Start...... or wait for green signal ????

It's been quite sometime since I posted something here. Though I had many things to post, I thought let me clear all other problems first and then I will start posting them one by one. And, you know the results.... such a big gap !!!

But, the question is - what made me come back? It is one of the best things in life that I realized yesterday and that brought be here back.

I went for the movie "Life in a .. Metro". For quite some time, I haven't taken Sumita (my wife) to any movie. I was in dilemma whether to go for this movie or some other one. One of my good friends suggested me that this is a good movie and I should go for it. Well, Then I booked my tickets in Prasads, 4:15PM show on Thu. I checked there is no meeting until 8:30PM in the evening. I left office at 2PM and went home to pick up Sumita. We started at 2:45pm from home and reached local train station, parked the car there and took the train to city. Took ticket of Lakdi-ka-pul (one of the local train stations in Hyderabad). Later, we realized we can get down at Necklace road itself as it would be more convenient. Got down at Necklace road and started walking for sometime. It was a nice evening and walking beside Hussain Sagar, holding hands was very romantic. For a moment, I thought forget about the movie. Let's spend time there itself. But, I didn't tell Sumita.. I was afraid that she will say, yes ;-) We took a rickshaw and reached Prasads. First time I was not worried about getting any parking place. We collected our tickets, picked up some pop-corn and went in to take our seats. So far so good.

We were watching other people also. Some occupying other seats and later moving. Some were not able to get in as their size was not allowing. some "nice" girls were sitting next to us and they were chatting a lot. We got a thought, perhaps they have come to chat only. Anyway, movie started. It was going ok. Nothing much different. Just like another movie, though at a pace closer to real life.

Now the turning point. In one of the scenes, one person tells a story. He has a friend who has a very beautiful car. But, he kept it in the garage only for 5 year. Why...? good question. he always thought that he will take it out the day when all the traffic signals will be green so that he doesn't face any difficulty in driving any time. After hearing this, I felt like .. wow, thank God that I came for this movie. I got to learn such a beautiful thing about life.

Let's think.. how many times we feel like this? How many times we just avoid doing something just because we feel like first clearing every hurdle? How many times we keep waiting for the perfect moment in life to live the life. I realized, there is no perfect moment in life than this moment. Life live fully.. now itself. Do things the moment you want to do. Who knows, the moment might not come again.

I came back and thought, I will start posting again and I did. Now on, I will post regularly.

We are going for movie today evening again. Hope I get something new today also.

Till then.. cheers and enjoy your life.

Saying Yes to life

I have been associated with LIYA - Life Yessense Academy for about 2 years and have met many people with extreme positivity towards life. Two days back I came across a friend, Tanweer Alam, from my college REC Warangal and everything else seemed so small. This friend of mine is suffering from cancer and is being treated in CMC Vellore.

Last time I met him in Lifestyle, Begumpet, Hyd when he got admission in IIMB. Though we were not very close friends, we interacted casually while having coffee. I had a pony tail at that time, so he did make some funny comments :-) He mentioned his mail-id and it was very funny. I don't remember exactly, but it had some words like pagla.. baawra etc. Two days back I was just going through blog pages of my friends in orkut friend list and something caught my eye. it was the word "chemo". I had never though I will find reference to this word in relation with any of my acquaintances. I started reading further. Though it was clear, I was not able to accept the fact and kept on reading further just to make sure that my understanding is not incorrect. Yes, he is suffering from cancer. He has been putting every details on blog pages, every day. How it was caught.. how it was ignored initially.. how the treatment started.. what all happened in each stage of treatment... the caustic nature of medicines... side effects of treatment.... effect of the ailment itself... etc etc. And he is accepting everything with so much of positivity, God is bound to bless him and he would walk out of his hospital.

If people start taking life with so much of positivity, life will become a bliss. If you get a chance, do read at http://baawara.blogspot.com and pray God for his fast recovery.

His story reminds me of another person Morris Goodman. If you can manage some more time, please read at http://www.themiracleman.org/index2.htm and watch the movie sometime.

