tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45813246362652082672024-03-16T02:09:28.630-07:00random thoughtsThis is a chronicle of life - its positives, its fun, the wide spectrum it offers for which it is worth living. One is welcome to point out if there is any issue in any of the writing. It will be addressed, if required.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the author.Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.comBlogger257125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-85549336968125586852023-09-28T02:09:00.015-07:002023-09-28T09:35:27.001-07:00Festival Look<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp_92KuxNGVrha0BTj-Y2JrXrUAf6koQtqLuOVeCph3bqAsQOLZn_us_vaWSUmoG1HlmebqGIXW4NVs6NR-ipTfOlE5HaSKTuxqx3SqxbCfoyCEIdcCsWgneS1G8Tfzq-2ALQOR3lAs5SapGOPOCA2Ym3UiPRem50fvwdaTB9n5ScJM2oPpPiUfW2xIBt/s1796/20230919_183114.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="1796" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkp_92KuxNGVrha0BTj-Y2JrXrUAf6koQtqLuOVeCph3bqAsQOLZn_us_vaWSUmoG1HlmebqGIXW4NVs6NR-ipTfOlE5HaSKTuxqx3SqxbCfoyCEIdcCsWgneS1G8Tfzq-2ALQOR3lAs5SapGOPOCA2Ym3UiPRem50fvwdaTB9n5ScJM2oPpPiUfW2xIBt/w320-h250/20230919_183114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>"Sir, your hair needs trimming." The security staff of our apartment complex remarked. He is unlike the other two security staffs in the sense that he does not feel shy of giving me advice. Usually, the advices are for the vehicles in our garage - their conditions, the washing job I perform occasionally etc. And, those gentle suggestions are always very useful. </p><p></p><p>Therefore, I got alerted. Only a few days back I had to undertake a tour for professional reasons. Did I make a fool of myself with my look? Apparently, both the meetings went well. As such, one is not supposed to judge a book by its cover! </p><p>For someone who reads a lot, there is a quote to find refuge on every occasion!</p><p>*** *** ***</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKbvvsSPxtDFNIGE8vpeHNnP37P6mOdw1GjJ7qz2548YbZI-zngWfS_b8731mWQw6gkLFzcgRa29gzWMM9cM_xvonC2lp2l-Hzkn_nKciyv_fEu4Q5QPMRWUxXlMNlMNzbb-buzkhVGFF6yRxoeyWKxXou5NpQREweeX1yiI_X476qMQ3lexbhaqfWfAI/s1268/20230923_120800.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1169" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieKbvvsSPxtDFNIGE8vpeHNnP37P6mOdw1GjJ7qz2548YbZI-zngWfS_b8731mWQw6gkLFzcgRa29gzWMM9cM_xvonC2lp2l-Hzkn_nKciyv_fEu4Q5QPMRWUxXlMNlMNzbb-buzkhVGFF6yRxoeyWKxXou5NpQREweeX1yiI_X476qMQ3lexbhaqfWfAI/s320/20230923_120800.jpg" width="295" /></a></div><p></p><p> "Is it going to be your Puja cut?" Durga Puja is just a month away. Here is the specialist who takes care of my hair and unburdens my head at regular intervals. He has been doing it very responsibly for more than a decade now and in a way, has become my legal hair-guardian. According to him, it is his special cut for which my hairs are still eligible for cut and I should not get adventurous to try my luck elsewhere. One is not supposed to disagree with one's barber.</p><p>He too, gives me lots of advice and shares his knowledge about the contemporary world while doing his job. His presentation is always laced with humour and is always enjoyable. There is one question he will invariably ask me on every visit of mine. Finding me much taller than his usual customers or himself, he would ask, "How is the weather in upper atmosphere?" That makes me understand that he is in his usual self and I am in safe hands!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpORhuLHFI98YaRme_KYJTh6RSCmSbp7HxAZoqgU9gfs9CXhCKwo4VEH0uXKhmjC9NRykyQ9XLEEUgmevx5LWK3VWwl5IhSPTKO4uLhHOXfevVc3ud1lvZEFiKTyt2TOVJXN_GtcELWOp2ro1pamoxggemWSNjCdWQdy70ouFzNKR9m6gStHoy4O30UoD/s2096/20230923_121212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1488" data-original-width="2096" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpORhuLHFI98YaRme_KYJTh6RSCmSbp7HxAZoqgU9gfs9CXhCKwo4VEH0uXKhmjC9NRykyQ9XLEEUgmevx5LWK3VWwl5IhSPTKO4uLhHOXfevVc3ud1lvZEFiKTyt2TOVJXN_GtcELWOp2ro1pamoxggemWSNjCdWQdy70ouFzNKR9m6gStHoy4O30UoD/s320/20230923_121212.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>This time he got caught on the wrong foot. He was complaining about his own look, which according to him, is a lot better on another day when he shaves his beard. I landed on the wrong day at his place.</p><p>For someone, there could not be a better opportunity to get equal! </p><p>*** *** ***</p><p>"Are you not, Goutam-da? Can you recognize me?" A middle-aged person wearing a cap was standing on the stool and was taking reading of the electric meters of that shop. The shop is just outside the IIT Kharagpur campus. The question came from him. I was then midway of getting relieved of my additional burden on my head. </p><p>He didn't need to take out the cap. I could recognize him without any issue though our physique have gone <b>big</b> transformation in between. We played together at our young age at the railway settlement side of Kharagpur. Exchange of pleasantries and phone numbers - he sharing how his son did well in study and got selected for a Govt. job, more offers are being expected.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PB6Z35PqRnq8wDtclb376ByHwAbjwuMNf4wRerbqX8K-LFVwcgFtHUQnW4Sg0sS4frUnwCX3iXM8kq4BnD98K0y7RP_rZqH2JW26CdOPYEM-lc5mllqykUiTvNQCca3-SYXNPGTk8RAzbn34ygkA6GTUNmnQWtTNbdDUNPOSMsycMKEClaTPJaIrTmwH/s2109/20230923_121052.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1429" data-original-width="2109" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PB6Z35PqRnq8wDtclb376ByHwAbjwuMNf4wRerbqX8K-LFVwcgFtHUQnW4Sg0sS4frUnwCX3iXM8kq4BnD98K0y7RP_rZqH2JW26CdOPYEM-lc5mllqykUiTvNQCca3-SYXNPGTk8RAzbn34ygkA6GTUNmnQWtTNbdDUNPOSMsycMKEClaTPJaIrTmwH/s320/20230923_121052.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>There were two electric meters. One commercial meter was for the shop, the other one was for their residence behind the shop. The father of the hair specialist (he adores me a lot) came out and was explained of the expected electric bill and adjustment expected against an earlier payment.</p><p>Later, both the father and the son were in full praise of this electric meter reading person and his friendly approach. In our discussion in that shop, came the topic of smart meter installations. This will not require foot-falls of a meter reading person! A smart phone, app, preloaded wallet - that's all. Convenient, efficient!</p><p>In our effort to have everything at our finger-tip for convenience and comfort, are we missing the human touch points in our lives? How to restore that and prevent over consumption of digital contents and resulting infirmity?</p><p>Let me sign off before I myself sound like giving advice! </p><p>*** *** ***</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrQY_eQS8MTrJswOS8cNETJciAXQuM33eHDsRa3GVVoBkXC3hdLvDz1RV7WF-S81EBnF_ulpCwFFww41tI0W8xnFKQEPHGygcAa4-RhyphenhyphenlUtY82tm1slKEGGk_Mn-3LxW12f0p3qMHiwOVVdY9cF5E-7gJF5jjykaXsZoZbX1euv7Es6GkJAlE2FR7jXxs/s1408/Puja%20Market.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1408" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFrQY_eQS8MTrJswOS8cNETJciAXQuM33eHDsRa3GVVoBkXC3hdLvDz1RV7WF-S81EBnF_ulpCwFFww41tI0W8xnFKQEPHGygcAa4-RhyphenhyphenlUtY82tm1slKEGGk_Mn-3LxW12f0p3qMHiwOVVdY9cF5E-7gJF5jjykaXsZoZbX1euv7Es6GkJAlE2FR7jXxs/w400-h236/Puja%20Market.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here are a few pictures of Puja shopping ambiance at Golebazar before the market goes frenzy in a few days' time when this month's salary reaches pocket. We were trying to avoid that crowd and my role mostly, was to keep a watch on my motorcycle. </p>Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-25126767446555405382023-08-18T09:57:00.016-07:002023-08-19T08:24:06.389-07:00Foundation Day 2023<p>Today is IIT Kharagpur's 73rd Foundation Day. The institute program at Netaji auditorium was to start at 9:30 AM. I was taking my 2-wheeler out from the common garage of our Chitrakoot complex. One of our neighbors was also there for the same purpose. He lovingly referred to my first name, Goutam. Of the three security staffs of our residential complex, two have the same first name. They are from Nepalese / Gorkha background. They are the followers of Goutam Buddha, and the name Goutam is quite common among them.</p><p>My name was called in the Foundation Day program before but once when I received an award. But, today, my name came up in the lips of three on the Netaji auditorium stage on three different occasions. And that made me remember one big Budhha idol that I visited once. It was situated in a dark cave. If light from a lantern falls on it from one side, one can see that Buddha is smiling, happy. If light falls from the other side, one could see a pensive, sad face. And, if light falls from the front, one can see him in total peace - neither happy, nor sad.</p><p>We the lesser mortal, swing from a state of fulfilment and unfulfillment, joy and sorrow. Of the three occasions of today, two gave a feeling of accomplishment to see our own students getting success in big stage as entrepreneurs and connecting that to their more than decade old student days' experience here - one curricular, the other extracurricular. The third one reminded of an unfinished work in which we elders are yet to realize the dream of a dreamer who was an inspiration to many.</p><p>Vidya Bhushan was a UG student of our E & ECE Department. For his final year B.Tech. project, he picked up a challenging problem in neurosignal processing area. Our collaborator from the Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London had a key role in defining the problem statement. He completed his BTP requirement in time (2010) but continued with the work even after leaving the institute. He got a job in Ericsson from the campus placement. In 2012, when he was in IIM Ahmedabad, his BTP work got published in a good journal. The start-up he founded after brief stop-overs at two companies following IIM degree, has now foot prints in 43 cities and was valued Rs. 100 Cr. sometime back, expected to reach 200-250 Cr. mark soon. Today, he referred to that BTP work when awardees were asked to speak a few words after receiving the award from the dignitaries on stage.</p><p>Imbesat Ahmad was not from our department. National Service Scheme (NSS), IIT Kharagpur was our common chord. I was in-charge of NSS at that time and together with faculty colleagues and young student volunteers (1st and 2nd year UG), took up various projects in neighborhood villages and slums. Imbesat was primarily in teaching activity but played a key role in the bigger team-based activities. Imbesat's current recognition as a young achiever is for his social enterprise that makes education accessible. He started in offline mode in an unreached place and achieved excellence. To scale up, he started online delivery where a doubt is attended within 16 seconds. This enterprise now has 60000 touch points. His podium speech referred to his 1st year NSS teaching experience.</p><p>Other young alumni achievers too, shared their thoughts which depicted how IIT Kharagpur helped them gain valuable experience in their student days here. Felt proud for each one of them. Congratulations to all awardees!</p><p>When Dr. P. Arun, Director, Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata, one of the Guest of Honour of today's function rose to speak, my name was referred for the 3rd time. He recollected how much we two wished to fulfill the dream of a cancer survivor who was inspiration to many. We failed to move beyond a point for reasons beyond our control and felt sad for it. We should make a second attempt and try to bridge the gap. We owe it to that dreamer, Mr. Ananthakrishnan, who is no more with us - the relapsed cancer took the great soul away but his dream remains.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Nx6U6_jO4JE" width="320" youtube-src-id="Nx6U6_jO4JE"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-42394709789475573042022-11-20T07:46:00.014-08:002022-11-20T09:05:22.198-08:00The Maruti 800 Uniq LE<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCd3qxV2PlOdXAy8WoMhY8COi252iPk25UI980xwTfkm1JSxVPFtd9w-rzBioIl4xVX9rI2OV7toHU8qxbBbv5CrptkXwKnj8068VByAPiQg8cYV_jrxYfpoiCwIhSeOzTFw6JozXlcTAKa_xDDI9k8K3vSzNAp4-5MFyukUG5yRF3q73LHI0zDgKOA/s1796/c1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1796" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCd3qxV2PlOdXAy8WoMhY8COi252iPk25UI980xwTfkm1JSxVPFtd9w-rzBioIl4xVX9rI2OV7toHU8qxbBbv5CrptkXwKnj8068VByAPiQg8cYV_jrxYfpoiCwIhSeOzTFw6JozXlcTAKa_xDDI9k8K3vSzNAp4-5MFyukUG5yRF3q73LHI0zDgKOA/s320/c1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>The above pictures were taken today after the weekly Tech. Market visit. It is not far that this companion of us will become part of our memories. This is our Maruti 800 Uniq, Limited Edition which was bought in Nov. 2008. Companionship is of 14 long years where it never put us in any awkward situation. Even today, it is as young as it was when it first joined us, going as strong as it always used to. It can serve next 5 - 6 years easily (after re-registration), if not more, with regular annual maintenance. Thus, there is no reason as such to bid it goodbye, except one in which the new one joining us in place of it, whenever it happens, gives us company for a reasonable length of time, till my retirement from this institute.</p><p>Rajdoot RD175 was the first motorized 2-wheeler I purchased after getting my first job when I was 22 years old. This was on joining Tata Steel in 1990 after finishing B. Tech. from here. Age was then in my side and drove it quite a lot (unlike this Maruti car which averaged less than 1000 KM per year, of course there were two other 2-wheelers which were usually used for solo travel) in Jamshedpur and then it came with me at Kharagpur when I joined Tata Bearings, a division of Tata Steel. Baba (Father) was not keeping well at that time and then he left us in 1992. I returned to Academics in 1994. From GT Hostel of Kadma, Jamshedpur to small Railway Quarter of Kharagpur (travel to Tata Bearings) and then to two residences at Bhabanipur, Kharagpur (travel to Tata Bearings and then to IIT Kharagpur) - the Rajdoot was in full use. For the brief two years spent in Bandel before joining here as a faculty member in 2002, the Rajdoot went to Bandel and then returned to Kharagpur and became a part of our campus life. The following picture is taken when my daughter was returning from play school in the campus on this bike. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rNUdNokotTd6JIkMqMPAyaGgTsBhWT5MM6oxWG51qIiEyMsdt7kMvRzhYxvaBEieZhjnnYYH0qH7Pexxgq9MZ0Pe1Azmb1Y-6hIbwjMiO4Bv9J4hklMcUPEBCsZ3w6RtfUfBUIhmEYko4LVtOBDnx8jC-ZsiSEMv2Kh9NRhXWmWiaVrWUbeZkfhF9g/s1280/Photo%2011.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rNUdNokotTd6JIkMqMPAyaGgTsBhWT5MM6oxWG51qIiEyMsdt7kMvRzhYxvaBEieZhjnnYYH0qH7Pexxgq9MZ0Pe1Azmb1Y-6hIbwjMiO4Bv9J4hklMcUPEBCsZ3w6RtfUfBUIhmEYko4LVtOBDnx8jC-ZsiSEMv2Kh9NRhXWmWiaVrWUbeZkfhF9g/s320/Photo%2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>In 2006, we felt the need of a new bike that would provide better technology and service. A Honda Shine was bought and the Rajdoot was taken by someone. I felt very sad later when a senior dada (brother) at KVYM told if the bike itself could have been upgraded by some means for use as my father rode it at certain point of time. My father visited Midnapore town, too as a pillion rider. I am sure that the Dada will feel that this 4-wheeler which is running fine should not leave us to make room for a new one. My mother who is no more, used it so many times. Therefore, it is a difficult choice to make. But, we now have entered the window in which the decision is to be taken, may be within a month.</p><p>One 4-wheeler and two 2-wheelers (currently three 2-wheelers, one is to leave soon) are more than our necessity. Either we retain the old 4-wheeler or let it go to someone where it is of that person's use rather than making it rot for non-use - that overwhelmingly is the decision emerging.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpWJWfah1lS3vsQm1TeCqpiLdj1KpvFxpO_2E8cbAft0vJLccpp6Al5nXeNa2dHshxUTML701A4wLTXCGSnRuDbIED8Y2Y-l-ei7bFhPmuC9zc68uGjnrw_2XCOAJdWh4gFjQY1bC6LJXHteZHdMtGMsnFV3cv0OwQjokp9En095FtRlQ4Q8q2vrcoA/s1080/c2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="856" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpWJWfah1lS3vsQm1TeCqpiLdj1KpvFxpO_2E8cbAft0vJLccpp6Al5nXeNa2dHshxUTML701A4wLTXCGSnRuDbIED8Y2Y-l-ei7bFhPmuC9zc68uGjnrw_2XCOAJdWh4gFjQY1bC6LJXHteZHdMtGMsnFV3cv0OwQjokp9En095FtRlQ4Q8q2vrcoA/s320/c2.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><p>Therefore, it is expected to remain with us for one more month or so. The grief of leaving the old one outweighs what is associated with the welcoming of a new one. But, that perhaps is life. The old is to make room for the new ... applies equally well to each of us as an individual!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dHKEFhY-guE" width="320" youtube-src-id="dHKEFhY-guE"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-39146967533782169922022-03-11T23:32:00.017-08:002022-03-12T04:53:55.137-08:00Department Visit<p>There was a notice circulated by the Head asking all faculty members of E & ECE department to be present at the NKN Room at 4:30 PM. Some alumni of this department is to visit us. This is part of the Alumni Meet which had to be rescheduled due to pandemic situation. Since our alumni base is very large, different batches get preference in different years.</p><p>The NKN Room is at the 2nd floor of front block. Student volunteers were standing at the entrance and at the 1st floor, 2nd floor staircases, waiting to receive the alumni and guide their way to NKN. This 2nd floor is a relatively recent addition for the alumni who completed their study in 1980. An escalator is under construction now and is expected to be operational soon.</p><p>The student volunteers made us, the faculty members too, feel special. The in-person interactions have just started. While verbal communication has its own place, it is the non-verbal communication, even if it is a smile or a gentle nod, that creates the bond, the human-to-human connect, makes us part of one big family. </p><p>On entering the NKN Room I was sweetly surprised. The 90 capacity room was filled to the brim except, of course, leaving some chairs vacant for the visiting alumni and Head who would accompany them. The major part of the room was filled by the 2nd year students. The 4th year seniors used this occasion to get them integrated with the Department. This was first such opportunity for the 2nd years as they were online till now.</p><p>There will be separate meeting with all 2nd years when all of them arrive in the campus. In alumni meet, emotions run high as they relive in their past, there is time spill-over etc. Thus, we were waiting and it occurred that it would be good to have mutual introduction of 2nd year students and the faculty members. Previous Head, under whose tenure these 2nd year students were supposed to join the Department, took lead and then Prof.-in-Charge, Department Society took over from him.</p><p>I do take class of these 2nd year students. The offline / hybrid class started the previous day. In fact, ours was the 1st day, 1st class after 2 years of online mode of teaching at IIT Kharagpur. There was an informal meet before with these 2nd year students. That experience and the interaction here showed that all possibly were not bad in this pandemic phase or they staying home taking online classes.</p><p>After the introduction round, one faculty asked some of the 4th year seniors present there managing the show, why many of their batch-mates are moving away from core electronics to computer science / coding related project or career. Another faculty made them aware of the requirement of large number of skilled Electronics & Communication engineer to make the country self-reliant. It was also asked, according to these final year students, what is needed to buck the trend.