Indian Diplomacy – The Art of Protocol

Diplomacy is carried out by a Diplomat, and a Diplomat is a one who exhibits Diplomacy! Sounds crazy? Yes, we are such!

Diplomats aren’t intelligent people, but they are a step ahead of Intellectuals and Smarts. The inspiration comes from various sources, for me, it was from Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, a French Diplomat. Ok, how does it feel when you are being addressed as a Diplomat. Initially, I didn’t admit to being addressed as Diplomat because I strongly believed that one should be Diplomatic enough to be addressed such. It took almost 4.5 years to get into the primary level elevation.

People may have different opinions and ideas about a Diplomat. Oh! Yeah, PEOPLE means a more extensive set of definition.

Read more…. 

Birthday Celebrations - Being Adult

Celebrating one's birthday is a unique event that's meant to be shared with loved ones. Birthdays are just like seasons, most of them welcome with open arms, and others may take a little warming up to. But to mark a milestone, we should be doing something with favourite people in one room to reminisce about the past year and coming year. A typical birthday party for an adult consists of family and friends and usually involves a cake, birthday card, dinner, games, music and much more.

To be more specific in India, we expect Mid-Night calls, Surprises, Fun, Wine and many such things from our most loved and favourite peoples. This cannot be limited but endures the partnership and how strong the bonding is existing between people. A call, email, text, or a personal visit to greet them on this special day is almost required as an annual maintenance task of every individual in all the certainties of Family Bonding, Romantic Bonding and Platonic Bonding.

Diplomacy Linked with Birthday

Robert Frost once said, "A Diplomat is a man who always remembers a woman's birthday but never remembers her age!". In the same way, everyone expects wishes from people around them. This unique feeling cannot be described verbally. Though we may claim, we aren't interested in getting wishes or other sorts, there will be internal happiness unexpressed. If we are prominent in someone's life, definitely be it any situation, a wish with surprise would be there.

Removal of my Birthday

With tons and tons of Wishes I personally get every year, Facebook blocks my account, considering am a BOT while responding for the wishes. Last year I decided to remove my Birthday from Facebook so that the people who really wanted to wish me will be profoundly reminded of that day without any external reminders.

While I was writing this, I got the instance profound memories of the past. One of my Friend's father who was very seriously sick called me in 2017 on my birthday just to wish me from Australia.

Read More at: https://blog.kokulakrishnaharik.in/2019/05/birthday-celebrations-being-adult/

Seasoning MBA Application @ US - Part 1 - Basics

Oh! Yes, this segment is completely a new topic when comparing all my previous posts. Planned to complete in 4 Parts. Will see. :-)

The following are the 4 parts:

• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 1 - Basics
• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 2 - What they need?
• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 3 - How they evaluate?
• Seasoning MBA Applications - Part 4 - Employability and Finance Post MBA

There is a strong reason for composing this post now. Yes, few might have been aware about of the reason whilst most of them wouldn't know the reason. It is the real time to confess on this stuff. I would like to pursue my full-time Master in Business Administration in a reputed institute. Reiterating, FULL-TIME.

The goal was little bit budding within me since 2013 when there was a spoof content in some website defaming me. Left it uncared due to the vigorous other works including various Governmental and Inter-Governmental tasks. Added a fame to my thought, I discussed with one of my best, close and mentally intimate friend in the early 2015. To my surprise even he was having the same idea and he never revealed it to me as he is an psychopathic attitude guy. Started searching for the Best Ranked B-Schools.

We both applied for few Universities and we had invitation from few Universities. I wanted to pursue my MBA along with my NBRS [Non-Blood Related Sibling] owing for various reasons. Will be analyzing my case and will strictly discuss my case here, as I don't have any rights or permission from him to discuss about his case though I know each and every detail about him and his application.

So before proceeding, I wanted to give some information about my application. With almost 6.5 years of Entrepreneurial and Governmental Experience I have started my applications. I took up GRE instead of GMAT test as the entry requirement and was on an average of 35 percentile. My Under-Grad GPA was 3.67 out of 4.0. I had almost 192 research publications, 4 patents and wide international exposure.

It was lovely to get re-connected with various people whom we had connection before bunch of years, had recommendation and references from an University Professor, Chairman of Deloitte, Partner of EY and others. My application got through at some universities luckily or by some unknown means. Unfortunately my NBRS didn't even get invitations. You could learn what an US MBA Admissions Committee member is looking from you out of your application in Part 2.

