Was thinking on ways to be engaged during the day… That is when I got a call from Gopiraj an acquaintance(Karthicks friend) enquiring about my progress and he asked for my address to visit me…

In couple of hours my aunt said I had some I had some visitors and I didn’t expect in dream that it was Sushma & Karthik… I was speechless for some time and really humbled as they drove from Chennai – Coimbatore just to see me…

Then Karthik asked if he can take me out and I was doubly thrilled… After convincing my mom I got the permission to go out…

I wore my shorts and rolled a shawl around me… The dressing combination was so pathetic and even I couldn’t bare my attire but I had no choice…

First we went to a Reebok store to buy a tracks and my agony started here as the security came inside asking what was I hiding inside the shawl… Then after showing my injured shoulder he apologised…

From there I took them to RS Puram and I made a lot of mess on the route and took them in a wrong route… Finally we reached RS Puram by asking for right route from the cops…

Since Sushma wanted to visit Brookefield Mall we didn’t get down and instead we drove to the mall… I was feeling soo awkward with my attire and my friends forced me inside the mall…

Likewise most of the eye balls were on my awkward dressing… Everyone was wondering why this guy was wearing a shawl when it was hot outside…

Then went inside Nike showroom and both the attenders gave me a damn and they were busy attending other customers… Then I asked one of them if they could assist me and he attended me without any interest… When I enquired about a basketball trouser; he said it was 1300 bucks with a ugly expression… When I asked him to bill ot and gave my cars he was startled for a moment..

Then when I tried to sign the counter file my shawl fell down and only the he realised I was injured… Immediately attention of both the attenders were on me to cross sell …

Then went to Tommy HilFiger and thought would have same reception… But I was carried away as they didn’t show any prejudice seeing my attire… THen I got a stroll from there… Then we went round the mall and started back… As always we thought of asking for a discount while paying for the parking and we were mouth shut when we were just charged 10 bucks unlike in Chennai where malls do day light robbery on parking fee…

Then we went to Hotel Reaidency for lunch and I was given a pleasent welcome by the staff… But after having lunch and while we were walking back 3 ladies were talking in telegu and were mocking at me… The funny aspect was both my friends mother tongue is telegu and they understood the mockery they made and translated it to me… It seems they were asking if is it severing that much??? And they were all looking at me and laughing…

After hearing them and seeing them curiously watching me we 3 started laughing even bigger which made them feel shy / embarrassed and they walked away…

Then they dropped me in my house and they drove back to Chennai… Though it was a small 3 hour time out it was really memorable and I really enjoyed seeing people showing different reactions on seeing me…

I really thank Karthik and Sushme for giving me such a wonderful experience and for visiting me…

Hence forth I’ve decided to wear crazy outfits and confuse people… I really enjoyed the experience of being in an embarrassment )…

From the morning it was too engaging as mom my came to hospital to take the reins of responsibility from my father… Then I it was time to dress up the operated place by the junior doctor…

Then it was some councelling session from the senior doctor on the progress and fuTure…

Then it was physiotherapist turn to teach me some exercise which I have to do until next follow up… Though painful and tough it is very important because operated wounds will heel in 10 days… But recovery lies on the exercise I do… This night be the longest rehab process…

Then it was dietician who advised on the diet to be followed during the time of recovery… As always they asked to avowed fried and junk foods as they slow the heeling process…

Then I asked to take a x-ray and I didn’t know who reviewed it.. Then bill got ready and we vacated by 1 PM…

From there went to medical store in Ramanathapuram, Coimbatore where medicines are sold at 16% discount and we brought all the medicines here instead of the pharmacy in the hospital…

Then went to Supermarket and Fruit shop to get things for next 4 days… From there staight we came to my uncles house…

Then it was some time for office work and by now it was evening… My dad was preparing to travel back to Chennai and was advising me to be responsible during the rehab process… After doing my exercise, dad’s sendoff and after watching the movie Walking Tall… I’m signing off this day with this blog…

So what is it all about???

A decade back I skidded from a two wheeler which started causing frequent dislocation on my right shoulder… Over time the number of iterations started increasing… So, it was recommended to go for a Key-Hole surgery where in loosened capsules on the shoulder were to be screwed and tied…

Then over a period of time moments on my right hand has been restricted and use of that hand has also been limited… Limited usage of the hand has resulted in damage of muscles which has changed my body posture… Also I couldn’t do 25% of the work in a day because of restricted moments… Another effect is I couldn’t play or go for physical workouts…

After 5 years of follow up with the doctors who performed the surgery I couldnt see any respite… I was always told everything was fine… Then I even took physio councelling and treatments… Again there was no respite…

By this time I met a old family friend who is a Doctor specialised in ortho… He referred me to meet a specialist in Coimbatore… After tarough review I was asked in to go for an Arthroscopy (another surgery)…

With all previous experience I took some time to decide and went for 2nd and 3rd opinion… All doctors recommended a surgery…

Now I’ve decided to go for a surgery and it is happening today by 1.30 PM in a hospital in Coimbatore…

