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Saturday, December 29, 2012

Ring out the old, Ring in the new.... Drunk Driving, let's all eschew...

And so another eventful year comes to an end, with lots of memories we can get ready to usher in a New Year.
Around this time, everybody’s got their minds on their‘Grand Party Plans’ for 31st night. It’s also a time for people to think up their New Year resolutions.  These resolutions often range from simple to the exaggerated and sometimes downright absurd. For some it would be about pledging to lead a healthier life, few others might resolve to lose their virginity :-)
However the question on everyone’s mind undoubtedly would be ‘What awaits us in 2013?’ Since we survived December 21st 2012, what now for humanity eh??
I believe things will change, there is likely to be a collective shift in conscience. We as a country are so off-balance now, the recent agitations in Delhi, the Anna Hazare movements all point to a rise in common man’s concern regarding many of the ills that our society faces today. And when you compare all these happenings, with the so called 21st December 2012 predictions, it makes you wonder whether we human beings really need stuff like Doomsday. Every day we read and hear about things which make you wonder whether Armageddon is needed to end the world, or if left to us, elements of society will think of ways to destroy the world as we know it.
At a personal level, can we not pledge to help; bring about a little more balance to the society? Facts are unnecessary; we all know the number of lives road accidents claim every year. Many of these incidents are a result of drunk driving. Festivals and other Celebratory events often present the greatest risk of such incidents. It’s sad when you go through the newspapers on 2nd January and find plenty of incidents of drunk driving leading to accidents. Why should we as a society devise ways to take lives, when cosmic forces have their own plans lined up? There are plenty of dates predicted for the end of the world. One by one as these dates pass us by; you cannot help think that one of these may be real. In the meanwhile we can do our best to preserve life and let nature take its course.  Events like New Year’s Eve are for celebrations, to spread happiness and joy all around. Often for some, the day turns out to be the worst of their lives.The question here is not one of abstinence, but responsibility and respect. Respect for others and your own life. All it requires is a bit of trouble to ensure that the booze, frolic and the tragic do not go together.
As the saying goes “Drinking and driving: there may be stupider things, but it's a very short list.”

So, let’s pledge not to wreck the holidays. Here’s wishing everybody a happy and safe New Year. Cheers!!!


Author of the Post: Mr. Bipratip Chakraborthy (Executive - Human Resources Department, Kondwa, Pune)

 

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!!!

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
but all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
-John Greenleaf Whittier 

Christmas, literally meaning the Mass of Christ, is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar. The festival of Christmas takes place on 25th December, every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a happy, festive time filled with great spiritual significance. Caroling, feasting, and gift giving along with the prayers and wishes - the Christmas is celebrated with high spirits all over the world. Though the mode of celebration, the dates and the traditions vary, the main spirit remains the same everywhere.

Celebrating Christmas has nothing to do with spending a lot of money and having elaborate parties. The biggest celebrations are the most personal ones spent with people whose company we love. One of the greatest charm of this season is the Christmas carols that exudes a spirit of warmth, generosity and good will that is always welcome everywhere. Christmas carols are always great for getting into the Christmas spirit. Exuberant people bundle up and get ready to spread holiday cheer door to door with beautiful Christmas songs & carols. We had a similar fun of caroling which engulfed the whole of our Kondhwa office, last year with my team singing along few of the most famous carols  for the iQuesters.


The Tradition Of Gifting is the best way to celebrate the festive season that make every moment memorable. The day of Christmas comes with the message of peace for the home, the nation and the world as Jesus Christ taught the humanity about giving peace and happiness to others. The effervescent mood of Christmas gets an added zest with the exchange of gifts, how so ever small or simple it may be. Keeping this in mind, HR & admin deployed Secret Santa games for everyone to create a feeling of Christmas sharing .It involved everyone at iQuest including our office boys & helping hands who run our daily chores at work.
Christmas is a festivity most awaited by children and this has immensely helped in the survival of the legends of Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus and particularly his reputation as a bringer of gifts. From stars to bells to ice cream cones to a snowman, all gifts are inspired by Christmas motifs that infuse joy and happiness. The gift of Christmas also symbolizes purity and simplicity. The elegance of Christmas gifts appeals to all taste that bring a glow to the festival.
We had a surprise Santa Claus of iQuest in 2011 with our dearest Pratibha Maushi (Housekeeping staff) taking initiative to become the Santa for everyone to guess who the person really was. She gave chocolates & danced along while we sang the carols.

I am sure 2012 Christmas is going to be more special for the ones who have been with us for long as well as for the ones who had recently joined us in the iQuest family..lots of surpise on the way, lets look forward to a new beginning , afresh memories to be carved in our memories.

Wish you all a very merriest Christmas season with every one of you enjoying that brings you joy this festive season.
Merry Christmas to one & all, to my iQuest family..cheers!! J

Author of the post: Ms. Seba Vipulsam (Associate Team Lead, (IT Team - Kondwa), Pune)