Action is our Duty?

Lot of times we spare thoughts to events/things which we are only remotely qualified to do/repair, but in retrospection I sometimes feel what if we've had devoted some time for (say) a few of them perhaps we could have made some a little difference, right?A bias towards action is actually our most important duty.

But Television is more important than Food

Read this piece by Orwell referenced in Poor Economics. How true. :-/

"Instead of raging against their destiny, they have made things tolerable by reducing their standards. But they don't necessarily reduce their standards by cutting out luxuries and concentrating on necessities; more often its is the other way round- the more natural way, if you think of it- hence the fact that in a decade of unparalleled depression, the consumption of all cheap luxuries have increased."

See: Though written at the time of depression, this thought process underlines the mentality of poor people till today. 'They' above refer to the poor people.

The Road Less Taken - Perspectives on exemplary Transitions from Physics

Somebody once said, "Always keep yourself in constant touch of inspiration". Whatever heights you climb up to, it is that inspiration which drives you even higher, gives you an ideal to strive towards. Then, sometimes we meet people, who no doubt have been performers (sometime back in their lives) but posses a sense of heightened complacency which drives them towards a negative self-indulgence, slowly moulding them to into this state which stops allowing others a chance of being better than them, thereby degrading their humility, perhaps letting the ignorance creep, which ultimately warps their own potential. Why the most of successful people are not the most known people? Perhaps their work, doesn't count much. Perhaps, they are victim of their own shortened success. 

Well now that I am about to complete these five years under the spell of Physics (Applied Physics sounds appealing, right? Doesn't make any difference though) and about to take a detour towards a less physical world of Management, Economics or so, I thought of writing something for people who might wanna walk on such a scarce path. A short inspiration-stuffed note. Here I will talk about a bunch who have taken up Physics/Engineering Physics/Applied Physics and then have either forayed in Economics, Business or Management. The fact which I essentially see in such type of transitory success lies in the power of Physics itself. I am not being biased at this moment but Physics indeed stimulates your thought process in dealing with more complexities, allowing to build a broader picture. The armchair retrospective approach which generally Physics employs, nurtures wisdom unlike any other branch I have come across. These inferences perhaps should not be stated bluntly like I did above but we do have time and space constraints to deal with. 

Lets begin, 

1. C K Prahlad

Took up Physics at Loyola College, Chennai and subsequently went to IIM-A and Harvard Business School. He lastly taught at Wharton, where he prematurely died. He wrote one of finest modern pieces on Developmental Economics, Fortune at the Bottom of Pyramid (Havent read it? Buy it now, read it now). Its been said that Western Economies used people like him to make investments in the then Third world. We are now richer, happier, gadgety and have malls to hang out at. Thanks to him. 

2. Eliyahu M Goldratt

Well he isn't Indian, He is Israeli. There is hardly any name bigger than E M G(with exceptions of Peter Drucker, Michael Porter) in  the Field of Management. Heard of Theory of Contraints? He developed it.
I personally know atleast 100 Boutique Consulting firms having their complete businesses running on his models. He was based out of Tel Aviv University and wrote few must reads like Critical Chain and The Goal. A Bachelors to PhD in Physics.

 

3. D. Subbarao

Took up Bachelors and Masters in Physics at two IITs and then went to Ohio State Univ for studying Economics. He worked with World Bank and Economic Advisory Council (India) with finally scaling up the Governor ladder at RBI.

He is very well known for his firm decisions at his present portfolio and his indifference towards succumbing to Govt. pressures. I don't think he wrote any book(let me know in case you have seen one :)), though the previous Governor (Bimal Jalan) is a fine writer.

 

4. R Gopalakrishnan

Took up Physics at St. Xaviers and IIT Kharagpur, presently Executive Director at Tata Sons (Possibly the biggest corporate position you can ever dream of in India).

