tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70692970658741666862024-03-13T01:50:59.773-07:00Chronicles of LifeMahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-77236804832720968872015-04-06T03:40:00.002-07:002015-04-06T03:40:31.785-07:00BREAKING DUSK<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWddZv-1-Ty5ZzNs_vkELvtbBu7X_tgELdE3UaO81ij-TjB5fUlZoP_rpH55hR3JA4jP_qlfpECFhDPzuO5ZVLsEMI1TKKg15Yu1OoZDi37Fe3GBI3wh8SaRCrE3tM7AFYLEV2URqMMUU/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWddZv-1-Ty5ZzNs_vkELvtbBu7X_tgELdE3UaO81ij-TjB5fUlZoP_rpH55hR3JA4jP_qlfpECFhDPzuO5ZVLsEMI1TKKg15Yu1OoZDi37Fe3GBI3wh8SaRCrE3tM7AFYLEV2URqMMUU/s1600/sunset.jpg" height="205" width="320" /> </a></div>
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PHOTO CREDITS: Ravi Kumar Boyapati</div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show"> <br /> The ball of yellow,<br /> Once fiery during the day,<br /> now subdued, it calls out<br /> “Come, find me”<br /> as it seeks to hide behind the clouds.<br /> <br /> Rays of gold radiate outwards<br /> reflect off the glistening glass walls of the NCBS complex<br /> bathing it in hues of orange.<br /> <br /> Within its shadows,<br /> a mouse here, a squirrel there<br /> scurry hurriedly from stealthy snakes,<br /> towards the safety of their own burrows<br /> <br /> Beyond the walls,<br /> Oblivious to the calls of the Sun,<br /> Students go about their research.<br /> <br /> The ball continues to grow larger and larger<br /> Turning from a gentle orange to an angry red<br /> In a vain attempt to showcase its might<br /> Before it says its final good bye for the day.</span></span></span></div>
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Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-83920163987920314722014-12-26T22:37:00.002-08:002014-12-26T22:37:39.895-08:00The Lone Tree<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_UfRgaByfJTDtYzPTvhD983HeWfO1hYd_X6DZT02-yt4b-clVGZHifuYiSl-OfXtA8ircSNXy0yy6BtydtHy_q7D6hdKxv2S5AFayZaEGfYL8hEhgCV_En4xAL5hWdrWSDGTgfPJyx0/s1600/tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_UfRgaByfJTDtYzPTvhD983HeWfO1hYd_X6DZT02-yt4b-clVGZHifuYiSl-OfXtA8ircSNXy0yy6BtydtHy_q7D6hdKxv2S5AFayZaEGfYL8hEhgCV_En4xAL5hWdrWSDGTgfPJyx0/s1600/tree.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">Rising high and alone, above a sea of grass,<br /> Basking in the glow of the setting sun,<br /> Soaking in the warmth and comfort of its rays,<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> With strokes of red and orange on a blue background,<br /> Leaves dancing to the tunes of the gentle evening breeze<br /> Oh, you beauty!<br /> You paint a picture of serenity and splendour<br /> <br /> The apple of many a photographer’s eye<br /> Resilience and grace define you<br /> Through the adversity of the Summer’s heat<br /> Branches swaying back and forth in the dreary winds on a cold December night<br /> Yet you stand, stubborn and unfazed<br /> <br /> Your shade is revered by many<br /> Be it the players of football<br /> Cooling between bouts of adrenaline charged matches<br /> Or the batsmen <br /> Awaiting their turns at batting during cricket practice<br /> <br /> A symbol for the very principles<br /> On which NCBS is based on<br /> Without you, NCBS will never be the same!</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Photo Credits: Mahantesha </span></span></span></div>
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Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-12771326226426636322014-12-26T22:35:00.003-08:002014-12-26T22:35:58.604-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">On the cusp of dawn<br /> When the misty land beckons<br /> Come, let us take a walk<br /> Into the foggy wilderness,<br /> beneath the clouds<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /> into the unknown,<br /> into no man's land<br /> and seek out undiscovered treasures<br /> Oh such joy and delight!<br /> Come, let us walk together....</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption"><span class="text_exposed_show">Photo Credits: Ravi Kumar Boyapati </span></span></span></div>
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Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-87880637197712315032014-02-22T05:04:00.001-08:002014-02-22T05:04:35.459-08:00My First Tryst at Adventure-A School Adventure Trip to Satpura ki Rani (Pachmarhi)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">“A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles.”</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;">~ Edward Abbey</i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was a fine cold winter night on the 14th of November,2000 when a group of excited Classes 6th-7th school kids embarked on a journey of self-discovery and exploration.We were accompanied by our teachers- Kalpana ma'am,Meera ma'am,Srinivasan sir and Biswas sir. Our target destination was to Pachmarhi (also called as Satpura ki Rani-The Queen of Satpura) located at southern Madhya Pradesh,in the Satpura Hill Range.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The trip was special to me in two ways. Firstly, it was the first time I was travelling without my parents and in the company of friends. Secondly, it was not a routine sightseeing trip,but rather an adventure trip. Yes, when I mean adventure, I mean,sleeping in tents,on rugs spread out on the cold floor in the camping site, campfires every night, trekking on steep ,narrow paths cut into the hills,cooking in the forest, camping in the forest known to be inhabited by bears,rock climbing, rappelling,going without having a bath straight for 2 days and what not.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The two-day long train journey from Hyderabad to Piparyia, the station closest to Pachmarhi, was a mixture of fun and frolic interspersed with a tint of mischief,courtesy some of the boys and one of the teacher who lost no opportunity in applying toothpase on to unsuspecting co-passengers in deep slumber.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Pachmarhi, the sight of pitched tents and steaming hot food at the campsite greeted us. Mr. Avinash Deoskar and his wife, Bimla Negi,both of whom are ardent adventurers and close friends of our school Director, Shri Y.K Gurwara were present to invite us.Bimla Negi, in addition to being the president of the National Adventure Foundation-Nagpur Chapter, has also scaled Mt. Everest apart from a number of other mountain peaks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was freezing cold and we glad to dig into the food,capturing every joule of heat energy to help us stay warm.Sleepy and tired after a long journey, we fell asleep.Our beds were made out of rugs spread onto the hard cold cement floor which was built on a platform raised a few feet from the ground.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got a first taste of what being at an adventure camp feels like. I was rudely jolted out of my deep slumber and it was pitch dark outside.Coupled with that,it was freezing outside.Added to that, we had to brush our teeth with icy cold water,followed by a jog in the dense thick foggy forest surrounding the camp site. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Later on,post breakfast, we were introduced to the first activity-rock climbing (on natural rocks). The instructors explained to us about different rope knobs, hooks and the type of crevices in rocks and how they could be used during mountain climbing. We then had a stint at climbing the rocks.We climbed 2 different rocks, one at a height of 30 feet and another around 40 feet probably.It was one awesome experience for me and I enjoyed the challenge of feeling for crevices/cracks in the rock and then digging in them with my hands and feet that would enable me to climb higher.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It must have been around noon when we returned to the camp site. In the afternoon, we went trekking on one of the hill slopes. In some places the terrain was flat and bushy while in some places it was steep with a deep valley bordering it on one side,the valley filled to every inch by trees. It was my first experience at a real trek and it left me exhausted.At the end of the trek, we came across the Silver Falls (also known as Rajat Prapat), perhaps one of the highest waterfalls in that area.It must have been around 350 feet.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The day ended with a campfire.We were divided into groups and each group had to perform either a dance/song.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following days, I was pretty much prepared for the day's strenuous activities and despite them, they always left me very exhausted. Apart from rock climbing, we had rappelling which is climbing down a mountain-rather, a steep descent from a cliff.It was my second favourite activity after rock climbing. We even had a whole day trekking to Chauragarh, the second highest peak. At the top of the peak is a temple of Lord Shiva.This trek is etched in memory because of a bunch of monkeys who jumped on my head out of nowhere and grabbed my chips packets.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We even spent two days-nights in the forest.We had set up tents in the middle of the forest beside a stream. That region of the forest was pretty much populated by bears and monkeys though we did not see any bears. Patrolling around the tents at night was a must for us and one student did play a prank on us by scaring us out of our wits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other memorable activities include trekking and bathing in a shallow waterfall. Following this, each of the groups had to cook something with the stuff they were handed-vegetables, sticks,no utensils. This was termed forest cooking and our group managed to make some brinjal subji using fire made from sticks and leaves as plates.We had to use twigs and branches to roast the brinjals over the fire.Sunset at the Dhupgarh (highest point in Pachmarhi) was also a beautiful sight to behold.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All in all, it was an unforgettable trip and we returned home with a rich learning experience and a lifetime of memories.Unfortunately, I did not carry my camera with me (yes it was not a digital camera but the one with film) as my parents thought it would be too risky.</span>
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Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-56731256273000823352013-03-11T11:08:00.000-07:002013-03-11T11:08:07.838-07:00Sensuous Singapore<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ince my dad had been on frequent work trips
within India, mostly flying between Hyderabad and Bangalore, he had the
privilege of getting frequent flyer miles. In fact, the miles were acquired to
such an extent that they were sufficient for a two way trip to a foreign
country not far off from India. Thus, the miles were redeemed for a two-way
free air travel from India to Singapore, for a family of three.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so, this is the story of how mine and my
mother’s first trip beyond India’s boundaries shaped up (my dad had already
been abroad earlier). It was the summer of 2000 when the plan materialised.
