Canonical Cacophony.

The Book Challenge Series : Othello

2020-08-29T05:34:00.006-05:00

After a long time. Well, this had been part of the meagre new posts that I write for this blog.

Thought of starting a series, for next ten days and then again I will be back to sleep. It's related to this facebook Book challenge, where the subject needs to share a book cover that s/he liked; but why... no explanation. That is the bummer because it is important I would like to know why the other person liked it and also try to place my perspective. But no! No way.. so I thought of brushing off some of the cobwebs here... I will not explain all, but some that I feel made an impact to my grey matter up at the top.

Othello.

This is the second in the series book that I shared. A strong drama set in the Victorian era, created by William Shakespeare; shook me. And that's why it called a great story. History teaches us about perspectives and literature talks a lot about the era and what can be learnt from them. But Othello is universal and evergreen. We all know that Desdemona exists and so does Othello, Cassio. There errors out of jealousy still happen and will keep happening. Othello took me to realize that words and action need to be very coordinated and distilled till the final drop comes out, to justify the purity of your actions. This had helped me in several places, making me inherently calm, which I do realize that sometimes it gets on my nerves as well as others. With a fortune amidst the unfortunate situation, my minds keep processing, because on paper Othello made the ultimate mistake; I cannot. Note: Personification is preferred for the last statement.

Although Shakespeare wrote it in English, this was an adaptation of a story called Un Capitano Moro, by Giovanni B. Giraldi; an Italian writer that voices out the same storyline. Just for the credit.

Source: https://www.writing-endeavour.com/blog/the-tragedy-of-othello-by-william-shakespeare-p118.html

House Arrest : A Nightmare in Making

2020-03-21T23:42:00.002-05:00

It has already crossed a gargantuan number. Covid19 or as people call the Corona Virus infection. The governments are trying hard by suggesting people distance themselves, practise self-quarantine or in literal terms House Arrest themselves. The medical teams have put in their best foot forward trying to contain the spread and treating the effected; but the death counts are rising and the pandemic it has caused, dissolved all the borders.

Today, a movie came across my mind. "What Happened to Monday", 2017. I vividly recollect the scenarios of the society that had been portrayed in there. Due to overpopulation, the governments have imposed bans on the free daily movement of the mass and they are only entitled to go out on designated times. You are not supposed to have more than two kids and then a father tried to protect seven siblings, who were look-alikes or styled so, were designated to go out one day of the week, each. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well as named so. And then something happened to Monday. A missing link that literally devastated their existence and the secret was to come out.

Poster: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:What_Happened_to_Monday.png

Today's situation is quite like that. Now people staying back, self quarantined for an indefinite period of time. But when the situation turns good, can they come out like free bodies? "Minimize Social Contacts" is a norm now. If that is being imposed, with more than 7 billion individuals, expected to touch 8 billion in 2023, keeping a safe distance of even 1 foot will be difficult. Then, what are the options?

Back in the early twentieth, the world faced Spanish Flu, in instalments various parts of the world faced the cholera epidemic in the last 200 years, a few years ago we had the SARS (South East Asia), Ebola (Western Africa) and Zika (being vector-borne), affecting travel, economy and life. But this is humongous! Covid19 surpassed all, affecting each and every country of this world. In fact, in my lifetime, I think it is the hardest hit pandemic scenario that the world has faced. It shows how vulnerable we still are and if Mother Nature can create us, she has the brutality to contain us. There are no more religious fights, no more terrorist activities, as the world comes together in hope that the Scientists can save them! COVID19 pandemic will be remembered as a great leveller. Bring the developed and the undeveloped nations try to find a cure, together! They will, but it will take time. I would like to quote Ivan Klima here:" To destroy is easier than to create " The scientific fraternity is trying hard and will soon come up with a cure. Till then, as the general mass, you have to help yourself and all others! #StayHome as much as possible; if you don't want to be in the situation like those seven sisters!

Two Decades, Many Transformations and One Soul

2020-01-18T12:51:00.005-06:00

I don't think you will be interested if I pen down a summary of the whole twenty years that added on in my life; given that I have ultimately cleared the smog and dust laying with this URL for more than a year and a half. My last post was incidentally in June 2018.

Two decades or twenty years. Well, that's not my present age; wish though. Its a fifth of the 2000s and the fun way we teens of the nineties used to look at, the new New Millenia and Y2K!! Well, I am not very much informed about how the Y2K virus infected our digital world, but its cousins did infect our digital life with a term called social media viral. As nineties teens, we were more inclined to yahoo chats and later on a bit of Orkut. With facebook boom, apps and the advent of smartphones, life went on to a different level. Following the tune that binds the world, I too was maintaining one thing in my life constant: Change. Rather say, transformations; many in fact...

Entering the new millennia was by itself a landmark. With the world intermediately poised with terror, radicalism and development; the age of the empire got real evermore. No place was paradise and anything can happen anywhere. Be it an attack or taking selfies. You can fall if not careful. The transition from school to undergraduate college and then to higher education needed a lot of adaptations. Changing faces, lifestyle, taste and ideologies are the four most significant things that I think marks these 20 years of the new millennia. But, to slurp up all these was stepping from being a student to an earning man. Personally, though, I think everyone is a student for life and knowledge and the opportunity to learn never erases from your life. Unfortunately, the bitter ones come more to mind than the happy moments and that is because bitter times leaves more deep impact than the happy moments. Psychology states that it is important to remember the good times more often for your mental health; but the fear of encountering the bad times makes you persistently move towards betterment. That's my perspective though! (Do pen your comments on that though).

