Monday, October 31, 2011
The speeding light at the end of the tunnel may be a freight train coming your way!
Metallica concert scrapped in Gurgaon and goes well in Bangalore, F1 administration does a good job of executing an international event as Lucknow awaits the 7 billionth baby as the earth's retaliation shows in Bangkok with floods and rare October snow in US Northeast.
The speeding light at the end of the tunnel may be a freight train coming your way!
Metallica concert scrapped in Gurgaon and goes well in Bangalore, F1 administration does a good job of executing an international event as Lucknow awaits the 7 billionth baby as the earth's retaliation shows in Bangkok with floods and rare October snow in US Northeast.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Teaching to learn
Another Saturday morning found me giving art classes in Saksham- an NGO school for underprivileged children of a huge labor class population in Gurgaon. I went with 20 copies of face expressions, a chart I found somewhere that serves as a guide of sorts for amateur cartoonists. Though I went solely with the intention to discuss and draw facial expressions, it turned out to be a language-translation class of sorts that took me by (pleasant) surprise and tested my ability to teach, translate and engage 24 enthusiastic kids in the age group of 10-15. Here’s the chart-
The class started with asking the children what they understood of each expression. All conversations with them were in Hindi. But the printout wasn’t clear enough, so I had to write most of the words on the board and explain the meaning of each in Hindi. I realized later that I was over-expecting the children to know what words like ‘hysterical’ and ‘eavesdropping’ meant. Of course. Some children asked me to use the word in a sentence, leading to this silence from my side with my head spinning for a while on Saturday morning on how to break this down in an interesting way for a 12-year-old. It better be interesting; in case I used too ‘grown-up’ examples, it could lead to disconnect with them. This led me to acting out some of the words. This is where the fun started. I got giggles with explaining ‘love struck’ with participation from the backbenchers, some blanked out looks with ‘hung-over’. Most words were not easy to explain to my satisfaction, like the difference between ‘arrogant’ and ‘obstinate’. Asking them what Bollywood actor they thought were arrogant and obstinate got us some interesting common answers! Cricket and Bollywood- two great aids in teaching, I tell you; always works with children to get them interested.
Children understood the more ‘physical’ meanings of words like ‘pained’ and ‘hurt’ than the emotional meanings, which gave me this ‘it-will-take-them-a-while-to-figure-that-one’ sense. ‘Horrified’ meant more than just what you felt in a horror film, like a mother’s reaction to what children could do to their rooms. ‘Optimistic’ was not the same as ‘Happy’ and ‘Blissful’ and had to be explained in contrast to ‘Pessimistic’. A lot of the examples were examination related because at this age, I figured exams brought in some amount of reactions and emotions- no thanks to my formative years of high stress on academics. These were- I was ‘relieved’ when the exams were over’; the parents were ‘shocked’ at the child’s results; I was ‘ecstatic’ when I was declared first in class. Some words that I still have to act out convincingly are ‘smug’ and ‘sheepish’! In case you find this funny, try doing this in front of 24 odd children. It takes an experienced stage artist to hold, engage and convey effectively! Words like aggressive, disapproving, grieving, frustrated and exasperated took a while to communicate. They were also writing down the hindi meanings of each word in their sketch books, which made me realize how important this class was for them.
It felt like a good day with one substantial hour spent here, with some amount of self-introspection, questioning my ability to communicate to an audience with simple words.
The class started with asking the children what they understood of each expression. All conversations with them were in Hindi. But the printout wasn’t clear enough, so I had to write most of the words on the board and explain the meaning of each in Hindi. I realized later that I was over-expecting the children to know what words like ‘hysterical’ and ‘eavesdropping’ meant. Of course. Some children asked me to use the word in a sentence, leading to this silence from my side with my head spinning for a while on Saturday morning on how to break this down in an interesting way for a 12-year-old. It better be interesting; in case I used too ‘grown-up’ examples, it could lead to disconnect with them. This led me to acting out some of the words. This is where the fun started. I got giggles with explaining ‘love struck’ with participation from the backbenchers, some blanked out looks with ‘hung-over’. Most words were not easy to explain to my satisfaction, like the difference between ‘arrogant’ and ‘obstinate’. Asking them what Bollywood actor they thought were arrogant and obstinate got us some interesting common answers! Cricket and Bollywood- two great aids in teaching, I tell you; always works with children to get them interested.