Being our first trip abroad, we were naturally excited and full of
anticipation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometime in the month of May, we boarded the
flight to Chennai from Hyderabad. A connecting flight took us through a 8-hour
journey to the island of the Republic of Singapore. We landed at Changi Airport
which is built away from the land, out into the Indian Ocean. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The name of Singapore finds its roots in the
Sanskrit language. Singapore, originally adapted from the name “Singapura” (Lion
City), which in turn, comes from “Simha” which is Sanskrit for Lion. It is
located between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, just at the
southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is the second
smallest country in Asia. The main island is diamond shaped and has a total
area of 648 square kilometres, three times the size of Washington D.C. The
coastline of Singapore spans 193 kilometres.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, coming back to Changi Airport. It was
very huge and incredibly beautiful. It was like no other airport we had ever
seen. The airport shuttle dropped us off at our hotel. We were awestruck at the
metropolis and the tall buildings lining the city’s skyline.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later in the day, we visited the Singapore
Zoo, located on the outskirts of Singapore. The zoo was built inside a forest
so jeeps were employed to take visitors from the entrance to the interior of
the zoo. We had a lot of walking to do but we enjoyed the sights in the zoo. We
even took a photo of ourselves carrying oraguntans on our lap. The safari took
us to the forest and we saw a lioness with her cubs in addition to other wild
animals. The zoo tour took most of the day and in the end we were exhausted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second day of our stay on Singapore
started with a visit to the Singapore Cricket club followed by the Singapore
Diamond Gallery. Later on, in the day, we visited some of Singapore’s famous
shopping malls. In fact, we felt that the number of shopping malls outnumbered
the office buildings. We had our lunch at Little India, a small cute town in
the city. The post-noon part of the day was spent travelling to the Mt Faber
Hill, which overlooks the Singapore port.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the third day of our trip, we began a lazy
morning by strolling through Singapore’s malls and clean-swept roads. In the
afternoon, though, we were in for something pleasant. We boarded a cable car
from Mt Faber Hill, which took us to Sentosa, via Harbour Front Tower. Enroute
to Sentosa, we could see the bustling activity going on at the Singapore port as
the cable car glided above it. Once at Sentosa, we boarded the Sentosa Monorail
which took us from the beach to the Fort Siloso Monorail station. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We visited
its famous attraction-Underwater World, an underground oceanarium housing all
kinds of deepwater sea creatures. It has 2500 marine and fresh water animals of
250 species from different regions of the world. We spotted a white shark as it
hovered over us, the travelator moving us further into the glass-encased
tunnel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At Sentosa, we also saw the Merlion Statue, currently
the symbol of Singapore, Fort Siloso and the Surrender Chamber wax museum. The
museum housed very life-like replicas of people, mostly the natives of
Singapore. The Musical Fountain enthralled us with its music and fountain
dance.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We boarded the Sentosa bus which took us back
to the mainland.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For our last day in Singapore, we booked
ourselves for a one-day tour of the city with a local tourist agency. They
started the tour by offering us a visit to the China Town. China Town is a
small market selling mostly Chinese-made antiquities, medicines, and clothes.
We saw jars containing dead snakes in some of the shops. The sight of snakes
made me uneasy followed by the Raffle’s Square, a posh area located in
Singapore. There was Raffle’s Hotel and Raffels shopping mall located on
Raffles Avenue. </span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had our lunch at Little India and as usual, our
post-afternoon event included scouring additional shopping malls. In the
evening, we re-joined our group and had a cruise on the Singapore River
followed by dinner at a Chinese restaurant where they had rice sticks instead
of forks and spoons, served crabs, lobsters, prawns and every other kind of
seafood. We then went to a local shopping arena to buy souvenirs and presents
for our relatives back home.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, we were supposed to board the
flight to Chennai in the midnight hours, which, was delayed by quite a long
time(7-8 hours) due to a technical snag. So most part of the day was spent
strolling through the Changi Airport and browsing through free magazines, and
enjoying free food provided by the airlines. We were glad to be back home after
a tiring return journey. But we did bring ourselves golden memories to cherish
for the rest of our lives, as exemplified by the fact that I am able to
remember all these events despite them having occurred 12 years ago, and not
having recapitulated any of it in a diary.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-65969121888567461362013-02-08T09:57:00.000-08:002013-02-08T09:57:08.097-08:00Teach Your Kid To Act With Grace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>This article was published in the first edition of Womans' Era,January 2013. I found it to be a very interesting and realistic article.</b></div>
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<b><b>Author name: Kasturi Rangachari.</b></b></div>
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What are your dreams for your child in 2013? What do you plan to teach her? To work hard, to play hard and to come out a winner? That its a tough world and if one isn't on top of the heap,one is buried at the bottom?That if one isn't successful,famous and rich,one is a nobody and a nothing? And are you making a resolution that to help your kid,you will rush her from one after-school class to another and push her to succeed at something,preferably at everything?</div>
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Are you planning to hep her become competitive because if on doesn't pass everything on the road,one is being left behind and condemned to a painfully dull life of struggle,branded as a loser?</div>
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No one could fault you if you decided to do all this. It is a tough world and every parent does want his or her child to succeed because that means that the child will have a good life.</div>
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But what is a "good life"? Ask this question today and the answer most people will give you is that a good life is a life with lots of money. It is having luxuries and power and being envied.</div>
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From this follows the next questions. What sort of person can earn this good life and what sort of person should parents try to raise their child to be? Most people will answer that,to be successful today,a person must be well-qualified,ambitious and capable of doing anything to succeed. If they are honest,they will add that today a person must have a ruthless streak in him or her and shouldn't care too much for morals or ethics.</div>
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Does this sound extreme to you?It won't if you consider how obsessed most people are today with every detail of the lives of not just brilliant and successful men and women but even of criminals and anti-social elements who have made a lot of money. Our newspapers and magazines are full of stories about such people-cheats and criminals even when they are politicans and businessmen-and these news stories are devoured by everyone.</div>
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Money is so important in today's world that how these people got those huge piles of wealth is first ignored and later forgotten. The details of Dawood's son's marriage are drooled over with envy and parents sigh over the fact that it was a tasteless and ostentatiously grand affair paid for with money earned by very dubious means.</div>
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When one hears of the way coal blocks were sold and the profits that those who managed to-illegally- wangle them made,most of us do not think of the unfairness of the system and the loss that accrued to the country.Instead our mouths water as we think of all the money those people-cheats and criminals- made.</div>
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The truth is that money has become central to our lives in a way it never was before. In the past, earning money was difficult and the things one could buy with it were limited. Today,one can become a multi-millionaire by taking a few weeks to write a computer code that will create new social media website and fascinating apps. Or by singing songs that kids not yer in their teens go crazy over.</div>
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So anyone with ability and luck can earn incomprehensible amounts of money when barely out of their teens or earlier ,and then the world with its infinite possibilities is in their pockets.</div>
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<u>FASTER CHANGES:</u></div>
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Consumption patterns have been changing faster than one can keep pace with. Two years ago,I was both amused and scandalized when a young couple I know bought their two-year child an iPad. Today,I strongly recommend iPads to parents with even one-years. With the hundred of apps, an iPad can teach a child without seeming to. In fast,it can teach better than most teachers can,and that too in the best way possible- through captivating self-learning.</div>
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But iPads and everything else cost money and to be able to afford them,we want our children to earn a lot of money. But in the process, we forget to give them good role models. All of us will agree that role models should be people of probity,with high moral standards, people who are not concerned just with making money but who want to do good,people who give and don't just take, people who are honest, polite and principled.</div>
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But today,it's sad but true that while we will definitely find such people around is,they will not only be in such a minority that they can be easily ignored, but they are also unlikely to be among the famous and successful. So we are then reluctant to hold them up as good models.</div>
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All this makes it all the more important that we parents sit down and ponder the question of whether we are doing enough to ensure that our children grow up to be individuals with high values,integrity and character.</div>
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And among the qualities that we should try to inculcate in our children is one that is almost forgotten in today's highly competitive world. This is grace.</div>
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One meaning of grace is elegant movement,but the more important meaning is courtesy,decency and good manners. Acting with grace,showing respect and good will to everyone you come into contact with,to be kind nd generous to all and sundry. To show grace is to believe that people who have done us wrong and hurt us are actually good people who are only misled.</div>
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A person with grace hates no one. In the<i>Bhagavad Gita, </i>Krishna lists out 35 qualities that a good man or woman must have. The first is "advasta sarvabhutnam",the quality of not hating anybody.</div>
