NO. Am not referring to the slim, sly and stray animal that managed to form an image of itself in your mind.
An academician or for that matter any graduate with a brief information about the leading open entrance tests would be quick to form a different image of the CAT. Like its living counterpart, it is witty, it is quick and it is stray (it can’t be tamed very easily!!!). Unlikely, it is a dream to bell the cat for almost two lakh aspirants every year. Its associated with hard work, determination, time management, goal setting, patience, adaptability, dreaming big, risk management, taking up responsibilities and many more things. The Common Aptitude Test as it is uncommonly called, is a test of all the above mentioned qualities. It’s rated as one of the toughest exams in the world. All right, it is conducted to filter people for the admissions to premier B-Schools of the country like the IIMs. But what one misses is the way the exam tests a person. If you are clearing it, you are already a manager. No? I will tell you how.
If you clear it and manage to get a call from the IIMs, it means you have the all the potential to become a future manager.
You are a great time manager. Managing time across various sections and ensuring a cut off in each section is not a cake walk. You need to be strict about timings.
You are patient. The problems do not give way to the solutions. One needs to think, calculate and wait till the solution arises.
You take calculated risks. Guessing blindly is not a game here. Otherwise we would have at least 5 percent lucky people clearing the CAT every year just by the grace of lady luck. If you are guessing, it is an intelligent guess and it means you are taking a chance of getting it wrong and loosing important marks. There are negative marks and nobody knows prior to the test how many negative marks would be deducted per question.
You are adaptable to changing scenarios and flexible. The CAT changes its structure and difficulty every year. There are more surprises packed in it than the similarities carried forward.
You are very analytical and logical. These are the basic areas of test. So you have to be great at it all.
You can maintain your calm and perform to your best under adverse conditions. That’s what the D-day is all about.
So all in all, the IIMs already take the cream layer from amongst the aspirants. No wonder they get paid the highest later.
So are you still thinking CAT s an intelligent person’s cup of tea? It is for those who are smart and are born with some inherent management skills. The rest the B-Schools will take care of. Ready to fly high? Take the CAT. Am taking one. And I hope to tame it.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
CBZee - The Machine
CBZ – CeeBeeZee as they call it. One bike that turns all faces, the bike that revolutionized the Indian superbike market. Armed with deadly looks and equally good engine to gel with it. Surely a masterpiece, a legend!
It was a dream to own one since I saw the first CBZ advertisement on the TV. Two guys, two stunning beauties riding away at dawn. The ad was backed by some great background score. But somehow I could not get one till now. Not till late though.
I took a old-new CBZ on Saturday, 23rd September, 2006. It’s a 2001 make, clocked somewhere around 14,000 kms. Maybe the odometer has been played with, nevertheless, its engine is intact and very responsive.
I was a bit apprehensive about the condition of the bike initially, but that was just until I picked up the reins in my hands. The engine came to life in one strong kick. And voila, that firing was awesome. No signs of a tired engine. The engine gunning and raring to go like a new baby ! Next was the time to check the pick up and the drive. Again with the same apprehension I stepped down on the gear lever to the first – smooth transition from neutral – and released the clutch slowly complimenting it with a slow, calculated accelerator twist. And there it took up, within a second I had to pull it up to second, then the third and then came the cruise at fourth. It was awesome riding this machine at this speed with the tacho reading 5000 rpm, the bike was cruising. No signs of rattling, no signs of mis-firing. There I was going, the wind caressing my hair. Then came a lovely stretch of tarmac with no intrusions. I tried to increase the speed to check the full potential of the black babe. It raised its hood, the hydraulic fork suspension at the front responding and I started to accelerate. At 6000 rpm and further the speed started stagnating a bit at around 70kmph. And then came the fifth shift and the tacho fell to 3500-4000. What was more, the mean machine sprang to life accelerating again. The speedo started to touch 90-95kmph. The bike was still responding to the twitch of the accelerator. Alas ! Potholes. That brought an end to the short speed trip.
