It was only Yesterday but 25 years ago

19-June-2020

Nostalgic, Oh Yes ... 25 years, that's quite a milestone achieved. I still recall that first day of my professional journey on 19th June 1995, fresh from the academic institution to the corporate world, full of anxiety & fear for something unknown and at the same time being so happy to finally start working in corporate, that too it was one of those highly ranked placements from campus. All these seem to be the memories of yesterday, but 25 years have gone by so quickly. Along with my college-mate Avijit Das from Bengal Engineering College (BE College, Shibpur which became BESU and now the first IIEST of India), joined the prestigious Tata Group, the then Tata Unisys Limited (renamed as Tata Infotech Limited and later merged with TCS). So many memories, wish we can return to those days all over again.

All these years were indeed a memorable journey, lived only in few places : Kolkata - Jamshedpur - Detroit - Chicago - Austin - Bangalore; Travelled many more places in India, so many cities in North America (covering 40+ states) and a few places in Asia & Europe; Worked with so many talented & wonderful people, represented big employers like Tata Group, EMC, Dell, L&T Infotech and now Mamsys.

Also, just realized that I had witnessed some major organizational changes/mergers apart from the huge technological & industrial transformation.

• During my college days, Bengal Engineering College (popularly known as BE College) became a deemed university with the name BESU (Bengal Engineering & Science University), which later became IIEST.
• During my first job, Tata Unisys Limited became Tata Infotech Limited when Tata Sons took over Unisys share in 1996. After 10 years Tata infotech merged with TCS in 2006.
• EMC days, went through the historic experience of the biggest ever tech merger with Dell, becoming Dell Technologies (our group became Dell EMC).
• LTI days - although my journey with LTI was much shorter compared to 11+ years with Tata group and 12+ years with Dell EMC, but during this time LTI took over Mindtree though it was not a merger and no change in our life.

We all have witnessed many more mergers or acquisitions in the industry in these years, few major ones which might have been related to my journey (directly related professionally or personally) are Compaq & Digital, HP & Compaq, Oracle & SUN, EMC & Legato, EMC & Data Domain, Chase & Bank One, Brocade & McData, Symantec & Veritas, Capgemini & AXA etc.

The transformation in our professional & personal life is also phenomenal, it's not only technology but also how evolving technology has changed our day to day life, the common activities & feelings... can't imagine doing something today that we did 25 years back & vice versa.... a classic example being one large bank was running it's entire teller operations for their city main branch on a 20 MB Hard drive when I was supporting them in my initial days, now we have 32GB/64GB in our phone so easily. The Digitization has changed our entire lifestyle, that might have been started with Internet, followed by Telecom revolution, going through Digital revolution and now heading towards AI/ML, AR/VR/MR and IoT. One thing that we have all understood is that "Change is the only Constant" aspect in our life.

Anyway, coming back to my journey, I am grateful to countless number of great personalities, colleagues, customers, mentors and friends who helped me in this journey both in India and in United States, making it so enjoyable & memorable. If I even try to name a few, this page will overflow, so please allow me to convey my sincere "THANKS" to all who made this journey possible; who helped, supported, trained, mentored, guided and worked along with me & in my team all these years. Special thanks to my dear friends & family members who tolerated me and sacrificed so much on the way, and of course the biggest support from my Mom and Dad, my parents-in-law, my elder sister, and my life partner Nabanita & my twin-powerhouses Raima and Rounak.

Now I am at a point in life where at times, I think about how many more years I need to continue this, it may be at least another 8-10 years, seeking all your blessings and wishes to carry on for those many years, which is seriously quite a tough journey ahead. Hopefully will reach there someday & cherish the journey looking back. The motto must be; always look forward with a positive mindset taking the experience & memories from the Past, but don't forget to live & enjoy the Present :).

Thanks everyone, Take care and stay blessed...

An amazing Year with "Poltu" - an Inspiration to many

"Poltu” – the name itself has been an inspiration for many by now including all of us who were engaged in different capacity in this journey for about last 18 to 20 months.

