Cribbing

"Why dont we stop looking at certain things?", I casually said to one of my juniors who was pissed of at the questions ppl were asking Nobel laureates here.

Very easy for me to say but difficult to follow. But honestly thats one thing I want to believe in and compel myself to do (and I am rapidly improving). To stop looking at certain things that are stupid and dont really matter to me.

Actually I should see them, but I should understand why things are like that (which I already do) and try to change them. It will definitely save a lot of energy (probably at the cost of relations to certain people) and help me invest in things that really matter. This particular investment is very critical to do what I enjoy doing.

So the key is:

1. Stop Cribbing.

2. Find what it takes to nurture ideas- look at the right things.

Joy of Science

The most important thing to me being here in Allahabad at the Science Conclave, meeting Nobel laureates was the reinforcement in belief of the reason to do science and that there are people who share this pov with me (couldnt get over Darwin).

Prof. Friedman replied "the feeling that you are the first person in this civilization (I loved this word, this dimension to the issue) to find something out is just irresistible!" And of course the joy in understanding, pure understanding. I had no direct connection to the questions about quarks (apart from the fact that we all are made up of quarks, still mysterious particles that make up the protons), but just to understand something is utopic, and something so fundamental...sigh.

Some pretty questions that I could ask him:

1. Why does the attractive force between quarks increase as the distance between them increases? This is so opposite to the way forces between larger particle work. (Couldnt completely understand what he said but i realised that he took the question to the finer level by saying that the color of quarks increases as they go apart and color is analogous to charge and that is why the force increases. But then why does color increase as they go apart??)

2. Would the laws of physics have been different if the universe would have started in a different way than the "Big Bang"? ("Great question", he genuinely said.)

3. Why did he chose to do science? (This was the one where he replied about the joy of understanding.)

Fire

Are we bound by an image that we create of ourselves and the world? A comfort zone? How can we come out of it? And do what people call "unleash the potential"? What is the activation energy thats needed - A 'zalak' of what lies beyond?

Was talking to my cousin. He was fresh out of a relations training course his company had organized. And he tells me that people always have that spark inside somewhere, the spark to go beyond. I always thought that the spark is rare. Perhaps it is present in everyone, hidden to various extents. (As I write this, I wonder if I am rediscovering what people are speaking all the time the world over. But if it is so, I dont see it happening - the ignitions!) Perhaps my world is a li'l too small! (This would be worst.)

And of course any philosophy that is taught doesnt stay beyond a week... There has to be a need to follow that philosophy... It should make a significant difference to your life. A significant difference that you want and can see... And by default most of us are short sighted.

So, the questions are:
1. How to know if the spark is there?
2. How to find what it is?
3. How to ignite it?

And of course igniting one spark should not limit us to a flicker, lets go for a flame and a fire!!

We and the Indian Dream

Let me start not by the problems that we (henceforth by we I mean India, its people) are facing; but by where we dream to stand. The point being to momentarily forget that we have any problems and to start afresh to achieve this dream.

As I said, by any country what we mean is its people. Of course it includes a lot of other components, but ultimately what we want to achieve is a dream that its people see. So, the way to achieve the collective Indian dream is via achieving the dreams of all of its people. Now the question is, do we all have a dream? Does each one of us imagine himself standing somewhere ahead of where he is now? Do we want to change the way we are?

I think the answer is a little complex than a mere yes or no. The factors to be considered are individual thoughts and perceptions AND social and economical conditions AND professional section.

The needs and aspirations of any human are at 3 levels ( for a more accurate description google for Maslow and theory of motivation).
1. Most basic are the needs of shelter, food, clothes necessary to survive
2. Somewhat intermediate are the needs of emotional sharing and support
3. And then come the aspirations to achieve something more than that is necessary to merely survive.

To put this in the perspective of social and economic conditions-
1. Economically and socially weak class- A huge class of Indian population still striving to satisfy their basic level 1 needs.
2. A lower middle class- They have earned their survival and want to move into the upper middle class.
3. Upper middle class- In this socially and economically stable class I see 2 groups of people.
a. A group that is satisfied with survival and stability. There is no dream.
b. A group that has a dream. They may or may not know how to achieve it. But they are struggling.
4. Rich class- The group that either had a dream and they achieved it or they belonged to the established dynasties. Some of them want to expand their kingdoms and some just want to maintain them.

I hope now it becomes clear, that what we want to achieve as a nation is not a single goal as is usually portrayed. Each socio-economic group is driven by different dreams. The ground realities and issues invloved in achieving these dreams also depend on the professional sectors (agrarian, industrial, service) It would be foolish to expect all groups to work passionately towards a single dream.

In the replies that follow later, I ll try to explore the relation between the dreams of these different groups and how they depend on each other, how the current economic and political condition in the country and the world affects it and what is our role in all this.

Not so simple, is it?

honesty, the best policy?

i have found for myself that honesty is the best policy always

i try not to lie to anyone as far as possible; not to people and not even to myself...
that is more important i guess ...to be honest to yourself!

it makes things a lot easier..i don't have to care abt "what if ppl come to know abt i"

i like to be courageous...its a lot of fun to own up to what you do...thts real confidence i guess...to believe in what you do...

what do you think? any other experience will be welcome