Talk To Tiger

The Grand Master and The Talking Picture

He calls me 15 mins before to confirm the place, time and reaches exactly on time. Dressed in a checks shirt, jeans, with a calm demeanor, he observes, locates where I am in the cafe, acknowledges me, moves to get a table for himself as he sees I am with someone and calmly waits. The peace…

Open UP: # 11

“I am five and she is two. I have to be here to take care of my sister till my mom comes. She cleans and cooks in one of the houses here. I don’t know where. I play with her so she won’t ask about mom.” #OpenUP

Open UP: #10

“I am collecting money for an old age home. I have to collect at least Rs. 1000 ($20) a day to get my salary.” “How many people do you speak to in a day?” “About 100. Very few people stop their vehicles. But there are good people and I almost always reach my target.” #OpenUP

Open UP: # 09

“How many coffees you make in a day?” “I prepare around 700 coffees easily in my shift. I am working here since 18 months. So I would have easily served over 250,000 coffees!” “Isn’t that a record?” “Don’t know. I am just doing my job!” #OpenUP

Open UP: # 08

“My father was a drunkard and used to come home and hit my mom. I was seven when he hit her for the last time.” “What happened?” “I stood between my mom and him with a big rod in my hand and stared at him in anger. He just walked away.” “Does he drink now?”…

Open UP: # 07

“We work in eight hour shifts. This is our break time.” “Do you like the work?” “Our supervisor is good. We save most of what we earn and send to our families back home.” #OpenUP

Open Up: # 06

Her uncle chided her and asked her to stand straight. She kept running away from the camera as I asked if I could click her. Soon she returned with her kid brother and posed. “Do you go to school?” “School? What school?” #OpenUP

Tulika Tripathi & Alice in CorporateLand

Tulika Tripathi is the Managing Director for pan-Asian operations of a US listed global talent solutions company. With her book Alice in Corporateland releasing recently, Tulika is really busy and yet we could persuade her to Talk To Tiger as a part of our author interviews where we catch up with famous authors and their books….

Open Up: # 05

“What are you proud of?” “I bought this new auto and am working hard sincerely. I have no bad habits.” “What are you having for lunch today?” “My chikkamma (Mom’s sister) packed me some curd rice.” “Where do you want to be in five years?” “I love cooking and feeding people. I want to start a bakery soon….

Open Up # 04

“Do you remember the happiest moment in your life?” “When I met my wife for the first time.” “Can you share what happened?” ” As it was an arranged marriage, I hadn’t met her before and I was set to meet her for the first time. She walked into the room dressed up in a white…

Open UP # 03

“What is your name?” “Hanuman! (Proceeds to make a face imitating the character he is playing).” “No. What is YOUR name?” “My own name? I am Ramu! (Walks away with a huge smile on his face).” #OpenUP

Open Up # 02

“When did you stop studies and why?” “My father expired when I was in 4th grade. I had to go to work along with my mom to help the family.” “What is your dream?” “To see my younger brother become an engineer.” “What is he doing now?” “Studying engineering. I send 75% of my salary…