Van Chitgo - The Art of Life

:)

2009-07-11T10:12:00.002+05:30

so much to tell

2009-07-08T10:06:00.003+05:30

The Mumbai weekend

Gwalior

'The Hangover'

The challenging paths ahead.

Lots to tell you guys. Expect a major update this weekend.

why it really hurts that Michael died

2009-06-30T14:03:00.003+05:30

Explained the way only Cornelius can..

"He was your Elvis, and when your Elvis dies, so does the private lie that someday you will be young once again, and feel at capricious intervals the weightlessness of a joy that is unchecked by the injuries of experience and failure"

True.

the fire evens out

2009-06-29T17:33:00.002+05:30

You know there was a time, at the point when I begun my professional life as a young student volunteer for a non-profit organisation to my time with the UN to my time with a private equity firm, to two years ago at a sports marketing agency to even 6 months ago with the my current start-up experience when- there wasn't a work-life differenciation. A 7am start meant a compulsory checking of email, a dogged and determined view that a workplace conversation could happen anyday and at anytime. I scoffed at those who yelled work-life balance at the top of their lungs, I cynically looked down upon senior peers who boasted about being able to switch off their blackberries.

I used to ask ..why? How can you not love your work? How can you not want to be running at full throttle 24/7 balancing the brilliance that is professional ambition, success and challenge with the bitter-sweet of life and it's highs and lows. I was a rock with an insatiable appetite for mach3 speeds in the goals that I thought made me who I was in the atmosphere that egged me in further, faster, higher, stronger.

See and that's the the beauty of life. It lets you build your fantasies, your mind-sets and your opinions before laying brick walls of such enormity, of such intimidatory quality - that it forces the DNA that defines your personality to challenge its existence. It forces you to believe you're wrong and re-approach everything you've believed in. This change, it says, can be self-driven or forced upon you. That's where winners lie. In the thin but clearly visible gap between survival and defeat.

These past few months I've been forced to change. I've come face to face with an increasing desire to balance life, to turn that phone off at 6pm, to be comfortable with not checking emails in the dead of the night worrying about the best solution to a problem I know isn't mine. I'd rather make time for that conversation with a friend, that help a parent might need, that movie I might have missed and that song that's left unheard. Yet, in my heart of hearts I know that I miss those old days. Simply because I knew that I lived life to the extreme with the knowledge that I brought value to everything I did professionally whilst striving to maintain a balance personally. I succeeded more often that not because both goals were within my grasp. I know that at this point in my life, despite the seemingly decent value I add, this just isn't mine. I used to hurt from the protracted and disconnected feeling this 'act' would bring, now I am just plain numb. It is time to take some big decisions. Phenomenal opportunities that I have worked tremendously hard for knock on the wooden door of deservedness. Do I have the courage to embrace them with open arms and return to the days of wonder? Or do I continue to be enslaved by a demon that wants nothing but to suck the very soul of my brilliance in an effort to achieve its own, undeserved end?

I have the courage and I have the answer. It lies before me.

question

2009-06-22T16:34:00.002+05:30

Readers and friends of the Van Chitgough blog - an Indian friend of mine is going to the UK to study for a year and intends to travel around Europe before and after the academic year. He was curious to know which 'International Youth cards/memberships' he should sign up for? I remember an International youth travel card that got me some bad ass deals in '05-06.

Any suggestions? Hit me at dhruv(dot)chitgo(at)gmail(dot)com or just respond in the comments section of the post. Cheers.

and in the blink of an eye

2009-06-17T16:09:00.002+05:30

It feels alright. It feels justified and righteous.

and I feel ready. 6 painstaking months - set alight with one liberated morning. We now move on to next steps. Albeit with trepidation - for there are further challenges up ahead, yet with a sense of calm and confidence that can come only with a battle survived, an enemy vanquished, a thirst quenched.

A tougher test awaits. Ready?

Ready as I'll ever be.

UKIBC Report Released

2009-06-10T15:02:00.000+05:30

A survey conducted by trade facilitation body UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) has ranked Pune as the most suitable place for British investments in India. The survey report, titled ‘Opportunities for UK Plc in Emerging Cities in India’, also ranks eight other cities — Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Goa, Indore, Kochi, Nagpur and Vadodara — as the most conducive destinations for UK investments in India.

The report is a product of “qualitative research through a process of in-depth interviews, reviews and perception surveys across various professional and social networks”. The report said in its preamble that close to 200 survey responses were analysed and over “150 key informants” were conducted to ensure an extensive and representative coverage.

While the report’s annexure lists 41 cities in the survey's ranking with Pune holding the top rank and Ranchi getting the lowest rank, it provides a detailed study of nine cities that merit UK investment the most.

UKIBC’s CEO Sharan Bamford, however, cautioned that the immediate priority of the report was to take the investments forward by pointing at prospective cities for UK investments.

The rankings are based on physical, social and cultural infrastructure and key economic indicators. Good quality roads, power connections, number of banks, health institutions and colleges, per capita income of each city and market size are some of the key parameters considered for the final listing.

