INNOVATION COMES OUT OF DISSATISFACTION. Decisions are never planned like case studies.

This is the text of the Commencement address by Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, delivered on June 12, 2005.

2008-03-04T06:59:00.001-08:00

I am honored to be with you today at your commencement from one of the finest universities in the world. I never graduated from college. Truth be told, this is the closest I've ever gotten to a college graduation. Today I want to tell you three stories from my life. That's it. No big deal. Just three stories.

The first story is about connecting the dots.

I dropped out of Reed College after the first 6 months, but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit. So why did I drop out?

It started before I was born. My biological mother was a young, unwed college graduate student, and she decided to put me up for adoption. She felt very strongly that I should be adopted by college graduates, so everything was all set for me to be adopted at birth by a lawyer and his wife. Except that when I popped out they decided at the last minute that they really wanted a girl. So my parents, who were on a waiting list, got a call in the middle of the night asking: "We have an unexpected baby boy; do you want him?" They said: "Of course." My biological mother later found out that my mother had never graduated from college and that my father had never graduated from high school. She refused to sign the final adoption papers. She only relented a few months later when my parents promised that I would someday go to college.

And 17 years later I did go to college. But I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford, and all of my working-class parents' savings were being spent on my college tuition. After six months, I couldn't see the value in it. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out. And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life. So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK. It was pretty scary at the time, but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made. The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn't interest me, and begin dropping in on the ones that looked interesting.

It wasn't all romantic. I didn't have a dorm room, so I slept on the floor in friends' rooms, I returned coke bottles for the 5¢ deposits to buy food with, and I would walk the 7 miles across town every Sunday night to get one good meal a week at the Hare Krishna temple. I loved it. And much of what I stumbled into by following my curiosity and intuition turned out to be priceless later on. Let me give you one example:

Reed College at that time offered perhaps the best calligraphy instruction in the country. Throughout the campus every poster, every label on every drawer, was beautifully hand calligraphed. Because I had dropped out and didn't have to take the normal classes, I decided to take a calligraphy class to learn how to do this. I learned about serif and san serif typefaces, about varying the amount of space between different letter combinations, about what makes great typography great. It was beautiful, historical, artistically subtle in a way that science can't capture, and I found it fascinating.

None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life. But ten years later, when we were designing the first Macintosh computer, it all came back to me. And we designed it all into the Mac. It was the first computer with beautiful typography. If I had never dropped in on that single course in college, the Mac would have never had multiple typefaces or proportionally spaced fonts. And since Windows just copied the Mac, its likely that no personal computer would have them. If I had never dropped out, I would have never dropped in on this calligraphy class, and personal computers might not have the wonderful typography that they do. Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backwards ten years later.

Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.

My second story is about love and loss.

I was lucky — I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation — the Macintosh — a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started? Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I even thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me — I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT, I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

My third story is about death.

When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.

This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope its the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Thank you all very much.

The person who has been hindering your growth in this company passed away

2008-02-23T20:29:00.000-08:00

One day all the employees reached the office and they saw a big notice
on the door on which was written:

'Yesterday the person who has been hindering your growth in this
company passed away. We invite you to join the funeral in the room
that has been prepared in the gym'.

In the beginning, they all got sad for the death of one of their
colleagues, but after a while they started getting curious to know who
was that man who hindered the growth of his colleagues and the company
itself. The excitement in the gym was such that security agents were
ordered to control the crowd within the room.

The more people reached the coffin, the more the excitement heated up.
Everyone thought: 'Who is this guy who was hindering my progress?
Well, at least he died!'. One by one the thrilled employees got closer
to the coffin, and when they looked inside it they suddenly became
speechless. They stood nearby the coffin, shocked and in silence, as
if someone had touched the deepest part of their soul. There was a
mirror inside the coffin: everyone who looked inside it could see
himself.

There was also a sign next to the mirror that said:

'There is only one person who is capable to set limits to your growth:
it is YOU. You are the only person who can revolutionize your life.
You are the only person who can influence your happiness, your
realization and your success. You are the only person who can help
yourself. Your life does not change when your boss changes, when your
friends change, when your parents change, when your partner changes,
when your company changes. Your life changes when YOU change, when you
go beyond your limiting beliefs, when you realize that you are the
only one responsible for your life. 'The most important relationship
you can have is the one you have with yourself'

Examine yourself, watch yourself. Don't be afraid of difficulties,
impossibilities and losses: be a winner, build yourself and your
reality. It's the way you face Life that makes the difference.

THINK B4 U SPEAK...............

2008-02-22T23:52:00.001-08:00

When the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

a

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections .

THINK B4 U SPEAK...............

The train has started moving. It is packed with people of all ages, mostly with the working men and women and young college guys and gals. Near the window, seated a old man with his 30 year old son. As the train moves by, the son is overwhelmed with joy as he was thrilled with the scenery outside..
"See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful"
This behavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feel strange about him. Every one started murmuring something or other about this son."This guy seems to be a krack.." newly married Anup whispered to his wife.
Suddenly it started raining... Rain drops fell on the travelers through the opened window. The Thirty year old son , filled with joy " see dad, how beautiful the rain is .."
Anup"s wife got irritated with the rain drops spoiling her new suit.
Anup ," cant you see its raining, you old man, if ur son is not feeling well get him soon to a mental asylum..and dont disturb public henceforth"
The old man hesitated first and then in a low tone replied " we are on the way back from hospital, my son was a blind by birth, he got his vision just before a week, these rain and nature are new to his eyes.. So, please forgive us for the inconvenience caused..."
The things we see may be right from our perspective until we know the truth. But when we know the truth our reaction to that will hurt even us. So try to understand the problem better before taking a harsh action.

GOOD MORNING..... THINK B4 U SPEAK...............

2008-02-22T23:52:00.000-08:00

When the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

a

Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect. It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections .

THINK B4 U SPEAK...............