Poltu & Basanti : 3-Jan-2016

It was exactly a year back, on 3^rd January 2015 morning, when we all were anxiously waiting for the completion of a very critical, complex and major operation conducted by a group of expert doctors of BGS Global Hospital, Led by Dr. Anand Subramanyan. The successful HEART Transplantation was a life changing event for not only Poltu & his family, but also all of us who took this challenge inspired by the ideology and spirit of Thakur Sri Ramakrishna, Maa Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda led by my friend Partha Adhikari. Ref: Facebook Page for Poltu

Poltu - June 2014

November 2014

November 2014

December 2014

Today we have come across an eventful year, with challenging & critical moments as well as very inspiring, motivating, happy and pleasant occasions reaching & overcoming one after another milestone. Poltu is a completely transformed personality now who ably supported by his wife Basanti is leading & motivating us every day leading from the front. Basanti has been a powerful support in every occasion with her determination, care, calmness and extremely strong mental framework. She has been at the receiving end for more than 5 years when Poltu was suffering from Heart disease and shown a never-give up willingness even when it was told that only option to save Poltu’s life is to have Heart Transplantation.

It was a long struggle to get Poltu undergo the medical treatment and be prepared for such a critical operation of heart transplantation from June to November 2014. Then it was a period of waiting & praying for a donor heart, which by God’s grace was not a long wait. 1st January of each year is celebrated as Kalpataru Day with great joy by devotees of Sri Ramakrishna all over the world because it was on 1.1.1886 that the Great Master made public his divinity and blessed all assembled at Cossipore Garden ground, declaring "Tomaader Chaitanya hok" "may you be spiritually illimined". That day he revealed himself as the Kalpataru, the divine wish-fulfilling tree that grants boons to all without any distinction. And on 1st January 2015, we got the best news from the doctors about the potential match of a donor heart. Poltu was hospitalized on 2nd January and was being prepared for the transplantation. Our sincere thanks to the Family of the Noble Donor, who amidst the toughest & sad situation of losing a young life, decided to dedicate his organs for supporting other life.

3-Jan-2015: Media waiting outside Hospital before Heart Arrival

We spent entire night preparing and counting down the time. Finally on 3rd January early morning the Donor Heart reached to BGS Hospital among very high media & TV coverage. Thanks to Bangalore Traffic Police for making it a smooth journey providing signal free green corridor in the road. The operation started at around 10 AM on 3rd January and lasted for almost 4 hours. It was a moment of joy for everyone including the medical staff, doctors and all who contributed to this cause when Poltu was gifted with the Donor Heart successfully under the supervision of team of expert doctors at BGS Global Hospital. This event was highly broadcasted as a successful Organ Donation and Live Transportation of Heart under the guidance of Bangalore traffic police through Green corridor. A series of media coverage since 4th January (links below) reveal that the story of getting second life to Poltu Bera and associated campaign touched people’s heart. However, every moment post operation was life threatening and Poltu sailed through all obstacles. There were some major crisis within 2 days, but effort from all concerned proved too strong for any casualty..

Press Conference at Taj Vivanta by BGS Global Hospital

21-Jan-2015 : Coming out of Hospital

Partha and Sandip with Dr. Anand (Center)

After going through series of treatment, medication and examinations finally Poltu was released from Hospital on 21st January. 

21-Jan-2015: Just out from Hospital

 He attended a press conference at Taj Vivanta, Bangalore organized by BGS Global Hospital on 20th January. Since then it started another tough challenge for all of us to sustain the expenses & tough challenge Post Heart Transplantation. We kept them in a nearby rented place close enough to the hospital for reasons. We are so proud for Poltu who has shown tremendous courage & character to go through this tough process. 

Many thanks to Reena Raju and her Foundation “Light a Life” (ReenaRajuFoundation), who not only supported with financial help, arranging medicines at a lower cost but also preparing Poltu & his wife physically & mentally to go through this tough journey throughout their life.

With Reena Raju

We are so fortunate to have Dr. Anand who has been the strongest pillar of support, guidance, treatment and in fact everything for Poltu. We also sincerely convey our thanks & gratitude to not only Dr. Anand, but the entire team of Expert doctors, nurses, medical & non-medical staff members of BGS Global hospital.

