My adventure with the Mumbai Cops

Written sometime in June 2007

Declaration :This comes an educated professional running in her usual in the rat race with no links to crime scene/underworld etc.

Information : This comes six month late, but have moved to Mumbai. Have a car with a Punjab registration which after being damaged in an accident was parked outside my building with me waiting for a weekend to get it repaired, till one morning.

Just one morning while I was running behined schedule a little bit as usual, I saw two cops standing in the street where my car was parked for the last few days. I looked carefully there were cops, but no car. Oh my God! Did someone stole my car or what ? More than anything else I was shocked. Who would steal my car. To be fair it still runs, but nevertheless it is  almost a decade old, badly maintained, not cleaned for two months and at the end of it all, a B segment car in the middle of those newer Sedans.

Shocked at the thief whose standards were so low, I approached the cops . To my surprise the policemen jumped at discovering who the owner was. I was very pleased to hear that they had been looking almost the whole night. How concerned & dutibound, I thought.

I began talking and their questions went something like this

Who owned that car ?
For how many days was it here ?
Why was it there ?
When did it come ?
What was the purpose?
When did I last use it / Did some one else use it / The apparent accident that had happened / When/ Where etc etc?

I was shocked. What was going on ? Why was this policeman acting so weirdly ? The fact that the registration of the car is not in my name (The vehicle belongs to my dad and my parents are based out of Delhi) did not help the case at all.

And then the contours of the dramatic story unfolded.

It seems someone in the neighbouring building had intimated the cops last night of the suscipicious vehicle parked opposite his gate. According to him the vehicle was old, uncleaned, had an accident and, had a Punjab number. Clearly, this had to be bomb. These guys had been there since early morning trying to find the elusive owner & the scary bomb.

What happened thereon is history. I signed some papers (statement) went to the police station explained the case, and promptly gave my car to the nearest workshop for cleaning then & there. Inspite of everything that transpired, my interaction with cops was polite & cordial. I liked the professional treatment.

PS: That was the first time I ever went to the police station. Just recording another step in my growth as a person
Moral of the story : Keep your cars clean & get them repaired as soon as you have an accident.

It also happens in Delhi

It happened with me yet again. Had taken a day off to make good use of the Christmas weekend to go home. The three days home were great for unwinding and I really did not want to come back. (For those who me know too well, for example my parents, were surprised. I am not those very sentimental and mushy kinds) Never the less, I let home on Christmas night to take the Rajdhani to this city in the heart of India where I work

Now that I am absent minded is almost universal acknowledged. And I had the extra advantage of leaving a little late for the station. I went to station the train was already there at the platform. I frantically searched my name in charts. To my dismay, it was not there . It took me quite some disbelief to figure out that my ticket was not confirmed.

It took me good 15 minutes of talking to the TT to convince me how desperately I needed to be at work the next morning. Seeing no signs of me relenting the poor man gave in. That he too almost missed the train in this whole exercise is another story.

Once in I decided to call back home to tell them that I have left Delhi. I looked into my purse, then in my bag, then in my jeans pocket and then again in my purse. Quite a few rounds of these searches and realized the evening had been more exciting than I initially thought. I had lost my cell phone. Since was talking on the phone while on my way to station it clearly was not left back home.

For those who loose their cell phone for the first time are clearly unprepared for the loss of information it brings. I have since long stopped keeping people's cards or a diary. The 1.5 inches by 4 inches by 1/2 inch gadget stores all my contact numbers, to do lists, information etc. But this to is not the high point of this story.

The high point of the story was to be unfolded the next day morning. I landed in Nagpur and then reached office, to find out that dad had called someone to give a message. An autorickshaw driver had given my cellphone in the nearest police station to be delivered to its owner. In 2004 something similar had happened to me in Mumbai. But ordinarily I or for that matter no one I know would have expected this is Delhi. We just make certain generalizations of things and people around us.

Yet again life taught me not to make any assumptions

PS : If I haven't called you for long, please blame it on this incident. Its high time you give me a call so that I get your number again.

I have got used to Nagpur

I remember reading this in my Hindi textbook in school. I think its in some chapter between standard VI to VIII. The example is of a train journey. The author explains how at every station as new people enter a compartment, there is a lot of resistance, often the passengers who enter a compartment stand for a while, as there is no place to sit and there is a lot of general resistance to their presence. Gradually as the train moves, some of them are offered seats, people shift to accommodate, they become friendly with same passengers and often, when its time to leave people exchange address/contact information and ask each other to keep in touch. Another common feature of such interactions is that nobody keeps in touch or contacts after that. The same passengers make new friends in their next journey.

So much for a small piece of information, I think I have gotten used to Nagour and life here. I shifted here 2 months ago. Suddenly realized how strange life in a small city can be. No friends to go out with, no family to come back home to crib or fight with. No public transport after seven- thirty. After eight months in Mumbai, the lifestyle in this city came as a shock. The fact that people are laid back and relaxed while I wanted to put a lot of fight for my career did not help things at all.

