Okay people. I have the big exam tomorrow. I know my shit well. I know what to speak and what I am speaking. Also I think it is difficult to not pass this exam at this point. But you know what, I have been surprised before and I am eager to get this monkey off my back. If I pass this exam I am throwing a big-ass party tomorrow where I cook a lot of food for a lot of people. But condition being I pass my oral exam. So essentially I have bribed everybody with a promise of free-food in return of their good wishes for me ;) The way people bribe God with the promises of laddoos to pass their exam. I see God in each of His creation. I hope that works. If you wish me luck, I will feed you next time we meet!
A compilation of my day to day events and experiences. My observational reports as the world passes by me. "I am part of all that I have met"
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Pledge 10%
Stories like this are hope for humanity. Proof that the good is still the good. As opposed some claims that bad is the new good. You don't need big pocket to help (donate to) others. You need a big heart.
Few months back when I mentioned to a friend that I pledged 10% of my year-end savings to donation he was surprised and started defending why/how he cannot do that. (He earns thrice as much as me and lives in the same city). If you think of all that money at once it may be numerically big but it is only 10%. Of the saving, not even income. I mean, you won't even notice it if you don't see it in the bank statement! Seriously guys, it is not a lot. For you. But it may mean a lot for less privileged ones. I've explained this in more details here how it works.
If I have you convinced and you are looking for good cause/place to give, I know of many. I have my own skepticism when it comes to giving but following are genuine organizations, I believe.
www.godparents.in (education children)
www.waterislife.com (provide clean water)
http://kopernik.info (various technologies)
I am not a rich person but I have had more opportunity to be in a better position in society just by being born in a place I was born. While I worked my way up, many others could have. Since the opportunities are limited, I, by taking them, denied others of it. So I feel obliged to help who were born less fortunate. I am not doing anything in action about it. The least I could do is share my wealth. It may sound ridiculous but it IS logical.
I am willing to match your first donation amount you donate after reading this. So do it :) And I will get back to working on my presentation for Friday. Big day coming up this week.
Few months back when I mentioned to a friend that I pledged 10% of my year-end savings to donation he was surprised and started defending why/how he cannot do that. (He earns thrice as much as me and lives in the same city). If you think of all that money at once it may be numerically big but it is only 10%. Of the saving, not even income. I mean, you won't even notice it if you don't see it in the bank statement! Seriously guys, it is not a lot. For you. But it may mean a lot for less privileged ones. I've explained this in more details here how it works.
If I have you convinced and you are looking for good cause/place to give, I know of many. I have my own skepticism when it comes to giving but following are genuine organizations, I believe.
www.godparents.in (education children)
www.waterislife.com (provide clean water)
http://kopernik.info (various technologies)
I am not a rich person but I have had more opportunity to be in a better position in society just by being born in a place I was born. While I worked my way up, many others could have. Since the opportunities are limited, I, by taking them, denied others of it. So I feel obliged to help who were born less fortunate. I am not doing anything in action about it. The least I could do is share my wealth. It may sound ridiculous but it IS logical.
I am willing to match your first donation amount you donate after reading this. So do it :) And I will get back to working on my presentation for Friday. Big day coming up this week.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Hello January
Hello January! It is here again. January hasn't been a good friend of mine in the last few years. I always had my share of troubled times at school around this time of the year. Topped by the shit-cold weather averaging -20C. Yes, there is a minus sign and it is 20C after it.
But this year has been a little different. First of, not that cold, specially in the past week. Work wise, not too bad. I have my simulations sunning on the track. I submitted my thesis proposal titled "Site-Specific Simulation of Marine and Hydro-Kinetic Turbine Arrays". Oral presentation for the same is scheduled at the end of this month, Friday the 30th. I shouldn't have major hiccups passing this exam on 30th but then I stopped taking anything for granted after my first year at grad school. So it is a serious exam and I am preparing a 30 minute talk on my work. I will present it in front of 4 professors from my school, supposedly experts in this area of research, and try to convince them yes my work will be worth a PhD; yes, I am worth getting a PhD.
If they are convinced they let you carry on your work. I do not know anyone who has failed this exam but then again, life is full of surprises. And at this point of time, I am not seeking one. So wish me luck.
But this year has been a little different. First of, not that cold, specially in the past week. Work wise, not too bad. I have my simulations sunning on the track. I submitted my thesis proposal titled "Site-Specific Simulation of Marine and Hydro-Kinetic Turbine Arrays". Oral presentation for the same is scheduled at the end of this month, Friday the 30th. I shouldn't have major hiccups passing this exam on 30th but then I stopped taking anything for granted after my first year at grad school. So it is a serious exam and I am preparing a 30 minute talk on my work. I will present it in front of 4 professors from my school, supposedly experts in this area of research, and try to convince them yes my work will be worth a PhD; yes, I am worth getting a PhD.