A must watch/read on Leadership, he has written a bestseller management book, The Case of Bonsai Manager. I have met him once at a Social Entrepreneurship event. Very few guys have that ability to spellbound you in as little time as I got there. He is a management academician in practice, teaches at few IIMs and applies his teachings at this big role he has. Cool. \m/ 

 

5. Ankur Warikoo

Ah! He is the outlier(in more than many ways) of the lot. :)

This guy is CEO of Groupon India, (havent heard about the firm? sit a little more on the internet, you will). Took up Physics at Hindu College, Delhi University and went to Michigan for Masters in Physics. Worked there on few Internet Start-ups and returned to pursue MBA from ISB. I am in full envy with this guy in particular. Rest all are rather products of a bit different times. Do go through his blog here,  http://www.ankurwarikoo.com/, Worth following on Quora. :)

Its been said(again), 

"There are two kinds of education, One teaches you how to live, the other teaches how to make a living". 

But, does this make sense? Can Physics really not take care of the second part? Or is Physics so pure that the quote simply denigrates it? Why is that for some, money is everything and for some it isn't anything at all? Can there be a balance? I wonder. I don't have answers now. Though I do have few assumptions and I will definitely test them with the help of time. 

Mohan Bhargav - I

A person who proved just enough, sometimes taking people by surprises. Performance to him was an experience and not a reward or a cull.  A man caught up between being an Idealist and a Pragmatic. A man of reason also behaving irrational at times, (who defines rationality anyways?)  :-| 
A person thriving to be a spiritual atheist, then succumbing to agnosticism, (he couldn't help being reasonable). To me, he was possibly the best combination of human behavior.  He wasn't just a stereotype, neither good nor bad, highly imperfect and perfect at the same time. To him, life was a journey to the unknown, or maybe known, who knows. He yearned to connect to reality, a million times, all in vain. For he became aware of Universe's conspiring(against/for him).  For he saw the universe in him then. He agreed in consciously carrying himself forward rather than living momentarily for small pleasures and rewards. To him the goal was to produce energy for others to rejoice, for he realized that he was the universe.

PS: Mohan Bhargav isn't the Indian immigrant at NASA, (he) is something else, though I am sure his resemblance in real space wont be that unnoticed. This is an experimental post in the domain of philosophical introspection. :-/  

On Cat, Mouse and the Bell

In the midst of the crises, the fellow mice asked the mouse to construct a bell and put it across the cat's neck. But the resources were scarce and if once the bell was made, then it could not be remold for any other purpose. Our mouse, feeling delighted by getting the opportunity and being concerned about his performance index (status quo) started working very hard to 'Bell the Cat'. Nights started looking like Days. He imagined not just belling the Cat, but being even powerful than the Cat itself. He was simply blown away with the performance anxiety, ceasing to be analytic, Alas! (How can a mouse out power a Cat?).

He built a great Bell, so powerful, so big that, it could be heard across kilometers. He thought he did it, barely so. :|

The D-Day came and our mouse was to bell it (cat) up and everyone gathered to see the Bell and the show (People watch a lot! They have all the time to do so:| ) Our mouse was overjoyed by his accomplishment but forgot to check the size and requirements of Cat's Neck. Maybe he did check, but he wanted the Bell to be nothing less than Grand. Ah! such a megalomaniac our mouse was. 

The Bell was so heavy that none of the Mice, not even our mouse could lift it up. The CAT came and ransacked their place. Misery prevailed. Our mouse though, somehow survived.

PS: The Parable is a work of Fiction but may resemble some event, person. Pragmatism is such a scarce commodity that even the most ambitious of the people, sometimes lack it. Any plan, should always be executed as per the requirements, no point being over ambitious, specially at stages which don't require us to be so.

Backside of the Diary

Ten inspiring quotes/sayings/dialogues I scribbled on the backside of some random diaries I keep. Not at all the 'ten best ones' or even the 'assorted ones' but they make sense, each one of them.

#What you and I think of big money is loose change for them.
(Vinod Mehta, newslaundry on Mukesh Ambani)

#Its not what enters the man's mouth that is evil, its what goes out of it.
(Probably, Mahatma Gandhi)

#We call ourselves civilized but behave no less than barbarians when it comes to our self interests.
(Very common, isn't it?)

