"I wonder why. I wonder why.
I wonder why I wonder.
I wonder why I wonder why
I wonder why I wonder !"
---- Prof. R.P.Feynman
Starry eyed. Big dreams. Glorious future.
Just a glimpse of what i was, in those days. Dad n Mum always kept me inspired, to go for that extra, and not necessarily be a just another sheep in the flock. I was made to try my hand at almost everything, lest some hidden talent go unnoticed. Unfortunately, no such prodigous ability came to light. A jack of all trades, and abmysal at studies. Well, abmysal means i was just another average kiddo, never topping any exam, never giving anyone the impression that i would amount to anything extraordinary. The jack was just sailing with the wind, when he came to an abyss. 8th std, n i truly put my parents in a tizzy as to wat could be done. The other side of 8th std is agonizingly close to the board exams, and the apprehension was totally justified.
But the abysmal performance seemed to have given me something to ponder, of what would i do as just another average person. So came 9th std. I surprised everyone with an antithetical performance as compared to the last year. The inspired days had begun.
It begun with the NTSE , gettin selected in the 1st round, n going on to pass the 2nd n interview rounds, more so coz i was the only one in the colony that year, which is saying something because The colony is famous for churning out some of the country's finest brains. I was no way even near the level of my peers, but the fact that i was the sole awardee brought in more confidence. The board exams were a breeze.
It was folowed by olympiad n Nts camps, fervered Discussions on scientific subjects, and an innate love for Physics , no doubt shaped by my dad and my IIT coaching class prof. Those were the days i would call glorious. Sitting with a few ppl, n solving our way thru irodov , krotov, and animatedly discussing elegant ways of solving problems, idolizing greats like feynman n einstein, n thinkin about a problem even durin those coveted free hours in Junior coll. Those two years were really the most exercise my grey matter got, and life was really good. How was i to know, that in little more than a few months, the attenuation would began !
I sometimes wonder, where i have landed up. I had dreams of becoming a researcher, a scientist like my dad n mum, just to folow my impulse at that moment, to go free n do what i really wanted, what really gave me immense joy, unleash all the creativity that i could muster inside me, just throw away the pressure of the society that still looks with mild amusement at anyone who trods a line a bit different from the stereotype.
But i landed in BITs. All those entrance exams later, i am now doing what i think half the country must be doing. Engg.
It is a joke really, nothing more than 4 years of beating around the bush, no learning, no nothing. It is a convienient way to hide the fact that the glory days are behind. Just today i was poking around in some unfamiliar territory ( on the net of course :P ), n asked some noobish question on some forum regarding certain javascripts, and was the subject of jeers and spectacular mocking of my ignorance in that forum. It really alarms me to see so many bloody comp fodus in the world, ppl who are so brilliant, so knowledgeable. And i start the introspection, where am i, what the hell am i doing, have done in the past 2 years, or what am i going to do in the remainder of the engg. program. N well i get the answer from my cousin, an IItian herself, nothing. Its perfectly normal to not know anything after engg. Infact, its a matter of great pride to actually remember something from the pre-engg era. Its all about brainwashing, she says. Jokes apart, am i sorry for coming to BITS ? No i say , im happy, its alrite, its the way it works. There wont be 4 years like these again.
And just why have i almost written my biography in this post ? Because there is a high probability that this is going to be the only post in quite some time, as ill be occupied with other things on lan :P. This is a likely goodbye on my front to blogging, at least till the christmas vacation. So cya ppl, 5th sem beckons, cant believe that im half an engineer already, i dunno anything that can be remotely qualified as engineering, but wat the hell, thats the case with the majority. So off i go to start the damn packing, thank god its raining cats n dogs here, so mum cant drag me along to one of her shopping expedietions. To all Bitsians, happy journey, n cya in coll. To all others, tah tah anyways.
sayonara.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
license to kill
Yet another reason to be extremely careful on Mumbai roads in general. Me on the road :D
Went for so-called driving classes today ( for all those who'r clucking their tongues, yea yea im very late i know , still better late than never :) ). The only reason im putting up with them classes is because me dad feels it is wise if i get some formal training, before posing a grave threat to pedestrians. They'r ( the classes i mean, not pedestrians :P ) seriously a drab, imagine drivin in 1st gear for an hour without touching the accelerator even once ! Well, hope tomorow ill be given a freer reign so that i can explore my creativity a bit :P . The best part, however, is not compromising on my sleeping patterns :D . i can still sleep till a respectable 10:30 , and be well in time for the classes. Although the time frame of learning is usually 20 days, im supposed to complete it by 29th, not that it is gonna be difficult, its just a matter of multitasking, which,we the gaming psychos know only too well :P
Anyone who has been to the colony where i stay, will agree that it is a paradise for driving. Amateur drivers, that is. Hardly any bumps, large deserted streches of decently maintained roads, and no police to check license :P . Closest to an empty highway in the city. So its relatively easy to comment on the trivial task that is driving. Once out into the Mumbai roads just outside though, its a different story altogether. Vehicles darting past at dizzying speeds, adherence to the lane rule in general, all make it an effort well worth concentrating on. Well, thats for the next vacation. This time around im resigned to just complete the classes, give my test ( hopefully ) and get the license. WEll at least that process will be over. Driving on the fast n furious mumbai traffic can be left for another day ! ( Mind you, i am NOT generalizing mumbai traffic as fast , all im saying is that the region outside my colony has a smooth moving traffic. We all know the infamous traffic in other parts of the city :P )
Add to it the rain, and things seem only more exciting :D . Thats it ppl for this post, i know this isint any mind boggling or earth-shattering enlightenment, but wat the heck , who cares !
signed,
:@) <---------------------- try typing this in yahoo msgr, to get it.
PS : Scott was hilarious today, not to mention the comments. Bush's really gettin it ROFL.
Went for so-called driving classes today ( for all those who'r clucking their tongues, yea yea im very late i know , still better late than never :) ). The only reason im putting up with them classes is because me dad feels it is wise if i get some formal training, before posing a grave threat to pedestrians. They'r ( the classes i mean, not pedestrians :P ) seriously a drab, imagine drivin in 1st gear for an hour without touching the accelerator even once ! Well, hope tomorow ill be given a freer reign so that i can explore my creativity a bit :P . The best part, however, is not compromising on my sleeping patterns :D . i can still sleep till a respectable 10:30 , and be well in time for the classes. Although the time frame of learning is usually 20 days, im supposed to complete it by 29th, not that it is gonna be difficult, its just a matter of multitasking, which,we the gaming psychos know only too well :P
Anyone who has been to the colony where i stay, will agree that it is a paradise for driving. Amateur drivers, that is. Hardly any bumps, large deserted streches of decently maintained roads, and no police to check license :P . Closest to an empty highway in the city. So its relatively easy to comment on the trivial task that is driving. Once out into the Mumbai roads just outside though, its a different story altogether. Vehicles darting past at dizzying speeds, adherence to the lane rule in general, all make it an effort well worth concentrating on. Well, thats for the next vacation. This time around im resigned to just complete the classes, give my test ( hopefully ) and get the license. WEll at least that process will be over. Driving on the fast n furious mumbai traffic can be left for another day ! ( Mind you, i am NOT generalizing mumbai traffic as fast , all im saying is that the region outside my colony has a smooth moving traffic. We all know the infamous traffic in other parts of the city :P )
Add to it the rain, and things seem only more exciting :D . Thats it ppl for this post, i know this isint any mind boggling or earth-shattering enlightenment, but wat the heck , who cares !
signed,
:@) <---------------------- try typing this in yahoo msgr, to get it.
