Playground....TV......MOBILE....What is the right choice?

The topic seems little weird. Right? Few days back, a friend of mine visited my home. I saw her 8 years old son continuously playing games on the mobile and she was not even trying to stop him. I asked her why was she not asking him to stop. She said that he just does not listen to her.

So, I spoke to him 'Anuj, why don't you go out and play with kids. See there are many kids in the playground and they are playing cricket.'
Without looking towards me he said 'No aunty, I am fine. I don't like going out and play.' I was surprised. Then my friend said 'Dear you know what...there is no park or playground in my society where kids can play. Neither any in my vicinity also. I did try a lot. But couldn't help Anuj in styaing away from the mobile. He does not even like watching TV. Tell me what to do. He does not have friends also. All of them stay quiet far. So I am left with no other option.'

I could see the fear and also worry in her eyes. Was Anuj at fault? I believe he was not. There are many such places where there is mo place for the kids to play. Earlier they used to stick to the TV and watch cartoons. But now, slowly and steadily mobile games are replacing these cartoons also. We are now asking the kids to watch TV rather than playing games on mobile.

We as parents are in a dilemma as to what to do? In the absence of a playground...where does our child go for playing or for recreation activities?

We have left the kids with no option. And as an individual even they get bored with one particular thing and want to try different things. Keeping them away from mobile is becoming tough nad tough everyday. We as parents need to monitor and be vigilant on their use of mobile.

Blessed.....

It was a cozy evening. I was enjoying my evening tea and watching my 5 years daughter play with her dolls. I got stuck at a point when I saw her pretending a "Mother". She was treating her dolls like her baby..making them have their breakfast..and all the chores that she does along with me. I just wanted to capture that moment in my eyes and so....I closed them and started to recap. 
And I went 6 years down the lane while rewinding. The day when I had my pregnancy test and got the results confirmed that soon I shall be a MOM and my dear husband a DAD. And we started to enjoy each and every moment of my 9 months of incredible journey of pregnancy....
And the day came when our ANGEL stepped in. I can till date remember those lights in the OT. My gynae and the Anaesthisist making me relax before the opertaion. I was half concious and in few min I heard a loud cry. Oh she was out...she was in this world. 
That kiss on my forehead that my Husband gave me that day was the most beautiful and precious one.....and said "I am blessed to have you and you have again blessed me with this little angel. I luv you".
It was a c-section and the pain was really bad. But everytime I saw my Angel...pain used to vanish like anything. And my journey as a Mother started...sad...happy...joy...tears.. pain...everything and all for her...I just could bear because I had become a Mom. From somewhere that patience...that strenghth..those tricks...came within me. And one day my husband said " You know you are so lucky. You as a female is blessed by the God to give birth and bring a life on the earth. Only you know how it feels...only you know the pain and only you can feel that happiness. I really sometimes feel jealous of you". 
That day I realised how true he was. God has Blessed each and every human being with some unique quality. And the uniqueness of giving birth is a Blessing to all the womanhood. 
And I opened my eyes to see that Blessing blossom. 
So dear Moms...stay blessed and just see them blossom.
Happy Reading!

Phoenix Again.....

I have failed. Oh! I failed again. Where did I go  wrong? Where was my fault? Everytime this happens only with me. I almost reach my Goal and then something happens and I am drifted away from it. Why me? And only me?

Huh...and many such questions in mind. I fail everytime I try to do something. And I lose my confidence. But how many times should I fail? And how many times should I give the exams of life?

Can anyone one on this Earth answer this to me? Or may be the Almighty...?

Have we all not come a across such questions..such dilemmas.....when we saw ourselves failing at each and every point of life?

What do we do at that point of time? How do we try to come back to the normal world and start afresh? Someone suggests to read positive news only...some says to read motivational books...some says 'whatever happens...happens for the good'....blah...blah...

But honestly nothing works. I have went through such phase for a long time and tried everything to keep my thoughts and myself positive. And it was never like that before. Successful in the career...a sound financial back up....no looking back....but then something somewhere went wrong and these things went away from me. Since then I have been trying to rise....but only failing.

One evening when I was struggling with these questions in my mind, my 5 years toddler came and sat beside me saying 'You are the best Mama...you are always with me. Thank you Mama'. Was I? I mean, I felt like a Phoenix rising out of the ashes...her words were so motivating that I decided to do something again. And that something was to write....to write my experiences and feelings to the world I am unaware of.

May be someone...somewhere...someday may rise like Phoenix after reading my blog....

A Turning Point.....

I believe that the first school of every child starts at home. As it is aid “As you sow …so shall you reap”..

Yesterday, my evening walk turned to be a challenging lesson for my life when I saw my neighborhood 10 year boy talking harshly to one of his class mate. They both perhaps were returning from coaching class.

When I asked about his schooling, he named one of the most reputed schools in the state. He always seemed much disciplined to me.  Of course his parents must be working hard to make him a good Human Being. But he lacked a basic discipline; like dealing with opposite gender.

For any child aged about 5 years plus, one of the most important places for learning, along with home is School. But in today’s cut throat competitive world many parents only care about grades or very high %ages. The belief is “grade is the future”. However, what is important, as per me is a child’s advancement.

It was an eye opener for me being a mother of a four year old. I was disheartened seeing a boy of hardly 10 years behaving inappropriately with his class mate of opposite gender. At this stage, I felt, parents should interfere and teach their child how to deal with opposite gender and show them respect.  Be it a boy or girl. Such activities if controlled and taken care at an early stage, can help in avoiding any disaster later. Only good or higher education does not play building the character, good child advancement also has equal weight in one’s life.