Children understood the more ‘physical’ meanings of words like ‘pained’ and ‘hurt’ than the emotional meanings, which gave me this ‘it-will-take-them-a-while-to-figure-that-one’ sense. ‘Horrified’ meant more than just what you felt in a horror film, like a mother’s reaction to what children could do to their rooms. ‘Optimistic’ was not the same as ‘Happy’ and ‘Blissful’ and had to be explained in contrast to ‘Pessimistic’. A lot of the examples were examination related because at this age, I figured exams brought in some amount of reactions and emotions- no thanks to my formative years of high stress on academics. These were- I was ‘relieved’ when the exams were over’; the parents were ‘shocked’ at the child’s results; I was ‘ecstatic’ when I was declared first in class. Some words that I still have to act out convincingly are ‘smug’ and ‘sheepish’! In case you find this funny, try doing this in front of 24 odd children. It takes an experienced stage artist to hold, engage and convey effectively! Words like aggressive, disapproving, grieving, frustrated and exasperated took a while to communicate. They were also writing down the hindi meanings of each word in their sketch books, which made me realize how important this class was for them.
It felt like a good day with one substantial hour spent here, with some amount of self-introspection, questioning my ability to communicate to an audience with simple words.
Teaching to learn
Another Saturday morning found me giving art classes in Saksham- an NGO school for underprivileged children of a huge labor class population in Gurgaon. I went with 20 copies of face expressions, a chart I found somewhere that serves as a guide of sorts for amateur cartoonists. Though I went solely with the intention to discuss and draw facial expressions, it turned out to be a language-translation class of sorts that took me by (pleasant) surprise and tested my ability to teach, translate and engage 24 enthusiastic kids in the age group of 10-15. Here’s the chart-
The class started with asking the children what they understood of each expression. All conversations with them were in Hindi. But the printout wasn’t clear enough, so I had to write most of the words on the board and explain the meaning of each in Hindi. I realized later that I was over-expecting the children to know what words like ‘hysterical’ and ‘eavesdropping’ meant. Of course. Some children asked me to use the word in a sentence, leading to this silence from my side with my head spinning for a while on Saturday morning on how to break this down in an interesting way for a 12-year-old. It better be interesting; in case I used too ‘grown-up’ examples, it could lead to disconnect with them. This led me to acting out some of the words. This is where the fun started. I got giggles with explaining ‘love struck’ with participation from the backbenchers, some blanked out looks with ‘hung-over’. Most words were not easy to explain to my satisfaction, like the difference between ‘arrogant’ and ‘obstinate’. Asking them what Bollywood actor they thought were arrogant and obstinate got us some interesting common answers! Cricket and Bollywood- two great aids in teaching, I tell you; always works with children to get them interested.
Children understood the more ‘physical’ meanings of words like ‘pained’ and ‘hurt’ than the emotional meanings, which gave me this ‘it-will-take-them-a-while-to-figure-that-one’ sense. ‘Horrified’ meant more than just what you felt in a horror film, like a mother’s reaction to what children could do to their rooms. ‘Optimistic’ was not the same as ‘Happy’ and ‘Blissful’ and had to be explained in contrast to ‘Pessimistic’. A lot of the examples were examination related because at this age, I figured exams brought in some amount of reactions and emotions- no thanks to my formative years of high stress on academics. These were- I was ‘relieved’ when the exams were over’; the parents were ‘shocked’ at the child’s results; I was ‘ecstatic’ when I was declared first in class. Some words that I still have to act out convincingly are ‘smug’ and ‘sheepish’! In case you find this funny, try doing this in front of 24 odd children. It takes an experienced stage artist to hold, engage and convey effectively! Words like aggressive, disapproving, grieving, frustrated and exasperated took a while to communicate. They were also writing down the hindi meanings of each word in their sketch books, which made me realize how important this class was for them.
It felt like a good day with one substantial hour spent here, with some amount of self-introspection, questioning my ability to communicate to an audience with simple words.
