Sunday, February 15, 2009

“SSN EDC (Entrepreneurship Development Cell) Presents E-Week 09, Feb 14th to 19th”


                      An entrepreneur is a person of very high aptitude who pioneers change , possessing characteristics found only in a very small fraction of population(source :wiki). Being synonymous with founder, an entreprenuer’s sole objective is to ‘initiate ‘ any good cause ,and hence the “go green” initiative .

                      From captain planet to bono( the band U2’s lead singer ) , we have heard popular figures reiterating the notion and may wonder “I’ve heard that phrase before!“ Yes ,this has been a clichéd slogan and has been propagated several times before,

So, whats different this time ?

                       For the first time the initiative has been taken up by the people who actually have the power to cause large scale change in the environment scenario –the entrepreneurs.  

                       With a number of lazy teens becoming great entrepreneurs due to one stroke of brilliance , we can all appreciate entrepreneurship as a wonderful career option. The examples of Michael Dell of Dell inc., Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and even Microsoft founder Bill Gates — got their start in business as young people toying around with ideas for starting new companies, are legendary.  The influence these entrepreneurs have on the socio-economic situation is exemplary and when these people strive for a greener tomorrow , as budding entrepreneurs, we must do all in our power to follow suit .

Humanities last stand:

                     ‘Greenery’ has become a distant word off late and for eco-friendly people ,a forlorn yearning. With luxury being a common notion everything in its way is trudged upon.According to science daily” Global temperatures are dangerously close to the highest ever estimated to have occurred in the past million years”,hence it’s time to pull up our socks and not only initiate but implement all our plans to go green, which is exactly what the NEN has done.

                       High tech is falling all over itself to go green., Huge companies are beginning to understand the catastrophic levels of hazardous toxicants they discharge and have joined the go green agenda .Notable examples include “The greener Apple “ started by the Apple group of companies which had been criticized by some environmental organizations for not being a leader in removing toxic chemicals from its new products, and for not aggressively or properly recycling its old products. The greener apple theme incorporates better recycling and reusing schemes .

                        As more of modern life goes digital, the environmental impact of those computers and gadgets has gone from negligible to considerable. HP has done the most to mitigate that. HP owns massive e-waste recycling plants, where enormous shredders and granulators reduce four million pounds of computer detritus each month to bite-sized chunks - the first step in reclaiming not just steel and plastic but also toxic chemicals like mercury and even some precious metals. HP will take back any brand of equipment; its own machines are 100 percent recyclable. It has promised to cut energy consumption by 20 percent by 2010.

                         Even with such drastic measures taken by most companies ,there has been an alarming rise in sea levels. If the current scenario upholds even for a small amount of time, sustainability of life on earth will be difficult.

 Our role for a greener tomorrow :

                    The key ingridient of every sucessful entreprenuer and their only mantra for glory - "responsibility". The word has a lot of relevance in this context . If each and every one of us take the welfare of nature as our responsibility ,then the image of a picture perfect earth is not a distant dream and is a factor which is very much present within the realms of reality ! 

                      Our responsibility includes reaching out to the ones who are unaware of the rising sea and population levels and educating them in this respect.Also, we must try and save power and water as humanly possible and become role models to others,  hopefully sparking a revolution in thinking.

                       No one denies that a college student , especially a teen, needs some fashion sense and style .When go green is creating a wave in the fashion circle with big names like Cameron Diaz and Leanardo de Caprio doing their part for global welfare , we can follow suit and forget our fashion needs and opt for simple attires , with the knowledge that fashion has nothing to do with the dress , but with the way we carry ourselves.

                       Also getting popular among teens is the 'green dating' concept. Young couples are now excited about making eco friendly proclamations of love. By selecting an eco hotel over other vacation options, by choosing to take public transport over driving a car, by gifting saplings instead of flowers. The chicks dig it J and an eco-friendly person is always apprized

                        Thus we can turn the shade of gray into green with every step we take ,by turning the inches into miles and the miles into yards. Finally when we discover a greener earth, we will have the satisfaction of being a part of it.

