Propogation of bias in social media

It was interesting to read the article which developed on the existence of so-called algorithmic bias in the computing world. Numerous studies by different researchers were cited which confirm the existence of a bias in decision-making capabilities of artificially intelligent (AI) computing systems. It works in a closed-loop feedback system wherein the application data, as it grows, trains the logic of machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The growing data, especially in the case of social media, reflects mass mentality and inherent biases of the society, be it related to race, skin color, gender, political views or religion.

The reflection of apparent trends based on bulk data which gets generated with millions of posts on social media platforms does not necessarily portray the myriad voices and opinions which help in giving our society a balanced character. The suggestions, filters, and recommendations on such platforms affect the independent choice-making capabilities of individuals. There have been vigorous stirrings in different parts of the world vowing to preserve the neutral character of the internet, and there have been instances when social media giants have been stopped from tinkering with the neutral order in place.

There is a cue in place for programmers trying to leverage the capabilities of machine learning algorithms, that the data-sets they use to train their models are not free of biases because the source of that data is far from perfect. Efforts and means need to be put in place which could indeed help in minimizing it.

Kashmakash

Wohi dunia hai wohi kashmakash hai
Besabr ho chali in hawaon se betaab hua falak hai
Dhoop mein chal rahe hai hum sab hi
Aur karte seher ki talaash ka naatak hai


Kaali abr ka ek gumnaam sa dar hai
Vapis jo le kar aaya aaj fir ghar hai

Darodeewarein ab kehti hain bahar ghoom aao
Hawayein kehti hain nahi ghar jao
Zameen kehti hai ye nahi hai tere raaste
Aasman ne bhi tod diye humse vaasta

Hum fir bhi nikal pade hai
Kal ki talaash mein
Kya jaane kal hi aa jaye humari aas mein

Wo dur se chali aati hai awaz meri
Kahi chattano me dabi hui cheekho ki tarah
Kisi ki dheemi siskiyo mein aaj bhi jaise aasman garaj raha hai
Kahi dil k kisi kone me aaj bhi Allah bas raha h


Dastoor hai zamane ke jo gala ghot dete hai
Maarte to nahi par adhmara chhod dete hai
Shayad is neele aasman k paar ek aur duniya hai
Jaha muflisi mae jeena jayaz hai
Jaha insaan ki insaan ko kadr hai
Jaha dil bhi sheeshe sa paak saaf hai

Mehroom ho mera har katra wahi
Aur jab insaaf ki ghadi ho
Aur gunaaho ka hisaab ho
Meri ibaadatein bhool kar
Meri masoomiyat nakaar kar
Toota dil dena mujhe uska
Jiske kal ki badnaseebi mae Tune
Khushnaseebi meri rakhi thi chhupakar

Some questions

Do I think a lot?
What is worth thinking?
What is priority?
What is a life without not thinking?
Does it serve purpose?
Has it?
What am I looking for?
Is it outside?
If it is inside who will value it?
Is it always about earning bread and butter and aiming for better the next day?
Who am I?
Disoriented?
Need a reset button?
Is it about forgetting self and start imitating?


Nothing good happens after 2 a.m.
sleeping. good night

The Man In The Glass

Came across an inspiring poem, reproducing it below. Particularly loved the last para..


When you get what you want in your struggle for self
And the world makes you king for a day
Just go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what that man has to say.

For it isn’t your father, or mother, or wife 
Whose judgement upon you must pass
The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life
Is the one staring back from the glass.

He’s the fellow to please – never mind all the rest
For he’s with you, clear to the end
And you’ve passed your most difficult, dangerous test
If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass
But your final reward will be heartache and tears
If you’ve cheated the man in the glass.

-Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.

1. A Conversation

A bright Sunday morning Helen calls Avi

"My parents are reaching in afternoon and they will be putting up at a guest house in Santa Cruz for a few days"

Avi still rubbing eyes... 

"hmm...okh..!"

"My sister and one of our childhood friend will also be there, I need to prepare you, see you at the park in an hr.."

