Cybage Times November 2011

News Magazine of Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd.

CYBAGETIMESNovember 2011 Colors of Life!

‘True’ professionals win it all | 4

Multitalented Cybagians | 9

Ideal partners | 5

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 1 11/24/2011 8:21:37 PM 9 16 18 26

Leadership Changing hues MTC Summit CybageAsha of life!

Trekking Editor’s Note 28

Life can be thought of as a blank canvas. The colors you fill in it are a manifestation of your desire to make the art piece aesthetic. It is all about CONTENTS extending that warmth—that extra hour to your family, friends, and loved Readers’ Feedback ...... 3 ones. Experience it to believe in its ‘True’ Professionals win it all! ...... 4 magic. In this fiercely competitive Ideal Partners-Laurent Colard ...... 5 world, mere existence demands more than 24 hours a day, quite literally! Interview-VP-(JK) ...... 6 Break the barricades, add wings to Corporate Waves ...... 8 your dreams, and enjoy the frills of life to the fullest… Experiences-Lessons of life ...... 10

This edition is spiced up with exciting Center of ‘Brilliance’ (Preetam Tiwari) ...... 11 tricks for evading Monday morning Happenings ...... 12 blues and relishing the much awaited My Cybage ...... 14 ‘fun’ days of the week at some of the coolest places to visit in and around Cybage & Symbiosis Tie-up ...... 17 Pune. We also have some breathtaking Khushboo Charitable Trust ...... 19 experiences that changed some Cybagians’ outlook towards life. It Tech Know-JAVA ...... 20 shall not be astonishing if reading Expressions ...... 22 them alters you. Bring in the change, it Beating Monday Blues ...... 23 might be a catalyst for a ‘better’ you. Training ...... 24 Happy experiencing and happy reading!!! First Salary, First Purchase ...... 25 We are ‘One’! ...... 29 Sports - Winners’ Streak ...... 31

Content reviewed by Documentation & Corporate Communications Team

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 2 11/24/2011 8:21:43 PM Readers’ Feedback

CybageTimes bond Perfect blend of information and ingenuity In the last edition of Cybage Times, all sections had The Cybage Times January 2011 issue was an exciting different hues as in a rainbow with ‘Big Bash’ and ‘My read in every sense. Be it its unique information or Work of Art’ adding more color. Apart from being an innovative presentation, the issue had it all. Right exciting read, it was also inspiring with plenty of health from ‘Cloud Computing’ or ‘Trekking’ to ‘Tech Quiz’ tips. The section ‘Workplace’ fascinated me and also or ‘Photography by Cybagians’, the edition was an made me realize the like-mindedness of all Cybagians impeccable mix of diverse topics. The article by our CEO when it comes to work. deciphered the mantra to lead a Cybage Times helps in relating balanced and stress-free life. It to different employees and was fun to catch glimpses of ‘The also gives us a chance to know Big Bash’ and other happenings at the founders and management Cybage. Kudos to the Cybage Times in person. This indeed helps in team for offering its readers such building a significant bond. interesting read every time. Kiran Kumar Mandapati | Jaya Malaviya | Sr. Software Engineer System Analyst

Proud to be a Cybagian! No less than a health guide! Every edition of Cybage Times highlights The January 2011 issue of Cybage Times exceptional creativity and inspirational came in as a perfect, good health guide. messages, which make me feel proud to be Inspired by our CEO’s work-out regime, I am a Cybagian. The activities and work-culture practically experiencing the flow of ‘happy’ here are awe-inspiring, and Cybage Times chemicals and their positive effect in day-to- gives its readers true insight of happenings day work. Another major educator was the across all Cybage offices. It would be great classic bunch of thought-provoking words if the upcoming editions of Cybage Times in ‘Rendezvous with Rajesh’. The pictures of could include a column for poems. This enthused Cybagians at different events are a would certainly motivate our true reflection of perfect ‘work- talented friends to project life balance’ at Cybage. To make their poetic skills on this it interactive, I would like to distinctive platform. suggest making this magazine Sanjay Ahuja | QA Engineer available on smart devices such as iPhone and iPad. Best wishes!! Ajit Wagh | Sr. QA Manager

A few pages say it all Feature ‘Industry Talk’ Cybage Times is an amalgamation of inspirational With every new issue, Cybage Times is making its readers talks, remarkable photography, and know-how ask for more! I loved reading ‘Executive Speak- Healthy about recent happenings in body, healthy mind!’ and realized Cybage blended with fabulous the importance of staying fit. The presentation. The article on sections such as ‘Talent & Creativity’, healthy body and mind in the ‘Tech Talk’, and ‘Interviews’ are a last edition was indeed an eye great source of inspiration and opener. And, of course, inclusion information. It is good to know of a section on the latest about multi-talented Cybagians and upcoming events in Cybage will the latest happenings across Cybage. definitely be an icing on the We can also include a section on cake. Cybage’s vertical focus and add an ‘Industry Talk’ section covering the current verticals. Aniruddha Deshmukh | Software Engineer Dineshkumar Karmankar | Sr. QA Manager

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 3 11/24/2011 8:21:49 PM ‘True’ Professionals win it all!

A wife repeatedly called upstairs for her husband to get up, get dressed, and get ready for work. It was a familiar routine, especially during phases of high work pressure.

“I feel sick,” said the voice from the bedroom. “You are not days and bad days. Fortunately, for most of us, the number sick. Get up and get ready,” called the wife, walking up the of good days outstrips the number of bad days. And yet, stairs and hovering outside the bedroom door. almost all of us, at some point or the other, have our share of individual lows when we feel stranded in an uninhabited “I hate work and I’m not going,” said the voice from the galaxy far, far away. And in those phases, we tend to make bedroom, “Lately, I have been getting things wrong, making the lives of people around us miserable! mistakes, and getting smirked upon. I have a feeling that nobody likes me, and I’ve got no friends. And I have these They say that a ‘good’ professional doesn’t allow his heart conference calls with such demanding clients. It’s all just to rule over his head—by ensuring that his emotional lows pointless, and I’m not going to office ever again.” do not end up compromising his healthy temperament while dealing with his colleagues. That might be true for a “I’m sorry, but you are going to office,” said the wife through ‘good’ professional. But, I believe that a ‘true’ professional is the door, continuing encouragingly, “Really, mistakes are one whose head is constantly listening to his heartbeats— how we learn and develop. And please try not to take thereby endowing him with compassion and patience disapprovals so personally. And I can’t believe that nobody towards a colleague who is going through an unreasonable likes you—you have lots of friends at office. And yes, all temperament phase! those clients can be demanding, but we are all pushed in many ways throughout our lives, so all this experience at And what happens when you have a perfect fusion of these work is useful for life in general. Besides, you have to go, you ‘good’ and ‘true’ professionals garnished by their wonderfully are the CEO.” ‘supportive’ kin? The inception of a ‘distinguished’ organization that unendingly manages to capture all the If this is the page from a regular CEO’s diary, one can vivacious colors of its extended ‘family’ as beautified in the imagine how many such pages must be scribbled in the diary ensuing pages... of a mainstream employee! We all have our share of good

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 4 11/24/2011 8:21:52 PM Ideal Partners

“Cybage has played a critical role in our success, and I feel very fortunate about our partnership.” Laurent Colard - Managing Partner, Live Platform, GroupM

Passion for work

I have a natural inclination to try to understand things, and then figure out how to make them better. Hence, I see myself on a journey to create and learn as much as possible, both for myself and my team.

A book you would recommend

‘The world is flat’ by Thomas Friedman: This is very relevant given the global nature of our team and the key role that technology plays in everything we do.

