India Knowledge@Wharton: Could you give an example, from your own experience, of how leaders should manage failure?
Kalam: Let me tell you about my experience. In 1973 I became the project director of India's satellite launch vehicle program, commonly called the SLV-3. Our goal was to put India's "Rohini" satellite into orbit by 1980. I was given funds and human resources -- but was told clearly that by 1980 we had to launch the satellite into space. Thousands of people worked together in scientific and technical teams towards that goal.
By 1979 -- I think the month was August -- we thought we were ready. As the project director, I went to the control center for the launch. At four minutes before the satellite launch, the computer began to go through the checklist of items that needed to be checked. One minute later, the computer program put the launch on hold; the display showed that some control components were not in order. My experts -- I had four or five of them with me -- told me not to worry; they had done their calculations and there was enough reserve fuel. So I bypassed the computer, switched to manual mode, and launched the rocket. In the first stage, everything worked fine. In the second stage, a problem developed. Instead of the satellite going into orbit, the whole rocket system plunged into the Bay of Bengal. It was a big failure.
That day, the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, Prof. Satish Dhawan, had called a press conference. The launch was at 7:00 am, and the press conference -- where journalists from around the world were present -- was at 7:45 am at ISRO's satellite launch range in Sriharikota [in Andhra Pradesh in southern India]. Prof. Dhawan, the leader of the organization, conducted the press conference himself. He took responsibility for the failure -- he said that the team had worked very hard, but that it needed more technological support. He assured the media that in another year, the team would definitely succeed. Now, I was the project director, and it was my failure, but instead, he took responsibility for the failure as chairman of the organization.
The next year, in July 1980, we tried again to launch the satellite -- and this time we succeeded. The whole nation was jubilant. Again, there was a press conference. Prof. Dhawan called me aside and told me, "You conduct the press conference today."
I learned a very important lesson that day. When failure occurred, the leader of the organization owned that failure. When success came, he gave it to his team. The best management lesson I have learned did not come to me from reading a book; it came from that experience.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Seven Steps to Spring Clean Your Work and Your Life
April is a great month for the project manager in all of us. We can look back at the first three months of the year and assess where we are with our projects both at work and at home.
When we think of the words “Spring Cleaning,” many of us tend to think of taking large garbage bags and doing a purge of the clutter in our lives. While that is tempting, the old garbage bag approach is just a quick fix and doesn’t address why the clutter is there. Instead, we want to develop long-term solutions that help you keep your projects moving along and make sure you enjoy the success you deserve.
Here are my seven favorite tips when I look at applying my knowledge of Project Management to the notion of Spring Cleaning.
1. Probe the Pile :
If there’s always a pile (or multiple ones!) in your workspace or home, the question is what’s in the pile? When you actually sort through a pile, you’ll find the answer to a missing link in your system. For example, if you sort through a large pile on your desk and there are several articles that you want to read, receipts that need to be scanned and a lot of unopened mail, the question is – do you have a system for dealing with each of those things? Create places and systems for the clutter in your life, and it will disappear.
2. Think Before You Print :
Electronic filing systems are not just green, they really help you to keep your projects on track. If you’re constantly printing out paper before you’ve made a decision on how to act on that document, you may just be printing out of habit and not because you need to. Pause before you print, and you’ll find less paper to distract you, and you’ll only have what you need in front of you.
3. Cultivate Everyday Actions:
Spring Cleaning really can’t be a once-a-year activity. For you to be effective, you have to cultivate everyday actions. If you look at your project goals, what is the most important thing you can do today to move you closer to that goal? When you talk to authors, they almost always talk about the importance of writing everyday. Even when they are not writing a book, they continue to exercise the muscle so it’s supple and ready. What do you need to be doing every day to meet your goals and to make sure you’re not just taking stock of your progress once a season? Make milestones an important part of every project – no matter the size. Everyday actions are what connect today to your long-term goals.
4. Right Brain Meet the Left Brain :
Cleaning is not just about “clearing the decks.” It’s also about cleaning up misunderstandings and aligning a team. One thing that works very well on teams is to assign two polar opposites to each other with the sole mission of learning about each other. Assign your resident neat freak to work with your resident master pile maker. Their assignment is to spend a day working together and observing each other. How do they each do their jobs differently? At the end of the day, what did they learn from each other? The point you want them to understand is that everyone contributes differently and uniquely to a team, and we all can learn from each other when we make the time to do it.
5. Remove the Clutter from your Mind:
When I’m managing teams and I see that someone is not performing, it’s often because there is something bothering them that is taking up a lot of energy and cluttering their mind. Life can throw us all curve balls, so this happens to the best of us. The key is to remove that clutter as quickly as possible. Is there a tough conversation that you’re dreading and you keep putting off? Is there a conflict on your team or in your family that you haven’t resolved? Ask yourself what’s taking up too much space in your own personal hard drive and delete it as soon as possible. Nothing feels more liberating and spring-like than to be on the other side of something you’ve been thinking too much about.
6. Take the Hoover to your Relationships :
Spaces are not the only things that require Spring Cleaning. Relationships do, too. Sometimes when we get too busy, we neglect the care and feeding of our relationships with our team members and family members. If there is someone who’s been on your mind, now’s the time to make that call and have that discussion. Is there a team member who isn’t working well on your team? Now’s the time to clear the air and find out why. Are you in a rut at home with your family? Surprise them and break out of your routine. Small changes can speak volumes to the people you work with and the people you love.
7. Reward Yourself :
Once you have your personal and professional house in order, don’t forget to reward yourself. Whether it’s an online course at Cheetah Learning to put you on the fast track or a day off to be a tourist in your own town, take the time to recognize your own achievements.
Written by Michelle LaBrosse
Monday, 14 April 2008
When we think of the words “Spring Cleaning,” many of us tend to think of taking large garbage bags and doing a purge of the clutter in our lives. While that is tempting, the old garbage bag approach is just a quick fix and doesn’t address why the clutter is there. Instead, we want to develop long-term solutions that help you keep your projects moving along and make sure you enjoy the success you deserve.
Here are my seven favorite tips when I look at applying my knowledge of Project Management to the notion of Spring Cleaning.
