A Fistful of Salt

seeking sense within all this noise

About SV Rao

Insurance professional by day. A teacher by choice. A sports-buff, traveler, movie-nut, bookworm, and, a lover of vintage Hindi-film songs, seeking sense within all this noise. Welcome to my take; a fistful of salt is recommended.

50 Years of Sholay

Posted on September 12, 2025 by SV Rao

Sholay was released on the 15^thof August 1975. Fifty years later it remains one of the most iconic, celebrated and loved films in the annals of Indian cinema. Let’s first check-out it’s box office impact which transformed the fortunes of Hindi cinema in the mid 70’s. Planned with an ambitious budget of ₹ 1 crore (2x the budget of a well-mounted Bombay produced film); but the shooting and processing span of 27 months cost GP Sippy Films a staggering ₹ 3 crores. After a dismal start over the first weekend, it gained momentum to become the all-time cultural phenomenon it now is. This happened in an era where there was no social media and with several newspapers and magazines giving mixed and even negative reviews. Indeed, the Emergency had been declared just 2 months earlier. It was word-of-mouth excitement that sparked the Sholay explosion.

Thereafter, even the main-stream media got onto the bandwagon to celebrate its massive collection of ₹ 15 crores in its first run. Sholay had a 50-week (hallmarked as a golden jubilee) run at 28 cinema halls. At Minerva Theatre in Bombay, it was featured for a continuous run spanning an astonishing 5 years. Over the next 7 years of releases and re-releases the film had minted a historic ₹ 35 crores. Many trade experts in 2024 projected the movie’s inflation adjusted earning at around ₹ 2,750 crores. Surpassing the ₹ 2,000+ crores of Dangal (propelled by its humongous success in China) and Bahubali 2 at around ₹ 1,900/ crores. One simple fact to end all debates- Sholay sold more than 25 crore tickets – the highest by any Indian film ever.

Let’s connect with the nay-sayers in August 1975. The country had 11 film circuits including 6 major territories. The Rajesh Khanna starrer, Haathi Meri Saathi (1971) had created a record of ₹ 90 lakh gross in a couple of major territories. But the ₹ 3 crore budget itself signaled disaster. The 198-minute-long film had too much of violence and action and no romance or family values to pull in the crowds; an unknown villain Amjad Khan was pitted against 3 big stars in Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. (by the time of the film’s release AB had become the Big B). To make matters worse, Gabbar Singh’s dialogue delivery was considered weak and that too in some rustic dialect; a similar story Mera Gaon Mera Desh with Dharmendra, Asha Parekh and Vinod Khanna had set the box office counters ringing in 1971. Indeed, the tall, well-built Vinod Khanna was impressive in the villain’s role as Jabbar Singh. (Sound familiar? What?). Writer Salim Khan’s father had been a senior police officer in Central India and had talked about a dreaded dacoit called Gabbar Singh in the Gwalior ravines who spread terror by slicing of the noses of those who went against him.

But why has Sholay become such a cultural phenomenon? Why has it become the subject of research for so many social- scientists? There are several dialogues which have entered the common spoken language. Audiences remember names of side characters who barely had screen time for a few minutes. Certain characters and dialogues have contributed to numerous viral and trending memes on YouTube and TikTok. The film itself does not look dated even today. The epic rail chase and encounter with dacoits and the sounds of horse hooves, the steam engine puffing and coaches rattling and rifle shots stunned audiences in 1975. The pulsating back-ground score added the X factor to the 70 MM spectacle as did the expansive lens of the cinematographer, Dwarka Divecha. Even today one wonders how they pulled it off. Delving into some of the back stories surrounding the making of the film may provide some answers about its stupendous impact beyond the darkened single-screen cinema theatres (Author’s note: These nuggets have been mainly consumed from various YouTube interviews of Ramesh Sippy, the director, and the writer duo Salim-Javed + a sprinkling of Sholay trivia stock-piled over the years)

What really stands out is the passion, confidence, commitment and teamwork of the entire Sholay unit. Let’s start with producer GP Sippy. Yes, the success of Andaz and especially Seeta aur Geeta (both directed by his son Ramesh Sippy) must have emboldened him. But a ₹ 1crore budget was unheard of in the Bombay film industry at that time. Salim-Javed had approached GP Sippy films with the complete script of what became Majboor which could be wrapped up in a reasonable budget and with limited schedules. However, the film mogul wanted to do something big and Sholay happened. The 27-month shoot in the rugged, rocky terrains of Ramanagara (near Bangalore) and the drastic spike in budget -spend to ₹ 3 crores did not deter the production-house, director, star-cast, technicians and crew from giving their very best. Nothing underlines this more than the fact that when the film’s obituary was being written in the early days after release, Salim-Javed took out full page ads in the Screen and other papers asserting that the movie would gross ₹ 1 crore in every major territory.

GP Sippy Films wanted to retain Dharmendra, Sanjeev Kumar and Hema Malini ( the endearing tangewali Basanti)for their next project after the super-hit success of Seeta Aur Geeta. Amitabh Bachchan was backed by the writer-duo and signed on by Ramesh Sippy after watching his performance in Anand and in the popular Kishore da bus song in Bombay to Goa. Jaya Bahaduri came on board for a small emotional role. Danny Denzongapa was the first choice for the Gabbar Singh character but did not have the dates as he was shooting for Feroz Khan’s Dharmatma in Afghanistan. Again, the just 26-year-old director and the writer team stepped in. Amjad Khan (the son of veteran actor Jayant) and having some theatre experience stepped in. Amjad Khan became Gabbar Singh. The rest, as they say, is history. The debutant actor, himself, gave credit to RD Burman for creating the eerie, unsettling background score when his character was first seen and then adding a palpable aura to his later scenes as well. The Avadhi dialogues became a smash hit with the masses and resonates even 50 years later. ‘Kitne aadmi the?’ (Translation: How many were there?), ‘Ab tera kya hoga Kaaliya?’ (Translation: What will happen to you now Kaaliya?), ‘Yeh haath mujhe de de Thakur!’ (Translation: Surrender your arms to me Thakur- with the implication of cutting his arms off), ‘Bahut yaarana lagta hai!’ (Translation: They look quite close! – said in an amused and calculative way), ‘Holi kab hai? Kab hai Holi?’ (Translation: When is Holi? When is Holi?) have all become part of the spoken lexicon. An interesting trivia is that the cassettes of the Sholay dialogues were specially released on huge public demand and sold more copies than the film’s hit songs. And let’s listen to Javed Akhtar on why the Gabbar Singh character fascinated the public- ‘…he was pure evil with no back story to justify his cruelty; another reason was that the villain was not a pervert or lecherous, which would have undermined his impact.’

For me, one of the most intriguing aspects of Sholay power is that the names of small characters with limited screen time are still remembered after decades. Gabbar Singh’s side-kick Sambha (played by Mac Mohan) says only three words in the entire film’s run-time- ‘Purre pachas hazaar’ (Translation: A full ₹ 50,000) when the dacoit pointedly asks him about the bounty put on his head by the Government. That too, says Javed Saab, because a supreme egotist like Gabbar can’t boast of it himself. The faithful Sambha has to say it out loud for the other gang members to hear and remember why Gabbar is to be feared- an implicit psychological control over the rest. The venerable and blind Rahim Chacha is remembered for one poignant line, ‘Itna sanaata kyon hai bhai’ (Translation: Why is there so much silence?) when the village is aghast when the body of his dead grandson is brought to the village. The Hitler caricature, bumbling jailor (played by Asrani) has inspired hilarious memes especially with his ‘Aadhe idhar aao. Aadhe udhar jao. Baki hamare saath aao.’ (Translation: Half of you go over there. Half of you over there. The rest follow me- said in a petulant way by a tinpot dictator who is desperately trying to be in command). And who can forget Mausi (so naturally played by Leela Mishra)? And the one-and-only Soorma Bhopali (played by Jagdeep), who entertained us with scenes of situational comedy and flavored by his unique delivery of lines.

Another striking fact about Sholay is that the complete bound script, dialogues and even scene sequencing was handed over to the production house before filming. Only one scene was added and one scene changed. Veeru’s water-tank dramatics was added later to give Dharmendra more screen time, as the star was at the peak of his popularity. Also, in the original film Thakur (Sanjeev Kumar) stamped, kicked and trampled Gabbar Singh to death with his spiked footwear. The CBFC would have none of it and so the cops made their timely entry, arrested the villain and took him away, in a bid for a more palatable ending. When the movie was not doing well after its first weekend, Ramesh Sippy, Salim-Javed and Amitabh Bachchan met to discuss whether the ending with the death of Jai be changed. As by August 1975, Bachchan had become a bonafide superstar with a growing fan following. However, the original death scene remained, as does the legend of Sholay with the fake coin.

As mentioned earlier, the humongous impact of Sholay went far beyond the box-office numbers. Barely a year after it was released, in 1976, Amjad Khan featured in the Britannia Glucose-D ad with the tag-line ‘Gabbar ki asli pasand’ (Translation: Gabbar approved!- Note how the evilest character became a brand spokesman!). Kailash Surendranath (the admaker) himself remarked on this turn or events, ‘…from being the most feared villain, to the face and brand ambassador of a majorly children consumed product was really something?’ The marketing gold mine was tapped for government campaigns, by major corporates and even down to the Goli Vada Pav joint franchise- ‘Ab goli kha’ (Clever wordplay, where you don’t take the bullet but translation: Have the vada-pav at a Goli franchise) to resonate with the masses.

Even today 50-60 people buy tickets of ₹ 25 each to visit the Ramanagara village- the fictional Ramgarh (off the Bengaluru-Mysuru expressway) to see the rocky locations where the film was shot. On weekends the number of fans goes up to 250. The ticket is ostensibly for the Vulture Park entry, but all the tourists are flocking to see the sites where the iconic film was shot even though nothing related to the film set remains.

As I write this blog, Sholay is being re-released in a 4K restored version (204 mins) at the Toronto International Film Festival. When the film is re-launched in India (re-release is not the word), the senior citizens and the 50+ will throng the cinema halls in millions. The Millennials and the Gen Z may wonder what the buzz is all about and some may even go to end their FOMO (fear of missing out).

Ratan Tata & the 26/11 terror attack on the Taj

Posted on November 23, 2024 by SV Rao

Ratan Tata passed away in the late hours of the 9^{th of} October, 2024. The heartfelt sense of public grief and the profound sense of loss across the country was unprecedented. Social and print media, TV anchors, corporate honchos, political leaders and especially the common people bowed their heads in tribute. A social phenomenon unlike any other, akin to the emotional reactions after the sudden demise of Dr Abdul Kalam on the 27^{th of} July 2015. Eminent scientist, author, teacher and the most distinguished President India has ever had.

On the late evening of the 26^{th of} November 2008, 10 terrorists landed on the Mumbai shores via the Arabian Sea. They belonged to the terror group- Lashkar-e-Taiba-sponsored, supported and trained by the Pakistani Army and ISI. Other than The Taj, the targets were the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Oberoi Hotel, Cama Hospital, Leopold Café, Chabad House, and Nariman Lighthouse, for which recce had already been done. The terrorists split up to wreak havoc and terror. 2 entered the Taj, and two more joined later. Out of 1700 people at the hotel, over 1600 escaped safely; 34 died, including 17 staff members.

At around 10.45 pm, Ratan Tata reached the Taj after getting a call from RK Krishna Kumar, Director of Tata Group. For him, the hotel resembled a venerable old lady. Built in 1903 by Jamshedji Tata in defiance of the British for barring Indians from their hotels. In an interview with Fareed Zakaria (CNN), he admitted that he was truly emotionally overcome by the sight of the rather beautiful building going up in flames. He could hear the sounds of gunshots and exploding grenades from inside the hotel and felt ‘tremendously helpless.’ The fact that there were hundreds of people trapped in a life-or-death situation caused him extreme anxiety. But as Thomas Mathew writes in his book ‘Ratan Tata- A Life’ ‘for him, it was not just an attack on a hotel belonging to his group but on the nation.’ For 3 days the Chairman of the Tata Group (then 70 years old) stood at the Colaba end of the hotel. When it was all over, he was found at the back of the hotel feeding street dogs, which were distressed.