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But today the world is filled with hate. We hate-to ratify our lower instincts,as a protest against the unfairness of fate and even in the name of religion. We hate because of our own insecurities,projecting enemies where they do not exist. We hate those who are better off than us,feeling that they have unfairly got a better deal than we have in life. Ask any divorce lawyer and they will tell you that most cases that come to them today are born our of competitiveness between the husband and wife that turns into hatred.</div>
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<u>NEGATIVE FEELINGS:</u></div>
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In other words, this means that human beings today are filled with negative feelings towards others. But sadly,when we are filled with negativity,we are the ones who suffer,not the objects towards whom we have these. Negativity makes us feel utterly lonely and isolated. We are filled with stress and we all know what that leads to-depression,high BP, heart attacks, and the like.</div>
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Acting graciously, is the opposite of acting with hatred and the results too are the opposite. We are filled with love. We have positive feelings towards the world. Grace is inclusive and so we feel part of the society and the world. We do away with stress when we act with grace. We are able to live harmoniously with our fellow being and so we feel no stress. Instead, we feel joyous and uplifted.</div>
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Acting without grace in public life can change people's perception of you so completely that it can ruin your reputation and cause the populace to mock and scorn you. The public outpouring of anger over the outrageous reaction of liquid baron Vijay Mallya and his son Sidharth Mallya to the crisis that their airlines,Kingfisher, was facing is an example of this. When Kingfisher employees were on strike demanding that they be paid their overdue salaries(they hadn't been paid for several months) and were threatening to come to Delhi to confront Vijay Mallya at the F1 rally, Sidharth tweeted that,after 18 long and hectic days,he and his team had finally shortlisted girls in bikinis for the Kingfisher calendar girl 2013. He added that it had been a super experience.</div>
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In other words,master Mallya had been choosing between girls in bikinis,while according to reports, at least some Kingfisher employees had been contemplating suicide. Neither was his father more tactful or sensitive. After scooting from India,when the crisis broke,he was seen at a motorcycling event in Korea. He only came back(to attend the F1 event in Greater Noida) when his staff had managed to persuade Kingfisher employees to call off the strike with the offer that they would be paid some of their salary dues. And as a final insult, Vijay Mallya later scoffed at the threat that his employees had made, saying that they would never have been able to reach the F1 venue,let alone <i>gherao</i> him.</div>
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What does this behaviour tells us about the Mallyas? It tells us that they are selfish,self-centered, arrogant,totally insensitive,that they have no consciousness-in other words,they do not know the meaning of behaving with grace.<br />
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Another man totally without grace is Robert Vadra who responded to the exposure of some very dubious financial deals he had been involved in,with a very disdainful tweet about "the mango people in a banana republic". Besides showing the man to be without grace, it also shows him to be stupid. India is certainly not a banana republic and even if it was, who would be more to blame for that state of affairs than the family Vadra has married into?<br />
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Another example of graceless behaviour is the way DMK politician A.Raja allowed party sycophants to fete him when he came out of jail on bail. Came out on bail,not acquitted because he had proved to be innocent!He grinned while they wore T-shirts proclaiming that he had conquered Tihar jail and generally treated his release on bail like the return of conquering hero. Did the man have no shame? Any grace? No!<br />
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Shame and grace both restrain us from performing acts that go against decency. But today people like Raja, cannot be disgraced because they have no conscience, no sense of decency or any belief in te need for human beings, especially those who call themselves leaders, to set an example by acting with grace. But are the rich,powerful and notorious totally to blame? Since they are pursued by a media intent on covering their every action and relaying it to a hero-worshipping public intent on feting them,can they be faulted for being delusional and thinking they are demigods above the reach of human conscience?<br />
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<u>ACTION WITH GRACE:</u><br />
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This makes it all the more important for human beings to realize the importance of acting with grace. When someone acts with grace in our presence,it is a wake-up call that tells us that there are more important things in life than winning,making money and being powerful. It makes us think of character and the kind of memories and name we will leave behind when we exit this world.<br />
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The best example of grace I have seen in recent times was on a social media site. Today,people are touchy and easily take offence and especially when this matter concerns religion,this often stokes the fire of hatred, But,the person whose act of grace so touched me,did not react in this manner. She did not stoke the fire of hatred,she doused it.<br />
Someone posted a picture of a girl with facial hair that made her look like a young man on a popular social media site. Viewers were quick to follow it up with thoughtles and callous quips.That girl in question must have felt embarassed to say the least and could not have been faulted if she had lashed out in pain and anger. But instead, she responded with extraordinary grace.<br />
Balpreet Kaur,who is a Sikh, took the trouble to explain her faith and why it forbade the removal of hair from the body. Sikhism believed in the sacredness of the human body and the need to keep it intact,she explained. So it forbade the cutting or removal of hair from the body. She then explained her own belief in the need to go beyond the body into the realm of good thoughts and actions. These,and not one's looks would leave a lasting legacy. She concluded by saying that she appreciated all comments,both positive and negative and by apologising-apologising!- for causing confusion and hurt.<br />
The person who had put picture on the sire came out and offered his heartfelt apologies for his action which he accepted, was "incredibly rude, judgmental and ignorant". This man too showed grace.<br />
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Today hardly anyone apologises, or when forced to do so, does so in such a way,with so many conditions,so many ifs and buts,that it is hardly an apology. But the man concerning here,apologised with true remorse and without any conditionality or making any excuses. It is only individual integrity and grace that can save our world which is hurtling towards self-destruction on the backs of anger and hatred.<br />
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Yudhishthira was also called Ajatasharu or "one whose enemy hasn't been born" because of the love and grace he showed towards everyone. These qualities inspired respect,admiration and derefence in everyne who came into contact with him and so he had no foes. If the world were full of Ajatashatrus, we never need fear what the future holds for the human race. So let us raise our children to be Ajatashatrus.</div>
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Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-90799229043835533112012-08-28T11:19:00.002-07:002012-08-29T09:53:14.163-07:00Of monuments, mountains and valleys: 25th Dec '98-3rd Jan '99<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We were a
group of around 20 people. It was our first ever trip to North India. We spent
about a month preparing for the trip. It all started on Christmas, when we
boarded the train to Agra. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u><strong>DAY-1
26<sup>th</sup> Dec,’98:</strong></u> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> We were
greeted at the Agra station, by thick, dense fog which persisted throughout the
day and cleared only during the afternoon.Initially we thought that we reached the station at 5am,but we were shocked when we saw it was 7 am. It was very dark and the visibility was not even 10 metres for the naked eye similar,in the movies showing persons disappearing into thin air.Opening our mouths,we could see white vapours coming out. It was unusual to everybody,since it was our first experience in such conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The first
monument we saw was the Agra Fort. It was very solid, huge, made from red
brick. We learnt that during the Mughal era,Shah Jahan,in his later years, was
kept as a prisoner in the Agra Fort by his son, Aurangzeb. As per historicans, Shah
Jahan requested for a room, in a tower within the fort,known as</span><span style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Muasamman Bur</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">from where
he could gaze endlessly at the Taj Mahal. The balcony of the Muasamman Bur was
made up from marble.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">More details
of the fort can be found here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra_Fort"><span style="color: blue;">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agra_Fort</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span>The
strongest memory of the Agra Fort that I recollect, is a giant monkey jumping
out of nowhere on to my unsuspecting mother, who was carrying a bunch of
bananas in her hand. Obviously, the monkey could not resist while its favourite
fruit was in danger of disappearing.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Of course, we
could not leave Agra without visiting the Taj Mahal. In an effort to protect
the Taj Mahal from vehicular pollution,we were taken to the monument on carts
driven by horses. With the main entrance on one end, and the flowing Yamuna River
on the opposite end, the giant expanse of smooth, lustrous white marble, carved
into angles and curves, was a sight to behold.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Later that
night,we boarded the train to the capital of India-New Delhi. When the train came,women and children got into it from two doors. Luggage was thrown into the train from another two doors and the gents jumped into it,since the train stopped for only 2 min.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>DAY-2 27<sup>th</sup> Dec,’98:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our day in
Delhi began with a visit to the historic Qutub Minar, followed by the Lotus
Temple. The evening was spent at the Karol Bagh market, teeming with its never-ending
activity, buying additional winter wears for our trip to the hillstations of Shimla
and Manali.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>DAY-3 28<sup>th</sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dec,’98:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"><strong></strong></span></o:p></span></u><br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Off we
started on a long road trip to Shimla. En route,we had a ride in a cable car. We reached
Shimla late in the night. But alas, most of the passengers were either sleeping
or drowsy from taking the anti-vomit tablets and missed the entry <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>into the town of Shimla, its twinkling lights,
narrow clean pathways, extending out their hands as if welcoming us. We were
booked into a hotel,Honeymoon Inn. It was living a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>DAY-4 29<sup>th</sup> Dec,’98:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Shimla is
famous for its Green Valley, which, during Jan-Feb, is usually covered in snow.