Corporate Training Programs By AB Global Partners

2008-02-09T06:25:00.000-08:00

Launched the Corporate Training Program for ORISSA Corporates.

Training By IIM Alumnus and Known personalities in Corporate World.

Advanced Certificate in Retail Management - 100 Hours
Basic Certificate in Retail Management - 50 Hours
Active listening – 1 day
Selling Skills – 1 or 2 days
Negotiation Skills – 1 day (intensive – 8 hours)
Improving Sales Force performance – 2 days (intensive)
Introduction to Mgmt – 3 days (covers all specializations)
Leadership Skills – 1 day
Understanding Supply Chain Mgmt – 1 day
Understanding CRM – 1 day
Understanding Marketing Strategy – 1.5 days
Franchising in Retail – 1 day
Using Case Study for Business Mgmt Teaching – 2 days
Using Simulation Games for Business Mgmt Teaching – 2 days
First Things First – 2 days
Creativity & Innovation – 1 day
7 Principles of Highly Effective People – 1 day
Understanding and Applying Emotional Intelligence
Psychographic Profiling of Employees – Full exercise (with suggested interventions)
Positioning Products / Services in the Market – 1 day (intensive – 8 hours)
Measuring Marketing Performance – 3 days (intensive, calculation based)
Case Study Development & Analysis – 3 days (intensive)

Mail@ mishra.biswa@gmail.com
Call @ 9437827688

Training Program for House Wives By AB Global Partners

2008-02-09T06:14:00.000-08:00

FinanStree From Home Maker to Money Maker

A WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN WHO WANT TO GAIN PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE
ON FINANCE, INVESTMENTS, STOCK MARKETS.

Call @0674 6541089/ 9437827688
Mail @mishra.biswa@gmail.com

Positive Approach

2008-02-06T01:35:00.000-08:00

Father: I want you to marry a girl of my choice.
Son: 'I will choose my own bride!'
Father: 'But the girl is Bill Gates's daughter.'
Son: 'Well, in that case...OK' Next Day

Next Day

Father approaches Bill Gates.
Father: 'I have a husband for your daughter.'
Bill Gates: 'But my daughter is too young to marry!'
Father: 'But this young man is a vice-president of the World Bank.'
Bill Gates: 'Ah, in that case... OK'

Finally Father goes to see the president of the World Bank. Father: 'I have a young man to be recommended as a vice-president. '

President: 'But I already have more vice- presidents than I need!'
Father : 'But this young man is Bill Gates's son-in-law.'
President: 'Ah, in that case... OK'

This is how business is done!!

Moral: Even if you have nothing, you can get anything. But your attitude & approach should be positive.

10 Years Ago- Ratan Tata was perceived then: awkward, untalented, unworthy of the job

2008-02-03T19:36:00.000-08:00

Counterpoint | Ratan Tata: Then and Now-Vir Sanghvi

Nobody disputes that, during his lifetime, JRD Tata was the most respected and probably the most admired businessman in India . On Thursday, as I watched the TV coverage of Ratan Tata unveiling the Tata Nano in New Delhi , I was struck by a sudden thought: Ratan has
finally inherited JRD's title. He is clearly the most respected and admired businessman in India today. And then, I thought back to that phase, 10 years ago, when the Tatas
struggled to reinvent themselves in the post-JRD era. I thought of how Ratan was perceived then: awkward, untalented, unworthy of the job, out of his depth and full of vindictive anger against many of the satraps of the JRD regime.

It was a time of change. New groups were springing up out of nowhere.
The certainties of the old protectionist economy and the
license-permit-quota raj had collapsed. Reliance had made the
transition from being seen as a parvenu to being regarded as an
industrial behemoth. The Infosys legend, personified by Narayan
Murthy's personal simplicity and marked by the world-class skills of
his high-tech partners, had just begun.

At Tata headquarters, however, the crises mounted: record losses at
Tata Motors, the much-derided plan to launch the Indica, criminal
charges over Tata Tea's alleged links with Assam militants,
allegations of foolishness in the sale of Tata Oil Mills' assets, a
plan to launch a domestic airline with Singapore Airlines that was
comprehensively scuttled and more. And many of us wondered if we were
watching India 's greatest industrial group diminish before our very
eyes.

The house that JRD had built was crumbling. Poor, shy, inept Ratan
seemed unable to cope.
And yet, a mere decade later, here was the same Ratan being feted by
the world's media as the man who reinvented, if not the wheel, then
certainly the motorcar. A man who did what no global carmaker believed
was possible: to build a car that looked this good and drove so well
for so low a price. And here was a new Ratan, his legendary shyness
temporarily in remission, as he joked about calling the car the
'Pachauri' (after the environmentalist who chose to attack the Nano as
a pollution threat, a charge that the Nano has easily beaten) or even
the 'Mamata' (after the nutcase) or 'Despite Mamata'.

The following day, the Nano managed the impossible: there was not one
negative review of note and the raves kept coming. To the chagrin of
his rivals, Ratan even kept to the price commitment. Though input
costs had gone up, he said, the Tata's would still price the basic
Nano at a lakh because "a promise is a promise".

The triumph of the Nano was merely the crowning glory in a series of
successes. Throughout the 21st century, the Tatas have beaten every
doom-laden prediction and silenced every critic. Tata Motors came back
from losses of over Rs 600 crore to make huge profits on the back of
the Indica, the all-Indian car that had been Ratan's dream, and â€" to
his detractors â€" the vanity project that would sink the company..
Infosys had fulfilled its early promise but even then Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS), a company that had been little noticed in the 1990s,
had grown to dominate the Indian IT sector, its size dwarfing Infosys.
Tata Steel had defied Rusi Mody's predictions, had been whittled down
to a slim and lean company, and had even gone ahead and bought Corus,
a global giant, after a bidding war during which Ratan had shown
nerves of steel. And even as Ratan was unveiling the world's cheapest
car, the Tatas were on the verge of clinching the purchase of Jaguar,
one of the world's great luxury cars.