But then I found my own way of coping with things. So what if I can't go out for dinner, if the absence of company, I realized I could have dinner while conversing with people on the phone, Bad substitute but still better than spending all evenings and all weekends alone. Life has started looking better as I get used to having a relaxed time. So in Nagpur you wind up early enough to catch an auto back in decent time. And you plan your morning meetings late enough for people to reach office. Last time when I came back from Mumbai, Nagpur felt like home.

And for all those who are helping to survive this city, the people who keep me company though the long phonecalls/ chats, the lady downstairs who makes my tiffin, the really nice neighbours who ensure that I have drinking water every day, I know there would promises to keep in touch But then life moves on. There would be another city, new neighbours, new friends.

Cherished Memories - I really miss you

I really do. I miss those long days and sometimes whole nights spend with you. You were always there for you when I needed and you never complained when I didn't give you enough time (which of course you will agree was very rare).

You always seemed to have an answer when I had a question and often mesmerized me the results and wealth of information and the variety of perspective you could provide.

It didn't matter what purpose it was - academic or extra-curricular, business or fun, to have fun in a group of friends with a thriller or comedy or to curl up with a romantic movie - you never complained or resisted, you just went along.

Sometimes when I was really sad and wanted to run away from the world, you were the one to turn to. After all you were never judged me. Whether I wanted to express it with sad songs or pen it in down (for myself or for others), you always had a way, an option, an alternative; a possibility how it could be done.

And when I wanted a gala celebration a grand party with people, food and loud music, you were the one that made it possible. We all had fun because you were there.

I often complained. Insisted on redoing and rearranging stuff, and often left you working through nights and sometimes for days so that I could save my time, finish my work faster

I am human, so left you behind when I thought that was more appropriate. My dear, trust me the memories are still cherished. You have a place in my place in my life which is indisputably yours. You might not be with me but you are still mine.

My dearest Personal Computer with 24 hours broadband connection, you indeed were the one for me. I miss you. I come and try to replicate being with you but this plasma screen monitor and these plush surroundings are hardly a match for the bond we shared.
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What I have been reading lately - Shantaram by Gregory Roberts (Amazing stuff, kind of enlightened me to Mumbai, highly recommended. Warning - Is a huge book)

Kaavya Viswnathan's - HOMGKGWGAL ( Controversy made me buy this. Might be an entertainer for a college kid but no great shakes otherwise)

Argumentative Indian by Amartya Sen - have just started.

Looking for a Lifepartner

It's that stage of life. When you know a lot of young people who have achieved a professional/educational milestone, such periods are inevitable. Completed my MBA last year and quite of few of my class/batch mates have already landed themselves much desired soul mates soon after joining their plum jobs. There are others who are active in the search phase,  and another lot who is trying the avoid this and savor the single/bachelor/maiden lifestyle.

What does my generation look for in a life partner ? What follows is what is got from the profile of a friend. The romantics among us might relate to this instantly. My apologies to the person for not taking his permission and infringing his copyright, but I can't express it any better than reiterating the words of the author.

"There will be ups and many downs in whoever chooses to come along with me in my journey, and i am looking for someone with a strong will. I'd prefer a smart, confident and sensitive life partner. It would be wonderful if she knew herself well.
...................
I would prefer an intense/aggressive/outgoing person, but i am very open to a calm and sober person, provided her strength reflects in her attitude and convictions. I am fairly cosmopolitan ........................and have a post graduate degree in management from a well known b school. .................... pretty experimentative with life.
.................
All the best in your search".

All the best to you too dear friend and to everyone else who is going through a similar phase. May each one of us get our the person of our dreams.
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Books that I have half finished with me - The Six Thinking Hats , 48 Laws of Power

ART - My second play in Delhi

Mumbai introduced me to the play culture. Saw a few of them during my summers. Once you come back from Mumbai its everyone's pet peeve that Delhi does not offer similar avenues for an evening out as Mumbai does.

Anyways yesterday went for my second play in Delhi. 'Art' a French play translated into English with lead performances by Sumeet Tandon and Suhel Seth

Found this while googling for a review. It must consider my self lucky :P . It did manage it cheap considering it must have cost me a fortune to watch it at Illinios Theatre Center where it is being staged in January 2006

This brilliant Tony Award winning comedy examines the questions of “What is friendship?” and “What is art?” Three men, longtime friends, clash over the artistic and monetary value of a large white-on-white painting one of them has purchased. An internationally acclaimed hit, “ART” is intelligent, thought provoking, and wildly funny at the same time.

But funny it was and teh show made for a great evening. In the process got introducted to 'Kamani Centre' The have next week's schedule on theire website so you can plan ahead.