The Green Valley derives its name from the numerous coniferous (pine) trees
spread across the valley. We also put on a few local costumes and took various snapshots.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We then
proceeded to Kufri, a famous ski resort near Shimla. Usually what would have
been full of snow, was now rocky brown and hilly terrain. To get to the top of
the mountain, we had to ride horses. My dad and I went together,I on the
horseback, while my dad walked alongside. The women stayed back at the base. At
the top of the mountain, we saw Mount Kailash, abode of Lord Shiva, through a
telescope. The rest of the day was spent visitng a helipad and local film
shooting locations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>DAY-5 30<sup>th</sup> Dec,’98:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Manali. Our
next destination. We started from Shimla in the morning and reached Manali in
the evening, via Kullu. </span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">The scenery was simply mindblowing. We had the Beas river giving us company throughout the journey. Water silently flowing amidst boulders, rocks and pebbles, sunlight playing hide and seek with the coniferous trees, curvy roads, high mountain peaks, are some of the descriptions of the wonderful bus journey.</span><span style="font-family: Cambria, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. It was sub-zero temperature in the night, and the heaters in our hotel
rooms were not working properly. Till date I don’t know how we managed to
survive on heat pads, rubber pouches filled with hot water and placed on the
bed. We were not very bothered with it, once we saw our first glimpse of the
snow-capped Himalayan peaks during dawn from the window of our room. At sunrise,
we saw the snow capped peaks bathed in the Sun’s rays, glowing in gold.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We could not
wait to get to the snow-clad mountains. Jeeps took us to Rohtang Pass, located
even higher than Manali. The roads leading to Rohtang Pass were very steep, narrow
and rocky, huge mountain boulders on one side, and the deep valley on the other
side. We were 6 people squeezed into a single jeep and I remember one of my
relatives fervently praying that the vehicle wouldn’t fall into the deep
ravines below. Traffic was stuck for an hour because of a landslide which had occurred,
blocking the road with boulders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">On the way, we
stopped by to hire some more fur sweaters and leather boots to protect us from
the cold harsh wind blowing over the terrain of Rohtang Pass.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At Rohtang
Pass, the snow was hardened and it was very slippery. Our leather boots made it
all the more difficult to walk. Cold rough winds blew over, leaving our skin devoid
of moisture. That did not prevent us from walking over the slippery ice and
taking snaps. However, we could not stay there for a long time and returned
back, glad to be in the warmth of the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>DAY-6 31<sup>th</sup> Dec,’98:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Solang
valley, Hidimba temple, Hot springs, Buddhist temple and Club House were some
of the places we visited at Manali. At Solang Valley, some of us gave an
attempt at parasailing. Solang valley was very beautiful,the snow clad
mountains and clear blue skies surrounding the green valley.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">At Manali, I
had my first shot at French fries. Since then, Ive been a mad fan of French
fries!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>DAY-7 1<sup>st</sup> Jan, ‘99:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">We proceeded
back to Delhi from Manali. It was a very long journey by bus and we were too
tired when we reached Delhi at midnight. The route from Manali to Delhi was covered in thick dense fog. All aboard the bus was asleep except for my father and another relative (and the driver of course).The bus was moving in darkness,guided by the tail lamp posts of the vehicle going ahead of our bus. They were scared to death!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><strong>DAY-8 2<sup>nd</sup> Jan,’99:<o:p></o:p></strong></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">Our last day
of the trip was spent visiting the Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Rashtrapati Bhavan and
the India Gate, landmarks of Delhi. We bought few souvenirs as a reminder of
the wonderful tour.That evening,we took the train back to Hyderabad.At the station,we were in such a hurry. We did not get proper transportation to the station. We reached in different batches.Time was running out and we did not get seats in one compartment.Cell phones were a rarity during those days,so we did not know if everyone had got into the train.And to top it all.two people paid the same porter for carrying the same luggage!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-50525087309487938532012-08-28T11:15:00.003-07:002012-08-28T11:15:43.587-07:00DIARY OF A TRAVELLER<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">As a child
and as a teenager I have been fortunate to travel to quite a number of places
spread across the breadth and width of India, right from the shores of
Kanyakumari to the rocky mountains of Rohtang Pass, from the blue city of
Jodhpur, to the Indo-Nepal border near Darjeeling. And it was not limited to
Indian boundaries also. Some trips were in the company of family while others
were adventure camps conducted by my school. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This article describes each travelling experience
and for the sake of easy reading, is broken into each describing a different
tourist trip,in chronological order.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">The earliest
trip I remember vaguely was when we took a trip around Tamil Nadu-Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram,
Madurai, Thanjavore, Trichy I was around 6.5 years and used to live in Chennai,
so I have a very faint memory of the trip. All I remember is that during the
trip I used to insist on changing my clothes every time we went to a new town.
Once on reaching Madurai from another place, it was getting late, so we decided
to visit the temple directly. I was very stubborn during that time and wanted
to go to the temple wearing only pavada and not any other dress. So finally I
managed to change my dress in the van itself !<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Cambria","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-theme-font: major-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: major-latin;">There have
been many memories of my trips and some of them have had a long lasting
impression on my mind. One of them is the trip to Himachal Pradesh which I have
described in more detail in the next post.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-25916479525793207432011-10-13T02:12:00.000-07:002011-10-21T01:21:25.472-07:00Speech by Jesse Owens<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Jesse Owens is a world famous athlete. After gettingr his first Olympic gold medal, he spoke the following lines:<br />
<br />
"To those of you who laughed at me, thank you.<br />
Without you, I wouldnt have cried.<br />
To those of you who couldnt just love me, thank you.<br />
Without you, I wouldn't have known real love.<br />
To those of you who hurt my feelings, thank you.<br />
Without you, I wouldn't have felt them.<br />
To those of you who left me lonely, thank you.<br />
Without you, I wouldn't have discovered myself.<br />
But it is to those of you who thought I couldn't do it;<br />
It is you I thank the most,<br />
Because without you, I wouldn't have tried"</div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-29089932940764020392011-10-11T05:07:00.000-07:002011-10-11T05:07:34.827-07:00Definitions<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">This interesting article was found in my lab.Author unknown.<div><br />
<div>"Standing for what you believe in</div></div><div> Regardless of the odds against you</div><div> and the pressure that tears at your resistance</div><div> ....means courage.</div><div><br />
</div><div> Keeping a smile on your face,</div><div> when inside you feel like dying,</div><div> For the sake of supporting others,</div><div> ....means strength</div><div><br />
</div><div> Stopping at nothing,</div><div> And doing what's in your heart,</div><div> you know is right,</div><div> ....means determination</div><div><br />
</div><div> Doing more than is expected,</div><div> To make another's life a little more bearable,</div><div> Without uttering a single complaint</div><div> ....means compassion</div><div><br />
</div><div> Helping a friend in need,</div><div> No matter the time or effort,</div><div> To the best of your ability,</div><div> ...means loyalty</div><div><br />
</div><div> Giving more than you have,</div><div> And expect nothing</div><div> But nothing in return,</div><div> ......means selflessness</div><div><br />
</div><div> Holding your head high,</div><div> And bring the best you know you can be,</div><div> When life seems to fall apart at your feet,</div><div> Facing each difficulty with the confidence</div><div> That time will bring you better tomorrows'</div><div> And never giving up,</div><div>....... means confidence.</div></div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-81693942806438144452011-09-19T12:21:00.000-07:002011-09-19T12:21:41.054-07:00Three Things In Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Got this piece long back from an unknown source. Found it pretty inspiring. Thought to share it with you all:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">THREE THINGS IN LIFE-<i>Once gone, never come back:</i></span><br />
<i> </i><b> </b><br />
<b>WORDS, OPPORTUNITY and TIME</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
THREE THINGS IN LIFE-<i>must never be lost:</i><br />
<i> </i><b> </b><br />
<b>PEACE,HOPE and HONESTY</b><br />
<br />
THREE THINGS IN LIFE-<i>that destroy a person:</i><br />
<i> </i><b> </b><br />
<b>GREED,PRIDE and ANGER</b><br />
<br />
THREE THINGS IN LIFE-<i>are never sure</i><br />
<i> </i><b> </b><br />
<b>DREAMS,SUCCESS and FORTUNE</b><br />
<br />
THREE THINGS IN LIFE-<i>that make you a great person</i><br />
<br />
<b>HARDWORK, SINCERITY and SUCCESS</b><i> </i><b> </b><i> </i><b> </b><i> </i><b> </b><br />
<br />
THREE THINGS IN LIFE-<i>are most valuable</i><br />
<br />
<b>LOVE, SELF-CONFIDENCE and FRIENDS</b><i> </i><br />