</p><p>And came what many faculty members felt and told, but for one specific reason the same could not be taken up. The senior students told that it is the first year days that are most important in this context when impressions are formed, the opinion about one or the other career path is developed. In the first year, in their formative days, unfortunately, the students are away from departments taking some common courses from departments they do not belong to. </p><p>The senior students continued. During their own 1st year days which were not online, their seniors used to come to their wings in their hall of residences and give all sorts of funda about career opportunities. And this funda was that a good job is waiting if one learns coding. The young kids coming fresh from their schools would accept anything from their godly seniors which is anything but not the fun of the core of the Department one belongs to. And, it is a vicious cycle. </p><p>The remedy these senior students suggest is to have reasonable presence of Department subjects from 1st semester itself with some hands-on. Why is it not implementable? It is the department change option that needs to be included in the curriculum where a select few can change their department based on their 1st year performance while 95% of the students cannot. </p><p>The opportunity to change the Department after 1st year seems to be very attractive. It may be all in perception as regard to what we gain and what we lose by going one way or the other. There might be some objective assessment in future by performing cost - benefit analysis. That might bring changes that these senior students indicate. That might not be too difficult in a curriculum that gives option of Minor, Micro in other Departments as well as Inter-Department dual degree program.</p><p>These 2nd year students missed those funda sessions as they are arriving now in the campus! This 2nd year, 4th semester is effectively their 1st year, 1st semester. And, they straightway land into the Department subjects. In a way, they wake up to see their core. The freshness, the purity, the receptiveness is evident in their approach and attitude in comparison to earlier batches. Hope, it continues and the department is able to deliver what it is mandated to. </p><p>The alumni members started walking in. They spoke briefly. Among them was Professor Susmita Sur-Kolay, who was the first woman President Gold Medal (PGM) winner. She told that there are only six women PGM in whole IIT system till date. There were only 4 girl students in their batch coming through IIT-JEE but she is happy now to see improving gender-ratio in IITs. </p><p>She said that IIT Education made her foundation strong for which she could learn anything new easily (so important in a fast moving technology space). The following short video gives a glimpse of few other things that she said. The second half of the video has Mr. Kabindra Daga, another alumnus who was introduced as an "accidental non-Bengali", where he sings a Bengali Bhatiali song. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KuPTXIQ2uUM" width="320" youtube-src-id="KuPTXIQ2uUM"></iframe></div><p>Head made a short presentation of the Department. Several unique features of the Department, its achievements, its current research focus and future direction were shared. It was highlighted that the Department ranked 92 in the recent QS global ranking, a reasonable improvement over its earlier rank within 100-150 space. Had international faculty and students been not a factor and also, if there was inclusion of undergrad performance for which IITs are better known, the rank would have been much better. The 2nd year, 4th semester freshers listened to these with rapt attention. At the end of the program, there was a walk around the Department corridors.</p><p>It was 6:30 PM. The faculty member who wanted to know from the the senior students the reason for current trend where many are seen coding-bound and, how to change the direction for greater good, came to my Department office room. We chatted for about one hour before heading for home. Of many different things, the following came in our discussion.</p><p>It is said that when a baby is born, whoever it sees first, it considers itself to be part of their clan. There is an anecdote where a lion cub raised after birth by a herd of sheep used to act like them and used to flee the place if a lion was around. In that story, one day one lion could catch hold of the cub and forced some remedial measure. But the lion was a lion and the cub was still a cub!</p><p><br /></p>Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-29176008265994419102022-02-18T12:01:00.003-08:002022-02-18T20:53:14.580-08:00Fresh Air<p>It was 4:15 PM. I was waiting at the Nalanda entrance, near Subway. An informal meet was arranged where some of the 2nd year UG students of my course were expected to be present. The movement related restrictions got eased. There is no requirement to have passes to leave halls. My 2nd year course is in the list for which hybrid classes have been announced this morning. Effort is on to get the remaining students back to go fully offline in this course.</p><p>Pandemic showing the sign of turning into endemic, the two year wait is now almost over. The stage is all set to open another dimension for us - for both teacher and students. The on-screen 2D presence is going to have a 3D makeover! The students had online class till 4 PM. The cycles from the nearby halls started hitting the stand.</p><p>In the online class, voice of a few students are more frequently heard. One of the faceless name from that list started the Teams chat this morning as regard to when and where we meet. As the students started arriving, initially, I tried to find that face for my own comfort by asking "Are you __?" One and half month into the course. We were not completely strangers to each other. Neither side was not that nervous, but somewhat hesitant to begin with.</p><p>The number gradually swelled to 20 - 25. There could be more trickling in. Was there a better option than standing in arc on the road at Nalanda entrance? Thanks to the authority in-charge, we got a place to sit in a classroom of adequate size. Stepping into a classroom with students after two years was an experience by itself, even if it was an informal interaction, a prelude to upcoming hybrid class. </p><p>What followed next was a purge of fresh air that left each of us oxygenated with elevated SpO<span style="font-size: x-small;">2</span> level!!</p><p><br /></p>Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-23309363776434154272021-04-10T00:57:00.002-07:002021-04-10T00:57:42.128-07:00Covaxinated<p> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="color: #660000;">Covaxin-ated to Co-win</span></b></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Joined the queue at 10:15 AM. Was told before by the experienced ones that by 11:30 AM it would get done. However, pleasant weather - cloudy sky and gentle breeze, brought many like me out today. It became 11:45 AM to get the jab for sequence number 53. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUlyKORjvUnnbGZQa_pYTajoBBUY-rlVpn_5m2xE047V94K3hRUGh6nTsFQRrxu4HiNg5aouWbWR96i828uAQGxdjFUKQ1Y6chG6gbwQFvgoYxpA6IUx_lZ_thNsHScA5HInQTwugfFwy/s2048/20210409_104313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUlyKORjvUnnbGZQa_pYTajoBBUY-rlVpn_5m2xE047V94K3hRUGh6nTsFQRrxu4HiNg5aouWbWR96i828uAQGxdjFUKQ1Y6chG6gbwQFvgoYxpA6IUx_lZ_thNsHScA5HInQTwugfFwy/s320/20210409_104313.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The civic volunteers managing the queue, two young men on two computers, the lady with the log book, two sisters administering vaccine, the lady keeping an watch that none leaves before 30 minute observation period (made a failed attempt to attend a 12 noon meeting) - all were highly efficient and disciplined. The pictures here partially capture the process. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT1e-r82L2Bhyphenhyphenqxrf9s_o1LDg4TGN3ERSooVjDk07u8cCwhR8TrlRXU8bKn7kxsInbDFLcxD5xaVlWzmH9XSKDUOU9X_gj0BaF7_ctomI0dxxCUECq04hAvzdc1qBqzLEevY1wR3cdNLO/s2048/20210409_115733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYT1e-r82L2Bhyphenhyphenqxrf9s_o1LDg4TGN3ERSooVjDk07u8cCwhR8TrlRXU8bKn7kxsInbDFLcxD5xaVlWzmH9XSKDUOU9X_gj0BaF7_ctomI0dxxCUECq04hAvzdc1qBqzLEevY1wR3cdNLO/s320/20210409_115733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The hall where vaccine was administered in this Hijli Rural Hospital (not far from IIT Kharagpur Campus) looked familiar. Found a picture taken four years back where ICMR-IIT Kharagpur MedTech interns were given an initial brief in the same hall. After that, the interns had a guided tour of this hospital to get acquainted with its activities. This extended to a visit of the interns to far-off villages being served by this hospital together with designated ASHA workers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAQ_CiEtxn8_iwyqNUZhZDEkQXejkzoMQCsKkP0wkZAOxh49knN2FwOevgtP_wQPBDbKbwHz0Nmv6voBCGqDOAzTCeKtXpZzphWy_AmYLSqZy50OkBRMn856OkgKo84PXz39I1BWI8Iqw/s1597/IMG_20170508_112642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="1597" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUAQ_CiEtxn8_iwyqNUZhZDEkQXejkzoMQCsKkP0wkZAOxh49knN2FwOevgtP_wQPBDbKbwHz0Nmv6voBCGqDOAzTCeKtXpZzphWy_AmYLSqZy50OkBRMn856OkgKo84PXz39I1BWI8Iqw/s320/IMG_20170508_112642.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="background-color: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Segoe UI Historic", "Segoe UI", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The IITB senior Prof. and colleagues were considerate for joining the meeting late and offered valuable post vaccination tips!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVDWSVNmGLT2Up4E3rtR3IHzn8nKxdgvp8JHYADoMo5SwOjn5ADTYRkeZswRnlGiC_srIICrLxJUkmBB5yL-Ak1OCHTPJS6AIGixpwKMzO4w7RJoTBwtKCJuU8EJptN6ESgjfoj-xD26i/s696/certi_covax.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="696" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZVDWSVNmGLT2Up4E3rtR3IHzn8nKxdgvp8JHYADoMo5SwOjn5ADTYRkeZswRnlGiC_srIICrLxJUkmBB5yL-Ak1OCHTPJS6AIGixpwKMzO4w7RJoTBwtKCJuU8EJptN6ESgjfoj-xD26i/s320/certi_covax.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-89951987476240779002020-04-05T21:34:00.001-07:002020-04-05T22:06:24.942-07:00Making of Low Cost Ventilator<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Chairman of the Mahindra Group, Anand Mahindra announced on Twitter that its specialised team at its Igatpuri and Mumbai plants have responded to the occasion and developed the first ventilator prototype in under 48 hours. "Anand Mahindra also tweeted that these medical ventilators developed by the team at Mahindra would cost under Rs 7,500, whereas other dedicated systems cost anywhere between Rs 5-10 lakh." This news was published on March 26, 2020. [1]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Yesterday's ToI carried an article where Dr Rajeev Chauhan, Assistant Professor at PGIMER said that the device claimed by Mahindra team was originally developed by PGIMER and IISc together from their one year effort and they have applied for ๐๐๐๐๐๐. With the spread of the pandemic, they began talks with Mahindra group for large scale production. Dr Chauhan further said that representatives from the business house took details of his invention and 48 hours later introduced the ambu bag as their own product. Mahindra spokesperson denied this saying that they had in fact developed their product following ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ designs from a variety of sources. [2]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The BBC article, dated 1st April, titled, "Covid-19: The race to build coronavirus ventilators" starts with "The world needs more ventilators โ but scaling up production is more complex than it seems. Around the world, thousands of volunteers are working hard to fill the gaps." The article continues, "In terms of their core function, ventilators are not extraordinarily complicated machines. Basically, they are sophisticated pumps ... So why are they so difficult to design? Because it isnโt their function that is difficult. Itโs that they have to operate in an extremely reliable way in a high-stakes environment." [3]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Of various ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ initiatives, the MIT News of March 26 shares an article titled, "MIT-based team works on rapid deployment of ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐, low-cost ventilator". ln this, "Clinical and design considerations will be published online; goal is to support rapid scale-up of device production to alleviate hospital shortages." The material cost is estimated to be USD 450 (~ Rs. 35000) instead of USD 30000 for standard ones. The article, continues, "The key to the simple, inexpensive ventilator alternative is a hand-operated plastic pouch called a bag-valve resuscitator, or Ambu bag. A tube is inserted into the patientโs airway, as with a hospital ventilator, but then the pumping of air into the lungs is done by squeezing and releasing the flexible pouch. This is a task for skilled personnel, trained in how to evaluate the patient and adjust the timing and pressure of the pumping accordingly." [4]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">MIT has come up with a dedicated website for this ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ project and is releasing information as and when it reaches a particular benchmark. The key ventilation specifications to be achieved by this low cost device is non-trivial. It is not just pumping a fixed volume at a fixed rate. Other than spec., hardware and software design details are being populated there (free registration). The download section as of now says, "๐๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ข๐ง ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ญ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง, ๐ก๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ, ๐ฌ๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐ง๐จ๐ง-๐๐ฎ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ฌ๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ง๐๐ข๐๐ฌ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฌ๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐. ๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ฌ๐ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ง๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฉ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ." Between March 20 and April 01, MIT team has conducted 4 testing; the first one was a comparative study on animal with their first version of the prototype against Medtronic's PB 840 ventilator system. [5]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Meanwhile, TechCrunch in its 31st March article titled, "Medtronic is sharing its portable ventilator design specifications and code for free to all" has Medtronic spokesperson saying, โWe are sharing the design specifications for the [PB 560] to enable participants across industries to evaluate options for rapid ventilator manufacturing to help doctors and patients dealing with COVID-19.โ Itโs worth noting that Medtronic ๐๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐-๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ the PB 560โs design exactly: itโs issuing a special โ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐โ specifically for the purposes of addressing this global coronavirus pandemic, and ๐ข๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐งโ๐ฌ ๐จ๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ซ๐ง (๐๐๐๐๐) ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ, ๐จ๐ซ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐ญ๐จ๐๐๐ซ ๐, ๐๐๐๐, ๐ฐ๐ก๐ข๐๐ก๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ข๐ซ๐ฌ๐ญ. [6]</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">1. <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.financialexpress.com%2Fauto%2Findustry%2Fcoronavirus-pandemic-mahindra-ready-with-affordable-ventilator-prototype-within-48-hours%2F1910200%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3WPkt1A0Az7D0NFp_MjPEE2vfte8B7g-rFd2nl-g_TlqNl8ch8wVkMqoE&h=AT0hZ1Ugm_Kl-MHZWcF6n7ZUaBvKR8OkCtawPav8WAMMYvwIUmo1eZHYHdCVu0NFSdyq79W28SX_e_azCEY_PR0PeQrz-58yVEoMha8ZrTLDkBz4rMz-tPR7w-n9Y1DMMyZ7BQ1hQIftnrXHdLe28imWOT2o" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.financialexpress.com/โฆ/coronavirus-panโฆ/1910200/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">2. <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fhome%2Fsunday-times%2Fpgimer-doctor-accuses-mahindras-of-stealing-his-low-cost-ventilator-design%2Farticleshow%2F74986644.cms%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR3x-p-QAi4ItEnRcgCqR2Krj8FYl3T4Ei3jiFgebjgL-EwMXqcPSajO4bQ&h=AT2Kvdp10AgI8-n4W5v9czx1FMmhNzzpUeIWqQKuDw41qCXCgKI4NTr2h8ayEbuU06VduuUM6bhautWeG-8KvgLKLOGTXkTHK2ouNJJtunuseUFsFmsS92T5okQqtlOuiwnF83komuNbxtT6Ryk_tdSrtKV8" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/โฆ/articlesโฆ/74986644.cms</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">3. <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Ffuture%2Farticle%2F20200401-covid-19-the-race-to-build-coronavirus-ventilators%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1RIGEndFLhcms-2KSP-aDSRPo276bxNd5iJ7r2cGdZQrwKA_7a8FfA5iE&h=AT0ARiXDapy-_SrHwlhpW-FvmpeS6tJ2zFLLr_WdKHW2jN6iuzmrlgpUuNFf4Qzqm9n4WdmJ-JWkAoZc3-H7ubLTEEKHQoToNt2sZ8Jk-BjCvpfHI2S2eKKCT1FujZUse4bdQSxrt1l1BsCD8uEo-prEuv9l" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://www.bbc.com/โฆ/20200401-covid-19-the-race-to-build-cโฆ</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">4. <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.mit.edu%2F2020%2Fventilator-covid-deployment-open-source-low-cost-0326%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1cE-S4PlRdO6tiRM9n3qWgVyLdfp6nR0VsBmvEzlFabKD1_FPTXBrDH4U&h=AT0iXw3rZ9zCPMX4i50oFdpPH9XLhs-QtcuflNTlA8sR-okqFKEOW_0zdFe-fe4zlZtun6FAjzP5QWByidWiRM8v_t-imiduGQ6gIYdNTwvMbK3ZzLHmGiVpPte72_jtvQoXJtokjAdnn_8njFjeE-l3M3vX" href="http://news.mit.edu/2020/ventilator-covid-deployment-open-source-low-cost-0326?fbclid=IwAR1cE-S4PlRdO6tiRM9n3qWgVyLdfp6nR0VsBmvEzlFabKD1_FPTXBrDH4U" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://news.mit.edu/โฆ/ventilator-covid-deployment-open-sourโฆ</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">5. <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fe-vent.mit.edu%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR356NBPDZ_eZM2kabcgLfXei7-nuJd578Qp-10EdmW11dgoq9XzmoZpVk8&h=AT3ufFDiemRJ16bBnVqdU7LjiuNEED5zdqAS7uYGmkwcvTzWGOSD29C8e7pmu77DuS1ILz5x15GaY2Zuhdo-6NqMK7ShrNXq4mlQw8rukezx7IgYO7S-X9RtjpDq532yHd2bkNKXBlq9Mh1DV3H5rw8TWMSM" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://e-vent.mit.edu/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">6. <a data-ft="{"tn":"-U"}" data-lynx-mode="asynclazy" data-lynx-uri="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftechcrunch.com%2F2020%2F03%2F30%2Fmedtronic-is-sharing-its-portable-ventilator-design-specifications-and-code-for-free-to-all%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR38Em19l47owz7vbgaaG35ej1ujG5FoLM2izADUVM41TUI1HHjD0ydlkfA&h=AT2DYurEoytvU1t9cXEBD4bzVHp6YEp79CTBB0M_H4yQcHvvPDDK1MpES9Acib5YQ54HB2P6pRSJMkTsAdxMWwEBkhsRiSbcnEhKxmOmZgKHR8NFwnSLgZfUoiA6kVvA1MljLVlukCP7ONYS9jL7xLRtHfLr" href="https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/30/medtronic-is-sharing-its-portable-ventilator-design-specifications-and-code-for-free-to-all/?fbclid=IwAR38Em19l47owz7vbgaaG35ej1ujG5FoLM2izADUVM41TUI1HHjD0ydlkfA" rel="noopener nofollow" style="color: #385898; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">https://techcrunch.com/โฆ/medtronic-is-sharing-its-portableโฆ/</a></span></div>
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-37514686541347959522019-09-09T11:22:00.000-07:002019-09-11T07:09:02.457-07:00Teacher's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW271R_sJanV-Teao6-VIB1egoTQvJ0GIyDMc1VbrfEus8BJeC7viX37Q3ql2ANEwjBh9MKXzf1RIIX3HN67-Iv7zMS8BhmNCuyEg-QcTv56MdQqFfdA7V72BdL06vW18AIGRzOCl9ipi/s1600/20190909_104047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="471" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZW271R_sJanV-Teao6-VIB1egoTQvJ0GIyDMc1VbrfEus8BJeC7viX37Q3ql2ANEwjBh9MKXzf1RIIX3HN67-Iv7zMS8BhmNCuyEg-QcTv56MdQqFfdA7V72BdL06vW18AIGRzOCl9ipi/s320/20190909_104047.jpg" width="264" /></a>Was listening to a very senior Professor from Vidyasagar University in a Teacher's Day function few days back at the office of SDO, Kharagpur. He gave example of parents of a five year old seeking advice from a learned on how to raise their kid. The learned said that the parents were five years late as a child learns from the very first day and the conduct of the parents leaves a lasting impression.<br />
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My father used to tell in my younger days when majority of my extra-academic time used to be spent in Children's wing of an organization, "Influence of parents on a child is 50%, children's own will is 25% and what you all are trying is 25%. Pick up those children whose parents are supportive to get better outcome." Of course, it could not be agreed to as we didn't want to profile kids that way and father was happy about it. His was to caution us for the unique development path taken by each in which parents, the first teachers, play a significant role.<br />
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Today is father's death anniversary (<a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.com/2010/09/remembering.html" target="_blank">Link</a>). The teacher in him was there for anybody who crossed path. This evening, there was a lecture from a Ramakrishna order monk here. His Mother was told by Swami Shradhhananda (initiated by Swami Shivananda, direct disciple of Shri Ramakrishna) to dedicate one of his two sons to Shri Ramakrishna during one of his visit to their California residence; there the father was working as a Microbiologist at UCLA. And, both the sons dedicated themselves with encouragement from parents.<br />