Most admired person

There is consistent value amongst people that I admire and that is their ability to make the most of what they have. I have as much admiration for top businessmen, politicians, artists, and athletes as I have for the less Partnership with Cybage to my very supportive wife, who makes it fortunate people who manage to fulfill doable for me to balance the demands of Cybage has played a critical role in our their dreams despite disabilities or adverse my work along with the well-being of my success, and I feel very fortunate about life events. family. our partnership. I have an enormous amount of respect and appreciation for Lasting memories at Cybage Your views on: our project team and for the management My recent memory is a great team party at at Cybage. The team has consistently put Going the ‘extra mile’: It is a state of mind ‘The Ship’ where we all had a gala time and in tremendous amount of work, skills, and and mode of operation, not an occasional felt truly united. It was great to know all the positive attitude, which have brought us behavior. team members on a more personal basis. where we are. The management has created Leadership: Leadership is responsibility Alongside, there were many other meetings a great company with strong culture and towards your team, customers, and and work sessions with Cybage. leadership required to attract, retain, and shareholders (or management), not an align top talent. entitlement. Dream destination in India Inspiration: I learn from people who have Balancing work-life done and achieved a lot. It reminds me I have visited Goa, Jaipur, Udaipur, and the that what I do is still relatively small and main business cities. However, there are two I strongly believe that success should motivates me to push further. more destinations on my list: be evaluated on many fronts, not just Unwinding: I enjoy reading Business Week, ● The Himalayas and some of the great professionally. It’s essential for me to news and analysis on the Web, and annual colonial properties that have been lead a happy and healthy personal life, reports to understand companies better. I restored as mountain resorts. which forms a strong foundation for my also enjoy watching movies and listening to ● The desert region in Rajasthan. professional life. I still find time to exercise music. and play volleyball every week— thanks

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 5 11/24/2011 8:21:53 PM An epitome of endurance and allegiance

Jaikrishnan K, V.P—Small and It’s 6:00 a.m., the alarm clock goes off. For in the city, joining Cybage gave me a sense Medium Businesses, fondly many of us, it’s not a very convenient time of security and made me settle down in recollects his growing years in to get up in the morning every day, right? Pune with my family.” As he recalls his initial But Jaikrishnan K, fondly known as JK, days at Cybage, he states, “The environment an interview with Cybage Times has followed this routine since childhood. was a set of casual and hardworking people. and shares with us his mantra He was born in God’s own country— They were bent on making things happen. of attaining success personally Kerala—and brought up in the outskirts of I can still feel the same vibrancy in people and professionally. With positive Bangalore. He reminisces, “I was a small- that I felt when I joined the company 13 mindset and self-belief, nothing time country boy. My father’s profession in years ago. On such a strong foundation, it is is unachievable in life. Read on. the army made me realize the importance not a surprise where we are today.” of following a disciplined life at a very early stage.” He wanted to follow the footsteps of his father and recalls, “After finishing my “Nothing is unachievable when formal education in civil engineering, you set your mind to it and stick I shifted track towards my ambition of to your principles.” joining the army”. “Focus on hard work, dedication, and trustworthiness; growth will inevitably I can still feel the same vibrancy follow.” With such determined thoughts, in people that I felt when I joined no one could have stopped this self- the company 13 years ago. motivated personality to reach the pinnacle. A thorough team player, JK voices, “It is vital Now you must be thinking, from civil to believe in your team and also show your engineering in the army to the IT industry, trust. Team work is all about sharing credit how did this switch happen? During one of with the team and recognizing their hard his airfield testing assignments, he learned work.” He believes in loyalty, reliability, and AutoCAD and AutoLISP. Having primed value system. His mantra in life is, “Nothing in programming, JK wanted to execute is unachievable when you set your mind to programs without the help of AutoCAD. it and stick to your principles.” Regarding “So, there was no intention but more competition, he opines, “I don’t want to of need to learn C, C++,” the go-getter drive fast but don’t want anyone to overtake explains, and gradually, he developed me. In a more simplistic way, it’s better to be a liking for computers. JK’s maiden a well-rounded personality.” innings in IT started with CyberQuest Systems in Pune. He recollects, “I worked there for 2 years.” During Though we led a very strict life, a training session, he came across my father believed in appreciating a dynamic personality with great the hidden joy behind every vision. It was none other than the difficult situation. budding entrepreneur of that time, Deepak Nathani. “The meeting How does he handle the baggage of left a long-lasting impression stress? With a very calm look, JK, replies, on me, and I decided to join “Spending time with my family de-stresses Cybage.” JK remembers, me, especially during weekends. I play “Though I felt like a stranger badminton regularly in the morning without

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 6 11/24/2011 8:22:02 PM Favorite gadget Blackberry

Dream bike Jawa

Exotic destination Mauritius

You dislike People who are not straight-forward and don’t tell the truth

A bad dream To experience the Mumbai 26/11 terrorist attack or Japan’s Tsunami

Phobia Not identified yet

Living personality you love worrying about winning the game, as I’d She is one person who can extract time Sachin Tendulkar and my father rather leave the winning to my work.” From from me. I can set aside everything for where does he draw the inspiration? Pat her.” Talking more about his family, JK is all Afterlife and karma comes the reply, “My father’s upbringing praises for his wife, Preetha. “A very warm I believe in both. But, afterlife is your made me what I am today. He is my pillar and caring person, she likes to talk about future, and karma is what you’ve me more than herself. Being the best home of strength. He still guides me but lets me done in your past, all combined in derive answers by asking more questions, maker with all its challenges, and yet always this life. and I find the hidden answers in them.” ready to give some more, needs a lot of Remembering his early years, JK expresses, patience,” clarifies this family man. A fun- If you could change one thing in loving and adventurous person, exploring “My father made me do every kind of others errand during my growing years. Be it new places excites him. He states, “It’s fun Indiscipline and traffic sense paying electricity bills, bank-related work, to travel without much of research and or any small errands to familiarize me with go with the flow but, needless to say, I do Love of your life the real world. Though we led a very strict make proper arrangements of all required My daughter, Swathy life, my father believed in appreciating the itineraries.” hidden joy behind every difficult situation. So, is he as tough a parent as his father? He smiles and answers, “I have a very perky “Give your best; success, growth, and naughty 13-year old daughter, Swathy. and everything else is yours.”

On the journey of life so far, he expresses, “I’ve had my share of challenges and question marks in life, which worked out better than I expected.” Before signing off, JK gives away his secret to Cybage Times readers: “Do a lot of training and reading in life. There is no alternative to hard work. Nothing is big or small. Everything is instrumental in taking your life ahead. Irrespective of what your position is, you are an integral part of the company. Give your best; success, growth, and everything else is yours.”

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 7 11/24/2011 8:22:07 PM Corporate Waves In the business arena, Cybage has some commendable announcements to make. Read on to know more about the corporate happenings...

Deepak Nathani, felicitated with ‘IT Excellence Award 2011’- Gartner names Cybage a ‘Cool Vendor in Application Pune - 29th September 2011 Services for 2011’ Cybage has been named in the list of “Cool Vendors in Application Services 2011”, a report by world-leading analyst firm Gartner. Gartner’s Cool Vendors research includes service providers that use innovative services, technologies, proprietary knowledge, and unique approaches to bring clients new and valuable solutions in the application service market.

Cybage wins the “Best Mature Workforce Practices” Award Cybage has been felicitated with the “Best Mature Workforce Practices” award organized by Shine.com in association with the World HRD Congress. The deciding vigor behind this recognition was our ExcelShore®! This first-in-line credible acknowledgement of our ExcelShore® operational efficiency Deepak Nathani was honored with the ‘IT Excellence Award model manifests Cybage’s thought leadership in the global IT 2011’ by the Indira group of Institutes for his dedication and industry. outstanding contribution towards the growth of IT space in the country, in Pune on September 29, 2011. Cybage expands global footprints Cybage features in 2011 Global Services 100 list In line with the tactical plan to strengthen front-end positioning, Cybage has added two new sales offices in US—Georgia and Cybage has been ranked among the top 100 companies in Chicago—in addition to our existing offices in Washington, New the 2011 Global Services (GS) 100 Provider list for the third York, and California. consecutive year. Cybage has also been featured in the GS100 category of ‘Top Specialty Product Engineering Vendors’.

Cybage Software ranked in the 2011 Global Outsourcing 100 list Cybage has been ranked as one of 2011’s best outsourcing service providers in the Global Outsourcing 100® list by IAOP in the Leaders group. Applicants for IAOP’s Global Outsourcing 100 are evaluated on a set of four critical characteristics: size and growth, customer references, organizational competencies, and management capabilities.

We welcome you on board

Uttiya Dasgupta | VP - Business Development Amit Singh | AVP- Business Development

Uttiya, has a rich experience of 25 years in software product design, Amit, a seasoned business development professional with a rich development and support, systems experience of 17 years in the consulting, business development, industry, has expertise in project and managing global operations. management, account management, He holds a double major in Physics and business development. He and Computer Science from the holds a Major in Civil Engineering University of Calcutta, India and from IT BHU, and MBA in Marketing is based at the Cybage office in from Northwestern University Atlanta, Georgia. (Kellogg) and is based at the Cybage office in Chicago, Illinois.

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 8 11/24/2011 8:22:09 PM Multitalented Cybagians

Cybagians not only put their best on the job, but also nurture their versatility on unique platforms. A truly versatile personality, a maverick musician and theatre performer; Cybage Times brings you a vibrant threesome who has made its presence felt in its own special way.

