I was at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, King Koti for the concluding part of a training I was attending on Jun-17 evening. I was waiting for one of my friends to join and then one gentleman stopped. and asked me looking at my name tag, "what's the meaning of your name - Prabhat?" As usual, I gave the meaning as "morning". He didn't quite accept it and stopped for a while. He said a few things that shook me vigorously. Read on.
He said that "प्रभात" means something more. Pra-bhat : bhat means knowledge and pra means new. So it means, someone who is to bring new knowledge to the world. Prabhat is someone who is to bring new light of knowledge to the people in the world and make it lighted as the morning Sun does to every one.
He went one explaining what "bharat" means. bha means knwoledge and rat means in love. Bharat is a country where people are in love with knowledge. it is a country where people love to learn, learn and learn in life and bring new light to the world.
After hearing those words, I was totally zapped. I didn't know what to say. He went on patting me saying that he is jealous of me. Upon asking he mentioned that he didn't have this knowledge when he was young, and I have. He blessed me saying go ahead and show the light of knowledge to the world and make a new world.
So long, I was not able to find words to put it here. Today I woke up and I thought before I forget these words, I must put it here. Not only that, I am renaming this blog page as "The Morning Sun". I have a new vision for my life i.e. to live upto my name "Prabhat" !
Friday, July 04, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Positive Affirmations
I get up in the morning and start saying aloud.. Good Morning Sumi (my wife), Love you. And the morning goes fantastic !
I have started this last week itself and started seeing beautiful results. We don't fight in the morning anymore and start the day with more energy. I think this is a change in my life.
Positive affirmations create lot of positive energy in life. One has to say aloud, feel it and express it too. It can help in making up relations, aligning oneself with vision and putting focussed effort on whatever we want to do.
It reminds me one statement from book, The Alchemist (not exact though):
"if one decides about the destiny, whole universe conspires to help you achieve it"
If I decide to make the morning beautiful, universe will definitely help me and the same for a happy life too. Let's decide to make this life a beautiful life and world, a beautiful place to live.
I have started this last week itself and started seeing beautiful results. We don't fight in the morning anymore and start the day with more energy. I think this is a change in my life.
Positive affirmations create lot of positive energy in life. One has to say aloud, feel it and express it too. It can help in making up relations, aligning oneself with vision and putting focussed effort on whatever we want to do.
It reminds me one statement from book, The Alchemist (not exact though):
"if one decides about the destiny, whole universe conspires to help you achieve it"
If I decide to make the morning beautiful, universe will definitely help me and the same for a happy life too. Let's decide to make this life a beautiful life and world, a beautiful place to live.
Friday, May 23, 2008
A Decade Passed!
Someone called up last week and congratulated me. When I asked, he said, "we completed 10 years since we left REC Warangal". A decade passed !!!
It is a decade passed since I completed B Tech and entered into real world. When I look back, there are many events and tons of changes took place. I tried to look for ones that make me stand out of the crowd:
* I have changed job only once and still with the second job for 7+ years.
* Being in IT for about 10 years, I never earned a foreign salary. Though, some allowances at times did come through.
* I jumped into social sector and got associated with the child development workshop, ISP. For last 3 years, I am enjoying explore new possibilities in this field.
* Started with a venture that is totally different from "IT" : A school for children, Ankur Rishikul Vidyalaya.
* I missed to attend marriage functions of all the RECW friends. I feel so bad about it.
* I haven't traveled for a visit to any new place in India (except the metros). I feel pathetic about it.
* I have a flat tummy yet !!!!!
Now, what do I want to achieve in next decade:
* Retire from IT!
* Have a progressing business : Both city and residential schools
* Visit at least 10 new places in India along with my better half.
* Take full family to Vaishnav Devi yatra.
* Ensure that I attend some kind of training every 3-4 months.
* Have couple of other business rolling. Ideas are welcome !
* Have a taste of farming.
* Have an average income of Rs 1 Crore/month. (Corrected after seeing the inflation numbers and some other factors)
* Maintain my flat tummy !!!!!
I will keep adding whenever I get some new idea. If you can throw some more possibilities, please do comment.
It is a decade passed since I completed B Tech and entered into real world. When I look back, there are many events and tons of changes took place. I tried to look for ones that make me stand out of the crowd:
* I have changed job only once and still with the second job for 7+ years.
