In every stage of my life, i had been blessed to have special teachers to mould me in various aspects of my personality. I can always feel their influence in me whenever I introspect its different facets. I have had the blessing of being moulded by such special masters at kazhak too. During the first year (6th std) in kazhak itself, our class was blessed to have been taught by 2 of the senior most teachers and most phenomenal masters in our school - Mr. Prem Chandran Nair and Mr. G. Soman Pillai, affectionately called PCN sir and GSP sir. The irony is that both of them taught english for the same class. I would say, that was the academic year I enjoyed the most in my entire student life. There could have been no better place in kazhak than my classroom those early days. I enjoyed every moment sitting in my 6th std classroom and given a chance to re-live a year of my student life, I would choose those moments without any hesitation.
Mr. PCN, a charismatic person with a wonderful diction. I can forget the way he handles his classes, chairs debates and even plays cricket. He was a man in his late fifties during those days. Still u can see him brimming with energy and enthusiasm. If I am not wrong, he opened the bowling attack for the kazhak team against the OBA XI and picked up a couple of wickets in his first spell with his right arm medium-pacers. A man who mesmerised me with his body-language and diction. I drew enormous inspiration from him to build my personality.
He also was the person, who sowed the seeds of poetry in me. When i close my eyes to think of him, I see him standing on the classroom podium reading aloud RL stevenson's poem "The Wind",,,,
--------I saw you toss the kites on high
--------And blow the birds about the sky;
--------And all around I heard you pass,
--------Like ladies' skirts across the grass--
----------------O wind, a-blowing all day long,
----------------O wind, that sings so loud a song! ........
the way my teacher recited, left me floating along with 'The Wind'. I still can feel the same gush of energy in my veins that i felt that day. That evening in the study hall was born the baby poet who cried aloud shouting "The Beauty". My first poetic attempt, at eleven, (though kiddish when i think of it today) really excited me and I felt truly great that moment! A sense of achieving immortality!
My first poem inspired from RL Stevenson did sound very much similar to his work. It also contained a similar rhyming scheme. Three stanzas each followed by a couplet, like the 'O wind, a-blowing.....'. 'The Beauty' was a beautiful little scribbling from a kid who had just proclaimed himself the 'highpriest of Beauty' as did Wordsworth for Nature.
Pardon me for having drifted a little by force of flowing thoughts. My intent was to convey the fact that the way PCN sir handled the poem, I attained transformation into a state of extreme ecstacy.
Then, another wonderful master we were blessed to have, handling the same subject was Mr. G. Soman Pillai or GSP sir. He was also a senior teacher in his sixties. He incidentally was my house master at VKK. A master with a majestic voice and the admired modulation of his tones. A teacher with immense knowledge on his subject, he was a brilliant grammarian, an admirable phonetist and a splendid calligrapher . I still remember the days when he taught us to write in Italics. Though I am not gifted with a beautiful handwriting, my regular handwriting is very much infleunced by his methods. In the classroom, we could feel his passions for the language. With the way he taught us grammer, he laid strong foundations for many like me. He also made brilliant and strong speeches. I rememeber, he had prepared the speeches for the debate contest to be delivered by the VKK boys. One for and one against the motion. We were 4 small guys fighting to make it to he last two who will represent the house on stage. Myself, Arun Jacob, Shiraj & someone. Finally Shiraj and Arun made it. I had already represented the house in the elocution competition held a few weeks earlier, hence I didnt bother much. But to have prepared for delivering such an address was a great experience. Though I dont recollect the topic, I can still feel the energy that resonated in the hall when I delivered that one.
Apart from being a wonderful teacher, he was also a caring father for all the VKK kids. So was his better-half, Mrs. GSP also was a benevolent soul, kind enough to us when we spent time with our master, at his home, preparing for contests or getting our little poems and articles reviewed, as he was the chief-editor of the Cadet magazine those days.
No words can express the gratitute I owe them for the change they brought about in me. I also owe my sincely gratitude for all my masters who have played their roles in moulding every Kazhak into socially responsible personalities. You sowed the seeds of wisdom in us and so we stand tall today. We beg for your blessings, as I beleive they guide us to our destinies.
--------------------memoirs to continue.........
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Kazhak memoirs - School song
School Song (English)
Fill your hearts with gay sunshine
Sing till the hills resound
Cast all cares away, let us hail
With loyal hearts that never fail
Then sing of all the happy hours
Carefree days of ours,
Spent within our alma mater
The school of our boyhood days.
To the fields, to the trees,
To the homes that have given us all we have
To the books, to the rules
To the games that are moulding and training us
To the seas, to the skies,
To the men who are guarding our frontiers,
To the young, to the wise,
To the leaders of men and their destinies.
Then toast to our dear land
United may we stand
Rise to drink the toast once again,
Merrily for Auld Lang Syne,
Then cheers to Sainik School,
Cheers to the days ahead
Pray that God may ever bless us
And keep us always strong and blue.
--------------(Composed by Mrs. Myrtle Jacob)
Fill your hearts with gay sunshine
Sing till the hills resound
Cast all cares away, let us hail
With loyal hearts that never fail
Then sing of all the happy hours
Carefree days of ours,
Spent within our alma mater
The school of our boyhood days.
To the fields, to the trees,
To the homes that have given us all we have
To the books, to the rules
To the games that are moulding and training us
To the seas, to the skies,
To the men who are guarding our frontiers,
To the young, to the wise,
To the leaders of men and their destinies.
Then toast to our dear land
United may we stand
Rise to drink the toast once again,
Merrily for Auld Lang Syne,
Then cheers to Sainik School,
Cheers to the days ahead
Pray that God may ever bless us
And keep us always strong and blue.
--------------(Composed by Mrs. Myrtle Jacob)
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Kazhak memoirs - Part 3
After an adventurous bath, we put on our uniform and rush for Breakfast. This is one thing that i did with sense of great pride. Our uniform is of typical military genre, the khakhis with a maroon berret. The shirt has flaps on the shoulders decorated with the house-coloured shoulder tabs on which is pinned the metal "SSKZM" shined with 'Brasso'. The belt and the shoe well-shined. Now, I stand in front of the life-size mirror over which is written "AM I SMART?". I pose this question to myself and always get answed in affirmative. On wednesdays, we look smarter with steel-grey pants, white full-sleeved shirt and our school tie. I still remember the day, in the first week of my kazhak days, when i learnt to knot my tie from a good friend Mani Kuruvilla. I owe him my gratitude.
Every morning, before i leave for breakfast, this is the important thing I do. The bed is to be neatly made and the mosquito net is to neatly stretched and folded without any visible wrinkles. A representative of the house captain makes a note of any intolerances. The last five to reach the breakfast table will be meeting the sergeant after lunch.
7.30 - 7.40 - Breakfast
Mess
In the mess, there are ten long dining tables for the ten houses. The housemaster sits at one end with the leaders sitting beside him. The cadets sit on either side of the tables, with food already served in the plates. Bowls of dishes and curries keep moving from one end to the other.
The breakfast begins after a small prayer "O Lord, we thank thee, for what You' ve given us". I never have complains on breakfast except on thursdays (Idlis - thou not that bad, it makes me think of the 'mallipoo' idlies my mom makes). I was very much comfortable with bread n eggs (served 3 or 4 times a week). We finish the breakfast with another small prayer and fallout in front of the house, to march towards the academic block.
8.00 - 10.30 AM and 10.45 AM - 1.30 PM – Classes
The academic block is about 5-10 minutes march from the houses. My experiences in the classroom have been cherishable and I shall give an exclusive account of them on a different occasion.
Assembly
Assemblies are conducted on Mondays, wednesdays and fridays before the classes begin. All cadets and faculty assemble in the auditorium (We had a wonderful auditorium to accommodate about 700) presided by the principal or the headmaster. The assembly session will be conducted by the senior cadets in turns, in order of the Roll No. The assembly begins with the school choir marching into the podium for the school songs. I cherish the moments I sang in the choir, coz i never got to sing on-stage after that. After the recitation of the school songs in English, sanskrit and malayalam, two senior cadets will deliver speeches on a topic given to them, a day in advance. Most often, they are well-prepared and well-delivered. Some are truly exemplary. Then, two cadets spotted randomly from the audience by the principal, come on stage and deliver their comments on the speeches delivered. This is a mechanism to keep people stay alert. Most often those picked to comment, will be those who were found dozing. The principal, then delivers his address and we conclude the session with the National Anthem.
10.30 - 10.45 AM - we rush to the mess for a cup of tea and a few biscuits.
