Me @ ICICI! Kissa Kursi ka!
Week 1:
Day1:
Reported at Andheri-E office. HR had earlier informed me to get medical done after arriving in Mumbai (didn’t tell that it has to be before joining). So, they asked me to go for medical and then to join the office next day. No salary for 24th May , the first day in office. Bad Omen!
Caught a cab for lower parell and went through medical tests same day. Thereon proceeded to BKC- ICICI bank’s headquarters and joined the office on same day to ensure 24th is ‘The day’ for salary
HR still considers 25th as the day.
Day2: Asked for seat allocation. Discussed with Anirudh (boss). He told he will take care of it.
Day3,4,5: Friday and I was still without a seat, workstation and identity card. Got some gyan on international banking, bank products and ICICI from boss. Session were held in conference room, so still w/o seat!!
Week2:
Very optimistic that this week I would be most productive. Boss flew off to China for a week, super boss was out on a whirl wind world tour. No one to fight for me, so took initiative and ran door to door, drilled upto 4 levels to catch hold of person in authority. Blooper, the guy in question was not in India and none could take a call on his behalf..!
Wed, super boss came back to India and I apprehended him of the situation. He came out and surveyed the area to locate an appropriate work station for me. Finally things were working out but this was my perception! Next day, I prodded him further and got reply that my seat allocation is in his agenda. ‘Coz, he knows that I won’t be fully functional until I get my place in this building with ample capacity and empty seats.
Most unproductive week!
Week3
Boss came back from China on Monday but super boss was out on another trip. Frustrated, I went to HR who directed me to an AGM, someone senior than even my super boss.
Nonetheless, Anirudh asked me to analyze China market and asses risk off Chinese real estate meltdown. Hungry/Crazy for work, I stayed late night so that I could access computers of other colleagues after they leave! Did this for 2 days, passed on my suggestion and presented a ppt with typical MBA facts, figures and analysis. Enjoyed the work
Today is 10th, Friday of 3rd week and I still don’t have a seat! No work station.
I could be found sitting in library, reading journals, articles, books etc. on topics unrelated to my current job but would help me in future job search. !!
Suggestion Galore!
Oldies suggested, I should at least get my i-card, SIM# and other formalities done but in ICICI, until u have a seat you are not an employee! So, can’t apply for GYM, SIM, salary coz I cant access ICICI system from other computers as only 1 profile could be accessed from a terminal. Coming from IT, it sound archaic and stupid!
Librarian refuses to issue books w/o a card.
Security refuses to issue card w/o telephone extn on my name.
Exchange guys cant issue phone until seat has been allocated finally.
Welcome to ICICI bank!!
After 6 years in Infosys, where I didn’t spend a single day on bench; ICICI has shown me what frustration means!
Let me know if you have another job, I would do that for free but you need to commit me a computer and a seat!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Monday, June 07, 2010
Home search in Mumbai!
“2 diwaney sheher mein, raat aur dupahar mein, aabo dana dhoontey hein”
(Two insane searching for a home ) lines from Amol Palekar’s movie still hold true in Mumbai!!
Arvind (ISB batchmate and ICICI colleague) came to mumbai on 7th May, I came on 24th. He had searched most of areas near Dadar for 2BHK and I did same in Andheri E. Too many houses, too much confusion due to uncertainties. Neither of us were sure how long would we stick to this job, I was about to be married but dates were not fixed so couldn’t commit how long I would stay with him. On top of it, he wanted to be close to happening places and I just wanted to save some while staying in bigger houses (even if a bit far from BKC). Again, further the house costlier would be transport, so break even calculation. Of all, biggest issue was our commitment to job, Mumbai and my marriage after which I would anyways move out to individual apartment. And if we have to break the lease then why pay broker such exorbitant charges now?
Choices:
• Furnished/Unfurnished/Semi-furnished – Considering above uncertainties, choice was difficult
• 2BHK/1BHK/Studio – I wanted individual room
• Dadar/Andheri/Third place
• Paying Guest – Never on our list
Exploring Mumbai:
1. Bhakti Park: Wow! Amazing place. High rise building. Rent 20K for 1BHK unfurnished, 26K for 2BHK. Blooper ..no eating joints nearby and we didn’t want liability of a cook.