1. Probe the Pile :
If there’s always a pile (or multiple ones!) in your workspace or home, the question is what’s in the pile? When you actually sort through a pile, you’ll find the answer to a missing link in your system. For example, if you sort through a large pile on your desk and there are several articles that you want to read, receipts that need to be scanned and a lot of unopened mail, the question is – do you have a system for dealing with each of those things? Create places and systems for the clutter in your life, and it will disappear.
2. Think Before You Print :
Electronic filing systems are not just green, they really help you to keep your projects on track. If you’re constantly printing out paper before you’ve made a decision on how to act on that document, you may just be printing out of habit and not because you need to. Pause before you print, and you’ll find less paper to distract you, and you’ll only have what you need in front of you.
3. Cultivate Everyday Actions:
Spring Cleaning really can’t be a once-a-year activity. For you to be effective, you have to cultivate everyday actions. If you look at your project goals, what is the most important thing you can do today to move you closer to that goal? When you talk to authors, they almost always talk about the importance of writing everyday. Even when they are not writing a book, they continue to exercise the muscle so it’s supple and ready. What do you need to be doing every day to meet your goals and to make sure you’re not just taking stock of your progress once a season? Make milestones an important part of every project – no matter the size. Everyday actions are what connect today to your long-term goals.
4. Right Brain Meet the Left Brain :
Cleaning is not just about “clearing the decks.” It’s also about cleaning up misunderstandings and aligning a team. One thing that works very well on teams is to assign two polar opposites to each other with the sole mission of learning about each other. Assign your resident neat freak to work with your resident master pile maker. Their assignment is to spend a day working together and observing each other. How do they each do their jobs differently? At the end of the day, what did they learn from each other? The point you want them to understand is that everyone contributes differently and uniquely to a team, and we all can learn from each other when we make the time to do it.
5. Remove the Clutter from your Mind:
When I’m managing teams and I see that someone is not performing, it’s often because there is something bothering them that is taking up a lot of energy and cluttering their mind. Life can throw us all curve balls, so this happens to the best of us. The key is to remove that clutter as quickly as possible. Is there a tough conversation that you’re dreading and you keep putting off? Is there a conflict on your team or in your family that you haven’t resolved? Ask yourself what’s taking up too much space in your own personal hard drive and delete it as soon as possible. Nothing feels more liberating and spring-like than to be on the other side of something you’ve been thinking too much about.
6. Take the Hoover to your Relationships :
Spaces are not the only things that require Spring Cleaning. Relationships do, too. Sometimes when we get too busy, we neglect the care and feeding of our relationships with our team members and family members. If there is someone who’s been on your mind, now’s the time to make that call and have that discussion. Is there a team member who isn’t working well on your team? Now’s the time to clear the air and find out why. Are you in a rut at home with your family? Surprise them and break out of your routine. Small changes can speak volumes to the people you work with and the people you love.
7. Reward Yourself :
Once you have your personal and professional house in order, don’t forget to reward yourself. Whether it’s an online course at Cheetah Learning to put you on the fast track or a day off to be a tourist in your own town, take the time to recognize your own achievements.
Written by Michelle LaBrosse
Monday, 14 April 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
My little angel
Hi,
I want to share some of my Flickr photos with you. They’re in a set called "Little Angel".
Hope you like them!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/20467662@N08/sets/72157603115522257
Friday, March 28, 2008
INDIA's GREATEST PROBLEM
The headline in the NY Times article simply says, “INDIA’S GREAT PROBLEM: Nobody Knows How to Educate Her 300,000,000 People.” It begins
For many years past, those who have known India best have recognized that one of her greatest, if not her greatest, problem was that of education.
The article goes on to quote experts who have concluded that even if the government were to decree compulsory education for everyone, and even if money did not matter, the problem is finding the teachers required. I concur with these experts that finding teachers is a challenge at least as great as finding the money and the political will to educate — or at least make literate — India’s vast population. The article also recognizes the deep-rooted conservatism and the resistance to reform in education. I could not agree more.
Here’s a bit more from the article.
There can be no question that … education in India has largely failed because … education has been made far too much a question simply of intellect . . . one of the most pressing needs of India is to foster more widely in schools and colleges, those ideas of duty and discipline, of common responsibility and civic obligation on which a sound political life depends.
It is specially welcome to find that an increasing number of prominent Indians are beginning to recognize the truth of this contention, and the importance of securing for their fellow-countrymen an educational system rightly founded.
The article concludes with a quote from Sir James Meston at Delhi referring to the apparent obstacles to progress in India’s path: “Only education will help the liberal mind and understanding heart to surmount these barriers, and prevent the majority from becoming a tyranny and the minority from chronic rebellion.”
The NY Times does highlight every now and then some issue facing contemporary India. The aforementioned NYTimes article is timely and to the point. The sad fact is that the article was timely and to the point when it was published nearly a century ago. Yes sir or madam, the date on that article is October 1918. The situations remains the same; only the numbers have changed.
In 1918, British India had 300 million illiterates. That means, within the boundaries of present day India, there must have been around 200 million illiterates in 1918. Today we have 400 million illiterates. Nearly a century has passed and the number of illiterates have doubled in absolute numbers. And consider this: the government of India has been at the job of educating its population for over 60 years.
India’s greatest problem is this: the government has been doing its best to keep the population uneducated and illiterate. Public funds for education are channeled in only such ways so that it is least capable of delivering education. Corruption and inefficiency collude to keep the funds from actually educating anyone.
India’s great problem is education. India’s greatest problem is the government.
For many years past, those who have known India best have recognized that one of her greatest, if not her greatest, problem was that of education.
The article goes on to quote experts who have concluded that even if the government were to decree compulsory education for everyone, and even if money did not matter, the problem is finding the teachers required. I concur with these experts that finding teachers is a challenge at least as great as finding the money and the political will to educate — or at least make literate — India’s vast population. The article also recognizes the deep-rooted conservatism and the resistance to reform in education. I could not agree more.
Here’s a bit more from the article.
There can be no question that … education in India has largely failed because … education has been made far too much a question simply of intellect . . . one of the most pressing needs of India is to foster more widely in schools and colleges, those ideas of duty and discipline, of common responsibility and civic obligation on which a sound political life depends.
