Eyjafjallajokull - Scrabblers out there take this one into your memory list, the 16 letter mammoth. The hottest word that had choked every body from President Obama to the layman. Exactly, All isn't well !!
With a monstrous cloud of volcanic ash closing down airports from across Europe, much of Europe is pondereing on: What do you do in a world without air travel? What really would you when the artifical birds can't take off ? Travellers - taking it as an excuse to spend another day or may be days at their respective destinations, bussines vultures turning to sea (not really), cars(London - paris 1500 Euros...lol), trains(cars preffered to show the urgency), e-world chit chats. The ash hovering at altitudes from 20,000 to 30,000 feet has grounded around 18000 flights since causing chaos to our day to day activites. Wonder how dependent are we on these Birds ??
Now if these troubles weren't enough this volcano has been named Eyjafjallajokull. Tongue twister. I have been reading enough about this cloud that has gulped the flying zone of 12 European countries wondering why is it named so?. I do know the bizzarre naming principle adopted in eastern world for the cyclones that keep battering the coasts (Each country that is a part of this group will get in its turn to name it as they like it -- rotational policy). 16 letter world - each european country contributing one letter from it - sharing policy, makes sense. The theory did hold good until a read in face book told me that it is simple. You need to learn how to break this icelandic word (i can't even break a hindi word properly at times). Anyways this is how it goes “Eyja” for island - “Fjalla” means mountain - “Jokull” for glacier. Fjalla and Jokull to an extent make sense but Eyja what is that doing in here ? I guess not all are named to make sense. I would rather pray to this Eyja-Fjalla-Jokull that its anger subsides down and when the ash settles down owing to Mr Gravity it doesn't cause major health problems. Praying and wishing is all that we can do as the experts have resorted to saying "We are not sure when it will stop, may be in hours, days or weeks". Hail science and technology. It again reconfirms my thought that we just can't predict the mother nature.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
The Forgotten Glory !
April 12th, will go down in memory of most of us as a day when one of India's most hyped sports women had become the second wife of 'Doorsa' boy of Pakistan. This galmourous marraige with 'Haq Mehr' (dower money)of 61 lakhs has made it to the front, back and centre pages of newspapers, televisions channels would have crackled this as the breaking news of the day. In admist of this hype somewhere in the heart of Punjab Indian's most reliable sport was scripting history silently. Generations or to be specific sports enthusiats like me will remember this day for precisely this reason. The man's game as we call it in our villages - 'Kabbadi', yet again was at the centre in pinning the smiles back. World Champions we are !!
Since time immemorial we have been good at this one beast of a game where your acumen, judgement, speed & team work are put to test. This time it in the form of World Cup we were challenged. Were we ? Thrasing the finalists Pakistan mercilessly, 58-24, India had won the first edition of the Kabaddi World Cup. The final of this 10-day tournament was played at jam-packed floodlit Guru Nanak Stadium in Punjab where still the spirit and respect for this game remains untampered. Bring them on, I say !! It is one sport in which the whole world will take ages to catch up and i have every reason to belive seeing the scorelines throughout the championship.
A poke -- These gentle warriors don't even get a mentioning in the national newspapers leave making it as breaking news in television channels. Media needs glamour and not substance - Examplified. I as a sports lover am saddened to see that Indian's most respected news (sports) publishers NDTV and ESPN STAR didn't take it upon themselves to bring this mega event to the masses. The traditional game had long lost its battle against India's heart trob-Cricket, and a chance to revive it was eaten away by IPL coverage and marraiges. May be some of my Indian brothers and sisters who are after hype will soon realise it to be China - The Manipulated destination.
This event had participation from Britain, USA, Pakistan, Iran, Italy, Canada and Australia. In the semi-finals, India defeated Canada by 57-36 while Pakistan defeated Italy by 57-33 and made their grand entry into the finals. India - Pakistan finals are special, even more because it is Kabbadi - richest and oldest sport played in the now divided Punjab. Indians holding the cup and eating into all the accolades and trophies on the final day at cermony shows the mere domination. Bravo Bravo !!!
