Inked Thoughts

In life, we often find ourselves waiting—for opportunities, for recognition, for that one moment when everything will fall into place. But what we don’t always realize is that opportunity rarely knocks twice , and when it does, it doesn’t wait around forever. Let me share a moment from my own journey that taught me this the hard way. The High of Recognition It was 2014. I was 30 years old and had the rare chance to work directly with one of the most senior bureaucrats in the state government. We were organizing a premier, high-profile event. It demanded precision, coordination, long hours—and a whole lot of ownership. I was fully immersed—managing teams, anticipating challenges, and supporting my boss every step of the way. The event was a success. And once it wrapped up, I felt a strong sense of pride, not just for myself but for the team. What happened next felt like validation. Two mid-level officers who had seen me in action came up to me. They said: “We need young profess...

 Here’s a quick comparison of popular sales qualification frameworks — MANI , BANT , and SPIN — to help you understand how they differ and when to use each. 🔍 1. MANI – Focus: Buyer Intent & Engagement Element Description M – Motivation                 Why is the buyer interested now? What's driving urgency? A – Authority                   Is the person the decision-maker or influencer? N – Need                 Does the buyer actually need the product/service? I – Interest                 Is there active engagement and curiosity? ✅ Best for: Modern digital sales, quick qualification in inbound leads, D2C. 💰 2. BANT – Focus: Budget & Feasibility Element Description B – Budget                       Can the buye...

The day started a little late—around 8:30 AM—as we’d returned home at 1:30 in the morning from Krishna Madhav’s birthday celebration at Upvan Resort. It was a fun evening, full of warmth and familiar faces. At the party, I met Neha’s family, and just as the clock struck midnight to mark the beginning of 18 May, they wished me warmly. It was a small but memorable moment. After that, we drove back to Gandhinagar, reaching home around 1:30 AM, and I went straight to bed. This birthday felt different. For the first time in years, there were no midnight calls, and very few midnight messages. Kaushal sent a message, but no call—something that hasn’t happened in a long time. Ashraf didn’t call. Puja didn’t either. It was unusually quiet. But I understand—everyone is juggling their own storms, be it personal problems, work stress, or life just pulling them in different directions. Still, the day unfolded in its own gentle rhythm. The Siblings WhatsApp group lit up with wishes. Rupjyoti and ...

The First Cinematic Masterpiece of 2025 Has Quietly Arrived — And It Deserves Your Attention The year may still be young, but Coasta’s Story has already staked its claim as one of 2025’s most powerful cinematic offerings. Released quietly on ZEE5, this deeply moving film chronicles the life of Customs Officer Costao Fernandes — a man whose unwavering commitment to duty came at a tremendous personal cost. Brought to life with quiet brilliance by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, this isn't just a film; it's a salute to all those who fight silent battles in the shadows of bureaucracy and corruption. “Not all heroes wear uniforms in battle — some wear them in silence, carrying the weight of integrity.” In a country where the system is often criticized for being slow, flawed, or unjust, Coasta’s Story reminds us of the unsung heroes who continue to keep that very system standing. The film doesn’t resort to melodrama or hyperbole; instead, it leans into emotional honesty. It offers a raw ...

Modern jet aircraft can travel at speeds of up to 1,000 km/h. However, in commercial operations, planes usually fly at speeds between 500 km/h to 800 km/h, as speed is balanced against fuel consumption. On the other hand, high-speed trains typically reach a maximum of 360 km/h, which is roughly one-third the speed of aircraft. Despite this, trains are still highly competitive. Why is that? What Makes Aircraft “Slow”? Although aircraft travel faster in the air, several factors make their overall journey time longer: 1. Airport Location Airports are usually located outside city centers due to their large space requirements—often spanning several square kilometers. Reaching the airport typically takes around 60 minutes or more. Train stations, in contrast, are usually located in the heart of cities. Even in space-constrained urban areas, train stations can be built underground, making them far more accessible. As a result, the travel time to and from train stations is significantly shorte...

