To Those who died

Picture Source: NDTV.com
TO THOSE WHO DIED & THOSE WHO SAVED & THOSE WHO ONLY STARED……

If not for you,
I would have never known
How Courage transforms men
In times of greatest fear

If not for you
I would have never known
My country’s real Heroes
Who care not for their own
But save the lives of men unknown

If not for you,
I would have never known
The shamelessness of men
who watch the burning show
as if it were a thing
that happens now and then

If not for you,
I would have never known
A servant’s true loyalty,
To save a two-year old
From horror, none would ever know,
Had she to run alone

If not for you,
I would have never known
How 21 year olds -
The worst of Frankensteins -
Could pulverize a modern world!

If not for you,
I would have never known
That the managers of Hell
Have spread their tentacles
Into our daily world –
“No place is safe no more”

If not for you,
I would have never known
That killing one another
In the garb of religion
Could seem so meaningless
When terror strikes –
which has NO religion

If not for you,
I would have never known
Unity can still prevail
Amidst the people of my land
If only one would have
Leaders like once upon a time

It is to YOU -
O’ soldier in the uniform,
and even ‘sans’ a uniform -
that I pay obeisance, and cry
with humility and also pride
and say :
“MERA BHARAT MAHAAN”!!

--Ms. Monica Aurora [A dear friend's mom]

The City that I call home

Photo Courtesy: National Geographic Archives
“Terrorists attack the Taj Hotel in Mumbai”. As I saw this text message on my phone, I had a lump in my throat. I quickly called my cousins in Mumbai to check on them. While my family was safe and sound, the city that I once called home was not. Some of the most prominent landmarks of the city, such as the Victoria Terminus, the Taj Mahal Hotel and the Oberoi Trident were attacked. Over the next 60 hours, while the security personnel were able to eliminate the danger, the city lost 188 people, Indians and foreigners. Many others were injured. As terrorism raised its ugly head yet again, public anger was imminent and the terror attacks drew world-wide criticism.

Mumbai is, and has always been, the crucible of India. Since the Portuguese took possession of seven tiny islands off the west coast of India and called it Good Bay, it has brimmed with entrepreneurs eternally in search of their dreams. A channel for millions of ambitions, it is the land of possibility. The financial capital of India, home to the country’s thriving media and film industry and the second most populous city after Tokyo. Bangalore gets a lot of attention with its dotcom boom and its software prowess. Nevertheless, one simply cannot compare a Silicon Valley with a New York. Mumbai is what the Indians call Mayanagari, the city of dreams.

It was this dream that terrorists have often tried to wreck. Mumbai has seen more that its share of terrorist attacks. Be it the terrorist attacks at landmarks in 1993 or the 2006 bomb blasts that targeted its lifeline, the suburban metro rail transit also called the local. I remember being circumspect for a while every time I boarded the metro after the train blasts. And yet, the city took this in its stride and marched along unperturbed.

These recent attacks were different. We see a lot more emotions across Mumbai, India and the rest of the world; emotions of anger, anguish, pain and resolve. The public opinion this time around is vastly different and sustained. Not to say that there was no public outcry the previous times. This time, it is different. It may be because people are tired of the mindless killings that the city has seen before. However, I think it is because the terrorists struck at the very heart of the Indian dream. They targeted places that epitomize modern day India. The Taj Mahal hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea symbolizes the vast riches and opulence in the city; eschewed by many as they walk along the waterfront, gazing dreamily.

I am not from Mumbai. Nevertheless, like many, I too made it my home. It embraced me with open arms. I would often travel to the very stations that were attacked. I would enjoy a cold pitcher of beer in the very café that saw a mindless spray of bullets. I would visit the Taj hotel, always wanting to come back. Soon, this attack will become just a tragic date in history. It will be business as usual. However, for most of us, the blood of innocent victims will have left behind indelible stains.

I tell the story of Mumbai. But, this is not just the story of Mumbai alone. The same is the story in New Delhi, Islamabad, Colombo and Tel Aviv. Let us not forget New York, London or Madrid. India and Pakistan have been at loggerheads for over 50 years. Israel and Palestine haven’t seen eye to eye. Sierra Leone, Angola, Congo and other countries in Africa continue to fight bitter civil wars. There is no end in sight for America’s war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. This is not a problem of a city or a region alone. It is a virus that plagues the whole world; a disease that has spread its tentacles wide and hides under a garb of a ‘cause’.

Every terrorist has a cause, a reason that he uses to camouflage murder. Cold blooded thoughtless murder of innocent victims. The reason put forth could be religion, freedom, money, power or revenge. However, there is no reason that justifies senseless killing. The true spokesperson of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, once said “An eye for an eye will make the world blind”. The world is already blind with greed, hatred and jealousy. Let us all resolve to not let this blindness obliterate humankind.

The response

I read a brilliant article in the New York Times by Suketu Mehta, a professor of journalism at New York University and the author of 'Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found.'.

The right attitude to the situation at hand.
So I’m booking flights to Mumbai. I’m going to go get a beer at the Leopold, stroll over to the Taj for samosas at the Sea Lounge, and watch a Bollywood movie at the Metro. Stimulus doesn’t have to be just economic.

I too hope to grab a beer and fish & chips at Leopold, Chicken Bhuna and rumali roti at Bade Miaan, and watch a Rahul Da'Cunha play at NCPA.

You may read the entire article here.

I want to fly

Picture Source: vancouverisland.travel

Every day I want to fly
Stay by my side
Every day I want to dream
Stay by my side

Every morning I wish
I could just play
Wish the mornings
would just stay

Every day I want to cry
Stay by my side
Every day I want to try
Stay by my side

Every morning I wish
I could just sing
Wish the bells
would just never ring

Every day I want to smile
Stay by my side
Every day I want to laugh
Stay by my side

Every morning I wish
I could just write
Wish the end
would be in sight

Every day I want to fly
Stay by my side
Every day I want to dream
Stay by my side

- Adapted by Max from a jingle by Vodafone

Video Source: Vodafone through youtube.com
- One of the most beautiful and pleasing commercials that I have seen.

