Are you awake enough?

A pleasant evening. It was a holiday so had decided to chill out, which I do pretty much my entire semester. Being an audiophile I was testing my brand new headphones streaming brand old songs and singing aloud the crapella version of it, “Like my father’s come to pass, seven years has gone so fast, wake me up when September” just right then a flying saucer like object hit my head. I turned at my mom and said, “let me at least put ‘end’ to the song and why are you throwing dishes on me, dad is sitting right there.” Upon that reply another dish came flying towards me.

Well it is quite obvious to get hit when you are not at all serious about your life and shamelessly singing loudly like a frog infront of an elder who has appointed you to do some work.It is also agreeable ,that being a ‘young-can-do-it-all-grownup’ you are not supposed to laze around especially infront of your parents and especially -especially when you are an engineer! Pretty much everything changes after that “e”-word transits your life to “f”-word. From plumber to mechanic, from fixing that neighbor’s computer to buying and negotiating the tomatoes with vegetable vendor, ” 20Rs ka kidhar bhaiyya, 15 ka rate shuru h” all because you are running low on your pocket money. In a similar fashion, I had got the work-some-save-some-earn-some opportunity.

Old newspapers were to be scrapped. I thudded inside the balcony where they were piling up. Residing on the top floor of the high-rise building, I enjoyed an open view of trees, mountains, lakes and nice abstract art of pigeon shit. I started alienating the by-mistakenly-thrown-notes of the paper where I thought I would pass but I dint. Assorting the papers, thinking how much money I would make out of them, I smirked, when I came across the news of UPA government slamming NDA government for the Union Budget, probably the first person to be profitable because of the Union Budget*literally*

I jolted as I read the word Union Budget; indeed to the economists, business analysts this word meant a huge deal but to me it was a quick time-shift. I mean January lasted for about 3 minutes for me and I am pretty sure I just entirely skipped February. Impetuously I flipped the stack of newspaper and decided to time travel. Swimming my way up in the ocean of stories I surfaced up with some disturbing things which can drown the whole world.

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors” -Plato

Surprisingly two-thousand four hundred and sixteen years later his quote is still trending when I see Donald Trump leading in the presidential elections of the most powerful country in the world. Series of memes and ‘funny Trump’ moments may have surfaced the internet but we have ignored the fact that he has already won three states and is leading the most Super Tuesday states, which is a big deal. Since 1988 every candidate who has won the most states on Super Tuesday went on to become their party’s nominee. So at this point Donald Trump is America’s back mole, it may have seemed harmless a year ago but now that he has gotten frighteningly big, so big that even the secret services are being employed to stop Donald Trump. The reason why he is getting plethora of votes, what his supporters had to say,” I think he is a credible businessman, if he runs the country like he runs the organization I think we will be in good shape.” This sounds felicitous for a moment because of the rich and successful status he has. But because he is rich therefore he knows politics has the same internal logic as I am a vegetarian therefore I know karate. He is currently observed loaning $18million to fund his own campaign. Why would he do that if he is significantly rich and has earned more money than most of us will make in a lifetime? Because the fact is not only did he get multi-million dollars inheritance from his father but he has also lost a huge amount. His own daughter described the state of his finances in one interview,” My father and I were walking down the fifth avenue and there is a homeless person sitting right outside of Trump Towers and I remember my father pointing to him and say that the guy has eight billion dollars more than me.” Explaining how indebted he was.  Whatever we think about Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz at least they know where they stand but Trump’s opinion has been wildly inconsistent. When asked about what he had to defeat ISIS, he simply replied without any hesitation,” We need to take out their families and basically kill all Muslims.” This was the front runner of Republican nomination advocating a war crime, and he might say he was joking or changed his mind but when this racist, unstable, hysterical, himbo will sworn in as President on that day his opinions are going to matter, to US, to us.

