Days so far

Well, I'm into the last week of the holiday and the shift in my life over the last few months can't be better summarized than the phrase Aravind any myself came up with the other day.

"We used to leave home for the holidays, now we hope to come back!"

For those of you who don't know, Aravind is my cousin who lives in the UK and we've been like brothers all of our lives..

That kinda got me thinking why not I come back to India for good, I mean.. The western world if crying that all their jobs are moving there, so why am I moving to a place that's losing jobs?! And, since most of the industrial practices in industry can seem rather disorganized, as a professional, if I can contribute to even a little bit of an improvement, it would be a big boost to my career. Unlike in Europe, where there can only be marginal improvements over a system that works pretty good already. But, those are only assumptions as of now, based on limited experience and no data whatsoever.

But, a quick look at the bank to find out my balance so far truly put me in perspective. I figure, I would require at least 3years of honest saving and living off the skin of my teeth(by Indian standards for professionals, that can only mean no scotch whisky/car/trips abroad, but all else accommodated). and secondly, it would also mean a bit of a cut on the professional growth side of things, since the reason I took up the master was from the impression I had at GM and delphi, where the big boys were usually from Headquarters and MBA's or MSC's.

So, that is settled, unless otherwise warranted, I don't plan to get professionally employed in India. Or is it?!!! Manufacturing, my focus sector is doing very very well in India, and technology is improving at a rate unheard of before, sure the people are less professional, but the country's manufacturing sector is beginning to grow muscles that the world is unable to ignore, sure china can be difficult, but they can't entirely substitute us. International education coupled with an experience in an almost explosive growth scenario can be a huge plus on the CV. But, its not all about the CV. I'm beginning to think less and less about being employable and more and more about being successful. Little plans in the head, which are slowing growing wings, will keep you posted.

On the holiday front so far, its been rather hectic. Had been to Bangalore for a whirlwind visit, meet a certain HR person in a certain company who demonstrated all that is wrong with that company by showing up almost 2hours late and not even hinting at apologising. Later, struggled for almost 2 hours wading through the crowded and perennially under construction, therefore jammed Bangalore. Reminded me of the years past when doing that daily didn't seem much of a hassle.

In the time I spent in Mysore, made a trip with my buddies to OOTY which was exactly like old times when we used to spontaneously hop town, just for the heck of it.. But this time, we actually informed at home before we left, which made it a little less exciting.

There was also the "heaven and hell" trip from mysore to Mangalore. I call it heaven and hell because you find both extremities of Indian road conditions on the same trip and Public attitude now has come down to random bureaucratic cursing!! I don't blame them, since they have nothing to do with the whole fiasco, RIGHT!

Also, enjoyed the sticky sultry and downright tiring weather in Mangalore for a couple of days just to appreciate how much better Mysore really is. The weather at home has been almost as good as it can get. Lazy overcast clouds with the mercury hovering at around 21, HEAVEN man, HEAVEN. As is the case with every indian who has been abroad, you appreciate your own cuture more and your's truly hasn't been an exception, I've been working on speaking pure Kannada, unsuccessfully so! Shopping clothes and masalas is also about done, so I'm about finished with my list of things to do.

But, you can't have everything. So, its back to europe and 0 deg C. It's amazing how I have completely forgotten that I don't have an internship for the February.. Will work harder at it in Nantes, and keep you posted..

Laters.