What I missed - I really want to go and see a Durga Pooja. Thought about going today but, missed it this year. Would definitely won't want to miss it next year. My bong friends are you listening.....

Life After B-School

The difference in life in a b-school and life after that
a) In a bschool you pay to get educated, after b-school you are paid real world experience.

b) In a bschool you stay up late in the midlle of night to watch movies. After b-school people go out and watch movies in office time or better still spend those normal hours the office cafeteria; and spend late nights working on that presentation because that is the only way your boss will believe you work hard.

c) In a b-school you pay to take a flight and travel. After b-school the company pays for your flight and sometimes even boarding & loading. This happens as long as you get up at groggy ungodly hours of the morning to catch that the flight for some good-for-nothing-meeting & then catch a flight back at the time when should actually be hitting the club to finally reach back home in wee hours of the morning.

This is series one. Will post some more as reflections on my years of work experience.

Life Outside Office

I look at my social accomplishments chart for this month. Two movies & two books. Pretty decent. I have been making good use of my time outside office. Have met my old college friends too.

The two months that I saw this month have both been ok. In fact Iqbal was a really good one. A simple yet powerful tale. Highly recommended. Nasserudin Shah's performance is amazing

The other one Salaam Namaste was a typical Hindi movie. The fast half is good, fast and thrilling. The second half was a shouting competition between Saif and Preity. And lots of tear-shedding

Watched Skeleton too a few days later. I love scary movies but this one was ordinary. Yes, there is a suspense and a twist in the end which the director tried to do it the Shamalayan way but my rating - Ordinary stuff.

On October 2, I saw the - "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Maara". - Urmila and Anupam Kher. If one thing you can watch the movie for is Anupam's acting. Classic , simply amazing. Reminds me of Saaransh (tale of a old father and the anguish he goes through in getting his dead son's remains released from Customs). In MGKNM, Anupam's portrayal of man who is guilt ridden because he killed Gandhi is touching. Urmila too has really come of age since her Rangeela days.

In all I have done a lot of work, beyond office
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Books that I read last month - Tipping Point & The Alchemist.
I am far from competing with some fellows who claim to be reading two or three books in parallel but I try to console myself - after all I am working hard in office too :)

The Grind - Getting into the corporate groove

Finished B-School and joined corporate life. Just realized that 'the grind' I was waiting for is right here. Its hectic, its tense and there is a lot of pressure. Pressure to meet targets & perform. Its amazing because there is so much excitement in the air. I love the place where I work and the people with whom I do my job, I don't recall anyone telling me anything other than taking things as a learning opportunity. But the place is so charged and people are running so fast that there is a natural instinct to run, to beat, to achieve. Everybody talks in terms of over achievement of targets.

Now I know what all those talks meant. A growing sector, liberalization affect, changing perspectives and all those things. I discover something new and different everyday. But is comforting to talk with my fellow management trainees. It just helps to know that there are people going through the same 'teething problems' as I call it.

As compared to this business school was a cake walk. As a friend of mine in Bombay said, " A sales job or sales stint develops a new respect for people in your eyes."

And for another friend of mine.. THE GRIND is right here and.., I am loving it

For others I work in the financial services sector & and apart from my primary job do Investment consultation/Tax Planning for free. Do contact me.

Till I am this free again, adios... and wish me luck
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Book that I am reading these days - 'The Tipping Point'

The knowledge economy/software boom

This will be an eye opening reading for many. That Indian IT story is big no doubt and we often get carried but this ET article carries the point home. The Indian IT story is still minisicule as compared to the old economy. For a starter, one old economy company and a PSU at that, has higher net profit than our top 5/6 IT companies combined. Today when new age IT companies celebrate their topline touching billion dollars , its bottom line is touching a billion.

This is not a stock recommendation for SAIL but the point is Indian old economy has carried this nation this far and is still going equally strong. Not to deny the Indian service sector its due, it is high time we realize the contribution of old economy sectors and the PSUs.The ET article by the way is here.

I am still here

This seems more like an outcry. Checked my own blog to find out that laziness has got the better of me . My last post was almost three months back. Looks like ages.

Here I gear for another phase of life. Xl is over and those two years have become a unerasable part of my life. When I got in a busines school I never realized the impact it will have on me as a person and the opportunity it beheld.

Today I gear to embrace another phase of life as a working professional with a lot of anticipation and excitement. Its another few days to my joining and I plan to be back to blogging regularly..
Till then adios..