In life, you get many choices. I got some. But coming decade I look forward to a better world and better news items to read. In the nineties you could read about sports more, being the highlight of the newspaper. Nowadays, the more you read the paper, the more protests, uprising comes to the limelight. Good things are happening though; you have electric cars, manned missions to Mars and the two Voyagers have entered the interstellar space! We still have shrinking Antarctica, Artic and missing aircrafts! Come on! We are better than that. Ultimately, we are on a piece of dust in this universe. As Dr. Carl Sagan wrote in his book Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space: "Look again at that dot"... Voyager 1 sent a goodbye picture to earth from approximately 6 billion kilometres away; a pale blue dot basked in the ray of sunlight. That's our home, our earth, all our relatives, emotions, properties and millions of years of evolution from a single cell. Interesting that day was 14th February 1990. We can make things better for our love we call Mother Earth, a lot better. That's what my soul says...

Source: "Pale Blue Dot". NASA. JPL-Caltech . Published Feb 2019. Look into middle of the rightmost (brightest) ray. You will see the pale blue dot.

Your One day is Strength for some for many days.

2018-06-02T13:17:00.001-05:00

Hi,

I have been here after a long time. And this time, it's for a good cause. The best to my judgment in all the years of blogging I have been involved with. Since 2006, I guess.

I have been in the field of scientific research for almost a decade now. Learned, published and took up new ideas for the future. For long, I had the inculcated a wish to start up a Non-profit and Non-Government Organization for certain social cause. Well that dream is still a long way off, given my present status as a researcher (post doc to be precise); I was studying some aspects and NGOs that have popped up in my homeland, India. One of them being the #Feeding_India organization (https://www.feedingindia.org). This organization have been doing substantial good work in bringing healthy food to underprivileged children, who above caste and religion have a common thing to worship. Food to survive.

This post is to urge you my readers and friends, some of whom I may not even known in person; to contribute to this cause. As of today, the minimum price of donation is below Rs. 500. A price that can feed some of the deprived souls with nutritious food. You dont have to contribute regularly; just a small token on a very special day of your life would be good enough. Say for example your birthday or anniversary or something that comes around atleast once in a year.

I have more than 1000 people in my friend list on facebook. My readers will have similar. India is more than a billion strong and I believe that at least a million can fish off Rs 500 once in a year for such a cause. That would cumulate to a huge fund. I am not saying only for this organization; but there may be several. I found out with my limited means that this organization is Pan India, so named them. (disclaimer: I am not asked to publicise them. Its solely my discretion to mention them in this post. Any cause of this stature is to be considered via this article).

Now people can come up with several questions:
Q. Why should we pay them?
A: Its a cause. Try to stay half fed or starved for a week. You will know the pain. Further, if you are an IT payer, you can save some amount by this donation.

Q. We would prefer to be pompous and donate in a religious establishment. To God!
A: God resides in humans. (not preaching). If you donate some amount in these organizations, you will be making God happy and so will be the God in you. Donate a part of major donation you were to donate in these religious places and the rest here. I dont think the God will be unhappy.

Q. I donot have money.
A: Then ask people who can help. That also is a noble cause in itself.

Your one day of the calender will make several days of their calender. Believe me, it is helpful.

Stagnant thoughts

2018-01-23T00:53:00.002-06:00

Stagnant thoughts. It brings out the best in you. Always, you can come up with ideas that never will be boring because you already are bored. It can either take you a far in the yesteryears when you were vibrant and then make you pass through the eye of the present into the windings of your brain that house your future. Well, unknowingly, it was these stagnant thoughts in the yesteryears that made you what you are today. And its the same exercise that will drive you through the temporary tunnel of darkness to your future.

It is always not true that an ideal mind is a devil's workshop. Its a workshop, no doubt; but to term it as a devil's household is not true at all. I think it frees you from your daily chores, which basically makes you mechanical. Home Office Home and then the same task. Sometimes, these time makes you think something different. Ink them down on that scrap piece of paper. Or maybe write a journal note. That always helps. You can then turn the pages back and draw inspiration or lick the juice of achievement as to how you overcame situations. Remember, you were less experienced back then, compared to what you are now. That will inspire you for your upcoming task, tomorrow, which is always a new day. A new 24 hours to begin.

So, it might seem odd. But stagnant is not always bad.

A Beautiful Mind

2017-10-10T01:51:00.004-05:00

When fear fuels your bread and butter,
You are not enjoying your work.

If you are not enjoying your work,
You are not living upto your expectations,
Both from your self and people with you.

If you are not with yourself and the people around,
You become an outcast.

If you become an outcast,
Your self-esteem gets the punch not required.

If you donot require that esteem,
Then why do you even care,
About the fear...

Open your mind,
It's beautiful even in the dark;
Its beautiful in the glaring sun;
Its beautiful in the rain,
At least dance in it!

It is not like everytime things have to be beautiful,
Your mind needs to have the wiring to see it beautifully as it is.
A Beautiful Mind,
Comes in rarity.
To take it the way it is, is your unique approach, which is one in a billion.

Now isn't that beautiful?

Pic Taken: http://azmalforsan.com/vision-and-mission/

Baby Steps

2017-10-05T18:01:00.001-05:00

In literal terms, this would mean when the child transits from using it's four limbs to two. It also means the beginning of a new era in the life of that human being. But, looking into a more diverse aspect; it also signifies the start your stroll through a new, unexplored avenue by your human mind. A feature that captures the imagination of many things, in reality, or dream. It also segments your life to be part of many shades, the Newton wheel if you may refer to.

