Nth Moment Experience

Suppose we had cannibals among us and let us say they go hunting,  how would life be?   What will happen to us?   Put yourself in place of a deer chased by a cheetah or a zebra chased by a tiger or a mouse chased by a cat.  Every second is life or death for you.  All that you would do is run as fast as you could to escape from the eyes of your predator because you are fighting to be alive every second.
That nth moment is precious than the Kohinoor diamond.  That is when you realize how important life is.  Let us suppose you survive that experience without being eaten, who all would you thank for keeping you alive? 

You probably would say "Thank God!".   Whom are you thanking?  Who is God here?   There are few questions to be answered here

Are you thanking your legs for running as fast as it could?
Are you thanking your hands for coordinating with the legs?
Are you thanking your eyes for choosing the right escape path?
Are you thanking your brain for getting you the right direction and thoughts?
Are you thanking your heart for not getting arrested?
Or may be
Are you thanking the predator for being slower than you?

Well, it is logical and human to ponder for a second and find answers to these questions.  You probably would say ALL OF THE ABOVE may be because that is the most appropriate way of putting it together and easy too.   Thank all but thank your enemy for sparing you which is most important.   I believe this is the the most appropriate way to experience "God" for without his mercy,  you probably would have met your creator in the heaven that nth moment.

May be the most appropriate way of THANKING would be something like this

Thank you God for giving enough power to my legs
Thank you God for making my legs coordinate with my hands
Thank you God for letting my eyes see the appropriate escape path
Thank you God for letting my brain think swiftly to push me in the right direction
Thank you God for keeping my heart beating

and here comes the best one

Thank you God for slowing my predator, my enemy and my best friend for sparing me that Nth Moment.

I have experienced God!

Review : Ranga Bhavan Marriage Hall, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli

I am writing this review about this marriage hall as I did not find any appropriate web site to do so. 
I hope this review would be useful before taking a decision.

I did Upanayanam for my son on March 4th, 2018 so information here is as fresh as it could be without any prejudice.

Advantages

• The hall is on the Ammamandapam Road and is easily reachable.
• All buses from Srirangam to Trichy stop here (The name of the stop itself is Ranga Bavan)
• Both the main hall (can seat about 600) and the dining hall (can seat about 1000) are very spacious.
• The best part is that the dining hall is at the ground level as the main hall which means it is easily accessible by senior citizens
• The watchman and the manager (Mrs. Dhanalakshmi) are extremely helpful and would do anything out of their way to serve the guest.
• They have a guest house about 200 meters away which is a 2-floor building with a 4 rooms and 2 big halls and enough toilets (but this is separately charged, about Rs 7000/- per day) 
• The venue has around 11 rooms (4 of them are a/c rooms,  another 4 are near the dining area to be used only by the caterers)
• Cost is pretty reasonable - I paid 45,000 Rupees for 1 day.
• There are many hotels nearby for a comfortable stay.   
• Ranganathaswamy Temple is about 1.5 kms.
• They have gas burners and enough utensils

Disadvantages

• The building is very old (conducted in 1953) and wears a old deserted look.   Do not expect anything posh here.
• The toilets are very unclean which means you have to follow up multiple times to get it cleaned.  Make sure that you let them do acid cleaning.  
• The bridge and bridge groom rooms have a/c attached but is too small to be used.  
• Too many mosquitoes near the bridge and groom's rooms.  Make sure that you have stock of enough mosquitoes repellents to sleep peacefully.
• The owner of the marriage hall talks to you gently as if he would take care of everything on the earth but doesn't even care to inspect the place during the function.  He leaves the whole thing to the supervisor.   But he is available all the time over phone to take instructions and act on it.
•  The dining hall was not clean when we checked-in especially the floor was not washed.  We had to follow up multiple times to get it done, but it was just half done and we gave up.
• The stairs to the first floor is extremely steep that even youngsters will find it difficult to use.   So, we ended up not using the rooms on the first floor.
• The common toilets in the first floor are very unclean.
• The common toilets in the ground floor are unclean too.
• The venue is used as a tourist home for tourists mostly from North India.   The tourists stay there for a day on their pilgrimage visit to Srirangam and make the place very very unclean, especially the toilets.   So, it becomes difficult for them to maintain the place.  If your function is on the very next day after the tourist visit,  you life could be miserable before the venue gets cleaned (expect it to be half-cleaned)
•  The dining hall's room has asbestos sheet which radiates heat extremely.   Trichy being extremely hot almost 200 out of 365 days the dining hall is literally unusable.  Your guests will have to bear the scorching heat while having food!
• There is no parking facility. 
• The place may not be very safe.  They do not have any security guard.  They have a old watchman who stays in the venue who could barely walk.   They lock the front gate but do not lock the back gates.
• The place is actually very vulnerable to theft.   