May God bless Tanweer.

I am selfish !!!

Yesterday I was little upset as my last two classes didn't go very well. I was upset by seeing attendance of participants. I started feeling, why the hell I am doing all these things for people who are least bothered about it. In the start of the class itself, I got disturbed and couldn't carry it forward very well.

I went back to Raviji and shared my feelings with him. He thought for a while. Then he asked me why is it disturbing me; Why am I doing these programs; for whom I am doing this etc etc. My first answer was "I want people to know about the great knowledge about child development". Then, Raviji asked me to think again and answer. I thought for a while. My mission for this program was I will make everyone around me know about this knowledge before my child comes in this world. Ravij said, "yes, you are doing it for yourself, and for no one else. You want to improve yourself and that's why you are taking these classes regularly. So, how does it matter as how many people are coming to your classes? Even if one person comes, it is nice to see that at least this person has come to learn. If you can help him and he in turn helps you to learn further, isn't that wonderful?" After haring to all these things, I was quiet. I was thinking. Yes, this is very true. I am very selfish and I see my benefit even in helping others. and, I am proud of it.

Later in the night, I was thinking why people get married. Normal thinking is, they will make each other's life better. But, I think it is little different. people get married to make their life better with the help of other person. And this is true for both the partners. If people get married with this thought, I am sure rest of the life will be a true joyride. This is my thought and it doesn't mean I have followed this all through my life. No, I was fool earlier and spoilt lot of time in discussing with my wife about expectations etc etc. But, now I am awake and see this relationship in new light. I married her just make my life better. And the sooner she realizes this, the earlier we will feel blessed. Well, I will take care of my part that I am not intending to help or change her. Let her find the help for her from my life. Nevertheless, humans are social animals and social life does require helping, encouraging etc each other time to time. This makes life easier and enjoyable.

All said and done, I am selfish and I am proud of it.

Lobster

Date: 27-Oct-2006 (posting it late)

Place: CA

Well I had reduced eating non-veg food on Apr-20, 2006. But, after coming to US, first I had Sushi. It was kind of repeat, but I liked it this time too. We went to Tokie's kitchen in Foster City with the whole team and it was fun. I had Sushi with chopsticks. It was thrilling and quite an interesting one too ! This all happened on Oct-26, lunch time.

Then today, Oct-27, we went to Lobster Shack to have lobster. While going, I had this strange kind of feeling.. “Wack... I am going to eat lobster?!? It looks so dirty! How would I eat that !?! ” With lots of courage, or say hiding the fear of eating that when Sherry asked which one you want to order, I guess I didn’t have an answer and I said that I don't know anything. So, anything would be fine. Then she explained me few things in the menu and then I ordered some roll. That's essentially a sandwich. Lobster pieces are sandwiched between the buttered bread and then that's it. After the order, I went over to the aquarium and took some pics of live lobsters. It was fun. (Pic 1,2,3)

By the time I am back to the table, food is served. And, it doesn't look as dirty as I had imagined. (Pic 4)

I again took some pics of the food and tasted it. It was good. Specially, meat after 6 months was interesting. I don't know what my wife will say when she comes to know that I had meat. Actually, in past I had declined numerous times that I am not gonna eat meat and that's why she used to be mad at me. I don't know what will I say when I am back.

While eating, Allen asked me to taste the extra hot sauce. It's been quite some time since I have stopped eating hot stuff, especially chilies. I was scared, but tasted it. I didn’t feel the pinch. Then I took more this time and thought at least now it will hit me. But, I was disappointed. It was not as hot as I expected it to be.

Later, and idea was floated that we should have a full lobster also. Finally, Sid went and ordered a full lobster, steamed one. We were all waiting for it to come. It took sometime and we were all eagerly waiting. Now it comes. Now it comes... but it doesn't. Then, suddenly we see someone serving a full lobster on another table and Sid remembers that he ordered right after them. Hummmm…... so, next is our order and it will come anytime. Hold your breath and here comes the full lobster. Wow…. it was red and pretty big. I was so excited that I started taking pics. We took pics with the steamed lobster.