#Don't disturb the club. \m/
(Ah! Ever have a chance of saying it? Exclusivity isn't that common)

#You can buy a painting but you cannot say you painted it.
(Chetan Bhagat, money can't buy everything, stop flaunting!)

#Denials and Bans don't work in this country.
(I think its mostly for India) :(

#Don't hit 50 and still have the same friends you had in school/college.
(Exploring strangeness is not wrong, right?)

#Sometimes its more important to stop looking at Forests and start looking at tress.
(On importance of "Micro")

#If you don't stop being ordinary, you would never be extraordinary.
_me

#Even a brand has to act like an Individual.
(Mostly from 'Built to last')

and lastly an extra one,

Companions of contemplation. :)

#There is a thin line between 'principles' and 'prejudices'.
_me (Think! how much principled/prejudiced we really are :-| )

I thought let me jot all these together, what better way than a blog post. :)

"Bookoholics: The meet-up"

Books have always been close to my heart (closer than sports, politics and computer gaming).

PS: “Bookoholics” is a door-delivery book library which has now evolved into a community club for intellects and book lovers, based at Surat.

A friend of mine, who had been to the group’s previous meets, introduced me to the concept and I got added to the group’s Facebook group. Here, everyone shared what they were reading (not formally giving book reviews though) and seek general info about reading-lists and interests. I definitely saw it more than just a library.

Well today was my first meet. Getting up to meet almost familiar people (through FB discussions) was rather comfortable. It was a varied mix of Teachers, Lawyers, Computer engineers and students from Politics to Biotechnology. The meet started off with a Lindau-meet returned Professor who shared his experiences of the meet and rather unusual comparison of Human values of The West with India. While the talks were going on, freshly prepared barbeques were served which added tastes to our senses. Later, there was talk on to Morality, which actually went on to become the central theme of later discussions. Lastly, a student talked about Politics, his anecdotal style playing pivotal role in his speech.

The mic then when astray with all members taking chance of introducing themselves and giving brief views about the meet’s central agendas.

Bookoholics, even it its present structure is a wonderful concept. A club that meets monthly and asks its fond members to take time out of their regular schedule for discussions on true consciousness and not just about moments that pass by. I am sure Surat isn’t in dearth of people who can turn up for such things, its only that we need them to know us.

#lookingforward

Aakash or AahKaash :-/

How real are the things at consumer level.Lets take a look at some recent moves and whats in it for us.

I have been following up the Aakash issue since its inception as an idea. The recent move to bring up an all-in-one cheap I-Pad, by Govt. backed by its present manufacturerData-Wind, UK has now be blown up out of proportion in its reach and possibleoutcomes. The design has been tested for more than 2 years now with far less changes inits evolution. How can and How much can you innovate in a 3000 Rs Tablet? You have to compromise! You have use cheaper things! You need to break down the no.of products while assembling.

Until recently everything was going fine, we at NIT were asked for final consent for buying Aakash. Now everything is clung on a thin stick. The Govt. has taken up almost everything into its hand and is now planning to distribute it entirely free to all students across various Universities (…Heard?). The order no. is as high as 15,00,000 and is expected to double up in next phase.

Now the concern is, Why should all this money be paid by TaxPayer, unnecessarily, when a student can easily afford it? and anyways,Its not a must! not everybody requires it.

In my batch strength of 700 students, hardly 5% don't have a laptop and I am sure the no. will be higher in lower batches. This last moment decision is mere procrastination on our Govt.’s part and seemingly touted by Govt.’s Secretaries who fail to understand the gadget’s real requirement by targeting IITs and NITs as priority.

The gadget should be distributed for free in our Primary Education sector and not here. It can be sold under subsidy at Premier Institutions (Alrite Govt. definitely can afford that much). Also there are various gadgets already available, which targets basic education, I recently came across one(www.edutor.in) which provided much better and much needed technical advancement for our basic education needs. The Govt. has also taken entire matter into its own hands and the manufacturer has almost no say in the next and said-to-be the final version of the Tablet. Oh common! They(DW) came to you(Govt.) with this idea, let themhave their say!