Lucky huh?

This has got to be the funniest fortune that I have read/heard ever. I hope that they were merely kidding and this was not for true. No big loss for me if it happened though. The fortune that was thrown up everytime I logged in [yes, I do not go looking for it like you would guess] was hardly correct. Funny yes, accurate no.
This is what it was today...

"The guy who reads your fortune lost his psychic powers (and his job). We hope you are feeling lucky."

Some people do have a good sense of humor. Always appreciated.

On a similar note, I saw this commercial that was very sweet, sensible and one hell of an idea to have come up with. I kept wondering what it was until the very end... A wonderfully thought out one.
Video Courtesy: Vodafone and Youtube.com

Breakups

Someone I know posted this on Facebook. It was so hilarious that I had to post it here.
This seems like the quintessential 'formula' that people always seem to talk about when discussing relationships. I do not subscribe to this particular view or the school of thought that it comes from. Then again, I don't really know which school I belong to. Maybe there are a few stories in the past. Treat it as it is meant to be: Mindless Humour. Video Courtesy: www.youtube.com

The Grass is Green

Picture Courtesy: Random find on Xanga.com

- Grass is greener on the other side.

- If you like what you do, time just flies.

- There is nothing like school life.

Was in the corporate world. Now, back to school. Well, been here for a year and a half. Almost done and I do not want to leave. The corporate life beckons. Hopefully. Jobs are not to be seen. I have one for now. Or do I not?

Sometimes I think I am tired of thinking about how expensive life is in NYC. As always, I could do with the money. Just this time, the value of that marginal dollar is a lot higher. Yet, as frugal as they are, school times are simply brilliant. As little sleep as I may manage [it is five in the morning], school times could not be more perfect.

I know that things cannot be the way they are forever. How I wish. But, take the debt away, place some more money in the wallet and life could not be better and hope could then be forever.

Three Cheers to school.
Three Cheers to NYU.

Halloween Humor

Interesting take on the policies of the Democrats, espoused by the President-Elect Barack Obama.
Picture Courtesy: Greg Mankiw. The cartoonist is unknown

An unfortunate soothsayer's world today presented by this cartoon where the person who predicts ill in the market , Prof. Nouriel Roubini is called Dr. Doom for his prophecies.
Picture Courtesy: Greg Mankiw. The cartoonist is unknown

The child in you

Today is Children's day in India, a legacy of Chacha Nehru. And on this day, I ponder about the lost child in all of us. The one that gets lost in the rat race of life. We grow from being a child to an adult only to be a child again. That is the circle of life.
Why do we let the child in us go away for a bit? Why do we not let him stay? Why do we race to achieve this transition? Let him stay, be a part of who we truly are. Why are we not phuduking [translation: jumping] around as kids with happiness, joy and gay abandon?
Yes, we need to be serious when we need to be. But, that is not the whole day. There is always time for him.
All work and no play will make Max [and everyone else] a dull boy.

Fresh off the boat

Elections are done, dreams have come true. The unlikeliest candidate is now the President of the United States. A rather nobody, a wonderful orator and a leader who inspires. Nevertheless, little to no experience under the belt.

As I watched the below video, only one thing came to mind. What if this is Barack Obama? What would happen to the world?

Video Courtesy: Yes Prime-minister and BBC through www.youtube.com

This reminds me of the word that defines newbies to the US: Fresh off the boat. Not really sure what has to be done and not entirely comfortable and fitting into the situation at hand.

For the love of god and the future of the United States and that of the world, I hope that this is what it is: British humor.

Marriage and Melodrama

Photo Copyright - Gotta be Max - www.nfyniti.com

And yet another douche bag bites the dust.
This is exactly how I felt when I heard of a friend getting ready to tie the proverbial knot. Don't get me wrong. I don't think of marriage as the end of the road. It is merely a road that I do not understand. And if you were to hear a few people I know [cannot call them out for their own sake] speak their mind, they tell me about what a great mistake marriage was.

Statistic: There is enough empirical evidence to prove that men are likely to say how marriage was a mistake and that they had a lot more fun in a life prior to that. Women on the other hand are likely to say that marriage was the best thing that happened to them and they would not trade it for the world.

Truth be told, I cannot think of myself married. I am 'old enough' to get married. I have friends who are married. I have colleagues who are married. I have colleagues who have kids. That is not a problem. Am I a kid? Maybe. A disputed factor, depending on whom you choose to speak to. Am I mature enough? Again, opinions vary on this topic. If you ask my dad, I think it is safe to assume that he will say that I am good for nothing. I try to think of someone who will counter that view, but I think that is a self-fulfilling prophecy more than anything else. Let us not go down that road.

Under the assumption that I can indeed get married [old enough, dumb enough and mature enough], the next question is to obviously the right girl. Let us face it. This blog is black in color, no flowers or smileys. Dont tell me you thought I was a girl. Or gay for that matter. Sorry to those amongst two and a third of my followers who had intentions of setting me up with their guy cousin who is a 'Systems Architect' working for Infosys and currently working at client-side in Columbus, OH. That is just not happening.

Do I have commitment fears? I would think not. Some people I know would think so. But, it is not the case. Why, commitment is the second strength that I always quote in all interviews. Commitment to my goals, commitment to my dreams and commitment to my success. It is not difficult to extend this commitment, enthusiasm and interest beyond the realms of an interview. I ask myself this question and I know that I do not have the fear.

So, what is it? Is it the pressure of the decision, the importance of the decision? I would think not. I think I will have thought things out before I take the plunge. So that is not a fear. Yes, you can never predict the equity market and the mind of a woman. But, it is a fair risk-adjusted project I would believe.

