Learning Phases

I remember when my dad used to tell me, how his friend's son can mug up everything, remembers everything and off course better than me! Since my childhood I'm fan of selective learning ;-) I used to hate to mug up the things but thanks to our Traditional Indian Education System which teaches us - more the marks, better you are! I always used to like practical things - science, never got attracted towards mathematics because I never met a teacher who could taught me why the hell do i need to learn it, how I will be able to use it in my life.I used to hate mathematics because it was more of a mechanical thing for me - you remember the formula fill in the values and get the answer.I never liked it and I still don't like it, thanks to my Statistics Professor at B-School - he make sure only people who 'know' statistics only those will be able to learn the subject which he teaches, rest of us - we just look at the whiteboard!

When I was in Higher Secondary School, I used to love Biology, IT and Chemistry. I used to hate physics too, because it belongs to the same family that of Mathematics! Biology because I used to actually see the things (Botany+Zoology), understand them and used to relate them with day to day life. IT because I used to write HTML, VB code and get something meaningful. Chemistry because I used to enjoy the Lab practicals of mixing different things in each other and get something out of it, it was fun! :)

Somehow I couldn't go for medical studies as I performed worst in my Higher Secondary School Exams.Then came the 'Actual' College life - Graduation period.I had decided that I will either dissect human bodies by doing medical studies or I would go for computer studies, and finally I choose computers rather I had to choose Computers :)

In my graduation, I realized that apart from technology I am good at interacting with people. Thanks to Microsoft Student Partner Program that I got the opportunity to mix both People + Technology and I started evangelize Microsoft's Technologies within students communities. Got appreciation from many people, it boosted my confidence. In my graduation college I never had to explicitly study because I choose something which I loved to do - playing with Technology.

Then came the professional life, where in I explored myself more! I knew that I'll enjoy working in IT industry but I wanted to be on the business side - where in I can gel up with business yet work on technical aspects of it.After spending two years in amdocs, I choose to join the Business Administration program with specialization in IT Business Management.This was the phase when I realized that I actually want to Learn something, not for the sake of earning money but for a better life, new goals and completely new responsibilities!

I feel the change in myself, I was completely different earlier - relaxed, care free (not careless!), had limited aspirations and short term goals. But then came a phase where I realized that I need something bigger and better, I need to attain new professional and personal heights! In my MBA I won't and I don't study for getting good grades, I'm studying for understanding things in different aspects. I'm more focused about learning than grading. I still enjoy subjects like Information Security, ERP than Statistics & Accounts ;) I want to be a Techno managerial IT Professional and not a manager who will sit in his Air Conditioned cabin playing with excels. I want to be a manager who will understand how it works at grass root level than worrying about how to climb the professional ladder fast!

I feel good that I can think about all these things at the age of 23 and I'm sure at the end of two years - once I'm done with my MBA, I'll be completely new person with quality knowledge & new ideas, innovations to implement in the IT industry!

At this moment, I'm clueless of what I have written because I scribbled whatever was there on my mind :)

Start of a new Journey - MBA

I never ever went to any premier school/college, I always had this weird feeling. A guy with average academics and so called 'Non Engineering Graduate' but never wanted to follow a traditional path.

A traditional Indian Educational Path according to me - Pass school with bad or average or descent marks, get into a College with Science stream get done with it then irrespective of whether you like it or not, whether you have that caliber or not Straight away get into an Engineering College - spend time over there and join the labor force!

I hated it, literally!

The company called amdocs, changed my life literally. Almost two years of stint in amdocs -India, taught me many lessons Worst/Bad/Good/Best everything! Met many talented people, saw tiffs between people, received appreciations - more from Clients than my very own manager, learned how to handle different situations/people. In due course I was still facing sarcasm of being a Non Engineering Graduate - but I was in the best phase of my life, I was with amdocs!

I had earlier decided to learn the technicality in IT Industry for couple of years and then go back to B-School to learn management. I was always attracted to Symbiosis International University -Pune, right from my graduation - I applied for their graduation course of Computer Application but got rejected (back in 2007)! So after 5 years I tried again, but this time for something bigger - MBA. Things worked out and I got a call from Symbiosis Center for Information Technology, Pune to join their 2 year long residential course of MBA - IT Business Management. A wonderfully crafted syllabus with a right blend of IT + Management.