1.30 PM - Lunch.
One thing that i didn’t like at that time, was to finish of the food. Punishment was awaiting those who didn’t complete what was served on plate. Boys usually put the dishes they don’t like on another fellows plate. There will always be a taker, for whom that dish is one among favorites. Usually boys make good deals on the dining table. "you take my cabbage today, i ll take ur 'Aviyal' tomorrow" ; "Take this slice of bread, I ll give you one poori, sunday morning"....
2.00 - 4.00 Pm - Extra-curricular/Hobbies/Library
This is the time to relax but I don’t usually get the full 120 mins. I always hav a 'meeting after lunch' with my captain. Usually i get a couple of rounds around the house or one hour night study. Then, rush to the library pick up a hidden book. Our library had a very good collection of books. I think i browsed thru every Enid Blyton, Franklin W.Dixon, on the racks. Those days, the 'world-famous' series of books were quite popular. It gave a great deal of information on various titles - Adventures, mysteries, spies, ghosts, assassinations, speeches,.... I loved the place and time spent, immensely.
I don’t remember taking a nap after lunch. Instead, other interesting events always kept us busy. We had well organized wrestling tournaments on the ring made by putting together a few cots. Its always better for puny little boy like me to don the role of a referee than dare participate n get thrashed black n blue.
4.00 - 4.15 Pm – Tea
4.30 - Evening parade
We assemble in front of the house in our sports attire – Blue shorts and house-colored vests. Parade is conducted.
4.40 - 6.00 – Sports
I don’t hav the count of the football and hockey grounds that our school had. I can tell u, it is adventurous to get to those football grounds farthest from the parade ground. The space is mammoth for sports in sskzm. I regret not having used them to the fullest. I did play every game available. But it was cricket more often, than any other. I recollect getting a handful of wickets with my slow off-spinners. Also have been thrashed for a couple of maximums.
6.45 - 8.30 Pm - Study in classrooms
Supervised study in academic block. My best way to kill time is to open the English book and read it cover-to-cover. I wud’ve read them over a hundred times during the academic year. I can still cherish memories of Somerset Maugham’s short story “The Luncheon”, where
‘the author recognizes a woman with whom he had lunch years ago. He starts remembering the unforgettable evening. He was young, living in Paris, and could barely make ends meet. She had read one of his books and wrote to congratulate him on his work. He invited her for lunch and to his horror she chose an expensive restaurant. He had only eighty francs to last him the rest of the month. She ordered one expensive dish after another and when the bill came he paid and was left with no money at all. However, in the end, the narrator feels that he has finally had his revenge when he sees that the woman now weighs twenty-one stone (approximately 300 pounds).’
My first poetry also was the outcome of attempts to kill time during these hours.
8.30 - 8.50 – Dinner – usually good and nothing much to complain
9.00 – 10.00 pm – Study in House study halls
Most eyes in the study hall will usually be found heavy and drooping. One best way to stay awake was to slap mosquitoes and increment the count.
10:15 – Roll call in the presence of the Housemaster
The housemaster and his family lived in the floor above the dormitory. They dorms are designed in such a manner that the master can always monitor exercise control and assist cadets, sitting atop. He comes down every night for roll call. Issues, if any, are brought to his notice.
10:30 – Lights off
These were days in my life, when I flew to heaven, the moment I got inside my mosquito net. The lost gift of innocence.
------------------------memoirs to continue.......
Every morning, before i leave for breakfast, this is the important thing I do. The bed is to be neatly made and the mosquito net is to neatly stretched and folded without any visible wrinkles. A representative of the house captain makes a note of any intolerances. The last five to reach the breakfast table will be meeting the sergeant after lunch.
7.30 - 7.40 - Breakfast
Mess
In the mess, there are ten long dining tables for the ten houses. The housemaster sits at one end with the leaders sitting beside him. The cadets sit on either side of the tables, with food already served in the plates. Bowls of dishes and curries keep moving from one end to the other.
The breakfast begins after a small prayer "O Lord, we thank thee, for what You' ve given us". I never have complains on breakfast except on thursdays (Idlis - thou not that bad, it makes me think of the 'mallipoo' idlies my mom makes). I was very much comfortable with bread n eggs (served 3 or 4 times a week). We finish the breakfast with another small prayer and fallout in front of the house, to march towards the academic block.
8.00 - 10.30 AM and 10.45 AM - 1.30 PM – Classes
The academic block is about 5-10 minutes march from the houses. My experiences in the classroom have been cherishable and I shall give an exclusive account of them on a different occasion.
Assembly
Assemblies are conducted on Mondays, wednesdays and fridays before the classes begin. All cadets and faculty assemble in the auditorium (We had a wonderful auditorium to accommodate about 700) presided by the principal or the headmaster. The assembly session will be conducted by the senior cadets in turns, in order of the Roll No. The assembly begins with the school choir marching into the podium for the school songs. I cherish the moments I sang in the choir, coz i never got to sing on-stage after that. After the recitation of the school songs in English, sanskrit and malayalam, two senior cadets will deliver speeches on a topic given to them, a day in advance. Most often, they are well-prepared and well-delivered. Some are truly exemplary. Then, two cadets spotted randomly from the audience by the principal, come on stage and deliver their comments on the speeches delivered. This is a mechanism to keep people stay alert. Most often those picked to comment, will be those who were found dozing. The principal, then delivers his address and we conclude the session with the National Anthem.
10.30 - 10.45 AM - we rush to the mess for a cup of tea and a few biscuits.
1.30 PM - Lunch.
One thing that i didn’t like at that time, was to finish of the food. Punishment was awaiting those who didn’t complete what was served on plate. Boys usually put the dishes they don’t like on another fellows plate. There will always be a taker, for whom that dish is one among favorites. Usually boys make good deals on the dining table. "you take my cabbage today, i ll take ur 'Aviyal' tomorrow" ; "Take this slice of bread, I ll give you one poori, sunday morning"....
2.00 - 4.00 Pm - Extra-curricular/Hobbies/Library
This is the time to relax but I don’t usually get the full 120 mins. I always hav a 'meeting after lunch' with my captain. Usually i get a couple of rounds around the house or one hour night study. Then, rush to the library pick up a hidden book. Our library had a very good collection of books. I think i browsed thru every Enid Blyton, Franklin W.Dixon, on the racks. Those days, the 'world-famous' series of books were quite popular. It gave a great deal of information on various titles - Adventures, mysteries, spies, ghosts, assassinations, speeches,.... I loved the place and time spent, immensely.
I don’t remember taking a nap after lunch. Instead, other interesting events always kept us busy. We had well organized wrestling tournaments on the ring made by putting together a few cots. Its always better for puny little boy like me to don the role of a referee than dare participate n get thrashed black n blue.
4.00 - 4.15 Pm – Tea
4.30 - Evening parade
We assemble in front of the house in our sports attire – Blue shorts and house-colored vests. Parade is conducted.
4.40 - 6.00 – Sports
I don’t hav the count of the football and hockey grounds that our school had. I can tell u, it is adventurous to get to those football grounds farthest from the parade ground. The space is mammoth for sports in sskzm. I regret not having used them to the fullest. I did play every game available. But it was cricket more often, than any other. I recollect getting a handful of wickets with my slow off-spinners. Also have been thrashed for a couple of maximums.
6.45 - 8.30 Pm - Study in classrooms
Supervised study in academic block. My best way to kill time is to open the English book and read it cover-to-cover. I wud’ve read them over a hundred times during the academic year. I can still cherish memories of Somerset Maugham’s short story “The Luncheon”, where
‘the author recognizes a woman with whom he had lunch years ago. He starts remembering the unforgettable evening. He was young, living in Paris, and could barely make ends meet. She had read one of his books and wrote to congratulate him on his work. He invited her for lunch and to his horror she chose an expensive restaurant. He had only eighty francs to last him the rest of the month. She ordered one expensive dish after another and when the bill came he paid and was left with no money at all. However, in the end, the narrator feels that he has finally had his revenge when he sees that the woman now weighs twenty-one stone (approximately 300 pounds).’
My first poetry also was the outcome of attempts to kill time during these hours.
8.30 - 8.50 – Dinner – usually good and nothing much to complain
9.00 – 10.00 pm – Study in House study halls
Most eyes in the study hall will usually be found heavy and drooping. One best way to stay awake was to slap mosquitoes and increment the count.
10:15 – Roll call in the presence of the Housemaster
The housemaster and his family lived in the floor above the dormitory. They dorms are designed in such a manner that the master can always monitor exercise control and assist cadets, sitting atop. He comes down every night for roll call. Issues, if any, are brought to his notice.
