I ... Me .... Myself .......

Now that I have given the title "I ... Me .... Myself.......", I wonder where to start? But, before I start let me tell you one quick quote.

“Life is like an Elevator. Sometimes it goes Up & Sometimes it goes down. It doesn’t matter whether you go up or Down, What does matter is whether you are idle or moving. Keep Moving”

SPMHS School - this is where I started my schooling & completed Matric cum Higher secondary. Started my schooling with A+ grade and ended up with a comment "Average Guy". I always had this feeling that I am one of the best. I never knew whether it did any good to me. Every time the results came, I remained the best only in my feeling and varied a lot on reality. Passed out Matric with 80 % and still continued with my so called "One of the Best" feelings. Hated Maths completely, yet loved to become an engineer. Computer Science Engg - My goal remained clear, but the way to achieve it never appeared, not even in my best visibility. Finally I passed out Higher Secondary with 76 %. On getting the results, I started filling out the application forms for pursuing BCA/BSc, never having the guts to ask my dad to try for Engg. That timeframe turned out to be the best one of my life. My Dad decided that I must pursue Engg no matter what ever happens. The Elevator started going up.

We spent nights in the terrace discussing on the financial arrangements to be made. Dad's friends arranged for an Educational Loan and his brothers helped us to overcome the financial crisis. Having sorted out the first problem, we got ready to face the next. Money is ready, but will there be colleges for the 211.25 /300 Cut off I have scored? Damn. The elevator started going down.

I got my counseling call exactly 43 days after the first Bookworm of Tamil Nadu got his / her call. Loaded with confidence I walked into the counseling room @ Anna University. My Dad had already made his decisions on what course should I pursue, that too in which college & whether to stay in Hostel or remain a Day Scholar. When I was offered the remains of what the book worms had eaten up, I realized what watching TV and playing cricket without studies would cost you? Dad was clear. Packing started for me to pursue Engg @ Sethu Institute of Technology, Madurai. Madurai ? ? ? Damn…! ! ! The elevator started going down.

First day @ SIT, that is how we used to call our college. The first look at the college premises gave me a picture that my life is doomed. I started missing Madras – Now Chennai, Home & Friends. Luckily I got myself into a close friends circle. Guys in college started to visualize me as though I am an alien. Later I found the reason for that. It was not my appearance, but the place where I hailed from. As far as my college in Madurai was concerned, to be precise, as far as my batch guys were concerned, there are 2 qualities which will make you an alien.

Quality 1: Speak in English.

Quality 2: Speak to girls.

I managed to be refrained from both these activities for the full 4 years. At least the second one.

I joined college as a second batch – Payment Seat. The first batch was full of book worms. First time in my life, I was along with equals, Payment seat guys. I was relieved. The elevator started going up.

Madurai turned out to be more fascinating than Chennai. Meenakshi temple, Theppakulam, Manja Virattu, Azhagar kovil etc were the places I visited often. Movies were always one more stuff which would fascinate me at any given point of time. I made some records for seeing the film Kaadhal Konden & Minnale for the umpteenth time. I visited almost every theater in Madurai. Days were moving without much fuss and with utmost fun. All of a sudden, I was taken by surprise by the announcement made by my HOD – ECE. Yes….. I was denied a CS seat in counseling. Campus interviews will start from next Monday. It was now I realized that I was no more with equals. Almost everyone had an extra cource completed. What to do? CCNA. That was the answer I got from one of my friends. 45 days and I turned out to be a CCNA. The elevator started going up.

3 – Total campus interviews attended by me.

3 – Total failures in campus interviews.

There were more interviews, but I simply neglected them. When my dad asked the reason, I responded that I am not interested in Call Center kind of a job.

My status remained the same in my feelings & reality. One of the best in the former & Average guy in the later. Came back to Chennai on May 29th 2004 with hopes to acquire a job and dreams to acquire a flat & car.

3 – Number of interviews I attended before getting acquainted with my current employer.

The first one turned out to be a Marketing specialist. This opportunity was advertised in the daily newspaper and not in the supplementary dedicated for opportunities. I expected a small crowd to turn up for the interview. I reached the company by 1115 Hrs 45 minutes before the scheduled time. This time got it right. I was the only person for the position. My job was to sell Books. I attended the so called Interview. I was offered the job and requested to join the very next day.
I declined. My first interview was a disaster.

Now comes the second one. It was a training organization. It required Professionals. I applied for the same and was given a chance. I cleared the written test. When I attended the personal interview, I was told that I have performed the written test very well. I was also told that the decision has been made to recruit me. Now came the jolt out of nowhere. They demanded me a ransom 25,000 rupees to complete the cource and get selected to one of the firms like IBM, Infosys, TCS etc. For the first time in my life I gave a little thought about the environment. It was a 20 x 30 foot building with no proper finishing. One more jolt struck me, “This is fake”. I declined. The elevator started going down… this time into deep shit.

By this time I had been @ home without a job for more than one and half months. Yes that is right! This “one of the best FEELING” made me think as though I was jobless for decades. Again it was my Dad who came to my rescue. One of his friends was working as a HOD in a reputed Organizations dealing with Software Development. I was called for a screening test. Two guys screened my networking skills which went on for about 20 minutes. The interview was over and I was promised the best from my dad’s friend.

Another 10 days passed by. All of a sudden, on a sleepy afternoon, I got a call from the company Tombshell Technologies. They gave me the address and asked me to appear for an interview the same day by 1730 Hrs. The elevator was going up.
I refreshed my networking skills and walked into the address given by the company. I was told that the company operated in the 8th floor of Century Plaza, Teynampet. I scanned the whole building searching for Tombshell Technologies, but in vain. I was the first person to fail in an interview without even attending it. The elevator was going down.

I received a call from the company one more time the next day. They enquired me as to why I did not appear for the interview. I told them my scanning process and bang came the truth. It was not Tombshell technologies, but Softcell Technologies. I begged for their pardon as though my entire life depended on that. As a matter of fact, it did. I was given one more chance. This time I spotted the company. I was asked to wait in the reception for 20 minutes. At 1807 Hrs, I was asked to meet Mr. Prem in the discussion room of the company. I was shivering in cold. It was a 6 x 3 room with AC tuned around 16 'c. Mr. Prem turned out to be a man in his 20s. I tried to guess his attitude from his expressions and appearance, but in vain. I was asked exactly 7 questions, 2 of which I managed. The interview lasted 17 minutes. But it appeared to me as 17 weeks. I was bowled out without scoring. My confidence level was shattered from 100 % to 10 %. First time in my life I asked myself, "Am I one of the best?" Mr. Prem after finishing the interview, made me feel comfortable by enquiring about my family, my interests & my expectations. I got the message that they would get back to me. First time in life, the elevator was idle.

After a week I got a call from Softcell Technologies, requesting me to join within a week. The elevator started going up. It has never gone down since then.

I owe everything I am today to just 2 persons. One is my dad. Another one is my company. I never expected whatever I have today so fast. I was not the best student, I never was a best son, but still I am with the best persons . May be this is what they call as L U C K .