भारत भेट

दोन आठवडे भारतात होतो, १ ते १४ नोव्हेंबर.. पहिला आठवडा खूपच धावपळ होती, कारण माझ्याबरोबर एक इटालीयन बिझीनेसमन होता, त्याच्याबरोबर खूप फिरावे लागले पण खूप काही शिकायला मिळाले. मी गेले तिन-चार वर्षे बिझनेस म्हणून काही धडपड जरूर करतोय, पण हाताशी काही लागलंय असं नाही, अजून शिकतोच आहे, पाटीवर धडे गिरवणे चालूच आहे. पण या ईटालीयन माणसाने नविन काही तरी विचार दिला. पैसा कमावणे वाईट, असा चुकीचा गैरसमज होता, त्याने सांगितले कि तुमचं इंजिनिअरींग बास झालं, आता money engineering करा , become engineer of money and not metals.

त्याला आम्ही लहान मोठ्या गल्ली-बोळातून फिरवताना रस्त्यावर बसून भाजी विकणारे पाहीले, त्यांच्या कडे पहात तो म्हणाला, की भारतीय लोकांकडे उद्द्योग-प्रेरणा (entrepreneurship) खूप चांगली आहे, त्याला त्याच्या इटालीच्या जीम मध्ये योगा-आयर्वेद-हर्बल मेडिसीन्स-केरलीयन मसाज आदी सुरू करायचे आहे. तो मूळात मार्केंटींग मधला हुशार माणूस, आम्ही त्याच्या गाठी-भेटी योगा-टिचर, आयुर्वेदीक डॊक्टर्स यांच्याशी घालून दिल्या. त्याला त्यांच्याशी बोलण्यात रस नव्हता, हे सर्व इटालीमध्ये विकण्यासाठी ते काय आहे हे जाणण्यात रस नव्हता, ते करण्यासाठी किती जागा लागेल, किती पैसा लागेल, किती माणसं लागतील, त्या माणसांकडे काय काय असायला हवं, हेच त्याला जाणून घ्यायचं होतं.

आता थोडं भारताविषयी, त्याचं किंवा एकूणच युरोपीयन लोकांचं (बिझनेस मधल्या) मत आहे, नाही त्यांना तशी खात्री आहे कि भारत एक ना एक दिवस सुपर-पॊवर होणार, अमेरिके-प्रमाणे सर्व जगावर राज्य करणार. या माणसाच्या मते आज जवळपास ३०% लोकांचे मासिक उत्पन्न हजार युरो इतकं आहे, (हजार युरो म्हणजे ६५००० रूपये), त्याच्या अंदाजाने अजून पाच वर्षात ५०% लोक महिना हजार युरो कमवायला लागतील, म्हणजे पन्नास कोटी लोक श्रीमंत होतील, पन्नास कोटी म्हणजे किती मोठा गि-हाईक! कारण युरोपमधील आजचे सरासरी मासिक उत्पन्न दिड-हजार युरो आणि पुर्ण युरोपमध्ये पंचविस कोटी लोक. हे प्रचंड मार्केट हेच म्हणे भारताचं शक्ति-स्थान! निव्वळ भांडवल शाही नजर,

पण भारत सुपर-पॊवर होणार हे काही मला पचनी पडत नाहीय, कारण यावेळी मुंबई-ठाण्यात फिरताना मला मात्र निराशाच पदरी पडली. Quality of life, भारतातील माणसं किड्या-मुंगी सारखी जगतायत, युरोपमधील गरिबातील गरीब माणूस ही ज्या डिग्नीटी ने राहतो, त्या पद्धतीने जोपर्यंत सामान्य माणूस जगणार नाही, तोपर्यंत... जोपर्यंत गरीब माणूस सुखाचा घास शांतपणे खाणार नाही, तोपर्यंत... जोपर्यंत भारतातील श्रीमंत माणूस टैक्स पलिकडे जाउन गरीब माणसाशी आपलं उत्पन्न शेअर करणार नाही (म्हणजे गरीब-श्रीमंत यांच्या मासिक उत्पन्नाचे गुणोत्तर १:१०, अगदी १:२५ होणार नाही) तोपर्यंत... अगदी तोपर्यंत भारत सुपर-पॊवर होऊ शकणार नाही, ज्या देशात भूकबळी होत असतील, लोकं रस्त्यावर उघड्यावर मरत असतील, त्या देशात कितीही टाटा-बिर्ला-अंबानी असतील, तो देश सुपर-पॊवर सोडा, प्रगत म्हणण्याच्या लायकीचाही नाही. हे माझं म्हणणं त्याला अगदी पटलं !

मुंबई-ठाण्यात फिरताना जाणवलं की क्वालीटी ऒफ लाईफ़ इज डिटीओरेटेड मोअर न मोअर! रस्त्यावर धड चालता येत नाहीय, सुंदर मोकळी हवा, प्रदूषण रहीत हवा, हे स्व्प्न होत चाललंय, लोकसभा-विधानसभा निवडणुकांच्या निमित्ताने झालेल्या रजकारणाने, पैसाकारणाने होती नव्हती ती आशा ही धुळीत मिळत चाललीय, फालतू मुद्यांवरून धुमाकूळ घालून जीवन-मरणाचे प्रश्न विसरायला लावले जाताहेत.... कधी मिळणार क्वालीटी ऒफ लाईफ सामान्य माणसाला ?

अपूर्ण ...

Ganeshostav in Udine, Italy

As I mentioned in the previous post that August is a month of fun and festivals here, we were surprised to receive invitation to attend Ganeshostav Festival Celebrted at Udine, Italy. It was a small function, puja by a group of people who run a Yoga Institute here. Ms Gianna was the force behind this cultural, religious event where a group sung very nice devotional Hindi and Sanskrit bhajans in Italian accent (see video down) , a proud moment for us to participate. Ms Gianna, an Yoga teacher, is a charismatic lady who knows many more things about India and hindu religion, obviously more than me.

Independance Day in Udine, Italy

August is a very different month here in Italy. There is a lot fun around because of holiday mood. Not only the schools have summer vacation but all the companies, shops, self-employed, almost everybody is on vcation (atleast for 15 days) in August. People just move out of home, visit places, beaches, tourist spots. A lot of people are on bi-cycles in city but also many take bicycle tours to nearby spot. For us, we were shocked when we got invitation to attend Independance Day celebration in Udine, Italy.

On 15th August, many Indians gathered in a nearby church to salute the tri-colour. Our big-size Indian flag was hosted by a 85-years old lady and father of the church. It was followed by Vande-mataram sung by sweet girl and Jan-Gan-Man sung by all. Ms. sundari who organised this event explained the meaning of both songs in Italian to all who had been present there which also included a group of Italians. This was followed by a small procession from ground to the church, and then followed by a small service in the church where the father congratulated all Indians. We were then treated with good Indian dishes prepared by Ms Sundari and her team. Apurvai & Kabir and also Jui won prizes in sports event which was then followed.

The function was very well organised by Ms. Sunadri (who hails from Andhra, a good orator in English & Italian both) who is very pleasant and helpful person staying here for more than 12 years, but to my dis-may was not very well attended as I could see only 40 odd Indians out of 200 strong Indian community in Udine. Mr Joseph, who hails from Chennai, staying here for more that 12 years, was the successful planner of the event who managed the place and other support.

Children parks in Udine

Since the time the schools have had their summer vacations, we have started frequenting to children parks in Udine. There are many children parks in and around but hardly any children in the parks. And most of the children who come to these parks are non-Italians, that brings a question to our mind, how and where Italian children are occupied in these vacations. Summer vacations are long in Italy almost 3 months. And as I know, most of the parents prefer summer camps which is like baby-sitting arrangement on monthly fee basis. May be the kids spent rest of the vacation on tourist spots, mostly beaches.
The parks are really soothing to eyes. Spread over more than acre, they have green lush soft grass allover, with walking & cycling tracks along border and seating benches every where. Children play area with jumping boards, swings etc at one corner which has soft asbestos tiles to prevent any injury if someone falls. Basket ball area, hide and seek area, foot-ball area, adventure-climbing area in different corners.
Surprisingly, you will also find cafeteria in the park, where parents sit, chat & sip coffee or wine while their kids are engaged.
We came to know about a novel scheme Udine municipal commune has for kids in summer vacation. They have a bus, called ludobus, full of toys, puzzles and different creative or challenging games. The volunteers take this bus to different park each day. The time-table is displayed at all schools, libraries, kids-shops, notice-boards. The toys and games are spread on tables or ground for kids to enjoy. Volunteers help them understand the new game or to master any activity like walking with long sticks, or help kids learn to solve the puzzles. The Ludobus has special theme everyday in addition to games and toys, someday it is creative laboratory, like handicrafts, the other day it will be learning circus tricks or some other day it will be water-games.