PS : Scott was hilarious today, not to mention the comments. Bush's really gettin it ROFL.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
:(
Warning : this post does not contain any spoilers, or any information about the deathly hallows. It is a review in general, without naming or hinting at any particular event in the book. So for those who do not want to be exposed to spoilers, fear not, this is not where you need to stop. And for those who read the spoilers in the last post, it is a load of rubbish anyways.
ok, i just finished reading the much awaited super hyped blown out of proportion so called literary phenomenon Harry Potter And the Deathly Hallows. And my dear friends, i do know that if Ms Joanne Kathleen Rowling had ever got the oppurtunity to don the sorting hat to get sorted to her house, she would have definitely gone to gryffindor. Her tremendous courage would have seen to that. Yes, she is courageous to the point of ridiculousness. Courageous enough to even think of composing such a load of tosh, especially when it was common knowledge that half the educated world was hanging on to her every word, every letter that she either spoke, or more importantly, wrote. To say HP7 was dissapointing, would be a gross understatement. It was totally not what i expected of JKR. The begining was, to put it briefly, perfect. It managed to make me cling on to the book, turn the pages with a mad fervor, creating that element of suspense that is so ingrained into the series. But she really ruined it in the end. It was, to be frank, ridiculous. Ludicrous. The end wasnt just dissapointing, it was nauseating. The epilogue that is included, pathetic. She could have very well done without it. It has at last rid me of the potter mania. I now know what happens at the end of it all as Ms JKR envisaged. And to know that all the events that have taken place in the previous 6 boks would ultimately culminate into this, has removed any magic that the books held. I have read and re read the books previous to this one, but i seriously doubt if i would want to read this again.
Ultimately, the book has reached out to the very audience that it might have been targteted at before becoming a global phenomenon trangressing all ages - children. They are the only ones who are likely to revel in such a fairy tale ending.I am sure, the book will get a lukewarm response from the rest of its readers. It has been a marvellous ride till date, especially the long gap between the HBP and this one enabling me to let my imaginations wild, make up theories, and complete the story in my own, satisfactory way. I had braced myself for a not-so-brilliant finish to the series. But this was like a bolt of lightning, as if suddenly JKr has descended from her apex of unbelievable writing, to the mundane world of childish non-best sellers. It has indeed been a fairy tale. However, i would like to forget what the end had in store for the wizarding world, rather, i would like to delve into the misty and wild escapades of my imagination, and continue the legacy that JKR had begun when she was travelling on that fateful train, and when harry potter strolled into her head, right here in my head.
I would advise all out there to read it once, and see if your views concur with mine. i shall be highly surprised if it doesnt :P .
ok, i just finished reading the much awaited super hyped blown out of proportion so called literary phenomenon Harry Potter And the Deathly Hallows. And my dear friends, i do know that if Ms Joanne Kathleen Rowling had ever got the oppurtunity to don the sorting hat to get sorted to her house, she would have definitely gone to gryffindor. Her tremendous courage would have seen to that. Yes, she is courageous to the point of ridiculousness. Courageous enough to even think of composing such a load of tosh, especially when it was common knowledge that half the educated world was hanging on to her every word, every letter that she either spoke, or more importantly, wrote. To say HP7 was dissapointing, would be a gross understatement. It was totally not what i expected of JKR. The begining was, to put it briefly, perfect. It managed to make me cling on to the book, turn the pages with a mad fervor, creating that element of suspense that is so ingrained into the series. But she really ruined it in the end. It was, to be frank, ridiculous. Ludicrous. The end wasnt just dissapointing, it was nauseating. The epilogue that is included, pathetic. She could have very well done without it. It has at last rid me of the potter mania. I now know what happens at the end of it all as Ms JKR envisaged. And to know that all the events that have taken place in the previous 6 boks would ultimately culminate into this, has removed any magic that the books held. I have read and re read the books previous to this one, but i seriously doubt if i would want to read this again.
Ultimately, the book has reached out to the very audience that it might have been targteted at before becoming a global phenomenon trangressing all ages - children. They are the only ones who are likely to revel in such a fairy tale ending.I am sure, the book will get a lukewarm response from the rest of its readers. It has been a marvellous ride till date, especially the long gap between the HBP and this one enabling me to let my imaginations wild, make up theories, and complete the story in my own, satisfactory way. I had braced myself for a not-so-brilliant finish to the series. But this was like a bolt of lightning, as if suddenly JKr has descended from her apex of unbelievable writing, to the mundane world of childish non-best sellers. It has indeed been a fairy tale. However, i would like to forget what the end had in store for the wizarding world, rather, i would like to delve into the misty and wild escapades of my imagination, and continue the legacy that JKR had begun when she was travelling on that fateful train, and when harry potter strolled into her head, right here in my head.
I would advise all out there to read it once, and see if your views concur with mine. i shall be highly surprised if it doesnt :P .
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Bac to the topic - Spoilers - lol
WARNING : The contents of this post might be distressing to some people. This post contains possible spoilers about the latest Harry potter book. Though i doubt its authenticity, those who do not want to take the risk of it being a real spoiler should read no further. You have been warned.
The internet has been abuzz with rumours doing rounds of a leak in the 10 million pound security of Harry Potter and the deathly hallows. These rumours were substantiated by the Times of India, which carries an article about the pages of the latest book being photographed, albiet in an amateurish manner. Many hackers have claimed to have obtained information about the hugely anticipated ending of the mega-series. One such site, gave the following info on the latest spoilers to have propped up on the net:
Ron dies.
Lupin dies.
Percy dies (this death occurs before the wedding, inevitably throwing events into chaos).
Voldemort dies.
Snape dies.
Details arent needed. Just say BELLATRIX KILLS RON!
Snape's loyalty?
I found this to be the saddest part of the book. As many people guessed, all was not what it seemed with Dumbledore, and the two did indeed have a plan that would eventually result in Snape killing him. But, Snape was only in on things for personal gain, and when Voldemort learns of this, he is obviously furious with Snape. Snape tries to make up for things by luring Harry to him, but Harry manages to escape, and Voldemort kills Snape before the final conflict.
I dont know what all these rumours are about Voldemort kidnapping Ron, it?s a complete lie. Ron is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in The Battle of Hogwarts, but Neville manages to finish off Bellatrix after Ron weakens her before his death.
Harry Potter is not a horcrux.
As Ive already stated, Voldemort kills Snape.
Voldemort is killed in the Department Of Mysteries. He baits Harry Potter about his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore and Ron. which turns out to be the worst thing Voldemort could have done. As Voldemort steps out into the circular bit with many doors, Harry Potter opens the locked door, and Voldemort is destroyed by the blinding light, which heals Harry Potter, who seems close to death (he does not die).
The cover art shows Voldemort + Harry Potter at the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter is attempting to summon Voldemort's Horcrux, as Voldemort is doing his best to keep the enchantment in place.
No-one loses a body part, no idea where that came from.
Also Harry Potter does not get drunk whoever said that.
Harry Potter does not lose his powers.
Whats the deal with the dragon on the US deluxe cover?
The trio fly on it to get to the Deathly Hallows. Only Harry Potter and Voldemort can fight on the Deathly Hallows, but this is not their final encounter.
Whats happening on the UK kids cover?
Gringotts. The trio are searching for the locket (it isnt there) but they get vital information on Ravenclaws book here.
Hows the epilogue done?
I didnt like it. It was in the form of a newspaper article, a sort of ?Where Are They Now?? thing, 20 years on from the final showdown.
You said Ron dies so what happens to Hermy at the end?
As said, her love life isnt specified. But she becomes a Healer at St. Mungos.
Whats Luna/Hagrid/Weasley twins/Neville's fate?
Becomes editor of Quibbler (her dad passes it on to her)/Remains at Hogwarts to this day/Weasley?s Wizard Wheezes becomes multinational/Herbology teacher at Hogwarts after Sprout?s death (old age she isnt killed)
What happens to Voldys body in the end?
Completely obliterated by the love from locked room.
What are the horcruxes? How does Harry Potter find and destroy them?
Nagini/Locket/Cup/Ravenclaws Book. Symbol on UK spine is a device that enables Harry Potter to locate soul fragments if you will, Harry Potter can destroy them a lot more easily than Dumbledore.
Whats the deal with the mirror? How does RAB and Kreacher come into the story?
Sirius has left an almost a voicemail? message on the mirror, to advise him on destroying the horcrux. Kreacher has to tell the trio (on Harry?s orders) about the history of the symbol and where to find it.
Whats the lies of Dumbledore chapter about?
Neon was right about this, this is to do with the plan with Snape. I don?t know if he got lucky because the Grindelwald thing isnt even close.
What happens to all the teachers? Who?s new headmaster etc?
McGonagall is new headmistress.
Whats Harry?s fate in the end? Job etc?