10:30 – Lights off
These were days in my life, when I flew to heaven, the moment I got inside my mosquito net. The lost gift of innocence.
------------------------memoirs to continue.......
Monday, September 04, 2006
Kazhak memoirs - Part 2
After a pretty comfortable night, my first day dawned in kazhak with a siren blowing from atop the cadets mess. It was 5.30 AM. There had not been many occasions before this one, that i ever woke that early.
Here goes our daily routine:
5.30 AM - Wake up & Tea in cadets mess
5.45 AM - Fall out for PT in front of House (dormitory).
5.55 AM - PT parade
6.00 - 6.55 AM - PT
7.00 - 7.30 AM - Water flow in bathroom taps
7.30 - 7.40 - Breakfast
7.45 - Fall out in front of House
8.00 - Classes in academic block
10.30-10.45 - Tea at Cadets mess
1.30 - 1.50 Pm - Lunch
2.00 - 4.00 Pm - Extra-curricular/Hobbies/Library
4.00 - 4.15 Pm - Tea
4.30 - Evening parade
4.40-6.00 - Sports
6.00 - 6.30 - Water flow in bathroom taps
6.30 - 8.30 - Study in classrooms
8.30 - 8.50 - Dinner
9.00 - 10.00 - Study in House study halls
10.00 Pm - Roll call in presence of House Master
10.15 Pm - Lights off.
This is our daily schedule. We are supposed to strictly adhere to the schedule, with no margin for even the slightest errors. In failure of which means punishment at the hands of ur House captain or sergeant is awaited.
The only thing that is likely to change in the above mentioned schedule is the last one. A cadet may be awarded an additional hour or two of night study as punishment if he was found sleeping during the regular study hours.
Let me elaborate a little.
5.30 AM - Wake up & Tea in cadets mess
I usually find it very difficult to get out from beneath my cover and out of the mosquito net. There is always someone who shakes me awake at 5.43AM. I dont remember ever taking tea in the morning. Just rush to brush my teeth, put on my shorts, baniyan, socks and canvas shoes, all in white and rush out.
5.45 AM - Fall out for PT in front of House
We fallout as a squad of three columns. Being one of the shortest in the house, I am usually in the front row. The squards run from the respective houses to the parade ground.
5.55 AM - PT parade
The squads of the houses are lead in front by the house captains. In 1994, there were three sub-junior (6th & 7th std) houses - VKK, Vallathol and Veluthambi, five junior (8th - 10th) houses - Nehru, Patel, Prasad, Shivaji and Tagore, two senior (11th & 12th) houses - Ashoka and Rajaji. The school Cadet Captain conduct the parade. The house captains report the attendance to the cadet captain who gives instructions, if any, during the parade.
6.00 - 6.55 AM - PT
The PT begins with one round around the parade ground (Two for juniors n seniors), approx. 800 m,,, but with steep ascend on one side of the rectangle and a descend of comparitively lesser slope in another. We are supposed to run as a squad but by the time we start climbing the ascend, weaker ppl like me are left far behind. Each house takes its position in various segments of the ground and the excercise routine begins. Every kind of exercise u can think of is done about 10-20 times with the fittest guy among us performing in front. The captain and leader supervise this session. After the whistle is blown signalling the end of PT session, the captain usually instructs to shoot to the house with a command "last 5, meet me after lunch". Unfortunately, i usually be in that list almost everyday.
7.00 - 7.30 AM - Water flow in bathroom taps
By the time I reach the bathrooms, there's already a big queue of soap boxes lined in front of each of the doors. Its 3 mins per cadet to have his bath. Towards 7.20, that reduces to a minute or half. Banging on the doors begin before the end of the first minute itself. Some doors may not have a latch, where one needs to position his bucket to guard himself from being exposed. U can imagine how these kids wud’ve taken bath. This is why, once in a month, most parents take their kids out to give them a scrub.
The water stops at 7.30 and we use the water collected in the tank for the rest of the day.
------------------------memoirs to continue.......
Here goes our daily routine:
5.30 AM - Wake up & Tea in cadets mess
5.45 AM - Fall out for PT in front of House (dormitory).
5.55 AM - PT parade
6.00 - 6.55 AM - PT
7.00 - 7.30 AM - Water flow in bathroom taps
7.30 - 7.40 - Breakfast
7.45 - Fall out in front of House
8.00 - Classes in academic block
10.30-10.45 - Tea at Cadets mess
1.30 - 1.50 Pm - Lunch
2.00 - 4.00 Pm - Extra-curricular/Hobbies/Library
4.00 - 4.15 Pm - Tea
4.30 - Evening parade
4.40-6.00 - Sports
6.00 - 6.30 - Water flow in bathroom taps
6.30 - 8.30 - Study in classrooms
8.30 - 8.50 - Dinner
9.00 - 10.00 - Study in House study halls
10.00 Pm - Roll call in presence of House Master
10.15 Pm - Lights off.
This is our daily schedule. We are supposed to strictly adhere to the schedule, with no margin for even the slightest errors. In failure of which means punishment at the hands of ur House captain or sergeant is awaited.
The only thing that is likely to change in the above mentioned schedule is the last one. A cadet may be awarded an additional hour or two of night study as punishment if he was found sleeping during the regular study hours.
Let me elaborate a little.
5.30 AM - Wake up & Tea in cadets mess
I usually find it very difficult to get out from beneath my cover and out of the mosquito net. There is always someone who shakes me awake at 5.43AM. I dont remember ever taking tea in the morning. Just rush to brush my teeth, put on my shorts, baniyan, socks and canvas shoes, all in white and rush out.
5.45 AM - Fall out for PT in front of House
We fallout as a squad of three columns. Being one of the shortest in the house, I am usually in the front row. The squards run from the respective houses to the parade ground.
5.55 AM - PT parade
The squads of the houses are lead in front by the house captains. In 1994, there were three sub-junior (6th & 7th std) houses - VKK, Vallathol and Veluthambi, five junior (8th - 10th) houses - Nehru, Patel, Prasad, Shivaji and Tagore, two senior (11th & 12th) houses - Ashoka and Rajaji. The school Cadet Captain conduct the parade. The house captains report the attendance to the cadet captain who gives instructions, if any, during the parade.
6.00 - 6.55 AM - PT
The PT begins with one round around the parade ground (Two for juniors n seniors), approx. 800 m,,, but with steep ascend on one side of the rectangle and a descend of comparitively lesser slope in another. We are supposed to run as a squad but by the time we start climbing the ascend, weaker ppl like me are left far behind. Each house takes its position in various segments of the ground and the excercise routine begins. Every kind of exercise u can think of is done about 10-20 times with the fittest guy among us performing in front. The captain and leader supervise this session. After the whistle is blown signalling the end of PT session, the captain usually instructs to shoot to the house with a command "last 5, meet me after lunch". Unfortunately, i usually be in that list almost everyday.
7.00 - 7.30 AM - Water flow in bathroom taps
By the time I reach the bathrooms, there's already a big queue of soap boxes lined in front of each of the doors. Its 3 mins per cadet to have his bath. Towards 7.20, that reduces to a minute or half. Banging on the doors begin before the end of the first minute itself. Some doors may not have a latch, where one needs to position his bucket to guard himself from being exposed. U can imagine how these kids wud’ve taken bath. This is why, once in a month, most parents take their kids out to give them a scrub.
The water stops at 7.30 and we use the water collected in the tank for the rest of the day.
------------------------memoirs to continue.......
Monday, August 07, 2006
Kazhak memoirs - Part 1
The 72-hour showers in hyderabad brought with it a gust of old sweet memoirs. Dont know why, the sweet smell of rain on soil always kindles hidden feelings from deep within. This time my kazhak days kept lingering in my mind,, I did spend a few important years of my life at Sainik School, Kazhakootam (Trivandrum) starting my class VI and I can say without any hesitation that was the best part of my life. The best part of one's life neednt necessarily have been happy and enjoyable. But when i think of those days today, it is far more cherishable than how i had felt being there.
Let me begin my journey into the deepest and sacred chambers of my heart to pull out hidden pains and pleasures.
On the day of admission, i had been escorted by my parents, little bro, 2 paternal uncles and another uncle (a family friend much closer to me, than the real ones). Our jeep had broke down the previous night and we had to take an auto (or taxi) to the school, carrying some heavy luggage for my days ahead. My father used to make fun saying it was more than what a girl takes along during her marriage. Along with the admission letter, they had sent a long list of things that i was supposed to bring along.