                       Hope this article delivered the insights and ideas that empower decision makers to create an environmentally sustainable society that meets human needs.

                   Mother nature has provided everything from our basic to luxurious needs and though we can never repay the debt we can at least be grateful and perform an act of gratitude by striving for her cause                                                                               

                                  Earth is a mother to us all , fight for her !

 V.N.Praveen

Mech, second year 



                             


Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Dream for an insomniac ( literally!!!)

Ever had premonitions prior to your results being announced? Constant ringing voices in your head? Sleepless nights characterized by loud swearing ? Don’t worry you are not ghajini aamir in the making. These are just a few symptoms of a person who has screwed up in an exam and is hoping for a miracle to happen. Being a master in the above said art it is not difficult to contemplate the experience of such people.

                                         

There is always the dream sequence  How can one forget the dream sequence ?You are there sleeping serenly and waltzing away in your dream with keira knightley – only her face is suddenly replaced by the engineering mechanics professor, laughing in a maniacal way and saying “enna pa ? naan appove sonnen padikalana ipidi thaan agum“ . Literally and figuratively speaking, it’s like dancing with devil in the pale moonlight!

 

The dates for the announcement of results are maintained as an even greater mystery. (Yes, better than raaz 2 story line ).Thanks to the excellent educational system followed by the anna university.It creates a certain mystical aura around itself, highlighting its hep factor.Total educational atyachar ( incidentally, the topic of my next article )


The constant sms waves propagating about the results being announced sends a chill down one’s spine! These range from unwillingly believable ones to extremely humorous ones!! (There was this one which read “results are out …. Please check out airtel live horoscope first to see if this week is good …. If not please hit the next staff who enters on the head thrice for good luck and then check your result). Damn, the peeps are getting creative by the day J

 

Finally when the d-day arrives, we remain clueless carrying our mundane activities without a hassle. Then there is this message reading “results are out “.Our primary reaction is “Ah, the same old crap “.When it is followed by fifteen more messages reading the same thing , our reaction changes to “Oh crap ! “.Then with surprising agility we are there in front of the computer. The few minutes before the page loads seem like an eternity in which a lot of  images flash across our minds which by and large involve the kiera/e-mech prof image laughing hysterically and in the end when the results page comes up , there are sounds of violins, guitars and birds chirping in the background and my mom shouting " Oi get up !!". 

Thursday, December 25, 2008

SEMS !!

The four letters, that would even shake the great Maximus Decimus Meridius, if he were alive today. Given the option between facing a tiger in a gladiator arena and spending three hours in front of Fluid mechanics and machinery paper, any engineering student will happily select the former. The time when all our formerly well functioning organs cease to work and all sense is lost, the time when only creativity comes to our aid. Take it from me, creativity proves to be a very dangerous artillery, especially during exams, as you end up answering questions like, “what is the function of NVC in a two point starter” as, “The function of a NVC in a two point starter is to serve the purpose for which it was created, and also to elucidate the functionality of the two point starter in a clear, yet subtle manner, thereby playing a major role in functioning of the two point starter “. SEMS - The Achilles heel of every engineering student!

The build up to the exam is, if possible, an even greater pain the hind part. As the count down begins, we say to ourselves "good some ten days left" and prepare a flawless time-table .The implementation part is where it gets really difficult.

The next day, "Okay, I’ve still got nine days left " and strike out the previous one and reform a new time table. The process continues until you’ve got a single day left and realize “damn, I’m screwed! “

Even the prospect of seeking expertise from your friends who have always been there to give advice and correspondence on ay issue, becomes bleak, the reason being two-fold :

Firstly, there is always this fellow who would have learned the portion thoroughly. There is a fear that your confrontation with him will only wreck your already diminished confidence and inhibit your progress.