Those compensation packages - HR proposes; FM disposes

The B-School placement season is on. Its a mutual selection process. Companies make a sales pitch in their presentation to attract 'the right kind of people' while candidates put in a fight for the companies they want to get in. One parameter that every company which makes a presentation on campus gets evaluated on is compensation package. It would definitely figure into Top 5 (I am more tempted to right 3) for every individual. The Buzz this year (or maybe every year for all I know) is flexible compensation packages or cafeteria benifits. Most companies seem to provide compensation packages where in you can structure the package (apart from certain specified components) so as to suit your life style. The idea you can minimize your tax liabilities the way you want. Companies also offer perks, which if paid in terms of cash would be subject to IT deductions.

But for all you know - The company HR/salaried executive proposes - FM disposes.

Just read this article. The gist is this. It seems the Fin Min is planning to bring all those perks (specifically credit cards, club memberships, tranport - company owned car & chaffueurs, Health clubs etc) under the tax scanner. So a friend of mine who works in this world's most dominant software company whose products run more tha 90% of PCs and claims he enjoys perks above 50% of his salary, might be in for a shock after the budget.

So could we. Most of will be getting our first salaries in June/July. The rule sof the game might have changed by then.
The article is here

Did New York Orchestrate The Asian Tsunami?

Controversy theory is not one of my favourite themes for a blog post but this article was really an interesting read.

Did the thought ever cross your mind that Tsunami that killed around 60,000 people could have been engineered by a nation. The article that I read claims that Tsunami was a result of an under water explosion by America somewhere close to Sumatra. It goes on to explain how US military and Naval activity post the disaster shows a high degree of planning, which was not have been possible if the tragedy was unanticipated.

It further goes on to explain how America is the biggest beneficiary of the event.

I am not a great supporter of America and neither am a great at America bashing but the article is still a great read for you to be aware of the possibilities in this case.
Disclaimer: I do not know of the credibility of the source.

The memories of a city: Mumbai

I am a born and bred North Indian. So much that I often describe Delhi as the place I belong to, to cut short the details. The first time I visited Bombay ( The old name symbolises some things & I prefer it to the new one) was ten years back. The first impressions of the city have been such that I rank it above any other. One of the few cities (in India) where people queued for buses, where a female could safely take a taxi at 11 pm , place where people have much more civic sense then our national capital, where taxi drivers would not cheat you if you did not know the way (unlike delhi or chennai). A city that was untouched by the fundamentalism & culture police and, had a night life.

For those used to bus travel in Delhi, let me recall an incident which happened 10 years ago.
I was boarding a BEST bus with my travel group (5 people), when the buses conductor said he could take more than two of us on borad. Reason, the standing capacity of the bus was X (I don't remember the number) and he could accomodate only two of us. So either we split or wait for the next bus (15 minutes or something). For us, used to passengers hanging out of Delhi buses and the scant regard of traffic rules generally around the country, this was a welcome surprise.

That was Bombay ten years ago. Things have changed since then. With the mounting population pressures , Mumbai's infrastructure seems to be creaking. But, what has not changed is the spirit of a Mumbaikar (the new term for Bombayites).

Salaam Bombay

In spite of being a born & brought up in North India and having spent the last eight years of my life in NCR(National Capital Region) I have always been a great fan of Bombay. My recent visit to Bombay reinforced my faith in the commercial capital of India.


I was in Mumbai on Dec 20, to receive the CRISIL Young Thought Leader award.. Tired due to the train and the flight journeys which did not let me get my required sleep, I ended up taking a little nap in the cab which transported me from the office of CRISIL to the venue of the award ceremony. I was woken up by the cab driver at the destination where I walked into this multistory building with groggy eyes. Once inside the building, I realized my wallet was missing. The fare was paid by a colleague so I had not noticed this earlier. Desperately hoping that I had forgotten it in the office, I called up only to be told that it wasn't there. Then it hit me - I had left my wallet in the cab. That's it, my wallet was gone. Neither me nor any of my fellow travelers had the cab number. It was a cab we hired from the roadside so no way to reach/find out. I tried to think positive. Maybe the taxi was still standing outside for some reason. Highly unlikely, I told myself. The taxi driver would have left the place as soon as he discovered the wallet. Anyways I did try and have a look at the taxis outside the building. That I did not recognize the driver did not help matters at all. I came back resigned to fate - My wallet was lost.

About an hour later, the HR person from CRISIL came with a slightly fat middle aged man who had come searching for me. He didn't look like one of the audience members or the participants of the presentation ceremony. The guy was the cab driver who had driven back and was searching for me. Strange indeed, considering locating anyone in that multi-storied building would not have been easy task. He found my identity card and tried calling only to realize that those were Jamshedpur numbers. He refused to hand over the wallet to anyone except me. The wallet had everything intact - cash, ATM cards, credit card and some bills.
... The spirit of Bopmbay (Mumbai).

Another salute to the city which I have always held in high regard. There is something about this place which makes people the way they are - professional , stretching to their limits , honest and efficient. Why I rave about Bombay so much? That question requires another huge post. Maybe my next one. Till then, Salaam Bombay.