Top 10 Laptops under Rs 50K ( Rs 50,000)

Here's a list of the hot laptops that you must consider before buying one for yourself this season

Dreaming about buying a new laptop this New Year? Confused about which laptop to buy? Think no further. We have done the tedious work of comparing laptops from top brands for you. Here's a list of top 10 under Rs 50K laptops you must see before you buy:

At number 10 is Dell Inspiron M101z (T541113IN8):

CPU: AMD Athlon II Neo K125 (1.7 GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 1 core)
Memory: 2GB (1 X 2 GB) 1 DIMM DDR3 1333MHz
Display: 11.6" Widescreen HD glossy WLED display with TrueLife
HDD: 250GB 5400RPM SATA
ODD: No Optical Drive
Graphics: Integrated ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4225 (For K125)
OS: Genuine Windows 7 Starter 32-bit (English)
Warranty: 1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Price: Rs.20,900
Pros: Ideal for travellers, Lightweight, Good for office work and entertainment

At Number 9 is Dell Vostro V13 (T520792IN9):

CPU: Intel Celeron 743 (1.3GHz, 1MB L2 Cache, 800Mhz FSB) ULV
Memory: 2GB (2GX1) DDR3-1066MHz SDRAM, 1 DIMM
Display: 13.3" Wide Display HD (1366 x 768) with anti-glare
HDD: 320GB 7200RPM SATA
ODD: No Optical Drive
Graphics: Mobile Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
OS: Genuine Windows 7 Professional
Warranty: 1-Year Limited Warranty (Next Business Day On-site Service)
Price: Rs.32,900
Pros: Ideal for travellers, Light Weight, Sleek, Rugged body, Good for office work and entertainment

At number 8 is Compaq CQ62-112TU (WP716PA):

CPU: Intel Core i5-430M 2.26 GHz
Memory: 2 GB DDR3 (1 x 2048 MB)
Display: 15.6" High-Definition LED HP BrightView Widescreen Display
HDD: 320 GB SATA 7200 rpm
ODD: SATA LightScribe SuperMulti DVD RW with Double Layer Support
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
OS: FreeDOS
Warranty: 1 year, parts and labour
Price: Rs. 33,600
Pros: Ideal for home users looking for a full fledged laptop at an economic price, Powerful CPU, Good for office work, entertainment and running mainstream applications

At number 7 is Dell Inspiron 14R (T541008IN8):

CPU: Intel Core i3-370M (2.4GHz, 4Threads, 3M cache)
Memory: 4GB (2 X 2 GB) 2 DIMM DDR3 1333Mhz
Display: 14.0" Widescreen HD WLED Glossy Display with TrueLife (1366x768)
HDD: 500GB 5400RPM SATA
ODD: DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
OS: Genuine Windows 7 Home Basic 64 bit (English)
Warranty: 1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Price: Rs.35,400
Pros: Ideal for home users looking for a full fledged laptop for running 64-bit OS, Large HDD, Large memory, Good for office work, entertainment and running 64-bit mainstream applications.

At number 6 is Lenovo IdeaPad Z560 (59-051888):

CPU: Intel Core i3-370M (2.4GHz, 4Threads, 3M cache)
Memory: 3G DDR3 1066MHz
Display: 15.6" HD LED Glare
HDD: 500G 9.5mm 5400rpm SATA
ODD: Rambo Tray in 12.7mm
Graphics: 512 Mb Nvidia GeForce 310M
OS: FreeDOS
Warranty: 1 yr Warranty Parts & Labour
Price: Rs.36,990
Pros: Ideal for home users looking for a full fledged laptop for casual gaming, Large HDD, Good for office work, casual gaming, entertainment and running mainstream applications

At number 5 is Compaq CQ42-176TX (WR657PA):

CPU: Intel Core i5-430M 2.26 GHz
Memory: 4 GB DDR3 (2 x 2048 MB)
Display: 14.0" High-Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display
HDD: 500 GB SATA 7200 rpm SATA
ODD: SATA LightScribe SuperMulti DVD RW with Double Layer Support
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5430 with 512 MB dedicated GDDR3
OS: FreeDOS
Warranty: 1 year, parts and labour
Price: Rs. 37,000
Pros: Ideal for home users looking for a powerful laptop for running 64-bit OS, Powerful CPU, Large HDD, Large memory, Good for office work, 64-bit gaming, entertainment and running 64-bit mainstream applications.

