A chance comment by my friend got me thinking.. The comment on how the system of education at her institute was designed to help the students survive, "no matter where they are thrown".. And the pressure to perform..
A similar sentiment was in the movie 3 Idiots, which I watched again yesterday... Though the movie was good, there was something which I felt was a bit unrealistic - it is not always a case of parental pressure... Having had the good fortune of an education without parental pressure, I felt that it's not fair to generalize it..
I do not deny that there is tremendous pressure on students, but there are ways of coping with it, and not all pressure is unnecessary or bad, some of it is good. But going by recent figures, suicide seems to be the solution of choice for the smallest problem, the least failure... As one of my close friends put it, "most students who commit suicide do not realize that their parents would prefer a failed child to a dead one"... Maybe we should take a leaf out of Edison's book, and take a different perspectiv on failure.. "I did not find 999 wrong ways of making a light bulb, I found 999 ways how not to go about it" (Maybe I haven't quoted him verbatim, the gist is right)...
On a totally different aspect, I realize that I was lucky in that I had a real childhood, with outdoor games (which involved loads of running around, screaming, roaming about with a big group of kids) (summer holidays would see us at home only during meal breaks, and then bedtime, while the monsoons and winter meant it was time for indoor games (still with the big noisy messy group) punctuated by tea/coffee and snacks) [Here, I'm talking about the fun we kids had, it was a different tale with our mother, who had to feed us and bear the noise and mess] .. (I see most of today's kids glued to a screen - TV or computer, when they are free from school/college and tuitions and homework , but then maybe my sample size is too small) ...
And more importantly (in my opinion), we had real lives, more than virtual ones... The plants that we watered and the fishes that we took care of were real, and not raised on FB (sorry, I'm not very keen on FB), and so were our neighbours and friends... I'm not saying I'm against social networking, or technological advances (given that I'm in the field of science).. I only wish that my real life continues to be as good as it has been so far, without the virtual life taking over...
That's all for now....
(P.s.: For those who have read this fully, thanks a lot for your patience!!! )
Monday, February 1, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Thoughts from a Meandering Mind
It's blogging time again, finally :)
2010 was off to a great start ( with a movie and friends' wishes ;) )... So far the year has been good (though it's still early in the year)...
One of the good things of the year is the exercise I've been getting - running around to get some work done is a way of working out (though I dont't think it was all necessary, half of it could have been avoided, and I would still have been happy!!)... My hearty thanks to everyone responsible, starting with the non-acad staff who donot tell you what you need to do until the very last minute, when they suddenly tell you that there is a lot to be done, if you want to continue your work!!! And special thanks to the people who are never there when their presence is required... (Why is there a different time table for the staff and the faculty and students? The students and faculty seem to be present all day long, and are easily reachable, while the rest come late (and make up for it by leaving early) with two-hour lunch breaks...) (Did I mention the tea breaks in between??)
Talking of good things, I must mention my friends - the support and advice (though I don't think I'll use it, thanks all the same), the gyaan and the jokes and the cheering up , thank you all for everything.. MK, R, V, A, H,K : thanks!!
And one more thing, I am enjoying the "princess treatment" ;) Thank you folks!!
As usual, I'm rambling :) Emsworth, you have a successor!!
The bad things of 2010?? Well, of course, there have been a few bad moments, but then, what is life without the good and the bad?? And, well, I'm grateful for the bad moments, as they help me appreciate the good moments better...
Oops, I forgot to thank 2 people... Wodehouse, Bill Cosby, thanks for lifting my spirits anytime I'm down!!!
That's all for now ... (relief at last??)
Before I ramble some more, I'll end this post...
2010 was off to a great start ( with a movie and friends' wishes ;) )... So far the year has been good (though it's still early in the year)...
One of the good things of the year is the exercise I've been getting - running around to get some work done is a way of working out (though I dont't think it was all necessary, half of it could have been avoided, and I would still have been happy!!)... My hearty thanks to everyone responsible, starting with the non-acad staff who donot tell you what you need to do until the very last minute, when they suddenly tell you that there is a lot to be done, if you want to continue your work!!! And special thanks to the people who are never there when their presence is required... (Why is there a different time table for the staff and the faculty and students? The students and faculty seem to be present all day long, and are easily reachable, while the rest come late (and make up for it by leaving early) with two-hour lunch breaks...) (Did I mention the tea breaks in between??)