How had so many people, who should have known better, got Ratan so
wrong? Business pundits will tell you â€" in the kind of detail that I
will never be able to master â€" just how the Tatas turned themselves
around. I'm sure they are right. But remember, most of these pundits
were the same guys who wrote Ratan off to begin with, a decade or so
ago.

I have a few theories of my own based on the interviews I have done
with this otherwise reclusive man on the remarkable rise of Ratan
Tata.
* Ratan realised India was changing much before the other big houses
did. He recognised that the old feudal, paternalistic structure that
had worked so well in the JRD era, where the old man was the emperor
and the companies were run by viceroys, would not work in the new
India . He professionalised the Tatas, democratised the management,
abandoned the feudalism (remember Rusi Mody's massive birthday
tamashas in Jamshedpur?) and made the group adopt a low-key,
matter-of-fact, get-things-done style that had no room for satraps and
stars.

* He saw the wisdom of embracing the future. Hence, the focus on TCS.
And hence the determination to go global: we talk about Corus, the
Pierre, Tetley etc, but the big successes are only the tip of the
iceberg. Years ago, Ratan told me that he was determined to use Indian
managerial ability and Tata capital to globalise the group. In 2000,
this seemed overly ambitious and grandiose. But he has grabbed the
opportunities for globalisation like no other Indian industrialist
has.

* At the same time, he put his faith in young India . The team behind
the Nano is young the top guy is 35 and overwhelmingly Indian. So it
was with the Indica, a truly Indian car. One of the dichotomies of
Ratan's personality is that while he can be shy and reticent in social
situations, he is warm, outgoing and able to motivate teams at work.

* He told the government to go to hell. No group has faced more unfair
governmental harassment than the Tatas â€" right from the Tata Tea
case where they were framed by the Assam government to the telecom
tangle where they were bullied by an arrogant Dayanidhi Maran. Not
once did Ratan agree to pay a bribe. He wouldn't even go and complain
to Manmohan Singh (who has immense respect for him). Instead, he stood
his ground. If in the process, he lost a project, he lived with the
loss but maintained his principles. So it has been with Mamata
Banerjee's foolish Singur campaign: he will never buckle under it or
try and buy her off.
* He let his heart guide him. Early in his career, when Nani
Palkhivala persuaded the Tatas to liquidate the Central India Mill
even though it could have been turned around with an infusion of just
Rs 50 lakh, an angry and disgusted Ratan gave his own annual Tata
salary bonus to the officers of the company. "They were perfectly
blameless people who had now lost their jobs through no fault of
theirs because of a bad corporate decision. They had homes to run and
children to educate," he remembered in an interview to me in 2005.

* It was his heart that told him to build the Nano. He would see
families of four on a single scooter. The father would keep his son in
front and the mother would hold on to her baby. He wondered why it was
not possible to give such families a car where they could be safe and
comfortable for the same price. Plus, they would keep their dignity.
There are many reasons for building a car. But this, I think, is the
best one of all.

* And finally, I think, India caught up with the Tatas. Over the last
decade the middle class came of age, tired of the crony capitalism of
the old bania class, was inspired by engineering success stories like
Infosys and began to wonder why it wasn't possible for everyone to do
business honestly.
The Tatas had gone through good times and bad times. But they had
always given nearly all of their profits to charity. They had
consistently refused to break the law and encourage corruption. Older
generations of businessmen thought they were silly and shortsighted to
do so considering that everybody else played the game.

But now India has changed. We finally have a strong and vocal middle
class that prizes honesty above all else and that has contempt for the
sleazy politicians and the crony capitalists of old.

When we see Ratan Tata refusing to pay bribes, refusing to lick
politicians' boots and refusing to bend the rules and still taking the
Tatas from strength to strength, still buying the world's best
companies, and still reinventing the rules of the car industry well
then, we know that there is a better way.

It's possible to be honest and principled. And still beat the rest of
the world.

That's the strength of the new India .

If Ratan Can do this miracle then I am sure that I was worst than Ratan(10 years ago). So dear, my chances are more to click in this business world.

AB Global's New Project

2007-11-14T19:13:00.000-08:00

Hi Friend

We are approaching to Venture Capitalist for investment in our new project. And also getting teh positive response from their side. This project is into greenery and global warming issue. Do letme know If you have any contact with any venture finding ppl.

Do you really know..... what is ' SUCCESS '

2007-10-05T21:44:00.000-07:00

We have innumerous articles related to success and survival.But still many of us here, need the mantras for the key to success.My article gives a brief insight as to how you can gain your lost attitude.

"Success doesnt mean the absence of failures;it means the attainment of ultimate objectives. It means winning the WAR not every battle!"

These fabulous lines are sufficient enough to inculcate the deep rooted meaning of success.Many of us who have accomplished their tasks successfuly,unfortunately are still unaware of what success is all about.
The Irony is that no society has ever survived its own success.No geographical empire or civilization has reached the top and stayed there permanently.All leading socities,industries and countries of the past rested on their laurels -- and were knocked off their pedestals.
So its doesnt matter,whether you are a student,an employee,an entrepreneur.......never be too sure of success and failure.

Just remember,that dreams are dime a dozen.........its' their execution that counts.Just

take a chance,

take charge and

take control.

After all the life's heaviest burden is to have nothing to carry!!So friends,just go out,explore new horizons and keep faith in yourself cauz "winners are struck,but not destroyed".
Good luck!

Manpower Requirement with AB Global

2007-09-22T04:41:00.000-07:00

Must be an out of the Box thinker with eagerness to learn from others. Should be open to accept the reality in life. Compensation- Food & accomodation will be provided for 3 months against the refundable deposit Amount Rs. 10,000 for 1 year. Selection Procedure- Personal Interview. Age- upto 23

Please contact business@abglobaljobs.com

Phone : 0674 6541089, 9338014898

HR Processes (This will help you in getting your DREAM JOB)

2007-09-18T00:32:00.000-07:00

One day while walking down the street a highly successful Human Resources Manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself.