It is specially welcome to find that an increasing number of prominent Indians are beginning to recognize the truth of this contention, and the importance of securing for their fellow-countrymen an educational system rightly founded.
The article concludes with a quote from Sir James Meston at Delhi referring to the apparent obstacles to progress in India’s path: “Only education will help the liberal mind and understanding heart to surmount these barriers, and prevent the majority from becoming a tyranny and the minority from chronic rebellion.”
The NY Times does highlight every now and then some issue facing contemporary India. The aforementioned NYTimes article is timely and to the point. The sad fact is that the article was timely and to the point when it was published nearly a century ago. Yes sir or madam, the date on that article is October 1918. The situations remains the same; only the numbers have changed.
In 1918, British India had 300 million illiterates. That means, within the boundaries of present day India, there must have been around 200 million illiterates in 1918. Today we have 400 million illiterates. Nearly a century has passed and the number of illiterates have doubled in absolute numbers. And consider this: the government of India has been at the job of educating its population for over 60 years.
India’s greatest problem is this: the government has been doing its best to keep the population uneducated and illiterate. Public funds for education are channeled in only such ways so that it is least capable of delivering education. Corruption and inefficiency collude to keep the funds from actually educating anyone.
India’s great problem is education. India’s greatest problem is the government.
Friday, March 14, 2008
STROKE IDENTIFICATION
I wish a healthy life for all. Please follow the below tips for your and others Health and Safety Awareness.
STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters... S.T.R .
My friend sent this to me and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a party, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine and just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. (they offered to call ambulance)
They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food - while she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00pm , Ingrid passed away.)
She had suffered a stroke at the party . Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today.
Some don't die. They end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.
STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke...totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.
RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!
Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster.
The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke.
Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions :
S * Ask the individual to SMILE ..
T * = TALK.. Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (eg 'It is sunny out today').
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS .
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call the ambulance and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.
NOTE : Another 'sign' of a stroke is
1. Ask the person to 'stick' out their tongue.
2. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other that is also an indication of a stroke.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Story of 4 MBA Students
ONE NIGHT 4 MBA STUDENTS WERE BOOZING TILL LATE NIGHT AND DIDN'T STUDY FOR THE TEST WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR THE NEXT DAY.
IN THE MORNING THEY THOUGHT OF A PLAN. THEY MADE THEMSELVES LOOK AS DIRTY AND WEIRD AS THEY COULD WITH GREASE AND DIRT. THEY THEN WENT UP TO THE DEAN AND SAID THAT THEY HAD GONE OUT TO A WEDDING LAST NIGHT AND ON THEIR RETURN THE TYRE OF THEIR CAR BURST AND THEY HAD TO PUSH THE CAR ALL THE WAY BACK AND THAT T HEY WERE IN NO CONDITION TO APPEAR FOR THE TEST.
SO THE DEAN SAID THEY CAN HAVE THE RETEST AFTER 3 DAYS.THEY SAID THEY WILL BE READY BY THAT TIME. ON THE THIRD DAY THEY APPEARED BEFORE THE DEAN.
THE DEAN SAID THAT THIS WAS A SPECIAL CONDITION TEST. ALL FOUR WERE REQUIRED TO SIT IN SEPARATE CLASSROOMS FOR THE TEST. THEY ALL AGREED AS THEY HAD PREPARED WELL IN THE LAST THREE DAYS.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE TEST CONSISTED OF 2 QUESTIONS WITH TOTAL OF 100 MARKS.
Q.1. YOUR NAME .........................( 2 MARKS )
Q.2. WHICH TYRE BURST ...............( 98 MARKS ).
* Front Left
* Front Right
* Back Left
* Back Right ....!!!
IN THE MORNING THEY THOUGHT OF A PLAN. THEY MADE THEMSELVES LOOK AS DIRTY AND WEIRD AS THEY COULD WITH GREASE AND DIRT. THEY THEN WENT UP TO THE DEAN AND SAID THAT THEY HAD GONE OUT TO A WEDDING LAST NIGHT AND ON THEIR RETURN THE TYRE OF THEIR CAR BURST AND THEY HAD TO PUSH THE CAR ALL THE WAY BACK AND THAT T HEY WERE IN NO CONDITION TO APPEAR FOR THE TEST.
SO THE DEAN SAID THEY CAN HAVE THE RETEST AFTER 3 DAYS.THEY SAID THEY WILL BE READY BY THAT TIME. ON THE THIRD DAY THEY APPEARED BEFORE THE DEAN.
THE DEAN SAID THAT THIS WAS A SPECIAL CONDITION TEST. ALL FOUR WERE REQUIRED TO SIT IN SEPARATE CLASSROOMS FOR THE TEST. THEY ALL AGREED AS THEY HAD PREPARED WELL IN THE LAST THREE DAYS.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE TEST CONSISTED OF 2 QUESTIONS WITH TOTAL OF 100 MARKS.
Q.1. YOUR NAME .........................( 2 MARKS )
Q.2. WHICH TYRE BURST ...............( 98 MARKS ).
* Front Left
* Front Right
* Back Left
* Back Right ....!!!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Enjoy :-))
A Teacher lecturing on population - In India after every 10 sec a woman gives birth to a kid.
A Sardar stands up- we must find & stop her!.
Sardar-why r all these people
Man- This is a race, the winner will get the cup.
Sardar-If only the winner will get the cup, why r others running?
Sardar had twins; he named them Tin Martin.
Again had twins & named Peter & Repeater.
again twins & named Max & Again d same. disgusted Sardar named them TIRED&RETIRED!
Teacher: "I killed a person" convert this sentence into future tense.
Sardar: The future tense is "u will go to jail".
Srdr gets ready ,wears tie, coat ,goes out, climbs tree, sits on the Branch.
A man asks why he does this. Srdr:"I've been promoted as branch manager."
Sardarji was filling up application form for a job. He was not sure as to what to be filled in column "Salary Expected". After much thought he wrote: Yes!
One sardarji professor asked a plumber to come to his college. U know Why?
Because he wanted to check where the question paper is leaking...
Sardar told his servant: Go and water the plants
Servant: It"s already raining.
Sardar: So what take an umbrella and go.
Sardar found the answer to the most difficult question ever – What will come first, Chicken or egg? O Yaar, what ever u order first will come first.