He is all-in-one, quite literally! Right chase his passion. He has tried his hand from being a perfectionist at his work, at scripting Marathi plays too. Shantanu Chandrashekhar Rao is also a Shantanu also enjoys audio and photographer, musician, and writer and video editing, collecting and repairing has won accolades in all these streams. electronic devices, and collecting To pursue his hobbies on a grander scale, puzzles from different countries that he has bypassed all kinds of difficulties. he has visited. All we can say is that he Be it preparing ad jingles for 10 hours at takes his passion for his hobbies very a stretch or taking every possible risk to professionally. capture nature’s beauty through his lenses, he has left no stone unturned to Shantanu C Rao | Sr. Manager - UI

Music resonates in his heart like sweet Apart from guitar, this music lover also melody. It’s music that rejuvenates likes to play tabla, and playing such his soul. For Gurudatta Shelke, music instruments revives him from within. He is everywhere around him. With such believes that music is the soundtrack of inclination, he exhibited his passion at his life, and it energizes him to perform Cybage Musical Night, 2010 as a Bass better at his work place too. A truly guitarist and had a gala time entertaining musical person, what say! his fellow Cybagians with his skills. Gurudatta Shelke | Sr. Software Engineer

Gurudatta and his team also competed at Expressions 2011 and were awarded the 1st prize in the best music award category.

Explicit expressions, meticulous She has done small roles in Marathi emotions, and prompt presentation— films such as ‘Kadachit’ and ‘Galgale acting is amalgamation of all this and Nighale’ with renowned actors Ashwini more. Amruta Devale possesses them all. Bhave and Bharat Jadhav, respectively. Amruta’s contribution to Marathi theatre A zealous Marathi theater artist, she has culminated in an award for her by Natya won various state-level prizes for her Parishad, Pune. Well, she is certainly acting talent and also shown her skills in excelling on another platform along with Expressions 2011. She has also worked managing her work to the fullest as a with Dr. Girish Oak in two commercial true professional. plays, ‘Aanandi Anand’ and ‘To Mi Amruta Devale | Recruitment Executive Navech’.

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 9 11/24/2011 8:22:15 PM Experiences... Lessons from Life Life is of psychedelic nature marked by ever-changing hues and shades, ready to alter at any moment... and, sometimes, even a simple gesture can reinforce our beliefs or educate our soul to be a better being... Bringing together an amalgamation of stories from Cybagians, let’s hear their tales on change of heart...

Value what you have! Learning for a lifetime! Life is priceless! A lesson learned in far-away land! Life is wonderful; it’s an After a busy day at office, all I was on my way to Pune in a undeniable fact. But at times, set to go home, I suddenly state transport bus. This one is from my first trip to life makes us pass through received a phone call and heard USA. It was my first day at office. Near Ahmednagar, I saw an Alto rough patches too. As everyone, a familiar voice that was more Enjoying the splendor of that car rammed into a tractor. The I was a happy-go-lucky person like a screech and the call was moment, I thought of walking couple in the car was bleeding enjoying all the leisure of life disconnected. Surprisingly, down from our apartment in profusely. Though the place hardly knowing what sorrow is. the call was from my house. I Seattle. After a while, I had to was heavily crowded, no one All this changed one day when tried calling back but got an cross the road, but the traffic volunteered to help the injured. I met with a car accident and unusual no-reply. These strange was in full swing. I stood by the lost my sister along with three incidences had been happening Soon, a white Mercedes zebra crossing and, to my utter relatives. I was the only survivor for the past two months. stopped and a gentleman surprise, suddenly the traffic of the tragic incident, but with driving it (probably the owner) stopped. I was puzzled, and my Hurriedly, I reached home. I a broken leg. I always had a stepped out, picked up the curiosity was at its peak. There knew that this was going to be grudge why God did this to me. couple with the help of a few was neither a traffic signal nor a tough night. At about 4 AM, I But at that time, I saw my father villagers, and took them to the any policemen. My amazement heard the same unusual sound facing the situation with a very nearest hospital in his car. I was knew no bounds when the and saw something moving. positive approach. He was not surprised to see the man not drivers started indicating me to I gathered all my strength to remorseful about the loss of worrying about the elegant cross the road. I walked over, get up and face the fact that one daughter, but experienced interiors of his sedan and and the traffic started moving had changed my life in more solace that his other daughter making the bleeding couple lie again. than one way. Suddenly, there was saved and was not badly on his white cushions. was a ruffling movement of the This experience made me realize injured. Since then, I have sheets… Next morning, I read about this that very often in a mad rush to learned to face all situations incident in the newspaper and reach our destination, we tend with a positive attitude. When It was my 2-month old baby was also relieved to hear that the to ignore pedestrians and other anything bad happens to you, daughter who needed a nappy couple had survived. From this vehicles on the road due to ‘me always think that God has saved change. I got hold of all the incident, I learned that human first attitude’. But thanks to my you from the worst and go essentials and went ahead with life is precious and cannot be lesson learned at a far-away ahead with a positive approach. the well-practiced routine . compromised. Since then, I try land, I ensure courtesy while You will always find yourself I guess this is how one learns my best to help any accident driving and implement my happier in life. about the unknown, yet nicest, victim that I come across. learning on the road. experience of life—parenting! Antara Unde Pratik Prakash Pandit Vishal Chauhan | UI Manager Mukhtar Sayed | Sr. QA. Manager | Associate Documentation | QA Manager Manager

POSITIVE RESPONSIBILITY

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 10 11/24/2011 8:29:45 PM Center of ‘Brilliance’

A multi-faceted personality, this man has the potential to make all professionals of various genres run for their money: cartoonists, origami professionals, theater artists, painters, audio and video editors, or even social activists—the list is endless. You must be wondering why are we mentioning these arts in this section? Well, Preetam Tiwari, Center of Excellence Head - BI and Data Analytics, is at the zenith of his career, handling multiple responsibilities at work along with showcasing his talent in all these art forms. Cybage Times tells you more.

Joining Cybage

Preetam Tiwari started his journey in Cybage six years ago as an Associate Project Manager. “If you look at my career, joining Cybage is a milestone in itself.” Preetam states with a sense of satisfaction on his face, “Before that I was just a good resource, but this company trusted me and gave me the platform to showcase my capabilities as a true professional.” The most enticing factor for Preetam has been the approachable management and the belief that the employees would be heard. “If you have potential, Cybage shows you the road map towards bigger and better roles. The exposure is immense and for the right candidature, sky is the limit,” expresses Preetam. Content with the Cybage work culture, he admits, “Challenges excite me and bigger responsibilities encourage me to put forward my thoughts, suggestions, and concerns. I get to do all of this and much more at Cybage.” Role of family and inspiration

Motivating factors Going back to his earlier years, Preetam recounts, “While working for 38 years, my mother took care of the daily chores, along Preetam believes in trying out different things and reveals, “I do with imbibing in us the right values, ethics, and discipline. This a lot of activities outside my IT work life; these activities give me undoubtedly motivated me to maintain a work-life balance like her.” motivation to perform my best when I am in office. My creative Being very close to his daughter, he adds, “Kids help us rediscover achievements encourage me to put my best foot forward on the our own childhood. I rediscovered many of my hobbies just because job.” A very down-to-earth person, he is still a keen learner. He says, of Tanvi. Needless to say, to tread these different paths, you need “I think you are a student throughout your life. I learn not only from a strong support system; my better half Rekha has always been my seniors, but also believe that there is a lot to learn from my there to support my thoughts.” Talking about inspiration, Preetam juniors.” believes in learning from the larger-than-life figures. He concludes, “If they can achieve so much in their lifetime, we can at least do our Training is another passion for Preetam, and he showcased it by bit to be responsible human beings.” being one of the active members of the first batch of Cybage Certified Trainers. “Conducting soft skills trainings augments self-improvement, and I still continue to conduct sessions on Message to Cybagians leadership programs,” states Preetam. Preetam smiles and quips, “My motto is simple: In the fast-paced life, individuals forget that there is so much more than just racing Challenges faced ahead. We need to draw that line for our family, for ourselves, and most importantly for our happiness!” Preetam expresses, “Life is In Preetam’s words, “The thumb rule is simple. You need to believe beautiful, and I celebrate every small moment rather than waiting in your teams’ delivery capabilities, showcase your trust in them, for that perfect event.” He indeed knows the secret to contentment! and have realistic expectations.” For this young achiever, honesty is still the best policy. He believes,“ A few chosen basic principles of life will always give you returns, and honesty is one of them.”

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 11 11/24/2011 8:22:21 PM Happenings

ATMMS Team MNC

Cybage Flea Market Diwali Celebration

Cybage Dance Mania World Cup Fever – Marketing Team

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 12 11/24/2011 8:22:31 PM 16th Anniversary Celebration!

