Category: Personal

Gave a Presentation to TASMAC Students


Today was an interesting day in my life. Myself and Bala were invited by TASMAC (Training and Advanced Studies in Management And Communication) a B-School in Bangalore as Entrepreneurs of the Month and to give presentation for the inauguration of their new batch to give them insights on entrepreneurship.

 

We were sent proper guidelines about the landmark and their follow-up was very professional. Once when we reached there we were invited for lunch ad immediately we went to a conference room where there was this bunch of enthusiastic Budding Managers & Entrepreneurs. The class had folks from diverse background where in there people all parts of the country like from Kerala, Jharkhand, Bengal, Bihar and also saw two folks from Maldives and we shared some insights about the island nation.

 

I was delighted and I envied these smart folks as I didn’t have this much amount of guts or exposure when I was a student. They asked all sorts of questions where in I must say they got the best out of us. The topic we were questioned are on entrepreneurship and global meltdown. Some of the questions I can recollect are;

 

  • Challenges in entrepreneurship.
  • Is work experience required to be an entrepreneur?
  • Is it right to start a business in these down-turn economy.
  • Does place play a vital role in starting a company.
  • How far values and ethics play a role in business.
  • What are the ways to raise capital?
  • How to overcome bureaucratic challenges?
  • How long this recession last.

 

Also they were eager to know more from Bala about support functions and about his experience in being Head of Finance with Cricinfo.com. We shared lots of personal cases and real-time cases which we came across in our life.

 

Overall they say they enjoyed the session by we enjoyed a lot than others. Sharing knowledge always gives a fulfillment and satisfaction. I personally feel this a great moment in my life time.

What I did last Friday night?


After a tedious drive to Bangalore which lasted for 14 hours (Check this blog post for more) we all were tired and we all took a long nap and all woke up by 4.30 PM, took bath and everyone was ready by 5.15 PM. Then we wanted to goto the spot where Startup City 2009 is scheduled. It was a fulfilling night and we did following things;

 

·         Reached NIMHANS Convention Center where event is scheduled by 6 o clock in the evening.

·         We pasted a banner which has details of all our services in our booth and we met person who coordinates with us to know schedule for Saturday.

·         Then we straight to Garuda Mall around 8 o clock

·         As everyone was hungry because of skipping our lunch we headed to food court to have our dinner.

·         En route on the entrance of food court I saw this small shop painting temporary tattoos and I was longing for a long to time to have one. I choose my star sign Pieces to be tattooed and it took less than 2 min to get it done. I got it painted on my right hand and this will last for one week with some instructions to be followed.

·         Then we all had our dinner and I had dosa and 4 glasses of sugar cane juice.

·         Then we booked Shinjaku Incident a Jackie Chan’s movie ticket in INOX cinemas.

·         Then we wanted to buy some tray, bowls for the event and we were unable to find our needs in the mall.

·         We thought of going to Bangalore central to buy them, luckily we found Home Shop opposite to Garuda mall where we found all that we needed.

·         Then we returned back and checked our weight in a weighing machine and headed inside the theatre.

·         I really loved the movie and Jackie Chan played a different kind of a role which was way different from his Image and he has really sizzled.

·         Then we returned home and we (myself & Bala) gave a small training to Ramanan & Boopathi on how to handle enquiry in the booth.

·         Then I wrote some blogs before this, then I checked emails, read some days news, checked slides for tomorrow’s presentation.

 

Now it is 3 o clock early morning and have decided to wake up by 6 o clock and reach the event spot by 7.30 AM so that we can be settled and well prepared when the event starts. So, let me take a short nap and get back to you tomorrow with live tweeting and blogging of my experience when every I find time.

 

Until then it is Good Bye everyone :)…

Need info on Hair Transplantation


I’ve been suffering from hair loss right from my childhood. I thought by this time I must be fully bald but fortunately the falling has come down but still I’m sure I’ll be bald one day. So for last 2 years I’ve been collecting information about Hair Transplantation methods available and I’ve met several cosmetologists, dermatologist and other consultants who promise for hair growth.

 

When I was googling about Hair Transplantation and I came across this answer for a question posted by someone. I’m not sure about the authenticity about the post. So if anyone of you have experienced personally or thru friends / acquaintance please share your thoughts here.

 

This is what I read in Yahoo answers.

 

Well Amit I’m Krish from Delhi. I have been through this surgery thrice. Regarding your question, I would like to say something & then help u.

 

I’ll write u straight forward- see hair transplant what u r concerned of right now is a very hard job, well doctors say not much. But still you have to bear a lot of pain during the surgery & even after that. But the good part – your head bandage will be opened by the next day or according to the doctor, also you will be paying a quite a lot of money. But that’s upto you.

 

The most bad part is what I’m suffering right know is what you will have to bear after the surgery – i.e. you will see some marks remaining on the area where the transplant is done, it looks rash like something, even same marks will remain in back of your head from where hair is taken to get transplanted to the area where you are willing to do.

