My Professional Journey

It has been already 4.5 years since I started working and I thought that it is right time when I consolidate my learning and make myself ready for new challenges!

People generally mention their work life as pretty commonplace and routine, but I feel that there is so much to learn from your peers, manager, team and the evolution that you see in yourself while dealing with variety of people, clients and projects. I have thoroughly enjoyed my work life and what it demanded from me in the form of technical, subject matter, attitudinal and behavioral skills.

Some of the key milestones:

• First project- Perfect fit for MBA (Segmentation), however it made it very clear that irrespective of your knowledge of subject, you are toddler in the professional world. I learned SAS coding and working on highly unorganized data with very poor quality, which defies all the theoretical analysis building. More than that, I understood that this project was not about segmentation. For that we already had a tool, it was more understanding of the client's business, their perspective on the project requirement, and how to stay up in a team with 5 technical experts who determined the trajectory of the project. We had already drilled this business problem into a technical process and I had to connect some dots.
• Pilot for a big player- This was the most interesting phase for me! I had resolved to make sure that we must nail it and I was involved somehow in 5 of the 6 projects! Now that was "fun and learn" a lot of business sense. What to recommend, how to recommend, drill down and obviously playing with lot of data. Gather, Prepare, Analyze till you get something significant. We didn't do any of high end advanced analytics as compared to my last project. Still, it was a true problem solving. Yes! in many of the cases, we validated client's hypothesis or added a few to it.Yet, the journey was fulfilling right from kick off to end presentation. It was worth it and did I say that we won the pilot!
• Text Analytics- This is worth a mention. Everything in this project was ambiguous and had 3 or more ways of doing it. We never could converge and every time, when we thought that it is finalized and aligned, we had a new discovery! There were lot of nightouts, weekends, holidays, special events consumed but the end results was something we all are proud of! It was a project where I learned a lot about handling an indirect question with the toughest group of people. No pain, no gain!
• First Dedicated analyst- This was a new thing on the board and I was the first one to go. My client was generally perceived to be very demanding, however, right after a week, she sent appreciation mail to the higher management asking if she could reserve me for 5 years. I thought that I had won the case, while it was far from over. Those everyday calls,  where I received so many ad-hoc and change requests from her end, and then some complain emails from our sponsors, I was learning a lot-how to deal with a person who would raise it to my management for anything. Moreover, next steps or priorities lasted only for that day, the next day they changed drastically. However, with those requests,  two thing happened- I became immune to appreciation/ complain, I gained high domain expertise.
• Training coordinator- Meanwhile, I did some coordination and training for new batches, which opened doors for multidimensional learning and finding avenues to learn more. Finally I realized one of my key strengths- I get things done! If it is all about accountability, seniority levels didn't trouble me a lot. I knew that we have to get it done and followed up to make sure it does get done. Moreover, having good relations and some flexibility went a long way in making people ready to help.
• Being a Manager- This is pretty interesting. I can start delegating and just review! No that is not the case. In fact you have to be on your toes almost always. Here, you can influence, review or plan, but the execution still matters the most. Every individual is different with different needs and ambitions. What works for one, doesn't do for another. Then there are moments something goes completely wrong and you have to understand and be a shock absorber! You want to allow them best growth possible, condition them to take next level of responsibilities and do their appraisal- It could be extremely rewarding or horribly upsetting for you as well. I have seen both extremes of the spectrum and felt overwhelmed completely. One has to be really hard not to let it affect them.

That is what I could remember the most important milestones in my career so far and how they caused my evolution as a professional. Well I am still learning the tricks of the trade and surviving some.

Inspiring success for me!

There are times when I feel inspired by the way few people lead their lives, outgrow their limitations, face the most twisted situations bravely and evolve to become better humans. We often meet people, who have accepted their situations, felt victimized to their fates, self-concept and the people around them. It is easier to crib and accept it than to face it. However, in my opinion, people who value themselves are the ones capable to make those changes, because they care enough about their dignity, aspirations and life to let it go in drain. I want to give an account of the people I respect a lot for their attitude towards life and the choices they took to make lives better for themselves and the people around them.