As always Helen reaches before Avi who gets there with a Coke and a packet of Lays

"Man.. you need to work on your timings!!!"

"This much is expected, check the day.. and I got late getting these..."

"Of 'course.. I was dying without them, no? Now will you sit or you need invitation?"

"So.. what is the agenda?"

"You need one? What did I tell you on phone?"

"Of 'course I know ..It's a get together with your family!"

"Will you get serious or are you going to smile this sheepishly there also?"

"Arre.. you said you are going to prepare me.. Don't kill my smile! It works every time..!"

"See its happening very fast, I know, but that is how it is.. time is running.. almost a year I told about us at home.. and now I am feeling the push.. they want to get done with this as soon as it possibly be.."

Meanwhile Avi opens Coke and offers to Helen, she refuses

"Its 11!! Nothing mixed. Safe as coconut!"

"No. I don't want it. Pass me lays."

"You need preparation more than I do.. Coke helps boost confidence level.. comes with adrenaline push. Do you want my lawyer to faint before jury?"

"I am doing good without this. You need this my tiger. I know you will turn goat there anyways.."

"Arre.. you don't know me.. I will handle things my way. Full confidence. My way or highway... Just like that first time.."

"Shut up!!"

"You are getting me wrong..! You forget the mantra I taught you while having beer in the park.. 'Maximum privacy is in public!!'"

"Yes I am getting you wrong.. You won't listen to me, will you? I am half dead thinking how it's going to be today when you meet them and you are in your own world, acting superman!!"

"Is that the new name? I like Tiger!!"

"Enough, now throw that bottle and look at me!"

"As you say.. but we should not litter..?"

"What happened to your second mantra? What are these safaiwala's going to do if you don't litter?"

"I was checking your nervousness.. You are doing good!"

"Hmm...!!"

Both smiling.. 

"See.. I want you to speak there. Take them into confidence. Tell them that things are in progress at your end and that we need some time.. or rather you need some time.."

"But this will start a stop watch.. no? And you know the status at my end.."

"I know.. Do we have any alternative?"

"Hmm.. what are they here for?"

"New year.."

"Isn't year equally new in Delhi also??"

"Can't they be with their daughter on 31st??"

"But we already went there.. in October, then in November.."

"Why are you stretching..?"

"Just a question.. but why are you not replying properly?"

"I didn't want to tell you this....."

"Tell me what..?"

"Actually a relative suggested someone for me here in Bombay.. and they are coming to visit them..."

"Fantastic.. here comes the surprise..!"

"I also got to know about this yesterday.."

After a minute of silence -

"Anyways, we got to deal with this... You need coke?"

"Can you mix something??"

"Sure.. room is 5 minutes, I can run in 2.. just wait..!"

"Let it be Tiger... am kidding.."

"You got the ground rules?"

"Is it a marathon?"

"Cool dude!!  Calm down...!  Just dress well. Work on your cover letter. I have told them your pay is better than mine!"

"Don't you worry lady.. I will flatter them..!"

"I know..!   Just speak there.... your silence frightens me...."

Simple philosophies

Karma Yoga: Body and aatma working in unison.

Jnana Yoga: Mind and aatma working in unison.

Bhakti Yoga: Heart and aatma working in unison.



Its pretty simple, do your duty, keep your body and mind fit.

Happy birthday

Manzil

मंज़िल

बही जो हवा, बहके जो कदम
बेपरवाह हुई मंज़िल, ओझल हुए हम

टूटता सितारा जो नज़दीक है
कहता है सम्भलो
मेरी बाँह थाम लो
मेरी रौशनी को चुन लो

हम मे भी अकड़ थी
अमावस से उम्मीद थी
इक टक काले आसमान को देखा
हज़ारों तारों को ढूँढा
बेपरवाही दुरुस्त की

