Watched the enthralling second game of the Ind-WI series. Saw Yuvraj take India from a 'hopeless 60/4' in some 18 overs, to 1 run short of the West Indian score with 2 balls to go. A brilliant, matchless effort (93 bowled) - ending in an absolutely heart-wrenching failure.
This sets up the series very well - all squared after two close and exciting contests. If only the matches were not at such unearthly hours...
But the thing that'll stay in my memory for a while is Yuvraj's effort - briliiant, so close... yet agonizingly far... just like it was for Sarwan earlier in the match (98 not out - stranded at the non-striker end in the final over). I wonder how that feels and am trying to imagine an analogy with no success so far.
May 21, 2006
May 20, 2006
Reloaded...
After a bad 'false start' to my career, it now seems that the 'course correction' is done. Not to demean my last job. I have great respect for my previous employer and the role had its challenges and opportunities. But it was not the role for me, nor was I the person for it. Goodbye, and thanks for all the fish.
Read this post from Louis (pronounced loo-ee) and got thinking. I echo some of his sentiments about 'chasing after dreams' and 'running cos u r used to' beyond a point. I hope my next job and most of what I do later also feels worthwhile, and that there is satisfaction and a sense of purpose at the end of long, tiring days. Have heard several ppl i know, talk like that in the last few days.
On the 'long, tiring days' - my reaction is lukewarm. I've got everything i wanted in life with some effort, but never too much. Am yet to find something that requires huge effort and is worth it. 'Getting down to work seriously toward a goal' is a milestone in the journey into adulthood that I should have reached some time back. I hope to get there very soon, and to find myself prepared for it (and enjoying it?).
Here's to new beginnings, and new-found hope...
Read this post from Louis (pronounced loo-ee) and got thinking. I echo some of his sentiments about 'chasing after dreams' and 'running cos u r used to' beyond a point. I hope my next job and most of what I do later also feels worthwhile, and that there is satisfaction and a sense of purpose at the end of long, tiring days. Have heard several ppl i know, talk like that in the last few days.
On the 'long, tiring days' - my reaction is lukewarm. I've got everything i wanted in life with some effort, but never too much. Am yet to find something that requires huge effort and is worth it. 'Getting down to work seriously toward a goal' is a milestone in the journey into adulthood that I should have reached some time back. I hope to get there very soon, and to find myself prepared for it (and enjoying it?).
Here's to new beginnings, and new-found hope...
May 12, 2006
Tough
"Tough times dont last, tough people do"
"If it doesnt kill you, it makes you tougher"
Oh well! Time to discover just how tough I really am...
"If it doesnt kill you, it makes you tougher"
Oh well! Time to discover just how tough I really am...
May 10, 2006
Check this dork out!
This must be the worst-ever profile on Orkut
http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?2uid=3849827725404266552
http://www.orkut.com/Profile.aspx?2uid=3849827725404266552
May 7, 2006
Reservation is right
Thats the title of this post on Orkut by some guy. Rather strongly stated and biased for my liking, but funny in parts.
May 4, 2006
Another IIT question
News Clipping (courtesy TOINS):
A 23-year-old Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) student, Shailesh Sharma, on Wednesday committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room...
According to Shailesh’s batchmates, he had failed in advanced thermodynamics for third time in a row and had shared his failure and acute distress with his classmates...
On November 30, a similar case was witnessed when mechanical engineering second-year student Dharaskar Swapnil Chandrakant had committed suicide by jumping from the roof of the administrative block. The IIT-K authorities had then attributed stress as factor behind the incident. Shailesh is the fifth IIT-K student to have committed suicide.
The whole presumption of the 49.5% reservation argument is that IITs are elitist, and 'deserving' candidates are being denied the opportunity to obtain quality education.
That is not the problem. It is a symptom. With due respect to all SC/ST candidates, if they are unable to get through open competition for IIT seats, it is because of weak academic background and lower-quality education they are provided before JEE. That is a real problem which the Govt should work to solve. In stead of reducing fees at IIMs, they should invest in primary and secondary schools.
What they are doing instead is buring their heads in the sand like ostriches, reserving seats and getting in people who are not ready for an IIT education.
IIT is not a lottery. In fact, JEE is where the ordeal really begins. As the above news item proves, an IIT education is rigorous and unforgiving of the weak. All 4 years are like JEE over and over again. But forcing people in, they are doing more damage to their cause, instead of uplifting them. What will they do when these problems come up? Reserve a %age of pass grades for category students, to support them rise above their weak academic background?
And I'm not even going to begin about the impact on the 'IIT' brand. I dont think people who label the IITs 'elitist', can understand or care two hoots about the 'IIT Brand' (Never mind the BBC and others who do stories on this).
Having flunked a few courses and seen tough times at IIT myself, I truly feel sorry for Shailesh and others like him, and many more who will be forced to suffer the same fate by myopic and populist politicians.
A 23-year-old Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur (IIT-K) student, Shailesh Sharma, on Wednesday committed suicide by hanging himself in his hostel room...
According to Shailesh’s batchmates, he had failed in advanced thermodynamics for third time in a row and had shared his failure and acute distress with his classmates...
