tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112007932024-02-08T07:04:11.441+05:30ExpressionsThe unspoken words of an ambivertN. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-89771721444418176922023-03-10T00:09:00.003+05:302023-03-10T00:24:54.761+05:30Hidimbaa - Our Tabebuia tree<p>In 2021, we brought home a small Tabebuia sapling and gave her a permanent home in front of our house. Since then she's been nurtured lovingly by me and other family members too. Bheema helps out by adding nitrogen at times and aerating the soil at other times.</p>
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<p>Hidimbaa is growing well. I'd even say thriving! She's probably 15 feet tall already. She has surprised us with her resilience, withstood many a storm during last year's incessant heavy rains and some crazy heat! She has smartly avoided the electric wires and is growing around them. Not a single branch in between those high tension cables. That's not us. We've not broken a single leaf off of her. It's all her natural intelligence!</p><p>But how does she know?! Is she reacting to electro magnetic waves?</p><p>We're all eagerly waiting for her to sprout her first flower. Don't know if it'll be this summer or next!</p><p>And if you're wondering why we named her Hidimbaa... Well, we already had a naughty Bheema in the house! 😉</p>N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.5945627-15.338635136178846 42.4383127 41.281832536178847 112.7508127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-92170632820223170442022-12-26T14:10:00.003+05:302023-03-10T00:50:19.986+05:30Savoury Bits: Just in Time & Just Enough Learning<p style="text-align: justify;">If you've had a conversation with me anytime during the last 1.5 years, then I'm sure I have mentioned <b><a href="https://adepticlabs.com/smart-start/" target="_blank">SmartStart</a></b> to you. I may have also mentioned how much fun I'm having building multiple flavours of this product with my team at <a href="https://adepticlabs.com/" target="_blank"><b>Adeptic Creative Labs</b></a> and <a href="https://clearlyblue.in/" target="_blank"><b>Clearly Blue Digital</b></a>.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://adepticlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Adeptic_Podcast-Cover-1-720x720.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Aedge Episode Cover for Savoury Bits" border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://adepticlabs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Adeptic_Podcast-Cover-1-720x720.jpg" title="Aedge Episode Cover for Savoury Bits" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The ReStart flavour of SmartStart helps women on career breaks return to the workplace. It supports them with soft-skills, helps them rebuild their confidence and realise they're not alone in this journey. We're documenting the success stories of our learners on our <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/smartstart-learning/" target="_blank">SmartStart LinkedIn page</a>. It's extremely satisfying hearing directly from our learners and realising the impact our work has in their lives.</div></span></div><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">In <a href="https://adepticlabs.com/savoury-bits/" target="_blank">this episode of the <b>Aedge podcast</b></a>, we go behind the scenes and speak with the creators of SmartStart. We delve into what went into the creation of SmartStart, what we knew going in, how the program evolved and how some things came as a surprise to us too.</div><p></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: justify;">Give it a listen and tell me what you think!</div><br /><p></p>N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.5945627-15.338635136178846 42.4383127 41.281832536178847 112.7508127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-11698213864518928112022-06-18T13:38:00.006+05:302022-06-18T13:42:02.762+05:30Learning with Games<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I remember the day I was kidnapped. I endured a terrible bike journey in a basket. Then I found myself in the place I call ‘home’ today.</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-db224130-7fff-e151-1e1f-dc2bf3d69193" style="text-size-adjust: auto;"><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are you thinking of ‘Stockholm syndrome’?</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stop. Focus. Ha, I’m using her cues now!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">No, I’m not a hostage. I am adopted.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was separated from my mother, my siblings and the dingy room with the stinky, damp floor. Now I live it up with my doting family. I adore them. Can’t let them out of my sight for a moment!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She got me started on games no one had ever taught me before. I enjoy her games. They make me think, explore and try new things while having fun. Plus, I earn treats every time I get it right.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Most importantly, I have her undivided attention during our games. No mobile phone, TV, conversation or book to distract her. Well, the mobile still comes out at times and it’s typically directed at me. Then I get annoyed and try to break the flow by doing something unexpected to make her put it away. In between, I discreetly check on her with furtive glances. Disappointing—she’s usually giggling behind that mobile. Sigh! I’m yet to get this down pat.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Initially, I didn’t have to do much to earn treats. The games were simple.</span></p><ul style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet her gaze—get a treat.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Meet her gaze, hold for a few seconds—get the treat.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Look at her when she says my name—treat.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Take a step towards her when she says my name.</span></p></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a few days, the games changed. I earned treats for slightly more complicated actions.</span></p><ul style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Run to her when she calls my name.</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Follow her when she says “Let’s go”.</span></p></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I grew up, the actions became easier. I would do them happily anyway. But I realized she loved these games. So I played along, to please her. Also, who says no to treats!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our games are still evolving. I’ve mastered the older ones. Once I master something, I get bored if I’m asked to do it repeatedly. But she keeps changing it up, keeps me guessing and on my feet. I like it!</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t want to sit still. I can’t! What do I do with my energy?! She knows. She understands.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She ensures our games have variety. There’s some running around, climbing up and down stairs, stretching, sniffing things out, vigorous activities likes jumping or tug, not-vigorous-yet-exciting stuff like watching people, animals and things move past our gate, impulse control and rest periods built into each play session. I sleep well after this.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Typically, our games involve a lot of food. Meal times are fun! Unless she’s busy with work. Then she sits at her desk with her laptop and I can’t get her attention. I’ve given up now. It must be important. I let her work in peace and quietly eat by myself. No matter what’s on my plate then, it doesn’t taste good.</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am Bheema Nadig. I love playing games with Madhavi Nadig.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7LSyXR81MaeqaOjTJzHPV-DpXVO0pj95nx382xTR2Y-SZFTHpqhLK6hxmkk9KtcoQv2Z6ETH66g1WxtnSlV94wGUM356UxJ8lUiwPs8iodxRdVdBZzgsVeR2XMPTyNf-48UGUq5opSuuYsJPZIZ4fVy6pZ3GdDgQBpw-eaFCt53nvdq3238/s871/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-06-18%20at%209.36.18%20AM.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="871" data-original-width="732" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7LSyXR81MaeqaOjTJzHPV-DpXVO0pj95nx382xTR2Y-SZFTHpqhLK6hxmkk9KtcoQv2Z6ETH66g1WxtnSlV94wGUM356UxJ8lUiwPs8iodxRdVdBZzgsVeR2XMPTyNf-48UGUq5opSuuYsJPZIZ4fVy6pZ3GdDgQBpw-eaFCt53nvdq3238/s320/WhatsApp%20Image%202022-06-18%20at%209.36.18%20AM.jpeg" width="269" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bheema, chilling with his current favourite toy</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><i style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Backstory</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>My colleague is coaching us to improve our communication. As part of an exercise on exploring our creativity and writing a blog, she gave me the prompt to write about Bheema's take on dog-training in 500 words. </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;"><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i style="font-size: 11pt; text-align: center;">This is my imagination of Bheema's take on his Positive Reinforcement (R+) training.</i><i> Bheema's thoughts here are my interpretation based on observing his reactions and behaviours in real situations and events.</i></div></i><p></p></span>N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0Bengaluru, Karnataka, India12.9715987 77.5945627-15.338635136178846 42.4383127 41.281832536178847 112.7508127tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-72347919463612589322019-12-30T13:03:00.002+05:302023-03-10T00:23:00.064+05:30Bengaluru's oldest inscription stone<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6qN_WuhP-P/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:16px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6qN_WuhP-P/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"> <div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div></div></div><div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></div><div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style=" color:#3897f0; 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overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6qN_WuhP-P/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Madhavi Nadig (@m_nadig)</a></p></div></blockquote> <script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Went looking for namma Bengaluru's oldest inscription stone from 890 CE at the Pancha Linga Nageshwara Temple in Begur on the city outskirts, thanks to an <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/state/top-karnataka-stories/what-s-in-a-stone-a-city-s-age-780799.html" target="_blank">article</a> I recently read. This is the earliest documented evidence mentioning the existence of Bengaluru as early as the 9th century. Was great to see, touch and feel these herostones and feel connected to my city that has a timeline longer than 1100 years!