2. Andheri East – Nice big houses, old buildings, furnished 28K 2BHK. No lift?? Sher-e-punjab is all that I explored in this area
3. Sion: Old apartments, no lift, 4th floor. 20K 1 BHK – furnished (bhakti was better)
4. Kurla: Kohinoor Appartments. Nice construction but apartments empty in phase II. 1 Km walk from main road. Rainy season in Mumbai would kill us . 30K 2BHK unfurnished
Suddenly, we realized that all confusion could go off temporarily by taking a furnished PG option. Costlier option but will give time for us to think and plan. Hence we hit the road again, Arvind had explored PG options long back even before I came to Mumbai but I told him I could find him a house .
PG Hunt:
• Bandra West: Individual semi-furnished room on Turner and Carter junction, 100 m from sea and nice owners. But Bath/Toilet not attached. 12.5K p.m. Another Uncle’s house near Tawa restaurant 13K and furnished room with attached B/T. Liked both the options.
What we didn’t know: Uncle is a drunkard and would tell you stories about his wife who had left him some time back. Arvind was ok with this, I was Scared!!! I instead liked the one next to sea
• Dadar: Arvind took me to a Gujrati uncle’s tailor shop. He called his guy in Gujrati and confidently told us to follow the guy, who took us to 4th floor by STAIRS. No lift. Déjà-vu
B/w Arvind liked a PG, Uncleji wala. Paid advance, moved in and moved out same night :)!!!
Now he is onto an auntiji wala PG!! She is 75, looks younger and plays cards in club!! Poor guy!
“2 diwaney sheher mein, raat aur dupahar mein, aabo dana dhoontey hein”
(Two insane searching for a home ) lines from Amol Palekar’s movie still hold true in Mumbai!!
Arvind (ISB batchmate and ICICI colleague) came to mumbai on 7th May, I came on 24th. He had searched most of areas near Dadar for 2BHK and I did same in Andheri E. Too many houses, too much confusion due to uncertainties. Neither of us were sure how long would we stick to this job, I was about to be married but dates were not fixed so couldn’t commit how long I would stay with him. On top of it, he wanted to be close to happening places and I just wanted to save some while staying in bigger houses (even if a bit far from BKC). Again, further the house costlier would be transport, so break even calculation. Of all, biggest issue was our commitment to job, Mumbai and my marriage after which I would anyways move out to individual apartment. And if we have to break the lease then why pay broker such exorbitant charges now?
Choices:
• Furnished/Unfurnished/Semi-furnished – Considering above uncertainties, choice was difficult
• 2BHK/1BHK/Studio – I wanted individual room
• Dadar/Andheri/Third place
• Paying Guest – Never on our list
Exploring Mumbai:
1. Bhakti Park: Wow! Amazing place. High rise building. Rent 20K for 1BHK unfurnished, 26K for 2BHK. Blooper ..no eating joints nearby and we didn’t want liability of a cook.
2. Andheri East – Nice big houses, old buildings, furnished 28K 2BHK. No lift?? Sher-e-punjab is all that I explored in this area
3. Sion: Old apartments, no lift, 4th floor. 20K 1 BHK – furnished (bhakti was better)
4. Kurla: Kohinoor Appartments. Nice construction but apartments empty in phase II. 1 Km walk from main road. Rainy season in Mumbai would kill us . 30K 2BHK unfurnished
Suddenly, we realized that all confusion could go off temporarily by taking a furnished PG option. Costlier option but will give time for us to think and plan. Hence we hit the road again, Arvind had explored PG options long back even before I came to Mumbai but I told him I could find him a house .
PG Hunt:
• Bandra West: Individual semi-furnished room on Turner and Carter junction, 100 m from sea and nice owners. But Bath/Toilet not attached. 12.5K p.m. Another Uncle’s house near Tawa restaurant 13K and furnished room with attached B/T. Liked both the options.
What we didn’t know: Uncle is a drunkard and would tell you stories about his wife who had left him some time back. Arvind was ok with this, I was Scared!!! I instead liked the one next to sea
• Dadar: Arvind took me to a Gujrati uncle’s tailor shop. He called his guy in Gujrati and confidently told us to follow the guy, who took us to 4th floor by STAIRS. No lift. Déjà-vu
B/w Arvind liked a PG, Uncleji wala. Paid advance, moved in and moved out same night :)!!!
Now he is onto an auntiji wala PG!! She is 75, looks younger and plays cards in club!! Poor guy!
IT to a banker!!