Education in Udine, Italy

As I mentioned in health-system, this area also deserves praise. Unlike in India, the education system here is two-tier (On one part, government schools, on the other hand private schools upto only 8th standard….whereas in India, I find Chaturvarnya in every system including Education system. In India, we have people who don’t send their kids to school, then we have municipal or government schools where you will find poor kids, then middle class students going to good private schools in cities, mostly English medium and lastly, the posh 5-star schools and residential schools for so-called affluent high-class society) but fully managed by state. No private players, no private schools, no private teachers, no tuitions, no coaching classes, no CATs, no entrance exams. Nothing but a plain education system.
All the schools are run by municipal councils, funded by government. The pattern in Italy is 3 years in Pre-primary (maternal), 5 years of primary (Elementary) & 5 years of Secondary (). There are no examinations in elementary section, but only periodic tests. All the schools, all the subjects are taught in only Italian. They learn other languages from 5th standard onwards, but most of them prefer French, German & Latin to English. Only private schools have other mediums of teaching like we have two English-medium schools in Udine. But even in Private schools, the students should achieve good level of Italian which is tested at 5th and 8th standard. And students have very few choices after 8th standard and they switch to government school after 8th standard.
After the secondary education, hardly 50% students go for higher education of which 50% complete 5 years of graduation. Very few opt for professional studies in medicine or engineering, but many opt for other vocational professional studies which gets them jobs by the time they are 16 years. In general, Italians do not like to study as an adolescent teens are lured by easy life early in their life.
The Government & private schools are very well equipped, in vast areas with good airy, bright buildings with play-parks, laboratory, library. You feel really in different world and pleasant to be in the educational campus. Schools have 5-day week and for the full day with snacks and lunch provided in the school. You are not paying any fees in Government but you need to buy books, note-books and all school-stationery. I realized that all these is very costly as they are heavily taxed because education is free.
The emphasis during education is on left-brain development. A lot of activities like crafts, drawings, coloring, team games, puzzles and toys occupying most of the time of the school at elementary level. Self learning is encouraged all the time hence they make a lot of charts every time. Normally, kids do not have home-work but they are supposed to complete uncompleted class-work. The teacher in 1st standard follows the class till 5th standard hence she knows capacity of each students and can work on his/her inabilities, progressively. As such, the task is also very easy for any teacher as she handles only 20 students max in any class.
Normally, school has 5 to 6 study excursions (one day trip to banks or post-office etc) to learn extra-curricular topics related to their syllabus. And one 5 to 15 days picnic to mountains or historic place to explore is arranged once a year (2 or 3 classes together).

Public Transport in Udine, Italy

I was always amused to see the trains, buses running empty at rush hours on week-day in Udine, Italy. Udine is a small city like a district city in Maharashtra (e.g. Thane but 1/4 population) , but not a metro. The city is equipped with all facilities and has a railway station connecting to all nearby small towns and big cities like Venice (tourist place at 120 kms) and Trieste (port city at 50 kms). The railway station is a medium size with 8 platforms, clean with a lot of free space. A spacious clean waiting room, news-paper stall, café and some small shops are part of every station. It is a terminus and a junction, hence a lot of trains originating from Udine. You will find a small train of a single bogie running between two stations every one hour, between Udine and Cividale, a historic small town.
You will hardly find any men in the station except for the arrival of departure of a train. Just outside the station, it has some shops, taxi-stand, local bus-stand and log-distance bus-stand and small-big restaurants (incl. MacDonalds), but it is not a crowded place like our railway stations. No crowd of vehicles, as vehicles come and move, buses come and move and also people come and move. A very few people travel by train as everybody prefers to move in own cars to attend office or to go to factory. Only those who are traveling a long distance are the visitors of train and station, that is the only crowd in the train.
Same is the case with bus. Udine has some 15 routes of buses covering entire city (and some outskirts) of around 10 km circle. All routes have starting & end points outside Udine, but all routes have stop at Station, hence buses just come & move away from station, making it a crowd-less spot. All buses run perfectly on time, with 10 to 15 minutes frequency but all buses run half-empty. In fact, both trains and buses services must be in losses, but are run as a welfare service for those in need because not all people afford own car.
There are no rickshaws, for obvious reasons and taxis are very few, can count on fingers. I fear if the taxi-owners make any earnings at all. Four or five taxis just keep lingering at taxi-stand near station, waiting for customers. The taxis, in fact, are for visitors or guests and not for residents of Udine or may be some times for residents for airport-drop. Residents travel in their own car to air-port, park their car on airport parking space if they are flying for a week or so.

Doctors and Hospitals in Udine

The doctors and medical facility is one area I was never happy with in Udine, Italy. It’s not that it is bad, but given the situation here it is obvious. It lacks something. But let me comment on its plus points before I point out its lacunae.
The best thing is that the whole medical system is monitored by state (like education system). It means there are no private players, no private doctors, no private hospitals, no nursing homes, no medical shops. Everything is owned and managed by state. The obvious benefit is that almost all basic facilities are free of costs, some advanced facilities are at rebated costs, luxury facilities are at full costs. The second benefit is that the poor and needy are not fooled by greedy doctors, you will not spend un-necessary money on unwanted tests and you are not trapped in money-racket of the so-called doctors. The third benefit is everybody is on equal footing, unlike in India where we have chaturvarnya system everywhere, even in health facilities. (In India, The lowest stratum of society does not even know that they can approach doctors, they simply die. The poor avail government health-centers or municipal hospitals which are very poorly managed. The middle-class who can afford private facilities can go to private doctors, specialists, nursing homes and hospitals to fall in trap and loose money. And rich class going to Lilavati and Bombay hospitals and can have five-star treatment.)
In Italy, they have government doctors on salary, who have their own clinics and they are general practitioners and act like your family doctor. For small problems, like cough, fever they prescribe you medicines which you can buy at nearby pharmacy at nominal cost or free of cost. For complicated issues which requires specialists’ attention, they will direct you to government hospitals where again almost all the treatment is free of cost or at subsidized rates. For any complicated issue, I need not ask ten people, who is the best doctor and get confused with different opinions. In India, I was always facing this situation and never sure if I took correct decision to approach particular specialist, e.g. when my father was operated for his back problem, I remember how confused I was with different advises. There is only solution here and it is the specialist available in hospital. He may take opinions from other specialist if your case in unique.
But there are many drawbacks here. Since doctors are government salaried, they take least interest in your well-being, there are many exceptions though. Being doctor is not a lucrative profession; less people choose to become a doctor and not necessarily the best brains. So, the health-medical facility can not be termed as the best. My friend, hospitalized for fever was never diagnosed properly and fever never receded till 15th day and it left specialist doctors without any conclusion, one more friend waited for 2 months for appointment of an specialist for his leg-sprain which was cured & healed automatically and he needed no visit. This is because of shortfall of doctors and staff.
But, you visit a hospital, you will feel as if you are in 5-star hotel, so clean, neat and tidy, full of all facilities, humble and co-operative staff, good quality food for admitted patients. One will love to be in hospital but without being ill.