Let me try to recollect some: A blank iron trunk, 6 white shirts (3 full & 3 half sleeved), 4 blue shorts, 4 white shorts, 2 steel grey pants, 2 white pants, 6 sets of inner garments, 6 pairs of socks, 2 black leather shoes, 2 white canvas shoes, shoe polish, blancho, brasso (metal shiner), a hockey stick, mirror,,.... i cant recollect more than this. i am sure there was lots more in the list.
On the first day, we were told to meet the headmaster. I still remember the first meeting with him. Maj. S. Ashokkumar, a moderately fat Army officer with a broad smile. He said to me "All the best, young man!", in a stern military tone. I liked it. I was then told to report ot my dormitory, "The VKK house", named after the first defense minister & founder of the school Mr.VK.Krishna menon. The person who holds the record for delivering longest ever speech in UN history. VKK house was one among the 3 sub-junior houses (for VI and VII std boys) during those days. The other two being Vallathol and Veluthambi.
We were welcomed by the matron Mrs. Geetha Potti (Widow of Late. Cdr. Madhavan Potti, who had sacrificed his life during a naval combat. I owe a lot for the motherly affection she had shown towards us). She showed me a cot in one of the wings of the dorm. It was the fourth bed from the door. My neighbour (3rd bed) Sherry.P.Jacob had come just befor me. Both of us had to share a cupboard for the rest of the year.
Since it was the first day, parent were allowed to have lunch in the students mess. The food was OK. Mom found it difficult to digest the fact that i wud hav to eat this, the days ahead. Back in the dorm, my dad was enquiring about various things: water, money, communication means,... We were told that water wud come 1 hour in the mornin and in the evening. My dad sent my uncle to get some postcards and envelopes for me to write. Mom arrangd the things in my cupboard. A pair of black shoes, canvas shoes and the hockey stick were placed under the bed. All my belongings were to be marked my roll number, with fabric paint. (i had a crimson red bottle)
I started chatting with my new founds mate, paying little attention to the tears rolling from my mom's eyes. Excitement had for a moment made me wave to my mom cheerfully. (i was told later that my mom cried the next 2 days and stayed awake throughout the week.)
Around six in the evening when i had been introduced to quite a few more friends, solitude started creeping in. Missed home and mom for the first time in my life. Worse it became, when i came to know that was the only tamil fellow in the entire batch of 120 keralite mates. (I cudnt
communicate with 70% of them since most where from Malayalam medium school) Cried a little; had to hide most of my feelings not wanting to be kiddish in front of the new pals. But thoughts of mom, fear on the days ahead, excitement all put togather made me tired and i
feel on the new curl-on bed and fell asleep. I dont remember who woke mne up for dinner. My first dinner at the mess didnt make me complain. Came back and spent some time with another friend Jeenu mathew john. Fell asleep as symptoms of home-sickness began to creep in.
-------------------------------- memoirs to continue.......
Let me begin my journey into the deepest and sacred chambers of my heart to pull out hidden pains and pleasures.
On the day of admission, i had been escorted by my parents, little bro, 2 paternal uncles and another uncle (a family friend much closer to me, than the real ones). Our jeep had broke down the previous night and we had to take an auto (or taxi) to the school, carrying some heavy luggage for my days ahead. My father used to make fun saying it was more than what a girl takes along during her marriage. Along with the admission letter, they had sent a long list of things that i was supposed to bring along.
Let me try to recollect some: A blank iron trunk, 6 white shirts (3 full & 3 half sleeved), 4 blue shorts, 4 white shorts, 2 steel grey pants, 2 white pants, 6 sets of inner garments, 6 pairs of socks, 2 black leather shoes, 2 white canvas shoes, shoe polish, blancho, brasso (metal shiner), a hockey stick, mirror,,.... i cant recollect more than this. i am sure there was lots more in the list.
On the first day, we were told to meet the headmaster. I still remember the first meeting with him. Maj. S. Ashokkumar, a moderately fat Army officer with a broad smile. He said to me "All the best, young man!", in a stern military tone. I liked it. I was then told to report ot my dormitory, "The VKK house", named after the first defense minister & founder of the school Mr.VK.Krishna menon. The person who holds the record for delivering longest ever speech in UN history. VKK house was one among the 3 sub-junior houses (for VI and VII std boys) during those days. The other two being Vallathol and Veluthambi.
We were welcomed by the matron Mrs. Geetha Potti (Widow of Late. Cdr. Madhavan Potti, who had sacrificed his life during a naval combat. I owe a lot for the motherly affection she had shown towards us). She showed me a cot in one of the wings of the dorm. It was the fourth bed from the door. My neighbour (3rd bed) Sherry.P.Jacob had come just befor me. Both of us had to share a cupboard for the rest of the year.
Since it was the first day, parent were allowed to have lunch in the students mess. The food was OK. Mom found it difficult to digest the fact that i wud hav to eat this, the days ahead. Back in the dorm, my dad was enquiring about various things: water, money, communication means,... We were told that water wud come 1 hour in the mornin and in the evening. My dad sent my uncle to get some postcards and envelopes for me to write. Mom arrangd the things in my cupboard. A pair of black shoes, canvas shoes and the hockey stick were placed under the bed. All my belongings were to be marked my roll number, with fabric paint. (i had a crimson red bottle)
I started chatting with my new founds mate, paying little attention to the tears rolling from my mom's eyes. Excitement had for a moment made me wave to my mom cheerfully. (i was told later that my mom cried the next 2 days and stayed awake throughout the week.)
Around six in the evening when i had been introduced to quite a few more friends, solitude started creeping in. Missed home and mom for the first time in my life. Worse it became, when i came to know that was the only tamil fellow in the entire batch of 120 keralite mates. (I cudnt
communicate with 70% of them since most where from Malayalam medium school) Cried a little; had to hide most of my feelings not wanting to be kiddish in front of the new pals. But thoughts of mom, fear on the days ahead, excitement all put togather made me tired and i
feel on the new curl-on bed and fell asleep. I dont remember who woke mne up for dinner. My first dinner at the mess didnt make me complain. Came back and spent some time with another friend Jeenu mathew john. Fell asleep as symptoms of home-sickness began to creep in.
-------------------------------- memoirs to continue.......
Monday, July 31, 2006
A Poem from "The Mount"
The sun has set, the moon has risen,
Taking its turn to guard the empire;
And me, a sole spectator!
Having a glance from a distance;
Le cite' - Madrapolis, I see, just beneath
As gold dust spread on black satin;
Atop, the air silent!
Not willing to disturb "the Sleeping Saint".
My soul settled, I stand as newborn;
Bells ringing! My heart afloat! Bliss...
Oh, Me...! Lost in thin air
To stand in Temple-cite', today;
Gazing at he gorgeous towers!
But still!! I hear the Mount bells
Toll again;
Still, Can't guess the difference!
------------------- Jeevish (07-07-2003)
During one of my chennai, I had been to St. Thomas mount in the evening. Penned this when got back home.
Taking its turn to guard the empire;
And me, a sole spectator!
Having a glance from a distance;
Le cite' - Madrapolis, I see, just beneath
As gold dust spread on black satin;
Atop, the air silent!
Not willing to disturb "the Sleeping Saint".
My soul settled, I stand as newborn;
Bells ringing! My heart afloat! Bliss...
Oh, Me...! Lost in thin air
To stand in Temple-cite', today;
Gazing at he gorgeous towers!
But still!! I hear the Mount bells
Toll again;
Still, Can't guess the difference!
------------------- Jeevish (07-07-2003)
During one of my chennai, I had been to St. Thomas mount in the evening. Penned this when got back home.
Monday, July 17, 2006
The Grandfather Paradox
A friend of mine had asked me to elaborate on 'the Grandfather paradox',, Here it goes...
It points out that if you were able to travel into the past you could (if you were so inclined) kill your grandfather when he was very young and thus render your own birth impossible. A simpler version is that you could kill a younger version of yourself so that you would not be alive in the future to travel back in time. The Grandfather paradox shows how one form of time travel could violate causality by eliminating the cause of a phenomenon that has already taken place in the present.
Another form of this paradox is the "predestination paradox". You travel back in time and fall in love with a woman, who in your own timeline would be your grandmother, and in essence will become your own grandfather.
This might be based on the quantum physics theory of "quantum realities" which states that for any event there is an infinite number of outcomes, so choices made by someone will determine the outcome of such event. But for every reality there will be a different outcome. So if you kill your grandfather in one timeline, this will automatically create a seperate timeline in which you would remain. Any actions you do from there on would have no effect on the timeline you came from.
