Captions - 2011

Year 2011 has been a great memory to me. Lots of events and occasions that arrived with full of joy and happiness in both personal and professional life. I would love to share some of the memories which are very important in my view, I call those “Captions – 2011”.
January : - MTN ODI Series – South Africa Vs India @ Wonderers Stadium, Johannesburg
I was on deputation in South Africa, Johannesburg from Jan 09 to Mar 11. During this time, though I enjoyed African Safaris but I had not been to any live cricket match so far and finally that too happened. 15th January 2011, cricket match between South Africa Vs India at Wonderers Stadium, Johannesburg. We had purchased tickets well in advance and seats were close to boundary. We reached stadium around 1 hr early. I was eager to see Sachin Tendulakar live, and finally India team entered ground for practice. Sachin, Virat and others were practicing for catch and Sachin happened to be just 10 fits away from me while practicing. There was enough time for match to start, public was occupying seats and stadium was turning in to flags. I approached boundary safeguard and started clicking photos. I wanted to make the most of the moment and was dying for Sachin’s one look. I started uttering words so loudly that Sachin could hear but he was not responding, as like me there must be thousands of fans who would do such stupid thing. But I was confident that he will look for me for a moment, this feeling was purely my belief being his fan since childhood. And finally I couldn’t resist myself in calling him in Marathi (Sachin’s mother tongue and mine too). I had to repeat two – three times but I said “Sachin, it is difficult for millions of Marathi people out in Maharashtra and all over the world to see you from 10 fits, I have got that opportunity today and I want to take this moment for life, need your one look at my camera for me and I will be thankful to you”. The next second, Sachin replied, “Hold on, I am busy, give me a minute” and I was thrilled. Finally he said, “Ok quick..!” and I grabbed the image of god of cricket in my camera.
This is on top of my memory for lifetime..!
February : - Cape Town trip - Table Mountain, Chap Man’s Sun Set point & Cape Of Good Hope. This is yet another beautiful memory of my overseas journey. I had to visit Cape Town for official purpose for 2 days, I clubbed with weekend and planned for 4 days trip. Cape Town is really a heaven on earth! My couple of colleagues working in Cape Town joined me for the trip to three important spots which I wanted to see during those 2 days and those are Table Mountain, Chap Man’s peak-Sun Set & Cape of Good Hope. Amazing places to visit and be there, no doubt that you will fall in love with clouds on Table Mountain, the overall view of Cape Town city from top. Chap Man’s peak is famous as Sun Set point. There is a bay surrounded with main 3 mountains and Atlantic sea rests there, wow very beautiful place. Sun sets on the long, endless Atlantic Ocean and the blue water turns to orange, I thought of buying the painting of such scene and I did, not it is attraction of the lounge in my house. I remember my 5th or 6th standard history class, and the name “Vasco De Gama”, the man who turned his boat from southern most point of African continent which is called ‘Cape of Good Hope’ and reached Calicut, India. It was great feeling of being there at that turning rock and watch the huge Atlantic and try to feel the chapter learned in the class and imagine.
Enjoyed Cape Town wines, sea bitches and much more on the wet sand and in open culture of the land!
March :- “Over the Sea & in the sky” – Return to India
My deputation was getting over and my return to India was scheduled on 18th March 11, back to my country – India. My family had returned 3 months before me, I was eager to see them. I missed my wife a lot during my Cape Town trip and son too! But feeling of returning home is beautiful; I did enough shopping for home including African paintings, handmade, Big 5 Animals statue etc.
The moment we reached Mumbai, ‘over the sea & in the sky’ – Mumbai was looking so beautiful, can’t word it. My brother had come to pick me, and reached home next day early.
Hushhhh…back home!!
April :- Alto K10 – my 1st Car
We bought our 1st car on 4th April 11, the day of Gudipadwa (Marathi new year day).
Family was happy!
May :- Efforts -> Result -> Reward (Expectancy Theory)
Annual Performance Appraisals for year 2010-2011 were in final stage. I was performing multiple roles in HR and Operations overseas and had done well. I was confident of getting proportionate reward for my efforts as an outcome of the performance assessment, and that happened. I was promoted to next level with increased compensation. Though I was not aware of “Expectancy Theory” at that time, but at least now I can relate to it.
June :- Hunger for “Knowledge”
I always had a feeling and I had started realizing that though I am nearing decade of experience in HRM but there is still something missing and which may be very critical for my further growth. That was all about “Knowledge” required being real HR professional. I had practical experience of HRM functions but foundation, basic theory was missing and hence there was a need of developing the competencies that can help me growth without any resistance in coming years.
As a result of my hunger for “K” – I admitted for HRM course with Symbiosis Institute of HRD during June 11. Learning LAMP is on…!
July :- Accidental Leadership
I returned to India with defined role and was supposed to carry with it (IDP Manager), however during July two of my colleagues from HRM function wanted to pursue their career outside and I was given their responsibilities as well. First time I was to perform three roles simultaneously (IDP Manager, T&D Manager & RMG Manager).
August :- Multitasking – the challenge
Lot of learning and challenges while doing multitasking for different roles given to me during July, I spent good time on preparations, handover from colleagues and prepared action plan for my enhanced role. This was really motivating me to do much and cross all the boundaries.
September :- CII Conference at Westin Hotel, Koregaon Park, Pune
CII had organized conference on Talent Engagement and HRM best practices across industries. I couldn’t connect great leaders through this program and was very useful.
October :- 1st Deepawali @ our new flat
Though we got a possession of our own flat in June 09 but we were in South Africa. This year we were at our own house and called my parents from hometown, my sister and her family and enjoyed Deepawali celebrations together.
November :- Examination time, after almost 9 years!
After my graduation final exams I was facing written exams after 9 years. 1st Sem exams of executive course which I doing from SCMHRD. I did my preparations well, I had not bucked any classes, there was support from family and hence I could do it. I scored 72% in 1st Sem and was 2nd in class. Great feeling..!
December :- Life time moment – Pt. Jasraj & Pt. Hariprasad Chourasia
Yet another December which I can’t forget for my lifetime!
During December 2010 I heard Rahat Fateh Ali Khan live in concert in Johannesburg (Read article from Archive-Dec 2010). This year, on 18 Dec 11, I heard Pt Jasraj and Pt. Hariprasad Chourasia live in Chinchwad. We went early bird and got front seat, hardly 7-10 fits away from Panditji. Pt. Jasraj has been my one of the favorite Hindustani classical vocalist. I had heard him once in 2008 December on the last day of “Sawai Gandharv Festival” but that was too big program and we were very far, could only see him on screen. This opportunity was to see him so close, after the program I managed to meet him and talk, express my feelings, and a respectful handshake.
Thanks you 2011.!! Bye