At number 4 is Dell Inspiron 15R (T541109IN8):

CPU: Intel Core i5-460M (2.53Ghz, 4Threads, turbo boost up to 2.8GHz, 3M cache)
Memory: 4GB (2 X 2 GB) 2 DIMM DDR3 1333Mhz
Display: 15.6" Widescreen HD WLED Glossy Display with TrueLife (1366x768)
HDD: 500GB 5400RPM SATA
ODD: DVD+/-RW Optical Drive
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 550v - 1GB
OS: Genuine Windows 7 Home Basic 64 bit (English)
Warranty: 1 Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
Price: Rs.41,900
Pros: Ideal for home users looking for a gaming laptop for running 64-bit OS, Powerful CPU, Powerful graphics, Large HDD, Large memory, Good for office work, 64-bit heavy gaming, entertainment and running 64-bit mainstream applications.

At number 3 is Lenovo Y560 (59-045806):

CPU: Intel Core i3-370M (2.4GHz, 4Threads, 3M cache)
Memory: 4G DDR3 1066MHz
Display: 15.6" HD LED Glare
HDD: 500G 9.5mm 5400rpm SATA
ODD: Rambo Tray in 12.7mm
Graphics: 1GB ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5730
OS: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium (64 Bits)
Warranty: 1 Year warranty Parts & Labour
Price: Rs.46,590
Pros: Ideal for home users looking for a rugged gaming laptop for running 64-bit OS, Powerful graphics, Large HDD, Large memory, Rugged body, Good for office work, 64-bit heavy gaming, entertainment and running 64-bit mainstream applications.

At number 2 is HP dm4-1041tx (XJ416PA):

CPU: Intel Core i5-450M 2.4 GHz
Memory: 3 GB DDR3 (1 x 1024 MB + 1 x 2048 MB)
Display: 14.0" High-Definition LED HP Brightview Widescreen Display
HDD: 500 GB SATA 7200 rpm
ODD: SATA SuperMulti DVD R/RW with Double Layer Support
Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5450 Graphics (switchable) with 1 GB dedicated
OS: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
Warranty: 1 year, parts and labour
Price: Rs. 48,500
Pros: Ideal for travelling users looking for a gaming laptop for heavy gaming and good battery backup(while not playing games), Powerful CPU, Powerful graphics which can enhance battery backup by switching to onboard graphics while not playing games, Large HDD, Good for office work, heavy gaming, entertainment and running mainstream applications.

And finally at number 1 is Dell XPS 15 Laptop (T541105IN8):

CPU: Intel Core i5-460M (2.53GHz, 2Core/4Threads, turbo up to 2.8GHz, 3M cache)
Memory: 4GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM (1 x 4G) (operates at 1066MHZ for Core i5 processors)
Display: 15.6" HD (1366x768) WLED display with TrueLife
HDD: 500GB 7200RPM SATA
ODD: Tray Load 8X DVD+/-RW Drive with DVD+R double layer write capability
Graphics: 1GB NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M graphics with Bluetooth (with WIDI)
OS: Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit (English)
Warranty: 1-year XPS Premier Service with 1-year CompleteCover
Price: Rs.49,900
Pros: Ideal for home users looking for a gaming laptop for 64-bit heavy gaming, Powerful CPU, Large HDD, Large memory, Powerful graphics, Good for office work, 64-bit heavy gaming, entertainment and running 64-bit mainstream applications, CompleteCover warranty covers accidental damage.

B-school night canteens: Mauj masti and life

For the khaana-peena in b-schools there is a mess. But for the mauj-masti along with thekhaana-peena and the padhna, there are night canteens.

All the b-schools, especially the residential ones, have night canteens and they are just so much more than eating places. And that's because night canteens are open at that time when students need a corner of comfort the most during the night when they are busy studying.