Driving on Italian Roads

As you may be aware, the driving here in Italy is left-hand drive. I feared I might have problems in driving, but it just takes one drive to get accustomed to disorientation. I found driving on Italian roads very easy and joyous. One because traffic is too less, second because everybody follows discipline and third because the traffic signs are sufficiently clear (this was a contrast when I drove on Swiss roads, I remember it was a nightmare).
I really appreciate the driving skills and road sense of Italians. They drive fast but safe, follow all signals correctly and respect rules. Even at 11.55 pm, when there are hardly any vehicles on the road, one stops when there is yellow signal before it becomes red. They don’t break the signal, I came to know the obvious reason later that they have hefty penalty system. Not only they are required to pay but also they loose points from their driving license. If you loose all 20 points, you are required to renew your license by re-appearing driving school & RTO test. So, everybody prefers to follow rules.
On the city roads, vehicles will automatically stop at zebra crossing if you are about to cross the road. The road-walkers, bicycles-riders, scooters will be respected when driving. If road is narrow, and over-taking is not feasible, you will find a long queue of vehicles behind a slow-moving vehicles, but no horns, no rush, no double-queuing. We rarely hear horns so much so that if I press my horn by mistake, I used to get scared by the sound of my own horn. Roads are very very clean and always painted with lane-markings, stop signals.
50% of the city roads have bicycle-strips for bicycle-riders with own signal system and the roads will be sufficiently wide if no cycle-strip. But surprisingly, most of the city roads are single-lane but still vehicles zoom @80 kmph. On highways, they zoom @120, whereas on toll-ways, they traverse @200 kmph. It is really eye-worthy to see ambulances cruising speeding on heavy-traffic roads, with all vehicles giving way to ambulance, stopping if need be.
Though, the road-signs are sufficiently clear, I still get confused when you are trying to find addresses. If you take a wrong turn by mistake, you are in spin and in a endless loop. This happens if you don’t find name of the road when you wish to take turn. Hence, most of the cars are equipped with GPRS navigator with country map.
It is rare to see accidents on the road, but if you happen to see any accident, it is nice to observe what follows after accident. If it is a small accident, and nobody is injured and resulted only in damages to cars, the drivers will get down from their cars in despair and disbelief. No shouting, no bad words, no fighting. They will stop where they are, no movement, no running and no public interference. All the vehicles will stop where they are, may result in traffic jam if no alternative for diversion of traffic. If alternate road is available, the other vehicles will just move from the scene and will carry on their journey. The two drivers will exchange a few words with each other. If no dispute, no police intervention required, both of them will take out their insurance-claim formats, fill it, sign on each-others documents & drive away.
If somebody is injured, some passer-by will call 118 on his mobile, the police, ambulance will arrive within 5-8 minutes. Till that time, nobody will touch injured, because only trained personnel is supposed to bail out the injured. Ambulance people will take care of injured & will take him to hospital and police will take care of rest of the formalities. In such a case, the responsible person will bear the related costs of police & hospital formalities as penalty, in addition to accident penalty and will also loose license points.

Life in Udine, Italy

Finally, we landed in Udine, a city in northern Italy, 125 km north east of Venice.
I would be sharing my observations on general topics related to life-style of Italians here. My observations will be based on my little interaction with Italians, parents in Udine International school, intercations with Indians staying in Udine and other parts of Italy and my visits to other parts of Italy.
Obviuosly, my comments will always try to compare with the situation in India, but please note that these observations will be based on purely personal judgements and may contain bias.
I will share one topic per month., Comments are welcome

इटालीमध्ये निवडणुका

इटालीमध्ये मागच्या आठवड्यात राष्ट्रीय निवडणुका झाल्या, त्यानिमिताने माझी निरीक्षणे :
१. सर्व साधारण निरीक्षण : राष्ट्रीय निवडणूक असूनही मला काहीही जाणवत नव्हतं, कसलीही धामधूम नाही, प्रचार-सभा नाहीत, लोकांमध्ये चर्चा नाहीत, पत्रकं नाहीत, पोस्टर्स नाहीत, सगळं वातावरण नेहमीप्रमाणेच ! नाही म्हणायला, प्रत्येक गावात एक मध्यवर्ती ठिकाण असतं, जिथे खूप दुकाने असतात, चर्च असतं, तिथे पोस्टर्स लावायला काही जागा राखीव असतात, तिथे दहा-बारा पोस्टर्स बघायला मिळाली, अन्यथा निवडणूक आहे हे कळणारही नाही. दूरदर्शनच्या सर्व चैनेल्सवर मात्र जोर-जोरात चर्चा होत, मुलाखती घेतल्या जात, पण प्राईम टाईममध्ये कधीच नाही, सकाळी किंवा दुपारी त्याचे प्रक्षेपण होई, मला त्या चर्चा तितक्याशा कळत नसत, पण चर्चा फार गंभीरपणे चालत. निवडणुकीसाठी मतदान रविवारी पूर्ण दिवस, व सोमवारी सकाळी ११ पर्यंत झाले.
२. पक्ष : सर्वात गंमतीची गोष्ट म्हणजे, एकंदर पंधरा पक्षांनी ही निवडणूक लढविली, त्याविषयी थोड्या विस्ताराने नंतर लिहीन.
३. मतदान : मतदानाच्या दिवशी, रविवारी, नेहमीप्रमाणे सन्नाटा होता, रविवारी साधारणत: शांत शांत असतं, दुकानं बंद असतात, लोकं घरी टि.व्ही. बघत असतात, व्हिडीओवर आवडता सिनेमा बघत आराम करतात, तसंच वातावरण या रविवारी होतं, सकाळी थोडेफार लोकं, जी चर्चमध्ये जातात (इथे १०% लोकंच चर्चमध्ये जातात, तेही रविवारी, अन्यथा २-३%) त्यांनी आपल्या गाड्या मात्र म्युन्सिपाल्टीच्या इमारतीकडे वळवून आपलं कर्तव्य पार पाडलं. बाकी इतरवेळी त्या इमारतीच्या आसपास १०-१२ गाड्या दिसत. मतदान केल्याची खूण बोटावर लावण्य़ाची पद्धत नाही. प्रत्येकाजवळ स्वत:चे इलेक्ट्रोनिक कार्ड असतं, गोंधळ होण्याचा प्रश्नच उद्भवत नाही.

Two years after L&T

I left L&T, 2 years back on 15-11. It's time to reflect back what I achieved in the last two years.
1. First & foremost thing is the self-realisation. I realised my potentials, my strengths, my market value, the demand of my expertise & my knowledge. I came to know that I am a very practical, knowledgeable person & market appreciates my knowledge.
2. I could build my reputation with knowledge & experience. My expertise in scheduling can fetch reputation to me as expert & also the money.
3. The exposure to the world outside L&T gave me confidence that I can also be a successful enterprenure. I can market my knowledge & experience.
4. I also realised that I wasted a lot of years in L&T working half-heartedly. It would have been better had I left L&T earlier & had this confidence some 3-4 years back.
5. With the development work (Software development to manage complex activities with priorities with simple MS-Project platform), which was well appreciated by my clients, I came to know the opportunities in Project Management World.
6. I cleared PMP certification in the first attempt & assumed the best qualification-experience combination in my field.
7. The high point of this period was when I realised my mission of creating employment opportunity for Indian welders & fabricators in Italy. With my dedicated efforts & Fabtech's vision, it was achieved in 1 years time after I had started working.
8. I got so much of free time that I developed my web-building skills as hobby (& as part-time income source also). I tried my hands successfully by developing web-forum (for project help, which is now dis-continued), by developing static website, SQL-database based interactive portals for social cause for my organisation. I felt great satisfaction when I launched my portal exclusively for fabrication (tremendous response from allover world) a few days ago. I recently developed two more sites as my social commitment, one matrimonial portal and another impressive site in marathi as a meeting point of all social activists.
9. I also got opportunity to travel to off-shore platform by helicopter.

There are many plans ahead as now I can think with cool head which was never possible when I was in L&T. The world is really competative but fearer outside L&T. I strongly wish the work-culture at L&T, HED changes at the earliest.

Small dream realised ...

I had a small dream which got realised today..
Ever since I got opportunity to be part of computer-world, I have been trying many different things. I made a small home-page (spending sleepless nights being on PL)which worked very nicely at HED,L&T homepage.

Then many more things (like my own site, nisargpicnic site, pratibimb intercaste site )till I envisaged a few weeks back that I can contribute to equipment-fabrication society by building a community web-site, an interactive portal for information bank, knowledge resources dedicated to field of equipment fabrication. There is no such portal available on vast internet world. And today, it is ready, it was a single-handed effort.

Today, I am in position to make this portal public with all features available. Articles, forum, chat, news, downloads, photo-gallery & what not !
Next, I have to invite all to pay visit to this portal FabPortal

And, I am sure this cause will be successful, will help all in community a lot.