Becomes an almost freelance Auror but refuses to work for the MoM
There. The site also has the names of the chapters, but i feel to include it here is unnecessary. The claims look pretty probable, to say the least. Whether these are authentic, or pathetic attempts at fame, i dont know. If it is the real thing, i must say i would be a tad dissapointed. I just hope all this is just crap minted out by some jobless individual.. would'nt want to spoil the plot that JKR has in store for muggledom. Don't look at me like that, i shall keep trying my best to get hold of spoilers, and keep wishing that they arent authentic. More updates due, btw.
PS : im currently downloading the torrent version of the apperently 'leaked' .jpg files of the book. Lets see how authentic the seem :P
The internet has been abuzz with rumours doing rounds of a leak in the 10 million pound security of Harry Potter and the deathly hallows. These rumours were substantiated by the Times of India, which carries an article about the pages of the latest book being photographed, albiet in an amateurish manner. Many hackers have claimed to have obtained information about the hugely anticipated ending of the mega-series. One such site, gave the following info on the latest spoilers to have propped up on the net:
Ron dies.
Lupin dies.
Percy dies (this death occurs before the wedding, inevitably throwing events into chaos).
Voldemort dies.
Snape dies.
Details arent needed. Just say BELLATRIX KILLS RON!
Snape's loyalty?
I found this to be the saddest part of the book. As many people guessed, all was not what it seemed with Dumbledore, and the two did indeed have a plan that would eventually result in Snape killing him. But, Snape was only in on things for personal gain, and when Voldemort learns of this, he is obviously furious with Snape. Snape tries to make up for things by luring Harry to him, but Harry manages to escape, and Voldemort kills Snape before the final conflict.
I dont know what all these rumours are about Voldemort kidnapping Ron, it?s a complete lie. Ron is killed by Bellatrix Lestrange in The Battle of Hogwarts, but Neville manages to finish off Bellatrix after Ron weakens her before his death.
Harry Potter is not a horcrux.
As Ive already stated, Voldemort kills Snape.
Voldemort is killed in the Department Of Mysteries. He baits Harry Potter about his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore and Ron. which turns out to be the worst thing Voldemort could have done. As Voldemort steps out into the circular bit with many doors, Harry Potter opens the locked door, and Voldemort is destroyed by the blinding light, which heals Harry Potter, who seems close to death (he does not die).
The cover art shows Voldemort + Harry Potter at the Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter is attempting to summon Voldemort's Horcrux, as Voldemort is doing his best to keep the enchantment in place.
No-one loses a body part, no idea where that came from.
Also Harry Potter does not get drunk whoever said that.
Harry Potter does not lose his powers.
Whats the deal with the dragon on the US deluxe cover?
The trio fly on it to get to the Deathly Hallows. Only Harry Potter and Voldemort can fight on the Deathly Hallows, but this is not their final encounter.
Whats happening on the UK kids cover?
Gringotts. The trio are searching for the locket (it isnt there) but they get vital information on Ravenclaws book here.
Hows the epilogue done?
I didnt like it. It was in the form of a newspaper article, a sort of ?Where Are They Now?? thing, 20 years on from the final showdown.
You said Ron dies so what happens to Hermy at the end?
As said, her love life isnt specified. But she becomes a Healer at St. Mungos.
Whats Luna/Hagrid/Weasley twins/Neville's fate?
Becomes editor of Quibbler (her dad passes it on to her)/Remains at Hogwarts to this day/Weasley?s Wizard Wheezes becomes multinational/Herbology teacher at Hogwarts after Sprout?s death (old age she isnt killed)
What happens to Voldys body in the end?
Completely obliterated by the love from locked room.
What are the horcruxes? How does Harry Potter find and destroy them?
Nagini/Locket/Cup/Ravenclaws Book. Symbol on UK spine is a device that enables Harry Potter to locate soul fragments if you will, Harry Potter can destroy them a lot more easily than Dumbledore.
Whats the deal with the mirror? How does RAB and Kreacher come into the story?
Sirius has left an almost a voicemail? message on the mirror, to advise him on destroying the horcrux. Kreacher has to tell the trio (on Harry?s orders) about the history of the symbol and where to find it.
Whats the lies of Dumbledore chapter about?
Neon was right about this, this is to do with the plan with Snape. I don?t know if he got lucky because the Grindelwald thing isnt even close.
What happens to all the teachers? Who?s new headmaster etc?
McGonagall is new headmistress.
Whats Harry?s fate in the end? Job etc?
Becomes an almost freelance Auror but refuses to work for the MoM
There. The site also has the names of the chapters, but i feel to include it here is unnecessary. The claims look pretty probable, to say the least. Whether these are authentic, or pathetic attempts at fame, i dont know. If it is the real thing, i must say i would be a tad dissapointed. I just hope all this is just crap minted out by some jobless individual.. would'nt want to spoil the plot that JKR has in store for muggledom. Don't look at me like that, i shall keep trying my best to get hold of spoilers, and keep wishing that they arent authentic. More updates due, btw.
PS : im currently downloading the torrent version of the apperently 'leaked' .jpg files of the book. Lets see how authentic the seem :P
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Have a break, have a kit kat
This post is a break from the 'Theories' posts, to commemorate my last day in Chennai in the forseeable future, and certainly the last day of my ps1 trip. It has been a most memmorable trip, spanning all of two months. It has been a bag of mixed feelings really, what with all those threats of being sent to live like a villager, to meeting up with frenz and exploring chennai like never before. Owing to the rigours of PS, a common feeling of teaming up against the forces of evil (lol) developed among us bitsunami ps ppl, that looks set to continue for some time.
Chennai is a strange city. It is not the stereotypical metro that most people expect it to be. As a result, most people are really frustrated with common grievances like public road transport and the scorching heat. What is required to come to grips with what chennai offers, is staying here for a considerably longer period of time than most other cities. It offers a really unique blend of traditional and modern facilities. Contrary to popular belief, there ARE places to hang out. Only they need a bit of exploring.
My short stint in this city was rewarding, to say the least. Firstly, i came on doordarshan. Though my delusions of grandeur were shattered by that recording, it was national television nevertheless. Secondly, i did learn something in ps ( i hope ) at least while i was in the city( though wat i took 2 long months to learn could be learnt by anyone in prolly a week, it is much better than nothing, i tell u ). Thirdly, i did take a step for the better in the music perspective ( yea i did, mum, much more than what i would have done at home :P.. at least the strings i bot qualify as a positive step :D ).
I dont think there is any trip to chennai lined up in the near future, unless of course i land up here courtesy ps2. So its adios amigos chennai, and yoyoyo Bombay ( its bombay to me, not mumbai) here i come :D ... ok this is only a short commercial break.
PS:
script type="text/javascript">document,write("Hello World!)
ok i posted a script :P :P
PPS : Thanx to all my frenz who tolerated all my thuisms, and my bugging messaging all day long. Most of them have demonstrated tremendous buggability. Thanx for putting up wid me for so long. I assure u ill bug u all again once bac in campus. And last but not the least in any way, i sincerely thank radio city which kept me company from 9 to 11 am , 5 to 9 pm, and 12 am onwards all the days, n certainly made my travel less painful. Seriously the only decent radio station in chennai.
Chennai is a strange city. It is not the stereotypical metro that most people expect it to be. As a result, most people are really frustrated with common grievances like public road transport and the scorching heat. What is required to come to grips with what chennai offers, is staying here for a considerably longer period of time than most other cities. It offers a really unique blend of traditional and modern facilities. Contrary to popular belief, there ARE places to hang out. Only they need a bit of exploring.
My short stint in this city was rewarding, to say the least. Firstly, i came on doordarshan. Though my delusions of grandeur were shattered by that recording, it was national television nevertheless. Secondly, i did learn something in ps ( i hope ) at least while i was in the city( though wat i took 2 long months to learn could be learnt by anyone in prolly a week, it is much better than nothing, i tell u ). Thirdly, i did take a step for the better in the music perspective ( yea i did, mum, much more than what i would have done at home :P.. at least the strings i bot qualify as a positive step :D ).
I dont think there is any trip to chennai lined up in the near future, unless of course i land up here courtesy ps2. So its adios amigos chennai, and yoyoyo Bombay ( its bombay to me, not mumbai) here i come :D ... ok this is only a short commercial break.
