs still lives.
  • He has composed more than 900 movies and 4500 songs.
  • Very versatile and can handle any sort of music.

Over all I can’t think of ARR’s music after a point. Where as Raja’s music still lives in my inner self and rejuvenates it me when i’m feeling low.

According to me it is Ilaiyaraaja d(>w<)b …

Where is your paint can?


A man landed a job painting the yellow line down the center of the highway, by hand. After three days his foreman complained about the job he was doing. “Your first day out, you did great,” he said. “You painted that line for three miles. Your second day wasn’t bad. You painted two miles. But today you painted only one mile, so it looks like I will have to fire you.”

On his way out of the foreman’s office, the employee looked back and said, “It’s not my fault. Everyday I got further and further from the paint can.”

This humorous story illustrates how we can complicate our lives at work and at home, if we are lacking insight into how we create additional stresses in our lives. Many times we look to a time management seminar or a book to tell us how to gain more time. Perhaps, we might do better to ask, “How can I simplify my life?”

Here is a brief questionnaire that can be used to evaluate whether you are unnecessarily making your tasks more difficult.

1. What systems do I have, or need, that will make sure that I use my time, resources and materials in a practical manner?

2. In what ways am I making my job more difficult because I walk back and forth between the unfinished “yellow line” and my paint can?

3. Have I let a habit lock me into a routine that is not only counterproductive, but also costs me time and a peaceful existence?

4. How can I further simply my life at work and home so that I feel more in control and more productive?

5. What unnecessary steps can I eliminate at work that will reduce the stress that I feel?

Like the man painting the yellow line by hand, if we fail to plan how to accomplish a task. We then lose sight of our ability to re-evaluate our activities and we may find ourselves walking the same path over and over again, but accomplishing less and less. If this becomes a habit, we may find ourselves on the road to burnout.

Taking a few minutes to analyze situations in which we have left our paint can far behind, rather than bringing it along, can lead to a happier more productive life.

Affirmation for the Week:

“I live and work in a simplified manner, and I frequently look up and survey my life to determine if I need to make adjustments.”

Have a fulfilled week!

Slow day but hectic work


Normally hectic work days moves fast. But this time it was otherwise;

  • As usual replying to email and interacting with people.
  • Then worked a bit on the wired frame for the new project.
  • Dropped Dad in office.
  • Then had a conference call with a friend to get information about some green projects.
  • Then had a Board meeting with Bala after a long time.
  • Then moved for a meeting with Kavi and discussed some new plans.

Are we acting?


Yesterday didn’t plan much to spend some time with my friend. As usual i slept long and started the day by evening. Then I picked my friend and went to Marina beach and from there I took him to a Roof-top restaurant near my house.  We started a formal conversation and after gulping some pegs it became too informal.

I’ve always admired this guy for his self-confidence and enjoying his life to his fullest. He is in his early thirties and still not married. Until yesterday I thought he is pushing his marriage for the sake of his career. Even i strongly believed marriage is a stumbling block for ambitious people like us.

But I was in for a rude shock. This guy on his high confessed that he wanted to get married and he badly needs a companion. I’ve seen a lot for friends who were very desperate for marriage and they have obviously shown that in their behavior.  But this guy has never once he has shown those symptoms.

From then on I was wondering if we are all living a false life? Are we acting?

With this experience I can say we are all living with a masked face…

Onsite offer


I was in flight, was going to onsite once again. was very happy plane takes off, n takes me to the sky. i looked outside the window, nice evening scene, feels like heaven.

i just lost myself in that beauty. Someone’s voice disturbed me “excuse me sir, would you like to have something?”   i turned back, and was surprise to see my beautiful old schoolmate, Saakshi.

“Hey Saakshi, is that you, how come you… Wow, you looks still the same, pretty.. In this Air-hostess suit”

“Saurabh, wo…..w, I cant believe this is you.. ohh sorry I am on my job, will talk to you later” she left smile on my face. I coudnt believe in my eyes, It reminded me my school days memories.

How crazy i was about her, always followed her after the school, wrote love letters, but never dared to give one of them. Always looking at her in the class, from last bench. she was the queen of our class. I fought with 2-3 other guys for her, how stupid I was.