If they are convinced they let you carry on your work. I do not know anyone who has failed this exam but then again, life is full of surprises. And at this point of time, I am not seeking one. So wish me luck.
Friday, January 16, 2015
Suddenly everyone is having change of hearts
When I say everyone I mean one particular person at this time. There are certain others also who have been to be impressed by 'Modiji' soon after he came to power. No one was so impressed when he was not in Delhi and trying to save his face from the aftermaths of a massacre.
I will only give you a list of time line from the news which
AUGUST 29, 2013: Kiran Bedi says no to Kejriwal. "Ms. Bedi has refused the offer (of running for Delhi CM candidate from AAP). She is reported to have said that she by nature is a “non-political” person."
JANUARY 11, 2014: My vote is for NaMo: Kiran Bedi
MAY 21, 2014: Kiran Bedi ready to be BJP’s Delhi CM candidate. “I no more rule out entering Indian political service on capability basis."
JANUARY 15, 2015: Jaya Prada says she wants to join BJP
JANUARY 15, 2015: Kiran Bedi to be BJP's 'face' in Delhi polls
What a change of heart there from Aug,2013 to May, 2014! Within less than a year.
I am so frustrated with her that I almost demand an explanation. But than who am I to ask for one, and why is she liable to please us with explanation. If we start asking for explanations, there will be no shortage of people to be asked from. In my opinion, this might just prove a trump card against AAP. We can only hope for the best, whichever party wins.
I will only give you a list of time line from the news which
AUGUST 29, 2013: Kiran Bedi says no to Kejriwal. "Ms. Bedi has refused the offer (of running for Delhi CM candidate from AAP). She is reported to have said that she by nature is a “non-political” person."
JANUARY 11, 2014: My vote is for NaMo: Kiran Bedi
MAY 21, 2014: Kiran Bedi ready to be BJP’s Delhi CM candidate. “I no more rule out entering Indian political service on capability basis."
JANUARY 15, 2015: Jaya Prada says she wants to join BJP
JANUARY 15, 2015: Kiran Bedi to be BJP's 'face' in Delhi polls
What a change of heart there from Aug,2013 to May, 2014! Within less than a year.
I am so frustrated with her that I almost demand an explanation. But than who am I to ask for one, and why is she liable to please us with explanation. If we start asking for explanations, there will be no shortage of people to be asked from. In my opinion, this might just prove a trump card against AAP. We can only hope for the best, whichever party wins.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Eye sty
Nothing much to write about except I got a sty in the eye. And I am closing in on my PhD proposal. If all goes well I will present my proposal by the end of this month.
Sunday, January 04, 2015
Happy New Year 2015
New year wishes to all my readers!
Every morning, as a sort-of ritual, first thing I do is go through news like people used to do in old times, albeit in digital format. I started first morning of the year with a news article which describes Count Leo Tolstoy's way of living. The article is called secret to to a happy life. I was glad to see the article in a mainstream media. It wonderfully describes the values I wish to imbibe in my ways of living. I'll quickly summarize the 7 ways:
Every morning, as a sort-of ritual, first thing I do is go through news like people used to do in old times, albeit in digital format. I started first morning of the year with a news article which describes Count Leo Tolstoy's way of living. The article is called secret to to a happy life. I was glad to see the article in a mainstream media. It wonderfully describes the values I wish to imbibe in my ways of living. I'll quickly summarize the 7 ways:
- Keep an open mind: Willingness to change your mind based on new experiences
- Practise empathy: Tolstoy displayed an unusual capacity to empathise by stepping into the shoes of people whose lives were vastly different from his own. Crossing the fence to the other side.
- Make a difference: taking practical action to alleviate other people's suffering
- Master the art of simple living: Tolstoy rejected all organised religion. He adopted a revolutionary brand of Christianity based on spiritual and material austerity. He gave up drinking, smoking, and became a vegetarian.
- Beware your contradictions: Tolstoy famously preached universal love yet was constantly fighting with his wife. Moreover, the apostle of equality was never able to fully abandon his wealth and privileged lifestyle. His personal transformation, if not complete, still deserves our admiration.
- Become a craftsman: Tolstoy recognised that striking a balance between mind and body was an essential part of his creative process. He kept horse-plough,scythe and saw, cobbling tools. If Tolstoy were here today he would no doubt suggest we get some craft into our lives rather than grant so much of our leisure time to tweeting and texting.
- Expand your social circle: Best way to challenge our assumptions and prejudices, and develop new ways of looking at the world, is to surround ourselves with people whose views and lifestyles differ from our own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)