PS:
script type="text/javascript">document,write("Hello World!)
ok i posted a script :P :P
PPS : Thanx to all my frenz who tolerated all my thuisms, and my bugging messaging all day long. Most of them have demonstrated tremendous buggability. Thanx for putting up wid me for so long. I assure u ill bug u all again once bac in campus. And last but not the least in any way, i sincerely thank radio city which kept me company from 9 to 11 am , 5 to 9 pm, and 12 am onwards all the days, n certainly made my travel less painful. Seriously the only decent radio station in chennai.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Theories
I? I see myself holding a pair of thick woolen socks.
Iv fallen in love with this line. Its made by Dumbledore when harry asks him what he sees in the Mirror of the Erised. Which makes me wonder.... has the Erised served its final purpose ? Will it have any role to play in the final instalment of the series ? We'll have to wait and see.
Meanwhile, i just read in the paper, that the security arrangements for the release of the Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows is unprecedented in literary history. Yet another literary first for Ms Rowling. Reportedly, A whopping 10 Million Pounds in security has been invested. These figures just make me laugh out loud. It is still really astonishing, that in spite of a mammoth preparation for security of the book, a copy always leaks out somehow. Well, i hope they come up with an ebook soon enough before some crackpot decides to reveal the plot to me. ( No i aint gettin a copy :( , spent all my allowance on this stoooopid phone of mine ).
Back to the topic. From now on, each post till july 21st shall house one or two cranky theories that i have either ome across during hours of mindless browsing, or that have originated in this brain of mine. ( Oxymoron ?? )
So first of all, What comes to my mind is RAB. Who is this RAB ? Most of the forums and Hp fan sites that iv gone to unanimously agree that the only possible answer to this is Regulus Black.
However, i came across this site, where a member posts this intriguing line of thought : What if it isint a person at all ? What if RAB stands for, say, a place, or some sort of code word or something ? Just the sort of thing JKR may do to catch the entire rumour mongering business wrong footed.
Again, in this fan fic by a writer named Razzberry2 from the veritaserum forums, a theory has surfaced that set my thinking gears into motion. What if RAB is indeed Regulus Black, but like harry accompanied Dumbledore to help him drink the green liquid, it was Kreacher who accompanied regulus into that cave, and it was kreacher who drank the liquid, which permanently affected his brain ? Thought provoking, i must say.
Wikipedia gives an intresting article about RAB's identity.
In several foreign-language versions of the series, the surname Black has been translated into the respective language to correspond to the colour "black". In those cases, the 'B' in R.A.B. has been changed accordingly. For example, the Dutch edition uses the initials R.A.Z. in the locket note, and the Black family name is Zwarts, corresponding to "zwart". In the Norwegian edition, the note has R.A.S. (corresponding to the Svaart family or"svart"), and the Finnish edition has the letters R.A.M., (corresponding to the Musta family, or "musta"). In other editions where the Black family name is not translated to the local language, the initials remain "R.A.B.". For example, the Swedish, Spanish, and French translations keep the family name "Black", rather than translating it to the respective Swedish, Spanish, or French words for "black" ("svart", "negro", and "noir" respectively), and the initials remain as "R.A.B."
This analysis lends support to the theory that regulus is indeed RAB. But as is typical of JKR to squeeze in a twist somewhere, it might well be andromeda ( tonk's mother, another black ) , or even alphardus black, who was disowned by the blacks for supporting sirius.
The turmoil ends july 21st when it shall be clear as to what lies in store for the wizarding world as we know it.Till then, let the speculation get into overdrive !
Iv fallen in love with this line. Its made by Dumbledore when harry asks him what he sees in the Mirror of the Erised. Which makes me wonder.... has the Erised served its final purpose ? Will it have any role to play in the final instalment of the series ? We'll have to wait and see.
Meanwhile, i just read in the paper, that the security arrangements for the release of the Harry Potter and the Deathly hallows is unprecedented in literary history. Yet another literary first for Ms Rowling. Reportedly, A whopping 10 Million Pounds in security has been invested. These figures just make me laugh out loud. It is still really astonishing, that in spite of a mammoth preparation for security of the book, a copy always leaks out somehow. Well, i hope they come up with an ebook soon enough before some crackpot decides to reveal the plot to me. ( No i aint gettin a copy :( , spent all my allowance on this stoooopid phone of mine ).
Back to the topic. From now on, each post till july 21st shall house one or two cranky theories that i have either ome across during hours of mindless browsing, or that have originated in this brain of mine. ( Oxymoron ?? )
So first of all, What comes to my mind is RAB. Who is this RAB ? Most of the forums and Hp fan sites that iv gone to unanimously agree that the only possible answer to this is Regulus Black.
However, i came across this site, where a member posts this intriguing line of thought : What if it isint a person at all ? What if RAB stands for, say, a place, or some sort of code word or something ? Just the sort of thing JKR may do to catch the entire rumour mongering business wrong footed.
Again, in this fan fic by a writer named Razzberry2 from the veritaserum forums, a theory has surfaced that set my thinking gears into motion. What if RAB is indeed Regulus Black, but like harry accompanied Dumbledore to help him drink the green liquid, it was Kreacher who accompanied regulus into that cave, and it was kreacher who drank the liquid, which permanently affected his brain ? Thought provoking, i must say.
Wikipedia gives an intresting article about RAB's identity.
In several foreign-language versions of the series, the surname Black has been translated into the respective language to correspond to the colour "black". In those cases, the 'B' in R.A.B. has been changed accordingly. For example, the Dutch edition uses the initials R.A.Z. in the locket note, and the Black family name is Zwarts, corresponding to "zwart". In the Norwegian edition, the note has R.A.S. (corresponding to the Svaart family or"svart"), and the Finnish edition has the letters R.A.M., (corresponding to the Musta family, or "musta"). In other editions where the Black family name is not translated to the local language, the initials remain "R.A.B.". For example, the Swedish, Spanish, and French translations keep the family name "Black", rather than translating it to the respective Swedish, Spanish, or French words for "black" ("svart", "negro", and "noir" respectively), and the initials remain as "R.A.B."
This analysis lends support to the theory that regulus is indeed RAB. But as is typical of JKR to squeeze in a twist somewhere, it might well be andromeda ( tonk's mother, another black ) , or even alphardus black, who was disowned by the blacks for supporting sirius.
The turmoil ends july 21st when it shall be clear as to what lies in store for the wizarding world as we know it.Till then, let the speculation get into overdrive !
Saturday, July 14, 2007
The pandemic : Prologue
There is a fever that is spreading around. It knows no geographical boundaries. It spreads through mysterious means. There is no stopping it. It has assumed juggernaut status and has reached epic proportions. In fact it is just short of being branded an epidemic.
Some symptoms are synonymous with those of acute paralysis ,vegetative state and frequent zombie-like characteristics. Other symptoms may be confused with unusual hypnotic behaviour. The origin of this massive fever is believed to be in England. But it has crossed almost all natural and man made barriers. No one is safe from its devastating spell. The global impact of this fever is so alarming, and hapless researchers are finding it so difficult to explain the reason for it, that news channels across the world are focussing on this pandemic.
And i am its latest casualty.
There is light at the end of the tunnel after all. July 21st beckons, but i just cant get myself to wait for the release of the latest, and last book in the harry potter series, The deathly hallows.
I am just one of the millions n billions to have been gripped by it, and by gripped, i mean one so tight it could hold liquid nitrogen at room temperature. And to my dismay, i find that i am not quite in touch with what has happened so far in the magical world. This can mainly be attributed to the fact that i have read and re read so many fake e books and fan fics, that i have lost track of where JKR left us. All that remains is a vague recollection that the Half Blood Prince was left at a tantalizing point of the series, and what ever remains in this woeful memory of mine is just a garbled up version of all the stupid and the not-so-stupid fanfics written under the sun.
So i decide its time to revise. And then i realize, that this is the only thing in my life that i have even thought of revising. And although revising it means back to square one, it hardly hurts. Now, THATS a first !
Stop No. 1 : Philosopher's stone.
To be continued... :P
Some symptoms are synonymous with those of acute paralysis ,vegetative state and frequent zombie-like characteristics. Other symptoms may be confused with unusual hypnotic behaviour. The origin of this massive fever is believed to be in England. But it has crossed almost all natural and man made barriers. No one is safe from its devastating spell. The global impact of this fever is so alarming, and hapless researchers are finding it so difficult to explain the reason for it, that news channels across the world are focussing on this pandemic.
And i am its latest casualty.