There's enormous amount of material and discusion on Time travel and related stuff on the net,, Check it out!!
It points out that if you were able to travel into the past you could (if you were so inclined) kill your grandfather when he was very young and thus render your own birth impossible. A simpler version is that you could kill a younger version of yourself so that you would not be alive in the future to travel back in time. The Grandfather paradox shows how one form of time travel could violate causality by eliminating the cause of a phenomenon that has already taken place in the present.
Another form of this paradox is the "predestination paradox". You travel back in time and fall in love with a woman, who in your own timeline would be your grandmother, and in essence will become your own grandfather.
This might be based on the quantum physics theory of "quantum realities" which states that for any event there is an infinite number of outcomes, so choices made by someone will determine the outcome of such event. But for every reality there will be a different outcome. So if you kill your grandfather in one timeline, this will automatically create a seperate timeline in which you would remain. Any actions you do from there on would have no effect on the timeline you came from.
There's enormous amount of material and discusion on Time travel and related stuff on the net,, Check it out!!
Thursday, July 13, 2006
The Race Begun!
The blue warrier waiting
To take charge from the saffron saint
I begin, with thousand others;
For today's race of 'transition' marathon
Across the black ocean;
Me, among the flock of swifties
Flying to a new world
Of unknown pleasures;
The race for the fittest,... to survive!
The race for the treasures,... to hunt!
The race for the pains,... to bear!
The flight, so far, has exhausted
The strength of my wings! My comrades...
Some ahead,... Some behind! A few
New entrants,... A few out of race!
I' ve also had my stands & falls;
I know not the path,
I know not, where to stop!
Winning is but the motive;
Yet, time has no answer
Miles ahead for me to fly,..
But victory is at my sight!
-------------------- Jeevish (17/9/2003)
To take charge from the saffron saint
I begin, with thousand others;
For today's race of 'transition' marathon
Across the black ocean;
Me, among the flock of swifties
Flying to a new world
Of unknown pleasures;
The race for the fittest,... to survive!
The race for the treasures,... to hunt!
The race for the pains,... to bear!
The flight, so far, has exhausted
The strength of my wings! My comrades...
Some ahead,... Some behind! A few
New entrants,... A few out of race!
I' ve also had my stands & falls;
I know not the path,
I know not, where to stop!
Winning is but the motive;
Yet, time has no answer
Miles ahead for me to fly,..
But victory is at my sight!
-------------------- Jeevish (17/9/2003)
Sunday, June 04, 2006
The brilliance in a 'Paradox' !
A paradox is an apparently true statement or group of statements that leads to a contradiction or a situation which defies intuition. Typically, either the statements in question do not really imply the contradiction, the puzzling result is not really a contradiction, or the premises themselves are not all really true or cannot all be true together. The recognition of ambiguities and unstated assumptions underlying known paradoxes has led to significant advances in science, philosophy and mathematics.
The picture shown is Robert Boyle's self-flowing flask fills itself in this diagram, but perpetual motion machines cannot exist (according to our present understanding of physics).
The word paradox is often used interchangeably and wrongly with contradiction; but where a contradiction by definition cannot be true, many paradoxes do allow for resolution, though many remain unresolved or only contentiously resolved, such as Curry's paradox ("If this sentence is true, the world will end in a week.") Still more casually, the term is sometimes used for situations that are merely surprising, albeit in a distinctly "logical" manner, such as the Birthday Paradox(if there are 23 or more people in a room then there is a chance of more than 50% that at least two of them will have the same birthday). This is also the usage in economics, where a paradox is an unintuitive outcome of economic theory.
Sometimes supernatural or science fiction themes are held to be impossible on the grounds that they result in paradoxes. The theme of time travel has generated a whole family of popular paradoxes, supposed to arise from a person's interference with the past. Suppose Adam, who was born in 1990, travels back in time to 1901 and kills his own grandfather. It follows that neither his father nor he himself will be born; but then he would not have existed to travel back in time and kill his own grandfather; but then his grandfather would not have died and Jones himself would have lived; etc. This is known as the Grandfather paradox.
Thanks to: Wikipedia (Please read for more)
The picture shown is Robert Boyle's self-flowing flask fills itself in this diagram, but perpetual motion machines cannot exist (according to our present understanding of physics).
The word paradox is often used interchangeably and wrongly with contradiction; but where a contradiction by definition cannot be true, many paradoxes do allow for resolution, though many remain unresolved or only contentiously resolved, such as Curry's paradox ("If this sentence is true, the world will end in a week.") Still more casually, the term is sometimes used for situations that are merely surprising, albeit in a distinctly "logical" manner, such as the Birthday Paradox(if there are 23 or more people in a room then there is a chance of more than 50% that at least two of them will have the same birthday). This is also the usage in economics, where a paradox is an unintuitive outcome of economic theory.
Sometimes supernatural or science fiction themes are held to be impossible on the grounds that they result in paradoxes. The theme of time travel has generated a whole family of popular paradoxes, supposed to arise from a person's interference with the past. Suppose Adam, who was born in 1990, travels back in time to 1901 and kills his own grandfather. It follows that neither his father nor he himself will be born; but then he would not have existed to travel back in time and kill his own grandfather; but then his grandfather would not have died and Jones himself would have lived; etc. This is known as the Grandfather paradox.
Thanks to: Wikipedia (Please read for more)
Monday, May 29, 2006
Chaplin - The Legend
The past weekend, I was lucky enough to watch the classic silent movie of Charlie Chaplin "Modern Times". I have already seen the movie in bits and pieces in my school days. But this was the first time i ever got to watch it complete.
Modern Times is a film written & directed by Chaplin. The story involves this famous Little "Tramp" character struggling to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The film is a comment on the desperate employment and fiscal conditions many people faced during the Great depression, conditions created, in Chaplin's view, by the efficiencies of modern industrialization. The movie stars Chaplin & Paulette Goddard as the lead pair.
The movie follows the Tramp and a young woman - whom he rescues from the authorities who want to put her in an orphanage - as they try to overcome their impoverished street life. The Tramp attempts multiple jobs but quickly, and comically, loses them.
Apart from the humourous Chaplin we all see in the movies, the movie also makes us understand Chaplin as a great thinker & a creative revolutionist, who knew exactly how to put forth his perspectives on critical issues & feed them into their minds.
This is the first film where Chaplin's voice is heard (in the 'nonsense' song at the end). However, for most viewers it is still considered a silent film. The 'nonsense' song need not be taken with a negative intonation. The song again is a classic. Though it is lyric-less, we can still enjoy watching the way he dances. The movements & gestures are awesome. I would rate this song as one of the greatest ever piece, one can watch in a movie.
Modern Times is a film written & directed by Chaplin. The story involves this famous Little "Tramp" character struggling to survive in the modern, industrialized world. The film is a comment on the desperate employment and fiscal conditions many people faced during the Great depression, conditions created, in Chaplin's view, by the efficiencies of modern industrialization. The movie stars Chaplin & Paulette Goddard as the lead pair.
The movie follows the Tramp and a young woman - whom he rescues from the authorities who want to put her in an orphanage - as they try to overcome their impoverished street life. The Tramp attempts multiple jobs but quickly, and comically, loses them.
Apart from the humourous Chaplin we all see in the movies, the movie also makes us understand Chaplin as a great thinker & a creative revolutionist, who knew exactly how to put forth his perspectives on critical issues & feed them into their minds.
This is the first film where Chaplin's voice is heard (in the 'nonsense' song at the end). However, for most viewers it is still considered a silent film. The 'nonsense' song need not be taken with a negative intonation. The song again is a classic. Though it is lyric-less, we can still enjoy watching the way he dances. The movements & gestures are awesome. I would rate this song as one of the greatest ever piece, one can watch in a movie.
Friday, May 05, 2006
The battle of Life
There is a famous quote of JFK : "It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war". There is great amount of truth in this statement. This is a completely time-independent statement. All concepts in this world from the stone age to the modern day diplomatic philosophies revolve around this. The entire history of mankind tells us countless tales on this fact,,, no doubt, the future also will. This is not only applicable to mankind,, the truth is common to all existing in this world. The Darwin's basic theory of evolution of life deals on this principle - "Struggle for existence & Survival of the fittest". The moment life is born on this universe, there is an inevitable struggle to survive.
Everything that a creature in this world does is to keep itself safe & secure. Everything we do in our day to day life is all war preparations. Right from our personal hygiene activities, which are defensive strategies against a war that germs wage on us, to the profession we cherish; again a defensive strategy to prepare for a war against deficiency of essential resources.