Can I not compromise or adjust with the newer or maybe different ways of life? Not really. Have been there before and that is not an issue. People who know me know that I can generally get along with most people, can adjust in almost all settings and am very accomodating in most respects. Think otherwise? Feel free to leave a comment. Not smart-ass ones though.

Is it the closing of doors on 'opportunities'? Well, no comments. The less on this topic, the better. Else, I know that this is come back to bite me. Not that I plan to run for the President of the United States. But, enough people can link this back to me for me to keep quiet. Let me just say that I am a single-girl-at-a-time-guy.

Is it the horse-with-eyes-covered-limited-vision syndrome? Maybe. I really hate to see when guys go 'sorry Mate, plans with wife'. Or 'Wife is alone at home'. Come on dude, she is not going to run away. She is not going to have an affair with the milk-man [are there any of those existing? Maybe in Columbus, OH.]. You want to spend time with her, that I understand. You do not want to antagonize her, that too I understand. It is her birthday, I would personally kill you if you were not with her. Unless you are an Investment Banker at WhatEverRemains Capital that is. It is the 200th day since your paths crossed each others in a dim-lit party in the meat-packing? Give me a break. I am sure that you can spare a couple of hours for friends of the yore. Or carry on your tradition of poker on a Wednesday night with cigars and beer.

Can I not speak on the phone for hours? Hell Yea! Enough experience on that front, not a problem. Though I have to say that I do not think too highly of losers on the train/bus/public transport who can go on and on. Get a room!

Have I not met the right person? Well, everytime I me[e]t her, she seemed like the right person. But, then again, maybe not. Tough to say. A matter of perspective. I will think that this was never the cause.

What is it? After Porter's five forces, three C's, four P's, BCG Matrix, and various other methodologies of solving the case, I really do not have an answer to this. Well, let me rephrase that. I do have an answer. I just do not know the reasons and the thought process behind the answer.

Maybe, someday she [whoever ever that turns out to be] will show me the light at the end of this tunnel of darkness. And hopefully it will not be the train.

Until then, I hold my ground. Thankfully, my parents are not yet on my case. They seem a while away on that front.

Make hay while the sun shines
Light the town, when it is down

I believe that I speak for most people my age. There is really no reason for shirking away from marriage. For most, the right girl is there. And the opportunity to as well. And yet, there is a weird non-Newtonian centripetal force that pushes you away from the depths of marriage. I do not have to deal with it just right now. But, I know I will have to deal with it someday. I need to find an answer to this.

Good News

Apparently, I have been going to the fortune teller way too frequently. Well, not really. In this day and age, the internet brings it to your home, for free and often unsolicited.

Today's fortune was interesting: Good news will be brought to you by mail

Let me assure you that the news that I await and that I would classify as 'Good News' will arrive by mail.

Fingers crossed, prayers said, agarbattis lit and blessings sought. Let that Good News arrive... first by e-mail, then via telephone and finally via Fed-Ex.

Nanu tu akela hai

nanu, iss duniye mein tu akela hai
pal bhar ke liye saathi milenge
hasenge khelenge
aur phir chale jayenge

umeed pe duniya kaayam hai sahee
par umeed doosronki tujhpe hai
tu kissi se umeed na rakhna

jo tune umeed rakhi
mooh ke bal girega
jab tu ladkhadaate uthegaa
tere haath mein sirf tera daant hoga

nanu, iss duniye mein tu akela hai
koi tere saath naa hai

- Max ke Bhaiyaa

Max Comment
#1 - Understand the Bhavana :)
#2 - Nanu = Max

Reality Check

This is the commentary from an Obama supporter. I dont know if she chooses to publish any thing on this topic or not, but I think this is a valid pointer that needs mention. Entire text in verbatim by Blah.

UPDATE: She has posted it on her blog here.

---
Here is the thing about this whole Obama victory... the enthusiasm has already died for me! I fear that people believe that electing him will produce a magical cure for all their problems... I hope they believe him when he reminds them that the ardous journey has just begun. As a non-american, I applaud that they finally got the courage to pick an African-American man (still, not a woman) to lead them. But as a non-American, I also hope he will not overlook the other smaller countries, where he has to play the role of the 'Big Brother'. I hope he puts peace and trust before war and suspicion. I hope he urges the people to not forget yesterday's big story of the violence in Congo DR. I hope he reminds tomorrow morning that the news channels needn't profile his kids' new dog, his wife's dress tonight, his aunt's immigration status... but look at those bigger problems that will not disappear overnight.

Mr. Obama ...a whole world looks on to you for change, not just USA.
---

Max comments: For the sake of the world and the USA, I hope that he delivers.

Crystal Ball

This is what I found today as my fortune for the coming month.
You will never need to worry about a steady income

True. Infact, I am amazed by the logical correctness of this fortune while being eons away from reality. :D
Given that I do not have an income, I do not need to worry about the steadiness.

Brilliant!

Crying in the rain

I just cannot cry yet
for the end is still a while away
the milk was spilled bad
that is how it will stay

the spill is drying up
leaving behind an ugly stain
things have gone so numb
that I dont even cry in the rain

Laugh I cannot manage
Tears I cannot manage
feebly you see me smile
joy missing for a while

As another night comes to an end
and the sun gets ready to shine
I hopelessly pray to Thy
may things turn out fine

If Thy wish it not so be
Thy lock me up in sheer pain
may else it not be sunny
for, i'd cry in the rain

-max

If you appreciate the song...
Video Courtesy: Everly Brothers through www.youtube.com

I have a dream

Picture Courtesy: www.wikipedia.org

Martin Luther King Jr. once said very famously:
'I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.'. He worked for the rights of the Black people of the United States of America and probably the world.

Even he would probably not have dreamt that one day, a black person would rise to become the President of the United States. Today, with the election of Barack Obama as the next President, the obvious and yet unlikely has been achieved.