चाँद से महरूमियत ही सही
लेकिन चाँद ढूंढ लेंगे हम ।।

-------------------------

अपना जहान

ख्वाहिशों के आगे,  समय के  उस  पार 
पैर जब  ढूंढेंगे जमी 
और नाव पे  बंधेगी पत्तवार 
एक रोज़ चलेंगे हाथों मे हाथ थामें 
उस काली कोठरी   से दूर
उस घने जंगल  से आगे 
जहा उजला सूरज चूमेगा माथा 
जहा  आँखों मे चमक होगी 
जहा तपिश  मे भी ख़ुशी  होगी 
जहा डगर कहेगी बस बडे चलो 
बहुत  रुक  गए अब  मत थमो 
औरों  का जहान पीछे  छूटा 
अब अपना जहान  ढूंढ चलो  ॥ 


----------------------------------

Biraha

बिरह

वक़्त की ख़ामोशी मे पिरोये हुए इन लम्हों को 
न जीते बनता है मरते 

पतझड़  से पहले का जैसे पत्ता हो 
मानो अपना बसंत जी चुका हो 
मचलता है ठिठकता है 
बस कसमसाकर रह जाता है 

हलकी सी ब्यार ही जैसे वापिस ले जाती है 
अपनी शीतलता की याद दिलाती है 
सूरज की कोंध चुभती है 
जैसे कुछ याद दिलाने की कोशिश मे हो 
जो सपने तेरे थे, मेरे थे 
अनायास ही उन सपनो मे वापिस खोने को जी करता है 
गिरते हुए संभलने का जी करता है 

तेरी वो हसी याद आती है
जैसे सब पा लिया हो 
वो अभिमान याद आता है 
जैसे तू सिर्फ मेरा हो 
और वो खटक जो कभी हुई नहीं 
वो सूनापन जो कभी हुआ नहीं 

अठखेली करू तो कैसे 
तुझ बिन चलु तो कैसे 
रत्ती भर हसु तो कैसे 
इश्क़ किसी से करू तो कैसे 

दीवे की लौ भी तो रात भर ही जलती है 
हवा से लड़ती मस्ती मे झूमती 
दीपावली की अमावस का घमंड तोड़ती 
जलते जलते बुझती और बुझते बुझते जलती 

सवेरा जो हो तो जलना ठीक है 
टहनी पे कोपल जो फूटे तो टूटना ठीक है 
सम्भल जाए तो गिरना भी ठीक 
अपने नहीं तो दूसरे के सपने जीना भी ठीक ॥ 

---------------------

for ma..!

i have always been blessed

your prayers to almighty

your flying kisses

your fingers touching your lips 

they clinch

they open

and you throw

a mouthful of love

love is in your eyes too

they shine like diamonds

when you are with me

and i am with you

-----x-----x--------x------x----

Finding Happiness!

Amongst several goals of human life or rather at the bottom of all of them, we all strive to find happiness. I tried imagining moments which bring smiles on people's faces, those which make them forget everything and they in real terms live those moments. It is for those few seconds and that sense of achievement later - that eternal satisfaction, that we direct our energies wishfully towards our objective. 

Perhaps my description of happiness is different from what people perceive, it might not be the end result of toiling for long and then some sudden profound achievement, it might not also be a journey to success. Some people do not always achieve what they wish for. 

A one year old child playing with his toys is also happy. He is too young to think of any goal, a journey or some toiling. He derives his amusement from his life-less toys and his relentless imagination. He is happy because he is absorbed.

People in space station derive their happiness from several sources. They make calls back to their home, imagine their family's life on earth, share their experiences, perform their tasks, they move out to space walk and they also try to sleep amongst all this. Is it happiness or is it happiness out of duty? Imagine expressions of same astronauts when they light a candle in their space station. It is necessity when we are in dark on earth but its a fun there. There is no gravity, no convectional movement of air around the flame - which are responsible for the way we see flame on earth. It is a tiny blue spherical ball around the wick which goes off by itself in a few seconds. They enjoy the unexpected, though explainable phenomenon. Their happiness is sensory.