With the blessings of almighty and well washers like you I hope surgery will be smooth and I get recovered quickly…

I asked my uncle if we can go & look for some land for investment in & near Coimbatore… Site seeing was planned for evening & I went to sleep…

When I woke at 4 in the evening these was a change in Plan & we decided to start our journey the dame day as we added Devi Temple at Kadampuzha to our plan…

We started driving by 4.30 PM & we did some small shopping in Palakkad & there was some mess created here by taking wrong route… By the time we crossed Palakkad it was 8 PM & we were asked to take a different route as the original Highway was blocked for Pooram festival…

Then we reached Kadampuzha by 10.30 PM & we stayed in a hotel called K.R Residency. We had a decent room for 600 bucks. After dinner we all crashed to bed…

I was not feeling sleepy as I slept in the morning & in SUN Tv it was James Bond movie Die Another Day in Tamil & I watched the movie till 1 o clock…

After bloging the time is 1.30AM & I’ve to get up by 4AM get ready & be in the temple by 5 AM…

Am crashing now folks… Good Night!!!

Bangalore: First i visited the city when i was 8 years old and that too for a day. I hardly remember much about that experience. But later I went to this city when i was 17 years old after completing my schooling. My father took me there for vacation. Right from the beginning i got excited;

• I saw a very clean & planned city.
• Saw pretty girls who were modernly dressed again unlike Chennai (then, now Chennai is much better than Bangalore ).
• Saw couples smooching on public places (Sadly this is controlled these days).
• Lots of pubs unlike Chennai.
• A enviable night life.
• A pleasant climate.
• Lot of hotels.

All the above were new for me then because Chennai was considered very conservative them. I even considered getting settled in Bangalore. But today Chennai has caught up with all the points i specified & Bangalore has fallen down. Also Bangalore has become a victim of mass urbanization and it has lost its charm. Anyways I consider Bangalore to be my second home town as I’ve a house there and Chennai – Bangalore being very proximate I don’t get the feel that it is a different city.

Madurai: There is nothing much to talk about this City. The day I entered the city it was dirty, unruly & zero entertainment. I felt very lonely for the first three months as I didn’t have any other place other than Cafe Coffee Day. I’ve never intended to stay there as that was not the place for me. But I owe a lot to this City as it helped me to come back from all the pains cause during 2008. Year 2010 has been more happening for this city and there are lots of joints and brands falling in this city & today it gives tough fight with Cities like Chennai or Bangalore. These days i enjoy visiting this city.

Coimbatore: My first visit to this city was 2 years back and I was really carried away. Like Bangalore i got a liking towards this city on first sight. Things excited me;

• Posh houses & cosmopolitan lifestyle.
• Pretty Girls but culture abiding.
• Less traffic.
• Good Climate.
• Nice Business environment.

I want to get settled here if this place doesn’t become another Bangalore.

- Slept long & reached to board meeting by 12.30
- Then had a nice board meeting.
- Then thought of video blogging & got free installation & integration of VBlog from Contus Support.
- Thought of publishing my first video blog but was unable do it in hurry.
- Rains spoiled the road & made it unwalkable.
- Caught a rick to board the bus.
- From there the nightmare started.
- The bus took a long route to Coimbatore.
- The route was full of pits and we were thrown up & down. Until we reached Erode we had a bumpy ride & was unable to sleep.

Though I enjoy such unexpected experiences. I was in a bad mood to enjoy it this time. But finally reached Coimbatore & started planning to chill out the bad mood.

• We had no bus from Alleppey but there was a train by 4 PM. Rooban assumed it would be full and he suggested going to Cochin will give us more options.
• We boarded a Bus to Cochin with was one and half hour drive from Alleppey.
• Cochin was hot but was very nice city with was calm & had all attributes of a city.
• We got down and went to a place called M.G.Road which was a shopping area having lots of Big shopping centers.
• The same road had offices of many Private bus operators office & all the busses to Chennai were full.
• Then we took another auto and went to government bus-stand. Here all busses to Chennai have already left. Also bus to Pondycherry was full.
• Then we took an auto and went to Railway station only to find all trains running full.
• Then again came back to Government Bus-stop.
• Only choice was to board a bus to Coimbatore and the choice were a Trivandrum – Coimbatore bus which was about to come by 4.30 & a bus to Coimbatore from Cochin by 5.30.
• Since it was 3 o clock we had to wait till 4.30 & all bus had route names in malayalam and things were again confusing.
• Still bus to Coimbatore hasn’t arrived and we decided to board a bus to Tirupur and thought of boarding a bus to Coimbatore from there.
• When we sat we got an announcement telling Trivandaram – Coimbatore bus has arrived and we were lucky to get a cramped last seat.
• We had a hectic bumpy journey and we travelled through Tirupur – Palakkad & finally reached Coimbatore by 11 PM.
• Coimbatore is a place which doesn’t have a night life. Even second show movies starts by 8.30. Hotels gets closed by 10 PM.
• All bus to Chennai have left & again we had to work on options.
• We had a choice of leaving to our relatives house and start the next day. But i didn’t want to do that because the hard travel from Alleppey will become useless.
• We were lucky to get a cramped Mini bus which was overly dumped and no space to even stretch our legs.
• We had to immediately board the bus and we have no time to have dinner too.
• Then after 2 hours of drive driver stopped to have some tea and there i had a Maaza and we started again.
• Finally the bus reached Chennai by 9.30 AM.

