Life's True Mime

Strong like Banyan

Deep like Ocean

Beckoning two arms

Rising heart’s alarms

Surrender in there

Love in air

Head on them, did rest

Heavy, with thoughts best

Enchanting, magnetic, moment

Those arms into she went

Life’s agony on a vent

Life it meant.

Messenger of love

Imitating the feathery dove

Those arms checked her in

Breath held, raised chin

Faint smile, her ornament

Temptation to gulp the moment

Possessive embrace

….face to face

Clock ticks on

Moment to stick on

A Time

Life’s true Mime

Twelve, struck the clock

…...she fled, off her time lock

Into her world of cinders

Ella, dreams yet of wonders.

P.S. This poem sure seems romantic, nice. Sure has Cinderella as example. Who does not want to be a Cinderella, awaiting her prince charming? Yet, it's not rare to read about young brides bleeding to death these days, in news. They do not live to dream like Cinderella perhaps...........

THE POEM IS WRITTEN AS A PART OF SOCIAL CAUSE, TO SAY "STOP ASSAULTING GIRL CHILD, RESPECT HER. 

Ref: 

1. http://redflagnews.com/headlines/the-eight-year-old-girl-who-didnt-make-it-past-her-wedding-night-warning-story-is-extremely-graphic

2.   http://frontpagemag.com/2013/dgreenfield/afghan-mullah-marries-kills-8-year-old-girl-on-wedding-night/

3. http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/yemen/12-year-old-yemeni-girl-dies-three-days-after-wedding-1.609531

Toll

Echoes reverberate,

of those love chimes, 

Throbbing loud voices in heart.......

Thirst in the eyes,

hushes a silence note,

finds solace on lips.

Life is but a sweet outcome,

of umpteen pain,

Love thy gain.

The Other Lady

To share

Thoughts, passion

Knowledge, beliefs

Views, opinions

To learn,

Books to authors

Science to philosophy

Religion to culture

To discuss,

Fashion or cars

Hobbies or movies

Art or paints

Yapping to arguing

like best friends for life

She's the other lady

in my man's life

My daughter who is 9!

P.S.- Inspired by the dad-daughter bonding, here goes my heart in words. Call it a poem.

A Week At Ravan's Place

With Qatar Airways flight swooping down the Sri Lanka land, my nose was stuck on the window that I wish I could open. Slide Show of loads of pictures in my mind about the Lanka and Lankans ticked on. With all enthusiasm if I could trace out one relative of Lord Ravana anywhere so I could take a autograph , and a photograph to post on Face Book. So off we go to Colombo. You do not need prior visa to fly there. Visa upon arrival was what perhaps even Seetha Matha was offered then. Now that the visa matter cropped up, please do not question me how Lord Hanumaan flew across the ocean with no coastal guards noticing. Whatever, let me tell you, moulting off my bhramin avtaar I relished some fish cuisine on board the business class can offer you. If you allowed my better half to poke fun he cant stop repeating how I asked for second helping of Irish Coffee just before landing at Colombo that turned me into a court jester of the day on board. 

As we sped past the longish walkway towards exit of Colombo airport I had begun to notice statues of Lord. Buddha all around. The exteriors seemed nothing different than any Indian airport except for a strange language with beautiful melody. Nicely laid trees alongside roads, as we drove away one could bet it was just a replica of the Bangalore Tata Institue roads. I do bet. The constant aroma, err this time it wasn't aroma but faint anesthetic smell of fish was all in the air. I had free knowledge donated by my better half that Sri Lankan ladies were beautiful. As for me, I was not interested in how the men looked but had begun to feel every other face was a "Chaminda Vaas" or a "Jayawardhane or a Tilakaratne. Every half a kilometer distance finds a Buddha statue with promptly lit candle. The smaller roads did have shops, including those of "King Coconuts". The bigger version of Indian ones. The sizes of coconuts to humans sure was bigger (pinching my ears) than in India.

