Mail Forwards - Thought I Must Share This One

Never Miss The First Opportunity

A young man wished to marry a farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and said, "Son, go stand out in that field. I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter."
The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.
The barn door opened again. Unbelievable !! He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed... but the bull had no tail!! Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available. So always grab the first opportunity .

Langar Gupp III

Hi,

Here are two gems which I got at CAB, Pune. The first is that there are 18 vacancies for Grade B in our cadre (instead of 14 as reckoned earlier) . So best of luck to all the blokes who are being called for interviews on 18 and 19 Oct 2005. This is a special occasion for the first timers - they are going to become Grade B with just 5 years of service. This is a good sign and well deserved (in fact the intake itself should be at this level). The second is that foreign training assignments may yet come our way ( that is what the ED said). Dont go bursting crackers and dont pack your stuff as yet !!! More on this later.

Training Programme at CAB, Pune

Hello Everyone,

I had the opportunity to interact with the participants of the First Programme on Security Management for Security Officers of RBI at CAB, Pune on 23/24 Sep 2005. A majority of them appreciated the programme in terms of course content. The inclusion of HR topics was a first time initiative which, I believe, was well taken. The course coordinator and Capt Nair deserve a pat on the back for this. Training inputs go a long way in refreshing our memory in addition to learning something new every time we attend such programmes. Such gatherings also provide an excellent platform to air and share our views regarding our profession, updating our knowledge and of course to dispel our doubts regarding hearsay events. It is one thing to hear of an event from a third party and pass judgement and an entirely different ballgame to look one squarely in the eye and get to the crux of the issue. It is easy to get up on a moral high horse and sermonise. I met some of our friends who are "more sinned at than sinning". My advice to them is to maintain a low profile for some time and not to ruffle any more feathers. Thankfully, everyone has a very short memory in our wonderful organisation, so do your job quietly and get rid of the tag attached to you. The highlight of the programme was the address by ED (Administration) who exhorted all the Security Officers to work with the same zeal and dedication as they were doing in the Defence Services. He gave an extempore lecture the content of which was motivational and full of pep. The weather at Pune was a let down as it was raining most of the time.

P.S. - Capt Nair had one big crib : all the participants gleefully accepted their free T-Shirts and Caps but never turned up for the YOGA classes. NOT DONE GUYS !!!!

Training Time

Hello Guys,

It is training time now. Besides a training programme being conducted at the College of Agricultural Banking, Pune, (at last !!) from 19 to 24 Sep 2005 the International Institute of Safety & Security Management, New Delhi is conducting a Professional Certification Course on Advanced Technologies in Bank Security Management at Kolkata from 26 Sep to 01 Oct 2005. On successful completion of the latter course the participants will be awarded a Professional Certificate viz: "Certified Security & Safety Manager (CSM)". Certification is a step in the right direction by Institutes conducting various training programmes for Security Officers. Taking a leaf out of programmes conducted by ASIS which awards coveted certificates such as CPP and PSP this practice is a welcome step by the trainers. As such courses gain acceptability and Industry Standards are established in terms of course utility, syllabii, faculty support and participation such certificates will also be held in high esteem in times to come. By the way ISSM is conducting it's XVth Annual International Seminar at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi from 06 to 09 Dec 2005. It is worthwhile to visit the IISSM website to view the details of courses being run by them. Those of you who can convince your RDs for necessary sanction (course fees upto Rs 10,000/-) HAVE A GO AT IT !! Best of luck.

The KING of Good Times

Hi Guys,

After the interview for AGM (P&S) was over at Mumbai on Saturday the 3rd of September I took off for Delhi (2 days Casual Leave) by Kingfisher Airlines. I am posting this blog just to narrate my experiences on flying Kingfisher for the first time. I took the same airline for my Delhi - Bangalore trip too. And what a fantastic experience it was. Here goes :

1. The on time record was flawless (infact it landed before time on both occasions)

2. In flight hospitality was excellent.

3. The air-hostesses were real stunners.

4. In flight cuisine was just too good and appropriate - replete with menu card and choice of cold drinks. (the croissant provided was better than the ones I had tasted abroad)

5. Good collection of reading material available and the magazine (named "Hi") was also good.

6. A personal TV screen at the back of the seat in front gives one a choice of 5 video channels.

7. 10 audio channels to choose from for music lovers.

8. Extra wide seats and spacious legroom.

9. Every passenger gets a complimentary pouch (red of course) containing a pen, candy, face tissue and a headset which one can take away after using it on the flight. (a gift for the youngster at home eh ??)

10. Soothing music prior to take off and after landing ( I can still hear the strains of the instrumental "You are my everything !!!")