The class started with asking the children what they understood of each expression. All conversations with them were in Hindi. But the printout wasn’t clear enough, so I had to write most of the words on the board and explain the meaning of each in Hindi. I realized later that I was over-expecting the children to know what words like ‘hysterical’ and ‘eavesdropping’ meant. Of course. Some children asked me to use the word in a sentence, leading to this silence from my side with my head spinning for a while on Saturday morning on how to break this down in an interesting way for a 12-year-old. It better be interesting; in case I used too ‘grown-up’ examples, it could lead to disconnect with them. This led me to acting out some of the words. This is where the fun started. I got giggles with explaining ‘love struck’ with participation from the backbenchers, some blanked out looks with ‘hung-over’. Most words were not easy to explain to my satisfaction, like the difference between ‘arrogant’ and ‘obstinate’. Asking them what Bollywood actor they thought were arrogant and obstinate got us some interesting common answers! Cricket and Bollywood- two great aids in teaching, I tell you; always works with children to get them interested.
Children understood the more ‘physical’ meanings of words like ‘pained’ and ‘hurt’ than the emotional meanings, which gave me this ‘it-will-take-them-a-while-to-figure-that-one’ sense. ‘Horrified’ meant more than just what you felt in a horror film, like a mother’s reaction to what children could do to their rooms. ‘Optimistic’ was not the same as ‘Happy’ and ‘Blissful’ and had to be explained in contrast to ‘Pessimistic’. A lot of the examples were examination related because at this age, I figured exams brought in some amount of reactions and emotions- no thanks to my formative years of high stress on academics. These were- I was ‘relieved’ when the exams were over’; the parents were ‘shocked’ at the child’s results; I was ‘ecstatic’ when I was declared first in class. Some words that I still have to act out convincingly are ‘smug’ and ‘sheepish’! In case you find this funny, try doing this in front of 24 odd children. It takes an experienced stage artist to hold, engage and convey effectively! Words like aggressive, disapproving, grieving, frustrated and exasperated took a while to communicate. They were also writing down the hindi meanings of each word in their sketch books, which made me realize how important this class was for them.
It felt like a good day with one substantial hour spent here, with some amount of self-introspection, questioning my ability to communicate to an audience with simple words.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Light one up, Mr. Roboto
Sarkozys are parents to a baby girl as multiplexes jack up Ra.One prices and Bangalore Metro flags off today while Philip Morris's net income rose 30% to 2.38 bn, Libya starts afresh without Muammar Gaddafi and Tokyo tech fair opens with robotic clapping of hands.
Light one up, Mr. Roboto
Sarkozys are parents to a baby girl as multiplexes jack up Ra.One prices and Bangalore Metro flags off today while Philip Morris's net income rose 30% to 2.38 bn, Libya starts afresh without Muammar Gaddafi and Tokyo tech fair opens with robotic clapping of hands.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Rebuild
I close my eyes and imagine I am in a large clearing in a forest. As I look around, in front of me, all my past achievements materialize together in one large abstract shape. The shape has grown by tens of feet and is now as large as a building. These are things I have always been proud of. I brag about it, use it as a totem pole of pride, my flags and feathers are stuck on in it and I show it off to people. I use it as a support and a descriptive to who I am. I like to think I have done great things and I am my own Superman and Thor.
Now here’s the problem. I am not able to do new things with my life because this colossal pole will not move anywhere. It’s fixed, solid. I have built my home around it; using it as a support to hold up parts of my house. The roots are growing around it and I am in the process of getting fossilized.
I stand up and walk a few feet away from this ‘shape’. As I think hard about letting go of this all, I begin to scale up in size. I am now as tall as this abomination. Suddenly from nowhere, a Samurai sword appears in my hand. I look at the beautiful weapon. Its not just any sword. It’s a beautiful high-carbon steel Katana. I seem to know Kenjutsu and how to handle this work of art. I now have a job at hand.
All this building over the years of past achievements has been stopping me from advancing to next levels and take larger steps. It is time to destroy what I already have done, and move to new things. The less I have, the less I carry and faster will I move. It’s either a skinny hermit running through a forest or a fat rich man on a cushion. Let it all go now. As my mind focuses on the central core in my chest, my body has moved swiftly and slashed down this behemoth of a structure- created with my pride over past achievements. It has been reduced to a rubble. I put the Katana back into its sheath and look at the rest of the clearing. The forest looks larger and there is more to explore, because I want to. I run into the dark greens.