Newton wheel is a colourful concept. It literally defines your decision and segments of your life as to how you pain them. From the grey patches to the brightly lit yellow; everyone should rewind and revisit their wheel. In Buddhism, it may be referred as the Chakra. In Hinduism, the stages of life. Christianity has its Holy Trinity; for me, it's referring back to my memories. Learning from them has always been interesting and as it is always said, your past teaches you and makes you; some teaching are immortal for others while the same will be lying with you on your deathbed.

Gathering strength is a very difficult task even though you make it feel easy. You always require a referent point, which I guess you can always get by blowing off the dust from those rusted iron pillars that you have laid in your path. I refer back to my diary, my journal that always has been an integral part of my existence. Some were eaten by the worms and white ants, but in the heart, it will always be enlivened if you have lived the time with your heart. It doesn't always mean love, but with the passion.

Passion can make you or lack of it can break you. Cultivate that in you... for a better life...

Time will Always make You feel

2017-09-25T00:23:00.000-05:00

A couple of years back, I always felt nice when people would "like", "share" or "comment" on my uncountable snaps of the Puja Parikrama and Panda hoppings... I felt like I was doing a great deal of good work in showing my friends and the world about the Durga Pujas, back in Kolkata. But now, I feel that amidst that happiness, there lay a dry and wry smile of missing the event. I am not saying that I am very much missing the event, but yes; I miss the fun and the frolic, the days which I used to look ahead like all Bengalis, over the year.

Second-year down and I will be viewing all those through the Yupp Tv and the occasional pics from my friends, mom, and others. Wish you all a Happy Puja 2017. I wish and hope to be there my dear Kolkata in 2018.

Why Do a PhD : ACCOMPLISH COMPLETION

2017-07-26T23:29:00.002-05:00

This small opinion features in the recently initiated movement: The Invisible Scholar. The original opinion may be seen here : https://www.theinvisiblescholar.com/forum/why-do-a-ph-d/accomplish-completion

Starting from school, your journey starts to strive for and become educated. Not only letters, numbers, syntax or symbols; complete education means learning and applying your knowledge wisely. Ph.D. is the last frontier of this tryst with your destiny named "being educated".

With time, everything same drains you and Ph.D. is one of the areas where this draining is maximum; both mentally as well as physically and in many times socially. Being social among friend circles, you become engrossed in the lab and make groupies only online. But where there is the bane; there is the boon too. Although your contribution might make a small outward dent in the known sphere of knowledge; it should give you satisfaction to be part of the circle developed over the years of human history; fortunately part of the movement that had been there since time immemorial. I believe this satisfaction is what makes you strive for the degree. A publication or more; yes that is an added advantage. At least you will have your name for ever (lest your work doesn't get retracted! :P)

When you decide to come into this field, think twice or thrice or even more. The gain is worth a life time but what you have to sacrifice and sweat for is also immense. But, the sweat and heat for 5-6 years are worth it. Do have a Ph.D. and don't listen to the demoting statements!

The Himalayas rose up after crashing into the Asian Wall... Just a metaphor.

All the best!

Testimony : The Invisible Scholar

2017-07-26T01:23:00.002-05:00

Visibility in the area of modern science is fast becoming minuscule; given the many uncounted questions being asked and literally increasing the sphere of knowledge in an insignificant manner. The driving force is innovation, where the sheer pressure to innovate is destroying the basic "platform" science.

A couple of my friends have recently come up with a brand new innovative idea to knead their passion for writing and putting forward the beam of innovation ahead. They have formulated a blogosphere called The Invisible Scholar (Click here), which reports some of the innovative and technological advances made or worked with. The team, presently housed in San Deigo, CA is doing a great job and the start needs a proper accolade; which I am doing by spreading the word through my decade old Blog.

... As it is, writing nowadays have become infrequent for me.

#Presi200

2017-01-19T23:44:00.002-06:00

The perfect occasion to write a blog, the day when US will be having a new President and the bold voice of Bengal, bolder pre independence; thought of New Age India for Literature, Philosophy and Science dresses up to enter a new century. Presidency University, Kolkata erstwhile Presidency College, Calcutta completes 200 years of existence.

Come to term, the democracy of India enters only 70 years of existence. But the seed of the nation have always been broiling within the still standing pillars of Presidency.

Many books and articles will blunt out the fact of Presi's 200 years, which I wont rant over here. I would like to share how, 14 years ago, it was a matter of immense self reconciliation and win over self confidence after I walked through the alters of this place of excellence. A state owned education system competed with the Delhi based board education. In Kolkata, it was always tough to get through good colleges, due to the abject cut offs set by the authorities that made the competition really difficult at the percentile pace. After finishing my school (K-12, ISC) from Calcutta Boys' School, my mom and myself went frantically searching for colleges and picking forms. My numbers were good, but my certificate board was not. Picking for various combinations of life science (Zoology, Microbiology and Physiology), I was placed somewhere at the waiting list. Later on, this waiting list came to be an eternal friend as in such competition, I waited to get ultimate gateway. Anyways, out of 10 colleges that I applied with the likes of Maulana Azad College (Zoology), Scottish Church (Zoology and MicroBiology), Jadavpur University (Geology and Physics), Asutosh College (Biochemistry and Microbiology), etc; all except Maulana Azad College admitted me.

