Be The Change

It was back then in 2015 when the Company with which I was associated for started a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative called as ‘Be the change’. As a humble beginning to this, we decided to sow the seeds of health and education together by lending a helping hand to Akshay Patra, an NGO which runs world’s largest midday meal programme in India. 

As a part of this noble cause, we contributed Rs. 750 to sponsor meals for one child for a year, which could help the children pursue their dreams. Thus, every kid that an employee-sponsored, the company sponsored 2 kids and in total, we sponsored meals for 219 kids. On Feb 28th, 2015, We visited the Akshaya Patra’s largest kitchen located in Hubli-Dharwad. The Public Relations Officer at Akshay Patra greeted us and took us for a kitchen tour. We took nearly an hour-long trip to the kitchen to see its operations. The PR officer briefed us about various techniques adopted at the centralized kitchen like the gravity-flow mechanism, food safety standards, Critical Control Points, Quality standards such as FSMS – ISO 22000, ISO 14001, Kaizen, Six Sigma. I was amazed to see how these standards were implemented in the non-profit sector. Every work was meticulously done.

A universal interesting fact is that often a house’s cleanliness is judged by how clean the kitchen is. We entered the kitchen with the same notion and were spellbound to find the kitchen immaculate and rodent free though it serves a mind-boggling number of 800 schools feeding 1, 85,000 children every day. We wondered if the food was really cooked that day as we couldn’t trace even a grain of rice left. Hygiene and quality are the DNA of Akshay Patra kitchens. Besides having a spectacular cooking process, Akshay Patra also aims to satisfy the children’s taste buds. They adopt the local cuisine in their menu. For instance: They provide Rotis in North India and Rice Sambar in South India. Variety is the spice of life, hence they ensure the sambar taste varies every day for the children. The NGO also provides a dormitory for its employees to stay. With the agenda to go green and be eco-friendly, Akshay Patra uses briquette boilers for cooking. All the water used for cooking is recycled and used to water the plants grown in the premises.  They also have adopted rainwater harvesting.

After the trip to the kitchen, we had a discussion with Mr. Yagneshwar Das. He briefly explained how the Akshaya Patra foundation came into existence. We were shown a high-impact video that made me get goosebumps as it depicted the two different worlds. One where the society is rapidly developing in all spheres and one where 40% of malnourished children live in India. Food shortage forces children to drop out of school and work to earn bread. He said the children cannot have a hunger for a book when they have a hunger for bread. The initiative to feed the unprivileged children was started on a small scale but now has grown to provide the mid-day meal to 1.4 million children every day and aims to accelerate the scale higher and higher. He further said that Akshay Patra has received many accolades, one is included as a case study in the Harvard Business School. But above all achievements is that this initiative brings a smile on the child’s face. 

For me, the visit to Akshay Patra was a humble and inspiring experience as it epitomizes the grit and determination of this organization to serve the starving children. It is a gratifying experience of contributing to a child's meal. When corporates connect with Akshay Patra, it makes a huge impact. The CSR initiative has served as an ice breaker for me to volunteer for a noble. Well, it is not easier for one individual to change the course of a child’s life who is hungry for bread but when 10 individuals join hands together at Akshay Patra’s platform, the scaling impact is evident.  It was a privilege for me to be a part of this great initiative to feed the children which will drive them to school. Our small effort can pave a way to a better, healthier and enlightened future of this country. It gives me an overwhelming happiness to see a smile on a child’s face - an infectious smile. A small act of kindness, a small act of giving, a small act of empathy can make a huge difference to those who are in need of it. 

  Let’s spin the wheel together and pave the way for a better place to dwell.

Fly High!!! My First Time Flying

As I sit beside my window wondering what should be the the next blog post I should write, I hear the airplane sound. I peep out of my room window and catch a glimpse of the flight and my mind dates back to December 2017 when I got an opportunity to fly to Singapore for an official visit. I sit and pen down my thoughts.

It was on a quite short notice but I was all excited and getting decked up for it. It was an overwhelming experience as this would be my first onsite trip & the first flight as well. As I was working from home back then, my actual journey began on November 27 itself. I first took a bus from Udupi to Bangalore and then Bangalore to Coimbatore. I stayed there for 2 days with my Colleague and good friend and also visited the Coimbatore office to complete the  onsite traveling procedures.

