hope

Theres always that wee bit of hope lingering down the stream of despair. That faint light which might just blaze upon that slight breeze. But all seems to be lost in the hollow darkness just like that of a black hole. Theres expectations or hope about something that drives a person to the strech of his mortal stay in this world. Fresh from a so-so interview, waking to a clear and warm morning of spring. A kick, out of the blue about the result of the interview drived all that laziness to the backseat. An array of rejections in numerous companies leaves one heartbroken and the future now dwells on the verdict that is on the agenda this day. the anxiety just blurred the whole world around me it dimmed the words, the sight, the sober chirping of birds, the dancing leaves and even the lectures of our class. Never was so much concerned about the result of recruitment but, the expectations of friends and their confidence on me just accentuated my anxiety and that crave to excel. The busy gait of our placement coordinator along the corridor through the scuttling crowd, his mobile as usual seemed stuck to his ears. There was that hint of a news, that irrefutable negative vibe about his swagger. Still there was that hope against hope, i tried to converge my thoughts to whatever good things that happened during the interview but all those efforts became victim of mockery in the face of that unbearable news 'you are not selected for the company'.a lump in the throat, frown on the face symbolyzing the steep downfall from thereon, the whole noise around me just went mute. my mind strayed all around and about the thought that i have let down everyone, specially my parents and my friends. I felt like a failure, the first time i realised how hard can one get hit by life specially after 10 odd rejections. No other concern except that same question, relentlessly pounding my skull 'what lacks in me, why im not as better as others?'. Still i dare to stand up and brace myself again for the final battle and yet again HOPE for the best.

A memoir

It was a breezy morning with scattered drops of rain embedded in the air.Uh...sorry, It was afternoon! Once again I slept through the whole morning. As I hung the toothbrush in my mouth and was dragging my feet along the slippery corridor floor a gust of wind blew across swaying my hair and waking me from whatever remnants of hangover i was having. The lunch in the mess was as usual too pathetic to even comment upon. Again as I was dragging myself to my room i got a call blaring 'gupchup party in the evening'. The excitement swept through my whole body instantly and drove the whole monotony of the weekend out of me. The longstanding separation form my school friends were all to be submerged in the brimming excitement like that of a first time lover. We met each other at sector-5 in the evening and were exchanging admiration, excitement along with the usual greetings when rain gods thought to spoil the fun and suddenly expectorated the heavy shower from its constraints. The splatter of rains all around and its noise distracted me a bit but the ripping of one of our friend for all the muscle he had put on, brought my focus back.

The heavy downpour settled to a slight drizzle, sighting this opportunity we rode through the glistening road to 'cloud 9' bar. The atmosphere inside was indeed so relaxing with dim lights spotted by bright red cigarette ends and people probably sharing their day's distress over a bottle of Johnnie walker. However we were to celebrate our reunion and each of us scuttled in different directions to search for a vacant cabin. Now one fellow did notice an empty cabin and we all sprung in quickly to scrutinize the discovery. I noticed a reserved token over the table and made an announcement of our failure. One of our friends however asked for the waiter and enquired 'who has reserved this cabin?’ The waiter probably after some search down his memory lane replied 'I don’t remember!’ I instantly whispered to the protagonist fellow 'dude does it matter? The waiter doesn’t know whether any other person booked this place or it was us!' ignoring the thoughtful look at the waiters face. After that it wasn’t much hard to convince him and we made ourselves comfortable on the cozy couch. The hookahs being set up, the drinks and the starters being ordered, we begin our journey through the old stories, our vivid and hilarious experiences and drowned ourselves in the engrossing nostalgia. Along with the drinks I poured out all the stress and bland way of life out and drank in all the joy of the moment. The emphatic demeanor of our expressions caught attention of a few people and also the manager so he came to intervene our immortal moment. His vague words were of no avail to our customized ears as if we had descended into a world of our own. Going by the saying that the truest feelings of the heart oozes out after a peg, one fellow called his girlfriend over the phone to bargain a few extra kisses in their next meeting.