Still, I had a beautiful wait. Only Presidency College had exam in all subjects and I took the Zoology and Physiology. The day Saint Xavier's pulled out the results, which was solely rejection; I accompanied with my school friend Arunima Sen, went to Presidency College. I had sent my good luck, my mom earlier to check the results. I didnot want to go to Maulana Azad College. And thank God, I kept my hopes alive.

The three years on Presidency (2003-06) sharpened me in all aspects. My skill, social acumen and knowledge. That's why, we all loop into one thing : "Presidencians Never Die. They Come Back to College".

2017 marks the 200th birthday. I miss it, thanks for my other work for which my Alma Mater made me. I wish the coming Century to be more glorious than ever before.

P.C: Somnath Paul, 2006

Throwback 2016

2016-12-31T15:18:00.003-06:00

2016 can be tagged as one of the most transition infested year in my life. A transition from a well established graduate (read PhD) student to a post doctoral fellow; in an institute that captured my imagination a bit. The road from CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology to UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center had not been smooth, with the long wait for the Visa processing (J1) and then getting past the official paper works in India. This though was not so tough compared to the thousands of labs that I screened, mostly in US for the next step of my career.

I always had the set up in my mind that every stage of the career I bear a new subject under my belt. A rainbow spectrum, to me always seems lucrative for the inherent thirst of knowledge and never be into my comfort zone. Rather making uncomfortable zone homely is always been my motto. That reflects with my several transitions from B.Sc in Physiology to M.Sc in Genetics and then shift towards Molecular Biology with Epigenetics and Epidemiology been my area of expertise. Never the less, a lot is still needed to learnt over there, but I can well say I am well accustomed with what I know and wouldn't feel a Martian in those realms.

But of all these phases, to transit again was a big step in 2016. Now in a more refined arena of Chromatin biology, where I was outside my comfort zone for atleast 4-5 months since arrival; 2016 made this test a very hard one. The previous ones were always in my home ground. In my place of of birth, where learning was only new while other aspects weren't. Already in my early thirties, when the flexibility becomes stiff a bit, I had to find my ways to flex my backbone and learn not only the knowledge and techniques, but also the culture.

At first it was little tricky. Always converse in English and keep track of your actions. Paper works, insurance, SSN, Rent and what not. But, today when I look back and also discussing such with my wife, I can say with confidence that I have overcome the initial hurdles. It feels good in a sense that nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself.

With 2017 coming up, I would like to build on this and I wish all the fellows who are facing the same, time will make it. Only the making process will squeeze out more from you. If you desired for the changes, I think that is the only price time will ask from you, in return to the opportunity.

Happy New Year.

Sensation

2016-12-03T22:02:00.003-06:00

Biologically the term gives the power to feel and be alive. It gives us the power to realize our environment, the world that we belong and the people that we live with. But in the modern context the term is also utilized to define the excitement that brews in us upon knowing a news.

"Its a sensation" or "Sensational...!"

Good or bad, the modern times witnesses news reports that by definition becomes mostly over exaggerated and creates a random chaos within various pockets of the society. The situation is being created to an eruption in the daily lifestyle of humans and deviate them from the humane thoughts. I happened to watch a movie called "Rush", which executed the basic thoughts to move ahead by presenting sensational news! In this case, create the sensational news!

It seems that the news; which should only be unadulterated truth comes in brands. "XXX Exclusive" or "Exclusive Footage" being water marked across the screen. Seems like we are buying the underpants of soft or coarse cotton or printed with the heart or strawberries. Although it will cover your vitals, it still comes in various colours and styles; because it will excite your partner. A similar policy comes with these exclusives and TRPs; to excite the viewers.

The movie ends on a nice note. Yes, we public have deviated from the truth. We do not want to see news that may be mundane and without blood shed or slangs! We prefer to dance with the tunes of bullets from the arms and not hinder the cracks going on in the icy poles of glaciers shortening their arms. Sad, but it feels so and that is being capitalized by many people. Filling their pockets!

The sensation is now not pinging properly within your neurons. It needs to be reset soon or else, soon the aliens will broadcast a sensation that would involve our own species' great asset: humanity.

Reform

2016-12-03T02:49:00.004-06:00

Today, on a rainy week end, I happened to watch "Cinemawala". A film by Kausik Ganguly and aptly realized by the brilliant acting of Paran Bandyopadhyay and company. A fact being portrayed through the eyes of a theatre hall owner, who weathered away eventually through the tides of time and modernization. In this regards, Chaplin's great "Modern Times" come in the forefront where the humans start working like machines and also a time would soon come when they would be competing with the machines for Jobs.

Almost everywhere, the scarcity of jobs eats away the daily dreams of the human mind. For few, who choose being an entrepreneur, tries to regain some more from the ever losing trend. With reports of Academia getting stagnant, time will soon come when everywhere only a few people, exclusively following the Darwinian principle of Survival, shall thrive in the face of the earth. On this note, a recent notion coined by Stephen Hawkins about Mankind's 1000 years more, from now, soon be a reality where the scarcity of jobs, leads to scarcity of earning potential. This may eventually lead to lesser matrimonial conjunction and lesser offspring, because the parents would fear the future to feed the young ones. The erosion would start leading to Mankind's 1000 years only.

This idea though would seem to be very much extrapolated and means no sense with the Cinemawala, but the erosion of old in the hands of new seemed quite analogous to the formation of rust when iron gets exposed to water and air. In modern times, the water and air are more viscous, leading to rust and crack in the age old iron pillars of livelihood.