Picture Courtesy: TIME magazine archives

Kudos to Obama for having dreamt this day and working towards it. Kudos to the American public for having helped him realize this dream.

I will probably never forget the incident that occurred this evening as the news of Barack Obama winning trickled in. After having watched most of the results at Murphy and Gonsalez near NYU, we were walking towards the PATH station to get back home. Apparently, in between our exit and this moment, Barack Obama had won enough seats to be declared as the winner. People were rejoicing in their homes, balconies and in the streets.

An African American person approached us as we were waiting at the corner of 9th and 5th. He exclaimed "Do you know what color is Barack Obama?". We didn't know what to say and how to react, having been caught off-guard. Before we would react, he provided the obvious answer "BLACK!". He continued "A Black person is now the President of the United States".

As he walked into the night, happy with the outcome, I realized how much this victory meant for the African American community of this country. I realized how much this country had progressed since the times of MLK Jr.

While time alone will tell whether Obama is a good president or not, one thing is for certain: Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has finally come true.

Parting Notes
#1 - I am a Republican.
#2 - I cannot vote.
#3 - I do not matter.
#4 - I hope that things do turn out well.
#5 - God Bless America
#6 - Jai Maharashtra!

Of Greed and Jealousy

The inspirations for this post are the original post by Amitabh Iyer where he points out this article in the Live Mint by Vir Sanghvi. Other unlikely inspirations are the question that I had in an Investment Banking interview [Yes they are still being held, contrary to popular perception], the Corporate Finance class by Aswath Damodaran and the general bad press that Investment Banking has received in this past year.

Disclaimer 1: I am a business school student, worked with a 'bulge-bracket' firm and will hopefully enter the industry again.
Disclaimer 2: None of my colleagues or recruiters are likely to ever read this or trace it back to me. So it is not for their interest and therefore for mine. :D

Picture Courtesy: www.LeveragedSellOut.com
"Greed is good" - Gordan Gekko

I remember a statement from one of the senior Investment Bankers at Goldman Sachs: "People hate us for what we are and what we earn... But, boy would they want to be one of us."

Now, while the statement was from a pompous righteous ass who probably thought no end of himself and his own brethren, he may not have been too far from the truth. For years now, there has been a carefully cultivated aura about an Investment Banker and his [unfortunately, it remains a majority type-A male driven industry] trade. When and how it started is difficult to point out. Nevertheless, it is difficult to dismiss this as a non-existent phenomenon.

For a career that is extremely hard to get into [that may not have to do with mere merit and other academic skills] and stay, it is a fairly popular one. For a career that is extremely brutal in terms of its hours and its reputation as a strain on personal self-respect, it is a fairly popular one. For a career that is known to be filled with many righteous ass-holes who think they are gods greatest gift to mankind [and womankind if you know what I am talking about], it is a fairly popular one. For a career that is known to not be rocket-science and to not be stimulating at most times, it is a fairly popular one.

First, let me try and address the hatred aspect of the story. People do not like other successful people. Period. In a capitalistic economy like the United States, where success is often measured either by the number of ex-wives or by the cut of the suit, it is not difficult to understand why there is an universal hatred for those who have these material things in life. And with money comes the trio of power, extravagence and arrogance.

Picture Courtesy: www.wikipedia.org

Most of the developing world and parts of the developed world love to hate the United States of America. There are multiple reasons for this, all funneling themselves to the basic tenets: power and arrogance. The United States has the power, thanks to its military hegemony status, that allows it to dictate terms to the world. And it has the arrogance that it is the best [arguably true] that the world has to offer.

Ask any [well, the vast majority] American whether they subscribe to this view and they will resonate with a thumping yes [understandably so]. Try and ask this very question to someone in China, Russia or Turkey and they may not share the same view. They might go to the extent of saying that the Americans are good for nothing, extravagant and arrogant. For them, the Americans happen to be their favorite punching-bag and the cause of all evil in the world. And yet, given a choice, most would kill to work in the US and live there.

As a second example, let us consider the software giant Microsoft. Love it or hate it, Windows has the largest OS market share in the world. Apple and Linux fans, check the figures and then take a hike. Bill Gates is depending on the day, the richest person in the world. They are not the best innovators, yet they know how to mass produce and market products. Let us face it, they did not develop the Windows idea, Apple did that. The Internet Explorer I believe was based on the Netscape Navigator and it was Lotus 1-2-3 that came up with the first integrated spreadsheet and word processor suite and not the Microsoft Office suite.

Picture Courtesy: Time Magazine archives

Microsoft is like McDonalds. They may not make the best burger in town, but they darn well know how to market one in order to make the sale. People love to hate Microsoft. And this is not just the Apple folk. Those who believe that Microsoft is a piece of crap. Those who very happy when the Yahoo! deal did not go through for Microsoft. Just take a look at the number of worms and viruses that aim to attack Microsoft. While Google has overtaken as the best techie firm to work for, techie geeks will still kill to work in Redmond, WA.

Finally, let us consider the case of two sporting giants. One is the Australian Cricket team under Steve Waugh. The other is the Scuderia Ferrari team with world champion Michael Schumacher, Jean Todt and Ross Brown at the helm. For those who do not know what either of these were, consider the ultimate dream team in a sport that you love. These guys dominated their arenas in such a manner that there was no competition for miles. People loved to hate them. Why? Because they were that darned good. And the rest were jealous of what they had managed to achieve. They were the team to beat, they were the team to hate. And they were arrogant as hell. It was my way or the highway. When the champion spoke, they expected people to sit up and listen. And the rest of the world did not like that.

Before you scorn in disgust, let me tell you that these are mere examples. I have no intention of suggesting that Investment Bankers are high and mighty like the US of A, brilliant in market strategy and penetration like Microsoft or rock-stars like Michael Schumacher. Rather, the point is to demonstrate the hatred and spite that people may have for others, most of which is not grounded on sound ideas. This is not limited to Investment Banking. Hardly so. This is applicable to the Real Estate developers, Diamond merchants and others as well.