"Welcome to Heaven ," said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in though, it seems we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we've never once had a Human Resources Manager make it this far and we're not really sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," said the woman.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we're going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven and then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in."

"Actually, I think I've made up my mind, I prefer to stay in Heaven", said the woman

"Sorry, we have rules..."

And with that St. Peter put the executive in an elevator and it went down-down-down to hell.

The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto the putting green of a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were well dressed in evening owns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner.

She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy (kind of cute) and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator.

The elevator went up-up-up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates and found St. Peter waiting for her.

"Now it's time to spend a day in heaven," he said. So she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had great time and before she knew it her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came and got her.

"So, you've spent a day in hell and you've spent a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity,"

The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great and all, but I think I had a better time in Hell."

So St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went down-down-down back to Hell.

When the doors of the elevator opened she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it in sacks.

The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her.

"I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and a country club and we ate lobster and we danced and had a great time. Now all there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."

The Devil looked at her smiled and told...

Yesterday we were recruiting you, Today you are an employee.

Mr. Narayan Murthy has gone mad (Lets built 1000 Infosys)

2007-09-17T07:27:00.000-07:00

I am surprised, Why this mad person(meant for Mr Murthy) is sharing the business tips with Other people. Don't you know that ..........Yes. He has gone mad. We should become mad like him otherwise we cann't create business empire.

We should be broad minded and should realise that we are born to do something different in our life.

Summary:

In the ultimate analysis, we are all mere temporary custodians of the wealth we generate, whether it be financial, intellectual, or emotional. The best use of all your wealth is to share it with those less fortunate.

I believe that we have all at some time eaten the fruit from trees that we did not plant. In the fullness of time, when it is our turn to give, it behooves us in turn to plant gardens that we may never eat the fruit of, which will largely benefit generations to come. I believe this is our sacred responsibility, one that I hope you will shoulder in time.

N R Narayana Murthy, chief mentor and chairman of the board, Infosys Technologies, delivered a pre-commencement lecture at the New York University (Stern School of Business) on May 9. It is a scintillating speech, Murthy speaks about the lessons he learnt from his life and career. We present it for our readers:

Dean Cooley, faculty, staff, distinguished guests, and, most importantly, the graduating class of 2007, it is a great privilege to speak at your commencement ceremonies.

I thank Dean Cooley and Prof Marti Subrahmanyam for their kind invitation. I am exhilarated to be part of such a joyous occasion. Congratulations to you, the class of 2007, on completing an important milestone in your life journey.

After some thought, I have decided to share with you some of my life lessons. I learned these lessons in the context of my early career struggles, a life lived under the influence of sometimes unplanned events which were the crucibles that tempered my character and reshaped my future.

I would like first to share some of these key life events with you, in the hope that these may help you understand my struggles and how chance events and unplanned encounters with influential persons shaped my life and career.

Later, I will share the deeper life lessons that I have learned. My sincere hope is that this sharing will help you see your own trials and tribulations for the hidden blessings they can be.

The first event occurred when I was a graduate student in Control Theory at IIT, Kanpur, in India. At breakfast on a bright Sunday morning in 1968, I had a chance encounter with a famous computer scientist on sabbatical from a well-known US university.

He was discussing exciting new developments in the field of computer science with a large group of students and how such developments would alter our future. He was articulate, passionate and quite convincing. I was hooked. I went straight from breakfast to the library, read four or five papers he had suggested, and left the library determined to study computer science.

Friends, when I look back today at that pivotal meeting, I marvel at how one role model can alter for the better the future of a young student. This experience taught me that valuable advice can sometimes come from an unexpected source, and chance events can sometimes open new doors.

The next event that left an indelible mark on me occurred in 1974. The location: Nis, a border town between former Yugoslavia, now Serbia, and Bulgaria. I was hitchhiking from Paris back to Mysore, India, my home town.

By the time a kind driver dropped me at Nis railway station at 9 p.m. on a Saturday night, the restaurant was closed. So was the bank the next morning, and I could not eat because I had no local money. I slept on the railway platform until 8.30 pm in the night when the Sofia Express pulled in.

The only passengers in my compartment were a girl and a boy. I struck a conversation in French with the young girl. She talked about the travails of living in an iron curtain country, until we were roughly interrupted by some policemen who, I later gathered, were summoned by the young man who thought we were criticising the communist government of Bulgaria.

The girl was led away; my backpack and sleeping bag were confiscated. I was dragged along the platform into a small 8x8 foot room with a cold stone floor and a hole in one corner by way of toilet facilities. I was held in that bitterly cold room without food or water for over 72 hours.

I had lost all hope of ever seeing the outside world again, when the door opened. I was again dragged out unceremoniously, locked up in the guard's compartment on a departing freight train and told that I would be released 20 hours later upon reaching Istanbul. The guard's final words still ring in my ears -- "You are from a friendly country called India and that is why we are letting you go!"

The journey to Istanbul was lonely, and I was starving. This long, lonely, cold journey forced me to deeply rethink my convictions about Communism. Early on a dark Thursday morning, after being hungry for 108 hours, I was purged of any last vestiges of affinity for the Left.

I concluded that entrepreneurship, resulting in large-scale job creation, was the only viable mechanism for eradicating poverty in societies.

Deep in my heart, I always thank the Bulgarian guards for transforming me from a confused Leftist into a determined, compassionate capitalist! Inevitably, this sequence of events led to the eventual founding of Infosys in 1981.

While these first two events were rather fortuitous, the next two, both concerning the Infosys journey, were more planned and profoundly influenced my career trajectory.

