Jackfruit Talks

Stay Hungry Stay Foolish

2015-10-03T22:42:00.001+05:30

I picked up a book to read after a long time. A nonfiction too, “Stay hungry Stay foolish” –by Rashmi Bansal.

But a sad joke is what struck me first. The title, a famous quote by Steve Jobs is what most of India lives by. Though literally.

Half of India stays Hungry.

Half of India stays foolish.

Modern Slavery

2013-10-20T21:58:00.002+05:30

A news item, on millions in modern day slavery and half of them being in India got me thinking.

Wikipedia says

"Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation... "

I wonder if most of us fall into the above category.

We are treated as property by people, companies, gods, god’s men and dozens of others. We are sold off at appraisals and by office politics. We are bought over naukri.com or some of us even ‘walk-in’.

Our mind is enslaved by the society. Though our body is free, our mind is chained. We are held against our will by responsibility, morality and fear. We are deprived of the right to leave, or is it worse? We have nowhere to go. We cannot refuse to work. We are sold and bought in open market by the illusion that we are demanding compensation.

I think the rat race of modern day life is the worst form of slavery. It is a form of slavery that we do not often realize. We train our mind to enjoy it, celebrate its success and even call it our passion.

Parents & Kids

2013-10-15T00:20:00.001+05:30

There are a lot of friends who are integral part of "me". But I have lost touch with many, for very long. They are in my thoughts and dreams often, but seldom on my caller list. This also makes me believe I have lost touch with myself.

In a sense, this blog is one such friend.

Today's post is a question to my non existing readers.

You all are a child to wonderful parents and many are loving parent to an adorable child. I believe we take a lot from our parents and provide just moments of happiness in return.

So my question is: Which 6 months in life span of a child does he/she bring maximum happiness to his/her parents?

As I wait in hope that someone shall reply, I will discuss my answer. I believe parent child relation like every other relationship changes with time. So I believe it will be a lie if someone says kids feel the same to parents all the time. I probably brought more happiness to my parents as a kid than I do now as grown up.

In my opinion most parents get maximum happiness from their children between the age of 4 months to 10 months.

Before this golden age babies are mostly sleeping and passive other than the occasional smile and gurgle. And after this age they start developing likes and dislikes, grow their own character, become demanding and this growth continues till they become useless grown up like me.

Economics of Life

2012-12-11T22:27:00.000+05:30

One day I got some unplanned free time and I picked up a book. And due availability I pick up a nonfiction for first time in my life. I think I found it more interesting than I would have expected. And the book was freakonomics. And my take away from the book was, not to trust anything and to question everything. I was so inspired that I did not trust a word the book said and continue to question few things (in my mind).

Quoting something that I liked from the book

“Morality, it could be argued, represents the way that people would like the world to work - whereas economics represents how it actually does work”

A boon

2012-11-19T12:40:00.000+05:30

He traveled the road untraveled for long. He met a saint on the road.

“You have traveled long on the road untraveled to find me. I give you a boon. All your thoughts shall come true” the saint said

“What happens if I think of losing the boon” he thought.

PS: This a what I call a tweet fiction :). Again this one is on thoughts and beliefs. And was written along with "an Encounter" post. This one of course leave a lot open :)

An Encounter

2012-09-09T16:59:00.002+05:30

It is not the 100s of years of history or the fact that this place hosted the world famous boat race that made this abode or lord Krishna very special for her. It was more about memories, memories of walking on the graveled temple courtyard holding her father’s hand, of running around with her brother, of happy laughter as her father held her up so that she could ring the temple bell. She had been here since the time she had nothing to pray for. She had come here praying for ice-cream, she had been here praying for distinction in SSLC exam and then for an engineering seat. On her wedding day she prayed for a loving husband and promised a thulabharam with coconut when her baby girl Indu was born. Even with time and increasing prosperity there was something timeless about the temple. Very much like ever present old sanyasi’s sitting at the temples large stone paved mandap, chanting from prayer books or reading the Gita or mahabarath or just praying with their eyes shut, often leaning on the beautifully engraved stone pillers.

Among the never ending sound of chanting, prayers and temple bells, the soothing aroma of sandal wood paste, incense sticks and burning camphor. At the evening pujas, among the dancing lights of hundreds of lamps she felt there were moments when time stood still or even reversed. Here she could forget that she had a teleconference to attend late night that day. Although on vacation she had to be available on call as the project release dead line was just a couple of weeks ahead. Indu’s vidyarambham had brought her home this time.

The ceremony was better than expected. Indu was in awe of the proceedings at the temple. She was happy about seeing her favorite animal, elephant inside the temple premises, all decorated and majestically being part of the celebration. Indu was excited as the priest held her hand and helped her write her first letters in a Malayalam, her mother tongue that her mother could hardly write. Indu was enjoying her day out. But we were in hurry. Three or four days of vacation never gives you any time to relax, there were many relative to visit, many a thing to do.

As her mother in law and husband went to make offering to the temple deity and collect prasada, She lugged Indu along to get coupons for her favorite milk payasam. One has to stay late till noon to collect the payasam. But as they were in a hurry they would give away the coupons to sanyasi’s meditating and praying at the temple. As they were walking back Indu shook off her hand and ran to a very old sanyasi standing at a corner and offered him the coupon. He was short, fair, bald and thick white beard almost covered his face. Visible part of his face was wrinkled and he looked above 80 years old. Dressed in saffron he looked lovingly at Indu and put his hand on her head blessing her.

He raised his head and looked at me. His eyes were bright and he had a soothing smile.

“ I am god. A big storm is coming. I choose you to build the ark that will save this world”

She was shocked. She bit her lips to stop laughing out loud. Poor old man should be out of his mind. She took out a 10 rupee note and put it on floor next to him.

“Dear daughter, this storm shall not bring fast winds or raging water. It shall bring greed, distrust and cruelty that too in my name. It shall not shake your concrete building but shall shake humans being living inside first. It will shake their morals, shake their goodness and blow away love”

Now she was getting frightened and too shocked to react. Hundred thoughts ran through her mind. Should I run away? Or shout for help? What does he want? Will he attack if turn back and start running?

