Musings about VVS Laxman

Laxman’s recent bravado’s against Sri Lanka and Australia have earned him tremendous acclaim and deserving praise from all quarters. It reminded me of a recent conversation with a colleague. It was a lovely evening during IPL season and the topic of Laxman came about. As usual Laxman was not in the picture in the shorter version and my colleague suddenly remarked “Is he really that great a player?” I politely retorted that Laxman has nothing else to prove and he has performed exceedingly well in Test cricket and his record speaks for itself. My response failed to create any impact since it’s quite normal for people to forget test performances in the dinge of the glamor surrounding the shorter versions of the game. Moreover Laxman doesn’t have a Marketing firm or an agent who would ensure his brand being recalled on the small screen.

I have also heard many say that apart from his monumental 281 Runs scored against Australia in Eden Gardens, Laxman doesn’t have other record’s to rave about. Or rather his 281 dwarfs the rest of his performances. He only has one other double century and 16 centuries. While it’s true that his 281 stands out in a class of its own and cannot be compared or replicated, there are many other crucial innings played by Laxman which ensured victory for India. Many of these scores are lesser than 100, but significant enough to ensure victory for India. For some one batting between positions 5 & 7, in 81 of the 114 Test Matches with an average of 52.28 runs playing in those positions, Laxman has indeed performed admirably. After all he was battling mostly with the lower middle order and the tail.

What would be the words that best describe Very Very Special Laxman? Reliability, Strength, Perseverance, Performance under Pressure, Performing against the Best, Wristy, Stylish, Genius, Gentleman, Serious and Brilliant are some of the words that immediately come to my mind.Definitely the words Flamboyance, Aggression, Petulance, Impatience, Emotional and Impropriety aren’t the appropriate words to depict VVS. His one and only misdemeanor on the field is his reprimanding Ojha in the Mohali test. The rude and violent world would consider his apologizing to Ojha immediately thereafter as extremely weak and comical.

As uncle and mentor who facilitated the process enabling him to fulfill his destiny, I can also say Laxman is a fantastic “Listener” with a tremendous “Passion” for the game. Apart from Self Belief it was his faith in his Cricketing Gurus (Coaches) and Sadguru “SAI” that saw him safely through all the pains, injuries, insults and travails. Lack and Struggle have only made him Stronger. Every doubt and fear has been replaced by a deep abiding trust as we behold the evidence of “SAI” all around VVS. As a proud uncle of VVS, I would like to share the links containing some of the lovely accolades and praises written about Laxman, after his recent knocks against Sri Lanka and Australia. I thank one and all for their support and good wishes to Laxman.

The genius and the doubter – Peter Roebuck

VVS Laxman is an artist whose strength lies not in his artistry but in his competitive spirit, a batsman who needs adversity to unleash the giant within

It was a thrilling end to a tight match. India had found their champion. Laxman had confirmed his standing in the game. His career has been a compelling tale of greatness remaining locked away in the mind till the call comes and then emerging and laying waste before retreating back into its shell. As far as cricket is concerned Laxman is a warrior by instinct and a man of peace by manner. The conflict has made his career fascinating and frustrating. His genius is peculiar and requires the most particular conditions. His greatness lies in the fact that those conditions are the toughest not the easiest. He is an artist whose strength lies not in his artistry but in his competitive spirit….

To read the full article please click on

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/480205.html

Always the artist, never the superstar – Harsha Bhogle

VVS Laxman inhabits a world of his own, an era of old-time virtue that we are reminded of all too infrequently these days

And he is understated - another disqualification from the world of commercial endorsements. When he uses the letter "i" it is only because it is in the middle of the word "win". He loves winning, he loves contributing to a win, but he is unlikely to be nudging someone to be in the first row of the photograph.

And so while the big cheques don't always appear, something else does: respect in his dressing room and in that of the opposition; like it does for Naseeruddin Shah, while the big cheques go to Salman Khan. But respect never goes out of fashion; it is something all performers crave, and he has it in abundance.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/480388.html

The steel beneath the silk – Sambit Bal

The splendour of his batting sometimes distracts Laxman's admirers from the mental strength that is such a big part of his game

But it will stand the scrutiny of time that not only have many of his runs come in tough situations but against the toughest opponents. No team has beaten Australia in more Tests than India since Laxman started playing, and to these nine wins, from Kolkata to Mumbai, Chennai to Mohali, Adelaide to Perth, Laxman has contributed over 1000 runs at 71.80.

