The Mighty Moghals demystified!

History happened to be one of my favorite subjects in school. The full credit of which goes to my adorable History teacher, Mrs. Nair. Originally from God’s own country, her personality was a great influencing factor in my life. Tall persona with mother like softness in her words, she used to create magic in the classroom by making the history characters come alive from the text books. Be it Babur, Akbar or Shahjahan, each one of them became awe inspiring figures, the way she narrated their heroics in the battlefield. When I went to Class 10^th, she left my school and went back to Kerala. And I was too timid then, to inquire about her whereabouts…though till date, I associate History with her.

Now before you start wondering, about the cause behind the sudden remembrance of Mrs. Nair and History, let me tell you upront, that today’s blog is going to be an ode to a fantastic book that I browsed recently.

“Empire of the Moghul, the tainted throne” by Alex Rutherford.

Empire of the Moghul

From the first page to the last, the book is an experience to behold, to cherish and to reminisce. Alex has described beautifully Jahangir’s rise to power and pitiful demise, followed by Shahjahan’s rise again as the ultimate Mogul of Hindustan. The proxy ruling by Jahangir’s ruthless empress Mehrunissa (Noor jahan, light of the world) and the empathetic personality of Shahjahan’s wife, Arjumand.(Mumtaz-mahal)

Mehrunissa, the empress who ruled Hindustan behind the veil and jaali of Diwaan-e-aam of Agra Fort, after making Jahangir ever-dependent on opium laced wine. She was the brain behind Jahangir. An envy of his vazeer, courtiers and British noblemen ‘coz of her proximity to Jahangir, she survived great odds to safeguard her selfish lust for power. It was love at first sight for Jahangir, when he saw her dancing in Kabul during his punishment stay there. (After the Anaarkali debacle, when he lured his father’s favorite concubine, and thus was sent to Kabul to recover from his foolhardiness)

Author: Alex Rutherford

Subsequently, Mehrunissa got married to another nobleman and had a daughter from him, couple of years later, the nobleman was murdered brutally. It was Jahangir’s strategy again, to win back his long lost love, by hiring a Supaari killer (An English gentleman). So this is how, she became the proxy empress of Hindustan. Blessed with a brain that worked faster than Chacha Chaudhury, she became the chief advisor of Jahangir. Her influence grew to such an extent that, she was bestowed with the title of Noor jahan and a seal of her own, to issue farmaans n diktats (official rulings). She was considered an ace shooter, who went on shikaars and killed tigers with one single shots. (Unheard of, during that era). At a later point in the story, when Jahangir was captured by the enemy, she led the official army sitting on elephants with muskets and grenades to free him back, and succeeded too! Calculative and shrewd, she poisoned her husband’s mind against his favorite son (from another wife), Shahjahan, which led to his exile. The end of the story shows us how Shahjahan wins back the throne from Mehrunissa.

Now, why did I like the book so much? Great story telling on a topic that is very close to my heart. When I was a kid, I got many opportunities to visit Agra Fort, Red Fort, Itmad-ud-daulah (Tomb), Fatehpur Sikri. On each of my visits, I used tp pray, to be transported to that world and get a fleeting glimpse of the magnificence of Mughal era. The history books also gave a very brief and clinical description of events. Now here arrives a book, that tells me the minute and intricate details of the everyday lives of the Mughals, starting from the battles, court affairs, marriages, food, clothes, palaces, leisure activities etc. Most importantly, the softer aspects, how they thought, what they thought, how they felt, the strategies they devised to win wars, to win their love, to win the throne etc etc. I could actually imagine myself in that era, in their world for some moments of blissful magnificence. 90% of the book is fact and rest 10% is embroidered story to link events and characters.

The most winsome aspect of the book is the way Alex has breathed life into the card board Moghal characters and brought them alive and kicking in complete 3D avatar. You can actually visualize the blood and gore in the battlefield, the sword fighting and the riches of the Moghals. The shower of gold, diamonds and pearls when they used to return to Agra after winning battles, the glory of the peacock throne, the dazzling tiaras and the food! Murgs stuffed with gemstones along with dry fruits! J (That sure made me salivate :P)

The book has only one drawback though. No pictures L

After I finished it, I googled for the pictures of Mehrunissa and Peacock throne J And I was not disappointed at all!