There was once grasslands,

Then came the mud roads for the carriages,

Then came the asphalt for the motor cars,

Soon there will be more advancements.

But today, when you stand on the road outside your house, have you ever given it a thought how it was may be 50 years ago, if not 100. Those have been in the oblivion, but we still stand on the age old concept, in a new way. The concept of road has not changed. All it did was reform. I think, to preserve your past and move into the future makes you perfectly ok; if only you can subdue the ego in you.

Dreams are not always celluloid. Dreams are in the eyes of the beholder.

আরেক বার

2016-10-18T18:59:00.001-05:00

বই মেলায় চেনা মুখ গুলো,
ময়দান এর ধুলো;
পূর্ণিমার চাঁদ ,
ইডেন এর পিছনে;
পশ্চিমে সূর্য্য,
সব দেখতে ইচ্ছে করছে-

শীতকালের আমেজ আসছে আমার চেনা শহরের আকাশ এ, অলিতে গলিতে। সেই লর্ড পাড়ায় দাঁড়িয়ে থাকা ফুচকাওয়ালা, জেক বার বার মনে করতো হতো যে আমি ঝাল খাইনা। সে ঝাল টা আজ খুব খেতে ইচ্ছে করছে। আনাচে কানাচে ক্যাপ বন্দুকের আওয়াজ অনেক দিন চলে গাছে; কিন্তু আজও যেন মাঝে মধ্যে কোথাও সেই শিবকাশী-র ক্যাপ তা পটাশ ফটাস করে ফাটতে থাকে।
কালী পুজো, ভাই ফোটা, জগদ্ধাত্রী পুজো।.. র তারপর মন্জিনিস এর কেক. ও, মনজিনিস তো দেখুন mio amore এ হয়ে গাছে। মনের জিনিস মন্জিনিস টা অনেক ভালো ছিল। হুম.. সব ছিল। কিছু জায়গায় আছেও হয়তো! কিন্তু আজ Smithville এর আকাশ এ আমি একটু গন্ধ পেয়েছি কালী পুজোর। লাল জবা না দেখলেও, কেন জানিনা মনে হচ্ছে ভূত চতুর্দশী র ভাই Halloween তাই আমি দিওয়ালি বানিয়ে দেব!
শুভ বিজয়া।

At the Stroke of Midnight

2016-09-29T23:04:00.002-05:00

"At the stroke of midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will wake to life and freedom...", excerpts from Tryst with Destinity, speech delivered by Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India. 1947.

"If by the edge of the sword or fear of atom bomb, if someone tries to make our country bow, this country of ours is not going to bend or break..." Lal Bahadur Shastri, the third Prime Minister of India, 1965.

"...It would not have happened if the World Community had woken up to the fact (East Pakistan Massacre) when we first drew their attention", Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister of India, 1971.

"...India have never bowed infront of terrorism or terrorist, and She will never bow..." Mr. Narendra Modi, the present Prime Minister of India, 2016.

It started at Midnight and the thing have metamorphosed to another life and recognition in an around that hour when the Indian Army conducts operations with precision into enemy territory. The term enemy comes with adversary conditions developed by the misalignment of words and stare at each other. India just replied to such a stare, being conducted physically at Uri, earlier this week, in September 2016. And the reply was just and clinical; may be that's why it's called "Surgical Operation".

Sitting outside my homeland, it gives makes me browse only through the day to day event where the border news comes flashing by. In the 21st Century, when India is roaming around Mars, some people are happy to shoot bullets, shell and off hand missiles to the skies. For and against people survive everywhere, but it gives me a food of thought to the people who involuntarily gets tagged, hit and killed. But, many peace agreements have fallen head over heels. Its time to play it intelligently and I guess, the present Indian Government has not yet disappointed me.

India Shining or Good Days, let my Motherland bask in the glory of the sunshine and prosperity and let all the Citizen of the World live with happiness. A day when I write this small article, is the day we start our celebrations of life.

Happy Mahalaya.

The New Foundland

2016-07-16T14:29:00.001-05:00

History bears the testimony that human always followed the path of lord to find food, land and shelter. Present bears the testimony when the humans have no new land to search, on the face of mother Earth and future will hopefully bear the testimony that the same Exodus will start off on her sisters and their children like Mars, Europa, etc.

With more and more heads multiplying, the demand for food and water multiplied by greed and money, power over the mass; all brews in the face of the planet which nurtured you for the past million year. The particles which create us all, after death would segregate into the elements and would re-start into some-one's sperm or ova as the DNA or the amino acids. And then what we fight for in the name of extra-ordinary? In the name of being different? Some lives matter? All lives matter... even the grass you walk on and create the massacre in the name of caste, creed or religion. There is nothing new in the death, no news in the pain.

Its pain all alike.

Sometimes I think, every morning to achieve something new. But at the day end. whatever I achieve or not achieve, needs some space to be absorbed, rather than the daily rantings of terror. It seems the humans in general have lost the love for universal happiness. Take any great book, read through the lines of religion. It speaks of happiness, something that you can get from within; unfortunately, it seems to be lost into the oblivion. A great abyss stares at us! Why do you spend in billions to stare at the night sky and mark phenomemon like V4641 Sgr, some 1600 light years away? Look into your coming seond or minute; which can put you in the black hole of pity. Try to research on that and stop that. The 1600 light years stuff would not reach you even in the next 16 minutes!