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Maharaj began with five characteristics of Shri Ramakrisna's teaching: Ever-fresh, Authentic, Allows self-assessment and self-acceptance, Makes best version of oneself, Fun. During Q & A session, he referred to what Nivedita of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda wrote in the forewords of Vivekananda's Complete Works, "If the many and the One be indeed the same Reality, then it is not all modes of worship alone, but equally all modes of work, all modes of struggle, all modes of creation, which are paths of realization. No distinction, henceforth, between sacred and secular. To labour is to pray. To conquer is to renounce. Life is itself religion."<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/F-YDLZxHyaQ/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/F-YDLZxHyaQ?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe>To note, Ramakrishna abandoned formal education at his village school when he was twelve as he found that was oriented only towards bread earning. Interestingly, he became the teacher of many a educated in Kolkata that included young college goers. A glimpse of his teaching, as was noted during those years by Sri Mahendranath Gupta, a Presidency scholar and a Professor can be found here (<a href="https://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/gospel/gospel.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>). A more recent article by a Stanford scholar, now an Assistant Professor at Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda University in a Springer journal on unique attributes of Sri Ramakrishna can be found here (<a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11407-017-9202-4" target="_blank">Link</a>).<br />
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Shri Ramakrishna wrote in a piece of paper that Naren would teach and his voice would be heard in home and abroad. Narendra (Naren) remembered, "But I said to him, 'I won't do any such thing.' Thereupon he said, 'Your very bones will do it.'" Narendranath came to world stage as Vivekananda. His simple, penetrative, fearless message has something special. It is inspirational. In today's lecture, Maharaj referred to experience of an American lady who met both Czar of Russia and Vivekananda. Both were very big personalities to stand in front. But, there was an important difference and that was significant. The big personality of the Czar made her feel how small she was while the big personality of Vivekananda made herself feel big. <br />
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On 4th Sept. evening, a panel discussion was arranged here on the topic "Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on the Society." An observation there seemed to suggest that educational institutions and teachers would not be required in time to come. Educational material will be delivered to students by AI, digital technology. Knowledge in the book will be better accessed through digital platform. Information required by a student will be only key-stroke away or will be available in the recommendation panel.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl9lvTBEzEIit-01U-uEQ0nm80ezhwYRpWS4oAFVc3xcZsOH7p6gJvIZwgkY9QQ9MP3-lX642i9RARuCYNoI5lJ8SC7jsLpcboZ0CUuy3bArYwi0I86vmw931L66Umo09F3Lyuh2vvNKg/s1600/TD2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="938" data-original-width="1600" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl9lvTBEzEIit-01U-uEQ0nm80ezhwYRpWS4oAFVc3xcZsOH7p6gJvIZwgkY9QQ9MP3-lX642i9RARuCYNoI5lJ8SC7jsLpcboZ0CUuy3bArYwi0I86vmw931L66Umo09F3Lyuh2vvNKg/s400/TD2018.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
The writing on the board as I stepped into next morning's 8:00 AM class, "Happy Teacher's Day", brought smiles on either side. Dr. Radhakrishnan's, the birthday boy's thought-provoking quotes appeared as last year's FB post. Greetings, messages. Then came these words from a 2018 batch IAS, IIT Bombay BTech in the Teacher's Day function at SDO Office, "Great teachers teach from the heart and not from the book. Teaching really makes a difference."<br />
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"If you want to know India, study Vivekananda," Tagore said. If you want to know about education, there is also Vivekananda for you. "What is education? Is it book learning? No. ... Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested all your life. ... The education which does not help the common mass of people to equip themselves for the struggle for life, which does not bring out strength of character, a spirit of philanthropy, and the courage of a lion - is it worth the name? Real education is that which enables one to stand on one's own legs. The education that you are receiving now in schools and colleges is only making you a race of dyspeptics, you are working like machines merely, and living a jelly-fish existence. ... We want that education by which character is formed, strength of mind is increased, the intellect is expanded, and by which one can stand on one's own feet."<br />
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AI, digital technology seem to bring back education to its roots by revisiting the teacher-taught relationship and educational institutions getting the opportunity to grow up and beyond!!</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-84798770900004965052019-06-25T11:29:00.002-07:002019-06-26T09:51:23.344-07:00Social media<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtmIhYXadX2c90zrugR9MJ-fX9kAcMWGk29C1R-KcgeUgtHscbDRGaVUy_bPsDOaetJTx_H-OILV67YAJeHZXcl8RBvQQaRTLACn7M-edKMLEJ7lrbujyDA4qGjFr_dts0YcIaIrceipf/s1600/KantthoPost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="631" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtmIhYXadX2c90zrugR9MJ-fX9kAcMWGk29C1R-KcgeUgtHscbDRGaVUy_bPsDOaetJTx_H-OILV67YAJeHZXcl8RBvQQaRTLACn7M-edKMLEJ7lrbujyDA4qGjFr_dts0YcIaIrceipf/s320/KantthoPost.jpg" width="320" /></a>Yesterday forenoon, I was in an invigilation duty in the Department together with some young faculty members. This gave an opportunity to know how they are doing and share whatever little I have learnt over time on career milestones. At that time, a recent recruit who hails from opposite side of the country told something that surprised me. He told that before joining this institute he went through my blog and my responses in certain places in social media. These gave him another feel of the institute and helped him taking the decision.<br />
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I felt somewhat apologetic that my blog posts here have become quite irregular as the traffic got diverted to facebook! The day before yesterday evening, I was dropping my daughter at a private tuition. There, had a chance meet with another faculty, few years junior and from another department. His better half was also there who in a thankful note told that my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gsaha.iitkgp/posts/10218889437129994?notif_id=1561217971011244" target="_blank">facebook post</a> on the movie โKantthoโ (Voice), posted the previous day, was very useful. That review motivated the otherwise reluctant colleague accompany her in the Sunday matinee.<br />
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While one may tend to classify above two as 'Thumbs Up' examples which the emoticon or comment of those posts do not reveal, it is also possible that there could be 'Thumbs Down' classification too which does not reach the author. For example, if 400 views a post, about 10% i.e. 40 may actually chose to register their feedback and that too may depend on certain extraneous factors than actual content of the post. Some of the social media space is designed in such a way that only 'Thumbs Up' is registered to hype up the sentiment and no statistics is provided how many actually hit that page and chose not to take a call. Such a space may even allow manipulation with no proper mechanism to respond when a complaint is lodged.<br />
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Social media gives a platform to express oneself. It connects to many who we as author may not be acquainted with. We do not exactly know the influence-trajectory of such a post - how it modulates affective states of different individuals. Hence, as a responsible person we need to ask ourselves certain pertinent questions. What is there in the back of our mind when we make a post? Is it to stimulate a positive, constructive chain of thoughts? Is it just for fun to bring smile to someone? Is it to tickle the intellect? Is it to vent out frustration and get a sense of relief? Is it to just engage in a conversation when feeling lonely? Is it to form public opinion about something that matter? Is it for wider circulation of an important piece of information for greater good? Or, is there some specific motive, implicit or explicit, for which the post may be considered deplorable?<br />
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What is easier to withdraw โ something that is spoken to a few or something that is written in a public platform? What is easier to do โ to say โI stand corrected.โ to those who correct me or to acknowledge the same in full public glare? The greater difficulty to admit a mistake in writing, that too in a public forum, may keep one going on and on by bringing ill-logic, fuzzing / shifting the context, shout outs. We cannot help doing so as the social media makes a public figure of me in certain sense and I am unable to consider anything as an option for which my carefully curated image can take a beating.<br />
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Therefore, an otherwise soft-spoken person, amenable to logic in a private, one-to-one discussion may behave quite differently in social media because of certain psychological vulnerability. This includes a sense of self-righteousness lurking at the back of our rational self and the posturing made in public domain. We think that bucks stop elsewhere than me. Everything else should change but not me. I deserve a better deal which I do not get due to other's fault. I know more about other's woe than that very person. All the while I am in a denial mode if clueless about what bugs myself. <br />
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Like every other powerful things, a good use of social media can initiate a virtuous cycle while a misuse can take us to nadir by cascading effect associated with a vicious cycle. Social media is a great place to be in if used responsibly else, it may curb individual development, individual's ascendancy in human scale. In this regard, it is important to note what Vivekananda said, life is a continuous struggle to move from one's lower self to higher self. <br />
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P.S.1: My elder sister complained some days back that many of my posts are not fully comprehensible. I am sorry if this post is turning out to be one such. As is said, "<i>Dane dane pe likha hai khanewala ka nam </i>(every piece of grain is destined to be consumed by a particular individual)", may be each post has a target audience to whom it reveals in full and for the rest, only partially!!!<br />
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P.S. 2: It is to be noted that visa applicants to the United States are required to submit any information about social media accounts they have used in the past five years under a State Department policy that started a month back, on May 31, 2019 (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/02/us/us-visa-application-social-media.html" target="_blank">Link</a>). Such measures and other deterrants may force us to be more responsible in social media and make us behave more sensibly.<br />
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<u><b>Added on 26-06-2019</b></u><br />
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While I was writing the above post yesterday night on way to complete a struggling half-century at 00:00 Hrs. (there were hits and misses but no throwing away of wicket), the youngsters in the lab. were coming up with this <i>Yaadein</i> album to surprise me today. And, they picked up each of these photos from social media. Needless to say, I am surprised!! :-)<br />
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The seniors preferred to be traditional!<br />
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At home, the person-in-command made the <i>payas</i> while a seventy nine year old and her grand daughter took turn to feed initial few spoon-fulls!!</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-17426522383987146302019-06-09T12:31:00.002-07:002019-06-11T06:50:46.757-07:00Not Aware Of<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In today evening's study circle, Shri Ramakrishna's "เฆเฆชเฆฐ เฆจเฆพเฆ (Not aware of)" came again and again. This was in reference to unexplored wealth / faculties within us. Those being not cultivated, we feel ourselves weak, miserable, unfit in front of challenges.<br />
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The topic was "Life Building." Excerpt from a small booklet written by Sri Nabaniharn Mukhopadhyaya was read out (<a href="http://abvym.org/publication_books.php" target="_blank">Link</a>). It talked about three basic elements within - Body, Mind, Atman. Vivekananda made it easier to understand with 3H - Hand, Head, Heart. Each of these requires balanced food and exercise for its development.<br />
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Then the house was open for discussion. The first question was if the idea of development of 3H would resonate with someone who is fighting hard for survival. The answer was, the more the struggle, the more is the need to equip oneself the best way possible.<br />
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We have example of people applying Head to make intelligent use of time in difficult times, Heart coming into play to remain united and fight together. And of course, Hand symbolizes physical labour, hard work and that has no substitute.<br />
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Someone referred to one of the prayer song with which the study circle started... เฆฌเฆฟเฆฆเงเฆฏเฆพเฆฐ เฆธเงเฆซเฆฒ เฆชเงเฆฐเฆเฆพเฆถ เฆเฆฐเง เฆเฆญเงเฆเง เฆธเฆฎเฆญเฆพเฆฌเง เฆชเฆพเฆฒเฆจ เฆเฆฐ (Let the education yield good result to take equal care of us). Therefore, there is a constructive role to play to make each one of us stand on one's own feet.<br />
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Our upbringing, narrowing of exposure which results in narrowing of vision and de-growth of certain important faculties make us vulnerable. This gets exposed when we cannot avoid facing hard realities of the real-world. Each of us has our own challenges. Individual development trajectories may take divergent view of same challenge - if it is extreme or if it is just another one that comes and goes.<br />
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Narrowing of exposure in our formative years is very much related to improper nutrition and lack of exercise. We do not feel like playing team game in the open field where you lose one day but win another day. We think that reading of biographies of great people and the struggle they went through is a wastage of time. Any effort to know our relation with the society draws askance. Anything unselfish is for someone else to act upon. <br />
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Then came the discussion on Atman, our deeper self, for which Vivekananda refers to Heart that feels. Part of the poem, "Quest for God" written by Vivekananda (<a href="https://www.vivekananda.net/Poetry/QuestForGod.html" target="_blank">Link</a>) was read out. This was part of the letter written exactly one week before his famous Chicago Address of 11th September, 1893. The letter was to Prof. John Henry Wright, the Harvard University Professor who introduced Vivekananda to Parliament of Religions. Vivekananda was not aware of the need to carry something with him from India as a credential to represent Hinduism.<br />
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Vivekananda writes ~ <i>O'ver hill and dale and mountain range, / In temple, church, and mosque, / In Vedas, Bible, Al Koran / I had searched for Thee in vain. / Like a child in the wildest forest lost / I have cried and cried alone, / "Where art Thou gone, my God, my love? / The echo answered, "gone." </i><br />
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Vivekananda continues ~ <span style="color: blue;"><i>Thou speakest in the mother's lay / Thou shuts the babies eye, / When innocent children laugh and play, / I see Thee standing by. / When holy friendship shakes the hand, / He stands between them too; / He pours the nectar in mother's kiss / And the baby's sweet "mama". / Thou wert my God with prophets old, / All creeds do come from Thee, / The Vedas, Bible, and Koran bold / Sing Thee in Harmony.</i></span><br />
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P.S.1: Yesterday, read a survey based article on mental health of students in premier higher education institutes of the country. Read the proposed solutions. In today's study-circle, it came in the thought when Shri Ramakrishna's "เฆเฆชเฆฐ เฆจเฆพเฆ (Not aware of)" was referred to.<br />
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P.S.2 There is certain acknowledgement (<a href="https://upraise.io/blog/emotional-quotient-eq-workplace/" target="_blank">Link</a>) in the shift to consider EQ (Emotional Quotient) over IQ (Intelligence Quotient) in workplace: for choosing leader, engaging team, training, making one move out of one's comfort zone etc., even if the aim is to maximize the organizational output. EQ here is categorized as: Self-awareness, Self-regulation, Motivation, Empathy and Social Skills.<br />
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P.S. 2a: To note, character qualities cannot be manufactured in a certificate program or a motivational speech event. Behavioural makeover falls off when one is put to test outside (air)conditioned environment. To assimilate character qualities, one needs to go through a life building process by taking up appropriate nourishment and exercise on a regular basis that develops 3H. It needs conscious and sustained effort as anything contrary would undo what is incrementally gained. There is no short cut.<br />
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P.S.3: If this post appears too heavy, then here is a video made this morning. For this, HH finds a talent in me which I do not seem to be aware of. She advises me to take up film direction after retirement!<br />
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-72677268153606793792018-12-05T09:53:00.004-08:002018-12-05T18:29:58.499-08:00Land of Opportunity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A village boy comes from a district which is 6 hours from Kolkata towards North. His father had a small business of selling mosquito net, but also a dream of making the youngest son an engineer.<br />
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Village school education was free but could not help the boy securing good enough a rank for Govt. Engineering colleges. An education loan helped to get an admission in a private engineering college in the neighbouring district for which a village school teacher stood guarantor.<br />
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There was a campus job offer of Rs. 12000 p.m. but while joining the boy found the company to be a fake one. Off-campus attempt to get a job asked for a Rs. 25000 deposit to a company. The job was found to be one where he had to climb tall cell phone towers in hills without safety gear. Mother asked him to leave the job and come back home.<br />
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Some neighbours and members of larger family members laughed at this fate of the engineer. He started helping father in the mosquito net business. Some gave suggestion to work as labour and learn masonry.<br />
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The phone call came yesterday evening when I was returning from Kolkata after an official work. There were best presentation award in conference, publication in very good journal before (more in the pipeline). Now comes a 'signal processing' work related job offer from campus placement in one of the most reputed company of the world. This is an international brand that offers only premium products which are aspiration of who's who.<br />
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Wish the father was there today to see what his engineer son is up to.