Pic 5,6,7,8

Meanwhile, we were served aprons that we needed to tie. I didn’t understand why that was needed. Then, a paper chart showed how to eat lobster. It had all the steps , such as.. how to cut, where to snap first, which tool to use etc etc. A real helpful one. You can see that in the picture. We first took out the claws. One myself and one Sid. Then we took the tool and crushed the shell. It spilled juices all around. Now I understood why the aprons! Then we took out the meat and had it. Next is the turn of tail. When Sid was breaking the tail portion we took the video and it was a great experience. Lobster juice was all around the table. But, it didn't stop. We continued the operation and then Sid was pushing out the meat from lobster tail with the help of a fork like tool. It didn't help much. What the hellll... Le me take the fork and then..... here it comes. Whole meat came out. We put that on the plate and Allen cut that in pieces. We took the pieces, dipped in melted butter and had it. It was tasty ! Now only two things are left - Eight legs and the body. Allen, snapped the legs and we had to suck the juice and meat out of it. It was fun. Then, Body shell was ripped apart and meat was taken out. The look was…….. yuck. I would never eat that ! It was awful. Allen said, " it is very tasty." I gathered some courage and tasted it. Yummy, it was tasty ! Then, we finished the meat of part of it. I was completely thrilled !

Someone said, "let's take this for Sunil". Wow.. that's an awesome idea ! Allen took the corn piece and tried to stuff inside the body shell.

O..Oooo.. it doesn't go.

Let me rip it apart and then push the corn in. Finally, corn inside a lobster shell. Sounds like an interestingly wicked idea ! We wrapped this with the apron and made a nice parcel.

We drove back to office and came back to Sunil's place. We handed over the parcel to Sunil and by that time I was already taking the video. Sunil took it as opened it. We had so much of fun there. We took pictures with the lobster shell. And... and then lunch time is over. We got back to work.

I was so thrilled that I decided to pen it down. And that's how this blog came out.

Ciao until I experience something new again.

Cheers



Here are the pictures.

Pic 1,2: Lobster in the aquarium

Pic 3: Sid with Lobsters Pic 4: Lobster sandwich served

Pic 5: Whole Lobster served Pic 6: Sherry and Sid

Pic 7: Allen and Myself Pic 8: All four

Motivation

Date: 10-Feb-2007
Time: 10:00PM

As usual, I had ISP class from 5:00PM to 8:30PM. I finished the class and was coming back with Vaibhav Mathur (one of my friends and an ISP participant too) and his wife, Pooja. Pooja was asking me about how to keep the motivation up to practice whatever parents learn in ISP. My answer was, one can observe small small changes in life, especially with their children. These changes will keep their life alive! Then she shared one experience of hers. It happened today only. Her son (little more than one year) got up in the morning started talking something. Then they took him to bathroom for su-su. After that, the child said," papa... potty.. bathroom". They got worried that this guy has already done potty as was his habit earlier. They checked and found it otherwise. Then, they took him to bathroom and made him sit there and the child did potty. Both Vaibhav and Pooja were so happy that they could change this habit to a good one using techniques they learned in ISP.

They had earlier shared with me that there son use to cry when they used to go to office. Now, after practicing for just one week, when they say that they are going to office, he says bye and closes the door behind. Not only that, he doesn't cry after that as he used to do earlier.

I was sharing with them what keeps me motivated. Parents like Vaibhav and Pooja call me and share their experiences and joy with me. After listening to such experiences, I feel I am really doing a good job, and not wasting my and others time, in the society by spending time and spreading the knowledge that I got from Raviji and Gayathri Ma. Many parents attend the program and go back and forget everything. I feel, even if they get just 1% also and do something good for their child, I have done a good job. This motivates me to go further and call them and motivate them further by reminding them about higher possibilities.

