Travel Notes from Singapore (with photos)

I am back in India from an expedition to Singapore. I recommend you to save money and make a trip to the country that is disciplined as well as progressive. Alongside a professional work environment, there are several opportunities for shopping, entertainment and recreation.

Before the flight I had a brief halt at Hotel Le Seasons, New Delhi

My flight landed Monday morning and then we set off for Hotel Holiday Inn Atrium. After a sumptuous breakfast buffet that had decent vegan options, we had a quick nap and hopped onto a bus. A brief city tour was followed by lunch at an Indian restaurant, Mughal Mahal at Novotel. Then we went to Sentosa island, VivoCity mall, Bugis Street and Mustafa mall. We did a fair amount of shopping from these places, with Mustafa having far too many options in electronics, utensils, chocolates, fruits including Indian mangoes, etc you name it they had it. There is Arya Samaj opposite Mustafa 1 in an area called ‘Little India’ because it has a lot of people of Indian origin. Tamil is one of Singapore's official languages, and I could see signboards in Tamil almost everywhere I went including the metro rail, buses, public spots, etc.

Singapore's Official Languages are English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil. Punjabi can wait.

Story of VC funding, innovation, branding and startups

There is a new Chanakya Neeti for tech startups. The way a mosquito sucks blood, you should extract personal information from your users by giving away your SaaS based solutions for free.

These were the thoughts in Prem’s head, as he sat outside the VC’s chamber in Powai, waiting for them to hear his proposal.

A photo posted by Arjun Suri (@arjunsuri) on May 13, 2016 at 12:22am PDT

Prem was a bit nervous, but he wouldn’t bite his nails. His father Er. Ratan had graduated from the first batch of IIT Kharagpur, and vowed not to get married till he completed his Ph. D, due to which he didn’t marry till he turned 40. People like him might have inspired Jaspal Bhatti Sir’s Flop Show episode on Ph. D.

Coming back to Prem, he wouldn’t bite his nails because his father used to. Growing up Er. Ratan was not affluent, and chewing nails would be his closest contact with protein, albeit a dead one.

To ease his nerves, Prem started looking at the calendar on the receptionist’s desk. It had a baby’s photo that reminded him of his 4 months old nephew.

The moment his nephew was born, a group of transgenders came asking for ‘Dhan’ (Hindi for money). No wonder India is the land of Cash On Delivery.

There was a time when Prem had a full time job, fresh out of his engineering college, getting his first salary at 21. Prem had been earning money for years and his Medical friends were still doing their studies. Can’t blame them because unlike the Software field, most patients want to get themselves treated from a specialist with multiple degrees instead of a general practitioner with MBBS degree alone.

Prem didn’t expect his prospective VC to give him lots of money with which he’ll enjoy the life he couldn’t afford otherwise. Prem just wanted to learn so that he’ll use the experience to create a more beautiful software that would make lives easier for people.

In any case Prem was not a guy of humongous expectations. In his previous job, he never expected overtime from his employer, and would almost always leave late at night. He became so much habitual that he had begun feeling odd whenever he left for home on time, not knowing what to do as he saw the daylight on his way back.

A photo posted by Arjun Suri (@arjunsuri) on Mar 6, 2016 at 8:40am PST

Suddenly, the receptionist’s phone rang. She spoke for few seconds and asked Prem if he had his lunch. Prem hadn’t. The receptionist informed the person on the phone, and then told Prem “Please wait for 4 minutes, Aman will be here and then you’ll have your lunch with him”.

Exactly 4 minutes later, a punctual guy came out of the room. Extending his hand he said

“Hi, I am Aman”

“Hi, I’m Prem.”

“Together our name means Peaceful Love, so come have lunch with me”

“Ha ha… Thank you sir, but I think it is okay”

“Oye Have it!”

Prem started thinking.

Optimism: Check

Positive vibes: Check

Sense of humor: Check

What my sixth sense says: I don’t know

And thus they entered cafeteria. Aman asked Prem if he’d have a Parantha, to which he firmly said yes. They took their meals and sat on a corner seat, not far from a TV screen showing a loud, over the top Punjabi family doing Bhangra.

Watching TV, Aman sighed: "This is so not right - they keep on stereotyping Punjabis, all of us are not the same" - and then proceeded to put Butter on his Parantha.

“So how’s your life at Punjab?” asked Aman

“It’s fine. Before starting travel to Mumbai I attended a Langar hosted by my close family friend at a Gurudwara” replied Prem.

“Must have been delicious” added Aman.