The feeling of being high dominated our emotions and swept us into the delight which I never had experienced in my life. However the end wasn’t that pleasing with some feeling queasy and having a debacle with whatever they had gorged, in their unconsciousness and letting out the stuffs in a scurry. While driving back home I felt happy that his abrupt planning of events eventually turned out to one of the most cherished moments of my life.

water matter!!

The Ogallala aquifer is quite appropriately termed as the bread basket of the USA. According to some statistics it suffices about more than one-fifth of the countries water demand especially for agriculture, cultivation and domestic use. This aquifer was formed during the Pliocene age when the seas retreated and rivers cut valleys in south east and south direction finally getting deposited into what is now known as the Ogallala aquifer. The source is renewable though getting recharged by the rains only through the regions where playa soil is deposited at the boundary of the aquifer which is quite unlike the caliches deposit of limestone and the silica. So the reservoir is somewhat renewable, however the rate of depletion of water from he reserve is many numerous times fold than that of the rate of recharge. In other words the ‘mass balance’ is way negative which threatens to dry up the stock in the next twenty- twenty five years.

The managing of water rights includes many policies that are an attempt for the best practices followed for best and sustainable use of the reserve. Firstly the equity comes into the picture which concerns about the availability to water to every necessary demand in the local region. It also states about the current and future benefits having equal weight associated with the allocation of this natural reserve for sustainable use of water. It also suggest about the use of technologically advanced methods for better use. We should also aim at conserving water for moral values sake. There’s a ‘doctrine of prior appropriation’ which suggests that any construction or development should lead to provision of water in the deficit areas of the state. Another water management right is the policies adopted in the high plains which drive the economy of the states, now a myth that aquifers don’t die is eradicated the problem of feed stoking the high plains as become graver. So a better management policy for the high planes serves half of the purpose.

However one of the water management policies defeats the whole purpose of the above stated sustainable regulations. This policy gives the land owner over the underlying aquifer area has the right to the water underlying his land area. Though the landowner has to acquire a license to drill a well still this regulation is relatively weak. The panhandle country farmers' demand for the fossil water is elated over the days and will continue to do so. The mesa water company owner Pickens who claims himself to be the no. 1 steward of the land own a large area of the panhandle countries and contemplates at seeking a gain by selling these water reserves to the region and people in Texas. The aquifer is like a pool of water which if sucked by a straw over at even one place is going to deplete or dry up the whole reserve’s, the mesa water company procures an impending threat without any concern and blatantly stating that the water is in surplus amounts. This policy of the mesa water is however infuriating farmers and are resenting against this step of the mesa water. Despite such debates and tension over the management of water of the aquifer there’s a relief that the aquifer replenishes itself though slowly so an optimized solution for reducing the use of the water from the aquifer can help conserve the water for our future generation. Thus an utmost urgency in imposing strict policies is required for conserving the natural and geological gift of Mother Nature.

The Mattel

Back in the 1960’s Mattel was announced as the best or number 1 company in the world, it still beholds the reputation and the value for its brand. This company still boasts of its ever famous toys such as the Barbie dolls, hot-wheel cars etc. This popularity and appreciation from the consumers and the retailers are solely responsible for the company’s progress and success through its risk taking abilities, risks as well as crisis management policies at the same time being concerned about its translational gain.

Several instances of risk taken by the company and shrewd implementation of risk management never did let the company to falter or loose its charm. This one instance when the Mattel Company acquired ‘the learning company’ which was an entertainment company in the hope and idea of business diversification and occupying a leading position in the company market. This strategy didn’t payoff well and induced pre-tax losses over the revenues. So sometimes the risk and the idea behind it may not work. Though the company under acquisition incurred huge losses but it sure did appealed to the consumers closely via this entertainment company and gained their trust.