* Being in IT for about 10 years, I never earned a foreign salary. Though, some allowances at times did come through.
* I jumped into social sector and got associated with the child development workshop, ISP. For last 3 years, I am enjoying explore new possibilities in this field.
* Started with a venture that is totally different from "IT" : A school for children, Ankur Rishikul Vidyalaya.
* I missed to attend marriage functions of all the RECW friends. I feel so bad about it.
* I haven't traveled for a visit to any new place in India (except the metros). I feel pathetic about it.
* I have a flat tummy yet !!!!!
Now, what do I want to achieve in next decade:
* Retire from IT!
* Have a progressing business : Both city and residential schools
* Visit at least 10 new places in India along with my better half.
* Take full family to Vaishnav Devi yatra.
* Ensure that I attend some kind of training every 3-4 months.
* Have couple of other business rolling. Ideas are welcome !
* Have a taste of farming.
* Have an average income of Rs 1 Crore/month. (Corrected after seeing the inflation numbers and some other factors)
* Maintain my flat tummy !!!!!
I will keep adding whenever I get some new idea. If you can throw some more possibilities, please do comment.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Jeet Jayenge Hum...... Meri Jung
I was feeling little down after seeing so many hurdles and downplays.
At the right time... got a message with this song. This kind of pumped in tons of energy and positive thoughts and I am ready to fight again. Thanks for the message, Nitin!
This week, i would sit back and look at all the tools I have available. What I need to do is device a creative solution to the issues one by one. First one is my "vision book". Let me start right away.
I shall post more about my findings. Hope this week puts lot of light on the future weeks. Wish me luck.
At the right time... got a message with this song. This kind of pumped in tons of energy and positive thoughts and I am ready to fight again. Thanks for the message, Nitin!
This week, i would sit back and look at all the tools I have available. What I need to do is device a creative solution to the issues one by one. First one is my "vision book". Let me start right away.
I shall post more about my findings. Hope this week puts lot of light on the future weeks. Wish me luck.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Jindagi....Imtehan leti hai !!!
On every road, every turn, every step.. Jindagi Imtehan leti hai !!!
Last couple of months, I have been feeling tested on every skill/strength I have : Patience, listening, creativity, Social skills, organizing.. even cleanliness !!! It seems to be increasing every day, every moment. I wonder, how many other areas will be tested and when will it subside.
Currently, if I count.. there are few projects in my life:
-- Professional work
-- ISP
-- Ankur Rishikul Vidyalaya
-- Family and personal life, of course.
I was feeling so good that professional work is in the right direction and right pace too. Suddenly, a storm of changes came and things are on the ground. I am wondering, how much time it will take again to build the same strength. I just hope that it takes less. But, the bigger question is, "it worth?" Again changes will come and things will be in pieces. I need to think something different here that will enhance resilience and help us be firm even during storms.
ISP is going good. I feel it is picking up the pace now. Limitation is that I have only one head and two hands. I require more heads and hands to increase the speed and widen the coverage.
ARV is our dream with a very strong vision.
"To create scientists with attitude of an artist and Artists with an ability of a scientist".
It started off in Jan-2008 amidst lot of uncertainties. Things progressed good in one month. But, last 4-5 weeks, I am getting a feel that something is wrong. Something is missing in our efforts.
-- Teachers are not staying.
-- We got good parents sending their children to ARV. Slowly, some of them are drifting away. I am happy about one thing that inflow of such good people is higher that outflow. Hopefully, these good people enhance the positive energy around us.
-- Few things working against eg. new unfavorable one-way routes.
Family life.. this one is testing my patience. I hope things settle fast here too.
What is keeping me going ahead is the vision with which I started and missions that I (Along with my wife, Sumita) set for ourselves. Let me see how much strength these "imtehans" have and how long these can sustain testing strength of my vision.
Last couple of months, I have been feeling tested on every skill/strength I have : Patience, listening, creativity, Social skills, organizing.. even cleanliness !!! It seems to be increasing every day, every moment. I wonder, how many other areas will be tested and when will it subside.
Currently, if I count.. there are few projects in my life:
-- Professional work
-- ISP
-- Ankur Rishikul Vidyalaya
-- Family and personal life, of course.