On the 21^{st of} December 2008, the Taj reopened its doors. As the corporate doyen remarked, ‘We can be hurt, but we cannot be knocked down.’ Religious leaders of all faiths said prayers and performed healing ceremonies. The names of all 1700 Taj employees were read out to highlight their dedication to the Group philosophy. 540 employees who were on duty on the fateful days and could attend the function walked proudly through the lobby on a red carpet. Exactly one year after the horrific event, Ratan Tata unveiled a 12 ft high memorial with the heading- ‘for now and forever you will inspire us’- and there were etched the names of those who were killed in the terror attack. Just 21 months after 26/11, the Taj was restored to its former iconic glory.

Within hours, five outreach centres were set up by the Tata team to provide food, water and first aid to all affected across Mumbai city. In the days after, Ratan Tata & Senior managers visited all the injured at the hospitals to inquire about their well-being and pledge support. The Corporate Icon attended funerals and offered deep condolences and full support to the bereaved families. The families of the martyred employees were flown or driven to Mumbai and put up at the Taj President for 3 weeks at Company cost. He met 80 family members personally to share their grief and show his support. When his team came up with the rehabilitation package for each family, he kept saying, “This is not enough.” The Taj Public Services Welfare Trust (TPSWT) was set up. Ratan Tata broke all limits of empathy and generosity. Spouses or parents of Taj employees who lost their lives were awarded a compensation package of Rs 36 lakhs to Rs 85 lakhs. The spouses became eligible for full salary for their lifetime. The Company paid full educational fees for the children of the deceased and extended full medical facilities for the whole family for the rest of their lives. All loans and advances taken by the deceased were waived. The children who had lost a bread-winning parent were given an open offer of employment at any of the Taj Group of Companies of their choice. Plus, a counsellor was appointed for each bereaved family and for the Staff who survived the ordeal for any post-trauma stress disorder.

Listen to the story of Sunu Verghese (widow of Taj hero Thomas Varghese) meeting Ratan Tata, Krishna Kumar & Raymond Bickson, MD of India Hotels; when she cried and told Ratan Tata, “I have lost everything and we will go home now (to Kerala).” And Ratan Tata’s response, “We lost one of our golden employees in Thomas, and till you die, The Taj will take care of you.” In an interview with author Thomas Mathew, she tearfully said, “I have not seen God. But that day, I saw God in him. God was in front of me.” She was a housewife earlier but now works for the TPSWT. The Institution extended generous support and help to all those who were affected by the terror attack in Mumbai. Beneficiaries included police personnel, commandoes, railway employees, firefighters, pedestrians, and street vendors. TPSWT identified the 168 people who died and their families became beneficiaries of the Tata generosity. Even street hawkers who had lost their wares in the commotion were given brand-new handcarts. Amazing!!

Shaunak Chemburkar, a bell captain at Oberoi Trident, lost his life. TPSWT reached out to his widow, Anjali, and sponsored her beautician course. The whole family, including the paralyzed father and the Alzheimer-stricken mother, received medical and financial support. The Tata Trust stood steadfast with Karuna, a janitor at GT Hospital, and her 3 children. On 26/11, her 29-year-old husband Waghela was having dinner in their tiny house when a gun-wielding Ajmal Kasab knocked on the door. After 2 glasses of water, he sprayed the host with AK 47 bullets. Shyam Sunder Chowdhury, a pedestrian, was paralysed when a taxi full of RDX exploded as he crossed the road in Ville Parle. The Company where he worked did not offer any relief. TPSWT sends a monthly pension to Shyam and sponsors his children’s education. The Trust gave his wife and sister Skills training, and they are now working and earning for the family.

Whilst we salute the many brave-hearts amongst the Mumbai Police, Anti-Terror Squad and the Commandos who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Megapolis and the Nation, let’s highlight some of The Taj’s heroes. The General Manager, Karambir Singh Kang, remained in the hotel and took charge of the rescue operations during the 3-day siege. His wife and 2 children were in a 6th-floor suite, but he did not walk away from his duty calls to take them to safety. Tragically, his family perished due to asphyxiation as fire engulfed the floor. He had promised his father, an Indian Army Officer, that if the ship goes down, I will be the last man there. Kang calls Ratan Tata ‘a corporate saint’ but adds that he ‘is at his strongest when cornered.’

Mallika Jagad, a 24-year-old banquet manager, was managing the dinner conference hosted by Uni Lever. As soon as she heard the gunshots, she locked the doors and switched off the lights. She and her team told the 60 guests to move away from the doors and windows and quietly hide under the tables. They were asked not to use their mobile phones. The staff moved the food trollies to block the doors but continued to serve food and water to the terrified guests. Leena Iyer, the HR Head at Uni Lever in a Survivors- TV Interview marvelled at the young manager’s admirable presence of mind and the calm composure in the nerve-wracking situation right up to their rescue by fire brigade officials and commandoes. Mallika had only this to say, ‘I may have been the youngest in the room, but it was my responsibility.’

Incredibly, even staff who had been evacuated came back to their station later, such as the all-women’s team of The Taj’s telephone operations. They stayed back the whole night, guiding the guests on how to stay safe and escape. They softly advised the guests in the rooms to stay quietly, switch off the TV and power, and even remove the entry pass card to delete the ‘Occupied’ sign.

Thomas Varghese, a 48-year-old senior waiter, acted instinctively when alerted to the terror attack. He herded the 50-odd guests from the Japanese restaurant down to the kitchen area. When he got the all-clear, he got his juniors to take the guests down the stairs in batches of 5. An active trade union activist, he chose to be at the tail end to ensure that his team would lead the guests to safety. Sadly, the terrorists shot down and killed the final batch of guests and Thomas Varghese. A butler, Sudharshan Thevar, also demonstrated extraordinary courage in rescuing a Swiss couple in their 70s from the 6^th floor. He remained in their room and barricaded the door with the bar cabinet and luggage items. As acrid smoke started coming in, he broke the glass windows and took the couple to the ledge. However, as the fire brigade was not able to reach up, he rushed the couple down the stairs just clear of the engulfing flames and finally got them out by crawling out of an AC duct near the ground floor. He later, in a choked voice, recalled meeting Ratan Tata at a function at Taj Chambers where the British Consulate officials had come to thank the Taj Staff. As he walked up to shake hands, all he heard the Chairman of the Tata House say other than a sincere thanks was, ‘May God give me the strength. I wish to do more.’

The most intriguing aspect of the 26/11 attack on The Taj was that all the 600 employees at the hotel remained at their duty stations. Many were young, and many were the sole breadwinners. The natural human instinct would have been to escape, and they were all aware of all the backways and exits. They all stayed back with the single goal of taking all the guests to safety. Why?! It has been the subject of much discussion in academic circles, newsrooms, and multiple TED Talk shows. As Ratan Tata himself had said,’ there were no manuals, no instructions as to what to do in such a situation. These were civilians from the hospitality industry, not Armed Forces or para-military personnel.

How did they defy the psychological stereotype? Prof Rohit Deshpande from Harvard University, who has done extensive research on The Taj attack, came up with 3 theories. ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ or ‘The Guest is God’ is an enduring theme of Indian culture. In those desperate times, the Staff did not hide or flee but chose to become protectors of the guests and lead them to safety. Plausible. A more reverberating explanation was that because of their humane culture, the Tata Companies evoked a deep sense of loyalty and responsibility from their employees. But the most revealing insights came when the Professor sought to understand the staff’s behaviour through the lens of The Taj’s recruitment process, training and rewards & recognition program. The Taj recruited employees from Tier 2/3 cities and towns where the old-world values still prevailed. Respect for Parents, Elders, Teachers, and Guests. The Tata team recruited for ‘character’ and not high grades. They looked for Integrity, Respect, Empathy & Responsibility. In the customer-centric hospitality industry, they want to delight customers with kindness and attention. The training system at the Taj was to create leadership and ownership from below. The front-line employees were ambassadors of the Guests, the voice of the Customer. Also significantly, even though The Taj was at par with other big name hotel chains on monetary compensation and incentives, they were far ahead on the appreciation and recognition quotient. Within 48 hours of a complimentary remark or comment from a happy customer, the said employee would be applauded not only by her/his department but by the entire hotel management & staff. (Sourced from Thomas Mathew’s book and Prof Rohit Deshpande’s Ted Talk)

Ratan Tata’s steely resolve, indomitable spirit, and his extraordinarily compassionate response to the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks on Mumbai and The Taj has no parallels in the history of India or of any country in the world. Leaving the last words to the biographer, ‘In having responded the way he did to the crisis, he may have left behind a parable for the ages.’

Teflon Trump 2.0 & Its Implications for India

Posted on November 13, 2024 by SV Rao

Reuters reported that ‘a convicted felon is elected as the 47^th President of the USA.’ Yes, convicted on 34 felony counts. The only US President with 2 Impeachment trials against him. Acquitted for abuse of power and obstruction and later for the incitement of the 6^thof January Insurrection and attack on the Capitol. A corrupt, venal person, a bankrupt billionaire and 78, the oldest person to stand for the Presidential elections. A true democracy would have barred him from contesting for the highest office in the land. He has brushed aside everything for a second term at the White House. Truly remarkable. Nothing sticks to him. Teflon Trump.

What has shocked the left-liberal elite is that Trump has rallied against the odds and won the mandate emphatically in a democratic way. He has won the popular vote against VP Kamala Harris by almost 5 million votes. His electoral college votes stack up to 312 vs 226 for Harris. 46% of women voters have supported him despite his anti-abortion stance and misogynist comments; Latino votes surged to 45%; young blacks signed up for him, and Evangelicals thronged up in large numbers. Many of the latter viewed the failed assassination attempts as a Divine Call of Destiny.

The Liberal/Woke meltdown is a seminal lesson for those living in a bubble; it’s also a wake-up call for genuine liberals as their potent ideology has been diluted and contaminated by an influential coterie of self-serving people. Elite Hysteria- we have been betrayed by the people. The educated elite cannot believe that everyone doesn’t share their beliefs and views. They have created a partisan and ideological echo chamber – an environment where they encounter only opinions and thoughts that coincide with their own, and alternative ideas are simply shrugged away. Their take on Identity Politics is that minorities and ethnic groups will only vote their way; their condescending attitude referring to Latinos as Latin X; the gender quotient with women voters inevitably lining up for Kamala Harris; that nationalism and patriotic politics are past tense. That it remained a potent force manifested in the fear of unchecked immigration. Legacy media houses have shown their total disconnect from ground realities. One cannot find a more liberal person than Senator Bernie Sanders who lashed out at the Democrats after the defeat saying that ‘they abandoned the working class which led to the working class abandoning them.’ He acidly pointed out that 60 % of the American workforce lived from paycheck to paycheck and that 20 million workers did not get even a livable minimum wage. It all boils down to the quote: “It’s the economy, stupid.’ Trump said that He would Fix It. A big takeaway for the Indian Government also. Focus on Development & the Greater Good. In the visceral hatred that was shown to Trump by the mainstream media, it was conveniently ignored that in the first term of the Trump Presidency, the USA was not involved in or did not instigate any wars. Strange for the military-industrial complex that is the USA; strange that the leftist, liberal Dems have been pro-war when it suits their agenda; strange that a liberal, woke party has abandoned the working class. Selective Agenda. Selective Narrative. Selective Outrage. We also see this being played out in India. With our Left, Liberal brigade and their colonial and ideological hangovers- for whom the BBC remains the Voice of Truth, the New York Times as the Words of Truth.

The USA has been revealed as a polarised and flawed democracy. Indian democracy and institutions come off better in comparison. Please watch the National Geographic documentary- The Great Indian Election, to appreciate the sheer magnitude and scale of the democratic exercise and how effectively it is conducted by The Election Commission of India. The Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) work effectively with Opposition protests only when they lose the election. Another pillar, the Supreme Court of India, shines when compared to SCOTUS, a rigged, corrupt institution where appointees have lifetime tenures. Kamala Harris could not become the first US women President; India already had 2 women Presidents and a strong Prime Minister in the late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, who held office for almost 16 years. It’s high time for us to shed our mongrel attitude-constantly deriding and undermining ourselves as Indians.