During his project and M.S. work here, the son was devastated to hear
but then did his best to take the father to the best place in the
country offering cancer treatment.<br />
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It is time for search engines to redefine "Land of opportunity"! The boy once shared that every evening after returning to hostel from lab. he takes time out to talk to himself - to analyze the problems in hand and find ways to overcome them. And, he finds this poster inspiring! <br />
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The successful run of biopics at Bollywood in recent times may evoke interest in this script!!!</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-89711538405001202632018-10-02T11:15:00.003-07:002018-10-03T05:34:56.579-07:00Bharat - Ek Prem Gatha<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7b2wVkYXE-Y_DM5HtRxvWoTAJAYr2Fah466uOQ1dL5gTC0F8mRwA62vndNbkdH0hPjmIEW8cnL7JcwzcWBHDAFd8sEdfRqwkly-BbmCkAGcDZCnpGi4yidhsQ88l2fdVyhqumukHfNLEo/s1600/20181001_231857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7b2wVkYXE-Y_DM5HtRxvWoTAJAYr2Fah466uOQ1dL5gTC0F8mRwA62vndNbkdH0hPjmIEW8cnL7JcwzcWBHDAFd8sEdfRqwkly-BbmCkAGcDZCnpGi4yidhsQ88l2fdVyhqumukHfNLEo/s320/20181001_231857.jpg" width="320" /></a><span data-offset-key="d072v-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The train finally moved at 4:15 AM, 6:30 hrs. later than the scheduled time. Announcements of incremental delays due to 'operational reasons' came infrequently. It was left to guess what were those 'operational reasons' as each answer from the persons who mattered added to the confusion. It was a long wait with 2 unwell members for a family of 3 and, many others. As we boarded, we lost no time to hit the bed. We had 3 sleepers in one side of a block of 8. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Woke up little later when 4 co-passengers of that block boarded the train. One berth went vacant. An elderly lady was in charge of that family of 4 and was instructing what the rest 3 would do. Her son, appeared to be an off-duty, young army man, was following the orders and meticulously made bed for all four. The elderly lady and her husband had the side berths. The son and the bahu had two berths in the middle. The lady's loud voice and the son's mild reply in affirmative slowly, slowly started fading ... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The morning came late. We had to get down at 10:00 AM. These co-passengers were making a longer journey. The elderly lady ordered the son to arrange tea. The vendor served dip-tea. The bahu in ghunghat was unaware of how to handle dip-tea setup. The son helped her under a watchful pair of eyes from the side berth. The elderly lady suggested something as snacks for all. The bahu didn't seem to utter any word but the son understood. More options available in the pantry car which was only two coaches' away. A radiant glow and she started walking towards the pantry car barefoot. The son got an error message and stopped her. The sandals were far underneath the lower berth. The son struggled to take them out and then she moved on. The son was tying lace of his shoes when the elderly lady murmured, "Baap par gayi (went by her father)!" to which came the mild reply but this time in negative, "Itni chhoti na soch, Ma (Don't think it that low, Mother)."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The son and bahu were away. The elderly lady spoke a few things to her husband who quietly listened. Then the lady went to give her back some rest and started watching the nature through train window. The elderly man got down from his seat and set two pillows to her back and made room so that she could stretch her legs and relax. The son and bahu came back soon with snacks of individual choices and all of them started having it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It was time for us to deboard. The accent in which the family spoke made me remember the movie with dialogues such as, "Gold toh gold hota hai ... chhora lave ya chhori." Didn't know why but felt there was a plot in this story that was begging for unmaking through a larger plot of "Bharat - Ek Prem Gatha." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Category: Semi-fiction, Embedded-reality</span></div>
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-36963020487676419042018-09-25T12:27:00.000-07:002019-06-26T00:53:53.179-07:00At the other side<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span data-offset-key="bihqf-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Human makes mistake. I am human, therefore! This week, after watching the movie "Uma", work of an award winning Director, I made the mistake of telling a group of three persons that everything is excellent about the movie except that without Mahishaurmardini (Mahalaya) pieces in the background / foreground one would always fall short of recreating Durga Puja; Anjan Dutta in his character role could have been less loud and there were too-muchness in the use of the dialogue. "I want to make a master-piece." Last week after watching Boom-Boom "Satyameba Jayate", I didn't say anything to anybody, even to myself. Earlier, after watching "Dhadak", while leaving the hall, I just murmured if that was the only way to end the movie which invoked an angry retort from a fellow spectator, "Why not if that is what our society is."</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="64mql-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The Karma caught up with me soon. I was asked to shoot a 3 minute long promotional video for an upcoming 3 month long program. For this, I had to fit myself into many different roles, that of script-writer, background designer, dress designer, make up man, director and also, actor. And there was only 24 hours of time for all these with no relief from usual office and household work. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7q4kh-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I started with a visit to the studio. The camera crew showed how it would be done and examples of few such promotional videos which were shot before. Most importantly, they provided lots of encouragement and told me that I need not be nervous. A slot of 2-3 PM was given next day i.e. today.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="1lcf8-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">I started writing a 3-minute script and came up with a one pager. People who I sought feedback from uttered the minimum but a look of disagreement said what they wanted to say, that I could have done much better. After one iteration it appeared to me as okayish. It was late evening, too late to get a feedback on that. Then, started working on the background design which was completed late night.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="499td-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">The director in me told that there must be lots of energy, enthusiasm, cheerfulness in the delivery with a matching get up. The actor in me, facing the camera first time for such a promotional shoot, had everything in contrast in him. The shirt has to be single coloured, preferably dark. The trouser could be anything as the shot would be above the waist. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="5plrv-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Found that the dark, single coloured shirts in the stock need to be ironed. The earliest I could get it done from outside was this evening. Who does not know that self-help is the best help? There was a visit to barber's shop. He was surprised as it was ahead of the schedule. Little touch up after which he reminded that I need to pay another visit before Durga Puja.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIUtmoeqvT3HGGcCMBvTOgXG5AaajFyOcFABU5bfnV3f7cSutmNa12Vg3sl5qfpto08EvDPxQytgkxWwYgP5b_6QcwMaQ0iE857M6EhTPnRGs_mQMuntwzzAdq6HE1-xlDXIS9BG_oEli/s1600/intro+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1600" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZIUtmoeqvT3HGGcCMBvTOgXG5AaajFyOcFABU5bfnV3f7cSutmNa12Vg3sl5qfpto08EvDPxQytgkxWwYgP5b_6QcwMaQ0iE857M6EhTPnRGs_mQMuntwzzAdq6HE1-xlDXIS9BG_oEli/s320/intro+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span data-offset-key="47u6a-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">It was 1:15 PM to return home after conducting midterm project viva. There were 30 minutes for a rehearsal. Got a quiet room and started reading the script loud. My own voice appeared strange to me. Got accustomed to after reading it few times. Daughter got drawn from next room with a camera in hand and there were funny takes.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="7tukq-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Reached the studio at 2 PM sharp. The camera crew told that reading out from script was not allowed. This was known to the director in me but the actor in me was praying for the opposite. "Can there be a prompter, a screen in front wherefrom I can read it out?" The crew looked at me meaningfully. They understood that they had a difficult job ahead of them. And the answer to the question was negative.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="9njqo-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Some effort with the chroma software and background fixing, combing of hair for which mobile phone camera in selfie mode came handy, and we were good to go at 2:30 PM. The studio was to be released for other work at 3:00 PM. Take 1 survived 30 seconds. Take 2 about a minute. Fumbling after going good for 2 minutes in Take 3. For Take 4, camera crew asked not to start all over again but from where I stopped in Take 3. They concluded by that time that I was not in a position to finish a 3 minute's script at one go.</span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="dvnt7-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">It was 2:55 PM. The persons who would take over the studio at 3 PM was at the door. One crew asked me to go for another full take as they wanted to make some change in proportion of my image and that of the background. I began all over again and behold, the whole 3 minutes' shot was okay at one go in this Take 5. The crew were very happy for their accomplishment. I was in a state of disbelief, "Did I do it?" The next slot persons watched this take in the monitor. They entered when I was packing up and congratulated. </span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="d5dkg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">Endnote: It was a lesson learnt. Never ever critcize a script-writer, director, actor, etc. Who knows whether the persons from that make-believe world can make that famous "Om Shanti Om" dialogue </span><span data-offset-key="d5dkg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"><span data-offset-key="d5dkg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;">(<i>Kehte hain ki, ... agar kisi cheez ko dil se chaaho to puri kayanat usey tumse milane ki koshish mein lag jaati hai</i>)<i> </i></span>work in the reverse direction, too? </span><br />
<span data-offset-key="d5dkg-0-0" style="font-family: inherit;"> :-) </span></div>
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-83795071184334039382018-07-28T10:43:00.000-07:002018-07-29T19:32:37.115-07:00Not in Syllabus<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_ZjE6fPRYWzIjjSYD7AfPgO35WjeuNyiIL0Wz8XCzKwWmUz0iJJ2zX49rQYLC_d0IMi2a8cxj_S8trS7Kc6BGhmD_MajpZDCX0NZnzy33PByfn9VvRtxYblVsojn0s2xj1SueFAciw42/s1600/Samarth+Ashay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1404" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_ZjE6fPRYWzIjjSYD7AfPgO35WjeuNyiIL0Wz8XCzKwWmUz0iJJ2zX49rQYLC_d0IMi2a8cxj_S8trS7Kc6BGhmD_MajpZDCX0NZnzy33PByfn9VvRtxYblVsojn0s2xj1SueFAciw42/s320/Samarth+Ashay.jpg" width="280" /></a><br />
PART I<br />
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I was sitting at the back among freshly inducted students in the 'unreserved' seats of Netaji Auditorium. Tried but could not ignore when a hand waved at me from the first row. Got introduced to Samarth and Ashay with once held NSS (National Service Scheme) identity of mine. Samarth asked if I could recognize him. He was from Mechanical Engg. dept., graduated in 2014 and was an NSS volunteer. Ashay was shyer of the two. We two managed a gentle nod. The stage was up for the screening of 'UNRESERVED', an award winning documentary, directed by Samarth and produced by Ashay.<br />
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The occasion was freshers' induction program. On 23rd July, the UG 1st year joined the institute and a week long induction program was arranged for them to get acclimatised to the environment; before the rigour of the academic work starts. Samarth and Ashay got introduced to the audience. Both spoke briefly in the beginning and the interactive session was reserved after the screening of the film.<br />
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The one hour documentary has eleven segments interwoven in such a manner that one would remain riveted to it. The segments were picked up from their 17 day long train journey in unreserved compartments throughout India. The Rs. 1 Lakh budget asked for a minimalist approach - only a DSLR camera and a microphone to shoot. No retake, no rehearsal - documentary it is, yet it has the ingredients of many full length feature films - the ones that make you smile, that make you cry, that make you think. The film shows things as they are and never sounds preachy. At the same time, the characters in the unreserved compartments appear more qualified than many a experts who occupy prime time television space to speak on important issues faced by the country. One would vouch that the greatest of the actors cannot match their expressions whatever be the number of takes because it was effortless real. Needless to say, the audience was deeply moved by the movie and a standing ovation was more than due at the end of the screening (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/CameraShorts/videos/1833469056738654" target="_blank">Link</a>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx-jx2u7YdmOlWdbfbQgNlq2I5EjgsxcWPZQnJexpl2NRIsWK_YReuGSQNEfHAU_Fh9QYPRVaAH1P8ovQRqukyTvJW4i5i67mHKahf4xn7Kf8Xok90C-Kh5DzX6lcaiFOSLF7rg33lMSW/s1600/20180727_112739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPx-jx2u7YdmOlWdbfbQgNlq2I5EjgsxcWPZQnJexpl2NRIsWK_YReuGSQNEfHAU_Fh9QYPRVaAH1P8ovQRqukyTvJW4i5i67mHKahf4xn7Kf8Xok90C-Kh5DzX6lcaiFOSLF7rg33lMSW/s320/20180727_112739.jpg" width="320" /></a>I shall refrain from sharing the actual content of the movie rather, would urge everybody to spare one hour to watch the movie, available for free in youtube (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWvoCicq9eo" target="_blank">Link</a>). Assured that it would be a revelation of a different kind and our love for the country and its people would make a quantum leap after seeing the movie. It is not sympathy but empathy which will overpower us, we shall cry when they cry and we shall laugh when they laugh. We shall feel a kind of oneness and an urge to be by their side and gently ask, "How do you feel now?" Of all the questions that were asked at the end by the freshers, there was one which could be there with many of us. While Samarth worked in an MNC for six months after graduation from Mechanical Engg. Dept. before making the plunge, Ashay moved into film-making immediately after graduation from Industrial & Systems Engineering. The question asked was why they did the Engg. if they were to go into film-making. And, Samarth answered smilingly, "Engineering is the new plus two (i.e. Higher Secondary) of current times." Both of them went through a discovery phase during their engineering days here. Both were into short-film making which was a part of their extra-curricular activities and were competing for Hall Championship (they were from different Halls) which helped them identify what they were up to.<br />
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They told that film making has three different elements in it - script, camera, editing. One may not be good in all and thus, needs to team up. They are ready to help current students in any of their projects. They particularly mentioned of the opportunities lying ahead for NSS volunteers among them who would be working among underprivileged in adjoining villages and slums. Presented below are two videos from NSS Camp 2016 (students speaking) and 2017 (faculty members speaking).<br />
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PART II<br />
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There was an interactive session arranged in the Dept. for UG freshers and their guardians on 23rd July evening. With 100+ students joining, there was not a big enough room in the Dept. to address all of them together and we had two separate sessions - one with the students and one with the guardians. The students were in a very happy mood to join a premier dept. of a premier institute. While few, only a few, seemed little nervous, the rest appeared very confident while introducing themselves. Next, we interacted with the guardians who understandably, was anxious to get separated from their wards. We assured them and also made them aware of issues in general faced by the students and how the guardians can keep a tab if there is any slippage and also, how we all can work together - that stepping into an IIT for them is an important step but it is only a step (<a href="https://gskgp.blogspot.com/2012/07/fresh-blood.html" target="_blank">a 2012 Freshers' Intro. Link</a>). Some of the guardians said if we shared the same with the students in the earlier session. Did we? :-)<br />
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The last two Sunday study circles had members uttering the words "Not in Syllabus" in the context of what we need to be taught in our formative years. We leave certain important learning outcomes to learning by default and wonder if we fall short when those outcomes matter. Yes, those are "Not in Syllabus."<br />
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Few days back, I was listening to an interactive session of Swami Sarvapriyananda of Ramakrishna order with young students of Shilpamandir, Belur, a Polytechnic college. It was partly in English and partly in Bengali. The discussion was on the topic, "Personal habits for higher work efficiency." Presented below a summary of this discourse in which he is asking all students to understand the significance of five key points to make the best of their student days. Incidentally, Swami Sarvapriyananda got his Business Management degree from XIMB (Bhubaneswar) and delivered series of lecture before IIT Kanpur students and many places abroad. His TEDx talk can be found here (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qA9x0JyUis" target="_blank">Link</a>).<br />
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<b>Point 1: Have self-confidence.</b><br />
And he quotes Vivekananda. โHe is an atheist who does not believe in himself. The old religions said that he was an atheist who did not believe in God. The new religion says that he is an atheist who does not believe in himself.โ No matter how talented one is, lack of confidence in oneself would put one's foot in the brake pedal and would not let one accelerate or move forward. The one having self-confidence does not feel shy of trying and thus, has higher probability to succeed. We need to remember, if another person could do, with effort I can do the same and can even surpass.<br />
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<b>Point 2: Have a high goal in life.</b><br />
It helps in channelising one's energy in a particular direction which helps in achieving excellence. There is no place for mediocrity if one wishes to reach the pinnacle of success. In any journey we undertake, when we board a vehicle, we do tell the driver where we want to go. Where would we like to go in our life's journey? Not having a purpose - random frittering would lead to a void and frustration would engulf us in time to come.<br />
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<b>Point 3: Learn concentration.</b><br />
Swami Vivekananda said that the difference between an ordinary person and an extraordinary person lies in the degree of concentration. Practise of concentration goes through three phases - focusing on something, cutting out rest of the world, holding that focus. He gives an example from the life of his brother disciple Swami Ramananda (IIT JEE All India Rank 2, CGPA near 10 when graduated, now a faculty member of Ramakrishna Vivekananda University, <a href="https://alumniconnect.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/a-monk-who-didnt-care-for-ferrari-teaching-to-serve-society/" target="_blank">Link</a>) where after study hours, drum playing started but Swami was so engrossed in study that he did not recognize it. Somebody tried to converse, gently pulled his feet but he had no sense of it. Only when someone pulled the book, he got startled and started making a meaning of the surroundings. Yes, the concentration can be so deep!<br />
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<b>Point 4: Learn time-management.</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvuwNPzq0oSuT5ARjERKnMCSiynNeeb7ua9YWM7t5vby6HfnttBmXLU9fOdsJokhvKUBZD_7e0C7sWZp7_ZKv-dA-BYlY_fmDDX_EgDrHKS_SjHVI8xUBbS8-1H3GavdUZAQwtAw8ZdAz/s1600/IMG-20180728-WA0016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="768" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFvuwNPzq0oSuT5ARjERKnMCSiynNeeb7ua9YWM7t5vby6HfnttBmXLU9fOdsJokhvKUBZD_7e0C7sWZp7_ZKv-dA-BYlY_fmDDX_EgDrHKS_SjHVI8xUBbS8-1H3GavdUZAQwtAw8ZdAz/s320/IMG-20180728-WA0016.jpg" width="256" /></a>Greatest resource of life is time and each is bestowed with same amount of this important resource, while other resources may differ. How we utilize 24 hours of a day in life makes the difference. One can divide what we take up in four categories: (i)Urgent and important, (ii)Urgent but not important, (iii)Not urgent but important, (iv)not urgent and not important. Many things that are important for our life do not get the priority (urgency) it deserves (Category (iii)) and we keep it postponing. We find ourselves looping between (ii) and (iv) only to find it is too late 10-20 years down the life. Swami visited two institutes with almost similar infrastructure. One of them was rated much higher. In it, students were using the lab., library etc. while they were empty in the other institute.<br />
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<b>Point 5: Be unselfish.</b><br />
This is the secret of success which often illudes us. Selfishness comes from poverty mentality. Unselfishness comes from prosperity mentality. We human or so rich - we have time, energy, knowledge, intellect, money - if we give, what we get back in return is many times more. It may take time to understand this - the earlier one understands this, the luckier is the person. Swamy gives an example from a US university. A Psychology Professor one day didn't take the class and spent his earning to take the students to a popular movie. The students were very happy. Week later, he again called off the class but this time took the students to a slum where they gave various toys, gifts to underprivileged children. The students enjoyed that visit and was happy, too. Both occasions, students gave a rating of 3 to 5 in a scale of 1 to 5 on how happy / satisfied they were. Six months down the line, when these students were asked to recollect these two visits and how happy they felt now, in the former the rating came down to 1-2 while the later maintained the same 3-5 level. To be effective, one needs to work with others and cannot afford to be self-centred. Unselfish people are more effective, successful and happier.<br />
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The video of Swami Sarvapriyananda talking to students follows. The sticker in this Part II showing the difference between successful and unsuccessful people was sent yesterday by a friend who graduated from here with us. After completing B.Tech. in Computer Science & Engg., he did his Masters in a reputed US University, provided consultancy to many Fortune 500 companies etc.. But, wait! There comes something which was not in syllabus!! <span style="background-color: white; color: #111111;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His current interests lie in bringing out the original spirit of ancient Sanskrit wisdom to modern times.</span></span><br />
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-19398477894607014552018-03-25T11:28:00.002-07:002018-03-26T09:25:34.294-07:00Over a cup of coffee <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