I was feeling so good that professional work is in the right direction and right pace too. Suddenly, a storm of changes came and things are on the ground. I am wondering, how much time it will take again to build the same strength. I just hope that it takes less. But, the bigger question is, "it worth?" Again changes will come and things will be in pieces. I need to think something different here that will enhance resilience and help us be firm even during storms.
ISP is going good. I feel it is picking up the pace now. Limitation is that I have only one head and two hands. I require more heads and hands to increase the speed and widen the coverage.
ARV is our dream with a very strong vision.
"To create scientists with attitude of an artist and Artists with an ability of a scientist".
It started off in Jan-2008 amidst lot of uncertainties. Things progressed good in one month. But, last 4-5 weeks, I am getting a feel that something is wrong. Something is missing in our efforts.
-- Teachers are not staying.
-- We got good parents sending their children to ARV. Slowly, some of them are drifting away. I am happy about one thing that inflow of such good people is higher that outflow. Hopefully, these good people enhance the positive energy around us.
-- Few things working against eg. new unfavorable one-way routes.
Family life.. this one is testing my patience. I hope things settle fast here too.
What is keeping me going ahead is the vision with which I started and missions that I (Along with my wife, Sumita) set for ourselves. Let me see how much strength these "imtehans" have and how long these can sustain testing strength of my vision.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Empty Your Cup
The Learned Professor came to the house
of the Zen Master to ask to learn Zen.
"You are most welcome, " said the Master,
inviting the Learned Professor in for tea.
They sat on cushions facing each other.
Preparing to make tea, the Master set a pot of water
on the charcoal brazier on the floor in front of him,
while the Learned Professor began to tell of
all of the books he had read about Zen.
The water having boiled, the Master made tea
while the Learned Professor told of all the insights about Zen
he had gleaned from talking to other great scholars.
The tea made, the Learned Professor held up
his cup and continued to talk about Zen.
The Master poured tea into the Learned Professor's cup.
And he and poured...and poured...and poured,
until tea was spilling over the top of the cup
and cascading onto the floor.
"What are you doing?" cried the Learned Professor.
"The cup is full. No more will go in!"
"Your mind is like the cup,"said the Master.
"How can you expect to learn unless you first empty your cup?"
of the Zen Master to ask to learn Zen.
"You are most welcome, " said the Master,
inviting the Learned Professor in for tea.
They sat on cushions facing each other.
Preparing to make tea, the Master set a pot of water
on the charcoal brazier on the floor in front of him,
while the Learned Professor began to tell of
all of the books he had read about Zen.
The water having boiled, the Master made tea
while the Learned Professor told of all the insights about Zen
he had gleaned from talking to other great scholars.
The tea made, the Learned Professor held up
his cup and continued to talk about Zen.
The Master poured tea into the Learned Professor's cup.
And he and poured...and poured...and poured,
until tea was spilling over the top of the cup
and cascading onto the floor.
"What are you doing?" cried the Learned Professor.
"The cup is full. No more will go in!"
"Your mind is like the cup,"said the Master.
"How can you expect to learn unless you first empty your cup?"
Chak-De!
Watched the movie "Chak-de" on Sunday.
I was thinking why didn't I watch it earlier.. such a fool I am.
A very rich movie - full of learnings if you go with an empty cup !
My take back from first viewing;
-- Winning doesn't require strength, instead it requires intent i.e. vision.
-- To win, team must put all efforts towards the intent first, then for the team members and then if chance is there for him/her-self.
And many more.. but I don't want to put it now itself.
My action plan:
1. All the teachers in the school (Ankur Rishikul) watch the movie together, before school re-opens after summer vacation.
2. Set up a Vision for Ankur Rishikul.
3. Have action plan for next 3 months set
4. Get set gooooooooo
I was thinking why didn't I watch it earlier.. such a fool I am.
A very rich movie - full of learnings if you go with an empty cup !
My take back from first viewing;
-- Winning doesn't require strength, instead it requires intent i.e. vision.
-- To win, team must put all efforts towards the intent first, then for the team members and then if chance is there for him/her-self.
And many more.. but I don't want to put it now itself.
My action plan:
1. All the teachers in the school (Ankur Rishikul) watch the movie together, before school re-opens after summer vacation.
2. Set up a Vision for Ankur Rishikul.
3. Have action plan for next 3 months set
4. Get set gooooooooo
Friday, March 21, 2008
Holi - means colors !!!