Post convocation (3rd April), I went to Chennai. Back on my way to Delhi (another train journey), I got information regarding my selection as Chief Manager, International banking group in ICICI bank. This was 5th job offer for me and I was again contemplating whether to say yes or no, so I bought some time instead. Interview for ICICI bank happened on 1st April 2010, just 2 days before the convocation and 3 days after our last exam in ISB. Though role sounded good but then JP Morgan had offered VP profile, so it was not about designation but where would I be after 5 years from now. Difficult choice!
Anyways, with no other option left except L&T Finance, I had to choose b/w two. I liked L&T profile but their salary was pathetic not that ICICI’s was presentable. So competition was not for better but worse of two. Nonetheless, I selected ICICI bank and planned to give a badly needed break from neck breaking job search.
I postponed ICICI joining by 3 weeks to recuperate from ISB injury as I was undergoing physiotherapy in Delhi.
Landed in Mumbai on 24th May 00:30 AM.
Checked in Deluxe room of hotel Regency in Chakala-Andheri (E) Mumbai.
Joined office same day in BKC (Bandra Kurla complex).
Impressed with BKC infrastructure, it truly is Finance hub in India with all central, private and public entities surrounding ICICI twin towers. 1st week in job is over, not much of induction but more of on the job training so far. 2 month of honeymoon period and then I would be given targets to get business from international banks in my region. Not sure but I think I might get toughest economies namely China, Singapore and Taiwan.
Finally out of IT and partly into Finance industry. Already talking about letter of credit, macro economics, fundamentals, bank guarantees, treasury. New world for a person with 6 years of pure play IT experience (non BFSI).
Not sure, how long would I cling to the job. When I came out of DCE (engineering), I changed 3 jobs in 3 months starting from Reliance energy to Siemens and finally to Infosys where I was forced to stay put!!
Getting married soon, bank balance is dwindling and responsibilities are increasing! Getting ready for another phase in my life!
Post convocation (3rd April), I went to Chennai. Back on my way to Delhi (another train journey), I got information regarding my selection as Chief Manager, International banking group in ICICI bank. This was 5th job offer for me and I was again contemplating whether to say yes or no, so I bought some time instead. Interview for ICICI bank happened on 1st April 2010, just 2 days before the convocation and 3 days after our last exam in ISB. Though role sounded good but then JP Morgan had offered VP profile, so it was not about designation but where would I be after 5 years from now. Difficult choice!
Anyways, with no other option left except L&T Finance, I had to choose b/w two. I liked L&T profile but their salary was pathetic not that ICICI’s was presentable. So competition was not for better but worse of two. Nonetheless, I selected ICICI bank and planned to give a badly needed break from neck breaking job search.
I postponed ICICI joining by 3 weeks to recuperate from ISB injury as I was undergoing physiotherapy in Delhi.
Landed in Mumbai on 24th May 00:30 AM.
Checked in Deluxe room of hotel Regency in Chakala-Andheri (E) Mumbai.
Joined office same day in BKC (Bandra Kurla complex).
Impressed with BKC infrastructure, it truly is Finance hub in India with all central, private and public entities surrounding ICICI twin towers. 1st week in job is over, not much of induction but more of on the job training so far. 2 month of honeymoon period and then I would be given targets to get business from international banks in my region. Not sure but I think I might get toughest economies namely China, Singapore and Taiwan.
Finally out of IT and partly into Finance industry. Already talking about letter of credit, macro economics, fundamentals, bank guarantees, treasury. New world for a person with 6 years of pure play IT experience (non BFSI).
Not sure, how long would I cling to the job. When I came out of DCE (engineering), I changed 3 jobs in 3 months starting from Reliance energy to Siemens and finally to Infosys where I was forced to stay put!!
Getting married soon, bank balance is dwindling and responsibilities are increasing! Getting ready for another phase in my life!
3 IDIOTS - 1st day 1st show
Watched 3 idiots, the Amir khan comedy. I mean dude, this is one of the best movie I have ever watched since ‘Dil Chahta Hei’ and 3 Idiots surpasses DCH by miles over.
Some facts that I would like to mention about 3 IDIOTS:
TIMING: It couldn’t have been better as right now is the placement season in depressed market, at least it is still depressed in ISB . So, MANTRA ‘All is Well’ really helps in this new age of communications where even rejection SMS come right on mobile while one is appearing for his exam..Wow. Climax
LEARNING: What is an IDIOT? Well Idiot doesn’t mean insane, Idiot is someone whom world assumes to be insane until the IDIOT come out a winner and people start following him GANDHI, HITLER, BHAGAT, Ram Prasad (this one was amazing), history is full of example.
“So, be an idiot or follow the herd” … Take is yours!!!
