वो नज़रों की मासूमियत से देखना तेरा
अहिस्ता से पलकों का झुकना तेरा

उन चंद लम्हों में जुल्फों का झटकना तेरा
कोमल अदायगी से उन्हें संभालना तेरा

एक दीदार से होशवाले बेक़सूर, जो बिन महखाने गिरने लगते हैं
बे पर्दा होकर निकलने का दस्तूर तेरा, जो मन के स्वर गूंजने लगते हैं

एक शांत समुन्दर की लहरों का शोर हो तुम
किसी कवि की खूबसूरत रचना का छोर हो तुम

उस दिल की कोमल कशिश शायद एक इतेफाक है
हर एक दिल में तुझे पाने की फिराक है

जब कभी सादगी का ज़िक्र होता है
उस ज़िक्र में भी तेरा ही ज़िक्र होता है

खुशनसीबी का वो आलम क्या होता है
जब दिल की इबादत का अफसाना बयां होता है

खुदा की बनायीं कुदरत का एहसास होता है
जिसके एक दीदार के लिए सारा जहाँ होता है

ज़र्रे ज़र्रे की तलाश में दिल का हर पन्ना है
हर बेताब दिल की बस एक यही तमन्ना है!!

एक गाँव में एक वैद्य रहता था | उसका एक लड़का था जिसका नाम उद्धव था | वैद्य के घर से लगा हुआ अगला घर एक व्यापारी का था | व्यापारी का भी एक लड़का था जिसका नाम नंदन था | जहा व्यापारी और वैद्य का रिश्ता सामाजिक पडोसी का था वही दोनों के लड़के परम मित्र थे | साथ में विद्यालय जाना, खेलना, शरारत करना, खाना खाना आदि | वैद्य का लड़का उद्धव व्यक्ति प्रधान स्वाभाव का था | किसी को भी मुसीबत में देख वो उसकी मदद के लिए तैयार हो जाता था | वही उसके विपरीत उसका परम मित्र नंदन वस्तु प्रधान था | वो अपने काम में ज्यादा ध्यान देता था और व्यवहारिकता में थोडा लापरवाह था | दोनों का स्वबह्व और व्यव्हार अलग होने पर भी दोनों की मित्रता प्रगाढ़ थी |

इसी प्रकार समय बीतता रहा | दोनों मित्र अब बालपन छोड़ कर अपनी युवावस्था में प्रविष्ट हो चुके थे | दोनों ने अपनी पढाई भी पूरी कर ली थी | व्यापारी का बेटा अपने पिता के काम में हाथ बताने लग गया था और व्यपार करने के तरीके सिख रहा था | दूसरी तरफ वैद्य का लड़का भी अपने पिता के साथ रोगियों की सेवा करने लगा था | समय के साथ वैद्य और व्यापारी दोनों का स्वर्गवास हो गया और घर की जिम्मेदारी उनके लडको पर आ गयी |

इसी बीच व्यापारी का बेटा एक दिन कही से एक आम का पौधा ले आया | उसने उस पौधे को अपने घर के बगीचे में लगा दिया | जिस जगह नंदन ने वो पौधा लगाया था वो जगह उद्धव के बगीचे के पास थी | नंदन पौधा लगाने के बाद अपने काम में व्यस्त हो गया और वो आम का पौधा अपने सामान्य रूप से बढ़ रहा था | कुछ महीने बाद नंदन को व्यापार के कारण कुछ समय के लिए विदेश जाना पड़ गया } उसने अपने मित्र से अपने घर की देखभाल करने को कहा और वयापार के लिए चला गया |

इधर वो आम का पौधा धीरे धीरे सूखने लगा था | कुछ दिनों बाद उद्धव की नजर उस पौधे पर गयी और उसे सूखता देख कर वो उदास हो गया | उसने जमीन की सफाई की, उसमे खाद-पानी डाला , पौधे के चारो तरफ एक घेरा बनाया | कुछ दिनों में उद्धव की मेहनत रंग लायी और वो पौधा बड़ा हो गया | साथ ही उस पेड़ की एक टहनी बढ़कर उद्धव की जमीन में आ गयी | समय के साथ उस टहनी में एक आम का फल लगा | पुरे पेड़ में सिर्फ एक फल लगा देखकर उद्धव खुश भी था, और अस्चार्यचाकित भी | वो अब भी पेड़ की सेवा करता था और इस इंतजार में था की कब वो फल पके और वो उसे खाए |

एक सुबह जब वो उठा तो देखा की उसका मित्र नंदन विदेश से वापस आ गया है और वो आम के पेड़ पर से वो फल तोड़ने की कोशिश कर रहा है | मित्र को देखकर उद्धव पहले तो खुश हुआ पर फिर उसे गुस्सा आया | जिस फल के लिए उसने इतनी मेहनत की, इन्तेजार किया उसे कोई और कैसे खा जाये | उसने अपने मित्र से कहा की वो आम को न तोड़े क्योंकि वो टहनी उसकी जमीन में है और उस फल पर अब उसका अधिकार है | यह सुन कर नंदन को भी गुस्सा आ गया और दोनों के बीच धीरे धीरे बात बढ़ने लगी और झगडे का रूप ले लिया | आस पास के लोगो ने दोनों को समझाने की कोशिश की पर जब दोनों नहीं माने तब पंचायत बुलाई गयी और सारा किस्सा बताया गया | किस्सा सुन कर पंचायत भी सोच में पड़ गयी की उस फल पर किसका अधिकार है – जिसने पौधा लगाया उसका या जिसकी जमीन में वो टहनी है और जिसने उस पौधे की देखभाल की |

जब पंचायत इस का फैसला करने में अक्षम रही तब सम्राट विक्रमादित्य के दरबार में दोनों गए | सम्राट विक्रमादित्य ने दोनों की बात सुनी और अगले दिन न्याय करने का आश्वाशन दिया | अगले दिन दूर दूर से लोग राजा का फैसला सुनने के लिए दरबार में आये | सम्राट अपना निर्णय दे इससे पहले आपको कुछ करना है…

आपको यह कहानी पढकर यह बताना है की राजा विक्रमादित्य की जगह आप होते तो आप क्या करते |

There was a time in Bollywood when the despite of no technology, people were highly dedicated to make quality stuff. Leading the trend were Guru Dutt, Navketan productions, Shakti Samantha etc. Navketan production (the trio of Dev Anand. Vijay Anand and Chetan Anand) has once such reputation that their movies are sold at the muhrat of the films. They always have strived to attain excellence in their movie. One of such gem was the 1962 movie named “Haqeeqat”.
 