There is light at the end of the tunnel after all. July 21st beckons, but i just cant get myself to wait for the release of the latest, and last book in the harry potter series, The deathly hallows.
I am just one of the millions n billions to have been gripped by it, and by gripped, i mean one so tight it could hold liquid nitrogen at room temperature. And to my dismay, i find that i am not quite in touch with what has happened so far in the magical world. This can mainly be attributed to the fact that i have read and re read so many fake e books and fan fics, that i have lost track of where JKR left us. All that remains is a vague recollection that the Half Blood Prince was left at a tantalizing point of the series, and what ever remains in this woeful memory of mine is just a garbled up version of all the stupid and the not-so-stupid fanfics written under the sun.
So i decide its time to revise. And then i realize, that this is the only thing in my life that i have even thought of revising. And although revising it means back to square one, it hardly hurts. Now, THATS a first !
Stop No. 1 : Philosopher's stone.
To be continued... :P
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Over
Yes. IT is finally over. Fin. Ende. For all the non multi - lingual people people out there, THE END.
PS1 is finally history. A chapter in this book called my life is over. The fact that it has gained enough importance to occupy an entire chapter, warrants an explanation. Because, frankly, who in their right mind would attach any significance to it ?
Well, i feel this is the time to dispel any myths that anyone might have about my PS station. I have been at the recieving end of comments that we at Bitsunami have been doing nothing but whiling away our time to the point of getting bored of boredom. Sorry to pour cold water over these hallucinations, but heres an insider account of what life at bitsunami is really about.
When i got allotted Bitsunami as my ps station, i was the center of ridicule for the rest of the days leading upto PS, especially as it was one of my top 10 options. The 'knowledgeable ones' predicted a summer of catchin fish with the mouth and dancing around fires with adivasis. So encouraging.
I do not deny that i was highly skeptical of where we were supposed to work. Chennai or Vedaranyam ( for those not in the know, its the village that iv been makin field trips to ).
Ever the optimist that i try to be, however, i had a semblence of hope that the PS people would stick to what they had mentioined on paper - Chennai city.
Then began the roller coaster ride that was Bitsunami. An unwanted but non negotiable trip to the village and a sudden visit to Bangalore later, we finally landed up in the place where we were supposed to be stationed.
But unforseen thunderstorms began forming the day after we landed where we should have stayed put. Invisible Remote controls began acting upon us. Powerful energies tried to bend us to their will. The amount of wriggling out of situations that cannot be given justice on a mere blog, is worthy of entering the history books. Negotiations that would have made diplomats proud, were held under wraps of the blissful cover of Bitsunami. Our steadfast belief, and our unprecedented stubborness was what helped us salvage some benefit out of this inutile process. However it was not without consequenses. We came this close to getting our ps station cancelled. I wont go into any details here because of obvious reasons. In the end, a compromise was reached. The headlock was broken and everything continued as if nothing of particular significance had occured.
The entire duration of ps was one of enormous tension and worries. Something that other ps stations were blissfully unexposed to. everyday some new problem, some new but useless idea of a strategically well positioned person, and then endless discussions about how to go about tackling them, Phone calls to various parts of the city, unofficial meetings, and countless cribbings. All in one package . And all this projected to the world with a serene face.
The work done by ps1 students was perhaps more than most other ps stations. This claim may be rubbished by many, but we know, the instructor knows, and the institution knows. It is not the amount of work that is painful. It is the way in which it is conducted. Again, there is neither any need, nor any use of unnecessary details. This is the way it has been, and is likely to be in the future too.
Again the optimist in me crops up, looking for reasons to celebrate this collaboration. It is my insight into the big bad world. It is my glimpse of what may lie ahead. It is preparation for the worst. Although the entire post may seem pretty hollow, there will be people who shall fully be able to explore the depth of every apparent hollow sentence.
PS1 has indeed been a chapter. I might not have been completely successful in impressing the reason for this, but it is important to me that i can keep this as a record of what has been an unforgettable experience.
In the end, there shall be at least one clear straight-forward sentence in this post.
' My ps instructor rox . '
There has been a sudden transition from the old casual topics to this serious post. This is a one time affair, and im glad to say that i am gonna revert back to my original, care-free blogging once again. adios .
PS1 is finally history. A chapter in this book called my life is over. The fact that it has gained enough importance to occupy an entire chapter, warrants an explanation. Because, frankly, who in their right mind would attach any significance to it ?
Well, i feel this is the time to dispel any myths that anyone might have about my PS station. I have been at the recieving end of comments that we at Bitsunami have been doing nothing but whiling away our time to the point of getting bored of boredom. Sorry to pour cold water over these hallucinations, but heres an insider account of what life at bitsunami is really about.
When i got allotted Bitsunami as my ps station, i was the center of ridicule for the rest of the days leading upto PS, especially as it was one of my top 10 options. The 'knowledgeable ones' predicted a summer of catchin fish with the mouth and dancing around fires with adivasis. So encouraging.
I do not deny that i was highly skeptical of where we were supposed to work. Chennai or Vedaranyam ( for those not in the know, its the village that iv been makin field trips to ).
Ever the optimist that i try to be, however, i had a semblence of hope that the PS people would stick to what they had mentioined on paper - Chennai city.
Then began the roller coaster ride that was Bitsunami. An unwanted but non negotiable trip to the village and a sudden visit to Bangalore later, we finally landed up in the place where we were supposed to be stationed.
But unforseen thunderstorms began forming the day after we landed where we should have stayed put. Invisible Remote controls began acting upon us. Powerful energies tried to bend us to their will. The amount of wriggling out of situations that cannot be given justice on a mere blog, is worthy of entering the history books. Negotiations that would have made diplomats proud, were held under wraps of the blissful cover of Bitsunami. Our steadfast belief, and our unprecedented stubborness was what helped us salvage some benefit out of this inutile process. However it was not without consequenses. We came this close to getting our ps station cancelled. I wont go into any details here because of obvious reasons. In the end, a compromise was reached. The headlock was broken and everything continued as if nothing of particular significance had occured.
The entire duration of ps was one of enormous tension and worries. Something that other ps stations were blissfully unexposed to. everyday some new problem, some new but useless idea of a strategically well positioned person, and then endless discussions about how to go about tackling them, Phone calls to various parts of the city, unofficial meetings, and countless cribbings. All in one package . And all this projected to the world with a serene face.
The work done by ps1 students was perhaps more than most other ps stations. This claim may be rubbished by many, but we know, the instructor knows, and the institution knows. It is not the amount of work that is painful. It is the way in which it is conducted. Again, there is neither any need, nor any use of unnecessary details. This is the way it has been, and is likely to be in the future too.
Again the optimist in me crops up, looking for reasons to celebrate this collaboration. It is my insight into the big bad world. It is my glimpse of what may lie ahead. It is preparation for the worst. Although the entire post may seem pretty hollow, there will be people who shall fully be able to explore the depth of every apparent hollow sentence.
PS1 has indeed been a chapter. I might not have been completely successful in impressing the reason for this, but it is important to me that i can keep this as a record of what has been an unforgettable experience.
In the end, there shall be at least one clear straight-forward sentence in this post.
' My ps instructor rox . '
There has been a sudden transition from the old casual topics to this serious post. This is a one time affair, and im glad to say that i am gonna revert back to my original, care-free blogging once again. adios .
Sunday, July 8, 2007
YOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOYOY
This is gonna be a long one. I can feel it. Not unlike the marathon game that i had the previlige of watching. It really would have been a shame if i had missed it. And so, i begin , by thanking profusely, the Doordarshan management, who telecast the Wimbledon lawn tennis championships live from centre court on sunday the 8th of July. One marathon over, another begins :
Their meeting in the finals was inevietable. In fact, it had become just routine. Just a month ago, Roger had met with defeat at the hands of the king of clay. Any expectations of Federer emulating Bjorn Borg's record as conquerer of Britain n france together were quickly snuffed out with ruthless efficiency by Nadal. On grass, everyone expected to see a repeat of last years rout, by the Emperor ( not king , emperor ) of grass, a man , whose record is as imposing as his reputation of making mincemeat of big names on grass. Today was everything that we did not expect.
For one, i was resigned to once again miss the action live, n contend myself with score updates on the net. So u can image my delight when i saw the match being telecast live in doordarshan .