Watched 3 idiots, the Amir khan comedy. I mean dude, this is one of the best movie I have ever watched since ‘Dil Chahta Hei’ and 3 Idiots surpasses DCH by miles over.
Some facts that I would like to mention about 3 IDIOTS:
TIMING: It couldn’t have been better as right now is the placement season in depressed market, at least it is still depressed in ISB . So, MANTRA ‘All is Well’ really helps in this new age of communications where even rejection SMS come right on mobile while one is appearing for his exam..Wow. Climax
LEARNING: What is an IDIOT? Well Idiot doesn’t mean insane, Idiot is someone whom world assumes to be insane until the IDIOT come out a winner and people start following him GANDHI, HITLER, BHAGAT, Ram Prasad (this one was amazing), history is full of example.
“So, be an idiot or follow the herd” … Take is yours!!!
Train Journey to Chennai 31st Dec 2009
Just found a word document in which I had saved some blogs, ones which I forgot to upload. So these ones were long due!!
Today, since 8:00 AM in morning, I had been applying for this Schneider and Directi jobs after successive rejections from all the big consulting firms. Also, I have to submit the IRR report article to IDFC before 31st and then couple of more things to go before I could board 4:00 PM train today, 30th Dec 2010. Papers were getting over on 29th, earlier I had planned to call my family from Delhi and Chennai to my college, ISB at Hyderabad but then Dad rules …he refused ‘coz of other commitments. So, this weekend just before my exams, I had booked train ticket for Hyd to Chennai on 30th.
I think break would help after string of rejections, especially when everyone else is getting calls. May be I got low CGPA or more experience or a combination of both and worst or best part is that I have IT background. So…dude which consulting firm would hire an old game from IT but as it has to be let us just assume I got better place to go than being a rookie in top 5.
Won’t crib nymore and I usually don’t but five shots felt like 41 shots by Bruce Springsteen…pumped up my emotions a tiny bit.
TWIST IN STORY:
I slept late yesterday, working on couple of applications, for which deadline was 31st noon but I would be travelling then. So, I had to finish my applications today on 30th if et all I wanted to go to Chennai. So, I got up at 8:00 (3 hour sleep, usual @ ISB) worked on application after application and by the time it was over it was 2:00 and my train was at 4:00. So, I called security guy to get me a cab or an Auto…but then it is “HYDERABAD IS CLOSED OUT DUE TO TELANGANA ISSUE today”. Wow ..a cropper out of nowhere, I had lost sense of time, didn’t follow news. Anyways, paid autowala 100% top up and within 30 minutes I was hitting the road.
For first time (for me), a train arrived this late (kacheguda express late by an hour). Finally got into it after having 4 samosas and 2 tea cups. Belly is bloating right now.
Train started at 5:00, and I am writing this blog from train itself.
I enjoy the experience of train, I am travelling in sleeper class a different experience in itself. Train just stopped, which station is this? ‘ JADCHERLA’..small town in Andhra Pradesh.
Train is jam packed with Special Forces, wary of Naxalites or Telangana activists who try to sabotage the trains. Thanks to them we feel safer.
Anyways, So I was describing how I enjoy travelling in sleeper class. Here comes my favorite ‘Coffe guy’, he can fix a coffee in less than 1 minute for just 5 bucks. And I have to toil at home, wish I had one at home. And then comes the ‘Samosa’ wala and Magazine and TT and small time hawkers and hunch. Well, travelling in sleeper class always brings me back to my roots and tells me that I am privileged to get elite education and exposure. Many intellectual brains don’t even see the sun for lack of opportunity and other constraints.
And suddenly, again comes back the feeling ‘ALL IS WELL’. Don’t worry, life is beautiful..there is so much to it. So why crib about pity things, placement, promotion, wining, loosing and all. In the end all that matters is ‘how happy you are’? But then this will also depend on how comfortable you are, which needs Benjamin Uncle. So, fight out in this ‘Dog eats Dog’ world but ensure that ‘Happiness’ is a ‘WAY’ of life rather than the ‘AIM’ of life.
Be Happy no matter what! All is Well.
This is why I decided…Ashu beta go…jee ley Zindagi…take a break when other break their brains. And here I am travelling to my Big Bro to celebrate ‘NEW YEAR’ 2010…year when I graduate for one final time. Year that may define my future or India as well as world economy future …Guess Guess!!!
Time to switch gears, am back to IRR report..only 63% battery is left and the whole report to finish. Don’t think I would take chance by recharging laptop from un-calibrated power plug !! Cheers for now!