And just when we pray that sufferings of America should end; enters North Korea- “Attention, United States of America. This is your final warning before we destroy you completely.”  Kaboom. The not-so Democratic People’s Republic of Korea hash North Korea is one of the most fascinating countries in the world. They live by this weird sort of ideology called “juche” which is the bizarre sort of Marxist-Leninist-Socialist hybrid. North Korea is like that lonely, slightly sociopathic guy at a party who sits in a corner and doesn’t talk to anyone- “hey bro, you enjoying the party? We are doing shots” “Yeah, so am I. Just fired missiles at your house.”  Where South Korea is famous for Gangnam style, North Korea is getting famous for its Bombnam style. Things started getting really serious, when their Supreme leader Kim Jong Un declared that they have been testing hydrogen bomb. The guy is as wacky as his name, known for holding the title of ‘World’s most cruel dictator’; this no DC no Marvel very real supervillain destroys whatever comes his way. It is genuinely worrying that a guy like Kim Jong Un who has no military training is in charge of one of the largest military and nuclear forces in the world. And with that he has a fanatic reputation for shooting people. He had his defence minister executed and shot. Not with a pistol or an AK-47 like normal psychopaths but with an anti-aircraft gun- a weapon designed to attack aircrafts. So he must have shot him because of some serious crime, right? Like treason? corruption?  Spying? Nah.nah.nah. He had him shot because he allegedly fell asleep in Kim Jong Un’s  presence!

It is really scary how much power this guy has an access to. Here is some perspective. North Korea is just over 120,000sq.km in size. That is just slightly smaller than Tamil Nadu. Despite that it is among the top 5 biggest Nuclear powers in the world. They have military strength of close to a 1.5 million soldiers where each knows 1.5 million combat moves. For lot of us Kim Jong Un is just some fat dude we see in newspaper. But he and North Korea are capable of doing some serious damage, which could possibly trigger the next world war.

And we may have diffused one bomb named Rahul Gandhi, there are still many explosives like Tejashwi Yadav- deputy chief minister of Bihar, Kanhaiya Kumar-JNU President, waiting to do a damage. And this should come as a warning to all of us. One half of the human race is at war with the other, which is worse than an attack of flying saucer like objects(U.F.Os) on human beings. This is the time to get serious about your, mine and everyone's life. This is the time to WAKE UP, because the world can end before the September ends. GOOD MORNING!

Nothing is Perfect?

What is more perfect than a beautiful Sunday morning? I stretched myself in the direction of the Sun just shining its warm golden light. The entire meadow was glowing under its morning warmth and the dew was still plainly visible on the blades of grass nearby. No,the birds chirping, cool breeze invigorating me, the Sun rising from behind the mountains or rooster’s cock-a ‘doodle doo didn’t happen, though I could hear some frogs croaking.

I was taking a stroll in the Central Park; the sprinklers set up were spray painting the brown surface into lush green using those colorless droplets.  I was still thinking about the movie I watched yesterday night- A Brilliant Young Mind. (Relax, no spoilers ahead) The story revolves around a teenage kid who is a math prodigy, with an extreme obsession of prime numbers.

Prime numbers are very rare, yet they are not useful in any manner. They don’t divide, they don’t factorize, they just sit there and keep on growing in the garden of the Number System. They are like weeds, the more you will explore your garden, the more you will see them popping out; you can’t get rid of them.

Mother Nature is a complex web of life and the lifeless. The very state of being so perfect is the reason for life and also death. Mathematics on the other hand is man-made, to understand nature and beyond. Mathematics is the language of nature. Now, there is a debate over whether mathematics was invented or discovered, but hey who cares? Either way it is still perfect.

Everyday there are new discoveries that are made in nature and in Mathematics as well. We are just getting more aware of the truth, which exists independently of our acknowledgment.

Maths is founded on simple yet powerful elements-numbers. Numbers, just like the elements of nature, share a complex relationship with every other element in that set.

The relationship is universally valid. The equation, (a+b)² =a² + b²+ 2ab, stands true on Earth, on Jupiter and even if the Sun goes down. Because, math doesn’t exist in physical dimension, it entirely exists in human mind. Maths and human beings are co-dependent to aid each other’s growth.

When we get to the bottom of it, we see that Maths is an abstract representation of nature- element to element, shape to shape and relation to relation. This fundamental reason suggests that Maths is no different from nature. Hence any real world problem can be solved in maths and any maths solution is effective in real world. If you think this statement doesn’t hold true in love and war, think again!

Mathematicians have claimed the formula of love. No, no, its not “Candlelit dinner+ roses + kissing=Love”. It is an actual mathematical equation. Even there is an algorithm discovered for stable marriages. Do you imagine how peaceful the lives of the humans would be! During World War II, English mathematician, Alan Turing cracked the enigma code to help them win against the Germans! This is the power of Mathematics.