Rome visit

Indian Workers in Italy

Today, I complete one more mission in my life. I had never thought of it in recent past that I will do something of this sort. When I wanted to leave L&T, my friend Chavan offered me one assignment, Will you go to Italy. It was an usual job offer, but it turned out to be my mission. I was to lead a team of welders to one comapny in Italy. This was the first time that some Indian welders (or workers or technicians) were going to get employed in Italy. This was the opportunity as business for Fabtech, also an opportunity for Indians to earn more in a very different atmosphere, demanding working culture. For me, it became a responsibility to prove Indian capabilities, for I thought if I prove, it opens door for a few Indians, doors of employment, doors of more income, doors of prosperity.
I accepted a challenge, stayed away from loving family for 6 months last year & We could make good impression, first impression. In fact the company management was not happy with the attitude of the workers in the first batch, but they were very happy with my knowledge, dedication & integrity. They accorded us a second chance.
I travelled two months back with 10 workers, this time young, enthu, energetic, with multi-skills, this selection was a very good move by Chavan, who read situation & management demands very clearly. We won the half battle there. I faced a lot of problems in shop to make the guys understand the job responsibilities, requirements here. I was overworked with my role to accomplish the targets. First two months were very crucial as the acceptance was to be decided after 2 months. I worked very hard, played my moves time & again.
And yesterday, We got clearance to bring 20 more welders from India. With that we will have highest number of people compared to other competatitive Hungarian contractors.
Now, more Indians will come to work here, earn here & elevate their life-style also.
Now, we are reaching to many more organisations & will try to employ more & more Indians.

Labour Scene In Italy

I share my impressions about labour scenario here :

1. Italy, as such is not as industralised nation like other European countries, UK, France, Germany. In fact it is at the bottom of the list as far as GNP is concerned. There are very few big industries. And general manufacturing is more than specialised industrial manufacturing. Very few industrial houses. The medium sized companies are owned by old kings' families. No good prospectus for businessmen & they don't show Interest in increasing their businesses like the erstwhile capitalists, like how our Ambanis, Tatas, Birlas do.

2. This is because the general attitude of the people here. They don't like to work, They like to enjoy life. People here are assured of minimum wages for whatever work you do. Hence people prefer the low-skilled jobs than industrial jobs. Low skilled jobs are normally are working in bar, shop, even electrician or plumber. They earn almost the same as industrial worker.

3. This is also because most of the industrial jobs have fixed timing & 5 days work. Italians don't like to tie themselves with strict timings, they like flexibility. In my company all non-Italians come at 6.00 am & work 10 hrs min, second shift same, they go home at 2.00 am. & Italians come 8.00 to 5.00 , No Saturdays & Sundays.

4. Hence, finding a skilled & most important willing person to work in industry is nightmare for the management.

5. Further, they can not attract people from one industry to the other because pay-scales are almost same across industry. e.g. The engineer working for some non-industrial company will get the same pay for the same level in industrial company.

6. In general, the students also don't like to study for 16 years to become doctor or engineer. It is very tough to spend these many years to study as
per them. Hence the industrial staff also is not having engineering formal education. They earn the required technical skills by working on-job hands-on. On day 1, I was surprised to find only 3 engineers in Production team incl my boss, ProdMgr or only one qualified engineer in QA that too he is in-charge, only 3 engineers in design department. Further to my surprise, out of 11 design staff, 8 are draftsman working as design engineers. Sales,Marketing, Project Management, Purchase : all these functions are handled by under-graduates & not engineers as in India or elsewhere. And, this is the trend allover industry.

7. Looking at the advertisements in newspapers, the demand for general operators (which includes, turners, machine operators, assembly line operators, chemical plant operators), auto-cad draftsman, fitters, auto-mecahnics & maintt fitters is tremendous. With these trends, in fact the industry close down rate is alarming. Except auto-industry is booming. There is strong attarction for career in automobiles. All the engineers who pass out, will always want to go to auto industry.

9. Normally, the employer hire people for 3 to 6 months only as a trial period. I learnt that this is because even people leave the job within 2-3 months if they don't like. This happens more than the retainment by employer.

10. The labour & industy has gone thr' turmoils during the last 3 to 4 decades. But for the last 15 years industrial peace is here to stay. Thirty years ago, there was a lot of industrial unrest. Strikes were the order of the day. A lot of unions in each company. No political affiliations. A lot of fights for wages, hikes, facilities, rights. The strikes would come at short notice. Many times strikes would last only for 3 to 4 hours. Always there would be street demonstrations in big capital cities like Roma, Milano, Napoli. I heard that this is the forgotten past now. The systematic & steady labour reforms have changed everything. This needs appreciation. The laws force the companies to have everything for labour & nobody can escape from it. ( in fact, I will write a detailed mail later as far as law enforcement here is concerned), And this is the best change country has witnessed. In spite of the political instability ( that is the another topic, I will be commenting on), the labour scenerio & social scenario have changed for better.

12. Social security ( another nice topic ) assurance is the tax paid by every citizen, they have to actively work for 35 years of their life. Earn minimum to live & pay this tax. Once you pay this tax, then rest of the life, you get the pension, you get the medical facilities free of cost. What else you want ? And the min wages are so assured that even if I work in supermarket as cashier, I get payment which satisfies all my necessities & also pay the required tax. Yes, I will not be able to buy new generation mobile with this pay, but certainly will be able to eat nice things thr'out the month ( salaries for such small jobs are paid weekly ). You know. last week I had a hair cut for Rs 900/- ( 15 Euros ) , then I bought the hair trimmer for 15 Euros for next 5 months.

The general impression about India here is that the country, its people arevery poor. But they are hard working. Italians don't fear like Americans that one day India & China will be superpowers because Italians in general are not at all aware what Indians are capable of. They don't know much about India, Indian heroes. This is partly because general interest level of Italians. They are just not bothered about the rest of the world. They are more bothered about beauty, food, clothes etc. etc. But are very simple people without any bias.

My Initial Impressions in Italy

I arrived here in Italy on 06-06-06, a coincidence. We, I am with other 2 guys who are welders, are only Indians in this part of Italy. We are stationed in Codraipo, Koh_the_rra_ee_poh , in Udine regione, north-east of Venice, 125 kms away. I completed one month of stay & now find myself comfortable with people, atmosphere here. We are not finding time to move around as we have 6 days a week ( and it is costly too) But I will share a few observations, which are out of my stay in medium sized town & occasional visit to big cities like Udine, Venice. Italy seems to be country of rich culture, we are greeted everyday by number of unknown people.
The factors which I appreciated here : The respect for human-being:Very polite in speaking ( I found Italiano language very sweet), no high tone in voice, I didn't find people raising voice or fighting in last 20 days even in my company which is similar to L&T & the picture is 180 degrees opposite of L&T.

The discipline:I didn't see police force anywhere, not even near the police station. They are least troubled people here. The traffic police is absent but the traffic is so disciplined that on the city roads & gully roads, which are all two-lane, the cars speed at @100 km/hr speed. Wherever the sign 'STOP' written on road, the vehicles will stop 100%, see & then go. My first surprise was when our van driver who picked up us at airport, stopped twice on the auto-strada, highway, for red signal, when there was no vehicles on the road, no police on the road at 11
p.m. in the night. Punctuality is the next visible part of discipline. Our water-heater was not working, I was told the technician will come at 8.20 a.m. in the morning, he was there at 8.19 a.m. He had to come thrice during next two days, he was there at the said appointed time, 12.30 pm. once, 4.00 pm & next day 8.20 am again. I was envisaging a football fever here, but people talk on football only during lunch time, No other discussions during work time. This is the kind of discipline I had only dreamnt or heard of.

The family ties: The family values are still very deep in Italian psyche. People are seen around with their families, but only on Saturdays / Sundays. I found family photos on my colleagues' PCs / tables. But Most of the old people stay alone. I have heard divorce rate is going up, yet to confirm. This is because in general the girls / ladies / wives here are outspoken & firm. The male generation look softer. Social ties are very weak. People only greet, but they don't talk beyond weather in so called gatherings. People will have only 5 to 6 friends, of which 1 or 2 close. Social gatherings are very few, festa ( festive gathering in city centre open space ) on Week-ends, They dance a lot in pairs (with spouses I suppose) in festas. Thats all, \n\u003cbr\>that is their social touch. People keep to themselves.

