Avatar - an visual extravaganza

How about going for "Avatar" tonight, asked Prashanth. I was seeing the trailers everywhere and anyhow it was much anticipated movie.....Cameroon's only movie after Titanic**, spent 10 years in making, developed a new language for "Na'vi's" etc etc etc. Instantly I said "Yes" and then asked Giju, a real movie geek (We also call him "walking movie encyclopedia"), anyway knowing what his answer would be and also pulled in Vaibhav. We all set out to watch the movie in the stormy, cold weather and managed to get the tickets for IMAX 3D show in the Gandhi seat (second row). I was very much excited about wearing those special glasses again. Long long ago, I had watched "My Dear Kuttichathan"(Chota chethan in Hindi) with those special fancy glasses. It was India's first 3D movie.I still remember vividly going to the theater , grabbing one of those glasses from the basket near the entrance.....

Anyway, once the movie started, we were lost in "Pandora" and instantly associated with Na'vi's. It was an extraordinary visual extravaganza. Its indeed a new "Avatar" for movies and full paisa vasool movie. James Cameroon has raised the bar for Sci-fi moving making and the movie proudly stands for one man's vision, dreams and perseverance. You won't stop admiring at the new technology. And coming to the story line.....yes, it is a guessable story. But the way, its narrated, you feel , you are one among the Na'vi's and humans are aliens. One cannot stop asking the question, why we humans are so greedy? Why do we break the chain of life? The interdependence of different species, their networking is so well pictured. Most I liked was creation of "bonding" between Na'vi's and different animals, tree roots etc. This is the first time I have ever seen using that concept. Wish I could also live in Pandora, go and touch the "tree of souls", talk to our ancestors, fly on "Ikran"......

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**Its funny how we acquire new interests. Before coming to Rotterdam, 4 years ago, Titanic was the only second English movie I had watched....I was a total illiterate when came to English movies, actors, directors etc. Never had imagined that, one day I would develop an interest and craving to watch and enjoy them. Well, lot of water has flown under the bridge and today I am even writing a post about a english movie in the blog :)

Sinterklaas

December 5^th, the Dutch celebrate the birthday of their friend from Spain, Sinterklaas (Sint Nicolaas). He comes from Spain with Zwarte Piet (Black Peter), brings gifts for children, adults go back to their early days lingering upon their childhood memories. There is festivity everywhere…..

Traditionally night before 5^th December, children keep their shoes near chimneys filled with some horse food anticipating to get their wished gift(s) from Sinterklaas who rides his horse over the rooftops and eavesdrops at the chimneys. Black Peter even enters homes through chimneys at night and takes the horse’s food from the shoes and exchange it for candy and other treats. Sinterklaas knows everything, so the children generally this time of the year behave well to get some good reward from Sinterklaas !!! When all these are happening, you can imagine children’s excitement. The next day morning, they run to their shoes to find their much-anticipated treasure!!!

According to tradition, especially the presents for adults, are nicely wrapped, and accompanied by a poem or rhyme in which the recipient of the gift is ‘roasted’. This in many cases is the icing on the event’s cake. Generally in families and also in the work place, they have a lottery system. Whose ever name you get, you have to write a poem/rhyme on him , signed as 'Sinterklaas' along with bringing him some nice present (you can also point our his/her shortcomings in a humorous way.....) and believe me the Dutch are terrific in writing rhymes, they are so quick and good at it!!!. (I too wish to take this tradition to India when I get back.)

Not being able to celebrate Sinterklaas last two years, and infected with festivity everywhere, this year I too wanted to gift all my lab colleagues. And I pretty much succeeded in writing rhymes for two people also….to my boss and a dear friend.

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My first ever rhymes in English

they are so childish

hope they are not borish

but definitely they are girlish :)

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(On Dies)

Elain calls him Romeo
Marisha calls him Comeo
For Labie’s he is the Supremo
He is the Schwann cell Hero

He is a passionate bio teacher
Who is also an avid reader
But, for microscope mis-user
He is a big terror!!!

He is sexy, but he likes spicy
For results he is thirsty,
though that doesn’t make him nerdy.
With cookies he keeps us happy.

