“Rajaram, leave this file on Sadashiv Ji’s table. Let him review too”. Pradeep summoned the office boy, waving the blue file in his hand. The work at the Axis Traders office was a small, quiet and routine affair every day. A staff of about 25 people dueled with client files and export numbers all day. … Continue reading The Lighthouse
The cost of a wish
He sat alone in the fading twilight near his window. He could see the hustle of the new year party in the courtyard. He knew he wasn’t invited, and he wouldn’t attend even if he was. This is exactly how he had spent the New Year’s Eve for last so many years. As he reminisced … Continue reading The cost of a wish
मृत्यूच्या पाऊलखुणा
“इथून जवळच आहे आता. हे शेवटचं वळण”. कर्जतच्या हिरव्यागार निसर्गातून आपली गाडी दामटत जयू म्हणाला. “पुढे एक ढाबा आहे, तिथे जेवणाची ऑर्डर देऊन पुढे जाऊ. तो सगळं काही आपल्या पत्त्यावर आणून देईल”. ढाब्यावर दारूसोबतचे स्नॅक्स, डिनरला बटर चिकन, नान, बिर्याणी, अशी भली मोठी ऑर्डरच त्यांनी दिली. सगळं काही एका तासात जयूच्या बंगल्यावर पाठवण्याचं मालकानं मान्य … Continue reading मृत्यूच्या पाऊलखुणा
The Mirror in Room 407
I don’t believe in ghosts. Not the supernatural kind, anyway. The ones of regret and memory? Those I’ve wrestled with all my life. So, when the receptionist at the hotel warned me that the previous guest in Room 407 had a “supernatural encounter,” I smiled politely. Corporate travel fatigue is worse than any ghost, I … Continue reading The Mirror in Room 407
The Business Pitch for Sainthood
It was raining in Mumbai. Not the charming drizzle that inspires poetry, but the relentless, bucket-over-the-head sort that turns streets into rivers and replaces fancy cars on streets with life-boats. Rohan Kapoor, 34, investment banker of some repute and notoriety and proud owner of a penthouse in Parel far too big for its occupants, was … Continue reading The Business Pitch for Sainthood
The Burden of the Rose
"We’re restructuring, Jatin. You’ve done well, but your role is… well, redundant.” Jatin was not prepared for the words his boss spoke that morning. The sentence rang in his ears like the hollow clang of an iron gate closing. He had been one of the top performers in Sales, meeting or exceeding targets, diligent in … Continue reading The Burden of the Rose
The Boy Who Missed The Train
Came across this hauntingly wonderful song “500 Miles” sung by Joan Baez on YouTube. It rekindled the old memories of non-internet era when I heard this beautiful rendition on short wave radio. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B_K6z3HiRAs While I was viewing it, I thought of following it up with a story – of the boy who misses the train, … Continue reading The Boy Who Missed The Train
Real Impact is in mindset shifts, not in numbers
When we talk about impact in the social sector, it is often measured in visible, measurable outcomes:- A person trained and placed in a job- Increased household income- Improved Socio-Economic statusThese are important, as they change lives in real, demonstrable ways.But over the little time I have spent at TRRAIN (Trust for Retailers and Retail … Continue reading Real Impact is in mindset shifts, not in numbers