Sunday 14 June 2009

My Friend Ram (Ramakrishnan Selvaraj 1974 - 2009)

I knew him from our year 6 in school (1985-86). He was a smart, fair, curly haired, good looking kid who always had a smile on his face. He was on the same school, same year as me but he was on tamil medium and I was in the English medium.

We became little bit more closer when we went for the same tution in our year 10. In that year, one thing that I remember of him of was that of him running away from home for 3/4 days for no reason. Apparently a friend of him had a disagreement with his parents and wanted to run away from his family. Ram just gave him company.

After 3 days when he had spent all the money, just came back home. Apparently they had both gone to Chennai (then Madras) watched some movies, marina beach, roamed around and when it was all over, they just decided to use their return tickets. The first thing, he did when he came back was to eat. He apparently did not speak to anyone in the family since, about the reason for his running off. He thought there was no need for it. He disclosed all this to us in his later years.

He is a very thoughtful guy and had a strong opinion on most things. He had a very good sense of humour and likes to take mickey out of all of us. But never in a hurting or humiliating way. After his textile diploma he worked in many textile mills in and around Udumaplet.

He is a very self respecting and sincere guy when it comes to work. The only thing that he did not like was some one questioning him. Even if it was his superior or the MD of the company. He worked only in his own way. If someone questioned it, he simply quit the company. It does not mean that he is not good. Infact, he was very good in his work, but just did not like some one questioning it. Because of that he changed quite a few companies.

During the later years, he became much more thoughtful, caring about his family, brother and his little daughter.

Some of the moments, I guess most of our friends can remember about him.
  • His running away from home in year 10 (i.e With a return ticket)
  • His efforts on growing moutache and beard and his spectacular failure in his attempts
  • It was his idea that was effectively used by us in our "We steel Steal" efforts to make money for buying sports kits.
  • His cycle accident along with me, when he was hit by a lorry and miraculuosly escaped in our year 10 (1992).
  • His questioning abilities. especially he asked us some interesting questions like a) How would it be if the aniumals have laughing abilities like humans? b) How do we know that animals (e.g tigers) have sense of cold climate without we ever having lived as a tiger?
  • His affection for politics and especially his liking for BJP
  • Him making fun of our other common friend "Perusu"
  • His revelation about his affinity for being truly bi-sexual
  • Though he was an occasional smoker, he quit the habit in his last years
  • His penchant for good food. He really liked his food and he did enjoy it to the full.
  • He resembeld his dad in every sense (looks, calm demeanour except he was a little fair (Like his mom)
I can remember,so many little moments about him and it is absolutely gutting for me to think he is not alive anymore to re-live them.

You gave us so much joy in our lives. We all miss you Ram. May your soul rest in peace..!!

here are some more pictures




Friday 12 June 2009

A very sad day in my life

My Friend Ramakrishnan passed away this morning. He met with a road accident on his motorbike while dropping his daugther off at school and sadly died a couple of hours later. He has left his wife and 4 year old daughter behind.

He is such a nice bloke and always had a smile on his face. I have known him from our high school days. A deeply thinking intellect and one whom I could connect very well. It is so cruel that he is no more. I will miss him for ever.

Some of his pictures on our trip to Topslip on January 2009




Wednesday 10 June 2009

Art of negotiation

I know this guy Sammar from Pakistan and he is a pretty good programmer and I caught up with him in IM after an year or so. He said that he has started a small IT company and would be happy to do projects for me. In Integra we have an in-house team of IT people, but all are busy now and I was in need of developing some websites quickly and asked if he can help me.

He showed me a portfolio of sites which wasn't very impressive, but I was confident that with right direction they have the capability to do good work.

Then came the price negotiation part. I asked for a quote to re-vamp an exisiting website with web2.0 style layouts, style and images. It was a simple site, nothing fancy but needed a re-vamp and a face-lift. It requires a new home page design and some HTML development.

As typical with sub-continent sellers, he just could not come up with a price straightaway.

Finally he quoted US400$ and it was just about in the higher end for me, but I wanted to get on with it. I said OK, but I was doubtful if he would deliver the design/style that I wanted. So I agreed for the price, with a clause of unlimited revisions if required.

I guess, he was still thinking about quoting a lesser price. Now he came up with an increase in price if I needed unlimited revisions. He came up with so many ideas/ suggestions/points on why it should be more than the agreed price. But I was fixed up on the initial quote and did not budge. Finally he agreed for the price and we are on DEAL.

Here are my observations and tips for the sellers
  1. Never be afraid to quote a price when asked (Even if it means quoting on the higher end)
  2. Don't go back on the price and re-negotiate (i.e without yet proving a point to the buyer)
  3. Dont go weak while talking the price (Especially during the unconvincing pause)
  4. Buyer is just as nervous as the seller
Hope, I can use the same tips for me when I negotiate deals.

Let me see how the new website comes up, but I am fairly confident..

What should I write ?

Well. This is my first blog. I am sure you can figure out from my nervous beginning. I was introduced to the blogging world by my best pal ilavanji (ilavanji.blogspot.com) a famous tamil blogger. I was contemplating doing this for well over two years and finally decided to jump in. Now, the most important thing.

What should I write ? I am not new to writing as I regularly write pages for our various websites and I believe I am getting better in the web writing techniques. But blogging is slightly different. Isn't it ? Here are a few things that sprung to my mind

  • Life in Britain so far
  • My little son Jeetu
  • My memorable schooling days
  • My first job interview
  • Comparison of politics in Britain & India
(or)
  • Should I write something as I read/hear/watch everyday

Let me think a little bit more and then decide.Probably I will go with the flow !! That's it for today. I will definitely start writing from tomorrow.