Sardar wins 20 cr from Rs. 20 lottery ticket. Dealer gave 11 cr after deducting tax.
Angry Sardar: "Give me 20 cr or else return my 20 Rs back.!
Postman:- I Have To Come 5 Miles To Deliver U This Packet
Sardar :- why did u come so far. Instead u could have posted it....
Sardar proposed a Girl......Girl said 'I'm 1yr elder to you'..........
Sardar said 'Oye No Problem Soniye, I'll marry you NEXT YEAR.
A Sardar & his wife filed an application 4 Divorce.
Judge asked: How'll U divide, U"VE 3 children?
Sardar replied: Ok! We"ll apply NEXT YEAR
Sardar's wish :when i die,i wana die lik my grandpa who died peacefuly in his
sleep not screaming like all d passengers in d car he was driving..
Sardar at an Art Gallery: I suppose this horrible looking thing is what you call modern art ?
Art dealer: I beg your pardon sir, that's a mirror!
Sardar was writing something very slowly. Friend asked:" Why r u writing so slowly?
Sardar: "I'm writing 2 my 6 yr old son, he can't read very fast.
Flash news: A 2 seater plane crashed in a graveyard in punjab.
Local sardars have so far found 500 bodies and are still digging for more..
A man asked sardarji, why Manmohan singh goes walking at evening not in the morning.
Sardarji replied ''Arey bhai Manmohan is PM not AM''.
Sardar visits Chinese friend dying in hospital. Man says CHIN YU YAN n dies.
Srdr goes2 china 2 find meaning of friends last words. It is 'U R STANDNG ON D OXYGEN TUBE!"
A Sardar stands up- we must find & stop her!.
Sardar-why r all these people
Man- This is a race, the winner will get the cup.
Sardar-If only the winner will get the cup, why r others running?
Sardar had twins; he named them Tin Martin.
Again had twins & named Peter & Repeater.
again twins & named Max & Again d same. disgusted Sardar named them TIRED&RETIRED!
Teacher: "I killed a person" convert this sentence into future tense.
Sardar: The future tense is "u will go to jail".
Srdr gets ready ,wears tie, coat ,goes out, climbs tree, sits on the Branch.
A man asks why he does this. Srdr:"I've been promoted as branch manager."
Sardarji was filling up application form for a job. He was not sure as to what to be filled in column "Salary Expected". After much thought he wrote: Yes!
One sardarji professor asked a plumber to come to his college. U know Why?
Because he wanted to check where the question paper is leaking...
Sardar told his servant: Go and water the plants
Servant: It"s already raining.
Sardar: So what take an umbrella and go.
Sardar found the answer to the most difficult question ever – What will come first, Chicken or egg? O Yaar, what ever u order first will come first.
Sardar wins 20 cr from Rs. 20 lottery ticket. Dealer gave 11 cr after deducting tax.
Angry Sardar: "Give me 20 cr or else return my 20 Rs back.!
Postman:- I Have To Come 5 Miles To Deliver U This Packet
Sardar :- why did u come so far. Instead u could have posted it....
Sardar proposed a Girl......Girl said 'I'm 1yr elder to you'..........
Sardar said 'Oye No Problem Soniye, I'll marry you NEXT YEAR.
A Sardar & his wife filed an application 4 Divorce.
Judge asked: How'll U divide, U"VE 3 children?
Sardar replied: Ok! We"ll apply NEXT YEAR
Sardar's wish :when i die,i wana die lik my grandpa who died peacefuly in his
sleep not screaming like all d passengers in d car he was driving..
Sardar at an Art Gallery: I suppose this horrible looking thing is what you call modern art ?
Art dealer: I beg your pardon sir, that's a mirror!
Sardar was writing something very slowly. Friend asked:" Why r u writing so slowly?
Sardar: "I'm writing 2 my 6 yr old son, he can't read very fast.
Flash news: A 2 seater plane crashed in a graveyard in punjab.
Local sardars have so far found 500 bodies and are still digging for more..
A man asked sardarji, why Manmohan singh goes walking at evening not in the morning.
Sardarji replied ''Arey bhai Manmohan is PM not AM''.
Sardar visits Chinese friend dying in hospital. Man says CHIN YU YAN n dies.
Srdr goes2 china 2 find meaning of friends last words. It is 'U R STANDNG ON D OXYGEN TUBE!"
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Thoughts from great personalities...
SWAMI VIVEKANANDA
In a day, when you don't come across any problems - you can be sure that you are traveling in a wrong path
WILLIAM SHAKESPHERE
Three sentences for getting SUCCESS:
a) know more than other
b) work more than other
c) expect less than other
ADOLPH HITLER
If you win you need to explain...But if you lose you should not be there to explain
ALEN STRIKE
Don't compare yourself with anyone in this world. If you do so, you are insulting yourself.
MOTHER TERESA
If we cannot love the person whom we see, how can we love god, whom we cannot see?
BONNIE BLAIR
Winning doesn't always mean being first; winning means you're doing better than you've done before.
THOMAS EDISON
I will not say I failed 1000 times, I will say that I discovered there are 1000 ways that can cause failure--
LEO TOLSTOY
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself....
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Believing everybody is dangerous; believing nobody is very dangerous...
EINSTEIN
If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they had never tried a new thing in their life...
CHARLES
Never break four things in your life - Trust, Promise, Relation & Heart because they don't make noise but pains a lot?
MOTHER TERESA
If you start judging people you will be having no time to love them...
In a day, when you don't come across any problems - you can be sure that you are traveling in a wrong path
WILLIAM SHAKESPHERE
Three sentences for getting SUCCESS:
a) know more than other
b) work more than other
c) expect less than other
ADOLPH HITLER
If you win you need to explain...But if you lose you should not be there to explain
ALEN STRIKE
Don't compare yourself with anyone in this world. If you do so, you are insulting yourself.
MOTHER TERESA
If we cannot love the person whom we see, how can we love god, whom we cannot see?
BONNIE BLAIR
Winning doesn't always mean being first; winning means you're doing better than you've done before.
THOMAS EDISON
I will not say I failed 1000 times, I will say that I discovered there are 1000 ways that can cause failure--
LEO TOLSTOY
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself....