First thing about the applications are that you going to enter into a lottery program. Pray Well before starting. You should understand that each and every application is a time consuming process and dedicated time should be allocated for each and every case. With all my experiences, total time required on an average for 1 application is 8 - 14 hours if you are genuinely filling in all the particulars without CCP (Cut/Copy/Paste) Technique. Following which there is a standard rule that you have a very professional email ID which is being used for these application process.

Some of the bad email IDs are as follows.

• robertthedatingguy@gmail.com
• petertheseducer@gmail.com
• stb.waitingtodate@gmail.com

Some of the professional free email IDs are as follows.

• robert.a@gmail.com
• peter.brook@gmail.com
• swaminathan.thangapan@gmail.com

Use the same email ID from GRE / GMAT to the final stage of the application. Never change the email IDs inbetween as per your wish.

Concentrate on the Essay Part as they define who you are actually to the AdCom (Admissions Committee) members. The recommendation also holds certain quantum of value for the application and this will be discussed in Part 3 of this season. Be truthful for what you fill-in. Prepare a business resume which is short and crisp. The resume should have only 67% - 69% of text on the total frame. Some B-Schools do have Video Interview before the actual screening of your application, ensure that you face them with full of confidence and attitude.

Transcripts, most of the B-Schools do ask your transcripts to be evaluated by WES / ECE who are accredited by the NACES. Please do scan your transcripts legibly.

The last one is the Application Fee, for countries like India / China / Korea / African region the application fee is a big issue because of the very low currency values. On an average per application submission fees would be USD 100 and when you submit 10 applications it would cost you USD 1000 which is almost twice the salary earned by a normal professional with 5 years of experience. The investment should carry your worth. If you know that you will not be selected in Harvard Business School, even then applying for the same could make you to lose your hard earned money. See the median score of GMAT and the class profile. Put yourself into those positions and see if you could fit into it.

And before concluding couple of bonus points:

GRE vs GMAT

GRE is applicable for MS as well as MBA. Most of the B-Schools in United States of America do consider your GRE score. You are requested to look into ETS website for having the score equivalence. If you have decided to go for MBA, then I do recommend you to go for GMAT strictly as most of the B-School do assume that the applicant was not serious about his MBA career and took GRE to give a best try.

TOFEL / IELTS

Every B-School have their own list of countries which are exempted from taking these English Language Tests. To put in a nut-shell, if the medium of your course was in English language and all your records are in English, you could approach them and request for International Language Test Score waiver.

Will meet you back in Part 2...

Japan – Expensive Punctual Lifestyle

It is always a pleasure in exploring various countries and that too in an entertainment mode or mood. In that list, I wanted to explore the Japan. After making a steady plan, I made myself to visit Tokyo for few days draining Indian Economy and boosting the Japanese Economy. And I did it almost.

Born and being brought-up in India is always a curse because you don’t the value of Time and Life. But the Japanese culture does it. As soon as I landed-up, there was a shuttle bus which takes me to The Narita Port Hotel which is actually renamed as Narita Gateway hotel. I didn’t update my time in my hand phone, but to my surprize it was there exactly ON-TIME. Generally, in India we used to be ON-TIME by mistake. When we arrive ON-TIME, you will not have the right respect and mileage. But it is just opposite in Japanese culture. Wasn’t that much satisfied with the Hotel Accommodation as it was exactly the size of our Kitchen in my house. But it was compact and tight fit for an individual.

The next day, I was impressed and pulled by seeing the name “Narita Free Transit Tour Program” at the Airport. Wow! That was good news for an individual like me. So attempted to ping at that desk on the next day morning. Since it would open at 9 AM, went to the departure floor to have a morning meal at McDonald’s and surprisingly it was less equivalent to the London pricing. Not of a greater taste, but it was my saviour. At around 9, there was a woman with excessive lip-stick convincing the Australian Woman who was on transit. I was waiting in the queue and got into her for discussion. After 15 minutes of discussion, she said that we have to pay for the Transport and the term “FREE” was only for the Guide. Not a disappointing one, but used for this in South Korea while I was with Prof. Dr. Dong Hwa Kim. The bus arrived ON-TIME and we were asked to pay JPY 210. We thought it would be around 50 miles for the destination. But it was the height of my stupidity. He came around the Airport as Lord Ganesha did around his father and mother and dropped us at a spot just behind the airport. It was not even 4 miles by road and just 1.2 miles by air.

