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I got this email today morning at work –

Subject – An experience of a lifetime I need to share…

I came face to face with a 6 foot black bear this morning.

I have a wooded lot with a 600 foot driveway. There is a bend at the top of my driveway near my house. I started walking down the driveway away from my house and as soon as I hit the bend, where the driveway goes down hill, I spotted a big black bear walking up the driveway towards. I froze, the bear froze. Fortunately, we had a distance of about 30 yards between us. I stared at it, it stared back at me. What should I do? I could start walking backwards slowly and if it started to run towards me, I can make a dart to my house- which I was pretty sure I could make it. Then, I thought, take a picture. As I reached in my pocket for my camera phone, it started walking again and fortunately turned into the woods. Good and not good. My car is parked at the turnaround area, right where the bear walked into the woods. I thought I could go back to the garage, get in my other car, drive down to where the bear cut into the woods, and blow the horn a few times to scare it. I decided not to. Instead, I decided to rattle my keys off my aluminum coffee mug as I walked towards the car hoping to scare it away or hoping it already continue on. Then I thought what if I was attracting it? So, I stopped rattling and walked slowly and quietly towards my car. As I walked I stared into the woods looking for any sign of movement. I made it to my car and got in – never turning my back to the wooded area the bear went into. Was it a bright thing for me to do – to continue and walk to the car? No, I was only carrying my lunch bag, coffee mug, folder, and burned out flood light, light bulb to protect me. Was it a thrill of a lifetime? Yes.

Bill

What an Experience … 🙂 … and what a way for me to start work today 🙂

There were some funny replies also to this email

Bill,

Did you consider that maybe he needed a ride to work?

Whatever … 🙂

This reminded me of a similar exprerience 2 years back here (in king of prussia). I did not face a bear but I thought it was … (ok let me tell the story here as it happened)
It was a dark stormy night …. (well not stormy 🙂 , but yeah it was dark. )
It was around 9:00 pm in the night and I was returning from work to home (at drummers lane)I was walking and thinking about my work, about my project and totally lost in my thoughts.Suddenly I saw 3-4 wolves on the road at around 500 ft distance from me… and suddenly my hair (on my head and all over my body) raised… that was the first time something like that happened to me. I did not froze, I mean if needed I could run back (with lot of trembling) … but still at that time my mind and body was in control.I was standing not sure what to do? Should I go back? I almost planned to go back …
then I noticed they are not wolves but deers. 🙂
That was really comforting to know … however still I doubted if those deers are totally harmless, i mean after all they are jungle animals – they may attack me of no reason at all.
So.. still I was standing not sure what to do? Should I go back? But go back where? I hardly knew anybody here back then. I cannot back to office at that time.
While I was thinking all this – maybe the deers sensed my presence and started running away in the jungle. I was more comforted – but sill I was not sure if it is some kind of setup 🙂 … I mean I was shit scared at that moment :)Aha … I forgot to mention that I did not have a cellphone also back then – to call somebody to help.So I stood there around half a minute more … in deep silence to be pretty sure that deer went away …. and then I started walking forward … watching cautiously the jungle side (and making sure it is not some kind of trap by the deers)
In a minute I was at home. :)Happy Ending !!

This is one of my favourite videos about India. One of my favorite part of this video is at around 3:45 where the journalist comments that even a “common market place” in India – which seems like a madness in itself – is actually training ground for next generation entrepreneurs. One can learn the basics of business in these markets. Then there is further talk with CK Prahlad who explains and confirms the same thing about India.

I just came across one more example of above thing in following video –

This kid “Ravi” has learned to speak multiple languages to sell his product … and that is something which will attract you instantly towards him (this is his key selling point, and now this is making him internet famous) …. but I was really more amazed by his communication and self confidence.

I mean this kid has no formal training given to him … but look the way he is selling his product … i felt he can easily beat even best of b-school grads if he is given proper training to do that.

Second thing … this kid “Ravi” is not an isolated example … I have personally seen such children during day to day life in India … at place like Nehru Place (like selling pirated CDs) … or at Lajpat Nagar Central Market, new delhi (like selling Marble products ) … in trains (selling anything and everything) … or even at “local colony market” selling vegetables.

At some point of time, I had this thought coming to my mind …. that there should be some mechanism in our “system” to pull out these kids from the “common market” and provide them opportunities to get into “real market” and sell “real” “high-end” products.

I know I might not make much sense here … But I really feel bad to let so much Indian talent go waste…. it is pathetic behavior for me to just put a comment on youtube video or make a blog post about this and then forget about it … I ought to do something … I dont know what!?