“Haqeeqat” was a movie that was made on the theme of patriotism and all its songs captured the feelings of the nation (or at least those of the movie maker) very well. A few of its songs went on to become iconic songs that continue to be played on important occasions. For example, its song “Kar chale ham fida jaano tan saathiyon, ab tumhaare hawaale watan saathiyon” is one that can move Indians every time one listens to it.
 
This is a song where the genius of Kaifi Azmi can be seen in his ability to express complex, complicated and involved feelings in a very coherent and understandable manner. The situation is one where India (a peace loving country that had no time and inclination for a war) was attacked by China in 1962, and as happens with those unprepared, untrained and unequipped, the Indian soldiers found themselves as sitting ducks on the front.
 
This song “Hoke majboor mujhe usne bhulaaya hoga” captures the feelings of the soldiers on the warfront and that of their loved ones left behind in their homes. I have listened to this song many times, and this time I am listening to this song closely, in order to get the lyrics right and I can visualize the emotions and the feelings that the words of this song convey. And let me tell you, capturing these feelings and emotions so nicely on paper was not easy in 1964 when this song was written. Not at all. In fact, I was so disturbed listening to this song that I thought I would not be able to comment on this song. It has taken great will power on my part to do so. If one needs proof about the power of words, herein lies the proof. My hats off to Kaifi Azmi and Madan Mohan for this gem of a song.
 
And the more I think about Madan Mohan, the more I am amazed. How can one single music director compose such high quality music, and that too while fighting for survival all the time. He would never compromise with quality no matter how precarious his position as a music director was in Bollywood, since most of his movies tended to flop at the box office and that affected his ability to land new assignments.
 
I am so thankful for Madan Mohan, who despite his professional problems, was always known to have cordial relations with his singers, and he in fact used to create his music keeping the range of the singer in mind. This very song, where four singers of different ranges have been used, is a case in point.
 
I have not yet talked about the singers. Just imagine, Rafi, Talat, Manna Dey, and Bhupinder figuring in one song. That way also, it is a very special song.
 
In summary, what a gem this song is!!!

 

Song-Hoke majboor mujhe (Haqeeqat ) (1964)Singers-Rafi, Talat Mahmood,Bhupinder, Manna Dey, Lyrics-Kaifi Azmi, MD-Madan Mohan

होके मजबूर मुझे उसने भुलाया होगा,
होके मजबूर मुझे उसने भुलाया होगा,
 

ज़हर चुपके से दवा जानके खाया होगा,
होके मजबूर मुझे उसने भुलाया होगा,

 होके मजबूर मुझे….

 दिल ने ऐसे भी कुछ अफ़साने सुनाये होंगे…

दिल ने ऐसे भी कुछ अफ़साने सुनाये होंगे,
अश्क आँखों ने पिये और न बहाए होंगे,
बंद कमरे में जो ख़त मेरे जलाए होंगे,
इक इक हर्फ़ जबीं पर उभर आया होगा,

होके मजबूर मुझे उसने भुलाया होगा,
ज़हर चुपके से दवा जानके खाया होगा,

होके मजबूर मुझे….

उसने घबराके नज़र लाख बचाई होगी…उसने घबराके नज़र लाख बचाई होगी,
दिल की लुटती हुयी दुनिया नज़र आई होगी.
मेज़ से जब  मेरी तस्वीर हटाई होगी…

मेज़ से जब  मेरी तस्वीर हटाई होगी,
हाय..
हर  तरफ मुझको,
हर तरफ मुझको तड़पता हुआ पाया होगा,

होके मजबूर मुझे उसने भुलाया होगा,
ज़हर चुपके से दवा जानके खाया होगा

होके मजबूर मुझे….
छेड़ की बात पे अरमान मचल  आयें होंगे…
  
छेड़  की  बात पे  अरमान मचल  आयें होंगे,
ग़म दिखावे की हंसी में उबल आये होंगे,
नाम पर मेरे जब आंसू निकल आये होंगे….

नाम पर मेरे जब आंसू निकल आये होंगे,

सर न काँधे से,

सर न काँधे से सहेली के उठाया होगा,
होके मजबूर मुझे उसने भुलाया होगा,
ज़हर चुपके से दवा जानके खाया होगा

होके मजबूर मुझे….

ज़ुल्फ़ जिद करके किसी ने जो बनायी होगी…

ज़ुल्फ़ जिद करके किसी ने जो बनायी होगी,
और भी गम की घटा मुखड़े पे छायी होगी,
बिजली नज़रों ने कई दिन न गिराई होगी,
रंग चहरे पे कई रोज़ न आया होगा…

होके मजबूर मुझे उसने भुलाया होगा,
ज़हर चुपके से दवा जानके खाया होगा
होके मजबूर मुझे….

It was a long time due on me that my parents wanted me to take them to Shri Krishna Janm Bhoomi. Fortunately after a lot of postponements and a bizarre winter this year, I booked tickets for Mathura on this longer weekend of 26^th June2010. It’s true that wherever I go I found some problems, but this time the problem started before I leave. There was one more resource in our project that came from, nowhere and wanted the leave same time when I had planned and my manager was also very reluctant to let her go. A lot of discussion here and there to cancel my leaves; But once I have decided, No one can stop me. Putting my promotion, my EOB, the spot award and my two years work here on stake I started my journey to land of Shri Radhe Krishna.

