The Theory of Work!

~ Rishi ~ Leave a comment

Across the human world, there are lots of people doing varied kinds of professions/businesses etc. However, as per Robert Kiyosaki, a world-renowned author who is a self-made millionaire and writes on Financial Education, anyone earning money through legal/ethical means falls under one of these categories –

Employee: Someone who works for a businessman/company and dedicates 8-10 hours of work from his daily life. This person basically trades his time seeking security and at the end of the month draws a pay-cheque, which in most cases is no where equivalent to the kind of effort put in.

Specialist / Small Businessman: Believes in doing everything with perfection, believes he is the best – Doctors, Lawyers, Professors, Consultants, Small-time shop owners etc. These people also at the end of the day trade their time and draw an income equivalent to their skills and effort (which is definitely more than most employees) but still seek security like employees do.

Big Businessman: As defined by Forbes, a person having an organization of more than 500 people. These people don’t believe in working for others but instead leverage others. All employees working for a business owner contribute to the profits that he makes while being paid a pittance. By leveraging manpower, these people move up the value chain and attain freedom – of time, of money and most other things.

Investor: Again, as defined by Forbes, someone who earns more than USD 200,000 of income from his investments. These people also leverage to earn money – but they leverage money itself. Their money works for them while they holiday with their family. In turn, they generate more income for themselves and are free for life.

As per world statistics, 97% of the world population falls under the E & S quadrants, trading time and yearning for the eluding security. Only 3% around the world actually understands the power of leverage and works towards attaining freedom, being in the B or I quadrants. However, if we look at the world-wide wealth distribution, 96% is controlled by people in the B & I quadrants and only 4% is left for souls in the E & S quadrants.

Given a chance, where would you want to be???

Another interesting facet of this theory I can explain drawing an analogy with the world of athletics…

Now all those 97% of people in the world do one common thing. They blindly run a Marathon of “Go to work, come back home” for all their life – 30 to 40 years! If you belong there, think if you would be able to sustain this schedule in these ever-changing times when security has become a myth and you never know what can happen in the world. But even then, a lot of people continue doing this and teach their kids exactly the same thing – Study hard, get a good job. Their kids might earn slightly more but in the end they are also running the same rat race!

On the other hand, a person in the B or I quadrant works smartly – he runs a Relay! He is alone in the beginning in most of the cases, and starts running. Then slowly he meets people who understand his vision and join him and the team takes shape. This team runs together, generating more output with lesser individual effort. In some time, the first person passes on the baton to the team who run the show with a bigger team. However, even after passing the baton and stopping his run, the person continues being paid because he has built a pipeline – an income stream that will continue paying him irrespective of what he does because he utilized the concept of leverage to build the pipeline…

Wouldn’t all of us want to have a pipeline of your own? Something that can keep paying us and our family for years and generations to come without having to worry about the work part…

Unnecessary Facades

~ Rishi ~ 2 Comments

Some might equate it with jokers but for those who haven’t had the privilege of watching a circus (yes, it’s a dying business), just the word ‘behroopiya’ would be good enough to explain what I want to convey here.

In all walks of life, in all circumstances, you come across people putting up “unnecessary facades” – gestures/acts not at all required but for sounding prim and proper. You would always hear people saying “Yes, that sounds great!” when in fact you might have uttered a crap-load; just smiling, nodding and agreeing with you rather than putting you in the right place; sounding hollow and placating in order to avoid a confrontation; being so-called socially adaptable in your face only to say bad things behind your back.

In fact, people are adept at making others feel comfortable. Oh, you know, it does not sound good to be transparent or blatantly forthcoming to others! Some people mention being ‘straight forward’ as one of their weaknesses – “I think I am rather direct with people and get into uncomfortable situations … I am working on it by thinking before speaking my mind out or reacting blah blah blah…” And of course, it is social impropriety to behave in any adverse manner!