Alex has written 3 more books on the same theme. And this one happens to be that last of the series. My goal now, is to get my hands on the other 3! J

My suggestion to you all, if you want a piece of heaven to drive away the monotony of your lives, this is the book to read. J

Cheers!

Cya next Saturday! 

Weekends, Coffee, books and me.

Saturday Morning

Post breakfast, Coffee/Tea + Gupshup Session with Parents :

My mom was just discussing how they never used to fall prey to common sickness like cough and cold during their childhood, unlike us. Every other day, we suffer from some common ailment or the other. The most haunting of all is Headache and body pain. I usually call up my folks, during weekdays, when I am in FC, having coffee. And most often than not, headache is the precursor to my urge for coffee. I was really stumped once, when my mom retorted, “Give me the days, when you don’t have headache?” I was really lost for words. And then the feeling actually sunk in, there is seriously something wrong with Gen X kids. May be it has something to do with the IT sector, the constant exposure to the harmful rays coming out of the laptop screens, and the over-use/abuse of cell phones ‘coz of incessant calls, or our erratic work schedules. Anyways, whatever the trigger maybe, now that we are in here for good, we might as well learn to live with it. Just be careful about your diet (Avoid deep deep-fried stuff, sweets and aerated drinks), 20 mins of cardio daily and you are good to go!

My Addiction

Why is it so difficult to give up coffee? The caffeine addiction is worse than smoke addiction. ‘Coz its directly related to your productivity. One heavenly cuppa…and I am ready to take on the world, actually! J The moment I take the first sip of coffee, its like a row of tiny Jasmine buds start blooming in slow motion in my forehead, just above my brows…during this blooming process, all my tensions and worries ebb away, leaving me in a calm and placid state, somewhere at the top of a hill, where I find myself standing blissfully and looking at the horizon.. with miles and miles of glorious daffodils stretched across all around me…And no, I am not over-exaggerating. This is actually my state of mind then.

This week was very happening for me. Got an opportunity to witness a book launch and signing event, first time in my life. I will avoid mentioning the title of the book and the author, ‘for my own safety :P

So this book (supposedly, a best seller), had a very clichéd title. It tried to leverage on the success of a popular social networking site and of course the eternal topic of romance. So the session started with a short speech by the author, followed by an even shorter speech by the Publication Head. Then the book unraveling and interactive session. The author was not a great speaker, let me warn you at the outset. So all my hopes of inviting him/her for “The Speaking Tree” forum took a deep dive into the dismal depths of shock and disappointment. The setting of the book was the city of Cuttack. (Yes, you read it right!) The first question thrown at the author was, “Mam, what is the linkage between you and Cuttack.” The author was taken aback and recovered somewhat to reply, “I have crossed Cuttack, couple of times, while traveling in train!, and my grandfather also used to visit it sometimes, I find the name very musical, hence I selected Cuttack, moreover, all these small sleepy towns are much of the same, Jayshree cinema hall and places like that, can be found in most of the cities etc etc”. And sitting in the front row, I almost dropped my cup of coffee and “Naankhatai”, to hear the ridiculous and superficial/fake reply. Oh c’mon! You are a writer! You are supposed to be blessed with lil bit more of thought, creativity and brains! How can you give such an moronic answer! Heights! This was not the end, though. The author continued in the same vein for the next 20 mins or so. Finally, I had to walk out of  the room with a sagging spirit but with a very renewed determination to turn into a full-fledged author, someday. And definitely, this wouldn’t be the way, I would handle my book launch. There was absolutely no energy, no humour, and no spark in the room, thanks to the great author. I have met lot of authors and attended innumerable talks by them, and they might be quiet, low-key, but never exude such dead vibes, as this one. You are a celebrity now, you have to inspire people, you have a great responsibility on your shoulders now, how can you turn up for a session, dressed up shoddily! Just a simple Fab India Kurti with Jeans would have done wonders to your personality, but no, you would prefer coming to a book launch as if it’s a wedding! In all your dhinchak glory!