[Adapted from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gsaha.iitkgp/posts/10215519257197602" target="_blank">this FB post</a>. Prelude of it can be found <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gsaha.iitkgp/posts/10214611688428950" target="_blank">here</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gsaha.iitkgp/posts/10214285918724911" target="_blank">here</a> / <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gsaha.iitkgp/posts/10213054113010538" target="_blank">here</a>. ]<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xRL2vVAa47I/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xRL2vVAa47I?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe>The speaker of this TED talk [<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRL2vVAa47I" target="_blank">Youtube Link</a>] (nearly 0.5M views in 3.5 months since publication), Scott Galloway is a 'Clinical' Professor of Marketing at the New York University Stern School of Business [<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/profgalloway/" target="_blank">Linkedin profile</a>]. Yesterday afternoon, had an opportunity of a 90 minute adda at Tikka over a cup of coffee with one of our alumnus who did his MBA in the same business school. Currently, he is working on investment in start-ups and helping M & A with big corporations.</div>
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Such interaction is very educative for us who work with students and their aspirations. It was learnt that 10 percent of the start-ups are definitely promising. Many start-ups do oversell, are risk-averse while there are those who are quite confident. And, larger fraction of these start-ups are in Artificial Intelligence (AI) targeting the Digital Marketing space.</div>
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This made me reflect upon the recent controversy about Cambridge Analytica's misuse of social media platform in grand scale [<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/24/cambridge-analytica-week-that-shattered-facebook-privacy" target="_blank">The Guardian follow up</a>]. Could it be that tighter rules and regulations are in the offing on data ownership, protection? While it is being believed that the 'data is new oil' of the economy, there is increasing awareness and concern on misuse of data and its unintended exploitation.</div>
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Going forward, sharing of data across platforms may not be found as easy. Informed consent may mean much more than clicking "I Agree" button where the person concerned as per his background will actually be able to make out what he gives consent to and what are it's consequences. He can pick and choose and not forced to agree en-block, without the sword of denial of service (the basic service which is essential today and is to be considered undeniable) hanging on his neck. It should be explicit if the person himself (his digital self) is going to end up being a saleable product, if so, how he exercises his right to know who holds his digital persona at a given time and for what purpose (since he is more than a poultry animal, nurtured with what it thinks as free stuffs, to get eventually sold).</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iFTWM7HV2UI/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iFTWM7HV2UI?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe>The hard hitting TED talk of Prof. Galloway follows a Q & A session where he says, "They (Corporations) are not concerned about conditions of our souls. They are not going to take care of me when I get older. We have set up a society that value shareholder's value over everything and they are doing what they are supposed to be doing."</div>
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Zeynep Tufekci's TED talk [<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFTWM7HV2UI" target="_blank">Youtube Link</a>] was published just one month before Galloway's, on 11-11-2017. Zeynep, associated with University of North Carolina and Harvard, does research on social implications of emerging technologies in the context of politics and corporate responsibility. Her talk is very incisive on how things work out in digital space and what is its implication for which she gives specific examples.</div>
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One of her finding shows that in this AI driven world, a bipolar, manic person may be found the most gullible by the algorithm to buy a ticket to Las Vegas since such people overspend, and then he is pushed such content that makes him go for the purchase. Her own study of a particular rally showed youtube's AI algorithm pushing more of white surpremacist's video in increasing order of extremism through suggestions. She also talked about an experiment where 67 M people were shown two different content through pop-up, the second one was more persuasive than the first to perform a task; and much larger share of the people of the second group did really fell for the task.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; margin-top: 6px;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/C74amJRp730/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/C74amJRp730?feature=player_embedded" style="clear: right; float: right;" width="320"></iframe>She finds that whatever be the intention of the seemingly good people writing these AI algorithms, the persuasive architecture of the algorithm eventually finds out that if it shows something enticing, hardcore, something that can affect emotion and behaviour, then people will give more attention and they can be persuaded to do what the algorithm aims at. Therefore, the associated liability cannot be just transferred to the algorithm, however deep and opaque it might be, where people behind it claim innocence.</div>
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The last TED talk of this post [<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C74amJRp730" target="_blank">Youtube Link</a>], dated July, 2017, is that of Tristan Harris [<a href="http://www.tristanharris.com/" target="_blank">Website</a>]. He is said to be the โclosest thing Silicon Valley has to a conscience.โ He suggests that we must embrace following three as solution and at the earliest. (i)We need to acknowledge that we can be persuaded (our ego may find it difficult to acknowledge), (ii) We need new model and accountability system (transparency in the flow) and (iii) We need a design renaissance that would aim at (a)protecting us and (b)empowering us.</div>
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In our yesterday afternoon's Tikka adda, our human intelligence (whatever is left) told that besides artificial intelligence, issues related to genetic engineering need our immediate attention!!<br />
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Note: The above is as understood by me in a finite time and, misunderstandings, if any, cannot be attributed to other persons appearing in this post.</div>
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-76107600789694185752017-09-05T11:58:00.002-07:002017-09-05T18:59:34.413-07:00Way back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This day, ten years back, came up with the first post of this blog. Our alumnus, Vinayak who founded http://parivaar.org/ was visiting IIT Kharagpur campus on September 05, 2007. Chiranjeev Maharaj was accompanying him. And we had an interesting session with the visiting team. I don't remember today what exactly was the trigger to start the blog and write a <a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2007/09/ch-maharaj-in-campus.html" target="_blank">short post</a> on that visit. There was a follow up visit on March 08, 2008 for which there was an <a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2008/03/afternoon-with-vinayak-our-alumnus-and.html" target="_blank">elaborate post</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrRtiPNam3anRqqIgKDifhs8FN4r2v_NuKRj0XxZ9MiDWqIyXHattjj97IlN1jCa28y_feJpgFG8FRe6mARoXJMldFveco8TUrMJahuFQOeQjIWJdWj9fj3WNElgOS9CLI2EWgYHR6u2V/s1600/nss+wb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="299" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrRtiPNam3anRqqIgKDifhs8FN4r2v_NuKRj0XxZ9MiDWqIyXHattjj97IlN1jCa28y_feJpgFG8FRe6mARoXJMldFveco8TUrMJahuFQOeQjIWJdWj9fj3WNElgOS9CLI2EWgYHR6u2V/s320/nss+wb1.jpg" width="196" /></a>1, 26, 51, 56, 27, 22, 28, 20, 4, 3 are the number of blog posts from 2007 to 2016 in consecutive years. This year, it is 4 so far. If twenties are considered baseline, there were heightened activities in 2009 and 2010 and, major fall since 2015. In 2011, started <a href="https://nssiitkgp.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">NSS blog</a> and there were 21 posts. Together, it comes near to 50 mark of earlier 2 years. Started <a href="http://healthandfitnessiitkgp.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">NSO H&F blog</a> in 2013 which had 53 posts that year. There were other purpose driven blogs started after that but with less number of postings. Of course, one opens up differently in different spaces as per what defines that space. All those blogs except few, have been handed over to successors. <br />
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The all time maximum page view crown goes to 2013 <a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2013/09/teachers-day.html" target="_blank">Teacher's Day</a> post of this blog. It gave a glimpse of the day in words and pictures. The emphasis was on '<i>Shraddhaban labhate Jnanam' </i><i> - </i>one who respects, learns. A learner finds something to learn from everybody, even non-living things like sky, wind, mountain, ocean ... <br />
<br />
I was enrolled into facebook in 2008. However, there was not much activity there. Avoided accepting friend request from people not directly known and also from students. For students, the thought had been, till I was in a position to give grade to a student, it is to be postponed. Then something serious happened and it appeared that there needed a better, direct channel of communication - the designated portfolios failing. Facebook became the preferred mode.<br />
<br />
May be some anniversary post in facebook will figure out someday that there is a big fall in facebook posts, too in recent times. By default, the reason may be ascribed to poor SNR (signal to noise ratio) or too-much-ness there which in some sense may be correct!!<br />
<br />
This special day had its share of emails, phone calls, SMS, visit to office by students, small function at lab. etc. The TIFAC interns working on 'Legal and Ethical Issues related to Artificial Intelligence' came with a small flower-stand and flowers made by them . They themselves placed it in front of the Vivekananda portrait (drawn by an ex-student) that they noticed in earlier visit to my office. Bow to all teachers and teacher of teachers!<br />
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-22721075677875441502017-08-22T22:19:00.000-07:002017-08-25T22:40:45.913-07:00Inner cry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Statutory warning :-)</b> It is a rather long post with lots of quotations; may not be fit for reading at one go!! </div>
PART I </div>
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Was in a dilemma for sometime. Didn't take much time to shrug it off. The decision was to attend the workshop on '<b>After Partition</b>' at the Humanities and Social Science Dept. Seminar Room. It was pre-lunch session of 18th August. Took a short time out though to listen to the Chief Guest of the parallel, IIT Kharagpur 'Foundation Day' program at Netaji Auditorium. On entering the workshop venue, there was the question, gently asked, so much so that one could not miss the empathy-filled undertone - if my family was affected by partition in anyway. That touches a tender nerve somewhere, prompts a time travel through the silhouette of flash backs (<a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2010/09/remembering.html" target="_blank">partly here</a>).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP9KdyvsJUFwb5jKyGkewLvEEMGNSDB8nr1NbncUk7XR3U10rMt1-IgojqS2IwEbiqgXF_X9MfPqd9o4zob_x05rLf4lVjjSUMbAKInHibPuDwPwxadaI5zJKrHIIz6bbGoFvSh5W7i9N/s1600/IMG_20170818_104545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1453" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdP9KdyvsJUFwb5jKyGkewLvEEMGNSDB8nr1NbncUk7XR3U10rMt1-IgojqS2IwEbiqgXF_X9MfPqd9o4zob_x05rLf4lVjjSUMbAKInHibPuDwPwxadaI5zJKrHIIz6bbGoFvSh5W7i9N/s320/IMG_20170818_104545.jpg" width="320" /></a>Prof. Amritjit Singh of Ohio University in his keynote speech told how difficult it is to look back at partition dispassionately, specially for the people to the west and east of India. The decision to divide the nation remains the most painful part of our history. The acceptance of hastily drawn boundaries by Radcliffe took the tragedy, the death, destruction, displacement, to its worst possible level. Radcliffe was kind of parachuted in the partition scene, was supplied with incomplete information and he hardly had any knowledge of ground reality.<br />
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If the partition (and the massacre that followed) happened due to religious differences of two communities, religion becomes the easy-pick villain. It is like Sherlock Holmes saying, "Elementary, my dear Watson." One expert in the workshop made a hint to that by quoting often-used Marx remark, "Religion is the opium of the people." The story-telling session of young students however, had an interesting take. In this session, students who interned in the summer, shared their experiences of interviewing people. These people were from both western and eastern part of the country, who were directly affected by partition. It was a mixed bag of experience for them. While all faced difficult times post migration, the common man in general tried their best to protect their neighbours of other community with their small might. <br />
<br />
It may make sense to introduce a simple question here. Who is more religious? A common man who feels the pain of his neighbour facing mayhem or the one powerful enough to cause mayhem? In an 1894 letter (<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_6/Epistles_-_Second_Series/XLI_Shashi" target="_blank">Link</a>), Vivekananda explains his brother disciple, "In every country the evils exist not with, but against, religion. Religion therefore is not to blame, but men." Is that so? Let's move to the next segment.<br />
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PART II</div>
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There is a special characteristic in man which is not there in other animals. That is, man can change his characteristic! The man can become a brute. He can become a saint, too. Life, as defined by Vivekananda, is the unfoldment and development of a being under circumstances tending to press it down. In the lecture, "The Necessity of Religion", Vivekananda says, "Man is
man so long as he is struggling to rise above nature, and this nature is
both internal and external. ... It is grand and good to know the laws
that govern the stars and planets; it is infinitely grander and better
to know the laws that govern the passions, the feelings, the will, of
mankind. (<a href="http://belurmath.org/complete_works_of_swami_vivekananda/volume_2/jnana-yoga/the_necessity_of_religion_frame.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>)"<br />
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This struggle, this striving, come from one's right of attaining a superior self and that is the fun of being human. Else, how are we different from animal? Bhartrihari put it this way in <i>Nitishataka</i>.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"> <span style="font-size: small;">เคฏเฅเคทเคพเค เคจ เคตเคฟเคฆเฅเคฏเคพ เคจ เคคเคชเฅ เคจ เคฆเคพเคจเค </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">เคเฅเคเคพเคจเค เคจ เคถเฅเคฒเค เคจ เคเฅเคฃเฅ เคจ เคงเคฐเฅเคฎเคเฅค /</span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">เคคเฅ เคฎเคฐเฅเคคเฅเคฏเคฒเฅเคเฅ เคญเฅเคตเคฟ เคญเคพเคฐเคญเฅเคคเคพ </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">เคฎเคจเฅเคทเฅเคฏเคฐเฅเคชเฅเคฃ เคฎเฅเคเคพเคถเฅเคเคฐเคจเฅเคคเคฟเฅฅ </span></span>For lack of striving to reach one's superior self (through education, penance, charity, knowledge, good conduct, noble qualities, dharma) there is <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">เคฎเคจเฅเคทเฅเคฏเคฐเฅเคชเฅเคฃ เคฎเฅเคเคพเคถเฅเคเคฐเคจเฅเคคเคฟ -</span></span> animals move around in human form. (<a href="https://margieparikh.wordpress.com/2015/12/30/regarding-the-hundred-pearls-of-wisdom-from-bhartrihari-%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-2/" target="_blank">Link</a>)<br />
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With any special power, comes a great responsibility to use that power properly. That is why we used to hear elderly people blessing us till sometime back, "Be a man." The human form is not enough. A cat or dog need not be told - Be a cat or dog. Browning writes, "Progress, man's distinctive mark alone. / Not
God's, and not the beasts: God is, they are; / Man partly is, and wholly
hopes to be."(<a href="http://www.anvari.org/fortune/Miscellaneous_Collections/210643_progress-mans-distinctive-mark-alone-not-gods-and-not-the-bea.html" target="_blank">Link</a>) There are challenges on the way. That is why in <i>Swadeshmantra</i>, taken from the article, 'Modern India' (<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_4/Translation:_Prose/Modern_India" target="_blank">Link</a>), we find Vivekananda praying, "O Thou Mother of Strength, take
away my weakness, take away my unmanliness, and make me a Man!"<br />
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PART III</div>
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What is the role of religion here? It is there in the direction an individual takes. Again referring to Vivekananda, "Religion is the manifestation of divinity already in man. It is the idea which is raising the brute unto man, and man unto God. (<a href="http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_5/sayings_and_utterances.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>)" In a letter to Dr. Nanjunda Rao, Vivekananda writes, "Throughout the history of the world you find great men make great sacrifices and the mass of mankind enjoy the benefit. If you want to give up everything for your own salvation, it is nothing. Do you want to forgo even your own salvation for the good of the world? (Then) You are God, think of that. ... Purity, patience, and perseverance are the three essentials to success and, above all, love."(<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_6/Epistles_-_Second_Series/LI_Dear_and_Beloved" target="_blank">Link</a>)<br />
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Heard one Ramakrishna order monk coming up with the following classification that defines three different manifestations of man.<br />
Beast: Thinks of his own good only, even at the cost of others.<br />
Man: Thinks of his own good as well as good of others (doesn't want own good at the cost of others).<br />
God: Thinks of good of others only and doesn't bother about his own good.<br />
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Every religion has three distinct parts: Philosophy, Mythology and Ritual. Philosophy is the essence. Mythology is appreciation of the philosophy through exalted characters that man can connect to. Rituals are to link our everyday life with the highest philosophy, a routine that does not let us forget our goal, attaining of our superior self. Mythology and rituals are to differ across the religions and within a religion due to difference in the evolutionary process undergone by a community in a specific time and space. Their objectives are to take us closer to the philosophy, the essence - the manifestation of divinity remaining the end goal. If there is no manifestation of divinity, there is no religion. "Religion is being and becoming," simply put by Vivekananda.<br />
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PART IV </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsAjcGDpxDbxVm46EbYV9M3xfkweD0sy_3ozQMbxQulQuFAk1D-jLcPvCshJUQqQ8grnDNp4Al-7i_Bl79hemEbVrRfXyIN7ixQ1WuyjUGnMBmUx6jbN5YXS2f9bTn17ZLXVaKR8vHpIG/s1600/IMG_20170818_125731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="1549" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsAjcGDpxDbxVm46EbYV9M3xfkweD0sy_3ozQMbxQulQuFAk1D-jLcPvCshJUQqQ8grnDNp4Al-7i_Bl79hemEbVrRfXyIN7ixQ1WuyjUGnMBmUx6jbN5YXS2f9bTn17ZLXVaKR8vHpIG/s320/IMG_20170818_125731.jpg" width="320" /></a>Coming back to the issue of 'After Partition' devastation and if religion or lack of it is the cause, let us hear
what Vivekananda said exactly fifty years before this partition (1897) in a lecture delivered at Triplicane Society, Madras which was titled, 'The Work before Us'. "You must
open your heart. Religion is not going to church, or putting marks on
the forehead, or dressing in a peculiar fashion; you may paint
yourselves in all the colours of the rainbow, but if the heart has not
been opened, if you have not realised God, it is all vain." (<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_3/Lectures_from_Colombo_to_Almora/The_Work_before_us" target="_blank">Link</a>) <br />
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In a letter written in 1895, Vivekananda says, "My
master (Shri Ramakrishna) used to say that these names, as Hindu, Christian, etc., stand
as great bars to all brotherly feelings between man and man. We must try
to break them down first. They have lost all their good powers and now
only stand as baneful influences under whose black magic even the best
of us behave like demons. ... Those that want to help mankind must take
their own pleasure and pain, name and fame, and all sorts of interests,
and make a bundle of them and throw them into the sea, and then come to
the Lord. This is what all the Masters said and did. (<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_6/Epistles_-_Second_Series/LXI_Mrs._Bull" target="_blank">Link</a>)"<br />
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In the lecture, 'The Methods and Purpose of Religion', Vivekananda says, "The persons appeal to our emotions; and the principles, to something
higher, to our calm judgement. Principles must conquer in the long run,
for that is the manhood of man. Emotions many times drag us down to the
level of animals. Emotions have more connection with the senses than
with the faculty of reason; and, therefore, when principles are entirely
lost sight of and emotions prevail, religions degenerate into
fanaticism and sectarianism." (<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_6/Lectures_and_Discourses/The_Methods_and_Purpose_of_Religion" target="_blank">Link</a>)<br />
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PART V</div>
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On 11th September, 1893 at the World Parliament of Religions, Chicago, Vivekananda uttered (<a href="http://belurmath.org/complete_works_of_swami_vivekananda/volume_1/vol_1_frame.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>),<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the
world both tolerance and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal
toleration, but we accept all religions as true. I am proud to belong to a
nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all
religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have
gathered in our bosom the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to
Southern India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy
temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the
religion which has sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand
Zoroastrian
nation. I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn
which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is every day
repeated by millions of human beings: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
เคฐเฅเคเฅเคจเคพเค เคตเฅเคเคฟเคคเฅเคฐเฅเคฏเคพเคฆเฅเคเฅเคเฅเคเคฟเคฒเคจเคพเคจเคพเคชเคฅเคเฅเคทเคพเคฎเฅค เคจเฅเคฃเคพเคฎเฅเคเฅ เคเคฎเฅเคฏเคธเฅเคคเฅเคตเคฎเคธเคฟ เคชเคฏเคธเคพเคฎเคฐเฅเคฃเคต เคเคตเฅคเฅค </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>As the different streams having their
sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the
different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though
they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee</i>. </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="MsoNormal">
The present convention, which is one of the most august
assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of
the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: โ<i>Whosoever comes to Me,
through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths
which in the end lead to me</i>.โ Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible
descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have
filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood,
destroyed civilisation and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for
these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.
