Captain’s Thoughts

Are we truly hiring the best, or are we just playing the numbers game to flex on social media? Let’s dive headfirst into the electrified muck of diversity hiring—this time with a laser focus on Corporate India, where the paradox of merit versus quotas is a slow-burn crisis, not just a government saga. On one side, you’ve got the corporate meritocrats—CEOs and HR honchos—swearing by talent, competence, and bottom lines. On the other, a rising clamour for caste-based reservations in the private sector, echoing India’s decades-old public quota playbook, is now fueled by political muscle and DEI buzz. Donald Trump’s 2025 merit-or-bust crusade in the U.S. adds a global twist, but India’s corporate DEI dance is a beast of its own—tangled in caste, class, and capitalism. Are we building inclusive powerhouses or just slapping diversity stickers on profit machines? Let’s unpack this mess, spotlight the government-corporate divide, and throw some wild fixes at both - the suits and the ne...

  Back in February 2023, I penned down some thoughts about the Future of Work—little did I know, AI was lurking quietly around the corner, ready to burst onto the scene like an unexpected guest who becomes the life of the party. Today, every HR conversation feels incomplete without the mention of AI, sparking debates sharper than a chai break (black coffee for me) discussion: Will AI replace jobs, or will it give them an upgrade? So, let's clear the air—yes, AI is mighty powerful and transformative, and sure, it can automate tasks faster than a Mumbai local (or a Metro) during peak hours. But should we panic? Absolutely not. Think of AI less as an HR villain stealing your job, and more as your smartest intern ever—imagine ten PhD-level researchers who never take coffee breaks, tirelessly crunching data, drafting reports, and performing analytics for you (minus the usual internship drama). Now, here’s how we can smartly handle this AI revolution, especially in India—although, trust ...

 A while ago, I was added to a WhatsApp HR networking group (one amongst many such…) The description read: "A place for HR professionals to connect, share knowledge, and help each other in career growth." It sounded great—until I noticed something interesting. ·          The group was flooded with job postings—but mostly for junior and mid-level HR roles. ·          Lots of theory, articles, and “gyaan” —but very little real career support. ·          When a senior HR professional needed a role, suddenly, the group turned silent. Because helping junior professionals is easy —it costs nothing. But recommending or referring a fellow senior HR leader? That’s where things get tricky. The Unspoken Reality: HR’s Own Insecurities HR professionals are expected to advocate for employees, culture-builders, and champions of fairness—but ironically, many fa...