As such I am not criticizing the Technical Buildup ofAakash. Its pretty awesome at the price tag it comes up. But the lacklasidalapproach of the govt. towards the bringing it up needs timely criticism by thetech-people.

Hope this rings up some bells and the sound reaches theJanpath.

-Parker

The Path and the Purpose

"We all have a purpose, the purpose is to find out who we really are."

My involvements with Physics and NIT have been a lesson worth sharing, something which generally people do not consider as their cup of tea. Well, its not a cup of tea for me either. Physics isn’t all about learning how the universe works. Its actually miles different from that queerer statement. To give an idea, we have mapped only about 2% of the real mathematical universe (and we thought making it to NASA was the biggest achievement of our lives) plus our understanding of a “Subatomic Model” is still unclear (and we though making it to CERN was the biggest a….)

                        "Physics isn’t a professional entity, it’s a bit religious." -Neeraj Pandey

It ultimately takes the shape of either abstract mathematics or philosophy. It requires a dedication of an at-a-stretch involvement with huge physical sacrifices, something quite similar with religious people.

               There are two ways you can serve the world. One, by continuously walking up the path of “Research” hoping, someday you’ll have your own Eureka moment. Second, stay simple! Take your tools and get into the world, meaning, consider the fact that the world can as well be made a better place with the present state of available technologies and resources. Use them and make a difference. The latter is a sense of realization not merely a thought, which came to my mind only after venturing into the former. I find the world pretty simple. It has very simple needs, very simple problems and requires very simple solutions. All our scientific ordeals (however small in reality they are) take us one step closer to those simple issues.

With this in mind, I hope, I will take the path more taken.

Comments on Assos and a Fresher’s role @ NIT

In recent times we are witnessing a phenomenon of over protectionism, something which any free being would feel disrespectful about. We are forced to be over-submissive to the authorities.
(The recent naïve piece of mail which lies in ur insti’s mailbox was a quite a message and a driving force for me to jot down my understanding of the problem.)


Quite unaware of the total scenario, a fresher who enters this so-claimed elite institution falls prey to a system common to some NITs and IITs across the nation, the system of Asso(read State associations). A fresher having lack of gadget+internet+rock culture+galla activities and above all a whole lotta warmth of a senior-junior relation, which he has never seen in his school days seeks gratification and respite from an already existing load of academics and peer-pressure. Being submissive (hez a bichara fresher), joins up a State-Asso eg.UP, CB, KSA.. thus falling prey, himself totally unaware or may be inconsiderate, to the whole damn effect of "regionalism".
Now lets have a broader picture, What on earth makes me think that Asso is bad, is it because I never joined one?

When we join a ‘National’.I.T. seldom do we give a thought of the talent pool we are surrounded by. We are sadly pessimistic of any good/great that can possibly germinate here. Under the system of Asso, we tend to lose our abilities to actually interact with the best brains of higher years. We, out of obligation tend to meet up people and seniors of our own communities thereby gaining and cultivating warmth in this small group which parties together, raggs together(read Intro), dines together etc. Regionalism does no good and it’s a lesson which is the need of the hour. With the authorities taking good interest in stopping the menace and the present fresher batch evolving out with lesser effects of Assobaaji, we can expect to have the renunciation of the Institute’s values and ethics.
If we want our students to be responsible, ethically sound and timely exposed we shall put an end to the system of Assos, however making new ways for senior-junior interaction which plays vital role in a fresher’s upbringing and thinking abilities. The system of Year-wise hostel allocation does more harm than good and we need to learn from IITs in this regard, where students of all the years live together in single hostel. Don't authorities over there have scare of ragging?
We need not be over protective.
The Proud feeling of Oneness of being an NITian for all the inmates, rather than being from Mumbai, Chennai or remote Northeast is the only thing that can pave way to agree for the claims, of the Institute become an elite one.

-Parker