The Mirare

Today, 31st March 2010, is going to be last day at Alcatel-Lucent for me. I have been working here for so long, almost a decade, that it has become my second home.

I know so many people here, have so much to speak, but when its time to say goodbye, words seem are hard to come by.

31st May 2000, I still remember the first day at Lucent quite clearly. Though like many engineers who join Lucent, I too had other options; but it was the magic of "Bell Labs Innovation" Tag line that did the trick, that attracted me to join Lucent and you bet it was a good decision.

New to MNC work culture, we had those funny transition days of addressing everyone by their names instead of Sir and Madam :)

My first salary was obviously was just one day's salary, but what a happy moment it was. I had got my economic independence! Yippeeeeee :)

Since most of the new joinees were freshers, it was indeed extension of college days. I can't forget the outings, movies, visiting each other homes, group studies, get-togethers; amazing time indeed!! Before our training period was over I was picked up for the hottest project at that time, DoCoMo!

Later we moved to different projects, I moved from GSM-OMC to OMC-RAN, while the entire GSM team was outsourced to Hughes. We did loose out on so many friends :(.
We were getting used to many cost cutting measures during those tough days.

Along side from project work, we participated in cultural programs as well.
I also finished my MS program with Lucent sponsorship.

From RAN onwards, my work on EMF related projects started. It was natural progression to OMCU and then to OMCQ.

Best part of OMC-RAN was thorough professional & transparent management. Managers at highest levels used to be available for any team member at any time. It only showed their genuine concern for team members and only natural leaders have it.

One of the most enriching experiences for me was in OMC-U. Though I had seen some down time in Lucent, we had only faced “no-hikes, no-promotions phase”, but not layoffs as such in India. When we went to Ireland for OMCU transition, for the first time I came face to face with layoffs. It was a tough time to be professional and get the work transitioned by those who were loosing their jobs, infact quite disturbing. It was quite depressing, to see people disappear in office one by one, lights in cubicles go off day after day, office equipments being moved out and lastly the last few members were just working in ground floor. I have seen the entire office come down to a complete halt and felt helplessly sad about it.

But it is in those tough times, some of the strongest bonds in life are formed. You get to know people, see the human side of every issue. Amazingly the very person whom I squarely replaced in Lucent, is one of my good friends till date.

OMC-U is also special for me, because this was the team where I got to take more responsibilties, change gears, fly at my pace to reach greater heights. It does take a proactive manager to get good opportunities and the needed recognition to their team members.

In OMCQ it was sheer dedication and unparalled energy of team members/developers that kept me going. Awesome team I must say!! I know I have some good friends from this team.

It’s just been 6 months in WCDMA division for me and it’s good to see a perfect combination of good team and a great manager.

And how I can forget the tremendous support I got for my environment project "Spoorthivana". We planted more than 250 trees via this project. Thanks everyone for your support.

Wish all my colleagues, friends only the very best in their career, life!!.

And as it is said "Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends."

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Leadership is the most talked about topic in today’s organisations. At the same time leadership seems to be the least practiced and understood by most in the organisation. Leadership and ownership needs to be practiced by everyone, at every level, irrespective of their roles, designations in the organisation.
Leadership is about getting things done and helping people achieve their personal goals thereby consolidating the efforts to attain success in organisation.

I must admit I have seen some of the great leadership in my career. It was incredible how we were given the able guidance and directions in our careers. Some of them were so serious about their work ethics, principles and teams, that at tough times, they have even risked their own jobs while standing by their teams. I have to salute & bow to such incredible leaderships.

Some of them were keen on developing next level leaders. Most importantly, they were open-minded & keen to listen to team members. I have worked with some good managers, who take time out of project work and have meetings, discussions exclusively to mentor, to give us guidance. They help us take up more responsibilities and guide us in executing them. Its sheer pleasure to work in such teams!!

But in the recent past, sadly, I have observed the other side as well in the very same organisation [thankfully didn't have to experience all of it]. Unfortunately some leaders fail to unleash the potential of the employees working with them. The reason being, they practice conservative and obsolete leadership styles. These are leaders who are atrocious and spoil the environment making it very unpleasant for the subordinates as well as the organisation.

They do not listen to other's opinions in making decisions, are egoistic & support unnecessary conflicts. Don't care about their actions that have serious impact on others.

They have not just played politics & showed blatant favoritism when it comes to awards, rewards, appraisals, promotions, placing team members in different projects, but sadly even when it came to someone’s job; someone’s bread & butter. One of the best developers; unanimously appreciated by every one in the team for his programming & problem solving skills was shown the door and a mediocre team member was kept back. Such ugly decisions did outrage each & everyone in the team. One starts to loose faith in the system and merit at such incidents.

Then there are some who become leaders by luck or chance; just because they are good friends of their seniors and do not know or have the ability to gauge the extent of damage they cause to the teammates.
They have no skills what so ever required for the job, lack in basic requirements such as good communication skills, yet get good roles via the “unofficial reservation” category and shamefully that’s the only way they have grown the corporate ladder ever in their lives. Needless to say, they are very insecure about their performance and their team member’s feedback about them. And naturally they are unprofessional make every effort to hinder their subordinate’s growth.