Millions of Indians are rejoicing at Trump’s phenomenal come-back. CAUTION. One cannot project one’s preferred outcomes on such an unpredictable personality. Trump 2.0 will disrupt the Global Order. His protectionist economic policies with higher tariffs will adversely impact Indian exports. Hopefully, things will turn out well for Indian-born green card aspirants. It is highly likely that Indian students will continue to be welcomed at US colleges, and so will be skilled Indian professionals. Trump is also expected to pull back on global commitments, and we don’t know how this will play out. However, a Trump Administration can ease things for India regarding national security, national interests, and strategic autonomy. Also, India and its companies may not be sanctioned for buying oil or armaments from Russia or doing business with them.

The Trump win may pay other dividends for India on the geopolitics and national security front against covert, subvert warfare by foreign parties. George Soros, a hedge fund manager, played a major role in triggering the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. He bet against the Malaysian currency and ruined the economy and also made huge profits by betting against the Thai Baht. The South Korean Won and Indonesian Rupiah were also targeted with dire results; this led to currency devaluation, large outflow of capital and years of political instability. Earlier in 1992, he became famous as the man who broke the Bank of England by betting against the British pound and making a billion dollars for himself in the process. Cut to 2023 when Hindenburg Research, a forward trading investor, made allegations about questionable financial dealings through offshore entities connected with Adani. Some months later, The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), funded by the Soros Open Society Foundation, alleged that Adani had engaged in stock manipulation and accounting fraud and channelized large funds to fronted offshore accounts. Old habits die hard. Adani shares tanked, and about a dozen unknown entities profited from the spoils. The Soros plan was to kill two birds with one stone. Sure enough, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress started screaming about Crony Capitalism and Corruption. Name-calling and allegations of corruption are the norm -whether it is the USA or India. The 2024 elections were around the corner. It’s the insidious, clandestine foreign meddling which is deeply disturbing. The Opposition did not join the chorus as expected and for a simple reason. Adani already had a gas-line project in the DMK-led Tamil Nadu; the Communist Government in Kerala had awarded the business house the contract to manage, operate and maintain a large port; Adani had built a major port in Naveen Patnaik’s Odisha; even the Congress-led Rajasthan Government had awarded the largest hybrid power project to the Corporate.

The Hungarian American billionaire Soros has been the largest donor to the Democratic Party for many years. Suggest to please read the book ‘Shadow Party’ by David Horowitz and Richard Poe- about how the Clintons and Soros and the 60’s radicals took over control of the Democratic Party. A NYT article eulogized him as a protector of democracy, an anti-communist, an anti-nationalist, global liberal. Soros’s clandestine influence extends to liberal media, Ivy League colleges, and established Think Tanks & NGOs, which enables him to manipulate societies and even destabilise governments. Alternate media in the US have talked about his dark side- controlling society without interfering with legislation but by controlling how laws are enforced. Thus, creating chaos and undermining the power of lawful authority.

With a Trump White House, Soros and his influential minions will be on the back foot. Especially with a powerful Elon Musk to contend with. Hopefully, it will provide India with respite from malevolent foreign interference—some examples. In 2018, Soros Open Society backed NGO -Sherpa Association filed a corruption complaint with the National Financial Prosecutor in France against the 36 Rafale aircraft deal. Connect the dots. Rahul Gandhi, Congress and the Opposition screamed ‘Scam’, and this was amplified by our Left, Liberal media in the run-up to the 2019 General elections. Frustrated that his plans had not worked out, at the 2020 Davos Conference Soros openly slammed the PM Modi Government ‘as the biggest and most frightening setback for the survival of Open Societies’ specifically mentioning CAA & Kashmir. Move to the prolonged farmer’s agitation (mainly from Punjab and in part from Haryana) in 2020-21, funded by Soros and Canadian Khalistan outfits. Please recall celebrities like Rihanna and Greta Thunberg (environmental activist) and some from Bollywood butting in.

The shadowy power of Soros. Reuters Alessandra Galloni, whose quote started this blog, is on the Committee to Protect Journalists, funded by Soros—likewise, NBC’s Lester Holt & Associated Press’s Julia Pace. CNN’s Christiane Amanpour is on the Board of Centre for Public Integrity, another Open Society venture. On a prime-time TV show she spoke of PM Modi in the same breath as Xi Jinping, Putin and the Dear Leader from North Korea. Really!! The glowing tribute of a book, ‘The Philanthropy of George Soros’ is written by Chuck Sudetic, a NYT columnist who now works for the Open Society Foundation. Economist Sanjeev Sanyal hits the bulls-eye when he says that there is so much anti-India stuff around that if AI or Chat GPT had to submit an India report, our democracy , human rights record, and governance would be shown in a starkly negative light. So, to Rahul Gandhi’s Cambridge University visit a few years back. He waved a copy of ‘The Guardian’ with the headlines, ‘Indian democracy in danger.’ It’s amusing to note that after Trump’s election, The Guardian offered counselling & therapy services to its staff and reporters.

Let’s talk about the recent events in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League are overthrown in a well-orchestrated coup by so-called student leaders—an Islamist, extremist+ the Soros signature – an anarchist movement. The Chief Advisor to the interim government is none other than Muhammad Yunus- the esteemed ‘Banker to the Poor’ through the micro-finance Grameen Bank. He is also a Nobel Laureate, winning the Peace Prize in 2006. With humungous support from former President Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton and who else… George Soros. The Anti-Corruption Commission acquitted him of the graft charges of misappropriating $ 2 million from the Grameen Telecom Workers and Employees Welfare Fund. The Soros heir, Alex Soros, visited him in Dhaka on the 2^nd of October to reinforce his support. In 2016, Yunus contributed generously to Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign fund. Trump’s upset win left him ‘shattered and barely able to speak or breathe.’ He dismissed it as a ‘solar eclipse’. Trump’s return to the White House has left him writing a long, rambling congratulatory message. This was surely not anticipated by ‘the Deep State.’ It is a relief of sorts for India with another hostile neighbour appearing on our borders. A point to ponder. Candidate Trump before the Election date condemned the attacks on Hindu places of worship in Dhaka and Chittagong. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has remained silent.

Although India and China have already entered into a border cease-fire agreement, the US election results will help in dousing the dragon fire to an extent. With economic problems and the threat of high tariffs for Made in China products, Emperor Xi Jinping and the CCP will have to reset their priorities. If nothing else, the uncertainties unleashed by Trump will keep them guessing. But you never know with Trump. The Saudi Prince made him dance with a sword and followed up by bailing out his son-in-law Jared Kushner from a financial crisis. If China confers him with the Ancient Order of the Dragon or invites him to grace a throne on the Great Wall, one never knows. It’s certainly bad news for Pakistan. They badly need bailouts from the IMF and the World Bank which are controlled by the USA. Also, Trump’s acknowledgement of India as a major power and the apparent Trump-Modi bonhomie will alarm the Pak Army-ISI Establishment.

Justin Trudeau will be unnerved by The Donald’s comeback. Trump had called him ‘two-faced’. The USA is Canada’s big brother, and 75% of the nation’s exports go there. He has called Khalistan Canadians celebrating the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi as ‘just exercising freedom of speech’. I sometimes wonder why the grandson and daughter-in-law are not up in arms as they should be. The unsubstantiated allegations against the Indian Government of killing Nijjar have taken a heavy toll on diplomatic relations. The attacks on Hindu temples and devotees have further undermined his hollow narrative and exposed his hypocrisy. It’s all vote-bank politics to secure his political future. Thus far, the Biden-Harris administration has played along, claiming that there was an imminent threat to another guy called Pannun. Knowing that his cosy days in the US are over, Pannun has moved to Canada and threatened to attack Hindu temples this month, including the Shree Ram Temple at Ayodhya on the 16th/17th of November. Justin Trudeau represents the white, woke icon who has self-destructed over the last few years. As regards the Sikhs, they are a hugely respected community in India for their contributions to society and the country. (Trivia- the convicted assassin of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman – Captain Noor Mohammad- has been enjoying the good life in Canada for the last 3 decades and more. Just so that you get the big picture.)

Liberal philosophy is, in its essence, a progressive philosophy. But anything good, if taken to the extreme, becomes counterproductive. Unfortunately, this humane ideology, which was primarily meant to uplift the disadvantaged and focused on human welfare, rights, freedoms and values, has been hijacked to suit the personal ambitions and agendas of some powerful people. Disconnected from the problems of the common folk and from ground realities. Many, many others have been misled, lured and trapped in this Elitist bubble. India is on track as the world’s largest, functioning democracy. However, it is a work in progress with issues of criminals in politics, corruption, unemployment, long-pending structural reforms of the judiciary and police, tax reforms and societal fractures around caste, creed and community yet to be addressed effectively. The Trump re-election will put on hold the subversive warfare launched against India to halt its progress and growing global structure. It also has many lessons for our Government and political leaders- to listen to all sections of society & to focus on innovative, inclusive development for The Greater Good.

Movienomics

Posted on October 21, 2024 by SV Rao

The trending news from Bollywood is that Reliance Jio Studios is in the final phase of discussions for buying the major stake in Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. Earlier talks with Mr Sanjiv Goenka’s Saregama Group fell through because of valuation issues. Founded in 1976 by Mr Yash Johar with a resounding hit ‘Dostana’, the Company has produced 63 Hindi films with 3 on the floors. So why is this such a big deal.?! Karan Johar represents the centre of the elite and entitled Bollywood club; an omnipresent mover and shaker; other than his films, there is the much-watched, controversial TV show, fashion walks and his celebrity Emcee avatar at all the glittering film awards functions. His considered decision to offload much of his stake (90.7%) and his mother’s stake (9.3%) starkly reveals the tumultuous state of the Hindi film industry.

Listen to his comments also. How has the Mumbai film industry run itself to the ground? First, the stars demand high fees, but the films open poorly, creating unstable economics for producers. The budget structure is skewed so heavily in favour of stars (50%) that there is little left for the technical crew. Simply put, if A-listers cannot generate hits, how do they justify their high fees?! Saif Ali Khan has responded that movie stars should not charge exorbitant fees but…shrug…. shrug, this is a part of the economics of the industry. (Read- Dharma Productions itself is complicit in creating this unbalanced structure.)

The Bollywood mogul has also ranted about the high-ticket costs and F&B charges which have driven audiences away from cinemas. His take is that the average cost for a family of 4 works out to Rs 10,000/. Visits to the cinema have plummeted from 8-10 a year to just one or two. The Multiplex Association of India (MAI) has responded that cinema prices are dynamic and flexible depending on location, day of the week, seat zone, film format and star hype. Higher ticket prices also prevail in the first week, weekends and holidays and even night-shows. MAI has said that the average ticket price at PVR-INOX (1700 multiplex screen leader) is Rs 258/. Plus Rs 132/ as average cost for food and drinks- total expenses of Rs 1560/- for a family of 4. Methinks, the IMA has halved the normal expense for a family movie outing at a multiplex. Mr Ajay Bijli of PVR has said that only 14% of the tickets are priced at Rs 350/ with the rest between Rs 180/- and Rs 200/-. Experience suggests otherwise. The ATR for All India Theatres in 2023 was stated at Rs 130/.

Let’s shed some light on Mr. Vashu Bhagnani’s plight. He became Producer No 1 in the 90s with his rollicking David Dhawan- Govinda movies. His recent release, ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ made on a whopping budget of Rs 350 crores sputtered to a lifetime collection of Rs 64 crs at the BO. Mr Bhagnani had made tall claims of Rs 1000 crs collections at pre-release events. Alas, the film disaster has reduced him from Bade Miyan to Chote Miyan. With Rs 200 crores of debt he is selling his Juhu Office to, he says, redevelop the building into a luxury residential tower. The film’s director, Ali Abbas Zafar, has sued the producer for non-payment of Rs7.3 crs; accusations of unpaid wages to crew members are also doing the rounds. So, what about the 2 lead male stars, Akshay Kumar and Tiger Shroff? With reported paychecks of Rs 80 crs and Rs 40 crs they are laughing all the way to the bank.

Let’s delve into the Indian cinema ecosystem. We produce the largest number of films in the world- 1500 to 2000 every year- in 20 languages. Our huge country has only 9742 screens as compared to 65,500 in China & 35,280 in the USA. Hindi, Telugu and Tamil are the leading film industries, with Malayalam, Kannada and Marathi cinema also punching above their weight. In 2023, South Indian cinema surged ahead of Bollywood with 47% BO market share against 44%. South India also houses 47% of the cinema theatres. According to researcher Mr Hemant Chaturvedi, the number of single screens in India has declined from 25000 in 1990 to less than 6000, with many of them not operational. End of an Era. With the rising cost of real estate, many have been converted into malls and commercial complexes. Even a smaller theatre costs Rs 5 lakhs for monthly upkeep and maintenance plus the pressure of keeping the projection room, sound system and screen in the best condition. The GST on cinema tickets is 18%, but most States levy an additional entertainment tax of 20% to 30%, the highest tax ratio for any sector in India. Business uncertainties add to the gloom.