Now here’s the problem. I am not able to do new things with my life because this colossal pole will not move anywhere. It’s fixed, solid. I have built my home around it; using it as a support to hold up parts of my house. The roots are growing around it and I am in the process of getting fossilized.
I stand up and walk a few feet away from this ‘shape’. As I think hard about letting go of this all, I begin to scale up in size. I am now as tall as this abomination. Suddenly from nowhere, a Samurai sword appears in my hand. I look at the beautiful weapon. Its not just any sword. It’s a beautiful high-carbon steel Katana. I seem to know Kenjutsu and how to handle this work of art. I now have a job at hand.
All this building over the years of past achievements has been stopping me from advancing to next levels and take larger steps. It is time to destroy what I already have done, and move to new things. The less I have, the less I carry and faster will I move. It’s either a skinny hermit running through a forest or a fat rich man on a cushion. Let it all go now. As my mind focuses on the central core in my chest, my body has moved swiftly and slashed down this behemoth of a structure- created with my pride over past achievements. It has been reduced to a rubble. I put the Katana back into its sheath and look at the rest of the clearing. The forest looks larger and there is more to explore, because I want to. I run into the dark greens.
Rebuild
I close my eyes and imagine I am in a large clearing in a forest. As I look around, in front of me, all my past achievements materialize together in one large abstract shape. The shape has grown by tens of feet and is now as large as a building. These are things I have always been proud of. I brag about it, use it as a totem pole of pride, my flags and feathers are stuck on in it and I show it off to people. I use it as a support and a descriptive to who I am. I like to think I have done great things and I am my own Superman and Thor.
Now here’s the problem. I am not able to do new things with my life because this colossal pole will not move anywhere. It’s fixed, solid. I have built my home around it; using it as a support to hold up parts of my house. The roots are growing around it and I am in the process of getting fossilized.
I stand up and walk a few feet away from this ‘shape’. As I think hard about letting go of this all, I begin to scale up in size. I am now as tall as this abomination. Suddenly from nowhere, a Samurai sword appears in my hand. I look at the beautiful weapon. Its not just any sword. It’s a beautiful high-carbon steel Katana. I seem to know Kenjutsu and how to handle this work of art. I now have a job at hand.
All this building over the years of past achievements has been stopping me from advancing to next levels and take larger steps. It is time to destroy what I already have done, and move to new things. The less I have, the less I carry and faster will I move. It’s either a skinny hermit running through a forest or a fat rich man on a cushion. Let it all go now. As my mind focuses on the central core in my chest, my body has moved swiftly and slashed down this behemoth of a structure- created with my pride over past achievements. It has been reduced to a rubble. I put the Katana back into its sheath and look at the rest of the clearing. The forest looks larger and there is more to explore, because I want to. I run into the dark greens.
Now here’s the problem. I am not able to do new things with my life because this colossal pole will not move anywhere. It’s fixed, solid. I have built my home around it; using it as a support to hold up parts of my house. The roots are growing around it and I am in the process of getting fossilized.
I stand up and walk a few feet away from this ‘shape’. As I think hard about letting go of this all, I begin to scale up in size. I am now as tall as this abomination. Suddenly from nowhere, a Samurai sword appears in my hand. I look at the beautiful weapon. Its not just any sword. It’s a beautiful high-carbon steel Katana. I seem to know Kenjutsu and how to handle this work of art. I now have a job at hand.
All this building over the years of past achievements has been stopping me from advancing to next levels and take larger steps. It is time to destroy what I already have done, and move to new things. The less I have, the less I carry and faster will I move. It’s either a skinny hermit running through a forest or a fat rich man on a cushion. Let it all go now. As my mind focuses on the central core in my chest, my body has moved swiftly and slashed down this behemoth of a structure- created with my pride over past achievements. It has been reduced to a rubble. I put the Katana back into its sheath and look at the rest of the clearing. The forest looks larger and there is more to explore, because I want to. I run into the dark greens.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
People and gadets in our lives
Make a list of all the gadgets - their model and brand, that you have ever used, and another list of all the friends you have met in your lifetime. Notice that not only will your people list be longer, with their full names, you may even be able to describe people more than just their names. See the point?