Take a bow Punjab govertment for the efforts you have churned out in reviving this special sport. I sincerely hope that this will give enough fillip to the sport and to players. 1 Crore price money on a sport that lacks 'glamour' and 'hype' is a worthy investment and history will applaud your efforts. Thanks Kabbadi - for reminding me that we are world beaters ! Being world champion is a matter of pride and i salute you warriors in making me proud !! Challenging the world -- Kabbadi, Kabbadi, Kabbadi.... ;)
Since time immemorial we have been good at this one beast of a game where your acumen, judgement, speed & team work are put to test. This time it in the form of World Cup we were challenged. Were we ? Thrasing the finalists Pakistan mercilessly, 58-24, India had won the first edition of the Kabaddi World Cup. The final of this 10-day tournament was played at jam-packed floodlit Guru Nanak Stadium in Punjab where still the spirit and respect for this game remains untampered. Bring them on, I say !! It is one sport in which the whole world will take ages to catch up and i have every reason to belive seeing the scorelines throughout the championship.
A poke -- These gentle warriors don't even get a mentioning in the national newspapers leave making it as breaking news in television channels. Media needs glamour and not substance - Examplified. I as a sports lover am saddened to see that Indian's most respected news (sports) publishers NDTV and ESPN STAR didn't take it upon themselves to bring this mega event to the masses. The traditional game had long lost its battle against India's heart trob-Cricket, and a chance to revive it was eaten away by IPL coverage and marraiges. May be some of my Indian brothers and sisters who are after hype will soon realise it to be China - The Manipulated destination.
This event had participation from Britain, USA, Pakistan, Iran, Italy, Canada and Australia. In the semi-finals, India defeated Canada by 57-36 while Pakistan defeated Italy by 57-33 and made their grand entry into the finals. India - Pakistan finals are special, even more because it is Kabbadi - richest and oldest sport played in the now divided Punjab. Indians holding the cup and eating into all the accolades and trophies on the final day at cermony shows the mere domination. Bravo Bravo !!!
Take a bow Punjab govertment for the efforts you have churned out in reviving this special sport. I sincerely hope that this will give enough fillip to the sport and to players. 1 Crore price money on a sport that lacks 'glamour' and 'hype' is a worthy investment and history will applaud your efforts. Thanks Kabbadi - for reminding me that we are world beaters ! Being world champion is a matter of pride and i salute you warriors in making me proud !! Challenging the world -- Kabbadi, Kabbadi, Kabbadi.... ;)
Dream-Lived !!!
Planes, Artifical Birds -- Doesn't they spark your interest ? When I read in schools about the wright brothers inventing them, challenging birds to break their monopoly in skies I was curious..how can they fly? What makes them fly? How are they produced? Year after year i grew, so did my fascination. I would be the first to turn on the TV on Aug 15th, just to see the wonderful fighter jets forming the tricolor in sky. I had developed a love for these artifical birds. And Aerospace engineering was one field that always interested me, but thanks to my knowledge skills it remained a dream. HAL's, NAL's have always amazed me and at every opportunity during my engineering days i did try to get an internship opening. But as merit had no place and i had no contacts i couldnt break into them. My dream was under the carpet still. Trust me when i say my first flight was when i was 21 yrs old on July 26th from Delhi to Hyderabad, thanks to Whirlpool. That was the first time i touched the human bird. I flew the sky, with still a wish 'when i can see the making of them'.
On 9th April 2010 (a day when my cousin was getting engaged in India), i was living my dream. I was at the place where these beauties are made. Specialised for Trainner Fighters (defence purpose) & engine nacelles (for civil) it was one of the best Industrial visits. The place had some kind of magic in it, as i entered the supply chain expert in me took a back seat and engineer in me was re-born or more appropriately kid in me jumping up and down. 2 hours of presentation concentrated on the supply chain was interesting enough, but the main purpose of this 7.2 Euro trip was to see the making of these bitches. The bitches that train the pilots for wars. As we moved into the shop floor it was nothing but spectacular !