<b> </b><i> </i> <br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-76485714583926801572011-09-19T11:57:00.000-07:002011-09-23T05:48:01.231-07:00THE BEGINNING OF A TALE: NCBS AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF A FRESH GRADUATE<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: left;">“A very professional and fastidious place to work in, with a very strong and dominating work culture. Not for the faint of heart”- Anonymous </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qv_MTyxZ08leRq3Pvu7XQwGZEW0mHU8gR3AXLc-neWGxzwBJtTbtjAHG60IIuNRM7kekcr9KjiRo6Nm1exWeHqJWifVZ-QQAb3PCv3SeTQmyPmmotb0nmeZW2RfXIx_pkHiQwBJSbmE/s1600/Image1362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qv_MTyxZ08leRq3Pvu7XQwGZEW0mHU8gR3AXLc-neWGxzwBJtTbtjAHG60IIuNRM7kekcr9KjiRo6Nm1exWeHqJWifVZ-QQAb3PCv3SeTQmyPmmotb0nmeZW2RfXIx_pkHiQwBJSbmE/s320/Image1362.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Well maintained lawns, spic and span corridors, beautiful buildings, state-of-the-art labs, sophisticated infrastructure, tasty food, lively people and above all-stimulating research work. That about sums up the first impressions of NCBS by first-time visitors here. A place that will tend to increase your fetish for research.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">My first visit to the NCBS campus was during the interviews into the PhD programme. I fell in love with the place at first sight. I got bowled over by the warm reception we got and by the beautiful landscape of the campus. It transported me into another world. I felt I was in a foreign university except that the majority of the people there were Indians. It gave me the distinct aura of being in a corporate company (reminded me of the summer internship spent in Dr Reddy Laboratories).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I managed to get through the interviews (partly luck and partly common sense).I therefore embarked on another journey of my life when I joined NCBS in August 2011. At first, coming from a large campus like IITM with its huge student population and where the campus never seemed to sleep, I felt intimidated by the eerie calmness and serene environment outside the labs. But that, as I learnt later, can be deceiving, for within the walls of the building, thev labs are always brimming with activity, despite the lateness of the hour.</div><div style="text-align: left;">During the first three weeks of our programme, an orientation programme was conducted. It focused on every important aspect that was playing a major role in running NCBS and keeping it in good shape. At the core of it was the introductory session by the PI’s who presented and explained the ongoing work in their labs. We were also introduced to the other non-research, but equally important facilities in NCBS. The fact that equal importance was given to all branches of NCBS impressed me.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As the days passed, I begin to observe, and thus, learn more about NCBS. The people were very friendly and also very professional in their work. The help desk attends to the requests of many people without taking much of their time and so does the civil authorities. People, apart from the regular research students, right from the gardeners, electricians ,janitors and housekeeping staff work around the clock to make NCBS look young (literally). The best part about it is their efforts do not go unnoticed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The thing most fascinating about NCBS is the quality of its research work. The research work being carried out here is one of the finest in India. As put in the words of a certain NCBSian, “What amazes me about NCBS is that the researcher has the freedom to follow his passion and the questions that intrigue him the most”. Although limited to life sciences, it makes the best opportunity of the principles of chemistry, maths, biology and physics by applying them to living systems. The research is integrated, intertwined, and interdisciplinary and proves the saying that “Science is one”. It strives to expand its research areas within the frontiers of biology yet make the chemists, physicists, mathematicians (non-life science students) feel at home with their work.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The faculty members were very eager in explaining about their work. The friendly interactions we had with them were instrumental in helping us to settle down quickly without any room for feeling homesick.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">NCBS is unique just like any other institute. Part of this uniqueness lies in its well established scientific community which comprises a network of scientists all over the world. It provides an ideal opportunity to interact with eminent scientists’ worldwide working on a wide array of scientific problems. The conferences and workshops are one way of learning new skills as well as increasing our curiosity. The problems and questions set forth during these seminars leave us intrigued with the mysterious workings of living systems. It also serves as a platform to reach new heights in science, with its diverse collaborative projects and sending research students abroad for conferences and workshops.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The seriousness of safety issues here dawned upon me only after we were made to write a biosafety exam, as well as, presented with a fire safety drill. A lot of emphasis was put on every minute safety detail.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">With the orientation programme coming to a close, the students were now in a dilemma of choosing their labs for pursuing their rotations. With the wide array of options available, it sure was hard to make a final choice as all seemed equally interesting. Of course, as I had been waitlisted, my lab had already been decided.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The sports complex at NCBS is worth a special mention. With its polished wooden courts, the well equipped gym, the water of the swimming pool sparkling like diamonds in the sunlight, it makes for a refreshing change of activity. Apart from providing rejuvenation to both the body and mind, it serves a certain purpose for the researchers-to vent out their bottled up frustration in the form of an interesting game of badminton or squash. I was no exception and I started working out at the gym within a week.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It was a refreshing change of food from the stereotyped sambhar, dal and rice typical of Chennai’s cuisine, to the cosmopolitan cuisine of NCBS which offers a variety of dishes. For the first time in two years, I felt the need not to miss a scrumptious breakfast.<br />
<br />
The library, I have to admit, although not as huge as the Central Library of IITM, is a relaxing and cosy place to let one's scientific ideas be born, thanks to the wide number of journals-both in electronic format and hard copies, to which it has subscribed. Apart from the diverse scientific journals, a number of popular textbooks covering every aspect in science, can be found all in one place. It is a wonderful place to sit back,relax,and read through a novel without being interrupted.<br />
<br />
It has been one and a half months since I joined NCBS. There is still so much about this place that remains unexplored. Time is spent juggling between attending seminars, course work, lab work and working out in the gym or playing badminton. The numerous seminars conducted daily in the institute, or the workshops once in a while keep the interest alive and helps breaks the monotony of graduate life.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A long journey lies ahead of me, a journey during which I hope to explore unchartered territory in the frontiers of science, expand my ever-increasing reservoir of knowledge, make contributions in the field I choose to work in, and last of all, a journey which is bound to put my patience to test. The real story starts here.</div></div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-83622833530381127822011-08-04T00:25:00.000-07:002011-08-04T00:28:09.075-07:00The whirlwind journey called "IIT Madras"I am sitting in the basement lab of the NCBS campus waiting the arrival of one of the many PI's who are giving a presentatin of their work. This is my 4th day in the NCBS campus and I am still getting used to it.The PI fails to come so then I catch up some free time to pen down my experiences in my previous institute-the famed IIT.<br />
<br />
Although I spent only 2 years in IIT Madras, it taught me a lot of things and I came to know that I did not know about things that even existed.The tedious theory courses and the practical work in the first year kept me occupied.A majority of my classmates were from Bengal and the competition was tough. Days and nights passed during which I pored over books and I hardly had time to do extra curricular activities. The only relief I had was during the Saarang fest. My favourite courses included the Biochemistry course during which I made good friends with students studying in the Dept of Biotechnology.<br />
<br />
The second year was even more hectic and it was a mixture of madness, exhilaration and exhaustion.In addition to the theory courses we had to work in the lab for a project as part of course requirements.My labmates were all guys and they took relish in pulling my legs all the time.<br />
<br />
Roopa was one of my closest friend I made in IIT. We both tried to hang out whenever we got the time. We would sit and talk for hours in the mess on a wide variety of subjects, the most favourite of them being movies and guys.I once attempted to climb a 60-70 feet water tank in the IIT campus in the midnight around 2 am. It was the only crazy thing I did in IIT.<br />
<br />
I particulary enjoyed swimming in the huge Olympic-sized swimming pool. Sadly, my coursework took up a lot of my time and I ceased swimming after the 2nd semester.<br />
The monkeys played havoc with my clothes all the time and once a monkey tried to peep under my long skirt when I was walking down the stairs. Ever then I have been wary of wearing skirts.<br />
<br />
Mess food was good in the first semester and it gradually turned worse. By the 4th semester, I was eating in Tiffanys more often than in the mess.<br />
<br />
Some of the rare moments that I experienced in IIT was watching the Indo-Pak cricket match during the WC 2011, first in the hostel common room and then in OAT.This was followed by the WC finals,also in the common room and then OAT.It was an awesome feeling being amidst the screaming crowd cheering hard for the Indian team.<br />
<br />
Holi was another particular occassion that I enjoyed playing in the campus.We used to play for long hours and spend even longer hours washing off the colours from our clothes and body.<br />
<br />
Saarang fests in IIT was one thing that all IITians eagerly awaited.It was a 5 day event filled with fun,frolic,entertainment.I attended a dance workshop during the fest, apart from taking part in various competitons.I used to enjoy the foods from the food stalls.<br />
<br />
The final months of my stay in IIT cannot be explained with words. It was perhaps one of the most hectic moments, shuttling my life between end sem exams, thesis submission, and preparation for interviews into the PhD program. I had to go to Mumbai the next day my end sem exams ended and as soon as I returned I had to present a seminar on my MSc project, immediately after which I left for Bangalore to attend the interview at NCBS.Only after reaching Hyd for the summer vacations, did I catch my breath.<br />
<br />
It was a big surprise to me when I heard I would be receiving the Best M.Sc Thesis Award in chemistry. Perhaps all that "pulling legs" in the lab paid off.<br />
<br />
The time flew by very fast and before I knew it, it was time for me to join the graduating batch for receiving the Convocation degree. The title of this post sums it all up perfectly-a whirlwind journey.<br />
<br />
All in all, it was a lovely experience at IIT. As for many students, I too had my share of both bad and good experiences in the institute but I prefer to keep only the good memories and ditch away the bad ones (not that I would ever forget the lessons learnt from them).Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-52353793556467224132011-07-08T02:59:00.001-07:002011-07-08T03:56:50.022-07:00Farewell Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Herminone Granger aka. Dan, Rupert and Emma<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdww8l76Px-eT63V7Yn4jYrq7JplMqkG-73RE5jOL0ElEkOWUi2J-PgmaVEzf3RIpoUuOoUKdBZeoxU18GH4gLHWVS4J8gIMxnMT2CRHE-Ob4HCDOeu6mjC0d-6zdmaAfKKMvSiyEf2U/s1600/harry+potter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdww8l76Px-eT63V7Yn4jYrq7JplMqkG-73RE5jOL0ElEkOWUi2J-PgmaVEzf3RIpoUuOoUKdBZeoxU18GH4gLHWVS4J8gIMxnMT2CRHE-Ob4HCDOeu6mjC0d-6zdmaAfKKMvSiyEf2U/s320/harry+potter.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Harry Potter is a ficitious character, and its on screen counterparts-Dan, Emma, Rupert, are merely actors. Yet, why do I feel sad that the series is coming to an end? Harry was 11 when he started at Hogwarts. I was 12 when I first read Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. The journey of Harry throughout the years is parallel to the journey of mine through school and college.Nine years is a big deal! <br />
<br />
Being in the same age group as Harry could help me relate more to him than an adult would have.It is a coincidence that the end of my student days and the last film of HP should occur at the same time. Harry Potter is more than a fictious character. It is a reminder of how wonderful my school and college days were and the innocence that was carried along with it.<br />
<br />
It was my parents who first introduced me to HP. Since then, there has been no looking back.I fell in love with the book and the character.<br />