</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The temple is being renovated and one can see newly constructed gopuras and fresh carvings on new stone panels. However, many ancient stone panels with beautiful carvings are pathetically hidden at the back of the temple, away from most eyes.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These historic inscription stones are hidden behind some rusted junk and a garbage patch. Many devotees who come to pray at the temple are unaware of their existence. There are large boards mentioning the names of the new donors sponsoring the renovation, but none about the historical significance of this temple. So it's easy to miss the inscription stones. Feel sorry to see something so ancient lying in a state of neglect.</div><br />
Interesting to how the same place can make you feel proud and disappointed at the same time!</div>N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-23758909635502068292019-10-01T20:36:00.000+05:302019-10-01T22:05:46.559+05:30Swalpa adjust maadkoLi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In 2019 all the talk is about Digital India and the ongoing onslaught of the fourth industrial revolution a.k.a Industry 4.0. What is that, you ask?<br />
<i>It's about having systems talking to each other</i><br />
<i> through wireless connectivity, </i><br />
<i> in the land of cheap smart phones,</i><br />
<i> where data is the cheapest in the world,</i><br />
<i> accessible to all and sundry, </i><br />
<i> where decision making is automated,</i><br />
<i> based on input from sensors, </i><br />
<i> leading to smart cities and smart operations </i><br />
<i> with increased efficiency and</i><br />
<i> jobs are Bangalored to </i><i>bots this time! </i><br />
<i> Let your imagination run wild and </i><br />
<i> add your own happy (and sad) thoughts here...</i><br />
Newspapers are already killing it with articles about how this will lead to massive unemployment in the near future.<br />
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Ground reality however is grounded knee-deep, unable to take off on such wild imaginative excursions. Feel free to blame the BBMP for potholes in network connectivity as well, in the midst of a bustling neighborhood in South Bangalore. Realized this when I visited ICICI Bank along with my mother. We came with a simple request - please remove my deceased father's name from a joint account where my mother was the primary account holder.<br />
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The Govt. of India claimed 80% of Indian citizens had bank accounts in Mar 2017, with 157.1 crore accounts in different banks. That year, the death rate was 0.73%. Let's assume each deceased person held an account. Then 1,15,00,000 (i.e. 1.15 crore) bank accounts needed to be updated. One moment... let's digest that number. Given this large number it's but natural if you assume this is a common for banks, with standardized procedures for handling such cases in 2019.<br />
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Ummmm ... no! Apparently, a deceased account holder isn't something this branch is used to dealing with. None less than an assistant bank manager was worthy of the task! That's even more surprising since the branch is located in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, of late a pensioner's paradise, home of many rich (maybe?) and retired (definitely!) seniors and super-seniors.<br />
<br />
Turns out even if you have a sole or survivor type of joint account, ICICI wants you to close the joint account held with the deceased person and open a new account for yourself. Sure, <i>en tondre illa</i>! Just didn't think it'd take 1.5 hours and involve filling out lengthy forms, signing 15 autographs and waiting eagerly & endlessly for the staff to process it, amidst their loud, desperate cries for help to assistants who scrambled around the bank pointlessly, disappeared indefinitely, reappearing surreptiously by the time their name was called out a sixth time. The icing on the cake ... the bank asked for a cheque from another bank for KYC (Know Your Customer), after my mother had maintained a twenty year long relationship with them.<br />
<br />
In the age of self-driving cars, when ISRO is simultaneously reconciling with Chandrayaan-2's <i>just-miss</i> of an autonomous soft moon-landing while planning to send humans on a Gaganyaan, ICICI is struggling to transform its staff's 90's era paper-pushing style of working since it's unable to keep it's intranet alive and accessible. Someone, somewhere must have been meditating in a Himalayan cave all this while!</div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-84451624794161594132019-09-28T22:44:00.000+05:302019-10-02T13:27:45.613+05:30Insights from a Podcast Convention<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span aria-hidden="false">September 30th is International Podcast Day. </span> <a class="notranslate" href="https://www.instagram.com/hubhopperofficial/">@hubhopperofficial</a> organized a <a href="https://podcasts.hubhopper.com/o2podcollective-international-podcast-day" target="_blank">podcast convention in Koramangala, Bengaluru</a> in honor of this.<br />
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</span> <span aria-hidden="false" id="react-root">Interacted with some Bangalore based podcasters and listened to several panel discussions.</span><br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B29ftGUB8co/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Madhavi Nadig (@m_nadig)</a> on <time datetime="2019-09-28T16:02:14+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 28, 2019 at 9:02am PDT</time></div>
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<span aria-hidden="false"><br /></span><span aria-hidden="false">Topics touched upon included</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>podcasting is a nascent industry in India today</li>
<li>radio stations repackage their shows as podcasts to increase the shelf life of their content</li>
<li>lack of effective monetization models</li>
<li>tools commonly used by creators</li>
<li>new capabilities introduced in new tools</li>
<li>creators' aspirations, influences and issues</li>
<li>engaging with audiences using other online formats</li>
<li>driving offline conversations via meetups and interactive listening sessions</li>
<li>difficulty of reaching audience, since they are spread across too many platforms</li>
<li>audiences dominantly from urban areas</li>
<li>difficulty of engaging folks in T2 cities</li>
<li>podcasts in regional languages are a miniscule minority</li>
<li>back catalog contributes up to 40% of consumption share vs new episodes</li>
<li>fake streams and downloads from bots</li>
<li>differences in approaches of content creators in different mediums like blogs, podcasts, radio, videos, Twitter, Instagram/Snapchat and other social media.</li>
</ul>
<span aria-hidden="false">
<br />
The number of female content creators on stage and seated in the audience caught my attention. If today's crowd is truly representative of the podcast space, then India is ahead of the US in terms of representation of multiple voices and diversity in podcasts.</span></div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0139, First Cross Road, V Block, A, Cross Road, Koramangala, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560095, India12.9337422 77.62098519999995-12.5882923 36.312391199999951 38.4557767 118.92957919999995tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-74698417317381220262019-09-24T02:03:00.001+05:302019-09-29T22:47:54.128+05:30An Indonesian Angklung in a Carnatic classical performance<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Had the good fortune of meeting <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn7za4hLDMI2FFvEBmRASuQ" target="_blank">Dr Anasuya Kulkarni</a>, a doyenne of world music.</div>
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Having lived in multiple countries in the South East and Africa, Dr Kulkarni has not only mastered the local instruments of those countries, but also <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9SlpTknsZY" target="_blank">adapted them for use in classical Carnatic concerts</a>. She graciously organized and performed an impromptu private concert for me in her beautiful home in J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru. M'am, I'm so honoured to have met you today and will treasure this angklung pe<span class="text_exposed_show">rformance you and your students treated me to.</span></div>
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</span> <span class="text_exposed_show">Here are some <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2xDcrKhKVg/" target="_blank">video clips of tonight's impromptu angklung concert</a>. The first is a </span>Carnatic tillana. The second is a popular Indonesian song <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halo,_Halo_Bandung" target="_blank">Halo-Halo Bandung</a>.<br />
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<span style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2xDcrKhKVg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="background: #FFFFFF; line-height: 0; padding: 0 0; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; width: 100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></span></div>