Composite unit - metal to metal bonding, composite to composite bonding, laser technology, curing etc.. Touching the fins of the Airbus and Boeings this metallurgical and materials engineer's mind was getting excited. From composite shop to the metal forming shop :- where for the first time i saw a rubber press which can form the metal. Can you imagine rubber doing that to metal ?? If that was not enough a few steps and it was water piercing the metal to shapes of its interest. The power of water - true; cutting the metal. I was spell bound, i never heard about that leave wanting to see that in 23 yrs. And here i was staring at the magic stream forcing it ways into steel, titanium, light alloys. My day as an engineer was made. More was on its way Machining, Heat treatment, Painting - all these process are unique in their own sense and far more technical, complicated than the automobiles (that's the technology related industry that i have seen). The whole experience had it own pleasure and learning because we were fortuned to see both the fighter's and civilians part's getting made. From parts, processes we went to final assembly unit where the final piece that competes and overturns birds in the sky was getting made. The walk down that 1 km square was all i have been dreaming all these years. The whole picture of M-346 being assembled will stay fresh forever in my life. Mind you that was the 5th trainner that was being meticulously put together under the vision of the mother depatment (RnD). Parellely on the other line we got the glimpse of M-311 which had completed its first journey (flight hours before first time full maintanence) in sky churning out more than 30 experts over 4-5 yrs of its flights. Third line - was getting laid. Believed them when they said the 3rd one is a masterpiece and the most ergonomic line designed ever in aerospace industry, such was their technical expertise. It was time to go back to the presentation room to pack bags and leave. But, If the menu till now was delicious, there was an icing on the cake. The newly launched M-346 was making it testing. It was about to take off from the run way. Paused to see the leader in fighter trainer's designed to prepare the piolts of new generation combat aircraft flying today. How many times in my life will i be able to see this red bitch or to that matter any fighter taking off from a distance of 100m ?
In 30 minutes with all the signals cleared this bitch full away into sky -- beautiful 'flying'. The cycle complete- seeing them fly, to flying in them, to making of them and to seeing them fly !! Man had lived his dream of flying long back and I had lived mine !! April 9th will go done in memory books for more than engagement that took place back in India.
PS: Company name intensionally avoided. M-346 is the latest one that can train the pilots for the next 10 yrs of changes that aerospace industry will go through. M- 311 is the bread and butter of today's pilot.
On 9th April 2010 (a day when my cousin was getting engaged in India), i was living my dream. I was at the place where these beauties are made. Specialised for Trainner Fighters (defence purpose) & engine nacelles (for civil) it was one of the best Industrial visits. The place had some kind of magic in it, as i entered the supply chain expert in me took a back seat and engineer in me was re-born or more appropriately kid in me jumping up and down. 2 hours of presentation concentrated on the supply chain was interesting enough, but the main purpose of this 7.2 Euro trip was to see the making of these bitches. The bitches that train the pilots for wars. As we moved into the shop floor it was nothing but spectacular !
Composite unit - metal to metal bonding, composite to composite bonding, laser technology, curing etc.. Touching the fins of the Airbus and Boeings this metallurgical and materials engineer's mind was getting excited. From composite shop to the metal forming shop :- where for the first time i saw a rubber press which can form the metal. Can you imagine rubber doing that to metal ?? If that was not enough a few steps and it was water piercing the metal to shapes of its interest. The power of water - true; cutting the metal. I was spell bound, i never heard about that leave wanting to see that in 23 yrs. And here i was staring at the magic stream forcing it ways into steel, titanium, light alloys. My day as an engineer was made. More was on its way Machining, Heat treatment, Painting - all these process are unique in their own sense and far more technical, complicated than the automobiles (that's the technology related industry that i have seen). The whole experience had it own pleasure and learning because we were fortuned to see both the fighter's and civilians part's getting made. From parts, processes we went to final assembly unit where the final piece that competes and overturns birds in the sky was getting made. The walk down that 1 km square was all i have been dreaming all these years. The whole picture of M-346 being assembled will stay fresh forever in my life. Mind you that was the 5th trainner that was being meticulously put together under the vision of the mother depatment (RnD). Parellely on the other line we got the glimpse of M-311 which had completed its first journey (flight hours before first time full maintanence) in sky churning out more than 30 experts over 4-5 yrs of its flights. Third line - was getting laid. Believed them when they said the 3rd one is a masterpiece and the most ergonomic line designed ever in aerospace industry, such was their technical expertise. It was time to go back to the presentation room to pack bags and leave. But, If the menu till now was delicious, there was an icing on the cake. The newly launched M-346 was making it testing. It was about to take off from the run way. Paused to see the leader in fighter trainer's designed to prepare the piolts of new generation combat aircraft flying today. How many times in my life will i be able to see this red bitch or to that matter any fighter taking off from a distance of 100m ?
