NIIT: An Innovative Institution!!

This is all about Annual Day Celebrations held in NIIT. Like previous year presence of each NIITIAN was mandatory on this so called auspicious occasion!! Obviously, most of us participated unwillingly- Aur Sunday Kharab Ho Gaya! Some of us didn’t turn up. And few NIITIANS joined the function in the anticipation of getting Excellence Award!!

Lekin Hamaari Aashaon Par Paani Fir Gaya (Most of us got disappointed)! This year number of Awardees was reduced. Also, some of the citations were very confusing. One of my friends rushed towards stage to collect the award but stopped in time because citation was written for him but Naam Kisi Aur Ka Tha!! Courtesy: Selection Committee and Citations Committee!! We appreciate the diplomatic and tactical approach adopted by the jury members while finalizing the name of the awardees!! The process of selection made both-  awardees and non-awardees happy. Non-awardees are happy because at least citations were written for them! Awardees are happy because Citations Se Kya Fark Padta Hai Award To Use Hi Mila!!

So I decided to reach out to the people who were expecting but couldn’t get award. I did talk to several NIITIANS and there was unanimity on one point - Award is one of the 4 Instruments of Illusion by which Management placates resources!! My closest friend told me that only Manager knows how, when and where to use these instruments of pacification!! These instruments of illusion are:

• Award
• Performance Band
• Role Change
• Onsite Visit

To get award or good performance band you just have to maintain good relationship with your Supervisor/Project Manager! For role change you have to maintain good relationship with your reporting manager as well as reviewing manager!! But if you want role change, good performance band and award simultaneously, you will have to do one more thing. Just deliver a dialogue- “I have many offers, Aap Batao Kya Karein.” It will work like Raam Baan…you will be awarded, promoted and will get best band simultaneously! In fact, I did try all these tricks this time but unfortunately, couldn’t succeed! According to reliable sources there was some hidden hand behind it!! A fact finding committee has been formed to find out the role played by this hidden hand!! So that I would manage to get it next year!! As far as Onsite Visit is concerned, it’s just like a special offer! Once someone decides to move on, it is offered as a last resort!! Guys try this tested formula, success is guaranteed!! 

In NIIT Human Resource is the only evergreen organization which has done brilliant job consistently! HR personnel know how to play with the structure of the salary. Like Indian Meteorological Department forecast, Appraisal Policy didn’t disappoint us!! Their innovative ideas, initiatives and complex formula make everyone feel great initially but cheated later!! During economic meltdown it led from the front and set the example by not distributing trophies to star performers. Saving few hundred rupees is an achievement in NIIT. Under ‘Go Green’ policy we may expect ‘e-trophy’ very soon!! It is the same organization where most ambitious Contract System and most (un)popular VC Policy germinated. They believe in the philosophy of NIITIAN first in every aspects of life except bucks!! As we know real friends help in crisis and HRO has proved it beyond doubt. They might not recognize your work if you perform exceedingly well. But they won’t forget to reward you, if you don’t perform!! Not surprisingly payment of star performance reward starts after one year and in installments. This is the hallmark of the organization. Hats off to HRO!!!

In fact, NIIT is not only an institution but a movement too. So it is expected from every employee to strengthen this movement by providing fruitless services!! Guys achievements of life aren’t measured by what you have but who you have. So NIITIANS’ standard of life, not standard of living should be kissing the sky!! It may take years to achieve set objectives but your contributions would be remembered forever!!

Friendship Day

Last night one unusual thing happened. I got an email from one of my friends...Happy Friendship Day in advance. I was quite surprised. We always remember our friends but for the first time I received friendship day greetings. I asked my friend, ‘why do we celebrate Friendship Day’? ‘Like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day we have Friendship Day’, she replied. I was not convinced. I asked her that there is a reason behind any celebration. Kindly let me know the reason to celebrate Friendship Day. Interestingly, I got the reply ‘Aapane Had Kar Di’.

Friendship day is celebrated on the first Sunday of the August month every year. Friends meet and exchange gifts on this day. There is nothing wrong in its celebration but now commercialization of relationship has been started. It shows the proactiveness of market forces. Friendship i.e., feeling of love, affection, intimacy, brotherhood, protection etc can’t be measured in terms of gifts. We may expect Break-up Day, Divorce Day, Tie-up Day...in near future!!