Pune

Hyderabad

Gandhinagar

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 13 11/24/2011 8:22:58 PM Memoirs of Work - My Cybage

Challenges, achievements, success, and the people who matter—our workplace is exquisitely painted with these colorful hues on the huge canvas of life. With a picture-perfect ensemble of remarkable memoirs, Cybage Times brings you the close-to-heart pages from professional diaries of Cybagians.

A magnificent experience!

For me, working with Cybage has had many special moments. However, I would rank my first annual bash at GNR to be the most cherished one. I waited for it with bated breath. Standing on the stage and addressing the senior management and other Cybagians all staring at me to initiate, had my knees knocking for the first few seconds. But as I introduced the first act, my confidence was back with me, and it was smooth sailing from there.

The experience left a lasting impression and has remained with me ever since. At Cybage, we get opportunities to nurture both our creative skills and our professional skills. Krudant Desai | Sr. Project Manager

Perfect blend of work and fun

Life at Cybage is an interesting mix of work and fun, with a lot of opportunities to realize your potentials professionally and to indulge in your hobbies too. Cybage has created a positive impact on my attitude and outlook towards life. The stress-free environment promotes open thinking and enables me to give my best at work. Working with an approachable management is a learning experience, and their diverse working styles and focused vision offer us valued lessons in leadership and management. Deepa Krishnan | Company Secretary

Working at Cybage is blissful

The two most delightful journeys of my life share the same age—my marriage and my association with Cybage! When I click the rewind button of my life, I can proudly say that Cybage and its work culture have given me umpteen opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve as an individual. There are many sweet memories of clients’ appreciation and a few letdowns that I have taken with a pinch of salt. Every assignment that I have executed and the support of team mates and seniors played an important role in shaping my career at Cybage. I’ve had many memorable moments at Cybage, one of them being the “Annual Bash 2009”. The team bonding came alive with KK’s mesmerizing songs as we all sang along with him. The bond became stronger as our family members joined us, and together, we all had a blast. Thank you, Cybage. I am fortunate to be associated with you! Shubha Singh | Project Manager

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 14 11/24/2011 8:23:01 PM Humanity over par!

Memorable moments are many, but the ones that touch the heart the most are a few. A member of my team was blessed with a baby boy who was unfortunately diagnosed with a deformity. As any father in such a situation would experience, my team member felt helpless and burdened by the financial implications that governed the recovery of his child. When this situation was put forth to the management, it extended help in all possible avenues without a moment’s delay. It was indeed an unforgettable moment to witness his overwhelming emotion and relief.

People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel, and he felt cared for at Cybage. Ashwini Chaoji | Delivery Manager

Cybage -The stepping stone

My journey at Cybage is a lovely blend of wonderful memories right from the first visit to the company.

Mid-June morning in 2002: the day is still etched in my mind very vividly. A fresher looking for a job in an industry that was still recovering from the effects of the 2001 recession—I reached Cybage to appear for an interview. After an intense technical round, I was asked to wait for my next round that was with Deepak himself, and I was anxious. However, it turned out to be one of my cherished moments. Rather than a Q and A session, it was an enormous learning experience and became the stepping stone of my career.

A few days later, I got a confirmation call, and I started my professional life at Cybage. On retrospection, I realize that it has been a glorious one indeed and is still going strong. Parag Kulkarni | Sr. Project Manager

Efforts count

Little drops of water and little grains of sand make the mighty ocean and the present land. On similar lines, small opportunities are often the beginning of new success stories. I experienced it to believe it. I was a developer then, working onsite for a Cybage client. I accomplished a task assigned by the client that involved looking into an issue related to an application being maintained by a competitor of Cybage. Content with my work, the client hired a few more Cybagians to work on the application. This was a great moment for me; I felt that even at the developer stage, I could add to the success of my company and truly felt victorious. Javed Mohammad | Associate Project Manager

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 15 11/24/2011 8:23:04 PM Leadership Summit 2011: ‘Know your client’

Cybage organized its Leadership Summit 2011 for the senior managers, with the right blend of informative sessions and team bonding activities, in the picturesque Goa.

Splendid sessions, fine Arun Nathani, took center intellects, and mesmerizing stage and through a very ambience—The Leadership powerful presentation Summit this year comprised all offered the management a this and more. Spread across great opportunity to discuss three days, Cybage conducted important strategies to drive the summit at Intercontinental, the organization forward on the The Lalit Goa Resort. Deepak success path. A game in quiz Nathani commenced the event format with lots of prizes to be by introducing the theme taken made his session more ‘Know your client’, and riveting. key areas for understanding The summit’s concluding emphasized the need to Guest speaker Prakash Rohera the customers’ personality agenda item involved understand clients’ businesses enlightened the audience on and needs and also adapting unwinding and soaking in the and domains to create stronger ‘How to interact to impact.’ communication as per beauty of nature. The Gala customer ties. His session focused on the individuality. dinner was the icing on the cake! A stellar act by a stand- To promote team building up comedian and foot tapping in the participants, Beach songs played by the DJ spiced Olympics was organized. Here, up the night. the executives were divided into four groups led by VPs and Sr. The three-day meet came to VPs. They exhibited their sporty an end, but it shall surely be side by participating in various remembered as one of the games and reinforced the milestones towards a new magic of team spirit. vision for attaining greater heights for Cybage.

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 16 11/24/2011 8:23:12 PM Cybage and SIBM Tie-Up—A leap towards refinement!

To give its employees a boost up the ladder of knowledge, Cybage has collaborated with Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM), Pune. Read on to find more…

Advanced learning has the power to turn mirrors into windows of opportunity. Realizing the importance of specialized education for a well-rounded professional, last year Cybage tied up with the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani. Continuing the endeavor, this year Cybage has joined hands with one of the most coveted educational institutes in India—Symbiosis Institute of Business Management (SIBM). Cybage signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SIBM on May 11, 2011 to offer Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management (EPGDBM) to its employees at Cybage premises. The prime focus of this initiative is to enhance and fine-tune the managerial skills and capabilities of the employees. Therefore, the eligibility criteria are kept at the minimum and require candidates to be graduates in any discipline with two Deepak and Dr. Vivek Sane (Director of SIBM) after signing the MoU years of work experience. Supporting this in-depth knowledge in finance, marketing, opportunity to enhance, improve, and initiative further, Cybage is also offering management, and overall organizational refine their learning while working to attain assistance to those who require financial behavior. greater success in life. aid for the program. The strategic tie-up between Cybage and A truly rewarding initiative indeed! SIBM has given Cybagians a life-time About EPGDBM

A 20-month course divided into four Our students semesters, EPGDBM facilitates in strengthening and polishing the managerial Working in Cybage, a global IT organization, and pursuing management education skills of the employees, thereby providing from the leading B-school in India, SIBM, is the best opportunity that I could ever get to give a boost to my career. Akhilesh Dubey | System Analyst

Due to time constraint, I could have never enrolled for an MBA course while working. Giving us the option of pursuing EPGDM from SIBM is a very thoughtful initiative by the Cybage management. Pooja Ghuman | System Analyst

The SIBM course covers various modules that include the right decision-making process, industrial standard practices, and resource management, to name a few. Through SIBM, Cybage has given its employees a splendid opportunity to lead! Utkarsh Sharma | Delivery Manager Deepak, Arun and Dr. Vivek Sane

CybageTimes | Nov 2011 | 17

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 17 11/24/2011 8:23:17 PM CybageAsha-Walking that ‘Extra’ mile!

To play a vital role towards creating a better future for the underprivileged, CybageAsha has made many noteworthy contributions.

Village adoption

Only one’s will is not enough, one must ‘act’. CybageAsha proves this each passing year through its momentous deeds. In 2011, CybageAsha adopted two villages: Chikhalgaon in Mulshi taluka and Rajewadi in Khandala taluka (both in Maharashtra) to bring the much needed change in the villagers’ lives.

CybageAsha conducted a cleanliness water, and educational upliftment. With initiated this drive to steer more children drive during which the villagers actively firm actions and thoughtful gestures, closer to the benefits of education. The participated and made it an immensely CybageAsha resolves to continue these ecstasy and glow on the childrens’ faces successful initiative. Furthermore, to endeavours, year after year. made the event a ‘more than successful’ empower the village women, CybageAsha drive. organized trainings on the method of School kit drive manufacturing cottage industry products and on marketing tips to sell them. A bag full of aspirations, dreams, and veracity! This time, CybageAsha reached CybageAsha has planned various out to more than a thousand students infrastructure improvement projects in the tribal areas of Mulshi Taluka, including development of an Maharashtra and donated school kits underground drainage system and a containing notebooks, drawing books, sewage system, provision for drinking geometry boxes, and slates. CybageAsha A student with his school kit CybageAsha Volunteers Selfless service is the right way to serve humanity and this is what the volunteers associated with CybageAsha are doing.