I coudnt stop myself, looking at her again, I was amazed to see that, she became more beautiful then she were at school. She too looked at me and smile, then she said something to her fellow air-hostess, then they both started smiling.

I was clueless that wat happened. her colleague was also damn pretty. Oh my god, today you fulfil one of my dream.

I thought of going there and having chat with her, but i knew that, its her job, so I stopped myself. Again started looking outside the window. We were above the clouds making an awesome scene outside, also inside, because of her smile.

I got some courage, and pretended that I am going towards toilet. I looked at her, she understood what I desired. She came toward me and said : “extremly sorry yaar, I couldnt talk to you much, so say how are you, where have you been these many years, and whats your success story? for what purpose you are going?”

“hmmm… i was always there, it was you who left everything after school, i searched you, so many places wherever i could, but no existence of you. Then i completed my college, got a job in such a nice company, i didnt know, my company will give me this much, still i m going for an onsite job, dont know when will return back. you know, i got everything in my life except someone, with whom i can actually share my world, my success. someone…”

I looked straight into her eyes.. those blue eyes, i think she got the answer, who is that ‘someone’ with some pain in her eyes, she said, “sorry got to go,will give you my number”

I again, sat back to my seat,very silent, looking outside, and hoping some answer. It was dark outside by that time, some thunder in cloud, just like inside my heart.

Then suddenly, plane started getting hiccups.. everone got scared.. I saw Saakshi running towards mic, she made an announcement, that dont be panic as they are facing a storm outside. But plane started shaking badly, everyone started feeling its the last moment of their lives…

I keep on watching Saakshi, and she to me…

Then something hit my back hard and there was a complete darkness in front of me..

Deep silent, but i could still feel the shaking plane, and people’s scream..

Then someone shouted… ‘Saaaauuuuraaabhhhhhhhhhhhh !!!!!’

“Saurabh, wake up you are again sleeping in office, wake up, i need that report urgently”

Damn.. I looked here-there, same ODC, no Onsite, no plane.. no Saakshi..

I stared at my PM in anger.. Because of you only, that plane crashed!!

I STILL DONT KNOW, WHY IT HAPPENS DAILY BETWEEN 2 TO 3.

Story of Wilma Rudolph


Wilma Rudolph was born into a poor home in Tennessee. At age four, she had double pneumonia with scarlet fever, a deadly combination which left her paralyzed with polio. She had to wear a brace and the doctor said she would never put her foot on the earth.

But her mother encouraged her; she told Wilma that with God-given ability, persistence and faith she could do anything she wanted.   Wilma said, “I want to be the fastest woman on the track on this earth.”

At the age of nine, against the advice of the doctors, she removed the brace and took the first step the doctors had said she never would.

At the age of 13, she entered her first race and came way, way last. And then she entered her second, and third and fourth and came way, way last until a day came when she came in first. 

At the age of 15 she went to Tennessee State University where she met a coach by the name of Ed Temple. She told him, “I want to be the fastest woman on the track on this earth.” Temple said, “With your spirit nobody can stop you and besides, I will help you.”

The day came when she was at the Olympics and at the Olympics you are matched with the best of the best. Wilma was matched against a woman named Jutta Heine who had never been beaten.
The first event was the 100-meter race. Wilma beat Jutta Heine and won her first gold medal.

The second event was the 200-meter race and Wilma beat Jutta a second time and won her second gold medal. 

The third event was the 400-meter relay and she was racing against Jutta one more time. In the relay, the fastest person always runs the last lap and they both anchored their teams. The first three people ran and changed the baton easily. When it came to Wilma’s turn, she dropped the baton. But Wilma saw Jutta shoot up at the other end; she picked the baton, ran like a machine, beat Jutta a third time and won her third gold medal.

It became history: That a paralytic woman became the fastest woman on this earth at the 1960 Olympics.  

The moment you read this story, your mind reminds of that similar pseudo-inspirational moment in “Forrest Gump”. 

Who in this world is free of problems? Successful people do it in spite of, not in absence of, problems.

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second.  Give your dreams all you’ve got and you’ll be amazed at the energy that comes out of you.