The big day – December 2, 2017, had come. We were a bunch of 5 members going to travel together. We checked into the airport at 8 pm. Firstly I checked if my baggage weight was within the prescribed weight limits. It was a great relieve to see the weighing machine number showed the number prescribed within the limits. Post this I had a light dinner. 

Then the security checks began. All my bags were scanned and the checks were cleared. Then I headed to the ticket counter, where I showed my visa and ticket details. Window seat always fascinates me be it a bus, train, cab as I keep watching out of the window and get the landmarks recorded in my brain., haha. Now, this was a flight, my first flight; so I could I miss it. I requested  a window seat and was lucky to get one. Now I received the boarding pass with warm “Happy Flight” Note from Air India.

Then along with my colleagues, I was waiting for the security checks to begin. I was a bit nervous thinking what kind of interrogatory questions the Officer would ask. I now headed to the Security Officer. The checks went fine and now had the first stamp on my new passport, it was a proud feeling. We entered the waiting area. As the time was nearing, my excitement was growing stronger.

The gates opened in a while and I entered the flight. The air hostess welcomed me, as I was entering my colleague said it must be quite cold inside because we could see the cold fumes or vapor. The air hostess helped me find my seat. I placed my bag on the top of another seat and went and sat in my seat and made myself comfortable. I made a phone call to my family confirming I boarded the flight. I had tears of joy and missed my family.

I now got decked up for the AC journey for 4 hours. AC literally haunts me as my resistance to cold is quite bad. I already had a warm jacket, socks worn. Now I wore a head cap and plugged the earphones as well. My colleagues made fun of me saying I looked like an Eskimo. I fastened my seat belts as per the announcement made. I double checked to ensure it was tight (maybe I thought I was going to sit in a torotora, lol!)

The clock struck 11 pm and the flight slowly started moving on the runway. I had an adrenaline rush and felt like I was in a fairy land. The runway looked so fancier to me. The flight started moving faster and suddenly took off the ground. I held my seat hard and closed my eyes thinking I would have an ear pain due to the pressure changes but the take off was quite smooth. The plane now roll to the left and then to the right, it was a very nice experience. Then the plane was going smooth. I could see the light blinking at the plane wings. I enjoyed every small little things.

In a while, a snack box was served. The box had sandwich, bujiya sev, milk sachet and a cup. I emptied the milk in the cup and wondered if we had to drink the milk. I tried to peep and see want my neighbor a seat away was doing. Suddenly the attended came and asked Mam tea and then it struck to me that milk was for tea. I laughed to myself. A Chai lover drinking chai in the sky…..I was on cloud nine!!!

Post 2 hours of the journey, the weather got too chill. I started shivering. I put a shawl on my legs but I was enjoying the journey, taking selfies, gazing through the windows thinking I could touch the clouds. Suddenly there was a mild turbulence in the flight and this gave a shiver up my spine. It started raining and lightning flashed across the sky. What a beauty!!!!! I must say…………………..

Now we were closer to Singapore Airport. I could see planes take off. The flight was about to land, we were asked to fasten our seat belt. The landing was quite thrilling as I could see some amazing aerial views. I saw a wooden plank decorated with light, floating on water. This looked so romantic from the sky.

I had landed at Changi Airport successfully. Now we all boarded a shuttle which took us to the exit gates. I filled a form for the official verification at the Airport. After the enquiry, a stamp was affixed on the passport and a document was given. We then headed to collect our baggage and I was a bit worried as my luggage came after a long waiting. I was relieved now and headed to leave the airport.

This was indeed the best journey I ever had. Being the first’s in many this will always remain close to my heart. I still get excited everytime I hear the plane sound and  I wish to travel again by flight. 

Life in 'Chota Mumbai' - Hubli

After my MBA, I landed with my first Marketing job at Hubballi (Other names: Hubli) All that I knew about Hubli when I had an offer letter in hand was that Dharwad & Hubli are twin cities and of course you get the yummiest Dharward peda there. Many people reacted saying, "You are going to Hubli????? The people there are very rude." I just had the job in my mind and just sidelined their comments. I told myself Jo Hoga Dekh Lengeh …..

I moved from Udupi to this city & settled down in a Paying Guest Accommodation at Vidhya Nagar. Unlike what I had the heard about the people there, the city was quite welcoming. Whenever people I came across got to know I was from Udupi, they would get excited and say "Wow, You are from Udupi, Udupi people are so good"…. Now I don’t know why they had such a notion, I never counter questioned them; instead would just smile at them and laughed to myself.