Though I was doing well in my job at amdocs but I knew that some or the other day I'll have to quit and join B-School. So left the wonderful company in June 2012, with a hope and a belief to return back with better and bigger responsibility :)

Symbiosis Center for Information Technology - a premier IT Business School, my next two years in this place is definitely going to change me, my perspective of looking at things. I call it a new beginning - where I'll be getting two long years to study, learn, innovate and enjoy!

Laptop Requirement for SCIT Batch 2012-14

Hi friends, please fill the below form, let's hope to get the best and affordable deal :-)

My Type of 'Tablet'

It's been a quite long time that Tablet or Tablet Computers that has entered into the market. But let me clarify one thing, for me Tablet is not Asus's Eeepad Transformer but iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Tablet for me is something that can manage everything - be my Mobile Phone, it should allow me to watch HD Videos as well it should be capable of docking the pen drive in it. And I want this whole package to be affordable ~ $200-$250 but NO i just couldn't find such a great deal yet :-(

iPad - I just love the body, color and the feeling when you hold it in hand! It's just superb :-) The OS is fantastic, the app store is huge (But they AngryBird cost you here, noway!!) I have never used Sony's headphones or the music players so for me Apple is the Beast when it comes about Sound :-) I know you people might be thinking, what an A$$ - saying Apple is the Beast ;-)
But the major Turn Off for me about this Sexy white Gadget is - I can't insert the Sim Card in it and try calling somebody. For me a Tablet should have the calling facility, yes I need IT!

Why would you carry an iPad and iPhone at a time, where in the Tablet should have reduced the dependency on a Mobile Phone, I Strongly feel so! I understand that these Tablet/Phone manufacturers wouldn't like if people would start buying a Tablet instead of a phone but this is what a Consumer wants in today's Technological and always Connected World.

Carrying the tablet where ever you go is a pain,Yes I understand that! You don't need a tablet to check the emails/chat with colleagues or friends, a phone definitely can satisfy the need. But then I feel there is something called as User Experience - A User would definitely like to read the email on a 7" or 9" tablet screen, he would love to use the multi-touch Display compared to the 3" or 4" screen of a mobile phone.
Just compare the experience of Video Calling from a mobile with the one by using an iPad (Skype via Wifi)

Many of my friends say to me - how would you receive a voice call from a tab, it's so uneasy to hold the 7" or 9" Tab to your ear. I would say most of the time you can do it by using a hands free but yes there can be some scenarios where it's not possible to use the hands free. But I feel the probability is less! I own a good Bluetooth handsfree by Dell. I've used a Samsung tab and the Dell  handsfree and it works flawless!

The biggest problem with Tab that I feel is - They are BIG. You can't just carry them but you have to CARRY them carefully :-) They aren't that much handy! That's the only and the biggest concern when it comes to buying a Tab :-)

Though price is another concern but if at all the price of an iPad would fall again below $250 :-P I would surely pick one :-)

Another tab that I often think of, 'Let's give it a shot' is Blackberry Playbook. In India the 16GB comes in around $250. It has a USB 2.0 port too! A nice BB OS but again the same problem - I can't call from the Playbook :-( I'll have to enable the WiFi and then by using some App i would have to call to the other mobile phone - this seriously Sucks! Though it isn't cool if you compare it's design with iPad but I can manage ;-) After all it's a good deal in $250.

Then comes the SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab which has everything that I want - I can call from it, I can surf and watch movies on it straight from a youtube too! Just Check this out - Samsung GALAXY Tab 7.7
It's a XXX BOMB, i must admit this! Wonderful device and finally a My Type of Tablet but this beast would cost heavy on the pocket - it's around $700 :-(

But I will surely buy a Tab ;-) My WishList has been updated already!

Google's Project Glass replacement of Smartphone?

It was a nice day in the office when I suddenly saw a Tweet on my phone that quickly diverted my attention from what I was doing ;-) I jumped of from my chair when I saw the video of  Google's 'Project Glass' but I also thought it might be an April Fool prank but then I saw my Twitter timeline started flooding by Project Glass related tweets!!

