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Author: ashokkarania

  • Rediscover Gandhi

    Rediscover Gandhi

    Mahatma Gandhi: A man synonymous with India. Nobody deserved Nobel Peace Prize more than Mahatma Gandhi. Nobody deserved more respect and love than Gandhi. But, nobody gets more criticism than Gandhi( especially by Indians). So isn’t it quite surprising for many of you to see Gandhi topping the list of people I admire.

    Gandhi was no emperor, not a military general, not a president nor a prime minister. He was neither pacifist nor a cult guru. Who was Gandhi ? If anything, Mohandas K. Gandhi was a constant experimenter. Mahatma gave us the freedom by revolutionary concept of non-violence, non-cooperation and satyagraha. He was the best communicator known to us. He won the hearts of people even in a new nation like South Africa.

    During my Gandhi sessions, I reiterate that he was the best example of servant leadership. He was equally terrific example of authentic and situational leadership. Beyond his politics and philosophy, he was a linguist and health expert. I am glad that Gujaratilexicon has played a small part in digitising his dictionary. His ideas on women empowerment, village economy, self-reliance,  untouchability and health are timeless. 

    Majority of Indians have not understood Gandhi and we label him as a bygone phenomenon. But I feel he is more relevant today than ever before. 

    Gandhi is in us. Let’s rediscover him. 

    Will we? 

    I get hope from T S Eliot’s lines:

    We shall not cease from exploration

    And the end of all our exploring

    Will be to arrive where we started 

    And know the place for the first time.

    Image: My favourite anecdote of Gandhi’s visit to Lancashire mills….

  • Social Media – Frankenstein Resurrected?

    Social Media – Frankenstein Resurrected?

    Is Social Media A Boon Or Bane? The Eternal Debate Continues In The New Netflix Documentary-

    Jeff Orlowski’s Docu-Drama ‘The Social Dilemma’ Does Not Tell Us Anything New….We Have Known Both Sides Of Story For Long….What It Does Is To Reinforce The Arguments – Primarily Against Social Media Giants. 

    The Documentary Has Two Distinct Tracks. The First Track Features Interviews With The Most Smartest And Conscientious Employees Of The Big Tech Giants. The Second Track Showcase A Fictional Story – How Social Media Manipulates & Ruins Kids Of A Perfectly Normal American Family.  

    The Great Minds Of Silicon Valley Include:

    1. Tristan Harris – Former Google Design Ethicist
    2. Justin Rosenstein – Co-Inventor of Facebook ‘Like’ Button
    3. Tim Kendall – Former Director of Monetization At Facebook, Former President Of Pinterest
    4. Renee DiResta
    5.  Jeff Seibert 

    These Interviews Highlight Risk Of Social Media Addiction. Social Media Giants Engineer Platforms To Create Addiction, Manipulate Behaviour & Reap Profits For Their Shareholders. The Dangerous Impact On Mental Health Of Children & Teenagers, Personal Privacy & Data Confidentiality Issues, The Rise Of Hate Crimes & Genocide, The Fuelling Of Fake News, Death Of Democracies Are Some Of The Negatives That Can No Longer Be Ignored. 

    The Documentary Considers Founders Of Social Media Giants To Be Trapped. Too Naive! Shareholders & Governments Are Human Beings – And Human Beings Have A Choice – But Are We Willing To Call Spade A Spade? 

    Social Media Is A Drug. Agree. It Is Challenging The Organised Religion – An Equally Dangerous Drug 🙂

    Why Our Best Brains Work For Biggest Social Media Companies? Agriculture Crisis Hits Headlines Every Year And We Have No Solution….Why We Applaud New Feature Upgrades Of Big Tech Giants While Many Genuine Research Organizations Die Every Year…

    Technology Is Neutral. A Gun In The Hands Of Police Protects, While In The Hands Of Terrorist Kills. 

    Social Media Has Reunited Families, Help Raise Awareness Of Evils, Found Blood Donors, Brought Joy To Our Life. But It Has Also  Led To Recruitment Of Extremists In Terrorist Organizations, Body-Shaming, Incited Crimes Etc. As Well. 

    Social Media Is Not 100% Evil Or The Only Evil. It Is Too Simplistic To Blame It For All Evils In The Society. Yes – It Is A Platform That Amplifies The Evil In The Society. Social Media Giants Are Taking Corrective Actions But We Need Neutral Champions To Review These Actions. 