On a chilly Saturday morning in winter 1990, five of the seven founders of Infosys met in our small office in a leafy Bangalore suburb. The decision at hand was the possible sale of Infosys for the enticing sum of $1 million. After nine years of toil in the then business-unfriendly India, we were quite happy at the prospect of seeing at least some money.

I let my younger colleagues talk about their future plans. Discussions about the travails of our journey thus far and our future challenges went on for about four hours. I had not yet spoken a word.

Finally, it was my turn. I spoke about our journey from a small Mumbai apartment in 1981 that had been beset with many challenges, but also of how I believed we were at the darkest hour before the dawn. I then took an audacious step. If they were all bent upon selling the company, I said, I would buy out all my colleagues, though I did not have a cent in my pocket.

There was a stunned silence in the room. My colleagues wondered aloud about my foolhardiness. But I remained silent. However, after an hour of my arguments, my colleagues changed their minds to my way of thinking. I urged them that if we wanted to create a great company, we should be optimistic and confident. They have more than lived up to their promise of that day.

In the seventeen years since that day, Infosys has grown to revenues in excess of $3.0 billion, a net income of more than $800 million and a market capitalisation of more than $28 billion, 28,000 times richer than the offer of $1 million on that day.

In the process, Infosys has created more than 70,000 well-paying jobs, 2,000-plus dollar-millionaires and 20,000-plus rupee millionaires.

A final story: On a hot summer morning in 1995, a Fortune-10 corporation had sequestered all their Indian software vendors, including Infosys, in different rooms at the Taj Residency hotel in Bangalore so that the vendors could not communicate with one another. This customer's propensity for tough negotiations was well-known. Our team was very nervous.

First of all, with revenues of only around $5 million, we were minnows compared to the customer.

Second, this customer contributed fully 25% of our revenues. The loss of this business would potentially devastate our recently-listed company.

Third, the customer's negotiation style was very aggressive. The customer team would go from room to room, get the best terms out of each vendor and then pit one vendor against the other. This went on for several rounds. Our various arguments why a fair price -- one that allowed us to invest in good people, R&D, infrastructure, technology and training -- was actually in their interest failed to cut any ice with the customer.

By 5 p.m. on the last day, we had to make a decision right on the spot whether to accept the customer's terms or to walk out.

All eyes were on me as I mulled over the decision. I closed my eyes, and reflected upon our journey until then. Through many a tough call, we had always thought about the long-term interests of Infosys. I communicated clearly to the customer team that we could not accept their terms, since it could well lead us to letting them down later. But I promised a smooth, professional transition to a vendor of customer's choice.

This was a turning point for Infosys.

Subsequently, we created a Risk Mitigation Council which ensured that we would never again depend too much on any one client, technology, country, application area or key employee. The crisis was a blessing in disguise. Today, Infosys has a sound de-risking strategy that has stabilised its revenues and profits.

I want to share with you, next, the life lessons these events have taught me.

1. I will begin with the importance of learning from experience. It is less important, I believe, where you start. It is more important how and what you learn. If the quality of the learning is high, the development gradient is steep, and, given time, you can find yourself in a previously unattainable place. I believe the Infosys story is living proof of this.

Learning from experience, however, can be complicated. It can be much more difficult to learn from success than from failure. If we fail, we think carefully about the precise cause. Success can indiscriminately reinforce all our prior actions.

2. A second theme concerns the power of chance events. As I think across a wide variety of settings in my life, I am struck by the incredible role played by the interplay of chance events with intentional choices. While the turning points themselves are indeed often fortuitous, how we respond to them is anything but so. It is this very quality of how we respond systematically to chance events that is crucial.

3. Of course, the mindset one works with is also quite critical. As recent work by the psychologist, Carol Dweck, has shown, it matters greatly whether one believes in ability as inherent or that it can be developed. Put simply, the former view, a fixed mindset, creates a tendency to avoid challenges, to ignore useful negative feedback and leads such people to plateau early and not achieve their full potential.

The latter view, a growth mindset, leads to a tendency to embrace challenges, to learn from criticism and such people reach ever higher levels of achievement (Krakovsky, 2007: page 48).

4. The fourth theme is a cornerstone of the Indian spiritual tradition: self-knowledge. Indeed, the highest form of knowledge, it is said, is self-knowledge. I believe this greater awareness and knowledge of oneself is what ultimately helps develop a more grounded belief in oneself, courage, determination, and, above all, humility, all qualities which enable one to wear one's success with dignity and grace.

Based on my life experiences, I can assert that it is this belief in learning from experience, a growth mindset, the power of chance events, and self-reflection that have helped me grow to the present.

Back in the 1960s, the odds of my being in front of you today would have been zero. Yet here I stand before you! With every successive step, the odds kept changing in my favour, and it is these life lessons that made all the difference.

My young friends, I would like to end with some words of advice. Do you believe that your future is pre-ordained, and is already set? Or, do you believe that your future is yet to be written and that it will depend upon the sometimes fortuitous events?

Do you believe that these events can provide turning points to which you will respond with your energy and enthusiasm? Do you believe that you will learn from these events and that you will reflect on your setbacks? Do you believe that you will examine your successes with even greater care?

I hope you believe that the future will be shaped by several turning points with great learning opportunities. In fact, this is the path I have walked to much advantage.

A final word: When, one day, you have made your mark on the world, remember that, in the ultimate analysis, we are all mere temporary custodians of the wealth we generate, whether it be financial, intellectual, or emotional. The best use of all your wealth is to share it with those less fortunate.

Thank you for your patience. Go forth and embrace your future with open arms, and pursue enthusiastically your own life journey of discovery!

Source :- http://in.rediff.com/money/2007/may/28bspec.htm

HOW TO BE HAPPY?

