Author Archives: badri

About badri

As I approached 68 (2013), my son, Anand insisted that I had proven enough in my 45-year long career and it was time I took life a little easier; enjoy traveling (that I love) and social life. Yet, I somehow wanted to contribute positively and was exploring my options. My son-in-law, Navin suggested that I should write and share my experiences, “being a self-made man, you should tell the next generation how you overcame various obstacles to reach this position, in both, business and social circles.” He pointed out that while I was sharing my experiences with family and friends, as they approached me, a blog had the potential to take your voice to many, many more. He also insisted that I start mentoring youngsters who were new in their businesses. I was convinced. I offered my services pro bono, as part of a Guidance Program. Also, I started writing on this blog, bringing out figments from my memory as experiences that might be of value to the readers here. My daughter Meeta is sweet enough to spare her time to edit what I write. As a youngster, I thought one meal a day, one set of school uniform a year, a public place to study, lack of finance and basic shelter would keep me from achieving my dreams. To compensate, I started giving 110% of what was normally expected. Yes, 110% even in bad deeds! This worked. The very limitations started inspiring me in different phases of my life – meritorious results in studies; strength to shoulder family responsibilities; satisfied employers; establishing a successful business of my own; and in my adventure trips and other travel plans. Having done what I wanted to, I agreed it was time for me to expose myself! I felt, through this blog, I could and should share my expereinces. Hopefully, readers would find some bits useful and if not, they’d enjoy reading. Look forward to interact with you. Happy Reading, Badri Baldawa

My First Lessons in Finance

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“Badri, can you go to Hiralal Bhai and tell him that I need Rs.50 loan to get some grocery. There are no grains at home for Maa to cook”, my father, known as Kakaji to most youngsters in the family, told me. The year, 1957.

Hiralal Babaji was my dad’s cousin. His grocery shop was about half a kilometer away from home. This 70 year old, respected gentleman was kind-hearted and very helpful person. I loved him.

I was immensely happy, as a 12 year old boy, I was recognized and given a responsibility. I ran to Babaji with the message.

Pat was the reply from Babaji, “Pirthya* na jaar bol, peli ka liyeda rupya peli laar deveju.  Rupya muft ma padya ha kai? …… Rupya Jhhaad par koni laga”.  (Tell your father to return the money that he owes me already!  Is money lying around?  ….. Money does not grow on trees).

I was shocked and left speechless.  I never expected that reply.  I went there thinking it was my right to get that Rs.50. I left, my head hanging in shame – a shame not just for me, but for my dad. I communicated the message to kakaji without lifting my head since I didn’t have the courage to watch Kakaji’s face.  This incident was my first major disappointment. A sense of rejection made me analyze the event seriously and formed my first lessons in Finance Management.

  • Develop a status where one can extend financial support to others and know when to say ‘yes’
  • Believe in financial discipline: Know your own limitations
  • Know when to say “no” even to your beloved ones, for their good.
  • Money is not freely available, one has to earn it.
  • Do not take the availability of finance for granted.
  • Wealth and status can be earned by maintaining low profile.
  • One can share love without limits, but not money.

This small incident had a major impact on my philosophy on financial matters. I valued every paisa – what it rightly deserved.

I had just accepted a self-imposed challenge. Life now, had a purpose –

I will plan and create a situation where we achieve a status not only to take care of ourselves, but to help the needy.

I am indebted to my Babaji Hiralalji for inspiring me by teaching the first lessons in my life

* * *

 * My dad Prithviraj Baldawa was called “Pirthya” by rest of the eldermembers of the family.

 

Edited by: Meeta Kabra

North Pole

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Visit to North Pole Where Purest of Water and Environment still exists

I had trekked to Mt. Everest Base Camp last year ie in May 2008.  After my successful completion of this trip, I was told by some friends and associates that I should have told them in advance so that they could have partly or fully sponsored the expedition.  In return, they wanted a picture of their corporate flag flying at Mt. Everest, which they could have used in their advertising and sales promotion campaigns.

