tweets

Saturday, September 30, 2006

Desis everywhere

Potential predators in Petaluma - Dateline NBC - MSNBC.com

Yesterday's Dateline NBC "Catch a Predator" featured a number of desis. In fact, I think desis were the largest ethnic group featured in yeasterday's episode that was about the sting operation in Petaluma. I think almost all desis were young software engineers. Way to go guys. Yeah, some time in the jail will round off your US experience. Enjoy Maadi!!!

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Hate, Indifference or Unconditional love ...what do I care?

NRIs to get voting rights soon

First they (the Government and most people) hated the Non Resident Indians (NRIs). They were these scumbags who enjoyed the best that Dear Old Bharat Mata (DOBM) had to offer and then turned their backs on DOBM.

Then came the indifference phase. The NRIs were eager to cash in on the high interest rates at home. And, DOBM was eager to take their cash to tide over the messy forex reserves problem.

All that changed a few years back. Now, we have Parvasi Divas, Dual Citizenships, full coverage of spelling bee contests, star writers (until they turn out to be plagiarists) and first round elimination from Amazing Race. DOBM loves the NRIs. But, allowing NRIs to vote is the last straw. Most of these blokes did not vote or were not eligible to vote when they were in India. Now, they will try to vote based on their views moulded by different surroundings, perceptions created by media and with no touch with reality on the ground. And, what more they won't have to enjoy the consequences of their votees on a daily basis.

Someone once said immigrants are strangers in the country they go to and the country they leave behind. I tend to agree with that assessment. I also think most immigrants (desis or otherwise) tend to take extreme positions. Would I want a stranger to decide what is good for me? No! So, DOBM why would you?

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Yet another layoff

Back in 2001-2002 I was at an Internet consulting company that was laying off people every three months. Just when I thought I was behind that here I am after making the cut.

Back in 2001-2002, I remember the firm's CEO saying "we don't want to become good at this" after mishandling the first layoff. But, by the third layoff they had the process well nailed down. Often there were people who were offered additional incentives to stay on to finish the project they were on. They were called "trailers". But, pretty much everyone got laidoff the same day.

Here they took a different approach. First they told the analysts and public that they were downsizing. Then, told the employees the next day that over the next two weeks they will know if they were going to be affected.  So, for the next two weeks nobody really did much. And, when the announcements were finally made all were asked to stay on till the end of September to get their package.

My boss said someone had to go from our group. And, he said  "Since you recently got your graduate degree we thought you may want to do something else." A very noble thought indeed. Over the last six weeks there have been a flurry of resignations from the department. And, it prompted the CIO to spin it as a sign of "red hot" job market.  The spin is something that I expected.

I am often amazed how the folks at the "C" level get away with screwed up performances. And, can spin their way out of it.