The Hindi film industry traditionally had 6 territories, which are now defined as 11 circuits. The profit-sharing ratio generally for a single screen owner/ distributor is 25:75; sometimes, it is 20:80 or even 30:70. The Multiplex owners have all the heft and clout—Week 1 is 50:50, Week 2 is 60:40, and Week 3 is 70:30.

For the Producer, the cost of the film is Budget + Promotion and Advertising expenses. They also sell OTT rights to streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, Sony Liv… to help recoup their investment. Earlier OTT contracts were pre-sold, and even if a film performed poorly in its theatrical run, the contract was adhered to. This proved to be the lifesaver for the Kartik Aryan film, ‘Shehzada’ which mustered only Rs 32 crores at the cinema counters against a budget of Rs 70 crs. Reportedly, Netflix had paid Rs 40 crs for the streaming rights. Trade analyst Karan Taurani says that now there are clauses in the streaming deals regarding the theatrical performance of the film-where streamers say that only when a film reaches a certain threshold in theatres will the overflow or agreed additional amount be given.

It’s the distributor who takes significant risks when they purchase the rights to distribute a film. They hedge their bets by acquiring the satellite and music rights for the movie. T Series bought the audio rights for Pushpa 2-The Rule for a staggering Rs 65 crs. SRK’s Jawan’s rights had earlier been bought by T series for a record-breaking Rs 36 crs. Tamil-Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have a large and passionate fan base for film music. Film songs become chartbusters and are played on a loop on FM stations and streaming platforms like YouTube, Spotify & Rasso. Flashback to the Iconic film ‘Sholay’. In 1975, its dialogues album sold 500,000 copies. By 1979, the platinum 1 million mark was crossed. The film exceeded its Rs 1 crore budget 3X. It grossed Rs 35 crs worldwide and brought in another Rs 35 crores in re-releases. Adjusted for inflation the box-office figures exceed Rs 3000 crores.

The ‘Adipurush’ disaster saga is a cautionary tale for distributors. People Media Factory bought and backed this Rs 550 crs budget film confident of a pan-India hit because of the Prabhas factor; the director Om Raut had delivered a hit with ‘Tanhaji’; plus the fact that it was inspired by the Epic Ramayan meant nothing could go wrong. Superficial performances, shallow storyline, poor VFX and cringeworthy dialogues scripted a mega-disaster. The character, ostensibly inspired by Lord Hanuman, was spouting tapori-style dialogues. Social media was outraged, and the distributors were looking at Himalayan losses of over Rs 150 crores.

The financial challenges for the Indian film industry have been cited as a big drop in audience footfalls, rising cost of production and the growing popularity of OTT platforms offering many options. The Covid lockdown has opened the eyes and sensibilities of audiences to better and more engaging cinema from all parts of India and worldwide. Reliance Jio Studios already holds stakes in Balaji Films and Viacom 18. The phenomenal success of the horror-comedy film Stree 2, which they co-produced with Maddock Films, must have propelled them on. The biggest Hindi film hit of all time with net collections of Rs 600 crores plus and riding on a budget of just Rs 40 crores. The lead actors Rajkumar Rao & Shraddha Kapoor don’t fall into the celebrity guest profile for’ The Koffee with Karan Show.’

Content has become the King. The Vijay Sethupathi-helmed film ‘Maharaja’ is a stellar example. Made on a budget of Rs 20 crores it closed its theatrical run at Rs 107 crores. This masterpiece is jointly produced by The Route, Think Studios, and Passion Studios. Many large and mid-budget films are now following this joint production template. This highly emotional action thriller is a case study in moviemaking. Impactful performances, master-class direction, great screenplay and editing with jaw-dropping twists and turns, real dialogues and photography that make the visual experience so intimate. Since being released on Netflix in July 2024 and with an IMDb rating of 8.5, it has become the most-watched Indian film of 2024. Content is King. Whether it is the true, relatable and inspirational story of ‘12^th Fail’ or the real survival and rescue thriller Manjummel Boys. It is the biggest Malayalam hit film ever without marquee names like Mohanlal or Mammootty. The Marathi classic ‘Tumbad’ became a cult film on OTT and is drawing large audiences on its theatrical re-release.

The assembly line productions of Akshay Kumar films- wrapped up in 40 days- no longer work at the BO. One of the greatest duds from the house of YashRaj Films is ‘Pruthviraj Chauhan’ where this star is said to have charged a whopping Rs 60 crores. Many shows were cancelled due to zero attendance. The film fans went hoping to see a glimpse of Samrat Pruthviraj; all they got was Akshay Kumar in every frame. The audience has become unforgiving; social media can influence the fate of a movie on the first weekend itself.

The Soft Power of Indian Cinema is immense. But again, it’s all about the quality of content and the entertainment quotient. Stories with human appeal and emotional connect, catchy music or well mounted large screen spectacles. RRR rode high at the Japanese Box office on all counts. In China, Aamir Khan’s ‘Dangal’ and ‘Secret Superstar’ minted Rs 1400 crores and Rs 810 crores—mind-boggling numbers. Strong storylines created social, cultural & emotional phenomena.

It’s time for Bollywood (and the Indian film industry) to acknowledge their self-inflicted problems. It’s time for them to recognize that good films are created out of collaborative teamwork – where writers, editors, cinematographers, music directors, production designers, and VFX specialists – all play a significant role. They must be recognized and rewarded for their creative contributions. It’s also time to acknowledge that audiences today will flock to the cinema halls in large numbers only if they feel that both their money and time is well spent.

Toxic Workplace

Posted on October 11, 2024 by SV Rao

The tragic death of a 26-year-old CA employee at the EY office in Pune has sparked a massive outrage on social media, forcing government authorities and the National Council for Women to investigate the matter. Unfortunately, the EY India Head’s immediate response reveals a hard-nosed mindset. ‘There is no doubt that each one has to work hard. EY employs 1,00,000 people. She was allotted work like any other employee. We don’t think that work pressure could have claimed her life.’

This cold, distant, unempathetic, transactional management style of managing human resources (which doesn’t sit well with Indian culture) can be traced back to Jack Welch- the celebrity CEO of the Iconic General Electric. He is the guy who reduced human resources to ‘Cost to Company.’ This much-feted Management guru boasted of massive lay-offs on prime TV. Cost-cutting became the buzzword. Just over two decades after his exit, GE is not the brand it was. Some of his devotees moved to Boeing and have virtually grounded the Company. The demise of the 158-year-old Lehmann Bros in 2008 was due to the extreme hustle culture fostered by the CEO. Numbers, Numbers, Numbers!!! As I write this blog, the Sick Leaves at the Tesla German plants are at a staggering 17%. Mainly Monday Blues. Cautionary tales.

Two other real-life cases highlight the pervading toxicity at workplaces. A young cyber-security professional I knew with an IT major in Pune was brusquely summoned to the office despite having a high fever. The Boss wanted to meet the team. Nothing of substance was discussed. The same evening, the tests revealed Dengue, and he had to be hospitalized. He continued with the company for another year only because family commitments needed to be addressed. Now, he works as a head of cybersecurity for a global IT company in Seattle, USA. He is also a respected ethical hacker on the US Cyber Authorities panel.

In another scary case told to me by friends in another firm, a middle-aged VP of Marketing got a humiliating dressing down at a virtual meeting called by his boss with many of his team members also linked in. Otherwise, a consistent performer, he and his team missed the half-yearly targets. At night, he developed severe chest pain and was rushed to the hospital by his wife and neighbours: a sudden heart attack and 7 days in the ICU. Months later, when I met him, he had changed jobs but looked like a pale shadow of his former fit, smiling self.

So why do the Jack Welch dogmas enamour so many corporate honchos? The gruelling boot camp culture is designed for and compatible with the Armed and para-military forces. Where hierarchies are clearly defined, orders must be obeyed & followed. In the life-and-death situations of war and combat and terror strikes, such a system makes ample sense.

Through the lens of some in top management, the competitive marketplace is another battlefield. Profits, Market Share, and Brand Value are the holy trinity. The Board breathes down their necks. The corner cabin can become a lonely place and a little bit overwhelming. So, the pressure is downloaded down the line.

Reviews, Analysis, Plans and Targets are the recurrent themes. This is the easy option. There is no time or bandwidth for authentic leadership, effective communication, collaboration, team building and problem-solving. After all, they are employees and are paid well to do the hard work. Period. Even if, at times, employees sadly morph into human targets. Onboarding and orientation sessions are mandatory- but not well-designed, curated or managed. However, the management takeaway is that since the employees have undergone such training, there is no need for actual on-the-job mentorship and hand-holding.

A constant refrain is that team members on the frontline, new entrants or even some in the middle management are not taking Ownership of their roles and responsibilities. It’s also said that the younger generation is not up to the grind- for example, it does not want to take sales roles. But do the senior echelons reach out to them, converse and engage with them and most importantly, mentor them? The youngsters will show what they are capable of and rise to the occasion or fall short of expectations. Some of them are unaware of their work profile or what is expected from them. It’s possible that the younger generation values work-life balance. It’s also likely that some have not worked out their career paths. Yes, sincere, focused work is non-negotiable, and the shirkers & slackers ( Kaam Chor) will be shown the door. Employees will be expected to even punch above their weight. No free lunches! Zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour and unethical conduct. The lines can be clearly drawn..However, it is imperative that senior school and especially college students be given regular doses of Resilience to help them navigate well in tough situations.

It’s disappointing that the number of hours logged seems to be the main criterion for judging performance or employee loyalty. 11–12-hour workdays and being the last to leave the office are like a badge of honour. Whether these hours have been productive in terms of quality or useful work is anyone’s guess. Responding to work emails and messages at midnight seems to demonstrate the employees’ level of commitment. Simply put, workaholism is a disease. It will take its toll.

Then, there is this growing breed of Quiet Quitters. Fed up with the pressure cooker atmosphere and fearing burn-out, this detached group works quietly under the radar, doing only as much as they have to.

We also have some corporate leaders rejoicing at the prospect of AI, BOTS, Robots, Apps, ChatGPT taking over human jobs and performing them much more efficiently and with no fuss. No frustration, no fatigue of managing the unpredictable Homo Sapiens.

As she/he climbs the corporate ladder, one assumes they will become more leaders and less managerial. But the fetish for micro-management and control continues. In some of the Companies, I am aware that even senior managers don’t have the autonomy to decide & discuss, work and deliver. The mantra for sound, sustainable and consistent business results is simple. A healthy work environment breeds higher productivity and focus. Collaboration fosters team spirit and synergy. For the Boss, the team down the line becomes the Ear to the Ground. Market Intelligence, Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions are all channelled up to her/him for a considered decision. The happy dressing room culture Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma created speaks for itself. The pressure of representing India on the cricket field is immense. However, even after the heartbreak of losing the ODI WC final last year after a 10-match winning streak, the Men in Blue brought home the T20 WC earlier this year. Early days yet, but hopefully the Gambhir-Rohit combine will take The Men in Blue from strength to strength.

All Companies have a Vision and mission statement to encapsulate what they stand for. Typically, it is about protecting and enhancing the shareholder’s interests and profits, providing the best products or services to the customers, and being the preferred place to work for an employee. If quality attention is given to employee wellbeing, it will pay good dividends for both the shareholders and the customers.

The HR Vertical or Human Resources Department is a critical component of any corporation. The primary function of HR is good recruitment practices and fostering employee well-being and bonding. As part of the business strategy, HR can mobilise a trained, committed workforce for the C Suite to leverage and deliver the business results the Board desires. Sadly, in many companies, HR is taking a backseat and presumably does not want to rock the boat.HR becomes visible only through its usual calendar of activities on festivals and events.

I got intriguing feedback from a friend in an established placement firm that even senior professionals and CXOs are scrutinizing potential employers for toxic work cultures and are even turning down lucrative offers if they see red flags. The red flags are familiar but worth elaborating on: the command-and-control structure, lack of work autonomy, frequent changes in role and reporting, excessive office politics, and poor work-life balance.