He continued “Human mind shall be the wood you would build the ark with. The ark shall be held together by good thoughts, love and compassion. You should start building the ark by guiding the youngest uncorrupted minds. Like a fisherman spread your net of goodness in mighty oceans of human mind, and I promise you guidance. Take this coin, when in doubt toss this coin and if it falls with my abode facing up, take is as yes”

Saying this he pushed the coin in to her hand. The coin fell down as she pulled back her hand frightened. Now she was panicking. she was feeling slightly dizzy. Her face was all red, and she was starting to sweat profusely. There was a few seconds of uneasy silence that seemed like years. The old man was holding her mind such that she could not even run or was it her fear paralyzing her? Suddenly his face grew a bit sad.

“You can give me your ring, I shall duplicate it to prove who I am” he offered

Oh god he is some fraud she realized and took a step back and hid her hand away from him. He now smiled knowingly.

“What if I disappear? Would that help you believe?”

Oh god. Please make him disappear, She though as the shock slowly started waning. She stood in silence trying to guess his next move.

Suddenly she heard Indu cry behind her … “Ammaaa…” she had stumbled and fallen. She ran, picked her up and held her up tight trying to pacify her. She caringly inspected Indu, she was fine and was just frightened.

“Come let us go and find your daddy.” she said as Indu clung on to her. In all the action she completely forgot about the old man. She suddenly turned back to look and he was not there. She quickly looked around, he was nowhere to be seen. She walked to the spot where they stood talking a minute back. The coin was lying on the ground. She picked it up.

“Amma water …” Indu should be thirsty and hungry by now, she worried. Water bottle was with her husband. She hurried to her husband as she tucked the coin into her purse. As they hurried back to their car, feeding and handling Indu completely occupied her mind. Hectic travel and Indu together tied her thought so much that she did not even mention it to her husband till they were on bed that night and Indu was fast asleep.

Her husband could not hold back his laughter as he heard her story.

“Stop laughing you will wake up Indu … baby is too tired” she scolded playfully.

“Anyway good that you did not give the gold ring or he would have done the Houdini act with it” he was still laughing.

“Could he be god? When he said I should start by guiding the youngest uncorrupted minds, could he be referring to teaching job? Just yesterday we were discussing about me resigning from this stupid IT job and take up teaching so that Indu could get a bit more of my time. Could facebook, internet etc be the mighty oceans of human mind he was referring to?” She wondered aloud.

“Why don’t you use the coin god gave you? Was it not supposed to guide you?” husband replied oozing with sarcasm.

She fished inside her purse and brought out the coin.

Her husband was more fascinated by the five rupee coin than her story.

“Oh this is a special one. I will keep this one safe for sure. This was released by RBI in 2010 to commemorate 1000 years of Brihadeeswarar temple in Thanjavur” he added.

“So the first question is, should I take up teaching job? Please toss” she egged him on

Her husband tossed the coin. It fell with temple facing up. They looked at each other and laughed.

“And the next question is should we switch off the light and sleep?” He continued with a more sarcasm.

Both of them laughed. He tossed the coin and it fell with temple facing up. They obeyed for once, switched off the light and slept. Next day life went on as usual.

PS: I come back to blog in name of god :). It is a short story on our beliefs. Noted the first few lines a month back. But completed it now. And special thanks to my proof reader cum reviewer. The temple in the picture is not the one in story but is one of my favorite in Pathanamthitta.

Equally Confused

2012-05-06T21:41:00.000+05:30

Have been reading a lot about economic disparity and need for equality. I feel social equality defines the stability of any country and stability is big factor that brings about economic activity and thus development.

Probably we should try to work towards a society where anyone with will, should be able to get to any social position he aims. I would say equality to dream (equal opportunity) should be the target. Even that would not be possible till god makes everyone equal in intelligent and emotional quotient. So in additions to equality to opportunity we need some reservation to accommodate physically or mentally challenged among us. Then there is years of so called history to be undone. So that needs more reservation. In general these reservations again create inequality. But in general more I think of it more Utopian the concept of equality seems.

Even if equality is just a dream, even to reduce the potential difference and defeat the resultant current that can put our country into instability the biggest hurdle would be mans greed. It is possible that spirituality can help. It is difficult to satisfy anyone with any amount of money or facilities, only thing that can put mankind at peace should be spirituality and god. So I would say only god can save India. We need a lot of saints.

Also reminds me of the climax seen of the movie “Enemy at the Gates”. The dialogue between Vassili and Danilov. As said by Danilov

“I have been such a fool, Vassili. Man will always be man. There is no new man. We tried so hard to create a society that was equal, where there’d be nothing to envy your neighbor. But there’s always something to envy. A smile, a friendship, something you don’t have and want to appropriate. In this world, even a Soviet one, there will always be rich and poor. Rich in gifts, poor in gift. Rich in love, poor in love”

To Let Go

2012-01-18T03:12:00.000+05:30

Few weeks back over a lazy weekend we watched two beautiful movies. Adaminde makan Abu(AMA) and Pranayam. Both were sad but still feel-good movies, oozing with goodness and love. Both have sober theme. The two movies are about people in difficult situation, but does not go over board with sentiments. In spite of the inherent situational and natural tragedy it highlights the goodness and hope in human mind.

I generally do not like or empathize with most of the tear jerk movies that try milk tragedies (like Akashadooth). But then there are others like AMA and Pranayam that I have enjoyed in spite of all the tears and difficulties depicted. Few I can think of now are Koshish, kaazcha, TaareZameen Par and few English movies like one flew over the cuckoo’s nest, rain man etc.

But these movies get me thinking on how people handle situations that are really out of control. Have you ever felt helpless in front of life’s natural tragedies? Where you fight with all might and still fail or even worse when you know you will fail and even worse when you know you cannot even fight. Every person has his or her on way of handling these impossible situations. I would call it the “on-edge reaction”. Some choose self destructive on-edge reaction, where as other may have an escapist strategy. Few others may go spiritual.