 

I am a kind of person who these days is been smitten by some religious bug. Though I am myself a reasonably religious person (except for after 7 on some days, when the “spirits” of United Breweries, Seagram and Johnnie Walkers of the world, keep on hovering around me and I along with some of my friends or office colleagues drag ourselves to the nearby bars), probably to cover my shortcomings. At 3 AM in night in the shivering weather my parents also joined me in Bhopal. Vrindavan-Mathura is around 800+ Kms from Nagpur and it takes around 15 hours to reach there but the weather was almost killing and followed with fog all the way. It took more than 20 hours and finally we landed at of Mathura, standing tall on the banks of river Yamuna.

 

We moved to Shri Krishna Janm Bhoomi and boarded in one of the hotel there. Got fresh and took some lunch and then just moved to explore the Holy land of Shri Krishna. As you draw closer to Mathura -Vrindavan, you can feel some kind of change in the environment (अगर ग़ालिब होते तो कहते की जानिब तेरे आने से फिजा में बहार आ जाती है…J), especially close to the highway where we take a detour for Vrindavan (I read somewhere in one of the novels – “as you cross the Mexican border from Texas, you feel some load off your shoulders”).

 

The hawkers and fruit sellers, the rickshaw pullers, asking for a side were chanting “Jai Shri Radhe” or “Hare Krishna” taking us to a different world – a world where Lord Krishna spent his formative years. Out first target was the Dwarkadheesh temple on the banks of river Yamuna, because it is open till 8 PM only and there is a lot of rush as well. Luckily we got a very good darshan of Shri Dwarkadheesh and then from there we moved back to Janm Bhoomi. The place is so gorgeous and amiable and the chants of “Hare Krishna” are miraculous. You can easily get unconscious from this materialized world and lose control of yourself. Devotees singing and dancing in front of their Krishna is very common sight.

 

Later we moved out of Janm Bhoomi, had our dinner and slept for the night as we were a bit tired. Next morning we had a plan to leave early in the morning for Vrindavan but Nature has its own plans. The temperature was very low and Fog was dense enough to limit visibility to 50 meters. Around 11, we hired on taxi to Vrindavan. The prime attraction in Vrindavan is the ISKON temple. The distance from the National highway to ISKON Temple is around 5 Kms. In the good old days, the entire route used to spread the aroma of sweet smells, with peacocks freely playing across the road. Being close to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, countless migratory birds could also be seen. These days with rapid growth and commercialization taking a firm grip, the chirping of the birds and the dancing peacocks have become a rarity.

वृन्दावन की एक ख़ास बात है की भले ही सारी दुनिया में श्री कृष्ण की धूम हो पर वृन्दावन में तो राधे रानी का ही राज है !!!

There are about 4000 temples, big and small, in Vrindavan, apart from a few Ghats, used by the Hindus for ritual bathing. Though all the temples have an equal reverence, the ISKON Temple has a special place in my heart. The Shri Krishna Balram Temple was established in the year 1975 by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKON). The temple is situated in Raman Reti (the enjoyable sands), where Lord Krishna and Balram sported with their cowherd friends. The principal deities are Lord Krishna, his brother Balram (also fondly known as Dau) and Radha ji (Krishna’s consort).

 

The temple has three altars. The first altar houses the deity of Shri Gaura Nitai, the incarnation of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Lord Krishna, his brother Balram (also fondly known as Dau) is worshipped in the central altar and on the third altar Radha ji and her friends Lalita and Vishakha are worshipped. Hare Krishna devotees from around the world are visible here throughout the year. ISKON Samadhi Adjoining the temple is the Samadhi of Shri Prabhupada, built in pure marble. Vrindavan was so dear to Shri Prabhupada that he chose to remain here eternally in Samadhi in front of the holy temple.

 

 

Next was the Banke Bihari Temple Despite the grandeur of ISKON Temple, the Banke Bihari Temple, built in 1864 is still the most revered and vibrant shrine in Vrindavan. The temple was originally established by Swami Haridas, a great Krishna devotee, known for his soulful devotional bhajans (was also the guru of the famous musician Tansen). He discovered the sacred deity of Banke Bihari (also popularly known as Thakur ji) at Nidhivana, where Banke Bihari was originally worshipped. The deity was moved to Vrindavan on completion of the temple in 1864. The most interesting thing about this temple is that, unlike most of the other temples, the curtain is not left open. The curtain is put shut every few seconds and drawn back with a great chanting of Thakur ji. This process is called as JHANKI. People keep their eyes on the curtain as the curtains are open, people raise their hands to offer their Pranam and the entire madir hall is filled with the voice of “Vrindavan Bihari lal ki Jai”. This is probably done with a view to shroud the icon for a moment. It is believed that the brilliance of eyes of Thakur ji can make a person unconscious, if seen for too long a stretch. Another notable feature is that the lotus feet of the deity can be seen only once a year, on Akshaya Tritiya, which falls sometimes in April / May.

 

If you are fond of some good “chaat”, lassi or mouth watering sweets, the market outside the temple is the place.

 

Next we moved to Nidhi Vana. There are so many places in Vrindavan that it can take more than a week to visit them all. Passing through the dingy and narrow streets of Vrindavan, we reached Nidhi Vana. The place was once a forest (size now cut down to meet the local requirements), where Swami Hari Das discovered the deity of Banke Bihari. Nidhi Vana is also believed to be the “kridasthali” (playground) of Radha and other gopis. As per the popular belief, Lord Krishna rested here with Radha. The shrine inside has a bed, which is decorated by the priest every evening. No one is allowed to stay inside the shrine after dusk, because as per the popular belief the Lord visits the spot with Radha.

 

 

On our way back, we saw 2 new temples coming up – The Gita Mandir being built by the country’s leading industrial group, the Birla’s, which houses the Gita Stambh, a pillar with the entire Srimad Bhagwat Gita carved on its surface. The other is called “Prem Mandir”, an astounding complex, which is being constructed under the auspices of Shyama Shyam Dham Samiti.

 

There are many more things that are not mentioned here. The place is full of events and stories. But somewhere we have to end. It was night by then. We headed back to Mathura and the words in our minds and hearts were only “Radhe Krishna.”

 

I started this post in January and really wanted to complete this post from a long time but didn’t get the time. But better late than never.