I started the match poised at 3-0 to roger. It looked all set for another whitewash like last year's
6-0 massacre in the 1st set. To my dismay, nadal clawed his way back to 3-3 . And this is where the point by point update stops. This is gonna be a decent post, not just a bland reproduction of the game.
I sat in front of the idiot box, watching this clash of the titans in the emperor's backyard. It was picturisque. Me, with eyes so wide they musta looked like tennis balls, in front of the tv, while everything else lay forgotten, the gusty winds blowing through the balcony right into me, carrying along with it that heavenly smell, the manvasanai , and roger looking set to romp home for a fifth time. However, the match was anything but a cake walk. The audience, i thought, musta got their money's worth in the first set itself. It was a roller coaster ride- from the pinnacles of ecstacy, to the terrible lows. Bobbing up n down like a madman, surely someone musta thot the heat has gotten to me. Well, the adrenaline refused to die down. I am known to be a staunch federer supporter. But today, i could not help but secretly admire ( ok its no more a secret ) the array of jaw-dropping shots stacked up in nadal's inventory, that too on grass.
For the first time, i was afraid for roger. Nadal was in a murderous mood. Federer had to descend from his usual impasse into the realm of mere mortals. The stupendous effort required to quell the challenge that this young 21 something posed was brought out in his unusually large number of clenched fists. But the game was not Federeresque. It was not even Wimbledonesque. It was more of rallies from the baseline, clay courtish play, in which we all know who is king. Things were looking grim for the emperor. The evergrowing threat to his empire and the way nadal eased into grass tennis was forcing the god of grass to come up with unbelievable shots that had spectators stunned. Wrong hawk eye challenges wernt makin things any easier for the defending champion. Here lay the single greatest challenge to Federer's ascendency on grass, where he has ruled for 4 long years. Things were not as simple as they appeared to the mere onlooker. It was a fierce battle of mental fortitudes. But the tough get going when the going gets tough . Just as things were lookin omnious for Fed-ex, he fired home a string of lightning fast aces that even the famed nadal coudnt return.
The momentum surges were so unpredictable that even the most seasoned astrologers wouldnt have forseen the way in which federer lost the 4th set. One thinks that winning a 2nd tie break in the finals of the greatest grand slam of all would bouy a person to the point of extreme confidence. But the fed serve suddenly looked lack lustre, losing all its lethality. Perhaps for the first time on grass, Fed looked uncomfortable. Rattled and out of sorts, he barely managed to salvage a few games in the set. Perhaps this was the awakening hat he needed. perhaps all he needed was a rude jerk out of his comfort zone. Which is what he got when in the final set, he was 4 break points down. I, was just hoping against hope for some miracle to save this world from the impending disaster.
The flirting with the lines continued for both players, only, after the jerk, fed was on the safe side of these lines. It was a subtle change in fortunes, engineered by the brilliance of Roger Federer, almost by stealth. Somehow, the fortunes turned. Confidence returned, insecurities were brushed aside. All the frustration welled up inside was vented through a once in a blue moon scream from the champion. Feeling at home once more, he rode home comfortably after achieving a break off the nadal serve in the last set.
The 2007 finals left not just the players, but even the specators, both physically and emotionally drained. This year's finals shall be hailed as the spaniards emergence as a new super power in the world of grass, away from his haven of clay. The mouthwatering rivalry between Roger n rafa shall go down in the annals of history as one of the most intriguing rivalries ever in the open era of tennis.
The great Ivan Lendl once said : Grass is for the cows.
well, i say, Rafa, its time, to moo.
Their meeting in the finals was inevietable. In fact, it had become just routine. Just a month ago, Roger had met with defeat at the hands of the king of clay. Any expectations of Federer emulating Bjorn Borg's record as conquerer of Britain n france together were quickly snuffed out with ruthless efficiency by Nadal. On grass, everyone expected to see a repeat of last years rout, by the Emperor ( not king , emperor ) of grass, a man , whose record is as imposing as his reputation of making mincemeat of big names on grass. Today was everything that we did not expect.
For one, i was resigned to once again miss the action live, n contend myself with score updates on the net. So u can image my delight when i saw the match being telecast live in doordarshan .
I started the match poised at 3-0 to roger. It looked all set for another whitewash like last year's
6-0 massacre in the 1st set. To my dismay, nadal clawed his way back to 3-3 . And this is where the point by point update stops. This is gonna be a decent post, not just a bland reproduction of the game.
I sat in front of the idiot box, watching this clash of the titans in the emperor's backyard. It was picturisque. Me, with eyes so wide they musta looked like tennis balls, in front of the tv, while everything else lay forgotten, the gusty winds blowing through the balcony right into me, carrying along with it that heavenly smell, the manvasanai , and roger looking set to romp home for a fifth time. However, the match was anything but a cake walk. The audience, i thought, musta got their money's worth in the first set itself. It was a roller coaster ride- from the pinnacles of ecstacy, to the terrible lows. Bobbing up n down like a madman, surely someone musta thot the heat has gotten to me. Well, the adrenaline refused to die down. I am known to be a staunch federer supporter. But today, i could not help but secretly admire ( ok its no more a secret ) the array of jaw-dropping shots stacked up in nadal's inventory, that too on grass.
For the first time, i was afraid for roger. Nadal was in a murderous mood. Federer had to descend from his usual impasse into the realm of mere mortals. The stupendous effort required to quell the challenge that this young 21 something posed was brought out in his unusually large number of clenched fists. But the game was not Federeresque. It was not even Wimbledonesque. It was more of rallies from the baseline, clay courtish play, in which we all know who is king. Things were looking grim for the emperor. The evergrowing threat to his empire and the way nadal eased into grass tennis was forcing the god of grass to come up with unbelievable shots that had spectators stunned. Wrong hawk eye challenges wernt makin things any easier for the defending champion. Here lay the single greatest challenge to Federer's ascendency on grass, where he has ruled for 4 long years. Things were not as simple as they appeared to the mere onlooker. It was a fierce battle of mental fortitudes. But the tough get going when the going gets tough . Just as things were lookin omnious for Fed-ex, he fired home a string of lightning fast aces that even the famed nadal coudnt return.
The momentum surges were so unpredictable that even the most seasoned astrologers wouldnt have forseen the way in which federer lost the 4th set. One thinks that winning a 2nd tie break in the finals of the greatest grand slam of all would bouy a person to the point of extreme confidence. But the fed serve suddenly looked lack lustre, losing all its lethality. Perhaps for the first time on grass, Fed looked uncomfortable. Rattled and out of sorts, he barely managed to salvage a few games in the set. Perhaps this was the awakening hat he needed. perhaps all he needed was a rude jerk out of his comfort zone. Which is what he got when in the final set, he was 4 break points down. I, was just hoping against hope for some miracle to save this world from the impending disaster.
The flirting with the lines continued for both players, only, after the jerk, fed was on the safe side of these lines. It was a subtle change in fortunes, engineered by the brilliance of Roger Federer, almost by stealth. Somehow, the fortunes turned. Confidence returned, insecurities were brushed aside. All the frustration welled up inside was vented through a once in a blue moon scream from the champion. Feeling at home once more, he rode home comfortably after achieving a break off the nadal serve in the last set.
The 2007 finals left not just the players, but even the specators, both physically and emotionally drained. This year's finals shall be hailed as the spaniards emergence as a new super power in the world of grass, away from his haven of clay. The mouthwatering rivalry between Roger n rafa shall go down in the annals of history as one of the most intriguing rivalries ever in the open era of tennis.
The great Ivan Lendl once said : Grass is for the cows.
well, i say, Rafa, its time, to moo.
Friday, July 6, 2007
The Chennai Marvel
Fate has been kind to me. Really merciful.In spite of being born a Bombayite, n brought up as a Mumbaikar, i am quite inexperienced regarding the daily grill of a typical mumbaikar. I am , of course, talking about that marvel of mumbai that is called the lifeline of this wonderous city. Local Trains. They say, if you havent travelled in a local train in mumbai, you havent seen mumbai, you havent lived, you have no adventure spirit. Well, i cannot claim to have experienced the true local train ride. Most of my travelling has been by road, and occasionally by the afternoon weekend train. Which is certainly not the 'Mumbai train experience' . Its not that im not an adventurous type ( how wud i have chosen bitsunami otherwise eh ? :P ).