My on-edge reaction is based on my belief that a one’s life has multiple parallel tracks or roles. Broadly classified as professional, family, social and spiritual. And each of these broad tracks has narrower sub tracks. So when I hit an absolute dead end at one or more tracks. I just let it go. And compensate by traversing other tracks on full speed. The progress on other facets brings some positive energy to life. And the helpless situation either withers away with time or shows me a way to fight back or worst case I get used to it or it becomes insignificant in a bigger picture.

So I say, when things are really out of control just take a deep breath and let go

How green is clean

2011-11-14T22:57:00.003+05:30

Saw a paper napkin advertisement on TV. One guy uses his cloth napkin to dust something, and our hero explains he may later use the same cloth napkin to wipe his face and explains the virtue of using a paper napkin instead of the cloth one he is using. Well no doubt use and throw paper napkins are more hygienic than cloth but are they green enough. Every time I have travelled out to US, I have noticed the almost all toilets have paper towels for sure and I confess I love then. Paper napkins are used quite lavishly. Even Indian cities are catching up to this wasteful but convenient trend.

Similarly hand wash advertisements show kids washing hand in running water for couple of minutes to clean off all the germs. It reminds me of my dad who used to suggest using mug of take water for washing and shaving, so that water is not wasted.

Parents today are paranoid about keeping their kids clean and healthy. But there is increasing number of experts who suggest that it is our preoccupation with cleanliness which is weakening our body’s inherent defenses. This is causing increasing allergies and asthma (One such article here).

Cleanliness is overrated. Get Dirty Save Earth.

Art called food

2011-07-06T21:50:00.002+05:30

This post originated from a discussion over coffee with an artist friend. Basically it was on how can a simple thing like coffee be so costly?

That made me think, is not food an amazing art? Quite a complex one at that. After all it takes more than one sense organ to admire food. Good food should not just taste good, it should smell good, look good and feel good too.

Not just the food, the ambience too adds to the taste of the food. An amazing coffee would not taste so good if you at a stinking place. The amount of science, maths, experience, skill and patience that goes into any plate of food makes it great. Food is an art which can adds flavor to any activity that we couple with it. Say listening to good music or even a good movie goes so well with food, each complementing the other. Above all food have memories. How many times have you taken a mouth full of food and then got drowned in countless memories associated with it?

Like any other art not everyone appreciate the same food, and unless you have a taste, eye, nose and touch for it you cannot differentiate Rs. 5 coffee from Rs 50 coffee.

I confess I not just love eating, but also love reading and watching food.

Its not that bad

2011-06-24T22:27:00.004+05:30

It is not all negative about corruption, it is an indicator of a healthy democracy after all.

I came through a small extract from a talk by Noam Chomsky on corruption, it was quite an interesting thought.

“ -- Corruption is a very positive sign of government. You should always be in favor of corruption. If people are interested in enriching themselves or in sex or something like that, then they are not interested in power. And the most dangerous thing is the guys that want power.

Furthermore, corruption has a way of being exposed for quite simple reasons. When people are corrupt, they are usually robbing other rich people. Therefore they are going to block people and when corruption gets exposed it weakens power. And so that's one of the ways you can defend yourself-- ”

On the same note it is interesting to see government's fight against the “crusaders against corruption”. Success is evident from the amount of distrust people have against Baba Ramdev’s protest. Otherwise does Baba Ramdev’s religion or economic status matter? And how does his religion or money stop him raising his voice against black money. Or even if he is a proxy for BJP does that make his crusade bad? After all its duty of a responsible opposition party to highlight the shortcoming of a government.

Liked this (four-tips-to-end-corruption-in-india) article with some nice thoughs on corruptoin

Sensitivities of an Insensitive nation

2011-04-23T07:18:00.004+05:30

It is heartening and frightening to see Anna Hazare and a lot of people supporting him taking to street for a crusade against corruption.

It is heartening to see that we insensitive Indians are so sensitive about corruption and want to do something about it. Some day when Gandhi moved on to sathyagraha many would have wondered what a single man can do. But the millions of people who were moved by him made the change possible. Who knows if Anna Hazare too inspires a million? I am sure many would have argued what Gandhi did was illegal and blackmail.

It is frightening to see a whole lot of people supporting a cause they do not really understand and care for. Once you have thrown away your dress, it is a disaster if you do not have a new one to wear.

But I personally feel it’s a change of attitude that is required the most. There are two instances that were etched into my mind. One was around 12th standard. I was introduced to a relative saying “he works in so and so office, he need not even ask for bribe, it reaches his house” and that person stood there nodding his affirmation. The second was a discussion among elders in my house about a guy who was suspended for taking bribe. An uncle explained “Poor guy his house construction is in progress, kaashinu aavisham kaanum (would be in need for money)”.
Also reminds me of a much successful Malayalam movie, Traffic. In the movie a traffic constable is suspended for taking bribe. And in the end they show that his sister needed money, it was for her that he took the money, hinting at justifying it.
I remember my mother telling me not to take any other persons pencil/rubber when she send me to nursery school, I remember her teaching me not to steal etc. But I don’t think she ever told me not to take a bribe (However unlikely, if my mother reads this post some day and feels that she told me that, I will let you guys know :)).

Every time we break some traffic rule, don’t we invariably try to offer half the fine amount to the cop who stopped us?

I would say in true malayali style. Till we are like this, our country too will be like this only

Democratic Kingdom of India

2011-04-10T21:46:00.004+05:30

Election season in kerala, TamilNadu and few other states so there is a lot of politics in air. Makes me wonder how much of a democracy India is.

1. In a kingdom King rules over the state. His family is actively involved in governance. After the kings time his kids take over. At times kids fight it out among them to decide the heir.

In Indian democracy many states are controlled by one powerful family or the other, there are dynasties in center too

2. In Kingdom performers perform in front of the kings and when happy with their performance, the king spontaneously and impulsively declares a reward. Ofcourse bills are paid by the Tax paid by peoples.

