Beyond Layoff

There was an interesting question from someone asking -  Is it a good idea for me to leave my Government job?   He goes on to explain Guys I am currently working in a Central Government job. My pay scale level is 10 and in-hand salary is 95k. So the point is I hate the work environment at my place. I want to leave this job. But I keep hearing that the job market outside is not great. I am from computer science background and my current work involves software work. So, here's my response I was reflecting on the question and the two sides of the coin My dad was an officer in IAF, had a great service and retired with a handsome pension and excellent medical benefits and perks. All in all, a great career and life but he also dealt with bureaucracy - passed over for promotion, tiffs with bosses, frequent transfers etc, but he carried no hard feelings. On the contrary, he was extremely passionate about life in the Services till the end. A brief musing about Dad's life and service - ...

Recent bans in Singapore and Hong Kong target Indian spice brands like MDH Pvt. and Everest Food Products Pvt. due to ethylene oxide contamination. Spice mixes pose health risks, as ethylene oxide is a Group 1 carcinogen. So,  what does it mean for NRIs and Indian Diaspora living overseas? When it comes to savoury dishes, spice mixes play a key role  and brands like MDH and Everest have made it convenient to quickly whip up Indian cuisine.  After some varieties of MDH and Everest masala were banned from Singapore and Hong Kong due to quality concerns, the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday sought details from the food safety regulators of the two countries to determine the 'root cause of rejection'.  The ministry has directed Indian embassies in both Singapore and Hong Kong to send a detailed report on the cause of ban. It has also sought details from MDH and Everest, whose products have been banned.

The other day while cleaning an old shelf, my son came across a medallion and he asked me about it.  “Oh, it’s your grandpa’s Raksha Medal from 1965,” I said. “Did Krishnamoorthy  thata  actually fight the Chinese in that war?” He asked. “Was he issued a gun when he was in the Air Force?” he continued excitedly recalling scenes from the Bollywood movies. Yes and no, I hummed and hawed. I tried explaining that my dad was indeed posted at an Air Base that provided Air support to our troops facing the enemy. And for this service, he and other servicemen were awarded the Raksha Medal. And then I went on to reflect on the real reason he was my hero and role model. Born in Batalagundu, a small town in South India that might just have been the inspiration for RK Narayan’s Malgudi, he grew up in a rather large brahmin agrarian family. When he did exceptionally well at school, he was offered a scholarship to study at a college in a nearby district and a ticket out of the small tow...