The bike was equally good while cornering at 40kmph (with a pillion). Took a slant turn at around 40kmph on one of the smooth turns which are rare to see. Slanted at almost 45 degree and at this speed, the bike didn’t move an inch out of the path intended for it. So stable, so rooted to the ground. Never felt so confident with any other bike. It was like Rossi at Monza !!
And the bike z even better when you have a fairer sex as a pillion. The slanting, sporty seat gives an envious riding and sitting position. The pillion tends to slide towards the driver. And who would mind that!!?? Atleast, I wont.
This is one bike that you would cherish driving all your life. At 12.8ish bhp @ 8000 rpm, u just have to drool over it. In simple, non-technical language, it’s a deadly beast under your control. Too sexy ! A must have for any bike enthusiast. I have one now and am in love with it!!
Are you thinking about the mileage ???? Well, I really don’t care. And for that matter, I would never have gone for this monster. Its about living your dreams, and sometimes it can’t just get better.
Will keep posted about my future experiences with my sexy babe as I call it – The CeeBeeZee!!!
Some other features :
The CBZ has a TPFC( Transient power control) system for quick acceleration; a feature which is used on some of the most advanced cars. It has a Tachometer which displays the engine rotation speed & a Tripmeter too. The Hydraulic Vibration Dampers incorporated in the handlebars ensure that the ride is smooth. The Air Injection System injects fresh air into exhaust port to meet the emission norms.CBZ has Zero Crank Case Evaporative Emission which is an advanced pollution control feature & was the first of its kind in India. It has Adjustable Rear Shock Absorbers which provide extra comfort & can be easily adjusted into 5 positions.
From the tech - books : (courtesy : mouthshut.com):
Engine- 4 stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, OHC
Displacement- 156.8CC
Acceleration- 0-60 Kmph in 5 sec
Type of brakes: front- Disc type, rear- Drum type( 130mm diameter)
Maximum power- 12.8 PS @ 8000 rpm
Maximum speed- 100 KmphSuspension ( front)- Telescopic hydraulic fork( rear )- Swing arm with hydraulic damper; 5 step adjustment
Tyres: Front/Rear- 2.75*18-42P/ 100/ 90*18-56P
Clutch- ManualClutch secondary- Multi plate wetFrame- Tubular single cradleFinal drive- Roller chainDimensions- 2100*755*1130mm
Wheel base- 1335mm ;
Ground clearance- 160mm ;
Kerb weight- 130kgFuel tank- 12.5 l ( 2.0 l in reserve)
N.B : The tech-specs might vary and are purely based on my experience.
It was a dream to own one since I saw the first CBZ advertisement on the TV. Two guys, two stunning beauties riding away at dawn. The ad was backed by some great background score. But somehow I could not get one till now. Not till late though.
I took a old-new CBZ on Saturday, 23rd September, 2006. It’s a 2001 make, clocked somewhere around 14,000 kms. Maybe the odometer has been played with, nevertheless, its engine is intact and very responsive.
I was a bit apprehensive about the condition of the bike initially, but that was just until I picked up the reins in my hands. The engine came to life in one strong kick. And voila, that firing was awesome. No signs of a tired engine. The engine gunning and raring to go like a new baby ! Next was the time to check the pick up and the drive. Again with the same apprehension I stepped down on the gear lever to the first – smooth transition from neutral – and released the clutch slowly complimenting it with a slow, calculated accelerator twist. And there it took up, within a second I had to pull it up to second, then the third and then came the cruise at fourth. It was awesome riding this machine at this speed with the tacho reading 5000 rpm, the bike was cruising. No signs of rattling, no signs of mis-firing. There I was going, the wind caressing my hair. Then came a lovely stretch of tarmac with no intrusions. I tried to increase the speed to check the full potential of the black babe. It raised its hood, the hydraulic fork suspension at the front responding and I started to accelerate. At 6000 rpm and further the speed started stagnating a bit at around 70kmph. And then came the fifth shift and the tacho fell to 3500-4000. What was more, the mean machine sprang to life accelerating again. The speedo started to touch 90-95kmph. The bike was still responding to the twitch of the accelerator. Alas ! Potholes. That brought an end to the short speed trip.