I know, I haven't been able to spread the knowledge to the extent I had thought of. But, this is not the end of it. I take it as just started. I am sure, I will be able to reach to bigger group of parents and share this knowledge with them and motivate them to develop the future generation in better and better ways possible.

cheers

Reference:
1. More details about ISP can be found at http://infant-ssy-program.blogspot.com
2. Next batch of ISP is starting in Hyderabad on Mar-4-2007. Interested parents can get in touch with me at 98490 76190.

Engineering !!!

Before you read ahead, here is a word from me. This not a well-written article or so. These are thoughts that I have been getting over years and are put just like they are - totally messed up!!!

Soon after I joined std 11, started preparing for engineering entrance exams that I had to face 2 years later. Which coaching class is good?.. which books are good?... which correspondence course should I take?... how should I study?... should I focus on board exam or ignore it?.... and lots of such questions were there in my mind. and I am very sure all others also were facing same questions. Whenever we come to know that someone cleared some entrance exam, run to the person and ask about method of study, books, coaching etc etc... Dad also was asking his friends to preach me to study else I would not get a seat in engineering. there was a big questions - Would I be able to get through any of the exams? and frankly, I didn't want to answer this question myself as it would scared me. I screwed up std 11 exams completely and still happy that I am preparing for JEE. One year later I realized the coaching I have been attending is not going to work for me and I need some other classes. So, joined another class that I hated always. Reasons - about 250 students in each batch.. how will the teacher help me doing better. Still, went to the class with the crowd and attended it. I am not sure what did I gain or loose. At the end of 2 years, I applied for many entrance exams and started taking them one after another. Results also started coming and result was same.. not selected anywhere. I was completely broken. I was worried.. what will happen to me? would I be like any other guy on the roads? what will mom-dad think who had so much of expectations from me? and many more killing questions. Then I decided to drop the year and prepare again for next year. Few days later, I had to apply for one more exam under pressure from my parents. Even bigger pressure to go and write the exam. Though I didn't expect, fortunately I was selected and managed to get a seat in REC Warangal. I never ever heard also about this college before that day. But, i was so upbeat about this college as if I knew this since ages. Isn't it funny !?!

Joined REC Warangal in 1994 and started my journey for engineering degree. I didn't have any idea what it would be. All I knew was, I will definitely complete it. Year after year and hence 4 years passed. Completed it, got a job in campus and finally, I became an engineer. What a great achievement. Should I be proud of this? Definitely yes. I was different from others in the crowd.

Joined job and sailed through it for 2 years. First taste of professional experience was full of learning. Thought of launching the career again on a fresh ground and joined another company. Since then it has been 6 years, I learnt a lot of things. Not only myself, but also from many other friends of mine. Thanks to everyone for making my journey so far a learning experience.

At this stage, I think what did I learn in Engineering and how much I am using it. I feel I wasted my time in college. But, is it true? Got a chance to meet the professors at college and then they started asking what changes we should do to make it more effective. Specifically, what changes we should do in the syllabus to make it more effective. The question I ask to myself, would any change in syllabus going to make it really effective? And I am putting lots of my thoughts here what I answered to myself.

First of all, here are few things that I learned in college has been very handy in life:
1. Going out of the closed circle and meet new new people. A diverse crowd is a boon.
2. Sustain and result under pressure.
3. Honor time.
4. Eat whatever you get. you can't get mom-cooked food everywhere.
5. Have some dreams.
6. If there is something worth doing, it is worth doing the best way. Some of my seniors inspired me to study well if I am whatever people say.
7. How to handle conflicts of various degree.
8. How to maintain health even without eating home made food.
9. Learn anything and everything quickly and be ready to work with it.

and there are some more. I don't think it is required to mention here.

But, the point is.. is this what I came to engineering college for? Is this what the syllabus designed for? Is it the true intention of Engineering?

If you talk to some professor, they will say no. There is more and better. You should learn the concepts that will help in working on it later. etc etc

But, do we really work on those concepts? or use them in anything we do in daily life?

My answer is a big NO. Though I learned lot of things there, very few of them are being used and that too rarely. What a funny statement !