The working day, rather the night of an MBA undergrad ends with the night canteen. It is only fitting to say that it carries the day's energies and emotions of the students. Even as post graduates, the memories that linger the most are those of the night canteen.

Gupshup n food

Unlike the regular mess, which is solely for the purpose of eating, the night canteen is food plus much more.

Most canteens open any time between 9 pm and 11 pm and stay on till 4 am and after. Since those are the hours students are generally awake to work on their projects or simply study, the night canteen is the only source of gupshup and food if at all.

During the day the students are usually busy with their classes et al. The food in the night canteen has a character of its own.

Though there is always a variety of dishes available, most night canteens have a signature dish. According to Abhiram R from IIM Lucknow vegetarian and chicken rolls are the most sought after in his b-school night canteen.

Mayur Nikam, a PGP-1 student from IIMA told Pagalguy that continental food is quite the highlight of his night canteen. But for Mohit Garg also from IIMA he says, "my personal favourite is vegetarian cheese Maggi with a glass of hot milk."

For IIMC, the night canteen is as known for its experimental recipes as much as for popular stuff. Anand Ramachandran recommends that Wet Wolfram Rice a recipe created by the students themselves is a must-try. "This dish has taken everybody by storm in the school," he says.

For IIM Ranchi it is parathas and for IIM Kozhikode, momos is a popular dish. Tarun Daga who has just passed out of Praxis, Kolkata says that pakodas were the most sought after dish at his night canteen. Since IIM Ranchi canteen is an Amul franchise, ice-cream is also available all the time and is a big favourite any month of the year.

"Even if it is cold outside, the warmth of a huge crowd of people sitting together and relaxing in the canteen makes it ice-cream time anytime," says Ankur Tiwari from IIM Ranchi.

In all night canteens however, there is one dish which is an across-the-board favourite and that is Maggi noodles. "The fastest available wholesome food one can have at any time," says Shubhankar Rai from IIM Ranchi. Another popular choice among all the night canteens is the variety of egg dishes. Since they are easy to make and different dishes can be made, all the night canteens always keep a pile of egg-crates within reach.

All the night canteens have staff that work only through the night to make sure that the students are well-fed and kept on their toes to (hopefully) study harder.

Terrace flat

Most night canteens are on the ground floor of any one of the buildings in the campus. At IIM-L, the regular canteen doubles up as a night canteen and there are two additional food shops run by students. IIM-A night canteen is conveniently located between the old and new campuses and nestled among tall trees while IIM Ranchi's night canteen is on the second floor of the hostel next to the study and recreation rooms.

The Praxis night canteen is in a different league however. Perched on the terrace, it is designed aesthetically and has soft lighting and unique seating arrangement. It actually resembles a four-star restaurant and the perpetual strong breeze at night makes it a perfect rendezvous for those who want to have a little fun with studies.

Adds Daga, "During winters, there was nothing better than the night canteen. We would all sit huddled together, eating pakodas. The ambience would lift our spirits."

For Praxis, the days, rather nights never ended when they went up to the night canteen. "We studied when we had to and on other days we would just sit there and discuss things. One day we forgot the time and a discussion that started at 9 pm by 4 people on politics, went on to spirituality and finally ended with stuff on life at 5 am. We ended with 12 people," remembers Tarun.

Adds Anand: "The night canteen at IIM Calutta is different from that of other b-schools. While we do have a central Night Canteen which is open 24/7, we also have 3 other canteens that run upto 4 am, each of which is attached to a hostel." This definitely should be making IIM-C nightlife the most interesting of the lot, with just so much of food around.

Business n pleasure

Endless discussions, little private parties, group study it's all part of the night canteen life. For most students their night canteen serves as a place to take a break from the routine. A place to grab a quick bite or just spend a few minutes and return to studies. Mohit Garg says that no one comes to the night canteen to study.

"It is only for a break from studies." For IIM Ranchi, the night canteen doubles up as a party place when there are birthdays or other occasions to celebrate. "The birthday bumps, the cake-smashing ceremony and the ice-cream treats all happen in the canteen," adds Shubhankar from IIM Ranchi.