On November 30, a similar case was witnessed when mechanical engineering second-year student Dharaskar Swapnil Chandrakant had committed suicide by jumping from the roof of the administrative block. The IIT-K authorities had then attributed stress as factor behind the incident. Shailesh is the fifth IIT-K student to have committed suicide.
The whole presumption of the 49.5% reservation argument is that IITs are elitist, and 'deserving' candidates are being denied the opportunity to obtain quality education.
That is not the problem. It is a symptom. With due respect to all SC/ST candidates, if they are unable to get through open competition for IIT seats, it is because of weak academic background and lower-quality education they are provided before JEE. That is a real problem which the Govt should work to solve. In stead of reducing fees at IIMs, they should invest in primary and secondary schools.
What they are doing instead is buring their heads in the sand like ostriches, reserving seats and getting in people who are not ready for an IIT education.
IIT is not a lottery. In fact, JEE is where the ordeal really begins. As the above news item proves, an IIT education is rigorous and unforgiving of the weak. All 4 years are like JEE over and over again. But forcing people in, they are doing more damage to their cause, instead of uplifting them. What will they do when these problems come up? Reserve a %age of pass grades for category students, to support them rise above their weak academic background?
And I'm not even going to begin about the impact on the 'IIT' brand. I dont think people who label the IITs 'elitist', can understand or care two hoots about the 'IIT Brand' (Never mind the BBC and others who do stories on this).
Having flunked a few courses and seen tough times at IIT myself, I truly feel sorry for Shailesh and others like him, and many more who will be forced to suffer the same fate by myopic and populist politicians.
Judicial joke
The Supreme Court of India in April-end sometime (exact details are not imp) delivered a verdict that directs states to 'actively work towards' prohibition.
Article 47 of the Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy is relevant here. The second part of Art 47 reads: "The State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs, which are injurious to health."
There was some concern raised about the amount of alcohol being consumed by the present generation 'mindlessly aping the West'.
I read that and thought 'Hmmmm. So now the judiciary is going to tell us how to live our lives.' They are going to tell us that Gandhian philosophy (which inspired Art 47) is an absolute, and they will withdraw the freedom that you and I have today, to consume alcohol for non-medicinal purposes.
I'm sorry Your Honor, but I miss the point here. Don't we have real problems to worry about - like poverty, corruption at all levels, commercial fraud, communal tensions, naxal violence, abuse of all kinds of funds that are supposed to improve our lives, underworld activity and abduction, politics-and-mafia nexus, Bollywood-and-mafia nexus. If all that is too macro - has the Court been able to get people in this country to form queues and respect queue discipline, or enforce the selling of goods at the right price - at or below MRP.
Our judicial system allowed Salman Khan to go scot-free after he ran down a human being. But for taking the life of a deer, he has to go to prison for five years. Wow! Thats fair and just, and I feel so secure living in this country - cause I know this is a land with the rule of law.
Sarcasm and bigger issues apart, I'm also immensely piqued that I'm not allowed to make choices here. People in the West drink much much more, and its not considered 'bad' or immoral. But in this supposedly free and democratic country, I am being forced to accept and live by an obsolete and anyway-questioable philosophy. Not only does the state fail to provide a decent standard of living and security, it is even taking away the things I value and can afford.
Lastly - we take great pride in being the world's largest democracy. Democracy means I have a right to choose who governs the country and makes all policies and executive decisions. I am trusted with the 'right to choose' a representative. But they do not trust me to control what I drink and how much.
As everyone used to say at IITM - 'What fart da!'
Article 47 of the Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy is relevant here. The second part of Art 47 reads: "The State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs, which are injurious to health."
There was some concern raised about the amount of alcohol being consumed by the present generation 'mindlessly aping the West'.
I read that and thought 'Hmmmm. So now the judiciary is going to tell us how to live our lives.' They are going to tell us that Gandhian philosophy (which inspired Art 47) is an absolute, and they will withdraw the freedom that you and I have today, to consume alcohol for non-medicinal purposes.
I'm sorry Your Honor, but I miss the point here. Don't we have real problems to worry about - like poverty, corruption at all levels, commercial fraud, communal tensions, naxal violence, abuse of all kinds of funds that are supposed to improve our lives, underworld activity and abduction, politics-and-mafia nexus, Bollywood-and-mafia nexus. If all that is too macro - has the Court been able to get people in this country to form queues and respect queue discipline, or enforce the selling of goods at the right price - at or below MRP.
Our judicial system allowed Salman Khan to go scot-free after he ran down a human being. But for taking the life of a deer, he has to go to prison for five years. Wow! Thats fair and just, and I feel so secure living in this country - cause I know this is a land with the rule of law.
Sarcasm and bigger issues apart, I'm also immensely piqued that I'm not allowed to make choices here. People in the West drink much much more, and its not considered 'bad' or immoral. But in this supposedly free and democratic country, I am being forced to accept and live by an obsolete and anyway-questioable philosophy. Not only does the state fail to provide a decent standard of living and security, it is even taking away the things I value and can afford.
Lastly - we take great pride in being the world's largest democracy. Democracy means I have a right to choose who governs the country and makes all policies and executive decisions. I am trusted with the 'right to choose' a representative. But they do not trust me to control what I drink and how much.
As everyone used to say at IITM - 'What fart da!'
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