I also do not wish to point out that Investment Bankers are rocket scientists. Rocket scientists are found where they are likely to be found: NASA and ISRO. The guys at Google, the guys at Intel, the gals at Pfizer and Genentech, these are the people who are the brilliant minds in this world. Yet to claim that Investment Bankers are pathetic and of no real value-add is to make an unfair suggestion. Some of the bright minds start with IB as a career right out of undergrad college, MBA or PhD programs. Finance and Accounting is an art, rather than a science. The very fact that it deals with money reflects the need to have smart minds in the industry.

The industry has had its share of genius. Unfortunately, I am not the best person to comment on them, given my own limited knowledge. I will try and highlight a few.
- Warren Buffett - Widely regarded as the single biggest genius when it comes to identifying investment opportunities.
- Michael Milken - The father of high-yield debt, before he got mired in insider trading and manipulation.
- John Meriwether - The man behind LTCM
- George Soros - The man who broke the Bank of England.

Picture Courtesy: Business Week archives

Barring the first, you would question my choice of identifying stalwarts in the industry. The integrity of Michael Milken, John Meriwether and George Soros has been questioned at some point in history. In fact, Milken was sentenced to imprisonment for his role in some real shady deals at Drexel Burnham Lambert. The fact remains that they were indeed great financial innovators. Well, the problem that beset them was a simple one: GREED.

If we circle back to the current crisis, it is unfair to blame merely the Investment Bankers. Of course, they have a pivotal role to play and this cannot be ignored. Take a step back. Let us say that tax is a totally voluntary thing. You pay if you want to and can evade it if you so wish. Hypothetical case, chimeric case. Consider it. How many would really end up paying the tax. My guess would be none. Show me a good deal and I will take it.

The Investment Bankers did a similar thing. They saw an easy way to make easy money. I believe at some level, everyone realized that this bull run in real estate prices was not sustainable. Sub-prime lending was not sustainable. It would fall on its face. But, here is what they also thought.
- Let us make hay while the sun shines. Bad idea, the sun sets faster than you realize.
- We are the smart ones. We can do better than the others. Wrong idea. On average, you perform average.
- Things have been good. Why worry? They looked at the statistics and convinced themselves that all was right. They did not realize that their glasses were colored.

While we blame the Investment Bankers, take a moment to think about the following
- Sub-prime home owner: You don't have the money. You buy on credit. You know you cannot afford it. What were you thinking?
- Mortgage Salesman / Mortgage Lender: You don't check the client. You pick people on the street to buy them houses in a weird sense of socialism. You give this to Investment Bankers. You take your cut. You could not care about the rest. Dude, what were you thinking?
- Investment Bankers: You buy all the mortgages you can. Try to sell all you can. Keep the risky ones for self. Can you be more GREEDY? What were you thinking?
- Government: What on earth were you doing? Do not blame poor Dubyaman, he didn't even know what was happening.
- Economists and Finance geeks: What were you doing? Why was this so difficult to predict. Barring the great Dr. Doom - Roubini himself that is.

Moving back to the topic, a common argument against Investment Bankers and Consultants questions their value addition to the system, the industry and the world in general. At face value, this may seem to have some credence. The Investment Banker does not create anything of true tangible value. He does not innovate cutting-edge technology like the i-phone, hybrid cars or sources of alternate energy. Nor does he work towards creating a life-saving drug for the eradication of the hepatitis virus, the human immuno virus or for that matter even a common cold.

Yet, he raises money for those who perform just these tasks. All the Google, Wikipedia and Genentech of the world are all dependent on raising capital. Well, without the Investment Banks, this would still be possible. Not easy, but possible. Besides this, the Investment Banks help create liquidity, a ready market for trading securities and help structure complex products to reduce risk.

Reduce risk you would ask with your eyes and mouth wide open. Is that for real? You would think that I am kidding you. Well, it is true. These are difficult times. The intention was to diversify risk. GREED got in the way. Unusual and unlikely probabilities got in the way. Two firms down and a complete mess later, we still do not know how it happened and who is to blame.

Spare a thought for the Investment Bankers. See what their absence is doing to the markets. Firms cannot raise capital. Capital spending is down. Recession in progress. Houses have lost their equity. All those who were screaming that Lehman Brothers be forced to go down [like it did] did not realize the sort of systemic spiralling effect it would have on the entire eco-system. With their 401[k] now suddenly in dire straits, people suddenly wished LEH had not gone down after all.

Alas... if only we could turn back time.
LEH, rest in peace.

Change

Change is the only Constant
- Anon

Given that the entire world is in a state of flux and is constantly changing. I too have decided and promised to change myself to what I wish to achieve. I got this idea from the most unlikliest of sources. It was one of those websites whose entire value proposition is to ask individuals to list things that they want to achieve in their lifetimes. Things like Backpacking at the foots of Mt. Tibedaabo, BASE Jumping among others.

I asked myself, what are the two most important things that I want to happen. I realized that both of them and many of the following ones were not entirely within my own hands. I decided to change myself in a way that was for my own good and in a way, in my own hand.
One is a personal trait while the other is a habit. I am hopeful. I am confident. I am going to try my best[est]. Wish me luck.

-max

Mera Mustaqbil

This is a dab at a few verses in Urdu. This is in a state of flux and is likely to expand at a later stage.

Photo Courtesy: www.gannonandbenjamin.com

andhere ke sannaate ko choor karte
savere ek nayaa sooraj nikala
iss naye daur ki roshni mein
andekha sa hua pichli raat ka masla

tujhse hai yahee meri iltejaa
aye moula aye mere khudaa
manzil hai saamne mere
mustaqbil se ab naa kar judaa

manzil hai saamne mere
mustaqbil se ab naa kar judaa

- Miyan Max

Going gets tough

The old adage is When the going gets tough, the tough get going. I am not entirely sure if that applies to the current market scenario. For, even the toughest tend to slide down the slope that the falling Dow Jones [and other stock indices] have created.

