Today we had a meeting with Mother Nature. Although in a very small domain of the beautiful Pune University Campus, it was one to reckon with. The meeting was scheduled at 06:30 in the morning which no doubt was quite early for most of us. The meeting was arranged by V. G. Bhide Science centre. I have quite a good number of friends there and was looking forward to the walk down the nature lane. When at 06:20, Sanjeev knocked my door he was very surprised in finding me ready to go.
We started the trail from the Main Building. The trail had evoked a nice response and there were students from various departments. Two students, Shraddha from MSc Microbiology and Devyani from MSc Geomorphology, S. P. College were to be our resource persons. They were to be helped by the twins, Siddharth and Harshvardhan, Pankaj and few others. I basically can’t even distinguish between a raven and cuckoo or for that matter am not sure about most of the trees. One tree I am sure about is the Banyan tree which I hope is no big deal to boast about.
The entourage was distributed into two groups one to be headed by Shraddha and the other by Devyani. I was in the group headed by Devyani and whatever would be written below will be about this group only. The chief instructors in our group were Devyani and Harshavardhan. They meticulously showed us the flora and fauna and answered our queries to the fullest. They were ably supported by Pankaj and Aradhana.
Earlier I had never recognized the biodiversity around and wasn’t aware about the rich bio- heritage of the Campus. Today I came to know a few unknown facts like Gulmohar is actually a colonial tree and there are spiders which live in colonies. And the fact that any biological name having ‘indica’ is an indigenous breed of India had never crossed my mind before. We saw a lot of insects and were reminded about their contribution to the biosphere and there necessity in the Food-Chain.
Our trip ended in the Alice garden where we saw quite a few exotic and indigenous trees and came to know some informative facts about spiders, Hornbills and the Madagascar tree which is actually from tropical America. I hope this programme will help to strengthen our bond with Mother Nature and increase general awareness among us which will eventually lead us to understand the grievous danger that nature is facing currently and the contribution needed from each one of us in preservation and protection of nature.
Here is the Green pledge that we undertook:
“Vasundhara is my mother Earth. I dream that coming generations will live in unpolluted
environment. To fulfill this dream, I will lead by example. I will reduce the usage of natural resources and recycle them for the future.”
I am going to act on my pledge and encourage others as well and expect that from you as well.
PRESERVE!!! PROTECT!!! SAVE THE ENVIRONMENT!!!
P.S. You can have a look at the photographs of the trail at the following link:
http://picasaweb.google.co.in/subhasishchandra/SpringTrail#
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Hindi and Me
This is my genuine effort to write something in Hindi. Hope it has turned out to be fine..
Click on the Photo to enlarge it....
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Bi-Cycle Diaries
Cycling which forms an integral part of my everyday life and doesn’t require any extra effort on my part now was not so easy few years ago. Until class 7th (or 6th) I didn’t know how to cycle. In that year I read a story called ‘Cycle Ki Sawari’ in my Hindi text book. Upon reading it I decided to learn cycling.
But it was not as easy as it seemed. I started practicing with my father’s 24” Hero Jet. Initially I couldn’t cycle after getting upon it. The cycle was quite heavy and in the beginning it seemed it was pedaling me away and not the vice-versa. As a ritual I used to practice cycling every evening after school and then read the story and brood over my inability to pedal. Along with this were the numerous suggestions offered by the neighbours which confused more and helped little. It seemed it would take me ages to learn the art of cycling.
But at last my labour bore fruit and I eventually learnt to cycle within three-four months. One great thing about my cycling was that I never had an accident during my learning days. Hence I got the allowance of my father to cycle outside the colony. The evening I took the cycle out of my colony, I met with my first accident. I ran into a herd of cows and then I was at their mercy. They had lots of fun and left me with a lot of bruises. I had a nice lecture session from my father on my inadequacy of handling a mere cycle. But I continued cycling and it gave me immense pleasure. To move faster did give me immense thrill. I had few more accidents in these years like hitting a jeep, crashing with a motor bike and few others like them. I still cycle in the same careless wobbling manner and still hit and get hit but luckily haven’t been injured seriously.