CybageAsha is like my second family. My motivation for joining CybageAsha I spend my weekends working with the is the mantra, ‘Spreading Smiles’. I get villagers, and this provides me immense opportunities to participate in various social gratification. I realize that even the villagers activities for every age group and, in return, feel elated with the CybageAsha family for I receive their sincere love and affection. showing them a ray of light for a better Their faith that we are there to take care of future. As part of CybageAsha, I get to them and their zest to meet us the next time follow what I believe in—“Giving back to are the biggest motivating factors for me. our society, a little hope, a little smile.” At CybageAsha, we are always innovating to I take pride in being a member of the show that we care. Sujit Bhosale | CybageAsha Head, de-addiction drive that enables people to Rural Development Committee fight this social evil. Once on Mother’s day, Gourav Jain | Sr. Software Engineer I also got an opportunity to visit an old age home. It felt wonderful to be with the old people and experience their joy. These moments will always remain in my memory, particularly their smiling faces and their blessings.

Prajakta Bhandare | Software Engineer

CybageTimes | Nov 2011 | 18

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 18 11/24/2011 8:23:25 PM Khushboo Charitable Trust-Spreading the fragrance of literacy and education

Khushboo Charitable Trust, (Founded in July 2009) in a short span of two years, has portrayed its immense contribution and support for needy students to educate them through various prolific initiatives.

Khushboo Scholarship Program for venture, the trust is surely making provide partial sponsorship to the higher Medical and Engineering Courses unrealized dreams come true. secondary section. This tie-up has certainly opened many doors for visionaries such as The trust offered scholarships to 50 Khushboo Post-Matric Scholarship Mahadev Kondre and opportunities for kids Std. XII passed students of the academic Program from rural areas. year 2010-2011, who had the ability, Last year, Khushboo had initiated a but financial constraints held them back Khushboo Vikas Ghar- Support School Post-Matric Scholarship program for the from pursuing engineering, medicine and for Primary Children Std. X passed, bright students and offered medical-related courses. After a detailed financial support to 65 needy children An NGO named Gram Mangal organizes a background check, the trust identified from Pune. This year their scholarships program- Vikas Ghar—that predominantly meritorious students from Gandhinagar were renewed and Khushboo once again works to bridge the gap between education and Pune and facilitated them with succeeded in spreading more smiles. and employability at the base level. This scholarships. One of them— Utpak includes imparting additional learning Pankhania-showed his brilliance by getting for less fortunate students. This year, Khushboo Educational Sponsorship admission into I.I.T, Kharagpur and the Khushboo Charitable Trust tied up with the for Rural School rest are also shaping their future from NGO and extended its support to 22 kids recognized institutes. For Mahadev Kondre, sarpanch of of Cybage’s support staff. This program Kondhur Village in Mulshi Taluka, the offers unconventional ways of learning the Khushboo Scholarship Program for importance of education cannot be basics and is motivating students of Class B.B.A and B.C.A Courses compromised. Though his village had a I and II to learn and add more colors of government-aided school till Std. VII, it was wisdom to their lives. This support school The son of a janitor will now have the deprived of higher secondary education. is conducted every weekend at Cybage opportunity to study B.C.A. and carve The villagers decided to cut down on West Avenue. an established career for himself and their cultural festivities and constructed support his family. This was made a higher secondary school with their Connect with Khushboo possible by Khushboo Charitable Trust, own contribution. The sarpanch came Charitable Trust to help identify which tied up with Manghanmal Udharam across the management of Khushboo new feasible projects that College of Commerce, Pimpri. to sponsor Charitable Trust, and after realizing his can spread the fragrance of the education of 15 deserving students dedication for a better educational system education. every year to pursue learning in the fields in the village, Khushboo volunteered to of B.B.A. and B.C.A. courses. With this

CybageTimes | Nov 2011 | 19

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 19 11/24/2011 8:23:34 PM Tech Know - JAVA

Information Technology has evolved and how! Right from checking mails, and video chatting with family and friends who are in far-away lands to creating specifications for complex business domains or for designing any kind of virtual blue print, IT has answers for all. Well, if you are giving credit only to IT, let us go deeper and acknowledge this high-level programming language that has emerged as one of the key players in the IT world and is playing a massive role in further shaping the scenario of the IT domain: it’s Java.

Attributes ● Internationalization: Unlike other programming languages that use 8-bit characters, Java uses 16-bit Unicode characters. Initially known as Oak, Java was designed in 1991 by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems for embedded devices such as Interactive Challenges Television. Hard to believe, but the first version was unsuccessful; reason: it was too futuristic. To take advantage of the booming Though Java has made a huge contribution towards mixed domains, Internet technology at that time, Sun modified the language. Sun it has its own challenges. also changed its name from Oak to Java. It served as a new mode made to manage software complexity. Within a span of 15 years, ● Lack of integrated platform: Unavailability of a single developer- this powerful programming language made its way into all kinds of rich integrated platform that supports applications such as software applications. mobile, desktop, Web, SOA, and cloud, among others becomes a hindrance for developers.

Benefits ● Slow in performance: Java’s performance lacks pace as it involves a two-step function that consumes more memory and ● ‘Write-once-run-anywhere’ concept: This implies, write CPU capacity as compared to C and C++. the application once and run it wherever the Java platform is supported, such as Web browsers, mobiles phones, ● Inaccurate for real-time operations: Java’s architecture makes home appliances, set-top boxes, small smart cards, servers, it unsuitable for real-time operations that include medical data centers, and mainframes. equipment and home appliances. If this is achieved, Java can be embedded in many such real-time devices. ● Security feature: The Java platform allows a user to download untrusted code and run the code in a secure environment ● Multiple vendors: As the number of vendors increases, there are without any harm. redundant Java products available in the market. Choosing the right kind of product becomes a challenge. ● Flexible approach: Java’s flexible and easy-to-use programming environment allows the Java language to perform on Windows, Linux, Mac, and Solaris.

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 20 11/24/2011 8:23:35 PM Future Roadmap Cloud computing is an application provisioning platform, and the future market has a high demand for building Software As A Service (Saas) application model to be deployed in the cloud environment. The Java EE application development platform is also gearing up to provide out-of-the-box support for NoSQL DB, Dynamic Bundle with Versioning, and Message Queue that are vital for cloud-based applications.

The latest in Java is as follows

Java EE 7 Google TV

● Targets Cloud platform for multi-tenancy, application ● The home page is customizable with channels, content icons, versioning, and support for non-relational data stores. and search programs.

● A full cloud-ready version of Java EE is available with Java EE 8. ● Users can surf the Web and watch TV at the same time.

● Logitec Revue and Sony Internet TV Blue Ray bring Google TV Open Services Gateway Initiative (OSGI) to your existing HDTV. ● It is possible to have coexistence of multiple software versions within the same server. Android mobile platform

● A server need not be stopped for deploying updates. ● Android is now the forerunner in mobile revolution as an operating system for mobiles and tablets. JavaFX ● Users can develop Java-based applications and deploy them to ● It is the next step in the evolution of Java as a rich client their mobiles if they know Java. platform.

● It can display many interactive applications in browser, mobile, and FX TV.

● JavaFX-enabled smart set-top boxes support many media features.

Java at Cybage

With Cybage’s extensive hands-on expertise in Java, we have dedicated resources to explore and contribute innovative developments in Java and the Cloud domain with Center of Excellence (CoE) teams. To match pace with ever-progressing technological developments, Mobile CoE is busy functioning towards the latest advances such as Android-based mobile application development, Cloud efforts on Amazon EC2, NoSQL DB, and Hadoop, among others. The technology group is continually involved in ‘Skill Governance’ within Cybage to enhance skills towards architecture excellence in Java technology.

Srinivasa Reddy Marri | Technical Evangelist

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 21 11/24/2011 8:23:36 PM Conquerors at Expressions 2011

They came, they performed, and they conquered...Cybagians were the flavor of the season at Expressions 2011—inter-IT talent competition.

5th consecutive year, 30 companies, 550 participants, 5000 viewers from Pune...that’s Expressions 2011!

Cybage’s play: SAR KAR CURSOR

Cybagians exhibited a breathtaking act through a Marathi play. We built a theme around the social media hype, which has isolated people from the real physical world. The team personified the entire virtual environment. The story showcased various forms of performing arts. It depicted the life of a college-going boy and how a cursor, the main character, casts its spell on him and disassociates him from family and friends.