At Erasmus he is “Onderzoeker”
For many he is an inspirer
He is Prof. Dies Meijer!!!
Guess what, Sinterklass brings him treasure

(Elain and Marisha are his wife and daughter, 'Labies' are lab members, ‘onderzoeker‘is researcher,in English, he has got sexiest group leader award in a cultural programme here)

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(On Martine)

She is sweet,
She is elegant
She is near
She is dear

She is a terrific mouse breeder
But also a patient listener
For fresher’s a warm welcomer
Ends up as a bench sharer

With red she looks so good
Talking with Niels she goes so high mood!!!
Always enjoyed her motherhood
Goes on bike to her neighborhood

She does lot of genotyping
though at times it is irritating
Her mornings are for driving
Which leaves her sleep craving
But She remains ever charming!!!
This is Sinterklass presenting…..

(Niels is her partner, everyday morning at 5 she takes her swimming champion son for swimming, bike means cycle here)

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In my first year, my labmate had presented me with a chocolate and a poem. Infact I was very moved with it. It was my first winter in Holland, it was wet, windy and cold, but this nice gesture filled me with so much of pleasure. This is the poem.

Dear Noorie,

Holland is wet and cold,

And still you came here, which I think is very bold,

All new things around you,

Of which you not knew,

Dutch food is not too hot,

So you don’t eat that a lot,

I brought you a gift,

So unwrap it now swift,

And see what I got you this year,

Hope you will enjoy it, my dear.

Groeten

Sint en Piet

Jai Jawaan, Jai kisan

Jai Jawaan, Jai kisan.... remember this??? A famous slogan by our late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shashtri. What brought me to recall this slogan? Well, the story goes as follows.

In my short visit to India a month back, I got a lucky chance to pay yet another extremely short visit to a village by name "Kanakamajalu". It is situated in greenery filled Sullia taluk of South Kanara district of Karnataka. One day when I was just browsing through a local newspaper, one small news article captured my attention - "Kala gramavaagi kanakamajalu" (literal translation means kanakamajalu as art village). It was an event wherein the whole village was converted as an outdoor canvas or art gallery. The school compound, trees, house walls etc all these turn as a canvas for the artists and the artistes generally make use of locally available materials (even waste materials like plastic) to create the art. Many years back (I think in 1993), Sonangeri, yet another small village from the same taluk was shot to fame by hosting art event like this. I still remember reading about it and vividly remember the artwork, wishing to go there. Well, this is around 16 years back and I hadn't got to visit Sonangeri that time. But now, I was residing very near to Kanakamajalu and I didn't want to miss yet another chance. Luckily, annadevru (Srivatsa) offered to drive us to the village. There we were wondering where to start and whom to ask (the event was already over). Again, as luck by chance, we met one of Mr.Lakshminarayana, one of the organizer and state youth award winner. He was happy to show around the art pieces. The event was organized by "kanakamajlu yuvaka mandala" (youth organization). I thoroughly enjoyed watching them, hearing to the theme or idea behind that art….

More than anything, I felt like saluting the members of that youth organization. Most of them are farmers and also either work elsewhere or study. Everyday they have to manage the daily chores in their farms, yet still have the enthusiasm and zeal to arrange and participate in such events. And this is not their first. In the past, they have actively organized movie shows, sports, vanamahostav etc etc. Such events not only bring together the people, but also create awareness and help to invent new talents. These youth organizations, women self help groups (SHG’s) have always amazed me. Will write about the SHG’s I have come across sometimes in future posts. Their works and contributions to the building of the society are just commendable.

"Jai jawaan, jai kisan" (jawaan here refers to young people).

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When I googled "kanakamajlu" I got pleasantly surprised to see a blog dedicated to this youth organization. Not even in my dreams, I had imagined to see a blog dedicated to one youth organization of a remote village (No offense here…). I was soooooooo wrong. Life is full of surprises. So, for more pictures, visit the below site.

http://yuvakanakamajalu.blogspot.com/

Our heroes

Last week, mind was depressed. Just recalling how the killers went on death havoc in railway station and even in hospital, watching Fareed Zakaria show in CNN where the recorded voice of the terrorist leader was telecasted, had left me in a bizarre state. Then posted the question in the blog "Where is the end or where is the new beginning"?

Is it true that when one door closes, several other doors open...or saying like "there is light at the end of the tunnel". Atleast i felt so.
Just the next day of sad anniversary of 26/11, CNN heros of 2009 were awarded with a memento and cash prize to continue their social work. It was absolutely moving and awe inspiring to watch that programme. Here there were bunch of people, just ordinary common people who had brought "change" in thousands of lives. Its worthwhile to go through their stories. Anyone interested read "CNN heroes".