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<div style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2xDcrKhKVg/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Madhavi Nadig (@m_nadig)</a> on <time datetime="2019-09-23T20:04:27+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Sep 23, 2019 at 1:04pm PDT</time></span></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show">The angklungs in these videos are unlike those traditionally used in Indonesia. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yeEBoiQaN4" target="_blank">Traditional Indonesian angklung performances</a> feature multiple musicians and is led by a conductor, since each artist plays 1-2 notes only.</span></div>
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</span> <span class="text_exposed_show">Dr Kulkarni is the first to adapt and introduce the anghlung to the Carnatic music scene. <a href="https://youtu.be/h0sUfZPRg1Y" target="_blank">Hear her explain it in herself Kannada</a>. Her</span> idea was to make the instrument playable by just one person and make it easy for that artist to handle their instrument. Through her innovation, she set angklungs of different notes in a wooden frame, making it convenient for a single artist to perform a full piece using all the notes. Dr Anasuya's first public performance with the angklung was at the Durlabha Vadya Vinod International Music Festival in 1982.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvWI8EPNmDdA4_t1Nodf76huY7odLn-eV87ZbQuAaSuHtDVdI0b7d82Saorec6lRqkejXdIL5nFh1UzEz-BjTToGtQP80R6PZ31gmdTw-v0ucFbjouBOzSP8K2eZQ7vhzYhC5qw/s1600/20190923_220018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1177" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuvWI8EPNmDdA4_t1Nodf76huY7odLn-eV87ZbQuAaSuHtDVdI0b7d82Saorec6lRqkejXdIL5nFh1UzEz-BjTToGtQP80R6PZ31gmdTw-v0ucFbjouBOzSP8K2eZQ7vhzYhC5qw/s320/20190923_220018.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In 2008, Limca Book of Records awarded Dr Anasuya for introducing the angklung to Carnatic music</td></tr>
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The frame can hold 8 angklungs at most. For a raga that uses different notes, the artist picks the angklungs with those notes and changes the array on the wooden frame. But what if you need a note in a higher octave? Since each angklung produces notes in 2 octaves, the same anklung is used for both the ordinary and the higher note.</div>
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Enjoy these clips from her recent concert with a full Carnatic ensemble, supported by Vidwan Yashaswi on violin, Vidwan B.N. Ramesh on mridangam and A.V. Kashinath on kanjira, <span style="text-align: left;">accompanied by her students </span>Tapasya Singh (left) & Jahnavi Singh (right) : <a href="https://youtu.be/rNXBgh6sm6Q" target="_blank">Vatapi Ganapatim Bhaje</a> and <a href="https://youtu.be/sIdVPvCkyes" target="_blank">Thyagaraja's Pancharatna Kriti </a><span style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://youtu.be/sIdVPvCkyes" target="_blank">Endaro Mahanubhavulu</a></span></div>
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N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-32424112298991616132019-08-25T01:23:00.001+05:302020-05-23T20:03:00.927+05:30Tree Plantation Drive using Miyawaki method<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Participated in a tree planting drive recently.</div>
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We planted a lot of saplings densely in a small area. This is the Miyawaki method where a variety of native species are grown in close proximity to one another. The plants promote the growth of one another, as a result the forest grows faster. More on the method <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/shubhendu_sharma_how_to_plant_a_tiny_forest_near_you" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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We were a team of close to 200 volunteers, who had heard about this project from various groups and NGOs. Everyone came together at the Indian Railway Institute of Disaster Management to lend a hand and work towards a better climate and a greener city.</div>
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The organizers had scientifically selected the saplings and placed them out on the plots at the exact lo<span class="text_exposed_show">cation where they had to be planted. </span>The volunteers worked the soil and transplanted each sapling at the marked locations. Next, the plots were watered and mulched with hay for the ground to retain the moisture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuxVtESYBZXUTZhVnRUPDMjMn1xWnwUeUtHJZLIrI4PeiCrlkqA7qVldhyVIgU8n3GTm5FfxafCtT1CZ_4UaMmM207MhYgbSqAu_J10fg0KF6xJEgHVf5i7n5Duezbv519RVhYw/s1600/68678752_10156103935230764_7305213151102894080_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuxVtESYBZXUTZhVnRUPDMjMn1xWnwUeUtHJZLIrI4PeiCrlkqA7qVldhyVIgU8n3GTm5FfxafCtT1CZ_4UaMmM207MhYgbSqAu_J10fg0KF6xJEgHVf5i7n5Duezbv519RVhYw/s400/68678752_10156103935230764_7305213151102894080_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="text_exposed_show"><span style="text-align: justify;">It was a beautiful day and people showed up in large numbers. Was great to see the energy of all volunteers - young, old and everyone in between, families, students, working professionals and retirees alike.</span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAf2a6vChBXtsA6ihm-hxXZT_XVGpOcBv_a61D1t8ciM6ZJzuS4ffk5krrbeHgxfPjXxH41nPVJuZ7BDsR2mcD3jKDUYAuGaaPnDeH2DNHIsVAs7fQs8SAfmSQSR1FS0yWNggYg/s1600/68687835_10156103934660764_7817954125085147136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMT_6htlq-am1OM44TnE5vTfITTM1KaK9nqzX5l7odKpLRxmf6ZgbowYffuKDqLARx_cdFPZZh4sI8HyjskzwYvVi_03VtX2W4tpBxztI3gPprzJU8DfKREbF5ZWtW2ABy5-fFA/s1600/68480283_10156103934765764_8093424771875733504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="539" data-original-width="960" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMT_6htlq-am1OM44TnE5vTfITTM1KaK9nqzX5l7odKpLRxmf6ZgbowYffuKDqLARx_cdFPZZh4sI8HyjskzwYvVi_03VtX2W4tpBxztI3gPprzJU8DfKREbF5ZWtW2ABy5-fFA/s400/68480283_10156103934765764_8093424771875733504_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Have seen lots of videos and pictures of people talking about the Miyawaki forests. Out here I got to see first hand one that had been planted in December. Gazing at those mini forests gave us ample motivation as we planted more samplings beside them.</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Hope to visit again in a few months and see the results of our combined efforts.</span><br />
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N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0Indian railway institute of disaster management, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560074, India12.8672602 77.42829019999999212.8363042 77.3879497 12.8982162 77.468630699999991tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-34590621593768805662019-08-25T00:15:00.001+05:302019-10-02T13:28:34.357+05:30ರಾಜ ಭವನಕ್ಕೆ ಸುಸ್ವಾಗತ / Welcome to Raj Bhavan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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My cousin and I accepted the Governor's invite for an open house and toured the Karnataka Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru today.<br />
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As we enjoyed the band playing at the glass house, we were treated to some good tea and <i>sweetu-khara</i> (biscuits). We walked through the garden, marvelling at bonsai trees, enjoying the light spray from fountains, appreciating the manicured lawns, the sculptures of mythical beings watching over them and the variety of flowers and plants grown in the form of different animals. The whole place was lit up with multi coloured lights that enhanced the beauty of the gardens in the evening light.<br />
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As we approached the mansion, we watched the tricolor lowered ceremonially, while all the guards stood still firmly in attention.<br />
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Inside the colonial-style building, we entered the formal dining hall where its taxidermy animal heads stared down at us from their high perches on the wall, the many British era paintings below them tried to soften the ambience, the crystalware in the solid wooden cabinets reminded you of the real purpose of the room, while the ancient sculptures transported you to a different era altogether.<br />
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Next we visited the governor's office with its two rows of red cushioned chairs with the governor's blue cushioned chair presiding over them. This hall is dotted with beautiful artifacts from several centuries. The seats in the waiting area have enamel designs on wood and plush cushions covered in bright embroideries. The walls are lined with collections of photographs of all governors of Karnataka, presidents and prime ministers of India. One end offered a delightful view of the garden, while the other end lead to the ceremonial hall where leaders are sworn in.<br />
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The ceremonial hall is an awe inspiring place too. It's walls are decorated with glorious Tanjore paintings and enormous tapestries which would look even grander with some restoration. Rows of wooden chairs emblazoned with the national emblem were neatly lined up facing the stage which was now covered by a giant screen. A short video showcasing aerial views of the campus and a quick tour of the interiors and arrangements at the Raj Bhavan was followed by a recorded speech by Governor Vajubhai Vala. <br />
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We left the hall and walked past a series of rooms meant for official guests, each named after an Indian river. We exited the mansion, walked through a small portion of the garden, past a rudraksha tree planted by Prime Minister Modi, and found ourselves back at the flower clock by the main gate after 1.25 hours. Since we couldn't click photos during the tour, I satisfied my rebellious itch by sneak-clicking a picture then and there.<br />
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Too bad the Governor didn't meet us. Oh well!<br />