And only a Test ago he guided India to a series-levelling win in Colombo, with an assured hundred in the final innings of the match, a feat so rare that it has been achieved only 63 times in the history of the game, which spans 1972 Tests and features 3396 hundreds in all. It is rare for a reason: a chase in the final innings not only requires the batsman summon all his skills for the pitch on the final is at its most demanding but also the mental faculty to isolate his batting from the situation while being always aware that his is the wicket that could turn the game.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/480141.html

A toast to Very Very Special Laxman – Soutik Biswas

Laxman is a cricketer's cricketer in many ways, and one of the greatest ever. Remember, he has an exalted place on Wisden'sTop Ten batting performances of all time for his epic 281 against Australia in 2001, an innings of Cecil DeMille proportions against the strongest side in the world in the most adverse of circumstances. In that list, he is in the company of people like Donald Bradman and Brian Lara.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/soutikbiswas/2010/10/a_toast_to_very_very_special_laxman.html

A batsman of imagery and imagination – Sharda Ugra

When Laxman takes the stage in his moment, he can conjure up the illusion that the crisis is not being tackled, it is being ignored

Never mind what he can do to his team's fortunes. This is a man who can make prime ministers run.

Sighted around the back of the pavilion at the 2004 Sydney Test, John Howard, then premier of Australia, suddenly broke into a trot, and his six bodyguards instantly switched to light-jog mode. A few minutes after the PA system had announced that the new man in was the one he referred to as "Laksmin", Howard made his way through a strolling, slightly puzzled crowd and towards his box seat. Affairs of state were going to have to wait.

If anything about Indian cricket could make Howard crack a smile today, it would have to be the news that VVS Laxman had steered the Indians through a nervy run-chase and levelled the Test series against Sri Lanka.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/471460.html

Mohali win one of India's greatest sports achievements, says Gavaskar

“The way it was achieved, when most of the major batsmen were out and eight wickets were down and India needed about 80-90 runs still to win... the way that partnership took place and took India close, I think it is got to be the greatest win and among the greatest achievements in Indian sports,” Gavaskar told NDTV.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/article816105.ece

The Magic of VVS – Ian Chappel

Laxman has hand-eye coordination that is the envy of surgeons, a competitive drive that his opposition dreads, and the kind of nous good captains need

Laxman's contribution to India's breathtaking victory went way beyond the runs he scored. His decision early on to put his faith in Ishant Sharma's batting ability played a big part in the gangling quickie's vital role in their match-winning partnership. Laxman has always been tactically aware; he would have been India's best choice as captain following SouravGanguly's successful reign. He will never captain the team but he'll forever be remembered as India's most prolific match-winning batsman.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/480644.html

Laxman deserves a Platinum medal – Sunil Gavaskar

If there were medals in cricket VVS Laxman would get a Platinum medal for his wonderful batting and the manner in which he shepherded two lower order batsmen to take India to an improbable win. He had a back injury during the game so did not bat at his usual number in both innings and came out with a runner.

To read the full article please click on

http://sify.com/sports/laxman-deserves-a-platinum-medal-news-cricket-kkkiRVfddfa.html

The man called 'very, very special' - Abhijit Majumder

VVS. Loosely named Very Very Special. What does it mean anyway in the hot, tumbling soup of Indian cricket?

A gross understatement, for lovers of art.

VVS Laxman will go down in history as a middle-order batsman who played a few matches beyond everybody's liver and spleen, even the mighty Sachin Tendulkar and India's most dependable batsman ever, Rahul Dravid, and won crucial matches for his country.

He is far more than that. Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman is one of the best batsmen the world has seen. Ever. Let me tell you why. He never deserted art.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.mid-day.com/news/2010/aug/080810-vvs-laxman-103-runs-bad-back.htm

Laxman Parva - Arvind Swaminathan

VVS is a happy anachronism in a world bristling with crass industry

It is easy to recognise V.V.S. Laxman each time his toothy grin fills up half the front page. But is it all that difficult to imagine him as a doctor, which is actually what his doctor-parents wanted him to be? Imagine a mercenary hospital milking the masses. Imagine an emergency room full of flashy white coats discussing golf swings, luxury cars and country homes. Now, imagine the expert, called in to help only when a life has to be saved, making a ooh-inspiring cut here, an aah-inspiring stab there. Imagine.

Resident non-Indians who cannot utter Vangipurappu Venkata Sai without breaking into a grin have settled on ‘Very Very Special’ to work their way around his name. But if there is a full form of vvs that comes closest to capturing the essence of Laxman, it has to be ‘Very Very South Indian’. A quiet, understated, tough-as-nails winner like his other peninsular pals and peers: Anil and Rahul and Sri.