In Indian democracy watch out for all state CMs declare lavish gifts for the world cup winning Cricket team. I always wish they were equally spontaneous in helping out poor people in their states. But then only relief is the hope that the CMs are equally insincere to the cricketers. I am sure the rich Indian cricketers are not waiting for the gifts though

3. In kingdom state poets write songs in praise of the King.

In India news channels are the greatest spokes persons of various leaders. Often owned by the politicians themselves, they are strongly support their patrons. In Indian democracy there are quite a few poets write in praise of politicians too

4. In kingdom the kings pictures/statues are placed predominantly across the kingdom so the history should not miss them and their statues should remind every coming generations to be thankful and support the kings heirs

In India every party when in power goes on an overdrive to install statues of their past, at times even present glorious leaders. lest we forget. I feel better about hospital/school build and named after leaders than having status. With the condition of roads in India, I can understand if they are reluctant about naming roads after them.

Hoping the best for India.

Best friend’s best friend

2011-03-12T11:35:00.010+05:30

Preface: Unlike the previous love story, this is in my regular style so read at your own risk.

Her father always wanted a girl child. With 2 boys before her, she heard from her mother that he fasted for 41 days and went to Shabarimala to pray for a girl child the year she was born. It was her father who named her Indira. She was named after late Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Like Indira Gandhi her father wished her to be famous, intelligent, brave and able. Her father treated her at par with his boys, if not better. So when she completed 10th standard she was sure she was headed to the popular boarding school, away from home. The school was popular for bagging most of the top 100 ranks in Kerala engineering and medical entrance exam.

The first experience away from home was tougher than what she had expected. At hostel she missed her mother to wake her up in the morning. There was no tooth brush with paste, hot water and warm towel ready, nor was it a sparkling clean bathroom. No one asked her what she would like to have for breakfast and it was a 5 minutes walk to hostel mess. She had to manage laundry, essential shopping and house keeping on her own. There were no protective brothers or familiar friends.

Mridula was her room mate, the only kid for her NRI parents. She was in Dubai with her parents till 10th standard. She too was staying away from home for the first time. Both of them became great friends, it was just a matter of hours. Other than their frameless spectacles and Timex watches they had their love for jackfruit chips, gossips, movies, Prithviraj (Malayalam movie actor) and boys in common. Within weeks they were fondly called Siamese Irattakal(twins) in their class and they never missed sharing all their unimportant important things.

There is something about best friends they make us feel surrounded with a crowd of loving people. Getting up in the morning and getting ready was less tiresome with Mridula yapping endlessly about school (previous and present), her plans, suggestions, movies, food etc. They realized food tasted better with Mridula talking about her Dubai experiences at KFC, Pizza corner, Starbucks, TGIF etc. They talked endlessly on how stupid Annie looked with all the makeup on or how invisible after sunset Swetha should have been named before she was born. After classes, in between assignment and studies they talked about anything and everything under the sun. Late nights were for discussions, from biology text to Howard Roark to Mr. Knightley. Every Sunday Mridula’s uncle and her grandparents would visit her, replenishing their stock of chips, biscuit and Halwa.

That year her parents were visiting Kerala during Christmas Vacation. And they bought her a Nokia express music mobile phone and a post paid connection. Phone number XXX6743852, was etched in Indira’s mind even before, it got saved in here dad’s mobile. She was excited. Her dad had not allowed her to get a mobile phone, but now her roommate had one. Now her parents did not have to call the common hostel landline to contact her. Now her parents did not have to try for hours before they got the line free. She did not have to dress up and rush to the phone in the common room when someone informed her that she had a phone call from home. She too was going to be connected to her class friends all the time. Then there was the camera, the mp3 player and the Radio Mango FM to entertain both of them.

Back after Christmas the mobile phone did bring more changes than expected. Every morning started with Mridula’s mothers wake up call. She would put on her hands free head set and her mother gave her instructions for the day, as she brushed her teeth. After classes between study breaks she would get calls from dad, mom, cousins, uncles, aunts and grand parents. Indra’s parents soon realized it was easier to get the common landline free, than to get her roommate’s phone free. Mridula would be furiously texting as they studied. Only discussions were about assignments, that too often monosyllables. Indra would wait for Mridula to be off the phone to go for breakfast or dinner.
“edi Maaye 9 mani aayi, ippol poyillengil rathri pattiniya … najan oru 5 minuteil vilikam” So the meals too became a hurried affair. There was no more incessant chatter to go with beans thoran.

Late nights they did not discussed why Thomas hardy’s Giles Winterborne was more viable in present day India. Late nights were for her friends from Dubai. Indira came to know that Mridula had a lot of friends. Minu, Jayesh, Moris, Jomol, Laya, Rijesh, Jayanth, Anu, Salim, Tina, Noyel and many more would call between unending SMSs. Indra would spend more and more time with books, as her best friend paced around the room talking to her phone.
Every unimportant important thing was shared with the phone even before they were shared with Indra or often not shared with Indra. Her roommate celebrated, mourned, laughed and cried with the phone. There was so much of fun, friendship, laughter and joy in the room, but Indra felt lonely. She was alone in a crowd.

They still ate, studied and lived together but still the magic that existed couple of months back was missing. She realized her best friend had a new best friend.

P.S. This story was written some time back. And is related to a very old blog (this blog: Connectivity) :)

Are you a hacker?

2011-03-10T22:26:00.005+05:30

I wish this quote is terribly wrong
“If you are a genius you should have proved it to the world by 30”

Recently read a collection of questions to ask an entrepreneur, to judge how successful she/he would be. One of the questions that I liked was

Q: Quote an instance when you have hacked any system?

Hacking need not be breaking in into someone’s mail account and system need not be a computer. Basically it can be any instance where you found the normal functioning is inefficient, and came up with alternate way. It needs to be somewhat ethical (bribing, cybercrime, etc to be excluded, though I agree many criminals are genius). For example found an efficient new way of doing something or found undocumented/unintentional functionality in a tool/software or used a feature that is for a certain purpose for entirely different purpose, etc.

