TFTTOMH II (The Devil called "AIDS")

Back in office, with nothing to do! So I thought I'll tell you about how increasingly important it is becoming for Indian companies (and in fact firms all over the world) to sit up and take notice of the fact that many of their employees are exposed to the risk of AIDS! And if they dont act now (as is the attitude of most Indian firms), and continue to keep their eyes shut stubbornly refusing to appreciate the seriousness of the epidemic and its potential devastating effects it can have on not only its employees, but in turn on its own bottomlines also, they will suffer in the long run. Based on an article I recently read, it is much more cheaper for companies to provide treatment to affected employees on a regular basis - basically covering the costs of the Anti-retrovirals (ARVs) - than to lay them off the minute their infection is discovered. Not surprisingly, the main category of people infected with this deadly disease is Truck Drivers. Seven in 100 truck drivers are inflicted with this disease in India. And that pecentage is increasing by the day. As far as the industry segment is concerned, the call centers, with their huge population of youngsters, working away from their homes, and loaded with surplus cash, are a soft target. Just the other my partner and I were talking about how talking to a person of the opposite sex at night is so so different from talking during the day. The night imposes a certain magic in young hearts, and where passion goes out of control, Mr. AIDS has the last laugh.

So if you are working in a firm and in a position to suggest some measures to the management to take notice of the situation, spread some awareness among the employees, frame some policies within the company addressed specifically to tackle this problem, DO IT! Do not wait for the inevitable. For If you can help it, it is not inevitable any more. Its difficult taking note of all these things- right from this issue to problems like Global warming, rising petroleum prices et al- as long as they dont hit you. But make no mistake, these are for real! And one day or the other, when we are affected, directly or otherwise, we dont want to be told, "You had a chance to set things right, you preferred to overlook it".

So long then...

P S : And in case you are wondering what TFTTOMH is, it stands for Thoughts From The Top My Head!!!

Thoughts from the top of my head - I

I'm at office and its 11 15 pm. I want to write, but dont know what. So I'm going to write random thoughts from my mind. Here goes...

• Did you know that in the whole of Greece, there is not a single proper mosque? Surprising innit? More so when you consider that the Muslim population of the country is almost 0.2 million.

• For people wanting a change from the television, I'd suggest radio as a very good alternative. And please...Radio is not only about our FM channels that belt out music 24 hours everyday... In case you have a Broadband internet connection at home, check out the BBC website (For a host of channels catering to all genres of taste like Drama, Speech, News, Sports, and the ubuiquitous Music) and NPR (National Public Radio) - for some entertaining programs like 'Wait..Wait..Dont tell me' and 'All Things Considered'.

• In my office, there is a catering service which gives paper coupons in exchange for money and which you exchange for food (confusing innit?? Dont be...Theres more ahead). Every time you give the person who collects the paper coupons and supplies food, your paper coupons, he tears them away and gives you the food. At the end of the day there is such a big pile up of paper coupons, that I wonder if it is a good idea wasting so much paper????? And if it wouldnt be more (environmentally) sensible to use an alternate source of food distribution...like plastic tokens for example, which could be used over and over again. But oh...Here comes the Anti-plastic group hurling stones at me...I better rush...And ... in case you have a solution, please mail me....

• Phew! That was some running....I had to literally sprint to escape those save-the-environment crusaders. Talking of running...I cant help boast that I ran the Mumbai marathon in 2006 and in fact, with very little practice, was able to complete 21 kms. That day (January 15th) was memorable to be in more than one way (A very few people would understand this), but the running was great. In fact, let me let you in on a little secret of mine. One thing which kept me going in the terrible heat of the January Mumbai sun, taking on the challenge of trudging along for the entire 21 kms, was the zillions of glasses of free lemon juices that I got along the entire length of the run. Sounds zany doesnt it? Well...Zany, but true!

• Here comes the cleaner asking me to move so that he could mop the floor beneath me. Its mind boggling the number of auxilary services required to run a huge organisation. Catering, House-keeping, and Travel are just a few...

Well now! I have been rambling for quite some time now, and its getting very very fisscult typaing it thisa faulsyt keyboardf, if oyu seat whjat i mean!@! So i'llasr take leave noe an make asuret that the nestzx time i type somethngd I hav a prope ketbsfogfg..oops...keybppard!@

Hurl your brickbats at IBMs keyboat servicews...and senf your bouqutes to varun21482@gmail.com....

When all the world….

It’s a complex life
When you wanna do what you wanna do
When all the world’s watching every step of you
Ready to pounce on a mistake
Loudly exclaiming ‘Pooh Pooh’.

It’s a difficult life
When you wanna act how you wanna be
Though its difficult to maintain sanity
When all the world’s saying you are wrong
But your mind gives the go ahead with a resounding gong.

Complex and Difficult
That’s how life’s gonna be
Don’t you ever think of jumping into the sea
Take things in your stride
Leave all the world aside
Do what you wanna do, but don’t you ever flee!