 

The worst part is: when rest of your hair falls one day and when you get old transplanted hair will remain, just think of the scenario – the rash kind marks discussed above could be seen. Even if you want to get your head shaved (ganja). You will not be able to do it because of the transplanted marks which will be exposed and your entire friend’s circle or any one can pass comments, bad comments at you, even you would feel embarrassed when you stand in front of a mirror. So my suggestion would be “keep it normal” because I am suffering from all these problems & you are also likely to be suffering from those problems my friend.

Summer Synopsis!!


Summer has come to an end and a lot of things have happened in this one month…

 

  • Month started with days out with my MBA folks…
  • Followed by MBA convocation which I received from Mr.Sashi Taroor.
  • I fulfilled my mothers wish by taking her to a pilgrimage tour to templates in south Tamil Nadu. Some famous temples we visited were
    • Palani
    • Azhagar Temple
    • Pilliar Patti
    • Thiru Kostiyur
    • ChakarathAlwar
    • Srivilliputtur
    • KanniyaKumari Amman
    • Suchindrum
  • Then one of our products Beatz started to get momentum and I was happy to see results of our hard work.
  • Then came the hard part our successful product Beatz had to be pulled out temporarily because of a competitor.

 

Now what am I supposed to do this month.

 

  • I’m suffering from sleeping disorder (insomnia) this month. There were 2 – 3 days where I didn’t sleep. I’ve never been thru such a problem before. I use to boast to my friends that I was gifted with the habit of sleeping at will. When I read in papers that people use to have sleeping peels I wonder whey they do that. Now I’m one such victim and I must go for a check up and get this cured.
  • Then because of summer I’ve kept my weekend vagabond trips on hold. I’ll probably start it back by 3rd week of this month.
  • I must get the vacation order trashed for Beatz and bring back Beatz for customers.

Bad times big opportunity for startups!!


I started my entrepreneurship ride during the year 2000 in the month of September. It was the starting days of so called dotcom bubble. The buzz, happenings and the glamour have all come to a halt. It was one of the worst times to even think of starting a company and that too offering Web based services. We were criticized left right and center for becoming an entrepreneur. My parents asked me to take up higher studies and my friends asked me to take up a job till things revert back.

 

In spite of all those obstacles I started my company with the help of my mentor and well wisher Mr.Shunmugavel Yogan, founder TheITDepot.com. Initial struggles were enormous… When ever I failed there was more criticism than getting moral support… We had no mentors and also the startup ecosystem was not mature… Everything was starting to take shape unlike today;

 

  • Opensource and frameworks were starting to emerge and were not usable. So, we had to develop everything from the scratch.
  • There were not many market places like elance or scriptlance. We had to depend on forums and on top listing on search engines (SEO).
  • Startup ecosystem like proto.in, barcamps, open coffee clubs etc were not there.
  • Also the concept of bootstrapping was new. There was an illusion that to start a business one needs huge capital.

 

In spite of all those odds we were able to strike it big and I personally feel we can see persons best only when his character is put on a test. Why I keep repeating these kind of post is because I see many enthusiastic people who want to become entrepreneurs keep telling me reasons like it is recession, market is inflated, family commitments, emotional commitments etc.

 

Unless we have control on us we can’t strike the gold. So instead of getting inspired by successful people try to know their path to success which can teach you lots of lessons.

GLIM eMBA Batch 3


GLIM emba III
GLIM emba III

This is a picture that stands close to my heart… They is my MBA batch and I’m glad to be part of this Batch… We didn’t know each other and each of us had too much diversity even by age… I was the youngest at 26 and the eldest person was 45 when the batch started 2 years… But we all stood united with great compassions which I realized when I was totally down last year… I can’t forget those 90 days where we were together studying, playing volleyball, swimming and many more activities :)… Learning was fun filled… Now I’m worried as those days have become history and can’t come back and I’ve to live with those greener moments I had spent…

Me ICICI & CIBIL


Once upon a time way back in 2004 I was offered a credit card by ICICI Bank… I’m a big user of the plastic and I use it for my personal needs and also to settle my company bills… My normal use every month was around Rs.80,000/- and I promptly settle my dues on or before the due date…

 

Everything was going fine until I got an offer from SBI Bank Card for a 3 month interest free balance transfer… I thought it was an attractive offer and opted to take it up and I received a Cheque from SBI from their Delhi office… Then I promptly presented in ICICI bank 15 days before my due date and received an acknowledgement from ICICI bank…

 

Then I was shocked to see my next ICICI statement which had late payment fee, Interest and service tax… On verification I came to know they presented the Cheque 2 days before the due date and the Cheque got realized after 10 days from the date it was presented which was not my mistake…

 

I took it to all levels of their Customer Support people with all documents but they didn’t try to solve the issue instead they asked me to repay due which was around Rs.5000/-… After some time they started sending Collection agents for collection and every time I had to show them the acknowledgement slip… Over a point they started disturbing thru phone calls and sending agents to office and to my house… I thought I must take this legally but my friends said paying a lawyer fee for this amount is not a good idea…

 