I feel as students of science/technology we should all ask ourselves this question to judge how passionate we are about technology. Could be a nice yardstick

Happy New Year

2011-01-01T09:16:00.003+05:30

Just another Saturday Morning. But the date makes it special. A date that is just a reference to a day on calender system, nothing really changes as an year ends and a new one starts. We would not have celebrated a new year if we on an island with no calender or communication to remind us that some crazy notation of time is beginning.

But it the idea that its a new beginning, that makes people happy and celebrate. It is hope to leave the failures of previous year. It is the hope to start afresh and its all in the mind.

So for this year I wish you all, that you enjoy the beginning everyday and celebrate a New Day Every Day.
I wish that you leave your forts and enjoy the fun that comes your way.

Stressed out by lack of stress!

2010-11-22T23:55:00.005+05:30

Do you feel more stressed when you are not at all in stress and less stressed when stressed out? Do you feel stressed out by lack of stress? Do you feel stressed that everyone around you are so stressed out and so worked up that you suddenly feel embarrassed about being not in stress? Do you make more use of an hour break you get between the two design reviews than the 24 hours you get on an off day?

Probably those who have some pressure at work (at least in moderation) have greater sense of accomplishment and greater work satisfaction than people who have lesser work pressure.

Ending with a thought from the black comedy movie “World’s Greatest Dad”

"I though the saddest thing in life was to be lonely, but I found that the saddest thing is to be in a crowd of people who make you feel lonely... "

The Talent Within

2010-01-28T22:23:00.003+05:30

Second of the article motivated more by 3 idiots/five point someone and I am not surprised. It is accepted since the movie/book is on my second most passionate topic education.

The easiest way for an average IQ guy with not much real talent to earn some good money and live an honest life is to study and study hard. You may not file 100 patents or invent a bulb, but in my mother’s classic words “Ration ari medikan oru vazhi kittum”(Will get a way to buy Rice from Govt. Ration store)

If you have Gautham Menon in you no Mechanical Engineering Degree from NIT Trichi can stop you from becoming an Ace director. This is my parent’s philosophy rather than my own original. It is probably the philosophy of most of the middle class parents in our country.

Every time I wanted to sleep that extra hour, every time I wanted to play that extra hour, every time I wanted to watch that movie the day before exams, my parents nagged me or often forced me to study. And I am sure they did not kill any budding Sachin Tendulkar or Gautham Menon.

Right from early school days teacher after teacher, book after book, friend after friend talked in length about that talent within each of us. For some time I too looked for it within me. At times I felt sad that I could not find that talent with in me. Around me I did see few people who were hugely talented. But then I do wonder is it necessary that we should have some big talent within?

This talk of everyone having some hidden talent and allowing that talent to come out etc is true for select few. But majority like me are born just normal. As a kid I did not have any original Ambition. Even today I feel that if allowed the choice to do what I love rest of my life, I would probably sleep to death. This late in life I am still searching for that hidden talent. So I am thankful to this world for making me what I am today.

Somehow I do not believe everyone is born with some talent, some talent that if understood would make you one in a million, rich and famous. I rather believe there can be average men/women, who shall lead average life, earn a decent living doing an honest days work where they may not excel but still do the best they can and live happy.

Anyone could be among those average and they need not be ashamed or unhappy about the missing talent that will make them great. Better be happy and content about being average than being unhappy and un-content searching for that missing talent

3 idiots & guru devo bhava

2010-01-10T21:43:00.007+05:30

This is not a review of the movie 3 idiots – I liked the movie a lot

This is not a comment on 3 Idiots and ragging controversy – hmmm… too much!!!

This is not a comment on Chetan Bhagat – 3 idiots team controversy (to add, I am on Chethan Bhagat’s side :D. There a bit too much Five point someone in 3 idiots to put his credit in the end credit roll, below all artists in a small, easy to not notice font. But I also mention that screenplay writer Abhijat Joshi did a couple of cool changes to save the movie from ending up being a documentary. And I am not referring to all the “original” jokes in the movie which even a canteen boy in every engineering college would have heard)

But Professor Viru Shastrabudhe of the movie got me thinking. This blog is more about arrogance with which Prof Virus announce to a student’s parents on phone that their son is not graduating this year. It is so typical of most engineering college.

Recently I had the good fortune of interacting with few teachers of a reputed private engineering college. And I should say the teachers were a bunch of arrogant people. The tutor (junior most) was arrogant, the professor was more arrogant and the department head was the most arrogant. I think teachers in the government college where I studied were angels when compared to them.

I was wondering what made teachers so rude. Then I heard these colleges are what are called deemed universities, especially the kind of ones mushrooming in all of south India. These colleges have huge funds and resources and are owned by wealthy and powerful, which is also why they easily get the deemed status. With deemed status comes opportunity to set industry standard syllabus, do international standard research, to impart international standard training, freedom to start classes on time, freedom to conduct exam on time, set relevant exam questions, correct exam papers in house without delay and a lot more. This is tried, tested and successful higher education model followed all over the developed world. But when this freedom is mixed with “greed for power” that we Indian’s have, it becomes dangerous. The typical faculty and management is interested is power that deemed status brings. “The Power to write the destiny of a student”

The faculty is not mature enough to handle all the power that comes into their hand. The power to set exam papers, correct them and give marks or grades is the most used feature here. Teachers openly blackmail students, force students to submission, demand respect, become arrogant and boss around kids. Students are literally afraid of opposing anything because in the end whether you walk out of the institution with a degree or not is entirely up to the professors. The students who meekly submit to all the arrogance and wag their tail to make professors happy are rewarded with good marks. The colleges also rig the exams to show the quality of education imparted as very high to aspiring engineering students and their parents. It has also started interesting classification of colleges in south, like some colleges are good for some particular religion and some are good for some particular caste and so on.

How to help this situation? I don’t know. But will for sure like to hear from you.

Probably

Mandatory specialized personality training and counseling for teachers

An audit process for education system and grading

Some central student’s grievances redressing system

College Politics … !!!! (Although I am not much for this, I remember a lot of Anti-Autonomy strikes and protests by left front students group in our college)

To end … a recent favorite song from 3 idiots

Lyricist: Swanand Kirkire did a rocking job here :D

Saari umar hum

Mar mar ke jee liye

Ek pal to ab humein

Jeene do Jeene do

Na na na….Na na na….Na na na….Na na nana na….