    Practical Takeways:

    1. Regulate Screen Time For Self & Kids

    2. Do Not Take Devices To Bedroom

    3. No Devices For Kids Till High School

    4. Research & Question Sources Of Information

    5. Explore Alternatives To Big Social Media Products

    6. AI Is Already Running The World

    I Believe Our Ethics, Values & Choices Drive The Usage Of Any Technology. Social Media Can Be An Agent Of Good. Let’s Switch Off The Screens, Watch The Real World, Smell The Flowers & Drive A Positive Change. The Answers Lie With Us….

    Watch It – A Important Documentary To Watch. One’s Outlook Toward Mindless Scrolling & Notifications Will Change!

  • Infostretch – Picture Abhi Baaki Hai!

    Infostretch – Picture Abhi Baaki Hai!

    Time for the next orbit of growth and success!

    Goldman Sachs Merchant Banking Division and Everstone Group (Everstone) have signed a definitive agreement to acquire a significant stake in Infostretch. The investment will help accelerate the company’s business growth and expand its digital engineering service offerings for both enterprise and digital native companies. 

    Congratulations Rutesh, Manish, Manish, Shalin & Team Infostretch!

    The is a vindication of the great vision, commitment to customer’s success, unrelenting pursuit of excellence, inspiring Infostretch family and living our core values! 

    Great companies are not built on business plan document or excel sheets – they are built in the trenches – Selling the vision, traveling 20 hours for encouraging team for a new pitch, delivering the promise at all costs, writing the automation scripts, proof-reading the documents, cleaning the coffee mugs, dead serious preparation for dance shows and prioritising the ‘giving back’ cause! Rutesh & Manish have done this all and more – I and other core members have had the privilege of working alongside them!

    Rutesh, Manish and Manish have created the strong foundation with their hard work and values. The customer first mantra is seen in their in-built quest for better value proposition and exceeding expectations. The bias for innovation and passion for leveraging technology for customer problems has been a way of life. Respect, growth opportunities, attention and care for every Infoneer is something that drives all Infostretch actions and conversations. Infoneers are indeed inspired to stretched – to explore and grow their potential. 

    Rutesh, Manish and Manish have taken everyone together! And walked the talk in letter and spirit. The best part of the Infostretch journey is the opportunity to work with such a talented and inspiring extended family – Shalin, Siva, Pinakin, Kanhai, Vipul, Pal, Leila, Avery, Yaten, Mike, Herpreet, Sachin. And the wonderful connect and warm interaction with the family members including Mona, Ketki and Nisha is special – Truly it has been an amazing joyride with awesome friends and family. 

    I am really delighted that all these wonderful things will be grown exponentially. The platform is getting bigger and the opportunities even bigger!

    Time to cheer! 

    Time to celebrate! 

    Time to recommit to our goals and values!

    Time to get ready for the next milestones!

    Milestones like these indeed ignite nostalgia! I fondly recollect the journey of 11 years at Infostretch – an interesting, a defining and definitely a delightful decade of learning, growing and having fun. I still remember the day I first entered Infostretch and was delighted to see the picture of Mahatma Gandhi and the quote. Being a Gandhi fan, I immediately felt that I was at the right place and then interactions with Manish Mistry, Shalin Shah, Vipul Jani etc cemented the feeling of being at home. I won the first project on Day 3 and we bagged more projects in next few weeks and the caravan rolled on. And within first few months, I realised that the entrepreneur in me can live and thrive in Infostretch environment – I just got a bigger platform. 

    The acquisition of new clients, maturing of business model, scouting and opening of UK office, shifts to different office at Regency, Sigma and finally Infostretch house are all entrenched strongly in the memory. Equally entrenched are those Thanksgiving visits to US and wonderful time with families of Rutesh, Manish and Manish. The pre-sales, demand generation, marketing support, Government projects and other activities grew the repertoire of activities. Sales Super Saturday, Filmy Friday, Thirsty Thursday, Mobile Monday, Hot Seat, Koffee Sessions, Infostretch Cricket League, Infostretch Ignite (Pahel) etc. added to the beauty of life at Infostretch. My thoughts are flowing and I cannot stop myself – but stop I must as we celebrate this special moment!