जय श्री कृष्ण!!! (After a lot of thinking I decided that there can’t be at better way to finish the post with “Jai Shri Krishna” which has started with “Jai Shri Radhe”).

वैसे तो लोग सांड को ज्यादा पसंद नहीं करते है पर हमारे सांड की बात ही कुछ और है| वो कहते है न  - “Everybody has his own charm”.

वैसे तो अपना सांड बाकि सांडो जैसा नहीं है पर लेकिन सांड तो रहेगा सांड ही | लोगो के दिमाग में सांड का नाम आते ही एक अलग ही छवि उभरने लगती है – मस्त, मोटा, आवारा, आलसी, बिंदास और भी बहुत कुछ…
तो भाई बाकी सांडो की तरह हमारा सांड भी मस्त है,  तंदरूस्त है, आवारा के बारे में  कुछ शगुफ्ता हो सकता है, आलसी और बिंदास तो है भाई | अधिकतर ये देखा गया है की सांड लाल रंग देखकर भड़क जाता है पर हमारे ये सांड थोडा सा मूडी है | इसका मूड करता है तो ये किसी भी रंग पर भड़क जाता है और नहीं तो खुद  ही लाल रंग के कपडे पेहें लेता है और एकदम अहिंसावादी बन जाता है |

कल हमारे सांड का जन्मदिन था जो की इस साल दूसरी बार आया था | सांड दिन दोगुना और रात चोगुना बढे ऐसी हम कामना करते है…
J

हैप्पी बर्थडे सांड!!!

अभी कुछ दिनों पहले की बात है | बड़ी मुश्किल से ऑफिस से जान बचाकर दो महीने बाद अपने घर गया था | सभी दोस्तों से मिला  वह और  बहुत  अच्छा लगा | एक जगह  बातचीत का सिलसिला शुरू  हुआ और दुनिया जहाँ की बाते की | तभी अचानक मेरा एक दोस्त  बोला – “यार  तू  मोटा हो गया है |” 

 मैंने मौके की नजाकत को भांपा और मुस्कुराते हुए अपनी छोटी सी प्यारी सी तोंद पर बड़े ही गर्व से हाथ घुमाया और  कहा –” भाई ये तो निशानी है खाते पीते घर के लोगो की |”.

फिर वो हमे समझाने लगा – “अरे नहीं यार !! थोडा वाक किया कर | “

मैंने कहा — “वो तो मैं रोज ही करता हूँ |”

वो बोला — ” फिर भी दुबला नहीं हो रहा, क्या बात है !!!”

हमने मजाक में कहा — “कौन कमबख्त दुबला होने के लिए वाक करता है | हम तो वाक करते है की वाक करती हुई लडकियों के देख सके और उनको देखते देखते  और ज्यादा खां सके |”

सब हसने लगे और बात आई गयी हो गयी |

शाम को वापस घर आया  तो मम्मी ने खाने को कहा | मैंने बताया की लोग मुझे मोटा कहने लगे है | वैसे तो सभी की मम्मी एक जैसी होती  है, उनको हमेशा ही अपना लाल कमजोर, कुपोषित और दुबला ही लगता है | ये अलग बात है की जमाना हमे देखकर जल जाता है | मम्मी ने कहा सब गलत बात है और हमे प्रमाणित कर दिया की हम मोटे नहीं है | साथ ही एक काला धागा भी बांध दिया ताकि हमे किसी भी दुबले पतले आदमी की नज़र न लगे !!! 

Introduction

As we know any company that wants to be world class should be highly customer and people focused. The processes and strategies should be supporting the intense Customer orientation and people orientation. In addition how to do things faster, better and cheaper should be a constant question.

Reviewing Our Appraisal System

In view of the above, current Performance Appraisal System might needs a review and re-visit and a few salient aspects are outlined below.

1. Software development is a team game and people work and perform together in a team. There is always an element of inter-dependence and certain factors which have impact on their productivity. A few examples of these could be behavior of peers, sub-ordinates and seniors, expectations from the boss, boss’ leadership style and availability of the required information & resources at the right point of time. If we work in an environment of inter-dependence then why our performance is measured at individual level. Can we assume that our current system is fundamentally supporting us in getting all these facts considered in the judgment?

    

2. This appraisal system is forcing people to compete against each other rather than competing against themselves i.e. improving their own capacity to accomplish their goals – and not against each other’s goals. Is our appraisal system giving a message to all that win of one person is a loss to someone else? Can we expect optimum synergy with these fundamentals at the base?

    

    

3. As we know, now the rate of change is fastest in entire human history (and it will tend to accelerate). Software Development can be compared with a game field with 2 sides. First side is composed of various E2E teams, Component teams, and various support groups and includes even the customer. Second side is composed of ‘business goals’, ‘business problems’, ‘constraints’, ‘issues’ & ‘risks’. The first side has to play with highest synergy possible to win over the second side. Even if one in the chain fails every one suffers. This encourages team work rather than individual heroism at component levels. We should encourage the same within components (project teams) also.

    

4. There are three parts of any performance system:

• Performance planning,
• Performance assurance( day to day coaching)
• Performance evaluation.

 

In the current appraisal system most of the attention is paid primarily to performance evaluation and other 2 aspects are left unheeded. The appraisers are encouraged to be transactional leaders (judges) rather than transformational leaders (performance coaches). Do we need judges or the transformational leaders? The need of the hour is possibly of transformational leaders who would mentor us in staying in the vanguard and ahead in the race.

As in Quality (QMG) we say about Prevention (training) cost, Appraisal cost and failure cost:  $ 1 spent in appraisal (reviews, testing etc.) cost will save $ 3 in failure cost and $1 spent in Prevention (training) will save $ 10 in failure cost.

Similarly for 3 parts of appraisal system, time spent in Performance planning and Performance coaching will save us enormous cost which we incur due to performance failure or (perceived) judgment failure i.e. grievance. The importance of Proper Performance Planning and day to day coaching (performance assurance) can’t be overemphasized. These elements will obviously have cost associated with them but benefits will certainly outweigh the cost by huge ratio. So investing in Performance planning and Performance Coaching is a smart investment by any yardstick.