The New Foundland should be the universal happiness, that would be enjoyed by all. Sometimes, it's better to do things from the book, rather than just read and admire them in the name of "awesome" history, when your present and future is "aweful"!

p.c: Universe Today.

The Cold Summer

2016-07-15T05:22:00.002-05:00

Seems quite an analogy if you are from Northern hemisphere and are located in the Southern Hemisphere, at this point of time in July 2016.

But, the actual reference to the title comes when the world continues to be spotted with the chicken pox of death, terror and unrest! This had been so, for many a decades, ever increasing in count and today, I realize that its getting colder every day. The humans at large are no more humane and the world skips a beat every time it starts to settle and compromise with the pain incurred.

In the words of Kipling, etched in his creation "Hymn to Physical Pain", I would like to quote-

"...Thine are the lidless eyes of night,
That stare upon our tears,
Through certain hours which in our sight,
Exceed a thousand years..."

Hope still persists, more so with the wait for the Winter Rain. When love will catch up, washing the dust at the dusk and bringing forth a fresh dawn where the spring harvest will take away the chill of the day. Till then "the Benefactor" will be benefited unless the terms of present world order is re-thought and redistributed. In another classic, that reminds us every sense that Kipling made in The Benefactor-

"...It is not learning, grace nor gear,
Nor easy meat and drink,
But bitter pinch of pain and fear,
That makes creation think.

When in this world's unpleasing youth,
Our godlike race began,
The longest arm, The sharpest tooth,
Gave man control of man..."

Its still cold a gift that the world offers... with love...

p.c; Pinterest

At the CrossRoads

2016-07-11T01:03:00.000-05:00

Today, I came across an article shared in facebook and published in The Newyork Times, regarding Epigenetics and the concern of it's supposedly painful trajectory. I, being a disciple in the field would like to emphasize that the trajectory is not at all over exaggerated and makes sense when you look into the larger picture. The environmental cues (actual or micro) does bring forth changes in the long run and that has been re-instated by several in vitro and in vivo studies, leave aside real time patient samples.

The complexity increases several manifold when you go into the higher organisms. In the terms of statistics, which brings forth the "scientific sense" of "significant", is based on the possibility of occurrence given certain assumed conditions dealt with in the study. Scientifically, it is not possible to take into account every thing. For example, a smoker eats fruits, veggies, may have frequent water intake or an occassional beer. In a study you can follow the individual, but ethically cannot control the subject's lifestyle, unless you keep him/her captive! In most of the aspects, the peer review demands for controlled models, which is being supported adequately by in vitro or in vivo models. That can be proved within the aegis of the journal. That doesn't demeanor the notion that "Epigenetic changes are overestimate of ideas" or as the aforementioned article mentions: "...the fact that it (epigenetic study) may merely be reporting noise".

After a read to the article, I feel that criticism only comes when you are doing things and that it's welcome. I am happy to be part of this journey, the notion of #Epigenetics.

The following picture literally sums it all up :

Source: University of Missouri

অনেক দিন পরে...

2016-06-05T20:35:00.001-05:00

অনেক দিন পরে, আবার লিখতে বসলাম।

শেষ সেই ফেব্রুয়ারী তে লিখেছিলাম, যখুন অদ্ভূত একটা টানাপড়েনের মধ্যে দিয়ে দিন কাটছিল। বাসস্থান ছিল কলকাতা; আজ, প্রায় তিন মাস পরে, সেটা পাল্টেছে। পাল্টেছে দৈনন্দিন জীবন যাত্রা, পাল্টেছে সুর্জ্যাস্থা, পাল্টেছে আকাশের বুকে টিম টিম করে জলা জোনাকির আলো। এখুন আকাশ-এ অনেক তারা দেখতে পাই। নেই স্ট্রিট light , নেই বাস ট্রাম এর সেই "বাবুঘাট, ধর্মতলা" অথবা auto -র সাউথ সিটি যাব সুধু হাকা হাকী।

কলকাতায় থাকতে ল্যাব থেকে মাঝে মধ্যেই বেরোতে ভালো লাগত।যাদবপুরের পুকুরের ধার দিয়ে হাটা , বা ইচ্ছে করে একটু রাত হলে... হেটে ঢাকুরিয়া থেকে ট্রেন ধরে বাড়ি ফেরা। ভালো লাগত শান্ত, নিস্তব্দ গলি গুলো।রাত যেন খুব কাছের ছিল, প্রিয় ছিল সেই যাদবপুর থানার রাস্তা-র ধারে শনি মন্দিরের ৬০ watt -র আলো। কুকুর এর ডাক, বা রাস্তায় আস্থানা করে শুয়ে থাকা মেহেনতি রিকশা ওয়ালা -র নশিকা গর্জন! তারপর ট্রেন থেকে নেমেই একটা সুর, মায়ের চিন্তাময় রিংটোন: "কোথায়?" আর আমার সেই একটা উত্তর "২০ মিনিট, আসছি।"

স্মিথভিল্লে, সেই নিরব শান্ত পরিবেশ আছে; কিন্তু নেই সেই শনি মন্দির, নেই সেই rickshaw বা তাদের তলায় শুয়ে থাকা সেই মেহেনতি মানুষ। তা বলে এটা বলছিনা যে এখানে শ্রমজীবি মানুষ নেই; আছে, কিন্তু তাদের সাথে তো আর কলকাতা-র ঘামের গন্ধ নেই !