Crows seated on that open balcony of  room in the beautiful Hotel Mount Lavinia greeted us. The room provided vantage view of the roaring ocean with waves hitting the building. If you slipped off the balcony you dive into the water straight. Oldest Hotel of the British times, popular for that secret tunnel through ocean waters where Lavinia the pretty maiden sneaked in to meet her lover the British colonel. Romantic ambiance was all around, plus the private beach was a luxury when you are with family. Among those crawling creatures in sand, almost first time in life I spent hours on the shore rolling in the water. Had turned a kid with my daughter. Just after dusk an giant turtle had greeted us on the shore. After few flashy lights of many of our cameras it fled back into the water. 

Adventures with pythons and elephants were major enthusiasm. Beautiful hill station, Tea Estates, tremendous greenery, were major peace finding stations. A unique place to adore was the "Elephant- POO " product shops that displayed and sold out paper, books and related products that were made out of paper from elephant dung. 
Government sure takes care of the thousands of elephants in "orphanages", and also makes tourist spots commercial. The elephants can splash water on you, or gulp down milk from feeding bottles that you can feed them with. All you need to throw is some crispy colourful currency from your wallet. Wait, the elephant orphanages have a clean biased entry fee - lowest to highest ranging in order Lankans, Indians, Arabs, to other whites. The poor beasts will carry you, take you long rides, do up all the shows for few bucks it's owner makes. At times I was reminded of that relative living in remote village in India who asked the grand child "OK- show me where is your nose, ears, eyes, sing a song now, show me how you dance" in front of any new visitor they have. The baby elephants face similar scene though.

Most nights I spent lying in the balcony feasting on the roaring ocean waves hitting the building, feeling the melancholy the waves made. I was missing my friend, that crow in the night. But had discovered a new friend for life. Am I the only species of this type or anybody has ever felt like you have met someone whom you have known all your earlier lives too ("janamonka rishtha!") ? Chatting with this friend while on Lanka land formed a new me. Yes, felt this was a person I knew forever but talked now.

Next morning even as we checked out neither did the crow return to bid a adieu to us, nor did Ayesha. Yes, Ayesha the beautiful room service lady in her blue sari that was her uniform who had turned friendly with my daughter was off duty. My daughter left back a gift of blue bangles signing her email hoping to receive an email from her as we reached Doha. 

We returned with small load of shopping mostly the tea powder and sambols; and big loads of memories. 

Calm Chaos

Dancing in the sky, singing aloud,
Two little fellas, they were a cloud.

Hands clasped, a knot,

every breath kissed, missed not.

Till a monster beckoned,

thunder of thoughts feared.

Heart whispered, in vain

 in the ears of the brain,

Stop.

Hold tight,

Storm awaited, caught sight.

Yet, happy clouds strayed, in turmoil,
they showered down beneath, on thirsty soil,
their bones broken, by stormy wrestler,
they withered, like a tiny frisky flower.

Lover clouds no more,
Killed by welcome rain, human adore,

Alas, clouds that forgot to whisper a good bye

to one another,

Bid good bye to their existence, sigh!

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CHEERS,
SUSH

Her Dare and Scare

Here is a true incident when my heart ached.

Here is one girl so vulnerable. She carries no chilly powder, she knows no martial art, but she hides at a shadow of a man! She fled like that deer who spotted the lion in the shrub when my better half approached her for a picture with a camera and some pocket-money to offer her and her little sibling. Upon my request for an explanation with a hug, she weeps , weeps about her woes, about her chores, and how she is supposed to stay away from "any man!"

Her House she guards. A sibling in her arms.
A kitchen awaits her.There's a dad who hates her,
A mother the breadwinner.
A big money of mine did no magic, while,
A big hug of mine made her smile.
Life for her is a workshop,
joy a mystery, love a mock-shop.
She breathes, eats, works, sleeps.
A living human body, sometimes weeps.
She's another "Girl" deprived of respect, freedom. love.
For shes considered a, burden a bane?

Her voice has no weight. Her life has none too. Because the world told her "Sorry, You are a Girl"? 

With the growing reports of crime called rape in India it can not be concluded this crime increased now. It existed in this men ruled society always. Today it is the media that brings it in limelight and at times blows it off too.
Stop rapes in turn only points at respect that woman and give her the freedom of life.