2007-09-17T07:14:00.001-07:00

The 90/10 Principle

Author : Stephen Covey

Discover the 90/10 Principle. It will change your life (at least the way
you react to situations). What is this principle? 10% of life is made up of
what happens to you. 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this
mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. We cannot
stop the car from breaking down. The plane will be late arriving, which
throws our whole schedule off. A driver may cut us off in traffic. We have
no control over this 10%. The other 90% is different. You determine the
other 90%. How? By your reaction. You cannot control a red light., but you
can control your reaction. Don't let people fool you; YOU can control how
you react. Let's use an example. You are eating breakfast with your family.
Your daughter knocks over a cup of coffee onto your business shirt. You have
no control over what just what happened. What happens when the next will be
determined by how you react.Youcurse. You harshly scold your daughter for
knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you
turn to your spouse and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the
edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and
change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy
crying to finish breakfast and get ready for school. She misses the bus.
Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive
your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles an hour in
a 30 mph speed limit. After a 15-minute delay and throwing $60 traffic fine
away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without
saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minutes late, you find you
forgot your briefcase. Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it
seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home, When you
arrive home, you find small wedge in your relationship with your spouse and
daughter. Why? Because of how you reacted in the morning. Why did you have a
bad day?

A) Did the coffee cause it?
B) Did your daughter cause it?
C) Did the policeman cause it?
D) Did you cause it?

The answer is " D".

You had no control over what happened with the coffee.How you reacted in
those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and
should have happened. Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to
cry. You gently say, "It's ok honey, you just need, to be more careful next
time". Grabbing a towel you rush upstairs. After grabbing a new shirt and
your briefcase, you come back down in time to look through the window and
see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes
early and cheerfully greet the staff. Your boss comments on how good the day
you are having. Notice the difference? Two different scenarios. Both started
the same. Both ended different. Why? Because of how you REACTED. You really
do not have any control over 10% of what happens. The other 90% was
determined by your reaction. Here are some ways to apply the 90/10
principle. If someone says something negative about you, don't be a sponge.
Let the attack roll off like water on glass. You don't have to let the
negative comment affect you! React properly and it will not ruin your day. A
wrong reaction could result in losing a friend, being fired, getting
stressed out etc.

How do you react if someone cuts you off in traffic? Do you lose your
temper? Pound on the steering wheel? (A friend of mine had the steering
wheel fall off). Do you curse? Does your blood pressure skyrocket? Do you
try and bump them? WHO CARES if you arrive ten seconds later at work? Why
let the cars ruin your drive? Remember the 90/10 principle, and do not worry
about it. You are told you lost your job. Why lose sleep and get irritated?
It will work out. Use your worrying energy and time into finding another
job.Theplane is late; it is going to mangle your schedule for the day. Why
take out your frustration on the flight attendant? She has no control over
what is going on. Use your time to study, get to know the other passenger.
Why get stressed out? It will just make things worse. Now you know the 90-10
principle. Apply it and you will be amazed at the results. You will lose
nothing if you try it. The 90-10 principle is incredible. Very few know and
apply this principle. The result? Millions of people are suffering from
undeserved stress, trials, problems and heartache. We all must understand
and apply the 90/10 principle.
It CAN change your life!!!

What Are You Working For?

2007-09-11T03:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that many people get a job, and stay in that job until they get laid off or fired. Most of the people I know who have jobs, don’t really like them. So, why do they stay working there? It is the comfort zone. I was once a victim of this myself, but luckily have also been laid off more than once so I realized early on that no job was secure. I know it’s a big step for someone to leave a job they have been at forever. If you are still working a full time job, while hopefully trying to find ways to make passive income, try asking yourself a few questions. What would happen if you lost your job today? What if they fired you tomorrow? What would you do? Thousands of people get laid off every single day, but for many it will be a blessing in disguise. Sure, they will be scared at first but many will either find better jobs that they enjoy doing, or they will finally decide to try that business they have been thinking about for years. Do you already have an idea of what you would do, but someone else thinks that idea is stupid, or maybe they just say “You can’t do that” and they repeate it enough to convince you? I have a task that may help you. Spend ten minutes each day for a week imagining what your life would be like if you could do what you really wanted to do. Imagine that you lost your job and now had the oppurtunity to pursue whatever you wanted. How would you feel waking up each morning in this situation? Would you be a lot happier? Would you more time to spend with family or friends?

Who sets the target for all these Corporate People?

2007-09-04T05:12:00.000-07:00

There are many questions in my mind and as well as in your mind.

Are these corporate people are really happy with the target settings?

WHO SETS THE TARGET?

Even THE TARGET SETTER WILL NOT BE IN A POSITION TO ACHIEVE THE SAME.

What do you think? Is it really true that the Target Setter will not be in a position to achieve the Target?

Why are we talking the language of target? It’s a foreign term like we jokers used to wear the Coat, Pant & Tie instead of loose fitting dress like Dhoti, Kurta etc.

Western people usually wear this type of dresses because of cold weather. But we jokers don’t know where to use what. We only know how to copy others without understanding the reason.

It's very simple. In cold countries they should follow the dress code as per their requirement like Coat, Pant, Tie ...
India is a hot country then why should we follow their dress code. We should wear loose fitting dress.

TARGET is like that only If the candidates are going to be demanding then the Employer will fix a big target and which is very much unachievable.....

Moral of the Topic:
SIMPLE LIVING HIGH THINKING
TRY TO BE INNOVATIVE.
FIRST DELIVER THEN DEMAND

Indians are becoming more and more demanding like Americans. They are not satisfied at all. Time will come, when all the jobs are going to be outsourced to other developing countries.

I am in Dreamland

2007-09-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

I am in dreamland where I found all of us are very much independent and busy in our own work. Everyone is ready to help the other person.

Hope you also want to be in that world. Lets built that kind of place where we will live happily.

I am planning to do sting operation against all the corrupted people and will expose them in our website. So that they can see themselve, then only they will be scared to do all this nasty thing in their life.

I am searching for the volunteers who can be associated with me for this work. And this is going to be a great contribution to the society as a whole.