It’s easy to make friends but very difficult to find real/good friends. Generally, it is said that good friends possess qualities like; honesty, trustworthiness, supportive, compassion, stick with you in all times particularly in bad times. But I believe that it’s ‘Care’ which distinguishes a good friend from friends. 

Good friends don’t necessarily agree with you on everything but give impartial opinion. At the same time they do their best to stick up for you when you are in trouble or crisis even if you are not justified. What I mean to say that it’s duty of good friend to be rational and forbid him from committing any wrong doings. But if he still sticks to it then rally behind him.

Fortunately, I have got 2-3 real friends. I still remember one incident. It so happened that after graduation my friend took admission in other university for pursuing career in International Relations. Although we were in the same city but living together was not feasible. One day while on the way to AIIMS for medical check-up suddenly my condition started deteriorating so I informed him to reach AIIMS immediately. He was there before I could reach. After check-up when everything came normal, we decided to spend some time together in hostel. While walking in the night, I came to know that his exam had already commenced and he preferred me to appearing for exam. I was very angry with him. I asked him, ‘why did you drop paper’? ‘Exam to hota hi rahta hai’, he replied with smiles. Later, his thesis was awarded as best dissertation submitted in last ten years.

In fact, virtues like Caring-Sharing (emotional support) and Forgiveness-Unselfishness provide the foundation of real friendship. Sacrifice is the synonym of friendship. Everyone knows Sufi singer Wadali brothers. The elder brother (Puranchand) refused Padmashree award when it was offered only to him. In Mahabharata, Karn sacrificed the crown offered by Pandavas for the sake of his friendship with Kauravas.

Good friends are those who can make the meaning of silence. Sometimes silence speaks a lot. Watch the face of your friend, try to read facial expression, feel his feelings and you will get the answer.

Let’s remember (feel) the feelings of real friends and celebrate Friendship Day!!

Penitence or Repentance

In April while I was on the way to Mt. Abu, I met with a guy named ‘Shantanu’ popularly known as ‘Guddu’. He is a symbol of social responsibilities in his village. We were discussing on the burning national issues. When I came out of his chamber, an elderly man who was waiting outside asked me “Guddu Kahan Hai?”(Where is Guddu?) “Who is Guddu?” I asked. ‘Wo to Bhagwan Hai,’ (He is like God) replied old man. I became curious and asked him to narrate Guddu’s past. He told me that Guddu’s father was a farmer. He had three children- two sons and one daughter. Guddu was the eldest. His father’s earning was not enough for three children to continue studies. So, he started doing tuition not only to continue his higher studies but also to support his family. Being eldest son he had the full sense of responsibility of an elder brother.  He used to send money home regularly. He completed his masters degree with good marks. In course of time he fell in love with a girl to whom he was teaching. He expressed his desire to marry the girl to his parents. But the parents turned down the marriage proposal. They told him that if he would marry a girl from other caste, who would marry his sister. They insisted Shantanu to marry within same caste. But the boy very clearly told them that he would marry only her else he won’t marry.

After few years Shantanu’s sister got married to a doctor and the couple left for UK. He left no stone unturned to see his younger brother at zenith. His brother got through IIT exams and after completing his B.Tech in Computer Science, got selected by MNC. He joined a company in USA and got married with an American girl of Indian Origin. When he had left for USA he was alone. But when he came back to India to see his ailing father, his parents saw their first grandson. They returned to USA after a week. In the meantime, Shantanu completed his Ph.D and is now teaching in the same college. His parents are living with him. He is still unmarried and looking after his parents.  Now he spends most of his time in social activities. Providing free coaching classes to needy and quality education to street children are his hobbies. His parents are now eager to see him married, but to Shantanu, it’s no more relevant. Shantanu does smile but his smiles put many questions on society.  Lines appearing on his forehead clearly show the expectations from an elderly child and lack of maturity in the social set up. Nobody knows whether it is penitence or repentance by his parents. But definitely it is a supreme sacrifice by a man who does not give preference to his personal life and desires but to his duties and responsibilities.

Software Engineering: Tester’s Perspective

Being a member of a Test Team it is imperative to know the meaning of 'Test’. It can be safely taken as examination, experiment, assessment, investigation, ordeal, trial, analysis-leading to failures and successes. 

In IT, ‘Testing’ may be defined as an art of critical thinking which paves the way to detect variance between the actual and the expected result. So it is expected from every member of a testing team to think and think differently! Now question arises, if they think differently then what is the binding force behind them? How do they work as a team?

