Jayalalithaa Memorial: Venue du Politique et Drama

"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages. At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms," describes William Shakespeare. 

The dead are expected to rest in peace in their memorial and are paid respects on their birth and death anniversaries. On other days, memorials are mere tourists spots, drama-free and with no press coverage. After what the world witnessed at the Late Chief Minister & Convict J. Jayalalithaa's memorial in the last 75 days, will we ever be able to look at memorials the same way? Should we believe that such acts of drama are normal at the memorial of an actor? 

Moments after Jayalalithaa passed away there was a widespread discussion if she would be cremated as per her religious beliefs or buried to give her a permanent place next to her mentor MGR and have. But seldom did public realize the intention behind her burial and how the memorial would become a backdrop for political ambitions and vengeance and making the dead turn in their graves.

In the days following her burial, public thronged the venue in large numbers to pay homage to their beloved chief minister who they fondly addressed as "Amma" and  they couldn't see during her 72 days at hospital. Sasikala, a close confidant of Jayalalithaa, despite being blamed for her death, visited the memorial several times in the first week to express her grief and showcase her gratitude in public eye. So, did Sasikala's repeated visits (before visiting AIADMK office and taking over as  general secretary) inspire AIADMK MLAs and wannabe politicians to visit the memorial?

On February 7, O. Panneerselvam, interim CM visits Jayalalithaa's memorial and meditates for 40 minutes, draws energy, converses with his conscience and takes blessings of Amma before announcing his intent to take on Sasikala & Co. Tres dramatique! Is it normal for a dead leader to fuel ambitions for power in oppressed cadres?

For the next ten days, media camped outside the memorial unable to predict the sudden visits and continuously fed public with breaking news. The ambitious and treacherous made a beeline to get Amma's blessings before making their moves. Soon, many MLAs and MPs and former ministers switched sides joining OPS and pumping adrenaline to the evening prime time drama.

A week later, on Feb 13, Amma's niece Deepa Jayakumar shunned by Sasikala visited the memorial for the first time and announced her much awaited political journey by joining hands with O. Panneerselvam to take on the axis of evil.

What so far remained a sun down prime time drama suddenly turned into a daytime drama on February 15 as Sasikala convicted in DA case by SC of India was asked to surrender at court in Bangalore. She left Poes Garden at 9.30 am and journeyed towards the memorial to have a final conversation before serving her sentence.

Cameras panned on Sasikala as she arrived at the memorial and engaged in a silent monologue with folded palms. Unlike movies where directors, actors and cameraman plan the sequence of events and instruct actors on action, there was none around to pass instructions or say cut though cameras were capturing and relaying in live. Those standing behind Sasikala including her party men and women had no clue on what was coming.

Shortly, Sasikala's silence turned into mutter and as she lowered her knees, extended her right hand cameras caught her thump on the memorial surprising the world. Before we could analyze and process the unexpected action, she came down for a second thump. Was she mad at Jayalalithaa? Or is she taking a vow to avenge those who pushed her family behind bars? More than the flower petals showered on the memorial, Sasikala's anger, disgust and frustration made the visit dramatic and communicated the real intent behind her visit.

On February 16, before swearing in as CM, Edapadi Palaniswamy and his ministers came to the memorial to offer their respects and take blessings of Puratchi Thalaivi J. Jayalalithaa. With floor test and many more chapters remaining to be staged in AIADMKs political history, the actor's memorial on Marina will be a historical backdrop for more treachery, betrayal, disappointment, failure, victory, and greed. They may also fund raise by hosting their dramas at the memorial. 

A rose is a rose is a rose! It is now clear why Sasikala decided to bury Jayalalithaa and not cremate her. Memorials should seen as a battlefield and in future we should propose cremation or sea-burial to prevent staging of dramas at memorials.

Torch Bearers to Back-Seat Drivers

Tata & Sons is one of the 7 Indian firms in Fortune Global 500 and is known to be a factory for leaders. Infosys is a bellwether of the India IT industry and AIADMK is one of the most successful political parties in India and the 3^rd largest party in Indian Parliament.