1. The current appraisal system encourages people to put efforts in getting visibility with the decision makers. Primary focus is somewhat shifted to improving the boss’ impression and perception and having visibility with the higher-ups rather than fulfilling the customer expectations. Point to be pondered is whether this appraisal system not diverting people’s energy and focus from the basic reasons of our existence is i.e. fulfilling the needs of the customer and adding values for our shareholders. If yes then is it not proving counter-productive? Let me exaggerate this problem by comparing it with playing the tennis match with eyes on the scorecard rather than on the ball. Though this does not happen most of the time but it is bound to happen considerably. Are we not losing intangible but creative constructive energy due to this process? In a stiff cost-benefit driven environment such drainage of creative and constructive energy could prove costly.

    

2. Majority of the people will agree that, rapport and relationship with the boss will have significant (it can be deciding factor) impact on performance evaluation, as after all boss is also a human being. We tend to see positive qualities in someone who is nice to us and negative qualities in someone who is not nice to us. This emotional (subjective) factor can be very decisive.
   

    

3. Should the boss’ performance in mentoring and grooming the sub-ordinate be measured? At the time of entering PRD details should the employee’s feedback on his boss’ mentoring be considered? This would ensure a 360 Degree feedback process.

    

4. Also first impression is another factor which does not have any logical relationship with the person’s contribution in longer duration but unfortunately it also plays an important role in the last (evaluation time) impression.
   

    

5. If we don’t hire people on a performance review curve why grade them on one? Our current system forces managers to rate people as Excellent, Very good, good and poor performers. I ask managers (bosses) how many of them are thinking at hiring time ‘Let’s go out and hire some losers so we can fill some of our low slots. They laugh about it. Of course they don’t. We either hire winner or potential winners–people we think will perform well when they are trained and encouraged.

Over Hauling Present day Appraisal System

After the problem statements it is the time for solution now. Of course no performance appraisal system can be perfect. However leading Leadership and Management experts of the world have found this kind of system is not fulfilling the purpose and said that there is huge scope for improvement. It is not by internal competition but by internal collaboration we get optimum performance. It is not that improving the performance of individuals improves the performance but improving the performance of systems and processes improves the performance of the organization.

The performance appraisal system should be such which encourages team work, generates synergy at project, group and organization levels, creates win-win situation for Customers, Employees and Investors and most importantly ensures that the precious intangible creative energy does not go waste in unproductive activities. Here are some recommendations which can be considered to modify the appraisal system so that it promotes productivity and stakeholder’s satisfaction

 

• Performance planning should be given the deserved attention as in terms of cost-benefit ratio and people development, its importance can’t be overemphasized. Goal setting fundamentals needs to be used in our ideas system. An effective goal should be SMART. I.e. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time bound.

   

  • Specific: – The goal describes a specific outcome as clearly defined, and unambiguous as possible.
  • Measurable: – If it could be made clear about what results will fetch which rating then it will not only ensure better goal achievement but also require fewer discussions at performance evaluation stage ( as the element of subjectivity will be removed).
    
  • We will arrive because the goal is Achievable. We have the skills, knowledge and resources to accomplish it.
    
  • The goal is Relevant to the larger mission of the customer or the organization or for skill development.
    
  • It’s also Time bound and can be accomplished reasonably in the intended timeframe.
    

   

• Day to Day Coaching (Performance Assurance): Feedback should be given as close as possible to the event, rather than withheld for future occasion.
  

   

  • This achieves maximum benefit in situations where:
    
    • Changes is required in event of poor performance
      
    • Positive reinforcement is required for good performance
      

 

• Many of us provide instant feedback but there appears to be a cultural shift required in the way we (many of us) provide it. People perform better we accentuate the positive and redirect the negative. A great book by Leading Management Expert Ken Blanchard ‘Whale done’ should be read by all our people managers to understand this important concept on day to day coaching.

 

• Another important Goal Setting fundamental is Goals needs to be frequently
  revisited to analyze the progress and whether any change required in strategy to achieve those. So auto generated mails can be sent to people on weekly/bi-weekly basis to remind them that ‘to help them achieve their goal this mail is sent to remind them that they need to revisit the goals in idea@s and analyze how they are progressing’.
  

   

• In our behavioral trainings ‘Goal Setting’ should be included. This will help everyone to know the ‘Goal Setting’ fundamentals and that will help them in achieving their Goals.
  

   

   

• Another point which could be considered for better goal attainment of people. Why can’t we have HR people to ensure that proper performance planning is done and proper SMART goals are set? Can some process on these lines be thought of?

   

• There can be 4 kinds of goals which can be set

   

  • Team (Shared) Goals: These goals will be common for the entire team and will be reflected in all team members Goals in ide@s.
  • Individual Goals: Individual Development goals or job requirements (expectations) goals
  • Subordinate Development Goals: For Managers to ensure people development.
  • CU/BU/Organization Goals: These can be set depending on the Seniority and expectation from the person.

     

• 50 % of the rating should be common for entire team. This will encourage team work, people’ focus on project’s goal and customer satisfaction rather than personal branding, positioning and selling. This common rating should be highly influenced by the customer’s feedback and project achieving its goals. Entire team can get 50 % common rating based on CSAT, ESAT, achieving the projects objective etc. With this the Agile concept of ‘A team wins together or loose together’ will be appropriately used.
  

   

• Concept of ‘Team Ratings adjustment factor’ can be introduced. The entire team will give 360 degree feedback for every team member based on which the Team Rating Adjustment factor for the person can be determined. The major parameter considered for this factor can be Dedication and team spirit of a person. This factor will be multiplied with the common team rating which is determined in above point.
  

   

• 35 % rating can be based on individual goals. Here important point which I would suggest is that all 100 % people can achieve full ratings if they all achieve their goals i.e. there is no relative comparison between people. All people can be winners. Bell curve can be totally removed as why we need losers anyways.

   

• 10 % rating can be given on BU achieving it goals and 5 % on Organization achieving its goals.