11. The fare for Mumbai - Delhi and Delhi - Bangalore, combined was Rs 7200/- ( value for money)

12. The safety intructions are given by the model Yana Gupta on the TV screen and one is spared the agony of watching the airhostess dish out a mechanical performance.

13. Dr Vijay Mallya speaks out to the passengers at the begining (recorded speech - but he speaks very well)

14. The announcements made by the pilot are clear and crisp ( no static and no telegraphic lingo)

All in all I am hooked. This is an experience which only long haul international flights provide. Getting all this at cheap rates - India is really shining. The other domestic airlines are sure to develop a complex sooner or later. This was a refreshing change after the bitter taste in the mouth while leaving Mumbai (and that too when the bill is being settled on notional basis). I am already looking forward to the next interview (if it will give me a chance to fly Kingfisher again)

Promotion Interview

Hi Folks,
You all are aware that the interviews for promotion to AGM(P&S) were held at RBSB, Byculla on 03 Sep 2005. The heat and humidity of Mumbai was an unpleasant change after the cool climes that we are enjoying at Bangalore. Out of the six interviewees four were old and weary horses and two were fresh and "rearing to go" literally "gnawing at their bits in an effort to run". Well, enough of "horsy" talk. Congrats to my friend Toms for having run a good race (he used to call himself a tortoise earlier!!). I am sure he will have a new found spring in his step now. I was, however, thoroughly disappointed with the type of questions asked by the most learned members of the Board. This is not a case of "sour grapes" as I answered the howlers put to me quite well. I dont know about the others but here is a sampling of what I was asked :

1. What will you do if your RD is taken hostage ? ( I will also become a hostage sir !)

2. You have worked at Guwahati office (that was 5 years ago - my lord !!) so why did you not initiate a note regarding protection to be provided to the senior officers who venture out on duty ? ( senior officers were so shit scared that they did not even move within the city, what to talk of leaving Guwahati)

3. Is Delhi office secure ? (the hell you say !!)

4. In an earthquake how will you evacuate the building ? ( stay indoors, of course)

5. How many entry/exit points are there at RBI, New Delhi ? (innumerable)

6. You have done so and so course - how has it benefitted you ? (what benefit - I went along just to have a well deserved break man)

7. Did you give feedback on so and so course ? (no I did not)

The questions which followed the responses were simply outrageous. (In an earthquake you are supposed to ensure that evacuation is carried out by lifts ). Similiarly I was educated on a lot of other aspects relating to Security.

I was not asked such outlandish questions even when I faced the interview for joining the Bank more than 16 years ago. I am still wondering which of the following was being tested :

1. Professional competence.

2. Traits of personality.

3. Ability to toe the line.

4. Reactions to hypothetical situations.

5. Keeping cool on being cornered.

6. Not getting flustered on being put on the defensive.

7. Fluency in telling lies.

8. The quality of piling it on -"you are absolutely right sir !!"

So my advice to those who will be facing the forthcoming interviews for promotion to Grade `B' is - do not waste time in studying for the interview as it will not serve you in any stead.

Tips for those Hunting Greener Pastures

Resume Writing : Seven errors common to an average resume

1. Too wordy. A résumé should be one page in length (one side only), or two pages at the most. A résumé is primarily an introduction - in the same way an advertisement is primarily an introduction - and should be under conscious control every inch of the way. Basic outline: Position Desired; Summary of Qualifications; Education; Skills; and, Employment.

2. Contains salary requirement. This is a big mistake. If you list a salary requirement it may well appear, to someone who has yet to appreciate your real value, to be too high or too low, and you may never get the chance to explain or elaborate. The thing to do is first make a favorable impression, and evoke some corporate response. There will always be time later to negotiate your salary - after the company decides it likes you and wants you and you're in some kind of bargaining position. It may be that their offer will not require negotiation.

3. "Me-oriented". Excessive use of the word "me", or "I" and prominent use of the phrases such as, "I seek," "my objective," etc. are to be avoided. Employers want to know what you can do for them. You must lead off with and elaborate on your benefit to the employer; play up to what you think are the employer's objectives.

4. Assumes too much reader comprehension. This takes the form of listing and explaining numerous accomplishments, courses taken, etc., not necessarily related to your position or objective.

5. Contains unnecessary and confusing information. (Different from being too wordy). You must be specific. Everything in your résumé should support and point to a single skill/expertise. In advertising, the simplest ad is best. No ad, no matter how high-powered, can sell several concepts at once. Neither can a résumé.

6. Stiff, formal language. Don be flip, but make it readable. Aim for your audience and the people you want to impress. In short, communicate.

7. Includes personal information. Do not include any personal information. Name, home address and contact numbers, that's it.