The rising awareness of mental health issues and the importance of workplace wellbeing should resonate with corporate leaders & in the Boardrooms. The collateral damage is immense. An employee who logs in 10 hours of work daily is probably commuting to and from work for a few hours. A significant part of her/his life plays out at the Office. A frustrated employee is bound to unleash his/her angst at home with the family. Or seek refuge in alcohol, tobacco and even drugs. I remember a poignant moment when I visited the home of a friend whose job did not offer work-life boundaries. Indeed, he was busy on weekends also. His teenage son told me that his father had become a stranger. The Bosses in control should also take a moment to reflect that they, themselves, are also human beings and have other roles and responsibilities. They cannot switch on or off at will. The physical and mental scars will emerge- side effects of the relentless, controlling and even aloof style of leadership opted for.

Let me end on a positive note. His large team dreaded the COO of a corporate client of mine because of his ruthless approach. He was also known for publicly disrespecting even senior team members. He took a month’s break for Vipassana, Yoga and Meditation and returned as a refreshingly changed person. His direct reports told me he had become more understanding and supportive. When I met him, he smiled and said he had discovered a better version of himself.

Some organisations and several leaders earnestly believe that leadership can be firm but fair- and they consistently perform well. They seem to be outliers, bucking a growing trend. In some large corporates, we find a strange mix of leadership styles, with some respected leaders having employees queuing up to work with them.

Hence, all that is required is for some influential CEOs and CXOs across industries to step up and say enough is enough. Let’s strive for the best possible and realistic balance that creates a Win-Win-Win for all the stakeholders. Leadership will be firm but fair. The pendulum will swing back nearer the middle. Leave the rest to the Ripple Effect phenomenon.

Paris Olympics & India’s Medal Hopes

Posted on July 15, 2024 by SV Rao

The original Olympic motto of Faster-Higher-Stronger has a new word added to it by the International Olympic Committee (IOC)- Together. The addition in the motto acknowledges the unifying soft power of Sports and the critical need for solidarity in a troubled world. There are 206 countries in the IOC, and each will be represented by at least one athlete at the Paris Olympics. Remember that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics reached out to a global broadcast audience (TV+ Streaming) of more than 3 billion people. Only the football WC at Qatar 2022 caught more eyeballs- the finals by 1.5 billion people and the FIFA tournament by 5 billion-plus.

Let’s take a ‘dekko’ at India’s medal prospects at the Paris Summer Olympic Games. Our highest medal tally of 7 was achieved at the last Games. Now, with a 113-strong contingent led by flagbearers two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu and 42-year-old veteran TT player Sharath Kumar, can we hope for some memorable performances? Smaller nations like Australia and South Korea have consistently achieved much more medal-winning glory.

First, the Indian men’s hockey team has won 8 gold medals, starting with the Dhyan Chand glory days in Amsterdam in 1928. Sadly, the last gold medal was won at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, followed by the agonizing, interminable wait till the bronze place finish at Tokyo 2020. We owe a lot to Naveen Babu and the Odisha government for funding, sponsoring, and supporting the men’s and women’s national hockey teams. A balanced team with experienced stalwarts gives us hope. Captain and defender Harmanpreet Singh is a penalty corner specialist and one of the best drag flickers in the world. PR Sreejesh is lauded as the best goalkeeper of his generation. The key is to win the earlier matches and grow in the rhythm and confidence for the knock-out stages. Belgium and Australia are strong contenders in our group. With redoubtable sides like England, Netherlands, and Germany to take on later. Interestingly, PR Sreejesh recently shared that Rahul Dravid had once told him, “The importance of being patient and waiting for your moment.” Talking about the cricket T20 WC win, our hockey star had this to say: “The biggest thing I learned is that I don’t celebrate before the last ball.” Will our hockey team dominate the astro turfs and climb up the top podium? Will we hear our national anthem being played for victory in a sport long considered our national game?

The golden boy is indisputably Neeraj Chopra. At the last Games, he became the first Indian track and field athlete to win a gold medal at the Olympics. If he does an encore in Paris, he surely deserves the Bharat Ratna. He is also the World, Asian, and Commonwealth champion. His best javelin throw in 2024 was 88.36 meters at the Doha Diamond League competition, where he came second. Competition comes in the shape of German Max Dehring, who has cleared 90 meters. Also, happily in the form of Kishore Kumar Jena, the silver medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games with a throw of 87.5 meters. Fortunately, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the Athletic Federation of India have pulled out all the stops for our entire contingent of athletes. No expenses have been spared to provide the best training, equipment, and facilities. Neeraj Chopra’s last many months have been spent in training and conditioning camps in South Africa, Turkey, and Switzerland.

India’s final medal haul largely depends on the performance of the shooters. An unprecedented 31 have qualified across rifle, pistol, and shotgun events—flashback to Athens 2004 when Capt. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore won the country’s first individual silver medal in the men’s double trap event. Then, we went to that momentous moment in our sporting history when Abhinav Bindra clinched the gold medal in Beijing in 2008 at the ten-meter air rifle event. Sift Kaur Samra, who holds the current world record in the Women’s 50-meter rifle three-position event, is our best bet to bite the gold medal. The National Rifle Association of India has spent more than Rs 50 crores for 45 shooter camps and drills at locations in France, Italy, and Europe. 13 foreign coaches, sports psychologists, and data analysts under a High-Performance Director have worked around the clock with the shooters. The rifles, pistols, and ammunition have been tested in Austria and Germany. It’s time to bury the ghosts of Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 when the much-hyped squad returned empty-handed.

Nikhat Zareen—a two-time world flyweight champion—and Lovlina Borgohain- welterweight bronze medalist at Tokyo 2020—lead the Indian punch in the boxing rings. Although this is her first Olympics, Nikhat’s strong technique and regimen are her forte; Lovlina has transitioned smoothly from the 75 kg to the 69 kg category. These champs and three other teammates have been training at Saarbrucken in Germany for the past month. Let’s hope they pack a real punch.

In the weightlifting discipline, Saikhom Mirabai Chanu, who won the silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics, lifted our national expectations. However, she spent half a year recovering from a hip injury at the Hangzhou Asian Games. She is currently training at La Ferte Milon commune in France, accompanied by two coaches and a physio, with all expenses paid under the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS). IOA Chief Nutritionist Aradhana Sharma and her team have spent over three years with our medal hopefuls, especially with the boxers, weight lifters, and wrestlers, to keep them in prime health and fitness.

In wrestling, there is considerable excitement about the prospects of Aman Sehrawat, who was the gold medalist at the Asian Wrestling Championships and bronze medalist (57 kgs) at the 2022 Asian Games. Vinesh Phogat, the first Indian women’s wrestler to win gold at the Commonwealth & Asian Games, can make the country proud at the Paris Olympics. They are both supported by a non-profit Foundation called OGQ (Olympic Gold Quest) founded by billiard maestro Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone and managed by former Indian men’s hockey captain Viren Rasquinha. It is heartening to see the growing ecosystem to boost & support our sportspeople beyond cricket.

The Indian compound women’s archery team recently achieved a hat trick by securing their third successive World Championship gold. Jyothi Surekha Vennam, Aditi Swami, and Parneet Kaur are favored to hit the bull’s eye at the Paris Olympics in the team events. Jyothi, the world no. 3 archer who has shown fantastic focus and presence of mind, is expected to win multiple medals.

Two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu can add further laurels to her already stellar badminton career. Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, world badminton doubles No.1, have a proven record in major tournaments to serve India a possible gold medal. Satwik’s recovery from a shoulder injury is the point of concern.

So, finally, we go to the actual track and field. Milkha Singh finished fourth in the 400-meter Rome Olympics (1960), missing the bronze by a whisker. Even with the Indian Army providing support, it must have been a case of ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’- a herculean, individual effort. The same story continued in the 1984 Games, with PT Usha clocking 55.42 seconds in the 400-meter hurdles and missing the bronze medal by 1/100th of a second. At the World Athletic Championship at Budapest 2023 (4X 400 men’s relay), Muhammad Yahya, Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal, and Rajesh Ramesh placed 5th at 2,59,05. The US team won with a time of 2,57,31. Is India going to celebrate its first-ever track medal at the Paris Games?!

At the 2028 LA Olympics, our national obsession, cricket, will become an Olympic sport. Great for the game and its popularity. But it’s high time we appreciate and revel in India’s achievements at the highest levels in other sports, athletics, and other disciplines. Success at the Olympics is the epitome of international recognition in many ways. Wouldn’t it be divine if Arjuna and Karna were to inspire our archers to hit the wooden bird’ eye repeatedly without shifting focus from the target?! Again, in the Mahabharata, the javelin was used as a weapon for close-range duels and to hurl in the distance to keep enemies at bay. What are the odds that Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Kumar Jena occupy the top 2 spots on the victory podium?! Yes, indeed!! If the Indian Olympic contingent can return from Paris 2024 with a haul of 12+ medals (including at least two golds), it will be a triumph of Epic proportions.

Head Coach Gautam Gambhir will have to climb THE WALL

Posted on July 10, 2024 by SV Rao

Gautam Gambhir, the new Head Coach, has big shoes to fill. In a sense, he will have to climb up The Wall to make his impact felt. He does have an impressive resume. He played for India in all game formats from 2003 to 2016. World Cup trophy winner with the T-20 squad in 2007 & ODI team in 2011. A big match player- remember his match-winning 75 from 54 balls in the 2007 finals against Pakistan & the resilient 97 out of 122 balls in the WC 2011 finals against Sri Lanka. He captained KKR to the IPL titles in 2012 and 2014 and mentored them in 2024. A strong, outspoken personality, he will be taking over a champion Indian cricket team, which has been two years in the making and with complete focus on the ICC Champions Trophy and World Test championship in 2025.

GG is an ardent admirer of Anil Kumble, India’s spinning legend. He regards him as the best captain he has played under, with his honesty and impeccable dedication to the cause of Indian cricket and The Men in Blue. The same Anil Kumble was sacked as coach in 2017 because of differences with Captain Kohli, who replaced him with his man, the flamboyant Ravi Shastri. Interestingly, Head Coach Gambhir will have a big say in the appointment of the Indian captain, too.

Let’s talk about Rahul Dravid- The Wall. What makes him such an Icon across the cricketing world? He is one of the most incredible batters of all time (Tests & ODI), and he also holds the record for the most catches in Test cricket history- 210 in 164 matches. When he went out to bat, one could see the Indian tricolour fluttering behind him. Navjot Sidhu famously said,’ Rahul is a person who will walk on broken glass if his team wants him to.’ Brain Lara has declared that ‘if I have to put anyone to bat for my life, it will be Kallis or Dravid.’ In today’s times when aggression is all about pumping fists or cussing opponents listen in to Mathew Hayden, ‘all these things going around is not aggression. If you really want to see aggression look into Dravid’s eyes.’ ++ the Gentleman Cricketer. Ganguly has hailed him as ‘a champion at everything. I am very impressed with the way he approaches life.’ As Brett Lee has wryly observed,’ If you can’t get along with Rahul Dravid, you are struggling in life.’

His contribution to Indian cricket has been immense. Head of cricket with National Cricket Academy (NCA), Coach of India U-19 and India A teams. He has groomed and mentored many of India’s current cricket stars. Tendulkar has called him ‘the perfect role model for youngsters.’ So the spontaneous chorus from Ganguly, Sehwag, Tendulkar, Irfan Pathan, and Laxman…of ‘ Win the WC for Dravid’ is not surprising at all.

The serene drive of Dravid plus the calm, grounded passion of Rohit Sharma made for a great partnership since Feb 2022, when the latter was made captain across all formats. Their deep rapport is shown by the fact that the Skipper persuaded the Coach to stay on after the 19^th Nov 2023 debacle- a call acknowledged with gratitude by Dravid after the recent T20 WC Redemption win. The Hitman has been a remarkable leader. Think of the position after 15 overs. South Africa batting with six wickets in hand and 30 runs to get in 30 balls, and India had a 3.35% chance of winning. Bumrah, Hardik and Arshdeep all rising to the occasion and not panicking under intense pressure. The Indian fielders totally living in the zone. Bumrah revealed that the Indian Skipper gave his players a lot of freedom. ‘Rohit Sharma has been absolutely phenomenal. Even in the previous World Cup, you know he has been proactive; he gives a lot of freedom to his players, and he lets them express themselves.’ A selfless, fearless captain for whom personal milestones and records don’t matter. Everything for Team India and the Nation. Nasser Hussain sees his leadership as ‘Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove.’ Everyone knows who is in charge, but he is a Big Brother, too, especially for the younger players. Rohit Bhai! Rohit Sharma imitated the Messi Walk as he went up to receive the trophy, which rang so true. Two champion sportsmen so desperate to win the big one for their countries and their teams. (inspired by the video Ric Flair of WWE with the same music in the background).