I learnt that the life is such expensive in Japan and made myself to proceed with this. The next day I went to Tokyo where I learnt that the real Japan is there. Much of crowd, absolute silence without any honking or loud speech. But one thing which I need to notice is the integrity and respect they rendered to me though not being any official. Some were interested in knowing about the religious identity mark on my forehead. And the Narita Express line is one of the most expensive trains I have travelled in the world, yes it was an almost JPY 5,000 for a distance of 60 kilometers and it is worst so it travels in almost 1 hour 30 minutes.

The cost of a Blazer Jacket was JPY 25,000; suite JPY 79,000 for my size. I get them in India for JPY 4,000; suite JPY 8,500. The worst thing is that the cost of a brief (underwear) was JPY 19,000 and you get 8% Tax refund on this money which you pay provided condition that you don’t use it in Japan. My crazy mind said to buy one such and come back to my country and post a photography saying that it is Japan Brief. But my bureaucratic mind refrained me doing it.

The culture is perfectly shaped that no mistakes occur. The schooling mechanism teaches everything that they require for their life. The Life Science classes in their High School impressed me very much. Heard that cooking is also a part of their classes in High School which carries equal value in the examinations. There is no theft at Japan and I tried by placing my mobile in a public place named AEON Shopping mall, Narita. After 15 minutes, a small boy saw that mobile and informed the McDonald’s representative. It was a good experience.

The flat nose and small eye guys are really the best. I would surely go back to Japan to see these flat nose and small eye guys. Probably my son or daughter would need a school education in Japanese schools. 

Visit to Chennai Besant Nagar Beach - Offshore Onshore

Bay of Bengal, known as the largest bay of the world forming  a triangular shape touching the borders of India, Burma, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. I happened to meet it out yesterday after a long time in a casual move without any action plan for almost 30 minutes. When I was a kid in school my mom and dad use to take me to Beach located in Pondicherry, it was a divine at that time. After spending few hours, we use to reach back home and my mom will scold me for carrying sands into trousers fleet. During the tenure of my matriculation examinations, I was not allowed or literally taken to the beach showing the justification of examinations and securing the marks. The gap between Kokula Krishna Hari K and Bay of Bengal started there. 

It was a big pain of not visiting it although my residence is just 2kms away from the Bay of Bengal (BoB). Time went on, after completion of my school days, I planned to visit BoB again my new venture and business works stopped me. After 2011 stabilization of the business stature, I planned to visit; now when I step-in into the beach road at Pondicherry, tons of Hi's and Hello's from all the known and unknown contacts. It literally takes out of my time like to cover 500 meters it will be around 3 to 4 hours. I started ignoring it deliberately. When I landed-up at Chennai, I was advised to visit Marina, the second largest beach. My thoughts were striking on my mom and dad of ignoring them and visiting the beach. Hesitated to visit Marina also. She lost the opportunity of meeting me. 

BoB on crisp status, has met me in numerous occasions enroute to Pondicherry from Chennai or the vice-versa. Certain complicated decisions of my life and my organization were made while I was standing near Muttukadu, Auroville and other locations. It is not a proper beach ofcourse and my visits were also not on proper time; usually 2 AM or 3 AM will be the time of visit. I do see people in those areas who are drunk totally and flat. With a small quantum of pity on them and their family either parents or spouse, used to ignore them and move on. Sometime during Operation Alma use to go to certain spots of the BoB with a gang of people. But all these times, it was either  Professional or Purposeful or with a Sub Code as X or Y or Z. It didn't give me a feel as like my school days like without a purpose going to beach and spending time.

Yesterday, Saturday 28th March, 2015 I was little bit crazy. Wanted to spend my time lavishly out of all Governmental Work and others as soon as I was returning from Malaysia. Asked my bro Vignesh Ramakkrishnon to finalize the agenda. I wasn't sure if he had some plan or schedule, around some 9 PM started going around Chennai and the craziness sprawled there of visiting BoB. Initially thought of visiting BoB at Marina junction, but in consideration of certain factors, we moved the decision to Beasant Nagar stuff. Considerably, it was my first time visit to Beasant Nagar beach. Some unmonitored food with Burmese taste and potato scroll sorted properly with spiciness and cheese were also tasted by me. Probably, I may surely go back to eat those potato cheeks again. I loved it and thought of moving inside sand-steeps, suddenly stroke the scoldings of my mom  while I was a kid for getting sea-sand into my trousers. Stopped few yards away from the touch point was standing facing the sea and was chatting without a gap. And this was the time which I was expecting after my 9th grade. More than 30 minutes, without any purpose or solemn cause standing and admiring the beauty of the shore. Almost after 30 minutes or even around that few cops instructed to leave the locality on consideration of safety guidelines, thought of arguing initially while entering into the shore but somehow I was pushed not to fight or argue hindering them to perform their duty. 