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N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0Raj Bhavan Rd, opp. DRDO, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India12.9824881 77.591310000000021-12.5395464 36.282716000000022 38.5045226 118.89990400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-27581356667789439892018-11-18T02:21:00.004+05:302019-01-16T10:54:19.145+05:30Coming home<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Coming home is a strange feeling.<br />
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What’s home? Is it the home I grew up in and am now back to? Is it the home in Boston I spent over 6 years in, the majority of my past 11 years and my time in the US? Any of the 2 homes in Buffalo when I was a poor student living with roommates? The room in Framingham that I kinda snatched and made my own for the first month after my graduation? The room in Hopkinton I rented for 6 months, while trying to ease into a professional’s life, clearing my educational loan and setting up my future life in Boston? The Milford apartment of 1.5 years which was my first home that was wholly mine and mine alone? The Somerville apartment I shared with a friend for about a year, getting the first taste of city life in the US and Boston? Stockholm where I spent 2 months in 2017 and visited multiple times, so frequently that I started feeling a sense of belonging there too and upended my life in Boston?<br />
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I landed in Bangalore early last morning. Just my second day back. There are so many things that are familiar, making me happy that some things haven’t changed. There are things that have changed, causing surprises and sometimes a tinge of sadness. And then there are those things that remind me of similar things in Boston, from the life that I left behind. Haven't I come a full circle? Until now this was the life that I had left behind.<br />
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How do I pay the porter - do I have Rupees or Dollars in my wallet? Which is the driving seat and which is the passenger seat in the car? Automatic or manual? Which is the “right” side of the road to drive on - left or right? How do I turn on the light in my room - flip the switch up or down? Can I drink water from the tap or do I need filtered water? Do I add or subtract 1.5 to my current time to calculate the time in Boston? Is it day or night for my friends there? Is it hot or cold there?<br />
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And just like that I don’t need to worry about New England’s eccentric weather patterns now.</div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-15445173456555176472018-05-13T10:07:00.000+05:302018-05-13T10:30:07.044+05:30Shiva slaying Andhaka - carvings at Elephanta Caves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgdtQ1yh4ar/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Madhavi Nadig (@m_nadig)</a> on <time datetime="2018-03-18T12:14:21+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Mar 18, 2018 at 5:14am PDT</time></div>
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What a difference there is from reading about the caves, the sculptures and the destruction in a high school history text to seeing it with one's own eyes!<br />
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The combination of history and mythology is so captivating. Why do the writers of history text books present only uninteresting, dull facts and dates to students?! The beauty of the caves is scarred by sabotaging colonists, still it shines through.<br />
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The sculpture reveals the full mythical story of the battle between Shiva and Andhaka. During the battle, each drop of Andhaka's blood that falls to the ground spawns another form of Andhaka. In this depiction Shiva pierces Andhaka's heart with his trident, collecting Andhaka's blood in a bowl while Kali drinks the blood, effectively preventing the emergence of more Andhakas. The asura's fault was that he unknowingly lusted after his own mother, Parvati. After being defeated, Andhaka realizes his mistake and submits to Shiva. Shiva forgives him and makes him the head of his ganas. <br />
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N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-74196057214153994602018-01-08T05:47:00.000+05:302018-05-13T10:35:22.759+05:30Masterclass with Benjamin Zander<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/m_nadig/" style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" target="_blank"> Madhavi Nadig</a> (@m_nadig) on <time datetime="2017-12-10T03:44:38+00:00" style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">Dec 9, 2017 at 7:44pm PST</time></div>
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Recently watched the delightful <a href="http://benjaminzander.com/" target="_blank">Benjamin Zander</a> conduct a masterclass and coach talented teenage musicians at the Boston Public Library.<br />
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Benjamin Zander's teaching style was a performance in itself ... explaining to the budding musicians the historical context, motivations and emotions behind the piece ... conducting them repeatedly until he was satisfied, through several seemingly flawless performances ... involving all ages of audiences ... getting the kids to focus on involving audiences instead of their own playing, artistry or poise.<br />
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The kids were great at playing their chosen instrument to start with. The coaching transformed their performances, elevating them to a completely new level. Loved every bit of it!<br />
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After watching his <a href="https://www.ted.com/talks/benjamin_zander_on_music_and_passion" target="_blank">TED Talk</a> way back in 2013, I immediately picked up his book <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/85697.The_Art_of_Possibility" target="_blank">The Art of Possibility</a> which left me inspired. I don't know much about Western Classical music, but have wanted to see him in action since then.<br />
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Was pleased to meet him in person after waiting 5 years. Since the only thing I collect is books autographed by their authors, I happily bought his book and he graciously signed it for me. A new addition to my small but growing collection. Made my day!</div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com2Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000141.984348999999995 -71.704327100000015 42.735816 -70.4134331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-52688289162008694112017-08-12T01:13:00.000+05:302018-01-08T04:46:02.560+05:30Indian + International Fusion Music<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I enjoy Indian fusion music and started compiling a playlist.<br />
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https://open.spotify.com/user/mnadig/playlist/3bYlgxeUd0r4ZF4senV5bi<br />
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Suggestions are welcome.</div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-87915905756534707252015-07-12T08:31:00.001+05:302015-07-12T08:33:43.594+05:30Rebuilding Nepal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Hello reader,</span></div>
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I am heading to Nepal for 2 weeks in Oct to volunteer with a group that's working to rebuild communities destroyed by the earthquake in April.<br />
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Some
of these guys were visiting Nepal and hiking the Himalayas when the
earthquake happened. They decided to stay back and volunteer in some
villages. My coworker knows them personally and has been assisting them
with fund raising and organizing supplies from everywhere. I decided
to join her team and help out.<br />
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The
idea is to work with another local NGO in Nepal to clear rubble and
build new buildings using locally available materials. So far, <a href="http://www.consciousimpact.org/" target="_blank">Conscious Impact</a> has been working on the logistics and waiting for monsoon to end. Hence this
effort will go full swing from September.<br />
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Rebuilding your life and home with your family after you've lost everything can't be easy. Am looking forward to helping families in this herculean mission.<br />
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I started raising funds for this effort today. Please support me with your donation at <a href="http://www.empowered.org/mnadig" target="_blank">http://www.empowered.org/<wbr></wbr>mnadig</a>.<br />
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Thank you for contribution!<br />
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I will keep you posted about the changes you helped bring about once I return from this trip.<br />
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Yours truly.<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000142.1722125 -71.3816036 42.547952499999994 -70.736156600000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-50152699523420834002014-03-15T23:37:00.000+05:302014-03-15T23:37:49.024+05:30Immigration<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Immigration has been on my mind a lot lately. I'm not an immigrant - am happy & satisfied being a foreigner in the US. Yet I need to jump through some mind-boggling hoops just to live here legally.<br />
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The topic of immigration is a source of constant tension and dialogue with my employer - neither of us understand what it means to the other. It affects my vacation trips back home to India a lot lately. I struggle to not roll my eyes at the people who think it's perfectly normal and ask me to give them my exact travel plans 6 months in advance. Frustrated? Blame the lawyers, the politicians, the government...<br />
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I listened to an audio book today - "A Century of Immigration" by Christopher Collier & James Lincoln Collier.<br />