Since IIM-L canteen has Wi-Fi, students are often found studying there, says Abhiram. On a daily basis, at least 200 students pay homage to the night canteen in IIM-L, he adds.

For IIM Kozhikode, the night canteen sports the biggest crowd during the exams. Saumya herself does not frequent the canteen too much as she does not like to eat at night but her pals spend much of their time there.

At IIM Ranchi, the night canteen has the television as well, so World Cups and movies become community viewing and cheering exercises. For IIM-A students, a good portion of their free time is spent in the night canteen everyday, almost as a rule.

"The night canteen is a place for heated debates, and invigorating conversations. The NC, being open 24/7, lends itself very well to this purpose. The primary draw of the area is not the food, but the company and campus discussions. Many significant ideas to come out of the campus owe their origins to one of these impromptu sessions," informs Anand.

Legacy

IIM-A's night canteen is called Tanstaafl which is the short for There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. According to Mohit, the name is evocative of IIM-A's ability to create learning at every opportunity. "It is inspired by Prof Deodhar to caution us that spending too much time at the caf may land us, the students with poor grades."

For Abhiram from IIM-L, his night canteen is the biggest factor that keeps him and his friends awake and in turn helps them to study. "Whether it's a grab of food, a sip of a juice or just hot coffee, it's the place to be."

Every night canteen has short stories attached to it. Students who have celebrated birthdays in the night canteen there say they have been the best so far.

Tarun says that the times spent in the night canteen are always the most special since students meet there not so much for the food but for the ambience and to let go of the day's stress.

For students of Praxis, there is never a better view than what they see from their terrace canteen, especially at night when much of Kolkata is asleep and dark and all they can hear is their voices and the rustling of tall trees along side.

Not to forget the birds that can be seen flying past at the break of dawn indicating to the students that it is time to get back to the hostel room to grab an hour or two of sleep before they hit school.

Leadership has to come from students

In Arvind Kejriwal, you will meet an unassuming fighter with a focused social objective -- rooting out corruption and introducing better governance. The Right to Information activist and winner of Ramon Magsaysay award sits in his spartan office, juggling multiple phone calls, drafting letters and typing out an urgent press release alongside.

Surprisingly there's a rhythm in the mayhem. The former IITian talks to Urmila Rao and explains why he no longer takes up cases of aggrieved college students, the limitations of RTI and much more.

From an IRS officer to an activist, why and how did the change happen?

When I was in the job, I started doing these things part-time and felt that the value I am bringing here was far better. On the contrary, what I was doing in the Income Tax department could be done by anyone else.

When did the RTI journey begin?

RTI came much later. Initially I, along with some others started addressing corruption issues, wherein a common
man had to pay a bribe to get his work done. The concern was how to create a bribe-free atmosphere. So we started advising customers who came to the Delhi Vidyut Board and Income Tax Department, not to pay bribes in these two departments. We told them that if they have a problem they can come to us and we will get their work done free
of cost.

So we used to gather grievances of people and collectively present those complaints to the chair of the department
and add to public pressure.

Were you an activist during school days as well?

I was completely a kitabi keera (book worm). I did not do anything but study.

You have worked for government schools. Why not for colleges?

It is a different matter to take up the cause of poor people who can't fight for themselves. They are from underprivileged backgrounds. Working for such students is understandable. However, in case of engineering college students or others, where the middle class goes, I am sure they can fend for themselves.

Let people who are suffering from existing malpractices take up the cause. Every person in this country is suffering because of bad governance. A few NGOs will not be able to take up this job. So people who are suffering will have to take up the cudgels.

How wise is it for students to compromise on career and get entangled in a time-consuming legal process?

Right. So, let him find some people who can do something for him. People first of all have to find courage. It is precisely students of this very country, who at the time of Quit India Movement gave up their studies, left colleges and that is why our country got independence.

If someone thinks that education, health, infrastructure all are different sectors and issues and they ought to be fought independently, then they are mistaken. There is an underlying pattern in the process. And that is bad governance.

So unless you tackle governance, unless you tackle corruption you will not be able to solve any of these problems.

So a collective fight is warranted against bad governance from students?