I'm always fascinated by the electronic gadgets that ranges from a Toy Car to Sexy and Sleek phones ;-) So Google's Project Glass amused me the very first time when I saw the demo of it. I feel if this Technology is not just a concept or a April Fool Prank then I think in coming years this can easily replace the Smartphones. You can call people, text them and can even do a video chat with them without holding any handheld device in your hand. You won't need to wait for Google map to load and then show you the 'How to reach there..' You won't forget to book tickets for your favorite show because by using Google Glasses you can book the tickets on the Go! This is fabulous :-)

I do not wish to comment on the H/W specs or the AI software which might be used in the Google Glasses but I would encourage you to watch the video and post your comments/opinions about it over here :-) And not to forget I'll surely talk about the technical aspects of it, once I hear/see it officially coming from Google! Till then enjoy the video

Google's Project Glass
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9c6W4CCU9M4

Life beyond Grades

[Following blog post is my personal view and it's not written to insult anyone/any company. If you find such content/comment in the blog and if you feel that it should be removed please let me know! ]

Every person in India with basic knowledge of computers has an aspiration to become a Software Professional at some point of time in their life. Ever since I used computer for the first time when I was 12, I wanted to do something that is related with Computers and so I did :-) But while dreaming about the highly paid IT Jobs, students do not worry much about their academics, they just want to clear the subjects that are not in their 'To Like' list hence many students perform outstanding in some of the subjects - the ones which they like and they perform average in what they never loved to study!Here is the glitch and a major one!

In India, IT is an ultimate destination for majority of the people and the worst of it is many of the IT Giants choose people by looking at their academic grades and not the skills! I have seen it rather many of you must have seen this - an average (of course the one with 60% through out his educational race) and 0 to below average skills and interest in Computers get recruited in the IT Companies. I bet none of you will oppose this scenario being wrong - because this FACT.

So called Indian IT Giants have ridiculous recruitment process, I've witnessed it once. There is a XYZ Indian IT firm they came to my College to conduct the recruitment drive. The first step is Screening on the basis of Academics - this XYZ company first said that they need students who had consistent 60% through out as well as Math as a compulsory subject in 12th standard or HSC. They got very few people so they further reduced the cut off to 55% with Math compulsory. Again same scenario so they further reduced it to 50% but Math compulsory at 12th standard. This is pathetic - just because you want a guy having math on 10+2 level you are compromising on person's overall performance? This XYZ company recruited even Commerce students who had Math in 10+2 level.

Then comes another scenario, IT companies often hire on large scale when they visit college campuses. I have witnessed an insane recruitment drive where company - ABC recruited more than 300 guys from a single college campus. When I heard the recruitment process experience from students, I was very SAD to know the low quality of process that was followed in the recruitment drive.

I feel the upper management in these IT Giants should analyze all these things from grass root level. Because of such pathetic recruitment strategies Indian IT Companies lack the real passionate students. They just stock the 'Through out 60% guys' and keep on adding the bench strength of the company.

Another hype in these IT companies is - Engineers are equal to the MCA or M.Sc (Computer Science) guys! This is not fair at all. People should be judged not by the qualification but the quality of skills they possess.

In my opinion Indian IT Companies should look for skilled individuals, passionate coders/programmers.

One of the worst part i feel about most of the IT Companies is, they treat freshers as someone who doesn't know anything. They never ask a fresher if he has any skill that they have developed during their school/college time. Companies train freshers on any damn technology and ask them to work on it, irrespective of the fact that even a fresher can code better than  an employee (2 yrs of WorkExp) with constant rating of 2/5 in yearly appraisal process.

These IT giants would hire a Civil Engineer with no prior knowledge in computers but they'll never even think of Non Engineering Computer Graduates who are comparatively more  productive than an Engineer grad.They would recruit a commerce graduate with knowledge in Excel, powerpoint with consistent 60% through out his educational race. But they wouldn't even entertain a person who has good knowledge on various computer related subjects but do not have First Class grade ever in his life. The guy will be kicked out of the recruitment process.