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It's informative and talks about the motivations for the different immigrant groups of people who moved to America, whether they stayed or returned to their homelands, how and why they interacted with or influenced society and the impact it had on their personal lives.<br />
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The authors seem to believe that America is the only democratic country that has seen waves of immigrants who have tried to integrate and create a new multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society. They seem ignorant or have chosen to be blind about India - the world's largest democracy and cultural melting pot. People from all over the world have migrated to India for millennia and formed their own sub-societies while also becoming an integral part of a larger common society. Would be good if they had paused a moment to think about how the 'New World' was discovered in the first place.<br />
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It appears that the immigrants never fully assimilated the American culture, choosing to retain several of their own traditions. However, their descendants were more likely to be 'American' due to their schooling. From what I've seen and by my own experience, I believe that's true.<br />
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It was interesting to note that many of the current immigration laws seem to have stemmed from ideas & prejudices that go back as long as the 1920's. Every country wants to keep the 'outsiders' out, America behaves no differently.<br />
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Coworkers asked me the other day whether I plan to get an American citizenship. They seemed surprized at my 'No'. There are lots of great things about America, but there are also lots of not-so-great things, which make me yearn to go back to India.<br />
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I'm content being a law-abiding foreigner in the US and a citizen of India. Never mind the truism 'The US passport is the most coveted document in the world'.</div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-38829332379399770712014-01-20T09:15:00.000+05:302015-07-12T08:34:38.501+05:30Recycle your money and become a social investor<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Crowd funding projects is quite common these days. But this Bangalore
based NGO crowd-funds micro-finance projects. Simple idea : Recycle your
money and become a social investor.<br />
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http://www.rangde.org/how-rang-de-works</div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-42585615056162705762014-01-14T03:46:00.001+05:302014-01-14T04:11:30.283+05:30"You are hardworking."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"You are hardworking."<br />
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How do you interpret this statement? Is it a compliment? A mild insult hinting at the fact that you're not fully qualified to do your job, but make up for the lack of skill with great effort? Or a meaningless observation akin to smalltalk?<br />
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If it is a compliment, then it's a consolation prize. If it is an insult, sarcasm is a great way of putting it across. If it is smalltalk, it is no good as feedback. Nonetheless, the speaker chooses to focus entirely on the effort, with complete disregard toward the result. <br />
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Today I heard "hardworking" being called a skill. I'm stumped!</div>
N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-30386486363703007352013-11-04T12:47:00.000+05:302013-11-04T12:47:10.208+05:30The staring contest - Size does not matter (24-Jan-2012)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0cj2YB7liLTaZltvvF7lWglXUrU1n_L4o4SmSsNLy5bhI8g4tlB20FqK7Jsm7mHgF4UCvQQu7bLFxTSepO1Hzyf_7k5wG_eU3LrMySN1vLMtDYhIJtZom1JBnOS8jMz37LaSWQ/s1600/unicorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ0cj2YB7liLTaZltvvF7lWglXUrU1n_L4o4SmSsNLy5bhI8g4tlB20FqK7Jsm7mHgF4UCvQQu7bLFxTSepO1Hzyf_7k5wG_eU3LrMySN1vLMtDYhIJtZom1JBnOS8jMz37LaSWQ/s400/unicorn.jpg" /></a></div>
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N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0Kaziranga National Park - Assam, Assam 785609, India26.577531 93.17112199999996826.123451 92.525674999999964 27.031611 93.816568999999973tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-13139437633504048112011-08-13T08:32:00.012+05:302020-09-07T14:57:58.631+05:30Symbols<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://www.visionarypassages.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Namaste-1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="800" height="133" src="http://www.visionarypassages.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Namaste-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Namaste. </span><span style="text-align: left;">ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span><span style="text-align: left;">नमस्ते. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">This little ritualistic gesture is a common Indian greeting. Irrespective of the language you speak, it is a respectful gesture symbolizing the thought “I bow to the lord within you”.</span></div>
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Madam Toastmaster, fellow toastmasters and guests,
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Today I’d like to share with you some thoughts about the power and meaning of symbols in our lives.
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I recently read an interview of a well-traveled, highly educated man of science who filled his house with symbols from various cultures and followed some highly traditional rituals. He explained “Rituals give good anchoring. Never underestimate the power of symbols in your life.”
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I think that's true. A symbol is a very concise representation of a set of ideas. A ritual is a sequence of actions which are performed for their symbolic value. These actions are in no way arbitrary.
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Our lives are shaped by symbols and simple rituals - be it personal, traditional or religious.
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Let's examine some common symbols.
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<a href="http://arttalkers.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/toastmasters-white1.gif"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://arttalkers.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/toastmasters-white1.gif" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 157px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 160px;" /></a>They say a picture is worth a thousand words. What does this symbol convey to you?
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The Toastmasters emblem.
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To me, this represents having fun with you guys here at EMC on Thursday afternoons.
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This bumper sticker has left an impression on me.
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://pointofview.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/coexist1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="800" height="160" src="https://pointofview.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/coexist1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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Notice how it is made up of many religious symbols, each of which have their own unique meanings. Put together in this creative manner, they form the word "COEXIST". I interpret this to be symbolic of "Each religion paves a different path to the same end". Or, as a simple directive to "Live and let live".
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Here is an Indian symbol of good luck : the Swastika.
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<a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/PmqOf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="220" src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/PmqOf.png" /></a></div>
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You’ll see this painted on the walls of most shops and enterprises in India. People use this symbol to brand various items to increase their good luck. It is a positive symbol.
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A slight variation of this symbol has the exact opposite effect.
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<a href="http://www.truthcontrol.com/files/truthcontrol/images/1440.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.truthcontrol.com/files/truthcontrol/images/1440.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; height: 125px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 158px;" /></a>
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The Nazi Swastika evokes strong negative emotions in all of us.
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How about this?
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<a href="http://www.clker.com/cliparts/8/c/b/f/1197434308818557515Anonymous_pirate_flag_-_Jack_Rackham.svg.hi.png"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://www.clker.com/cliparts/8/c/b/f/1197434308818557515Anonymous_pirate_flag_-_Jack_Rackham.svg.hi.png" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a>
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The picture screams “pirate”! :)
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On a cheery note, let's look at Amazon's smiley logo.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLP7rGTlcyoBX-Q6_CB5L4NvXO1YJOnEhmQCZc_ZxG-Ic2Dx_s-t5Q8W0F4G7igGssDbSYBfiQu3_MLs3JtCzpUNA_fTD0_ZCFMPrSpBn0Dxq20SWwgbqUT0prNz0Ajgq8FgJ/s1600/amazon.jpg"><img alt="" border="1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHLP7rGTlcyoBX-Q6_CB5L4NvXO1YJOnEhmQCZc_ZxG-Ic2Dx_s-t5Q8W0F4G7igGssDbSYBfiQu3_MLs3JtCzpUNA_fTD0_ZCFMPrSpBn0Dxq20SWwgbqUT0prNz0Ajgq8FgJ/s1600/amazon.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 250px;" /></a>Through its simple logo, Amazon conveys its motto : Do business with Amazon and we'll make you smile with satisfaction.