But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this
morning in honour of this convention may be the death-knell of all fanaticism,
of all persecutions with the sword or with the pen, and of all uncharitable
feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.</div>
</blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></a>ENDNOTE </div>
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The far too many references of a 'Patriot-Prophet' in this post is because of the immense clarity ushered in by his speeches and writings, because his 39 years of life (1863 - 1902) stood for what he said, "My ideal indeed can be put into a few words and that is: to preach unto
mankind their divinity, and how to make it manifest in every movement
of life."(<a href="http://www.ramakrishnavivekananda.info/vivekananda/volume_7/epistles_third_series/36_miss_noble.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>) Or, it could be something more subtle, the sub-conscious playing out from my soccer-playing days, "Be strong, my young friends; that is my advice to you. You will be nearer to Heaven through football than through the study of the Gita. These are bold words; but I have to say them, for I love you. I know where the shoe pinches. I have gained a little experience. You will understand the Gita better with your biceps, your muscles, a little stronger. You will understand the mighty genius and the mighty strength of Krishna better with a little of strong blood in you. You will understand the Upanishads better and the glory of the Atman when your body stands firm upon your feet, and you feel yourselves as men."(<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_3/Lectures_from_Colombo_to_Almora/Vedanta_in_its_Application_to_Indian_Life" target="_blank">Link</a>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8FISljz8CHAtpnYoErV5EzpLJ1ZTt3qLIaZimDH1J9eQneS9HVOdH6Plvh2TaSTdWD2MtLO4NHekVRDRUuU8ZDrpGBbi9jk3BKRMV35fEeiPznt3ceOZ7enhdVLFwa8w-eIooHCddb6C/s1600/viv3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1435" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM8FISljz8CHAtpnYoErV5EzpLJ1ZTt3qLIaZimDH1J9eQneS9HVOdH6Plvh2TaSTdWD2MtLO4NHekVRDRUuU8ZDrpGBbi9jk3BKRMV35fEeiPznt3ceOZ7enhdVLFwa8w-eIooHCddb6C/s400/viv3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
I read little outside Vivekananda literature. But, I read the following. While equating religion with opium, Marx uttered in the same breath,
"Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a
heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of
the people." (<a href="https://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1843/critique-hpr/intro.htm" target="_blank">Link</a>)<br />
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It is our inner cry. We better listen to it and give it the right direction.</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-27485541017849008712017-08-17T11:09:00.001-07:002017-08-25T22:45:46.255-07:00Leadership<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfgYS_qlmG63YWqADcFOSBgjJhohI3c186lHf_DBTdPi7K_p4aNEetfRmSEDfvhyVYMyYvxAqhdGkKDSbGlp0HJzZE4id00Q_3ZJBvARoJfnpJwb69TxlacL4x1BdtFsNVbHl5vQeaJpj/s1600/LS1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="698" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfgYS_qlmG63YWqADcFOSBgjJhohI3c186lHf_DBTdPi7K_p4aNEetfRmSEDfvhyVYMyYvxAqhdGkKDSbGlp0HJzZE4id00Q_3ZJBvARoJfnpJwb69TxlacL4x1BdtFsNVbHl5vQeaJpj/s400/LS1.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
From December-end# ABVYM Annual Camp (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuSSpX5Ff38&index=5&list=PLAs5MPPBV-gGoRE5vwjyweBpkno3JvMvu" target="_blank">playlist</a>, hosted at Vidyamandir, Belur Math), procured few copies of the booklet titled, "Leadership: Its Concepts and Qualities" from the camp book stall. This booklet was part of our recommended reading in our younger days of KVYM. Sri Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyaya writes there,</div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">We find and have to admit that there are some differences in creation, in society, in human beings in respect of understanding, qualities, capabilities etc. We can always make use of such special capacity in some for the benefit of those who are on a little lower level, to bring them up, to push them up, to elevate them to help them to make for progress. <b>That is the fundamental idea of leadership</b>.</span></i></blockquote>
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Sundar Pichai came to IIT Kharagpur campus in January beginning. There was a long interactive session (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN3RicrqI10&t=1154s" target="_blank">full video</a>) at packed Tagore Open Air Theater. On being asked about his secret of leadership, Sundar told the following,</div>
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<i><span style="color: purple;">Itโs learning to let go and really empowering people at all levels of the organisation, and trusting them to do the right thing. As a leader, a lot of your job is to make those people successful. Itโs less about trying to be successful (yourself), and <b>more about making sure you have good people and your work is to remove that barrier, remove roadblocks for them</b> so that they can be successful in what they do. So thatโs how Iโve always thought about it. I also value teamwork quite a bit and I think itโs really important to build organisations where people really want to work together. Everything comes out of that. So, setting up collaborative cultures is another big thing Iโve been trying to focus on.</span></i></blockquote>
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Most of the reporting on this section of his speech though missed the pre-requisite part '<b>making sure you have good people.</b>' There was an apparently innocuous question to follow but answer to that also showed where not to make an error in judgement, keeping the personal an professional space separate. A young student asked if as the CEO of Google, can he change the Google doodle to the IITKGP building for a day. Sundar replies this way. </div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><i>I am going to send a message to the team. (takes his phone out of the pocket and pretends to text a message, applause from audience) Before you get too excited, I mean, the good news is Google is set up in a way so that even if I send that email, they would not do it. Here's the reason why: <b>we have built an organization with strong ideals and values</b> on when we show doodles, for what occasions. And it's less about what I want to happen.</i></span></blockquote>
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It is not easy to bring this sense of trusteeship. One monk of Ramakrishna order was telling that one needs to acquire the spirit of Sanyasins to deliver one's best in this Samsara.<br />
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#The draft of this post was prepared in January beginning. Today evening, four senior students came to discuss their social work related initiative. While referring to some earlier posts of this blog during the conversation, realized that the draft needs to be pushed to publication stage!!<br />
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-34213064359632915002017-01-03T10:27:00.000-08:002017-08-25T22:50:53.930-07:002017 begins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7695CGGsvsIGvfZ_TQbskK4PbPe0F4duHDezoAXmvKvmUYBXgM6NEJJ24aclBhfmNHpW8cpm6xHY5sZPk7a4MoWqAFSI1FKGZRhx-0MES8C-n0kPfi0mr6aei9zCUj4C9KhJO-VZRAAZ/s1600/IMG_20170102_081340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7695CGGsvsIGvfZ_TQbskK4PbPe0F4duHDezoAXmvKvmUYBXgM6NEJJ24aclBhfmNHpW8cpm6xHY5sZPk7a4MoWqAFSI1FKGZRhx-0MES8C-n0kPfi0mr6aei9zCUj4C9KhJO-VZRAAZ/s200/IMG_20170102_081340.jpg" width="200" /></a>2017 begins! It had to. Because 2016 left. And, we need a time axis to build our towers! The first working day of 2017 was yesterday, a Monday, the 2nd of January. Job card was there at hand. The car needed a wash before daughter gets dropped at school. No excuse is allowed in the beginning of the year. In that case, the wise says that the whole year will ask for excuses.<br />
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Next comes the much celebrated morning walk. Tried chasing a loud speaker sound for sometime to identify the source. It is that season of the year when Usha-Kirtans render the air. Found that it was actually an echo and the source lies very far. Got back to the usual track. On the way found that 'Senior Class Gift 2015' is inscribed in newly constructed roadside benches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM7HAq4ujM9Bx6K6UhfKYjziM4fQLieMof7Lfkhh1SMPeRxRTBXNUuhQOfL3eHsnZ4H23p3MRtv7tft3oXH33kAV1tY1EE24kyz6hcKr66xAe_qe0rjn__OrV9i51E7PawbjwlO7CCcFI/s1600/IMG_20170102_083611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlM7HAq4ujM9Bx6K6UhfKYjziM4fQLieMof7Lfkhh1SMPeRxRTBXNUuhQOfL3eHsnZ4H23p3MRtv7tft3oXH33kAV1tY1EE24kyz6hcKr66xAe_qe0rjn__OrV9i51E7PawbjwlO7CCcFI/s200/IMG_20170102_083611.jpg" width="200" /></a>Reached the favourite part of the track. This under-repaired part requires little balancing act to walk on. The challenge can be avoided by taking the good road next to it. But that little stretch gives useful feedback. The lack of balance, if any, is indicator of something!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIl_6n8Y5YoMHxwIiz3wznKN00asIalrqaHWd36gkYcJaKrTA46SqiKlt_FPcCtMMfm88PrcxqJyVZZuwDvdTmsCJqUu9nMWgtDIallLM-IKbHrZDkWaH4g6VYqHGgK41CKx65e5ecz33/s1600/IMG_20170102_091357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIl_6n8Y5YoMHxwIiz3wznKN00asIalrqaHWd36gkYcJaKrTA46SqiKlt_FPcCtMMfm88PrcxqJyVZZuwDvdTmsCJqUu9nMWgtDIallLM-IKbHrZDkWaH4g6VYqHGgK41CKx65e5ecz33/s200/IMG_20170102_091357.jpg" width="200" /></a>Little bit of free hand exercise and Suryanamaskar. The sun is brighter now. Ready, steady and on my mark for next task in the morning. Visit to market to refill the vegetable basket and checking out the fish market. A quick chat with a colleague. Topic: External discipline promotes internal discipline. Wondered if there can be a group exercise in a big playground together.<br />
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Bath is followed by breakfast. Time to rush to office. A fun get-together was there to welcome the new year. Exchange of greetings and calorie gain. Now, ready for serious intellectual exercise. Discussion with two senior most research students. For the first, review report for a IEEE Trans. paper has come. Revision needs to be completed within six weeks. Later, a telecon on getting fund available for two project students for some more time. Also, exchange of messages with another funding agency as coordinator of some activities. <br />
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In the lunch break, visited a colleague's quarter. The family asked for suggestion on two different lines of treatment. Back to office and start of editing work of a manuscript to be sent to a journal. A short visit to office tea shop. A discussion on admin. matter. And, editing work continues. Wanted to finish it before going home. The clock strikes 9 PM. It was becoming riskier to take things that much granted. Twenty percent of editing work was left for next day. I was correct. Needed sometime to give to daughter on her study. It was 11 PM. My current bedtime favourite is:<br />
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Endnote: Exchange of New Year greetings in different forum continued throughout the day. There are students (recent pass out) with such <i>samskars</i> even now to write 'Charan Sparsh' (Touching your feet) in their new year message. Among others there was one who works in IT sector, few years junior to me. He published his first literary work recently which is liked by many. After 'Pranam' part, he wanted to know if I would be free on 7th Jan. Saturday, the day Kharagpur Book Fair starts. He and other authors would be coming down to Kharagpur for a seminar / panel discussion. I said, 'Yes' thinking that I would be listening to experts among whom there would be one who I know for long!!!<br />
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Classroom teaching begins on 05-01-2017.</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-50993832382905389242016-12-31T10:28:00.000-08:002016-12-31T17:55:12.159-08:00Ropewalk <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When one popular online social platform was flooding timelines with year end review in the beginning of this month, someone made a prophetic observation that it was too early! May be the deep or not-so-deep learning there was not given an opportunity to get trained on Sharukh dialogue of Om Shanti Om, "picture abhi baki hai mere dost." May be it was part of its training set but something considered smarter there directed it towards a different pool by spotting certain keyword! Therefore, a picture which is a contender for the 'picture of the year', not for its look but for its significance, gets a miss in that platform.<br />
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The picture was with one of my illustrious colleague in an unusual place and in an unusual hour, from our uncanny ability not to miss the fun side even in a trying condition.<br />
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<b>Shreya and Preya</b><br />
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Though real life drama can surprise reel life counterpart at times, one needs to watch the end scenes of Kahani 2 to make the meaning of the dialogue, "teri promotion ki ***" in the context it is uttered or that of "umeed mei to jivan hai." From today's show to last week's! That too was a Part 2 sequel. The dialogue was something like this, "hum jo karna pasand karte hain aur jo karte hain, usi ki beech mein hamara kamjori, nehi to hamara shakti chhupa raheti hain."<br />
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It is worth taking note of verse 1.2.2 of Kathopnishad in this context.<br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">เคถเฅเคฐเฅเคฏเคถเฅเค เคชเฅเคฐเฅเคฏเคถเฅเค เคฎเคจเฅเคทเฅเคฏเคฎเฅเคคเคธเฅเคคเฅ เคธเคเคชเคฐเฅเคคเฅเคฏ เคตเคฟเคตเคฟเคจเคเฅเคคเคฟ เคงเฅเคฐเค เฅค </span><br />
<span style="color: #323232; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">เคถเฅเคฐเฅเคฏเฅ เคนเคฟ เคงเฅเคฐเฅเคฝเคญเคฟเคชเฅเคฐเฅเคฏเคธเฅ เคตเฅเคฃเฅเคคเฅ เคชเฅเคฐเฅเคฏเฅ เคฎเคจเฅเคฆเฅ เคฏเฅเคเคเฅเคถเฅเคฎเคพเคฆเฅเคตเฅเคฃเฅเคคเฅ เฅฅ</span><br />
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<span style="color: #323232; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; letter-spacing: 0.32px;">Both the good and the pleasant approach the mortal; the intelligent man examines and distinguishes them; for, the intelligent man prefers the good to the pleasant; the ignorant man chooses the pleasant for the sake of his body. Shankar's commentary on this can be found <a href="http://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/katha-upanishad-shankara-bhashya/d/doc145179.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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And we were taught, he is the intelligent who can make what is good, likable.<br />
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<b>Balancing Equity and Excellence </b><br />
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But there are other kind of dilemma than <i>shreya</i> and <i>preya</i>. Listened to an interesting speech yesterday. For an administrator, balancing equity and excellence is not easy. While equity asks for equal distribution of resources, excellence requires allocation of more resource for the one who deserves more. In this, equity comes in the form of equal opportunity given to all to reach that deserving spot and those who do reach, get a spring board. But there is a catch here. Equity remains the overarching principle. Investment in excellence does not contradict that principle if the output of the excellence is ploughed back to promote better level of equity and, is not considered a mere entitlement. Thus, who gets the spring board, carry with them a responsibility.<br />
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This is more like a village farmer who does not have means to give good education to all four kids puts more effort on the most intelligent one, sends him to a city for higher education that follows a good career. The aim for him is to see that son raising the condition of the other three brothers in the village when established. If the city boy disconnects his cord or shrugs off his responsibility then the farmer should have considered equal spend on education for all four kids, by which other three could have lived incrementally better life. This could have put a high cost to the first one but one might not find that to be unjustified. Because he is not ready do his bit to improve condition of the other three, at least to a level higher than what that incremental better life for equal spend on four would have provided. This quantification can decide the dividend percentage for that equity.<br />
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<b>Strength of Character</b><br />
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Coming back to Tum Bin 2 dialogue on the gap between what we think and and what we do, where lies our character strength or weakness, heard something interesting on this count too. What we are or what we are not, is known when a gun is put on our head or when a gun is given in our hand; that Abraham Lincoln said if you want to know a person's character, give him power.<br />
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Education plays an important role in the building up of character. Educators and the ambiance created by academic administrators are key to make the process work. Career and character - one prepares the taught to face the external and the other to face the internal upheavals. In Vivekananda's words, "We want that education by which character is built, intellect is developed, strength of mind is increased and one can stand on one's own feet." We are always better off if we do not cease to learn and have the courage to face what comes as an obstacle (both internal and obstacle) to become a better human being.<br />
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<b>ABVYM Annual Camp</b><br />
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Attended Annual Camp of Akhil Bharat Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal earlier this week for few hours. This 50th edition was held in B. Ed training college and Vidyamandir, adjacent to Belur Mutt. There were 2346 campers attending it from all over the country, mostly from different centres of Mahamndal. The 5 and 1/2 day long camp is to inculcate man making and character building idea among youth.<br />
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<b>Being Patriot</b><br />
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In the camp, listened to one hour lecture of Swami Nikhilatmanadaji of Beneras Ramakrishna Mission on 'Message of Swami Vivekananda.' Quoting Vivekananda he said, "Feel, therefore, my would-be reformers, my would-be patriots! Do you feel? Do you feel that millions and millions of the descendants of gods and of sages have become next-door neighbours to brutes? Do you feel that millions are starving today, and millions have been starving for ages? Do you feel that ignorance has come over the land as a dark cloud? Does it make you restless? Does it make you sleepless? Has it gone into your blood, coursing through your veins, becoming consonant with your heartbeats? Has it made you almost mad? Are you seized with that one idea of the misery of ruin, and have you forgotten all about your name, your fame, your wives, your children, your property, even your own bodies? Have you done that? That is the first step to become a patriot, the very first step."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUm2zAo72ZPQdHPMsxP_OCWKme_y0WIBeJNaW1cgKbxc4TVMpsEl-mxQTv5vn0SGVXZnKn9RJlyCIhqB-rKwimjvxRXNeMD5sIqt85NECzAzLscLiF9y3jfRlf1r8wnIgyMe7PmAnLoFFI/s1600/DSC03560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUm2zAo72ZPQdHPMsxP_OCWKme_y0WIBeJNaW1cgKbxc4TVMpsEl-mxQTv5vn0SGVXZnKn9RJlyCIhqB-rKwimjvxRXNeMD5sIqt85NECzAzLscLiF9y3jfRlf1r8wnIgyMe7PmAnLoFFI/s400/DSC03560.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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This quote was from Vivekanda's lecture, 'My Plan of Campaign", delivered at Madras (<a href="https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Complete_Works_of_Swami_Vivekananda/Volume_3/Lectures_from_Colombo_to_Almora/My_Plan_of_Campaign" target="_blank">full lecture</a>). Maharaj asked all to go ough this and other lectures under the series "Lectures from Colombo to Almora." It was a great experience to be in that camp. (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuSSpX5Ff38&list=PLAs5MPPBV-gGoRE5vwjyweBpkno3JvMvu&index=5" target="_blank">Video playlist</a>)<br />
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<b>Endnote</b><br />
<br />
Taking correct decision, timing it right, following the process - all seem to be a kind of burden if seen in isolation. It may appear a tight rope walk to balance competing interests. Strength of character, working in a team who too believe in <i>shreya</i> over <i>preya, </i>adherence to fundamental principles of life and a sense of trusteeship hold key.<br />
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<span style="text-align: left;">Tall trees giving shades, bringing rain and blossoming flowers: Making of an academic campus!</span></div>
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-747015546828360242016-07-09T23:00:00.000-07:002016-07-10T07:00:22.635-07:00Full Circle<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Heard of it on two consecutive Saturdays. The first was a short get-together of old pals last Saturday in Kolkata. I was told that some of my facebook posts are beyond comprehension, go above the head! Move to this Saturday. It is more aptly put for the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209754253956124" target="_blank">latest post</a> there, ".. <i>sometimes your thought becomes a bit abstract for mere mortals like us.... but what is a thought from a professor without a bit of abstractness may I say s</i>o..."<br />
<br />
<b>Highest truths are always simple</b><br />
<br />