At the end of the programme Carrie Underwood swept the audience through her inspirational song "Change". This song, about fools who believe they can change the world, was so fitting. Her performance was absolutely amazing. That's what heroes are all about. They are people who, in the face of hopelessness, have hope and give hope.
As one of the awardee said, world is so full heroes....

A gene for "peace"

Where is the end? or I would like to ask when can we start a new beginning again? Mumbai massacre, more than 150 dead. It is just not an number...It is the number of families destroyed, multiples of 150 = children orphaned. What do these terrorists get by going for this killing spree? By making these families and children's life living hell, do they really go to heaven (as promised by the terrorist trainers....). Come on, can't we just live peacefully respecting the differences in religions, culture, etc. After all we have only one life.
Sometimes I get this sci-fi idea. We should artificially synthesize a gene which encodes "peace" and infect the whole mankind with this "peace" using some biological weapon. Is it possible to live and let live in harmony? Wish, it happens in my life time.....

Excited and enthralled !!!

Never has been a week so full of surprises, accomplishment and excitement !!!. The week started with a result, which our lab was waiting for already years.......Shortly later, came the news of Nobel prize for Physiology and medicine going to Elizabeth and Carol along with Jack. They got the award for discovery of telomeres, the caps of the chromosomes and the enzyme telomerase. I am quite new to molecular biology….. Even though earlier I was always eager to know who and why they received the Nobel award, I failed to really understand and appreciate the significance of their discovery. To be honest, I didn’t know much about Telomeres and Telomerase before. Reading about them, how their understanding is helping the modern day biologists and medics, it was breath taking for me. Carol Greider was a graduate student that time with Elizabeth Blackburn !!!. Me, still a graduate student got definitely inspired by her…..

One more day passed by with some interesting observations in the lab and the next day (7^th October), I was just checking if already the Nobel Prize for chemistry is announced. I was dumbstruck when I saw some familiar Indian name……Venkataraman Ramakrishnan alias Venky Ramakrishnan. Wow wow, barely containing excitement I shouted to my boss, “one Indian scientist has been awarded with Nobel award”. Leaving him to check the details, I ran to the lab , jumping with joy to announce the news. Well, I know nothing about structural biology, but just appreciate the colorful structures which comes on screen in 3D J , but his and his co awardees work has helped the mankind to understand how antibiotics really function.

7^th October, may be I should record this day in my diary…..My results were confirmed again and one after the other, I was getting some small, but interesting results in one single day. The whole day was soooooooooo memorable and exciting.

Then I was off to Luxembourg, a tiny and charming country, so full of greenery and spectacular views. After spending the day in Luxembourg city, went to Echternach village, to try out some biking and enjoy the fresh air, rocky structures along the Mullerthal walking trail. Almost the end of the day as well as, end of the week, took out the mobile to keep aside……There was the last surprise of the week !!!. SMS from a dear friend, stating Noble peace prize to Barack Obama !!!. Couldn’t really believe it. I am sure he was not the front-runner and I guess, he hadn’t even guessed about the award. Its not only an honour, but also a burden to Obama. I wouldn’t go deep into whether he deserved it or not….but really appreciate his initiative and attitude towards solving issues. In recent history, there is no one, who has inspired millions of people especially youngsters like him, across the religions, skin color and borders. Modern day problems need modern day solutions. A solution can be reached without going for war. Here is a leader who understands this. Like Farid Zakaria of GPS in CNN puts it, Noble prize has gone to a “Bold gambit” and all I can say is, with greater power and recognition, comes much greater responsibility and hope Obama’s vision for hope and change results in world peace.

• The Other thing I thoroughly enjoyed last week was reading Nobel laureates telephonic interviews. Some awardees give honest, some funny reasons behind venturing into that area of research. It is for sure also gives a lot of hope and inspiration for the young scientists. If anyone interested visit Nobel foundation's webpage, for wealth of information.

• It is also the year of celebration for women scientists and writers. Out of six Nobel prizes, four went to women. Nowhere in the history of Nobel awards that, so many women have received such distinguished honor in a single year !!! Kudos to all women scientists.
  

