National Geographic, popularly known as NatGeo, channel is the one that has caught my attention for past 1 year. I got to learn a lot about numerous events, design errors, dangerous drugs, explosives, world-wars, martial arts etc. from this channel. Favorite among the programme are Seconds from Disaster, Situation Critical and Aircrash Investigations. NatGeo does dramatize these serials and very efficiently as well (not like Sansani on Aaj tak). I started viewing Seconds from Disaster (SFD) around 1 year back and immediately became a fan. When SFD finished I searched internet for more episodes. These serials are amazing and you not only learn about the final event but also get to know how bits of pieces unfold and combine to trigger a disaster. I made DVDs and actively distributing these DVDs to friends to share the knowledge.
Here is the comment from one of my friends who watched "Apollo 13" episode on Situation Critical. "I watched Apollo 13 movie as a MOVIE, but when I learned through NatGeo that every bit of information presented in the movie is actually real, I was shocked.". Well I was shocked too. Till then I also didnt know that Apollo 13 just orbited the moon and came back safely to Earth. Their mission is known better as "Successful Failure". Amazing story and a brilliant example of teamwork. Watch the movie if you can, but I'm pretty sure you will not be able to appreciate until you watch NatGeo's Situation Critical episode on Apollo 13. This is because most of the times you wont understand what controls are the characters referring to in the movie.
There is, however, a problem I'm facing after watching numerous episodes on Airplane Crash Investigations. Whenever I fly now, I always have numerous doubts floating in my mind:
1. Is the Rudder working?
2. Is the TCAS (Traffic collision and avoidance system) working properly? Sometime back there was a news that there is at least one incidence per month of 2 airplanes flying dangerously close.
3. Was the airplane service done responsibly? and many more.
You cannot imagine what I feel when an airplane makes a turn or passes through clouds. Ugly !!!
I'm currently watching World War 1 and trying to brush up what I learned in 10th standard. I would recommend anyone to switch to NatGeo if you turn on your TV and start watching already seen movie or daily star/sony etc soaps. You probably wont get entertainment but, I bet, you would definitely add something in your Knowledge Bank.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
True Intentions
It is very difficult to get through another person's mind until he is a close confidante of yours. According to me, the best way to force people to speak up their minds is by giving them an initial push and support their thinking (by taking a best guess) and then they will speak out their true intentions. I've tried this numerous times during my school/college life and even sometimes in my professional life. People find it easier to communicate their thoughts once you yourself show an agreement with their thoughts. You may not agree with what you are saying, but, the process opens up the person and you might get a chance to know his real intentions.
One of my friends is moving abroad with his family. I was having a casual chat with him one day about the change he is going to face. During the talk, I deliberately told him that it is the same thing living in US as living in Bangalore, and within seconds, he agreed readily. He gave me the reason that the number of times he currently visits his family is limited to 2-3 times in a year. So that is not going to change and, consequently, he is actually not away from his home. I might have got a different answer if I had initiated the talk in a different direction and told him that traveling is not going to be simple. Seriously, traveling involves time and money, and both become hard-earned once you engage yourself in a job. He might have changed his answer and instead replied, "yeah ... but it is a matter of just 2-3 years".
I experienced this phenomenon? in my professional life too. I noticed that when I deliberately do a hard talk against someone with my friends, they open up and do a similar kind of talking. Further, people usually dont open up and start talking about opposite sex. Someone has to take the initiative and whoever takes, all others join within minutes. This sense of agreement is a powerful force that helps people to roll out their True Intentions.
One of my friends is moving abroad with his family. I was having a casual chat with him one day about the change he is going to face. During the talk, I deliberately told him that it is the same thing living in US as living in Bangalore, and within seconds, he agreed readily. He gave me the reason that the number of times he currently visits his family is limited to 2-3 times in a year. So that is not going to change and, consequently, he is actually not away from his home. I might have got a different answer if I had initiated the talk in a different direction and told him that traveling is not going to be simple. Seriously, traveling involves time and money, and both become hard-earned once you engage yourself in a job. He might have changed his answer and instead replied, "yeah ... but it is a matter of just 2-3 years".