In 30 minutes with all the signals cleared this bitch full away into sky -- beautiful 'flying'. The cycle complete- seeing them fly, to flying in them, to making of them and to seeing them fly !! Man had lived his dream of flying long back and I had lived mine !! April 9th will go done in memory books for more than engagement that took place back in India.
PS: Company name intensionally avoided. M-346 is the latest one that can train the pilots for the next 10 yrs of changes that aerospace industry will go through. M- 311 is the bread and butter of today's pilot.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Zero
India's gift to the number's game. India's pride !! Zero is an integer, an even number. Zero is neither positive nor negative and Zero is a natural number and only natural number that is not positive. So it says all, Zero is all in one. With the flexibility it gives and its completeness i am proud when called by people a Zero. Such a feeling is natural, isn't it?
How many of us are merrier when people call us Hero and disappointed when called Zero? Infact all would be gallant to be called as Hero and gutted to be called Zero. I for one might see it differently, not that i am unique nor does my nationality plays a part - just because i think that Zero is complete. Probabaly we have taken Zero for granted, to be used to our liking. Using him for negativity which is beyond him, nearer but not him. But again, humbly the Hero in him has accepted what we want him to be. Isn't that the sign of adaptability? Isn't that a sign of a true winner? Doesn't it say all about Zero. It starts and ends at the same point, it represents a famous saying "what goes around comes around" which is so humble and grounded. And if that wasn't enough add him as many as you want to your right side minus obstacles (decimals) he makes your richer. Doesn't it speaks volumes of this gentle giant. I wish i was him. Humble, adaptable and yet powerful !! I laugh at those who riducle me by saying "You are a Zero" and thank all of them whole heartedly for this comparison. I wish when the history books are written i am referred of being the Zero of this era !!
How many of us are merrier when people call us Hero and disappointed when called Zero? Infact all would be gallant to be called as Hero and gutted to be called Zero. I for one might see it differently, not that i am unique nor does my nationality plays a part - just because i think that Zero is complete. Probabaly we have taken Zero for granted, to be used to our liking. Using him for negativity which is beyond him, nearer but not him. But again, humbly the Hero in him has accepted what we want him to be. Isn't that the sign of adaptability? Isn't that a sign of a true winner? Doesn't it say all about Zero. It starts and ends at the same point, it represents a famous saying "what goes around comes around" which is so humble and grounded. And if that wasn't enough add him as many as you want to your right side minus obstacles (decimals) he makes your richer. Doesn't it speaks volumes of this gentle giant. I wish i was him. Humble, adaptable and yet powerful !! I laugh at those who riducle me by saying "You are a Zero" and thank all of them whole heartedly for this comparison. I wish when the history books are written i am referred of being the Zero of this era !!
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Getting it Wrong/Right ?
I wonder with the things happening arnd have i got it wrong ?
