I wish I could have never written this!

Call me a Regionalist if you want! But what ever I write here is what I really felt in last evening’s events in Indian Students at Rice (ISAR). A gathering is meant to bring together all of us and have a wonderful time together. But yesterday made me feel more alienated. It is not the linguistic barriers I am concerned about. Infact being a bilingual is more than sufficient for me. I have many wonderful friends who speak languages which I can’t speak. But they know my limitation and they always made me feel at home. But last night I was really caught off guard. Except for the good soul which put the slides in English I could have ended up being clueless as what is going on? The same opinion was expressed by one of our beloved chief guest in much softer tone (befitting his age). In truth this is exactly why I decided not to take any position in the executive committee. After all a leader should communicate and command. But unilingual approach is fine with planning when it gets transformed to action it rips of the opportunity of many to feel at ease. About this a Couple of questions came to my mind. Isn't this one of the very few occasions we come together? Of course it is, but that’s true for me too. Why can’t they speak on a language 95% people can understand? Perfect. But what about English where 100% can understand? Too westernized thinking? Okay here is a simple solution which was followed last year and an ideal one. How about sprinkling English here and there and make us feel more comfortable? Am I asking too much? I was never feeling any of these before the intended to be Fun “Antakshari” happened. I was cheering and booing till they announced that there will be a situation songs. Since I could see other Tamil people in other teams, I thought its time for me to enjoy something. It might be wrong. But I did not know that I am not allowed to sing (for me not allowed to sing in my language means not allowed to sing). That’s fine; after all we were in lesser number. Shouldn’t they have given my other “common” team mates another chance to do it in the “Accepted” language? But instead I was stripped of points for trying to be one among us. This is no big deal for me. And my relationship with everyone will remain the same as I am too grown up to fuss about these things and my friends are too precious to lose. But why cant we make sure that when ever we come together, actually “We” come together rather than someone feeling “they “ came together (even for a nano second).

Am I confused?

Last night I had a conversation (I would prefer this term than Chat as the talk had some purpose in it) with my friend. He was critical about Israel’s stand on the current crisis in Middle East. I differed with his opinions and we settled amicably (I was happy that it turned out to be in my favor). Before going any further I want you all to know that I have no soft corner what so ever for any terrorist organization. Some of you might think that I am biased. After all this is my blog. I read an article by TJS George in “The New Indian Express”. The article is not on any statistics about how many lives we lost to terrorism. It is just about how bad we are at learning lessons from our past mistakes. We all talk about India becoming a superpower and we all are proud about our success in Science and technology. But I feel we are not realizing that for long we have been in the state of “becoming superpower” and it is long past due to reach the status of superpower and the main obstacle in the course is Terrorism. I was telling my friend that we should stage a war against terrorism and this is the ideal time for it. The answer I got from him had taken me aback. He without hesitation replied that Muslim people in India are yet to attain equality. Why does he have to think that attacking terrorism will trouble our beloved Islamic friends? I am talking about our country and he is talking about religion. What is the relationship we have between these two? India is a secular nation my friends that’s where we have our pride. When I say terrorism I include Naxalites and ULFA s. He further tried to convince me that Naxalites are ideology based organization against inequality. But what they see as inequality in their region is present everywhere in India. Why are not they present in all the places? What is the role of two communist parties which work democratically? In my view the Naxalites choose a place where they could easily brainwash the people and carry on with their jobs (?). How many more disaster the poor city of Mumbai has to bear before it loses its spine? I am deeply saddened when people say they are happy that Mumbai came back to its normal life immediately after the disaster. It takes lot of energy to start walking with an injury than keep walking without any hurdles. We could have achieved another revolution if we channeled the energy they spent to get back to their life. How may more Kandahar we have to see? How many more “operation Vijay” we have to fight? And how many more innocent people we have to lose? to finally be able to differentiate between eradicating terrorism and appeasing a religion.

Is studying Science a sin?