And the one extreme kind I have seen is the intolerable one. These are the one who think complete “control” over the team is leadership. They are absolutely chauvinistic, backward thinking, rigid & corrupt to the core. They weaken their co-workers who look forward for their guidance and support by scorning, making fun, being loud and mostly shameful of all, shouting at people in public, in meetings, getting furious at every conflict, walk in and out of meetings at their will. Some of them have even used awful languages for their team members. Wonder why those team mates didn't take it to HR, just can't understand such submissiveness.

During discussions with such people, one has no choice but to raise your own voice to be heard. One becomes sad, disillusioned and completely unable to function in company of such people and such extreme chaos. These people are so regressive in their thinking that female employees have even more issues working in such teams.

A good leader does not think he/she is superior to others but cares for the team members. We are made leaders to create more leaders and not blind followers and definitely not to suppress our subordinates. We need to replace our negative thoughts with positive ones to be an effective and efficient leader. Leadership should not be based on seniority and rank in the organisation.

It is purely the performance, actions, attitude, aptitude and competence that makes a successful leader. The key ingredients of leadership are to have a sense of purpose, vision and mission and to care for others. Superior leaders gain followers out of admiration and reverence and their knack to make people work together in achieving the purpose.

In my latest project, it’s back to good old days for me. I got to work with the manager/leader who is seen as one of the best in the organisation.
Who believes in giving opportunity to every team member to grow. Great relief to see such professionalism.

But it’s just that I had decided to move on, even before joining the new team and the decision remained intact.

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The girl in the forefront of this picture is Chinnu [our friend's kid]. She visited our home for her Christmas-New Year vacation. It was taken on Jan 1, 2010, when we visited temple as part of New Year celebrations.

When I was taking the photo, my first reaction was to tell the other girl standing behind her to move away, but she wouldn’t go. Like any other kid she too loved to pose get clicked. So I didn't tell her anything more, and clicked her photo too along with Chinnu. After that I spoke to the girl a bit, gave her some money and left the temple.

Later that day when I downloaded the snaps and viewed them in my laptop, this particular picture kept lingering in my head for long.

Just take a closer look at the photo again, 2 kids, almost same age, same styles, but not same lifestyles; same desires, but not same opportunities in life.
Slowly it grew on me that this picture is a quite a classic representation of today's India. India at 60 yrs of its republic!!

We have made so much progress, so much development; Indians have excelled in almost every field, won so many awards, achieved so much. But there is also another India which is left far behind and sadly the divide still seems to exist.
The picture speaks so much more for itself, isn’t it?

Still we have so much more to achieve, so much more to do. As for that day, I took solace in the thought that I was sponsoring for one such child's education. My bit to bridge the gap, however small the effort may be.

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The song below is one of my all time favourite. Its from the Hindi movie "Dor" and speaks so beautifully about the amazing Spirit of Resilience women possess.



Yeh Hosla Kaise Juke,
Yeh Aarzoo Kaise Ruke

Manzil Mushkil To Kya,
Bundla Sahil To Kya,
Tanha Ye Dil To Kya
Ho Hooo

Raah Pe Kante Bikhre Agar,
Uspe To Phir Bhi Chalna Hi Hai,
Shaam Chhupale Suraj Magar,
Raat Ko Ek Din Dhalana Hi Hai,
Rut Ye Tal Jayegi,
Himmat Rang Layegi,
Subha Phir Aayegi
Hoooo

Yeh Hosla Kaise Juke,
Yeh Aarzoo Kaise Ruke

Hogi Hame To Rehmat Ada,
Dhup Kategi Saaye Tale,
Apni Khuda Se Hai Ye Dua,
Manzil Lagale Humko Gale

Zurrat So Baar Rahe,
Uncha Ikraar Rahe,
Zinda Har Pyar Rahe
Hoooo

Yeh Hosla Kaise Juke,
Yeh Aarzoo Kaise Ruke

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This a poem by best friend Vidya wrote for me, thought I will put it up here.

My darling friend

My darling friend, a fine person you are,
Close to my heart, yet so far,
You fill my life with so much love,
Blessing of mine, sent from above.

You make me smile, you make life so fine,
I'm glad you are there, I'm glad you're mine.
My heart does sigh, we missed times together,
But now we don't, we have one another.

Love and trust, does our lives bind,
Where will you such friendship ever find !
As life tumbles into paths anew,
Be there for me, I'll be there for you.


Dedicated to Viji, my close and indeed darling friend, who touched my heart with a lovely card, and touched my soul by her mere presence in my life

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Read a wholistic, meaningful and apt definition of project management. Thought I will put it up here:


"A project manager needs to ensure that team members understand the larger objective and success factors of the project and how his/her contribution impacts those factors. Involvement of members, depending on their role, in decision making helps build a sense of commitment and belonging. Public and informal appreciation of even the smallest contribution towards project goals satisfies the human need for self-esteem and respect of others. Above all, it is vital to have fun at work - an open & honest work environment helps strengthen team engagement."

I only wish many more project managers are sensitive enough to understand & apply the above lines in practice.

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