It was new year eve and the whole world was partying, but me tried from the long day at Embassy (31st Dec) was off to bed at 10:00PM. The best of new year celebrations were behind me when i lazed out of my bed. And even bad was the timing of resignation. Had quit company in 2009 Dec only to be told that this year the bonues will be paid to only those who are in the organisation during April2010 (the time the bonuses are credited), a revised HR policies as communicated to me in Jan 2010. Loosing a good amount i guess, it has to be when your company is breaking all sorts of records. The amount becomes more valuable when you leave job for studies, and even more when you trade INR for EURO's. Only if HR policies could realize this human and conversion factors. My full and final statement will reveal it all
Landing in Milan only to get the confirmation in a week from dad that sis marraige has been fixed for June 2nd (Surprise element was far lesser in this case). Now not being able to support family for the preparations for the biggest of occassions isn't sinking in well. Some where the thought araises if i timed it wrong. May be yes...To add to this, when Lakshya team is working day in day out to diversify from Education to Health to Technology i sitting far away miss the action and have become a burden leg whom they are carrying along.
And with all the IPL happening in India with Deccan Charges charging their way back to summit i am only left with cric info commentary for updates. Wait wait if during the IPL i am in europe where no one understands what Cricket is or who Sachin is, during summer I will be in India, Andra, Tenali, Vetapalem where i won't be able to catch Football world cup live. Not even online (my village is still in the 1960's, but i admit i love it that way for its innocence)! Come monza (30 minutes from where i stay) in F1 and the rides of alphs by Mr Lance, i will be in India waiting for the first showers of monsoon. Missing out isn't it?
Does this degree and new learning's weigh over these moments that i am missing out on...Only time will tell.. I am sure there can't be an equation that will give a direct result on the trade off...But for sure only time will tell...Only time can give the answer....Am i winded by missing out on all these, I dont know may be to an extent yes with some of them but then living in Milan, enjoying the fashion week, San siros, Aperitivos, mastering the trade is worth the experience.
It was new year eve and the whole world was partying, but me tried from the long day at Embassy (31st Dec) was off to bed at 10:00PM. The best of new year celebrations were behind me when i lazed out of my bed. And even bad was the timing of resignation. Had quit company in 2009 Dec only to be told that this year the bonues will be paid to only those who are in the organisation during April2010 (the time the bonuses are credited), a revised HR policies as communicated to me in Jan 2010. Loosing a good amount i guess, it has to be when your company is breaking all sorts of records. The amount becomes more valuable when you leave job for studies, and even more when you trade INR for EURO's. Only if HR policies could realize this human and conversion factors. My full and final statement will reveal it all
Landing in Milan only to get the confirmation in a week from dad that sis marraige has been fixed for June 2nd (Surprise element was far lesser in this case). Now not being able to support family for the preparations for the biggest of occassions isn't sinking in well. Some where the thought araises if i timed it wrong. May be yes...To add to this, when Lakshya team is working day in day out to diversify from Education to Health to Technology i sitting far away miss the action and have become a burden leg whom they are carrying along.
And with all the IPL happening in India with Deccan Charges charging their way back to summit i am only left with cric info commentary for updates. Wait wait if during the IPL i am in europe where no one understands what Cricket is or who Sachin is, during summer I will be in India, Andra, Tenali, Vetapalem where i won't be able to catch Football world cup live. Not even online (my village is still in the 1960's, but i admit i love it that way for its innocence)! Come monza (30 minutes from where i stay) in F1 and the rides of alphs by Mr Lance, i will be in India waiting for the first showers of monsoon. Missing out isn't it?
Does this degree and new learning's weigh over these moments that i am missing out on...Only time will tell.. I am sure there can't be an equation that will give a direct result on the trade off...But for sure only time will tell...Only time can give the answer....Am i winded by missing out on all these, I dont know may be to an extent yes with some of them but then living in Milan, enjoying the fashion week, San siros, Aperitivos, mastering the trade is worth the experience.
'North India' as i Experienced
I lived all my life in Southern part of India, but for a mumbai or delhi trip with family. In 2007 when i joined Whirlpool it was the first time i had to live for an extended period in the northern part of India. I have to thank my schooling and parents as i was ok with Hindi (my friends stay i have a slang of south indian while i speak, isn't it natural to have a slang ??). It wasn't something new that i was going to experience (atleast i thought so) as i studied at NIT W (a mini India) and majority of my friends have been the northies. Hindi was the flavor during those four years of college life where we co-exsisted but for some small state quarrels mainly over gals and 'chirkut' comments.