Anther strategy of the Mattel Company is quite evident through history. The Mattel set up its production unit in China this involved a lot of risk and speculation. While the toys imported into the country after its manufacture were found to be very high in lead content due to some design issues. Thus this led to a large scale and numerous recalls of the toys. So, in order to get marks from consumers and retailers the company decided to come out clean by spreading the message out. Some of the staffs were sent immediately to report at the biggest media outlets. The CEO himself had set up to talk with reporters explaining all the media queries, apologizing for the defect in designing and to the people for the mistake. This helped elate the reputation and the image of the company. Besides this, before the ‘recalls’ the manufacturing and import-export of products from china led to currency exchange and levied much less tariff over the products thus leading to a translation gain before the recalling phase.

Presently the company is much concerned about the use of paper pulp for packaging, showing much concern about the issues of deforestation. This strategy of becoming responsible and also reduction in use of wooden parts in toys are a matter of concern of this company presently. These thrive for the sustainability works very well to create a positive impact on people which has been the main aim or goal of the company. Hopefully, if the company strikes the right balance between these risks and their management then only its path can be defined towards the road of progress and success besides sufficient gain

the abstract
Leadership styles of two companies the one with the authoritarian (top down) style was the largest company in the world at that time. The foreign company that used the participative (bottom up) style was much smaller. They both were in the same kind of business; they made automobiles.That was then; this is now. Today the small company (Toyota) has overtaken the large one (General Motors). In the early 70's this style was new to the United States. Most corporations were managed by a CEO and a board of directors. This was an authoritarian, top down style where the executives made all decisions. The participative model was being used by a company in Japan. There the executives actually involved employees, communicating directly with them and acting on their recommendations. Employees were not only involved in two way communication; they were also given authority to make decisions, especially those that related to their jobs...how does this story appeal to the style that should be adopted in churches?

the answer
The story of the ‘Toyota’ and ‘General Motors’ is very different in the way it appeals people than that which is concerned with church. The former matter infers about the adaptation of autonomy which collaterally induces increased knowledge pool and also recognition of employees. This strategy thus leads to a better growth and development of company. While the church concerns itself with inducing faith in people about God and the Bible which depicts his life as a guide to our life. Church is not a company with limited number of people who are skilled (having appropriate knowledge about god and his life) it is a temple where people try to seek salvation and not monetary gains. To inculcate faith about the God and bible, people need inspiration and who is a better inspiration than Jesus Christ himself as our head as our leader. Thus the authoritarian style which follows a hierarchical system is in fact a good idea to lead people to conquer their vision.
The Red Deer House Church, Red Deer, A B, Canada is the one I know that implies the participative style of leadership; its vision is to empower people. But, do we need to lure people with the fancy terms such as ‘autonomy’ and ‘empowerment’ to motivate them much to have faith in god and church? There’s in fact a better idea, instead the church should teach to empower people to go on with their lives, enlightening them about their rights, helping them to take the right decision. It’s more like teaching and preaching and we want only one leader, one teacher to guide us. However people can be involved in other church activities such as charity and spreading the message of god, these activities should have the participative spirit in managing such events as well as volunteering. Thus, the above discussion points out the strength and weaknesses of the participative style. It is not at all a sign of weakness to ask a worker for advice; nobody is perfect, as a matter of fact true leader is one who is connected to masses and is empathetic.

Language Lab

The day before my presentation was filled with a lot of commotion. Tragedy struck early that day I have no “vehicle pass sticker” attached to my scooty so, while I tried to enter the main building campus , the guard’s better connoisseur appealed to him, accumulated from years of experience dealing with shrewd NIT students( as they say!). He gave me a scornful look; trying to stop me he said “Where is your pass?” .To that I replied “pichwade me” and sped through the gate. I don’t know what he made from it but when I turned back momentarily. I could see people in hell breeding; through his eyes. Now there was our electrical lab test and my batch mates all desperate, trying to swallow whatever they were able to get at the last moment. We all scattered ourselves on the lawn under the shade to evade ourselves from the merciless heat, waiting for our turn. Meanwhile people lost their practical record, nerves, temper, common sense and even mobile phones! Our group went at the last. We settled ourselves serially, the examiner asked us some questions, and in response whatever remnants of hysteria he was having he started shouting. I thought he had gone mad .Aggregated to all the above I also had to write up for the assignment. I was so very much exhausted after such an exhilarating day.

