Nandan's first day in Parliament

From an INFOSCION to a POLITICION - Nandan's Chronicles-2

Continuing my tryst with capturing the life and times of Nandan Nilekani in his new avatar as a Cabinet Minister, here is what he had penned after his first day in the Parliament. The last entry stopped when the House was just about to begin. Let’s see what happened thereafter….

The House was in pin drop silence. I was brimming with anticipation and excitement!!!! Manmohan had informed me that my introduction was one of the important points of the agenda. I hoped that I will be able to make my speech properly. After so many interviews and conferences, I was nervous today!!!! After the Speaker indicated that the proceedings of the House could begin, Manmohan formally introduced me to the entire House. He mentioned that as the head of the Unique Identification Authority of India, I was responsible to ensure that each and every Indian had a digital smart card as a proof of his existence.

Manmohan spoke about why I was selected and also some references to the various projects executed by me in Infosys were mentioned. The House listened with rapt attention. I was asked to say a few words and I did exactly the same!!! I thanked the Government of India for having given me this opportunity and I assured the House that I would strive to successfully deliver this project. The Speaker then formally inducted me into the House and before the proceedings could move any forward, there was a small commotion on the other side of the hall.

It was Minister of Textiles who had a comment to make before the next point on the agenda. He made a request that I should be attired in a more austere way instead of a flashy suit. It did not go well with the image of a minister who should live to serve the common man and should be less ostentatious in his habits. I stood up to reply. I offered my apologies to the Honourable Minister and assured that I shall be in a more acceptable dress next time. I felt that he was right. We also used to have corporate dress code in Infosys. So it's here as well!!!!

I sat down and felt somebody nudging me. I turned around and to my surprise; it was the former Indian skipper and one of my favourite batsman Mohd. Azharuddin. I remembered that he had recently won the elections. I smiled at him and mentioned to him that I used to like his game very much, shaking his hand. No Rolex, I noticed. Azhar told me that he would “fix” me an appointment with an Italian designer who had designed his dapper Kurta suit. An Italian designer in Milan doing Kurtas!!!!! I made a note of this and reminded myself to give this example to Friedman for his next book,” The World Markets are flattened”.

Since there was no doubt about the “Fixational” capacities of Azhar, I told him to give me the details and I would consider. The proceedings of the House went on with numerous bills being debated and passed as I sat as a passive audience waiting for my project’s turn to come up. After the lunch break, it was the moment for me!!!!

MY PROJECT”S FIRST REVIEW CAME UP FOR PRESENTATION...

I was at sea. My laptop did not have any reserve power. I went to Manmohan and apprised him of the situation. I was sweating. He calmly replied that this would not be a cause of concern. I was flummoxed!!!! The Speaker asked me to explain to the House on what were my plans for the Unique Identity Project. I replied that I have a plan prepared for 30-60-90-120 days’ milestones and I have presentation to make for which I need a power socket, a projector and a screen. I had no idea what was going to happen after this.

The next couple of minutes were a complete jolt for me. I was completely in a tizzy. Let me just summarize what happened. A Joint Cabinet Secretary Committee was set up to judge the feasibility of my request. The Under Secretaries for the Ministries of Power, IT and Broadcasting will prepare a Viability Report after scrutinizing National Security threats to my request. This was because the power socket comes under Power, laptop comes under IT and projector comes under Broadcasting. I have also been told to reconsider my timelines of 30-60-90 days and start thinking in terms of years. Probably, they are right. I did not have the foresight in this matter.

The summary of the issue is that I need to come up with a more inclusive, democratic, comprehensive long term plan for this project to be executed over the next five years. I have also been given a presentation slot 3 months from now (by which the issues related to the power cord etc will also be resolved). I am filled with mixed reactions. I was planning for a quick resolution; the management wants a strategic solution. I come out of the House and text Murthy.

“You won’t believe it but these guys work just like us. I am on a NATIONAL BENCH for the next three months!!!!!!!!”

Mobile thefts in BMTC Buses

Hey guys,

Now I am habitual of watching commuters loose there mobile phones daily. This post is about one such incident happened with me just 2 days back. I left my office quite late and was in hurry to reach home ASAP. In the process I got into BMTC bus route no. 201G. I travel from Bannerghatta road to Kalyan nagar to reach my sweet home. On the way home in the bus, near koramangala signal(Sony world), I saw Bus no. 8 overtaking my bus which compelled me to ditch this bus and sit in that and did so. Bus was not crowded like it is on any other day. Along with me came a gang of 4-5 young guys all in the age 22-24 covering me all around. Two or three of those guys were behind me and rest before!! At that moment nothing came to my mind & I started pushing two of them to move inside the bus. My way to move into the bus was blocked by two guys. I was not in a mood to fight, so I kept my cool and was finding a way into the bus on my own.

