Working at TICB

I joined this company, Tecnimont ICB Pvt. Ltd., some 6 months back. It is an EPC company, meaning Engineering-Procurement-Construction, in Industry verticals like Oil and Gas, Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Fertilizers, Refinery, Power and Infrastructure. I handle Corporate Communication here. Now, you will wonder, what is an artist doing in an Engineering company? Well, one I am handling Corporate Communication here and my agency background helps, two I have been in Business Development for a fairly long time to understand the implications of corporate communication on business and three I am a fast learner, I have already started understanding the ways of this industry.

My company is located at Mindspace in Malad, Mumbai. Yes, it is this large and beautiful building right in the middle of the IT and BPO hub of Mumbai. It has this lush green garden right in front of the office building which has fountains inside that not only water the plants but also give this quaint appeal to the office premises.

The people here do not have the typical corporate conduct that I have become so used to. I am here, surrounded by engineers who are wired differently. My approach for undertaking communication initiatives for them also has to be very different. Engineers are supposed to be left brained people, who use strong logic in everyday activities as well. Simple people who have simple needs and just need to know that the company cares. We do not have to deal with issues like attrition like the other IT, BPO or Financial Services industry – here we have the loyalty in place. The buzz word however is Employee Engagement to increase involvement and productivity. I think I have got the pulse there. And I intend to hold on to it and start working on the internal communication program that we have planned.

External communication is something that we are working on and will get to a more robust plan and strategy shortly. I am enjoying what I do here and it is fun. The company does care for its people and has some of the very important pillars like quality, safety and environment that are so vital for this industry are in place. Watch this space as I progress with the job here and update new initiatives and programs that we do.

Write a story

“Write a story”
“Uh! Don’t start again”
“I know you can write it, so go now, write a story”
“I am tired. I can’t”
“Write a story sweetie, you have to do it”
“Hmm tomorrow”

And then the tomorrow never comes. I have been having these silent conversations with myself for a long long time and still tomorrow never comes.

I have a story in mind and the characters clearly etched out. I have also thought of the cast if I were to make a movie of this story. But, tomorrow never comes.

I will some day – write this story…

You and Me

I am not me

You are not you

Isn’t this strange

How can this be true?

Yet we meet again

A different setting

A different tone

Strangers making conversation

We walk the fragile line

A line of indifference

Can it be from you?

It can be from me though

I have not come out unscathed

But I have learnt to heal

Let’s begin anew

Keep the past where it belongs

I am not me

You are not you

Isn’t this strange

How can this be true?

Police officer sentenced to Life

Today I read news about a police officer being sentenced to life in prison for an action he took 12 years ago. How fair is this? He took a call at that moment, at that time when an angry mob was at rampage.

There are so many terrorists, rapists, murderers, thieves in the country and the court got a police officer who took a call of duty to be given a life sentence. I wonder what kind of a judicial system we have. Did the court order the life sentence to this police officer due to pressure? Because the firing was done against Dalits? We will never know.

I also know of incidences when terrorists are caught in the valley and the so called Human Rights group come and pester the Army to release them on some ridiculous grounds. Are we going to let all these groups/associations run over us? Its only time when the Army will also have to explain why they used their weapons at all. Will we have the police and the army explaining why did they kill a terrorist? I agree that being in the police or Army does not give you the right to kill without reason. But in this case and all cases I know of had reasons. Yet, why are these guys put under the scanner?

Look at what a mockery we are making of ourselves with Ajmal Kasab. We are talking of ‘Fair Trial’ – point taken. Then why are you taking ages to conclude the trial? How much of our hard earned tax money is being used to protect that joker? Finish the trial and execute the guy. Everyone knows what it is – so just get over with it. We have still not executed the Parliament Attacker – Afzal. Why? Where are we? Because some idiots who think they know all about Human Rights, have succeeded in holding off the execution.

And we are here sentencing our honest officers, who protect us and take difficult decisions so that we could live peacefully. Where are the Human Rights idiots in this case? Will they not make enough money or news or whatever they are after if they support an officer.

Somewhere, everyone knows what an angry mob is capable of doing. I am sure that the decision of firing at the mob was the last resort that the officer had to take to stop them. This is unfair, this is an honest officer that we have, and what does our judiciary give him? Life Sentence for serving the country.

The Leap

The wind just gushed past me
Bellowing “here comes the leap”

I have to take this leap
I have to jump

Jump to a new beginning
Leap towards the rising sun

My heart breaks
It breaks at what I am leaving behind
It breaks when I close my eyes
Hushed is this explosion

But I know I need to jump
I know I have to leap

Can we ever have enough?

In today's time, are our needs exceeding our means?

I have been seeing it around. Sometimes even I want to buy or do things that I might not want or do when I am in the right mind. Some 6 years back when I earned 100 Rs. I was happy and never felt that there are things I might want and can not have. Today I earn 400 Rs. and can afford things that I couldn't even think of earlier yet I feel I can not have it all...

Is it the so called "Mall Culture" or is it that I have become greedy and brainless... There are so many things... right from clothes to shoes to jewellery to cars to home appliances to God! there is so much.

I work hard, very hard and yet can we ever have enough? Can we ever have it all? Ummmm...

Forgive me Lord... Cause I have sinned...!

India Decides? They do not get the opportunity

No doubt that the country is going to the dogs because most of the educated working class people have no leave tomorrow (I have an half day off, thank god!), for these guys to vote. Shouldn't it be compulsory for these guys to give at least half day off for voting???? One of my friend's company made them sign a declaration that they are coming to work on their own free will and are not forced. Disgusting!!!!

These companies and MNCs that are earning millions from our country, do not even give a moment to think that these elections are vital for the country...

The poor and uneducated class would vote for anyone who gives them food that day or shows them false dreams. What are we building this country on??? Even if someone wants to vote they can't because the employer thinks it is not important. What kind of Social Responsibility are these companies showing?

Where is India heading??? People can not even exercise their right to vote?

We need to do more than this. I have always been in love with my country and I am super patriotic. But surprisingly (for me too) I have been thinking of migrating to another country for a while now. Most of my friends also say the same thing - There is nothing left here, lets move out somewhere else. Someplace where our tax money is put to good use...

My office is five minutes by auto from my house. But the 5 minutes ride is torturous for me because of the roads. The administration just digs the road and the fills them up unevenly. In the next few days they will dig again at another place and then leave the place unattended for days. All you get in Mumbai is uneven dirty roads and dust, traffic. Our infrastructure is failing. We need a strong party to move us ahead. "India - the next biggest economy in the making" all this sounds superficial when you are actually living in this country and experiencing day to day struggles.

People - I urge you, please vote. Please exercise your right. Please vote so that we have a strong government. Please vote so that we have the right administration. You could also select the option of no vote if you think none of the candidates are suitable. But, please go and vote.

I still don't know whether my name is on the election list. But I will go to the booth with the documents. I have already filled the form 5 months back. I hope I can vote this time. Those of you who have the election ID - do not use it only as an identity proof. But use it to vote if you can. For companies who are not giving leaves - please speak with the HR. Or best - call the contesting parties - let them know you want to vote and that the office is not permitting you to vote. I am sure they will take care of you HR and Management...