“More than the food I was wondering that the Pareto Principle applies to Langars as well. A small group of people regularly host Langars for majority of the population” said Prem.

“Please don’t do such insightful data analysis now - just enjoy your meal!” instructed Aman.

Then they quietly finished their meals. A character on the cafeteria’s TV screen mouthed dialogue that two Punjabi people can sit together and be quiet only if there is delicious food involved.

A photo posted by Arjun Suri (@arjunsuri) on Sep 11, 2013 at 7:34am PDT

After finishing their meal Aman and Prem got up from their seats and in unison complimented the vendor for a well prepared meal.

Aman: “Would you have something for dessert?”

Prem: “Turmeric Latte”

Aman: “What’s that?”

Prem: “The good ol’ classic Haldi Wala Doodh, it’s now branded with this name in the states and is becoming a rage. Their marketing teams are bombarding the health benefits and the guys selling it are earning decent profit margins”

Aman: “Had you met me before, we’d have launched a nationwide chain of mother’s recipes with fancy Western names. We’d have done really attractive packaging and branded them as something genuinely good for health”

Prem: “Hashtag growth Hashtag healthy Hashtag profits”

Aman: “Interestingly so many ventures are making profits these days due to hashtags, but not the ones who invented hashtags”

Prem: “Maybe they idolized Albert Einstein far more than Steve Jobs and didn’t patent hashtags”

Aman: “So what’s your new venture about?”

Prem: “It’s called PAYO - a new way to pay online without requiring a password because many people in rural areas don’t understand the existing concepts of online payments”

Aman: “Interesting - tell me more”

Prem: “Before I share details of my venture, I wish to say something”

Aman: “Please go ahead”

Prem: “Commuting to your office in a cab, we stopped at traffic lights. My cab just missed crossing as the signal turned red, but I was not worried about waiting. I started observing the things around me. The trees were of different varieties, and few even had flowers on them. I saw a sixty something man on a Vespa with a laptop bag, working hard at this age. I saw a group of cyclists sweating out in the sun who seemed to be ones who could have afforded a car as well. I saw a guy selling copies of The Power Of Now. I saw a car which was the same model as my father’s first car. I saw so many things that were unexpected and I’m happy. I live for the moment. I have food in stomach, good health, and people who keep making me learn new things. And, I’m happy, come whatever may.”

A photo posted by Arjun Suri (@arjunsuri) on Oct 2, 2014 at 2:28am PDT

Having a bad day? Read this.

Photo by Arjun Suri Photography

Made a mistake? Everyone makes mistakes. I do that too. Learn. Move on.

Someone dumped you? Had a break up? Remember what Hitler did to Jews? Was it their fault? Not at all. It was Hitler who thought of harming innocent humans. If someone does bad to you it is their fault, and the best way to hit back is by not losing your uniquely good nature.

Had a bad day at work? These days won’t last forever. I appreciate that you reached at a place far better than what you once were, and if you could reach here then you can survive these times as well. Don’t give up.

Things didn't go the way you wanted to? Have faith in the bigger scheme of things. I've met people who saw the death of their kids but didn't lose faith. In turn they ended up making people around them far stronger than they were.

You are special. Because you chose to survive life inspite of its unevenness. You chose to read this article as you wanted to be better, isn't it? Now go and experience optimism.

Dili khyaal, India ke IT employees par

Photo by Arjun Suri Photography

Har insaan apne vichaar rakh sakta hai aur keh sakta hai jo veh kehna chahta hai. Abhi naya saal do hazaar pandrah aa gaya hai, aur iska praarambh main kuch katu satya likhkar kar raha hoon.

Main aur Meri Gareebi - Ek Amar Katha

Main apne doston se chilla chilla ke kehta rehta hoon
Ki main gareeb hoon... bahut zyaada gareeb hoon
Magar log meri baat maante hi nahi hain
Isliye aakhirkaar aaj main bata ke rahunga
Wahi, jo aaj tak maine kaha nahi
Jiske kaaran aap logon ne abhi tak suna nahi

Lo suno!

Chetan Bhagat (500 words)

I was talking to my good friend Gaurav Bhalla on Chetan Bhagat’s latest book Half Girlfriend. Few days ago, when traveling by Delhi Metro, Gaurav observed 4 people reading that book in his train's bogie. He's never seen so many people reading the same book at the same time. This is an unprecedented phenomena because most people in India don’t read fiction books that too in English. Chetan Bhagat invites more ridicule among the elite for his works but also sells more than any other author. As per a news article on Scroll his book equals combined sales of the next 400+ bestsellers. Which means there is no competition for him when it comes down to connecting with the masses.

