Amitabh

I was introduced to him on a hot afternoon in '92 watching Khuda Gawah at Dadar's Plaza Cinema.  Even though Amitabh first started making family-friendly movies (Anand & Bombay to Goa), he really touched a nerve as the Angry Young Man - faced with poverty and crime often in a broken family (Deewar & Zanjeer).  From those heights, Khuda Gawah, was hardly his best moment.

India too was having a mid-life crisis in the late 80s and early 90s.  The inflation and emergency in the 70s had given way to stagnation.  Politics was marred with corruption and communalism.  The same Plaza Cinema was destroyed in a series of blasts within a few months of my outing.  India had opened up its economy just a year earlier and the IT boom was just getting started; both trends globalizing India quickly in the following years.

My mind plays his deep baritone voice when narrating the story of India.  No one contextualized the subsequent changes India went through as well as he did

• ABCL grew too fast too quickly; but still paid his debts his full. 
• As TV channels went from 2 to 200, he became the country's top TV host at KBC; but still deferred to the 'Computer-Ji'.  
• He was one of the first to associate with Gujarat government (led by a then pariah Modi). 
• He is the most prolific social media star; but tweets in Hindi more often than not.  
• He owned(?) the first mobile phone in the country but still played a rural postman.

<insert वो खाकी की वर्दी वो चिट्ठी का थैला ad>

Amitabh carried India's conscious through these changes. 

So it was with much concern to learn that Amitabh, now 77, tested positive for Corona.  ~40 years after the nation prayed hard for him to recover, we are joining together again in sincerely wishing he fights COVID and recovers.  His successful recovery will buoy the morale of lakhs currently diagnosed with it.  His is the voice we need!!

Old lands; New Friends

I feel a tinge of sadness when realizing that I only have a handful of new 'friends' even after being in the US for 7 years. The recent #BLM movement as well as (overdue) discussion on diversity and inclusion has really driven the point home.
A big part of the reason was context and setup —

• I had numerous close friends in the NY - DC belt when I first moved to the US.  This was undoubtedly fortunate; and better to the alternative of not having friends by a mile.
• Even after Wharton, I moved to the Bay Area which is more diverse than the rest of the US but also granted me a zone of comfort.
• Having family in the Bay Area meant I inherited my brother's friends.  Again, a good thing.

However, I could have done more to get to know a more diverse group of people. 

Building friendships is a two way street of give & take; of lowering-your-defenses & being-open-to-changing-your-beliefs.  It requires you to intentionally leave your comfort zone and take risks, be vulnerable and be patient about the results. 
I had the best success when I was left with little choice ;-)
a. On a Wharton development venture trip sailing around Grenada; I bonded with my shipmates.  And even though I have hardly stayed in touch with them since, for a week I didn't have any pretense and built genuine relationships
b. Working at Fundbox, over the years I made friends with the team by being consistent, reliable and patient for months. 
Starting Prodigal has not really afforded that opportunity.  I am largely socially distant from the team long before the pandemic :) and its hard to lower your guard as a CEO. 
As H2 2020 begins, that will be my #1 goal for the remainder of the year. Here is what I will do

1. Each week ping one person who I have had good conversations in the past
2. Learn about what they have been upto; be curious about what is up in their lives; identify common ground
3. Schedule 5min calls. Folks are busy but see if you find a connection; if there is more to talk about or you can help each other!

Brickbats and bouquets

In response to whatiswrongwith.me/gangal I have received the following - posting them unedited.

• kiti goshti sangu ani kiti vela sangu?!


• tumhi faarach bekaar maanoos aahaat


• hi


• Dude, why do you need this?!


• Just keep communicating more about everything good bad fear failure success.


• Your a GULT ;)


• you have been a great mentor in college. we still discuss your studness in our friend circles. One thing however, I felt is that you do not give negative feedback too easily. If the other person is able to perceive this, then that leads to some distancing.. I dont know if you can change this, or whether changing this would be good, but was an opinion I had.


• Speaking in mythological terms...your state is similar to that of Hanuman when he was a kid, irresistible strength but doesn't realise it.....someone needs to make you realize that. Or you can do it by yourself...wander...wander off and come to face with it.
  That is your problem, the lack of knowledge about self and as Sun Tzu has said...one who doesn't know his own power is bound to lose the war.


• The thing is you are extremely good .. so much of awesomeness is not possible and cannot be faced by all. you need to turn it down a bit :)


• You are not fluffy anymore. Playing with your tummy isn't that much fun now :(


• u nvr said the correct things,,else today would have been so diffrnt for us


• Why do you need feedback ?


• lolfag


• Allah hates you!


• You are arrogant


• It is surprising that you would rate public opinion higher than your own sense of right and wrong . Why did you need to make this page?


• Non-committal behaviour.


• Flirting is a great skill, however its a double edged sword...beware of the sword falling on you


• well you disappear from my life at regular intervals and I hate it. Really. Also, life was much simpler in school.

Throw a Shoe

http://whatiswrongwith.me

1. Strongly invite feedback
2. Anonymity drives a different behavior. :-)

Views

Life has been a bit less hectic, the past few weeks which get me here. Won't stay long but will share a few quick thoughts!

1. ET went to B-school to ask people what they thought of women possibly losing their tax benefit. Aren't B-schools the last place where one should be wondering about this? Clearly, tax breaks aren't for women who earn 7-figure salaries.
2. However, learnt that 2001 census classified housewives in the same bracket as prostitutes / beggars. Nothing could be more appalling! Hope they correct it this time around (though I wonder how they could prostitutes [the normal ones, who are forced into the trade] in the same category as beggars in the first place)
3. I might be having the best non-corner room view in Mumbai! Can't count my blessings enough each time I see the rain in the distance (and clear foreground) and count seconds before the rain hits coast.

Celebrate the celebrated!

Over the weekend I heard more than a couple of graduating students complain of being short changed by IIT Bombay in getting a not-so-famous, only-a-professor as their Chief Guest!

Random thoughts:
a. Indians swell in pride while celebrating those who have already been celebrated, esp. if celebrated by foreigners

b. Lets face it - We would have had the identical comments if Vinay D was the Chief Guest (of course, before his now widespread fame)

c. Surprisingly not only the students but also IIT B seems ashamed of the Chief Guests name. The official release highlights Kiran Shaw but has no mention of this Prof.

d. On a similar note, the selective amnesia surrounding the award of Khel Ratna is disturbing. All kudos to Saina Nehwal but Gagan Narang has been at the very pinnacle of the game for a few years now.

Friends forever...

Reasons why I still watch F.R.I.E.N.D.S. whenever its showing :-)

1. The NY attraction
2. Because ppl. eat, drink coffee and sit around but don't put on any weight!
3. Rachel looks hot from Season 1 thru 10!
4. The jokes bring a smile to my face each time
5. But most importantly, it takes my back to H3#268 - the Maggi, the Coffee, the Pure Magic!