History of Mangalsutra

One of my friends' got this one for his Group Discussion topic--"Men should wear Bangles and Mangalsutra". This kicked off my search on origin of mangalsutra. Following is what I came across in one of the articles---
Historically, the custom of tying a mangalsutra, the auspicious emblem or cord, on the wedding day, appears to have become popular only after the 6th century AD. Before this, a yellow protective cord known as 'kankanabandhana' was tied around the wrists of the bride and the groom to signal their commitment to marriage.

The mangalsutra is considered a talisman to ward off the evil eye. The black colour of the beads is said to absorb all negative vibrations before they can reach the bride and her family. The stringing together of the beads into one thread has its significance as well. Just as each bead contributes to making a beautiful necklace, so does the woman have to blend and integrate into the new family after marriage.

I personally think everything was initiated for a noble cause or because of some scientific reason but it later evolved into something which became a bonding for women or started to be seen like one. For example, sindoor was meant to keep women's temper in control, now more and more women are giving up flaunting sindoor. Most interestingly, all jwelleries have relevance in their scientific outcome. If we say that men should wear mangalsutra and bangles, it sound like nothing else but a feminist statement. before we say so, we should ask why men need to do so? just because over the years women had been made to do so?

Integrity and Growth

Integrity or integration is all about making a combined effort. The concept of Synergy borns out of this idea. When a few systems integrate and function together they create a synergistic result and produce a result which is more than a mere addition of the individual results of the systems involved. Simply put it means when united we produce better results than we could produce when function individually. For example, sometime back, there was huge downsizing in human resources took place in most of the companies. We focussed only on installing better technology and improving our output but along the way we forgot that we cannot prosper unless we prosper as a country. Now we have realised the potential of our huge human resources, and in fact half our GDP comes from services sector. Thus Integrity has led to Growth.

Ships are safe in harbour but....

....they are not meant to be there!!!
Yeah, this was one of the topics for essay for XLRI last year.
I think it is an easy topic as far as interpretation is concerned. This topic has a striking parallel with the state of Indian companies pre-liberalisation. Foreign competition was not allowed so that indigenous companies could grow. But take for example, Bajaj scooter or Padmini cars in those days. People had to wait for months and sometimes even years to get the number and get hold of a scooter or a car. There was no alternative because there was no competition. Both these companies made money but they did so in a highly uncompetitive environment. Post-liberalisation, when MNCs flooded Indian markets, and competition grew by day, everything changed. Why! I don't remember seeing any Padmini car myself since sooooo long. The true test of the business is when it faces competition.
Same is the case with several sectors in India which are protected by government. Telecom used to be one such sector but now recently our Telecom and IT Minister Mr Dayanidhi Maran has declared that a hike is expected for FDI in telecom from 49% to 74%.Till now apart from oppositions from Left, security agencies have also not cleared the idea.The underlying idea is that when there is major stake of foreign investors, they bring competition and better technology with them, this leads to growth of the company as well as test its adaptibility according to the needs of the consumers.
Thus although ships are safe in harbours, they are not meant to be there, they are meant to venture out and face the tide, take people and goods across the sea.
Even in our lives, there are several safe alternatives, which most of the people resort to but Dhirubhai Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas are made out of taking risks and facing challenges.

Happy Diwali

I know it is still some time for Diwali but since I am going home today so Wishing everyone a very Happy and Prosperous Diwali. It is really a beautiful festival. I quit cracking Pathakhas some years back, because of several reasons.To begin with I hate the loud noise it creates and disturbs my tranquility. Secondly, it is actually wasting money. The more you buy them, whether you realise or not you are actually burning money.But try arguing with those who love doing it!!! Besides, to bring in a social angle to this, most of us are aware that these pathakhas are made by children, because of which they acquire several dreadful ailments for their entire lives. And finally, I am scared of bombs.
So Diwali for me is decorating house, making Rangolis and lighting diya.
Ever since I could remember, I have been filling up little earthen utensils with sweets and dhaan. When I was little, I used to be extremely excited because I would have lots of toys to play with but now I give them away to children of servants. I still get those tiny colourful animals made of sugar. I used to nibble them when I was little but now I acquire them because Diwali means all these! Can't help it!
So guys, have a ball, and enjoy!These are memories to linger forever, especially if it is a family get together because in this fast pace of life, it is difficult to get together too often!
Take a break!
Chill Out!

Before I am Gone....

On 3rd November, I am leaving for home. So no posts until I come back!!!
But there's time to go, and much to write before I go!!!
Well, anyways, this is a crucial time for me, and for everyone else. Because when we come back, it would be placements time. So whatever we gonna do, we have to do during these 20 or so days!
I want to build my website but things are not really materialising. First thing is that I don't know anything about coding. So it is really difficult doing that singlehandedly!Of course, my much more computer-savvy brother, who happens to be a Project Leader in a software firm, would help me. But how much can I really expect from him when he is sitting in US. And anyways, I think I should do it myself. These 20 days could have been excellent to do that but alas, there's no internet back home!

Today I finished with The Street Lawyer by John Grisham. It was a good one except for a little filmy-ishtyle ending and some other sequences. I find Sidney Sheldon really filmy. My all time favourite remains Man, Woman and Child by Erich Segal.
I never felt Love Story was as good. And also I could not ever understand why Pride & Prejudice became such a huge hit??!!
But then all of us have individual opinions, which others might not accept. Right?
Catch u later. I guess, I can write one more post before I bid u good bye!!!