A maulvi's happiness lies in admiration of his folks when they kneel down to Allah in submission. He believes that his people will be the best of all someday when they will be true to themselves and to God.

A small girl is happy when she holds her father's finger and walks with him. A young boy is happy when his girl first responds to him. An old man sitting alone on a park bench is happy when he finds a company. Security, warmth and companionship is happiness for them.

It is not always the view from mountain top, nor the arduous journey one needs to reach there. It probably lies in sitting at milestones, adoring the beauty around, experimenting, taking care of people around, being warm, filling voids and reaching out. Happiness is in moments we look into.

21 Jan 2014

No Rocket Science!

http://theviewspaper.net/no-rocket-science/

How many times in a day do we come across this phrase 'No Rocket Science!' blowing out of proportions the simplicity of a process, the way things are done. From teachers to politicians the usage of phrase is phenomenal. The moment I hear someone saying this I try to imagine what made that person say it. Is he really aware of Rocket Science? Can he actually weigh the simplicity/complexity of a situation vis-a-vis Rocket Science? Does the person in question has in any way some scientific aspect of looking at things?

A blunt remark by a news-maker these days has made me think even more. Solution to water woes, power woes is no Rocket Science. Solution to good governance is no Rocket Science. May God prove you right, but I sincerely wonder if these things were so easy the way you are making people believe, delivering promise after promise of your manifesto, costing exchequer, it might actually turn out to be a Rocket Science for you few months later, when summers will start and water and power demand will shoot high.  Dear sir, you are roaming around in a coal mine with a fire baton - careful that your clothes don't get dirty and you come out clean, there is equal possibility of finding diamonds or hitting a gas damp.

Coming back to Rocket Science,  my sudden interest in it is because of recent space activities by ISRO and news articles covering it. Last month I read about Mangalyaan, our Mars Orbit-er Mission (MOM),  which was launched on 5th of November and how ISRO conducted several orbit raising manoeuvres before it could leave earth's orbit. I got more interested in understanding how these manoeuvres are performed. Basically when a spacecraft is launched and is once placed in an orbit revolving around the earth, to make it shift to a distant orbit two impulses are required - one to off track it from its current orbit and other to place it back in  its new orbit. A little understanding of vectors can make one visualize it well. It is scientifically termed as Hohmann Transfer Orbit. Several such manoeuvres were undertaken before MOM moved to Mars Transfer Orbit, a trajectory that will help it in its arrival on Mars. Signal transmission time is increasing day by day and we should keep our fingers crossed that we become 4th Space Agency to reach Mars by 2014 end.

India is progressing. Politics and Science - hand in hand.

Currently two countdowns are going on. One for GSLV D-5 launch carrying a massive 2 tonne satellite payload, other is for Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) government to deliver on its promises in Delhi. We don't want any of them to fail but both are vulnerable.

What makes GSLV D-5 launch interesting is that we are using indigenous cryogenic engine to power upper stage of launch. Cryogenic engine uses fuel (Liquid Hydrogen) and oxidizer(Liquid Oxygen) stored at extremely low temperatures. Having suffered two failures in past and a last minute mission abort ISRO has tried hard this time to make it a success.

AAP has never suffered a failure, it is too new for that. They are the safest players in the game. Only time will write their testimony. Mango people are the best weapon of their arsenal. They have chosen Lal Bahadur Shastri to learn politics from, clearly stepping aside of Gandhian-Nehru parlance. Sardar Patel was already chosen by Bhartiya Janta Party(BJP).

Everyone wants prime time coverage. Lalu, Ramdev, Kiran Reddy, Yogendra Yadav all are trying hard. Suddenly entire political stage has come alive with equal lightening on all entities. All appear same.

Writing at 2 a.m. in the night I wonder Is it too difficult to take stand? Is it too difficult to accept truth, reward and innovate? Is it too difficult to develop a model, progress and sell? When ISRO can target deep space market for worldwide missions.. Can't our politicians also deliver?

(No Rocket Science, huh!!)