Highlights of the Cybage team Expressions ’11 witnessed the debut Our champions performance of Cybage. Herein, Shantanu Rao | Amruta Devale | Sameer Divekar | Kamlesh Gaikwad | Satish Joshi | Ram Cybagians depicted a story by creatively Joshi | Yogesh Gaikwad | Tejal Adsul | Hrushikesh Rao | Kirit Mandavgane | Gurudatta Shelke intertwining various forms of art such | Shantanu Gore | Pushkar Gokhale | Romal Tatawar | Ashwini Mathad | Jyoti Naik | Megha as sand animation, fruit carving, dance, Rathi | Mohanish Deogade | Chetan Deshmukh | Sameera Potdar | Prudvitha G | Sanyasi Rao songs, painting, and Origami. Moreover, Bonela | Mayur Thanvi | Minal Patil | Digambar Shinde | Karen Thorat | Aniket Vaidya | Girish we designed and set up the theme and Varpe | Devendra Rishi | Gautam Kamat Bambolkar the décor that formed an integral part of the play. Our own live band composed and performed 6 out of 10 original music Accolades won by Cybage scores, and this enlivened the spirit of the spectators. Cybage’s performance was • 1st Prize for Best Music/Band: • 3rd Prize for Best Art Direction: certainly bolstered by tremendous team Hrushikesh Rao and team Gautam Kamat Bambolkar and team support and cheering that was provided • 2nd Prize for Best Instrumentals: • Consolation Prize for Best Play by Cybagians that occupied 750 seats Pushkar Gokhale (Octopad) out of the venue’s (Bharat Natya Mandir, • 3rd Prize for Best Singer (Male): Nominees for other arts Pune) total capacity of 1,000. Definitely, Romal Tatawar • Best Script: Shantanu Rao this majority contributed to the huge • 3rd Prize for Best Direction: • Best Female Actor: Amruta Devale success. Lastly, all the hard work and the Amruta Devale team effort culminated in Cybage being • Best Choreography: Cybage • Best individual Art (Origami): • Best Group Dance: Cybage felicitated with 7 awards out of the 9 Minal Patil nominations in disparate categories.

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 22 11/24/2011 8:23:40 PM Beating Monday Blues

The exciting weekend has passed. Ring…rinnnnng…RINNNNNNNNNGGG… the alarm clock sounds like a devil. A new week is staring at you with huge piles of work; you push the snooze button and yet again wrap yourself in the blanket. Does this experience sound familiar? If yes, here are our fellow Cybagians sharing some interesting tips to drive away the Monday morning blues. “I make “To beat the Monday sure not to keep morning blues, I finish off pending pending work for tasks on Friday so that on Monday as I am certain Monday I am all set to that there is always a plan for the activities in fresh stock waiting for the forthcoming week. I me. I not only enjoy the ensure that I rise early. An weekend to its fullest but also early morning gaze at the plan to execute house-related scenic greenery from my responsibilities during it. I have terrace rejuvenates me. And adequate rest and sleep during most importantly, as I begin the weekend so that fatigue is not my day, it’s my son’s sweet carried forward to affect Monday, and innocent chattering that and then I start Monday with a positive attitude and motivates me the most to start a fresh mind to approach life with enthusiasm.” off the day on a high note.” Abhijit Lakras | Associate QA Manager Nutan Patil | Sr. QA Manager

While “Who does not Monday may not be like sleeping an your favorite day of the hour extra? Try and week, you can bring in the do that on Monday ‘I like’ factor to it. Pamper morning by going to yourself with a delicious bed an hour early on breakfast to start the day on Sunday night. As you a delightful note. Step inside wake up, let the sunlight the office with a confident ‘you’. enter your body. It indeed Smile, exchange pleasantries with helps reset your internal colleagues as it creates a feeling clock. As you gear up to leave of well-being in the work place, lift for office, eat well; have a good someone else’s sprit, and feel its warmth serving of fruits or fruit juices. Once flowing inside you. While at work, I try to take short breaks you are at your workstation, plan your day in small and share weekend stories with colleagues while sipping steps and track your progress to get that much hot coffee or tea and make Monday a day filled needed kick for the day.” with things I like throughout the work day.” Atul Srivastava | System Analyst Vaishali Deodhar | Sr. Software Engineer “Welcome the new morning with a cheerful soundtrack. Start early, wearing a smart outfit that makes you feel confident. Once you reach office, spend a few minutes organizing your desk drawers and other items that help the rest of the week go smooth. To end the day, plan something fun to do on Monday after work such as a dinner outing or attending some class.” Lalitkumar P Sharma | Senior Solution Architect

CybageTimes | Nov 2011 | 23

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 23 11/24/2011 8:23:44 PM Training - The path to excellence

Effective training acts as a building block to strengthen the foundation of knowledge in a professional’s career. If you have it in you, Cybage Train the Trainers course, a home-grown program, holds the key to instill zeal and confidence in you to take on the mantle of a Trainer.

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t Cybage certified trainer’s “Meticulous needs assessment, innovative make it drink”, so goes a famous saying. program vision training methodologies, and participants’ It’s time to challenge this, and I firmly active involvement are the success secrets believe that a trainer can develop his own To develop world-class training cycles and of CCT because they add to the overall philosophy: “Make the horse run for 5 miles, Adult Learning Principles (ALP) accepted by development of the trainers and the lead it to water, and it will drink”. experts in the field of training globally. participants. Along with this, I learn a new lesson in every CCT that evolves me as a The Cybage Certified Trainer (CCT) program better professional and allows me to tackle was conceived out of pure interest in Cybage certified trainer’s my daily activities with encouraging employees to take up program parameters more confidence and training with passion. Apart from being a zeal.” motivational session, training should be fun 1. Identifying internal trainers with prior and well-equipped to handle challenges. Nikhil Khankhoje experience, who exhibit potential to | Associate Project impart trainings. For me, the training philosophy has been: Manager “If you do not know it, you cannot teach it… 2. Imparting training for two days that Once you know it, you should know how to comprises allocating assignments to the teach it.” participants and evaluating them on their overall performances before, during, and Says our Head - HR, Elston Pimenta - the “Apt content, absolute dedication, and after the program. brain behind Cybage Certified Trainer support from the training faculty play an 3. Certifying the successful participants as enormous role in shaping the success of ‘Cybage Certified Trainer.’ CCT. Here, the participants enhance their presentation skills and talent to handle an audience effectively. CCT from trainers’ perspective Moreover, right from improving my “Detailed analysis of the program content training skills to and efforts from the training team make perfecting time CCT a sensation at Cybage. Secondly, ‘the management, CCT care factor’ ensures the comfort of the has made me a participants, and finally, they walk out as better trainer and, confident trainers. Likewise, every time I’ve above all, a better conducted a CCT program, it has resulted human being!” in a lot of learning for both the trainers and the participants. Robin Marshal | Sr. Technical Writer This program encourages me to deliver nothing but the best.”

Leticia Bell | Associate Manager – Presales

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 24 11/24/2011 8:23:52 PM First Salary, First Purchase

It’s the dawn of a new phase in our lives and a fresh start of some rollicking experiences to be cherished. Yes, we are talking about the foundation we stand on— the emergence of our professional careers. The new Cybagians share with us some unforgettable memories about the start of their careers.

A new beginning! and responsibility. With Cybage made my wish my first salary, I gifted come true Immensely friendly ambience, structured myself a new bike, workflow, supportive seniors... I got all It so happened and now I am these and much more that my mother enjoying every bit after joining Cybage lost her gold of my ride on the as a fresher. This chain. The next speeding wheels! place has taught thing I resolved Hemant Mishra | me the magic of was that I would Software Engineer working as a team. gift her one with I am still learning my first salary, and the nuances and the Cybage - The place to be Cybage made my wish come true. My mother was so overwhelmed, and through experience so far has Cybage not only gives you a platform to her eyes, she expressed it all. Apart from been delightful. Getting the first salary showcase your professionalism but also this, my second day at Cybage was my added the much needed zing, and my encourages you to walk that extra mile birthday. I entered my cubicle where, lo and instinct prompted me to buy an idol of Lord towards co-curricular activities. Ever since behold, a beautiful bouquet was kept on my Krishna for my office desk. my first day at Cybage, Gandhinagar, I am desk! This was followed by birthday wishes Pinky Kalita | QA Engineer overwhelmed by the supportive and from the HR and my new friends who had organized functioning of all departments. joined on the same date. The evening called Events such as annual bash, birthday Memories for a lifetime for a great party, and I had a blast with my parties, and MNC, among others are the Special moments linger on forever, and new-found friends. It’s great to work with attractions I look forward receiving my Cybage ID card and email Cybage and Cybagians. to for participation. address is one of them. I was very excited Talking about my Nitesh Bhargav | QA Engineer and thrilled when my first salary was first salary, credited. I bought a I waited for it with beautiful shawl for bated breath to buy my mother and my first Android A60 a lovely watch phone (also my first for my father. touchscreen phone), and The instance it’s one of my prized possessions now. holds enormous Aditya Anand | QA Engineer significance; it was a moment of pride for me that I was able to gift my parents for the ‘Buying’ is believing! first time with my own money. These are When it is the first job, everything has its memories for a lifetime! own charm. I am no exception and was Alpana Kailash Mishra | QA Engineer amazed by the very organized schedule during induction and a warm welcome from Moment of pride! my team. I am part of a fantastic team. After joining, when the month changed, I waited My first day at Cybage made me feel like for my first earning. Wasting no time, I a functioning member of the society and, purchased two cell phones for my parents. undoubtedly, it was a moment of pride! That moment relives in me a thousand Every conversation and every meeting on times for the simple reason that it’s finally I my maiden day was a learning experience, who am buying things for my parents and and I do cherish them till date. Then my not the other way round! first job introduced me to the most exciting Apurva Achyut More phase of our lives—the earning phase— | Business Development Executive which brought in me a sense of confidence

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 25 11/24/2011 8:24:00 PM Changing Hues of Life!