Language:

Being born in North India and bought up in South India, I can fluently speak in Hindi and Kannada. Hubli Kannada is quite different. Its spoken colloquially and so for south Kannadigas, it sounds like they are rude. Because Udupians speak a pure textbook form of Kannada.

Example: 

“Ninu Hehgidiya?” (How are you?) – Udupi Kannada

 “Heng adiyo le?” (How are you?) – Hubli Kannada

It was very common there to use Le, Beh. I learned it but never used in my conversation in native or I would be tagged to be disrespectful or rude.

One day I and my roommate were having a conversation about what to eat and she said let us have ‘Girmit’. Girmit in my language understanding referred to an insane person. But in Hubli, it was colloquial to  Behl Puri. I had a good laugh that day and also tried Girmit which tasted good.

Another instance is where I recall my colleague saying never ask Thindi ayeta (meaning Had breakfast? In Udupi Kannada ) in Hubli because ‘Thindi’ had an offensive meaning. Instead, ask “Nashta Ayeta?”

The language indeed is beautiful and now I speak it quite fluently. My Kannada is now a Combo of Udupi + Hubli + Bangalore, haha

Food:

Being a sweet tooth, I always crave for sweets. The first day in Hubli, I and my father were hunting for a bucket shop near Channama Circle. We didn’t find one but to our surprise that Chenamma Circle street in the heart of City was filled with just Dharwad Peda sweet shops. From then, every time I visited home I got sweets from a local shop there called Babu Singh Takur Peda. You should also try out Renuka Sweet Shop which serves one of the finest Moti Chur Keh Laddus.

I am a vegetable lover, but somehow Brinjal never fascinated me. I was always Anti-Brinjal and had banned it in my home. In Hubli, Brinjal is the most loved vegetable. Every restaurant, every function has this as a mandatory dish. I learned to eat Brinjal as well here.

Badnehkai Yengai (a sweet Stuffed brinjal dish) this is the dish I tried the first time in Hubli. It was finger licking yummy.

Jowar roti is another famous food of Hubli. It is very high in nutritional value. Besides you also have Vada Pava, Khanavali (restaurants which serve authentic North Karnataka food) meals, Davangere Benne Dosa,  sandwich outlets center in front of More Supermarket in Shirur Park is very popular and one of my favorites. If you want to eat some good Coastal food do visit Fish Land near VRL office.

Tourist places:

Hubli has few countable places to hang out. These include  Unkal lake(Boat ride), Nrupatunga hill, Indira Gandhi Glass House. Dharwad being twin city has Dharwad University, Nugehkai Hanuman Temple etc.. Many tourist attractions are within a 100 km distance from the city: Badami, Aihole, Pattadkal, Dandeli, Kittur fort,Gokak falls.

Festivals:

People here celebrate all festivals but what catches the eye is the Ganesh Chaturthi, Holi and Ramzan celebrations. The entire city gets decked up for these festivals. 

The city has less or no traffic, literally! You can reach any corner of Hubli within half an hour. The weather is also pleasant, winter being too chilled. The city is well connected by NWKSRTC & Bendre (Private) busses. The coolest part of my stay there was, getting tickets to Udupi was a cake walk and quite reasonable, unlike the mad rush and struggle we have in Bangalore.

The 2 years spent in this city has been indeed beautiful, memorable and close to my heart. Having shifted to Bangalore now, I miss Hubli badly and I always look forward to visiting this place again!

"The Pink" Freedom

As India celebrates its 72nd Independence Day today, I feel its quite apt to jot down my thoughts on the "The Pink" Freedom. Pink here refers to a Women's Freedom. How free are WE?

Firstly, what is Freedom?

Freedom is something you realize the importance of only when you don't have it. The feeling of Shackles on your wrists is when you know you can't act as per your wish.

India is a male-dominated society. Be it in societal norms or in the Corporate World, a Women has to fight for her rights. Indian Women today leave no stone unturned and are making great name and fame on one side. On other extreme, the crime against women is  increasing. It is an irony that in Country that speaks volumes about great Women fighters, a Country that personifies itself as Bharat Mata (mother goddess), a Country which worships Goddess in the form of Durga and Kali; Women in this Country don't feel safe.