That actually is the case. Today morning in the market met a High School friend with whom connection was lost for long. Among other things, he talked about this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/gsaha.iitkgp/posts/10208409619021091" target="_blank">six month old post</a> which was special for him. May be the 'abstractness', the lack of clarity leave room for many different interpretations. How one interprets or the perspective, becomes more important (centre of focus) than what is interpreted. That might have its own value.<br />
<br />
<b>I ___ , therefore I am</b><br />
<br />
What is the right word to complete the above sentence? Met another High School friend today morning while in market. He is now a lead member of the executive committee of Kharagpur Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal. Assured him of attending tomorrow's Karmi Sammelan if it doesn't rain. The venue is a place 5 KM away where only 2 wheelers can go. The other two short meetings in the market were with two colleagues. In one, apprised a junior colleague of a possible path he can take. In the other, a very senior faculty remembered those days when I worked in his team in my first extra-academic assignment.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>More than a meeting place</b><br />
<br />
There were not much scope to converse with shopkeepers on a busy weekend like this. The grocery shop person made aware that a PET jar is given for free if I take 2 liters of mustard oil instead of my usual purchase of 1 liter. The fish-seller told that she was selling fish to me at cost price for being MFC (Most Favoured Customer). The vegetable-seller didn't mind giving change of a Rs. 1000 currency note as SBI ATM didn't leave other option. Only the flower-seller was little complaining that I was not being regular. Was little worried to reach home late from market but luck was in favour.<br />
<br />
<b>Shortest route</b><br />
<br />
Took bath quickly. It was 'Bipad-tarini' (one who rescues from trouble, a form of goddess Kali or Chandi) Puja day. Only after Puja there will be the license to eat. Rushed to Shiva-Kali temple at the outskirt of IIT Kharagpur campus. Puja was done nicely. Additionally, tried a new route which appeared to me as a sort of discovery. This appears to be the shortest route from our quarter to Shiva-Kali Mandir, a distance of 1.4 KM. The path found was not to be the widest one and thus, less drive-friendly. And, it remained unexplored till date. Heard the other day that novelty, innovation lie in doing things that are counter-intuitive.<br />
<br />
<b>Intuition</b><br />
<br />
By definition, it is the ability to understand something instinctively, without the need for conscious reasoning. It is not as random as it sounds. There is a method in everything. There is a process of naturalization by which certain things get assimilated within us. It has more to do with the exposures we do get and what we do with that.<br />
<br />
<b>Human excellence</b><br />
<br />
In his lecture on "Swami Vivekananda and Human Excellence" at Harvard University, Swami Ranganathananda presented an interesting observation. Post World War II a UNESCO appointed commission, presided over by then French Education Minister who later became Prime Minister, started investigating the nature of education humanity needs. The commission submitted a report after analyzing the current systems of education and demands of the new human situation in post-war period.<br />
<br />
<b>'Learning to be'</b><br />
<br />
Yes, that was the title of the report submitted by the UNESCO appointed commission. Till now education has been essentially <i>learning to do</i>. The commission said that while retaining <i>learning to do</i>, the post war education must add also <i>learning to be</i>. "What are you? is equally, if not more, important than what you do."<br />
<br />
<b>Work efficiency</b><br />
<br />
Quoting Chandogya Upanishad (<i>yadeva vidyayฤ karoti, ลraddhaya, upanisadฤ, tadeva vฤซryavattaraแน bhavatฤซti</i>), it was told that <i>vidya</i> i.e. science or knowledge of doing things, <i>sraddha</i> i.e. faith in oneself or <i>astikyabuddhi</i> - a totality of positive attitude and <i>upanishad</i> i.e. deep / meditative thinking on the subject, bring out <i>vฤซryavattaraแน</i> i.e. superior energy. Put together, whatever is done with <i>vidya</i>, <i>sraddha</i> and <i>upanishad</i>, that alone becomes supremely efficient.<br />
<br />
<b>Dimension of Education</b><br />
<br />
Swami Ranganathanada continues. The educated citizen is the source from which modern democratic society receives nourishment. That education must include not only intellectual knowledge but also these other two values as well (<i>sraddha</i> and <i>upanishad</i>). The more we neglect the <i>to be</i> aspect of education, the more vulnerable this civilization becomes. And our intuition or the lack of it, would help or fail us.<br />
<br />
<b>A conversation</b><br />
<br />
-"<i>Sir, you would be surprised.. I got a paper published from my MTech Project.</i>"<br />
--"Excellent. PlosOne is a very good journal. Why in Bank then?"<br />
- "<i>I am into healthcare so I get to use my technical knowledge to understand companies and develop business acumen too.</i>"<br />
- "<i>We have some fund and I was wondering if we can help any village around KGP. Please adv</i>ise."<br />
- "<i>Hello Sir, any thought</i>s?"<br />
--"NSS works in 18 villages. It can conduct a survey in <i>x</i> no. of villages depending on quantum of fund. Possibly one village would be good to start with. The survey will identify no. of household without toilet."<br />
And the money was transferred recently. More is assured when the sum given is utilized. NSS students of current batch are to work on it in the coming session. To bring a full circle to this, I may say that the conversation was with an alumnus who is one of the name and face of this four year old <a href="http://nssiitkgp.blogspot.in/2012/04/blood-donation-day.html" target="_blank">NSS IIT Kharagpur post</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>The story continues</b><br />
<br />
There was a mail few months back in my inbox from an ex-student with whom interaction was for only 2 months in Summer Quarter way back in 2008. The mail with the subject line "<i>I am 'Mon' from your blog</i>" goes like this.<br />
<br />
<i style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">I still remember very clearly my days of summer quarter in KGP when you used to teach us Basic Electronics course in which I had miserable flunked. I believe that SQ was the best thing happened to my academic career in Kgp. Not just Electronics I was able to learn the best lessons of life during this time. </i><br />
<div style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<i style="font-size: 13.3333px;">The blog I am referring is: <span class="Object" id="OBJ_PREFIX_DWT228_com_zimbra_url" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer;"><a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2008/06/summer-quarter-experience.html" style="color: #336699; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2008/06/summer-quarter-experience.html</a></span></i></div>
<div style="background-color: #fdfdfd; font-size: 13.3333px;">
<i style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 13.3333px;">I am visiting Kgp this Holi, would love to see you in the campus.</i></div>
<br />
And we had a long chat when he visited campus. Now working in a responsible position in an MNC, he maintains his connection with <a href="http://www.cry.org/volunteer/cities/iitkharagpur.html" target="_blank">CRY IIT Kharagpur</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>New Session</b><br />
<br />
This is that time of the season when we get phone calls seeking various supports as new batch of students enter the campus. They come from various background. Majority perhaps were too busy with academics and had to work extra hard to get into such a coveted institution. They make take it as a prize of their and their parents' effort. And it may not be out of place to think that they have every right to enjoy the fruit of their labour and explore how the IIT degree can work to their advantage.<br />
<br />
<b>Responsibility</b><br />
<br />
While one cannot take the credit away from the incumbent and their family, there is something more that assume significance. I recall what I told the son of my IITKGP UG day's batch-mate few years back when he joined here as a fresher. Our country is not rich enough to give IIT like infrastructure / facility to every youth. A student here has an implicit responsibility to put to its best use what is offered to him and, work towards elevating others who do not get the same opportunity, are deprived of in some way or the other. The standard advice on how to do well here can be found in earlier posts like <a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2012/07/fresh-blood.html" target="_blank">this</a> and <a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2014/06/iit-counselling.html" target="_blank">this</a>.<br />
<br />
<b>Endnote</b><br />
<br />
"Knock! Knock!" And a gentle push opened the door slowly.<br />
"Sorry, Sir! You are there!" The students were fumbling. "We thought that you had gone home but forgot to switch-off the lights and lock the door! We were worried."<br />
It was a 10:30 PM some weeks back. The research students were taking break from their lab. work as per their regular schedule. And they had seen that maximum hour for me to stay in office was 10:00 PM, till that time.<br />
<br />
P.S.: While mind makes its own adjustment with the arrow of time, the body goes through an annual check every summer. This year's check shows that of the two parameters in yellow zone (rest in green) one is making a move towards green zone. The step count app of the mobile phone is not that inaccurate. It clocked 7000+ steps today!</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-62933051649893178932016-01-03T10:56:00.001-08:002016-01-03T17:45:58.950-08:00New Year 2016<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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/* Two consecutive posts in this blog. I must <strike>not</strike> be holidaying :-) */<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgYTJ5iwvYzHKRW7CGwsj7yQ1tsok9IHQsBFmi_syMBU-CYmrO0EpTE6SiwUs-zse1z8Cqnq2LDKeSdIq2_Kk-uBNL_L-OCPiB9VlW-2fiAEWTgl4rxFVPhrLOTx_W2o9qHz-F4BHF69I/s1600/Photo+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibgYTJ5iwvYzHKRW7CGwsj7yQ1tsok9IHQsBFmi_syMBU-CYmrO0EpTE6SiwUs-zse1z8Cqnq2LDKeSdIq2_Kk-uBNL_L-OCPiB9VlW-2fiAEWTgl4rxFVPhrLOTx_W2o9qHz-F4BHF69I/s320/Photo+11.jpg" width="320" /></a><b>New Member</b><br />
<br />
It was July, 1990. Done with graduation from here, joined my first job at Tata Steel, Jamshedpur. Accommodation was at GT Hostel, Kadma. Nice atmosphere. Soccer at floodlight in the adjacent Tata Football Academy ground. Occasional fight with them over territorial rights. The steel plant was few KM away. Just reached 22 years. It was time to look for options beyond cycling.<br />
<br />
The Rajdoot RD 175 bike was part of me for 16 long years and was parted with when repairing became difficult. Had many, many memories of it, with it - in those momentous years of life. At Jamshedpur, Kharagpur, Bandel and then back again at Kharagpur. Last days of father, PhD days, Marriage, taking daughter to nursery school (attached is a March, 2006 picture when the school was over, our current quarter fencing can be seen in the background, same road; at that time we were staying in a quarter near PAN loop).<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmi2ypulNDuChGh02C3OjJJ3Lsrkj9fIk5VDGUTRNf07GXm2cjBrUEQ65gIHVULQHmd7SdHEZQACsaRZlwKva7h9FDja9nD9iahk2Do5rmDRvUsANb1Jql4HgjhQDO2U2hOSqUC2P2GWQ/s1600/20151231_153240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLmi2ypulNDuChGh02C3OjJJ3Lsrkj9fIk5VDGUTRNf07GXm2cjBrUEQ65gIHVULQHmd7SdHEZQACsaRZlwKva7h9FDja9nD9iahk2Do5rmDRvUsANb1Jql4HgjhQDO2U2hOSqUC2P2GWQ/s320/20151231_153240.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was difficult to say bye to that Rajdoot bike. But had to. Came Honda Shine 125. But the feeling of a 38 year old is quite different from that of a 22 years. It was more of a utility vehicle. It served its purpose and absence of self-start, requirement to buy Pep+ for HH and arrival of Maruti 800, made one ask its utility. The Pep+ was to be used so that the battery remains charged and HH can use self-start whenever she decided to venture out, may be twice or thrice a week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMAf0Lvnba1QN-itK8HXSr58qxsLW2bU1Mp8cxXOdWt4V7e6LedrGyLrRHLgvvDFjgWk6sJL8SOpvSco5HusfEwe9RZLBkMsrnfSdlechwDW6O8ZEeEVreF2x5VSHmg5p-wYzZcaw344Z/s1600/20151231_091554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMAf0Lvnba1QN-itK8HXSr58qxsLW2bU1Mp8cxXOdWt4V7e6LedrGyLrRHLgvvDFjgWk6sJL8SOpvSco5HusfEwe9RZLBkMsrnfSdlechwDW6O8ZEeEVreF2x5VSHmg5p-wYzZcaw344Z/s320/20151231_091554.jpg" width="320" /></a>Thus, Honda bike was parted with after seven years and for last 2 years, I was bike-less! Maruti 800, Pep+ and walk were the modes. But off late, started facing some issues. The major one is due to HH becoming more proficient in riding 2-wheeler, wanted it at her disposal for anytime visit to market, friends' places. And, 4-wheeler is not convenient to visit villages / slums. The biggest trouble used to be rushing back home from such a visit at the requirement of HH. Thus, decided to gift myself a new bike in the new year. Also thought, if the first and middle phase of life had one each, why not the last phase too! Thus, a new member joined the family - Hero Achiever 150. The registration no. is yet to be obtained.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Priority</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0izbYpLSI3OMkS2HqjXBLOjXyS0V8caDIyINjAUKFCmQKk3J3mKhnGR_U1991T4khjNJ5Ca89o2c5BcUjKw1Y8AL_Ir_eK3CQnwWMbpqKM3IWcp5rIv-FfhaacT8tA-I-JotapACOVEWG/s1600/20160103_102534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0izbYpLSI3OMkS2HqjXBLOjXyS0V8caDIyINjAUKFCmQKk3J3mKhnGR_U1991T4khjNJ5Ca89o2c5BcUjKw1Y8AL_Ir_eK3CQnwWMbpqKM3IWcp5rIv-FfhaacT8tA-I-JotapACOVEWG/s320/20160103_102534.jpg" width="320" /></a>HH and daughter arrived at quarter after 10 day long vacation trip. It was evening time. Daughter rushed to garage to see the new bike. HH got busy checking how the flower-plants were doing in her absence. She was full of joy to see a rose plant doing excellent this time which was not the case in earlier years. And petunias, dahlia, marigold, others clocking healthy growth. It took long 15 minutes to assess the various parts of the garden and then shifting priority to have a look at the new bike.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk24Urd5DkXAzznqbsF8gQ0D47gdTLyVAjsepaXvJ1lCr2IStDXUKo3cW1CV7OFRuwpQoqDkHwelpGIU7EWH_yorol60nzSXEYApVe88PrQaWhztulV88WyJldeV5tdijccThqUSix8qv/s1600/20160103_102645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKk24Urd5DkXAzznqbsF8gQ0D47gdTLyVAjsepaXvJ1lCr2IStDXUKo3cW1CV7OFRuwpQoqDkHwelpGIU7EWH_yorol60nzSXEYApVe88PrQaWhztulV88WyJldeV5tdijccThqUSix8qv/s320/20160103_102645.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Meanwhile, myself and daughter developed an excuse to take a small ride in the new bike to visit Tech. Market to buy some thing. It is another matter that the same thing was available in a local shop at walking distance. On return, in spite of all the warnings not to catch cold in a chilly winter evening, the daughter took her time to decorate the Christmas Tree in front of our quarter with bells, herself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zQVazo2TWUVVAGUXFWOjVi-tMCVz0AMME3kSyPjwuzPBwmDbrb6sVb8EgwaWijOt3q_P8PXhdVNzXhuWIgP_sFyixuuz5XvBJgmeVDellGHfYwmHZjl7OiEhHeybSSxnmIYFuHjQc1ZB/s1600/20160103_102706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7zQVazo2TWUVVAGUXFWOjVi-tMCVz0AMME3kSyPjwuzPBwmDbrb6sVb8EgwaWijOt3q_P8PXhdVNzXhuWIgP_sFyixuuz5XvBJgmeVDellGHfYwmHZjl7OiEhHeybSSxnmIYFuHjQc1ZB/s320/20160103_102706.jpg" width="320" /></a>Tomorrow is the first class of the new year, both for school and the institute. I was nearly done with preparation for the first class. One book was required to be brought from Dept. office almirah. And the daughter found that she needs new year cards to be bought to give to friends tomorrow in school. So, were at it again. Another ride from quarter to Tech. Market to Dept. and back.<br />
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<b>Inspiration</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURf1FJuqT8CfSbNoFBTm7ODN7tGi_TqZjUjP7K01isHePARHAEop0korslHnDL4xO96HdUH2Tcw8uE6qrJuIBi7WjwQt32S7GQKSKy4FlgHGTH8Nz4HpxzUm9xDQkPYM9DAHlLvGWHzPb/s1600/New+Year+Greetings+GS+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURf1FJuqT8CfSbNoFBTm7ODN7tGi_TqZjUjP7K01isHePARHAEop0korslHnDL4xO96HdUH2Tcw8uE6qrJuIBi7WjwQt32S7GQKSKy4FlgHGTH8Nz4HpxzUm9xDQkPYM9DAHlLvGWHzPb/s320/New+Year+Greetings+GS+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a>New year is associated with greetings card, calendar, diary, messages, emails, phone calls. Prepared an e-greeting card for wishing certain audience (<a href="http://imprint-healthcare.org/" target="_blank">Link</a>). It was not that the official greeting card of the institute wouldn't do, but the personal touch often carries the message better when we are working in a team. In the new year celebration of the lab., one recited a poem on calendar itself that was written by him. All shared how was 2015 and what they were looking forward to in 2016.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXWdSRj9MnlRPe8KFUk32DnPQud18AdUePO58wiXmSAvaxNVED6TXWVTTHfuM1RlBodUIkvXTrjCuKQyRu0kkPYYE2knzQBAptAWNsyLZuMHMK73QOH5C_fGr7HQ_AgTKBgFvMeeFqWXe/s1600/camp1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzXWdSRj9MnlRPe8KFUk32DnPQud18AdUePO58wiXmSAvaxNVED6TXWVTTHfuM1RlBodUIkvXTrjCuKQyRu0kkPYYE2knzQBAptAWNsyLZuMHMK73QOH5C_fGr7HQ_AgTKBgFvMeeFqWXe/s320/camp1.jpg" width="320" /></a>I drew their attention to being balanced in their approach towards what they think, act; and on importance of concentration - ability to focus and withdraw mind at one's own will. Thus goes the Vivekananda quote that I draw inspiration from, "<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana; font-size: 12.8px;">If I had to do my education over again, and had any voice in the matter, I would not study facts at all. I would develop the power of concentration and detachment, and then with a perfect instrument I could collect facts at will.</span>"<br />
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One young student came into facebook message box. "<span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #373e4d; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 13.9636px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Happy New year Sir! Hope you keep inspiring us for years to come!</span>" I would put it the other way. It is the students and people around who keep inspiring me with their good thoughts and good deeds. It is such a joy to to see people striving for a better world/ society through acts that do not allow selfish interests to get better of them. And we heard, "Unselfishness is God." Other way speaking - Show me an unselfish person, I shall show you God.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QzqfIbWMlK3p6gg6pDaJSCtj3A0ywLMq7sCpOeUBC4RFONOfDveDbh_gSCl-adLIk9KDZ3t51ffYjqiTpffivOON-yuIB3kAMfnsPg5DMRMdKC34bQivu6X7T6mZxaaqB8Xa5QD4ixur/s1600/20151229_210436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QzqfIbWMlK3p6gg6pDaJSCtj3A0ywLMq7sCpOeUBC4RFONOfDveDbh_gSCl-adLIk9KDZ3t51ffYjqiTpffivOON-yuIB3kAMfnsPg5DMRMdKC34bQivu6X7T6mZxaaqB8Xa5QD4ixur/s320/20151229_210436.jpg" width="320" /></a>The other thing that inspires me a lot is the courage, resolve shown to face the life's struggle. One student in the new year meet was in tears to narrate how was 2015. For last eight months she is away from her 1.5 year old daughter who stays with grand mother in ancestral place, 500 KM away. Because of her academic work, a full time PhD which she wants to finish in time, she tried keeping grand-mother here but it did not work. Now every month, for few days she visits daughter. And we remembered that facebook photo where a mother was carrying bricks in large numbers in a construction site with baby tied to her back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGfsCMpnlN7_qX1zja54Sa-R4nJJG8DUKNCVeX_FiAJ9_PaICC_JoEZCk7MNVlDfKsODREosfwuGGaxDh-pfPgqmxealJ1bdwoMBaY5J6-3w6Zf0OQe72DhyphenhyphenJR0_chyMMpaoiXMLX3gAO/s1600/20160104_000202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuGfsCMpnlN7_qX1zja54Sa-R4nJJG8DUKNCVeX_FiAJ9_PaICC_JoEZCk7MNVlDfKsODREosfwuGGaxDh-pfPgqmxealJ1bdwoMBaY5J6-3w6Zf0OQe72DhyphenhyphenJR0_chyMMpaoiXMLX3gAO/s320/20160104_000202.jpg" width="320" /></a>The first calendar of 2016 was gifted by office-bearers of Satya Sai Seva Trust who visited a week back. They conduct free disaster management training program besides many other service oriented activities (<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/109725421565898691658/NSSIITKharagpurDiasterManagementWorkshop#" target="_blank">some earlier picture link</a>). I get a Tata Steel diary from Bearings Division of Tata Steel when I visit their place in 3rd / 4th week of Jan. Every year, unfailingly they arrange a program on Vivekananda (<a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2014/02/executive-in-charge.html" target="_blank">one earlier link</a>). They rang and told that this year it would be on 23rd Jan. Few days back, one journalist of a lead English daily rang. His acquaintance who run an NGO, is coming up with a school and there is inauguration. The list continues. And I echo the message received from an unexpected quarter today, from faculty of a reputed non-IIT institute where this new year gave an opportunity to start an interaction, "<span style="background-color: #fdfcfa; color: #333333; font-family: monospace; font-size: 13.3333px;">May this new year bring peace, prosperity and happiness for all of us.</span>"<br />