I experienced this phenomenon? in my professional life too. I noticed that when I deliberately do a hard talk against someone with my friends, they open up and do a similar kind of talking. Further, people usually dont open up and start talking about opposite sex. Someone has to take the initiative and whoever takes, all others join within minutes. This sense of agreement is a powerful force that helps people to roll out their True Intentions.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Second Time Experience
People, books often say that there is nothing like first time experience. I beg to differ on this philosophy/myth/popular saying. I've always found more pleasure doing the same thing the second time most of the times. I think this can be best explained by answering the question "Why do you want to do the same thing again?". My philosophy is that you are going to do the same thing again if you enjoyed doing that the first time, and you want to get more pleasure or fun next time; so you want to do that again, needless to say, with more preparation/expectation.
This theory fits well for explaining situations in which the person was not prepared to perform a task. An unexpected thing might surprise the person and he might not carry forward the activity with reasoned and thoughtful actions. He'll then think back on how he reacted and what went wrong (rather than what went right) and, therefore, wants to give himself a second chance to get his moves right. First presentation, first cultural performance in front of buzzing crowd , first surprise kiss (even more than the kiss) types of scenario fit into the actions I'm talking about.
After giving mid/end-semester papers in IIT, I always felt that given a second chance, I can perform better in particular paper. My reasoning was entirely based on the subtle assumption that I'm going to get similar, if not same, questions in the paper the second time. Obviously, my assumption was wrong, but this thinking/natural behavior/attitude gives a strong impetus to my second time experience theory.
According to me, the experience that is remembered the most by a person is the one in which he is most fit to face the situation and I think the second one is the most likely. After two chances, I would either give up or do the activity as a routine, or to put it this way, the fun has already been lost or achieved.
This theory fits well for explaining situations in which the person was not prepared to perform a task. An unexpected thing might surprise the person and he might not carry forward the activity with reasoned and thoughtful actions. He'll then think back on how he reacted and what went wrong (rather than what went right) and, therefore, wants to give himself a second chance to get his moves right. First presentation, first cultural performance in front of buzzing crowd , first surprise kiss (even more than the kiss) types of scenario fit into the actions I'm talking about.
After giving mid/end-semester papers in IIT, I always felt that given a second chance, I can perform better in particular paper. My reasoning was entirely based on the subtle assumption that I'm going to get similar, if not same, questions in the paper the second time. Obviously, my assumption was wrong, but this thinking/natural behavior/attitude gives a strong impetus to my second time experience theory.
According to me, the experience that is remembered the most by a person is the one in which he is most fit to face the situation and I think the second one is the most likely. After two chances, I would either give up or do the activity as a routine, or to put it this way, the fun has already been lost or achieved.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Singlemost Important Achievement
Have you ever done/achieved something that has made your life easy? The targets you wanted to achieve, the things you wanted to do got simple by achieving just one thing. I have done one such thing, and mind you I achieved that through lots of patience and hard work for a period of 2 years. Though I admit now that after achieving this goal, I might not have put the same efforts to achieve my next set of goals. Anyways, here is the story:
Everyone knows how difficult IIT entrance examination is. Right? I started preparing for the examination in 11th standard. I joined the famous Bansal Classes (BC) Institute. To my surprise I secured 3rd rank in the BC entrance test. Irony, an entrance test for an entrance test. I got admitted into the top batch and then started the tough journey. The toughest problem I faced during these 2 years was not the curriculum or the competition but the all time presence of my father in the institute, as he was employed as an Administrator in BC. I never felt the freedom of being on my own during that time. My father was more tensed than me, always. So the pressure of living up to the expectations was high.
Well, I survived and did well too. I secured All India Rank 97 in my first attempt. I was targeting a rank < 192 (my elder brother secured this rank) and 97 was a very much surprise to me as well. With the magic number 97 came lots of gifts and surprises. The first was the 5-6 days Apex Mumbai tour with ELITE top 100 ranked students. Then came the reward cheques from Bansal Classes, Apex and family members. I got admitted into Computer Science Department in IIT Bombay. During the third year, I got my summer internship in University of Toronto, Canada solely on the basis of my rank and little bit knowledge in Formal Verification discipline. Then came the job. I got the job offer from Oracle in my first interview itself. The interview was an average one and I would say I was selected primarily because I was from Computer Science Department (so indirectly the rank helped here too). In Oracle, I worked hard during my first two years and was promoted to the post of Senior Member Technical Staff (just alternative designation for Senior Software Manager). Though I feel Oracle is a bit partial to IIT guys , I might be wrong (and sincerely hope too).
