Me

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Written by vl

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Well, who am I? Or should one say, whom would you like me to be? George Clooney, or MKG / MG...ah well, neither!

Though l quite like the Clooney grey and grace, my thin-tall structure with long hands and a fast pace, often gets me the compliment of ~ यह महात्मा कहाँ से आ गया? or Where did this Mahatma come from? Honored, is all I can say.

But then I am a mere mortal, born to lovely parents, in an even more fantastic family - a fusion of two North Indian cultures, the boisterous Punjabi and the Purabiya Avadhi!

I believe I'm in many ways a copy of my maternal grandfather. Going by how my paternal grandfather looked, I'd liken more to him. But then those who have seen my dad, say I'm his true copy. Somewhere, the genetics are all at work. A good mix of the best genes.

I grew up in New Delhi, born in one of the most august hospitals of those days & times. I grew up being a partial North-South-West Indian - 1/3rd of each, for I lived partially during my formative years in New Delhi, Hyderabad and Pune. Separate story, that work took me back to Nasik - the sacred heartland of Maharashtra. Or as Bhabhi put it, I was only completing the साढ़े-साथी or the curse of 7.5 years!

I am reasonably more intelligent than the average monkey, as I happened to have studied well at school, excelling at the Bachelor's and finally being an outstanding student in the MBA (yeah, standing outside the class usually).

Of the girls I grew up with, the one I liked most - her name started with a 'V' too. We probably even talked about exchanging a silver ring I used to wear with 'V' inscribed, if I left Delhi. Then, as I went to school in Hyderabad, I liked only one fair tall girl - unfortunately she was along with me in Boy Scouts & Guides. Then as I embarked to do engineering, the neighbor of my local guardian, who studied at my college but in the more reputable course of Computer Sciences, appealed for her long black hair and simple looks. But before I could nurture the strength to reach out to her, she had found a prince and was married while I was still receiving my bachelor's degree. As I started the MBA program and my father took me to the college, I saw this tall lanky girl getting on a KB bike. She never approved of my love, but good thing - we are better friends - hopefully for a life time. I finally found the love of my life on a powerless night (yeah, it was special effects created by Him, so I could appreciate her beauty), when I first went to see her in Janakpuri, Delhi. She stood tall at 5-9, with a Master's education underway. And I couldn't resist saying 'yes'.

In the 17+ years of relationship that followed, I figure I slept one-third of my life. That knocks off nearly 6 years of marriage right there. So you're down to 11 and change... not even a teenager at marriage. You can drive it, but there's still the occasional accident.

The most inspiring person for me has been my (paternal) grandfather - a lawyer by education, he retired from GOI service. He was an affable man, helping, honest (he lied only to grandma, when she asked him where he went - usually to the market to get all the nicest goodies), cheerful and someone who bound the family together. The good stuff strong men are made of. He made sure all his kids made their own homes, got the kids (our generation) highly qualified through university education and so on. He was the life of the family. And it hasn't been the same since his passing away in Jan'03.

From amongst the most inspiring bosses I've had, Vinay Piparsania is Numero Uno for professionalism, with compassion and the refined art of managing people. Being soft, yet stern. And then, David Record taught me how important it is to know your business and the business of your customers. Unfortunately, I didn't have many other inspiring ones. And I moved jobs, because they found it difficult to cope with my intellect.

I'm exacting in my standards, and try to be a perfectionist in all that I do. Let's say more black and white, with no shades of grey. More German...and less Indian? In some ways a tough nut with a hard shell and soft core!

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