05 Jan 2014

Blue Magic

Almost always there is an urge to push the caricature forward. I think I don't carry any but I want to push. What is lagging needs to be in contempt-ion.  I am talking of our motherland and the form of forces its kids deal with. The kinds of sufferings we all grow with, we ourselves unknowingly get trapped in the vicious circle whose ends are met by power, name, money and compromise. Everyone carries a boiling pot over his head which has grown up with a belief of 'self' above everything. Middle age or later we all (can) identify this.

We are in 'race' from start of our lives, still we don't win medals at Olympics. Government in 2009 guaranteed RTE - Right to Education to every child. It actually went wrong in clarifying to them that it is actually 'Race to Education'. It should have said that they don't have resources, so they will keep on checking at  their check-posts, the Darwin theory - fittest will survive, others will perish; though they will never say they are exercising Darwin's theory in the name of inclusive growth.

Every time we see suffering around us, our heart burns but that is all in the way we are affected. Lakhs of kids work as laborers at tea-shops, restaurants, factories - Aren't they being deprived the right to live a meaningful life?

One thing is that we lack resources and other is mis-utilization. Right from primary education to PG level our system is flawed. Perhaps its the intermittent political advices/ encouragements that have ruined the system.
We do understand that we should have 'sports' quota for education of sportsmen whose attention gets diverted, but we forget and we don't heed to efforts of an 'open' category student, who has fought against things, proved his mettle - as the seat will go to someone who is not so fortunate(or otherwise?) to be born as his brother. Whether the debate for this means as an instrument for equalizing society will end/ or not, the system is here to stay and can't be changed over time for something or other as risks are tremendous.

For a while take a look at the credentials of saviors of our democracy, it proves everything. Either you will find foreign educated people, highly educated who entered politics in their college times or those who could hardly pass secondary examinations and are there because they exercised power in wrong doings and hence rose.

The political will to go for change lacks and it is because of the stakes at risk. Everywhere system is like that the one who has reached some position will try to save it -- no matter what the absolute expectations are. In a way you can't blame someone who is playing in his comfort zone. The entrepreneurial wave so much talked about in administrative circle seldom shows here.


The one who fights for change keeps on fighting and one day he relents, though the cause is just but he is taking policy-makers job to himself and why would latter part with his 'responsibilities'? Policy makers do have some rights - Right to accumulate wealth, Right to awe in the power they exercise and Right to remain fit. Remember.. Darwinism?

(to be continued)

Rise Up - Time Is Now

Time changes, thinking changes, perception changes. What not changes is the voice at the back of head. The ticks and pricks of needle into the cerebrum, the thick gloat of an unassuming unrelenting perpetual thought , not one but same in characteristics circumvent the evolving outrage.

The outrage is frightening in the manner that you escape the stage to stay in your preferred spot, easygoing one which fulfills your body, consumes your mind - yet can't entirely blot the incoming leaks. You wish to stay protected behind the wall and you wish more to erode it.

Unlikelihood of success degenerates the crude momentum which is extinguished before its spring. The wind is to be nurtured, ship sails by directing it.

Consider a sapling and how it grows. What was there was just a seed, a potential. How it grows up using air, water, nutrients is interesting. A part of it grows up, a part of it grows down. What is needed at top comes from bottom - fighting deterrents, fighting gravity - the motive is growth and every part of it contributes.

Unless you take the challenge you never will. And its not about beating your head in the wall. Learn from experience. Forget past but not the learning. Its an asset acquired, not that the path was wrong - but that was how it was meant to be. That is how you discover and experience Him.

Remember your cry after failure, didn't they get you closer to Him. Didn't you feel stronger after that. Time is now. Rise up.

13-03-2011, A Sunday

There are days when you wish you have full control over every action of yours, no body interrupting, engaging or disengaging. Yesterday night only I planned that tomorrow's day will be mine. I didn't know how exactly it will go but still I told her that I'll be unavailable throughout, right from six in the morning. I got up at seven, left room at eight.