   

• Based on ratings calculated as per above formula, variable incentive should be given (P2P is an excellent step already taken. P2P’s semi-partnership model between the Organization and Employees is highly encouraging.).

   

• Most importantly variable pay break-up should communicate the message strongly to everyone that the team oriented culture will be encouraged.

   

• ‘Feedback is the breakfast of Champions’. As we follow Agile Methodology so some agile way of conducting quarterly appraisal needs to be figured out. The determined process should be made very clear to everyone. This process will be highly beneficial in implementing P2P as well.

   

• Feedback from the team should be taken on mentoring and performance coaching skills and people development oriented attitude of the Managers.

   

• The current appraisal system is enforcing the light green pyramid i.e. juniors work for their immediate senior, who in turn work for their seniors and so on. However to ensure the win for our customer this pyramid should be inverted and the one in sky blue should be followed i.e. everyone should be focused on the customer. Customer contact people (top layer of sky blue pyramid) will be directly working to delight the customer and all others will be working to support these customer contact people. The role of managers should be to Set Vision, Mission and Goals, define strategy, set processes, make plans, provide guidance and motivation, involve in performance planning and performance assurance (skill building) and most importantly to provide servant leadership i.e. removing obstacles from subordinate’s path. This Servant Leadership mindset by our Managers will ensure our customers win. The concept of Servant Leadership has been also proposed by leading management experts. With this approach the development of our most important asset (people) will be ensured – a significant step towards evolving into a world class organization!!!
  

 

Happy Appraisals…

हज़ार किस्सों में एक कहानी मेरी भी,

 मैं जिसका हूँ दीवाना, काश बने वो दीवानी मेरी भी,

 

यु तो लिए फिरती है चाहत का समंदर दिल में वो,

मिलने को बेताब है उससे नदिया तूफानी मेरी भी,

 

मेरी ख़ुशी में छलके उसकी आँखें,

 उसके गम पे आये आँखों से पानी मेरी भी,

 

जो हस दे तोह फिजायें चमन हो जाये,

जो छू ले तो आये रग रग में रवानी मेरी भी,

 

है मालूम न कटेगा उसके साथ बुढ़ापा मेरा,

इस खलिश ने कर दी बर्बाद जवानी मेरी भी,

 

छोटी तकरार में साथ छोड़ दें, इतने हम खुद्दार नहीं,

वक़्त से पहले अलग हुए, बस इतनी थी नादानी मेरी भी,

 

थोड़ी अजनबी थोड़ी जानी- पहचानी सी लगती है,

तुमसे मिलती जुलती ही है कहानी मेरी भी,

 

अब भी अक्सर जूझता रहता हूँ मै उसकी यादों से,

उसने भी शायद रखी होगी कुछ ऐसी निशानी मेरी भी,

 

उसकी जुदाई से यहाँ समुन्दर भी वीरान है,

वरना पार लग ही जाती वो कश्ती तूफानी मेरी भी,

 

वक़्त गुजर गया लेकिन आज भी रोता हूँ अकेले में,

क्या प्यार इतना भी न था, कि ले जाती जिंदगानी मेरी भी !!!

 –

To all DADA loving People…

Indians love cricket…

We all grew up watching, chatting and thinking of Cricket…

Every time India Plays, we all get tensed, sometimes over Joyed, our throats were filled with chillness or about to experience a new adventure…

Dada (As people call him in love), God of Offside, Bengal Tiger, Prince of Kolkata, Maharaja has already called it a day to International Matches but Ain’t to Cricket. It is in his blood, mind, Body, Heart and soul and so it is in the heart of millions of people across the length and breath. After Such a brilliant performance in yesterday’s Match with Delhi Daredevils, the hearts are bumping fast, saying that there is still a lot to be displayed on the show and the thrill we experienced was sometimes like India beating Pakistan in World Cup (1992, 1996, 1999 & 2003)

This is dedicated to our hero,

The Man who taught and make Indians believe that we can and will win…

Note: – The Data is collected from internet and from watching the Live Matches on Television. And I am feeling privileged to put it all here once. Dada’s career can be classified into 4 stages.

1. Typical Indian Cricket (1992 -2000)

   From the Controversial refusal to carry drink as 12^th man in Australia, and a very ordinary ODI debut,  following a four years of separation with International scene and then the historic Test Debut at Lords, the home of cricket, This was all the beginning of the Making of the Legend. The next four year, despite of an average show by Indian team and the match fixing scandal, Ganguly was blossoming as a player. His drives through offside were elegant, classic and unstoppable and he was despairingly lethal to the spin bowlers. Continuously scored more that 1000 run in a calendar years and became one of the integral part of the India cricket team.

2. Captaincy (2000-2005)

   Captaincy is a spark, it’s not just preparation or the homework, and it’s about the spark on the field, which is something natural for Dada. He’s got that extra bit of luck which you require in captaincy. Doesn’t believe much in team meetings and all, He just does what he sees on the field. Gathered the bunch of players from the domestic circuit like Zaheer khan, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan singh, Irfan Pathan, Parthiv Patel, Virendra sehwag, gautam gambhir and the current Indian captain Dhoni and rejuvenated the team with a new enthusiasm.

   Everyone says that we lost 11 finals on the go, but no one says that we reached 11 finals consecutively and breaking the shackles in the 12^th at Lords again And again critics didn’t like Ganguly for taking off his shirt. They think Cricket is still a gentleman’s game. This was the beginning of the golden era of Indian Cricket. Runners up in champions trophy 2000, Defeating Australia 2-1 at home in 2001,  Joint winners of champions trophy with Sri Lanka, Runners up in world cup 2003, winning test and one day series in Pakistan in 2004, Draw the test series in Australia, First test win in England after 16 years were some of the memorable events.

3. Bad Days (2005-2008)

   The bad days started when John Wright left as coach and Greg chapel stepped in. His performance with bat and relations with coach were getting to much hype. First he was hit by an injury, and then Dravid succeeded him as captain and then lost his place to yuvraj and others. Following that he was in and out of the team. Again his individual performance was overall good but he was accused of team’s bad performance. Played some good match winning innings against South Africa, Australia and England before Retiring on 10^th November 2008 at Nagpur.