His cricketing sense also comes through, with the well-thought-out selection of the team (with Head Coach & Ajit Agarkar and the team of selectors) and an astute reading of the wicket, conditions, and the state of the game. Remember his comments about bowling a line where the batter has to hit against the winds in the Caribbean islands? Remember his captaincy when the Bazball- high-adrenaline English Test team came to India to conquer The Last Frontier and stumbled badly. The Hitman’s final mission is winning the World Test Championship to be played at Lords in June 2025.

Cricket is a Team Sport, and the recent T20 WC championships showcased Indian cricket at its best. From the camaraderie and defining roles in the dressing room to the indomitable team spirit and clinical execution on the cricket field. The head coach and support staff play integral roles. So, you have King Kohli, who had a disappointing run in the tournament, coming up with a classy, match-winning 76 when it mattered the most ;Axar Patel’s critical 47 of 31 balls with 4 sixes to keep India in the game. Arshdeep Singh ended up as India’s top wicket-taker with 17 wickets. The same Arshdeep was viciously trolled for dropping a catch against Pakistan at the Asia Cup just 2 years back. Bumrah, with 15 wickets, deservedly became the Player of the Tournament (the first to do so without scoring a single run)—a genius of his craft. An extraordinary defensive-attacking bowler, he was not only exceptional in cutting the flow of runs but also a relentless wicket-taking threat. Michael Vaughan has called him ‘the greatest white ball bowler ever.’ This T20 WC will also be remembered for Hardik Pandya’s stirring comeback after months of booing and trolling for replacing Rohit Sharma as MI captain. He had a forgettable IPL season where his team finished at the bottom. Sanjay Manjrekar heard him ‘say something to the effect of having risen above results and losing the fear of failure.’ Kudos to Hardik for showing such tenacity and resilience and to him and Arshdeep for vanquishing the troll armies by performing on the biggest stage. However, Pandya’s resurgence in form also speaks volumes of the warm bonding in the dressing room. Something for him to imbibe and take forward. Surya Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Rishabh Pant, and Axar Patel have had their days and moments. Kapil Dev’s catch to dismiss Viv Richards in the 83 WC has become part of Indian cricket folklore. I hope Surya Yadav’s amazing, game-changing catch will also be celebrated by replays on sports channels and TV videos for months to come.

Gambhir is very forthright in his views. Very refreshing. He talks about how every Team India player in the dressing room is essential and how broadcasters and media influencers build up one or two cricketers into brands by overshowing them to the detriment of other performers and national team members. The majority of the Men in Blue end up in the shadows. The broadcaster justifies this for TRP, advertising revenues, and social media outlets to mobilise followers and monetise the podcasts. So, this celebrity culture has made some cricketers bigger than the game of cricket itself. Think about Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and King Kohli. Underplayed are champions like Yuvraj Singh, R Ashwin, Anil Kumble, Sehwag and even ‘The Miracle Down Under’ series under Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy.

He is also bang on about cricket in India being all about batters. Heavy bats, smaller boundaries, and flat tracks present arduous, uphill tasks for the bowlers. GG wants the white ball change after 25 overs in ODI’s to be reversed as it undermines wrist spinners. It’s really heartening to watch a top Indian batter ask if we as fans know and appreciate that Zaheer Khan took 21 wickets in 9 matches to contribute to India’s triumph in WC 2011. I sincerely hope that Zaheer Khan becomes the new bowling coach. He has a sharp cricketing brain and is respected by the players. One of the memorable features of the T20 WC has been the intense bat-ball contest. So, will Boom Boom Bumrah ever get the massive cult following of Virat Kohli? I seriously doubt it. In our country, batters are the real heroes. All others are just the supporting cast.of actors. It doesn’t really resonate that Shami took 23 wickets in just 6 games to take us to the final of the 2023 ODI WC final. Our sports channels and pundits will spend one episode on such an achievement and then jump back onto the gravy bandwagon. Sad! A Murali and Malinga are still revered in Sri Lanka; a Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar are still feted in Pakistan.

Moreover, despite his vote for the IPL as a resounding success story for Indian cricket, Gambhir is emphatic that it all boils down to the Indian cricket team dominating all formats of the game and winning the ICC silverware. Hence, even with IPL throwing up some talented players for the shortest format, selectors will look at domestic cricket performances like the Ranji Trophy for Test cricket and the Vijay Hazare and Syed Mushtaq Ali for white-ball tournaments. To win the Indian cap and jersey, aspiring players must go through the grind to the extent the cricket schedules and injury lay-offs allow. It won’t be easy for IPL-fixated cricketers looking for easy money, glamour, and a green channel route to the national side.

A big Thank You to The Wall & The Hitman for putting Indian cricket on the right track and lifting a WC trophy after a hiatus of 11 years. It remains to be seen whether Rohit Sharma remains the Test and ODI captain. I sincerely hope he does. He has fuel in the tank for another year of international cricket. An interesting change at the Coach level will be the change in approach. Rahul Dravid lived and breathed the spirit of The Gentleman’s Game. The hardnosed GG has his own take on playing hard within the laws and rules of the game. Hopefully, with Gambhir and his chosen support staff, exciting and winning times will be ahead. Indian cricket should be hailed as a superpower not only because of immense financial clout and a humongous fan following but also because our cricket team consistently wins major ICC trophies and bilateral series, especially on SENA tours (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia).

You can also read: Management Learnings from ‘The Hitman’- Rohit Sharma

The Real Dance of Indian Democracy

Posted on June 14, 2024 by SV Rao

A finger of a new woman voter on the Indian flag with voting sign of India in 2019 Indian general election or Lok Sabha election at Kolkata.

The Lok Sabha elections of 2024 have been riveting. The BJP-led NDA alliance seems to have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory despite forming the government at the Centre for the third time in succession. The Congress-led INDIA bloc has transformed itself into a resurgent Opposition. Amusingly enough, there is now no talk of tampering of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines); and no allegations that the Election Commission of India is a lackey of the Modiji government. Indeed, the fact that elections have been efficiently conducted in 7 phases with minimal disturbances and in acute heat wave conditions is a remarkable achievement—a triumph for democracy.

This election is a Reality Check for the overconfident BJP Netas and party functionaries. At 240 seats- losing a significant 63 from the 2019 tally of 303. This is a huge wake-up call for those living in the bubble-hype of ‘is baar, 400 ke paar.’ (More than 400 this time around.) However, on the other side, the entire INDIA coalition of parties secured 234 seats with the Grand Old Party at 99 seats. The BJP vote share in 2019 stood at 37.4 % and in 2024 at 37.37%. The big setbacks came in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. In the Hindi heartland State, the Samajwadi Party stunned Yogi Adityanath’s government by winning 37 seats. The BJP lost 29 seats from their erstwhile tally of 62 seats. The INC performed creditably with 6 seats. The party’s Ayodhya candidate (a done deal, what?) lost big by stoking fears with his irresponsible comments about changing the Constitution after the elections were over. The old Muslim-Yadav bloc which had voted in significant numbers for the BJP in 2019 consolidated into an anti-BJP force. Other local factors also created resentment. Economic corridors, highways and projects are all good to see but the affected locals did not benefit. They got a few lakhs for their lands and kutcha houses but saw the privileged stakeholders minting crores of rupees. In this era of omnipresent social media, no political party can take its eyes off the ball. In Maharashtra, the break-up of the NCP, seen to be engineered by the BJP, was regarded as an act of betrayal of their Saheb by his nephew not only by the Marathas but by many Maharashtrian voters. After 10 years in power, the BJP had lost its strongest asset- the ear-to-the-ground approach with disciplined cadres providing their leadership with critical ground information. In Delhi, the very same party swept all the 7 Lok Sabha seats even with Mr. Arvind Kejriwal playing his victim card with full support from the Opposition parties and even international media. The Delhi CM’s stint in jail was played out as the death of democracy.

The BJP’s ‘Big Brother’ persona has also cost it dearly. In Andhra Pradesh, it gained some traction because of the tie-up with Mr Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP. Likewise, if they had continued their partnership with the Akali Dal, it would have paid dividends in Punjab. If they had the sense to continue with their pact with AIADMK in Tamil Nadu at least 10 MPs would have joined their team. With Mr. Annamalai at the helm and in just 10 months their vote share in the State is more than 11%. But their obstinate refusal to play second fiddle demonstrates their short-sightedness. In the eyes of many Tamilians, the BJP remains a Hindi heartland party. They don’t have local leaders who are either well-known or well-respected to take on the DMK. A return to the healthy coalition strategy with established regional parties is the only sensible solution. Plus, the BJP national leadership seems oblivious to the fact that genuine respect and appreciation of India’s regional languages and cultures, traditions and customs is the only way to win hearts and minds across the country. For instance, if Tamil and Bengali… (Major Scheduled Languages) are taught as optional subjects in 5 years of middle school in Central and Government schools in North India it will be a game-changer and strengthen and consolidate the Union structure of India.

Mr Suresh Gopi, the National Award-winning Malayalam film actor, won BJP’s first-ever Lok Sabha seat from Thrissur- Kerala. My Malayali friends tell me that thousands of non-BJP supporters voted for him because of his humanitarian work over the years. Likewise, Dr. Manjunath, a respected cardiologist, defeated a Congress heavyweight for the Bengaluru Rural seat simply because of his reputation as a caring, soft-spoken professional. Request all political parties to throw away the oft-used Congress playbook of Money, Muscle, Caste, Creed and Political lineage whilst selecting their candidates. The BJP should also conduct an L&D workshop on Soft Skills and Communications for their Parliamentarians and Legislators. Movie Star Kangana Ranaut is going to cause unnecessary controversy with her immature remarks. The BJP candidate from Ayodhya lost simply because of reckless fear-mongering. Yes. Millions of faithful will queue up for the Divine Darshan at the Shri Ram Temple- from India and the rest of the world. But on a day-to-day basis, the average Indian citizen hopes for a glimpse of the true Ram Rajya.

After 10 years we will have a legitimate Leader of the Opposition in Mr. Rahul Gandhi. It’s also a situation of not who won (Modi 3.0 is in place) but who made the most gains. The Congress, Samajwadi Party, DMK and TMC are the big winners with Akhilesh Yadav’s party stealing the show. We all know that the new Lok Sabha bills like the Uniform Civil Code and One India and One Election will be put in a deep freeze. However, it will be interesting to see how the MPs react to a critical bill on Police Reforms which has been gathering dust despite a Supreme Court directive in 2006. Most politicians, across party lines, want the police to keep doing their bidding. Good Economics is the Best Politics. Hopefully, India’s economic growth story will continue unhindered. Not only by becoming the 3^rd largest economy in the world but by getting our per-capita income to jump into the top 30 in the next 10-15 years. The Government and Opposition should also work together to ensure that India’s geo-political ascendancy remains resolute and on track, with no compromises on national interests or national security.

National Security. Mr Rahul Gandhi will become the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. But I am very relieved that he is not the Prime Minister of the country. He will likely become a puppet in China’s hands; he will also play along with the Pakistani establishment. Few will remember that in August 2008 the INC and the Communist Party of China (CCP) signed an MOU that the 2 parties would consult each other on bilateral, regional and international matters. Really.!! Another Himalayan Blunder waiting to happen. Is this the reason why the INC (not just the Comrades) does not say a word about the cruel persecution of Uyghur Muslims and the demolition of thousands of mosques in Xinjiang province of China? Please also recall Mr. Gandhi repeatedly speaking about the Chinese Army taking over 2000 sq km of Indian land, categorically denied by India’s Generals. Foreign intelligence agencies rebutted the same and spoke about clashes where the Indian Army gave the PLA a bloody nose. Remember Mr Digvijay Singh, a senior Congress Leader, releasing a book ‘26/11 an RSS Conspiracy’ with Dr Zakir Naik just 2 years after the Mumbai terror attack orchestrated by Pakistan, which had been validated by international intelligence agencies and from Pakistan itself. Just imagine if Kasab had not been caught alive.?! Or take the case of the Khalistanis in Canada celebrating the assassination of the late PM
Mrs. Indira Gandhi. No outrage from the daughter-in-law or the grandson of one of India’s most formidable political leaders. They are happy with the Canadian PM taking potshots at the Indian PM. It’s up to the Modi government to assert before the Trudeau government that such hate speeches and demonstrations cannot be passed off as’ freedom of expression.’