It is stated that in IT primary background of a sizeable number of testing professionals is non-IT. Hence they can think differently! Even testing professionals having IT background, have got expertise in some or other fields rather than software!! Most of them preferred testing unwillingly!!  It shows multicultural identity of the software testing team. It represents the true picture of ‘Unity in Diversity’ in India. This is the field which welcomes professionals from every quarters of the society!!  I heard one IT professional advising his friend…..PEHALE BANK P.O., CDS, NDA DEKH LE...KAHIN NAHIN HOGA TO TESTING MEIN AA JAANA!  So this is an assurance to all bright students which would make the future of India! It is just like Rozgar Guarantee Karyakrama of Government of India. In fact, it is better than that because to get benefitted from Employment Guarantee scheme, enrollment in voter list is a must. But in software testing anybody can become ‘TESTER’, I am sorry Test Engineer (Tester word sounds derogatory to testing team member) without having any formal degree/knowledge of testing!!

There was a time when ‘Engineer’ word was quite appealing, reputed and rare. Software engineering particularly testing played a vital role in liberating this word from the higher echelons of the society. Nowadays does it denote educated class? No… no… it doesn’t. It denotes only the literate class!! Thanks to Software Test Engineers!! One of my dev friends described this employment guarantee program as better than 11^th Five Year Plan in terms of employment generation!

Is software testing really so easy? One more thing which ignites my mind is Testing Vs Development debate. It is believed that testers are non-technical persons whereas developers are technical. Both have their own arguments in their favors and both have their own limitations. Now it has taken the shape of Generalist Vs Specialist. Development team can have a sharp vision in a particular technical arena. At the same time testing team has a broad vision which ensures overall functionality, reliability, performance, serviceability and usability of the end product.

As we know, in India most of the Government Policies failed to achieve set objectives because it has been found that these are made by so called elite class and this class doesn’t understand the language (conditions and requirements) of the common people. The testing team strives hard to test the application from end user point of view which ultimately ensures the high quality of the deliverables. It is actually the fighting spirit and killer instinct of testing fraternity which binds them together. Their logical, judgmental and persuasive abilities make them effective testing professional. Besides, testing without specification brings them closer to perfection! In a nutshell, the role of each team is supplementary and complementary to each other. We must know that Technology is as good as it serves the purpose of human needs and fulfilling this purpose should be our sole objective. 

So becoming an effective test engineer is not an easy job! Next step is sustenance and promotion. Like GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade now renamed to WTO) there are general acceptance criteria which have been laid down by private sector for promotion: Yes boss attitude! Sycophancy! Work less speak more behavior! Argumentative attitude without any sound logic or understanding of the facts! Ability to take credit for good work done by others and passing accountability on others for any wrong doings! And Social Networking (Setting)!! Quality work doesn’t matter! KAAM TO SAB KARATA HAI…KAM YA JYADA…WAISE BHI JO THODA  KAAM KARATA HAI USE GALATI KARANE  KE CHANCES  KAM HO JAATE HAIN…. So it can be overlooked!!

Women Empowerment is the need of the time in country like India, but ‘how’ is the most difficult question where society is already divided on the basis of race, religion, sex and caste. Even government of India is ensuring greater participation of weaker sections of the society in decision as well as policy making. But one should not forget that to achieve a good end (Goal), means should also be good. There is a general impression among the male counterparts that females are promoted on the basis of their gender rather than merit and hard work. This has been summarily disproved by the results in board and other examinations. Given the equal opportunity they perform equally or better. The question is- are we providing non-discriminate atmosphere in Indian offices? Do they enjoy same privilege, same network and non-frightening milieu? And finally think of an office without girls- I will be the last one to join there. Guys get over the MCP attitude.

When I was writing this blog I got a phone call from Ahmedabad. My niece, who studies in Standard VI, asked me a quiz……born in 1809…lost his mother at the age of 9….failed in his earlier  professional endeavors…. lost first election of his political career…..separated from his wife……lost his 3 years son...lost bid for Senate seat…..lost the Senate race to Democratic candidate……known for his misfortunes and failures…………….but finally became the first bearded President of that nation …………………………Who was he?

I asked her if she can tell me his name. She told…He was the 16^th President Of United States of America……he defined democracy which is regarded as the basic tenets of modern democracy (Government of the people, by the people and for the people)….and he was none other than...Abraham Lincoln: The Unforgotten Hero of Modern Democratic Era.