Left for Vile-Parle. ISKCON. For few days this streak was developing in me to see Krishna, and to reinvent the lost spirituality.

Nokia Maps is a big no. After 1 MB download it failed to show my location. I downloaded Google maps instead and decided to take it by foot, 2.5km from the station, closely following the map guideline. In between I stopped at a kiosk for water and asked the man there about location as my previous experiences following online maps have always led me nowhere. The man gave me directions and asked me to take left from 'Amitabh's home'. Something hit me.. Is it? Is it really what he said? I asked again, confirmed and then left. Following my map after about a km of walk I took a left and asked 2 guards sitting there about the temple's directions. They confirmed amongst themselves and finally told me what they affirmed was correct. I agreed.. Just when I was about to turn I asked him - 'Amitabh's home is nearby too?' They look amazed and one of them pointed his finger downwards confirming my worst fear. I was outside 'Pratiksha' and interacting with 'Amitabh Bachhan's' security guards. I recollected myself, as if voice was looking for words to come through. I asked again and he said, this is Pratiksha, Jalsa is nearby. I stood there for few seconds and before it could have turned into more of embarrassment, moved. Few steps.., then sat for a minute on the foot-path nearby and then left for the temple.

Apart from small turnoffs stay at temple was fulfilling. One of them being: 25k for Life-membership. I don't know why I asked for it at the first place. Interacted there with some people, sat near Krishna.. it was good.

Way back it was again Pratiksha, guard was smiling.. I didn't respond and took right.

Now the question was where the hell I should head in scorching Mumbai heat of March. I thought of Colaba, had some purpose at Hazarimal Somani road. That’s all I knew of the place I had to go.

Vile Parle to CST is a big journey, only slow local stops. Could have changed a train at Dadar to reach soon, I decided to wait for CST train. Waiting there I lost myself in some obtuse thoughts. Either that station didn't fit that place or I didn't fit there. That locality was appearing strange and people looked stranger. I pulled out laptop, inserted the CD I took at temple. Tried murmuring along, felt strange(-ly) strange and shut it next.

You can never imagine an empty train on Mumbai railroads, mine was, half. Opposite me was a 30 something hunk with his-quarter-sized wife. I thought of concentrating on man's gadgets. A cellphone embedded watch, an iPad size mobile and a Bluetooth headset. When I realized that my continuous observation could easily have been mistaken, I tried observing other things around.
Women.

In a semi filled coach you see men all around with few women dispersed amongst them. India's gender ratio certainly takes a dive in such observations.
All men were sleeping, other than those who hung by coach's entrance.
Each of the women was like looking nowhere, lost into something. 

Anyhow I made it there, and started looking for what I had to. I was able to locate the locality but couldn't find the place. There after I killed time, roamed in Fort area.

Twilight is good at Gateway. Spent evening writing at a distance.

05/03 - 06/03

Real long I enjoyed company of opposite sex.. Well, that was before yesterday. A colleague/friend trusted my know-it-all attitude and we decided to go for best laptop hunt for her. I wanted to meet her so I wrought the plan and we left at 830 for InOrbit. An hour down we were done with laptop enquiries and as planned (Last week's plan that didn't come up then) we were in at CCD. Confident enough I chose my drink, leeche ice Tea. She settled for Frappe.

You can't blame an Aus-NZ match bad enough to put your eyes off a pretty girl. It happened and kind of irritated her too but then Cricket is Cricket and I think I made it up for that to her. Leeche had started tasting awful by the time we left.

Conversation gripped up and it was like we both were looking for some deaf ears to puke out all that was in. Would have loved tossing in a Beer and then blaming it up for that but that was not the case to be. Effect was. I felt.

I don't know why most of us who are now in their mid 20s always had dream of making it into armed forces. She narrated a few incidences related to army; her SSB experience and how army-men can charm any of the ladies with their short neat hair-cut and chivalry. I don't lack into any of them. My father always insists on one having a smart short haircut and I have always been the one who according to him needs a haircut just after one. I agree now short is cool and smart.
And I was reminded of my conference-outs in SSB.