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Believing everybody is dangerous; believing nobody is very dangerous...
EINSTEIN
If someone feels that they had never made a mistake in their life, then it means they had never tried a new thing in their life...
CHARLES
Never break four things in your life - Trust, Promise, Relation & Heart because they don't make noise but pains a lot?
MOTHER TERESA
If you start judging people you will be having no time to love them...
Friday, February 8, 2008
Impact of a Possible US Recession in India
by B V Krishnamurthy on January 24, 2008 7:57 AM
Though no one likes or wants a recession, almost everyone appears (looking at WEF, Davos) reconciled to one in the United States. Meanwhile, politicians continue to downplay any fears of global repercussions, citing decoupling of the United States and other economies as a buffering factor. But what is the reality for countries like India?
It would be naïve to imagine that a recession in the United States would have no impact on India. The United States accounts for one-fourth of the world GDP and any significant slowdown is bound to have reverberations elsewhere. On the other hand, interdependencies between the US economy and emerging economies like India and China has reduced considerably over the last two decades. Thus, the effect may not be as drastic as would have been the case in the 1980s.
Even so, fears of a US recession led to panic in the Indian stock market. January 21 and 22 saw a meltdown with a mind-boggling US$450 billion in market capitalization being vaporized. An unprecedented interest cut by the Fed led to a bounce-back on January 23 and at the time of this writing, the benchmark index (BSE) has gained 2.5%, almost in line with Hang-Seng, Nikkei, and Kospi.
History might hold a clue here. The last time the bubble burst (2001–2002), the DJIA went down by 23%, while the Indian Index fell by 15%.
Much has happened between then and now. The Indian economy has shown a robust and consistent growth trajectory and the projection for 2008 is 9%. Indian exports to the United States account for just over 3% of GDP. India has a healthy trade surplus with the United States.
In other words, the effects of this recession on India may be quite distinct from those of the past. Here are some areas worth following:
1. A credit crisis in the United States might lead to a restructuring of asset allocation at pension funds. It has been suggested that CalPERS is likely to shift an additional US$24 billion to its international portfolio. A large portion of this is likely to flow into India and China. If other funds follow suit, a cascading effect can be expected. Along with the already significant dollar funds available, the additional funds could be deployed to create infrastructure—roads, airports, and seaports—and be ready for a rapid takeoff when normalcy is restored.
2. In terms of specific sectors, the IT Enabled Services sector may be hit since a majority of Indian IT firms derive 75% or more of their revenues from the United States—a classic case of having put all eggs in one basket. If Fortune 500 companies slash their IT budgets, Indian firms could be adversely affected. Instead of looking at the scenario as a threat, the sector would do well to focus on product innovation (as opposed to merely providing services). If this is done, India can emerge as a major player in the IT products category as well.
3. The manufacturing sector has to ramp up scale economies, and improve productivity and operational efficiency, thus lowering prices, if it wishes to offset the loss of revenue from a possible US recession. The demand for appliances, consumer electronics, apparel, and a host of products is huge and can be exploited to advantage by adopting appropriate pricing strategies. Although unlikely, a prolonged recession might see the emergence of new regional groupings—India, China, and Korea?
4. The tourism sector could be affected. Now is the time to aggressively promote health tourism. Given the availability of talented professionals, and with a distinct cost advantage, India can be the destination of choice for health tourism.
5. A recession in the United States may see the loss of some jobs in India. The concept of Social Security, that has been absent until now, may gain momentum.
6. The Indian Rupee has appreciated in relation to the US dollar. Exporters are pushing for government intervention and rate cuts. What is conveniently forgotten in this debate is that a stronger Rupee would reduce the import bill, and narrow the overall trade deficit. The Indian central bank (Reserve Bank of India) can intervene anytime and cut interest rates, increasing liquidity in the economy, and catalyzing domestic demand. A strong domestic demand would also help in competing globally when the recession is over.
In summary, at the macro-level, a recession in the US may bring down GDP growth, but not by much. At the micro-level, specific sectors could be affected. Innovation now may prove to be the engine for growth when the next boom occurs.
For US firms, who have long looked at China as a better investment destination, this may be a good time to look at India as well. After all, 350 million people with purchasing power cannot be ignored. This is not a sales pitch for India, but only a gentle suggestion to US corporations.
Though no one likes or wants a recession, almost everyone appears (looking at WEF, Davos) reconciled to one in the United States. Meanwhile, politicians continue to downplay any fears of global repercussions, citing decoupling of the United States and other economies as a buffering factor. But what is the reality for countries like India?
It would be naïve to imagine that a recession in the United States would have no impact on India. The United States accounts for one-fourth of the world GDP and any significant slowdown is bound to have reverberations elsewhere. On the other hand, interdependencies between the US economy and emerging economies like India and China has reduced considerably over the last two decades. Thus, the effect may not be as drastic as would have been the case in the 1980s.
Even so, fears of a US recession led to panic in the Indian stock market. January 21 and 22 saw a meltdown with a mind-boggling US$450 billion in market capitalization being vaporized. An unprecedented interest cut by the Fed led to a bounce-back on January 23 and at the time of this writing, the benchmark index (BSE) has gained 2.5%, almost in line with Hang-Seng, Nikkei, and Kospi.
History might hold a clue here. The last time the bubble burst (2001–2002), the DJIA went down by 23%, while the Indian Index fell by 15%.
Much has happened between then and now. The Indian economy has shown a robust and consistent growth trajectory and the projection for 2008 is 9%. Indian exports to the United States account for just over 3% of GDP. India has a healthy trade surplus with the United States.
In other words, the effects of this recession on India may be quite distinct from those of the past. Here are some areas worth following:
1. A credit crisis in the United States might lead to a restructuring of asset allocation at pension funds. It has been suggested that CalPERS is likely to shift an additional US$24 billion to its international portfolio. A large portion of this is likely to flow into India and China. If other funds follow suit, a cascading effect can be expected. Along with the already significant dollar funds available, the additional funds could be deployed to create infrastructure—roads, airports, and seaports—and be ready for a rapid takeoff when normalcy is restored.