My father bought me a new Hero Jet Plus and I started cycling around Chikhla every day. I started exploring the unknown, places where I hadn’t gone with anyone else. With the hills around, there were enough ups, downs turns and twists. I enjoyed cycling everywhere. Especially a steep slope in the mines area was my favourite which was constantly forbidden by my father. Once he found out and my cycling pleasures were temporarily suspended. In the two years of high secondary I couldn’t cycle much but resumed back in graduation. I cycled as much as I could in Nagpur and still do a lot of it in Pune.
Now in the passing let me tell about my motor-cycle experience. I want to learn driving a motorbike but haven’t been able to. In 2006, I tried but after I caused a small crash leading me, the bike and its owner (my friend Aniket) biting the dust(literally) of Deekshbhoomi grounds, the bike went for servicing and I haven’t sat on the driver’s seat ever since.
Well in the era of motorcycles (all my close friends have motorbikes) I did hate cycling during my graduation but couldn’t do without it as my parents were unrelenting in buying me a motorbike and I was left with only this form of transportation (My parents are now willing to buy one but I have lost the enthusiasm about owning one). Slowly my cycle has become a very important accessory in my life. Whenever I am bored, anxious, angry or have a mood swing, I like to pedal away alone and ride among the crowds. It’s a great stress reliever. The exertion, the sweat, the tiredness it brings have a soothing effect and brings peace to my mind.
With so many cycles around me in Pune, my interest in cycling has rejuvenated and nowadays I do take long excursions on my cycle. I have fell in love with cycling once again and don’t want a heartbreak but have a small wish that I learn to drive a motorbike sooner.
But it was not as easy as it seemed. I started practicing with my father’s 24” Hero Jet. Initially I couldn’t cycle after getting upon it. The cycle was quite heavy and in the beginning it seemed it was pedaling me away and not the vice-versa. As a ritual I used to practice cycling every evening after school and then read the story and brood over my inability to pedal. Along with this were the numerous suggestions offered by the neighbours which confused more and helped little. It seemed it would take me ages to learn the art of cycling.
But at last my labour bore fruit and I eventually learnt to cycle within three-four months. One great thing about my cycling was that I never had an accident during my learning days. Hence I got the allowance of my father to cycle outside the colony. The evening I took the cycle out of my colony, I met with my first accident. I ran into a herd of cows and then I was at their mercy. They had lots of fun and left me with a lot of bruises. I had a nice lecture session from my father on my inadequacy of handling a mere cycle. But I continued cycling and it gave me immense pleasure. To move faster did give me immense thrill. I had few more accidents in these years like hitting a jeep, crashing with a motor bike and few others like them. I still cycle in the same careless wobbling manner and still hit and get hit but luckily haven’t been injured seriously.
My father bought me a new Hero Jet Plus and I started cycling around Chikhla every day. I started exploring the unknown, places where I hadn’t gone with anyone else. With the hills around, there were enough ups, downs turns and twists. I enjoyed cycling everywhere. Especially a steep slope in the mines area was my favourite which was constantly forbidden by my father. Once he found out and my cycling pleasures were temporarily suspended. In the two years of high secondary I couldn’t cycle much but resumed back in graduation. I cycled as much as I could in Nagpur and still do a lot of it in Pune.
Now in the passing let me tell about my motor-cycle experience. I want to learn driving a motorbike but haven’t been able to. In 2006, I tried but after I caused a small crash leading me, the bike and its owner (my friend Aniket) biting the dust(literally) of Deekshbhoomi grounds, the bike went for servicing and I haven’t sat on the driver’s seat ever since.