The second being that the person to whom you correspond may say that they are in the same stage as you are and you will heave a sigh of relief, only to agnize later that the person in question is either a natural in the subject or a conniving fellow when it came to studies!

So the next time, if you intend to do something productive before your semester exam, pray to the almighty in all languages known to you , to bless us with blissful showers, so that the exams get postponed. Then keep your fingers crossed, in the hope that the authorities forget to reschedule the exams. Optimism to the point of foolishness, one might say, but we here at anna university are taught otherwise!!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

WHY ARE WE HERE ???

The most simple yet the most intriguing question .The question second best only to the age old question “who let the dogs out ?“.People waste years, decades trying to figure out this enigma and when the reach dead ends in their quest for truth, they exclaim “why the fuck should I care! , I have other useful things to worry about “ .Yes , I convinced myself “that is the exact reply I would give to that question . Nevertheless no one can deny that this question did not crop up in their minds at some stage of their life and here is my take on the subject.

Firstly I am no preacher and no saint by any means but I have asked this question to a bunch of people and I have received simple to incredulous answers. On singling out their views I made the following conclusions :

The egocentric man replies: “I am here in this world and I, like everyone around me will carry out the normal activities of day to day life because that is what I do. I eat when I am hungry and sleep when I feel sleepy.” and when asked why, he replies “because that is what I do “.
A very succinct theory, seems so connected to the actual world but nothing spiritual about the reply.

A few others reply “to serve the purpose that God has destined for us “and if you ask these people as to whether they even have the smallest of whims of what that purpose is, the question is greeted either with silence or even hostility, in some cases .A few people capable of good eloquence do reply” that shall be unveiled during the course of life “and I think to myself “To speak in cliché’s is one thing but to justify it further with poor reasoning- pathetic!”

I am not an atheist, yet many things I've seen on the face of the earth has led me to question God's purpose. To quote some, the recent horrendous murder of innocent people in mumbai and the presentation of the FIFA World’s Player of the year to Ronaldo (I thought I was sounding really deep and philosophical, when the fact of the matter is that I am not. Hence the irrelevant humor showing that I am as sane and jobless as all of you reading this are! But it is true, how on earth did he get that!! ) .Returning to the issue in hand , when I saw the life’s of innocent people being taken for no fault of theirs other than the misfortune that they had to be at that place at that time , did strike a blow in my belief system . This thought stirred my mind and that is when I actually began to contemplate this issue.

Though this thought has occurred several times, I’ve grown to understand one thing – never underestimate the power of God.I beieve there is indeed something spiritual in this place. Though it may forever be obscure to me, I cannot but be aware of its power. (Ok dont worry, I wont be stepping into the subject of meta-physical entities, speaking of meta physical entities, do check out heroes season 3 :)

In this case if you like me, agree God to be the supreme creator, then like every other creator, he must love his creations and do all that is necessary for their welfare and well being.
Thus whenever a person becomes void of ego and admits to himself “I am happy “, he can truly say that he has served his purpose of living (real deep stuff!! :).
Hence one can say that the pursuit of existence or the pursuit of life is infact and always ultimately will end up being the pursuit of happiness (yeah not happyness ! :)

Well this is just my opinion and I may be as wrong as the fellow who suggested that the earth was flat but isn't everyone who is having a say in this regard risking that chance ? :D

Yes now that you have attained cognition and enlightenment through me , go and do better stuff , and don’t worry ,my next post wont be about “life after death “or about “death being the next great adventure to an organized mind “:P !!


Saturday, December 13, 2008

Those were the best days of my life!!

It was during the tenth study holidays and I was, as usual dissembling my parents by the act of silent reading when I actually was reading Harry Potter and the philosopher’s stone well concealed under my long sized science text book. It was a while before I was brought back to this world. Awoke from the reverie due to a knock on the door, I kept staring blankly around the room trying to find something interesting .After being utterly convinced that there was nothing better to do, I went back to reading Harry Potter.