    The Infostretch Journey has been an amazing journey. Infostretch brought sunshine, learning, growth, memories and friends for life! The wisdom, living my entrepreneurial passion, freedom to share thoughts without fear, working on special initiatives and opportunity to make a difference are things that I cherish. Looking forward to the fantastic future times where we continue to scale our visions and dreams together. Looking forward to even more exciting times ahead! 

    As they say in Bollywood, ‘Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost!’ 

  • All Managers Are HR Managers

    All Managers Are HR Managers

  • Raat Akeli Hai Review: Gripping Watch!

    Raat Akeli Hai Review: Gripping Watch!

    Raat Akeli Hai Review: Gripping Watch!

    A dark murder mystery of a family with lots of skeletons in the cupboard. Everyone is a complicit in the well-layered locked room crime.

    Nawazuddin shines as a small town cop who unravels the truth – Reminds of his Kahaani avatar! Radhika Apte and all other characters are well sketched.

    Rusty UP feel, nice direction, memorable simple dialogues and engrossing suspense! Reminds us of Knives Out, ChinaTown and Manorama Six Feet Under! Nordic Noir in Desi UP Avatar!

    Raat Akeli Hai Is Worth A Watch!

  • Shakuntala Devi: The Vidya Balan Show! Vidya-Kasam!

    Shakuntala Devi: The Vidya Balan Show! Vidya-Kasam!

    Shakuntala Devi: The Vidya Balan Show! Vidya-Kasam!

    The unraveling of personal life of India’s most famous mathemagician Shakuntal Devi – Who tries to get the mathematical equation of life right – Celebrated career vs motherhood. Why woman cannot have it all?

    Shakuntala is a genius whose aim was clear from day one -become a ‘Bada Aadmi’, not a ‘Badi Aurat’! The prodigy’s difficult childhood gives way to the fame and riches of Shakuntala Devi’s ‘human computer’ cult. The movie takes an emotional turn as Shakuntala tries to focus on family and daughter.

    Its all about loving your parents – famous words from Karan Johar. But Shakuntala Devi has challenges with her parents as well as with her only child Anupama. The movie spends more time on this, leaving other strands ignored.

    It is good that Shakuntala was not presented as photoshopped and Instagram perfect figure. No one likes hagiography !!!

    Yet one must not forget that this is one perspective and all heavily fictionalised. True life may remain a Paheli – as the song said!


    There has been a discussion on her husband’s homosexuality. Pros and cons of her approach for not sending the girl to school. Yet she should have done a better job – but she was no ordinary lady! Maybe the sheer ambition and storm that she was – helped her to go from an obscure village to a global phenomenon!

    Movies help us to discover these characters and ignite discussions to help us discover our true north. Learn both small things like snowflakes and big things like importance of following your passion! And try to avoid their mistakes! And make our own unique path!

    The movie is a complete Vidya Balan show. Her powerhouse performance is the life of the movie – Showing all shades of Shakuntala – Genius. Ambitious. Confident. Strong. Independent. Vibrant. Charming. Brave. Powerful. Flawed. Imperfect. Human!

    Vidya is ably supported by Sanya Malhotra and others. Strong editing and overall well presented. A good watch!!

  • Enterprise Mobility Trends – 2013

    Enterprise Mobility Trends – 2013

    Enterprise Mobility Trends – Ashok’s TechGig Webinar

  • Dil Bechara Review – An Imperfect Farewell

    Dil Bechara Review – An Imperfect Farewell

    Dil Bechara Review: The Sushant Singh Swansong Is An Imperfect Farewell

    Dil Bechara will always be seen as Sushant’s final goodbye. Millions will be moved to see him brighten the screen for one last time. And emotions will run high when he dies on the screen – clearly reminding us of his tragic suicide. Tears Guaranteed! 

    The love story of two young cancer patients – Immanuel Rajkumar Junior aka Manny (Sushant) and Kizie Basu (Sanjana) – the film depicts the fragility of life. Manny is full of life and charm while Kizie slowly starts being happy under Manny’s influence. While Kizie’s parents strengthen the proceedings, Manny’s parents and other tracks are not developed. Saif’s cameo is decent. Excellent music by genius Rahman, beautiful Jamshedpur locations and lively Sushant. Watchable….