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Symbols need not be only 2-dimensional. 3D symbols are used in most classical forms of dance and in sign language. Other areas where symbols are widely used include traffic signs, alphabets in the script of any language and mathematics.
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Symbols are an essential part of technology as well. We use them everyday in our PCs and smart phones as icons.<iphone apps="">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9umOxYcfJZCNyhRAs6GoGeK1cjeByLhjrcmWNR_iLX2hpqZejHIx8n3WSHwxpBAlYsfVGNvGBeJqYqMY_P1jL13Y7L6TuF91dRVp47NXAXb8KjvCE0_jutcmnoaj1cyGFa2LMtg/s1600/Screenshot_20170811-184158.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9umOxYcfJZCNyhRAs6GoGeK1cjeByLhjrcmWNR_iLX2hpqZejHIx8n3WSHwxpBAlYsfVGNvGBeJqYqMY_P1jL13Y7L6TuF91dRVp47NXAXb8KjvCE0_jutcmnoaj1cyGFa2LMtg/s400/Screenshot_20170811-184158.png" width="225" /></a></div>
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I don’t think I could live without my iPhone and the 20-odd apps that I use daily.<iphone apps=""> I LIKE this !!
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All Facebook users know how frequently this symbol is used. 'LIKE' is used to communicate a whole spectrum of emotions such as "I love it!", "I agree" and "You have my support". I have even noticed people "LIKE'-ing obituary messages.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Rituals use symbols to reinforce ideas. Rituals may be performed on specific occasions or at the discretion of individuals. You may have an exclusive ritualistic way of greeting certain people – a handshake, a hug, a kiss, a verbal greeting or even calling out an insult as a way of greeting someone you’re very close to.
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<br />Here are some symbols that I grew up with.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS59-GFm3JV0etbWS_IMlJ8sD6LqXnEbDu-Qm9mURnD-pX5QOPBk14V-xCuyUiQ_jo0xcQIVmOW_qae9bw-QZBdyu0bn1ntr2XjrDnN6FU90ST6buMZpklelKadPpk3hv8G3m2MA/s1600/IMAG0695.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS59-GFm3JV0etbWS_IMlJ8sD6LqXnEbDu-Qm9mURnD-pX5QOPBk14V-xCuyUiQ_jo0xcQIVmOW_qae9bw-QZBdyu0bn1ntr2XjrDnN6FU90ST6buMZpklelKadPpk3hv8G3m2MA/s320/IMAG0695.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShpZOZCJW5OdhHRtUIzFdGxlqzEvRO4t6VAOa4eRSJkT_byx0N8wD2njgDADNPsDwz0cu1GLIbLDLIrBy1Gswth1-RMI02NTlQVf7DsAiY-LMAi3C6eAd1Pg7U9rueFdbhXP5GA/s1600/20161001_212435+copy+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1600" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiShpZOZCJW5OdhHRtUIzFdGxlqzEvRO4t6VAOa4eRSJkT_byx0N8wD2njgDADNPsDwz0cu1GLIbLDLIrBy1Gswth1-RMI02NTlQVf7DsAiY-LMAi3C6eAd1Pg7U9rueFdbhXP5GA/s200/20161001_212435+copy+2.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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The Rangoli is a traditional art form in India and is part of a daily morning ritual in most South Indian households. People wash their doorsteps and paint these patterns in front of their door as a way to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck.
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According to Kundalini yoga, the seven yoga chakras represent the different states of consciousness / energy-levels. Each energy center is activated by performing certain routines (rituals). The goal is to gradually raise your awareness from the lowest chakra to the highest chakra leading to spiritual enlightenment. </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Please take a moment to reflect on the simple rituals that you follow in your life. Every culture has its own set of unique symbols and some of us have developed our own personal ones. I’d love to hear about the symbols and rituals that hold meaning to you. Please share your thoughts with me.<iphone apps="">
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N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-18959819726994900832011-06-17T09:20:00.004+05:302011-06-17T10:46:58.902+05:30I have an idea<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">What's the most resilient parasite? An idea! A single idea from the human mind can build cities. An idea can transform the world and rewrite all the rules... which is why I have to steal it!</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">- Leonardo di Caprio's lines from the movie Inception. </span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I feel an infectious, unbridled enthusiasm when my mind gets around any new idea. Therefore I'm constantly looking out for new experiences. This was my primary motivation to join our Toastmasters club as well. However, I was desperate for ideas for my ice breaker speech and looked to the Toastmasters Competent Communicator guide for suggestions. I found a bunch of topics, but was unwilling to speak about them since I found them mundane and uninteresting, personally.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">One line caught my attention though ... "Speech ideas can appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly. Keep a pen and paper or handheld computer handy to note it immediately". I had none of these implements at hand. However this set me thinking tangentially about ideas themselves, and I couldn't help making the connection with the movie and the many long, memorable, intense, thought-provoking conversations that had ensued. There! I had the topic of my speech. I decided to present some ideas that I found very interesting.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">I've discovered that TED talks are very interesting sources for ideas. Invited speakers share their ideas about diverse topics under one roof. As a nonprofit organization, TED is devoted to "Ideas Worth Sharing". I think that's an ambitious tagline and TED is doing an impressive job of living up to it! Apart from the official TED conferences, TEDx conferences are organized by independent bodies, in the same spirit.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Someone recently shared a TEDX video of Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik on Facebook and I was inspired by his passion. Though he's a physician by education, Dr. Pattanaik has been a management consultant and is passionate about Indian Mythology. Subsequently, I picked up one of his books on Indian Mythology from the town library and devoured its contents in an marathon reading session, without a precedent in recent times. I was spellbound by the depth of his knowledge and immensely entertained by his narrative.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">By the power of his ideas, Dr. Pattanaik has turned his passion into his profession. He brings the wisdom of Indian mythology into Indian business, especially in human resource management. I was thrilled to learn of his title at the Futures Group, one of India's largest retailers. The story goes that the founder of the Futures Group, Kishore Biyani, approached him once after one of his talks and offered him any designation he wanted within the company. And, Dr. Pattanaik chose </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Chief Belief Officer</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">How does one generate good ideas? I read that the Japanese inventor Dr. Yoshiro Nakamatsu has an interesting technique. He dives in his private pool and holds his breath underwater until he experiences a flash of creativity and comes up with a new idea. He then makes a quick note of it on a waterproof plexiglass pad, which he invented for himself for just this purpose. This octagenarian credits this ritualistic, oft-repeated, near-death experience as the source of ideas for his inventions.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">While still researching ideas for my speech, I spoke to my mother and bounced some of these ideas off of her. She connected this breath-control technique to the well known yoga technique called Kapalabhati Pranayama. The word kapalabhati is made up of two words : </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">kapala</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> refers to the skull (including brain) and </span><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">bhati</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> means shining or illuminating. Due to this process, the organs under the skull, mainly the brain, are influenced in a positive manner.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Talk of positive outcomes made way for stories of my grandmother. I believe my grandmother was convinced of the power of prayer through some remarkable events in her own life. In any difficult situation, she prayed frequently and fervently for good ideas to be implanted in her mind and in the minds of her loved ones, to guide them out of their troubles. Being a little tongue-in-cheek, I'd say my grandmother resorted to prayer for 'Inception'! ;)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Come Toastmasters time, I felt rewarded for all my efforts in research and practice. Score! :)</span>N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-62928158816279249422011-06-03T11:05:00.001+05:302011-06-03T11:07:41.137+05:30TransienceAate hain log, jaate hain log, paani mein jaise rele<br />Jaane ke baad, aate hain yaad, guzre hue vo mele<br />Yaadein bana rahi hai, yaadein mita rahi hai<br /><br /><br />Just can't get over this feeling of transience today.N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-16686183584127458322010-12-06T22:16:00.001+05:302010-12-06T22:18:49.861+05:30Amor fatiN. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-56433219387480765592009-05-05T00:55:00.002+05:302009-05-05T01:04:07.243+05:30Random Thought #1Was reading an article about how the next gen of hydel power is going to be from oceanic waves. Set me thinking...<br /><br />How about attaching turbines to generate energy from waves to all ocean going vessels - submarines and ships? If nothing else, at the very least, it should be possible to generate enough energy to sustain all activity on the vessel.N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-62776422415905129232009-02-25T06:57:00.006+05:302009-02-25T08:05:49.775+05:30Google - the OmnipotentI find myself coming back to this topic yet again... how Google has completely taken over most of our lives. That Gmail servers were down for some time today has been talked about extensively all over the web.<br /><br />I started out the day with my friend complaining how crippled and helpless he felt because he was unable to access his Gmail account. As unusual as this is, it comes as another sharp reminder. He said he spent the first 1.5 hours of his day waiting for Gmail to return to service and I sympathized with him.<br /><br />I got to work and found another friend cribbing that the Gtalk feature in her Gmail window was acting up. All of us in the room spent the next 10 minutes talking about the issues Gmail seemed to be having since the wee hours of this day. I was glad to note that at least Gmail was now working.<br /><br />I was reading some lecture notes about computer networks and found a mention of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. I caught myself thinking whether that was the reason the Google servers were down; also wondered how powerful/critical the attack was and when and how Google might recover from it. A few hours later my friend left, still annoyed at the fact that she couldn't talk to her husband over Gmail, as is her norm.<br /><br />I read an article that quoted an expert who categorized intelligence into two types - fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence. Fluid intelligence is having knowledge of how to go about things, while crystallized intelligence is knowledge of the specific details. Interesting, I thought ... I guess I'd say I have fluid intelligence since I usually figure out the broad approach to take to solve any problem that I'm tackling and turn to Google for the 'crystallization'.<br /><br />Come evening, I called up a company I am interviewing with and was trying to schedule an online timed test. The lady at the other end asked me to send her an email and told me she would respond immediately and administer the test. I sent her the mail and prayed that Gmail wouldn't let me down and would deliver it immediately. I spent the next half hour hitting the refresh button on my mail client, waiting for her response. Nothing! I logged into Gmail - thanking my stars that it let me do so. No mails there either. I checked the Spam folder and the Trash folder. Nothing still!