Voice: "Sorry It's a Girl"

Art Courtesy: Chaitra.

In the maternity ward - There is a deep nurse voice saying "Sorry, It's a Girl".  Unfortunately this opening quote was spat on my face one day, and I had abused my mindful to that deep voiced nurse, welcoming my newly born daughter.

A GIRL- traverses her journey from womb till  till her death bed ,with a trail of voice following, every where on this earth, reminding her of her weaker stereotype, an unwanted species, still the bearer of progeny! This is the ironical supremacy of men that they carry on their heavy shoulders.

In a happy living room among happy family, there is one warning voice saying "You are a girl, behave, learn to sit, learn to talk, learn this...learn that...". A school. There is again one voice, for sure yelling "you are naughty. Behave. You are a girl, not a boy". In a college there are voices yelling "Girls, learn how to dress. Not less, not more"..and the limits are limited to the thinking of those voices that confine "That girl in a matchbox called Shame". Girl-Dare you get out of your match box there are wolves called super men set to pounce on you.

 Behind every voice is that sexist. Every human has a sexist in him/her.

There's yet another beautiful world in this same space bombarded with many other voices. "Behind every successful man is a woman"- Girl you are the ultimate power. "There is a mother in every woman"- Girl you will be respected and worshiped. These voices grateful to the female stereotypes are the ones that balance the woman's respectful living. Putting up a balance scale is waste of time. Our world has shown every proof of a typical culture obsessed with male egotism. One for show, One to act. Our women are physically, mentally tortured every second. One spends lifetime confined in 4-8 walls. One spends 4 months in Space. One has a majestic wonder of the world built in her memory, another is thrown away on roads or barn after being brutally tortured. Let's blame the man, lets also blame a sexist within us all.

Every second, India sees one case of a woman being harassed, tortured, mauled.  Call it a molestation, a rape. Curse the weak law, lament over the even weaker government of India. Blame the Police and securities. Ultimately we tend to also discover that percentage of a sexist voice within all of us. We want to abuse Bollywood displaying movies that trigger violence and sadism in the weaker men. But keeping in mind for Bollywood movies like "Mother India" where the mother kills her son over the security of a woman. It's inside every one of us that can strengthen any law, any government.  The smallest entity of any system is that human whose voice should balance that "sexist' within him/her.
Male and Female from stone age have been coded and decoded for their difference in stereotypes  They are different, not rivals.

India's notoriously named Rape Capital demonstrated its dirtiest proof this month as a lesson for not just government or authorities but to every single individual. The most brutal rape, physical assault ending in death of young aspiring student. Behind every such crime lies a voice, of sadism, ego, frustration, lack of education and morality and that unending list which we all know. Don't we? (Stamped Foot).

Of all, I demand we tune this voice that can make woman not just a beautiful body but beautiful human and most respected. Let's not simply shout" stop rapes". I want to shout "Hail you girl" and ban "Sorry it's a girl"! I demand - Don't hurl  bricks of hatred on her, but find the Cinderella in her!

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/13-days-that-shook-the-nation-timeline-of-delhi-gangrape-case/312875-3-244.html
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/delhi-gangrape-in-bus-after-night-of-horror-medical-student-battling-for-her-life-cops-arrest-4/1046944
http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/delhi-gang-rape-victim-s-friend-also-on-bus-gives-statement-in-court-307391

Know Your Product

One of the oldest axiom for sales is the "perception of reality". What your customer perceives to be true is what will drive their behaviour. And to demonstrate this, expert hands on the product knowledge is the key mantra for selling. Branding is a side effect of it, if I could call it so. How else would Star Bucks  make people stand in queue for hours when your wife can make better coffee at home!

I was not surprised upon learning yesterday about Chandni Chowk the Delhi's shining oldest busiest market square, a big crowd puller, went online!  Paralleling this growth of technology and access to information, marketing tactics, as any company's primary philosophy remains its concentration on it's "Product Knowledge".

