All about "Winning"

…….Well, this is not an elaborated review or endorsement of any book or any of that sort but about the associated memories. I recently went through my old shelf and I saw this book lying there amongst some old torn and termite eaten books called “Winning” by Jack Welch. It was quite intact as compared to other books. When my eyes fell on this book, my memories took me back to my college days and precisely to 27th of April 2005 at McDonalds; JM Road, Pune. Incredible…!!

Back in the year of 2005, it was final year of my graduation at the college; Symbiosis Institute of Computer Studies and Research (SICSR). Friends had become somewhat strange, communicating less and less. No greetings and no goodbyes, no smiles and no fun. Everyone seemed to be busy studying and in deep focus in their final semester exams and viva voce preparations. I could see many of my friends silently spending time in libraries referring to books and making note; some in canteens and some in parking lots in groups studying and referring notes. It was a critical time as we had to do the submission of our final year project work too. Most of us boys traditionally depended on the notes of female class mates known for their impeccable note making skills. We photocopied them and referred to them as our base-notes. We spent sleepless nights studying. And there marked the beginning of a never-ending pursuit of “winning”

Days filled with immense energy and endurance, and for everyone, Winning was a must, a madness, a never ending pursuit. Whether College or Life, Family or Corporate….. it’s the winner who takes it all. As I analyse myself during those days of neck to neck competition and rivalry in the area of academics and scores, I consider myself as someone totally out of place. I was more into music and sports, having a consistently average performance in all my exams which were quite impressive considering my involvement in other areas…and the thought of that “other areas” just made me smile.

Unlike what Jack put forth in his book, probably there are many more areas and topics that could have made me want to keep coming back and blog/ write again. In his book “Winning”, Jack attempts to answer the questions that he had come across during his 40 year long career at GE (General Electric), where he led the company to year-after-year success across various geographies in multiple markets and brutal competition. His focus was relentless on people, teamwork and profits. Jack got retired from GE in the year 2001 as chairman and CEO. He travels the world answering to the questions on wide-ranging topics and listening to their experience working at GE. Jack was inspired by his audiences and their hunger for guidance, their questions and queries; the very reason for the birth of an idea to pen this book.

Though I have read few typical children’s novels like Famous Five and Secret seven while in school library period, I was never a vivid reader my whole life until 27th of April of the year 2005 when this very special and a lovely girl from my college had come down to McDonalds on my invitation. It was limited to just 3-4 of my best buddies. Now while I was busy in knowing and keeping their orders, she gently pulled out a beautiful greetings card and a gift packed in colourful wrappers. It was a special moment for me because I never expected something like that. I don’t think someone so special like her had ever gifted me something so special on such a special occasion of my life. As she handed over it to me, she gently said, “Happy Birthday Jim, God bless”. When I heard that, I felt as if all the stars in the sky were shining just for me. As I mentioned before, I was never a vivid reader. However, since it is a gift from a truly vivid reader that she was, it just inspired me to give a shot. And yonder I read my first book, “Winning” by Jack Welch, the very gift wrapped up so beautifully.

"....and after all these years, I recently went through my old shelf and I saw this book lying there amongst some old torn and termite eaten books called “Winning” by Jack Welch. It was quite intact as compared to other books. When my eyes fell on this book, my memories took me back to my college days and precisely to 27th of April 2005 at McDonalds JM Road, Pune. Incredible…!! I took reading seriously ever since like never before and have personally found reading to be such a fulfilling experience. I’m shortly coming up with another blog post which would try to elaborate the benefits of reading I’ve enjoyed thus far. Keep yourself tuned in...."

A Trekking tale...from the pages of my Travel Diary Ep-1

"Sharing an amazing trekking experience. I keep doing these crazy travels and solo-trekking at times with no prior planning or thought. Just pack the bags, kick start my old farting motorcycle lying in the garage and just zoom off"

Where: Sinhagad (Lion Fort), Pune (MH, India)
When: An early morning of July 2016.

The Childhood -Golden days

This video is made is from the collection of pics and videos put together from the "Retirement Ceremony" of my father. My father retired from his services to Central Government of India (National Water Academy). He was working as a PA to Chief Engineer. This video captures all those beautiful moments of pics, videos, throwback of testimonies pouring in from my elder brother Jerison and my father's colleagues. Also, I have a short clip of my song sang along with my wife Siji on my guitar strums. My dad also had addressed on the occasion.

 

It was an emotional and touching moment. Having spent almost a couple of decades in the campus, it was difficult to part with the vicinity so close to our hearts. A vicinity, where the golden days of our childhood were spent, where we grew up and experienced the beauty, peace and serenity of nature. We loafed around, played with friends every evening, cycled until the dark through every twists and turns and mud tracks. During the rain these cobblestone pathways, mud tracks, broken roads and potholes had its own beautiful stories to tell.

The beautiful innocent days of childhood....!