Narayana Murthy, Ratan Tata and PH Pandian are illustrious in their own walks of life, but there is something more they have in common apart from humble beginnings. Did I hear back seat driving and washing dirty linen in public? Yes, that’s right the three retired professionals have never been able to severe the umbilical cord with their affiliations and have gone to press criticizing their leaders and boards. Is this what we should expect from our leaders?

Ratan Tata, former Chairman of Tata & Sons relinquished his executive powers in the Group after appointing Cyrus Mistry as his successor. And four years later, unable to severe the umbilical cord with Tata & sons he engineered an ugly boardroom coup to oust Cyrus and went to courtroom and press with a long list of accusations over his governance.

Narayana Murthy, one of the founders of Infosys often described as Father of Indian IT sector took so many avtars from being a CEO, chairman of the board, chief mentor Executive chairman, Additional Director to Emeritus President in the last 30 years. The truth is that Narayana Murthy could never let go of Infosys and continues to enjoy his back-seat driving. Today, he has criticized the board of poor corporate governance and emphasizing the need to overhaul in an explosive press interview.

P. H. Pandian is a veteran politician from Tirunelveli district who served in various roles from a MLA, Deputy Speaker, Speaker, MP to organizing secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam under the leadership of MGR and Jayalalitha. However, the veteran politician has turned vocal and speaking out of turn ever since Sasikala Natarajan ascended as the General Secretary of the party two months ago, and came out in public criticizing her candidacy as a chief minister and also raising suspicions over Jayalalithaa's death.

Misplaced identity

Sadly, those in the business and political worlds are behaving alike - increasingly murky, dark and treacherous. It is human nature to hold on to position, power and hog limelight, but these torch bearers have gone further to accuse their leaders and board members of poor governance and acting like dictators failing to relinquish their control. These men are unable to extricate themselves from their organizations and its success and have misplaced their identities.

Narayana Murthy brought his son along when he came back to Infosys for a short stint, Ratan made dead investments by buying hotels for personal use at unluctrative locations and Pandian used his influence to bring his son into politics and are using their organizations like personal property. 

Why do these individuals struggle to let go of control and treat organizations and parties like family wealth? Though it may be hard to watch the next generation try out new things and learn lessons from their share of mistake, like an over anxious parent they want to remotely control and breath down the neck of the executive team.

Today, the three of them instead of speaking to the board of members and office bearers to sort out differences have irresponsibly raised it with media houses accusing the board of mismanagement, poor governance and political embezzlement. While I agree it is good to ask questions in the larger interest of shareholders employees, and party cadres, but reaching to the media directly demeaning the brand trust and value among investors, clients and dilutes employee and cadre moral. They also fail to understand it is clients, investors and cadres who make them relevant and successful.   

While we inspire wannabe leaders by asking them what they want to be famous for, we must drive some sense into retired leaders by asking what they want to be remembered for. 

From torch bearers leading their organizations to inspiring next generation leaders they have now become back seat drivers unable accommodate change engaging in severe criticism. Today, their actions are eroding brand value of their organizations and setting a wrong precedence for their employees, cadres and aspiring leaders. 

How to win a million likes for your vacation pictures

Unlike earlier generations that kept pictures to the last, used films to capture moments, waited for nature to light the shot and eventually for days to print and enjoy those moments, today's digital generation think about pictures before they plan their vacation. And technology has not only made it easier to take pictures, but also increased our urge to take pictures making us compete at the speed of light, review and repeat till we are satisfied. 

The truth is that someone's vacation pictures often inspire us to make our plans and aspire for something better. The second truth is that today's generation is fixated on making a statement of their life and happiness through pictures on social media. 

As a result, even before we let our brains absorb and enjoy the beauty, aesthetics and grandeur of the place, we pull out our cameras to digitally capture and instantly share them on Facebook and Instagram. From then on, we often check on the likes and shares to judge if our vacation was worthy enough, inspired people or made them jealous than enjoy the vacation. 

So, how does the self-obsessed generation click and share best vacation pictures with all these distractions?

Begin your journey with Google 

Through our extensive usage we've transitioned Google from a noun to verb. From answering our search queries, giving us a digital view of the place, to 3D mapping, Google has become a digital genie enriching our lives. A simple search on Google reveals a million pictures of Taj Mahal and flicking through the library gives you an idea for possible angles, views, best time to capture, etc. 