I am not sure if I am tough and would hardly want comment on it. Nevertheless, I will say that the conditions are indeed very tough. Every once in a while, me and my friends look at the malaise and its never ending downward spiral and wish to hang our boots in hopelessness.

In times such as this, I make it a point to watch this video. It is ludicrous and almost insanely hysterical. And yet, it makes a good point and sends across a strong message. Here is finding meaning in a medium where I believe none was really intended.

Video Courtesy: Joel Pena Arias through www.youtube.com

The Life After

A video on what it means to be out of a job in a market such as this...

I walked up to the casino table, nothing really in my pocket
And I am leaving, nothing really in my pocket
But between that time, man was I on a roll!

Video Courtesy: UntuckedFilms through youtube.com

Sutli Bomb and more

It is the festival of lights. It is Diwali time. There is just one problem. It hardly feels like it is Diwali. There is no buzz in the air or a sense of purpose that you see on most minds. Well, there is a reason... this is the US of A and not India. And while I live in arguably the 31st state of India, New Jersey, it is still not the same.

For one, there are no firecrackers, diyas - earthen oil lamps that dote the landscape. There are no adhoc sweet-shops or elaborately dressed individuals heading to their friends house or better still, to the temple. You will find the odd dot-head draped in a saree covered by the warmth of black Ralph Lauren over-coats. But that is all. For a community that boasts of the number of South Asians that it has, it is entirely strange and quizzical.

Well, we wouldn't let our brethren dampen our spirits would we? With all the enthusiasm befit of the festival, we decided to take the trek to the local temple. Well, local is two hours away. We got up bright and early. Ummm... errr... not entirely. With no mom or grand-mom to wake us up, we managed to get up at a leisurely quarter past six. That is, after seven snoozes on the alarms. I showered in the traditional manner with coconut oil and the works. Why? For the kicks. I don't think I appeciated it back in India. Apparently, I now do. Wearing the new janevu - sacred thread, I offered whatever prayers that I knew. It is a shame, given that my grand-dad can read and recite all the hindu religious books in chaste Sanskrit and often performs religious ceremonies.

Finally, dressed in new clothes and super charged up, we set out for the temple. The temple is in Flushing, NY. I live in Jersey City, NJ. That is the meaning of a local temple. The average time for travel is typically 90-120 mins. To get a sense of the travel, click here. Anyway, this was my first time and I was super excited. After four train journeys [yes, four], we finally arrived in Flushing. Well, not at the temple. This was now a bus ride away. I asked myself, why on earth would anyone build a temple so far. Again, I reminded myself, we are not in India. We are in NY and its sky-rocketed real-estate prices. I should hardly be complaining. I wasn't.

We had to take the MTA bus. The problem was that we got confused and took the wrong bus. Next, we got off at the wrong stop. Actually, we realized that we were lost and decided to get off. Thank god for friends, google maps and hopstop.com. After fifteen minutes of help from friends, who directed us in the right direction, we got to the temple site.

The temple was under construction. There was a shiver down our spine as we wondered if the temple was in fact shut for construction. Luckily for us, it was not. As we entered, we saw tam families enter with exquisite sarees and other Indian fare. We on the other hand were dressed normally. My friend gave me a don't blame me look: don't look at me, I have to goto work after this. We convinced ourselves that god would appreciate our sacrifices in coming all the way out there and ignore any irrelevant details.

The temple - a Ganesh temple, was a nice temple. There was some good artwork and despite the constuction activity and NY location had the aura of a temple. We were in time for aarti. After praying to Lord Ganpati for a good job and other things, we prayed to the other deities there as well.

We then went to the famed cafeteria [Hindu temples generally have great food] for some food. True to its reputation, we had some wonderful South Indian food. As was expected, my South Indian tam-bram friend didn't think too highly of the food. Yet, it was appreciated given the circumstances.

Tangent: South Indian tam-brams will hardly appreciate anything other than their own mother's cooking. Understandably so.

We also picked up some chakli - spicy Indian snacks and some barfi and halwa - Indian sweets.

Happy with our journey, we decided to get back to the city and back to our lives in school. And while I had an exam on the day of Diwali and another the day after Laxmi Puja - festival of the goddess of wealth, we did try and enjoy our diwali. It is interesting to note that both these exams were conducted by Indian professors. B-ah! Bloody Indians!

Diwali night was capped with a wonderful and stuffing-oneself dinner at the Tiffin Wallah, a fine Indian vegeterian-kosher restaurant.

All in all, it was a wonderful Diwali experience. I still do miss the Sutli-bomb, the lights and the sweets. But, it was a good experience, given the circumstances.

For the record, Sutli-bomb is not the same as a Sultry Bomb. I am sure everyone likes those. A Sutli-bomb is a fire-cracker with a fuse called the sutli. It generates a loud explosion and is standard fare for Diwali. Just for the record, these crackers are handled by children and peace-loving individuals, not kalashnikov-totting terrorists.

The next plan is to have a taash [poker] session on the weekend. Plan is to start in the evening and go through the night. Diwali, I would say was well enjoyed.

Parting notes
Mr. Landlord: Do not worry a bit. As instructed, we did not light any diyas at home. I understand your fear of fire. Especially given that you have chosen not to repair the fire-alarm.

Mr. Obama: Thank you for your wishes. They cut no ice. Not that I can vote, but that does not mean I cannot have an opinion. Go McCain!

ABCDs and Socialists: Don't be so shocked. Obama is no good. And get that Bloody Indians! look off your face.

Finance Guys: May Laxmi Puja mark the start of an economic revival. May things look up again.

Wish you a Happy Diwali and a prosperous New Year. Peace and Joy to all!