Hope you will accept this challenge.

We are Corrupted Then What?????

2007-09-01T11:04:00.001-07:00

This is the most happening issue around us Where you will find everyone of us being involved in different level of corruption in our day to day life. It's great that we are never accepted in front of others but we have to accept the reality that we people are making this society full of corruption and illusion.

Don't behave like a dead person and keep on telling everyone that we are help less with this corruption and the worst part is that when we are telling other that WE HAVE TO SURVIVE WITH THIS CORRUPTION.

We need to take the initiative to avoid this disease from the society. We should stop taking and giving bribe to others.

Nothing is going to happen If You are spoending your bribe money on your children's education and jewellery of your wife. Your children will move to foreign countries where they will live separately and will try to hoard money for their own children.........

Then why we will take bribe from others and give bribe to others...

HR is not doing the Justification to their Role

2007-09-01T10:44:00.000-07:00

"India is lacking right kind of talents as the industry is growing in a faster pace". This is the pet news by all the Media people.

But the reality is very different from this so called news matter. I know a couple of good people whose talent is not being utilised.

It's only because of the HR people. I know atleast 20 HR people who are there with big corporate houses and having attitude problem. Even they are not truthful to their Organisation and Corrupted to a great extent.

They are been sold in the job mandi where you can quote them a rate and will buy them.

HR PERSON SHOULD BE INNOVATIVE ENOUGH TO EXPLORE NEW TALENT AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET SO THAT THEY ADD SOME VALUE TO THE ORGANISATION AS A WHOLE.

If this is the situation of the Indian Corporates then I do strongly believe the report by Transparency International.

Is this India's GDP is really being calculated in the right way?????

2007-09-01T06:02:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends

Hope you must be doing fine in your respective field.
I am really surprised to know that how come our GDP is growing and whether the procedure for calculating the GDP is in right fashion or not? I will be happy to be a part of this team while calculating the GDP.

I am totally blank in understanding the happening around us. If will get the chance then will love to be a part of the calculation team and to understand what are factors being taken into account while giving these flashy report by all these political parties.

May be the day will come when our GDP level would be more than 15 but with a big economic crisis in our Country as a whole.

Please mail me your views on this.

Biyani's Big Bazar failed to convience

2007-07-12T18:39:00.000-07:00

Kishore Biyani's Big Bazar failed to convience their own staff with "Sabse Sasta concept". Those who are working in Bhubaneswar Big Bazar they are taking everything from the local market. Howcome this is happening? Kishore, You should do something otherwise time will come when you have to start something else. May be this is the right time to sell this baby to Bharti/ Reliance. By the way I am having highest regards for Kishore.

BRAND IS A BIG ILLUSION.

2007-07-04T11:49:00.000-07:00

Don't believe on the brand name.
We should give chance to the new generation entrepreneurs.

CUSTOMERS ARE THE BIGGEST FOOL

2007-07-04T11:47:00.000-07:00

CUSTOMERS ARE THE BIGGEST FOOL IN 21ST CENTURY.
THEY ARE ALWAYS BEEN BIASED BY BIG HOARDINGS, MEDIA ADVT. AND HALF NUDE FASHION SHOWS.
THEY ARE NOT IN THEIR KINGLY STATUS AS DESCRIBED BY KOTLER AND PORTER.

Branded Companies Left with No Brand names

2007-07-04T11:34:00.000-07:00

BRAND DOESN’T WORK.
BRAND HAS NO VALUE ONLY FACE VALUE OF THE INDIVIDUAL WORKS IN THE MARKET.
BIG COMPANIES LIKE RELIANCE, ICICI RECRUITED ALL THE GREAT JOKERS. AMBANI SHOULD TAKE THE POLL ON THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND THEIR EMPLOYEE'S HONESTY LEVEL TIME TO TIME OTHERWISE THEY WILL LOSE ALL THEIR BRAND VALUES.

'Gandhi must be stopped at any cost'(http://ngodse.tripod.com/godse2.htm)