To read the full article please click on

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?267405

WISDEN CRICKETER OF THE YEAR 2002 - VVS Laxman

http://www.cricinfo.com/wisdenalmanack/content/story/154369.html

For two reasons at least, the second Test of the 2000-01 series between India and Australia, at Eden Gardens, will stand out among the most prominent landmarks in the game's history. India's win brought to an end Australia's awesome run of 16 wins, the longest ever, and no side following on as far behind as 274 runs had previously come back to win a Test match.

Victory against such heavy odds was too large a feat to be accomplished by just one man. Indeed, three architects went into shaping it: off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, whose 13 wickets included a first-innings hat-trick, VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. To weigh importance of the roles played by each of them might seem unfair, but in truth India owed the largest debt to Laxman. First, he kept the jaws of defeat wrenched apart until they ached and became too weak to snap; and secondly, he scored his epic 281 in the second innings at a rate that left enough time for Harbhajan and his fellow-bowlers to finish the job.

The first Test at Mumbai had been won by Australia in three days. And when India were 317 behind with only two wickets standing at the end of the second day in Kolkata, the prospects of another premature finish were writ large. Laxman was 26 not out that evening. He was unbeaten also - albeit now in the second innings - on the following evening, and again on the one after, this time with 275, the highest Test score by an Indian. By then, it was India whose nostrils were filled with the scent of victory. Haste required by the impending declaration deprived Laxman of further personal glory, but his partnership of 376 with Dravid was India's largest for any wicket against Australia, and their second-highest ever.

Vangipurappu Venkata Sai Laxman was born on November 1, 1974 in Hyderabad, to parents who are both doctors - his father a general practitioner and his mother a radiologist. It was taken for granted that Laxman, like almost all members of his near family, would take up a profession that required academic excellence, and he was therefore sent to an appropriate school, Little Flower. His father was Laxman's role model and he always assumed he would become a doctor as well. But medicine receded into stand-by mode once he fell under cricket's spell.

Yet with sport not figuring in Little Flower's curriculum, Laxman's talent could easily have remained latent. It was spotted by a cricket-playing uncle during family games in his grandparents' back yard. Having learnt the basics from this uncle, he then went to St John's Coaching Foundation for more advanced tutoring, and from there graduated to playing age-group cricket for Hyderabad, beginning with the Under-13s.

As Laxman approached his 18th birthday, his head and his heart were both telling him that his future lay in cricket. The defining moment arrived when he had to choose between exams for entrance to medical school, or a place at an Under-19 national coaching camp. Looking back to that fateful day, he said: "I decided to give myself four years to make it in cricket, knowing that if I didn't, I could always go for medicine. My parents must have had many misgivings about my decision, but they gave me their fullest support."

He did not have to wait long to reassure his parents that he had chosen wisely. Already a full state player, he was picked for India in an Under-19 Test series against Australia, who had Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee, Matthew Nicholson and Andrew Symonds in their ranks. He made four big scores against them, with 151 not out his best, giving early evidence of his taste for Australian bowling (his average against Australia is currently 56.00). A call to full colours was only a matter of time, and while he waited he had an extremely successful Under-19 tour of England. He began the "Test" series with a century on a blissful Taunton pitch.

As Laxman grew to full strength, tall and elegant, and big scores became more frequent, his batting acquired a captivating splendour. His driving possessed a Dexterian majesty and his flicked drive through mid-wicket stirred the senses. He was capped in 1996-97, a winter in which India played home-and-away series against South Africa, followed by five Tests in the West Indies. Laxman played eight Tests during this span and passed 50 three times. Indeed, he was given a fair run, but without being allowed a secure place in the batting order; in the Caribbean, he found himself opening, a role for which he had no taste.

His Test career went into a trough and might well have ended on the Australian tour of 1999-2000, when India were whitewashed 0-3. But in his final innings there, at Sydney, he hit a sumptuous 167 out of a total of 261, from only 198 balls. It was, one thought at the time, the sort of innings a batsman plays once in a lifetime. And so it seemed it would be when he was dropped after India's Mumbai defeat by South Africa not quite two months later. His volume of runs in that season's Ranji Trophy, a record 1,415 with a record eight hundreds, might almost have been mocking him. In Hyderabad's semi-final against Karnataka, he made 353, his fourth score at the time over 200.

Laxman achieved little in his one Test when Zimbabwe visited, or for that matter in the first Test against the Australians. That Sydney century seemed a long time ago. But promoted to his favourite No. 3 position for the second innings at Eden Gardens, he bettered it handsomely, sustaining his brilliance for ten and a half hours, during which he faced 452 balls. Half-centuries in both innings of the final Test helped India take the series 2-1; they also took his aggregate for the three matches to 503 at an average of 83.83. Medicine would just have to wait a while longer for VVS Laxman.