Life is, no doubt, a roller coaster ride. But when we look back, we all have that one instance that shaped our personality and made us what we are today. Cybagians walk down the memory lane and bring alive the most significant chapter from their book of existence.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going!

Early in my life, there was a phase when I blurb, I was completely floored by the chi faced a whole heap of emotional turmoil this book radiated. Okay, to cut the long and considered myself as a reigning story short—I took this guy home with ”Tragedy queen”. Then, one morning, I was me…I mean, I bought the book. waiting for an old friend in front of a book shop. This friend had a chronic reputation I could not wait to get home and start of never being on time. Frustrated, having reading it. Each page that I read gave me waited for 20 minutes, I decided to walk into new strength and induced resilience. Most the book shop. importantly, it made me believe that tough times don’t last but tough people do. I was As I gave the books a perfunctory glance, back on my feet facing the challenges head- my eyes fell on a book titled ‘Tough times on in no time. don’t last but tough people do’ by Dr. As Voltaire has rightly said, “There may be We all would love to see a permanent end Robert H. Schuller. I found the title mocking books that have bored their readers, but to all of our problems. However, every at me—for heaven’s sake, let me be! none that has done real evil.” Worth a read! problem has a limited lifespan. This too And a second thought arose, “Wait a shall pass. Now, I live by this thought. I Shunila Kapur minute, I am going through tough times. cannot believe that a simple book helped | Sr. Manager - Tech Support How the dickens did this guy know my me change my technique of handling life’s emotional state?” Involuntarily, my hands obstinacy. moved towards the book and as I read the

Take the first step and embrace change

I have always heard ‘change is for good’ and being ragged by merciless seniors (some it was one ‘change’ that transformed my of whom later became my best friends) to life. Back in 2001, I decided to take up IT as working hard endlessly through days and a career. In pursuit of my goals, I joined the nights to meet deadlines, I found myself Institute of Management Technology (IMT) overcoming every hurdle independently. I as an MCA student. Being from a world- studied hard and partied harder and also famous yet small city, Agra, and having been became an active member of our placement brought up in a very caring environment, committee. I believe that I had not seen the real world before I moved from Agra to Delhi to join From a carefree girl to a responsible IMT. individual, this ‘change’ prepared me to face the real-world challenges. My post-graduation years made me face so many different facets of life. Right from Rikti Garg | Sr. Software Engineer

CybageTimes | Nov 2011 | 26

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 26 11/24/2011 8:24:11 PM Motherhood is splendid!

When I was asked to write about my life- the abstract paintings that are about 3 feet changing moment, I went into the rewind from the ground on the house walls. I also mode and compared the following: was it suspect whether my son knows magic! Why passing my tenth (gateway to freedom - do I say this?… He has the charm to change college life!), was it meeting my boyfriend a dull, boring, and gloomy day to a bright, (now my husband), or was it getting married sunny one with his smile. to him in a real filmy ishtyle? Yes, these were significantmoments, but the life-changing Motherhood has changed me. Revisiting my one was the day my bundle of joy arrived! A-B-Cs, life has changed and how!!! Since then, life has been a roller coaster Anjana D Naik ride. | Sr. Executive – Administration Now, I don the umpire cap and explain to my husband every time that my baby is never ‘out’ in cricket. Also, these days I am getting good at modern art, looking at all

True confession of a Cybagian

January 10, 2004, I never knew that this day that Cybage has given me immense scope would change my life. Well, on this date to learn and grow professionally. I received confirmation from Cybage and packed my bags to move to Pune. To be Though this is my second job, Cybage is honest, I didn’t realize what was in store for the first place that facilitated in attaining me. But now when I look back, I thank my greater heights in my career and is still instincts for giving me a ‘go-ahead’ signal. doing so. Not to forget, my family members make each day special by showering their Right from dealing with various challenges love and support. My achievements hold no and managing time to maintaining a work- value without them. life balance, Cybage has taught me all. Not an exaggeration, but it is a true confession G.V.N.D. Manohar | Sr. System Analyst

Never let go of hope

Movies are for entertainment, aren’t they? various means to enable her to recollect With the same purpose when I watched the past happenings. Despite the challenges, film ‘50 First Dates’ directed by Peter Segal, he never loses hope and perseveres in faith I didn’t imagine that my thought process until the end. would change by the time the film gets over. Well, not only did the film entertain, Adam Sandler’s character influenced me, it also imbibed in me the art to look at the and how! Now, when the world says, “Give brighter side of life. up”, hope whispers, “Try one more time” and makes me achieve my goals. In the movie, every time Henry (Adam Sandler) meets Lucy (Drew Barrymore), Pranav Kalbandhe | Delivery Manager she fails to recognize him or remember their previous meetings. Henry devises new ways to meet her every day, hoping that one day she will retain her memories. To do so, he keeps trying

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 27 11/24/2011 8:24:22 PM Trekking- Explore the unexplored

Get soaked in the beauty of nature… let the charm of historical existence engulf you and take you back to the ancient era. Explore the unexplored and trace the untapped… Trek Unlimited fulfills all such aspirations and brings out your adventurous side. Let’s hear from the trekkers who made the most of it. The spirited team at Rajmachi fort

Rajmachi fort base village at 4:00 A.M. Fortunately, we could locate a school. Its veranda was our bed, and newspapers Engulfed in the thoughts of exploring the divine played the role of our mattresses. This appeared natural beauty and with a zest to tap the unmapped, a luxurious arrangement for our bodies that were we—a group of 22 trekkers—kickstarted our journey exhausted after a strenuous trek of 9 hours. We never to our destination, Rajmachi, a picturesque locale realized when deep 19 kilometers from Lonavala. Adventure soaked in sleep engulfed us. A right at the beginning because we were greeted quick nap of 4 hours with a heavy downpour, and we boarded our train refreshed us. We had completely drenched! After shuffling the people our breakfast at a seated around us, we settled down with our ‘wet’ nearby house-cum- selves and sang songs throughout the train journey. It hotel and were back to was 10:00 P.M. when we reached Lonavala, and all we exploring! desired at that time was food. After enjoying a ‘round Bypassing dense table’ dinner at the station, we decided to trek to our jungles, an exotic dam, base village, Udhewadi. and rocky terrains, we Post 11:00 P.M., amidst the pitch dark night with explored the beauty the twinkling fireflies around, we began walking on of Rajmachi and a steep, ascending path that led us to the clouds reached the apex of the covering the hills. The torches that we carried were Shrivardhan fort. (Going back to history, it is said that our eyes for the night, and they familiarized us with King Shivaji built the Shrivardhan and the Manoranjan the unmapped ways. As we moved forward, it was forts to keep an eye over the Rajmachi fort.) Perched time for another spell of heavy rains. Unknown ways, on the very zenith, we could see the clouds moving mysterious sounds, and exquisite ambience made it below us, and we literally felt on top of the world. an experience beyond our imagination. To add to our After witnessing the heavenly beauty of Rajmachi, we adventurous glory, we had green snakes, scorpions, started our journey back to Pune with our hearts filled and colorful frogs for company. with the picturesque Rajmachi, exotic sceneries, and After a tiring yet enticing journey, we reached our enduring memories of the trip.