I had been many times at Pattaya Beach (Thailand), Hyeopjae Beach (Jeju Island), Hammamet Beach (Tunisia) and many such, but it was full of professional life and calculative moves. Almost accompanied with guards or Professors or Senior most people who care for me. Even I wasn't allowed to remove my shoes during those visits. I remember my Professor advising me not to remove the shoes as the seawater will bring in more unwanted stuffs and it may affect your health while visiting Barafundle Bay beach at Britain. Was literally happy and am unsure if could get such leisure times to make such visits but will always attempt such. Almost finalizing a wish-list which needs to be covered; which actually I have missed them.

And this beach visit was one among them, this item will not be stroken down from the list but will follow it. 

Germanwings - a StopStone in Aviation Industry

The co-pilot blamed for deliberately crashing a passenger jet with 150 people on board into the Alps used post-9/11 safety mechanisms to carry out his plan. 

Andreas Guenter Lubitz, 28, waited for his captain, Patrick Sondenheimer to leave the flight deck and go to the toilet before commanding the Airbus A-320 to descend.  

Once out of the cockpit, the door locked automatically. Ironically, this auto-lock feature, which led to Lubitz having sole control of the plane, was introduced as a way of improving flight safety in the wake of 9/11.

Access to the cockpit door on the Germanwings Airbus A320 (like the one above) can be disabled from inside the flight deck to prevent hijacking

In normal flight, the door to the flight is closed and locked. Cabin crew can use a code and gain access to the flight deck. 

Entry is controlled by the flight crew, in case of a possible hijack attempt.

The Cockpit Door Locking System (CDLS) according to the flight manual 'provides a means of electrically locking and unlocking the cockpit door'.

The CDLS is located in the central pedestal between both pilots and has a toggle switch which controls the door. 

They also have a CCTV camera so they can see who is seeking access, and if they are under any form of duress.

Pilots can restrict access to the flight deck although cabin crew can gain entry in an emergency. 

However, this emergency access can be over-ridden by the pilot for between five to 20 minutes.

The limited time to keep the door closed is itself a safety feature, in case the flight crew become incapacitated. 

After the predetermined time, the keypad on the outside of the cockpit door will become operational again, unless the pilot actively restricts access again.

Also the cockpit door has several other safety features in case of a sudden decompression which will cause the door to open.

According to the flight manual there are 'routine' and 'emergency' access requests.

 

The door locking mechanism is on the centre console, pictured,  so it can be operated by either pilot  

 

The pilot has to flick one simple switch, pictured,  to lock the cabin door for between five and 20 minutes 

'The toggle switch enables the flight crew to lock or unlock the cockpit door, following an access request, thereby allowing or denying the entry to the cockpit.'

The flight manual states that the control unit is responsible for:

• Locking or unlocking the door latches, upon flight crew action
• Unlocking the door i, in case of cockpit decompression (the door then opens towards the cockpit under differential pressure)
• Indicating system failures of electrical latches and pressure sensors
• Activating the access request buzzer and turning on the keypad LEDs

On the Airbus A320, there are three settings:

• Unlock: This position is used to enable the cabin crew member to open the door. The switch must be pulled and maintained in the unlocked position until the door is pushed open.
• Normal: All latches are locked, and EMERGENCY access is possible for the cabin crew
• Lock: Once the button has been moved to this position, the door is locked; emergency access, the buzzer, and the keypayd are inhibited for a preselected time (5 to 20 min)

School friends said that Lubitz paused his pilot's training in 2008 after suffering from 'burnout' and depression.

Don't Beg for Appraisal - Corporate Ethics

I have saw many IT Pro and others working in Large Corporate, specifically Information Technology fighting with their Managers / Head / HR for appraisal, on-site and others. 

Yes, that is good to know that you have a good fighting ability. You cannot expect Ruthlessness, callousness and arrogance at any point of time from your superiors. Writing something in Facebook Confessions page, Unanimous Blogs and others is no where going to hinder his development. Instead just think a back-scene, how badly it says the family background of yours. 

The corporate managers are normally learnt professionals at-least a step ahead than you. They know what to be done and what not to be done. Fighting with them, reporting to the step senior authorities, intervening into his personal affairs, vandalizing him/her doesn't seems to be the activity a professional can do. If a company is not all considering your credibility within the organization, it is better to resign instead of disturbing the entire system. 

When you wish to live like a American, you should adopt the entire eco-system.