The next morning when I woke up I got a felling out of the whole randomness “oh my god!” I have a presentation to give today. The slides were prepared a fortnight ago but I had no clue whatever I was assigned to say. However, I remembered I had a hand booklet that helped me a bit, as I reached the classroom I could not find my partner along with whom I was to give the presentation. We had least bit of communication between us. I was not even sure that we would be able to present our show. It all now depended on what the situation would be just before our turn. Well, finally after about half an hour wait my partner showed up. Though I was in full despair for any kind of procession, but the slides that we had made gave me some bit of courage. The scenario inside was just like a theater. With all the lights put off, only the weak radiance from the projector showed off, which was not able to disturb the least bit of us engrossed in all the negotiation, approval and appreciation like the two lovers in the back seats of a cinema hall! Next I recall standing in front of the whole class and noticed the dire need they showed for a good performance. I said about drugs and the facts related to them.

It doesn’t matter whether people appreciate it or not but at least I became more acquainted with the true face of drugs and how it is rotting our world just faking everything giving us a virtual world where we can accept ourselves only to crash down when this baseless virtual world vanishes. Finally the lab ended. I started to scan from among the options of many footwear, the one that resembled mine the most. The empty burden making my steps heavy. I could not help stop myself from thinking about how this world has succumbed and surrendered itself in the hand of drugs only to get that high and not make an effort to make your life a high. Well it might be complex how human mind works but at least one should stand out of the crowd, make an exemplary effort.

By

Sudhir Saha

picnic bash

No relevance to any person or people
There are certain things in life that actually make people differentiate from themselves. There was a time when each department’s 2nd year batch was craving for picnic. It was during this time that a sad demise of one of our beloved friend took place. Now People were quiet enthusiastic and were almost very much ready for this tantalizing experience. On the other side there was a good friend of mine who protested and decided to deprive himself of this pleasure, he was of the opinion that any case, the person who died was one of our friends and barely a week has passed after such grieving situation so we should quit on such fancy ideas. Whereas the enthusiastic people stressed on having fun as winter would be over soon or maybe who cares about his death. It is a part of life and is invincible. Today our friend died tomorrow someone else then we don’t have enough time left for ourselves. Life should go on.
Truly this confounding situation is hard to diagnose. But hey the climax is not over yet. Amid such insurgency there emerges a batch (metallurgy 2nd year batch). This batch has got another problem, the only batch which is barred of such celebration and the stifling concern. The people have good link within themselves but the batch has not got unity. I got a call a Saturday morning which stated, “We are going to picnic”. I was having some mixed reaction to this blatant statement; anyways I figured it’s not difficult unless we were good at pleading and persuading. It took a whole afternoon licking people’s ass but finally we got nothing. More than half of the people had imposed a requiting denial for our flamboyant event, which further deterred our interests among our branch mates. This is not a peculiar situation its quite normal the conscience of people is not under scrutiny over here but it’s the prejudiced nature which is mutually dismaying the compatibility which is required as a group. The main problem what I think is that people have not got respect for each other due to the conservative nature which makes them feel secure, or even make them feel they are above everybody. Content and happy with what they are which I think is a superb philosophy to get along their years in the insti without knowing anybody at least each other, happy with their group. Well all that I perceive about all the above things may be false, it maybe that the propriety is maintained in our branch but I may not be visible to me. Whatever it is it shall also pass
When asked, people often suggest mutual consent, collaboration as the solution for the above problem but this also fades away as a hypothetical consideration which only can foster on under idle conditions. What it looks like to me is that one has to give in some commitment to know each other as a person, support one another for any initiative or work; rest all depends on fate. People have conflicting views and assertions, that’s why we differ from each other and we have tensions in life; but we know, a fabulous day is made only when sun and moon do not intervene each other. These differentiation, classification of people is the root cause of all problems. But then it may be the law of nature (struggle for …… survival of fittest………) that our opinions do not match and urges us on for this futile struggle.

Sudhir Saha