Indian Auto-rickshaws on London Streets !

A news item in today’s Economic Times tells us that soon the Indian auto-rickshaw, more popularly called “tuk–tuk” in different parts of the world may be seen on the streets of London.

Called the “Auto” or “Rik” in many parts of India, this toughie has become the mode of transport for thousands of Indian commuters. There are a zillion stories about them and their owners/drivers. Every commuter has his/her favourite story of the horror or pleasure of a trip.

Many, (in the city of Bangalore, India, where I live) swear by them for their reliability given all odds. No one can maneouver in our city traffic like an auto driver. Others swear at them for their singular lack of consideration in their propensity to choose where and when they want to go !

In a lighter vein, if the proposal comes through for “autos” in London, would driving them be outsourced to drivers from Bangalore ?

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Ideas for Success:Work-Life Balance

I have posted my 7 Ideas for Success on Leadership and on Cross-Cultural Sensitivity. Continuing the series of Ideas for Success, here are my 7 Ideas for Success in improving your Work-Life Balance:

1. Know what you want: Prioritizing is the name of the game. Without knowing what you want, you will get no where.
2. Shift with minimum of jerks: When you make changes to your life/life style there are bound to be jerks. Minimise these and their effects on the things you do.
3. Share your Needs: We don’t live in isolation. Sharing our needs with others who count makes them more attainable and meaningful.
4. Do more of what’s important and less of what’s not: In the whirlwind of everyday life, give prime time and effort to issues that matter the most.
5. Reward yourself for every success: Success does not come easily but when you do succeed, reward your self. This motivates you to do more.
6. Act rather than wish: All of us have a big wish list. Without action, that’s what they remain.
7. Take stock of your efforts on work-life balance at appropriate intervals: As time goes by, priorities change, needs change. Take stock of your achievements and next steps.

I have found these to be of use. What do you do to improve work-life balance?

Youth to the Fore

Rohit Sharma, all of 20, typified the spirit and capabilities of India’s new breed of young cricketers in a crucial match against South Africa yesterday.

India simply had to win to stay in the World Twenty20 tournament. In an amazing game, India scored 153-5 thanks to 50 not out off 40 balls by young Sharma. They then restricted the South Africans to just 116-9, Rudra Pratap Singh , aged 21, claiming 4-13 in a devastating spell of seam bowling.

India shut out South Africa from the tournament. We now face Australia in the semi-finals on September 23.

Rupee @ $ 39.9

The Indian Rupee continues to gain with reference to the US $. Yesterday, it touched Rs . 39.89 to the $. In May 2002 , it was Rs. 49.06 to the $.

Standing to gain by this trend are students pursuing studies In the US, visitors to the US, and users of imports.

Adversely hit by the trend are export oriented sectors like IT, Textiles and Garments, In bound tourists and families of NRIs. The last named will now get fewer rupees to $ remitted from the US.

A challenge for the IT industry will be to improve profitability.