Snorkelling and Fishing at Andaman – By Sai Ramanand

Snorkelling

Man was it hot that day, my feet were burning just walking to the beach. We were on Neil Island some 2 hour boat ride from Havelock island.

The boat ride wasn't that eventful I slept the entire ride..Well I did in any case don't know about my brothers or dad or mom, I was just too damn tired and the heat wasn't helping either. When we reached our destination we got in two cabs and drove to the snorkelling point.

It was a narrow strip of beach with slopping sand quite close to the tree line, there were many shells and a few fallen tree' in the way, there were many coral rocks in the way when entering the water and the waves weren't helping and without sure footing you would just lose your balance. Once you swim to deeper water.....what a sight it's not as great as the coral reefs on discovery channel but great to see with your own eyes, Wow seeing so many colours, life was a great experience and I and my brother Karthik were lucky to catch a glimpse of a sea turtle, all in all a great trip.

From Wikipedia - Neil Island is an island in the Andaman Islands of India. It occupies an area of 18.9 square kilometres (7.3 sq mi). The island is located 40 kilometres (25 mi) north-east of Port Blair, the capital of Islands. The island consists of five villages, which are numbered from 1 to 5. There is a lone jetty at Bharathpur, which serves as the only entry/exit point of the island. The population of the island has been estimated at 5000 to 6000. Agriculture is the primary occupation of the villagers, and the island supplies vegetables to the rest of Andaman.

Line Fishing

We Left from Havelock by dinghy at around 3:00 to 3:30 in the afternoon, an hour later we reached the fishing point, after we were told how to fish by Diya our guide, we lowered our lines. Dad was the first one to catch a fish not to mention the fastest catch, I mean come on I had to hold the line for at least 20 min' before my first catch but my dad catch' one in under a minute, the wait for the fish to nibble was a bit boring but it got exciting when the fish began biting.

The fish we caught were red snapper, white lip, grouper and Diya caught one that looked like a parrot fish to me. I caught at least 6 fish and my brothers Karthik at least 5 and Chandu 4 the small one' were released. We continued till sunset when we decided to return and the night sky came to life as we saw a sight impossible in cities and a memorable one the night sky filled with stars and I mean filled, shooting stars, the constellations etc but the crowning jewel was the north star who ever said this star was the brightest star in the sky wasn't kidding, against the black sky and its reflection on the ocean surface I could swear it looked like one of those old Telugu or Hindi movie set, it was as bright as the moon and the ocean wasn't quite it had it' own stars the phosphorescence of certain microorganism showed up when the boat broke the surface of the water it was like fireflies only these show up when the water' surface is broken. We had pizza for dinner that night funny that' the only sure thing I remember probably because it was so good, in the restaurant B3 a short walk from the Havelock jetty(where our boat docked).

UI 9th Batch (1985) Gand Reunion 2010

It was a wonderful reunion of our United India 9th Batch who completed 25 years of service on 6th May 2010. 21 of our 23 batch mates made it to Yercaud. After meeting all of them it was quite apparent that very little seems to have changed. Maybe energy levels were slightly lower (the only reason I couldn’t make it to the ......Seat trip on day one) and physically some of us may be disproportionate in sizes but I felt we were more or less the same and could relate to each other as we did in 1985. Infact Thomas was mentioning the same observation in the room.

I really wished Balaji remembered how he used to mimic some of our eminent professors at the learning centre. Sanjay made up for this disappointment with the familiar “MY FRIEND TOMMY”. Thomas losing track of the joke trail reminded me of “CONFUSION WORUST CONFOUNDED”.

I loved MV’s humour, PA being her normal self, Ani’s trade mark grin and giggle, Sashi’s candid retorts and Rama at her usual melodious best singing Awaaz de Kahahe.

Paru really took me back in time at Namakkal Narasimhaswamy temple. In my opinion the batch closely bonded due to the Leadership qualities of Saikat Guha (his initiative to organize our visit to Kodai, allowing us to purchase TT table, his People skills, and connectedness to Top Management) and when we all anxiously wanted Paru to get well soon and come back from the nursing home. Of course the “I read u listen” sessions from Institute Text books, Weekend home work assignments, comments such as “Cheddi Penke gumtahai” etc, etc gave a different flavour and added to the seriousness and brought the batch even closer.

At Namakkal, Soundarya strongly reminded me of our temple visit after getting the first Salary cheque. I really loved her making me light the Deepam.

The Meditation, Pranayamam, and Blue ocean Strategy sessions by Thomas and Anita are some of the other take aways. Of course some of us who require our evening fuel must thank Thomas for bringing high quality fuel from Dubai. Unfortunately I could take very few photographs, since I carried my son’s camera without the memory card. However Saurabh, Sashi, Sanjay, Rama and quite a few other batchmates came well prepared and I guess sufficient photographs and videos have been taken to reminiscence our experiences.

