From: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 12:35 PM
To: Windows Live Web Communications (FTE)
Subject: I am 27 and retiring!
Hello Team,
Some of you know already this is my last Friday at Microsoft and in USA. I'm moving back to India this Saturday.
Before leaving, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your help, support, feedback, and suggestions for last 3 years in WC team. I have learned a lot from each of you in one way or other. I am grateful to Microsoft and United States for giving me opportunity for studies and such wonderful professional experience.
During this time if there's anything on my part that caused inconvenience to you (many things!!), I ask for you generous forgiveness. If there's any feedback / suggestion you want to give me to improve myself, I'll be glad to receive that. Sorry, you can't post it to http://performance/ any more :-). But good news - once I am gone, then you can blame all the stuff gone wrong due to me. I won't be there to hear that.
Once again thanks and wish you good luck to you all!
- Vikas
PS: There are some general questions people ask me, so I have compiled a short FAQ for you. Read along if you are interested.
FAQs:
What will I be doing once I go back?
I am going to spend most of the time with Jainism studies, understanding and implementing it in my life. If time allows and there are people, I'll be teaching the same. I'll also be giving some time for social service and local community improvements. (FYI - I have been teaching Jainism for last 4 years in Seattle and Bay area. There is a regular class at local Jain center. The classes were webcasted at http://www.ustream.tv/channel/jain-mmp-class.)
Someone asked me how much time I'll take to read/understand all books. I thought how much time I need and realized I can read all the books maybe in 5-7 years, but to really understand/implement a single book or even a single sentence it may take entire life time. So learning is not the end goal, it's starting point only.
Don't I like USA?
This is not about liking or disliking USA or India. It's more related to my goals which I can accomplish better in India than here. It's been exciting, challenging here, but the next steps that I want to take are different than what I have been doing here. Spirituality is my passion and want to spend time in exploring this now.
Why am I retiring and moving back?
I am not retiring for a relaxed comfortable life, or to roam around the world/places, or not to live materialistically. I am not expecting that I won't have any problems in India; nor am I hoping anyone is waiting for me there. I am not expecting that I won't have any external issues because I am into spirituality. Please remember those are phases of the life that would come anyway regardless of where I am. You need to learn how to be detached with such situations / things. I am learning that now and will continue learning and practicing it. That's why I am going back.
Do I have enough money?
One of my friends and some others asked me 'do I have enough money to go back and retire?' I asked him when we have enough money? I haven't seen any person here who has enough money though they have been working for years, days and nights; but still don't have enough money. They all want more. When does this end! I am not going back because I have enough money. If this is the reason for my returning back, I'll be in misery after very short time. Think what would happen when this money goes away. Can I make sure this money will always be with me? Can I make sure I will never make any mistake to lose this money? I don't think so; nor do I think anyone can assure that. So the answer is there is not enough money, but this is the end to my desire - तृष्णा. I am learning how to be content. That's the key to return, not money.
Where will I be in India?
I am not joining any missionary or church nor am I becoming any saint. I'll be in my hometown Indore. This would be my address for at least some time:
Vikas Jain
53 Malharganj Main Road
Indore, Madhya Pradesh. 452002
91-731-2410880
Just wanted to say, although I caught your FAQ/Goodbye email too late at Microsoft (it's been forwarded around), I think the FAQs reflect a lot of wisdom, and I wish you all the best in your journey.
ReplyDeleteFrom: Krishna Govindayapalli
ReplyDeleteSent: Friday, February 05, 2010 12:13 PM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Cc: shamapanth@yahoo.com
Subject: FW: I am 27 and retiring!
Hi Vikas,
My name is Krishna and I loved the email you have written. Not because it’s very interesting but because I can relate to it and planning to move back (but not retiring though. I think my heart needs little more time to see if that’s right for me). I feel that I have spoken to you while I was reading this. But now I am sending this email to see if you have time to speak to you once. Please call at 425 996 8610 if you wish to speak to me too. Nothing specific to talk, but naturally some conversations comes along when we chat, I feel that it might benefit both (and may be many more).
Thanks for sharing with DAC Indians. I am sure it may impact atleast few, if not now, down the lane.
Krishna
From: Joe Martin (WLX)
ReplyDeleteSent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 2:25 AM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
Hi Vikas,
I never had the opportunity to work with you directly, but I’ve always heard good things about your work. When I heard about your intentions some time ago, I thought to myself, “Nothing here can compete with that.” After reading your farewell reasons, I am even more convinced of this and am touched by your commitment.
I wish you well in this next phase of your life.
joe
Wow. In that case, I have more respect for your wife than I have for you. It is truly remarkable.
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes are with both of you.
From: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Sent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:55 AM
To: Shailesh Shah
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
I am married and didn’t have problem in going to this path. My wife agrees to it and will follow the same.
From: Shailesh Shah
Sent: Thursday, February 04, 2010 8:01 PM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
Man.. I truly wish if I could do something this.
Just out of curiosity, are you married/kids ? I guess not, because that one factor will stop you from all your plans.
My heartfelt best wishes to you.
Best of luck and Jay Jinendra.
Shailesh
From: Kumar Anbalagan
ReplyDeleteSent: Friday, February 05, 2010 12:46 PM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
Bravo, Vikas,
For having the courage to make this bold decision and thank you for letting us know about it. I have never met you, but I am thankful nevertheless, coz I know now that such “Stupid” people still exist in the world.
Steve Jobs once said “Stay hungry and Stay foolish” . I hope you will do the same. Wish you all the best.
-Kumar
From: Krishnan Duraisamy
ReplyDeleteSent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:34 PM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
Hi Vikas,
It is very nice to see someone following their conviction even if it means moving out of the comfort zone. I have always believed it has something
to do with the Indian soil. Some of the greatest minds have been and are still born there. I wish you a good luck in your endeavor and
may you find what you are looking for.
Warm regards,
-Krishnan-
From: Sankaran Narayanan
ReplyDeleteSent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:45 PM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
May you succeed in your quest for inner peace, knowledge, realization and service.
>After reading the mail below, you may think – ‘wow! that’s different’ or ‘what a stupid guy! who leaves a well-paid job in this market!’
Though i must very respectfully point out that your e-mail is a bit condescending and for a spiritual person who is supposed to know better than most others.
Anyways, good luck to you ..
From: Samit Jhaveri
ReplyDeleteSent: Friday, February 05, 2010 11:46 PM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
Jai Jinendra Vikas. It was a very inspiring mail and it reminded me of our spiritual teachings that when the soul awakens(aatma gyan) we realize that all peace and bliss is inside us and stop searching for happiness in the outside material world.
Stay in touch.
From: Kadamb Goswami
ReplyDeleteSent: Saturday, February 06, 2010 12:55 AM
To: Vikas Jain (WLC)
Cc: vikasnd@gmail.com
Subject: RE: I am 27 and retiring!
HI Vikas,
I felt good after reading your mail, even I forwarded this mail to couple of my friends outside MS. I am glad that you are going behind your passion, your goals in life. You mentioned couple of key points in those FAQ which are applicable in any person’s life whether they are Hindu or Jain or Christians…I liked your faith in God…I will meet you sometime in Indore. I don’t need to say good luck to you as God will take care of you and you will do good in your life.
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ReplyDelete