The openness: Sex is integral part of our being, I realised it here. I was surprised to see the calendars of naked posed ladies on shop floor / in offices. I thought the GM who was taking us around will try to hide but he was normal. The stores office had two such big calendars with two staff-ladies sitting in that cabin. The calendars were at par with our McDowells bikini calendar which is a big issue in India. But there was no vulgarity in the behaviour noticed, anywhere be it office, be in super-market, be on road. Very descent behaviour. My boss later told me that the thinking in the ladies here is that the good body features will be / are to be appreciated by men same as the chubby 1 year old child is appreciated by anyone. We pick up such a chubby child instantly, O but lady is to be appreciated & not to be picked up. I didn't find ladies wearing vulgur clothes. Very formal clothes in offices. Very few ladies wear miniskirts.

The nature: Very very beautiful country sides. Plush green, many trees, big green fields, professionally harvested. I also noted that there is as less interference as possible in nature. Even in so-called crowded cities, no pollution. No smoke, no horns, absolutely no noise. The houses here are so well laid out, beautifully constructed, clean & photogenic. The waste disposal is the best professionally done, hence everything is clean everwhere.

I don't know how this is possible. I have yet to come across poor people, beggers ... Everybody has a car for him, very few people on bicycle or bike. ( even our company provides a car ( & a well furnished apartment) for all foreign workers here, there are quite a few foreign workers here, mainly from poor parts of Europe, Croatioa, Serbia, Hungary ) How all this was achieved. There are no morchas, dharanas, rasta-rokos or forget there are not even discussions on political issues. I am yet to find anybody who is active socially and I am staying in a area which is quite representative if Italy. Unlike other parts of Europe, even church-service is not part of Italian's social life.

I am managing without tea, chappatis, newspapers & relatives & friends. I am good at adjusting myself. I am enjoying the storms in my mind about how India can be brought at par with such a society.

एका योग्य निर्णयाचे स्वागत...

केन्द्रातील सत्त्तारूढ आघाडीने श्रीमती प्रतिभा पाटील याचे नाव राष्ट्रपती पदासाठी सुचवून एक अत्यन्त योग्य आणि स्वागतार्ह पायन्डा पाडला आहे. श्रीमती प्रतिभा पाटील याचे नाव अनेकाना माहीत नसेलही, वा त्यान्चा समाजकारणातील वाटा खास नसेलही, पण असे असूनही एका महीलेचे नाव सुचवून यु.पी.ए. आघाडीने आघाडी मारली आहे, हे निश्चित .....

Writing in Marathi

मी आता मराठीतून ब्लॉग-लेखन चालू करणार आहे

Lifeskill to change habits

Since yesterday, I have started attending sessions based on Stephen Covey's book of "7 habits". Towards the end of the first session of PARADIGM, the well-prepared faculty Mr. Atul Gore answered my query very aggressively. It was turning into a debate which I didn't continue, but that gave me an opportunity to reflect on my personal strategy of personal relationships. 7 habits & bringing the change in your habits is a ball game to bring success in your relationships in people & thereby bringing success in your life, personal, professional etc.etc.
I had asked him about the essence of the sesson he advocated, INSIDE-OUT. Why it is necessary ? Why to wash out our dirty lining in public when we tend to forget? to which he answered that we tend to carry the past, the horrible past, in present & thus marring our future, to which I agreed but said that I believe that 'forget & forgive' is the best approach to get past of past & I am successful withit, to which he reacted very sharply. I nodded to all what he said but i have a different opinion about it. May be it is my success formula on which I operate & I love those principles on which my interactions are based.
My first principle is 'nobody is bad at heart'. All people are nice hearted, good-intentioned people. Whenever the other person does something wrong, he is correct with his thinking, so I don't get hurt by his wrong. I only think his perspective differs from mine & continue behaving good with him. With my good behaviour, he/she never hurts me thenafter. And I am yet to find bad behaviour people.
Secondly, as Atul gore mentioned, I hold myself responsible for whatever wrong happens with my connections. e.g. I always think we would have been successfull in our social commitments had I been more active. My child would have been more smart had I given more quality time. etc.etc.
Thirdly, this 'forget & forgive'

Behanji Mayawati: Next Prime minister

The UP election has proved the political shrewdness of the most powerful lady politician of today. She has surpassed messers. Jaylalitajis, Swarajjis, Mamatajis of India. She has clear goal, the best strategy to reach Delhi in a few years, if not months, time.
This rise also indicates the awakening of Bahujan mind.
All the best to Mayawati with only one expectation, the positive change it should bring to people's lives in UP by ending goonda-raj (though she too has many goondas)

15th August in Rome

The city of Rome is place of historic monuments, & it is also the romantic city. The city which is most visited single city in the world. Two days was a very short time period for the city like Roma, but still I made most of it.

The main historic city is hardly bigger, may be of the size of Thane city, From Kopari to Ghodbunder road by length & Kalwa to Upwan by width, that's all. But is packed with number of attractions. You walk across & live the history with you. Remove the modern buildings (recently built, may be during the last 100 years & that too are not so modern, simple 5 to 10 storey) & roads & Signals from the sight & you will experience as if you are in past. That is because anywhere you see, you find big grand monuments each bearing many tales with it. There are as many as 100 churches, all big, 50 big palaces & some other 20 monuments, great country-side, atleast 20 museaums devoted to some topic, as many as 1000 statues in these monuments of full & more size of angles, horses, kings & what not and many many big paintings on the big walls inside palaces & churches.

The vatican city, the smallest nation on earth, houses the biggest church in world which is founded on St Peter's tomb ( St Peter was the first pope, who was favourite/first disciple of Christ). It requires half a day to roam around this church. It has two half-circular pillar structures which lead to main church. encompoosed between these structures is St Peters' square, which can house 30000 people for pope's address. The best part of this vatican church is going on top of church via lift to the height of may be 70 floors & see Rome around. It is marvellous site 6 can not be described.

Second & Third important stop in Vatican is the museaum & Sistina chapel building where pope is elected. I could not visit both these as it was holiday on 15th August. I will not write about the individual monuments but common features. All buildings are awesome in size. You just can't imagine how they were built 1000-2000 years ago. The buildings are robust to last these many years. The architectural excellence is seen in arches & pillars. The sculpture can be admired in the form of statues & designs of the arches & pillars. The minutest of details can be seen on statues. The big paintings, frescos, have their liveliness still intact, the emotions & colour bright.

In short, Rome was engineering perfection, architectural excellence & artistic impressions. All over the city, you can travel in bus or tram or metro in just 4 Euros for full days. You see only tourists allover the city. People know English / French etc. You walk 5 minutes & you come across some marvel. It was a trip enjoyed by me beyond my imagination and was very unhappy to leave Rome on the second day. That's Rome there & now permananently in my heart.

People in Italy enjoy life. They are always joking & laughing. In the evening, you will find most of the young guys at restaurante with wine-glass. They will drink wine as if we have cutting tea, only that much quantity for 2 hours. August, people enjoy annual holiday. Even the normal shops like, stationery, chemist, they display board on shutter 'Shop closed for 15 days' in the month of August. Sunday, nobody on roads, real holiday, shops closed. Even on week-days all shops are closed at 7.00pm. & closed from 1.00 to 4.00 pm.

Visit to Venice

I visited two cities. Both cities have uniqueness but quite different from each-other. Both are loved & liked by international tourists. Venice, city of back-waters & Rome, an historic marvel.

Some common features :

When we visited on Sunday, there were at least 25000 visitors in Venice & around one lakh in Rome. Of which 25% were Italians, 25% other Europeans, 25% American, 15% Chinese/Japanese/Koreans etc. Rest from rest of the world. You will find Indians rarely. More Bangla Deshis & Shrilankans than Indians. The cities are very clean. Both the cities, the tourist attractions are closed on Sundays & Public Holidays ( & that is the culture all over Italy). Many hotels for comfortable stay, little costly in Venice & more affordable in Rome. Venice, foreign languages hardly spoken but in Rome, you will find shop-keepers, guides speaking all European languages. The shop-attendants, the taxi-drivers, boat-operators, tourist-guides, and all those who come in contact with tourists are perfectly dressed, with ties, shoes & clean-shaven & handsome.

Venice is an international city, the city of beautiful back-water canals.