I thought I successfully managed avoiding Rama’s interview, until she took out the Video camera at the airport and ensured she recorded my little bit

Rajni and Vivek – we missed you

I am sure Ashok & Mani silently participated in the reunion from the Astral world

Driving through Maharashtra - An Experience

Driving through Maharashtra during my recent visit to Sani Shingapur and Shirdi was a different kind of Material experience , apart from Spiritual substance. First we drove to Sani Shingapur from Mumbai via Pune and Ahmednagar. Then we drove to Shirdi and on our way back travelled to Mumbai via Nashik. The infrastructure development is great (particularly the Mumbai – Pune express way and the four laning of the Nashik – Mumbai highway).What amused me was the number of toll gates located almost at every 50 to 75 KM’s which were levying varyied amounts of toll fees. The next thing that amused me was the “Village Ahead” signboards almost coming up once every 50 KM’s. The names of these villages would invariably end with Gaon, but you would find atleast one multinational having its factory located at these so called Gaon's. The extent of industrialization which seems widespread across the state is quite discernable. Comparatively AP seems to be far behind – both in Infrastructure development and industrialization. With all the politically motivated challenges currently crippling the State one wonders where we are headed for?

Date:31/12/2009

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/12/31/stories/2009123154771800.htm

India’s rise began on a magical day at Eden Gardens
S. Dinakar

A timeless edifice: V.V.S. Laxman’s 281 at the Eden Gardens in 2001 was an innings where focus blended with glorious wristwork, timing and placement.

Chennai: India was down for the count at the Eden Gardens. Steve Waugh’s rampaging Australians were poised for another sweeping victory in a wave of triumphs. Then came the astonishing turnaround.

Rahul Dravid joined V.V.S. Laxman — there was a crucial switch in the batting order — at 232 for four on day three after India followed on, 274 adrift. When the pair was separated on the final day, the host had surged to 608.

Laxman’s 281 was a timeless edifice where focus blended with glorious wristwork, timing and placement.

And Dravid oozed commitment and concentration during his epic 180. The incisive Glenn McGrath probed in the corridor but Dravid was resilient.

Pounded mentally by the partnership, the formidable Aussies wilted on the final day. The hunter had become the hunted.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, getting the ball to grip, spin and bounce from an ideal off-stump line, scalped six on a dramatic final day. India romped home by 171 runs in a tension-filled final session. The year was 2001.

Marking a turnaround

The Miracle at Eden Gardens provided Indian cricket a vital attribute — Belief. In India’s steady rise to the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test ranking towards the end of the decade, the believe-it-or-not Test win in Kolkata played a huge role.

Skipper Sourav Ganguly, aggressive and undaunted by reputations, instilled confidence in his men. He teamed up admirably with India’s first foreign coach John Wright.

As the decade progressed, India became a strong side with depth and options. The feisty Ganguly had an eye for ability and backed the right men.

The decision to send Virender Sehwag at the top of the order was a significant move. It changed the profile of the Indian batting line-up. Sehwag, with his marauding ways, not just dented a bowler’s figures but left psychological scars on the opposition. He raised the bar for attacking batsmanship against the new ball, altered the dynamics of a contest.

Dravid, maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Laxman and the left-handed Ganguly, formed a high-quality line-up. India could put runs on the board in most conditions.

Leg-spinning giant Anil Kumble and Harbhajan paired up as a spin combination that could run through sides at home and don a crucial role on foreign soil. There was pressure on the batsmen from both the ends as the two bowled in tandem.

Rightly, Ganguly and Wright realised the value of a potent pace attack. Gradually, India developed a pace force of greater thrust.

In a huge series, India drew 1-1 against Australia in Australia in 2003-04. While Sehwag, Dravid, Laxman, Tendulkar and Ganguly pulled their weight, the impressive Kumble harried the Aussies with his control and subtle variations. Crucially, the Indian pace attack also stung.

In a historic series, India defeated Pakistan 2-1 in Pakistan. With his remarkable hand-eye coordination and the ability to play besides the line of the ball, the intrepid Sehwag set the tone for the triumph, conjuring a triple hundred in the first Test at Multan.

And Dravid’s series-clinching double century in the third Test at Rawalpindi highlighted his value to the side. The technically pure Dravid was a batsman for all conditions. His match-winning efforts at Headingley, Adelaide, Rawalpindi, and Kingston, later in the decade, showcased Dravid’s ability to soak up pressure and construct monuments.

The Chappell era

Wright left the scene for Aussie legend Greg Chappell to step in. Chappell’s contribution to the side vis a vis grooming youngsters was immense but he remained a largely misunderstood man.