I couldn’t realize that I was stuck between those 4-5 guys & they were pushing me on door steps & at the same time they cried and begged "Please stop the bus, we are in the wrong bus". So, after few moments the driver stopped the bus & finally I succeeded in pushing them down & proceeded towards a vacant seat. Few years of my stay in Bangalore and few years of work experience made me realize the fact that everything wasn’t right. My left hand without my permission went into my left jean pocket only to return Empty!!! Yes… my mobile was STOLEN. I immediately made my presence felt in the bus by promptly sounding the alarm. It did not take me any time to realize that gang of 5 was the villain. Nice part of the story is, the ever speeding BMTC bus stopped for my sake. Without wasting even a sec, I jumped off the bus & ran behind those guys. I went near them and with all my power caught hold of one of them. I asked him “Haan Bhayya Mera mobile kiske pass hai”. In response, one guy picked up a big stone with an intention of pounding me... So, their intentions were clear & I knew that they were professional Mobile snatchers. I don't know what happened to me, I was not at all scared of all those guys. To my advantage, this incident took place near Koramangala signal main road, so I think they all were a bit scared. I just asked in loud voice to return my cell, who ever has taken. So, after watching my approach & built, one of them took out my cell from his back pocket & handed it to me. I just said "I don't know why you people do all these things" and ran back to bus.

Thankfully, bus was stilllllll waiting for me. As soon as I boarded the bus, people started asking, "Did u get your cell back", "Did u see their faces" etc. I said few months back I lost my cell in a similar incident, this was the second time in Bangalore. Thank God for my presence of mind.

I sat back on my seat & felt a sigh of relief. I thanked God for saving me this time. I think these mobile snatchers are increasing day by day & making life of daily commuters miserable.

Line of the day: Hard earned money will always stay!!!

The Technology!

They encircle one person on the foot board. They start pushing that person from all sides & will not allow to move anywhere from that foot board. A person’s mind is totally diverted in balancing himself & trying to move from that mess. In the meantime one person from behind flicks the cellphone in your pocket & once the cellphone is visible at the top of the pocket, another person from behind takes it quite cleverly. So, this is totally a team work done by professionals.

I did not even notice, when my cell was flicked from my pocket. I am waiting for the day, when I will catch them red handed & beat them black and blue.

So, I request all the daily commuters to take special care of their belongings, especially mobile phones. These incidents occur quite frequently in bus no. 201. Try keep your mobile in your bag, you might miss some calls but not the cell itselfJ.

It hurts when you loose your cell phone in this kind of incident along with all important documents, pics, videos, contacts etc. I know nothing will change here but I request everybody to be alert at every point of time. Don't be a part of rat race. This is your life, take it easy & live it easy.

Use this platform to share your grives if you were a victim of such an incident...

Bangalore Traffic really sucks!!

I am blogging after a long gap. I would like to share a experience regarding traffic woes.

This blog is about an incident which reminded me that there is no humanity left on Bangalore roads. This is about an ambulance which struggled real hard to move out of the traffic jam.

My office is on Bannerghatta Road. I was moving back to home with my colleague in bus. We were stuck in traffic jam as usual. After some time we heard ambulance siren. Ambulance was about 20-30 meter behind us & there was no sign of courtesy in people standing there. When traffic started moving slowly, everybody was in hurry to reach their destination but nobody was giving side to that ambulance.



We got more irritated when two scooter fellows started fighting in front of that ambulance, even without thinking about the patient inside the ambulance. I literally felt like hitting those guys... Finally after sometime sign of relief came & ambulance along with other vehicles was out of that jam like a normal vehicle. A old man sitting beside me was also watching this scene. Once that ambulance was out, he said: Now those old days have gone. This Bangalore is having nothing like old Bangalore. People are not willing to show any courtesy. This city is now in God's hand.

I beleive that, giving ambulance a pass to overtake you, doesn’t makes a big difference..!! We should help each other on road, specially in Bangalore traffic.! What I feel is that everyone is competing with another for NOTHING..!! Just for NOTHING..!! No one will be benefited with this kind of hurry, but it can cost somebody his/her life.

I think if we stop thinking about us in this kinda situation and come up altogether to cop with this traffic woes, we can make a difference. I Hope in future all this RACE just stops and people are ready to help, comfort each other on roads..!!

Act like a true Citizen!

Help Bangalore, Help oneself!