Leadership has to come from these students. In Chattisgarh there was huge corruption in the State Civil Services
exam. There were some students who took the exams but couldn't get through. They filed an RTI. Others did not.

They thought that if they file RTI applications, in the next attempt they will be victimised. It is very natural that if you are appearing for Civil Services examination and if you can make their life miserable they can also do the same to you. But one group of students filed RTI, and got all the answer sheets.

The Civil Services Exam turned out to be a huge scam. Some students were given 306 marks out of 300! The students then moved the High Court which cancelled the exam. So someone took up the battle. They did not offload the battle on someone else.

Despite all the fighting spirit, getting justice is still a complex process, something of a dampener...

So who will do it? In our organisation, there is a 23-year-old girl whose throat was slit by the ration shopkeepers. She was fighting a battle for the poor people so that there is no corruption in ration system. She was 19 at the time. Post the incident, she had a lot of pressure from her family to withdraw from her work.

She said, if I don't do it, who will? No one will come from America, or Japan. We have to do it.

Can you give students step-by-step guide for filing RTI application?

RTI is about seeking information from any government department. You just need to write an application on a piece of paper for whatever information that you want from the government.

There is a Rs 10 fee, which one needs to deposit in the department. The department is supposed to give information in 30 days.

If you don't get information in that time period, you can file an appeal. There is a penalty clause for officers if they don't provide information in 30 days.

Can students come to you, if they need guidance?

We have a helpline number. It is 9718100180. We can help in drafting the letters. We don't take up any student's
case, we just guide them.

An inherent drawback of RTI is that the applicant's identity is open, putting his life at risk.

The only way to minimise risk is to adopt strategies. A group of people can file RTI (http://rti.gov.in/) rather than one person. There could be people from several cities filing the same application, for example, 10 people from Delhi, 10 from Kolkata, from Mumbai and so on.

Do you fear for your life?

Yes. Every one does. We got threats many times. Attacks from a mafia gang from Uttar Pradesh has taken place several times. Many threats came when we were dealing with the ration issue, which has been the toughest fight.

How long have you been filing RTIs for schools? And what has been the outcome?

We just did it for a year or so. We wanted to understand the whole issue. Outcome was nothing. We just got statistical information; how much budget is coming, how many students are there.

Filing RTI will not be able to improve the government education system.

So what's the alternative?

For long, we filed issue-based RTIs. Now we begin to realise that this system cannot function, we need to have a
law. So we now focus on overhauling of the system. We have drafted some laws, which basically say that in urban areas 'Mohallah Sabha' and in rural areas 'Gram Sabhas' should be constituted.

They should have the power to decide how the government fund is spent in that area, what facilities should be there. People should make the decisions. Let the people decide the appointment of a teacher. Government should just implement those decisions. We are calling our campaign 'Swaraj Campaign'.

Inspiring story of a blind Indian MBA

Years ago as an NMIMS Mumbai student, during placements a corporate house told Ashish Goyal to find himself a job in the government sector, since it has a quota system for the physically challenged. Having turned blind in his teens because of an eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, Ashish did not take the advice lightly.

He not only got himself placed at ING Vysya but also stood second in his batch at NMIMS. Later, Ashish went on to do an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Today, the Mumbai boy has a plum job at JP Morgan's London operations.

Over the years, Ashish has not only earned milestones in his professional space but also done plenty in his personal life -- from learning to play Brazilian drums and learning the Argentine tango to boxing and performing on stage, besides many other things.

He was in India to receive the National Award for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, 2010 from the President of India.

PagalGuy.com's Lajwanti D'souza talked to him what success means to a visually challenged person, what inspired him in life, how he handles depression and... his dream date woman.

What does this award mean to you in real terms. Do awards make a difference at all?

This award means a lot to me; it's special to be recognised and I am really humbled. Frankly it has not sunk in, meeting the President, meeting other award winners. I am really excited. The difference that this will make, well, the most important thing is that encouragement works wonders for everyone I would think.

We get lost in this race called life so much, that a special moment like this makes you take a step back, acknowledge the recognition and thank God for all that has happened. It's reinvigorating to keep doing the best you can. Also, if this award helps spread awareness and change people's attitudes towards people with disabilities... that will be the best outcome.