2. In terms of specific sectors, the IT Enabled Services sector may be hit since a majority of Indian IT firms derive 75% or more of their revenues from the United States—a classic case of having put all eggs in one basket. If Fortune 500 companies slash their IT budgets, Indian firms could be adversely affected. Instead of looking at the scenario as a threat, the sector would do well to focus on product innovation (as opposed to merely providing services). If this is done, India can emerge as a major player in the IT products category as well.
3. The manufacturing sector has to ramp up scale economies, and improve productivity and operational efficiency, thus lowering prices, if it wishes to offset the loss of revenue from a possible US recession. The demand for appliances, consumer electronics, apparel, and a host of products is huge and can be exploited to advantage by adopting appropriate pricing strategies. Although unlikely, a prolonged recession might see the emergence of new regional groupings—India, China, and Korea?
4. The tourism sector could be affected. Now is the time to aggressively promote health tourism. Given the availability of talented professionals, and with a distinct cost advantage, India can be the destination of choice for health tourism.
5. A recession in the United States may see the loss of some jobs in India. The concept of Social Security, that has been absent until now, may gain momentum.
6. The Indian Rupee has appreciated in relation to the US dollar. Exporters are pushing for government intervention and rate cuts. What is conveniently forgotten in this debate is that a stronger Rupee would reduce the import bill, and narrow the overall trade deficit. The Indian central bank (Reserve Bank of India) can intervene anytime and cut interest rates, increasing liquidity in the economy, and catalyzing domestic demand. A strong domestic demand would also help in competing globally when the recession is over.
In summary, at the macro-level, a recession in the US may bring down GDP growth, but not by much. At the micro-level, specific sectors could be affected. Innovation now may prove to be the engine for growth when the next boom occurs.
For US firms, who have long looked at China as a better investment destination, this may be a good time to look at India as well. After all, 350 million people with purchasing power cannot be ignored. This is not a sales pitch for India, but only a gentle suggestion to US corporations.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The fallen Tomato Cart
The fallen Tomato Cart
SUBROTO BAGCHI
(Subroto Bagchi is co-founder & CEO of MindTree Consulting)
I pass through this very intersection every morning with so much ease. Today, the pace is skewed. There is a sense of disarray as motorists try to push past each other through the traffic light. The light here always tests their agility because if you miss the green, you have to wait for another three minutes before it lets you go past again. Those three minutes become eternity for an otherwise time-insensitive nation
on the move. Today, there is a sense of chaos here. People are honking, skirting each other and rushing past. I look out of my window to seek the reason. It is not difficult to find because it is lying strewn all over the place.
A tomato seller's cart has overturned. There are tomatoes everywhere and the rushing motorists are making pulp of it. The man is trying to get his cart back on its four rickety wheels and a few passersby are picking up what they can in an attempt to save him total loss. Though symbolic in the larger scheme of things, it is not a substantive gesture. His business for the day is over.
The way this man's economics works is very simple. There is a money lender who lends him money for just one day, at an interest rate of Rs 10 per day per Rs 100 lent. With the money, he wakes up at 4 am to go to the wholesale market for vegetables. He returns, pushing his cart a good five miles, and by 7 am when the locality wakes up, he is ready to sell his day's merchandise. By the end of the morning, some of it remains unsold. This his wife sells by the afternoon and takes home the remainder, which becomes part of his meal. With the day's proceeds, he returns the interest to the money lender and goes back to the routine the next day.
If he does not sell for a day, his chain breaks.Where does he go from here? He goes back to the money lender, raises capital at an even more penal interest and gets back on his feet. This is not the only time that destiny has upset his tomato cart. This happens to him at least six times every year. Once he returned with a loaded cart of ripe tomatoes and it rained heavily for the next three days. No one came to the market and his stock rotted in front of his own eyes. Another time, instead of the weather, it was a political rally that snowballed into a confrontation between two rival groups and the locality closed down. And he is not alone in this game of extraneous factors that seize not only his business but also his life. He sees this happen to the "gol-gappa" seller, the peanut seller and the "vada pao" seller all the time. When their product does not sell, it just turns soggy.
Sometimes they eat some of it. But how much of that stuff can you eat by yourself? So, they just give away some and there is always that one time when they have to simply throw it away.
Away from the street-vendor selling perishable commodity with little or no life support system, the corporate world is an altogether different place. Here we have some of the most educated people in the country. We don the best garbs. We do not have to push carts; our carts push us. We have our salary, perquisites, bonuses, stock options, gratuities, pensions and our medical insurance and the group accident
benefit schemes. Yet, all the while, we worry about our risks and think about our professional insecurity. We wonder, what would happen if the company shifted offices to another city? What would happen if the department closed down? What would happen if you were to take maternity leave and the temporary substitute delivered better work than you did? What would happen if the product line you are
dealing with simply failed? In any of those eventualities, the worst that could happen would still be a lot less than having to see your cartful of tomatoes getting pulped under the screeching wheels of absolute strangers who have nothing personal against you.
All too often we exaggerate our risks. We keep justifying our professional concerns till they trap us in their vicious downward spiral. Devoid of education, sophisticated reasoning and any financial safety net, the man with the cart is often able to deal with life much better than many of us. Is it time to look out of the window, into the eyes of that man to ask him, where does he get it from?
In his simple stoicism, is probably, our lost resilience.
SUBROTO BAGCHI
(Subroto Bagchi is co-founder & CEO of MindTree Consulting)
I pass through this very intersection every morning with so much ease. Today, the pace is skewed. There is a sense of disarray as motorists try to push past each other through the traffic light. The light here always tests their agility because if you miss the green, you have to wait for another three minutes before it lets you go past again. Those three minutes become eternity for an otherwise time-insensitive nation
on the move. Today, there is a sense of chaos here. People are honking, skirting each other and rushing past. I look out of my window to seek the reason. It is not difficult to find because it is lying strewn all over the place.
A tomato seller's cart has overturned. There are tomatoes everywhere and the rushing motorists are making pulp of it. The man is trying to get his cart back on its four rickety wheels and a few passersby are picking up what they can in an attempt to save him total loss. Though symbolic in the larger scheme of things, it is not a substantive gesture. His business for the day is over.