Venice is full of old buildings very close to each-other. Concrete jungle but buildings are in shape & strong & nice to look at & city is very clean. There are small path-ways (the gullies) between the buildings & people can enjoy the stroll because of the nice shops at the ground floor of the buildings & Amongst these buildings are are canals, or water-ways, where the water is steadily flowing not gushing. Also amongst these buildings are big old buildings or big monuments. All buildings are 3 to 4 storeys with their bases in water, perfect in size & shape, may be 200 years old. Their exterior is damaged & you can see the brick structure all over, but the people staying in there must be rich, because these flats cost the gold. All buildings have shops on ground floor, well decorated, air conditioned & the gullies between buildings have nice pavements. Many buildings have residential hotels on first/second/third floor , i.e. 50% area of these buildings house the flats, 50% hotels. It created a very bad impression on my mind, because of many buildings & too less trees. It looked like an ordinary city. I think Kerala, which is also famous house-boats & back-waters is much more attractive & nice than Venice.

We visited that part of the city which is most visted, hence may be commercial. But that is the special attraction for which Venice is famous for. Venice is the city of canals. The island may be as big as 2 Thanes. The canals ( kalve in Marathi ) are in one part of the city, Second part is three small islands which can be visited by house-boats, black GANDOLAs similar to what we have Kashmir & Kerala. May be the islands are beuatiful. Surprisingly , there is no beach in Venice. Only one beach, THE LIDO, where one has to travel by launch. May be visiting these two spots, islands & beach, would not have given me bad impression, These two spots we could not visit because of lack of time & fund. Each boat journey cost around 20 Euros, 1200 rupees for 1.5 hours or so. The part of the city, with these water-canals has a very very big palace, beautiful GOTHIC structure. Very grand big building which houses muesium of antics & pictures, It has shops on ground floor & a big church. This was Italy's & Europe's entry point, gate-way, from East in 1000-1200 a.d. It is something like our gate-way of India.

The shops in the palace & in the gullies were largely of ornaments, glass items, ceramic items these two are products of Venice), beautiful glass murals, very costly again. And rest of the shops are the typical of any tourist cities, nothing different, cameras, golds etc. Many many restaurants around serving typical Italian food, with wine


There are taxies in canals, motorised boats in water. There are three or four pick up points for GANDOLAs to pick up tourists, They carry group of 6 to 8 people in one, may be 3 km in water & bring back to the point of pick-up. You bring Dombivali nala in front of you, full to the ream & double the size but clean, That's all, two Gandolas pass with difficulty. They ferry you with some stops for monuments, they explain you the importance of that place. Max an hour for 20 Euros, too much.

The city (if it is like VT) is connected to Mestre, a city like Dadar, by a big wide bridge for motorway & railway. You enter the city, park the car. No cars allowed in Venice. That is the best part.

MY LAST DAY IN L&T

My mail
Today comes everyday & tomorrow never comes.
But, still tomorrow - 15th November - is my last day in this wonderful organisation.

Each one of you have become part of my life by one way or the other. The gratitude is beyond words hence let me keep these words with me. I loved every moment here & learnt a lot from each one of you. Request you to go thr' the attachment, the presentation I liked most.

I will like your nice words for me by a return mail which I will treasure with me forever & with which I will cherish your memories.

As the world is small & round, hope to meet you. I will always be available if you need my gesture in future.

u_bagwe@yahoo.co.in .... forever
91-22-56256716 [Resi] &
91-22-9821637498 [Mobile] .... tilll 15th Dec'05 & then after 15-12-2006

Regards !
UBB/2247 – 2430

UB, The truth be told, one of your colleagues came to me and requested me for a little discussion. He told me to ask you to stay back, because, and these are his words, " If good people leave L&T, how L&T will remain a great place." I told him that Bagwes have to leave, in their search of truth. It is important to attract a thousand other Bagwes by our good behaviour and qualities. AND ensure that the Bagwe who left remains our Ambassador of goodwill. Wish you greater heights.......love.....nk ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As I told earlier, you can use a lifeline 982 123 7798 to talk to nk anytime ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
D P ARORA
Good bye is considered to be the last "bye". It is not "goodbye" for us. We'll keep contact. Thru Emails or what ever means available.
I am sorry I could not meet you before you left. I've resumed duties yesterday after the surgery of "Implants Removal".
How are you feeling now a days? Relieved!!!!! just taking the breath to start new Venture?
I also liked the "Flight" presentation. Can you take me in your team???

>>> vinod bhosle 11/15/05 2:56 PM >>>
Dear Unmesh,
It is a great loss to our organization perticularly HED, that a person like you is leaving. I have never seen a person like you who is so co-operative, helpful, knowledgeable & working with positive attitude; in this organization.
The one thing which I like most about you is that; your respect for other peopel of whatever grade including a sweeper & you had never said NO to anybody for whatever help people have asked for. I am also very much impressed by little knowing about your social life. Hope you will continue this in future. I always talk about you with my wife & with encouragement from you we have started to share some of our earnings for poor & needy children around us. Kindly give me more details of such organizations, I will phone you at home. Love to see you again somewhere & ALL THE BEST !!!
With Warm Regards,
Vinod

>>> ANIL PARAB 11/14/05 4:04 PM >>>
Dear Unmesh, I am very sad that you are leaving L&T team. However I am happy that you are leaving us for better prospects. I am sure you will make all of us very proud on your future successes and achievements .
I will be the happiest leader, when I keep hearing about your advancements in your career. Whenever you feel lonely /homesick do write to us. As we discussed today, constantly focus on building your knowledge base & competencies. I wish you and your family all the best in future. Best Regards. Anil V.Parab

>>> Abhijit BHANDARKAR 11/14/05 2:55 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe, I have always observed that you do things differently, same is evident in ur goodbye e-mail....although i could never interact with you on the job...but heard a lot about you....hope to interact with u some day as mentioned in ur mail "the world is small & round" my best wishes.....along with return gift (see attachment)
Abhijit. 9892459551

>>> VIKRANT SHARMA 11/14/05 3:01 PM >>>
There is a mixed reaction to your mail. Firstly it makes me very happy that you are going for your bright future. I want to wish you good luck & will pray to God for your success in future life. Secondly at the same time i am also disappointed that a person like you is leaving L&T. When i joined L&T some 6 & 1/2 years back & after seeing good people like you it was easy for me to decide to build my career in L&T. Anyway pl keep in touch..
Regards, Vikrant Sharma
022-55992592 ( Res ) 9892179808 ( Mob )

>>> MINANATH DHASKE 11/16/2005 4:18 PM >>>
Hi Bagwe,
First of all I am very sorry to be late to respond to your call. I was bit confused to describe so many things in few words.. infact many of them cannot be captured in words.
In my professional life I have interacted very few people who work with ethics. You are one of them.
As far as my tenure along with heavy shop as a Six sigma Team leader and Purchase fellow is concerned, I enjoyed it most because of the people like you.
I was opposing the job in shop becasue i didnt like the way of working there. But the people like AVP and you have changed my concept. I was surprised to see such a sober people on shop floor running the shop.
I have never seen you excited, angry. You are a good decision maker, planner and a good team player.
In short your exit is great loss to PC2 and in turn to HED. Change is the way of life. I personally believe in changing either me or the envronment I work, thats why you can see me in New area every 2 years. So I wish you a great succes for this "change"...

>>> Sajiv Chakrat 11/14/05 3:52 PM >>>
Dear umesh , Wishing you all the best for your future endeavors. I don't know if you remember , but when I had newly joined in 1997, and you were second shift incharge in 3326 , you were one of the first person's to put me at ease with the new job and environment .At that time I knew you were one person whom I could look forward for advise in trying situations. Thanking you for all your co-operation and guidance.
Warm regards, Sajiv HEW Toolcrib.
E-Mail = chakratsajivkumar@yahoo.co.in

>>> NAGARAJ PATHAK 11/14/05 4:03 PM >>>
My Dear friend , It is one more sad day for me as I, am loosing one more good friend in this organisation . But one can not stop destiny it has to be that way. One hard fact , i have relaised in life is " Out of sight is out of Mind " but definatly it will not be in your case . Days we spent to gether will always be sweet memories. Wherever you go what ever you do wish you all the best . You can bank on us when ever you want .
Presentation you sent was extrodinary . Life is lovely dark & deep But we have promises to keep. Long to go before you sleep. Long to go before you sleep.
Regards. N.G Pathak.

>>> Ajit Panditrao 11/14/05 4:07 PM >>>
Dear Unmesh, I do not have words to express the joy we had working together esp in scheduling . Without becoming formal I must admit that we wll will surely miss you. If I have to emulate one single Quality ( which is very rare ) from u , it is Positive outlook towards work & life.
Wish u best luck in all the assignments you take in ur life.
Regrads.