Just then my best friend, Arjun entered the room and his first remark was obviously “WHEY!” He was evidently deluded by the fact that I was reading my science text book ,when the first exam we had was social science which was just three days away. Then I lowered my science text book to reveal the HP book and grinned broadly and he returned it. So having had a good laugh about it, we began on a serious note and finished six odd pages which was a great deal for us and began discussing other temporal issues (nah! We were just discussing how to get our hands on some screwed up morons ;). So after a lot of talking and planning, we both decided that how much ever we planned, we were never going to implement them and hence started addressing issues such as new movies and songs and others love interests. Having successfully wasted the whole evening rambling on, we decided to call it a day.

The next day Dinesh joined us and he like Arjun was one hell of an entertainer and I know this seems like a real bad cliché , but time jus flew with those two around and before we knew it BAM! social science paper struck us and the blow was pretty bad !! We recovered nevertheless and the guilt din’t last two hours as we were back to form playing gully cricket as soon as we returned home. There was not a dull moment with those two around and the days seem to pass with boisterous practical jokes, incessant card games and obviously limitless hogging. The penchant for studies was taking a crash as all our interests were aligned and thankfully our interests did not involve staring at a book pointlessly all evening.

Food like everywhere else was the common notion here as the nearby bajji shop was seeing a great rise in revenue due to us. The place would recognize us from a mile away and start preparing or else shout through the length of the road “ Thambi iniki bonda leave “
And wait for our signal as to what to prepare next. Arjun will, as a rule, come out with a hundred so called funny one-liners, none of which will be funny and eventually when he does come out with a funny one , nd and me will never acknowledge it. At times he would say the weirdest things in dire need to get the people around him gagging, (Will never forget his theory, water conducts electricity, bottle does’nt, but bottle conducts water) and the look on nd’s face after this … priceless!! And the way we used to shift the mode to studies when we heard someone nearing the door!! chanceless ( dei avan seriyana …. hears the footsteps …theory forward ) . Or the time when we had fights with the neighbours and even if the mistake was on our side, never let down each other and screwed the poor guy till he was on the verge of tears ! We had a flair for such activities, but our little stint had to come to an end like everything else in this world. We did part our ways in high school but come what may nothing will scar the fond memories of the holidays and it can be said (and I’m sure they will agree) that “those were the best days of our lives “.

Friday, December 12, 2008

ARSENAL - As the roots go deeper , the foundation gets stronger


How it all began !!
I still remember the day the game entered my life as if it were yesterday , it was a warm sunday afternoon and the usual fight between my brother and myself had begun for who gets the remote .He wanted to watch a football match between Ireland and France and I wanted to watch Galtar and the golden lance . Obviously I was fighting a losing battle, the reason being that he was ten times stronger than I was and he was elder to me by five years. My brother’s wish was obviously seconded by my mom and I had become submissive and subservient. Thus having been succumbed and subjugated, I had no other option but to watch it.

I knew for a fact that it would be ninety minutes of agony as back then I hated whatever my brother liked. Then as the match kicked off , my opinion did not change a bit as the game was slow with thin bald men sliding at each other. For a few minutes I continued staring at the television without realizing what was going on, only thoughts of hatred and vengeance running through my mind and fuming at my grand mother who had no role to play in this but who was the only person to whom I could express my anger in an outright manner (a mean thing to do nevertheless but I was PISSED!!).

As I continued watching, I began to understand the game and the pattern the game followed (yeah! you don’t have to be Robert Langdon to figure this out).Once I understood the game, I felt it was a beautiful free flowing game and immediately took a liking to the Irish striker Robbie Keane . He looked sublime on the pitch and had a lot of flair. Minutes later, I began to scream his support and for once both my brother and I expressed our disgust in unison when he was fouled. The match ended with Ireland losing but it was an impressive match and the best side won. Thus my tryst with football had begun and I knew for sure that it was a long term one!

The Obsession begins!