Give me some sunshine

Give me some rain

Give me another chance

I wanna grow up once again

..........

Bachpan to gaya

Jawani bhi gayi

Ek pal to ab humein

Jeene do jeene do

..........

Happy New Year

2010-01-03T18:55:00.002+05:30

Another year end and time for another appraisal.

This year end appraisal shows more changes on personal front than on professional. At office I got some free time this year to retrospect on my career. But I do confess the more I tried to put my thought in order, the more I got tangled in it. It felt like trying to put back a tangled mess of unwound audio cassette tape. So at least for now I have let myself go with the flow.

One of my tutors in engineering entrance coaching class used to give generous amount of philosophical tips along with his tips on solving mathematics problems. He used to say while praying you should only thank god for what he has already given, only thing you should ask for is good health for you and your family.

He used to say, everything else that you want, can be earned. He used to give some interesting advice every day. I could list out only few tips which were more unique

Eat curd and rice every night

Apply oil on your head everyday

And finally, secret of success according to him – Hardwork with Honesty and Dedication

So my wish for all of you on this new year day is

“Wish You a Healthy New Year”

A proposal - PART4

2009-10-22T12:38:00.007+05:30

Links – PART1; PART2; PART3

PART 4 - The Sunday (Last Part)

Next morning there was an uneasy silence between us. We were lost in our own thought. As we reached the Koramangala Sukh Sagar Jovin and Mithun were already there. Jovin had become more handsome. Mithun had put on a some weight. But for a second it was old times again.

We sat around a Table in one corner. There were six chairs around the teak wood table. I, Jovin and Mithun sat on one side, Arun at one corner on other side. He was lost in his own world. Priya was the last to join. She took the other corner, with an empty seat between her and Arun. Priya was as beautiful as ever. That ever lasting smile, at times I too fall in love with her. Especially like that day, when she does not over do it. She looked a bit tense. Arun was concentrating too hard on the menu card, his mind was else where. I saw him stealing a few secret glances at Priya. Only Mithun and Jovin were taking unaware of the smoke and fire in the minds around them. Priya was looking at her phone very often, like she was desperately waiting for that one call from prime minister of India.

“Don’t you think these 3 guys are unnaturally quite” Jovin asked Mithun.

They had noticed that only two of them were talking for a quite long time. Among the rest there was an uneasy calm. The silence was most conspicuous on Arun. He was looking drained out.
All three of us looked at each other for a second. And then Priya got a call and she got up and moved out to talk. She looked more excited as she came back.

“Dear friends …” Priya started, clearing her throat and holding an imaginary mike infront of her. She did this at college to catch our attention.

“This is to help our friend Arun who is chocking with all the secrets he is holding within him. For your information, I proposed to Arun day before yesterday …”
Atleast 2 of us were surprised and shocked.

“And the bigger shock is …” she continued, today she was at her best.
“Our Arun is in love with his colleague called Neena, and is planning to get married…”
Now atleast 3 of us were shocked.

“And Vishnu came to know about this from Arun’s parents just a few days back. Since Arun had kept a big thing like his love story a secret from us, his best friends, he decided teach him a lesson. So he decided to play a small practical joke on him …”

“A joke that had become too serious…”. I thought silently. Arun was sitting shell shocked.

She continued “So Vishnu called me up and told me the story and the plan of action. As per the plan I called up Arun on Friday and proposed to him. And that is the reason for this embarrassed face …” she said pointing to Arun’s face. Arun was staring at me dumbstruck. He quickly signaled me to silence.

There was a moment of silence on the table and then every one burst out laughing, including Arun and me. But I could see the tears in Arun’s eyes. I could see his heart, feel his pain.

“And the surprise is not yet over. I introduce you to Neena” and then Priya made a call and Neena walked in, she took the seat between Priya and Arun.

On Saturday night I had got Neena’s number and send it to Priya.

It appeared like a perfect get-together then on. Arun and I kept a bit abnormally quite.

As both the Girls left after breakfast, as four of us stood silently, I remembered what Arun had written secretly on the last page of Priya’s final year project report on the last day at our college.

When the tiring sun sets
When the wandering mind is set free
When you think of the people you love
Please remember me.

Priya or Neena never knew about the Saturday night discussion. Ever

A proposal – PART 3

2009-10-21T13:18:00.007+05:30

Links - PART1; PART2

PART3 - A Long Weekend, Saturday

It was a long weekend as Monday was May 1st. All four of us were to meet in Bangalore that weekend. Mithun and I reached Bangalore on Saturday morning by bus and Jovin was to reach Bangalore from Hyderabad by 6.30 am by Bangalore Express.

I was staying with some school friends for the first day, Jovin and Mithun were meeting up some family friends and our plans together were from Sunday morning. Around 6’Clock I got a call from Arun. He wanted to meet me it was something urgent. He sounded different, he always sounded different when his brain was working. Only other time he had sounded like this was in college, when on way to hostel from city market on his bike, police had stopped him for a routine license check and caught his favorite movie collection (a bunch of pirated movie CDs and DVDs) and demanded Rs.200 bribe to let him go. This was sure urgent. In one hour I was with him in his 2nd floor 2 bed room rented apartment. Two of his other 3 flat mates were in Kerala for the long weekend. ) One was in office

Aliya Aake kalip aayi… (brother-in-law its trouble…). He said

I couldn’t help smiling. After all three years the same opening dialog, reminded me of the hostel days.
It was then that he broke the news of his love with Neena and his upcoming wedding plans. I acted as if surprised. I had got the news a few days back. But the problem was not that. Friday afternoon Priya had called Arun and asked if they could meet to buy a gift for Jovin. They met after office at the Forum Mall. Priya looked more beautiful than ever. She was happy but a bit differently happy that day. She was chirpy like ever but her mind was somewhere else. They walked around Forum Mal, bought an iPod nano from Forum 2nd Floor Apple store (quite an odd gift for a guy going onsite to US) and a greeting card from the ground floor Archies store. Then they went for an early dinner to KFC. It was here that Arun first smelled the smoke of fire that was burning within Priya’s mind. She was tense and silent but the smile was intact on her face, it makes her look cute. And according to Arun what followed were the longest few minutes in his life. Priya said she had come to know of Arun’s love for her (through me) a few months back and she was pleasantly surprised. Right from college she too had a soft corner for him. Not for the silent, shy and reserved Arun he was when she was around but the talkative, cheerful and active Arun he was to all the other girls in the class. Priya’s love for Arun she said was a secret among her ladies hostel gang as his was in our gang. She had though about it over last few months and had lost hope that Arun would muster enough courage to propose to her and so she was taking the initiative. As Priya knew the kind of indecisive soul he was and she had given him a week’s time to think over it and give her a reply.