OK. let me take a small break and divert a little. More practical studies, e.g. Research oriented studies, MBA etc etc are designed little differently. It gives opportunity to everyone as per their need and interest. If someone wants to take specialization, they can. If someone wants something general, then also one can go ahead. Every person, is happy about it and tries to gain maximum out of it. Quest is to know more in whatever one is doing, not to compete with next person. I think this is a healthy environment for studies.

When I think about design of engineering course, I get a strong urge to suggest something like that. Why can't engineering students are allowed to take the course in the same way i.e. those who wants specialized studies, they can go for it. And those who want otherwise, they can also go for it. Computer Science, Mechanical Engg, Electrical engg, Civil Engg etc etc .. I feel these are not branches.. they are fields of study. If we make branches out of them, it will be unfair to some who want general studies. So, here I propose a new branch called, "General Engineering". I know, something similar we studied in first year. But, there on all specialized only. Even if some other things were introduced, they were never stressed upon. So, current design of engineering course (not the teaching method) is good for those folks who wants to go into research. people like me who wants to use this in real world, need the general engineering more just like general management in MBA.

So, General Engineering should have lots of courses on communication skills, stress skills, people skills, finance, some engineering concepts from all the fields that can be used without those heavy or funky instruments etc etc. Lots of discussions should be part of it. Event organization should be part of it. Most of the students join the main stream jobs that we least research oriented and this course is going to be for them. Basically, they should be able to fit everywhere and proceed further except research jobs.

I realized that this will solve my problem of "Modern Education" and make all general engineers "jack of all trades". I am sure, professional environment will be a different place. A place where one doesn't feel those 4 years of engineering is wasted. A place where people are more at home, learn further and contribute more effectively.

Cheers

2007 - A new start

I have been associated with an NGO (LIYA - Life Yessense Academy) for about 1.5 years and working with them educating young parents of our society. Human life that starts with a single cell, develops and grows inside the mother's womb and then comes out to face the world when it is ready to do so. This new life has got immense potential at that moment that starts reducing the moment it comes out; Or call it when the child takes birth. How??? That's a very good question. We can understand this by comparing our current learning abilities with that when we were children. Can you ever forget "Twinkle Twinkle little star...". But, you can always forget what you learned in college. So, capacity is reducing day by day and when it becomes zero, we name it death.

Coming back on track, I have been learning lots and lots of things related to child development. There is huge amount of possibilities with children and we just need to explore them. Most of the time, we have stop ourselves to "not" to stop the child going on the right path! Name of the program is "Infant SSY Program" or "The Joy of Parenting". More details on this program cen be found at http://infant-ssy-program.blogspot.com.

Since last 1.5 years, I have met many parents who implemented the concepts with their children and their children are doing wonders. This possibility gives me the strength to go ahead and spread the knowledge more and more. I have committed to conduct the classes on weekly basis throughout the year.

With all this things happening around me, a very vague dream started taking life. I always wanted to contribute something to the society in such a way that satisfies me too. Whatever I am doing is not enough. This faces a problem when these children go to school and face the so-called "modern education" and end up spoiling their lives. There are schools where good concepts are being used. But, is the sufficient? Without analysis also I can say, a big no. At the start of 2007 I thought, I will do something different and new this year. I have been thinking about it and talking with Sumita (My wife) also. On Jan-14, we were sitting and watching TV. While talking about her job hunt and other possibilities, we took a different direction. We started thinking about going for a business, instead of looking for a job. Initially, she was not sure and scared too. We discussed little more and started considering this as a good opportunity. This has changed our life recently.

Yes, we decided to open a school for children in Hyderabad. Schoold would be "Rishikul Vidyalaya" in collaboration with "METs Rishikul Vidyalaya, Mumbai". We went to Raviji and expressed our thoughts and decision. He appreciated and provided us some more guidance. At the end of the discussion, he asked us to write our (both me and my wife) commitments on paper. This will strengthen our commitments further.

So, Sumita has almost dropped her idea of taking up any "regular" job and we are going to open school in Hyderabad. I wish ourselves the very best of luck. Amen.