People and gadets in our lives
Make a list of all the gadgets - their model and brand, that you have ever used, and another list of all the friends you have met in your lifetime. Notice that not only will your people list be longer, with their full names, you may even be able to describe people more than just their names. See the point?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Rough road, partner, but keep going!
Obama's $447bn jobs plan is derailed by the US senate as Yahoo dilutes its stake in Chennai based Consim info for Rs.100cr, Maruti loses Rs.3000cr due to labor unrest as Pepsi reports 13% growth at $17.6bn and Sahara buys 42% in Force India F1 team in a deal worth $100mn.
Rough road, partner, but keep going!
Obama's $447bn jobs plan is derailed by the US senate as Yahoo dilutes its stake in Chennai based Consim info for Rs.100cr, Maruti loses Rs.3000cr due to labor unrest as Pepsi reports 13% growth at $17.6bn and Sahara buys 42% in Force India F1 team in a deal worth $100mn.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Role one buddy, no BB chatting for a while...
Cannabis may help ease pain from chemotherapy as people spend 9% more time on mobile apps while BlackBerry services collapsed in 4 continents but Apple iphone 4S demand surges to 1 million in a day, ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh passes away as doctors suggest you touch elbows and not shake hands.
Role one buddy, no BB chatting for a while...
Cannabis may help ease pain from chemotherapy as people spend 9% more time on mobile apps while BlackBerry services collapsed in 4 continents but Apple iphone 4S demand surges to 1 million in a day, ghazal maestro Jagjit Singh passes away as doctors suggest you touch elbows and not shake hands.
Monday, October 10, 2011
To rise in life, we must do community service
I am no saint and do not preach values, will not. This is only a reflection of a very self-centered, materialistic self. This paradox of success through community service is explained after 6 months’ experience and a better understanding of what I want from life.
When it comes to spending money, we are mostly clueless about what we want, yet we work so hard for ‘it’. We work day in night out at the cost of our health for gadgets and cars that are high on drool factors. We think we need these things only when we see a colleague or neighbor flaunting it. These objects do not last long because they are made for a shelf life of a couple of years if not months, or we don’t want them anymore because marketing strengths are now working on something else! When it’s time to discard it, we resume our rat race for that next pointless something. In a span of 40 working years, very little is left to be a proud owner of. So how do we find direction in this vague existence? Just in case this question got you thinking hard about your ways of spending, then it means you need to look inward at what you surround yourself with. And where does community service come into the picture? Or how does social work help us realign our priorities?
We are a privileged lot. We don’t have to quite worry about the next meal or a roof above our heads. But when we interact with those for whom these are luxuries, we realize the gift we have and are able to re-order our priorities. Direct interaction with differently-abled people, teaching under-privileged children or any other social work helps us snap out of vague desires and think harder at long term, bigger goals.
I am not denouncing materialism. Being materialistic is good and it makes us catalysts of success in other areas or domains we belong to. True- people at work, family and friends gauge us with what we have. But all this reflection becomes more substantial when we work at more focused, larger things. Saving up by letting go of frivolous things helps us look at larger objects of desire. But this focus comes about only when we see others struggle for bare necessities. It helps us appreciate the opportunities and resources that are at our disposal.
This may come across as arguable but do give it a try. We all have different ways of seeing this world. What works for me, may work for you in larger ways. I constantly come across friends or hear about people who are not happy with their jobs or life. These people have more than others who are in dire need of these things. I also noticed one thing about these ‘unhappy’ people – they do not give out to their communities in terms of time. Donating money is not the retribution the soul needs. One has to spend time in these communities and see first-hand how lesser privileged people live.
Once in a while, we must understand our position in this world to be able to see where we are, and what we can do to make it better- for others and most importantly, for ourselves. Unless we are happy with ourselves, we will not be able to generate real value for our lives.