 I feel this is the reason when Recession hits the IT sector, many of the IT employees are sacked.

 I will definitely keep on adding my view in this post but before that let me know your views on my post.

Trekking - It Teaches you, literally!

[Before reading below post, understand that it may contain thousands of spelling/grammatical mistakes but instead of pointing it out try to understand what I really want to say:-) ]

Trekking I heard this word quite late - when I was in College, yes this is true. I'm the only child of my parents so ultimately the life wasn't so easy when your parents are watching you all the time, I do not blame them for this but this somehow made me 'Not much into Adventures' kind as I always did what my parents used to think is right for me *Sigh*And obviously going for Treks or over night stay at any of my friend's place was never in my parent's 'To Allow' list for me! Let me clear one thing - I'm not blaming my mom dad ;-) They did what they thought was Okay for me.

Being the only child of my parents is very cool thing as I never had to share anything with anyone. I used to get everything and anything which was New. But these cool things turned out to be problematic for me, when I completed my college and stepped in to the Professional Life. Then I started realizing things - it was very difficult for me to share things earlier. I used to be dominating over little things. When I was in college my friends - they adjusted with me, my behavior. But in professional life - people make you realize that 'Dude you ain't a kid anymore, no body is going to listen to your tantrums' and slowly I started learning the things - I would say I started understanding my behavior and myself.

So how does Trekking come in between???

Well I did my First Trek when I was in Senior College during Sept - 2009, it was at Duke's nose. I had been to this place twice but still it scares the hell out of me :-( Till now I have been to 5/6 treks and every time while returning back to home I promise myself that I won't go to trek again! Reason - I feel trekking is risking your life for an adventure!

Photography is a thing which attracted me most because I Love the feeling when every time I click something, imagining something and when the image comes out to be just so perfect than what I had thought! This is one of the reason that even when I'm scared of Trekking I go there, just to click some shots ;-) Conquering fear you see! :-D

The most important thing which I love about trekking is, every time I happen to meet new people from different cities, communities, professions and what not! I really love meeting new people, talking to them regarding anything and everything and trust me this helped me limiting my Dominating nature - because you just can't expect everybody to listen to you and tolerate you when they just know you hardly for some hours. People management & behavior handling - you get to learn it!

It's difficult to climb the mountains without the team, people from your trekking group they help you when you need some help while climbing a cliff. They make sure that you don't feel left out of the group - they talk with you, laugh with you, take care of you if you suddenly feel ill. If you are lagging behind of group, people cheer you up and make sure you pick up the pace And eventually by looking at others you understand the real meaning of Teamwork - team bonding.

Most important thing - Time management, you understand the value of it during treks! Ask me, I missed a train just by a minute and I ended up going back to home. In trekking you have to travel with a group of people and you have to make sure that you don't spoil somebody Else's day by not coming on time. You also need to make sure that during treks you walk with people, try not to rest more because of which ultimately the Schedule of trek collapses and you have to bear the consequences that may include No place to seat in a train because you just missed the one which was reserved for you or worst case you just don't get proper vehicle to return back to the base station just because you wasted too much time and driver flee because he thought you may not come back soon. So you gotta watch the watch baby ;-)

During my first trek I was reluctant to share the food and water which I had bought with me, reason - I never did it before,sharing wasn't in my list :-) And yesterday I was carrying extra water bottles in my sack just to make sure that my group mates don't feel the scarcity of water.I felt awesome when we all were trying to help each other, share things just to make sure that all reaches to the destination, safely!

Alertness - you really have to be alert every time when you are trekking in mountains that have a slippery path or a stiff patch where in you wouldn't take chance by being careless. The moment you make a mischief and the next moment you will probably screaming for help! But this doesn't mean you have to be serious all the time without having fun. You will understand by yourself when to have fun and when to get back to your senses and start walking ahead :-)

Responsibilities - when you ask your friends to join for a trek, they look at you as someone who knows what it takes to do trekking. So you have to be very careful while they are with you, taking care of what they need during trekking and making sure that they walk by all the difficult patches and reach to the destination - safe and sound :-)

This is what I think from my past trekking experience, I'm totally clueless why I scribbled all this at 2 o'clock in the morning :-)