Ratan Tata shares bday with Dhirubhai

Didn't quite know that Ratan Tata actually shares his bday with Dhirubhai Ambani (IBN just said that). Two of the greatest business tycoons who have changed the face of India Inc. Both of them using divergent methods to achieve the glory. Though Ratan Tata has been a late bloom, he has turned aggressive only in the last five years. What a run it has been for him in 2006. It does not suprise considering the people he is surrounded by - Gopalakrishnan, Ramadorai, Krishna Kumar, Ravi Kant...what a team. Really like to be part of this crack team that goes about acquiring companies across the globe. The way he has handled the CSN takeover bid typifies the straight-forward, clean attitude of the Tata clan.

Interestingly, today's Economic Times has two different ads released on Ambani's 75th bday - a full page in 3rd page by Mukesh and a first page bottom anchor strip by Anil. Really interesting. Fighting to claim a share of their father's glory.

Sunil Mittal and Asim Ghosh should thank me...

Its more than a coincidence. After I quit a company, the organisation hits the trajectory path to greater heights. AirTel has reached unbelievable heights after I quit out of frustration in 2004, even giving up possible stock options which I would have got if I had just stayed on for six more months. Never realised the potential of that stock then. But the Bharti scrip is a gold mine of all sorts. The news now is that employees in Bharti have also been given an option to move from telecom to retail, if they desired so. Interesting times indeed.

Then, I quit Hutch in 2005. Now look, the valuation of the company has hit $ 21 billion and the company is all set to have a new owner - could be Vodafone or even ADA (Anil Ambani that is). But if Essar's Ruias take it over, then I am thankful that I quit the company (hate them for no fault of theirs. Probably because of their past mismanagement in other areas. Though they are a turnaround story now).

So now companies know the route to success!!

Vacation, Vellore and more

I am off from work the whole of this week for vacation - definitely a well-earned break. Despite Chennai being the place to be in times of Christmas and New Year, off I went to Vellore with wife in tow to her mom's place. Traveling by the Golden Quadrilateral to Vellore after a period of 8 months is definitely a drive to cherish. The drive till Sriperumbudur irks, but then rest of the journey is bliss. Clipping/zipping at almost 120 kmph, even on the return (please dont tell my wife, mom or sis about this lest I get a lesson on slow driving), the drive on this route is much better than East Coast Road. Next target: drive to Bangalore. Dont know when that will happen.

"Auto" Shankar in Makkal TV

PMK-owned Makkal TV has got one program that probably is gaining a lot of viewership (and probably just one program in its entire playlist that is worth watching). "Auto Shankar" is the serial's name, and has been claimed by its makers as the story of the serial murderer with the same name. With names of actresses that he had "dealt with" named subtly in the serial interspersed with names of corrupt police officials, the serial is definitely a worthy watch. But the serial tries to portray Auto Shankar as a nice guy who gets betrayed by his colleagues and the police department. Though all that sounds a little far-fetched. For more information on Auto Shankar and a little of his mis-demeanors, check out ttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_Shankar