xkcd rangoli

Software Industry - 2

The biggest problem a software company can face is presence of non-technical/semi-technical people in engineering departments. Things get worse when these people are at the top of the hierarchy. Often these people are manipulative and do not understand the problems faced in creating technology. Effort estimation is done by basic mathematics without taking into consideration the various human aspects to it.

Then there are other kind of people : over-technical. These people do not have a life outside office and are distantly related to outer/social/cultural world. They are not as big a problem as the former one but they do spoil the culture of the company by eliminating the fun factor from life.

A company must ensure that work-life balance is promoted as a company policy and more importantly correct people are placed at correct positions.

Indian roads vis-a-vis industry

There is a clear replication of road/civic sense in work places in India. Anybody who has visited India would be aware of the way Indians drive. (Many Indians do not see anything wrong, that's a different story). Jumping red lights, continuous honking, changing lanes without indication, utmost disregard for pedestrians are just few of the characteristics that would describe a typical Indian driver. There is an urge to move faster even at the cost of violating other's rights.

Now move to Indian industries, especially IT industry (that' where I work) known for its cost-effectiveness. Projects executed here represent height of mismanagement. Passing the buck is the mantra. Lack of foresight ensures that every single project ends up in a pressure situation. Only deadlines matter, distribution of load and planning the execution do not. Refusal to accept an ill-planned decision is termed as inflexibility. `ASAP' is attached as signatures to all mails. There is tension, pseudo-pressure and pseudo-urgency. There is an unwritten rule to portray that one works, even if you don't. Health and personal life do not figure anywhere.

Though we think, both on roads and at work places, that we are working hard and for better, it is hardly the case. We end up with an average speed of 30 kmph on roads and delayed projects at work. Having worked and lived both in Europe and India, these shortcomings are more prominent to me and I do not blame individuals for such behaviour. It is the system that shapes individual behaviours. How are we going to change ours - is a big question mark!!

Tour de Belgique

I had two options for my last weekend in Belgium. One to play another lazy cricket tournament, other to cycle from Namur to Dinant. I chose the second option and have no regrets of doing the same.

Though Belgium has not as cycle-friendly tracks as the Netherlands has, still this track has some of very scenic views. Also, along the track one can see a lot of activities going on, like kayaking, para sailing, motor boats, (some serious) rock climbing etc. It is easier to capture some good views on the way back than while going to Dinant.

It took me around 2 hours each way. The total distance (to and fro) comes out to be around 60km.

I think it would be my last activity here in Belgium. It was a wonderful year that I would cherish for years to come.

A journey coming to an end...

It has been an exceptional last year. It was fruitful in many ways. Infact, it was one of the better years in my life. This period, starting from September 2007, was my 'vanvaas' in Belgium. This is coming to an end with me returning on 16th October. This is what I managed to do in this year:
- learnt cooking in true sense, whatever cooking I did in italy was just fooling myself
- read/listened to 'Alaap' - A discovery of Indian Classical music
- been to places in Belgium, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Den Haag, Paris, Venice, Rome, Pisa, Barcelona, Munich, New York and India twice.
- created my first internet video (already 1000+ views :D)
- continued with my reading about Indian history and culture. Discovered a lot of things.
- had lot of time to do physical workout - jogged, play cricket and basketball
- did some software setup and development for a small company.

Now going back to NCR, I will miss a lot of things I do here because of single stupid thing that will wipe out all my energy - traveling. I hate to admit but as much as I love Delhi, I hate the distances that it has. I hope either I will find a solution to it or get used to it.

Nehru's viewpoint about 'Aryans'

(Reference Episode 2 of 'Bharat ek khoj')

Nehru's point of view about 'Arya' seems to be influenced by European historians of that era. European historians used the concept of 'Aryan' race to divide India and to propagate their supremacy. Most historian today believe that 'Aryan invasion' was a myth. Also, the use of RigVeda's hymn about Indra freeing the river does not corroborate the fact that Aryan came from northern regions to Sindhu ghaati. Since, if people of Sindhu Ghaati had made dams on the river then it would mean that Aryans were living in southern regions compared to them.

One more thing that disproves the Aryan invasion theory is that it is believed that 'Aryan' race was barbaric. It does not seem very likely that a barbaric race would suddenly become so civilized and spiritually and philosophically so elevated that they would create something like Rig Veda.

Indeed, 'Arya' means noble. It was perhaps used like 'Gentleman' in English language. No doubt, there has been a lot of migration in current Northern India which used to be Madhya Desh during ancient times. But an invasion that wiped out early Indians is unlikely.

From the ruins...

Lyrics of Indian ocean's song:

ॐ यज्जाग्रतो दूरमुदैति दैवं, तदुसुप्तस्य तथैवैति।
दूरङ्गमं ज्योतिषां ज्योतिरेकं, तन्मे मन: शिवसंकल्पमस्तु॥

ॐ सहना ववतु, सहनौ भुनक्तु, सहविर्यम् करवावहे।
तेजस्विना वधीतम् अस्तु, मा विद विशावहै॥

(still missing one shlok...help me to complete)