The way this man's economics works is very simple. There is a money lender who lends him money for just one day, at an interest rate of Rs 10 per day per Rs 100 lent. With the money, he wakes up at 4 am to go to the wholesale market for vegetables. He returns, pushing his cart a good five miles, and by 7 am when the locality wakes up, he is ready to sell his day's merchandise. By the end of the morning, some of it remains unsold. This his wife sells by the afternoon and takes home the remainder, which becomes part of his meal. With the day's proceeds, he returns the interest to the money lender and goes back to the routine the next day.
If he does not sell for a day, his chain breaks.Where does he go from here? He goes back to the money lender, raises capital at an even more penal interest and gets back on his feet. This is not the only time that destiny has upset his tomato cart. This happens to him at least six times every year. Once he returned with a loaded cart of ripe tomatoes and it rained heavily for the next three days. No one came to the market and his stock rotted in front of his own eyes. Another time, instead of the weather, it was a political rally that snowballed into a confrontation between two rival groups and the locality closed down. And he is not alone in this game of extraneous factors that seize not only his business but also his life. He sees this happen to the "gol-gappa" seller, the peanut seller and the "vada pao" seller all the time. When their product does not sell, it just turns soggy.
Sometimes they eat some of it. But how much of that stuff can you eat by yourself? So, they just give away some and there is always that one time when they have to simply throw it away.
Away from the street-vendor selling perishable commodity with little or no life support system, the corporate world is an altogether different place. Here we have some of the most educated people in the country. We don the best garbs. We do not have to push carts; our carts push us. We have our salary, perquisites, bonuses, stock options, gratuities, pensions and our medical insurance and the group accident
benefit schemes. Yet, all the while, we worry about our risks and think about our professional insecurity. We wonder, what would happen if the company shifted offices to another city? What would happen if the department closed down? What would happen if you were to take maternity leave and the temporary substitute delivered better work than you did? What would happen if the product line you are
dealing with simply failed? In any of those eventualities, the worst that could happen would still be a lot less than having to see your cartful of tomatoes getting pulped under the screeching wheels of absolute strangers who have nothing personal against you.
All too often we exaggerate our risks. We keep justifying our professional concerns till they trap us in their vicious downward spiral. Devoid of education, sophisticated reasoning and any financial safety net, the man with the cart is often able to deal with life much better than many of us. Is it time to look out of the window, into the eyes of that man to ask him, where does he get it from?
In his simple stoicism, is probably, our lost resilience.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Building Stronger Teams
Exactly 5 Tips to build stronger Teams
1. Never give up when faced with failure.
2. Fast and consistent will always beat slow and steady.
3. Work to your competencies.
4. Compete against the situation, not against a rival.
5. Pooling resources and working as a team will always beat individual performers.
1. Never give up when faced with failure.
2. Fast and consistent will always beat slow and steady.
3. Work to your competencies.
4. Compete against the situation, not against a rival.
5. Pooling resources and working as a team will always beat individual performers.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Stress Management Tips and AdviceBy: Leslie Hardy
Stress is commonplace in western societies. A modicum of stress in the workplace can provide a stimulus to motivation and help achieve work tasks and objectives. However, many people visit their doctor and report high levels of stress which are incapacitating and are likely to lead to illness. Stress is not confined to work. Many parents who work and have young families report high levels of stress in trying to balance the competing claims of their spouse, children and workplace.If you are suffering from stress, there are several steps you can take -1 Self Affirmation.Stress drains our energy and undermines our self esteem. In order to combat stress, it is essential to rebuild our self esteem. People under stress tend to focus on things which have gone wrong in their lives. What they fail to appreciate is that everyone can look back at the past and ponder on what might have been. Successful people ruminate on what happened in the past as well, either in their personal life or at work. Rather than dwell on failures or lost opportunities, they concentrate of why things went wrong, with a view to understanding the matter and thereby ensuring it does not happen again.Everyone, whatever their circumstances, can think of something in their lives of which they can be rightly proud. It may be related to their family, home, car, children, hobbies or work. All of us can also remember something we have done which has brought forth praise or appreciation from another person. Thinking of these things will enable to all of us to realise the value we have added to the lives of other people around us. It also helps us to identify and focus on things we have done which are meritorious. Doing similar things will hopefully bring forth the same welcome effects.It is up to an individual him/herself to raise their self esteem. It cannot be built up by doctors or medication. Self esteem is a prerequisite for making a contribution to the family, the workplace or society as a whole. If a person thinks he is useless, then he/she is unlikely to make an effort to do anything in life. So, self esteem is a vital facet of stress management. It gives us the motivation and resolve to face challenges and conquer them.2 Talk about things.Although stress is a medical condition, there are invariably one or more problems facing a person which have increased his/her stress levels. If there are many problems facing a person, such that he/she feels overwhelmed, then the first thing to do is make a written list. This simple exercise adds focus and structure to problems. If possible, sort the list by the urgency of the problems, so you can see at a glance when things need to be dealt with.With respect to each and every problem, a useful starting point is to consider the matter in a calm and neutral environment. If the problem relates to work, it may be best to think about it at home. Alternatively, if there is a problem at home, then a walk round the block may help to put matters in perspective.We all have different conceptual and intellectual abilities to examine problems and explore solutions. Regardless of these abilities, it is always useful to talk to someone about your problems, real or imagined. Choosing an appropriate person is vitally important. Some men are known to go to a bar or pub and parade their problems to male peers who are in an equally inebriated state. While these peers will invariably take the view that you are right and the other person is wrong, especially if you have just bought a round of drinks, it is rare for practical suggestions to emanate from such dialogues.Some companies have a Personnel Department and often have counsellors available who deal with stress at work. If so, contacting them is doubly useful. Firstly, they should have some professional training in how to deal with stress and problems at work, and secondly, should be able to speak to other people who may be instrumental in aggravating the stress, provided you give your consent for this to take place.Many people are blessed with good friends. These friends are invaluable when problems arise. Many of us are reluctant to speak with friends about our problems as we feel that we are imposing on them. This is true, but then again, this is what friends are for. All of us must be able to recall instances when a friend, close of otherwise, confided in us concerning a problem and requested our advice. Well, friendship is based on reciprocity. Although our friends may not be able to provide definitive solutions to problems, the old adage, a problem shared is a problem halved, remains true. The simple exercise of telling a receptive listener about a problem assists us to articulate matters clearly and succinctly. This, in itself, is a benefit and a friend will invariably have something interesting and relevant to say about things.3 Take a break.The author regularly visits North Cyprus and spends time in rural areas. For people who live in the northern hemisphere, the winter season can be a contributor to high stress levels. This is not due to the cold, but rather the shortness of the day and the lack of natural sunlight. If possible, try to take a break in the winter, rather than use up all your annual leave in the summer. When you are on holiday, it is preferable to leave problems of work behind. For many of us, this means we should not take our mobile phone and laptop with us. If you are on holiday in a warm, sunny climate, then it is important to take advantage of these natural conditions. In other words, taking long walks along the beach is more beneficial than drinking cheap alcohol in the evening. In many parts of the Mediterranean, old men spend hours each day sitting at tables in outdoor coffee shops. It should be noted that the average age in some establishments will be 80 plus. While their lifestyle may have been rather different from ours in their younger years, this is not the sole reason for their longevity. They are part of a community which respects the modest contribution each person makes to the public good. They realise that for every talented and exceptional individual, there will be a dozen ordinary folk who will live relatively modest and uneventful lives. The lesson from the coffee shop is that we should learn to value who we are and what we have been given and/or have achieved. Moving beyond this, our ambitions should be realistic and within our capabilities. A happy and contented person does not suffer from undue stress.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Creating Brand value
During my childhood i used to wonder why people spend lots of money for buying a branded one while they can get the same at cheaper rate. I was asked umpteen number of times what’s the brand? by my colleagues and friends and sometimes people rate you on the brands you use. I understood that people are brand conscious, some of them are brand raving. This is the reason why companies are spending millions of dollars to strengthen their brands.