As Arun completed the narration a few minutes long silence followed. Both of us just sat looking at each other. I was more surprised by the Arun’s emotion and reaction, than by the news it self. It was for the first time I was seeing tear in his eyes, but it was not going to be for the last time. The silence grew unbearable.

So what did you decide? I asked
"I know dad and mom will go crazy. They were really not very happy with my plans with Neena itself. Now when they come to know I am leaving her to get married to someone else they are going to be mad. But it has to be so. I haven’t slept a bit since yesterday. But I realize that Priya is my real love, I have always loved her. It was Neena only because I felt Priya was impossible. I know I shall break Neena's heart. But it will be cheating if I still get married to Neena with full realization that I love Priya."

Now things were getting out my control. As I opened my mouth to say something, he continued.
"I need to set this right soon. First I will talk to Priya first thing tomorrow morning. I will tell her about Neena, and what my plans are. Then I go to meet Neena and explain everything to her. I want you to be with me when I talk to Neena. Hope she will forgive me for being cruel to her. If not today someday at least she shall understand that what I did was the best for both of us. Then I need you to talk to my parents, tell them I am sorry for being such a looser. I never understood myself well, then how could I understand a girl. I know my parents trust you for your practical and radical thinking. I trust your assertiveness and skills to convince people."
You sure have to trust in my skill at convincing people, for I could convince someone to get you in this mess, I thought silently.

Before I could open my mouth, there was a knock on the door. It was his roommate Jeevan who was back from office.

“No more discussing this infront of Jeevan” and he got up to open the door.

Damn his secrets. I thought silently. For sure none of his roommates had any idea of his plans. We did not discuss anything more that night.

“Don’t go ahead with your plan till tomorrow morning breakfast” I said to Arun as we wished goodnight and slept.

All four of us were to meet at Koramangala Sukh Sagar, A south Indian vegetarian restaurant. Priya too was to join.

A proposal – PART 2

2009-10-20T12:37:00.003+05:30

Links -- PART 1

PART 2 - Life After

They say life is like a river, it flows on.

After college all of us stated with our software job. One year into our first job we all realized that a bunch of true friends, that was the all that we had picked up from the educational super market. After learning Electrical and Electronics for four year most of us were working for software giants, writing software codes in java and C for banks, retail chains, telecom majors etc. It had nothing even remotely electrical or electronic about it.

Good Friends change you when they are with you and but the best among them change you even as they leave you. Life had destined us to make more friends and change. In spite of sincere effort all four of us ended up in different IT companies different cities. As we parted company we changed in our own ways. Away from the careless, talent wasting and criminally lazy gang of ours Mithun discovered the genius with in him. Two years on Mithun was a well established expert and a genius in embedded software, often spotted in big conferences. Brought away from the romantically challenged, slightly jealous and female reflecting gang Jovin found the suppressed Casanova within him. Couple of years later when I met Jovin at Forum mall in Bangalore he was with three beautiful girls. That was not all, to his own good he was also a testing lead for a team of 6 girls in his company.

After college far away in different parts of the world, thanks to gtalk, yahoo, skype etc we still remained the same close knit gang. Meeting on rare occasions set by office needs or friends traveling onsite for long-term. Although far away, this circle of friends did have a huge but not often explicit impact on the thought pattern even career moves each made.

Moving away from the gang did bring one positive change into Arun’s life. Arun and Priya were the in Bangalore. Thrown into a silicon valley of India, Bangalore, alone away from our prying eyes he got to slowly build on his friendship with Priya. The love part was well hidden with just friendship at the forefront. She too had a good impact on him. She helped him increase his confidence with girls and horning his romance skills. That influence could explain his new girl friend Neena. She was his talkative, straight haired, lean, anemic and ever smiling colleague. They were in different projects but on same 7th floor of their office tower. Friendship started when they met at a tree planting drive in a social service club in the company and grew over a period of 3 year over tea, lunch, weekend movies, shopping and travel to kerala for vacations. From a mutual friend who is also Arun’s and Neena’s colleague told even the office gang who were with the couple through out never knew of it and were surprised when they announced their marriage plans. The love was again a well guarded secret (There are a few who say Neena was the one to propose marriage). Even I got to know of this a lot later under some special circumstances.

That year the get-together was in Bangalore. Jovin was hosting the party, as he was going onsite to US for a year.

A proposal - PART 1

2009-10-16T12:35:00.001+05:30

PREFACE: This part is specifically for ones who know me personally. Please do not try to find any correlation with real life. I was curious if I could write a college based love story, so I wrote this. I selected 4 friends (not 3 or 5) because as you know 4 is my lucky number :D. All characters are fictitious and any resemblance to any person living or dead is coincidental. More over finding correlation is also doubting my ability to cook up stories :D:D

This story is to be posted in 4 parts.

PART1 - Four Years and a Degree

It was his father that I noticed first, one of those dominating father figures who imparted their worldly wisdom even to unsuspecting strangers. His father told me “college is like a super market. It has a lot of things on the sale, but it is up to you to pick up what you want” It was then that I noticed Arun almost eclipsed by his dads imposing figure. He was fair, lean and tall with straight hair falling on his forehead, almost hiding it, in a pair of jeans and half sleeves shirt un-tucked. The only time I saw him dressed otherwise in the whole five year was for Infosys campus interview. Losers have an eye for other losers and with in no time we were friends.