All adaptations that life takes by evolution or by intellect are for securing the hold of its pocessions. The theories of evolution and sixth sense philosophies of man converge to this divine mortal combat.
All this is nothing but preparations for war - the war against sufferings. The stronger you are, you will have the upper hand in this war. The Victor can never cherish the victory during his lifetime,, Any claim of tasting success in this regard are purely temporary. After a span of war, the moment one thinks of securing the victory, means he is still in the battlefield facing another enemy. This time an unknown unenemy. The complete meaning of life lies in how much of valour and courage u have shown in the battlefield. The strength, convictions & values matter. The mark that one leaves in the pages of history speaks of his life, ages after his time. So prepare to fight it the right way.
Everything that a creature in this world does is to keep itself safe & secure. Everything we do in our day to day life is all war preparations. Right from our personal hygiene activities, which are defensive strategies against a war that germs wage on us, to the profession we cherish; again a defensive strategy to prepare for a war against deficiency of essential resources.
All adaptations that life takes by evolution or by intellect are for securing the hold of its pocessions. The theories of evolution and sixth sense philosophies of man converge to this divine mortal combat.
All this is nothing but preparations for war - the war against sufferings. The stronger you are, you will have the upper hand in this war. The Victor can never cherish the victory during his lifetime,, Any claim of tasting success in this regard are purely temporary. After a span of war, the moment one thinks of securing the victory, means he is still in the battlefield facing another enemy. This time an unknown unenemy. The complete meaning of life lies in how much of valour and courage u have shown in the battlefield. The strength, convictions & values matter. The mark that one leaves in the pages of history speaks of his life, ages after his time. So prepare to fight it the right way.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
How good managers are we?
It is heartening to hear that IIMs are regarded as one of the best B-schools in the world. This is evident from this years placement packages that were on offer for the passing-out students.
When i was thinking on this issue, this interesting question did arise: " How good managers are we?". This is a serious question to think about.
Indians are always considered to be highly effective manpower. How effective have we been in utilising oppurtunities and resources? I doubt whether this managerial attribute has been weaker in Indian blood. Of course, there are always exceptions. I am just discussing a generalised picture that we pose as Indians.
Right through the history, till date, we have always been controllable and submissive to authority. We live and work for someone else's dreams. we never did have a dream of our own. Never did bother to capitalise on our own resourses. We do what others say. We were mere pupetted machines. No sixth sense at all.
In contrary to our attitude, take the Britishers. Britain was a damn tiny country and once they ruled an empire where the sun never did set. They have been wonderful and master bussinessmen, who marketed the entire world their culture, language and mindset, that we all do cherish and enjoy every moment. The cost that we and the rest of the world, have paid is totally unimaginable. TOTAL LOSS OF ONE'S OWN IDENTITY. Thats the worst thing one can experience. YOU CEASE TO EXIST.
Britain, a nation of tribes which had nothing to it other than a chunk of ice during the Roman invasions. This small island was also invaded a number of times during the Roman era. They were just a group of tribes who were left with absolutely no resource in their island. Surrounded by the ocean, it was always under constant threat from foreign invadors. They had no great culture like what we did cherish. The first known Anglo-saxon culture evolved late in the 10 th century AD only.
The lack of resources and the constant threat from invadors made them search for resourses outside their land. For this they need a powerful mobile military to serve for both trade and security. Thus was born the strongest military power, The Royal Navy. It was with this that they were able to colonise the entire world. A small group of people who made the ends of the world meet. We managed their resources very well. The master managers of manpower, materials, power, money and control. They made our men fight our own kin. Sold our own stuff to us and made profits. Introduced best concepts of money management in the world. Insurance is one example. The list is endless.
I am not being supportive or praising the qualities of the Anglais. I am just trying to make a point by making a comparison.
Where do u think lies the problem, when we have all that we need within our boundaries? I beleive it is only an Attitude problem. This attitude is infused in blood. I think we need to be more confident at heart and soul. Hence, lesser influencial to others thoughts that take complete control over ourselves. Only then, we will be able to make best use of our resources and oppurtunities and grow in all directions. Necessities will then find their own best solutions. Thats what managerial philosophy is all about.
Please do give it a thought.
When i was thinking on this issue, this interesting question did arise: " How good managers are we?". This is a serious question to think about.
Indians are always considered to be highly effective manpower. How effective have we been in utilising oppurtunities and resources? I doubt whether this managerial attribute has been weaker in Indian blood. Of course, there are always exceptions. I am just discussing a generalised picture that we pose as Indians.
Right through the history, till date, we have always been controllable and submissive to authority. We live and work for someone else's dreams. we never did have a dream of our own. Never did bother to capitalise on our own resourses. We do what others say. We were mere pupetted machines. No sixth sense at all.
In contrary to our attitude, take the Britishers. Britain was a damn tiny country and once they ruled an empire where the sun never did set. They have been wonderful and master bussinessmen, who marketed the entire world their culture, language and mindset, that we all do cherish and enjoy every moment. The cost that we and the rest of the world, have paid is totally unimaginable. TOTAL LOSS OF ONE'S OWN IDENTITY. Thats the worst thing one can experience. YOU CEASE TO EXIST.
Britain, a nation of tribes which had nothing to it other than a chunk of ice during the Roman invasions. This small island was also invaded a number of times during the Roman era. They were just a group of tribes who were left with absolutely no resource in their island. Surrounded by the ocean, it was always under constant threat from foreign invadors. They had no great culture like what we did cherish. The first known Anglo-saxon culture evolved late in the 10 th century AD only.
The lack of resources and the constant threat from invadors made them search for resourses outside their land. For this they need a powerful mobile military to serve for both trade and security. Thus was born the strongest military power, The Royal Navy. It was with this that they were able to colonise the entire world. A small group of people who made the ends of the world meet. We managed their resources very well. The master managers of manpower, materials, power, money and control. They made our men fight our own kin. Sold our own stuff to us and made profits. Introduced best concepts of money management in the world. Insurance is one example. The list is endless.
I am not being supportive or praising the qualities of the Anglais. I am just trying to make a point by making a comparison.
Where do u think lies the problem, when we have all that we need within our boundaries? I beleive it is only an Attitude problem. This attitude is infused in blood. I think we need to be more confident at heart and soul. Hence, lesser influencial to others thoughts that take complete control over ourselves. Only then, we will be able to make best use of our resources and oppurtunities and grow in all directions. Necessities will then find their own best solutions. Thats what managerial philosophy is all about.
Please do give it a thought.
Churchill's speech at Harrow school - My all-time favorite
These are my favorite words. When Churchill visited Harrow on October 29 to hear the traditional songs again, he discovered that an additional verse had been added to one of them. It ran:
"Not less we praise in darker days
The leader of our nation,
And Churchill's name shall win acclaim
From each new generation.
For you have power in danger's hour
Our freedom to defend, Sir!
Though long the fight we know that right
Will triumph in the end, Sir!"
"Almost a year has passed since I came down here at your Head Master's kind invitation in order to cheer myself and cheer the hearts of a few of my friends by singing some of our own songs. The ten months that have passed have seen very terrible catastrophic events in the world - ups and downs, misfortunes - but can anyone sitting here this afternoon, this October afternoon, not feel deeply thankful for what has happened in the time that has passed and for the very great improvement in the position of our country and of our home? Why, when I was here last time we were quite alone, desperately alone, and we had been so for five or six months. We were poorly armed. We are not so poorly armed today; but then we were very poorly armed. We had the unmeasured menace of the enemy and their air attack still beating upon us, and you yourselves had had experience of this attack; and I expect you are beginning to feel impatient that there has been this long lull with nothing particular turning up!
But we must learn to be equally good at what is short and sharp and what is long and tough. It is generally said that the British are often better at the last. They do not expect to move from crisis to crisis; they do not always expect that each day will bring up some noble chance of war; but when they very slowly make up their minds that the thing has to be done and the job put through and finished, then, even if it takes months - if it takes years - they do it.
Another lesson I think we may take, just throwing our minds back to our meeting here ten months ago and now, is that appearances are often very deceptive, and as Kipling well says, we must "…meet with Triumph and Disaster. And treat those two impostors just the same."