The bike was equally good while cornering at 40kmph (with a pillion). Took a slant turn at around 40kmph on one of the smooth turns which are rare to see. Slanted at almost 45 degree and at this speed, the bike didn’t move an inch out of the path intended for it. So stable, so rooted to the ground. Never felt so confident with any other bike. It was like Rossi at Monza !!
And the bike z even better when you have a fairer sex as a pillion. The slanting, sporty seat gives an envious riding and sitting position. The pillion tends to slide towards the driver. And who would mind that!!?? Atleast, I wont.
This is one bike that you would cherish driving all your life. At 12.8ish bhp @ 8000 rpm, u just have to drool over it. In simple, non-technical language, it’s a deadly beast under your control. Too sexy ! A must have for any bike enthusiast. I have one now and am in love with it!!
Are you thinking about the mileage ???? Well, I really don’t care. And for that matter, I would never have gone for this monster. Its about living your dreams, and sometimes it can’t just get better.
Will keep posted about my future experiences with my sexy babe as I call it – The CeeBeeZee!!!
Some other features :
The CBZ has a TPFC( Transient power control) system for quick acceleration; a feature which is used on some of the most advanced cars. It has a Tachometer which displays the engine rotation speed & a Tripmeter too. The Hydraulic Vibration Dampers incorporated in the handlebars ensure that the ride is smooth. The Air Injection System injects fresh air into exhaust port to meet the emission norms.CBZ has Zero Crank Case Evaporative Emission which is an advanced pollution control feature & was the first of its kind in India. It has Adjustable Rear Shock Absorbers which provide extra comfort & can be easily adjusted into 5 positions.
From the tech - books : (courtesy : mouthshut.com):
Engine- 4 stroke, single cylinder, air cooled, OHC
Displacement- 156.8CC
Acceleration- 0-60 Kmph in 5 sec
Type of brakes: front- Disc type, rear- Drum type( 130mm diameter)
Maximum power- 12.8 PS @ 8000 rpm
Maximum speed- 100 KmphSuspension ( front)- Telescopic hydraulic fork( rear )- Swing arm with hydraulic damper; 5 step adjustment
Tyres: Front/Rear- 2.75*18-42P/ 100/ 90*18-56P
Clutch- ManualClutch secondary- Multi plate wetFrame- Tubular single cradleFinal drive- Roller chainDimensions- 2100*755*1130mm
Wheel base- 1335mm ;
Ground clearance- 160mm ;
Kerb weight- 130kgFuel tank- 12.5 l ( 2.0 l in reserve)
N.B : The tech-specs might vary and are purely based on my experience.
Friday, September 22, 2006
18 till I die!!
Who is not afraid of getting old? Precisely everyone. Is it because of the problems associated with the declining abilities of the human body to endure our physical lives or is it just because of some cosmetic reasons and the avarice for a healthy and sound social life that everyone craves for? The envious spark of youth that spreads the charm around is what keeps people enticed to stay young – forever.
There are many myths and many realities governing the youthfulness of an individual. Biologically a human being has to grow old and has to advance in age. But the today’s disc – generation wants that they remain youthful throughout their lives. This is because they want to keep performing and keep achieving more of what they are currently doing. A materialistic world where a professional gain means a sigh of achievement and to achieve this, be it any profession (ranging from a rock star to being a football player), requires endurance and longetivity.
But does the present generation understand what it means to be youthful or the clichéd “18 till I die” phrase?
No. The current perception of being youthful is to look good no matter how you feel physically or mentally. Today, the superstars or the glitterati as they are called look good by investing hugely in all sorts of artificial improvement therapies and surgeries – be it botox or liposuction, u name a problem, you’ll have a solution. Almost everybody harbors the same aspiration but they want to party all night, consume alcohol for that social status, rock to a new band playing in the city all night and smoke their lungs away. So is this really a fight to be youthful or just killing the advancing age that is conquering the person before it actually should due to wrong indulgences.