Rating : 

Location :           **** 
Cost :                  ****
Amenities :         ***

Friendly Staff :   ***

Safety :               **
Cleanliness :       **

If you are too crunched on budget and have to do a 1-day show, then go for it.   For serious functions like marriages which spans close to two days,  I would not recommend this Mandapam.



 

Creating an Unleashing Mind

Someone asked me a question that made me write this article.

What is deeper than the ocean?
What is higher than the sky?
What is faster than the fastest jet?

After thinking through, I was spot on to say "The Human Mind" and my answer was well-received. If we look back having spent many years doing so many things, one thing that most of us would agree is that we hardly unleashed anything. We learnt and gained knowledge in many areas, but did we really unleash any of those is a big question mark. Please ask your friends, your colleagues and relatives; I am sure you would agree with me.
Most of the time we learn things superficially out of compulsion or we just happen to hop onto it. Even the best of the best minds would not have unleashed to the extent required and may not be qualified to be called the Subject Matter Expert (SME).

So, what is "Unleashing" ?
Sudhir Choudhary also called Sudhir Kumar Gautam, is a fan of the Indian cricket team and Sachin Tendulkar. He is widely recognized for attending every home match the Indian team has played since 2003. For some overseas tours, he also collects funds from the cricket loving public. He is usually seen with his body painted in the national colours of India, waving the national flag in the live telecast of the matches. You ask him any question about Sachin Tendulkar, his life or his game, you would get an instant answer. Even Sachin probably might have forgotten many things. Well, at hindsight, one could call this person "A crazy Sachin fan". I would say "Sudhir has UNLEASHED Sachin". He has devoted his life in unleashing every aspect of the cricketing maestro and he is respected for what he has done. That is the power of unleashing.

If you unleash, you get the power of

1. knowing the intricate details
2. becoming creative
3. becoming confident
4. getting recognized

It is like one stop shop for training the mind to become powerful.

If you are a parent having a child studying in grade 6+, it is very important to motivate your child to unleash because it is the right age to 'unleash' these powers. Help your child identify a subject that he/she is interested and help him/her unleash it. It could be the stupidest thing, but you are making your child powerful which is the greatest gift you could give.

If you are a lead/manager, help your subordinate unleash. Give them the required confidence and motivate them to unleash anything that they show interest at. They will bless you for your lifetime as it is the greatest investment; "The investment of knowledge and the game of mind-power" that you are making on them.

So, start unleashing today......

Can't Blame Our Education System Any More...

My son is going to write his 12th standard CBSE board exam this March.  While I was going through the time table today,  I was bewildered to see some of the elite subjects  CBSE offers.   Like....