My Dadi: She was an IRON LADY. I cannot think of a better word for her. Someone who lived her life with great dignity, with virtually no financial support, managing my grandpa and her kids (7 of them)(there is a long story on each one of them as to the serious troubles they added), had very modern thought process, took responsibility inside and outside of her home singlehandedly. She could  go anywhere all alone, get her way out of the rowdiest people. Whatever I have heard of her and seen in my childhood, I can't think of a stronger character having such a high  influence with such limited resources. Hats off to her!

My Mother in law- She is another person who rose from dust to glory on her own. Married at a tender age of 15, with highly dominant in-laws, she had no control over how she was treated like a doormat. But once she got the shell broken due to the unfortunate demise of father-in-law, she rose like phoenix from the ashes despite no support from anyone. She chose to stand for her dignity, her family, resolve disputed issues, continue to do job and today she is one of the most respectable member whose opinion counts. She is the safety system who ensures that we (I and bhabhi) get the deserved respect and freedom.

My brother- He is someone I admired right from childhood due to his intellect, opinions and free will. His beliefs have inspired me always. He chose his life trajectory, and knew how he wants his life to be. He knew what his life should not be and tread the path without any fear, insecurity, with no desire for luxury. 5 years of job were sufficient to support his next 5 years of social service stint, education plans, travelling across India. He has defied social norms and boundaries to live the life he wants to lead.

My friend, Archana- I have learned a lot from her. Her happiness, optimism, positive belief in natural justice is really inspiring. I have seen her in so much trouble and yet being so cheerful and making everyone around her so happy with her charming smile, innocent jokes and wittiness that people around her often say "is ladki ne apni zindagi me problems nahi dekhin hongi". Sometimes when I think about her, I feel great to know her and she being present in my life. She can go out of the way to rule out any unjust behavior with anybody, fight with them, and yet maintain great relations with virtually everybody. She is a perfect blend of emotional, mischievous and practical, because her sense of responsbility and philosophy of  Being happy and making other happy" is so amazing!

I can go on to add people who would have had great inspirational impact on me, but these are the people who I admire a lot for what they chose to be amidst what litle they had as part of glory.

Amitabh's Most touching movies I have seen

I was never a very big Fan of Amitabh till I grew up. Now I admire his acting more than anybody else. He has defied all norms and has grown to be an all-encompassing superstar. Even today after 30 years, he can make a movie watchable because of his acting and charisma. It is not that I love all his movies, Many of them I have never watched and don't even want to because of typical masala content, but he is a gifted actor who can show a variety of emotions with effortless ease. Here are my top 10 Amitabh movies which I love watching again and again.:

• Deewar- None of my favourite movies list can be complete without this one. It is one of the best work according to me. Each and every scene,dialogue has been crafted so well that it makes huge impact. Amitabh's eyes and expressions are so phenomenal that when I look at him, I only visualize the pains and suffering that Vijay went through. That character he played would remain etched in my heart forever.
• Abhiman-Again one of my favorites! Here he played a grey character. He is not the typical ideal hero, he is rather human who has vices, not so perfect, very fallible, but loves his family. His agony, frustation and attitudinal changes are so perfectly illustrated by Amitabh. He looks a perfect choice for this role. This movie itself is inimtable classic by Hrishikesh Mukherjee.
• Shakti-  Many people try to draw parallel between this movie and Deewar, but if you see carefully, there is a significant difference in the plot as well as Amitabh's character. In Deewar, he was angry at the situations he faced and has no anguish with anyone in his family. Infact whatever he did throughout was out of the angst at the wrongs faced by his family. In Shakti, he could have repeated the same performance, but he chose to do it differently. He is a rather loud guy, who openly criticises and mocks at his father, but has deep angst with the fact that he his not loved. Again this movie is a masterpiece due to the plot as well.
• Saudagar- Fabulous movie! it is a low budgeted one. Amitabh has played an extremely negative character and you would hate him at a point. He seems to be guiltless and very cunning, but after that, his agony is more atrocious than him and he repents without too much dialogues. The helplessness in his eyes speak a lot!
• Akhiri Rasta- It is not a great movie, but has very good direction and fabulous acting by Amitabh. There are multiple revenge dramas on similar lines, but it had a different level of senstivity to the treatment. Be it  father or son, both roles were performed immaculately- even the body language, gaze, dialogue delivery everything was different  from Amitabh Bachchan in that double role. There was required subtlety, restraint and oneupmanship between their relationship.
• Anand- How can we forget this one! One of the best movies ever made on this subject. We needed Amitabh's character to bring out the lively character of Anand. We needed someone like Amitabh to say " 6 mahinon se tumhari bakbak sun raha hun, tumhe uthna padega" to make you feel the intensity of that emotion. The grief of not being able to save lives due to severe conditions-"jiske pas khana khane ke paise nahi hain use dawai khane ke liye kaise kahun" really touched me a lot!
• Sholay- The movie was not so classic but wholesome entertaining! Entire cast was amazing and played some of the most memorable roles of their lives. Amitabh was at his sarcastic best. His sense of humor was titillating but not over the board unlike other actors. He made his mark in a variety of emotions played in that movie.
• Amar Akbar Anthony- Extremely formulaic movie- didnt seem to offer anything new, but still I can see it so many times due to a very adorable Anthony. He made sure in each of his scenes that we enjoy his character -Completely different dimension compared to other movies mentioned here.
• Don- Super Stylish! Amitabh, the don was just too good, that after two revised editions of the movie in the current era, it reaches nowhere close to this movie. Its a quite simple one with brutal and cold gestures from Amitabh. He has amazing presence and even the movie is filled with twists and turns.
• Trishul- This movie is in similar league with Deewar, in some ways. Amazing dialogues, interesting conversations, I have almost memorized every conversation which had Amitabh and Sanjeev Kumar. The love-hate relationship was just too good in every scene. You can see inspiring confidence and what difference can it do when you take control of your life.

Well there are many more, I guess I can write a book on his movies and the way he acted in them.

Marriages: good or evil?

Well, I keep listening averse comments from people (married/unmarried) on the topic of marriage. I can relate to some of the doubts/concerns since I have held a staunch opinion for 20 years of my life not to marry. However, many of them seem highly offensive to the institution of marriage. Hence I wanted to share my perspective on this.

After marriage, you are bounded/stuck
How can one feel like that in any relationship? We keep sending 1000 forward emails for Mother, sister, father, for the way they care. We have owned them for whole lifetime. Does one ever feel stuck with them? We didnt decide or choose them. Still we love them and cherish the moments we spent with them. However, when it comes to wife/husband,we keep joking on this relationship. It is as pure as any other. In fact, that is one person who came in your life after 20 odd years and takes all your pains as theirs, accepts you in all situations, however humiliating it may be. It is a relationship which sustains, involves great endurance and ownership over each other. Didn't your family ever scold you or restrict you for several petty things (or at least they seemed like that at that point)? but you still love them and cannot think of life without them, don't you?

Your life doesn't remain yours.. You have to live according to someone else
Now that is a very self centered statement. That is all about setting the right expectations. You do not need to bend over backwards to make someone happy. If that is the case, it is not sustainable, more so, if you have this feeling of a martyr. This is bound to create dissatisfaction in your life. We have to find a common path, and changing a little for someone special is an evolution in itself. It is an enrichment of your personality. If you feel that you have lost yourself in this journey, either you are too egoistic or you have compromised your identity a little too much. Making the right choice is important not only for marriage, but for any relationship.

There is a high mismatch of expectations..couples would fight nevertheless
That is partially true, but it is a temporary stage.. where the identities merge into each other. It is like an exogenous reaction, where two chemicals of different nature when create a separate identity, exude energy and heat. Once the new amalgamated identity is created, you will find it to be the most beautiful relationship you have even been into. However, if you have completely accepted each other as spouse on physical or external aspects, this might be a big risk. However, you can encounter it, if you own the marriage and not treat it as something imposed on you.
This is my opinion based on personal experiences and others' as well. It is like any other productive relationship that gives more than it takes.