Starting 7 July 2009,  I am now heading, with my wife, for The North Pole, dot 90 deg North, This is the “Top of the World” rather “Top of the Globe” from where there is nothing North to it.  Everything in the world is South to this point.

We travelled to Antarctica, South Pole, over two years back.  It is a land covered with age old ice and surrounded by water.  However at North Pole there is no land at all, rather it is full of frozen water surrounded by land.  While the longest day to watch midnight Sun at Antarctic South Pole is on Dec 22, it is June 22 at Arctic North Pole.

This is a unique expedition to a remote and very little explored part of the globe with all its virgin beauty and weather uncertainties.   The voyage would ultimately by cruising on a powerful nuclear powered ice breaker ship, only one of its type in the world,  which passes through to North Pole by cutting age old ice.   This makes the expedition quite exciting.  How the compass needles reacts at a place where there is nothing North to it, how pure is the purest of weather, how is the vegetation etc are all the points worth observing.

The journey includes flying to Scandinavia and then to Russia to sail on the Cruise from Russian Port thereafter.  As per my information, only about 400 civilians have visited this spot from all over the world.  We could be the first or the first few Indians to visit the spot.

If you have any queries and questions which you think I should observe on this journey, please do email me.  The journey would be more  interesting with these additional questions in mind.  I am also just wondering whether this could also be beneficial for commercial publicity, for a consideration.  Views and proposals from the readers would be much appreciated.

To face Terrorism, Act, just praying does not help

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One of my colleagues sent me an email to say that we should build national spirit among ourselves and therefore every meeting should start with Vande Matram and end with Jana Gana Mana.   My reply was as under:

“Yes, though I agree to National Anthem and Prayer in the EC meeting, that itself is not going to solve the problem. 

 

USA had 9/11 problem, but did anything major repeat thereafter.  Why is this a fornightly affair in our country?

 

It is time that we act in the National interest. It is the corruption which has spoiled our politicians and the Government governance.  Every time we talk about the protest and steps we need take on political level, we hear: “we are businessmen and let us remain businessmen.  Let us not get involved by raising our voice but let us quietly manage the things and go ahead”.  That is how we ourselves have nursed corruption, inefficiency and resulting havocs.  If our system is not corrupted and is efficient, I don’t think the terrorists would have crossed the Indian waters and landed on our grounds to slap on our face.  I personally derive that we are responsible for the terrorist activity of last week as we have failed to make the system to realise their responsibilities.  Most of our politicians and officials in authority are busier working out the plans which gives them larger benefit, instead of greater benefit to the Society/Nation.

 

What counts is the action we take, not what we pray.  We have placed national benefit far behind to our own benefit which in fact should be the other way.  Therefore, if we are seriously sincere, just praying national anthem/song alone does not solve the problem.  Let each of our action to the benefit of the country.  Are we prepared to take oath and implement:

 

            (a) Not to bribe anyone and fight for our legitimate rights even if it means sacrifice of personal benefit

            (b) To have the entire business of ours without parallel records      

            (c) To raise our voice against any injustice and inefficiency irrespective of             who feels offended, as long as it is to the benefit of the Nation?

 

If we implement this, we will have the confidence to fight any injustice and inefficiency.  That would keep every one alert to perform their duties and control the unfortunate episodes like what we had last week.

 

Let us Act to the benefit of the Society in general; just murmuring alone would not help.  Let us learn to sacrifice our own benefit for the benefit of the Society/Nation in general. 

Mother Of All Solutions: Be A Part Of Politics

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I quote well phrased following extract from PPI:

“If India-born, India-educated Indians can run many global corporations which operate in hundreds of countries worldwide, with turnovers of thousands of crores of rupees, employing millions of people of every nationality, why, after six decades of self-governance, are 300 million Indians below the poverty line, and 350 million Indians illiterate ? Why are water and electricity still in short supply?”  Why should there be poverty and illiteracy in the first place?” The government has all the capabilities and resources to eliminate these two scourges but the willingness is absent.