Then during the year 2006 I wanted to purchase a Plot of land by taking a loan and my loan was rejected… Only then I came to know about CIBIL and I was told I was a defaulter… It was then I realized my mistake of not taking ICICI legally… Even at that point I had an opportunity to file a suit but at the cost of forgoing my investment plan… I tried to convince the other bank with all valid receipts and explanation… Even they didn’t accept my genuine case and asked me to settle my dues with ICICI first…

 

Then I was forced to make a settlement with ICICI and with the settlement letter I got my loan passed…

 

Now a year back I applied for a personal loan which got rejected stating that I was a defaulter… Now even after 2 years of making a settlement CIBIL has not removed my name from their database and in future too I’ve to undergo the irony of my loans getting rejected…

 

I was penalized for a mistake of an ICICI employee for presenting my Cheque late and for not taking legal action on time which worries me till date…

 

Now there is even more bad news for us… CIBIL is currently available only for Banks & Financial institutions and RBI has given them approval to provide service to other industry verticals like Telecom and Insurance… This means late payments of premiums and telephone / mobile bills will also be added to our credit history…

 

CIBIL is definitely a better system but they must evolve themselves quickly fix genuine cases too…

 

After a long time with the help of Money Today magazine go an answer to my problem to remove my name from CIBIL… I tried one of their recommendations and it was not effective and must try the second one… They have recommended two options;

 

  • Request the bank to take note of the changes and report it to CIBIL… (Tried without luck)…
  • Get the control number of your credit report from bank, then contact the CIBIL helpdesk (1800-224-225), quote this number and register the error…

A.V.Meiyappan Junior Football Team


avm

This is AVM Junior football team and this team won that years zonals… I was in 8th standard and all are my friends… Unfortunately I was not selected in the team and I’m not in the picture…

Is LTTE’s defeat good or bad?


I first came to know about LTTE from Sri Lankan refugees who were our neighbors… Before getting into the subject let me start by listing things that admire about LTTE

  • I think this long resistance by an organization which has been isolated by most of the countries and fight the army of a country is not a small task…
  • Tremendous leadership skills of V.Prabakaran for creating such a group… Even if he is defeated and killed he has a place in history…
  • Their never say die attitude… There are almost wiped off and still they are fighting till their last breath…

Now coming to the point “What this defeat of LTTE” means to Lanka, India and the world?

First we must know the method opted by LTTE is not right and they deserve this end… LTTE has created a face/image as if they are saviors of Tamil Eelam but there are lots of hidden truths… LTTE in itz early stages has killed many Tamil leaders to gain dominance in the region… So, Tamil’s in the region had no other option other than to join the force to fight for the rights…

I was an infant when Tamil – Sinhalese problems started… But I came across many stories, point of views & perceptions from Tamils and Sinhalese… I personally think Tamil’s in Sri Lanka must take lot of cues from India… Even India had itz own ethnic problem between Hindus & Muslims, Tamils & Kannadigas, Maratis & Biharis but still India copes up with this and still it is progressing…

Second point is where ever it is the minority community must learn to adjust/cope with the majority community (This might sound controversial) but I believe in my statements…

What every the case may be I wish this end of LTTE must bring peace and prosperity to the Sri Lanka… We must not loose an island which is known for its natural beauty and a culture which is fun filled…

My MOM the greatest!!!


120x240This is the first blog I’m dedicating to my mother, in fact this is the first time I’m dedicating something to my most beloved person in this earth… I feel ashamed of myself for getting inspiration from Indusladies.com; without them announcing the Mothers Day contest it didn’t even strike to do something like this… Many a times I was thinking hard for a blog topic for a blog post and I don’t know why this didn’t strike me… Anyways thank you Indisladies.com for striking a nail in my head…

 

I personally owe a lot to my mother for without her I’m not in this world… I don’t know how many times I’d have provoked her but ever time what she gave in return was her kindness… Further more she is one of the smartest person in the world ever I’ve seen… Let me share this experience;

 

I bunked my classes for the first time when I was in my grade 10 and got caught!! Can you all guess how?? While washing my uniform there was no dirt in the collar and she caught me…

 

She always taught me the value for money and how to lead a life within our means… Though I differ with his point what I admire from her is the way she managed things when my father was the single earning member and the no. of people who are dependent on his income were more (myself, mom, sister, fathers mom, fathers elder sister)…

 

Mom was always good when it comes to money and she saved a part of my father’s salary without his knowledge and she was able to buy a ground / plot of land and she was able to use some money for constructing our house… I’m sure my father would have built a house for himself (he would have spent more for me, my sister and his siblings instead of saving)…

 

I’ve always been very poor in my academics and I was the biggest head ace for my mother and after my graduation I ventured into entrepreneurship and was fairly successful and I’ve not done anything to my mother…

 

What my mom expects from me is simple things like having breakfast/dinner together and taking her to temple… But I’m unable to fulfill her small wishes like this… I’m planning to take oath for this mother’s day to make my mother happy by fulfilling her wish at least one day in a month…

 

Also I’m wondering what gift I can get for my mother for this mothers day… Please help me by giving some suggestion…

 

I take this opportunity to wish my mom and all beautiful mothers a Happy Mothers Day…

 

For sure I’ll make a blog post on 10th May 2009 on what gift I’ll be getting to my mother…