One more thing is in for people of our age group these days. Marriage. Either one wants to/or one wants to attend one of his/ her friend. Girls of our group who are ageing in at 24 are experiencing the in-house commentary of being a 'paraya-dhan'. Its a matter for family which should be done away with as soon as possible. Boys can relax for now.. 2-3 years later for them. My elder brother too will get married in a couple of months. Ehmm.. World is changing, in fact Our World is changing. She told me a kissa wherein, on her family’s insistence she went out to see a boy. I could visualize and this makes for a bollywood scene, Boy coming out of kitchen holding a plate of Poories! ( No offence buddy if you get to read this, chances are slim though. Others.. There were just three of them at home he and his parents :P ) God's grace or what, Merchant Navy guys earn a lot (and suffer a lot!). They agreed in their one-to-one that marriage was not on either's cards for 2-3 yrs and commitment was not in foresight.

Not very hungry we moved in at a Paratha corner, and for the first time in my life I settled after one.
A group of office girls spotted us and I was reminded what girls do best. I counted,7. Ah..ohk.
Next 2 hrs we were together in Society Park.

05/02

Birthdays can pine you to write. Perhaps it’s the bliss I derive of it that pushes me to. Legally it’s the fifth month I am into job, almost same time I made last entry. In between has been involving/engaging - tussling/adjusting. One lesson learnt is you can't sail into two boats; for that you got to be experienced/or a woman /or for a take have backup in case you have a fall.
Almost 3 years my MBA nerve hasn't let me peacefully wilt. I am in job after a long fight - You club the dream, club the gift, club the girl -Where does a job fit in ?

Not that I do not like it. Coming to Mumbai and perhaps being in office has changed things around. When I am giving 9 hours a day to something I believe I can excel in that(and get well paid.)

On my way to Mumbai after training there was this gentleman named Bill, a Canadian - a 55-60 aged man you can distinguish from crowd. Something made us strike conversation and I won’t shy away from saying that perhaps because I am a good communicator, I can strike it well with most of the individuals, same was with him. 15 minutes into the conversation and he was sharing his personal album on my personal laptop - his son/his family trips/work/private parties. Conversation loosened and I shared what I always have on my mind and I am glad I did. His answer was logical, perhaps one which any man with healthy brain activity can arrive on - but at times you want someone else's gut/instinct to think upon and to close down. Now when the girl is out of picture he asked me to give the gift time, to sustain and evolve, not 6 months but an year or two; and then 2 years down the line you can make a final decision which can help you stand up financially also. A job can become the job and eventually the gift can also sublime that. Next two years are going to be the best experiment of my life. I got to contain two things, my tummy and...

Good life..

Good life is the ultimate aim for many of us. A good life, with hundred percent of things we admire. Our projection and perception of good life can be and is indeed different from many of others. Sometimes they are limited by things beyond our control and sometimes we ourselves are the inhibitors. What lurks behind latter is that we are not aware of that inhibition. When we do become, aware, it starts evaporating – again, most of the times.

To experience, 'temptation' is a dangerous dictionary word. The older we grow the graver meaning it attains. 'Expectation' follows later, at times in line. We might earn dollars, be social, love kids or women.. we could still feel a need. To counter it at first place can make one do mistakes, but the solution is lone. The wound may heal but the temptation to scratch and reinvent creates problems. This is one side, problem can be solution too.

We are at several times ruled by a sense – to overpower. What escapes the rule is ‘thought’. It becomes vicious. What could be an overpowering thought on (a) thought is in itself a ‘thought’. We are limited, to judge the rationale. We rely on conventions, the wisdom acquired. When things fail or appear to fail, we need Him. He serves all purpose. Its only our belief that works wonder. Every counter-rationale is subdued – and ‘overpower’ rules.