<br /><br />I called up the company again and asked them if they'd received my email. Thankfully they had and it turned out to be only a confusion about the start time of the test. I gave them a specific time within the next half hour and took what I felt was a truly deserved break. I met a friend for coffee during my short break and once again we were discussing the troubles we had been having with Google so far in the day. I returned quickly hoping mightily that the test had been delivered to my Gmail inbox. Was glad to note it was!<br /><br />I was expected to work on the test and email my answers to the company within the next hour. I completed the test in less than 40 min and yet again prayed that Gmail be back to normal since I had to email my answers or the whole effort would have gone a waste. It worked - Go Gmail!<br /><br />I come home and am Stumble-ing as a way of relaxation and Stumble hits me with an article describing why Google servers were down today. The article termed it something like the digital equivalent of a power blackout. True indeed! I find it just as obstructive of all my activities as a power shutdown. Power failures are quite common in my hometown, Bangalore. But I know how to deal with them and we have a UPS there to give us upto 2 hours of backup power. But how do I deal with a Gmail failure? Especially since I depend on it solely? Redundancy is a good way to have a failback system, they taught me in EMC. Maybe I should create an email account with another service provider and get Gmail to forward all incoming mails to that as well. Even then, only mails received will be forwarded. What's the guarantee that they will be received at all - if the servers are down? I'm still trying to think of a reliable fail-back system.<br /><br />In effect I've spent most of my waking hours today realizing just how dependent I am on Google. To top it all, I consider my dream job to be at Google and fantasize about all the great things that I would work on, the power (ie technology) that would lie at my disposable and how I could make an impact on millions of people I'll never meet but who will thank me for making some part of their lives easier. Wouldn't it be nice to turn this preoccupation into an occupation as well! Should I start working at Google, I wonder, could it get worse(!!??) than that? <smug grin><br /><br />Google, you fill me with both anxiety and admiration - I don't know how much of each, but in my mind they coexist for sure! Go Google! :DN. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11200793.post-58226189306401746712009-02-21T07:27:00.004+05:302009-02-21T07:44:10.231+05:30The Despicable Slumdog Millionaire<span style=";font-family:georgia;font-size:100%;" >Of late, I've participated in a lot of discussion about the movie Slumdog Millionaire. Most of the arguments go along the lines of "It doesn't portray India in a good light, so this is not what foreigners must see". I liked the movie - I like the manner in which 10 stories have been weaved together to make one good movie. In all honesty, I cannot entirely agree with or deny everything that's been shown in it. I was</span><span style="font-family:georgia;"> annoyed at the callousness of some statements : "This is India! ... This is America!" But in the end, my opinion is that "It's just another movie - so let it be."</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Here's something that's worth spending more time discussing... something that portrays India in bad light... something that I want no foreigner to see... for it is shameful. I received this article in a forwarded email and feel absolutely bound to share it. Don't despise the movie - it's these "Slumdog Millionaire" animals that are truly deserving of it.</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Read on... I quote...</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >A few of my friends and I were just paying our bills and coming out of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >our regular Friday night watering hole and dinner place in Rest House</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Road, just off Brigade Road, and most of the women in the company were</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >already standing outside. Some of us outside were smoking, people were</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >happy, there was laughter and jokes, as there were many other people</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >in the street, all coming out, satiated, in the closing hour of the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >various pubs and restaurants around.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Suddenly from up the street a massive SUV comes revving and speeding,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >hurtling down, and stops in a scream of brakes and swirling dust,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >millimeters away from this group of 4 women, barely missing one of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >their legs. A white Audi, imported, still under transfer, with the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >registration plate of KA-51 TR-2767. Some millionaire's toy thing,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >that in the wrong hands can kill.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Naturally the women are in shock. And quickly following the shock</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >comes indignation. These are self made women running their own</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >businesses, managing state responsibilities for global NGO firms,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >successful doctors. They are not used to being bullied. So they turn</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >around, instead of shrinking back in fear. They protest.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >And as soon as they turn around in protest, the car doors are flung</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >open, and a stream of 4-5 rabid men run out towards these women,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >screaming obscenities in Hindi and Kannada against women in general,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >fists flailing. Some of us who came in running at the sound of the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >screaming brakes now stand in the middle in defense of our women, and</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >then blows start raining down. One of the goons make a couple of calls</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >over the cellphone, and in seconds a stream of other equally rabid</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >goondas land up. They gun straight for the women, and everyone – a few</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >well-meaning bystanders, acquaintances who know us from the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >restaurant, basically everyone who tries to help the women – starts</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >getting thoroughly beaten up.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Women are kicked in the groin, punched in the stomach, slapped across</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >the face, grabbed everywhere, abused constantly. Men are smashed up</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >professionally, blows aimed at livers, groins, kidneys and nose. A</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >friend is hit repeatedly on the head by a stone until he passes out in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >a flood of blood.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >A plain-clothes policeman (Vittal Kumar) who saunters in late stands</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >by watching and urging people to stop, but doing absolutely nothing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >else. A 'cheetah' biker cop comes in, with our women pleading him to</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >stop this madness, but he refuses action, saying a police van will</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >come in soon and he cannot do anything. Everyone keeps getting</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >hammered. Relentlessly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >The carnage continues for over 20 minutes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Finally when the police van does come in it is this vandals who are</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >raging and ranting, claiming to be true "sons of the Kannadiga soil",</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >and we are positioned to be the villainous outsiders, bleeding,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >outraged. How do the cops believe them, especially seeing the bloody</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >faces of our men and the violated rage of our women, while they carry</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >nary a scratch on their bodies? Don't ask me! Yet, it is us who these</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >goondas urge the newly arrived law-keepers to arrest, and the police</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >promptly comply, and we are bundled into the van, some still being</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >beaten as we are pushed in. Some blessed relief from pain inside the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >police van at least, even if we are inside and the real goons outside,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >driving alongside in their spanking white Audi. The guy who was hit by</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >the stone is taken separately by the women to Mallya hospital.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Inside the police station at Cubbon Park it becomes clear that these</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >goons and the police know each other by their first names. The</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >policeman in charge (Thimmappa) initially refuses to even register any</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >complaint from me, on the purported grounds that I am not fluent in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Kannada and I have taken a few drinks (3 Kingfisher pints, to be</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >precise) over the evening. No, it doesn't matter that I didn't have my</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >car and was not driving, and no, it doesn't mater that the complaint</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >will be written in English. We watch them and the goons exchange</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >smiles and nods with our our bloodied and swelling eyes and realize in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >our pain-clouded still-in-shock brains the extent of truth in the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >claim of one of the main goons when he claimed earlier in the evening</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >in virulent aggression: we own this town, this car belongs to an MLA,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >we will see how you return to this street!!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >This was the turning point of the saga, I guess. For we refused to lie</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >down quietly and be victims.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >One of our girls, a vintage and proud Bangalorean who is running one</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >of the town's most successful organic farming initiatives, took upon</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >herself to write the complaint, when I was not allowed to write the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >same. Another Bangalore girl, a state director of a global NGO firm,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >wrote the other molestation complaint separately on behalf of all the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >girls. Some of us called our friends in the media and corporate world.