Talking of good things, I must mention my friends - the support and advice (though I don't think I'll use it, thanks all the same), the gyaan and the jokes and the cheering up , thank you all for everything.. MK, R, V, A, H,K : thanks!!
And one more thing, I am enjoying the "princess treatment" ;) Thank you folks!!
As usual, I'm rambling :) Emsworth, you have a successor!!
The bad things of 2010?? Well, of course, there have been a few bad moments, but then, what is life without the good and the bad?? And, well, I'm grateful for the bad moments, as they help me appreciate the good moments better...
Oops, I forgot to thank 2 people... Wodehouse, Bill Cosby, thanks for lifting my spirits anytime I'm down!!!
That's all for now ... (relief at last??)
Before I ramble some more, I'll end this post...
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Days of discovery
It's been really long since i blogged.. Though in my last post, I said I'd be posting more often, I could not :) But finally, am back to writing again...
Some things are meant to be shared.. Which is why I feel I should write something about my fortnight in a new city. It was one of those times that could change your life forever.. for the better,in my case.
I was there as a student of science, but I learnt more than just science. I learnt the real joy of science, the excitement, the fun in friendly discussions. One thing I realized was that I harboured a mistaken notion - I always thought experts and top scientists would be serious and in their own world, but I realized that this wasn't true. In spite of their knowledge and achievements, they were really friendly, and willing to listen to and clarify any doubt, even in the basics. It was really heartening and encouraging for us students.
I am glad I had the good luck of being there, maybe it is true that "when you want something with your whole heart, the entire Universe conspires to help you achieve it"... I'm glad to be back to my work, with a more open mind, a willingness to work harder, and with renewed passion.
"When the student is ready, the teacher appears" ... Maybe this is true as well..
I end this post now, with a positive attitude, and with the thought that whatever I do is not a total waste of time, even if it is not the greatest scientific discovery in the world, as I believe in what I do, and am passionate about it...
Some things are meant to be shared.. Which is why I feel I should write something about my fortnight in a new city. It was one of those times that could change your life forever.. for the better,in my case.
I was there as a student of science, but I learnt more than just science. I learnt the real joy of science, the excitement, the fun in friendly discussions. One thing I realized was that I harboured a mistaken notion - I always thought experts and top scientists would be serious and in their own world, but I realized that this wasn't true. In spite of their knowledge and achievements, they were really friendly, and willing to listen to and clarify any doubt, even in the basics. It was really heartening and encouraging for us students.
I am glad I had the good luck of being there, maybe it is true that "when you want something with your whole heart, the entire Universe conspires to help you achieve it"... I'm glad to be back to my work, with a more open mind, a willingness to work harder, and with renewed passion.
"When the student is ready, the teacher appears" ... Maybe this is true as well..
I end this post now, with a positive attitude, and with the thought that whatever I do is not a total waste of time, even if it is not the greatest scientific discovery in the world, as I believe in what I do, and am passionate about it...
Friday, October 9, 2009
Back from hibernation... but don't know for how long :)
The blogger seems to be back from hibernation :)
There's so much happening out here...
As I was travelling yesterday, the wind on my face, and the greenery on my way made me really happy.. I'm glad trees are still around, though how long they'll be around seems to be an important question to me, given global warming and the growing population which needs more space to live...
Another thought came to me, the beauty of nature.. And its various marvels.. One of the best things to me is music, just music; anytime, anywhere.. With its different kinds... I really miss the rhythm and joy of drums... Even though it was initially a lot of banging and just noise, the gradual setting in of a rhythm is a pleasure in itself.. The joy that comes from being able to produce a lovely rhythmic music is something that can only be experienced...
I am glad that music is part of my life, though I may not be a world-class musician, I am glad to have music in my life.. It is one of the best ways of de-stressing for me..
With this, I end my ramblings for now...
Whether the blogger is indeed back from hibernation, or is it just a short break remains to be seen...
There's so much happening out here...
As I was travelling yesterday, the wind on my face, and the greenery on my way made me really happy.. I'm glad trees are still around, though how long they'll be around seems to be an important question to me, given global warming and the growing population which needs more space to live...