5 Point Someone, Chetan Bhagat's debut book

Chetan Bhagat’s success is not just because he knows his audience, but also that he offers a complete experience. People adore those in whom they see themselves. I was in first year of engineering in my college when 5 Point Someone, CB’s debut book, released. I doubt there was someone in my hostel who hadn't read that book. Not just the book but my friends were in awe of its author for the following reasons
1. He did his engineering from India’s top college (dream college of engineering graduates)
2. He did MBA from India’s top college (dream college of MBA postgraduates)
3. He was working abroad in one of their dream companies (also among the highest paymasters)

My friends wondered what made CB write a book when he had achieved it all.

The story didn't end there, and CB wrote more books. A day came when he quit his Hong Kong based job to shift back to India and became a full-time author. The risk paid for CB, and his brand value kept getting enhanced. Now he writes newspaper columns, gives lectures in colleges, and has turned himself into a brand. Most people around me take his views seriously.

Chetan Bhagat

It is not just in reading but CB has inspired more people to start writing. Growing up in school we all felt that to be a writer you had to have strong vocabulary, degree in arts, use complex sentences, etc. CB has none of these but that is not a concern for his target audience. There are few who read only his books, and several others who started reading books because of him.

All my science graduate friends are unhappy with their jobs. Maybe they can relate to CB as someone who found his destiny in a territory few would have ever anticipated. Critics and naysayers matter less than what we often fear.

Photo by Arjun Suri Photography

Travel notes from USA (with photos)

A month ago I returned from a highly eventful trip to USA.

Above photo was taken at 1 Infinite Loop Cupertino aka Apple Headquarters, by far the most beautiful workplace I've ever been to. Simple, exuberant, full of happy vibrations. Just like the products Steve Jobs created. My friend works at Facebook HQ, Menlo Park and he showed me the office which was magnificent. This was followed by a trip to the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

I happened to visit Universal Studios in Los Angeles along with various shopping complexes in that area. I also visited J Krishnamurti center in Ojai, CA.

I spent considerable time in the Washington DC area. I visited The White House, Capitol Building, Smithsonian Museums, Washington Monument, and Abraham Lincoln Memorial. Initially I stayed at National Harbour, MD which is place for relaxation with family and on one night undertook a cruise on Potomac river that was picturesque. My last few days were at Fairfax Station, VA and one must-visit attraction that I went to was Luray Caverns.

I was blessed to have some great hosts who took utmost care to ensure my visit went smooth. God is grateful to have made all this possible. :)

Special Thanks:
Dr. Baldev Rai uncle and Dr. Inderjit Singh uncle along with their respective families for the unforgettable hospitality.
My friend Mr. Siddharth Manuja for introducing me to Mr. Arthur Menzes who graciously showed us the Facebook office.
Dr. Arjun Suri for photography lessons.
Dr. Rishi Kumar Arya pitashri for doing what he is doing in the field of healthcare and his wife Dr. Vibha Arya matashri for playing a prominent role in his life.
Friends of Dr. Rishi K Arya pitashri for meeting us in USA and ensuring we had a memorable time.
Dr. Vikrant Bhardwaj jijaji for accompanying us from India along with Richa didiji and Daksh bhanjashri.
Mr. Puneet Arya bhaiyaji for coming to meet us from New York with Poonam bhabhiji and Atharv bhatijashri.
Mr. Faridoon Shahryar ji for encouraging me to do a write-up on my experience and share it with the world including you, dear reader. :)

Photos:
To view images in greater resolution click on any one of them and navigate via left/right buttons, keys or touch swipe.

Newport Beach, CA

Fashion Island, Newport Beach, CA

Potomac River, Washington DC

Plates of famous US presidents, DC

Fairfax Station, VA

The road to Ojai, CA

Los Angles, CA

Universal Studios, Los Angles, CA

1 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA

5-6 Infinite Loop, Cupertino, CA

Mountain View, CA

Facebook, 1 Hacker Way, Menlo Park, CA

San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, CA

Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA

Fairfax Station, VA to Washington DC

National Harbor, MD

Washington DC

Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, MD

Pentagon Memorial, DC

Washington DC

Smithsonian Air and Space museum, DC

National Harbor, MD

Somewhere in MD

Washington DC

Gaylord Convention Center, National Harbor, MD

Corn factory, VA

Washington DC Railway Station

Pentagon, DC

An unidentified VIP being escorted to the White House

Washington Monument

American History Museum, DC

Near Washington Monument

American Indian museum

Lincoln Memorial, DC

Capitol Building, Washington DC