তবে বলব, আমি এখানে একদাম বাজে আছি তা নয়। কাজ, যা আমাকে গড়েছে, সে সব আছে। মজা আছে, বন্ধুবান্ধব -ও কম হইনিনে। সুধু এপার র অপার এর মাঝে মন টা পরে আছে। মানুষ নিজেকে সারা জীবন গড়েছে। আমিও নিজেকে তার ব্যতিক্রম ভাবি না। সুধু এই গড়া -র প্রচেষ্টায়, কু কিছু যাতে না ভেঙ্গে যাই, এটাই প্রার্থনা।

আমি আবার শুরু করব লিখতে। অবল তাবোল, যাহাই আসে আসুক; এই লেখা গুলি হয়ে উঠবে, আমার কথা, আমার ভালো বাসা, র নারী-র টান যে সহর র মানুষ গুলোর সাথে; তাদের সাথে আমার কথা বলা.

ভালো থেকো আর ভালবেশ!

Truck Load...

2016-02-22T14:50:00.003-06:00

As I finish off the last few pages of the "history book" by Rebecca Skloot, I realize that certain things in this mortal world are not meant to be won by the death; somethings that escapes our imagination and is only left to be though and sought for in the present. In this case, a history of immortality! A history where business thrives on science and science thrives on business (well, the dilemma will be never ending); a life after death - HeLa. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

65 years after the organism's existence; her legacy keeps on unfolding new mysteries and new stories every day. So, what does the cells that have been making ground breaking discoveries, medicines to mechanisms, you to me; HeLa is meeting the mark every day! Mrs. Lacks is not coming back shouting that her body part should not be used. They are not fighting against us even! They are fighting for us and to gift us what? Discovery and know how to live the life on different note, with hope! But then, certain events make us feel... what is the use in all these?

People will fight, tarnish ... break, kick, bite and eat! For the sake of caste, community and petty things that seems to "not biologically" segregate Homo sapiens sapiens! Are we here to prove any thing like we have 48/47 chromosomes? The meaning of life doesnot change with the ones you fight for or fight with! Its the very existence that comes at stake and the truck that ought to take you through the lovely roads of hills and vales, the dunes and the waves, lie stranded! Reason? The passengers them selves are trying to decide with force and violence; which is better... the sea or the mountain?

There are many interesting stories to be learnt, talked about and shared! Today I share with you the book title. Try to go through it. It was gifted to me by my institute colleague, some one who had helped in my own research with cell lines!

I agree that you are an organism yourself! But, to the society and social structure, each one of you is a cell. The cells that Mrs. Lacks left behind were cancerous in nature. A scar that built a the multi-billion dollar business and has become the seed to new discoveries! BRAVO! But, in the social structure; diseased or scarred cells leaves behind only the scar! And if the analogy holds true.... this whole nation will die off because of this cancerous outbreak... and one day, the notion of the nation will die off, because of this communal and social scars! And then, only truck load of nothing will stay in wait for you to visit the places of this beautiful nation! Keep #Harmony and Keep #India #Incredible; because not every one is lucky to be like Mrs. Lacks... The incredible immortal lady!

Source: Amazon.in

#Incredible !ndia

A Poor Story

2015-11-24T13:06:00.002-06:00

Funny as it seems, the bright side is the title of the article being a poor story. A story that repeatedly bangs on and makes it's way into every household through media. First, there was some killing over the beef issue, then came protests and marches, followed by some crakers in Patna to Pakistan, National Cow Forum or something, the Kerala House, SRK and now.... Amir Khan!

Doe it take the nation anywhere? And is it news if Amir Khan's wife wants to go outside the country because of being insecure? She can go to anywhere! What does it take for a common man who is trying to go places and earn food in peace? This lousy media boils will only brew a soup that will bring about a communal disharmony and later will give enough fuel for the political parties to rally more! Believe me, after seeing these, what SRK or Amir Khan is telling may be their feeling! Celebrity... their voices will surely be heard! But what Kiran Khan wants to do and buy a home in the Palm Beach Resort, is totally her taste, wish and desire! Like all common people she too has some desire, which I would like to mention, is not NEWS!

And please people, stop reposting posts on these issues. It not only burns 25Calories in you, but also wastes some dam Internet bytes and Electricity!

One thing I would mention. In a story from Akbar Nama, where Birbal tried to cook hanging the pot from the tree top; the modern "poor stories" is something like this. They try to heat and touch the situation from far and donot enter the main problem! So stop cooking like this, it makes the meal really bad!

50 : 30

2015-11-02T15:12:00.001-06:00

You have been 50 years and 1 day... I was waiting for this magical number to come forth, so that I can write this small token of thanks for entertaining 20+ years of my life.

Hi SRK, this is Somnath. Naam toh Sunah hoga...

That Somnath who reads your tweet and occassionally tweet some, to be "shared" by you on one occasion. Yes, I am that person, who still likes to watch your movies over and over again, but never speaks the good infront of your die hard fans; because I know that I cannot match their stamina. As it is, it will not be worth to pester you infront of your gates, when you try to take some time off for Gauri and your kids! Its like, Abhi toh Family baki hain yaar....

Shaking hands with you will not be enough, as it's better to keep immortal. If I touch you, you are mortal. Well, in true sense you are, but somewhere Gods are never mortal! :P

I know, there will be many eye balls popping out, I have never been in talking or discussing all these and have always tried to poke your die hard fans with some loose comments. Some how, I like to hear when people shout goodies about you. Naughty me.