2007-06-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

Nathuram: I don't think, our Agrani is the mouthpiece of Hindu religion. When the government does not give importance to Hinduism, the question of being a mouthpiece does not arise. Our restraint is misinterpreted. Our massacre is neglected. They presume that we will bear everything with folded hands. Our anger has lost its fuel to burn, we know only the art of pardoning. They will torture us and massacre us and we will bear it coolly... it has become a law of nature. I don't think they will take cognisance of this mouthpiece of Hinduism. Yes, the government will think seriously while arguing the case in the court.
Nana: Which case?
Nathuram: IPC 302, the assassination of Gandhi.
Nana: Pandit, what are you talking?
Nathuram: Of course Nana, while writing the editorial, I was constantly telling myself -- these are not mere thoughts, they are a prelude to an action!
Nana: I have utmost confidence that Nathuram can never make a mistake, he is always right. But I want to ask you something because a blind follower cannot be a genuine friend...
Nathuram: Gandhi must be stopped at any cost.
Nana: I do agree with you.
Nathuram: And there is only one remedy to stop him. His assassination.
Nana: But don't you think it's a hasty decision?
Nathuram: You are wrong Nana. Assassination is never as easy as picking up a rifle and pulling the trigger, assassination is never an accident. Yes, murder could be an accident but not assassination. In this case of Gandhi, it could never be...
Nana: Are you convinced that it is inevitable?
Nathuram: Of course, it is not only inevitable, but is a delayed action.
Nana: Don't you feel that we would be tampering with an important era of history?
Nathuram: I differ with the word era. It could be a page, a leaf of history. Certainly not an era. Nana, if we don't turn this page today, the rest of the pages of the history of our nation will remain unwritten, blank...
Nana: Listen, Pandit...
Nathuram: Time is eternal, indestructible. You can turn its pages but never, never tear them out. Gandhi has acquired some position in history which nobody can deny, not even Nathuram. The page will be there forever in fact. Sometime in the future, in some storm, the pages will flutter and there will be that same Gandhi's page before the world. I don't refute Gandhi's theory of non-violence. He may be a saint but he is not a politician. His theory of non-violence denies self-defence and self-interest. The non-violence that defines the fight for survival as violence is a theory not of non-violence but of self-destruction.
Nana: I do agree with you Pandit, but don't you think that your decision is risky, dangerous?
Nathuram: But somebody has to do it! You can't afford to wait for somebody else to do it. It will be improper.
Nana: If we picket severely?
Nathuram: We have been doing it. Did it help? The division of the nation was an unnecessary decision. What was the percentage of the Muslim population as compared to the population of the nation? There was no need for a separate nation. Had it been a just demand, Maulana Azad would not have stayed back in India. But because Jinnah insisted and because Gandhi took his side, India was divided, in spite of opposition from the nation, the Cabinet. An individual is never greater than a nation, Nana. But Gandhi has stared considering himself greater than the nation.
Nana: Jinnah wanted to be the prime minister...
Nathuram: But we never opposed a Muslim prime minister. In a democracy you cannot put forward your demands at knife-point. Jinnah did it and Gandhi stabbed the nation with the same knife. He dissected the land and gave a piece to Pakistan. We did picket that time but in vain. The Father of our Nation went to perform his paternal duties for Pakistan.
Nana: The Cabinet consented to that...
Nathuram: The Cabinet also consented to the demand of Rs 55 crores today...
Nana: They are also equally responsible.
Nathuram: Of course, they are responsible! Gandhi blackmailed them with his fast unto death. His body, his threats to die are causing the destruction -- geographical as well as economical -- of the nation. Today, Muslims have taken a part of the nation, tomorrow Sikhs may ask for Punjab. The religions are again dividend into castes, they will demand sub-divisions of the divisions. What remains of the concept of one nation, national integration? Why did we fight the British in unison for independence? Why not separately? Bhagat Singh did not ask only for an independent Punjab or Subhash Chandra Bose for an independent Bengal?
Nana: Pandit, if you will write this, people will get agitated, the government will get agitated, the government will have to bow down.
Nathuram: I had written this before. At the time of Partition, when Suharawady surrendered only due to political pressure, but only Suharawady, not his followers...they went on with the massacre. Gandhi started his fast, the Hindus put their weapons down. I still remember that day. A poor Hindu told Gandhi, 'I am putting down my weapons because I don't want your death on my conscience but I am staying alone with my family in the Muslim area. That night, before leaving Hyderabad I visited his home. The whole household was screaming, weeping, his only eight-year-old son had been killed by the Muslims. He had no weapon to defend himself. He threw his son's body on my lap and said, "Take his blood to your Mahatma. Tell him, if he goes on fast again, he can finish it by drinking not orange-juice but my son's blood." I could not say anything. Gandhi was the Father of my Nation. For a moment, I was tempted to pull out the Muslims from their homes and chop them down. But I controlled myself. Violence for self-defence is justified, otherwise it is an ill-cultured act. I returned to where Gandhi was staying but he had already left by car. Of course, there would have been no point in meeting him... he would only have prayed for both the killer and the victim.
Nana: Pandit, I sincerely feel that we should seek the advice of Tatyarao.
Nathuram: No. Because I am going to assassinate Gandhi even if Tatyarao tells me not to. Then why involve him unnecessarily? I, neither want Tatyarao's involvement nor participation. He has suffered a lot for the nation. Now it is our turn. Tatyarao had once sad, if Gandhi is a political saint, then he should follow in the footsteps of Ramdas Swami. Ramdas Swami was always there to advise Shivaji whenever the need arose, but he never interfered.
Nana: Pandit, if you are firm, then I promise you...
Nathuram: I want two promises ...
Nana: I promise!
Nathuram: You didn't ask me what promises?
Nana: A shadow has not to ask the body as to where it is going and why it is going? A shadow has just to be with the body, that's all. When I walk, you become my shadow Pandit, now you are walking... I will be your shadow.
Nathuram: This is the first promise I want from you... This time I walk alone...mind you, alone...
Nana: You have trapped me.
Nathuram: But you promised me..! I am going to assassinate him in the open, before the public, because I am going to do it as my duty. If I do it surreptitiously, it becomes a crime in my own eyes. I will not try to escape, I will surrender and naturally I will be hanged.
Nana: Pandit!
Nathuram: One assassination, one hanging. I don't want two executions for one assassination and I don't want your involvement, participation or company.
Nana: Pandit, you want to end our friendship of so many years?
Nathuram: Of course not. At the time of hanging. I will remember my motherland, my parents and my friend -- you, Nana...
Nana: But if I won't be with you, won't you feel lonely at the gallows?
Nathuram: You promised me.
Nana: What is the second promise?
Nathuram: Today I wrote two editorials. I have not put any date on the second editorial as only God knows the date. I want you to print the second editorial in Agrani, the day after Gandhi's assassination.
Nana: I promise you my friend. The first promise accidentally but the second promise out of necessity. (Nathuram is alone on the stage)
Nathuram: I was convinced that though Gandhi is called the Father of the Nation, he delivers his paternal duties not towards India but towards Pakistan. I came to the decision that as a son of the soil, it was my first, foremost and divine duty to assassinate Gandhi.
On January 30, I reached Birla Bhavan at 12 pm. Gandhi was sitting outside on a cot enjoying the sunshine. Vallabhbhai Patel's granddaughter was sitting at his feet. I had the revolver with me. I could have assassinated him easily then, but I was convinced that his assassination was to be a punishment and a sentence against him, and I would execute him. I wanted witnesses for the execution but there were none. I did not want to escape after the execution as there was not an iota of guilt in my mind. I wanted to surrender, but surrender to whom? There was a good crowd to collect for the evening prayers. I decided on the evening of January 30 as the date for Gandhi's execution.