It is not necessary that one should be a maths-wiz to love mathematics. Anyone can love it; no matter if you are commerce student or a medical student or an engineering student who has failed five times in Maths-1 subject. The reason why 80% of the students hate maths is the kind of approach they got to it.

What is the largest number our mind can conceive? What is the size of universe? Well the answer to both questions is one and the same. The answer is not infinity, it is Zero. Yes! The size of universe is zero and so is the largest number! Let me explain, for every positive number there exists a negative number in maths. For every matter there exists anti-matter in nature. This is the big picture. Therefore when you put everything together, the size of universe is zero. Zero is thus, simultaneously everything as well as nothing. That’s why its called whole number. You add or remove it still remains whole.  

This is how we should approach Maths from ground zero. Then only we would realize the beauty of the concept of Mathematics. Its groundbreaking revelations can change the human thought process once and for all!

The next time you hear anyone say,” What is more PERFECT than a beautiful Sunday morning?”  I guess then you already know the answer!

You cannot change the world overnight?

“The world is an evil place.

Because of their cruelty

I am a miserable person,

And it’s very foolish to assume that

It’s all in my mind

We everyone

Lies,

About the truth

The world

Decides

Who

I am

And I want to live this way where,

Sadness

Kills

Happiness

I believe that,

The surroundings are controlling me

And I will never ever think that

The world is a beautiful place. “

I thought to myself as I stared out of the window into the dreary scene. The clouds looked like airy anvils drifting under the gleaming disc of the Sun. Faint splattering sounds came from outside, hissing as lightning struck the sky. I could see the curtain of rain on the other side of the window.

My mind was behaving like a dragon, flying horizons in few seconds, breathing fire and burning down the few remains of optimism.

I don’t think, I am the only one whose thoughts races towards darkness, hatred or pessimism when he/she is a victim of heart-break or solitude or pain. There are circumstances which forces us to take some decisions, maybe right maybe wrong. I think these decisions which we make solely depend on how we perceive those circumstances, how we see the things.

I am not giving any dose of wisdom, I am just telling to turn on your indicators and change the direction of your thinking, and you will eventually experience serendipity.

Even this dude, Shakespeare once quoted,” There is nothing either good or bad but thinking makes it so”

This tells that the philosophical stuff which I am talking about now is being known since early 15^th century. So, why people are still becoming supreme judges of their life and sentencing themselves to misery? Why people start relating the lyrics to themselves whenever they listen to sad songs? Why there is ephemeral happiness? Why the world is so evil? Why Why Why?

My mind was whirling with the storm of thoughts. Just then, the pleasant, dewy petrichor of the post-rain caught my attention. I could see the iridescent sky.  The sky was getting cleared up and so were my thoughts. I realised how oblivious I was all these years of my life. If only I could have reversed my perspective from the beginning, I would certainly have changed my last twenty-years!

(Now read the first TWENTY lines from Bottom to Top)

Death destroys You?

I frowned as my mobile screen flashed ‘Game over’,  I  needed just one extra life to complete my game. Noticing at my sullen look, my friends snatched my mobile and advised me to get some fresh air and enjoy the surroundings.

We were strolling along the pavement of the liveliest street in the city-Marine Drive. It was a Saturday night, around midnight but still the noise of cars and taxis hooting, or of scooters  flying past was deafening. We sat down on a bench trying to figure out what to do next.

I was observing the scene of number of vehicles zooming past or crawling along when caught at traffic lights. In the hustle & bustle ,I saw an unusual, majestic vehicle approaching in the picture. Noticing it further , I gasped,” It’s a Vintage! Rolls-Royce Vintage!” That was a real blast from the past. The world around me suddenly came to a halt.

Let’s put few seconds back on the clock; Since early 1900s production of this car has been stopped along with other Fords and Fiats which were ubiquitous at that time. But instead of being completely wiped out and getting buried in timeline, this distinctive, peerless, exotic piece of metal lived. Maybe because it had some unique, uncommon character in it.

Like this uncommon man, R.K. Laxman, famous for his acerbic cartoons lampooning political figures. R.K. Laxman epitomized the true way to express satire- inclusive, unoffensive, bold, realistic and simplistic.His work spanning over six decades,put his best foot forward. He chronicled the fortunes and mannerisms of India in a witty ,sarcastic way.