Dravid was at the helm by now and India notched up series victories in the West Indies (2006) and England (2007). During this period, India also won its first Test on South African soil. S. Sreesanth’s compelling out-swing bowling set up the win for India at the Wanderers in 2006.

India’s pace attack was humming by now. Sreesanth complemented crafty left-armer Zaheer Khan.
During the rather acrimonious tour of Australia in 2007-08, the lanky Ishant Sharma added value to the pace pack with his off-stump line, bounce and sharp off-cutters. India’s victory over Australia on a lively Perth track told two things — its batsmen handled differing conditions better while its pacemen could could consume and strike.

Now, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, an emerging leader of men, and coach Gary Kirtsen appear to have the right chemistry.

Crucially, left-handed opener, Gautam Gambhir, has tightened up his game without losing flair to make big runs when it matters.

Tendulkar continues to dazzle. The maestro’s match-winning second innings century on a difficult fifth -day wicket against England at Chepauk last year dripped with character.

All said, India’s rise to the top actually started on a magical day at the Eden Gardens.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu

Listening to Mr Arun Nanda of Club Mahindra Resorts ------------ An Employee, A Professional and A Customer

Mr Arun Nanda (Executive Director and President, Infrastructure Development Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra) spoke recently at Mahindra Satyam School of Leadership on “Building Businesses and Extending one’s limits”. The talk left me with some strong feelings and questions. To start with let me share the positive feelings:

• Wit and Simplicity of such an accomplished leader who won quite a few laurels and has quite a few awards to his credit including a knighthood
• Wonderful Examples he shared on Respect for People as demonstrated repeatedly by Anand Mahindra.
• Opportunities and Encouragement provided to employees of Mahindra Group to display their talent and Recognizing them for their achievements
• The four principles for success – Work Hard , Live, Learn and Play
• Importance of having a Clean and Clear Conscience
• Financial acumen and astuteness by which a 18 Crore initial investment grew to a 4000 Crore market cap
• The happiness and self satisfaction he openly exhibited while demonstrating the Mahindra World City – Chennai (particularly the railway station)
• Credit given to his mentors and to the prayers of his parents for his success

As he was speaking, what crossed my mind was a question - Why there is no cultural integration in this group? Of course while it was also mentioned that full freedom is given to Leaders (as Mr Nanda put it even Sons in Family run Organizations do not get the kind of freedom enjoyed by CEO’s in Mahindra Group), the thought that was repeatedly bothering me was - Should there not be some semblance of cultural integration across all group companies.

The negative feelings were those concerning Club Mahindra. As a Purple Color Time Shareholder, I wasnt too happy listening to Mr. Nanda detailing the tons of money he made for Shareholders and Promoters of Club Mahindra. He didn’t seem to be too bothered about the customers/time share holders who might be sitting in the audience. The reason for my consternation was:

• Being a member for over 11 Years, I find that the services and new locations haven’t increased even by 1/3rd. How many Munnars do we have?
• More Resorts (own) could have been opened in many more states. For instance there are none in Andhra, Orissa or Madhya Pradesh. Even in a place like ooty there is no own resort. One wonder's what happened to the beautiful "Danish Villa"?
• Most of the tie up’s aren’t that great, when compared to their own resorts
• It has become very difficult to get the bookings/reservation even though being a Purple color time share holder. One needs to book well in advance and for salaried class such advance bookings usually end up in cancellations.
• An annual maintenance service charge of over Rs 9000/- needs to be paid irrespective of utilizing the time share facility. This wasn’t the part of the contract which I entered into when I bought the time share but subsequently was thrust upon me.
• As mentioned by Mr Nanda, while Club Mahindra is minting money through over 90% capacity utilization on the unused annual credit days of the Time Share Holders, they have no concept or practice to share at least a part of the booty with the time share holder. For instance at least 25% as annual dividend on income earned from the unused time share, or at least by way of a discount on the annual maintenance charges.
• In the recent IPO, no provision was made to allot shares (at least a separate quota if not a firm allotment) to time share holders.

Ultimately I left the hall wondering and with lots of questions and mixed feelings.

Courage and HR an Experience Sharing

The “Meet the Mentor” session organized by NHRD, Hyderabad had H N Shrinivas (HNS) Sr Vice President Taj Group of Hotels talking about “Courage and HR”. The talk centering around how the Tata Group dealt with the November 26th tragedy was not only enlightening but extremely inspirational. Hosted by Mahindra Satyam, it was paradoxical that here were two companies struck by severe tragedies on November 26th 2008 and Jan 7th 2009. Both faced severe tragedies, but both were in opposite situations altogether.