Describe what you do for a living and whether it has enriched your existence and vice-versa.

I work for JP Morgan's Chief Investment Office and we help manage the bank's exposure in various markets across different geographies. It's a very significant and satisfying role at a bank like JP Morgan, which has a huge balance sheet and large exposures. Proper balance sheet management can make a tremendous impact to all stakeholders from depositors, clients to shareholders and employees.

Vice-versa, well all I can say is that I am happy that I have been able to live up to expectations and hope to keep doing the same going forward. Also being a student of macro-economics and geo-politics, my job keeps me sharp and interested in this ever changing dynamic world.

Do you think Indian B-schools are responsive to people with mental or physical challenges? There is this physically challenged boy fighting a long legal battle with the IIMs after being denied admission.

My answer will be a little dated, as I have not lived in India for 5 years now and I applied to Indian business schools back in 2000. The main difference in my two experiences (in India and in the US) is this: abroad, there is a clear process and system to deal with students and applicants with disabilities, of course helped by regulations.

Internationally, as with Wharton, it was pretty easy when it came to following the process and providing a level playing ground. Where as in India, the process was not streamlined and a lot of ad hoc decision making would need to happen on the basis of perceptions even though regulations existed.

This was not just the case in B-schools, I would say that was true of most institutes. What Wharton did, was it gave me a level playing field to compete and learn on merit and that's all we require I guess... the rest is up to ability

Is there anything that you are doing or would like to do in the sphere of helping those visually challenged?

I have fleetingly been in touch with this organisation called Enable India. It's a great model, training disabled individuals to become independent and acquire the right skill sets for a job, then working with companies to get them to hire these people, and finally making sure that the first few months the transition goes smoothly.

I am also involved with 2 other issues, education through Pratham which reaches out to the poor and educating kids for free, and the Akshay Patra Foundation, which is Asia's largest mid-day meal programme.

Is there a better sense of concern for those 'challenged' abroad than in India? Here, even getting a ramp made in a housing society is a big hassle.

Yes, as mentioned, there is a difference in terms of infrastructure and facilities, but hopefully that is changing, as the government and a lot of non-profit organisations are working towards that change. But most importantly I feel individuals like you and I need to be more receptive and accepting.

One important thing that needs to be mentioned is that people with disabilities are individuals who have gone through various circumstances and are very different to each other. It's not fair to club all of them as the same... and even less fair to club all kinds of disabilities as the same. I have no idea what I would do or how people in a wheelchair cope or what about people with not-so-obvious disabilities or challenges like learning or mental disabilities.

What kind of vocations would you advise physically challenged persons take up given the job market scenario? The Indian government has gone only as far as giving out PCO booths.

In India and abroad, I have met disabled individuals like me doing all kinds of jobs. I believe it comes down to ambition and practicality combined. When I was going through recruiting from NMIMS, I was shocked when one of the companies told me that I should begin my career in a government organisation as they have quotas and that they would not interview me. I could have given up hope then and there, but I really don't see a lot of issues for disabled people doing various things. There are lawyers, media professionals, bankers, IT professionals, teachers, you name it...

Have you thought of designing products, furniture or gadgets for those with disabilities and challenges?

I have offered to be a tester for a couple of products and whenever I have any idea, I speak to my friends who work in a similar field. There are people and companies across the world working on this.

Have you learnt cooking? That's what you said you wanted to learn, the last time around.

Yes, but do I cook? No, I hate the entire cleaning process that follows.

Where do you see yourself five years down the line?

I want to definitely do something for the country (India). Don't yet know in what shape or form. The way my life has evolved, I think 5 years is a long time, but hopefully I will have discovered my calling by then.

Is there something you'd like to say to those who think their lives are always on the downturn?

I don't feel any issue is too small or too big. I think one can make it small or big. If there is an issue, finding a solution and working through it is the best approach because only we can affect that change instantly or attempt it. If we feel there is no hope and don't see a solution it will be difficult for others to help. It's most important not to run away from those issues, but work with them and take them head on.

What do you do when you get depressed?