• Nobel awards are not without controversies. One of the biggest mistake being not giving the peace award to Mahatma Gandhi when he was alive, though nominated 5 times. May be that time, Nobel committee didn’t think that apart from Europeans and Americans, no one else deserves the prize (I am being ironic here). Nominations for 1948’s Nobel peace prize closed 2 days after Gandhi’s assassination. Nobel foundation regretting the mistake, didn’t award the peace prize that year, citing the reason of no suitable living candidate. However, this will always remain as a black mark on Noble peace prize due to human error, even though Nobel committee has officially regretted for it.

Google’s tribute to Gandhi !!!

Google creates special logo for special occasions like birthdays of famous people or some events. Today suddenly curiosity struck me to check if Google is commemorating “Gandhi Jayanthi” by changing its logo and I didn’t face disappoinment☺ .
I saw smiling bespectacled Gandhi thatha’s Google logo at www.google.co.in and www.google.nl, but surprisingly not at www.google.com…..

It is fun to see Google’s changing logo’s and admire the company for taking the risk of changing logos. Not all company’s have courage to change their brand logo….
While browsing Google logo's, I came across one blog by name "Google logo museum". The logos are classified by country, by theme etc etc.…. So far, India has one logo to its credit and Japan has eighttttttttttt. Among themes, Michael Jackson’s logo is high up the ladder !!!. For those who wish to explore the museum, here is the link,
http://google-logo-museum.blogspot.com/

The Forgotten past

Today I saw the news about death of Norman Borlaug, who is considered “Father of Green revolution” and was awarded Nobel Prize for world peace through increasing food productivity. He is so much associated with our recent past. As an agriculture university graduate, I had just read about him and his work, which was part of curriculum. Never tried to realize actual impact …..But now, I understand his contribution and how it has shaped our modern day world. Borlaug, is a scientist who led the world to a different direction by creating high yielding wheat varieties. His hypothesis was, by increasing the productivity of the land, we could decrease deforestation and keep the virgin land safe. Even though, later he received a lot of criticism for promoting exponential use of fertilizers, decreased soil health and farmer’s dependence on multinational companies, 40 years ago, he was the one who saved millions of people from dying out of starvation. Especially South Asia (India, Pakistan and China) benefitted to a great extent from his work.

Our generation has hardly seen and suffered “hunger”. But our parents’s generation has been a witness to wars, famine and hunger. Post Independence and post war, India was experiencing widespread famine and starvation, and literally living “ship-to-mouth” situation by depending on the tons of grains sent by US. Roti, Kapda aur Makaan was highest priority. There was widespread speculation that India would be divided into as many as 20 mini countries and it will become a failed state. Our population was growing at an alarming rate and food production was unable to meet the growing demand falling prey to Malthusian theory (prediction of widespread poverty and starvation if population grows at a much faster rate than food production). Sanjay Gandhi who believed in Malthusian economics, even went for forcible sterilization drive during emergency to curb the population growth !!!

During that dark period, it was Borlaug and MS Swaminathan (Father of Indian Green revolution), who made us self-sustainable in food production. During 1965, when war was on with Pakistan, Borlaug’s group even conducted field trials amidst artillery fires. That year our yield of wheat was higher than any of our previous harvests and we actually suffered shortage of jute bags, labors, bullock carts to carry the harvest and in some places they even had to temporarily convert schools to godowns J .

Borlaug speculated on his award that, when Nobel Peace Prize Committee selected him for the award for his contribution to the ‘green revolution”, they were in fact selecting an individual to symbolize the vital role of agriculture for world peace. How true !!! In a country, where more than 70% of population is involved in agriculture, the award is a tribute to agriculture and farmers.

'Mahatma Gandhi is my hero', says Obama

Guru, just sent this news item to me, writing "enjoy...both the heroes together for u ". And I couldn't resist myself to put this immediately in the blog for the others also to enjoy :)

It is published in 9th Sept issue of Hindustan Times.
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Lalit K Jha, Press Trust Of India

Washington, September 09, 2009

US President Barack Obama has said given a chance he would like to have dinner with Mahatma Gandhi, whom he considered a real hero.

Obama expressed his desire in response to a question from a student Lilly during his discussion with 9th graders at Wakefield High School in Arlington Virginia where he accompanied with the Education Secretary gave a national speech welcoming students back to school.

Obama called for students to take responsibility and to learn from their failures so that they succeed in the end.

"Hi. I'm Lilly. And if you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?," Obama was asked by one of the students.

"Dinner with anyone dead or alive? Well, you know, dead or alive, that's a pretty big list," Obama responded amidst laughter. The next moment he was serious.