The DNA of one was of a very high human value system where it was extremely important that a tragedy was addressed with the highest level of dignity, sensitivity and kindness safeguarding and retaining a century old prestige, while that of the other was one of very survival of an Organization which was fraudulently inflated to be categorized as one of the top software service providers in India, within a span of 20 years.

One was rich in Tradition, Values, Culture, Reserves and Assets. The other was struck by a Financial Fraud and was almost zero in reserves and bank balance. Strong Leadership in one was willing and was in a position not only to take care of the survivors, but also place all the unemployed in alternate avenues of employment in the group. While in the other, interim Government Leadership which was replaced by the Management team of the new buyer could only look at managing and reducing costs . It was a choice between saving an organization and returning to the real “Satyam = Truth” vs. closing the shutter and leaving the rest to a historical irreparable “Virtual Falsehood”.

Lessons learnt from both these episodes clearly go to prove that only those Organizations that are built on solid foundation, values, culture, practices, ethical code of conduct with long term strategies and perspectives can meet and survive challenging situations and trying times. A powerful statement was made by HNS – “Not a single employee left the group because of the scare and tragedy caused by the terrorist attack”. Whereas in the other organization, quite a few leaders and team members have not only left even while the ship was sinking but were seemingly encouraged to leave to make way for the new captains and crew. In one organization/industry people are valued for the services and assets they create, while in the other organization/industry people are valued for the hourly dollar they bill. In one the Chairman responds to an over ambitious compensation proposal with a response “can we do something more”. While in the other, circumstances and financial position force the management to state the opposite.

An important learning was the way Clinical psychologists and Counselors were utilized to work with the employees, relatives of the deceased employees and also with the guests in the trauma centers as they were being moved out of the Hotel. These counselors were physically present and attached to work with employees in focused and small groups. Post Jan 7th we did something similar and set up a virtual help desk and hotline where callers would be talked to and referred to internal trained coaches and external professional counselors. We also organized series of Webcasts on "Engaging Associates" through our "Planet Satyam" facility. Surprisingly there were very few takers for this service and the lesson learnt could be the inhibition for Indians to approach a counselor or a coach on their own. Maybe it would have helped if we brought the counselors and coaches into our office premises and allowed them to interact with associates in small groups.

Answering a question HNS was incisive to mention that a HR professional must be a good listener and through silence, feeling, observation and study of body language she needs to understand the people, groups and situations. Actions are more important than speech and intentions need to be demonstrated to build trust and everlasting relationships. For leaders who face and go through such tragedies and the subsequent human drama as it unfolds, a realization that strikes is one of surprise and remorse that we attach so much importance to peripheral office politics and bickering without realizing the true value of selfless dedication and contentment.

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Other Aspects of My Father - Rebaapragada Subba Rao Garu (Posted on behalf of Bojji Babayaa)

He was an accomplished athlete. He played for his College: (1) Hockey, being the Captain of the Team and there used to be a picture of his with a big trophy in our Innispeta house (it could be with Suribabu); (2) He was a great Soccer Player, once again played for the College team, and a founding member of the very famous Soccer Club " Nimbles" in Rajahmundry; and (3) and won many medals in Track and Field events. The Nimbles he and his fellow athletes founded produced famous players that went on to play for other Pro Clubs in India such as Mohan Bagan & East Bengal. They used to host a very popular Soccer Tournament in RJY. Because he did not do so well in academics, he did not allow his sons to undertake intensive activities in sports, but allowed us to participate in a modest way. We were all chased out in the evening to play some sport after school and return home for the evening meal before sunset.

In addition to all above, he was a great orator and when gave speeches in English the audience used to sit and listen spell bound. He encouraged all my elder brothers to participate in debates, and they received awards.

Having lost him at my age of 12 the above were things narrated to me by elders in Rajahmundry who were his contemporaries on many occasions.

His training and a sense of "Dharma" instilled by him was the main reason that my brothers each to their God given capacity brought me up and gave me 6 years of university education and made me academically what I am now. They never took back a single penny from me and they did this with a loving heart that exemplifies the best practice of " Dharma". I cherish them all the time.

So let us make a commitment and get nourishment from the roots through which that we have emanated, and discharge our respective " Dharma" as a Team.

Rebbapragada Subba Rao Garu (Tatagaru)

I did not have the fortune to meet or talk to tatagaru but I guess he is with us always. Tatagaru passed away on 26th May 1948 (vysakha bahula chaviti) .

All I know of tatagaru is through the characteristics of my late father. I guess the discipline, straight forwardness, strict regimentation, religious bent of mind, visiting temples and doing regular poojas, philosophical attitude, morality as derived form poetry/satakams, attention to detail, perfectionism are all characteristics that my father imbibed from Tatagaru. Infact these characteristics are very clearly visible in Babayya’s and Rani Attayya.