Corporate world triggers the increased importance of "Product Knowledge". Increasing competition, consumer choice and consumer power leads an organisation to cut ways through a media space  crowded with competing offers. Be it finished products or services, the elements that make up the product and the product life cycle are main frame works to be cracked down. They precisely form foundation of best marketing management approach. 

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Ankush Sharma is not new guest on Sushma's Page and this time this is his 2nd presentation. Well pounced on this topic, read him here: http://salesgayan.wordpress.com/

How important is Product Knowledge for Sales People?

Have you ever thought why did you loose a particular customer, when your product had almost everything he/she was looking for?

Did you ever think how competitor with the same product is able to make more sales than you? 

Is competitor's product really superior than your's?

Do you really know your product inside out?

The answer to all the above questions is "Product Knowledge". In all my posts I always stress on the importance of product knowledge. It is always necessary to have a proper knowledge about your product. This will not only help you win more sales but will also help you have an edge over the competitors. 

Having an elaborated product knowledge will help you handle the objections from customers in a better way.You will be able to explain in a better way and will also be able to present those features which customer is looking for, making your presentation more customer centric. On the contrary if you do not have proper product knowledge, even if your product has a particular feature which customer is looking for, you might not be able to explain or present that feature resulting in the loss of sale.

Product knowledge to a large extent helps in boosting your confidence when you present your product/services. You clearly have an idea what you have to present in front of your customer and how best you can position the product/service to meet all the requirements of the customer.

The best way to have the product knowledge is by using it. It is always recommended to use your product and understand its features before you start selling it. It will give you the fair idea about the product's benefits and its short comings. Moreover if you are able to experience the products and services of the competitor, you will be able to explain how your product is different and hopefully better.

Just presenting the brochure to the customer does not help, you need to have the proper understanding of the product because written words and spoken words are very different. You can also have a better product knowledge and understanding by meeting existing customers and asking for their feedback. Try to make it clear that you want brutal honesty, since there will almost always be ways in which your products are both good and bad and the more you know about both aspects, the better. 

More importantly your sales pitch should not only cover the benefits and advantages of your product/service. Honestly customer is not interested in that, the way your product/service meet customer's requirement is of more importance. And you can communicate the same and position your product accordingly only if you have proper knowledge of your product. Being too technical in explaining your product is also not advisable. The product should be presented in a way that is self ex-planetary.

The sales people should not only depend on company's training for product knowledge instead they should always keep themselves updated with the new and added features in their product/service. This would help in gaining a competitive edge and at the same time making more sales.

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

Benjamin Franklin -

Stop-See, Little Girl's Glamour

This isn't first time I go on with  my prefect "mommy philosophy" after I wrote "Thank Her Why's, "Mamma I am Rapunzel, Barbie and the Pink and many more.
Introducing another "avatar" of my little one who is not that little for the world though. She can dress on her own, do her hair, dance in front of mirrors for hours. So much so that I at times need to imitate her school teacher yelling at student calling out her full name- like a roll call in the morning class! And then a faint''oh did you call me?" will be the meek response.
Besides, her wardrobe is sure a mesmerizing exhibition piece that I can turn on to show my guests when there isn't much to talk.

I have some great friends who help me out with ideas pouring on how to keep this busy mind going in holidays. She can shoot questions on me aiming the rifle right over my head, and at times be lost in her cozy play world with a new apparel every hour, a different handbag, some branded sun glasses that her dad bothers to pick for her. Neither is my dog not is her toy "Minnie Mouse" spared when it comes to "dressing up".

Winter's all on its prowl and the school declaring its holiday, I thanked Indiblogger for introducing this mind blowing contest. Apart from the real shopping, I let my little one- "J"  into a virtual shopping tour to fix up some real real goody woody thingies as she calls them. Feel pretty, happy, and nice.
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With few clicks away from her fantasy world as my girl entered her virtual shopping tour into www.shopperstop.com here is J's version in her words. STOP. For her  perfect look strategy.