Holi - The festival of colors.
We celebrated Holi at Ankur Rishikul today with children - children of age group 1.5 to 2.5 years. It was full of fun.
Preparation started few days back only. First, we needed to get the play pool. it got over in one store. Then I had to bug another store to order for me and arrange it fast. Fortunately, he did it and I could get it to Rishikul. Then, we went to get some "Pichkari". We got some, though we didn't like them much. well, not many options. Now the turn comes to colors. We though of making colors with house hold items.
Yellow - Turmeric
Red - turmeric with lemon juice
We also thought of using Beetroot, green leaves etc for other colors.
Yellow : this was fine.
Red: when I added lemon drops, no color change. I was surprised to see that color didn't change even after adding few full lemons juice. These manufacturers really package fake items. Turmeric is definitely not the pure one and it has huge "ghapla". I am going to write to the manufacturer.
I thought, let's use only yellow color and enjoy. We filled water into the play pool. It took a while to fill even half of it. We also put lots of plastic balls into it. Behind the scenes, children were practicing using the "Pichkari". Then, they were allowed to the pool area and to enter into water.
-- Some entered directly and started playing.
-- Some were seeing from a distance.
-- Some were touching the water from outside only.
-- Some took more courage and finally entered into it.
-- Some were crying also.
Water all over, children throwing the balls out and parents running to catch the, and slipping on the wet floor, some throwing water on others using Pichkari.. it went on like this for about 1.5 hrs. Then, finally, two children not wanting to come out of the pool. It took quite an effort to bring them out of the pool.
It was fun, fun and fun. Finally, I used to pool water to wash my car .. ohh my car also played holi !
I am looking forward to have Holi again next year in Ankur Rishikul with more children, a bigger pool and more colors. it would be really great fun.
Wish everyone a very happy and fun-filled Holi. Enjoy with colors - safe colors.
cheers.
We celebrated Holi at Ankur Rishikul today with children - children of age group 1.5 to 2.5 years. It was full of fun.
Preparation started few days back only. First, we needed to get the play pool. it got over in one store. Then I had to bug another store to order for me and arrange it fast. Fortunately, he did it and I could get it to Rishikul. Then, we went to get some "Pichkari". We got some, though we didn't like them much. well, not many options. Now the turn comes to colors. We though of making colors with house hold items.
Yellow - Turmeric
Red - turmeric with lemon juice
We also thought of using Beetroot, green leaves etc for other colors.
Yellow : this was fine.
Red: when I added lemon drops, no color change. I was surprised to see that color didn't change even after adding few full lemons juice. These manufacturers really package fake items. Turmeric is definitely not the pure one and it has huge "ghapla". I am going to write to the manufacturer.
I thought, let's use only yellow color and enjoy. We filled water into the play pool. It took a while to fill even half of it. We also put lots of plastic balls into it. Behind the scenes, children were practicing using the "Pichkari". Then, they were allowed to the pool area and to enter into water.
-- Some entered directly and started playing.
-- Some were seeing from a distance.
-- Some were touching the water from outside only.
-- Some took more courage and finally entered into it.
-- Some were crying also.
Water all over, children throwing the balls out and parents running to catch the, and slipping on the wet floor, some throwing water on others using Pichkari.. it went on like this for about 1.5 hrs. Then, finally, two children not wanting to come out of the pool. It took quite an effort to bring them out of the pool.
It was fun, fun and fun. Finally, I used to pool water to wash my car .. ohh my car also played holi !
I am looking forward to have Holi again next year in Ankur Rishikul with more children, a bigger pool and more colors. it would be really great fun.
Wish everyone a very happy and fun-filled Holi. Enjoy with colors - safe colors.
cheers.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Start again !!!
Time is passing by so fast and so many learnings in life.
I gotta to start again to post my learnings everyday now. I am excited and motivated too. I am gonna keep my promise now. Every day, however small, I would post here.
Prabhat
19-Mar-2008
I gotta to start again to post my learnings everyday now. I am excited and motivated too. I am gonna keep my promise now. Every day, however small, I would post here.
Prabhat
19-Mar-2008
Friday, June 29, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
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.
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.
Monday, February 19, 2007
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.
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.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Lobster
Date: 27-Oct-2006 (posting it late)
Pic 5,6,7,8
Here are the pictures.