In essence, being youthful is more about being stable mentally and physically, realizing that the body keeps on changing its needs as the age progresses. And this all can be achieved without the artificial methods that are resorted to today. Our ancestors have long been giving high importance to Yoga as the ultimate truth to life and being content mentally, emotionally and physically. The world all over is starting to accept Yoga as the panacea for well being and healthy living. But it’s strange to note that in the very country where its rooted blindly wants to ape the western culture. (though one of the aspects of the same aping could be consumerism and high spending power that today’s generation has). But a small investment of even 1 hour a day in the simplest of exercises can work wonders on any soul. Then why wait for a sermon? Why wait for a doctor? Why wait for the great cardiac arrest? U don’t have to join expensive gymnasiums or spas to be fit, neither do you have to purchase expensive fitness accessories for the same. It just has to be a simple jog, cycling, swimming, walking, meditation or yoga, as it suits your needs and lifestyle. One just needs to act upon it and the age-old priceless principles of longetivity will be yours - forever. And a healthy body will harbor a superior mind and a glowing appearance unmatched by any other cosmetic/technique. And life will be beautiful.
It’s a proven fact that the western people are aging faster than anybody else, then why ape them blindly and still hope that you will lead a better, youthful and energetic life ahead? It’s a pity to know the way the myth about aging is being shouldered by today’s generation.
But whatever the case maybe, it is a human tendency to be healthy and sound throughout their lives and the clichéd phrase “18 till I die!” holds good for everyone. Though the contexts may be different!
There are many myths and many realities governing the youthfulness of an individual. Biologically a human being has to grow old and has to advance in age. But the today’s disc – generation wants that they remain youthful throughout their lives. This is because they want to keep performing and keep achieving more of what they are currently doing. A materialistic world where a professional gain means a sigh of achievement and to achieve this, be it any profession (ranging from a rock star to being a football player), requires endurance and longetivity.
But does the present generation understand what it means to be youthful or the clichéd “18 till I die” phrase?
No. The current perception of being youthful is to look good no matter how you feel physically or mentally. Today, the superstars or the glitterati as they are called look good by investing hugely in all sorts of artificial improvement therapies and surgeries – be it botox or liposuction, u name a problem, you’ll have a solution. Almost everybody harbors the same aspiration but they want to party all night, consume alcohol for that social status, rock to a new band playing in the city all night and smoke their lungs away. So is this really a fight to be youthful or just killing the advancing age that is conquering the person before it actually should due to wrong indulgences.
In essence, being youthful is more about being stable mentally and physically, realizing that the body keeps on changing its needs as the age progresses. And this all can be achieved without the artificial methods that are resorted to today. Our ancestors have long been giving high importance to Yoga as the ultimate truth to life and being content mentally, emotionally and physically. The world all over is starting to accept Yoga as the panacea for well being and healthy living. But it’s strange to note that in the very country where its rooted blindly wants to ape the western culture. (though one of the aspects of the same aping could be consumerism and high spending power that today’s generation has). But a small investment of even 1 hour a day in the simplest of exercises can work wonders on any soul. Then why wait for a sermon? Why wait for a doctor? Why wait for the great cardiac arrest? U don’t have to join expensive gymnasiums or spas to be fit, neither do you have to purchase expensive fitness accessories for the same. It just has to be a simple jog, cycling, swimming, walking, meditation or yoga, as it suits your needs and lifestyle. One just needs to act upon it and the age-old priceless principles of longetivity will be yours - forever. And a healthy body will harbor a superior mind and a glowing appearance unmatched by any other cosmetic/technique. And life will be beautiful.
It’s a proven fact that the western people are aging faster than anybody else, then why ape them blindly and still hope that you will lead a better, youthful and energetic life ahead? It’s a pity to know the way the myth about aging is being shouldered by today’s generation.
But whatever the case maybe, it is a human tendency to be healthy and sound throughout their lives and the clichéd phrase “18 till I die!” holds good for everyone. Though the contexts may be different!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
A reality check
A reality check to track yourself in this techno savvy IT/corporate world that we breathe in...
I wake up with an expectation of a better day to eventually find that the day was as bad as yesterday....