When it comes to spending money, we are mostly clueless about what we want, yet we work so hard for ‘it’. We work day in night out at the cost of our health for gadgets and cars that are high on drool factors. We think we need these things only when we see a colleague or neighbor flaunting it. These objects do not last long because they are made for a shelf life of a couple of years if not months, or we don’t want them anymore because marketing strengths are now working on something else! When it’s time to discard it, we resume our rat race for that next pointless something. In a span of 40 working years, very little is left to be a proud owner of. So how do we find direction in this vague existence? Just in case this question got you thinking hard about your ways of spending, then it means you need to look inward at what you surround yourself with. And where does community service come into the picture? Or how does social work help us realign our priorities?
We are a privileged lot. We don’t have to quite worry about the next meal or a roof above our heads. But when we interact with those for whom these are luxuries, we realize the gift we have and are able to re-order our priorities. Direct interaction with differently-abled people, teaching under-privileged children or any other social work helps us snap out of vague desires and think harder at long term, bigger goals.
I am not denouncing materialism. Being materialistic is good and it makes us catalysts of success in other areas or domains we belong to. True- people at work, family and friends gauge us with what we have. But all this reflection becomes more substantial when we work at more focused, larger things. Saving up by letting go of frivolous things helps us look at larger objects of desire. But this focus comes about only when we see others struggle for bare necessities. It helps us appreciate the opportunities and resources that are at our disposal.
This may come across as arguable but do give it a try. We all have different ways of seeing this world. What works for me, may work for you in larger ways. I constantly come across friends or hear about people who are not happy with their jobs or life. These people have more than others who are in dire need of these things. I also noticed one thing about these ‘unhappy’ people – they do not give out to their communities in terms of time. Donating money is not the retribution the soul needs. One has to spend time in these communities and see first-hand how lesser privileged people live.
Once in a while, we must understand our position in this world to be able to see where we are, and what we can do to make it better- for others and most importantly, for ourselves. Unless we are happy with ourselves, we will not be able to generate real value for our lives.
To rise in life, we must do community service
I am no saint and do not preach values, will not. This is only a reflection of a very self-centered, materialistic self. This paradox of success through community service is explained after 6 months’ experience and a better understanding of what I want from life.
When it comes to spending money, we are mostly clueless about what we want, yet we work so hard for ‘it’. We work day in night out at the cost of our health for gadgets and cars that are high on drool factors. We think we need these things only when we see a colleague or neighbor flaunting it. These objects do not last long because they are made for a shelf life of a couple of years if not months, or we don’t want them anymore because marketing strengths are now working on something else! When it’s time to discard it, we resume our rat race for that next pointless something. In a span of 40 working years, very little is left to be a proud owner of. So how do we find direction in this vague existence? Just in case this question got you thinking hard about your ways of spending, then it means you need to look inward at what you surround yourself with. And where does community service come into the picture? Or how does social work help us realign our priorities?
We are a privileged lot. We don’t have to quite worry about the next meal or a roof above our heads. But when we interact with those for whom these are luxuries, we realize the gift we have and are able to re-order our priorities. Direct interaction with differently-abled people, teaching under-privileged children or any other social work helps us snap out of vague desires and think harder at long term, bigger goals.
I am not denouncing materialism. Being materialistic is good and it makes us catalysts of success in other areas or domains we belong to. True- people at work, family and friends gauge us with what we have. But all this reflection becomes more substantial when we work at more focused, larger things. Saving up by letting go of frivolous things helps us look at larger objects of desire. But this focus comes about only when we see others struggle for bare necessities. It helps us appreciate the opportunities and resources that are at our disposal.
This may come across as arguable but do give it a try. We all have different ways of seeing this world. What works for me, may work for you in larger ways. I constantly come across friends or hear about people who are not happy with their jobs or life. These people have more than others who are in dire need of these things. I also noticed one thing about these ‘unhappy’ people – they do not give out to their communities in terms of time. Donating money is not the retribution the soul needs. One has to spend time in these communities and see first-hand how lesser privileged people live.
Once in a while, we must understand our position in this world to be able to see where we are, and what we can do to make it better- for others and most importantly, for ourselves. Unless we are happy with ourselves, we will not be able to generate real value for our lives.