Well it goes without saying, that the only silver lining of the session was the cuppa! And yes, no prizes for guessing, that I didn’t buy the book. J

Have a great weekend!

Cheers! :) 

Nazia's life...her own way!

Good morning World!

Feeling blessed on a Sunday morning. Reason? 

You.

I was inundated with pings yesterday, with only one question. “Nazia, where is your Saturday morning blog?”, “Why didn’t you write today?” J

Finally at the fag-end of the day, I had to put up an explanation as my status update on FB, narrating why I couldn’t write J Nonetheless, I am really overwhelmed with the response my blog has been getting lately. Some of my besties have confided in me that, its become an integral part of their weekend now, kind of a ritual…wake up late on sat, log in to the net and read my blog with their refreshing cuppa! J This is how they kick start their rocking weekend! So thrilled to be part of all your lives, not physically but yet through a very profound medium…through words! Let me borrow Ronan Keating’s lines here, to express myself… “Its only words….words are all I have…to take your heart away!”

I am not sure, how many of you have browsed through the Sunday column titled, “Single girl in a city” on TOI. That column (Now defunct) was the inspiration behind this blog of mine, specially the decision to blog on Saturdays only. (That was by design not by default). And that is exactly where the similarity ends. In that column the girl is a model in Mumbai, its about her life and daily happenings.  My job might not be as glamorous and happening as that, but its definitely more satisfying and involves multidimensional shades of different personalities. I take great pride in the fact that I have influenced (unintentionally, of course) some of my closest friends to get into HR profession J. Now even my roomie is all set to tread on the road not taken! J So it goes without saying, that I love my job and am extremely passionate about it. I face this oft-repeated question, “Nazia, why do you always end up bringing your organization/job related stuff into your blogs?” How can I NOT? Tell me? I live, eat and breathe my work, my org, my profession. And I feel, this commitment really helps me to excel at my work. Doing my work half-heartedly, has never been my prerogative. If I am doing something, I give it my 200% and if possible more. I would be completing 3 years at Infy on 27^th July. 5 individual awards, 4 team awards. And yes, I am not ashamed to say, “Yeh dil maange more!” J Yes, I yearn for more…lots more J

Ok, now that I have laid the doubts of my loving critics to rest, let me discuss about the movie, Spidey. J

I am a complete movie buff. I enjoy all kinds of movies, especially in theatres. Spidey was one of the best that I have watched in recent times. The protagonist is definitely a notch better than the earlier chocolate boyish, Peter. And more believable. The girl is mesmerizingly beautiful! With those huge saucer like ocean blue eyes, how can you not fall in love! J Special effects simply mind blowing and loved the naughty last line of the movie, “Promises are meant to be broken” Youngsters these days, want to keep life simple, make promises…break it too as per their convenience. Now that might open up issues of ethics etc, but frankly speaking…who has got the time? More so, when the promise you made it to, is dead. (Father of the girl).

My beloved critics have raised one more point. That I need it to keep it short. So closing this at 600 words. J

Love you all, stay cool and yes…keep it simple!

Cheers!

Those were the days...

Family time is the most cherished time for every individual. Listening to the tales which our parents narrate so lovingly, reminiscing the good old days of their childhood, the simplicity and authenticity of the people, the purity of things available, and a beautiful world which was yet undiluted by the monster named Television.

My mom was brought up in Kolkata and Cuttack. Kolkata as such, doesn’t need any introduction. Cuttack has earned its share of fame by being termed as the poorer cousin of Kolkata. Many call it a mini Kolkata! Same crowd, narrow gullies/bylanes, a place which still boasts of Cycle rickshaws… in short a city which still retains its old world charm.

When the term “neighbour” meant much more than the entities who share just your compound wall. BTW, the concept of compound wall didn’t exist then at all. Houses were stacked close to each other, and the tradition of visiting each other’s house through the main front door was unheard of, where terraces were common and back-door entries were always welcomed J. And yes, daily curry/subzi exchange was a sacred ritual, never to be broken.