Explore with Google Maps 

All roads may lead to Rome, but only certain roads are scenic and offer unabated views. The first time I was on Avenue Kleber à Paris, I came to a standstill at the intersection of Rue de l'Amiral Hamelin when I spotted man-made marvel. Nobody told me that I Eiffel Tower plays a peek-a-boo between the old buildings on Rue de l'Amiral Hamelin. Similarly, the sunrise view from Pont Alexandre lll and a ride on  Metro 6 between Tour Eiffel and Bir Hakim stations brings out the beauty of both River Seine and Eiffel Tower. So, before you set out to visit, explore possible routes that can add beauty to your pictures and earn you distinction.

Best shots at sunrise or sunset? 

When I landed at Ankor Wat after my breakfast, I discovered that the monument faces the West. It was a long trek to get there and I didn’t go without taking a picture. I played around with my DSLR for quite some time to capture a shot and I ended up with a silhouette despite overexposing the background. Had I checked on Google Maps for direction of the monument, I could have scheduled my visit towards early afternoon to get best shots of the ornate facade.

Check out postcards at local gift shops and bookstores

Over the years, I've gotten wise. When I went to Barcelona to enjoy Gaudi's architecture, I visited a bookstore to look at postcards at display. Pictures on postcards are often taken by experts and it inspires people like me with ideas of all possible shots, angles and approaches to explore Sagrada Familia, Park Güell and other monuments. 

Time your visit 

Sometimes people add beauty to pictures, while at other times crowds can kill your picture. Timing your visit is crucial to capture the right mood and ambience. I skipped visiting Tsukiji Market in Tokyo in the wee hours, a busy time when whales are auctioned and later realized that dynamic crowds around dead mammals are best shots to capture.

Hope you find my mistakes and tips helpful in capturing stunning pictures on your next trip and multiplying your followers on social media.

Coming next: 5 days in Paris (must-see places, picturesque spots, best time to visit and take pictures and more...)

How to build a travel itinerary in 60 minutes

When my neighbor hounded me last week to help her put together an itinerary for a trip to Cambodia and Bali, I got thinking if there is a simpler way teach her to build an itinerary without having to rely on a travel agent or look around for a travelratti like me.

Visiting a travel agent may be as easier way out, but then they tediously plan every minute from waking up, side seeing, meals to hitting the sack giving very little room for exploration. On the other hand building your own itinerary can be exciting and if you have the skill to stretch limited resources (time and money) you can have unlimited fun and bring home amazing memories.

Here are 5 simple steps:

Say good-bye to Lonely Planet: If we all have to read Lonely Planet Guidebooks to plan a vacation, then we will never go one. Let’s leave Lonely Planet for geeks and nerds and go with Google, our best friend. Search for top 5 travel itineraries from US, UK, and Asia to the destination of your choice. Highlight places that match your interest (culture, history, arts, nature, wildlife, etc). Also, compare itineraries from across the world to spot similarities and differences and how it is being marketed to various cultures and nationalities.

Consult Wikitravel page: Go on Wikitravel (Wikipedia) your online travel agent to read about the history, climate, best time to visit, currency, festivals and also look at a pictures to validate your choices.

Qualify with TripAdvisor: While Wikitravel may equip you with information, TripAdvisor helps you zero down on your choices using ratings shared by travelers. So use the available ratings and published comments to qualify your must visit places and decide on number of days you need to spend in a particular city or country. TripAdvisor also helps you to narrow down on places of stay and restaurants.

YouTube: Though travel sites, enthusiasts and bloggers share videos that give you an idea of what to expect, what to look out for, etc..You Tube is a great place to further qualify your choices, get travel tips and viewpoints for great pictures, etc. There is just one last step before you finalize your itinerary.

Go a full circle with Google: While you began your search with Google, end with the same. Search for lesser known or offbeat travel experiences to add zing to your itinerary. Scan through blogs by travelers or NY Times travel section who magnanimously share their insights, learnings and tips and tricks. You can also go on Google Earth to further qualify your choices visually.    

Without spending much time and no money, you can put together your travel itinerary like a pro and make your vacation memorable.

Coming next: How to win a million likes for your vacation pictures