From getting the basic right to schooling, to choosing your interested career, to choosing to wear what she wants, to choosing to hang around, to choosing a life partner, in every walks of a Women's life her struggle for Freedom continues. Undoubtedly, the scenarios are changing but still  I & every Women in this Nation have felt the curb of their freedom in some way every now and then. We still suffer the injustices and inequalities.

Can there be real independence for Women folks?

The Government has to make strict laws and punishment for crimes related to Women. If a Court can do a Midnight hearing for election issues, why can't it show the same response to crime hearings? No Country can prosper unless the condition of Women is improved. Women should be made aware of their legal rights.

Today educated Women also feel pressurized by the Men. Many Women are in an abusive relationship, the abuse today is more of mental. Men should realize that Women need their love and support and not their pressurizing thoughts. Suggesting your partner is good but imposing your thoughts on her is wrong. She has a mind of her own to think. Women have to be their own self- defense mechanism.

At Work place also there are various issues faced by Women. Women should voice against any kind of injustice on gender basis.

Let Us feel the realm of freedom...

Let Us stand united for our rights...

Let Us think like a free mind...

Like Taylor Swift has rightly said,

"Be that strong girl that everyone knew would make through the worst, be that fearless girl, the one who dare to do anything, be that independent girl who didn't need a man; be that girl who never backed down"

P.S - I am not anti-men nor a feminist. I know dozens of Men who support Women & dozens of Women who themselves pose an obstacle to Women's development. This is not a gender war.

Go The Digital Way!!!

"Digital" is the latest buzz word. Today we live in the era of digital world. Digital has transformed the way of Marketing too.

What is Digital Marketing?

Digital Marketing is marketing of products and services through the digital medium. The main components of Digital Marketing include Website, SEO, SEM, SMM, Email Marketing, Blogging, Affiliate Marketing and Analytics.

Why is Digital Marketing so much of a buzz?

Digital marketing has enabled Marketers reach a larger audience quickly in a cost-effective manner. It also fits the budget of small business who otherwise cannot afford the expensive mediums of traditional marketing. Besides Mobile Marketing coupled with Digital Marketing has shown proven results of growth for business.

How to get started with Digital Marketing?

Use the below steps to kick start your digital marketing journey

1. Define your target audience
2. Understand what your customers are looking for
3. Define value proposition
4. Evaluate the digital marketing components 
5. Draft the Digital marketing plan
6. Execute

When to get started?

Well its "Today", its "Now", the right time to steer your marketing plan to the digital world. Digital Marketing is not a day's task. The digital marketing world is quite vibrant and keeps changing every fraction of second. It is quite exciting and a challenging task. Hence take your first step in the path breaking journey today.

Begin Now!!!

"The Inborn Marketer in You"

What is marketing?

The management grads might have studied n number of definitions explaining what marketing is and the non- management grads also have a goog idea of it. But have you ever wondered, what marketing really is? Can one sole definition explain its depthness.... "NO"

The business mantra to be successful in today’s competitive world is to “stand out” in the crowd. In other words be unique, be simple yet sophisticated and serve your customers at the best. Well it takes different things to be out of the box and that’s the whole funda of Marketing.This is what I think being a Marketer. Thats not just confined to marketing a product/service. Marketing is an art to market yourself as well. Imagine you are giving an interview, you got to market yourself into short span of 10-20 mins. Imagine a guy proposing a gal or vice versa…indirectly they are marketing themselves and proving that they are best. Thus, marketing is in the nook and corner of our daily life.

The crux of the matter - Is Marketing to be taught or is inborn in all of us. Next time you go to a Kirana shop, just observe the shopkeeper for a while. You will be shocked to see his marketing skills. The way he convinces his customer to buy a product and the way he pushes the product and makes the customer buy what he really did not intend to buy at times, is just remarkable. He might not be a Marketing Management grad but he has that inborn skill inherited from his family or he has acquired the skill over a period of time. There is a very famous sandwich shop near my apartment, well not shop exactly it is a tehla kinds. Now how this guy markets his sandwiches. He makes such awesome sandwiches that his customers market for him through WOM (Word of Mouth). Marketing has many forms.

Coming to the consensus, management education is not mandatory to be a marketer. It is just a trick either inherited or learnt. But yes having a formalised education in marketing broadens your perspective. It exposes you to the world's most successful and most dumb marketing techniques and helps you introspect and strategize your own way of marketing.