Address of Shri Nitin Gadkari at  7th International Conference on Soaps Detergents and Cosmetics - ISDC 2025 The Indian economy is experiencing significant growth, which presents a great opportunity in the international market, particularly in exports. However, one of the most pressing challenges we face is the high logistics cost. In India, logistics costs range from 14% to 16%, compared to 8% in China and 12% in European countries and the USA. Since the formation of our government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have prioritized infrastructure development. The most critical components for infrastructure development are water, power, transport, and communication. As part of the Ministry of Road Transport, I am confident that with a robust road network and the adoption of alternative fuels and biofuels, we can significantly reduce logistics costs. For instance, the Dwarka Expressway tunnel, which previously took 1 to 1.5 hours to traverse, is now undergoing improvements to r...

  In today’s fast-paced work environments, we often get caught up in the routine of tasks, deadlines, and meetings. Work becomes a series of to-do lists, and we rarely take the time to reflect on the stories unfolding around us. But what if we changed that perspective? What if we saw work not just as a set of responsibilities but as a rich source of narratives that shape our personal and professional growth? Why Stories Matter in the Workplace Stories help us make sense of our experiences, create connections, and inspire change. When we share stories about our challenges, achievements, and learnings, we invite others into our world, fostering deeper engagement and understanding. Storytelling in the workplace serves several key purposes: 🔹 Expands Our Imagination of Work – By telling stories, we step outside the mechanical nature of daily tasks and see the bigger picture. We recognize how our roles contribute to a larger mission. 🔹 Creates Meaning and Purpose – Every job, no mat...

  Why the Universe Is Organized into Hierarchies—a Fable "There once were two watchmakers, named Hora and Tempus. Both of them made fine watches, and they both had many customers. People dropped into their stores, and their phones rang constantly with new orders. Over the years, however, Hora prospered, while Tempus became poorer and poorer. That’s because Hora discovered the principle of hierarchy... The watches made by Hora and Tempus consisted of about one thousand parts each. Tempus put his together in such a way that if he had one partly assembled and had to put it down—to answer the phone, say—it fell to pieces. When he came back to it, Tempus would have to start all over again. The more his customers phoned him, the harder it became for him to find enough uninterrupted time to finish a watch. Hora’s watches were no less complex than those of Tempus, but he put together stable subassemblies of about ten elements each. Then he put ten of these subassemblies together into a la...

Shri Nitin Gadkari, India’s Minister for Transport, often shares an inspiring example of Ratan Tata. He recalls an incident when Ratan Tata was coming to meet him in Mumbai at Malabar Hill but lost his way. Instead of asking his driver, he personally called Shri Gadkari for directions. Surprised, Shri Gadkari asked, “Sir, where is your driver?” Shri Ratan Tata replied, “I am driving myself.” Shri Gadkari was taken aback and said, “You are such a big personality, and you don’t have a driver?” To which Tata humbly responded, “No, I don’t.” Later, when Shri Ratan Tata visited Nagpur, Shri Gadkari noticed that he was carrying his own bag. As a minister, Gadkari instinctively offered to carry it, but Shri Tata immediately stopped him and said, "No, Nitin, this is my bag. I will carry it myself." Even while getting into the car, when Shri Gadkari suggested that Tata sit in the more comfortable rear seat, he chose to sit in the front, next to the driver. Despite his immense wealth, ...

  When we talk about caring , we often think about looking out for others. But when it comes to road safety, do we ever stop to consider how both drivers and pedestrians should care for each other? We usually assume that a responsible driver will drive cautiously. But what about the pedestrian crossing the road ? Do they always consider whether the driver can stop in time? If a vehicle suddenly has to brake, does the pedestrian ever think about the driver’s struggle to control the car ? Understanding this perspective could help prevent many accidents. Let’s take an example from Formula One racing . These drivers handle high-speed cars with extreme precision, but their skills don’t develop overnight. From a young age, they are trained on tracks, learning when to speed up, when to slow down, and how to react in critical moments. Now, compare this to everyday road users. How many people truly understand what a driver goes through? A pedestrian often sees a green signal for vehicles ...