   
 

Trivia: – 8 years ago “exactly” on this day (10^th November 2000) ganguly had made his debut as the captain of India and dhoni again let ganguly as a captain for 5 overs (45th to 49^th) on his last day of test cricket. Fabulous spirit of cricket.

Also In that first test as captain dada scored 84 off 153 and DNB ( 0 ) and Last test dada scored 85 off 153 and 0… Kool!! Ain’t it???

Ganguly’s Replies

• On Last day captaincy –

  I didn’t expect MS to ask me to captain the side for five overs. I was already switched off, so he woke me up. I didn’t know what was happening the first six seven balls. Luckily they were nine down so I managed to do it for three and then said it’s his job, not mine any more.

• Last Series ( Border-Gavaskar trophy  2008) –

  We’ve beaten the best team in the world 2-0. I’ve played well; the team’s played well (324 runs with avg 54). There were lots of doubts after we came back from Sri Lanka. The way this Test match finished … it’s probably one of the best finishes I’ve seen in terms of a team performance. I want to cherish this for a long period. I could easily sacrifice ten to 12 Tests for this.

• Last disappointment

  I was disappointed with the 85 I got. I was so close to getting a hundred. That was more disappointing than the first-ball duck.

• And Last words

  This is my time to leave.

 
 

Reincarnation( IPL T20 Matches)

Anyone who has watched him playing yesterday wont say that he is approaching 38. He was like a 20 year old full of energy and ideas. He is clearly Kokata’s Premier batsman in IPL and despite of poor run in IPL 2, he is the leadin run scorer.And I sense that there is still something very best in reserve to come… J

 
 

       
 

Some of the Memorable Ganguly Moments (Cherish and enjoy):

Soured Ganguly made his ODI debut against West Indies in Brisbane in 1992, scoring just 3, after which he was dropped. He played his second ODI more than four years later, against England at Lord’s, where he was out stumped for 46.

But he announced his presence on the international stage with a century on Test debut at Lord’s in June 1996. He followed it up with another in the next Test at Trent Bridge, where he made 136.

Ganguly became an integral part of India’s one-day side, making his mark with both bat and ball. He had a dream series against Pakistan in Toronto in 1997, where he took 15 wickets at an average of 10.66, and scored 222 runs at 55.50, to win four Man-of-the-Match awards in five games. India won the series 4-1.

 

He was in tremendous form in the drawn three-match home series against Sri Lanka in 1997, scoring 392 runs at an average of 98.00, including 109 in Mohali and 173 in Mumbai.

The 1999 World Cup saw him and Rahul Dravid excel and form the backbone of India’s batting line-up with Sachin Tendulkar. Ganguly was the third-highest run-getter in the tournament, with 379 in seven matches, including a sensational 183 in a must-win game against Sri Lanka at Taunton. He and Dravid, who made 145, added 318 for the second wicket, a record at the time.

 

He is made an interim captain of the one-day side following an injury to Sachin Tendulkar, and impresses immediately, leading India to a 2-1 series win against West Indies in Toronto in 1997.

A county stint with Lancashire follows, as Ganguly is signed up as a replacement for Muttiah Muralitharan in February 2000.

In the immediate aftermath of the match-fixing controversy, and Tendulkar’s resignation from captaincy following India’s Test series defeat to South Africa at home, their first in many years, Ganguly is appointed captain for the five-match ODI series against the same opposition. He top-scores for India in the series, and leads his team to a hard fought 3-2 victory.

Ganguly takes over as full-time captain immediately after.

Indian cricket enters a new era with the appointment of John Wright as coach, the first foreigner to hold that position for India on a full-time basis. Ganguly and Wright lead India in a fascinating phase of the country’s cricketing history, with the former coming into his own as captain.

Ganguly’s leadership skills came to the fore when he led India to a dramatic 2-1 series win over Australia, after being down 1-0 in the series. Harbhajan Singh was his trump-card, taking 32 wickets in three Tests, including 13 in Kolkata, where India, after following on, came back to beat Australia by 171 runs on the final day.

India’s win ended Australia’s 16-match winning streak and marked the beginning of an enthralling rivalry with the world champions. India won a nail-biter in the third Test in Chennai by two wickets, and found new heroes in VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh, who became permanent fixtures in their rejuvenated Test team.

One of Ganguly’s more determined innings came in Kandy in August 2001, when he oversaw a dicey pitch and the threat of Muttiah Muralitharan to score an unbeaten 98 to take India to a seven-wicket win. India, however, lost that series 2-1.

Earlier, Ganguly had led India to their first Test win outside the sub-continent, against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo the same year. But India lost the second Test and the series was level.

In one of his greatest moments as India’s one-day captain, Ganguly led his team to a win in the Natwest triangular ODI series in England in 2002.

India had lost nine ODI finals under his leadership, and looked to be well on their way to a tenth defeat, as they were reduced to 146-5 in the final against England in pursuit of 325. However, the younger members of the Indian team, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif, who flourished under Ganguly’s captaincy, took India home with two wickets to spare.  Ganguly’s celebration on the Lord’s balcony after the win was quite a spectacle.

Soon after the Natwest series triumph, India lost the first Test at Lord’s. But they came back strongly in the third Test at Headingley, with Ganguly scoring a century, as India won their first Test in England since 1986. The series was drawn 1-1.

Ganguly led India to the final of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002, but with rain playing spoilsport, India and Sri Lanka were declared joint-winners.

A tumultuous tour of New Zealand followed, where India were trounced 2-0 in the Tests and 5-2 in the ODI series. It was one of Ganguly’s most disappointing assignments as captain. He ensured a reversal of fortunes in the 2003 World Cup, leading India into the final. The highlight of India’s impressive performance was their win against Pakistan in Centurion by six wickets.

But Ganguly faltered in the final, opting to bowl first. Australia piled up a mammoth 359 and India lost by 125 runs. Another successful phase followed.