By the way, we have already hit ‘Mehbubnagar’ station..and its 19:05 PM.
Night is beautiful, winter is just dawning and its cozy even in South India. Cool wind is blowing, just located a white temple with red light shimmering on the top of 5 tomb roof ..wonderful. This is why flights could never replace the train, Joy of travelling in train is immense and given liberty of time, I would always travel by train till the health allows
Just found a word document in which I had saved some blogs, ones which I forgot to upload. So these ones were long due!!
Today, since 8:00 AM in morning, I had been applying for this Schneider and Directi jobs after successive rejections from all the big consulting firms. Also, I have to submit the IRR report article to IDFC before 31st and then couple of more things to go before I could board 4:00 PM train today, 30th Dec 2010. Papers were getting over on 29th, earlier I had planned to call my family from Delhi and Chennai to my college, ISB at Hyderabad but then Dad rules …he refused ‘coz of other commitments. So, this weekend just before my exams, I had booked train ticket for Hyd to Chennai on 30th.
I think break would help after string of rejections, especially when everyone else is getting calls. May be I got low CGPA or more experience or a combination of both and worst or best part is that I have IT background. So…dude which consulting firm would hire an old game from IT but as it has to be let us just assume I got better place to go than being a rookie in top 5.
Won’t crib nymore and I usually don’t but five shots felt like 41 shots by Bruce Springsteen…pumped up my emotions a tiny bit.
TWIST IN STORY:
I slept late yesterday, working on couple of applications, for which deadline was 31st noon but I would be travelling then. So, I had to finish my applications today on 30th if et all I wanted to go to Chennai. So, I got up at 8:00 (3 hour sleep, usual @ ISB) worked on application after application and by the time it was over it was 2:00 and my train was at 4:00. So, I called security guy to get me a cab or an Auto…but then it is “HYDERABAD IS CLOSED OUT DUE TO TELANGANA ISSUE today”. Wow ..a cropper out of nowhere, I had lost sense of time, didn’t follow news. Anyways, paid autowala 100% top up and within 30 minutes I was hitting the road.
For first time (for me), a train arrived this late (kacheguda express late by an hour). Finally got into it after having 4 samosas and 2 tea cups. Belly is bloating right now.
Train started at 5:00, and I am writing this blog from train itself.
I enjoy the experience of train, I am travelling in sleeper class a different experience in itself. Train just stopped, which station is this? ‘ JADCHERLA’..small town in Andhra Pradesh.
Train is jam packed with Special Forces, wary of Naxalites or Telangana activists who try to sabotage the trains. Thanks to them we feel safer.
Anyways, So I was describing how I enjoy travelling in sleeper class. Here comes my favorite ‘Coffe guy’, he can fix a coffee in less than 1 minute for just 5 bucks. And I have to toil at home, wish I had one at home. And then comes the ‘Samosa’ wala and Magazine and TT and small time hawkers and hunch. Well, travelling in sleeper class always brings me back to my roots and tells me that I am privileged to get elite education and exposure. Many intellectual brains don’t even see the sun for lack of opportunity and other constraints.
And suddenly, again comes back the feeling ‘ALL IS WELL’. Don’t worry, life is beautiful..there is so much to it. So why crib about pity things, placement, promotion, wining, loosing and all. In the end all that matters is ‘how happy you are’? But then this will also depend on how comfortable you are, which needs Benjamin Uncle. So, fight out in this ‘Dog eats Dog’ world but ensure that ‘Happiness’ is a ‘WAY’ of life rather than the ‘AIM’ of life.
Be Happy no matter what! All is Well.
This is why I decided…Ashu beta go…jee ley Zindagi…take a break when other break their brains. And here I am travelling to my Big Bro to celebrate ‘NEW YEAR’ 2010…year when I graduate for one final time. Year that may define my future or India as well as world economy future …Guess Guess!!!
Time to switch gears, am back to IRR report..only 63% battery is left and the whole report to finish. Don’t think I would take chance by recharging laptop from un-calibrated power plug !! Cheers for now!
By the way, we have already hit ‘Mehbubnagar’ station..and its 19:05 PM.
Night is beautiful, winter is just dawning and its cozy even in South India. Cool wind is blowing, just located a white temple with red light shimmering on the top of 5 tomb roof ..wonderful. This is why flights could never replace the train, Joy of travelling in train is immense and given liberty of time, I would always travel by train till the health allows
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