I spend the weekend relaxing (read sleeping!) and doing nothing useful (read productive!) and then come the monday blues... i somehow slog and carry my ever growing frame on my expensive bike to the confines of the place where i earn my bread butter (read pizzas and pastas!).... its made sure that there is not a molecule of fresh air inside because the central air cons are biologically perfect... i cling on to my desktop and i cannot proceed till i dont see my mail box.... god helps if that stops functioning (it can wreak havoc, you see!).... see some forwards and some pictures.. some reality bites (serious mails, which i dont forward!)... then come some task assignments.... but mastering the art of procrastination does not take time.... then i go for a heavy breakfast (breakfast is the most important meal of the day!)... i come back all charged up and ready to work.... just then somebody drops in and we go for a coffee break and savour the exotic coffee of the dispenser installed... once again i come back determined to start off with work... i start keying in some lines of code and finish up some task.. and voila.. its time for lunch.... i cant skip lunch everyday... and then i despise the cafeteria food for its quality and low standard.... yet complain about the pricing.... well, its time to finally work but my stomach is too full for my grey cells to start churning out business for my company... but anyway, job is job! ... within no time its time for that exotic coffee break again... and then come the evening snacks (need a refrehser now atleast, been working the whole day!) ... high time that i really worked on something now... but its really getting late for the dinner party that i have in the eve... i guess i would have to cancel that.. have so much of work to do... and then i start hitting the keyboard and the mouse franatically and look as if the entire business is on my once well (read gym) made shoulders... it gets a bit late finishing up that work... and i finally deliver only to find that it still needs to be better... i get into a gloom, i criticize, i feel this is not the right place for me, i feel nobody understands me.. (i even cancelled my evening commitments... didn't i ?)... i drag myself back to my sleeping abode (its only sleeping that i do here... ) .. have some maggi... and get into a deep slumber soon... hoping that i will change tommorrow and it will be different....
teet - teet -teet - teet (my cell-alarm tone...) goes the first reception for my morning ears...only to figure out that its been snoozed five tiems and i am late.... need to rush, need to finish up things, need to prove myself to my boss, need to keep commitments, appraisal z coming....
and the life goes on...
I wake up with an expectation of a better day to eventually find that the day was as bad as yesterday....
I spend the weekend relaxing (read sleeping!) and doing nothing useful (read productive!) and then come the monday blues... i somehow slog and carry my ever growing frame on my expensive bike to the confines of the place where i earn my bread butter (read pizzas and pastas!).... its made sure that there is not a molecule of fresh air inside because the central air cons are biologically perfect... i cling on to my desktop and i cannot proceed till i dont see my mail box.... god helps if that stops functioning (it can wreak havoc, you see!).... see some forwards and some pictures.. some reality bites (serious mails, which i dont forward!)... then come some task assignments.... but mastering the art of procrastination does not take time.... then i go for a heavy breakfast (breakfast is the most important meal of the day!)... i come back all charged up and ready to work.... just then somebody drops in and we go for a coffee break and savour the exotic coffee of the dispenser installed... once again i come back determined to start off with work... i start keying in some lines of code and finish up some task.. and voila.. its time for lunch.... i cant skip lunch everyday... and then i despise the cafeteria food for its quality and low standard.... yet complain about the pricing.... well, its time to finally work but my stomach is too full for my grey cells to start churning out business for my company... but anyway, job is job! ... within no time its time for that exotic coffee break again... and then come the evening snacks (need a refrehser now atleast, been working the whole day!) ... high time that i really worked on something now... but its really getting late for the dinner party that i have in the eve... i guess i would have to cancel that.. have so much of work to do... and then i start hitting the keyboard and the mouse franatically and look as if the entire business is on my once well (read gym) made shoulders... it gets a bit late finishing up that work... and i finally deliver only to find that it still needs to be better... i get into a gloom, i criticize, i feel this is not the right place for me, i feel nobody understands me.. (i even cancelled my evening commitments... didn't i ?)... i drag myself back to my sleeping abode (its only sleeping that i do here... ) .. have some maggi... and get into a deep slumber soon... hoping that i will change tommorrow and it will be different....
teet - teet -teet - teet (my cell-alarm tone...) goes the first reception for my morning ears...only to figure out that its been snoozed five tiems and i am late.... need to rush, need to finish up things, need to prove myself to my boss, need to keep commitments, appraisal z coming....
and the life goes on...
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