Later that year the football world cup took place and I followed every match with great interest. My brother and I had predicted a France win and supported them from the knock out stages and what do you know … The French ended up as victors. We felt their victory as our own and then I understood what it truly means to be a fan. There were numerous talents in the squad but my immediate liking was towards the trio Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera and Robert Pires. I quickly learned that all these three played club football for an English premier league side known as ARSENAL.

The premier league started and with it our obsession for the club known as Arsenal. By the information I had gathered arsenal had won the FA premier league last year and were serious contenders for the season 98-99. Their play was undoubtedly magnificent and lucid. Their game was all about short crisp passes .The season progressed and with every game my obsession doubled and finally it had come down to two clubs Arsenal and our sworn enemy Manchester United. It narrowed down to these very clubs. Two matches remaining and we were tied on points. Then the best thing that could take place happened! We bet our London rivals, Tottenham Hotspurs while United drew with Liverpool. I was on cloud nine but the ecstasy was short lived. The final match of the season had begun…. With it came the news that Manchester United had gone down at the white hart lane (the venue of their final match). My brother Prashanth and I were sending the roof crashing down at our home with cheers and applause and throwing tantrums at our cousin Rahul who was a red devil! Just then we saw Mark Viduka scoring a glorious goal past Davis Seeman (the then arsenal keeper). ARSENAL LOST and we were devastated and the news from the lane was that MANU had come back from a goal down to take the tittle. The expression on Rahul’s face could not have been smugger! (yeah its true what goes around comes around ) . I was on verge of tears and decided never to watch football again. Then again my love for the game was greater than sorrow at arsenal’s loss.



The Romance continues :)

Ten years after that defeat, I’m still here supporting the same old club. How those ten years went by, god only knows …. How many times while watching the UEFA Champions league at one o clock in the night me and my brother used to let out a string of swear words when the ref gave a wrong decision or when an arsenal player was fouled and how when arsenal score a goal we would do likewise ! How many sleepless night the neighbours have had due to us! And how many exams I screwed up just due to the fact that I was up till three supporting them feeling that they may lose a match lest I don’t see (superstitions , you see) ! and how I took out my frustration on every object nearby when arsenal screwed up !(we had to replace more than ten chairs during the ten years)….Still when I look back at all of that I feel it’s totally worth it. After all I did all that for the team I support ;)


These ten years obviously saw arsenal through various phases. The people due to whom I supported the club left it, some would call it infidelity but I just feel they parted ways when they felt they were not upto it and when they had given all they could for the club. The golden era of the club might have ended but the love for the club from its true fans is far from over.

Yeah I know this is a really long post but I can’t just stop emphasizing what this club means to me and to all who find solace from it’s success! It’ll just suffice to say :
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal,
We`ll win coz we`re Arsenal! (repeat)
Que sera sera
Que sera sera
what ever will be will be
we`re going to Wembley
que sera sera.
Go down the field again
Just one more goal
No other team can fight
like the boys in Red and White
Never let their Glory fade
Long may they reign
So let us all give out with
Up the Gunners, Up the Gunners Goal!
Drink, Drink....Drink, drink, wherever you may be,
We are the drunk and disorderly,
but we don't give a shit, and we don't give a fuck,
Coz we came home with the Cup Winners' Cup!"

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

What a wonderful world

A really nice song , must hear for everyone who likes louise armstrong !!

I see trees of green........ red roses too
I see em bloom..... for me and for you
And I think to myself.... what a wonderful world.
I see skies of blue..... clouds of white
Bright blessed days....dark sacred nights
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world.
The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are also on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin......i love you.
I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow
Theyll learn much more.....than Ill never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
The colors of a rainbow.....so pretty ..in the sky
Are there on the faces.....of people ..going by
I see friends shaking hands.....sayin.. how do you do
Theyre really sayin...I ....love....you.
I hear babies cry...... I watch them grow you know their gonna learn
A whole lot more than Ill never know
And I think to myself .....what a wonderful world
Yes I think to myself .......what a wonderful world.