When it comes to spending money, we are mostly clueless about what we want, yet we work so hard for ‘it’. We work day in night out at the cost of our health for gadgets and cars that are high on drool factors. We think we need these things only when we see a colleague or neighbor flaunting it. These objects do not last long because they are made for a shelf life of a couple of years if not months, or we don’t want them anymore because marketing strengths are now working on something else! When it’s time to discard it, we resume our rat race for that next pointless something. In a span of 40 working years, very little is left to be a proud owner of. So how do we find direction in this vague existence? Just in case this question got you thinking hard about your ways of spending, then it means you need to look inward at what you surround yourself with. And where does community service come into the picture? Or how does social work help us realign our priorities?
We are a privileged lot. We don’t have to quite worry about the next meal or a roof above our heads. But when we interact with those for whom these are luxuries, we realize the gift we have and are able to re-order our priorities. Direct interaction with differently-abled people, teaching under-privileged children or any other social work helps us snap out of vague desires and think harder at long term, bigger goals.
I am not denouncing materialism. Being materialistic is good and it makes us catalysts of success in other areas or domains we belong to. True- people at work, family and friends gauge us with what we have. But all this reflection becomes more substantial when we work at more focused, larger things. Saving up by letting go of frivolous things helps us look at larger objects of desire. But this focus comes about only when we see others struggle for bare necessities. It helps us appreciate the opportunities and resources that are at our disposal.
This may come across as arguable but do give it a try. We all have different ways of seeing this world. What works for me, may work for you in larger ways. I constantly come across friends or hear about people who are not happy with their jobs or life. These people have more than others who are in dire need of these things. I also noticed one thing about these ‘unhappy’ people – they do not give out to their communities in terms of time. Donating money is not the retribution the soul needs. One has to spend time in these communities and see first-hand how lesser privileged people live.
Once in a while, we must understand our position in this world to be able to see where we are, and what we can do to make it better- for others and most importantly, for ourselves. Unless we are happy with ourselves, we will not be able to generate real value for our lives.
Fly India way... and crash less.
India's expat hiring is up 20% this year as UK's Thomson Airways creates aviation history by using cooking oil as fuel, Paul McCartney marries for the third time while the Big Ben tilts a foot and half from perpendicular, 400 painted storks visit Delhi zoo and the city's road deaths drop to a five year low.
Fly India way... and crash less.
India's expat hiring is up 20% this year as UK's Thomson Airways creates aviation history by using cooking oil as fuel, Paul McCartney marries for the third time while the Big Ben tilts a foot and half from perpendicular, 400 painted storks visit Delhi zoo and the city's road deaths drop to a five year low.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
Good Apple that changed the world
Call this a tribute to a great man; this is one top ten list that's been on my mind for a while. Steve Jobs / Apple related videos here, in no particular order-
1. Microsoft makes third grade products
This holds true even today. What is that one central thought that drives and differentiates between a great company and a mediocre one? Very well articulated in few words here.
2. First iPod launch.
Very ballsy move when Apple's main computer business was tanking.
What do you do? Come up with a music player. Very few have the courage to think and act like this… and succeed!
3. Famous Stanford speech
Watch this anytime you don't seem to know where life is going exactly.
4. Of all Apple products, I have related to iPod the most; and the ads have been my all-time favorites. Here's the 'Pods unite' video for iPod and the VW Beetle.
5.iPod Feist ad for video on Nano
6. Hilarious Mac/PC ads
7. Apple ‘Think Different’ ad
8. iPad in schools
I teach art on Saturdays in a primary school for underprivileged children- with no technology whatsoever, over and beyond a blackboard and chalk. But looking at this capability of children with tech, their mature feedback and willingness to learn, all I can say is, ‘Way to go.’
9 . Siri in iPhone
Though the iPhone 4S was not received very well as expected, I thought this was one groundbreaker in phone tech- a device that ‘understands’ what you are saying. Ballsy decisions like this make this company and its people great; going where others fear to tread in a big way.
10. Thanks, Devinder- for video no. 10
1. Microsoft makes third grade products
This holds true even today. What is that one central thought that drives and differentiates between a great company and a mediocre one? Very well articulated in few words here.