So failure and success are part and parcel of life. It varies over time, space and region. It is the initial failure which provides sound and everlasting foundation to grand success. We couldn’t have Missileman President Dr Kalam, the pioneer of Integrated Guided Missile Sytem in India, had he become pilot. One should keep in mind that one has to learn from mistakes and should try to avoid same mistake. There are no shortcut to commitment and sincerity. It is the noblest characters which act as a precursor to successes in life i.e. graceful in poverty, content in hunger, cheerful in grief and friendly in hostility. Who knows!  Someday visionary leadership may emerge from within us who will take the nation to a new height by his contributions to world wisdom.

Delhi Dazzles in Corruption Wealth Games-2010

Sports play an important role in this globalized era. It’s not just a matter of entertainment and games but highlights the economic prosperity, cultural mosaic and heritage, social cohesion of the host nation and provides an opportunity for cultural acculturation. Besides, these events are used as a propaganda strut to get international recognition. Hitler used the Berlin Olympics-1936 to promote Nazism. Recently, China used ‘Beijing Olympics-2008’ as a way to legitimize the regime in post-Tiananmen Square massacre period. Though, Delhi dazzled in the inaugural ceremony but Commonwealth Games –Delhi could be remembered for all the wrong reasons.

The spectacular opening ceremony can’t hide the fact that the organizers of the XIX Commonwealth Games have tarnished nation’s image. The fiasco has badly hurt Brand India. Corruption, shoddy infrastructure, hygiene and cleanliness have become unending debate. India’s capacity to organize mega events, infrastructure building capacity and its reputation as a tourist destination are being questioned.

Incredible India, Atithi Devo Bhavah, Mera Bharat Mahan...promos can’t be made relevant by sizzling dance performances!! Irreparable damages have already been done. It’s being rightly called as commonwealth loot games, common worries games and commonwealth corruption games.

The initial budget for holding the games was estimated to be at Rs 345 crore, but has now swelled to some 35,000 crore (unofficial estimate of more than 70,000 crore). Politicians and babus (bureaucrats) associated with the Organizing Committee, Urban Development Ministry and Delhi Government have looted common men’s money and now they are passing bucks. Successful opening show can’t justify empty coffer.

Chetan Bhagat has rightly said that it is a loot fest. Damage control exercise has been started too late. So, Union Government can’t shy away from taking accountability. Every official accountable for this mess must be severely punished. They have played with the pride of India. This is not a question of only corruption. They have put our country in a shameful state. 

Unfortunately, the punch-line of an ad -HUM HINDUSTANIYON KO APANI JAGAH PATA HAI, VIDESHIYON KO BAAD ME SAMAJH AATI HAI- truly justifies CWG fiasco!!

In our culture guest is treated as God (Atithi Devo Bhavah) and the so called high profile officials proudly say westerners have different standards of hygiene and we have different. No wonder, they might declare that westerners have their own standard of winning medals and we have our own. Westerners win 100m race gold in 9.5 sec, but for Indians it should be 15 sec!! 

Anyway, we Indians least bother about medals!! We never give them a fight just to get chhota sa medal!! We always laugh at winners...how fool they are...they are wasting millions of dollars to get medals of few dollars!! At the same time we make millions of dollars for not winning medals!!

There are few positive outcomes of this fiasco too. CWG has exposed the weaknesses in our culture. The head and members of the Organizing Committee represent the mentality of a common Indian. They are not at fault! Anyone would have done same thing what these officials have done. Most of us are honest because we haven’t got an opportunity to loot money.

If we look at the scandal reporting by media, it’s strange that some of the media houses are not taking up these issues seriously because they are official partners. Some of them are reporting because they are not paid!! If they are paid, I’m sure they won’t speak up!! This is the tragedy of our culture. We are living in the ‘corruption of culture’ where every member of the family feels proud in getting upari kamai (bribe).

In 1990’s Late Sh. Chandrashekhar, former PM of India said that corruption was not an issue in India because only 5% Indians are corrupt. But the problem is who these 5% people are?? They are people who take the decisions, formulate policies, implement policies and deliver justices. So, can we overlook this issue? Once the games are over, the whole charges of corruption and nepotism must be investigated by CVC. I don’t know how many of us will rise to the occasion because AAP SOTE HUE KO JAGAA SAKTE HO, LEKIN JO JAAG KAR BHI SOYA HAI USE NAHI.