<br />
Those days when I was not aware of the more serious things in life, Harry Potter was my wholesome entertainment, Never before, had I felt such a need to buy a book on the first hour and first day of its release. It transported me to a world of imagination.I alwayd enjoyed reading the novels no matter how many times I read them.<br />
<br />
It was an integral part of shaping my reading hobby. I credit the avid reader in me, to HP. It taught me a few important lessons too. Harry Potter, in short, made my childhood more memorable. If I had read HP when I was older, I would not have felt this way.<br />
<br />
I will definitely miss the actors who brought to life the book characters-Especially Dan, Emma and Rupert..<br />
<br />
You can call my crazy or insane but HP always remains my first love.And I am sure all of you HP fans out there will agree with me:-)Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-48498562709219919292010-09-03T07:37:00.001-07:002010-09-03T07:39:24.719-07:00NOTHING BEATS IIT!T’was once upon a time<br />Bengalis, Telugus and aTamilian<br />All congregated in the hall<br />To learn from those great minds<br />And Bengalis and Telugus were of opposite polarity<br />With very weak Vanderwaal forces between them<br />As time passed, Hydrogen bonds were formed between them<br />And now Ionic bonds have replaced these bonds.<br /><br /><br />I’m in IIT and I ‘m great<br />I’m in chemistry and Im great <br />I work all night and sleep all day<br /><br /> I like my professors. I like my work .<br /> I work with nasty chemicals<br />That inititate spectral transitions within my face<br />And cause it to redden<br />Sometimes I end up throwing the other fellow’s hard earned product<br /><br />Chemical bonds between classmates<br />Are of various types-sigma,coordinate,ionic and pi <br />But the strongest ones are<br />Among those with even parity and maximum orbital overlap<br /><br /> <br />I prowl the library all day<br />And the articles that I could use<br />Are gone when they’re needed<br /><br />Come exam time<br />The time for me to stir, recrystallise and rotavap<br />And come out new<br />Before exam,tempers run high<br />Students change their conformers<br />From being most stable to the least stable.<br /> Increasing the repulsion energy between them<br /><br />After exam the excess energy is dissipiated <br />And thus,a “relaxation effect” occurs<br />Which stabilises the chemical bonds between students<br />And things are fine again<br />Till the next perturbatuion occurs<br /><br />As wavelength of light strikes our retina<br />From the answer paper carrying our marks<br />Our electrons either get excited to the highest energy level<br />Or drool and undergo inversion of spin<br /><br />As time passes, the ‘like’ for one subject<br />Is subsituted nucleophilcally by the ‘love’ for the same<br /><br />Time always seems so short<br />That I wish I could teleport<br /><br />Since I first came here,<br />The Earth has made 365 rotations about its own axis<br />And it has another 365 rotations to complete<br />Before I leave this place<br />So lets not get sentimental<br />But make full use of the opportunities here<br /><br />Adieu!Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-88990555230809615062010-07-23T00:58:00.000-07:002011-03-17T01:20:23.795-07:00My Life-Fifteen Years Ago..My childhood has not exactly been a cakewalk for me and my parents.It was a bolt out of the blue when I was identified as "hearing challenged" by a doctor at the age of 2 years.It was one of the most darkest hours for my parents.Still they did not give up hope. Through a friend, they took me to Bangalore.There only, they first heard of the school "Balavidyalaya-The School for Young Deaf Children" in Chennai. <br /><br />Without a moments hesitation,my parents packed their bags and took me to Chennai.My dad did not have a job then. They first enrolled me in the school.The then headmistress and principal, Ms Saraswati Narayanaswamy and Ms Rajalakshmi respectively, were very kind hearted and also strict at the same time.They agreed to put me in the school for free.I joined Balavidyalaya in June 1990.<br /><br />I was trained in Balavidyalana for five years. It was a struggle and my parents worked very hard with me. The way of training in Balavidyalaya is different from other normal schools. They taught us words directly without introducing us to the alphabets. They made us use the best of our hearing aids.The teachers were very strict but also warm and loving. I had three more classmates who were trained along with me. My mother used to constantly discuss with their parents during the school hours. My parents also used to take me out to the beach every weekend so as to facilitate my training.Everyday they used to make me sit with them and make me learn all the words.She used to keep dictations for me. <br /><br />It was for my sake only that my mother learnt English.Since, it is difficult for a hearimg challenged person to learn two languages at the same time, they decided to keep only one language for me-English.<br /><br />Most people, whenever they talk to a hearing challenged person, think that there is a problem with his or her voice and they assume it to be more of a problem with the vocal cords rather than hearing. This notion is wrong. In reality and actuality, every child first starts hearing sounds from quite a young age and then starts to reproduce those sounds. This is how his or her speech develops. But if there is no proper hearing, then the child will not be able to hear correctly.As a result, the speech is also not developed properly. Thus, it is very crucial and of utmost importance that the hearingg problem should be identified in a child as early as possible from birth onwards.<br /><br />Another most common problem is learning a second language. A hearing challenged person, mostly depends on the combination of lip movements and hearing through aids, to hear and talk to others. If that person depends on hearing alone, then they miss out many things. As a result, while trying to depend on audio devices like TV, tape recorder and telephone, the person misses out a lot. Unlike normal children who can pick up a new language easily by being exposed to hearing it daily, it is not the case with hearing challenged persons.Thia ia the reason why we find it difficult to pick up a mew language easily.The most annoying part is, when people ask us why we do not know our mother tongue and misjudge our knowledge for the English language alone as arrogance.<br /><br /><br />The five years of hardwork paid off. In June 1995 we moved back to Hyderabad where I was admitted directly into the second standard of Sherwood Public School. ICSE/ISC. It was the beginning of another journey of my life. I remained in the school for 11 years till 12th. I passed out of the school in April 2006.<br /><br />After completing my schooling, I joined St Francis Degree College for Women,Hyderabad and enrolled in the B.Sc BZC course.In the second year of B.Sc, I started attending coaching classes for JAM. I gave the JAM entrance in May 2009 and cleared the entrance test. I joined IIT in August 2009,in the M.Sc Chemistry course. It was a new phase of my life since I would be staying away from home for the first time. At first I was alarmed that most of my classmates were Bengali's and I had doubts as to whether I would get along with them. But soon, my fears were put to rest for I started gradually warming to them.<br /><br />These two years at IIT have been a great learning experience. I feel so lucky to be working with esteemed professors and brilliant students. It is less than a month before I leave IIT. But like every phase of life, this too shall pass and before I know I'll be busy elsewhere,but the memories of IIT will always remain with me.<br /><br />My life has been full of twists and turns but it has taught me many things along the way.Among the most important things it has taught me, is to have faith in myself and God.If ones think one can do anything and if they have the will power, nothing can stop them from achieving their ambitions.Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-84405236018886359642009-12-31T22:41:00.000-08:002010-01-01T04:50:44.479-08:00ADIEU 2009GOODBYE 2009.<br />What an eventful year it has been for me!<br />I experienced both sides of the same coin. If April was a bad month for me, May was an equally joyous month. The year has had lot of surprises in store for me.It has been both cruel and kind to me.<br />My hardwork put through the last 2 years had finally paid off. It has been a major turning point in my life in both professional and personal life. Professionally, it has helped me achieve my short term aim. Personally,it taught me a very invaluable lesson and I have become more experienced and wary out of it.<br />The year has been good to my friends too. Many of them got whatever they wished for.Abhishek achieved his dream-joining the IAF. Kalpana finally got married to the person she loved.Nalini also found her ideal match. Abhimitra got placed into a good company. Anisha and Ameena also secured a seat in the MBA colleges of their choice.Vineela finally found her match.<br /><br />Then there were times of the year when life raised its ugly head. We lost a promising person of our family to God.The state is on the brink of violence.The floods in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu left thousands devastated.<br /><br />There are some issues that are yet to be resolved. India is making a mockery of its judicial system by denying and delaying justice to deserving victims, and also delaying the prosecution of the lone terrorist, Abul Kasam under the pretex of "following the Constitution Acts". People in Telangana are employing "anti-Gandhigiri" principles to achieve their goal. Whatever happened to the quote "UNITED WE STAND,DIVIDED WE FALL"?<br /><br />People have lot of hopes and aspirations on a new year. They wait for New Year's Eve to make a resolution.Why wait for a New Year to make a resolution? Why not implement it soon? After all, every day is a new beginning.<br /><br />We must make the best use of our time and put it in the best possible advantage. The best way we can be at peace with the rest of the world is to "LIVE AND LET LIVE". I am not making any resolution because I do not believe in making New year resolutions. If I have to make one, I would make one at the earliest possible.<br /><br />I am hoping this New Year brings us more peace than violence.Let us see what awaits us in the new year. Meanwhile I will also not forget to live each moment as it comes by because every moment is a learning experience, be it good, joyous or bad.Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-79825267395446093672009-07-08T08:06:00.000-07:002011-07-08T04:03:11.201-07:00A TRIBUTE TO MY GREAT FRIENDS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEvnQDRHUmZefYgWFBMnTzhV9QRBeyMfhmzUE7gm7eZ9dsEGD5YtOv1oUXOpKLbY8gxiJ2z1_p-wl4fDg9iiixu6sYCmFdpt7iavrWZ70_hyTDakfMMZmyV4YJCFdBGkdjaPPWCKEqeU/s1600/friends-logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEvnQDRHUmZefYgWFBMnTzhV9QRBeyMfhmzUE7gm7eZ9dsEGD5YtOv1oUXOpKLbY8gxiJ2z1_p-wl4fDg9iiixu6sYCmFdpt7iavrWZ70_hyTDakfMMZmyV4YJCFdBGkdjaPPWCKEqeU/s320/friends-logo.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--> </div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b>The years have passed by<br />
with sweeping changes in our life.<br />
Yet our friendship remains<br />
as strong as the seashore rocks<br />
bordering the rough waves<br />
of the turmoil of life.<br />
.<br />
O dear friends<br />
you’ve been with me<br />
through thick and thin.<br />
Ours is an everlasting bond<br />
Words fail to describe it.<o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
Friendship is the beam of light<br />
in the corridors of darkness.<br />
If friendship was made of colours,<br />
Ours would be a Rainbow</b></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b>We’ve laughed and cried together<br />
besides sharing success and sorrow.<br />
We've celebrated carefree days<br />
and helped each other sail<br />
through turbulent times<br />