2. First iPod launch.
Very ballsy move when Apple's main computer business was tanking.
What do you do? Come up with a music player. Very few have the courage to think and act like this… and succeed!
3. Famous Stanford speech
Watch this anytime you don't seem to know where life is going exactly.
4. Of all Apple products, I have related to iPod the most; and the ads have been my all-time favorites. Here's the 'Pods unite' video for iPod and the VW Beetle.
5.iPod Feist ad for video on Nano
6. Hilarious Mac/PC ads
7. Apple ‘Think Different’ ad
8. iPad in schools
I teach art on Saturdays in a primary school for underprivileged children- with no technology whatsoever, over and beyond a blackboard and chalk. But looking at this capability of children with tech, their mature feedback and willingness to learn, all I can say is, ‘Way to go.’
9 . Siri in iPhone
Though the iPhone 4S was not received very well as expected, I thought this was one groundbreaker in phone tech- a device that ‘understands’ what you are saying. Ballsy decisions like this make this company and its people great; going where others fear to tread in a big way.
10. Thanks, Devinder- for video no. 10
Good Apple that changed the world
Call this a tribute to a great man; this is one top ten list that's been on my mind for a while. Steve Jobs / Apple related videos here, in no particular order-
1. Microsoft makes third grade products
This holds true even today. What is that one central thought that drives and differentiates between a great company and a mediocre one? Very well articulated in few words here.
2. First iPod launch.
Very ballsy move when Apple's main computer business was tanking.
What do you do? Come up with a music player. Very few have the courage to think and act like this… and succeed!
3. Famous Stanford speech
Watch this anytime you don't seem to know where life is going exactly.
4. Of all Apple products, I have related to iPod the most; and the ads have been my all-time favorites. Here's the 'Pods unite' video for iPod and the VW Beetle.
5.iPod Feist ad for video on Nano
6. Hilarious Mac/PC ads
7. Apple ‘Think Different’ ad
8. iPad in schools
I teach art on Saturdays in a primary school for underprivileged children- with no technology whatsoever, over and beyond a blackboard and chalk. But looking at this capability of children with tech, their mature feedback and willingness to learn, all I can say is, ‘Way to go.’
9 . Siri in iPhone
Though the iPhone 4S was not received very well as expected, I thought this was one groundbreaker in phone tech- a device that ‘understands’ what you are saying. Ballsy decisions like this make this company and its people great; going where others fear to tread in a big way.
10. Thanks, Devinder- for video no. 10
1. Microsoft makes third grade products
This holds true even today. What is that one central thought that drives and differentiates between a great company and a mediocre one? Very well articulated in few words here.
2. First iPod launch.
Very ballsy move when Apple's main computer business was tanking.
What do you do? Come up with a music player. Very few have the courage to think and act like this… and succeed!
3. Famous Stanford speech
Watch this anytime you don't seem to know where life is going exactly.
4. Of all Apple products, I have related to iPod the most; and the ads have been my all-time favorites. Here's the 'Pods unite' video for iPod and the VW Beetle.
5.iPod Feist ad for video on Nano
6. Hilarious Mac/PC ads
7. Apple ‘Think Different’ ad
8. iPad in schools
I teach art on Saturdays in a primary school for underprivileged children- with no technology whatsoever, over and beyond a blackboard and chalk. But looking at this capability of children with tech, their mature feedback and willingness to learn, all I can say is, ‘Way to go.’
9 . Siri in iPhone
Though the iPhone 4S was not received very well as expected, I thought this was one groundbreaker in phone tech- a device that ‘understands’ what you are saying. Ballsy decisions like this make this company and its people great; going where others fear to tread in a big way.
10. Thanks, Devinder- for video no. 10
Remarkable life, Sir Jobs!
The World loses Steve Jobs as Daniel Shechtman bags Nobel for discovering quasicrystals after years of redicule, the world's cheapest tablet is launched in India while Anna Hazare gets talking on twitter, FB and G+.
Remarkable life, Sir Jobs!
The World loses Steve Jobs as Daniel Shechtman bags Nobel for discovering quasicrystals after years of redicule, the world's cheapest tablet is launched in India while Anna Hazare gets talking on twitter, FB and G+.
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