Well in the era of motorcycles (all my close friends have motorbikes) I did hate cycling during my graduation but couldn’t do without it as my parents were unrelenting in buying me a motorbike and I was left with only this form of transportation (My parents are now willing to buy one but I have lost the enthusiasm about owning one). Slowly my cycle has become a very important accessory in my life. Whenever I am bored, anxious, angry or have a mood swing, I like to pedal away alone and ride among the crowds. It’s a great stress reliever. The exertion, the sweat, the tiredness it brings have a soothing effect and brings peace to my mind.
With so many cycles around me in Pune, my interest in cycling has rejuvenated and nowadays I do take long excursions on my cycle. I have fell in love with cycling once again and don’t want a heartbreak but have a small wish that I learn to drive a motorbike sooner.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
2006: Year of Exhilaration and Frustration
2006 AD is a year of utmost importance in my life. No other year has been as eventful as this one. It has had an everlasting effect on me.
I didn’t sleep on the very first day of the year as I watched movies whole night. I never realized that the year is going to be sleepless throughout. Then I met with an accident. I was trying to view some video on my friend’s mobile when I fell into the drain and injured my left hand. I couldn’t wear my watch for about a month and haven’t worn a belt since then. We had our exams in March-April. I had given good exams but was still undecided about my next step. I had a software job with MBT (now Tech Mahindra) along with a BPO one in Infosys. My teachers and my parents wanted me to go for MSc. I was also more inclined towards science than the job. I especially was interested in Astrophysics and hence wanted to join Pune University. I gave the entrance exam but couldn’t succeed in getting through.
And then came the shock of my life! I had secured 90% in the BSc III exams with a 40/40 in microprocessors. Now I was more determined to pursue science. Having not cleared Pune university entrance I opted for admission to Fergusson College. I came to Pune on 17th July only to know that the last day of application was 15th. I tried in Garware as well but couldn’t secure an admission. I went back to Nagpur to find that last date for application to the University Campus as well as Institute of Science was also 15th. I hadn’t considered Nagpur for my Masters before and hence hadn’t applied. I ran helter-skelter to be told that my chance of securing an admission was next to impossible. My physics sir, Shende Sir, tried his best to get me an admission but it didn’t come my way.
At last I decided that I would go to Pune for my MBT job. But having rejected it in the first place, I was told to try later. Then I contacted Infosys. They were ready and I was supposed to join on 7th. I started on 5th night from Nagpur in a Volvo bus. This journey was to be the journey of my life. In the morning we found the bus in a standstill. We soon found out that the whole western Vidarbha was under floods and we were in middle of it. Our bus was in front of an over-flooded bridge with vehicles all around. We were almost trapped and were cursing our stars when our driver tried to take us out of there to some nearby village. We reached a village named Dahigaon. People over there prepared a meal of khichdi for us. We were in middle of nowhere with no mobile coverage. I found a PCO booth (Reliance was there) and called home. On the villagers’ advice and directions we reached Mehkar Phata near Chikhli in Buldana district. This place had food and shelter. All the buses that had left Nagpur the day before were there. Here atleast there was electricity and mobile network. We slept in the bus in the night. My parents were dead worried and when the next day the buses decided to move by some different route with one returning back to Nagpur, I was the one among five others to return back. My parents also wanted me back home. I had already informed Infosys and was told that the next induction day was 16th August. We reached back at about 3 o’clock in the night to a dry enough Nagpur. My parents and my brother were happy to see me back safely.
I went back again to Pune on 14th but this time in a train. I went to stay with my friend Samiran. But by evening, I met my college friend Aniket and slept at his uncle’s house in the night. He had secured admission in Indira College and had even arranged for a flat in Wakad. First day in Infosys was uneventful. By night I had moved to Aniket’s flat. It was a mad journey with his vehicle going dry in the middle of the highway with rain pouring overhead. The second day i.e. 17th a feeling had started sinking that I didn’t belong to IT. By evening I decided to leave the job (The ICICI bank people did trouble for a year or so because of the salary account I had opened!!!). Aniket was not amused with the decision but I was determined. My parents supported my decision. I was back to Nagpur on 18th.