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An intense and interesting project comes to fruition. Will be interesting to see what the response and spin-off from this is in the coming weeks.

so tired

2009-06-08T21:04:00.000+05:30

so very tired.

passion

2009-06-02T11:01:00.002+05:30

A young swedish entrepreneur in the making calls an Indian for perspective on a new idea. The swede pursues his education in Buenos Aires and was introduced by a common hombre based in Malaysia. Cross-border connections.

2 young American college grads from Kansas and North Carolina arrive in Delhi for what could be a most interesting experience. We discuss ambitions, passions and the thrill of the 'learn'

I chat with a close friend who recently completed 3 years in Singapore. She exclaims vociferously that of all people, I should never think I'm growing old. I struggle to explain the difference between wisdom and age, knowledge and practicality, methodology and risk, only to find disbelief in my own words.

All 3 interactions prove refreshing. Somehow, from somewhere, amidst the chaos - I continue to find the strength to re-energize these tired batteries.

One half of the creators proves why he is still the man. A new beginning. Positive vibes all around. It's been a long wait - but with all great battles, there is pride for the victor and his surviving army.

it boggles the mind

2009-05-25T11:53:00.002+05:30

the sheer complexity of the tasks up ahead. The difficulty of decisions. The strength to stay true and the irrationality associated with moving out of one's own comfort zone. It's been too long. Is someone selling peace of mind? I promise not to negotiate.

shameless promotion - atleast its awesome.

2009-05-21T16:46:00.002+05:30

Urban Habitats Forum (UHF) is a public-private partnership between the India Habitat Centre (IHC) and Mirabilis Advisory Pvt Ltd. The Forum is a collaborative platform for multidisciplinary thinkers and change-makers to push for innovation in shaping the next generation cities in India. The Forum aims to mobilise action through intelligent discourse, impactful research and result-driven advocacy.
The Forum shall host the Inaugural Habitat Summit, a week-long event, to develop a vision and blueprint for sustainable urbanisation in India. The Summit will focus on the key parameters thaturban habitats ought to deliver on: liveablity, competitiveness and environmental sustainability.
Register at www.habitatsummit.org

-----------------

Champion Cities
The goal of champion cities is to provide an invaluable platform to a cross-section of stakeholders involved in the delivery of mega-sports and cultural events with a special emphasis on host cities in Asia and Africa. The inaugural Champion cities summit will take place in 2009 in New Delhi, which will host the commonwealth games in 2010.
The inaugural Champion Cities Festival will take place in September 2009 and will focus on Host-Cities of Multidisciplinary and Emerging Sports events.

see then

2009-05-18T11:10:00.002+05:30

A door closes. A window opens. Months of waiting, anxiousness and concern culminate into positive reinforcement that it will be ok. Learnings from a witness. Hard times will be hard times.

The challenge turned out to be beyond expectations. Amazed at the turnaround time. I still maintain - it was the best decision in light of the situations faced. The hurdle remains but the conditioning is in place. It's about putting the game face on and performing when it matters now.

Amidst it all, we'll learn the Lambada. Just need to make sure that the final movement isn't a 'kick' but an ever so soft 'flick'. This too shall assimilate.

sharing the wealth

2009-05-12T11:40:00.001+05:30

When Leonard Abess sold a majority stake in Miami-based City National Bank last fall, he did something very unusual. He took $60 million of that money and gave it out as bonuses to 399 current bank employees and 72 former employees. He did it without calling in a public relations firm or the media. He didn't blog about it. And while he was mentioned in President Obama's inauguration speech and was ABC News Person of the Week, these things were not done at his instigation. In fact, he wasn't even on site when the money was given out. He decided to share the wealth, he said, as a way to reward the people who had helped make the bank successful.

Extracted from an excellent interview of K@W (knowledge@wharton) with Leonard Abess:

K@W : Knowledge@Wharton: In your opinion, what are the three most important attributes of leadership?

Abess: Oh, boy. I can think of many important attributes. But I think that leaders have to lead by example. That's extremely important. I think leaders, as part of that example, have to have a clear moral compass, clear ethics. Leaders don't lie, leaders don't cheat, leaders don't misdirect. I think true leaders leave their egos somewhere where no one can see them. I think you have to have a certain amount of ego to get there, but I think you've got to keep it in check. I think that leaders respect people. They respect communities. To me, leadership really is leading by example -- motivating people, being human, just being real and talking to people. Listening -- leaders listen. Leaders listen well, and they respond well.

Inspiring.

take the hits

2009-05-11T21:09:00.003+05:30

fairly ironic that I saw this movie a few days ago.

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done. Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth.

- Rocky Balboa

I return. A bit bruised, a bit battered but stronger from the experience. Where to from here? Time will tell.

for my bro dandy

2009-04-20T10:59:00.000+05:30

DevD's back.

2009-04-17T09:00:00.003+05:30

117 days. Harder, better, faster, stronger.

Bring on the canned heat, the firewater, the juice, the hooch, the red-eye.

Bring on the grub, the chow, the muscle, the marrow, the kernel, the nucleus.