>>> Shyamal Roy 11/14/05 4:10 PM >>>
My Dear Umesh, I had told you earlier that you are my one of my few freind in L&T with whom I had never experienced bad relation in any time.I will miss you my dear freind. Wish you a very Bright, Prosperous , Happy future.
S.K.Roy UT section

>>> Alwine Pais 11/15/05 11:41 AM >>>
Dear Bagwe, I have enjoyed working with you throughout these years . I considered you one among the few who always think possitively. We will be missing you immensly. But no one should prevent any one from his future prospects. Wishing you all the very best in your future endeavour.
With best regards and wishes, Alwine Pais

>>> SS IYER 11/15/05 12:31 PM >>>
Dear Mr.Bagwe, I have several pleasant memories of our interactions during 'War Room' meetings, Friday CCPM meetings and job progress review meetings. Though we have interacted for only a few months , I had come to look upon you as a person who had a very clear understanding whether of jobs or CCPM intricacies. You clarity of thought, precise presentation, pleasant disposition and positive attitude always added value to our interactions. It is unfortunate that we will not be having your company in the days to come. Life however moves on.
WISH YOU HEALTH, HAPPINESS & SUCCESS IN YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVOURS.
BEST REGARDS, S.S.Iyer

>>> P BHISE 11/14/05 4:17 PM >>>
Dear Friend, Kindly find time to go through the attachment showing more clear picture of a friend circle which is also applicable to us. Best of luck & wish you bright future.
Warm regards, P.P.Bhise

>>> Gregory Almeida 11/14/05 4:19 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe, I appriciate your vote of thanks and inspiring presentation - That's from a real leader - You are like the leading goose in your presentation - You will never get tired nor look back.
Wish you all the best !
Regards, G.P.Almeida
Larsen & Toubro Limited, Heavy Engineering Division (FPEX/NB-6),
Mumbai-400 072, India. Phone : +91 22 5505 2553 Fax : +91 22 5505 1319
E-mail : Gregory.Almeida@hed.ltindia.com Web site : www.lnthed.com

>>> Raju Iyer 11/16/2005 1:35 PM >>>
Best wishes for your future endeavours.
Raju

>>> Pritam Singh 11/15/2005 9:13 PM >>>
Dear, Bagwe ji,
I m very sorry that i could not meet u at ur farewell party... but my best wishes are always with u...
all the very best for ur future... it is a very nice presentation...
i feel very unlucky that i could not learn much from u...
plz do keep in touch...
i would like to know from u my areas of improvements...
what should i do for my further studies...
plz do reply...
Thanks,
Regards;
PRITAM

>>> Vijay Israni 11/15/05 3:50 PM >>>
Dear Umesh,
Today comes everyday & tomorrow never comes.
But it is tomorrow, in the hope of which we live,
that it will be better then yesterday & will fulfill all our desires.
May almighty God fulfill all your wishes & give you everything which
will make you happy & successful.
with all the best wishes
Vijay Israni.

Dear Bagve-
Extremely sorry for the delay in my response since I was out ofstation. Thanks & I wish you all the best.
Ramesh D. Marathe
Chief Project Manager, Nuclear Power Projects
Tel No. 022-55052537

>>> Ashok Kawade 11/15/05 3:26 PM >>>
Very good presentation ! It seems that it is very well matching with your plans.
Regards,
A T Kawade
Extn - 3689.

All the best for your future endeavors..
Regards, Prakash Shinde
Tel. 56948434
Inspiring one ----->

>>> Sharad Moghe 11/15/05 2:29 PM >>>
I wish you a happy, healthy, safe and prosporous bright future . pl .remember me if possible, & try to be in contact with me, of course if possible.
thanks, & regards,

Dear Bagwe.
Good luck and God Bless.
The presentation you had sent was excellent.
Regards
Surya.n@hed....

>>> Mukundan Nair 11/14/05 2:52 PM >>>
WE WILL MISS YOU.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
REGARDS.

>>> A Ravindrareddy 11/14/05 2:54 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe,
with your enthusiasm and expertise , i wish you a very bright future.
Regards,

>>> Sadanand RAMANE 11/14/05 2:54 PM >>>
Wish you Best of Luck for today as well as for tommorrow.

>>> SR RAMANUJAM 11/14/05 2:59 PM >>>
if the presentation is the case where are you going alone?

>>> Ashok ASODARIYA 11/14/05 3:00 PM >>>
Dear sir;
Wish you all the best for your future, it was really a nice learning by working with you.
I have experienced you very kind and helpful & guide to juniors always.
The presentation is a live example of it,
see you,
Ashok

>>> Krishnan Sivaraman 11/14/05 3:03 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe
The PPT attached is excellent.
Do keep up your hard work and u will attain everything in your life. We are defenitely going to miss you. Do add my contact details in your diary. You can contact me in case of any requirement.
Thanks & All the best Again
Luv
Krishnan
Ph:9820176894(M)
: 022-39451572 (R)
Email: krishnansivaraman@hotmail.com

>>> Bithika Basu 11/14/05 3:03 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe,
Wish you all the very best for your future challenges.
Good luck and regards
Bithika

>>> pj bhounsule 11/14/05 3:04 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe,
Wish you allthe Best. As you yourself have mentioned, world is small and round and I am sure, there will be occasions when we will bump in
Best Regards.

>>> Vivek SOANS 11/14/05 3:05 PM >>>
Dear Bagve,
I am not replying because you have mentioned it, but i would have done even if you had not asked.
I have very high respect for you not only because of your commitment in whatever you did but also for you pleasing manner. Even when you said no (sometimes) for some work, it has never hurt me, because of your straight forward way.
I will definately miss you, but as you said the world is small and round and so ........ till the next time we meet.
By the way, the presentation what you attached is very good.
Rgds

>>> Kiran ARNALKAR 11/14/05 3:06 PM >>>
all the best to u.
Kiron Arnalkar
HED-CGPP-INV.CONTROL
E4-1ST FLOOR
RING-5505 3481

>>> Dilip Gandhi 11/14/05 3:14 PM >>>
Good Luck for Bright Future.
Warm Regards.
D B Gandhi.

>>> Dhananjay Bajpeyee 11/14/05 3:17 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe
Congrtulations to you for getting a better opportunity. I wish you Best of Luck for your future assignments.
The presentaiton was really very nice I hope some day people in L&T will start team work like this.
Regards
Bajpeyee

>>> Anand g 11/14/05 3:23 PM >>>
Thank you Bagwe.
Nice to see your mail.
Though we came to know each other recently, I always find you charming. Good, keep it up. It makes difference.
My best wishes to you on your new assignment.
With lots of good wishes.
Anand

>>> gurmeet mehta 11/14/05 3:30 PM >>>
I have confidence that you will reach to top in all respects of life (profession & Personal) & your power point presentation is well taken by all the concerned.
All the BEst for Future & keep up with this attitude of Trying to do best possible & co-operation.
regards
gsm

>>> PRADEEP BERDE 11/14/05 3:30 PM >>>
I can only say " All The Best " and b in touch...always
Cheers......Pradeep

>>> Satish REGE 11/14/05 3:33 PM >>>
Dear Unmesh,
I really shared very good friendship with you during last 5 years & sure to continue the same in future. Whatever your plans are, I wish you best luck. It is really difficult to accept that you will not be part of
this organisation from day after tomorrow but fact remains. Frankly speaking I do not have words to express my emotions but can tell you it is a mixed feeling i.e. happy because you are getting an opportunity to materialise your plans & sad because missing a friend with whom I used to share problems to make the mind clear.
Wish you all the best again & be in touch. Feel free to contact me at my residence & do visit my house whenever convinient.
Bye!
Satish Rege

>>> Chetan Trivedi 11/14/05 3:35 PM >>>
Though it sounds difficult to digest that you are leaving .
However once a deision is made I extend whole hearted wishes for your success .
Please feel free to get in touch whenever needed or even to exchange a HELLO .
Once again all the very best .
Regards
C.A.Trivedi
9870108573 .