I had taught a boy in 2004-05 for his Xth. He wanted me back for XIIth. So, within few days I shifted back to Nagpur and started teaching Nauty(my student) Physics, Mathematics and English. His mother paid me handsomely (Rs 2500 / month) and my objective of not being a burden on my parents was fulfilled. I and my brother stayed in the room where I had stayed for 2 years. But this didn’t cooled me. Now I was frustrated to the core and wanted to delve completely into studies but the anger within myself was not allowing me to do so. I hated myself more than ever and considered myself to be a thorough worthless. I was not certain about anything and had even thought about the value of living such a life. My anger burst out more than often and the fellow troubled and affected most was my brother. He was trying to adjust with the new surroundings and my behaviour made it more difficult. He also sometimes lost patience and we fought over trivial matters. I had become inconsiderate, selfish and did not understand others. Instead I was blaming others for my grievances. It strongly affected my studies as well as well my brothers. This behaviour had taken a toll on my parents’ health as well. My mother had become weak due to my problems. I had developed an irritating behaviour and had become a complete nuisance.
In the meantime I got two more tuitions. My monetary health was fine but my mental health was not. Well this troubled year came to an end and eventually I cleared the Pune university entrance and am now pursuing MSc with Astrophysics as my special subject.
It’s said that, ‘All’s well that ends well’. It’s true in my case as well but the year has surely changed my life and has had heavy implications on my life. The year brought pleasure as well as sorrow not only to me and my family but also to my well wishers. I use this platform to thank all (especially my brother Shnehasish, friend Rohit Moharil and my physics teacher Shende Sir) who stood beside me in this troubled year and also apologize to all who were affected due to my irresponsible behaviour.
I didn’t sleep on the very first day of the year as I watched movies whole night. I never realized that the year is going to be sleepless throughout. Then I met with an accident. I was trying to view some video on my friend’s mobile when I fell into the drain and injured my left hand. I couldn’t wear my watch for about a month and haven’t worn a belt since then. We had our exams in March-April. I had given good exams but was still undecided about my next step. I had a software job with MBT (now Tech Mahindra) along with a BPO one in Infosys. My teachers and my parents wanted me to go for MSc. I was also more inclined towards science than the job. I especially was interested in Astrophysics and hence wanted to join Pune University. I gave the entrance exam but couldn’t succeed in getting through.
And then came the shock of my life! I had secured 90% in the BSc III exams with a 40/40 in microprocessors. Now I was more determined to pursue science. Having not cleared Pune university entrance I opted for admission to Fergusson College. I came to Pune on 17th July only to know that the last day of application was 15th. I tried in Garware as well but couldn’t secure an admission. I went back to Nagpur to find that last date for application to the University Campus as well as Institute of Science was also 15th. I hadn’t considered Nagpur for my Masters before and hence hadn’t applied. I ran helter-skelter to be told that my chance of securing an admission was next to impossible. My physics sir, Shende Sir, tried his best to get me an admission but it didn’t come my way.
At last I decided that I would go to Pune for my MBT job. But having rejected it in the first place, I was told to try later. Then I contacted Infosys. They were ready and I was supposed to join on 7th. I started on 5th night from Nagpur in a Volvo bus. This journey was to be the journey of my life. In the morning we found the bus in a standstill. We soon found out that the whole western Vidarbha was under floods and we were in middle of it. Our bus was in front of an over-flooded bridge with vehicles all around. We were almost trapped and were cursing our stars when our driver tried to take us out of there to some nearby village. We reached a village named Dahigaon. People over there prepared a meal of khichdi for us. We were in middle of nowhere with no mobile coverage. I found a PCO booth (Reliance was there) and called home. On the villagers’ advice and directions we reached Mehkar Phata near Chikhli in Buldana district. This place had food and shelter. All the buses that had left Nagpur the day before were there. Here atleast there was electricity and mobile network. We slept in the bus in the night. My parents were dead worried and when the next day the buses decided to move by some different route with one returning back to Nagpur, I was the one among five others to return back. My parents also wanted me back home. I had already informed Infosys and was told that the next induction day was 16th August. We reached back at about 3 o’clock in the night to a dry enough Nagpur. My parents and my brother were happy to see me back safely.