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Everyone stepped up. And even when the odds were down and we were out,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >we did not give up, and as a singular body of violated citizens we</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >spoke in one voice of courage and indomitable spirit. That voice had</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >no limitation of language, not Kannada, nor English, or Hindi. It was</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >the voice of human spirit that cannot be broken.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >And in the face of that spirit, for the first time, we saw the ugly</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >visage of vandalism, hiding behind the thin and inadequate veil of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >political corrupt power, narrow-vision regionalism and self-serving</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >morality, start to wilt.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >We spent 6 hours next day in the police station. The sub-inspector of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >police who filed our FIR, Ajay R M, seemed a breath of fresh air</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >inasmuch that he did not appear a-priori biased like others, even</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >though the hand of corruption and politico-criminal power backing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >these goons was still manifest in many ways: a starched, white-linen</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >power-broker walked in handing over his card to the sub-inspector in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >support of the goons; the goons got an audience with the Inspector</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >because of this intervention, while we had to interact one level lower</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >down in the hierarchy; the plains cloth policeman of last night, even</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >though he had arrived far too late in the crime scene, gave a warped</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >statement, passing it off as a "neutral" point of view, repeatedly</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >stressing that we came out of a pub and hence were drinking,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >positioning this as a 'drunken brawl', while completely forgetting to</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >mention the unprovoked attack against the women and the one-sided</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >vandalism and violence that ensued. I guess one cannot blame the low</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >ranked police officer – the criminal connections of these goons must</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >be pervasive enough for him to be careful.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Thanks however to the impartial handling of the situation by Ajay,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >soon the goons were all identified. The lead actor was one Ravi</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Mallaya (38), a real estate honcho and owner of a small property off</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Brigade Road which he has converted into a "gaming" (you know what</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >that means, don't you?) adda. The others identified are Mohan Basava</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >(22) of Chamarajapet 12th Cross, R. Vijay Kumar Ramalingaraju (25) and</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Shivu Rajashekar (20). All are residents of 12th & 13th Cross in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Vyalikaval. Their bravado and machismo were by that time evaporated.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >It was good to see their faces then.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Of course nothing much happened to them, nor did we expect it. They</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >were supposed to be in lock up for at least the weekend till they were</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >produced in court, but we understand that they were quickly released</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >on (anticipatory?) bail. The car, purportedly belonging to an MLA,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >also does not figure in the FIR, apparently for reasons of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >"irrelevance to the case".The media also have given us fantastic</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >coverage and support so far, strengthening the cause.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >The goons meanwhile, as an after thought, also filed the customary</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >reverse complaint on the morning after we filed our own complaint: the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >women have apparently scratched the car! (Why did they not file the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >complaint the same night, considering they came to the Police Station</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >in the same car? Why was the car allowed to be taken off police</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >custody? Why is the car still irrelevant to the case and not in the</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >FIR? Questions.. questions..).</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Is this the end of this saga? Probably not. Are these women, more</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >precious to us as friends and wives than most things in our lives,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >safe to walk or drive down Brigade Road from now on or are the goonda</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >elements, slighted by this arrest and disgrace, are lying in ambush,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >waiting, biding their time to cause some of us more grievous harm? We</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >don't know. Is there reason for us to remain apprehensive of future</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >attacks and victimization? Perhaps.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >But here is the point.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >We stood up.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >We believed in the power of individual citizens even in the face of</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >hooliganism, intolerance, corruption and power mongering. Even though</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >many of us have the option of leveraging political or government</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >connections, we deliberately chose to fight this battle as</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >individuals. Sure, these connections have been activated and they have</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >been kept informed, should the worst case scenario unfold tomorrow.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >But we have chosen to not leverage them. And in every small win we</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >register as a group of individual outraged citizens of Bangalore and</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >India, however insignificant these milestones may be in the larger</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >scheme of things, there is one small notch adding up in favor of what</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >is right, one small notch against what is wrong. And we believe that</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >every such small notch counts, each such mark is absolutely</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >invaluable.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >It is the people who make this city, this country, this world. It is</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >you and I, as much as the terrorists inside and outside. And in our</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >small insignificant little ways, it is my responsibility and yours to</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >not shirk from investing effort – not just lip service or any token</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >attempt, but real effort – in backing up what we ourselves believe in.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >It is so easy to logically argue that everything is corrupt, nothing</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >is worth it, there are so many risks involved. We must not fall trap</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >to this escapist trend. We must not fail to try.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Next time you feel outraged, violated, abused, don't let it go by and</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >add up to your list of litanies and complaints. Stand up and take it</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >to the limit - at least your own limit. Not in the same way as they</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >wrong you, but in the way that every citizen, at least in theory, is</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >entitled to complain and protest. Do not let the hooligans power rant</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >scare you or prompt you into submission. Do not allow the corrupt cop</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >make you give up trying. Carry the flame forward. Try harder.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >If are up to it, start right now.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Forward this note to everyone you want to be made aware of this. Post</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >it in your own blogs. Talk about it amongst your circles. And if</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >anyone of you should like to step forward with a word of empathy or</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >advise, talk to me. Comment.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >It is not Bangalore that is going to the dogs. It is us. We have far</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >too long become accustomed to let everything go. And the more we let</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >things go without any protest or fight, the dormant criminal and dark</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >elements of the society get that much more encouraged. Every time we</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >turn the other way, the hooligan next street gets incentivized to push</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >the boundary a little further, provoke a little more, try something a</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >little more atrocious. It is time for us to refuse to let this go on.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >We are responsible for making ourselves proud. Lets believe in</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >ourselves. We can do this.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >My name is Saugata Chatterjee. And I am standing up.I refuse to let</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >Bangalore go to the hooligan slumdogs, even if some of them are pets</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);font-family:times new roman;" >of corrupt power millionaires.</span>N. Madhavihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06044327093221382660noreply@blogger.com0