This might be more prevalent in certain parts that are famously out-spoken or fashionably subtle and you would find heaps of stories and chuckles (about how this particular region behaves)… But it is a behavior practiced almost all across the world. From the US of A to the Kangaroos of Australia, it finds prominence in the modern society.

On one end, you see politicians and celebrities almost on the border of perfection in all their appearances. On the other, some of the uneducated/down-to-earth/innocent people, away from the glaring public eye are called the unsophisticated tribe who speak their mind! If someone is forthcoming, we like to rip them apart for transgressing our social norms and being blatant – “how could he do this?”

But the phenomenon is not limited to social behavior. Look at politics – false promises, hollow measures… Look at films and media – always the epitome of such behavior. Look at sports – people being more concerned with how they look and how they speak/behave rather than playing… It’s all over and is fast consuming one and all. Even small-town people and villagers try and be sophisticated and ‘prim and proper’ now-a-days!!!

I was wondering why does this happen? What makes us go into this complicated shell and build unnecessary facades? It occurred that this seems to be a modern phenomenon probably less in vogue in the rugged old word where you were taken on your face value and judged by your actions rather than appearances! And it is only growing in the new-age social-media led world.

Thinking through, I realized that it starts off from our childhood days. We train children to behave in this manner right when we start grooming them. We teach them how to be ‘prim and proper’ so that we are not embarrassed in front of others during social parties or get-togethers. Then, as the child grows up, we advise him to learn the worldly ways and behave with sophistication – “you never know beta/beti, whom you might come across and be in need of in future”. So naturally, by the time the child reaches adolescence, he/she is groomed into the accepted social norms. And off they take to make the world a more subtle place…

But the question remains – why do we need to get into unnecessary facades – can we not be ourselves and truthful? Can we not just say whatever comes to our mind and act according to what we think is correct? Do we actually need to please all people or be content with our actions and take the forth-rightness in our stride?

Just think about it – if all become one, we probably would find the world to be a much better place – with all false promises removed, all diversionary measures dropped and all hollow talk being replaced by fruitful action; all posturing being substituted by concrete talk and results; all lovey-dovey things being consumed by reality. And that would probably be the time when you could talk to me and tell me that I am boring you like hell with such a post and with this blog!

Private is in!

~ Rishi ~ Leave a comment

Sitting in the cafeteria, having breakfast with a friend who had once told me he liked my blogs (however infrequently I might update them) got me thinking about writing again! And just as a coincidence, the topic appeared…

A lady trying to find a place in the crowded environment came to our table and pulled up a chair but then realized that she might be sitting too close for comfort and instantly, as sort of second nature, proceeded to find another, more secluded or should I say a private place – somewhere she wouldn’t be obtrusive or feel so…

On a deeper thought I realized this has almost become second nature to us. We seek privacy at all times and at all places unless it is absolutely necessary to share! We always seek privacy as if we are discreet lovers longing for a hideout…

And this phenomenon is wide spread – people don’t wish to share their possessions – be it their personal belongings, their material possessions (but they would definitely like to show it off), their friendships, their joys, sorrows, worries, anxieties and so on… Oh, it makes you look so uncool!!! We even think that if someone is sharing something with us, there must be an alternative/ulterior motive behind the gesture…

This privacy has made inroads into the society so much that it’s considered improper to view it abjectly. “Why do you care about how I live my life” – is the answer we hear quite often from all corners and from all age groups!

I don’t know whether this is right or wrong, nor I am in a position to pronounce my judgement, having been a victim of this ‘privaria’… But it does take effort to think what can be done differently to make us all human again – social animals who love to share!!! Some food for thought…

Oh and btw, this is being blogged from my iPhone – another symbol of pseudo-socialism, where you are closer to friends through Facebook and Twitter rather than in person… But oh my, I love this device as it at least lets me be in touch with the private society and invade others privacy 🙂

Rajiv’s B’day and the Shameful Act

~ Rishi ~ 3 Comments

It was sad to see the innumerable ads given out on Rajiv Gandhi’s birthday by the various government ministries and departments in the newspapers. As counted, the Times of India, Delhi edition carried a total of 16 advertisements related to Rajiv Gandhi – 11 half-page, 4 full-page and 1 quarter-page. That’s “gyaaraah-char”, or in other terms “atyaachaar” over the Indian common man – precious public money is being wasted on such monickers without any accountability.