Pure unadulterated will power reigns supreme.

it's never futile

2009-03-31T12:12:00.002+05:30

Now t-4 days before I go completely underground. Off facebook and blogging. Painfully off achewood and xkcd (although I relish the thought of having 5 weeks of backlog brilliance to catch up upon my re-emergence:)) combined with large spells of cell phone inactivity. Only T shall have access - jamiroquai sings "I'm going deeper underground"

Rishabh shared something simple yet hard-hitting this morning. "when you look back later on in your life, you will see how all your past efforts have become precious assets in your ideal field. You will realize that none of your efforts and hardships have been wasted"

'tis is true.

why flame throwers rule at the shopping mall.

2009-03-30T10:46:00.005+05:30

The superscript says: "Police reported three dozen cheerful bystanders, yet noone claims to have seen who did it"

More brilliance at xkcd

I heart cool stuff.

2009-03-23T21:38:00.002+05:30

Need to find a way to attend this - Anyone interested in hosting me in Ahmedabad 22nd - 24th? :)

how to be unhappy

2009-03-19T12:23:00.002+05:30

Sure
you weren't all that attractive
but you were
unassumingly charming
a witty
self deprecating manner
that could win hearts
if desired

But no.

You chose with vigor
a vocation
pursuing
perfecting
exulting
in the art
of how to be unhappy
you loved cruel men
conjured fairytales
of what could be
lay bare
in times of judgment
and fell deeper
into a spiral
of self neglect
A master
Summa cum laude
in how to be unhappy

You had it all
the fast car
the dimpled cheek
an aura that exuded
undeniable confidence.
you were
an embarrassment of riches.

Yet
it wasn't enough
before my very eyes
you imploded diligently
pursuing painfully
her every whim
lapping up incredulously
her every peccadillo
silently killing
the very essence
that was you
effortlessly reducing
flesh to bone.
You hail now
the wizened guru
of how to be unhappy.

A match made in heaven
divine intervention
fantastic adjectives
lay shamelessly short
of the perfection
that was seemingly 'them'

And yet
together
forever
they set out
In the pursuit
of 'unhappiness'
Public displays of aggression
dreams gone sour
attributes unbearable
shedding the magic
the sheen now tragic
bestowed nonetheless
With the honor
Of being
truly unhappy.

-dC
19/03/2009

God gave us goals

2009-03-16T10:28:00.002+05:30

Nothing would have seen me through the myriad of complexity that 2009 had to offer except for the presence of a challenging, excruciating and exhaustive goal.

What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. 2008 tried but failed. My time is now.

compromise

2009-03-12T17:18:00.004+05:30

"You should be here"
"you were so much happier then"
"Why the hell are you taking this crap?"

Is there anything tougher than making sacrifices for a 'larger' good? Will there be anything more disheartening than finding out that all this wasn't even worth it in the first place?

Is the pride, the honor and integrity that made me, finally reached a point of compromise?

I'd search for answers if only I had the time.

in motion

2009-03-09T18:44:00.002+05:30

Saw 'Milk' last week (despite T's attempt to disuade). Turned out to be excellent. certainly an oscar winning performance.

In the oscar list:

Milk - Check - Brilliant
Curious Case of Benjamin Button - Check - Brilliant
Slumdog Millionare - Check - captivating

Left:

Revolutionary Road - a must see from everything I've read and heard.

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In other news, spent the entire day on Sunday giving diagnostic tests and cramming my head with quant sums across probability, permutations and combinations. It is mildly scary that I look forward to weekends because they allow me to study? They did say this would be exhausting. Only now do I know how much.

The juggling continues. Excellent reunion with Kohli (as always) that entailed loads of catching up, reminiscing and future plans.

RC finalizes his Malaysia Plans. I'm going to miss him. Spent many an evening chilling, ideating and philosophising ('gossiping' according to T:P).

Should I save up some green, it would be pretty cool to visit him in KL. Could coincide it with a campus visit in Singapore as well...pretty good idea huh? Let's see how things unravel.

Right now, it's pure focus on the 11th and 27th of May. 2 big dates in the first half.

Prep for DG's wedding continues. Happy to have closed a good deal with a hotel at stone's throw distance from the venue(s). Can't wait for that party to get underway. Despite the fact that NP has asked me to be the boys side dance coordinator. Hell no bro!

The last week has been heartache with the continuing effect of the downturn in a direct manner, dysfunctional families and tension beyond conceivable limits. One survives on and hopes that this too shall pass. All one can do is stay strong, do right and keep the integrity factor high.

I still sleep the good sleep.

60 days

2009-03-02T15:49:00.002+05:30

That's one heck of a long time to be off the 'trishul'. But we've achieved it - and it's been pretty damn brilliant thus far.

Another 50 days to go. Bring it.

brilliance: gladwell style

2009-02-27T12:30:00.003+05:30

After Tipping Point and Blink, Malcolm Gladwell creates another masterpiece containing gems of economics, statistics and simple yet engaging storytelling in his new book 'Outliers'. I'm about 3 quarters through and loving every page. A more exhaustive review upon completion.