Most of all, good life is lasting; we all aim for, work for – but, when do we live it? Sensory titillation is all we get or perhaps that is what that makes life look good. Bread is important, perhaps love, and perhaps both.

Young Indian asks

It was nice to see our India averages 25.9, the youngest in the world. A country full of youth.., aiming to achieve sky high goals. Well some of these goals should coincide with those of our nation, the direction we ourselves want it to go in. Most of us will love to be a part of it, the success story, and in fact many of us are. We feel the pain that surrounds us, the obstacles we need to step out.

A conscious mind like mine can put forward some questions, these can be disguised as byproducts of an energy driven approach, wanting to do something, most likely unaware of the way India goes. Yes, we are, not unaware. The difference is, we believe the popular sentiment of Chalta hai can be ruled out, and should be, so as to get a change visible enough.

70,000 crores, the largest figure that has come across the Games mess, read CWG related work. Why is media hyping the issue? Do they really have any base or all of this is just to provide some verbal stimulus to those who will work out their vocal glands before a deaf government?

Is Delhi going to be peril of vanity show, disguised by policy makers as one of great Indian resurgence, an upcoming might. Isn’t it already? (I mean peril) But yes we don’t care about our own people, do we? They get killed of electrocution, they get killed of dug up roads, we actually don’t.

Why aren’t our own people our top most priority? Those at the top are always in some kind of appeasement display. Be it much debated nuclear liability bill, be it GM Brinjal issue. Why are there allegations that government is pro-US or pro-profit makers?

Is the role of opposition always to oppose any move the government makes? And then suddenly one day things become alright. One day one Mulayam and one Amar support, the ever opposed Atomic deal. One day one BJP moots its liability Bill clause and provides full fledged support.

Average aged 26 nation demands transparency, if at least it is expected to involve.

Why it is that the government is not answerable to its people, one who gave it full majority. Why should one trust the ideals of constitution, when those who are bestowed turn betrayers? Shouldn’t there be a voice clearing airs..?

Well we expect

Engineer again!

Long I wrote something.. 30th April it says was the last entry. Got offer from Gallagher that day. Exact 40 days, left home. In between -
- appeared at Collabera, Cognizant, Oracle, TCS(referral)
- stood outside Steria, Pune with 500 odd people, hopeful of getting interviewd,
- made 29 hr journey to Mumbai for Accenture, and got nothing
- saw Bangalore, Mumbai and of course Pune
- been with Prashant at IIT-B, considered taking up that Embedded course at ThinkLABS
- enjoyed Beer at Mondegar
- twice enjoyed air-ride
- played Antakshri with Jagga & Co. (Jagga, Soni, Siddhu) at Versova beach, 1st time Sea. (also cursed Jaggi for showing Sea in night!)
- kept phone on roaming, chatted with every possible prospect of getting me a JOB, persons ranging from L&T to Deloitte. Nothing worked.

Returned home with KPO offer,7th May. 18th May joining.
10 days home and no respite.
-Got call from Amdocs. Result got scrapped.
-Shopped extensively with sis. Sunscream in kitty too.

17th I left. Again a flight, via Mumbai.
KPO was cool. Lasted 2 weeks.
Felt like ..belittled, working with some dumb-heads. I call 'some'.

US culture started setting in. Loved it.
- Vishnu, my Lead, kept US flag on his desk. Not b'coz he loved country that much, but 'coz it was 'Made In US'. You dont get to see a US flag, generally 'Made in US'.
-Amazing Anisha, my trainer for a week. Loved her for getting chocolates. ;)

In between got call from TCS, checked a day before (otherwise it'd have also gone). Topped Pune region, all applicants. Had interview a week late. Didn't scrub it, and got it.

Well, it doesn't happen each time, but the day I resigned, I was watching Rajneeti with same guys the next day. -Reason to love Gallagher- And I met Mansi too.

Gyaan:
- Things require patience. I ended up with same company that got my 1st reject.
- Life comes full circle, one day or other.


P.S. - Journey ended with some bliss. Of course, other than the job!