I recall my father telling me frequently about Tatagaru.

Tatagaru was an ardent devotee of Shiva and once had darshan/sakshatkaram/ vision of Shiva after offering prayers in a Shivalayam.

I also recall my father telling me quite often how tatagaru made them read and by heart Telugu Satakams and sing Brahma Samaj keerthanams. Now i really wonder how he managed that , because try as he may, my father couldnt and gave up on me very soon. :)

Today I had a chat with my mother and later with Nirmala akka, and this was what they had to share about Tatagaru:

Mother:

When daddy was in the Royal Navy, Tatagaru used to go regularly to Shivalayam and on returning from the temple, used to give a flower to mom.

On Shivaratri he used to do abhishekam in Shivalayam. In Karthikamasam he used to do Lakshapatri pooja in Shivalayam on every Monday and on Karthika Poornami. The prayers would be followed by Annadanam to the poor.

At home Tatagaru used to make everybody do prayer in the morning and sing Brahma Samaj Keerthanalu. This is one of the songs we used to regularly listen my father sing :

“O Natha Neeguna Okavanthu Telisina Vani Janmame Janmamu”

Tatagaru used to do his daily prayers before going to office/court.

Bhamma also used to do pooja every day and this included Bhagavad Geeta Paarayanam.

All festivals were celebrated in a grand manner.

Tatagaru used to go for a walk with his friend Dr Gurumurthy (Who was also our family doctor in Rajahmundry).

Tatagaru used to go to adjacent towns in a motor boat (launchi) for court work.

He was very upright and never used to abuse or speak ill about anyone and was extremely good natured. He had no bad habits and was a strict disciplinarian. He was very equanimous and took good care of every one in the family.

Nirmala Akka:

When Nirmalakka met Devulapalli Venkata Krishna Sastry (a famous telugu poet) he told her that Tatagaru used to invite poets for Kavi Sammelanams on Vennala Rathrulu (full moon nights). He loved poetry.

A Bikshagadu (madakolam) who used to sing very well used to come during night time and Tatagaru used to make him sit in the verandah and make him sing.

Tatagaru used to sit in a Padaka Kurchi in the verandah with the grand children in his lap. He used to make them sing Maa Telugu Talliki mallepoodanda

Tatagaru used to call Satyabhama – Eduvaraala Bangaram (Pure Gold).

He was a very quiet person.

Tatagaru passed away when Mother was carrying Babu (Markandeya Subba Rao) and later on when Babu passed away at the age of eleven, it was felt strongly by my father, that Tatagaru himself was born as Babu to complete the following desires/ tasks he left unfinished:

• To go abroad (which Babu did for diagnosing his heart problem). Tatagaru had a strong desire to go abroad.

• To go around in Cars (which Babu did). Tatagaru loved cars and wanted to go around in Cars.

• To see a different person in my father. Which he accomplished. Babu’s passing away saw a sea change in my father. He was a totally different person afterwards.

Other Aspects of My Father - Rebaapragada Subba Rao Garu (Posted on behalf of Bojji Babayaa)

He was an accomplished athlete. He played for his College: (1) Hockey, being the Captain of the Team and there used to be a picture of his with a big trophy in our Innispeta house (it could be with Suribabu); (2) He was a great Soccer Player, once again played for the College team, and a founding member of the very famous Soccer Club " Nimbles" in Rajahmundry; and (3) and won many medals in Track and Field events. The Nimbles he and his fellow athletes founded produced famous players that went on to play for other Pro Clubs in India such as Mohan Bagan & East Bengal. They used to host a very popular Soccer Tournament in RJY. Because he did not do so well in academics, he did not allow his sons to undertake intensive activities in sports, but allowed us to participate in a modest way. We were all chased out in the evening to play some sport after school and return home for the evening meal before sunset.

In addition to all above, he was a great orator and when gave speeches in English the audience used to sit and listen spell bound. He encouraged all my elder brothers to participate in debates, and they received awards.

Having lost him at my age of 12 the above were things narrated to me by elders in Rajahmundry who were his contemporaries on many occasions.

His training and a sense of "Dharma" instilled by him was the main reason that my brothers each to their God given capacity brought me up and gave me 6 years of university education and made me academically what I am now. They never took back a single penny from me and they did this with a loving heart that exemplifies the best practice of " Dharma". I cherish them all the time.

So let us make a commitment and get nourishment from the roots through which that we have emanated, and discharge our respective " Dharma" as a Team.


(Baba: I suggest and strongly recommend all Rebbapragada’s to read Many Lives, Many Masters written by Dr Brian Weiss) .....