But life was to be so different. Living in north india all the south indians irrespective of the states where they hail from are called chennaities or thambis (the only word this part of india can twist). My first phase of 4 months wasn't tough though as there were plenty of trainess around and four months whissed by (2 out of 4 i was hit by acute jaundice and was restingin God's own place). Again in an opportunistic move (by company) i landed in Gurgaon (called millenium city of India) in 2009. I don't see a single reason why it is called Millenium city. I would rather call it the Dustiest city of India. A south Indian amongst northies -- Your skin colors is your sin, You taking bath in the morning and praying to god is considered yuck (not cool was ok, but yucky was hard to digest), You put oil to your hair (typical indian tradition to keep the head cool) very few would volunteer to have a converstation And eating by hand, forget it u will become the laughing stock. I an't joking at all.....These were hard realties that i had to accept being a southe in north. The only saving point for me was the language comfort that i had (i have seen the difficulty of the guys for whom hindi was alien). It left me wondering was I in India? Am i being osctrazied for my dravidian origin. It was so different from what i have lived and how we treated our guests (north, west or east of the country) back home. But i had to eat my ego and kill my anger for what i was being dished out to in my own country for the first few days of this new experience. Most of the places at office, guest house, public transports (autos are the only mode in gurgaon) it happened. I continued my way of eating with hand (more often than not), oil to my hair and other stuff as they were a part of my personality -'my habits'. Things started to change or may be my expectations changed as the days went by. I was getting comfortable when people at evey opportunity reminded me of the 'sins' and day flew. More friends and comfortable i was in Dusty city of India (but i still am wary of so called 'Delhites'). I still think they weren't joking. They keep dishing out the same treatment to all the dravidians one after other who land up there. May be it is their inferiority complex or insecurity or trying to be 'yo-yo'. Whatever it was pleasure staying there and experiencing the differnces my own people dished out to me and will continue to do so in my stints further.
But life was to be so different. Living in north india all the south indians irrespective of the states where they hail from are called chennaities or thambis (the only word this part of india can twist). My first phase of 4 months wasn't tough though as there were plenty of trainess around and four months whissed by (2 out of 4 i was hit by acute jaundice and was restingin God's own place). Again in an opportunistic move (by company) i landed in Gurgaon (called millenium city of India) in 2009. I don't see a single reason why it is called Millenium city. I would rather call it the Dustiest city of India. A south Indian amongst northies -- Your skin colors is your sin, You taking bath in the morning and praying to god is considered yuck (not cool was ok, but yucky was hard to digest), You put oil to your hair (typical indian tradition to keep the head cool) very few would volunteer to have a converstation And eating by hand, forget it u will become the laughing stock. I an't joking at all.....These were hard realties that i had to accept being a southe in north. The only saving point for me was the language comfort that i had (i have seen the difficulty of the guys for whom hindi was alien). It left me wondering was I in India? Am i being osctrazied for my dravidian origin. It was so different from what i have lived and how we treated our guests (north, west or east of the country) back home. But i had to eat my ego and kill my anger for what i was being dished out to in my own country for the first few days of this new experience. Most of the places at office, guest house, public transports (autos are the only mode in gurgaon) it happened. I continued my way of eating with hand (more often than not), oil to my hair and other stuff as they were a part of my personality -'my habits'. Things started to change or may be my expectations changed as the days went by. I was getting comfortable when people at evey opportunity reminded me of the 'sins' and day flew. More friends and comfortable i was in Dusty city of India (but i still am wary of so called 'Delhites'). I still think they weren't joking. They keep dishing out the same treatment to all the dravidians one after other who land up there. May be it is their inferiority complex or insecurity or trying to be 'yo-yo'. Whatever it was pleasure staying there and experiencing the differnces my own people dished out to me and will continue to do so in my stints further.
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