When a family used to subscribe all kinds of newspapers just for the benefit of its neighbours, knowing well enough that nobody in their own home could read or write. When the beneficiaries would visit the family, they would be kind enough to read aloud the events of the day, and explain the nitty gritties of the world to even old grannies J Such honesty, large-heartedness and selfless attitude in today’s world, is like searching for dew drops in a parched desert.

Every house had a large courtyard, which would be multifunctional. It would be the drawing room/dining hall/gup shup area and the kitchen as well. People used to go into the rooms only to sleep at night, that also in winters only. Petty thefts were common and that too for inane stuff like chappals, bucket, utensils etc.

One funny incident that my mom loves to narrate all the time. One fine evening, a thief climbed up a guava tree which was at the centre of the courtyard at her neighbours place, with the intention of climbing down and doing his act when the family would retire for the day. He waited till midnight, hunched up quietly at his precarious perch, hoping and expecting to climb down once the household became still. But alas! The family went on tinkering and tottering around the courtyard till the wee hours of the morning, to the chagrin of the thief who was losing patience with each passing moment. Finally, he lost his cool, jumped down from the tree, and landed with a thud, shocking the family members who were caught unawares. He marched forward and said, “You guys are too much! Have been waiting since evening to rob this house, and you’ll are Ulloos (Owl), jo sone ka naam hi nahi lete!” (He said the entire thing in vernacular language of course!). Then he marched forward, slapped a few members and ran off in lightning speed! J Bad day at work, for the thief! Lolz!

This particular household used to be the hub/database of all the gossip in that area. So many folks visiting their home to browse through the newspapers, obviously had its share of benefits! J My mom has very fond memories associated with this particular family. Those were the days, when you could not imagine of escaping a neighbour’s place, without being force-fed a meal or two! And the most fav of all the snacks used to be “Semai”. Tea used to rule the roost, and coffee was still an alien concept. Breakfast used to be paratha with a dollop of ghee and a generous amount of sugar on the ghee! Can you believe it, guys!  Every time, my mom tells me this, I vow to have the same for breakfast at least once every month. Haven’t succeeded yet. J

Ladies used to go out in cycle rickshaws, with a saree tied around the rickshaw, which acted like a “Purdah” to take care of the privacy and protect them from the evil eyes of men. My mom was the first lady to go to school, college, university and subsequently to work, (She worked as lecturer in S.B College, Cuttack) in her entire extended family, hence faced lot of resistance. She is my role model in life and I believe the best mom in the whole wide world. Well, I suppose, everyone feels the same about their respective moms. J That reminds me, at Infy BBSR, last year we launched a path-breaking initiative, called “Mother’s Day Out”, on the occasion of Mothers day. Moms of the employees were invited to the campus and we had organized a plethora of activities in honor of them. Received so much appreciation for this initiative, it also enabled us (HRD Employee Relations) to win couple of awards! J

Oops! Time to catch up on my reading now!

Cya, next Sat! Love you all!

Stay spunky, and cheers! J

What they don't teach you in a B-School?

I still remember the Leadership jargons and categorization explained by Robbins of the Organizational Behaviour Fame, idolized by every HR aspirant during his/her MBA days. This mammoth of a book is a bible for every HR student. If HR is in your blood, then you are supposed to chew this book, inside out, including the cover pages and bookmarks! J Which of course, I did, like a diligent student. And it sure helped me to gain a foothold in a blue chip company, which is the poster boy of the IT world. The HR Practices and processes in my organization are taught in leading B-schools of the globe as case studies! I am really very proud of living, breathing and doing the stuff, that has created history in the HR world.

Now, what I actually wanted to talk about today is, how much of the stuff that we are exposed to in a B-school really helps us in corporate? No no, I am not trying to open a pandora’s box here! J I know, each one of you, must be having very strong views on this topic. And I respect that. Let me narrate my POV here. (I will give you a chance to present your POV, on FB, when I post the link of my blog, and we can have hearty debate/discussion on it.)