Last but not the least, our heartfelt thanks and sincere gratitude to all well wishers who directly & indirectly participated, contributed and supported this noble cause pre & post transplantation. We are so grateful to them all over the world whose financial support & contribution made it possible.

Poltu was made ready to resume light work by July 2015. The volunteer team led by Partha started the job hunt for both Poltu & Basanti. It was not easy considering Poltu can’t take up physically and mentally challenging work, he should not get exposed to any harmful chemical substances, our society treats that Poltu is a patient although he is fit enough, both of them have to work in close vicinity. Going back to village is ruled out as they were needed to be in Bangalore for continued treatment and earning in his village will not be of any sustainable amount.

Finally, it was divine bliss that he got a job of security guard in Vivekananda Ashrama (RKM), Ulsoor from mid of July 2015. We shifted them close to the workplace. Today Poltu  is spending more than 12 hours on his duty – which reflects that he become a normal man with physical and mental strength. Basanti also started working and earning for their own as a cook. Now they are planning to bring their daughter back from Village who is with her grandparents there. Although Poltu is still financially supported & guided, but we are confident that Poltu & his family will be victorious throughout their life.

September 2015 - Poltu at work

3-Jan-2016

It’s only the start of the long journey for Poltu, Basanti & their family and for all of us. We pray for their wellness, prosperity & happiness in their life and of course the support from each one of you will make this happen.

Wish you and your family a Happy, Prosperous, Peaceful & Joyful New Year. May 2016 fulfill all the dreams and wishes.

Jai Thakur-Maa-Swamiji.

Media Articles: 

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Crowd-funding-pumps-in-money-for-heart-transplant-in-Bengaluru/articleshow/45959041.cms

http://m.timesofindia.com/city/kolkata/FB-group-gifts-heart-patient-a-new-life/articleshow/46015293.cms

http://epaper.deccanchronicle.com/articledetailpage.aspx?id=1930677

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Bengaluru-stops-as-live-heart-races-across/articleshow/45746892.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/Bengaluru-stops-as-live-heart-races-across/articleshow/45746892.cms

http://www.bangaloremirror.com/bangalore/crime/Youth-dies-on-New-Years-Eve-gives-life-to-6-others/articleshow/45745328.cms

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150104/nation-current-affairs/article/another-heart-makes-journey-now-bengaluru

IMPORTANCE OF 11TH SEPTEMBER

Today is the day : 11th September. In recent years this day is remembered by many for other reason which has left a negative impression and impact on the human civilization. But this day needs to be remembered with due importance and with a high positive spirit; for this motivating and encouraging fact, on this day of 1893, Swami Vivekananda, the great Soul of Modern Humanity/World, delivered his historic, immortal and world-famous speech at The World’s  Parliament of Religions in Chicago starting with "Sisters and Brothers of America ...."  My absolute pleasure to share the text of this everlasting speech.

Hope this enlightens and motivates all of us and make us a better human being with happiness, love, peace, prosperity and unity.

11th September, 1893

"Sisters and Brothers of America,

 (followed by huge applaud from the audience of approximately 7000 people, which lasted for 2 minutes)

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome which you have given us. l thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of the millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects. My thanks, also, to some of the speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far-off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to the southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day repeated by millions of human beings: 

 As the different streams having there sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to thee.

The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world, of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Geeta:

Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end lead to me. 

Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilization, and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now. But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal."

 

27th September, 1893

(Addressing at the Final Session, Swamiji provided the great Solution to the unity of world human civilization, the end portion of the speech goes as follows)

If the Parliament of Religions has shown anything to the world it is this: It has proved to the world that holiness, purity and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character. In the face of this evidence, if anybody dreams of the exclusive survival of his own religion and the destruction of the others, I pity him from the bottom of my heart, and point out to him that upon the banner of every religion will soon be written, in spite of resistance: ‘Help and not Fight’, ‘Assimilation and not Destruction’, ‘Harmony and Peace and not Dissension’.

To explore more - please visit:

- COMPLETE WORKS of SWAMI VIVEKANANDA: Complete Works - Index - Volumes

- Ramakrishna Math & Mission:  http://www.belurmath.org/swamivivekananda.htm

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