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)
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
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.
CheersHere are the pictures.
Pic 1,2: Lobster in the aquarium
Pic 3: Sid with Lobsters Pic 4: Lobster sandwich served
Pic 7: Allen and Myself Pic 8: All four
Saturday, February 10, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
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
Friday, January 19, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Modern(?) Education
Friends,
I never thought I will write something in life. Recently, few of my friends inspired me to write something and showed how easy it is through blogs. So, I start here with a hope that I shall write something good in life. So, here is something about me and my life and the education that has made me like me.
I don't remember when my education started. Parents got me admitted to school. I studied and studied and studied and completed std 10. Then, I was given an option whether I want to become an engineer or a doctor. I chose engineering and passed std 12 too. After whole lot of entrance exams, I got selected for one of the engineering colleges - REC Warangal. I was so happy, that I still remember my roll no for the entrance exam: 109608.
30-Nov-1994
--------------
So far, I was just following instructions of parents/teachers or the crowd so that I can be part of one of them. Now, I came to Warangal and started looking at life and tried to learn what is it. Life wasn't same as I knew earlier. It required talking to other people, withstanding hardships (sometimes very harsh too!), having fun, doing nonsense sometimes, reading novels (!) and lot of other things that people have been telling me not to do so far. I never knew talking to girls is so interesting and fun (I was not so fortunate to be in co-education). I never knew one should read novels too. I was always told that reading novels is not a good habit. I should only read the text books. I never knew studies can be without text books too and one can go without any limit in any direction as long as the objective is same. 3 years got over. Now.... fight for a job. think about it. Everyone scared that I wouldn't get any job in manufacturing sector and I must take s/w stream for easy jobs. ok.. I managed to get a s/w job w/o knowing how to hold the mouse also. Here-on life takes a turn.
05-Oct-1998
-------------
I came to world of s/w and joined one of the IT organization - Mahindra British Telecom Limited (MBT). All I knew was a bit of Pascal and C as I had two courses during college days. I worked on only dumb terminals where I needed to login as "b4145" and password and start writing the program. Compile it, Run it and take output and if you get a print, take it. Other than this, I was literally an "Angutha Chhaap". I started taking training - whole lot of training. Everyone would do something in the computers and I would watch them. I felt scared too while touching the computer as people will laugh at me. I was scared. I didn't know this world and seemed pretty alien. One fine morning, the instructor comes and says there is a test. I didn't know what to do. Test is on JCL, MVA etc etc ( I am not sure if I remember the terms also correctly). Question was given an I didn't know what to answer. All I knew that answers are there in the notebook. I thought it is cheating I shouldn't go for it. But, I would be thrown out if I fail. Others are answering the questions so easily and jumping around. I felt so helpless and .....I looked into the notebook and answered the questions and passed too. Later I felt so guilty. Then on, more tests, projects and I could clear them with little difficulty. Finally, training got over and project allocation day came. Everyone was scared as this day will decide their career. Many were assigned projects on mainframes, on open systems like c/c++ , VB, Oracle/D2K etc etc. Fortunately (or otherwise, I am not sure) I, along with a group of people, was also assigned to a project on Oracle/D2K. We were sent to another specialized training on these things. I came back from training. By now, I was expecting some thrilling experience about live projects. I was asked to continue working on my mini project. I was not given any live project. I worked on it. People came to me asking what am I doing. And I kept showing them my tool 'CRAT' (what a funky name !). It stands for Change Request Automation Tool. Tool was thrown, and I was assigned to some other project and group and s/w life started. I kept taking instructions and acted accordingly. Later, I started passing on instructions to people also. Life has been going like this only. If I look back today, I can't believe that I have spent 8 years here in this world. Thanks to the education I received earlier in life.
I have been thinking about the modern education system for a while. Is it really modern? Am I the only one who thinks it doesn't add any value to life? Instead, it degrades our lives. it doesn't leave us fit for anything else other than becoming servants. Are we born to become servants? Then who are the masters? What do they do? Do they also go through the same education system? If not, what do they go through? Which is better - ours or theirs?
Here is some of the information I have been reading:
Division of Labour:
http://www.noogenesis.com/game_theory/division_of_labor.html
The Johari Window:
http://www.noogenesis.com/game_theory/division_of_labor.html
Hope you liked it.
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