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<b>Endnote:</b> I would like to leave it blank this time.</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-76170690743783031172015-12-31T06:50:00.000-08:002016-01-03T04:04:31.277-08:00ABVYM Annual Camp 2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ubRlEiEIAdqVVvQi4NwSAO5QRaTH_BUnokqnw8Hxt1xEz7MWK7p5FcB1lICS-Xlb5pIlSOw_hxww0QH3jViIsZoS9GGOc9wZ2SFlfLtWIFvp5LyKNkv_OauB98k4kVCXZ_scyU1IxytN/s1600/DSC02983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ubRlEiEIAdqVVvQi4NwSAO5QRaTH_BUnokqnw8Hxt1xEz7MWK7p5FcB1lICS-Xlb5pIlSOw_hxww0QH3jViIsZoS9GGOc9wZ2SFlfLtWIFvp5LyKNkv_OauB98k4kVCXZ_scyU1IxytN/s320/DSC02983.JPG" width="320" /></a>It was about 9 AM of last Sunday, one of those end-Dec. days when Her Highness visits ancestral place to take care of certain other things there. Checked with Ma, she was feeling much better that day (nothing serious, old age has its ups and downs). I made a quick estimate. Yes, I can finish shopping, cooking etc. and push-off for the 2:25 PM EMU local, for a seven-hour round trip to a place called Panskura. It would be 50 minutes train journey from Kharagpur station towards Howrah.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BXVrF3bEhHzXi2544sMyocxG5J0KkaOdGSv8dbUFI2FsCKqJE8Dpwm9mvhDUJy7tMm9rHGZWQk_e7cJJPrDZB0camt_hmp6mqm8bqGkM-UtDf3tJS3OvYGNU4HIIlWo2o_-Z-LugelPH/s1600/DSC02993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BXVrF3bEhHzXi2544sMyocxG5J0KkaOdGSv8dbUFI2FsCKqJE8Dpwm9mvhDUJy7tMm9rHGZWQk_e7cJJPrDZB0camt_hmp6mqm8bqGkM-UtDf3tJS3OvYGNU4HIIlWo2o_-Z-LugelPH/s320/DSC02993.JPG" width="320" /></a>Ma happily obliged. I was going to Panskura to attend the afternoon / evening session of 5-day long annual camp of Akhil Bharat Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal (ABVYM). The word 'Mahamandal' itself brings joy, a glow in our family for the contribution it had on us and in our neighbourhood. The other day HH came from local market, excited. Has any Mahamandal member of Kharagpur unit joined a book shop in the market? I answered in negative, at least I was not aware of. Came the reply - but the young boy, could be a college student, had the look, and the way he presented himself!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40HUa6w_gMcbEe0tUtY0Y9NwkOGvW_tLYpDLXH9i9dU57SnVYhEAWk1PUUVgPZ9Ps3eGncv2JimW5vbWaQhVdvt7E5U_fPiWlRgr7a5sy5KturUdog_Q1pE6PkWtV9V27oO5TyiJkykp-/s1600/camp2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg40HUa6w_gMcbEe0tUtY0Y9NwkOGvW_tLYpDLXH9i9dU57SnVYhEAWk1PUUVgPZ9Ps3eGncv2JimW5vbWaQhVdvt7E5U_fPiWlRgr7a5sy5KturUdog_Q1pE6PkWtV9V27oO5TyiJkykp-/s320/camp2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Went to market. Bumped on Anjan, another Mahamandal product, a self-made man who runs two schools and has tremendous entrepreneurial spirit. He visited camp on 25th Dec. and was to go again on 29th because it would have Swami Balabhadranadaji's lecture in the evening session. But, as soon as he heard that I would be going that day, he thought that there was nothing wrong with 27th either :-).<br />
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Shopping, cooking, lunch, medicine to Ma - all done and there was Anjan with his bike at our quarter at 1:30 PM. Together we boarded that 2:25 PM train. When we got down at Panskura station, we found Prabodh-da and another young companion of him, all going to camp. Prabodh-da too is from Kharagpur unit. His son and seven other from Kharagpur, are attending this camp for all five days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQeDFNR2wBbmy29YSn81h5NZLf9i1r2c45QCDwWCZVrrJyHMojXZmOwO5a6TkKhOIWTx9XbikbyaUGY78QXX_NhyNs6PsTx21po9Wh_ewucExMVaRcZvQCW9GjWj2PX0WvFXp0i8E5kGV/s1600/camp3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQeDFNR2wBbmy29YSn81h5NZLf9i1r2c45QCDwWCZVrrJyHMojXZmOwO5a6TkKhOIWTx9XbikbyaUGY78QXX_NhyNs6PsTx21po9Wh_ewucExMVaRcZvQCW9GjWj2PX0WvFXp0i8E5kGV/s320/camp3.jpg" width="320" /></a>Took vacation leave from office for visiting the camp again on 29th Dec. This time Sujoy, Kanchan, Anuj - a different set of Kharagpur unit oldies accompanied and also eight other young persons. While it was pre-planned that myself and Sujoy would go together, Anuj and Kanchan's decision to join was sudden. Anuj rang in the morning thanking me for my facebook post on 27th Dec. camp visit and when he heard that we would be going that day, he was in. For Kanchan, there was celebration of birth anniversary of their diksha-guru, Swami Swarupananda - Babamoni. He freed himself, had early prasad and joined the team. For youngsters in the team, a proposal was made previous evening and the number swelled to eight. Gifted these young companions a small book on "Leadership: Its Concept and Qualities" written by Sri Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyaya from the camp site book stall. Had an interaction with the author in the camp who has been the main driving force of ABVYM since its inception in 1967.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaauTp2jfUwhHXS-_WGcY3RsUzPBFlPvKVKGvNZrPrAAQkzsRBseEzDWbibP3l-T9iUnv218pJXoUafmY2U87XZmZX_4AXLWqxpNVZtb3zyOqJ9d6VdQ4zLidloR2CahskkH5Df8IrCHhe/s1600/DSC03002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaauTp2jfUwhHXS-_WGcY3RsUzPBFlPvKVKGvNZrPrAAQkzsRBseEzDWbibP3l-T9iUnv218pJXoUafmY2U87XZmZX_4AXLWqxpNVZtb3zyOqJ9d6VdQ4zLidloR2CahskkH5Df8IrCHhe/s320/DSC03002.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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At the end of the picture series below, there are videos that has two interesting lectures on "Vivekananda and Technical Education" by Swami Vedarupananda, Ramakrishna Mission Shilpamandir, Saradapith (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxtgZWtqUuQ" target="_blank">Link</a>) and "Vivekanada's Philosophy of Work" by Swami Balabhadrananda, Assistant Secretary, Belur Math (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY3mXfUPgRQ" target="_blank">Link</a>). In the first, among others, the theory of adoption of technological skill brings unemployment, is bunked. In the latter, it was explained how work efficiency improves without creating bondage / backlash through practice of non-attachment.<br />
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There are few other short duration videos that shows different aspects of this camp - the flag-down ceremony (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vImwdKlHSnU" target="_blank">1</a>), the physical skill demonstration by children's wing (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPvm2X26QNM" target="_blank">1</a>), prayer (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Zi29nBw6xw" target="_blank">1</a>), song (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZU_8Z4hskew" target="_blank">1</a>), Q and A session (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTgSv3dKK9k" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlVAe0805E4" target="_blank">2</a>), camp kitchen / dining, book stall (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wL7SA7OFoHc" target="_blank">1</a>,<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qo3H1j1w2As" target="_blank">2</a> ) and also typical camp announcements (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4idqULGApM" target="_blank">1</a>).<br />
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<b><u>Camp Pictures:</u></b><br />
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<b><u>Camp Videos:</u></b><br />
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<br />
An audio of evening lecture in Day 2 of camp on "Vivekananda and World Peace" in Bengali by Sri Birendra Kumar Chakraborty, Secretary, ABVYM: <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-rmNZ51K6HESFVacFR4MnViM00/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Link</a><br />
<br />
<b>Endnote</b>: There was email, phone call, SMS. A discussion was to take place on certain official activity where a faculty from another IIT was to come here. It happened yesterday evening. While we could wrap up the official matters in 15 minutes, the next 30 minutes went in sharing ideas and experiences on certain common interests. The young faculty and his wife work for rescued children through an NGO, teach yoga in juvenile home etc. They have a team of 10 members in that campus and every weekend, 5-6 members of that team engage some of their time for the social cause in rotation. He showed me some of the photographs of the children he worked with. I showed him some of the activities being carried out here and also nararted experience of this ABVYM Annual Camp and NSS, IIT Kharagpur Annual Camp.<br />
<br />
And, I had to email the young faculty twice at his request. The first time, I mailed him the <a href="http://imprint-healthcare.org/" target="_blank">weblink</a> of that official activity. The second mail had link of this blog. I had the opportunity of reporting NSS, IIT Kharagpur 7-day long Annual Camp experiences in <a href="http://nssiitkgp.blogspot.in/" target="_blank">NSS, IIT Kharagpur blog</a> (8 posts from Nov. 28 to Dec. 05, 2015). While I could attend ABVYM Annual Camp on 2 days, I visited NSS, IIT Kharagpur camp everyday except for one day as I had to be in the national launch of IMPRINT-India by Hon. President in presence of Hon. Prime Minister at Rashtrapati Bhavan. </div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-54073801574915418552015-09-15T11:28:00.000-07:002015-09-15T11:57:52.218-07:00Live for Thee<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IN">Prologue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">There was sufficient condition, perhaps not
the necessary condition. It is not that
I was not writing in between. But in a different space, and in a different
capacity. May be postponing this โchronicle of lifeโ for a post-retirement
autobiography! Is that a good idea? <a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2010/09/remembering.html" target="_blank">Grand-father, Father</a>, Me. Statistically
speaking, I should have more than 10 years of me left for others to bear with! Enough for Jio, Ji bhar ke!
Reminds me of a Chunky Pande dialogue in an Akshaykumar starrer, โI am jo-kingโ. Also, there is the '<a href="http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/home-they-brought-her-warrior-dead-2/" target="_blank">live for the</a>e' that gives purpose to a life when comes the question - Why? What for? Does it worth?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">Yesterday afternoon. A discussion with theme
coordinator in a national roadmap building exercise. Healthcare should not position itself only as
Sickcare. Caring health when we are healthy, adopting healthy life style, will reduce disease burden of the country. Well, could that be the necessary condition to deserve such an opening sentence? Doesnโt seem so. A routine activity can do anything but
trigger.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IN">When
alone<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">Cut to a different scene. About 9 PM of
yesterday evening. It was a Monday evening. Midsem. Exam. Started. Still in
office. As usual. Had to complete and mail slides for an important video
conference, scheduled today. Comes a phone. A UG student is on the other side. Sir, I got admitted in hospital this morning
with high fever. Appeared in todayโs exam. from
hospital. Now, I am feeling somewhat better. My next exam is day after tomorrow. Alone in
student cabin wanted to talk to somebody. My friends must be preparing now for
their exam., do not want to disturb them. Your thought came. Read in your blog
that you as a student appeared in a semester exam. from this hospital. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">And we talked a while. His father, in
Indore, wanted to come here. Worried, since it is exam. time. The student asked
him not to. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IN">Who
is in whose family<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">As if it was not enough. The same yesterday. A PG student appeared at office door with a glowing face. I am
getting better results now. How? It is same time-frequency features. But by
doing feature selection with stricter p-value criterion. Number of features is
reduced. But poorer features seem to get eliminated and the model is doing
better. Very good! I am coming to the lab. shortly and shall examine. Sir, tables,
plots are already sent to you and is in your inbox. You can see from here. She
sat down. And her too was an exhaustive study, characteristic signature of our
lab. students. The novelty, contribution part are for others to comment. I can vouch for the sincerity, effort, detailed analysis part of it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">We were half way through our discussion on
those analysis of EEG signals and interpreting functioning of brain. A knock at the door.
Parents there. Both, specially the mother, are active social worker. She is
part of CSR work taken up by members of a nearby Industry, from house of TATAs.
Recently they conducted a program together with some of our UG students in a
neighbourhood village. They came to IITKGP for some other work. Found that the light
is on in my office. Wanted to discuss a new proposal with me, lighting up of approach road of one crematorium. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa4gmHsnKUvEk6R_PI1rOWIBxVHVybK865AfhszcRy_ZWQTtffrvfflb-9zmhJr20msyLr7bzV7Yst-wC9UWhGkoTMBLyqRA1ucs7_YPu0XpSeAI_FlMBpOO-goDQid13L2q46ij8IXFU/s1600/IMG-20150911-WA0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUa4gmHsnKUvEk6R_PI1rOWIBxVHVybK865AfhszcRy_ZWQTtffrvfflb-9zmhJr20msyLr7bzV7Yst-wC9UWhGkoTMBLyqRA1ucs7_YPu0XpSeAI_FlMBpOO-goDQid13L2q46ij8IXFU/s200/IMG-20150911-WA0004.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">The research student, their daughter, gave
a look at parents which I am not unfamiliar with. I get more of that from my
daughter at home. Parents were kind of apologetic, embarrassed to enter in
between a discussion. Made them feel comfortable. Told them that their daughter
is now part of our IIT Kharagpur family and they have higher priority. We can continue the
research discussion later. They have to travel some distance to return home. The picture in
this post was whatsapp-ed by these parents earlier. They clicked this in a
public gathering of Sathya Sai Seva Organization, held one week back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IN">The
thread that connects<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">This again relates to a telephone call of yesterday.
The student was calling from home. The father developed a heart related
problem. Kolkata hospital told that holter test is required and possibly
pacemaker after that. The hospital cannot conduct that test and told them to
get it done from outside within certain date. The place where they stay has only one such centre in
the district and that is booked till 12<sup>th</sup> of October. The student wanted
to discuss what can be done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IN">Hurrah!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">The fourth one from yesterday, connected to this thread, is
something that almost made me jump in joy. There was the elder brother, a
senior research student, who appeared in my office. His father had a fall in
toilet few days back. Since he had other health problems the family went for a
Kolkata specialty hospital 200 KM from their village. Fellow students pooled
money to meet the emergency and one of them accompanied him. After successful
operation, the father is now back home. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">The student gave this report of his
fatherโs health. Then there was a pause. He smiled. And then said, Sir, brother
has got a job. A Govt. job, contractual in the beginning. Both of us had broad
smiles in our face. How much we (me and the elder brother) shared among
ourselves, both worries and possible opportunities, and how to push the younger brother
to deliver his best. The younger brother worked hard and full credit to him.
The family even in a distressed situation like this when the father is ill,
feel relieved cannot conceal joy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IN">Shared
space<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy7xtuLIBeOFL_EQkifWUFJweu4lASZPPnViVmpY1a-IZLCAve5olWfjHYEGLlw7ZrQrcq9Lxj6P-rth_D_qrnjLL9JhLs8noZ3oJhEzEVByVAH8djEz7lO_G5MTmddozkzAZVMdLloka/s1600/FB+request.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAy7xtuLIBeOFL_EQkifWUFJweu4lASZPPnViVmpY1a-IZLCAve5olWfjHYEGLlw7ZrQrcq9Lxj6P-rth_D_qrnjLL9JhLs8noZ3oJhEzEVByVAH8djEz7lO_G5MTmddozkzAZVMdLloka/s200/FB+request.jpg" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN-IN">Students are at the centre in a campus
environment with whom both parents and teachers connect to. The environment has
inherent in it making of a bigger family out of its residents. Of my 700+ FB
friends, 600+ would be students from here, mostly UG, many of them are now
settled in their respective professional lives. All such student friends have
one thing in common. The requests came from them. It is their greatness to consider
people from another generation as โFriendโ and share their space with us. It
was nice to learn that both the generations will be present together in
Rashtrapati Bhavan for national launch of something significant. Would-be
winners of a student essay competition (<a href="https://imprinthealthcare.wordpress.com/how-to-contribute/students/" target="_blank">Link</a>) will be invited there and it will be a
joy to share space with them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span lang="EN-IN">Epilogue<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-IN">Let me end this by copy-pasting FB comment
of one of my friend from our generation, a Professor at University of London,
our collaborator in brain research related activity. The context was an <a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2013/11/obvious.html" target="_blank">earlier posting</a> of this blog. The post reappeared in reference to a student led
discussion held last week on - Unselfishness is more paying, but one does not
have the patience to practise it.</span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white; mso-background-themecolor: background1;">
<span lang="EN-IN" style="background: #F6F7F8; color: #141823; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An interesting post. It reminds me of a story
I have read. A senior monk was speaking to a group of young monks and to make a
point, showed a large jar and put it on the table, He produced a few fist sized
rocks and placed them one by one into the jar.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0"><span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end/=1$text0/=010"> </span>When
no more rocks could be fit, he asked "is the jar ful?" Everyone
replied in chorus, "yes". He then pulled out a bucket of gravel,
dumped some in the jar, shook and dumped more. It quickly filled the spaces
between the rocks. Again he asked, "is this jar full?" The monks
hesitated, and one replied, "probably not." He replied,
"good" and then brought some sand and dumped the sand into jar until
it filled all the crevices. Again he asked, "is the jar full?" The
monks were catching up, so shouted, "No." The senior then grabbed a
pitcher of water and poured it until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he
asked "what is the point of this demonstration?"</span><br data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end/=1$text1/=010" />
<span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end/=1$text2/=010">One
young monk responded, "the point is no matter how full your day is, you
can always fit more things in."</span><br data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end/=1$text3/=010" />
<span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end/=1$text4/=010">"No"
replied the wise monk, "the point is if you don't put the big rocks in
first, you will never get them in at all. So set the life's priorities and lead
your life accordingly."</span></span><span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end/=1$text2/=010">One
young monk responded, "the point is no matter how full your day is, you
can always fit more things in."</span></span><span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3"><span data-reactid=".3w.1:4.1:$comment10207515966480336_10207518795911070/=10.0.$right.0.$left.0.0.1.$comment-body.0.3.0.$end/=1$text4/=010">"No"
replied the wise monk, "the point is if you don't put the big rocks in
first, you will never get them in at all. So set the life's priorities and lead
your life accordingly."</span></span></blockquote>
</div>
Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4581324636265208267.post-80321142674746362872015-08-11T05:38:00.000-07:002015-08-11T05:38:08.388-07:00Prof. B. N. Das Passes Away<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp7jnOdBeq43Pw9_TOENNumQ46NYu-j6wQB1ssMQXpuH4cJ0kvc0AJhojFqj1TzJ4sT3LUt0h3i9y8WUem2IdnbKUMs60HGCj2vpATXh2G5_SOF3P3npyag49RKeAWwjCiEKwxZAhtY-x/s1600/IMG13289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEp7jnOdBeq43Pw9_TOENNumQ46NYu-j6wQB1ssMQXpuH4cJ0kvc0AJhojFqj1TzJ4sT3LUt0h3i9y8WUem2IdnbKUMs60HGCj2vpATXh2G5_SOF3P3npyag49RKeAWwjCiEKwxZAhtY-x/s320/IMG13289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Prof. B. N. Das (<a href="http://www.insaindia.org/detail.php?id=N85-0895" target="_blank">Link</a>), one of the pillar on which Dept. of Electronics & ECE, IIT Kharagpur stands tall today, has left his mortal frame on 7th Aug., 2015, early morning. In yesterday's condolence meeting, Director, IIT Kharagpur was telling that it is not just this Dept., he was one of those persons for whom the institute is known for excellence today, and all of us should emulate his path. Prof. Das' love of integrals, maths., analytical approach on one side and determination, grit, passion for quality on the other side, were in the making of him and his awe-inspiring personality. His students are spread far and wide and doing their organizations proud for the important roles they play there. Prof. Das adorned simplicity till the end of his life. We are told that he avoided being administrative Heads not to miss his time with research.<br />
<br />
He was my B.Tech. project guide. Had the opportunity to interact with him during my research scholar days here and later as a faculty. Many memories.<br />
<br />
We miss Prof. B. N. Das and Prof. G. S. Sanyal (<a href="http://gskgp.blogspot.in/2011/07/prof-g-s-sanyal-passes-away.html" target="_blank">Link</a>) of that era who led from the front R & D activities in microwave and antenna engineering.<br />
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Goutam Sahahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14667983695459031826noreply@blogger.com1