Hence, as parents and family we should try to nurture a child's behaviour in a positive and proper manner; rather to say, in a disciplined way.

Ps: It was just an observation from me from that small incident with that kid. Request not to take it personally

Making Candidates wait for Interview -Acceptable??

Talent Acquisition is an HR process that not only comprises of arranging and conducting interviews with the candidates, but involves a lot of steps. An end to end recruitment cycle sees the beginning from Manpower Planning for any particular department - preparing of JD and KRA - searching of relevant candidates thru various internal/external sources - talking to them - convincing them if any challenging position has been created or if the CTC is not as per Market Trend - understanding their skills - scheduling them (one of the most toughest part of the cycle as the time of the Interviewer and the candidate has to match as per their convenience)- Shooting interview mails to both the parties and making sure that the candidates reach the venue 5-10 min before the interview -----------------------------

And at the day of Interview..candidates reach at the scheduled time and venue..but when the recruiter informs the Interview Panel, to his/her surprise most of the panel members are in some very urgent and unplanned meeting..and others having least idea when shall the meeting get over.

What does a recruiter do ? Goes out and applogise the candidate and assures that it shall be done asap.

But least aware of the exact time, the recruiter only keeps running from pillar to post. I have faced this situation number of times in my previous Organisations. And like me many other recruiters must have faced. I have seen the meetings going on the entire day and the candidate sitting ideally throughout. Sometimes they leave without giving interview, sometimes they wait, if we had an outstation candidate, we always asked him to have an extra day in his hand. But is this really acceptable? A lot of effort goes in even calling a single candidate, because we see that candidate as a closure for the position. I respect the meetings and the discussions that are unplanned, but do not we as an Organisation should try to overcome such scenario. What impression does this leave on the candidate? Calling him/ her the second time becomes a herculion task. The recruiter is the face of the Organisation because the first interaction of the candidate started with him/her only. So the recruiter has to answer the candidate and also the HOD. It is such a tricky situation...if the candidate does not turn up for the interview ...the recruiter is responsible..and if the interview does not happen due to such unplanned and urgent meetings..then also the recruiter has to face the candidate.

I am never in the favour of making any candidate wait for an inetrview, especially when it is all planned. We only tend to loose the right talent. The time of the candidates needs to be respected and as an Organisation any delay in the Interview process should be avoided.

Are we really able to have Work Life Balance?

Are we really able to have Work Life Balance?


Is it really easy to maintain a Work Life Balance? Nowadays, Corporates arrange Training Programmes, Yoga Classes, Seminars to educate employees on how to maintain a Work Life Balance. But does it really work? As an employee, are we really able to follow those steps or lessons?

Today everyone is working towards getting a good PMS Rating. Working to meet deadlines, working to be the Best Performer, working towards achieving the targets, sometimes hectic weekends also, late working hours also. We can't afford to miss the deadlines because Corporate Life is becoming Competitive day by day. Not able to meet the targets...PMS rating is down. As such nowadays, Organisations are hardly following the Bell Curve...

Reaching early.......returning late to home. How to go out for a dinner with family (promised long time back), when I have an unplanned Top Management meeting the next day and I have to prepare reports?? Happens almost with everyone. How to deal with it? Someone has to suffer and its saying no to the family dinner and promising for some other day.

I believe that it is the Management responsibility to device effective mechanism and tools, where in employees are able to maintain Work Life Balances. A "Top Down  Approach" of maintaining this balance can only work.

10 Recruitment Etiquettes make you stand apart as a Recruiter

10 Recruitment Etiquettes make you stand apart as a Recruiter


Following proper recruitment etiquettes would not only add value to the Organization, but also to the recruiter. Just like recruiters look for certain qualities in the job seekers, most of the job seekers also expect decent etiquettes from the recruiters of an Organization.

Job seekers usually have 2 or more offers in their hands, but what makes them choose the best offer? Is it always the pay package? Not really. While interacting with my last recruit I came to know that the reason he joined our company is good recruitment process and employee friendly atmosphere. Here are the ‘10 etiquettes’ if not more.

1)When calling a candidate ensure that he/she is not busy and has time to listen to you attentively seek his/ her permission for discussion. Like asking ‘Hi, I am ……. from X company, is it the right time to talk to you?’

2)First check the interest of the candidate whether he/she is currently looking for job change from his/her present assignment. Like inquiring ‘Are you currently looking for a job change?’

3)If the candidate is interested discuss the Job opening in detail. Discuss the designation, remuneration, Job Profile.

4)Always send an email once the conversation is over saying ‘Thank You’ and do not forget to attach a copy of the Job Profile.

5)Whenever an Interview is scheduled first check the availability of the candidate and then send a mail heading’ Interview Schedule’ and full details of the interview like place of Interview, date and time of interview, Contact Person, Address of the venue.

6)Do not keep a candidate waiting for long, it irritates them. If the interview is taking a long time to start then offer him tea/ coffee with some snacks. Keep meeting him at regular intervals so that he/she does not feel bored.

7)Always try to provide the feedback to the candidate.

8)If an Interviewed candidate asks feedback over the mail do provide them, do not ignore. Remember they are our word of mouth for other candidates.

9)Always be in touch with the selected candidates. Remember you 'the recruiter'
is the face of Organization and the candidate feels comfortable with you.

10)The recruitment team is responsible for proper handing over the selected candidate to the Organization till the time of On Boarding.