Keep Walking!

Life often leaves us all stranded at weird crossroads. Eeriness in sight with life as we have known it as a distant reality. A challenge, a sitation, a problem to which we do not have an answer and are afraid to ask for one as well. Afraid not because we wish to not look stupid. Afraid rather because we do not wish to know what the answer would be. We live in denial like an Ostrich with its head in the sand, hoping it will all go away and things will be just as they were or rather just as we want them to be. However, life has its own timeline and pace to operate, does it not? You would think.

This is the story of a 20-something girl named Neha. At one instance, she is driving down a pristine and scenic road in a coupé with her friends by the side, music blaring and smiles a mile wide. It is one of those angelic smiles that can melt just about any heart. And yet, there is nothing angelic about her. In a couple of meetings, you realize that what you think is angelic is actually naughty and playful. Living her life to the hilt, she is a girl who pursues her dreams and is not wary to challenge the world or to speak her mind. Just when you think that nothing could go wrong, you realize that you may infact have jinxed it. All of a sudden, she finds herself on a bench, all alone. She seems to be away from her friends, her loved and dear ones. There is a quiet breeze blowing and all she can hear is her heart pounding.

Photo Copyright - Gotta be Max - www.nfyniti.com
Life throws us many a curve-ball. Some we hit out of the park for a home-run, dancing our way to victory. Some do not meet that fate and leave us stranded. That mon ami is the way of life. You win some, you lose some. The trick is to celebrate those that you score and to take the rest in stride. Life is cyclical, ups and downs an integral part. Ignore not the falls for they teach you a valuable lesson. They teach you how to fall. More importantly, they teach you how to get up. Falling is not a sin, choosing not to get up is.

Neha is hardly one of those who would not get up. Pits in her life have been deep. Pits in her life have been many. Yet, she has clambered out, albeit with a few bruises. Taking them in her stride, she marched on, her head held high. She learnt what history had to teach, not rueful of the falls she had. In one such trench, she promised herself that there were to be no more of these. New ones, maybe. But, none of the ones she has already seen. She had learned the trick and the smile was back. We were happy that she was happy. She was happy that we were too. And then, that curve-ball came again.

If you ask me how to describe life, I would say it is about hope. The hope of getting out of the pits, however deep they may seem to be. Hiding in there for a while is okay. Hiding there, not wanting to get out is probably not as good. However deep it may seem to be, one needs to have hope. Hope to clamber out eventually. Hope to get a response to the clamor for help. Hope to be back on one's feet going about one's business. Hope that one would not be buried in by the sand that the wind were to bring over time. Hope is a beautiful creation of the Holy One. It is the single weapon that the most despondent bedouin has in his search for an oasis in the expanses of a scorching hot desert. The easiest thing to do is to give up, hang your boots and be the autumn leaf that lets the meandering river choose the path.

Neha had become that autumn leaf. She seemed to have given up, resigned to her fate. She felt that she could never swim upstream. She felt she could not swim at all. Not a soul would have said that it was to be a piece of chocolate cheese cake. And yet, most would have said that it was possible. Easy? Darned no. Possible? Most definitely yes! But her eyes could see only that which she wanted herself to. Her ears listening to only that which she wanted to as well.

Let me step back a couple of paces and admit that I do not know the entire story. Not because I do not care to find out or ask. Rather, because I choose not to ask. She chooses not to speak. If she wanted to speak about it, it would have been spoken about. If she could speak about it, it would not have changed the course of her life. It is surely not a trivial matter and I would hardly wish to suggest that. I understand the gravity of it all. Or do I not?

Neha felt the gravity of it all pulling her down. She fought, bravely and valiantly. Yet, deep down she was not convinced herself. She was not sure if things would go back to being as picturesque as they were. She tried hard to be positive and happy. But, life persisted with small blows with eerie precision at regular intervals. Just when she had steadied herself, she would fall again. Walking on thin ice, status quo was hard to maintain.

Status quo can sometimes be the easiest thing to maintain. Do nothing at all and say nothing as well. To be where you are and to not move an inch. However, change is the only constant. And yet, it is hard to change. To change yourself, to change your thoughts, to see change and to move with it.

Neha moved on. She decided to change. Or did she not? It is difficult to say given that she is a person of her mind. But there was a semblance of sense. A sense of chaotic orderliness that seemed to prevail. It was to be the calm waters at the surface and yet turbulence deep beneath. We did not see it coming. We did not see that she was at a dead end.

In our journey called life, we sometimes come across a dead end. No path in sight, no path in place, we are mystified. Should we turn back and find another path? Should we take it as a sign? Is it time to call it a day? It is time to go to the cleaners? A short answer: NO. It is never the time to go to the cleaners.

Let me at this time bring perspectives of my own life as an example. Like every person on the street, I too have challenges in life. Maybe more than the rest. Who am I to pass verdict on this? Some may think that its not too bad for me. In business school at a time when everything could go wrong is going wrong. And even more. The only way seems to be down. As I run pillar to post to secure for ourselves a sound future, I see myself running myself of options. No end in sight, it is tough to not lose hope. To resign to fate and to brood over the times we see. Have I thought about it? I would be lying if I said no. We all have moments of weakness. We cry, drink down our sorrows, shut ourselves from the world, cry some more and drink a lot more. I curse all and sundry and keep asking god... why me? Why now? But, the sun rises the next day, as do I, keeping what happened in the past there and start a brand new day. Bringing purpose, direction and motivation, I try to reason with myself that it will all end one day.

Neha, the pain will all end one day. That day may not be today, may not be tomorrow or the day after. The day will come. Do not lose hope. Life is such a beautiful journey. Don't let a single incident take away from you the best gift that god has given you. I do not know what it is that makes you cry. I do not know what it is that makes you weep. But, I can assure you that it will go away. There will be a way and you will see it. Maybe it is already there.