The usual political practice of keeping the inauguration of key projects on hold for such special occasions is also deplorable. Politicians play up this card time and again and use this ploy to get attention of the powers. And the common man suffers at the hands of these shenanigans…

It should be incumbent on the government to discourage such spending. Only if we could have had a single 1-page ad in the newspaper from the Government of India, it would have been sufficient to show the government’s respect towards the leader. But alas. Even newspapers like TOI don’t have a check on such wasteful expenditure by the government and discourage it. In fact they would love to profit from so many ads, which although is good from the business sense of it, can be highly questioned from the ethical point of view of the greater society which the newspaper serves.

Most of us indeed respect Rajiv Gandhi and what he did for India as a national leader. However, I deem true respect to him would be paid not by squandering public money in such useless ways but by ensuring that the intended recipients get not the proverbial 15 paise from a rupee but the full value. Then only would we be able to proclaim ourselves as having followed his espoused principles…

The day when I turned 27…

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Everyone tends to look forward to the day called “Birthday”, whatever might be his/her age. Although the day brings you closer to the so-called ‘Budhapa’, still you cherish the significance of being born on this day and associate it with general euphoria. And when you are in the midst of friends and that too a group as hell-bent on making it memorable as it can be, you can’t get more euphoric…

So, here I was in my room at 11:56 PM on 15th March when in came the dear group of friends ready to take me out for a little celebration. Only, it wasn’t in any sense a li’’l one. I was taken by surprise when they didn’t ask me to move to the smoking area to cut the cake but made me sit on the stairs and did a march-past shouting commands like ‘Birthday ki salaami de’ and ‘Birthday song gana shuru kar’.

The fact that I had not seen the invite sent by the organizers, about whom I am going to talk about, made it all the more interesting. Here was a group of friends I had known for only over 3 months, who had already made my day special by probably celebrating my birthday in the most spectacular fashion possible. I was floored. The very fact that it took me 2 days to complete this blog is some proof of the overwhelming feeling 😉

The cake cutting ceremony was as usual filled with all kinds of antics by people to make sure that no part of my face was spared the chocolate, cream and strawberries. Probably 3 times more cake was on my face than in my stomach after the conclusion. But I was as happy as I could possibly ever be. This is perhaps what friendship is all about…

So the people behind this all – Deepak, Areez, Kushagra, Ajay, Swamy, Harish, Tanya, Archana, Prarthana, Kapil, Soham Dada and Avneesh (no typical order, just random). They planned it so well that I didn’t even got a whiff even though I am with either one of them practically all through out the day here. And then the gift, thoughtful again, had me in a total daze. I hadn’t expected such a grand and heart-warming celebration. But this very fact makes it all the more endearing, as well as memorable. Here’s to our friendship, which I am sure would grow stronger in the days and years to come…

The story however, does not end here. I got a beautiful surprise from the one and only… A cake and flowers that not only made me nostalgic but also poignant. A gift that was again meticulously planned and never ever hinted upon. My love to such a thoughtful partner. May we continue to scale new heights in our relationship…

So, a year older and perhaps wiser, looking forward to the wonderful year ahead which promises challenges and changes that might alter the course of my life; here I am ready to take on the world…

When Holi came calling amidst the hustle bustle of GMBA

~ Rishi ~ 1 Comment

Life at GMBA in SPJCM, Singapore truly is a busy affair. There are things to do and then there are things to do. Some days are good and some are bad. On the good ones, you feel actually elated and relaxed. On the bad ones, you swear about the lack of time and work as hard as possible. But most importantly, you hope for the next day to be better.