Mr. Khan. Or is it Dr. Khan? What ever, SRK is better. 50 years of you have superseded my experience of 30 years on this planet Earth and an unsaid bonding started, when I saw you first on a road side poster, with two ladies on your sunglasses! Peculiar it was, to see such a face, I was quite inquisitive to see the movie. Although I was in class 3 back then, but the Kali Kali Ankhen and Kitabein Bahut See was already hit number. I remember, back then Doordarshan featured Chitrahaar and then Music Muqabla, where those were popular numbers. The last scene was a stunner when you set new standards to "death laugh", killing the villain! Well, the rest is history and Bazigar announced the new kid in the block, atleast for me!

Today, 22 years yonder, I recap that movie and why I started liking you. because the story line somehow reflected my family situation; dragged down from the crown! Well, that is a different context, but yes. The movie related me with your on screen character, Vicky!

Time has changed, and all these childhood memories simply bring smiles. Well, life should be outside the movie and PhD (or on the verge of it), makes it more practical. But still I wished I could be like you, Mr. Raju. Although earlier than Bazigar, I happened to see this movie in admiring Juhi. But then, your acting was captivating! Loveria! If I remember correctly, back in 1995 I had my first Malaria!!!

The nineties was a magic. Another fascination that still chased me, even during my PhD. The picture amidst the mustard field. DDLJ. Enough to show every Indian about EuRail, the Schengen Visas, Europe Tour and Love in a trip! I guess , to every person who have had seen the film, had fallen in love with that one woman or man, in a trip! I have done so, several times. Well, those remain fallen, since not every one is Raj Puttar or Simran!

Time for the Bollywood acronyms. After DDLJ, came DTPH and K2H2. Gosh, the time was high school and I was running behind learning organic chemistry and once instead of writing H2O2, I almost wrote K2H2, as I had seen the movie 13th time, to relax! Present date... well its almost 25 times and over. You have been a great Cccchhh..eater.... Teacher! I look forward for a college life and girls like that. But, then Presidency demanded other things than friendship band!

It required studying and my becoming a book buff from an occasional cinema franatic. But, you had a special place in my happy life and I remember proposing bring you for our College Fest! Well, back then you were not the Bengal Ambi. Right?

Today, I came across your upcoming movie called "Fan". Well. One thing for sure that I believe about me and my life; and may be this upcoming movie will confirm is that "Be So Great a Human Being that You and Only You can Imitate Yourself!" I think, Fan will reassert this thought!

Anyways, Happy Birthday. I know many people will poke me now. But somewhere, I believe, there is no Fan of Yours like me! :)

A "Beef" Story

2015-11-01T14:25:00.000-06:00

According to Hinduism, God resides in every thing, starting from the inanimate objects to the human being himself. Scientifically, we have all come into existence from the inanimate objects created millions and billions of years ago, in the super kitchen called the stars and the cosmos. Literally, we all are star-born, but still we have our differences! Differences that have helped the leaders tame us to our fears and angers, which if being diverted to a fruitful energy can bring much better and developed society.

Very recently, the beef story has been flashing in briefs all over India. Starting from the murder for the palate near Gurgaon to the uproar in Kerala Bhawan, the Holy Cow has been in media for the past few weeks! Why is Cow Holy? Because mythology states that Lord Krishna address her like a motherly figure, giving Milk. Well, taking of milk, all mammals do; starting from the mouse to the cow, all have mammary glands! Not only cow, every organisms need to to be spared then! Well, I have never tried the mouse meat thought; just for the argument!

In Bhgwat Gita, Shri Krishna showed Arjun, his image of the Universe, the image that relates to the balance of knowledge that controls the good and the bad; filters out the evil but like a colour contrast, leaves some behind for the realization that nothing is achieved without hardship. But in the end, everything has to go eternity; something in biology we call as release of the elements of a body after death!

Eating beef or not, I have no opinion. It is ultimately the fact that India is a country where liberalism is part of the democracy. It doesnot mean how much evil it is to kill the cow; but to respect, yet tan her skin and wear on foot loses the omnipresent respect of not eating the beef!

Cow or No Cow; the situation sometimes make me say... "Holy Cow!"

পান্দেল-এ পান্দেমনিউম

2015-10-19T04:01:00.000-05:00

পুজো শুরু....

এদিক ওদিক ছুটছে মানুষ,
উড়ছে ধুলো,
দুলছে ফানুস -
পুজো এসেছে আবার করে,
উমা এসেছে মর্তলোকে।

ঘুরছে চাকা,
উড়ছে বেলুন ,
Guiness Book থেকে আসছে কজন ;
মানুষেরই সমাগমে,
দেখবে বিদেশ উত্সব কাকে বলে!

এইনা বলে মানুষ ছোটে,
দিশেহারা রুদ্ধশ্বাসে!
চটি খুলে,
ঘেমে নিয়ে,
পুজোয় মানুষ আনন্দ করে..

রাতের শেষে, ভর হয়ে যায়,
খুদা তৃষ্ণা থাকে একই জায়গায়,
অন্ধকারের চত্ব শিশু,
আবার করে দিক্বাজি খায়।

তোমার পুজো, আমার পুজো,
বিশ্ব সেরা দুগ্গা পুজো,
সৃষ্ঠি সুখে মানুষ হারায়,
অন্য কারোর জীবনের দায় ,

আসছে বছর আবার হবে,
পদ দলিত মানুষ যাবে,

সুধু জেনে রেখো মা সর্বাসুখে,
ভিক্কুক কে দুটি অন্ন দিলে,
মন থেকে পুজো পূর্ণ হবে!

---সোমনাথ পাল