Its just that there never arose a need to go through that grinding, quite literally. But i think fate decided it was time i had a taste of what i was missing. They say fate catches up with you no matter where you go, what you do. Thats exactly what happened with me, when i unsuspectingly boarded an otherwise peaceful looking green bus that is typical of chennai. Little did i anticipate what was in store for me. Todaym owing to excess of work at ps, i had to leave on time ( :P ) for once. Which is the rush hour. The stop where i board the bus is relatively near its starting point, so it is quite reasonable to board the bus without a second thought. Buti was in for a shock, as in the very next stop, came rushing a crowd as if someone was giving away free gold inside the bus. From then on, there was no lookin back. Bones i never knew existed came into prominance. A majority of my muscles got a free massage in the bus. There was no room for an elbow. I seriously felt sorry for the bacteria that might have been trapped between two people. It was worst at the stops. People losing all civil sense, and it turned out to be a battle of strength between the tide of people trying to rush in madly, and the desperate ones trying to get out. Ultimately it led to typical chaos and confusion, with squabbles breaking out, slowing the bus journey even more. Infact, the only reason i could make head or tail of the squabble was because being slightly on the taller side as compared to the average indian bus traveller, my head was above most of the heads, and at least got few whiffs of fresh air that seemed like the breeze of my life. As only the portion of my body above the neck region was movable, i craned my neck to see what stop had come. With the result that i got a rude stare from some guy who apparently was in a foul mood. He might have been muttering something, but i was too relieved not to be at the recieving end of some mundane local outburt, so hardly payed attention.
At last Mylapore tank stop arrived, and i now was part of the party that was trying to get out of the bus, against the huge tide of people who were lookin desperately for ways to get in.
A few mutterings and shouts later, the other side compromised, and allowed our team ( lol ) to go through.
This ordeal left me wondering at the marvel that was that rickety bus. It looked as if one good kick would do the job. Yet it was supporting almost an army. To say the bus was overflowing with people would be the understatement of the century. Yet, it chugged along. And that, my dear friends, is the marvel. Just like locals are the lifeline of Mumbai, it can be said busses are the lifelines of chennai. I can also now claim to have a near experience of a mumbai local at rush hour. :D
PS:
Though i have expressed this in a much more positive way than would have been believed of me by most who think they know me, i assure you this trip has rid me of any whim or inclination that i had, of travelling in one of Mumbai's locals :)
Its just that there never arose a need to go through that grinding, quite literally. But i think fate decided it was time i had a taste of what i was missing. They say fate catches up with you no matter where you go, what you do. Thats exactly what happened with me, when i unsuspectingly boarded an otherwise peaceful looking green bus that is typical of chennai. Little did i anticipate what was in store for me. Todaym owing to excess of work at ps, i had to leave on time ( :P ) for once. Which is the rush hour. The stop where i board the bus is relatively near its starting point, so it is quite reasonable to board the bus without a second thought. Buti was in for a shock, as in the very next stop, came rushing a crowd as if someone was giving away free gold inside the bus. From then on, there was no lookin back. Bones i never knew existed came into prominance. A majority of my muscles got a free massage in the bus. There was no room for an elbow. I seriously felt sorry for the bacteria that might have been trapped between two people. It was worst at the stops. People losing all civil sense, and it turned out to be a battle of strength between the tide of people trying to rush in madly, and the desperate ones trying to get out. Ultimately it led to typical chaos and confusion, with squabbles breaking out, slowing the bus journey even more. Infact, the only reason i could make head or tail of the squabble was because being slightly on the taller side as compared to the average indian bus traveller, my head was above most of the heads, and at least got few whiffs of fresh air that seemed like the breeze of my life. As only the portion of my body above the neck region was movable, i craned my neck to see what stop had come. With the result that i got a rude stare from some guy who apparently was in a foul mood. He might have been muttering something, but i was too relieved not to be at the recieving end of some mundane local outburt, so hardly payed attention.
At last Mylapore tank stop arrived, and i now was part of the party that was trying to get out of the bus, against the huge tide of people who were lookin desperately for ways to get in.
A few mutterings and shouts later, the other side compromised, and allowed our team ( lol ) to go through.
This ordeal left me wondering at the marvel that was that rickety bus. It looked as if one good kick would do the job. Yet it was supporting almost an army. To say the bus was overflowing with people would be the understatement of the century. Yet, it chugged along. And that, my dear friends, is the marvel. Just like locals are the lifeline of Mumbai, it can be said busses are the lifelines of chennai. I can also now claim to have a near experience of a mumbai local at rush hour. :D
PS:
Though i have expressed this in a much more positive way than would have been believed of me by most who think they know me, i assure you this trip has rid me of any whim or inclination that i had, of travelling in one of Mumbai's locals :)
Wednesday, July 4, 2007
OMG
For the past few days iv been so jobless that even my steadily rusting mind has felt the need for some warming up of those grey cells so unused in the past 2 years. Yesterday, when i was going through the inutile process called PS1, as usual with mindless myriad musings in my head, i decided to calculate the financial aspect of PS1 with the BITS administration's perspective. Yea, i know it is the height of joblessness, but extremely vella that i am, it can be taken as quite a healthy excercise for my grey matter as compared to PS1 at least. But i never expected to be jerked out of my torpor so abruptly, and begin to doubt if all this inactivity has at last taken its toll on my mental health.
The task that i had embarked upon, of calculating the financial aspect of PS1, was not one which neccesitated the use of a calculator. In order to give my brain at least some activity, and owing to my inherent laziness to go to a comp n open calc.exe or take up a calculator from my bag, i decided to do the calculation mentally. The results were so atrocious that i had myself reeling from the aftereffects of the revelation. Here i summarize the results :
The amount paid by Bitsians for ps1 spanning 2 months ( it is 1.5 months, but i take it as two months for simplified calculation .. remember i dint have a calculator :P )
= Rs 11,250.00
Number of students totally = 800 + 600 ( an approximation, nonetheless quite acceptable )
= 1400
Amount recieved for these 2 months = Rs. 11,250 X 1400 = Rs. 15,750,000 ( 15 million ! WOW ! )
Expenses borne by the administration in these 2 months :
Salary for the instructors and staff :
assuming a really generous salary of 75,000 per month for the instructors, and an even more generous estimation of their number at around 75, we get the total cost of employing them instructors = 75,000 X 75 X 2 ( the '2' factor bcoz of two months ) = Rs. 11,250,000
11 million for our dear profs , if that aint generous , i dunno wat is !
Maintanence costs : NONE
other costs : even though i cannot fathom any major expenses for the adminstration, i am so generous as to allot Rs. 500,000 for miscellaneous expenses.
After deducting the expenses, we arrive at a stagerring figure of Rs. 4,000,000 !
( 4 million , c0000000l)
see,me doubting my own sanity is quite reasonable. ( dont worry, i checked it all on a calci, makin sure theres no mistake in the calculations. But the ramifications of my calculations being correct were fully felt by my atthai ( its tamil, for those who dun understand, take it as aunt ) , who had to be party to my infinite cribbings on the financial extravaganza that is ps1 for bits , all day yday :P)
Now i want to ask, where does all this go ? what happpens with all this money ? Mr. chancellor, are you listening ?? :P
The task that i had embarked upon, of calculating the financial aspect of PS1, was not one which neccesitated the use of a calculator. In order to give my brain at least some activity, and owing to my inherent laziness to go to a comp n open calc.exe or take up a calculator from my bag, i decided to do the calculation mentally. The results were so atrocious that i had myself reeling from the aftereffects of the revelation. Here i summarize the results :
The amount paid by Bitsians for ps1 spanning 2 months ( it is 1.5 months, but i take it as two months for simplified calculation .. remember i dint have a calculator :P )
= Rs 11,250.00
Number of students totally = 800 + 600 ( an approximation, nonetheless quite acceptable )
= 1400
Amount recieved for these 2 months = Rs. 11,250 X 1400 = Rs. 15,750,000 ( 15 million ! WOW ! )
Expenses borne by the administration in these 2 months :
Salary for the instructors and staff :
assuming a really generous salary of 75,000 per month for the instructors, and an even more generous estimation of their number at around 75, we get the total cost of employing them instructors = 75,000 X 75 X 2 ( the '2' factor bcoz of two months ) = Rs. 11,250,000
11 million for our dear profs , if that aint generous , i dunno wat is !