You cannot tell from appearances how things will go. Sometimes imagination makes things out far worse than they are; yet without imagination not much can be done. Those people who are imaginative see many more dangers than perhaps exist; certainly many more than will happen; but then they must also pray to be given that extra courage to carry this far-reaching imagination. But for everyone, surely, what we have gone through in this period - I am addressing myself to the School - surely from this period of ten months this is the lesson:
Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never-in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
We stood all alone a year ago, and to many countries it seemed that our account was closed, we were finished. All this tradition of ours, our songs, our School history, this part of the history of this country, were gone and finished and liquidated.
Very different is the mood today. Britain, other nations thought, had drawn a sponge across her slate. But instead our country stood in the gap. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in; and by what seemed almost a miracle to those outside these Islands, though we ourselves never doubted it, we now find ourselves in a position where I say that we can be sure that we have only to persevere to conquer.
You sang here a verse of a School Song: you sang that extra verse written in my honour, which I was very greatly complimented by and which you have repeated today. But there is one word in it I want to alter - I wanted to do so last year, but I did not venture to. It is the line: "Not less we praise in darker days."
I have obtained the Head Master's permission to alter darker to sterner. "Not less we praise in sterner days."
Do not let us speak of darker days: let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days; these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race."
Very different is the mood today. Britain, other nations thought, had drawn a sponge across her slate. But instead our country stood in the gap. There was no flinching and no thought of giving in; and by what seemed almost a miracle to those outside these Islands, though we ourselves never doubted it, we now find ourselves in a position where I say that we can be sure that we have only to persevere to conquer.
You sang here a verse of a School Song: you sang that extra verse written in my honour, which I was very greatly complimented by and which you have repeated today. But there is one word in it I want to alter - I wanted to do so last year, but I did not venture to. It is the line: "Not less we praise in darker days."
I have obtained the Head Master's permission to alter darker to sterner. "Not less we praise in sterner days."
Do not let us speak of darker days: let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days; these are great days - the greatest days our country has ever lived; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race."
That an inspirational talk! Was' nt it?
Monday, March 20, 2006
Yin and Yang
There is a strong belief in the duality of the universe. There is a complimentary form for anything that exists around us. I also do strongly beleive in this. There is an interesting concept on this fact proposed by the famous chinese philosopher Confusious.
The concept of yin and yang describes two primal opposing but complementary forces found in all things in the universe. Yin, the darker element, is passive, dark, feminine, downward-seeking, and corresponds to the night; yang, the brighter element, is active, light, masculine, upward-seeking and corresponds to the day. Yin is often symbolized by water, while yang is symbolized by fire.
The pair probably goes back to ancient agrarian religion; it exists in Confucianism.Yin and yang are descriptions of complementary opposites rather than absolutes.Most forces in nature can be broken down into their respective yin and yang states, and the two are usually in movement rather than held in absolute stasis.
Principles of Yin and Yang
Everything can be described as either yin or yang.
1. Yin and yang are opposites.
Everything has its opposite—although this is never absolute, only comparative. No one thing is completely yin or completely yang. Each contains the seed of its opposite. For example, winter can turn into summer; "what goes up must come down".
2. Yin and yang are interdependent.
One cannot exist without the other. For example, day cannot exist without night.
3. Yin and yang can be further subdivided into yin and yang.
Any yin or yang aspect can be further subdivided into yin and yang. For example, temperature can be seen as either hot or cold. However, hot can be further divided into warm or burning; cold into cool or icy. Within each spectrum, there is a smaller spectrum; every beginning is a moment in time, and has a beginning and end, just as every hour has a beginning and end.
Any yin or yang aspect can be further subdivided into yin and yang. For example, temperature can be seen as either hot or cold. However, hot can be further divided into warm or burning; cold into cool or icy. Within each spectrum, there is a smaller spectrum; every beginning is a moment in time, and has a beginning and end, just as every hour has a beginning and end.
4. Yin and yang consume and support each other.
Yin and yang are usually held in balance—as one increases, the other decreases. However, imbalances can occur. There are four possible imbalances: Excess yin, excess yang, yin deficiency, and yang deficiency. They can again be seen as a pair: by excess of yin there is yang deficiency and vice versa. The imbalance is also a relative factor: the excess of yang "forces" yin to be more "concentrated".
Yin and yang are usually held in balance—as one increases, the other decreases. However, imbalances can occur. There are four possible imbalances: Excess yin, excess yang, yin deficiency, and yang deficiency. They can again be seen as a pair: by excess of yin there is yang deficiency and vice versa. The imbalance is also a relative factor: the excess of yang "forces" yin to be more "concentrated".
5. Yin and yang can transform into one another.
At a particular stage, yin can transform into yang and vice versa. For example, night changes into day; warmth cools; life changes to death. However this transformation is relative too. Night and day coexist on Earth at the same time when shown from space.
At a particular stage, yin can transform into yang and vice versa. For example, night changes into day; warmth cools; life changes to death. However this transformation is relative too. Night and day coexist on Earth at the same time when shown from space.
6. Part of yin is in yang and part of yang is in yin.
The dots in each serve: 1. as a reminder that there are always traces of one in the other. For example, there is always light within the dark (e.g., the stars at night), these qualities are never completely one or the other. 2. as a reminder that absolute extreme side transforms instantly into the opposite, or that the labels yin and yang are conditioned by an observer's point of view. For example, the hardest stone is easiest to break. This can show that absolute discrimination between the two is artificial.
The dots in each serve: 1. as a reminder that there are always traces of one in the other. For example, there is always light within the dark (e.g., the stars at night), these qualities are never completely one or the other. 2. as a reminder that absolute extreme side transforms instantly into the opposite, or that the labels yin and yang are conditioned by an observer's point of view. For example, the hardest stone is easiest to break. This can show that absolute discrimination between the two is artificial.
Hope it was gud reading!
Friday, March 10, 2006
The Solitude
The first time i ever heard this word "Solitude" was in my VIth standard english class, when my teacher Mr. G. Soman Pillai (GSP sir, as we affectionately call him in Sainik Schook kazhakootam, Trivandrum) was reciting William Wordsworth's "Solitary Reaper". I can still hear his words whenever i think of him. I didnot at that point of time realise the significance of that word in my life, though it became a hi-freq word in my vocabulary.
Today, i realise it.
Though I has been experiencing this divine phenomenon right from my childhood (my sainik shool days), the realisation has been quite in the recent past,,, only in the last two years, i have felt it much (After my brother got admission in NIT warangal and had to stay away from me in hostel) . The presence of people around me has never been able to provide company to my soul, except on a few genuine occasions with my few genuine friends.
Initially, i found it very difficult to handle. i either used to keep myelf out of my home or get engaged with some stuff on TV. i never dared to stand face to face against my solitude, which is nothing but my own self.
The same is the case today,, but today i have realised that my solitude is my strength. its the best company i've got. I have realised how important i am to myself and it is needless for me to search a better company than myself. I have been able to draw the energy and inspiration from myself to keep my wheels on the run.
The solitude i am in today,has given the oppurtunity and time to explore my resourses and use them effectively for my betterment. It has given me an oppurtunity to serve my soul, which shelters my true master. My solitude has given excellent lectures to me on what i am here for. I realise a purpose for everything that happens around me. I realise my life as a journey in search of the purpose of my life. Once, i reach its doorstep i shall exist no longer. The same is the case for anything in this universe, live or lifeless. Every thing in this universe comes into existence with the total energy required in its lifetime. The source of that energy is always within itself.
Solitude can give the required oppurtunities to generate great powers from the highly calorific fuel that our soul stores. One will always be able to enlighten his mind and body from the energy within. This can give the momentum to keep driving at great pace.
I have begun to realise its importance and so i give due respect.
One word of caution. The energy that we generate may be negative, if we fail to maintain a minimum standard of self-discipline. That is the key between choosing a right path and a wrong one.
Today, i realise it.
Though I has been experiencing this divine phenomenon right from my childhood (my sainik shool days), the realisation has been quite in the recent past,,, only in the last two years, i have felt it much (After my brother got admission in NIT warangal and had to stay away from me in hostel) . The presence of people around me has never been able to provide company to my soul, except on a few genuine occasions with my few genuine friends.
Initially, i found it very difficult to handle. i either used to keep myelf out of my home or get engaged with some stuff on TV. i never dared to stand face to face against my solitude, which is nothing but my own self.
The same is the case today,, but today i have realised that my solitude is my strength. its the best company i've got. I have realised how important i am to myself and it is needless for me to search a better company than myself. I have been able to draw the energy and inspiration from myself to keep my wheels on the run.