People here try to be as optimistic as one can be. So on a day when marks brought little to cheer about for most of us, and people were discontented with the outcome, there was hope with a poem doing the rounds mentioning how you should stick out through the hard times… And then there were plans to take the college to the next level (more on this in some other post).

So today is a bad day as it has turned out. But never to worry. Tomorrow shall be better. And oh! not to forget – the festival of RANG – HOLI which is now upon us. Buddies kept mouthing the famous dialog in anticipation – “Holi kab hai. Kab hai holi” from the past many days. And although we have an end term exam tomorrow, I m sure people would find time to play with colors and make the whole atmosphere colorful with the festival finally here.

For us Indians, Holi always has a special place in the festival calendar. A festival where you can let yourself out in your own way, without having to worry about class, level, age, hierarchy and what not. There are other festivals of social gathering but Holi by its sheer nature of casualness, lends an altogether different dimension. So, looking forward to Holi celebrations with friends and taking those memories with me through my life… HAPPY HOLI.

Our netas are us – apt view

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Perhaps this article written by Jug Suraiya in today’s TOI aptly reflects what we really need to think about –

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3785325.cms

We as the next flag-bearers of what India is or aspires to be, must take up responsibilities at whatever level possible to make OUR country what we want. We can’t expect these thugs, crooks etc. who have grown up in a vicious atmosphere to shed their skins.

You can’t change a man’s basic character. And sadly, today’s India’s basic character is full of hatred for others – be on the account of region, religion, caste, social status or whatever. People everywhere are corrupt. And the common man, full as is his plate is with everyday problems, only augments this. So, only when the common ‘stupid’ man decides that enough is enough and takes things into his own hands (I mean in a constructive manner), would India change.

So, my appeal to everyone here is to not just sit and lament about such things. We have at least some power in our hands to change things. Lets utilize it for the betterment of our country in our own personal/collective capacity. Unless we do it, the next generation would be blaming us and India would still remain a promising but faltering nation.

Time to wake up and soulder responsibility. Waise bhi, “Zindagi jeene ke do raaste hote hain – ek jo ho raha hai hone do, aur doosra ki uske khilaaf awaaz uthao aur phir zimmedaari bhi” (Couldn’t recollect the exact dialogue, but came into mind instantly)…

Subsequent mood in India after the terror mayhem

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All have been witness to the ghastardly act of terror on display in Mumbai, India. TV channels have relentlessly captured every bit of detail and relayed it to the public, which perhaps has had its first brush with a REAL terror strike. Now as the operation subsides and facts emerge, it brings a sense of dreaded calm after a big storm.

But all of this has had a drastic effect on the psyche of the common Indian. People are questioning the failure of intelligence, security, internal affairs etc. which is something that has become almost like a prime-time soap-opera playing with regular ease across India. They are no longer willing to accept the dramatic responses given by netas. Hyperbole is out, Plain action is in.

Also, quite surprisingly and to some extent relieving, is the observation of people regarding the playing up of trivial issues like religion, caste, region etc. by Indian politicians. People are now rightly consigning all such dramatised vote-mongering and media-posturing politics to where they belong – the dustbin.

This is the awakening of an entire generation, rather population, to what matters to them the most. Politics shouldn’t be about who the person is or where is he from. Politics should revolve around the core issues – what is being done about infrastructure, security, economic stability, jobs, electricity, water, basic sanitation, education. The list goes on and on.  All these years, Indian politics has only revolved around creating trivial issues and grand-posturing on real ones. Now Indian politics shall have to change – politicians and the government must accept the fact that they have been a total failure to securely govern the very nation which they are given a mandate to rule, and should act in concert to reverse the damage as soon as possible. Only then would some sense of confidence in the Indian politician return to the normal level. Otherwise, people shall become more and more jaded, and who knows what might happen then.

This is my appeal to all the people out there. Please continue to foster this rage inside you. Its only you who can make a difference to this country. Nobody will come from outside to do it for you. So better buckle up your belt and get going. The ride is tough and might have certain surprises in store, but would surely bore fruit if completed.

Salute to the never dying spirit of today’s India…