Eat chocolates. Nope, kidding. I guess I call up my closest friends and talk about it... go change my mood... ponder... and sleep... its depressing being depressed, so I try and limit it :) .

You are one lucky guy to have your family with you? Not all physically-challenged people are as fortunate.

I can't even imagine my life without my Guruji and my family. I feel very fortunate to have such an amazing support system, blessings and some great friends. I don't know if I can advise anyone here, but I would say for others, when you see someone like this, please lend them your hand. Being nice to people doesn't cost anything and your simple act could change someone else's world. I can't even enumerate the number of times living alone in a foreign land, absolute strangers, who I will probably never meet again, have helped me or made life easier for me.

Who is your ideal date?

Too personal a question (don't wanna spill the beans actually... haha...). Well I enjoy the company of intelligent and interesting women in general.

Would you have achieved so much had fate not been cruel to you when you were in your teens and when you lost your vision to retinitis pigmentosa after being born with proper vision?

My guruji Dr Balaji Tambe has been my guiding force and I would have crumbled without him. I have pondered at length about this question and about the saying -- everything happens for the best. If I had regular sight, I could easily see myself being a very average spoiled kid, doing nothing with my life and living an inconsequential existence.

Well, that would be taking the worst case scenario for sure, but this disability made me focus and work hard for everything, and most importantly it made me believe in myself and gave me an attitude to keep trying, giving my best, and enjoying every experience.

Do you think your MBA degree has got you where you are today? Or do you believe you had it in you to circumvent every obstacle?

The people I met in my MBA years, the opportunities I got have been overwhelming. I would relive my MBA experience anytime. An MBA can make a major difference in your life if you know what you want out of it. There are so many things you could choose from and so many ways in which you can shape yourself... and improve your career and social life. It's easy also to not do anything sometimes, but believe me that would be such a waste of opportunity.