I love this top for its colour and my favourite character's name being on it. Wow, Barbie. The skirt is in a delightful shade of pink with floral design. I love mini skirts. I have mad craze for handbags and so does my wardrobe. This little handbag is just perfect for me..like I love this thingy.  Choosing one pair of sandals is like a life times job for me. This pink sandal is apt for me this winter holiday. I could show off my nail polish too. The hair accessories are colourful and am going to use them only with this set of apparel. ummm cant wait to try my cat walk and each time my mom screams her lungs out not to act "too much"!.

Bala Saheb's Final Journey

Excuse me, it was only the thunder and you all bothered to pull out your raincoats? Well if you thought you prepared well ahead for rain, why cry out a false alarm to your neighbours?"

The night of 14th Nov-2012 came the news of Sri. Bal Thackeray's health being very critical. He had to be administered life support system by doctors. Respectfully crowned "Tiger" by amchi Mumbai,  and featured  "Ek-Ta Tiger' (In Marathi meaning-the only tiger) by Outlook Magazine; and lo..... insensitive people conveniently confused it and declared him as "Ek-Tha Tiger" too soon. As we prayed for the speedy recovery of the ailing on his death bed, Lord Yama stormed in near Matoshree the residence of Bala Saheb. He pleaded to Saheb how Wikipedia (check out below picture) misguided him. If Mumbaikars thought only the Shiv Sena was controlled with his remote, they were in for a surprise. Lord Yama had to battle in for 3 days to snatch him away form people on earth.
While Sri. Bal Saheb was just recovering thanks to the prayers of the good people around;
The Scavengers (check below pictures) swooping out there carried out conferences. Here is their conversion recorded for you: " How shall we rejoice venting out the self outburst of an unlikely unwanted event of mourning.? We are ill omen? Never mind. We respect our duty. Look, we apologize if you found it offensive. Remember we mind our duties, preparations to be perfect. You super humans think, you are the only heroes on earth praying for his speedy recovery. We do our homework too, always on the move. We also are breakers. err..news breakers to rest of world. Who could stop us from performing our duties little ahead of schedule. We follow new management rules. Emerging leaders and always ahead of schedule. Prefect planners. And we have been educated with a super dialogue by Srimathi Sonia Gandhi- Don't you point fingers at us".

The grand Wikipedia the main tutor/mentor of today's school's smart class indeed splurged its awareness by updating the demise of Sri Bala Saheb much prior to his death. How wiki-smart. While the person is on death bed, apart from the doctors there were more people on work. Each on their own mission. All modern managers, preparing up for the up-coming projects. Lord Yama too blamed Wiki early updating, that led to his sudden business trip to Mumbai, all the way to Matoshree.

Lo, here is one more. He is a hero. Works way ahead of schedule. News flows from him, to him. Just in time, he awaits with his scripts ready to "cover" the story once the green signal of the demised goes. Hence the "message-long night awaits". His field disallows him to follow the terrific philosophical belief- better late than never, nor does he remain off handed. Western educated and super hero of Bharath. He isn't a fool to fall for the wrong updating by wiki or early arrival of Lord Yama. He waited patiently. All night and days making up his "story".

Errr. ehem let me introduce..oh okay. you know him. Yes he is very famous leader of Bharath. He preferred to throw some pity at Lord Yama who dressed up stunningly with his heavy boots, tucked in his pockets were those paper chits with condolence messages that he picked up from Google  and was guarding the Matoshree doors, sticking like a rainy day fly. Some one even told about Lord Yama's arrival in full Gangnam Style after his hyper obsession for the new video .Shooing Yama away an heavy task, instead he decided to type in a sad condolence message. Just to please Lord Yama for a while. While the person is still breathing, there is someone rejoicing over letting out condolence message.

A long hustle-bustle and Lord Yama was terminated off for his punching too early for duty, was sent flying back only to hence forth arrive in time, Neither early, nor late.
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The sad demise of Sri Bal Thackeray on 17th Nov saw the world mourning. Rest in peace.
Above piece of writing does not mean offense to any person or feelings or thoughts, but is a pure satire.
Source: http://defenceforumindia.com/forum/politics-society/43872-bal-thackeray-dead-5.html
http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=781028
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?282999
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_digvijay-singh-tweets-bal-thackeray-dead-then-apologises_1764751
All images: Courtesy google.