>>> SURESH V 11/14/05 3:38 PM >>>
Hi Bagwe,
All the very best for your future endeavor.
Your one of the very few people from shop floor who is straight forwarded, amicable and confident. I strongly feel that these qualities will take you to greater heights in your near future.
Once again all the very best Bagwe. You can be in touch with me on my
personal id vsureshv2000@yahoo.com
With regards
V Suresh
Ext:-2002

>>> Melissa Nogueira 11/14/05 3:49 PM >>>
All the best to you in your future assignments.... It was really nice knowing you and working with you.... Pl do keep in touch.....
Regards,

>>> s KRISHNAKUMAR 11/14/05 3:51 PM >>>
All the best, Unmesh.
Kk

>>> Narendra Patwardhan 11/14/05 4:22 PM >>>
Dear Unmesh,
Wish you all the best for your future endeavors.
Take care.
Regards.

>>> Gopal PURI 11/14/05 4:27 PM >>>
All the best for a plesant, progresive prosperous and peacfull life further.
regards
G.S.Puri

>>> Aditya NAYAGAONKAR 11/14/05 4:29 PM >>>
Hi,
It was a pleasure to work with you,we had come accross so many times for some or the other work,had minor hassels also only regarding the perticular job.
Now the moment you are saying goodbye,I could really feel the punch of missing the person like you.
I had thought of meeting with you on any musical eve/night arranged privately.
Anyway best of luck for your future and the descision you have take may always give you path of success the way you want.Any time feel free to contact.
Thanks and warm regards.
Aditya Nayagaonkar.

>>> Shridhar Panada 11/14/05 4:37 PM >>>
All the best for your Future Carrer
Regds
Shridhar

>>> Ketan Padalkar 11/14/05 4:47 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe ,
You have end your present inning in the Larsen & Toubro with a six . What a marvellaus finish. It was indeed my pleasure to work with you. Wishing you always best in your future endevour. Request you to be in touch.
Regards

>>> Ramakant YADAV 11/14/05 4:50 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe
Wish you all the best ........ keep in touch.
Ramakant
rama76@rediffmail.com
Residence : 022-56059747
Mobile : 9892470730

>>> Rakesh PARIKH 11/14/05 4:57 PM >>>
Udte raho vishal gagan me .
Chute raho unchaio ko.
Karwa gujar gaya , gubbar dekhte rahe or rahege .
BEST BEST BEST OF LUCKS
Regards
MFS-1 Team.

>>> ANAND M SHINDE 11/14/05 4:59 PM >>>
All the very best to you Bagwe saheb.
I have a few words to say,we have interacted on a very few occasions but whenever we had ,I always recd a positive response being a relatively new person your gesture kept me in good spirits.
Thanx a lot.
regards,
ams.
mob-9892469015.
resi- 5804528.

>>> Vijay Limaye 11/14/05 5:03 PM >>>
All the best in your future assignment !
World is round & we will meet again some time or the other.
Wish you & your family a good luck !

>>> harshad SOMANI 11/14/05 5:43 PM >>>
but you are moving in winter. !!!
all the best.

>>> Prakash KAMAT 11/14/05 6:03 PM >>>
Dear Unmesh,
First of all I wish you best of luck for your future assignments.
Please believe me we are going to miss you a lot in both official as well as personnel level as you have always been so co-operative to everybody, everytime.
There are always both sweet and bitter things at any place.
I request you to carry sweet ones with you.
I am happy that you have still kept the attachment which I had sent to you earlier.
All the best.
Remember,
Prakash R. Kamat

>>> V Sasidhar 11/14/05 6:32 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe,
It is hard to believe that you are leaving L&T.
I like you for your honesty and simplicity. I found you helpful whenever I needed from you. Please accept my thanks and I wish you great success in all your future endeavours.
warm regards
Sasidhar

>>> MAHESH A TALWADEKAR 11/14/05 6:46 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe,
I read the lesson. Lesson was very good & we all must think in that direction. By the way good luck for your future assignment. I hope that we will meet again because world is very small & round .
Good bye . Best of luck.
Thanking you
Mahesh.

>>> DEVIDAS KULUR 11/14/05 7:31 PM >>>
Dear Sir,
I realize the fact that i've been with you for a very short time, but i think even in this short time you were on the verge to be a great mentor to me but unfortunately or might be my hard luck that you are leaving this organisation. i would luv to thank you personally for your kind support for me.
wish you a great life and a great success on the road ahead.
with love and fedelity,
Devidas K

>>> Pravin PANHALE 11/14/05 10:32 PM >>>
Dear Bagwe
Some people brings happiness wherever they go. You are from that category. It was always nice to interact with you , whichever be the subject. I am sure in which ever organisation you go nobody will be able to ignore your talent, hubleness & hard working. All these things have fascinated me & inspired. I would like to wish & your family a goodluck.
All the best & keep in touch.
Regards
Pravin Panhale

>>> MOHIT GOLUI 11/15/05 7:55 AM >>>
Dear BAGWE,
Take care & best of luck . Make INDIA & L&T proud in a foreign land. Thanks for all the good things u have taught us, which will help us in becoming a good human-being.
Once again thank you .
Regards,
MOHIT

>>> subodh kulkarni 11/15/05 8:15 AM >>>
Wish you all the best !
Keep in touch.
Subodh

>>> DHARMESH R MAHANT 11/15/05 8:26 AM >>>
Wish you all the best. I'll be more delighted if we could have met personally. We'll definately meet some time.
The attachment was wonderful.
Regards,
D R Mahant.

Dear Mr Bagwe,
I wish you all the success and good health and wealth in your new assignment.
regards
gawas

>>> 11/15/05 8:57 AM >>>
WISHING YOU ALL THE BEST,GOOD HEALTH , PEACE & JOY.
Reagards.
C.R.Mehta
Safety Dept.

>>> 11/15/05 9:20 AM >>>
Dear Mr. Bagwe
It is indeed a great lesson to learn from the Geese for their unity, helping nature. Similar is undoubtedly true in L&T.
Wishing you A very happy, prosperous & peaceful second inning.
Regards
V.B. Shitole
PFP
2434

>>> ABHIJEET DESAI 11/15/05 10:51 AM >>>
Dear Sir,
It was pleasure to be associated with you for a smaller time span ,still the period was really co-operative and many of the times helpfull. Wishing you from bottom of the heart a wonderfull and creative time ahead for your future plans and pink health all the years to come.
Regards,
ABHIJIT DESAI

>>> Shivraj Shetty 11/15/05 10:51 AM >>>
Dear Bagwe,
Wish you a very best of good fortune.
Regards,
S L Shetty

>>> Sushil PARAB 11/15/05 11:20 AM >>>
Hearty Congratulations ! I wish you all success and further growth in future.
Best regards
Sushil Parab

>>> Rajgopal PAI 11/15/05 12:45 PM >>>
Dear friends
Due to heavy response, the function cannot be accomodated in H1 Conference Hall ..
Hence the Venue is changed to
4th Floor Auditorium,
B Wing, EPC Block,
Timing for the Function remains unchanged (4:00 PM )
Kindly make a note of it & make yourself available for the function ...
--- Rajgopal Pai
----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEAR FREINDS.
OUR DEAR COLLEAGUE UNMESH BAGWE IS LEAVING OUR ORGANIZATION FOR BETTER PROSPECTS. YOU ALL ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO WISH HIM SUCCESS AND BID HIM FAREWELL AT 04:15 PM ON 15/11/2005 IN H1 CONFERENCE ROOM.
REGARDS
RAJGOPAL PAI
ANIL VYAVAHARE
GIRISH CHHATRE
ASHOK KAWADE

>>> pm VAISHNAV 11/15/05 1:22 PM >>>
Bagwe
Though L&T is loosing a good valuable person, i wish you all the best in yr new job . i believe you are going to Gulf & as i have been traveling in Gulf in the past, pl feel free if you need any help from my
side . if you have any questions, i will be able to reduce yr worry.
my contact 98212-37756.
good luck & god bless you
L&T being first love will always be in yr heart but good to see outside world which is very exciting
regards
pmv

Mukunda Rao Mukunda.Rao@hed.ltindia.com
may u be blessed with all the goodies in the world.
keep smiling & the world will smile with u.
all the very best in your new endeavours.
Sanjay Sharma Sanjay.Sharma@hed.ltindia.com
i have personnally had a very good working relationship with you and will always remember the good times we have had by way of a good tranparent working relationship.
i wish you all the best.
pl dont hesitate to talk to for any help in future.
all the best.
regds

ALLTHE BEST.
BE IN TOUCH.
CALL ME...
Regards,
A P Chonkar