DANCE –KATHAK 
DANCE-BHARATNATYAM
DANCE –ODISSI
DANCE-KATHKALI
OFFICE COMMUNICATION 
INFORMATION STORAGE & RETRIVAL 
INTEGRATED TRANSPORT OPERATION 
FRONT OFFICE OPERATIONS 
TRAVEL AGENCY & TOUR OPERATIONS BUSINESS (NSQF)
SALESMANSHIP-II 
CAPITAL MARKET OPERATIONS 
BANKING-II
AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION – III
OPTICS –II
RADIOGRAPHY-I GENERAL 
ELECTRICAL MACHINE
CLINICAL BIO-CHEMISTRY (MLT)
CHILD HEALTH NURSING 
GARMENT CONSTRUCTION –II
TRADITIONAL INDIAN TEXTILE
BUSINESS STUDIES 
BASIC HORTICULTURE-II
BEAUTY & HAIR -II
OPERATION & MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNICATION DEVICES
FIRST AID & EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE
CLINICAL BIO-CHEMISTRY & MICROBIOLOGY-II
MICROBIOLOGY (MLT)
HEALTH CENTRE MANAGEMENT
OPTHALMIC TECHNIQUES-II
RADIOGRAPHY-II (SPECIAL INVESTIGATION  IMAGING 
RADIOGRAPHY)
DATABASE MANAGEMENT APPLICATION (NSQF)
RETAIL SERVICES-II(NSQF)-
LOGISTICE OPERATION & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT –II 
BUSINESS
OPERATION & ADMINISTRATION –II 
LABORATORY MEDICINES (CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
HEMATOLOGY & HISTOPATHOLOGY –II (MLT)
APPLIED PHYSICS 
FOOD & BEVERAGE COST & CONTROL 
FLORICULTURE 
COST ACCOUNTING 
BIOLOGY OPTHALMIC-II
RADIATION  PHYSICS 
INFORMATICS PRACTICES
COMPUTER SCIENCE
ADVANCED FRONT OFFICE OPERATIONS
OLERICULTURE - II
INSURANCE –II
BASIC PATTERN DEVELOPMENT
BAKERY-II
HOLISTIC HEALTH –II
SECURITY(NSQF)
ENGINEERING GRAPHICS
HERITAGE CRAFTS
HUMAN RIGHTS & GENDER STUDIES
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MARKETING- II
TEXTILE CHEMICAL PROCESSING
WEB APPLICATION – II (NSQF)
KNOWLEDGE TRADITIONS & PRACTICE OF INDIA
LEGAL STUDIES
GRAPHIC DESIGN
HEALTH EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION AND PUBLIC
RELATIONS & PUBLIC HEALTH
THE CREATIVE & COMMERCIAL PROCESS IN MASS MEDIA-II
PRINTED TEXTILE
TYPOGRAPHY & COMPUTER APPLICATION(ENG.)
POLITICAL SCIENCE
LABORATORY MEDICINE-II
RETAIL OPERATIONS-II(NSQF)
FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING-II
TAXATION-II
DERIVATIVE MARKET OPERATIONS
AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION-IV
LIBRARY SYSTEMS & RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
TROUBLE SHOOTING & MAINTENANCE OF
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
PAINTING 
GRAPHICS
SCULPTURE 
APPLIED ARTS-COMMERCIAL ARTS
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES
CONFECTIONERY
THEATRE STUDIES
TANGKHUL
MUSIC KARANATAKA (VOCAL)
MUSIC KARANATAKA INSTRUMENTAL (MELODIC)
MUSIC HINDUSTANI VOCAL
MUSIC HINDUSTANI INSTRUMENTAL MELODIC
MUSIC HINDUSTANI INSTRUMENTAL PERCUSSION 
MASS MEDIA STUDIES
AUTO ENGINEERING-II(NSQF)
MULTIMEDIA & WEB TECHNOLOGY
AUTOSHOP REPAIR & PRACTICE-II NSQF
FABRIC STUDY
PHILOSOPHY
ENTERPRENEURSHIP
OFFICE PROCEDURE & PRACTICES
BASIC CONCEPT OF HEALTH AND DISEASE AND
MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY
FOOD SERVICE-II
GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGY
MIDWIFERY
TYPOGRAPHY & COMPUTER APPLICATION


It has got everything that a person wants to do after 12th standard.  This means if we could understand our children's area of interest and guide them appropriately, there is no need to fall in prey to engineering, medical and science subjects only.   CBSE has so much to offer at higher level secondary level.  Just that it is not recognized by us.  We probably aren't making the necessary attempt to embrace the opportunity. 

It is time we do that. 

Simple But Effective Experiment (CocoMeter)

All of us use coconut oil, don't we?.

During winter, when I get up early in the morning to get ready, one thing that many of us would have done is to heat the hardened coconut oil.  Till about last year, I was doing this every single winter morning from the beginning of November till about Feb mid. 

This year, we are close to end of November.  The coconut oil is semi-liquid.  It is freely flowing into my hands.  Winter has not set in yet completely which it should have by now.  The meteorological department has indicated that Bangalore/Hosur is experiencing a high temperature close to 32 Deg Centigrade for the first time in many many years. 

This experiment with zero cost indicates the effects of global warming due to unethical human practices imposed on mother planet.

The Joy Of A Scientist

I have been in the scientific industry for more than 50 years.
I have taken part in many scientific events, projects, explorations and technology development.
I would like to share the most memorable incident that touched my mind.


Agni is a high-speed missile that is capable of traveling 15-times faster than the speed of the sound.
The front-portion of rocket that carries the missile would be at 4000 Degrees Kelvin temperature.
In order to comprehend that high temperature, we developed a material  made of a carbon-carbon composite material that is light and able to sustain high thermal stresses of re-entry, in a variety of trajectories.

After the successful test launch of Agni-II,  we used the same light material to prepare Calipers for children affected by Polio.  The regular calipers weighs about 4 kgs and children find it very difficult to move with it.
Using the carbon carbon material mixed with composite material, we made calipers weighing just 400 gms (1/10th of the actual weight).