Drastic measures are not the solution. REPEAT: Drastic measures are not the solution. There is nothing that you will have achieved through this. You don't have to fight the problems today. However, don't run away from them as well. Your family is by your side. As are your friends. Nevertheless, there are some battles that you have to fight by yourselves. This is one such battle. For, this time you have to fight with your own self.

Whatever happens, pick up your baggage and move on. If the baggage is heavy, leave it behind. Keep Walking!

PS: For a change, I do know this girl.
PS-2: For a change, this is not an 'it is a friend, which is actually me' story
PS-3: As usual, if its not a Wii, its not worth mentioning it. [Only a few people will understand this joke]

British Humour

In classic British humour style, the Long Johns - John Bird and John Fortune explain the subprime crisis and the reasons behind the same and the role that Investment bankers play.


Video Courtesy: youtube.com

Where the Life is?

Photo Copyright: Gotta Be Max - www.nfyniti.com
These are tumultuous times that we see. As I stand at the crossroads of life, I find it an unseeming quagmire. Where are we heading today? What do I seek and why? Is it just an item in a long list of to-dos? Or is it not? Will it be relief, joy, exhilaration, rejection, grief or sheer despondency? As the true thriller that life is, one can never tell.

Where has all the fun gone? Bring back the smile
There is fun, joy, lots of laughs and kodak moments with friends. It is for real and nothing is fake. The smile is back, strong as ever. And yet, as a dear friend will claim, there is something amiss. It is a mystery that has not been solved. For, there is no answer in sight. Will the goal be the end of the quagmire? Or will it not? Is there something more than that meets the eye. There are many questions, most of them unanswered.

Picking and prodding never works, let alone in this case. Drastic measures have been tried. Their outcome, not encouraging. Their side-effects, aplenty. Quite a few sleepless nights away, insomnia is a way of life. Sleep by day and awake by night, life seems like a trans-atlantic flight. Drinks go missed and parties abegging. And while life is not far from normal, one does ponder: where the life is?

Burning Down The House

A video on what caused the US economic crisis. It seems like a John McCain propaganda machine, but one cannot run away from the hard economic facts. It is a long video, but it is well researched and documented. Poor music choice and a bit of political rhetoric in the end as well.

Video courtesy: youtube.com

Obama's Tax Policies

This is just one of the reasons that people should NOT vote for Barack Obama...

Picture Courtesy: BradFitzpatrick.com

Changes to the marketplace

A satirical piece on the current state of affairs. I am pulled between laughing and appreciating the joke and cynicism on what all is happening.


The Job, was created by Screaming Frog Productions and has played at over 100 international film festivals and has been honored with 27 awards.

Musings on markets

I was inspired by the blog 'Musings on Markets' that has Prof. Aswath Damodaran writing on his views on the state of the world markets, corporate finance and valuation. I do not need a lot to get inspired, but this one person is arguably the father of modern corporate finance.

If you don't believe me, check this out...

Inspired, I wrote my own hideous and childish lines...

teree raah dekte reh gaye
dil ke armaan dil mein hee reh gaye

vaada toh kiya aapne
vaade vaade hee reh gaye

socha abhi abhi aayega
socha kabhi bhi aayega

par woh nazar mein naa aayaa
dooor jaata hee chalaa gayaa

rouu mein yaa gamm mein hassoon
iss utaar chhadhao may kitni deir mein phassoon

aye market tu kab waapas aayega
ujde chaman kab bhagaayegaa

ek baari aaaja aaajaa aaaa jaaa...
uuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuu

The wind that took the sand away

Blood relations are there to stay! We often take them for granted. And in a lot of ways, don’t realize their true worth until distances do us apart. We fall back upon them in times of need and find them just as they always were; strong as ever.

Friends are who we choose. The lines not drawn, we make up our own. There isn't any rhyme or reason and there shouldn’t be one too. Sometimes, we draw the lines only to sadly erase them away. Life is an experiment at times and the line ends up being just another one of them.

At other times, there are those that we draw them over and over again. The lines are as dark as we could draw them with hope and prayers that time and tide not wither them away. These are the ones that are close to our heart in more ways than one. They resiliently weather the storms of time only to come out stronger and better. These are the chums for life. Seas apart and yet in close proximity. Always busy and running head down in the rat race called life. Nevertheless, comfortingly and reassuringly close at all times.

Then there are those we met a few times. These are people who have left an indelible mark on our lives in a few moments of sheer magnificence. The story is surprisingly blurred. Their transitive journey from the unknown to importance is often mysterious and cannot be recollected. It may be the sheer brilliance that clouds our memory.

The wind may go as fast as it came. Yet, it leaves the tingle of its effect and the relief of the experience. An effect unlike the sand that it took away.

The future

Its been a hectic week...and it has ended with two sleepless nights [1.5 hrs in the last 48]. It has been a lot of my favorite topic of the semester. It has been a lot of what I want to do going ahead... Corporate Finance, Excel modeling and estimating the value of a company [in my case, LVMH - Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy]

It's been an interesting journey through all of this. Nevertheless, the most gratifying piece is the knowledge, realization and ratification that I am pursuing a dream that is exactly in line with my goals.

Looks like I am indeed fit for banking! Be it the two straight nights of no sleep or the decisive handling of the model, I believe I got it right!

The spam mail

I get a lot of spam... And most of it is caught by the nifty Gmail filter... But, the guys at Google do have a sense of humor and they let the funny ones slip in so that we can all look at them and have a good laugh!
This has got to be the funniest spam ever... The things that people do...

-Max


Dear Friend

How are you, hope you are well and your family too?
Do not worry about how I got your email address. I have your full details including your daily activities.
I have been paid to assassinate you and I do not intend to kill you because from my own private investigation about you which I always do before carrying out my mission I found out that you are a good person. So how do we do it now?

Don’t try to report to any body otherwise I will not hesitate to smack you down.

Get back to me immediately.

Urgent