Still we failed because there are many unenlightened and uneducated politicians, even criminals, sitting in our legislatures and making policy decision.  Parliament has to be run professionally like the way you run your respective organizations run.

Encourage your employees to participate in politics.  Spread the word.  Don’t be afraid. It is only when the educated and enlightened come into politics that things will change.  You don’t need to spend your time, effort, and money on uplifting literacy and poverty.  It can happen automatically if there is good governance in Indian politics.”

Badri Baldawa

To Face The Present Challenge, Change Our Business Approach:

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Present problems:

As I pen this note, the financial world and the global economy are in the throes of the worst crisis of our times. The global financial bubble has now burst, some of the largest financial institutions have collapsed , liquidity has dried up, wealth has shrunk to unimaginable level and investor confidence is wiped out,

 

Recession, starting from US, has shaken the nerves of many a countries.  This has dampened the exports and the profits.  Experts say the situation is likely to remain so in the near future, but it looks the worst is still to come

 

When everything was looking so handsome world over, why did it suddenly collapse?  Detailed diagnosis by the experts is important so that we do not fall prey to the same problem again.

 

India too witnessed the meltdown.  Look at the way the stock markets are bleeding.   .  India, in comparison, to even many advanced countries has stronger internal drivers for growth, robust financial system, excellent regulatory mechanism, and pro-active and pre-emptive monitoring of the situations.  Therefore let us not panic

 

Favourable factors:

There are many favourable factors which can help us in facing this global storm

 

Oil prices have dropped down practically to 1/3, Inflation has dropped down to below 9% compared to high of 13% couple of months back.  Raw material prices have dropped down to almost half or even less.

 

Economies of most of the other countries are worse and this is expected to work in our favour.  Rapid inflation in China and other countries which are India‘s competitors has and will bring business in India’s way. 

 

Our Government also appears to be in a supportive mood.  Loan interest rates have been lowered, loans are liberalized and liquidity is being improved.  They are striving to improve these factor further.  We can certain suggest that upgrading the list of Focus products to include stainless steel utensils and cutlery will certainly help the Stainless Steel industry from the status of seriously illness.

 

Though Rupee exchange rate has changed to the advantage of Exporters, the impact is still to be reflected in the accounts of exports as they were forced to go for forward booking earlier, when the Rupee was appreciating at a very fast rate.  Considering the very wide currency fluctuations, the exporters are confused to quote the prices as the adverse rate fluctuation could ruin him whereas safer rate may mean losing the order to the competitors.   The Government and RBI may have to interfere to maintain stable currency rate.  Till such time, the exporters could still hedge their requirements to their advantage at present.

 

Possible solutions:

While the government does its part of duty, we have to question ourselves, ‘Do I change my strategies based on the current global scenario and thrive in future, or do I carry on with my age-old strategies and just watch to survive?’   It is time to take a decision…a decision that will decide the future.  I believe that those who can face the present challenge are the winners for future.

 

Every crisis carries an opportunity with it and we should accept this opportunity to our advantage. 

 

Exporters now need to find other alternatives to remain in business. 

  • Look for the alternative destinations to USA market.  Diversify to Latin America and ASEAN regions, the European Union, Middle East and African countries can be the next best market options to counter the shortfall.

 

  • Both manufacturers and exporters need to sit together, see where every penny can be saved and revamp their product catalog and their price tags. They need to integrate in their operations

 

  • Multiple price options can be offered to the customers. If a buyer finds the price of a product beyond his target price, offer an alternative product which suits to his range.

 

  • Different prices for different geographical locations can help exporters to balance their p their profit margins.

 

  • Dealing in difference currencies for different countries could help in protecting heavy fluctuation in one currency

 

  • Plan and shorten delivery time.  This will protect, to certain extent, any possible loss arising out of cancellation of orders due to changes in the economy of the importing country.