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 28 11/24/2011 8:24:28 PM Naneghat Located in the Thane district of Maharashtra, We are ‘One’! Naneghat is a serene mountain pass in the Western Ghats range near Junnar. The walls Less of ‘me’ and more of ‘we’… keeping this mantra alive— of this pass, which jut out over the Western gelling, connecting, and most importantly, enjoying each other’s Ghats, command a magnificent view of the company—takes a team ahead. This is what DC-Publisher, one of great bend in the Sahyadri. While climbing the teams at Cybage did, celebrating their togetherness amidst the up the mountain, we saw many inscriptions, beauty of nature! Cybage Times brings to you their bonding, and steps, rock-cut rest houses, and cisterns—all more, at ‘Avanti Kaligram’. endorsing the historic fact that this route was frequently used as far back as the 1st century B.C. On reaching the point that we were all looking forward to—an old cave right on top of the pass—the sight was breathtaking and marvelous; for a few minutes, we all were spellbound by the beauty of the place.

Naneghat is also often visited by adventure enthusiasts for an awe-inspiring rappelling experience, and we did just the same! Rappelling through the untamed beauty of the Naneghat mountain range is an ideal way to immerse in the charisma of nature. The initial experience did give us jitters, but as we proceeded with due help of seasoned trekkers, the enchanting view left Exploring at Avanti Kaligram us spellbound. The steep mountain range We started on Friday evening after In no time, we were dancing, climbing, at Naneghat took our breath away, quite office. It was a windy drive of about 20 falling on one another, joking, and literally! The strong force of heavy winds kilometers from Hinjewadi leading to a getting drenched to glory. overturned our bodies, and rappelling complete weekend getaway. down the 350-feet cliff was truly unnerving. The rest of the day was marked by This event did boost our self-confidence The resort overlooks two lakes separated rejuvenation of mind and bonding as we and strengthen our attributes of trust, by a piece of land explored nature, soaking in its courage, and teamwork. Definitely one of surrounding lush green hills, beauty. At dusk, we all sat for the most exhilarating treks undertaken by a truly breathtaking sight. finger-licking food resting by our team! We were accommodated the campfire. It was definitely a in a comfortable dormitory perfect end to this marvelous for bachelors and rooms day. The next morning, breakfast for families. In the midst was followed by a walk through of scenic hills and lakes, the steep hills leading us to we warmly glowed in the a rock climber’s den. There beautiful night, sitting by we feasted on garma-garam the campfire, listening to authentic Marathi Veg/Non-Veg some favorite tracks, and thalis. Gradually, this remarkable dancing to jive music. Nobody knew journey ended. However, it was the how the time flew by but on sudden beginning of a stronger team spirit; we all realization that it was 5:00 A.M., we all gave this ‘bonding exercise’ full marks! hurried to our resting places for a quick nap. There was this overwhelming feeling What a rollicking time we all had!!! of excitement that in a couple of hours we would be up for a hearty breakfast followed by an exciting day ahead. We were to begin with a long walk.

Our adventure began with trailing down to the lake, and… bingo! We discovered a gigantic waterfall there. Rappelling at Naneghat On seeing the magnificent white cascade, we all went berserk.

Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 29 11/24/2011 8:24:33 PM Paperphone The Human Media Lab at Queen’s Gizmos University, Canada has developed a smartphone that resembles a sheet of paper. Keyless LifeBook The device named Ever imagined a ‘keyless’ keyboard Paperphone can be that could be customized by an end user to folded to fit within a user’s suit individual requirements? The answer lies in pocket or wallet. It features Keyless LifeBook. For instance, the keyboard can be a 3.74-inch thin film flexible split in sections by repositioning the numeric keypad E-ink display, underneath on the left and configuring which lies a flexible printed a touchscreen on the right circuit that consists of to meet the specific needs of resistive bend sensors. gaming enthusiasts. It also These sensors recognize different types of bending provides the freedom to use gestures for navigating through the menu and color layouts and to add making calls, among other things. Paperphone background illumination Compiled by: also features a built-in Wacom tablet that can be suitably Pravin Mehta that allows users to draw on its used by writers. | Sr. Content Writer screen. Quiz Leisure b) We should use the community- accepted coding standards to Seeds of Hope enable the developers from that Seeds of Hope that I sowed, community to easily understand. My love and care that they borrowed. c) We should use the coding standards that the developers I dreamt when these Seeds will grow, are comfortable with. I’ll find peace under their shadow. d) Every project should come up The first bud, followed by tiny fruits, with its own coding standards My Hope got firm as their roots. and use them.

My dream’s coming true, I could see. 3. Proper logging in an application Seeds of Hope to a pleasant tree. 1. Which of the following statements is most accurate for helps us in... I could not imagine any better sight, Waterfall? a) Implementing performance But then came a devastating night. a) In Waterfall, because projects tuning and security auditing of When the nature was at its worst, are normally planned for a long the application. When the bubble of my Hope did burst. period, it is not necessary to b) Diagnosing the problems in the application. Dream shattered and vision smashed, define the system upfront. c) Understanding the user behavior. But I’ll not let my Hope crash. b) In Waterfall, because changes are not generally accepted, d) All of the above. I had raised my dreams to be stout, development time is decreased. Such a miniscule could not crush it out. c) In Waterfall, documentation is a 4. Code coverage is... Seeds of Hope will grow again, vital part. a) An important factor to measure Seeds of Hope, I’ll sow again. d) None of the above. how much percentage of developed code is tested in the Poet – Vinay Kothari 2. In the ideal world, while | Software Engineer testing phase. developing applications... b) To run the code through a static a) We should use the same coding code analyzer for review. standards for all the technologies c) To manually check the code line so as to easily move resources by line to review it. from one technology to another. d) None of the above.

Answers : 1. c, 2. b, 3. d, 4. a Contributed by: Raghava Reddy | Sr. Technical Evangelist, Amit Mulay | Technical Evangelist

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 30 11/24/2011 8:24:35 PM Sports - Winners’ Streak

Enthralling energy, tough competition, and winning the game in true spirits… We have a bunch of sports enthusiasts who believe in winning not only in their professional life, but also do so in other areas of leisure. Here’s applauding the champions of the Cricket, Pool and Badminton tournaments held at Cybage - Pune, Hyderabad, and Gandhinagar and the winners of the inter-IT badminton tournament.

Pune Hyderabad

Badminton Tournament 2011 Cybage cricket match 2011 - Winners

Winners • Men’s Doubles - Shridhar Kawley & Ashish Kulkarni Gladiators Runner up • Mixed Doubles - Ashish Kulkarni & Taru Mateti • Women’s Singles - Taru Mateti • Sreedhar Kondagunta • Venkateshwaralu Kokkula • Srinivas Nelluri • Sourav Patnaik • Prashanth Paramkusham • Arif Osmani Pool Tournament 2011 • Ravi Sharma • Kishore E • Vishal Bhatia • Srinivas Siginapalli • Satish Shende • MN Kumar Winners • Mohammad Jaffary • Murahari Koppolu • Men’s Singles - Srinivas Kasturi • Naga Dhanamjay • Srinivasu Amaladasu • Men’s Doubles - Abhinav Rao & Srinivas Kasturi • Women’s Singles - Deepanvita Kalele • Women’s Doubles - Deepanvita Kalele & Sheetal Diggikar Gandhinagar • Mixed Doubles - Ai s h w a r y a G o k h a l e & S h i v a n a n d K a l a s h e t t i

Inter IT Badminton Tournament - Victory Events Cybage Premiere league 2011 - Winners

Winners Dabangg XI • Women’s Doubles - Taru Mateti & Shunila Kapur • Kumesh Kanara • Akash Yadav • Rohit Sarda defeated Madhura & S t u t i ( W i p r o ) • Nishant Shah • Sanjay Ahuja • Samir D Pandya • Mixed Doubles - Ashish Kulkarni & Taru Mateti • Poornachand • Rohan Shah • Jai Sharma defeated Deepak & Shireen (IGate Patni) • Kalyampudi • Jimit Joshi • Mandeep Shah • Men’s Doubles - Shridhar Kawley & Ashish Kulkarni defeate d H r i s h i k e s h & V i r e n d e r ( W N S ) • Raj Kumar Singh • Prashant Dutta • Chetan Visodiya • Venkatesan Iyer • Nishant Padhiyar • Kamlesh Sharma Semi Finalist • Women’s Singles - Taru Mateti Batsman of the Tournament : Venkatesan Iyer • Mixed Doubles - Shridhar Kawley & Shunila Kapur Bowler of the Tournament : Vishal Shukla Player of the Tournament : Venkatesan Iyer Team Event (Championship Cup) Semi Finalist - Cybage

You will always be in our heart.

“Cybage extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family of Himanshu Shinde. We pray to the Almighty for the departed soul to rest in peace.”

“As you rest with the angels above, our prayers that you shine always as one of the brightest stars.”

Himanshu Shinde | Tech Support department, Cybage Pune. (July 1984 - October 2011)

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Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 31 11/24/2011 8:24:36 PM Cybage Times_2011_Final AW.indd 32 11/24/2011 8:24:38 PM