I went back again to Pune on 14th but this time in a train. I went to stay with my friend Samiran. But by evening, I met my college friend Aniket and slept at his uncle’s house in the night. He had secured admission in Indira College and had even arranged for a flat in Wakad. First day in Infosys was uneventful. By night I had moved to Aniket’s flat. It was a mad journey with his vehicle going dry in the middle of the highway with rain pouring overhead. The second day i.e. 17th a feeling had started sinking that I didn’t belong to IT. By evening I decided to leave the job (The ICICI bank people did trouble for a year or so because of the salary account I had opened!!!). Aniket was not amused with the decision but I was determined. My parents supported my decision. I was back to Nagpur on 18th.
I had taught a boy in 2004-05 for his Xth. He wanted me back for XIIth. So, within few days I shifted back to Nagpur and started teaching Nauty(my student) Physics, Mathematics and English. His mother paid me handsomely (Rs 2500 / month) and my objective of not being a burden on my parents was fulfilled. I and my brother stayed in the room where I had stayed for 2 years. But this didn’t cooled me. Now I was frustrated to the core and wanted to delve completely into studies but the anger within myself was not allowing me to do so. I hated myself more than ever and considered myself to be a thorough worthless. I was not certain about anything and had even thought about the value of living such a life. My anger burst out more than often and the fellow troubled and affected most was my brother. He was trying to adjust with the new surroundings and my behaviour made it more difficult. He also sometimes lost patience and we fought over trivial matters. I had become inconsiderate, selfish and did not understand others. Instead I was blaming others for my grievances. It strongly affected my studies as well as well my brothers. This behaviour had taken a toll on my parents’ health as well. My mother had become weak due to my problems. I had developed an irritating behaviour and had become a complete nuisance.
In the meantime I got two more tuitions. My monetary health was fine but my mental health was not. Well this troubled year came to an end and eventually I cleared the Pune university entrance and am now pursuing MSc with Astrophysics as my special subject.
It’s said that, ‘All’s well that ends well’. It’s true in my case as well but the year has surely changed my life and has had heavy implications on my life. The year brought pleasure as well as sorrow not only to me and my family but also to my well wishers. I use this platform to thank all (especially my brother Shnehasish, friend Rohit Moharil and my physics teacher Shende Sir) who stood beside me in this troubled year and also apologize to all who were affected due to my irresponsible behaviour.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Pakistan: A grievous unsolvable jigsaw
Pakistan has become a matter of concern for the entire world. The whole country is under shambles and is biting dust like never before. The Islamisation of the country started by Gen. Zia-ul-Haq has made the country more religion minded but has made it a prey to the fundamentalists and the terrorists. Terrorism has become the most exported and bankable business in Pakistan.
Though the country is a party to the ‘War against Terror’, it now harbours hundreds of terrorist organizations which have formed a state within the state. Add to that ISI and the high handedness of the army generals, which have actually made Rawalpindi (Millitary Head Quarters) as the virtual capital of Pakistan, and we get a rickety state as seen never before. The terror machinery gets enough structural facilities which help them to exist and function efficiently there.
What is surprising that India even after having tens of different languages, religions, caste and other differences stands in the way to progress to the 21st century (a few skirmishes here and there do happen which can be controlled) while Pakistan being a mono religious country has led it to become a failure and is basically leading it to medieval era.
(This page of Times of India would be a better read: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIM&login=default&Enter=true&Skin=TOI&GZ=T and go to page 17 of the Mumbai edition dated 08/03/2009).