My triumphs would mean nothing without your support<o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b>And my sorrows would be hard to bear <o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b>If it were not for your compassion.<o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=""> </span><br />
You’ve had faith and confidence in me<o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b>This fuelled my burning passion towards tasting success<o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b><span style=""> </span>With you, I’ve realized<br />
that friendship is more than loving, liking and caring.<br />
It is in fact, an easy way to become<br />
a little more better<br />
a little more giving<br />
and a little more positive towards life</b></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b>Many people go in and out of our life<br />
But you all have truly made an impression<br />
Hence the word 'TRUE FRIENDS'<br />
Let our friendship not wither<br />
With the winds of time<br />
But only strengthened further<br />
And become more divine<br />
<br />
<br />
O dear friends<br />
I raise a toast to thee<br />
And to our great friendship<br />
That has withstood the test of time.</b></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br />
</p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><br />
<b><o:p></o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNormal"><b><o:p> </o:p></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b>LOVE YOU ALL TONS AND TONS !!!</b><br />
</div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><b><br />
<br />
<br />
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<!--[endif]--></b></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-36335229406368764672009-07-06T10:58:00.000-07:002009-07-06T12:15:47.042-07:00CHASING MY DREAM-THE JOURNEY THAT WAS, AND THE JOURNEY THAT IS YET TO START<span style="font-size:130%;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >I'm 21.<br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >I'm a graduate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >And I'm going to join IIT Madras in a month.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >The journey to IIT has never been easy ( and it never will). How I came to this stage, I still do not know. I am still yet to grasp the fact that I am soon going to be an IITian, a word most students would die for.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >I knew I was going to make it big someday, and this is just a stepping stone assisting me in making my 'larger-than-life' dreams come true.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >I had an aim in mind for the past two years, to get into IIT. AndI worked towards that goal. It was a slow but steady process. My dedication was never wavering, and whenever I grew impatient or whenever things were not going smoothly, I always told myself that there is something pleasant in store for me. I never felt that I was working too hard and I never allowed myself to be complacent with my performance.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >My parents and friends wholeheartedly supported me in my quest. My parents were my best and worst critics and always tried to put me back on track whenever they felt I was straying away. Without their support, I would never have reached where I am now.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >But above all, I had the most important essential thing required in achieving a goal-faith in myself. Without faith, one cannot achieve difficult things. It is most important to have self confidence. Also, I always tried to put in my best efforts, leaving the rest to God.It worked.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >God has answered my prayers for now.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >A month looms ahead of me before I hop on to the train that will take me to Chennai. This time will fly by very soon. I am nervous, excited and uncertain about what life has in store for me in the near future where I will start a new life at IIT.Life for me may not be the same again. Studying at IIT tends to put students on a different platform.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >Staying alone has its own ups and downs, and brings along with itself many responsibilities.I am eager to experience the feel of staying away from parents and home sweet home, in a new environment, surrounded by strangers. It is what makes one tougher. In case I feel that I'll be missing my parents, I immediately remind myself that I am a grown up girl now and it is time for me to start making use of my life now, that there is a lot more to achieve. This is just the tip of the iceberg.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:georgia;font-size:130%;" >I am praying to God to give me the strength to endure the mental and physical difficulties that lie ahead of me.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-26569845496329105122009-01-10T09:50:00.000-08:002011-07-08T04:06:07.468-07:00REMINISCENCES OF SHERWOOD-DOWN THE MEMORY LANE<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><br />
</div><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">I joined Sherwood in June 1995 in the second standard. Being a hearing handicapped person, I had just passed out of <st1:place><st1:placename>Balavidyalaya</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place> for Young Deaf Children in Chennai. My parents were very apprehensive of finding a good school in <st1:city><st1:place>Hyderabad</st1:place></st1:city> because of my disability and they were afraid that many schools would not accept me into their schools. The first school they saw in <st1:city><st1:place>Hyderabad</st1:place></st1:city> was Sherwood. The principal of the school then was Director sir, Mr Y K Gurwara. When he met us and was told the problem of my disability, all he did was to ask me a few questions and then put me into the school. All I can say that my parents were very relieved and even now they owe some gratitude to him. Because, the same was not the case with my friends from the previous schools. They were made to write entrance exams and in spite of scoring good marks, they were rejected by the school. Only after many attempts did they get into a normal school.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style=""> </span>In my previous school, we were trained to hear and speak using hearing aids and in the process, encouraged to speak as much as possible. The atmosphere, methods of teaching and the rules of the school were very different from that in Sherwood. So when I went to the school on the first day, I felt lost in a whole new world. Over the days, it became even more confusing. I did not know that the students were divided into houses so when someone asked me my house name, I meekly replied that it was in <st1:place><st1:placename>Sikh</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Village</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">My mother used to accompany me in the school bus to the school for a month or so till I got accustomed to the route. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Since we were made to practice Maths at an early age, I was well acquainted with the subject by the time I joined the school. I surprised the teachers by my quick solving approach. As far as I can recollect, there was this one incident in which we were writing the 2<sup>nd</sup> class final exams and Kalpana mam said something while correcting the papers and then all students began clapping. I too joined them. She saw me and called me and then asked why I was clapping. So I told that since everyone was clapping I did the same. Then she told me that they were clapping for me because I had scored full marks in the Maths exam. That is one incident that I can never forget. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">During the initial days, there were many who were not able to understand me but the teachers were very warm, loving and understanding. But they used to complain that I was speaking too much in the class. <span style=""> </span>Irvinder mam used to take the English classes and her classes were always fun. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal">The teachers recognized my passion and talent in painting and drawing and encouraged me to take that up as a hobby, which later on helped me win competitions in the inter-school painting category. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">My first annual day in Sherwood was an enriching experience. We were made to practice for days, the Marathi dance which we were to perform during the programme, As a result, even now, I remember those steps. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">As the years passed, I learnt new things, things around me started becoming more clear, I used to be wary of<span style=""> </span>Pramila mam, a stern and strict Maths teacher in the fourth and fifth standards Jaishree mam and Preeti mam<span style=""> </span>are some of the teachers that I remember being close to.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Soon the time came when we were promoted into the sixth class and into the senior wing. I felt great and proud of myself. Most of my development ,physically, spiritually<span style=""> </span>emotionally and intellectually took place during the time period from my 6<sup>th</sup> standard to my 12<sup>th</sup> standard. It has made me what I am today.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRsFc9RGC0B60DJhq789TTR3mJtCBY6utGyN_ds6siaofaRR-IOoVnaED-TGXlw9f3nQHsJuyad5Q3JKOHIAf10QSnBqw4dN8nIXeRSpFLFauSZk3x9qLSEWLC9nFpHAHeL4j5KR4E2c/s1600/SHUFFLE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRsFc9RGC0B60DJhq789TTR3mJtCBY6utGyN_ds6siaofaRR-IOoVnaED-TGXlw9f3nQHsJuyad5Q3JKOHIAf10QSnBqw4dN8nIXeRSpFLFauSZk3x9qLSEWLC9nFpHAHeL4j5KR4E2c/s320/SHUFFLE.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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My first excursion was when I was in the seventh standard to Pachmarhi. It taught me the first lesson of being tough, both <span style=""> </span>mentally, emotionally and physically, to be responsible and the ability to withstand hardships. Staying in the tents, sleeping on bare ground in rugs enduring temperatures as low as 8 degrees, trekking for long distances in the forests and the campfires all taught me that we face similar circumstances in life and that we should never be let down by them. They are all God’s test to see how far we can get on and how we can utilize the maximum of our potential.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Director’s sir Career and Guidance classes were unique. He always stressed on the importance of education and how it should be done in a correct manner. He always discouraged the rote method of learning and also encouraged treating students weak in studies on par with intelligent students. This kind of treatment is very rare now if one looks at the other schools around. One important lesson he taught was that one should never go after the result, rather they should focus on the path that leads to the result and that is where true learning takes place leading to true success in the long run. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">The school has always given equal importance to activities, both co-curricular and extra-curricular activities like quizzes, debates, elocutions, essay writing etc. I used to take part in all of the activities not knowing how much it was going to help me in the future. Today when I look at my cousins I think of how fortunate I was to be studying in a school like Sherwood. My cousins, who had studied in SSC since 7<sup>th</sup> standard, were not exposed to any of these activities and were always made to study and their learning was result-oriented. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Sherwood’s method of teaching is not result-oriented, rather it is about ‘learning in the process’. Director Sir’s words’ Success is a journey and not a destination’ are very true in today’s times. One cannot judge a person on the basis of his marks alone because he has some other strength within him and this is the very principle followed in Sherwood. It makes the process of learning enjoyable and fun. It believes that children should be allowed to enjoy their childhood days instead of wasting time trying to score 90%. And believes that each child is unique and should not be compared to one another.