Children wearing the new light-weight calipers were extremely delighted.  They started walking and even jumping easily.  Their mothers were in full of tears seeing their children's joyful movements.  What an event was it.  It is the most astounding event of my life.   I see this is as the most memorable and greatest scientific event in my life. 

Narrated by
Dr.  A.P.J Abdul Kalam
(former President Of India and an extra-ordinary statesman)

Mahatma Gandhi Showed Us the Path for next 10,000 years! - TACTICAL NON-VIOLENCE

A great Tamil poet, Kaniyan Poongundranaar said 3000 years back

 யாதும் ஊரே ; யாவரும் கேளிர் ;
தீதும் நன்றும் பிறர்தர வாரா ;
நோதலும் தணிதலும் அவற்றோ ரன்ன ;
சாதலும் புதுவது அன்றே ; வாழ்தல்
இனிதுஎன மகிழ்ந்தன்றும் இலமே; முனிவின்,
இன்னா தென்றலும் இலமே; ‘மின்னொடு
வானம் தண்துளி தலைஇ, ஆனாது
கல்பொருது இரங்கும் மல்லற் பேர்யாற்று
நீர்வழிப் படூஉம் புணைபோல, ஆருயிர்
முறைவழிப் படூஉம்’ என்பது திறவோர்
காட்சியின் தெளிந்தனம் ஆகலின், மாட்சியின்
பெரியோரை வியத்தலும் இலமே;
சிறியோரை இகழ்தல் அதனினும் இலமே.

எட்டுத்தொகை நூல்களில் ஒன்றாகிய
புறநானூறு. 192 - பாடியவர்: கணியன் பூங்குன்றன்

Translation :

All are our place; every one is our relatives,
Bad & Good does not come from others,
Similarly pain & relief as well, Death is not new at all, we neither Feel proud to live, nor Feel distress to end, like the Water fall from sky as stone after lightening Thunder, though clean and colourless, after touching.   The earth takes the colour and quality of the place of fall, And run with river, Our life also takes shape depending upon circumstances And these facts realized & understood by the learned elders, And hence we don't flatter privileged and more than that We don't snuff the disadvantaged!

He said 3000 years back which is so relevant today too.  

Mahatma Gandhi resonated the same thing in India by virtue of his independence movement by using the extreme powerful weapon - the "Non-violence"  weapon.
If you read historical facts behind the Indian independence struggle and movement,  you would realize that there were many freedom fighters in the past who vanished unsuccessfully fighting the mighty British empire using their violent methods.  It is Mahatma Gandhi who taught the world the way to tactically use non-violence.   What is astonishing is the way he went about strategically planning and executing it tactfully.   Those strategies and the tactics are relevant for the next 10,000 years.

As Arun Gandhi (Mahatma's Gandhi's gandson), rightly pointed out in an interview;  We have become very reactive to conflict management.   We allow conflicts to continue till they become crisis and then we struggle to resolve crisis.   Mostly we use brute force to resolve a crisis because once it become a crisis, it becomes very difficult to find a solution. 

Let me give you another example.   Just before the second world war, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter a Adolf Hitler where he stated the following

"IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT YOU ARE TODAY THE ONE PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO CAN PREVENT THE WAR WHICH MAY REDUCE HUMANITY TO SAVAGE STATE.  MUST YOU PAY THAT PRICE FOR AN OBJECT HOWEVER WORTHY IT MAY APPEAR TO YOU TO BE?  WILL YOU LISTEN TO THE APPEAL OF ONE WHO HAS DELIBERATELY SHUNNED THE METHOD OF WAR NOT WITHOUT CONSIDERABLE SUCCESS"
         --- Gandhi To Hitler

I don't know if that letter really was translated to German and reached Hitler's hands, but I can tell you for sure that had Hitler read it and followed it,  Germany would not have attacked Poland, the allies would not have attacked Germany and the whole world war could have been avoided.  That exactly what I meant is "Proactive conflict resolution".  It is unfortunate to note that after many many years, we are still reactive and waiting for the crisis to show its ugly face.

Take Israel and Palestine as another example,  both nations fight against each other using violence.  As long as they use violence, they are not going to reach any where.  Israel is seen as advanced and greatly developed nation.   But, they are still unable to solve the crisis.  Why?: -  just because they continue to use arms and ammunition against Palestine and Palestine is retaliating AND THE CRISIS CONTINUES.


I suggest that the leaders of different countries review the Gandhian Strategy today and carve out relevant methods to handle and curb terrorism.  I feel we are in the brink of World War III.  We need to act quickly to save the earth and humanity.

Non-violence which is the way of life needs to followed and preserved by all.