Stepping outside the boundaries, Michele Ferrero was the richest and most popular man in Italy.He was the owner of global chocalate empire. The Chocolate Man created happiness also known as Nutella and Ferrero Rocher.  His hardwork, determination and innovation kept the chocolate-hungry- world alive and happy.

Parallely my ardour towards cars, make me think about this prominent Hollywood actor Paul Walker. Paul Walker was an American actor, who came into fame in movies like Varsity Blues, and became well known for his starring in Fast and Furious series. Though not much he have contributed selectively and significantly to the film industry,leaving behind many die hard fans.

He may have died now, but he is still remembered by his astounding movies. His co-star Vin Diesel named his baby Pauline, after Paul Walker and claims tha he still feels his presence today. Everytime I unwrap Ferrero Rocher, I thank that legend Michele Ferrero. Some of the R.K. Laxman’s cartoons out of 1960s and 1970s would be alive and meaningful if produced today without date. They were timeless. Though these people are dead now, they would still be alive in our memories.

Which brings me back to this Rolls Royce vintage which was charging out of the picture as the signal turned green. Though its technology have died a century before, it still creates lasting impressions on thousands of minds.

It's not about just coming on this road called “Life” and passing by; Its about coming here, leaving your mark as you pass , its about adding that extra life to your life .This is your last chance to make sure you live after you die. The GAME IS ON!

Time heals everything?

I woke up to my mom’s voice; she was shouting her lungs out with my name and lecturing me about importance of time. Not heeding to her I checked, the hour hand was already past 11. Accusing myself for this morning ‘pravachan’  ,I gathered myself up. It was just another weekend of summer, the sun was passionately shining bright, radiating happiness and illuminating people’s lives.

Shuffling through the newspapers, I came across the boldly printed headlines about Subrata Roy. There was an adjacent report on former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh. It seemed both of them were in hot water. Just then a gust of wind blew my newspaper, trying to gimmick the outside atmosphere was getting gloomy, the sky was slowly getting overcasted.

I sat down in a chair baffled and obscure about what was going on. Now assembling the boogies of the train of my thoughts, I contemplated  for a while…

Now let’s see, Subrata Roy is a noble person, in my perspective. But some people or investors to be precise won’t feel the same way about him. It is said that he have allegedly failed to repay billions of dollars to the investors after bonds Sahara sold to them turned out to be illegal. Now who would have seen that coming? Especially the man who was amongst the most powerful people in India. The founder and chairman of the largest private sector employer in India with more than one million employees and agents, with net worth of 680 billion rupees is struggling to repay the debts.The tycoon who was often photographed in the company of world leaders, Indian politicians and business moguls is spending time in solitude in Tihar jail.

 Let’s consider Manmohan Singh. He is well known for the performance he delivered as ‘the muted prime minister’. I would give the credits to the ‘puppet-master’ Sonia Gandhi for his performance or rather say coercion! Recently CBI has summoned him in court for coal scam.

Genuinely speaking Manmohan Singh is a very brilliant person. He has got outstanding academic record for standing throughout first in his class. He has won scholarship to go to Cambridge university and then succeeded to get pHD from Oxford university.He devoted his time religiously for the welfare of Indian society. Being most talented economist he was roped in by scavengers like Congressmen, who wounded him with their ghastly jaws , making him writhe in coal dust.

Now , I am a car enthusiast and have reverence for Jeremy Clarkson, who is doing turns in international news for getting suspended by BBC for fracas on the sets of Topgear. For those who are not aware of him much, Jeremy is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specializes in motoring especially for BBC. He is a recognized public personality, with 4.7 million followers on tweeter. Jeremy lures away his audience by his opionated but humorous tongue in cheek writing and presenting style. What does he get for making people happy and entertain them? A suspension letter of his career?

Well, scrutinizing all these three public figures they have something in common, they all are amongst the most powerful and influential people, who have served human society. For that now they have been over-casted by dark clouds.

Just then a lightening flashed spookily, thunders were already doing orchestra in the skies. The clouds bursted with bomb like water droplets. The “things” , only sunny and bright some minutes ago, were now dark and shadowed ; time takes toll on everything.

Now I comprehend why my mom was yelling to me about importance of time… it has power to change or rather say destroy anything, ANYTHING!