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><u>In short, Sherwood believes in imparting education to the children that will help them face harsh realties later in life and also believes that there is a lot more to a student than he/she scoring 90% in exams.<o:p></o:p></u></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></u></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style=""> </span>I can never thank my teachers enough. Anita mam and Sudhansu sir instilled the fondness of chemistry subject into me right when I was in the 7<sup>th</sup> standard.<span style=""> </span>And, thanks to my English teachers of that time including Narayan mam and Irvinder mam, I now speak and write English fluently Director Sir also used to take us Maths classes and it was more of conceptual than theoretical.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style=""> </span>Narayan mam also took some spare time off her busy schedule daily when I was in the 10<sup>th</sup> class, to spend some time with me and help me improve my speech clarity.<o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><u><o:p><span style="text-decoration: none;"> </span></o:p></u></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">I passed my 10<sup>th</sup> ICSE Board exams in May 2004 with flying colours, I decided to continue my 11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> in Sherwood in the MBiPC stream. Those 11<sup>th</sup> and 12<sup>th</sup> were the best years of my life so far in Sherwood. The bonds of friendship with friends, the bonds with teachers that we made over the years only strengthened further. I am also thankful that I took up Mathematics along with Biology in 11<sup>th</sup> because now Math is one of the requirements to write an entrance exam into M.Sc.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">The 12<sup>th</sup> class excursion to <st1:place>Goa</st1:place> in September-October 2005 was the best excursion that I ever experienced It was 5 days of fun and masti, besides being enriching. Director Sir had accompanied us on the trip.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Soon it was the time when the 12th ISC board exams were drawing near and so was the end of our school life. We felt heavy, yet eager to go out into a new, dangerous world ready to spread our wings and utilize all the things learnt so far in Sherwood and put them to practical purposes. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">I joined St Francis College for Women, Begumpet in May 2006. It was not easy in the first few months of the college. People treated me as being different, unlike in Sherwood. They were also not able to understand me and had to depend on my school friend, Ameena, to understand me. Although she was very helpful, and I have no words to thank her, I felt frustrated and sometimes lonely but I chose to ignore it. This was because Sherwood had provided me the mental strength to withstand it and keep trying. I realized it only after experiencing it. </p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;">Today, I am in my final year of B.Sc, ready to leave the college in a few months and I have many good friends in the college, all because of perseverance and patience learnt during the excursions. This is how each small thing that I learnt in Sherwood is helping me go ahead and I hope there are many more instances where whatever I learnt in Sherwood will help me.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><u>Sherwood will always be special to me because it never treated me as a special child and gave me the opportunity to be ordinary and prove that I am as capable as any other person. <o:p></o:p></u></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:16;" >J. Mahita<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:16;" >Year of Joining: June 1995<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:16;" >Class of Joining: 2<sup>nd</sup> class<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:16;" >House: Dayanand (10<sup>th</sup>), Aurobindo (12<sup>th</sup>)<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:16;" >Year of Passing out: May 2006<o:p></o:p></span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><p style="text-align: justify;" class="MsoNormal"><b style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:16;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Class of Passing out: 12</span><sup style="font-weight: bold;">th</sup><span style="font-weight: bold;"> class.</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-21079376418415923582008-10-26T21:10:00.000-07:002008-10-26T22:27:13.154-07:00Height Of IrresponsibilityCome Diwali and its time to rejoice and celebrate. For many. But for some others also it means time to plug in some cotton wool in their ears during nightime all thanks to negligent neighbours.<br />Children and young people are always full of enthusiasm but when it exceeds a certain limit, it is upto the elders to show them some discipline or to impose restrictions and above all, tell them whatever they are doing is wrong. But if the elders do no such thing, then its the hapless people around who are being victimized. Our family is one example of being a victim of 'mind-blowing' carelessness.<br /><br />I stay in an independent house on the first floor. My aunt,uncle, her son and their grandchildren stay in the ground floor. The grandchildren are aged 5 and 1 years. My grandmother stays with us.<br />It was a Saturday night around 11,when the whole colony was sleeping. I was watching TV. Suddenly out of nowhere I heard a blast,so loud that it made my ears tingle. I then looked out of the window and saw my neighbour, a boy of 17 years bursting bombs and crackers. I got annoyed but still I didnt do anything. Then one more followed,and one more, and one more and more . Then it stopped. I heaved a sigh of relief. Just when I thought it was all over, another blast followed. Then my sister, who stays downstairs went outside and requested them to stop since everyone was being disturbed. After half an hour or so, the blasts stopped. I looked out of my window and saw that the neighbour's lights were off, meaning that their midnight spree of bursting crackers had ended for the day.<br /><br />Then on Sunday night, no sound of bursting bombs could be heard till 11 so we concluded that they weren't going to burst crackers in the nighttime anymore. Around 11:30, another 'Whaam' and this time it was a lot more louder like bursting a balloon right in the ears. Startled, my dad and mom woke up. ( Sadly, I was at my cousins place for the night and missed out on the thrilling experience) My dad looked out of his bedroom window and saw the very same boy bursting bombs, this time from his first floor balcony and throwing them into the empty space between their house and our house.<br /><br />Even the Punjabis who stay in the house opposite to ours had got up and were requesting the boy to stop lighting crackers. The people who stay in the next house to ours also had got up and were on the balcony trying to find out what was happening. My dad then bellowed out to the boy from his window itself to stop. Despite his heeding, the boy refused to budge and continued to light the bombs. Finally, my dad lost his cool. He, along with another neighbour and my uncle, who stay downstairs, went out of the house, into the colony and to their house. They beckoned the boy to come down to speak with them. Even then, the boy refused and still continued to burst the bombs. Then my dad threatened to call the police if he did not come down. In his height of arrogancy, the boy replied , with a very casual tone,to him to call the police.<br /><br />Then my dad did it. He called up the control room who then informed the patrolling police jeep. The inspector was in the jeep at that time and spoke to my dad to enquire about the situation.<br /><br />You might be wondering all this time where the boy's elders were. The boy was staying with his uncle and aunt. Till this point, the uncle did not even bother to come out and try to stop the boy from bursting the crackers. Even after my dad went out to their house to tell them to stop, the uncle remained inside, Only after my dad lodged a police complaint did he come out.The boy also had stopped bursting the crackers.<br /><br />Within 15 minutes the police jeep was in front of the house. The Inspector got out and asked my dad about the sequence of events that took place unto that point. The boy and his uncle also came down. Then the uncle denied that the boy was bursting crackers and that he had stopped as soon as we asked him to. He told that it was a small incident and nothing major had happened. But my dad and the others told that despite repeated requests, the boy had refused to stop and even asked us to call the police. After a series of arguments, the inspector also got irritated with the man's way of talking. He then told them to come to the police station along with the boy, in the jeep itself.<br /><br />The inspector asked my dad also to come to the station to lodge a complaint. Sensing that the situation was getting too tense and big, my dad told the inspector to let him and the boy off with a threat. But since the boy and his uncle were already in the jeep, the inspector told that if they were let off, they would remain stubborn. So, my dad and uncle went to the station on their bike, following the jeep with the boy and uncle in it.<br /><br />In the station, the boy remained quiet. It was the uncle who did all the talking. He accused my dad that he was doing all this to show off his power and also threatened to put a case against my dad. He also told the inspector in a mock voice that we sleep by 8 and that he returns from his office after doing puja at 11 so after that only, he can burst crackers. ( stupidity isn't it?)<br /><br />Then the inspector explained in a stern voice, with all patience of a mother trying to explain her son the ABC of eating food, to the uncle about the harmful effects of bursting crackers in the dead of the night. He explained that there are persons with heart problems, small babies, old people who all get disturbed in the night. He further told that there was time till 10 in the night to burst the crackers so at was the need to burst it after then?<br /><br />Then the inspector told my dad to return home while he would keep the boy and his uncle in the station for some more time. My dad then returned home while the uncle and the boy were still in the station.<br /><br />I do not know when they came back from the station and till now I did not see them outside. But as far as I know, they are not harmed.<br /><br />Perhaps this situation is an eye-opener to the many people out there who burst crackers late in the nights mindless of the disturbance they may be causing to the people around.Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7069297065874166686.post-44799854854409742332008-02-15T07:31:00.000-08:002008-02-15T06:58:24.009-08:00Golden Days. Are They Over Yet?<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gone are those days<br />when I used to paint my imagination.<br />Now all I do is to draw dissection diagrams.<br />Gone are those days<br />when I used to pick up an innocent fight<br />Now all I do is to chill<br />Gone are those days<br />when I used to wait for enjoying in the school bus<br />Now the auto awaits to take me alone<br />Gone are those days<br />when it was mandatory to fold the hair up<br />Now all we do is let the hair loose<br />Gone are those days<br />when our legs used to groan under our weights<br />during the school assembly<br />Now there's no such thing as a college assembly<br />Gone are those days<br />when I used to dread my graduation<br />Now the graduation day is a few months away<br />Man! Wish I had a time machine<br />so that I could rewind the old school times<br />I ask myself<br />" Are the golden days really over?"<br />For I think not yet!<br /></span></div>Mahitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02042398981352464048noreply@blogger.com3