So the answer to the above question would be, near about 75%. This 75% is the text book knowledge that’s going to be of use in future. And the rest 25% would be the quintessential “Other” gyan that you gain, from activities during MBA. Now what constitutes the “Other” gyan?

PFB the description of the “Other” :

1.      De-mystifying diverse and interesting Personalities : You spend 2 years with about 200 odd folks, you are with them 24*7, being exposed to their idiosyncracies, day in and day out. Learning from folks who are intellectually and emotionally superior to you, and learning to survive the moments with folks who are nothing but a pain, and finding out reasons to love the ones who have given you all the reasons to hate them. Quite a handful! But believe me, the learning that you imbibe from this, will give the best platform to launch yourself in an HR career. After all, its about understanding human beings and helping them grow. Initially it was like a bolt from the blue, but gradually it started getting easier, and by the time I was in second year…I could love each one of them! J (Not kidding).

2.      How to get work done from unwilling folks : In corporate, you cannot expect to work in silo. There are various kinds of teams, DC level, Corporate level, track level and what not! Your style of working, level of commitment might not be the same as others. How to create a synergy amongst yourselves, in order to finally deliver an excellent product, is what ultimately counts. The MBA gives you the best training for that. All the activities in MBA are group based. Sometimes you are stuck with a group, which refuses to work, so what do you do with such free-riders? Do their share of work as well, so that it doesn’t affect your grade or just give up? Or sensitize them regarding the importance of group work, or allocate different tasks to them or just break down the task into small parts and ask them to do their share. So many options and so little time. Now this is called actual learning. And no text book on earth, not even OB by Robbins can teach you this. At the most Robbins can explain the details or the Group dynamics….Forming, storming, Norming, Performing …Adjourning etc etc.

     Recently I read somewhere, there is a 6^th stage too of group dynamics, called “Mourning”. When you get along with a group very well, and its time to part ways after the work gets done, you are in a state of mourning! J Now that is interesting J That’s what actually happens, I guess, when its time to leave an organization and you start composing your adieu mail. I have this strange fixation for adieu mails, dunno why! I read each and every word of all the adieu mails that I receive and also make it a point of replying to each one of them. (Even if I don’t know them, personally). Dunno why. May be ‘coz I can identify with the pain of letting go and I really understand and respect the efforts that they have put in, to write such a beautiful and painful mail, jotting down the memories/experiences of years in a mail, which you know is going to be your last, how heart-wrenching it can be…I can truly understand. L

3.      You can read thousands of leadership fundas in OB book, but you will gain an insight only if you get a chance to meet and mingle with great leaders/personalities. I have been very lucky on this front. I sit in a cube which is surrounded by cabins, occupied by some really great ppl, each one of them a true leader in his/her own area or field of work. In fact, my building has too many of them! The way they speak, behave and work…just observing them, helps you learn so much! One of the common features of all great leaders I feel, is their style of interaction…how they communicate with people across Job levels. Be it an executive or a person with 15 years of work exp, the true leaders never differentiate and behave in a similar fashion with all of them. And they are so soft spoken, ever-smiling, always first one to greet you in the morning, even when you are engrossed in your lappy. “Hey Nazia, wot u doing!” This coming from a top leader is really exemplary behavior to say the least. As if, I am a great scientist at work and might shout “Eureka” anytime coming up with a great formula! I am just a simple girl, at work! The kind of attention, respect, consideration they give you, acts as a catalyst and helps bring out the best in you. Each one of them is an OB book, so much to learn from them. Whenever I am in their company, I try my best to be a sponge…absorbing each and every word, and mannerisms etc. Now which book teaches you this?! None J

4.      Now coming to written communication : A true leader is very careful of the words he chooses to use. Words are like arrows, once out, you cannot take it back. If you use impolite words, the damage can be detrimental not only for the person it was intended for, but also for you as well. How? Words spread like wild fire. One instance of impolite behavior and your reputation goes for a toss! J So leaders need to be careful about this J Though my fav ones are always superb on the written communication part too! J

This is a huge topic and I think, I should save the second part for next Saturday. J

So this much for now, have a wonderful weekend, love you all!

Cheers!