My father got a lot too. You could definitely make out his smile and amplified chest after the results were declared. That 2 digits made him proud, me too. But now things have changed. I've started to realize that the rank is just not enough for me to get past everything comfortably.
Given the benefits I've seen from IIT Rank, I tried to take the advantage again and applied in US universities for MBA. So far I've been rejected in 3 universities and wait-listed in 1. Results for other 3 are on hold. The rank must have helped me to get the interview invites from the rejected ones as well but it is just not enough to get me in comfortably. Anyways, it has still played its part.
Hope is a good thing and may be the best of all. And no good thing ever dies (Courtesy: Shawshank Redemption). I'm still hoping to get my admission letter from at least one university. Someone please look at my IIT Rank !!! thats the best in my resume.
Everyone knows how difficult IIT entrance examination is. Right? I started preparing for the examination in 11th standard. I joined the famous Bansal Classes (BC) Institute. To my surprise I secured 3rd rank in the BC entrance test. Irony, an entrance test for an entrance test. I got admitted into the top batch and then started the tough journey. The toughest problem I faced during these 2 years was not the curriculum or the competition but the all time presence of my father in the institute, as he was employed as an Administrator in BC. I never felt the freedom of being on my own during that time. My father was more tensed than me, always. So the pressure of living up to the expectations was high.
Well, I survived and did well too. I secured All India Rank 97 in my first attempt. I was targeting a rank < 192 (my elder brother secured this rank) and 97 was a very much surprise to me as well. With the magic number 97 came lots of gifts and surprises. The first was the 5-6 days Apex Mumbai tour with ELITE top 100 ranked students. Then came the reward cheques from Bansal Classes, Apex and family members. I got admitted into Computer Science Department in IIT Bombay. During the third year, I got my summer internship in University of Toronto, Canada solely on the basis of my rank and little bit knowledge in Formal Verification discipline. Then came the job. I got the job offer from Oracle in my first interview itself. The interview was an average one and I would say I was selected primarily because I was from Computer Science Department (so indirectly the rank helped here too). In Oracle, I worked hard during my first two years and was promoted to the post of Senior Member Technical Staff (just alternative designation for Senior Software Manager). Though I feel Oracle is a bit partial to IIT guys , I might be wrong (and sincerely hope too).
My father got a lot too. You could definitely make out his smile and amplified chest after the results were declared. That 2 digits made him proud, me too. But now things have changed. I've started to realize that the rank is just not enough for me to get past everything comfortably.
Given the benefits I've seen from IIT Rank, I tried to take the advantage again and applied in US universities for MBA. So far I've been rejected in 3 universities and wait-listed in 1. Results for other 3 are on hold. The rank must have helped me to get the interview invites from the rejected ones as well but it is just not enough to get me in comfortably. Anyways, it has still played its part.
Hope is a good thing and may be the best of all. And no good thing ever dies (Courtesy: Shawshank Redemption). I'm still hoping to get my admission letter from at least one university. Someone please look at my IIT Rank !!! thats the best in my resume.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Smart Rider
Recently, I devised a way to tackle people who unnecessarily honk their vehicle to overtake you. I don't know if it is an innovative solution, but it worked for me.
I was riding my bike and my friend was sitting behind. We were going through a place that usually has a high traffic. I was driving in the range of 40-45 km/hr. Suddenly, I heard 2-3 unnecessary honks from behind. I looked at my bike's mirror and saw a silver Santro. The driver looked to me a Software Professional. I thought for a moment and analyzed the situation around me. There was no way for the car to overtake me and I was sure that I was not driving slowly or recklessly. He honked again and this time I gave him the space to go ahead. Now, I was behind him and it was my turn. I started honking continuously, even when we stopped at the traffic signal. When the signal turned green, I immediately started honking. He slowed down his car, but I had no intention of overtaking him. I was happy being behind him. I could see him looking (staring) at me again and again, but in India who cares for the lovely stare. After having enough of this, I let it go. But in all, I did a good job. He probably got pissed off and I hope he realized what I wanted to convey.
Try this next time if you happen to be in a similar scenario (at your own risk). I would advise you to try this only when you are driving with someone. May be, I was lucky that he was a Software guy.