 

  • Change in marketing strategy by negotiating more on E-commerce media could reduce the overseas travel expenses

The nation today expects from us much more than ever before.   Well, let us try, if we can get the change in our business.

 

Badri Baldawa

 

 

My Experience at Vipassana at Igatpuri:

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My Experience at Vipassana at Igatpuri:

 

12 days for Vipashyana at Igatpuri from 13 to 24 Aug 2008 was a different experience in Meditation compared to any other meditation course I had ever attended earlier.  For 10 days, arya mouna (no talking, no signs of communication) no newspapers, no tv, no cells or phones, no music, no praying etc etc. The list of don’t include not to exercise, not to perform yogasanas, no any other type of meditation except what is taught at that place.   Ofcourse,  all these restrictions are clarified to all the candidates repeatedly before joining the course.

 

You also have to give an undertaking that you would not leave the course in the mid- process.  In fact you will not be allowed to, as they believe that leaving half way through may create serious health problems.

 

The life starts at 4am and completes by 9.30pm and includes 12.30 hrs of meditation every day in sitting posture.  These are divided in 4 sessions, 2 hrs early morning, 3 hours before noon, 4 hours after noon and 3 hrs in the night session which includes the DVD discourse.  

 

You keep on asking yourself is it possible that a beginner can concentrate well continuously for 4 hours.  Is it not worth compressing to shorter sessions for better concentration?   In my interaction with the management there, I was told that these are being practiced after studying the impact over lakhs of persons in last 25 years.

 

It is a place where your opinion about the course changes 3 times every day, depressed feeling in the morning, dejected in the afternoon, delighted in the evening and ends with frightful nights.

 

Tea breakfast at 6.30am, 11am is the lunch and 5pm is the time for snacks and tea/milk. No dinner.  That is it.  Wait for next day breakfast time to taste any thing further.  Efficiently managed dining job completes lunch to 300 persons just in 40 minutes max.

 

Ladies and gents are completely separated and are not even supposed to see each other as seeing would mean distraction in meditation. That generates the only entertainment activity of “peep and trace the spouse” (chori chori se) while walking in fast moving dining queue. 

 

The spiritual discourses are claimed to be non-religious, but is surely influenced by Budhist principles.  The main motto is  “understand yourself, you will be able to understand others”.    This understanding is based through controlling your breadth and observing what is happening in every small part of your body.   No importance is to be given to any good or bad development in the body as it is believed that every creation in this universe is temporary and has to come to an end.  This principle therefore also applies to human body and the pain therein. 

 

Amongst the many “Don’t do”, one of the most unpopular restriction is not to pray or chant the deities of any religious belief.  As per my personally understanding, they believe that other religions create Mote Mote Lep (thick layers) of Andh viswas (blind faith).

 

Teaching and instructions are played by audio cassettes.  The fundamentals behind the instructions are explained by way of DVD filmed discourses of  teacher Mr. Satyanarayan Goenka (more affectionately called as Guruji),  every day for about 100 minutes, the ones which no would like to miss. 

 

Audio cassette instructions would mean limited direct communication with the assistant teachers present in the meditation hall, who clarify the questions, if any, of the students.  Therefore those who are shy of asking question may continue to follow wrong notions or postures etc.  

 

All said and done, the most important thing is, by the time you reach 10th day of the course you really feel fresh and rejuvenated, a miracle short of feeling. 

 

All the assistant teachers and the help you get from about 200 of the volunteers, they all work  honorary and mostly the past students.  All the boarding and lodging is free of cost.  No donations are accepted except at the end of the course.  You donate whatever you want only if you feel you got benefit out of the course.   These donations helps covering the cost of the next batch of students.

 

All is well that ends well.  Most of the persons normally leave satisfied.  This course surely merit 4star plus grading.  Certainly minimum one course is recommended.  If suits to your liking, continue repetitions and advance courses.

 

Badri Baldawa