The Education Arms Race....

Obama warns of education arms race with India and China was one of the headlines of today. The President of the USA spoke a few very important lines at the Rose Garden - "Cutting back on education will amount to unilateral disarmament" and "It's about who we are as people" are the two lines which I liked the most.

There is a hell lot of difference between education and graduation - the 2 words which are confused with each other often. Graduation signifies a written document/certificate the world today asks for from every individual while education is the core understanding, knowledge and the desire of excellence in every individual. They definitely imply the same in case of many individuals but it does not necessarily mean that a graduate is educated. The future of the nation is going to be decided by the quality of education imparted today to all of us.

The Mind Virus....

I read a letter recently by Dr. Robert Anthony which spoke about The Mind Virus -- The Negative influence of the media. He goes on to explain his solution to the issue or ways to prevent being infected by the mind virus. I found a few take aways but also found some part which I believe is a negative approach which is a contradiction in itself to what the author states. The letter is as follows --

CWG : Not a Joke, but a Lesson....

Q: How many contractors are required to change a light bulb in Delhi CWG stadium? 
A: 1 Million -- 1 to change the bulb and rest 999,999 to hold the ceiling !!


This was a very recent "joke" I had received via email. There had been 14 odd more such points which were there but according to me, this one concerns us the most. It is a sad picture which has been reflected from the CWG site but that is not the only aspect which has to be given importance.


I find some deep wisdom hidden in the so-called "joke" mentioned above. We laugh at these related jokes and criticize instead of discussing the possible solutions within our circles. Even if the latter does occur it is a rarity.

The Twist of Fate (part II) ....

Well, after the story of Kunjal, I am onto part II explaining it from the point of view of Pixie....

Before I go into the details I would request the reader to read my earlier blog, The Twist of Fate (part I) ...., before going to part II as that would put him/her in a much better position to synchronize with the parallel happenings regarding the 2 lead characters.

The Twist of Fate (part I) ....

Finally, I am blessed with the full functionality of my laptop but now there is some heat dissipation problem as I type!! I have found a temporary solution for it by inclining and exposing the whole underside of the laptop to fresh air!

Before I narrate the story I would mention all those who were directly involved and lent me support through all this. This list can go on and on if the indirect help is counted in to the numbering phase but I will keep it short and mention that their contribution has been valuable as well. They are -

Nikhil Bhan and Saurabh Saxena (BE IT); Mahesh Sohoni and Rama Gaikwad (BE Comp); Gauri Kapileshwar, Chaitrali Latkar and Rucha Desai (BE Mech); Anuja Gadgil (BE EnTC); Madhura Barve (TE IT); Omkar Umrani and Mahipal Mahara (TE Mech); Neha More and Sonal Kadam (PVG’s Science College) and Sujay Bhise.

As most of you will know that I live on campus of PVG college in Pune. We share our campus with Muktangan School and Jr. College. The story begins with the unfortunate attack on Friday, the 17^th of September on a 8 yr old girl named Kunjal by a few stray dogs.

Livin' Free Rearmed....

Long time it has been since I have posted at Livin’ Free. I am (hopefully was) in the worst electronic phase of my life since late July when it started with the loss of my cell and worsened with the complete blackout of my fine weapon of change i.e. my dear laptop in the first week of September. With this loss, I have been deprived of my nosy research activity over the vast realms of the internet and was forced into a temporary disarmament treaty with fate which has kept me isolated from Livin’ Free!

I am typing using an on-screen keyboard which makes me feel like a handicap. Thanks to an incomplete job by the hardware engineer and the on going back to back holidays my traumatic experience would continue at least till Monday I suppose. Though, I will count myself lucky that I can use the laptop now even if that access is limited.

There certainly would be a few incidences to share with you my fellow fighters but that will happen when my trusted weapon is fully functional. Many events are going on around us; may it be the Ram Janmabhoomi - Babri Masjid verdict anticipation or the AFSPA dilution dispute or China’s strengthening of its string of pearls by setting up a 111 km railway route from its territory to Chittagong in Bangladesh and more such buildups....

These past few days, life was teaching me from up close. It has shown me a dark side and made me a part of a story of valour, courage, tolerance, pain and anguish. With a few Bhaaratiyas by my side, life has taken me on a twisted path of destiny & knowledge with two lives entwined along this way. I have a story to tell, a story to learn from and to grow much better from as a person. I am sure there will be value addition along this way for you and me.

This story would be divided in 2 parts. Both parts will speak of the respective perceptions and will be viewed one at a time from the side of the 2 living beings involved or rather the 2 beings affected the most....

I bring to you my next 2 blogs shortly at Livin’ Free,

The Twist of Fate (pt I & pt II)....

Till then my comrades,

Keep Fighting....

Live Free....

Jai Hind!