India toured Australia in 2003-04 and Ganguly set the tone for the Test series, scoring 144 in the first Test at Brisbane, and then leading his team its first Test win in Australia since 1981, beating the hosts by six wickets in Adelaide.

Australia drew level in Melbourne, and both teams fought a draw in Sydney, as Ganguly’s troops retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy in Steve Waugh’s farewell series.

Following a thaw in relations between the two neighbours, India embarked on a full tour of Pakistan for the first time since 1989. In a riveting five-match ODI series, Ganguly led his side to a 3-2 win. India then claimed their first Test series victory overseas in more than a decade when, in 2004, they beat Pakistan by an innings and 131 runs in the third Test in Rawalpindi to clinch the series 2-1.

Though he missed the first two Tests due to injury, Ganguly scored 77 as India amassed 600 to set up the victory. Ganguly’s late withdrawal from the third Test in the home series against Australia in late 2004, which the tourists won to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series, indicated that all was not well.

He had scored 45 and 5 in the first Test in Bangalore and 9 in the drawn second Test in Chennai Beating South Africa 1-0 at home in the Test series later that year was a consolation, but things soon took a turn for the worse for Ganguly.

India squandered a 1-0 lead against Pakistan at home in 2005, in John Wright’s last series as coach, losing in the third Test in Bangalore by 168 runs.

Ganguly fared poorly in the series, scoring just 48 runs at an average of 9.60 India lost the subsequent ODI series 4-2, after being 2-0 up, as Ganguly’s slump continued, with just 31 runs at an average of 7.75.

Controversy reigned after Greg Chappell took over as India’s coach as his relationship with Ganguly was far from ideal.

In India’s tour of Zimbabwe, Ganguly laboured to a 262-ball century, his first in nearly two years, in the first Test at Bulawayo.

But immediately after his knock, Ganguly told reporters that Chappell had suggested he give up the captaincy to concentrate on his batting. The triangular ODI series that followed was Ganguly’s last for more than a year. The uneasy relationship became public knowledge when a mail sent by Chappell to the Indian board was leaked. In it, Chappell is said to have deemed Ganguly as being physically and mentally unfit to be in the team. The Indian board brokered peace between the two after a closed door meeting, but Ganguly’s place in the side was looking in danger.

Chappell looked to have been vindicated when the Indian selectors decided to give Rahul Dravid the Test captaincy for the home series against Sri Lanka in 2005. This came after Dravid, captaining in place of the injured Ganguly, led India to a 6-1 thrashing of Sri Lanka in the ODI series. Ganguly’s dethronement did not go down well with his fans who burnt effigies of Chappell, calling for his dismissal. Ganguly, however, finished as India’s most successful Test captain, leading his side to 21 wins in 49 games.

In ODIs, he was second only to Mohammad Azharuddin, winning 76 out of 146 matches. Ganguly returned to the Test team, but after scores of 4 [in Chennai] and 40 and 39 [in Delhi], he was dropped from the third Test in favour of the younger Yuvraj Singh.

The last Test before Ganguly’s 10-month absence from the game came in Karachi. He was dogged, but with scores of 34 and 37, and competition for slots, he was once again dropped. He returned to the domestic fold, impressing with consistent performances, and also played county cricket, representing Northamptonshire.

A recall became imminent after he regained his touch in the domestic circuit. He made his return in India’s Test series in South Africa, and shone immediately, making 51 in India’s first Test win in the country. He was India’s leading run-getter in the series, scoring 214 at an average of 42.80. However, India lost the series 2-1 after the home team bounced back in the next two Tests. His return to the one-day side was just as impressive. He made 98 against West Indies in Nagpur in January 2007, and was Man of the Series in India’s subsequent win against Sri Lanka, top-scoring with 168 runs in four matches.

Ganguly scored his first century after his return to Test cricket, against Bangladesh in Chittagong.

He was then instrumental in India’s first Test series win in England, scoring an important 79 in their victory at Nottingham, and ending the series as India’s second-highest run-getter, with 249 at 49.80. Shahid Afridi was Ganguly’s 100th ODI wicket. This match in Gwalior in November 2007 was, incidentally, Ganguly’s last.

He ended his ODI career with 11,363 runs, currently fourth on the all-time list, and 22 centuries. His swansong continued, with his first Test century in his beloved Eden Gardens in Kolkata, against Pakistan, and a career-best 239 in the same series in Bangalore.

India won the series 1-0. He also scored his 1000th run of the year, to join Jacques Kallis as the only batsmen to do so in 2007. He played his 100th Test at the MCG, and then played one more match-winning knock against South Africa in Kanpur, making 87, to help India level the series.

But a failure in Sri Lanka followed, as India lost the series 2-1, and Ganguly was subsequently dropped for the Irani Cup.

However, he was selected for India’s home series against Australia. In a surprise announcement ahead of the series, Ganguly said the series would be his last and that he would retire from international cricket. He added one more century to his tally, scoring 116 in Mohali in India’s massive 328-run win.

But in his last Test innings in Nagpur, Ganguly was dismissed for a duck off his first ball, joining the likes of Don Bradman who suffered a similar fate in his final appearance.

Sourav Ganguly waves as he leads the team out on his final day of Test cricket, India v Australia, 4th Test, Nagpur, 5th day, November 10, 2008

He is carried off the field by team-mates when his last match came to an end. One last ride around his 15 years life ( cricket ground ), and a final Good-Bye.

Sadness is a part of Pride…

Sourav’s daughter holds up his Poster throughout the last match…

Hats off to a Great Career and a Great Player and A great Leader…

 

Karbo!! Ladbo!!

JeetBo!!!

Yesterday nights I was just trying to enter my day into the diary but was not getting the thoughts. Suddenly something flashed in my mind – I just paired it with two more lines.

कलम है हाथ में पर अल्फाज़ नहीं मिलता,

जिनको ढूंढते है हम वो जज़्बात नहीं मिलता,

वैसे तो फिरते है वो ज़माने के साथ, 

बस एक हमारे लिए ही उन्हें वक़्त नहीं मिलता..

P. S.:- I got this very bad habit of diary writing for the last year and a half.