Another intriguing aspect of the 2024 General Election is the global dimensions it took on. China’s State media, which soft-pedals elections elsewhere for obvious reasons, waded into Indian democracy. China Daily- ‘Stunning Blow to Modi’s Image.’ Global Times- ‘Economic Reforms will slow down.’ The West also jumped onto the bandwagon with the German broadcaster DW- ‘A victory that feels like a defeat.’ Bloomberg- ‘Modi just learnt that hype can carry you so far.’ The NYT headline in the run-up to the election- ‘Modi’s Temple of Lies’ in an insidious reference to the Ayodhya Mandir. Such rantings with vitriolic Op-eds penned by Indian intellectuals and media people (you know their names) have been the norm for many years. During a talk at Cambridge, Mr Rahul Gandhi waved a newspaper whilst talking to the students. The same-day headline in The Guardian read- ‘India’s Democracy in Danger.’ Please connect the dots. Some readers may not know that Hinduism is not recognized as a religion in 24 out of 26 EU countries. Little wonder that some Ivy League college publications have dismissed this Ancient Faith with 1.2 billion followers as ‘pagans’ and ‘uncivilized.’ The fact that in the last decade, India has shed its mongrel attitude and started giving it back to the White Man is not going down well with them. Guess why Harvard has nothing to say about the brutal repression of a million Uyghur Muslims in China. The esteemed University has received $ 1 billion from China over 10 years mainly as gifts.

India’s rise as an independent global geo-political power has rocked the boat- like buying cheaper oil from Russia and Iran. How can India even think about it!! Shifting from being a major importer of military hardware to a growing exporter of arms and ammunition has rattled the military-industrial complex in Washington and other capitals. So, we have Christiane Amanpour on CNN talking about the Indian Prime Minister in the same breath as the Chinese and Russian dictators. Both of whom have anointed themselves as lifetime rulers. As for the Leader of the Free World, a convicted felon may well be the next President. The UK has seen 4 PMs in the last 8 years and is now shipping out undesirable immigrants to Rwanda and beyond.

The George Soros-affiliated Omidyar network (which has just exited India) with close links to the INC has funded money for propaganda, fake news and fear-mongering. Billionaire Soros who had publicly declared war on PM Modi at Davos many years back is known to have backed regime change in some nations. Chinese money has also poured in to boost well-known media outlets and YouTube influencers to spew a particular narrative.

The churning in Indian politics is all for the good. The strong comeback of the Congress and its Allies is welcome. With the caveat that if the Congress-led front comes to power at the Centre we will see a more competent and dependable Messrs Sachin Pilot or Shashi Tharoor or Mallikarjun Kharge as the Prime Minister. Beating the 2X anti-incumbency factor and with 292 seats in the Lok Sabha, the BJP-led NDA has to settle into its 3^rd term. It will have to work and focus on The Greater Good. ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’ (Everyone’s support, everyone’s development, everyone’s trust) cannot be an empty slogan but an inspiration for good inclusive policies and efficient governance and administration. However, as of now Modi 3.0 has prevailed not only over a rejuvenated Opposition but over myriad forces and powers from across the world.

Management Learnings from ‘The Hitman’- Rohit Sharma

Posted on March 23, 2024 by SV Rao

I earnestly believe that Team Sports at the highest levels provide a lot of learning for Corporate Management. There is no place to hide. It’s all out there happening in the open in an acutely competitive atmosphere. Goof-ups and crisis management; injuries and replacements; bonding and friction; Ups and downs; temperament and the Never Say Die spirit; leadership and rising up to the occasion; teamwork and collaboration; communication and defining roles; analytics and research; planning and execution. Hence my earlier blogs on ‘Management Lessons from Sports’, ‘The Gift of Captaincy’, and ‘Management Lessons from The Thala- MS Dhoni’- the last posted after CSK won a thrilling IPL final last year.

Rohit Sharma’s so-called laid-back demeanor hides the profound impact he has had both as a captain and batter for India and the IPL franchise. His affable, grounded, pragmatic approach has caught the attention of cricket pundits, cricketing legends, and cricket buffs all over the world. Some of the parallels with MSD are striking and The Thala’s influence is palpable. Rohit Sharma suddenly became the captain of Mumbai Indians in 2013 with Icons and seniors like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Harbhajan Singh, and Malinga in the squad. Anil Kumble, then associated with MI, remembers that he was completely unfazed and self-assured. Like MSD with the India captaincy, he gave the stalwarts Respect and Space and seamlessly aligned them for the Team’s cause. The Mumbai side picked up its first IPL trophy in 2013. It was also in the same year that Dhoni promoted this middle-order batter to open for India in the Champions Trophy and the rest is history. The Rohit Sharma- Shikhar Dhawan partnership. Dinesh Karthick ( w/k batsman) who was also part of the MI team has observed that the omission from India’s 2011 World Cup team shook him up and he developed the quiet, steely resolve to make every match and tournament count.

‘I have tried to keep it simple. One thing- clear communication to the players. I have tried to make sure that they understand their roles and that’s what it’s all about. Understanding their roles and going out there and performing their roles.’ Another page out of MSD’s Captaincy manual. Sadly in the corporate sector, there are many employees, especially on the front line who do not understand their roles, contributions, and value to the team, office, or organization as a whole. The positive energy of team synergy and getting the bigger picture is missing. In the vertical or silo systems embraced by many Companies in the Service Sector, the sense of disengagement is even more pronounced and bureaucracy kicks in. Customer Service is the first casualty.

The unique Rohit-bhai takeaway is ‘that there has to be a sense of relaxation as well because it is important to keep the atmosphere light and cheerful’. But this coin has not dropped with some at the senior levels of corporate hierarchy and even at Board levels. Employee productivity and performance spike if the work atmosphere and culture are congenial- leading to better results and a more robust balance sheet. Virat Kohli calls Rohit ‘the funniest person in the Indian dressing room.’ His tapori language (Mumbai street lingo) and chilled-out behavior are both endearing and calming. The super intense Kohli seems to be enjoying his cricket as never before, laughing and joking with the team. No overweening egos, no insecurity, no camps. Reaching out and Bonding. The Hitman and The King are Bros for the Indian cricket mission. True, the stump-mic has caught the captain scolding and using cuss words with some team members on the field. But as Rohit Sharma simply puts it, ‘It’s not to hurt anyone. It’s just to make sure they are on the job and are thinking about the team.’ Other funny stump-mic comments have gone viral. In the third T-20 match against Afghanistan he got off the mark with a boundary down the leg-side but umpire Virendra Sharma signalled leg-byes. He approached the umpire with ‘Arrey Viru, thigh-pad diya kya? Bat laga tha. Already mere do zero ho gaya.’ (Did you give it as leg-byes. It hit the bat. In my previous 2 innings I have got ducks.). The Indian commentators in the box doubled up laughing.

Listen in to the Skipper’s report card ( on YouTube -Cricket Boy) on how the Men in Blue performed in their magnificent 4-1 Test win against an England team on a Bazball roll. First, the series-defining partnership by Jurel and Kuldeep Yadav at Ranchi. The emotions around Sarfaraz Khan winning his India cap at the Rajkot Test. How many years earlier he had played with the father Naushad in the Kanga league. Jaiswal’s dominating double century at Vizag. Bumrah’s 6-wicket spell in the same Test- reverse swinging the ball on a flat track in hot and humid conditions. The best fast-bowling display he has witnessed in India. The ‘legend’ of Ashwin and the brilliant return of the match-winning Kuldeep Yadav. Appreciative mentions of Gill and Jadeja. Special mention of how much he has enjoyed playing with these passionate young cricketers. No mention of his captaincy except to say that he had learned many things during the series. No mention of missing the likes of Kohli, Rahul, Shami, and Pant in the team. When have you last heard of a Corporate Captain being so warm and fulsome in his praise for his team? Teams matter. Corporate heads are representative of their teams. When the team performs well, a generous amount of credit rubs off on the leader.

Rohit-Bhai has been the Big Brother or the ‘Go-to’ man even before he was appointed as captain. You will see his hand over the shoulder of a dejected Kuldeep Yadav who had a bad day at the office. According to Parthiv Patel, ‘Rohit whole-heartedly supports his players even when they are grappling with difficulties demonstrating an unwavering faith in their abilities. There is an unparalleled sense of calmness in the team.’ He then refers to the case of Bumrah brought in by the MI scouts in 2014. By 2015, the management was pondering to send him back after half of the season. But the captain staunchly believed in his abilities and in 2016, the journey of India’s premier fast bowler across formats began. Likewise, Hardik Pandya’s entry in 2015 and after a lack-luster 2016 season many at MI were showing him the exit door. Again, the leader supports the player giving Pandya the chance to become the player he is today. Very ironic, isn’t it? Considering the recent developments at the franchise.

The Captain has to be a good mentor to bring about the best in her/his team. This is a critical attribute to anyone at the Senior or Middle Management levels handling a sizable team. Companies and Institutions unfortunately do not factor in this ‘X’ factor in the KRA’s and Appraisals. It’s all about numbers. So a person with a 15-year innings pops up on the radar as a Cost to Company (CTC). What the team leader is quietly doing daily behind the scenes is overlooked- training and motivating the team, sharing experiences, developing a second line- all fall through the cracks. One of the most critical attributes of an effective Manager- mentoring- is simply shrugged off.

R Ashwin’s exit from Team India after the second day of the Rajkot Test tells a heart-warming story. .The Test match was evenly poised and with the series itself at stake we have Rohit Sharma and Coach Rahul Dravid persuading their main bowler to take the BCCI arranged charter flight to Chennai to attend to his ailing, hospitalised mother. The star spinner then re-joins the Men in Blue on the 4th day of the Test with his recovering mother insisting that her son not let down the national cricket team. Little wonder, that in an emotional video posted on his YouTube channel Ashwin says, ‘I would give my life for him on the field, that’s the kind of captain he is.’ We have an increasing treadmill corporate culture where leave applications for genuine reasons are frowned upon and even family time on weekends is being compromised.

Rohit Sharma has a sharp cricketing brain and reads the game well. Zaheer Khan has this to say, ‘Rohit acts according to the situation, and many times they are different from what may have been planned in the run-up to the game.’ In corporate life also at times long-term planning and rigid structures become constrictive and hold back the Company from changing course pragmatically, especially in dynamic market conditions. Plus the Cool factor he brings to play. Hence no panic buttons after the disappointing loss at Hyderabad from a position of strength. Instead, a determined come-back to dismantle Bazball. Astute handling of bowlers and smart field placements frustrated the English batters and they collapsed like a pack of cards multiple times in the Test series. Another important learning is how the India captain did not hesitate to pick on the brains of key players like Bumrah and Ashwin. A good leader should be open to ideas and suggestions from the core-group and resonating from the ground. The Ivory Tower syndrome has to be avoided at all costs.

Leadership is not bequeathed through job titles or the size of the corner office. Every Corporate leader or Manager worth her/his salt has to earn the respect and trust of the team members by setting the right example and by leading from the front. ‘The Hitman’ ticks all the boxes across all formats of the game. A Test batting average of 45+ over 59 Tests, more than 10,000 runs over 292 ODI, and a Strike Rate of 92; almost 4000 runs in 151 T-20s at a Strike Rate of almost 140 which puts him in the Sehwag league. He has scored hundreds and double hundreds; changed games with his sixes and fours and played many cameo knocks which have made a difference. In the ODI World Cup 2023, he was the second-highest run-getter after Virat Kohli (765 runs in 11 innings) with 597 runs in 11 knocks. Many cricket commentators have lauded his totally unselfish approach of providing a rollicking start to the India innings. The ICC named him as captain of the ICC World Cup team which had 6 Indian players.