A Radical Change of topic from my last blog. Thanks for all who replied. Since I have exposure to Science in India and abroad, I thought of writing this blog. In my honest opinion, i don't think any parents want their child to study Science(By science I mean Pure Sciences like Chemistry, Physics and Biological Sciences) as a first choice. Taking an undergraduate course in Pure Science is meant for those who missed the Cut-off bracket in Entrance exams. The evergrowing number of Engineering colleges in Tamilnadu adds vitality to my views. Even parents who are educated do not like science as first option. Why Science which is omnipresent is considered as a kingdom of losers?. Is it because they see people with science degrees work as Management trainees or bank Clerks? If it is, why don't they see there are more people with Engineering degrees in Call center than Science Graduates? (Which in my view doesn't require 4 years of rigorous study in Engineering Discipline) Why don't they realize that more science graduates are working in non-science field because of our view towards science. When I joined my undergraduate degree in Science, the obvious notion everyone including my parents had was I am not an bright(leave alone brilliant) student. It is true that I didn't score good enough for a Engineering seat. But losing in a couple of exams or losing your sharpness for a couple of weeks will never alter one's self. It does not mean that I am belittling any engineering graduates (of course they are smart enough to keep their hold for extra two weeks than me). I am just saying that I am not bad. Is it all parent's mistake? When I probed this further,it was startling to see that they are not at all responsible. Who is the culprit then? Yes the same fourth pillar of Democracy. I never saw TV as a useful one except making you an Couch potato. But what the Papers and magazines are doing? It seems to me that for them, whether Sonia a Saint or not is more important then Science. It is imperative that we need to know more about our country. But politics alone is not a solution. The other themes they publish are Beauty pageants or Team India (Cricket) winning a local club in Pakistan. Most of the newspapers don't have any separate column for Science even those who have one publish once in a week. Is Vijayakanth a deciding factor in poll seems more appropriate for first page compared to whether nano biology can really cure Cancer. To sicken me further, I read a leading magazine just now which says the most happening thing in tamilnadu is the rumor about love between Simbu and Nayanthara. For whom it is important? Even it is important for other people it is because you publishers never allowed them the joy of other happenings. How many times you have seen CNR Rao on any Tamil magazines or newspapers (both Tamil and English) talking about emerging field of scientific research. Don't say language is a problem, if Reema sen can be interviewed why not CNR rao?. You have all the great people who can make a scientific interview more intresting(like Madan, Sujatha). Sometime ago most parents trained their daughter to say she wants to become Kalpana Chawla. The poor lady has to die to make us feel about science. Once in a while they will put a news box in the middle pages (they know most of us look at first and sports pages) about two students who are going to compete in a world class Robotics Competition. But Amitabh acting as a ambassador for IIFA awards will be on the first page. IIT Saarang will be given more importance than IIT-Chem fest. Why is this atrocity? One of my junior in Loyola (Hari) attended an conference in China to exhibit his new idea about Vanderwaals equation in Chemistry. Nobody knew except a few. But Sivaji shooting in Hyderabad is creating ripples. Please come out of this or go out of my India. For the following idea I fear that I will be blamed for westernising (like saffronising) education. Is it not a good idea that we call engineering studies as B.S in Engineering like most of the western countries and make sure science graduate has to do 4 yrs of learning to get his degree. Nobody is called a Engineerist when he do research in engineering field. So will you people reading this will give credit to students who learn pure science?

Poll fever

Hi All

This is my first attempt at blogging.I am sure some of you might not agree with my views but i just wanted to have a place where i can check how far could i go with the crowd. If you have appreciation or even critiscism please allow me the pleasure of knowing it.You can reach me at viskid@gmail.com. My first blog is with the newly formed lokparitran party. I am really happy that my fellow student friends are coming up with a fight that we can all be proud of. Gone are the days where oratorial excellence alone can keep you alive in student politics. Since i have my own aspirations of serving the country rather state as the first step. To be precise serve a small section or constituency before breaking the shackles.So my real doubt is did they take a correct decision in going for the poll all alone?. I perfectly agree with the view that the main focus of the party is to show how good we can do ? but for a first timer is it ideal to go all alone? the first and foremost in my mind is will they (i am not yet member of the party) be able to survive with the same vigour till the next elections if they didnot win any seats leave alone losing deposit(which seems to be obvious for me. i am not making fun.even MDMK lost almost all its deposits when they went alone in the first elections) are we all mentally strong enough to take defeat which will last for a while?. Why these questions arouse in my mind? I have a few reasons to have them. The reasons are not in order(i.e all of them served their purpose equally).In politics it takes longer time to establish your name or face to the public unless you are a facisimile of M.G.Ramachandran. With a large majority of the people still not knowing what to look for in a candiadate. Most of them failed to understand the simple fact that Election is not a one day affair rather its five years of their social betterment. So where is their party stands now? With no fiery orators, no bashers of other parties, how are they going to establish their identity?I read abt their Bike rally in favour of one of their canditates. What do they achieve by going on a bike? Do they think upper middle class and upper class (strictly economical) are going to vote. They always enjoy the Election day as a holiday. Only the middle class and Low income group people will be coming for vote. will you be able to attract them with your Bike rallies? Even on reel life they want to associate themselves with the charecters, what abt Real life? How will you be able to make them feel that you will get to the ground to work for them? I dont think Bike rally with flashing cell phones will get them closer to the people. I dont mean that they are flaunting, i just want to say that we have not developed that much. In my honest opinion they should have tried to get one or two seats by forging an alliance with any of the leading front.Lets get elected and show the promise by showcasing your good works(with media support you can really do that).I am saying this because we lost 59 years but i dont want to lose remaining years because we could not succeed in a single day(May 8). I am really praying that they continue their work after May 8 whatever the results may be. Because if we give up now, we will never have time. I know how hard it is float a party in initial years(We have to take care of our own family, because their motto is not to earn from politics). Friends,Please remember that "it takes long to remeber, but it takes longer to forget". there are couple of other topics i want to post i will do it in imminet future..All my views are based on what i read in so may papers and magazines.All of my opinion might be unacceptable, but i want to know them why?otherwise i will never have a real understanding of this issue.So friends if you really have any criticism or appreciation please let me know.