"Tell Me About Yourself" The Toughest Question in the Interview

When you, as a job seeker, are asked the most common, and toughest, interview question, "Tell me about yourself," your answer can make or break you as a candidate. Usually job seekers will respond with their "30 second commercial," and then elaborate on their background. While almost every career book and career counselor will tell you that is the appropriate response, I totally disagree.
Many people fail in their job search because they are too often focused on what they want in a job including industry, type of position, location, income, benefits, and work environment. Their "30 second commercial" is centered around this premise. The commercial describes the job seeker's career history and what they are looking for. Too often, this is in direct contrast to what employers are looking for.
There are two dominant reasons why job seekers are successful in the job search. The first is focusing on the needs of the organization. The second is focusing on the needs of the people within that organization. In this article, we are going to examine how to focus on the needs of the people within organizations. This will assist in rethinking your response to that all-important question, "Tell me about yourself."
In order to learn how to respond to the needs of the interviewer, let's first learn more about ourselves. We can then apply that knowledge about ourselves to knowing how to understand and respond to the needs of others.
Most social psychologists recognize four basic personality styles: Analytical, Amiable, Expressive, and Driver. Usually, each of us exhibits personality characteristics unique to one of the styles. However, we also possess characteristics to a lesser degree in the other styles. To determine your unique style, you can take a Myers-Briggs assessment or go to the following site for a free Keirsey Temperament Sorter assessment test: www.keirsey.com
Here are the characteristics that are most commonly associated with each of the styles:
Analytical:
Positive Traits: Precise, Methodical, Organized, Rational, Detail Oriented
Negative Traits: Critical, Formal, Uncertain, Judgmental, Picky
Amiable:
Positive Traits: Cooperative, Dependable, Warm, Listener, Negotiator
Negative Traits: Undisciplined, Dependent, Submissive, Overly Cautious, Conforming
Expressive:
Positive Traits: Enthusiastic, Persuasive, Outgoing, Positive, Communicator
Negative Traits: Ego Centered, Emotional, Exploitive, Opinionated, Reacting
Driver:
Positive Traits: Persistent, Independent, Decision Maker, Effective, Strong Willed
Negative Traits: Aggressive, Strict, Intense, Relentless, Rigid
Gaining an in-depth understanding of your personality style has enormous value in your career as well as your personal life. However, our focus today is learning how to use this knowledge to make you more successful in your job search.
Once you have learned about your own style and have studied the other styles, I encourage you to have a little fun in trying to determine the styles of others. When you meet someone for the first time, try to identify his or her style within the first two minutes. You can often identify styles by observing a person's demeanor, conversation, body language, appearance, and possessions.
To demonstrate what I mean, let's take some examples from the business world. While there are always exceptions, generally speaking the styles fit the example.
Analytical Style: Financial Manager (or programmers, engineers, and accountants). They like systems and procedures. They are slow to make decisions because they will analyze things to death—but their decisions are usually very sound. They prefer working independently and are usually not very good in team environments, but they are also dependable. They buy cars with good resale value and great gas mileage. They are conservative dressers. At the party, they want to know why so much money was spent on Michelob when we could have purchased Busch. They come to the party with their laptops.
Amiable Style: Human Resources Manager. Very people-focused. They are dependable, loyal and easygoing; very compassionate. They will give you the shirt off their backs and the last nickel in their pockets. They are good listeners and value team players who don't "rock the boat." They are usually conformists and followers—rarely leaders. They avoid conflict and are not good decision makers. They drive four-door sedans or mini-vans to take the kids to sporting events. They usually clean up after the party is over.
Expressive Style: Sales Manager. Very outgoing and enthusiastic, with a high energy level. They are also great idea generators, but usually do not have the ability to see the idea through to completion. Very opinionated and egotistical. Money motivated. They can be good communicators. They prefer to direct and control rather then ask and listen. They drive red convertibles with great stereos; to heck with the gas mileage. They come up with the idea for a company party, but never help clean up. They are on their way to another party.
Driver: Corporate CEO. Intelligent, intense, focused, relentless. They thrive on the thrill of the challenge and the internal motivation to succeed. Money is only a measure of success; it is not the driving factor. They are results/performance oriented. They have compassion for the truly disadvantaged, but absolutely no patience or tolerance for the lazy or whiners. They drive prestige cars, not because the car attracts attention, but because it was a wise investment. They want to know why we had a party; what were the benefits of the party, and did we invite the banker?
Ok, now you are really getting some insight into your style and the style of others. It is time for the interviews. Throw out your 30-second commercial. Think on your feet.
You will be interviewing with the human resource manager, the finance manager, the sales manager, and the CEO. The first question each of them will ask you is: "Tell me about yourself." How should you respond? Remember the second reason for succeeding in a job search: focus on the needs of the people in the organization. Here are just a few examples of how to respond to that question:
"Tell me about yourself?"
Response to Finance Manager: "I have been successful in my career by making well-thought-out decisions based on careful analysis of all factors. I approach problems with logic and sound reasoning. I would enjoy working with you in developing the appropriate systems and procedures to make our two departments function efficiently together."
Response to Human Resource Manager: "My career has been characterized by my ability to work well with diverse teams. I seek out opportunities to involve others in the decision-making process. This collaboration and communication is what has enabled me to achieve success in my department. People are the most valuable resource of any organization."
Response to Sales Manager: "Throughout my career I have always adhered to the principle that everyone in the organization must be sales-focused. My department is always trained in customer service, providing outstanding support to the sales team and to our customers. Without sales, the rest of use would not have a job. I look forward to helping you drive sales in any way possible."
Response to CEO: "I have achieved success in my career because I have been focused on the bottom line. I have always sought out innovative solutions to challenging problems to maximize profitability. Regardless of the task or challenge, I always established benchmarks of performance and standards of excellence. I have never sought to maintain the "status quo." An organization that does not change and grow will die. I would enjoy working with you to help define new market opportunities in order to achieve the organization's goals."
In each instance, we responded to the "needs of the individual." It is almost guaranteed that, when you respond appropriately to the diverse needs of the different managers, you will become the standard by which all of the other candidates will be measured.
I challenge you to learn about your personality and leadership style, learn about the styles of others, and learn how to think on your feet when responding to questions. Whether you are seeking a job or you are gainfully employed, by understanding the needs of others you will become a more valuable person, employee, manager and leader.