The other wonderful dimension he has brought to the game as a batter is the sheer elegance and power he brings to the crease. King Kohli says that ‘he has never seen anyone time the ball like him.’ Kapil Dev captures his Master-Class batting as,’ attractive, effortless and with all the time in the world.’ Sachin Tendulkar has observed to the effect ‘that once Rohit gets into the zone, the poor bowler does not know where to bowl.’ After he made it to ‘The Wisden 5 cricketers of the Year-2022 along with Bumrah) an article in the Almanack celebrated his sublime stroke play and especially highlighted his pull, cover drive, and back-foot punch as perfection.

There is a select group of corporates who have kept their eye on the ball – not losing sight of the fundamentals, the processes, and especially the people. But others focus only on the top-line and bottom-line and pay scant attention to the growing void at the centre.

Back to the Rohit Sharma story. The man who took the Mumbai Indians to 5 IPL titles has been abruptly replaced by Hardik Pandya. The transition could have been handled with more grace and transparency. Instead, it smacks of board-room intrigue, disrespect to the man who has contributed so much to the franchise, and a lack of basic decency and sporting spirit. However, the break from the burdens of leadership can prove to be a blessing in disguise. Fortunately for us, he remains the captain of the Men in Blue for the ICC T 20 World Cup later this year and if he keeps his focus and form we may see the Last Hurrah from Captain Rohit-Bhai at the World Test championship in June next year.

Three Aces

Posted on February 29, 2024 by SV Rao

The 3 Aces- Ace of Clubs- Yashashvi Jaiswal, Ace of Hearts- Sarfaraz Khan, Ace of Spades- Dhruv Jurel

The ongoing Test series between India and England has been a humdinger. Enthralling cricket, ebbs and flows, high drama, scintillating performances with bat and ball, and the emergence of some special young talent. India’s 3-1 victory is one for the ages. On par with the 2001 series 2-1 win against an Aussie side at the top of their game and especially remembered for VVS Laxman’s epochal 281 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Come to think of it the present bilateral Tests have some parallels with India’s ‘Miracle Down Under’ another 2-1 triumph under Rahane’s captaincy in 2021. The Men in Blue scripted the greatest comeback in Test match history with Kohli returning home after the first Test defeat. No Shami, no KL Rahul, and injuries to Bumrah, Jadeja, Umesh Yadav, Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari. The current India squad has no Kohli, KL Rahul, Shami and Rishabh Pant. The visitors also lost their spinner Jack Leach through a knee injury in the first test at Hyderabad.

The term Bazball is coined after England Team Coach Brendon McCullum’s nickname ‘Baz.’ It refers to the aggressive style of batting by English batters. It has worked well for the McCullum–Stokes partnership- 14 Test wins, 7 losses, 1 draw thus far. Remember they beat Pakistan 3-0 in Pakistan. England’s run rate in Test matches touched 4.76 per over, never matched in the history of the game. The Indian tour was seen as The Last Frontier for Bazball and obviously, it has come apart. Social media has gone crazy with ‘RIP Bazball’ & ‘Bazball meets its Waterloo’. After the 4^th Test Indian fans had a field day, ‘Haar gaya Bazball, Jeet gaya Bat-Ball’ (Bazball loses, Bat-ball wins). But I salute McCullum- Ben Stokes for stoking life into Test cricket. It has become exciting again with twists and turns every session.

Now to the Three Aces. Their humble backgrounds, struggles, challenges, and sensational success have added an emotional and inspiring dimension to this Test contest. The cricket field has verily become their ‘Karmabhoomi.’ The 22-year-old Yashashvi Jaiswal’s (Ace of Clubs) tale has been aptly captured by the Forbes India headline, ‘From battling hunger to developing an insatiable hunger for runs’. A remarkable rags-to-riches story of a 10-year-old from a small town in UP relocating to Mumbai in search of his cricketing dreams. He first worked and stayed at a dairy shop but was fired because he was obsessed with the sport. Then he moved to one of the tents in Azad Maidan, Mumbai, and lived with the groundsman. He sold ‘pani-puri’ in the evenings to make ends meet. His parents repeatedly told him to come back home but he had marked his guard. In a 2018 interview with News 18, his mother Kanchan shared his response, ‘Main maidan mein he rahunga to sab kuch asan hoga. Subhe uthe he meri samne cricket hota hai’ (If I stay on the ground everything will be easy. As soon as I wake up I see cricket in front of me.).

Another challenge the boy had to face was the canard that he was over-age and had fudged his real age. Clubs and teams stayed away. Providentially, he was spotted by Jwala Singh who not only decided to train him but provided him with food and accommodation. The mentor/coach himself said in interviews, ‘I wanted to help him because his story is similar to mine. I also came from UP to Mumbai to play cricket so I know the kind of struggle he faced.’ In 2019, he became the youngest cricketer to score a List A club double century, then became the leading run-getter at the U 19 World Cup in 2020. He was then purchased by the Rajasthan Royals at the IPL auction for ₹ 2.4 crores which has now been bumped up to ₹ 4 crores.

In his debut Test Match against the Windies in 2023 he hit an elegant 171. In the ongoing Test series, he has scored 618 runs with two majestic double-hundreds. In the Vizag Test at 94, he walked down the track and lifted the ball over the long-on boundary. With the Dharamshala Test coming up he stands a good chance of beating Kohli’s series record of 655 runs on the England tour of India in 2016-17. His idol Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his Vizag century celebration picture with the caption, ‘Yashashvi Bhava’ meaning may you see a lot of success.

This Test series is also flavoured with spicy tit-bits- one such served by Ben Duckett who smashed a masterful century at Rajkot in just 88 balls. The Indian opener Jaiswal dominated with an unbeaten 214 and equaled Wasim Akram’s world record of 12 sixes in a Test innings. Duckett claimed ‘that England deserved some credit for Jaiswal’s knock as his batting style followed ‘Bazball’. Commentators, pundits and social media went berserk. Joe Root’s reverse scoop of Bumrah which got him out was discussed ‘as the worst shot in England’s cricket history’. (Sky Sports)

Sarfaraz Khan’s (Ace Of Hearts) has been a long, gritty journey to his Rajkot Test debut. After he received his India cap he rushed to his Abbu and his wife who were cheering for him. He handed over the cap to Naushad Khan who kissed it. All were teary-eyed. A lump-in-the-throat scene straight out of a movie. Naushad Khan had played competitive cricket for Mumbai but could not make the national team. He was living his dreams through his son Sarfaraz. The jersey number of the debutant Test cricketer read 97. Say 9&7 separately in Hindi and you hear the father’s name. The latter is now a cricket coach not only to his sons Sarfaraz and Musheer but also to several aspiring youngsters at the Maidans. Young Sarfaraz was made to work on fitness, batting, bowling, and fielding. From early morning drills to specific diet plans he had to follow strict schedules. Naushad Khan has even set up a synthetic turf around his home in Kurla so that his sons don’t miss practice during monsoons.

At age 12, he scored a record-breaking 439 runs from 421 balls in the Harris Shield-Mumbai’s premier school tournament. He played for India u-19 in 2014 and was second highest scorer in the WC U-19 in 2016. He joined RCB in 2016 at a base price of 20 lacs and played some cameo innings. But questions about his fitness and body weight started doing the rounds. Unfortunately, he missed the IPL 2017 season because of an injury. He shifted to UP to play Ranji trophy and went off the radar. He became one of the many other domestic circuit players.

But the father-son duo didn’t give up. A flood of runs in the Ranji Trophy-928 in the 2019-20 edition and 982 runs in 20-21 with an average of 82.83 still did not resonate with the national selectors. With some injuries in the Indian camp, Sarfaraz finally got a call to join the Indian squad for the current Test series. Critics were still talking about his body weight. His 50 of 48 balls in the first innings silenced them and his run-out at 62 because of a mix-up with Jadeja became a huge talking point. The star all-rounder was trolled on social media for denying the debutant his maiden Test century. He apologized to both father and son. Drama and more drama. The aggressive 68 in the second innings also facilitated India’s massive win at Rajkot.

The India cap eluding them for years did not break their spirit. Naushad Khan gave it a beautiful, philosophical spin during his interview with Akash Chopra and several news channels,’ Raat ko waqt do guzarne ke liye, suraj apne he samaye par niklega.’ Translated as ‘let the night pass at its own pace, the sun will rise at the set time.’ Destiny had planned a perfect time for Sarfaraz’s dream to come true. He has also thanked Surya Kumar Yadav for insisting that he be physically present for the Rajkot match- a once-in-a-lifetime experience- if his son padded up for India. The only downside for this exciting batter is that for IPL 2024, no side bid for him at his base price of ₹ 20 lakhs. But hope still remains that with Shreyas Iyer and another player struggling with injuries, KKR may reach out to him.

The Third Ace. Ace of Spades. Ranchi Test. England 353. India struggling at 177 for 7 and is likely to be bundled out for under 200. England with a big lead wraps up the match and it’s 2-2 before the final Test. Dhruv Jurel in only his second international match scores a match-defining 90 and with Kuldeep Yadav keeps England’s lead down to 46. The rest is history. On reaching 50 he raises his hand in salute to his father Nem Chand Jurel, a retired Army Hawaldar and a Kargil war veteran. His humble background comes through in this story narrated by his father.’ He wanted a cricket kit bag but it was very expensive- some ₹6,000. “I said ‘Mat khelo, Itna paisa nahin hain’. (Leave the game. I don’t have so much money). But his mother decided to pawn her only gold chain and we managed to buy his kit bag.”

At the age of 14 he found his way alone to a cricket academy in Noida and to coach Phoolchand. The boy from Agra played for UP across age groups and became the vice-captain of the Indian team for the U-19 WC2020. By playing for his state in the Syed Mushtaq Ali tournament- India’s no 1 domestic T-20 championship- he caught the eye of the IPL scouts and was picked up by Rajasthan Royals in 2022 for a base price of 20 lakhs.(increased to Rs 50 lakhs for the 2024 season). He got his IPL breakthrough in 2023 and scored 152 runs at a strike rate of 172. His range of shots and ability to play under pressure brought him into the spotlight. The youngster himself says, ‘Hard work is a big thing. I am a big fan of manifestation and visualization.’ Hard Work!! The Rajasthan Royals Performance Director, Zubin Bharucha has revealed that before his Test debut Jurel batted for over 4 hours a day on different surfaces at the Rajasthan Royals High Performance Center at Nagpur. Coming in at No 8 in the 3^rd Test he scored 46 runs.

Just reflect. His IPL SR of 172 and his Ranchi Test innings of 90 & 39 not out under immense pressure SR of 60.40 and 50.64. Calmness, composure, and temperament. Joe Root, his team-mate at RR has this to say, ‘His ability to strike cleanly and blast the ball to all parts is impressive. But to be able to transfer skills to the Test format means he has a very good technique. He is going to be a very good player for years to come.’

With just 15 first-class matches and not all of them as keeper, Jurel has been a revelation behind the stumps. Diving down the leg side, jumping high, or standing up to the stumps his dexterity and reflexes have stood out. Sunil Gavaskar was reminded of ‘a young MSD’ On a lighter note, Jamie Alter posed this question on a cricket podcast, ‘I ask that a wicket-keeper batsman playing at Ranchi and with close connection to the Indian Army, wins the Man of the Match award -which cricketer will come to mind.’ MSD of course. Also, listen in to Ben Stokes, ‘His keeping was something to watch. I think Ben Foakes (England keeper) has a little man crush on him there. There has been a real talent that has emerged in this Test Series and Jurel is one of them.’ England spinner Shoaib Bashir is another with his 8 wickets at Ranchi and a match-winning future ahead.

Cricket is the ultimate winner after these thrilling 4 Test encounters. Nasser Hussain, ‘That’s one of the things I have enjoyed most about this series from both sides. There has been a lot of character on the show and it has made for gripping cricket.’ Leaving the last word to Virat Kohli- his special message for Team India on X, ‘YES!!! Phenomenal series win by our young team. They showed guts, determination, and resilience.’

In a Tarot Card reading, Three Aces symbolize multiple new beginnings, opportunities, a fresh start, or a new environment. It also signifies a dramatic energy shift. May Test cricket regain its charm, popularity, and appeal! This will enhance the entire aura of the game across formats.