    As a Sushant Singh fan, this is a must-watch!
    As a ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ fan, the movie could have been better. 
    As a typical Bollywood romance, the movie is an average fare
    As an A R Rahman musical, it is amazing!

    Dil Bechara is indeed a reminder of the fine talent Sushant was and is a celebration of Sushant!

    #bollywood#dilbechara#moviereview#arrahman#sushantsinghrajput#sushantsingh
    #dilbechara#sanjanasanghi#disneyhotstar#hotstar

  • Gulabo Sitabo Review – A Crumbling Effort!

    Gulabo Sitabo Review – A Crumbling Effort!

    India’s first big brand movie to go direct on a digital streaming platform is an average fare. 

    Juhi Chaturvedi & Shoojit Sircar’s have a history of amazing movies – Vicky Donor, Piku and October. But Gulabo Sitabo falls short. 

    Fatima Mahal is the protagonist of the movie – a dilapidated and forgotten ruin with rich history and past glory. Amitabh and Ayushmann, loggerheads with each other, share a common love for the mansion. Both excel in portraying the flawed characters – emotions, mannerisms and insecurities. Excellent supporting cast with special mention for Shrishti Srivastava – out-spoken and unapologetic! 

    Love the slice of life of Lucknow! Amazing writing, humorous anecdotes, great cinematography and nice direction. But the film is slow and stretched and crumbles like the toilet wall of the falling mansion! Can watch it or can miss it! 

    Wise decision to release on digital platform – movie is not for mainstream multiplexes!

  • Everybody Lies – Book Summary

    Everybody Lies – Book Summary

    Everybody Lies : Insightful. Shocking. Mind-blowing. Original. Smart. 

    Seth Stephens Davidowitz introduces us to the smart and astonishing insights by analysing the huge collection of big data. 

    In the process, it lists many anecdotes and examples:
    1. Why election of Donald trump should not surprise us!
    2. What is the biggest worry in a marriage – sexless marriage, loveless marriage or unhappy marriage?
    3. How many men are gay?
    4. Does advertising work?
    5. What should you talk about on a first date if you want a second?
    6. Can you beat the stock market?
    7. What is the most interesting sexual query in India? 

    Let me summarise quick points:

    1. The book’s basic premise is that everybody lies – to themselves and others. But digital trails that we leave on internet can be highly revealing.

    2. Everybody lies. How many drinks they had on the way? How often they go to gym? How many books they read? People want to look good and they under-report embarrassing behaviours and thoughts on surveys. This is called Social Desirability Bias. 

    3. People brag through social media posts,  social media likes and dating profiles. But the real truth is revealed by searches, views, clicks and swipes 

    4. Google searches are the most important dataset ever collected on the human psyche. The internet can tell us a lot about ourselves – things we may or may not know about ourselves. It also exposes the chasm between ideal self we project to the world and the true beings we are. 

    5. The new data increasingly available in our digital age will radically expand our understanding of humankind. 

    6. Trust data and build your actions around it! Analyse data and build your business around it!

    7. Netflix learned the above lesson early on in its life cycle – don’t trust what people tell you, trust what they do. So did Facebook. 

    8. People say they do not want to stalk their friends. There is little in this world they want more than to keep up with and judge their friends. Mark Zuckerberg’s  net worth is the biggest proof of this. 

    9. Similarly, everyone will claim that they have no interest in reading about bondage, dominance and sadomasochism. But people want to read about BDSM between a young college graduate and a business magnate. Proof: 50 Shades of Gray’s success – 125 million copies sold in original and the movie franchise and the revenue collection around this.

    10. Apart from business, academicians can also use big data and digital trails. Academics can use digital data to test a few hundred or a few thousand ideas in just a few seconds. No need to recruit army of researchers to perform a single test. 

    11. Researchers need to include digital data in research. Researchers on desirability and sexuality need to supplement their questionnaires to hundreds of subjects with data from sites like PornHub. 

    12. Collecting rich data on the world’s problems is the first step towards fixing them. Indeed, the algorithms know us better than we know ourselves. 

    Everybody Lies is a wonderful book indeed. A must-read for everyone to know the new emerging world. It continues the legacy of Freakonomics and Moneyball. 

    What we can learn? Study data and make decisions. The best way to work today is to have a data-driven approach. Data and insights can help you win – a difficult boss, a challenging sale and maybe love!

    Image Courtesy: Grzegorz Walczak on Unsplash