The solitude i am in today,has given the oppurtunity and time to explore my resourses and use them effectively for my betterment. It has given me an oppurtunity to serve my soul, which shelters my true master. My solitude has given excellent lectures to me on what i am here for. I realise a purpose for everything that happens around me. I realise my life as a journey in search of the purpose of my life. Once, i reach its doorstep i shall exist no longer. The same is the case for anything in this universe, live or lifeless. Every thing in this universe comes into existence with the total energy required in its lifetime. The source of that energy is always within itself.
Solitude can give the required oppurtunities to generate great powers from the highly calorific fuel that our soul stores. One will always be able to enlighten his mind and body from the energy within. This can give the momentum to keep driving at great pace.
I have begun to realise its importance and so i give due respect.
One word of caution. The energy that we generate may be negative, if we fail to maintain a minimum standard of self-discipline. That is the key between choosing a right path and a wrong one.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Being a bachelor
I have always wondered on the change that brings about in a man's life. There is always a big debate on this issue,, There have always been quotes that potray marriage as a day that u get prisoned,, may be,, loss of freedom - for a man thats goin to be tough,
But being a bachelor is equally difficult,, that too when u want to live a disciplined life,, with gr8 values,, then u are destined to suffer. I have touched upon this subject as i have been victim to a suffering on grounds of being a bachelor,,, that too last week in a city like hyderabad,, where i have been posted recently.
i was tough time on home-hunt for me last two weekends. Preferring to stay in solitude, to keep myself at a safer and less-corrosive environment from my friendly collegues, i begun my hunt,, facing a considerable opposition from my dear mates (As our 7-month 24x7 training had created a bonding which i think is likely a Van-der vaal's covalent bond, though it had strong attraction as ionic. )
I started my hunt on a saturday morning,, i have covered the entire santosh nagar nad maruthi nagar area by foot.. you can find a TOLET board every 50 feet u walk,, so many,, but to my luck, i must say,, there were not many who wud permit a bachelor step in,, Many a door slammed on my face,, the moment i get a response for my calling on bell.,,, some ppl even sport a look or rather scorn when they hear i m single,,, hell,, i pocess and hang my identity card around my collar,, like a cur whose collar bears the tag of the lord,, no respect at all,,
It wud be unfair on my part if i fail to recognise those humble & gentle men and women whose doors were open for me to roam around their pretty little apartment, (most of which i liked). we also discussed on rental issues,, but their memory had been too weak till the moment of my departure.. Just as i begin to leave with a sigh of satisfaction, their brain sparks and the last and important question : ARE U MARRIED? ,,, oh sorry sir,, this home is only for family people and this flat has only families living..
What kind of justice is this? Dont i have a family at home? were nt these damn fellows bachelors at some point in their life? Are all bachelors drunkards and smokers? Cant a bachelor lead a life with strong values and discipline?When is the attitude of people goin to change?
I wish to tell all these ppl,,,
Bachelor life is also a Tapas, a sainthood. A state of mind and soul where u draw energy from ur own self. A frame of mind that generates the force to drive itself at great pace. It is the period in a man's life that can take him scaling great peaks and can also throw him into the deepest wells. The laying of the foundation for a greater future for oneself, for the entire society,, and for a good tomorrow for everyone.
I request u once again.,, the senior generation need not offer words of encouragement but please donot degrade youth and offend them.
The same is applicable for eligible spinsters also.
But being a bachelor is equally difficult,, that too when u want to live a disciplined life,, with gr8 values,, then u are destined to suffer. I have touched upon this subject as i have been victim to a suffering on grounds of being a bachelor,,, that too last week in a city like hyderabad,, where i have been posted recently.
i was tough time on home-hunt for me last two weekends. Preferring to stay in solitude, to keep myself at a safer and less-corrosive environment from my friendly collegues, i begun my hunt,, facing a considerable opposition from my dear mates (As our 7-month 24x7 training had created a bonding which i think is likely a Van-der vaal's covalent bond, though it had strong attraction as ionic. )
I started my hunt on a saturday morning,, i have covered the entire santosh nagar nad maruthi nagar area by foot.. you can find a TOLET board every 50 feet u walk,, so many,, but to my luck, i must say,, there were not many who wud permit a bachelor step in,, Many a door slammed on my face,, the moment i get a response for my calling on bell.,,, some ppl even sport a look or rather scorn when they hear i m single,,, hell,, i pocess and hang my identity card around my collar,, like a cur whose collar bears the tag of the lord,, no respect at all,,
It wud be unfair on my part if i fail to recognise those humble & gentle men and women whose doors were open for me to roam around their pretty little apartment, (most of which i liked). we also discussed on rental issues,, but their memory had been too weak till the moment of my departure.. Just as i begin to leave with a sigh of satisfaction, their brain sparks and the last and important question : ARE U MARRIED? ,,, oh sorry sir,, this home is only for family people and this flat has only families living..
What kind of justice is this? Dont i have a family at home? were nt these damn fellows bachelors at some point in their life? Are all bachelors drunkards and smokers? Cant a bachelor lead a life with strong values and discipline?When is the attitude of people goin to change?
I wish to tell all these ppl,,,
Bachelor life is also a Tapas, a sainthood. A state of mind and soul where u draw energy from ur own self. A frame of mind that generates the force to drive itself at great pace. It is the period in a man's life that can take him scaling great peaks and can also throw him into the deepest wells. The laying of the foundation for a greater future for oneself, for the entire society,, and for a good tomorrow for everyone.
I request u once again.,, the senior generation need not offer words of encouragement but please donot degrade youth and offend them.
The same is applicable for eligible spinsters also.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Strength of the Nation
I got an oppurtunity to witness the RD parade 2006, closely from a VIP gallery. It was an exciting experience, though i ve been a participant of RD parade 1997 in Sainik School contigent.
There is a huge difference in being a participant and watching the entire show..
Very grand indeed.
I believe all of you must of seen the parade in TV, atleast once. It is a great show of strength of our nation. To show the world what we are capable of. You will feel a sudden flow of patriotism in ur veins. Mera Bharath Mahaan,, Salute to my motherland. A sense of pride in being INDIAN.
To be positive, we have all the resources and capacity to be a developed nation,,, Introspecting, why are we not and why are we struggling to reach that state? What is wrong?
The Attitude is the problem. We have been speaking a lot. We speak great about ourself,, talk a lot about our glorious past,, the wealth,, lots,, at the same time,, extremely negative. Poverty, dirty road, corruption,, We are always in extremes and we donot bother about what is to be done. we are not interested, from the bottom of our heart, to change this situation. we want somebody or the govt to do it. WE ARE NOT INTERESTED/BOTHERED TO CHANGE.
I wish we make an effort to come forward and put up our hands and say "I will do my share to create a better tomorrow".
I wish we have a large number of Indian scientists and researchers abroad to return to homeland, atleast after retirement and feed the future generation with knowledge and lay the foundation for a better tomorrow. I wish more number of willing IITians and technocrats from leading institutions do offer their services for the development of the nation.
I wish my friends who read this do contribute their share which rightfully our nation deserves.
There is a huge difference in being a participant and watching the entire show..
Very grand indeed.
I believe all of you must of seen the parade in TV, atleast once. It is a great show of strength of our nation. To show the world what we are capable of. You will feel a sudden flow of patriotism in ur veins. Mera Bharath Mahaan,, Salute to my motherland. A sense of pride in being INDIAN.
To be positive, we have all the resources and capacity to be a developed nation,,, Introspecting, why are we not and why are we struggling to reach that state? What is wrong?
The Attitude is the problem. We have been speaking a lot. We speak great about ourself,, talk a lot about our glorious past,, the wealth,, lots,, at the same time,, extremely negative. Poverty, dirty road, corruption,, We are always in extremes and we donot bother about what is to be done. we are not interested, from the bottom of our heart, to change this situation. we want somebody or the govt to do it. WE ARE NOT INTERESTED/BOTHERED TO CHANGE.
I wish we make an effort to come forward and put up our hands and say "I will do my share to create a better tomorrow".
I wish we have a large number of Indian scientists and researchers abroad to return to homeland, atleast after retirement and feed the future generation with knowledge and lay the foundation for a better tomorrow. I wish more number of willing IITians and technocrats from leading institutions do offer their services for the development of the nation.
I wish my friends who read this do contribute their share which rightfully our nation deserves.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
My First post
hi all,
this is my first post to this blog,, i will be sharing my values and thoughts through this.
I shall swear to post the purest forms of my feelings.
thank you and meet you regularly
this is my first post to this blog,, i will be sharing my values and thoughts through this.
I shall swear to post the purest forms of my feelings.
thank you and meet you regularly
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