It’s not just a matter of price; it’s got more than that! I strongly believe that strong brands will never compete on price, its will be their last option. Let me illustrate through an example, there's a luxurious hotel in my city which offers a room at 500 bucks. Recently a new hotel came up offering at 450 bucks. One obvious choice for the first hotel is to cut down their price by 50 bucks so that it can compete with the new one. Amazingly they renovated the existing hotel and increased their price to 700 bucks (off course they provided extra facilities). If you sense it correctly, first thing the old hotel is able to do is avoid competing on price since it will impact their profit margins for sure. The next thing is they attached luxurious to their hotel successfully.
You need to sort out options to compete, never have your brand at stake. If an arrow shirt is priced at 500 bucks, that’s the end of their road. Instead you can choose to use promotional offers to sell your stock. I remember during my sixth standard, big babool was priced at 1 rupee while other babool gums are offered at 50 paisa. we thought we can buy 2 babool gums instead of getting one big babool, The sales of big babool are not so good. Big babool came up with a terrific idea, collect 10 stories ( these are enclosed inside the pack) and exchange them for three new big babool’s. The result is extraordinary sales, they are able to chuck out others successfully and at the same stage they are able to protect their brand
Creating Brand value is about how big you are able to think.
satya
A paranoid
It’s not just a matter of price; it’s got more than that! I strongly believe that strong brands will never compete on price, its will be their last option. Let me illustrate through an example, there's a luxurious hotel in my city which offers a room at 500 bucks. Recently a new hotel came up offering at 450 bucks. One obvious choice for the first hotel is to cut down their price by 50 bucks so that it can compete with the new one. Amazingly they renovated the existing hotel and increased their price to 700 bucks (off course they provided extra facilities). If you sense it correctly, first thing the old hotel is able to do is avoid competing on price since it will impact their profit margins for sure. The next thing is they attached luxurious to their hotel successfully.
You need to sort out options to compete, never have your brand at stake. If an arrow shirt is priced at 500 bucks, that’s the end of their road. Instead you can choose to use promotional offers to sell your stock. I remember during my sixth standard, big babool was priced at 1 rupee while other babool gums are offered at 50 paisa. we thought we can buy 2 babool gums instead of getting one big babool, The sales of big babool are not so good. Big babool came up with a terrific idea, collect 10 stories ( these are enclosed inside the pack) and exchange them for three new big babool’s. The result is extraordinary sales, they are able to chuck out others successfully and at the same stage they are able to protect their brand
Creating Brand value is about how big you are able to think.
satya
A paranoid
DO YOUR BEST TODAY
Do your best today
Friends, I would like to share with you a great message given by my teacher from Kalidasa's Shakuntalam 2000 years ago.
Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course Lie all the verities and realities of your existence;
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
Splendor of achievement,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day!
Such is the salutation to the dawn.
Every day is very important in a student's life.
If you do the best today, you will harvest the best.
Next, you should also build confidence.
When I was in the 5th standard, many of us used to get less than 40 marks in mathematics. My maths teacher evolved a method of teaching and creation of confidence for the whole class. He conducteda class and gave us an exercise of 10 problems. In that exercise, more than 90% of the class including me, got 100 out of 100. That day onwards our mathematics performance improved.
Only after a few years we realized that our teacher injected confidence in us, to
feel that "I can do it".
To succeed in life each of you has to cultivate the confidencethat
"I can do it",
then the nation will buildthe confidence that
"we can do it".
II T ’’ S P O S S II B LL E
---------------------APJ Abdul Kalam
Friends, I would like to share with you a great message given by my teacher from Kalidasa's Shakuntalam 2000 years ago.
Look to this day!
For it is life, the very life of life.
In its brief course Lie all the verities and realities of your existence;
The bliss of growth
The glory of action
Splendor of achievement,
For yesterday is but a dream
And tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived, makes every yesterday a dream of happiness
And tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day!
Such is the salutation to the dawn.
Every day is very important in a student's life.
If you do the best today, you will harvest the best.
Next, you should also build confidence.
When I was in the 5th standard, many of us used to get less than 40 marks in mathematics. My maths teacher evolved a method of teaching and creation of confidence for the whole class. He conducteda class and gave us an exercise of 10 problems. In that exercise, more than 90% of the class including me, got 100 out of 100. That day onwards our mathematics performance improved.
Only after a few years we realized that our teacher injected confidence in us, to
feel that "I can do it".
To succeed in life each of you has to cultivate the confidencethat
"I can do it",
then the nation will buildthe confidence that
"we can do it".
II T ’’ S P O S S II B LL E
---------------------APJ Abdul Kalam
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