But the biggest troubles in recent times in India have been always due to Cross- border terrorism (latest being Mumbai 26/11) which Pakistan has declined as soon as possible even though they are supposed (Pakistan rejects vehemently) to harbour anti-social elements from Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel to Maulana Masood Azhar and Bin- Laden. IsI is rumoured to help even LTTE and nurture the terror machinery in Bangladesh. The North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) once a peaceful place under Frontier Gandhi, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, has now become a safe haven for terrorists and is no doubt any close to non-violence which he preached!!!
But now the state is itself under threat with Swat valley falling to pro- Taliban elements and the recent heinous attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. Pakistan’s Islamic utopia has failed and now the nation has to be rebuilded so that the sub-continent can be saved as we all know a rotten potato ruins the whole sack. I bet neither Jinnah nor even the subsequent rulers (even Zia) of the country would have thought that their nation building will ricochet in this manner and they will have a free fall into the pit which they were creating for others!!!
It is now needed that the international community takes heed of this matter and help the troubled souls solve this urgent matter with utmost priority. We just can’t sit pretty and let the country go to the butchers. And I feel India has to play the biggest role in this process as we are the most affected with whatever happens there. But care should be taken that we don’t get a Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vietnam or Iraq in return.
Let God help us to bring peace to Pakistan and douse the violent fires that are slowly destroying the country and help us to solve the jigsaw which has been tampered to an unprecedented level. Let the wounds be healed before they become septic and need for amputation arises.
Amen!!!
Though the country is a party to the ‘War against Terror’, it now harbours hundreds of terrorist organizations which have formed a state within the state. Add to that ISI and the high handedness of the army generals, which have actually made Rawalpindi (Millitary Head Quarters) as the virtual capital of Pakistan, and we get a rickety state as seen never before. The terror machinery gets enough structural facilities which help them to exist and function efficiently there.
What is surprising that India even after having tens of different languages, religions, caste and other differences stands in the way to progress to the 21st century (a few skirmishes here and there do happen which can be controlled) while Pakistan being a mono religious country has led it to become a failure and is basically leading it to medieval era.
(This page of Times of India would be a better read: http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOIM&login=default&Enter=true&Skin=TOI&GZ=T and go to page 17 of the Mumbai edition dated 08/03/2009).
But the biggest troubles in recent times in India have been always due to Cross- border terrorism (latest being Mumbai 26/11) which Pakistan has declined as soon as possible even though they are supposed (Pakistan rejects vehemently) to harbour anti-social elements from Dawood Ibrahim, Chhota Shakeel to Maulana Masood Azhar and Bin- Laden. IsI is rumoured to help even LTTE and nurture the terror machinery in Bangladesh. The North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) once a peaceful place under Frontier Gandhi, Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, has now become a safe haven for terrorists and is no doubt any close to non-violence which he preached!!!
But now the state is itself under threat with Swat valley falling to pro- Taliban elements and the recent heinous attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team. Pakistan’s Islamic utopia has failed and now the nation has to be rebuilded so that the sub-continent can be saved as we all know a rotten potato ruins the whole sack. I bet neither Jinnah nor even the subsequent rulers (even Zia) of the country would have thought that their nation building will ricochet in this manner and they will have a free fall into the pit which they were creating for others!!!
It is now needed that the international community takes heed of this matter and help the troubled souls solve this urgent matter with utmost priority. We just can’t sit pretty and let the country go to the butchers. And I feel India has to play the biggest role in this process as we are the most affected with whatever happens there. But care should be taken that we don’t get a Bosnia-Herzegovina, Vietnam or Iraq in return.
Let God help us to bring peace to Pakistan and douse the violent fires that are slowly destroying the country and help us to solve the jigsaw which has been tampered to an unprecedented level. Let the wounds be healed before they become septic and need for amputation arises.
Amen!!!
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