Finally reached Chennai after a hectic travel for 21 consecutive hour. All this was possible only because of the the Ayurvedic Massage i had in Alleppey which kept my body cool.

1. They are lazy.
2. They never accountability.
3. They are irresponsible.
4. They are corrupt and crocked.
5. They won’t offer information on one go. Eg: Every time we make a visit they send us back telling one correction or other.

Over all for a work which should not have taken more than 3 days took 25 days to finish it. But the experience gained in phenomenal. I had two types on experience in Coimbatore & Bangalore.

• One place i was not allowed to deal from the top and i was totally not accessible with the concerned person in the top.
• Second place i was asked to deal with the Top directly.

In my experience both as challenging. In one case we can proceed with the work without having any one to deal with. In second case dealing from the Top expensive. So this is how i dealt with Case 1.

• I met the Professional Tax Officer on second day and he took the documents and he didn’t give me his phone number.
• Then again he was not approachable in office.
• Then i caught hold of the Peon who gave me all information and called the officer everything i visited their office or gave me updates on the progress when i called him from Chennai.

Over all job got over after 15 days because of Bureaucratic delays and after constant followups. Totally i spent Rs.80/- for the peon for his help. I cant consider this as Bribe because he helped me for a job which was not his responsibility and for picking calls and linking with the concerned officer. Here Bottom-up approach helped.

Then in Case 2.

• Officer was always available in Office.
• Was directly dealing with the Department Head.
• Bribe insisted was Huge.
• We denied to offer bribe and we paid the entire penalty.
• I was made to run everyday asking for more details / information / document.

Finally PTO said he can’t give me the certificate without giving him some Professional Fee (This is the term he uses for Bribe) and finally i had to bow down and make him some Professional Fee. I was deeply upset because PTO made me run to his office at least 11 times and i produced all nonsense information he requested and finally ending up paying him a bribe.

I behaved like a common man standing helpless and bow down to business pressure. Let me see when all this will change?

Also much awaited Bangalore is also done. Today I got the Professional Tax Number but the officer denied to handover the certificate to me as he wanted to meet the bank’s branch manager.

So my stay here goes prolonged for one more day. Now only Salem is pending and I don’t know how long it is going to take.

1. I have experience in Registering and Remitting Professional Tax with my previous company.
2. I can save lodging cost as I’ve my relatives in all cities. Where in if we send a team member we have to bare the lodging cost.
3. Our team members are loaded with work and sending them out of city will effectively mean we are delaying other tasks.
4. I like to explore new things and I wanted to get a feel of it.

So I felt I decided and when I said I can do it Bala was initially hesitant. He felt a CEO need not do all these things. I told him that there is no written rule that a CEO need not get down and work. When I listed the above mentioned points he got convinced.

I thought I can finish Coimbatore first and then Salem on 30/09/2009 & 01/10/2009 respectively and finish Bangalore next week. Sadly my work didn’t get over in Coimbatore today courtesy to Indian Bureaucrats.  So, these are my experience; 

• Went to Corporation office only to learn that they have different office for different wards and I had to go to a different place. But they clearly gave the name of contact person and place.
• South Zone office was not too far from Corporation Office. Reached South Zone office only to fine all the concerned officer are on rounds and were expected only by evening. I was asked to come back by 4 o clock.
• Then came back home and took a nice nap as I was deprived of good sleep last two nights.
• Slept by 11.30 AM and got up by 3:30 PM and by the time I reached the bus stop it was 4 o clocks and I thought for a min that I must take an auto. Then my intuition said Bureaucrats will not be perfect.
• My intuition was right. Reached South Zone office by 4:30 only to find concerned officer was not there.
• Then checked with his colleagues about the formalities and ended up getting confused. There were two Circular which had Revised Tax details. We have made calculations with one Circular information and the other stated the slabs got revised 6 months back. Ironically they themselves didn’t have a clue when I asked which is valid.
• Finally the concerned person reached his office by 6 o clock and he got all the documents and asked me to come same time tomorrow. When I said I’m from Chennai and I had a booking back to Chennai. He showed me a sad face expression he was helpless. I can understand no it was the end of the day and he has to leave.
• Over all nothing happened as per my plan and this is common with Indian Bureaucracy. But I was happy with two things;

1. Climate was good and waiting for long was not difficult.
2. In culture coimbatorians are very polite. I’ve never seen Bureaucrats answering with polite tone.

With all these experience I had to close my day one assuming I might finish this job by tomorrow. Also I was called by the officer by 5:30 PM tomorrow and I don’t have any concrete work till them thought I can engage myself. Until them please prey the almighty to keep the office in good mood & see to it that he is in office (as next three days are holidays)…