Maintanence costs : NONE
other costs : even though i cannot fathom any major expenses for the adminstration, i am so generous as to allot Rs. 500,000 for miscellaneous expenses.
After deducting the expenses, we arrive at a stagerring figure of Rs. 4,000,000 !
( 4 million , c0000000l)
see,me doubting my own sanity is quite reasonable. ( dont worry, i checked it all on a calci, makin sure theres no mistake in the calculations. But the ramifications of my calculations being correct were fully felt by my atthai ( its tamil, for those who dun understand, take it as aunt ) , who had to be party to my infinite cribbings on the financial extravaganza that is ps1 for bits , all day yday :P)
Now i want to ask, where does all this go ? what happpens with all this money ? Mr. chancellor, are you listening ?? :P
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Answers ?
This has been inspired by a number of articles i read in the past 24 hrs pertaining to a basic sense of cleanliness, rather , the lack of it, inbred into the majority of the indian population. This by no means is a new topic... it has been discussed for eons. It is the illogical double standards of our countrymen that is baffling to the mind. Take, for example, our beaches. Starting off with the place im stationed at present, Chennai, we look at the marina beach. A few days back i was just strolling around the beach in the evening, relishing the pleasant change in the weather, from the scorching chennai summer to overcast monsoon clouds. As usual, the Marina was a plethora of activity, from people taking their evening walks, couples snuggled in the cool sea breeze, children running around in their typical playful endeavours, to shopkeepers trying to lure customers into their shops. In the midst of all this i coudnt help observing a fine young couple walking along the sealine, having a couple of wrappers that come with those eatables in the numerous shops spread across the sprawling beach. I observed how they casually passed on the wrappers to the free hand, slided it down and just deposited it on the sandy surface. All this without batting an eyelid. As if it is in their second nature to just keep dropping things anywhere they please. In spite of the fact that there was a dustbin not 5 metres away.
The case is no different in Mumbai. The juhu beach, famed for its proximity to the houses of film stars and celebrities, is a frequented by a large number of people. Although not as encompassing as the Marina, it is still a spot to be visited on the Mumbai tourist's trip. The case here is no different than the one described above. People with the I-Dont-care attitude just dumping things here and there unmindful of any thing. This is the standard scene at most indian beaches on the tourist map.
Which brings me to Goa. The land of the beaches. What strikes particularly about goan beaches is the absence of such garbage in the beaches. In spite of a large number of beaches spread throughout the state, all the beaches that iv gone to are spick n span . It is not as if they are not frequented by tourists and locals alike. In fact they are the most visited places on any tourist's map. Why this double standard ? Im sure it is not the fault of the cleaning agencies in the metros. In both Mumbai and Chennai, the corporators have taken commendable measures to try and clean up the beaches. The marina is extensively cleaned through state-of-the-art machines regularly. The BMC ( brihanmumbai muncipal corp. ) alloted 10 crores of rupees for the cleanliness drive of the juhu beach. These proactive measures are taken up in all these beaches. Yet, the difference. In spite of the fact that it is the same indian tourist who travels to these places. One has to realize that all the unnecessary expenditure is straight out of the tax payer's pockets. Why people dont realize it, is beyond me.
Which brings me back to my question. Why this double standard by the people ? Why the difference in behaviour ? It is something to which i have drawn nought whichever direction i have gone. Answers, anyone ?
The case is no different in Mumbai. The juhu beach, famed for its proximity to the houses of film stars and celebrities, is a frequented by a large number of people. Although not as encompassing as the Marina, it is still a spot to be visited on the Mumbai tourist's trip. The case here is no different than the one described above. People with the I-Dont-care attitude just dumping things here and there unmindful of any thing. This is the standard scene at most indian beaches on the tourist map.
Which brings me to Goa. The land of the beaches. What strikes particularly about goan beaches is the absence of such garbage in the beaches. In spite of a large number of beaches spread throughout the state, all the beaches that iv gone to are spick n span . It is not as if they are not frequented by tourists and locals alike. In fact they are the most visited places on any tourist's map. Why this double standard ? Im sure it is not the fault of the cleaning agencies in the metros. In both Mumbai and Chennai, the corporators have taken commendable measures to try and clean up the beaches. The marina is extensively cleaned through state-of-the-art machines regularly. The BMC ( brihanmumbai muncipal corp. ) alloted 10 crores of rupees for the cleanliness drive of the juhu beach. These proactive measures are taken up in all these beaches. Yet, the difference. In spite of the fact that it is the same indian tourist who travels to these places. One has to realize that all the unnecessary expenditure is straight out of the tax payer's pockets. Why people dont realize it, is beyond me.
Which brings me back to my question. Why this double standard by the people ? Why the difference in behaviour ? It is something to which i have drawn nought whichever direction i have gone. Answers, anyone ?
Monday, July 2, 2007
Same game, different name
I just finished reading the book 'To kill a mockingbird' by Harper Lee, and i have to say it is one of the best ones iv read. Although the setting is in the early 1900s upto the 1930s , it is surprisingly relevant today. The story is set in an imaginary plave called Maycomb im the state of Alabama, and basically focusses on the shocking amount of racism prevalent just a few decades ago. Through the eyes of a small girl, it provides an intriguing insight into the world as the little girl sees it. The main character who really gains your respect and sympathy is the girl's father, Atticus, a lawyer by profession. In a conservative town like Maycomb, he does the unthinkable: to defend a coloured man . The story is narrated with expertise, which makes you see the world through the girl's eyes. It is an engaging narration, one that is bound to have you hooked on for more as the story progresses. Mainly, the writer has brought out the meaning that he has wanted to convey very clearly : That a few people steadfast about their beliefs, can bring about a change in the entire attitude of the society that they live in.
The intresting thing is that it is very relevant in todays world also. All around us we see caste politics being shamelessly played by the Politicians. Even in that greenest of grasses yonder, The United States, there is a distinction between blacks and whites, although unoficially. They have their own way of living, and are generally expected to adhere to it.India is an epicenter of caste politics. Everywhere we go, religion comes into play. A muslim is always regarded suspiciously in the UK and the US. An asian is not that easily allowed to blend with the native american people, regardless of his background and potential. All this is still the same as the blatant disregard for the blacks that the whites had during the penning of this book. Only today it has a different name. The game remains the same. Still hope remains. There will always be people like Atticus, who will bring a ray of hope to the oppressed. There will always arise a hero for the downtrodden. That is how a society progresses. Things are slowly changing, as the world continues to shrink, and people get closer and closer. But the point is, why do we need to wait for such a hero ? Why do we need to depend on a person to do what we all can together achieve ? All it needs is a bit of compromise and understanding. And of course a little common sense. Some may argue that recent events have led to a wave of paranoia that is primarily responsible for hostile behaviour. But paranoia was never a solution, caution, perhaps, but never paranoia.
Inspite of such obstacles, the world moves on. Who knows, someday may arise a hero, who, like Atticus, will bring this Maycomb of a world to light. Till then, we shall move on...
The intresting thing is that it is very relevant in todays world also. All around us we see caste politics being shamelessly played by the Politicians. Even in that greenest of grasses yonder, The United States, there is a distinction between blacks and whites, although unoficially. They have their own way of living, and are generally expected to adhere to it.India is an epicenter of caste politics. Everywhere we go, religion comes into play. A muslim is always regarded suspiciously in the UK and the US. An asian is not that easily allowed to blend with the native american people, regardless of his background and potential. All this is still the same as the blatant disregard for the blacks that the whites had during the penning of this book. Only today it has a different name. The game remains the same. Still hope remains. There will always be people like Atticus, who will bring a ray of hope to the oppressed. There will always arise a hero for the downtrodden. That is how a society progresses. Things are slowly changing, as the world continues to shrink, and people get closer and closer. But the point is, why do we need to wait for such a hero ? Why do we need to depend on a person to do what we all can together achieve ? All it needs is a bit of compromise and understanding. And of course a little common sense. Some may argue that recent events have led to a wave of paranoia that is primarily responsible for hostile behaviour. But paranoia was never a solution, caution, perhaps, but never paranoia.
Inspite of such obstacles, the world moves on. Who knows, someday may arise a hero, who, like Atticus, will bring this Maycomb of a world to light. Till then, we shall move on...
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