I was riding my bike and my friend was sitting behind. We were going through a place that usually has a high traffic. I was driving in the range of 40-45 km/hr. Suddenly, I heard 2-3 unnecessary honks from behind. I looked at my bike's mirror and saw a silver Santro. The driver looked to me a Software Professional. I thought for a moment and analyzed the situation around me. There was no way for the car to overtake me and I was sure that I was not driving slowly or recklessly. He honked again and this time I gave him the space to go ahead. Now, I was behind him and it was my turn. I started honking continuously, even when we stopped at the traffic signal. When the signal turned green, I immediately started honking. He slowed down his car, but I had no intention of overtaking him. I was happy being behind him. I could see him looking (staring) at me again and again, but in India who cares for the lovely stare. After having enough of this, I let it go. But in all, I did a good job. He probably got pissed off and I hope he realized what I wanted to convey.
Try this next time if you happen to be in a similar scenario (at your own risk). I would advise you to try this only when you are driving with someone. May be, I was lucky that he was a Software guy.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Unique Selling Point
Have you ever pondered over your unique selling point (USP)? I didn't know about mine until I attended Hostel-10 (girl's hostel in IIT Bombay) valedictory function in my last year. In these functions, profiles of the graduating students are read in front of numerous students. The focus is primarily on what the student did in his/her life other than academics. One of my close friend told me to attend profile of a particular girl, who I have never talked to. I sniffed something intrigue, but my friend never disclosed the details. Well, I attended the function and was made to sit forcibly on a sofa in front of the stage. When the profile started, I came to know that the girl had a crush on me during the first year. I was never told by my (bloody?) friends (all my friends knew about this), nor the girl ever attempted to talk to me. To my surprise, I was the hot talk in the hostel and girls used to play a game, based on a famous Indian television. If I ever tell you whats the game, you will definitely envy me. That very moment made me think that I've got a magnetic? power to attract girls.
My thinking was proved right again when I started working in Oracle. One of my friend was leaving Oracle after working in the company for ~1.5 years. Before leaving Oracle, he told me one day that he knows a girl who had a crush on you. I was definitely happy (no doubt), but at the same time I was cursing myself for having such friends who hide important information and don't want to see me excel in future. Again, there was a similarity with the case happened in IIT. I had never talked to that girl.
There are other instances as well to describe, but I would do that in a different post. However, these two incidents helped me know something about my personality. I don't know exactly what girls look in me, but I know that I've got something unique. I really hope those two girls read this post and update me about my USP.
By the way, how many girls have fallen for you so far (without even talking to you) and whats your USP?
My thinking was proved right again when I started working in Oracle. One of my friend was leaving Oracle after working in the company for ~1.5 years. Before leaving Oracle, he told me one day that he knows a girl who had a crush on you. I was definitely happy (no doubt), but at the same time I was cursing myself for having such friends who hide important information and don't want to see me excel in future. Again, there was a similarity with the case happened in IIT. I had never talked to that girl.
There are other instances as well to describe, but I would do that in a different post. However, these two incidents helped me know something about my personality. I don't know exactly what girls look in me, but I know that I've got something unique. I really hope those two girls read this post and update me about my USP.
By the way, how many girls have fallen for you so far (without even talking to you) and whats your USP?
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Breakup
The other day I was having a lunch with my Oracle friends at Pizza hut. The usual talk gained speed when two of the fellows start talking about their affairs. It is always fun to hear about what's happening in others life when you dont have the luxury to perform in that role. Isnt it? Anyways, 4 out of 6 had girlfriends. When one of the friends asked me about my status, I didnt want to tell them that I've been single for past 25 :) years. Many things were going through my mind and I was desperately searching for an answer. Suddenly, I said something so convincing that didnt allow my friend to pose further questions. Here's what I said:
"nah ... just had a break up a month ago" .....
I think this response will work all time. This gives a feeling that the person is not lying (of course, you need to act in the same way .. I think the way I said "nah" made the difference) and nothing left in the story to ask more. I've tried it again sometime back and the strategy worked.
Try it !!!
"nah ... just had a break up a month ago" .....
I think this response will work all time. This gives a feeling that the person is not lying (of course, you need to act in the same way .. I think the way I said "nah" made the difference) and nothing left in the story to ask more. I've tried it again sometime back and the strategy worked.
Try it !!!
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