Another thought came to me, the beauty of nature.. And its various marvels.. One of the best things to me is music, just music; anytime, anywhere.. With its different kinds... I really miss the rhythm and joy of drums... Even though it was initially a lot of banging and just noise, the gradual setting in of a rhythm is a pleasure in itself.. The joy that comes from being able to produce a lovely rhythmic music is something that can only be experienced...
I am glad that music is part of my life, though I may not be a world-class musician, I am glad to have music in my life.. It is one of the best ways of de-stressing for me..
With this, I end my ramblings for now...
Whether the blogger is indeed back from hibernation, or is it just a short break remains to be seen...
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Return of the blogger??
It has been a really long time since I updated my blog.. So much has been happening...
Now, I just want to finish the many things I started, before moving onto something new... As I have learnt, the things you leave undone have a way of catching up with you :) :)
It feels great having a few relaxed hours without having to rush.. What with my dependence on the various public transport systems to meet my schedule, half the time I feel I'm either rushing to catch a train or bus; or I'm waiting for them for hours :) And when one train is late, I spend my time praying that I catch the connecting train... And when I decide (very rarely!!) to wait and go late, the train is on time. Ironically, the day I spend more on transport to be on time, my class gets cancelled :)
But in spite of this constant rush, I'm glad there are some moments when everything is calm and peaceful; without worrying about the next thing on my agenda...
I'm now realizing that there are a few things I've missed out on...But then to make up for it, there's the excitement of entering a new field... And I'm glad to have found something to suit my interests.. This is indeed a great time for interdisciplinary fields !!
And now, before I go rambling further, I'll end this post :)
Now, I just want to finish the many things I started, before moving onto something new... As I have learnt, the things you leave undone have a way of catching up with you :) :)
It feels great having a few relaxed hours without having to rush.. What with my dependence on the various public transport systems to meet my schedule, half the time I feel I'm either rushing to catch a train or bus; or I'm waiting for them for hours :) And when one train is late, I spend my time praying that I catch the connecting train... And when I decide (very rarely!!) to wait and go late, the train is on time. Ironically, the day I spend more on transport to be on time, my class gets cancelled :)
But in spite of this constant rush, I'm glad there are some moments when everything is calm and peaceful; without worrying about the next thing on my agenda...
I'm now realizing that there are a few things I've missed out on...But then to make up for it, there's the excitement of entering a new field... And I'm glad to have found something to suit my interests.. This is indeed a great time for interdisciplinary fields !!
And now, before I go rambling further, I'll end this post :)
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Being Mamma
Recently, I have had time on my hands, time to think, reflect on a million things... One such thought was what it'd be like being my mother...
Imagining myself as my mom, I wonder how she manages it all and yet stays so cheerful... Getting up early in the morning and doing a million chores, then getting grumbled at for the silliest of reasons...
It must be tough being a mom (I'm realizing it only now), and requires so much love, patience, tact and understanding...
Though I try my best to help her, I still end up taking her for granted most of the time...
Still, I'm sure she understands that even though I grumble at her so often, I really treasure her, and she's really been a pillar of strength to me... I have sometimes thought that she wouldn't understand, and I've often behaved like a nut, yet she's been with me throughout - when I was at my best, and when I was at my worst, she was always just by my side...
Mamma, you're the best!!!
Imagining myself as my mom, I wonder how she manages it all and yet stays so cheerful... Getting up early in the morning and doing a million chores, then getting grumbled at for the silliest of reasons...
It must be tough being a mom (I'm realizing it only now), and requires so much love, patience, tact and understanding...
Though I try my best to help her, I still end up taking her for granted most of the time...
Still, I'm sure she understands that even though I grumble at her so often, I really treasure her, and she's really been a pillar of strength to me... I have sometimes thought that she wouldn't understand, and I've often behaved like a nut, yet she's been with me throughout - when I was at my best, and when I was at my worst, she was always just by my side...
Mamma, you're the best!!!
Monday, April 20, 2009
An update ;)
For those who have read my blog about Joy in the morning, here is some news........
It's a pity, but the guy who served us with a smile is no longer seen around at my office...
Wherever he is, I wish him the very best...
May you continue your Service with a Smile !!!
p.s. : Again the name of a Wodehousian novel.....
It's a pity, but the guy who served us with a smile is no longer seen around at my office...
Wherever he is, I wish him the very best...
May you continue your Service with a Smile !!!
p.s. : Again the name of a Wodehousian novel.....
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