The vast campus had a mixture of new modern looking and old colonial looking building. Buildings painted with yellow and white, class rooms with high roof, large wooden windows with broken glass widow panes and a larger than life history of a 100 year, the engineering college was intimidating for freshers. At the entrance was a big banner, in big red letters on white cloth it announced “College of Engineering Welcomes Fresheres”. Coming from different backgrounds and different schools with different dream, all we had in common was a bit of excitement and lot of anxiety. The men’s hostel was a three story building in form of a spanner. It was located at one corner of the college campus and diagonally opposite to the women’s hostel which was in shape of hexagonal nut.

At the college hostel we got to share the room with two other roommates. Ragging by seniors that involved various physical and cultural activities at odd hours formed the perfect glue that brought us together. The life away from home, hostel food and excitement of exploring the new city too was a catalyst in forming the lifelong bond.

Mithun was the brightest of us all. The curly haired, short, chubby guy from kerala’s culture capital Thrissur had nothing cultural about him. He single handedly was the reason for our grades in all exams, our project work, assignments or anything even remotely academic. It was our combined effort that kept him away from the brilliant grades he was capable of. Jovin was tall, fair and handsome, knew Bollywood dance and could crack jokes that made girls laugh (and only girls, we cried on his jokes). And the only reason he did not have dozens of girl friends was that we kept him busy with our extra curricular activities. Arun was the nearest to what we call romantically challenged. His heart went out to all girls in college, but somehow he seemed invisible to girls.

The first year involved a lot of ragging, football, kathi (Malayalam for knife, pet name for unending discussions) on girls, football, cricket and gossips, classes, assignments and studies starting couple of weeks before exams. The second year had lot of football, late night kathi, movies, copying assignments and studies a week before exam. By third year we had our own computer and it was a year of unending computer games, movies, kathi, football and very few classes and studies a couple of days before exam. Forth year Arun and Mithun bought motorbikes and there was a lot of roaming around, no classes with projects as excuse, kathi, football, movies and studies just on the day of exams.

One of the hottest topic for late night kathi was girls and love. In the early days Arun’s interest in talkative, straight haired, lean, anemic and ever smiling Priya, our classmate also formed the highlight of the late night discussions. Here too he lacked the incentive. She was the reason for all the activities he did which were very much unlike him. She was the main motivation when he joined a social service club in college where he never did any service. She was the reason he religiously attended all technical festivals and conferences although he slept through all of it. But he was the last among us to talk to her. The fear that if he opens his mouth, he may give away his feeling for her kept the most talkative one of our gang silent in her presence. Being in hostel and given the extrovert Priya was she did become a part of our gang, rather I would say the closest any girl got to the boys gang. This was more by chance than by design.

And This story began where most campus stories ended ...

Youth in Indian Government

2009-10-13T18:42:00.001+05:30

It is said that India has a youth bulge. About 31% of its 1.17 billion populations are below 14 years of age and about 50 % is below 35 year of age. In all the major Indian political parties there is a huge talk about youth in power. Media is all mad about Young-istan. But is this Young-istan really taking the country to a new level of success? A large amount of youth is not even sufficiently skilled to earn a decent living, forget about actively contributing to nation building. And the few who are skilled have their focus elsewhere. Looking around there are very few youngsters who are really into doing something for the country.

This prompted me to do some search some time back (actually this was supposed to be my Aug 15th post) to find out

* How much youth power was involved in politics and governance?

* To understand better the “youth” in government.

We can have a look at our Central ministry of UPA government. It has 33 Cabinet ministers and 38 Minister of state.

Only six of the 79 members of the council of ministers are below 40. These 6 members are much talked about, with tons of pride by politicians, media and even common man. They are hailed as representatives of India’s youth.

37-year-old Jyotiraditya Scindia (Commerce and Industry)
Son of late Shri Madhavrao Scindia – political big shot

34-year-old Jitin Prasada (Petroleum and Natural Gas)
Son of late Late Shri Jitendra Prasada – political big shot

28-year-old Agatha Sangma (Rural Development)

Daughter of Shri P. A. Sangma – political big shot

31-year–old Sachin Pilot (Communications and Information Technology)

Son of late Shri Rajesh Pilot – political big shot

35-year-old Arvind Yadav (Youth Affairs and Sports) and

Son of Subhash Yadav (deputy CM of MP) – political big shot

36-year-old Prateek P Patil (Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises)

Son of Vasantdada Patil (former CM Maharashtra) – political big shot

Atleast the list above looks more like a list of representatives of a few Indian political families rather than representatives of 0.58 billion youth. But in Indian politics probably below 40 is a kid and below 60 is young and above 60 is senior (still not old). So to be a kid and a minister probably you need have it in your blood.

So we can also have a look at the 40s. There are a dozen in this age group. Following are the people in the list

On fast track due to parents in politics:
R P N Singh, Daggubati Purandeswari, M M Pallam Raju, Tusharbhai Chaudhary, Dayanidhi Maran, Selja Kumari

On fast track due to Uncles in politics:

D Napolean, Ajay Maken

All is not that bad after all. At least in 40s there are a few
who come otherwise:
S Gandhiselvan, Pradeep Kumar Jain, Vincent Pala

But then the joy was short lived. These people had their own specialties like - lot of money, influential friends or caste to support them.

But is it that bad? If one of us takes it as our life’s mission to be a part of building India will it be impossible? Is Indian politics all about having the right family?

Answer is probably a NO.

Every election India does get a few great leaders who started from the scratch, without any god fathers. Often they are already in their 50s or 60s when they make it big and those are the few who help me be proud when I call India a democracy.

References

http://www.indianexpress.com/static/leaderProfile2/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Cabinet_of_India

http://164.100.47.5/council/rankwiselist.aspx

http://india.gov.in/govt/cabinet.php

(Actually a lot more)

** The data/information is mostly from Internet and while I try to be accurate but agree that there could be mistakes. So if any corrections please feel free to let me know.

** With the new editor I am not able to upload picture!