Calling charlie, moving on

I saved this bit from a blog response long back:

“Realities: 1) The 1970s view that in the USA and UK, life is a breeze, everything is “hunky dory” is no longer valid 2) Anglo-saxon societies have suffered a lapse from their earlier integrity and pride in high standards. Instead, money – lots of it – has become the one Universal value. Materialism just on its own, is like having kheer, more kheer and more of the same with every meal. Materialism needs to be seasoned with standards of personal integrity and service to others. 3) If the cultural void in the West is worrying Indian parents, India is not that far behind in creating a cultural void in the name of “secularism”. Bollywood has nearly destroyed most Indian values. Indian schools teach no true history, no true Indian values and Indian Metros are slowly poisoning children with CO-2. Municipal government has broken down in many metros. In Chennai, you would think it is a constitutional right for Indian males to urinate wherever they want. If you think it may be an integral part of Tamil culture – it is. 4) You may also find that the Indian ego is much larger than the American and British. 5) Industrial houses in India are becoming international one by one. If you are in your 30s or 40s, you never know what you may achieve for your motherland, your next two generations. In other words, there is room in India for building industrial empires, but you need to know how to bribe, cajole and humour our politicians and babus. They are all more money-minded than anyone else you would have met in the USA or UK. 6) However, If you have the temperament that finds India’s “rough and ready”, “do first and analyse or plan later” atmosphere exhilarating – it can bring you enormous rewards. India offers stimulations that are now becoming rare in the West. It is a large market, still to be explored, to be developed. There is still much basic training that needs to be imparted to our young people. You will find and enjoy SUCCESS in India – of a type you will never find abroad.“

This general subject did not essentially entertain my desi_patriotic_radar, but I certainly realized through all these online wars/discussions that there is much to be done and I know that the lot I am mailing here understand the above at many levels in different ways.

I clearly want to move past trolling around online communities fighting people who make claims about incapability of the Indian-IITan lot. Following a recent discussion Lopa, and several with Rata, I decided to initiate this mail thread for whatever it is worth. My mailing list is not exactly exhaustive. We are some close circle of friends where we have a certain level of communication established. Something beyond what a business deal etc. could. If you feel like including a few more people, feel free to do so. Lets KISS (Keep It Small and Simple) for the time being. Right away I can see dalals, politicians, knowledge banks, resources, strategic thinkers and an occasional screwup in each one of us in the list. Quite a good combo to get started with anything including adventures to yonder in search of the magic dragon. We were just lost fucchas searching for yonder few years back, *sigh*.

Brainstorming is the best way to bring out ideas worth incubating in other heads. I have gained an understanding about everything almost by observation and analysis. Often times a silly or cursory note by someone else has changed my life (23 years is not a lot, but we all have our moments ).

I miss Lopa’s fundaes, I miss Subbu’s knowledge tit-bits, Nachi’s slow,steady and for sure thoughts, Rata’s dalalgiri, Pavan’s enlightened visions, and Tiku’s Glamour (:P, need to think of your true core competence!) etc. Lets put all these things out to see if there is any possibility for us guys together, or even at an individual level, to get inspired to start something of our own. I don’t want to call it a company or a startup right now. I have no plans as to where it could or will go. Suggestions are welcome as to what we can do apart from bakchodi on MFKR using a more private and focused mail thread. I just took one step. We can even have a non-public community or blog online for any discussion.

If it is a boring and seemingly an unproductive effort according to any of you, you are welcome to drop out of the list. We all hate spam.

“Materialism just on its own, is like having kheer, more kheer and more of the same with every meal”. I dont know about you guys, but that is what is happening to me and I am settling in a groove and the alarm has been set off. I personally want to start planning for change.

I really think the video below would help to get the nerves in the head completing circuits. I request that y’all listen to this speech just as you finish reading this mail.

More to come soon,
Mohan

Tags: mohan