"You know, I think that it might be Gandhi, who is a real hero of mine," Obama said. "Now, it would probably be a really small meal because he didn't eat a lot," he said amidst laughter. But Mahatma Gandhi is someone who has inspired people across the world for the past several generations, he said.

Terming the iconic figure as the source of inspiration for many, Obama said "he (Mahatma Gandhi) is somebody whom I find a lot of inspiration in. He inspired Dr King (Martin Luther), so if it hadn't been for the non-violent movement in India, you might not have seen the same non-violent movement for civil rights here in the United States." said.

Thank you, Dear Teachers

Its Teachers day in India. I am sure, in every Indian student, somehow this day would be itched in his/her memory. Teacher’s day memories are evergreen and even make me nostalgic. Until I entered into pre-university, Sept 5^th, was one of those days, which I really enjoyed every bit of it. Right from primary school education, until now, I have had some dedicated and inspiring teachers/mentors, who have left great impression on me and helped me evolve both personally and professionally.

In school days, we really looked forward for teachers’ day, (It was the day to impress your beloved teacher too…...). I used to plead with my mother to give me some rupees, so that I can buy rose for my teachers. We students used to plan already weeks before, how to prepare the greeting cards, who makes the embroidery on it, who writes the poems etc. The day previous to the Teachers’ day, we spent hours decorating the blackboards and staff room. Preparation for those skits, dances ,games and thanks giving speeches for teachers, was just so much of fun. (In every school, there are few teachers who are favorite of all the students. So there was a hidden fight in between the students too, to give rose and gifts to her in person:)

I was very much dependent on my teachers for lessons and as well for moral support during my tween to teenage period. They not only taught (and also punished for being a trouble maker in the class:) ,but instilled hope, dreams and confidence in me. Be it be developing passion for Kannada literature or science or venturing into different activities, like Trekking, photography, journalism etc etc, they encouraged me in everything. They may not be aware of their influence on me, but as I look back, my heart gets filled with admiration and thankfulness for them.

So, my dear teachers and mentors, thank you very much. Your timely help , encouragement and influence on me is everlasting.

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"Maatru devo bhava, Pithru devo bhava, Guru devo bhava"

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires." - William Arthur Ward (Literally holds good for our great ex-president Dr.Kalam. His "Wings of fire" ,"Ignited minds" of thousands of students)

Some philosophy.............

An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Castor Semenya - Golden Girl

Caster Semenya, South Africa’s “Golden girl” is in big controversy now. She won gold medal in 800 meters middle distance run in World Athletics championship being held in Berlin now. But more than being happy, she is more depressed and ashamed of the media glare. Reason, controversy regarding her sex. Ever since she clocked 1:56.72 (world record) at the African junior championships in Mauritius, she became the cenre of attention leading to lot of hues and cries. Now International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) wants to conduct gender test on her.

I wasn’t aware of any of this kind of a test, until I saw news clipping about her in CNN a few days ago. Later as I went on reading about gender tests, causes and the complications, no full proof method available to ascertain one ambiguous person as either female or male, I was baffled. What a complicated biological system we have. Itseems, it is very difficult to classify one as female or male!!!. Very ironical, isn’t it? but , it’s true. Generally the gender tests include gynecologists, endocrinologists, psychologists and internal medicine specialists etc. In theory who ever has 43XX chromosomes, she is female and one with 43XY is male. But neither it is that simple nor it is black and white. Almost every 1:1000 people have mixed genitals, many times so underdeveloped that, it is not even visible to ordinary eyes. Until and unless, these people enter into competitions where single sex is participated, or goto doctor for some serious issues, they just go unnoticed. Many have “Androgen insensitivity syndrome” (AIS) This condition includes the existence of a 'Y' chromosome in phenotypic females (typically only associated with a male genotype) and results in an inability to respond to Androgens (Testosterone - male hormone is a androgen). In some serious cases, this unresponsiveness leads to a female body without female internal sex organs. Although the body produces testosterone, it does not react to the hormone since Androgen receptor is mutated. Anyway these are the theories. What happens when these theories stand in front of us as living examples?

Caster Semenya’s results are due in few weeks or months. What will be the fate of her medal or even her future sports career (She is just 18 !!!). I think, failing gender test is worse than failing doping test. South African athletics authorities claim that, they have done all tests and there is no ambiguity of her sex and there is nothing unusual about her. I feel sorry for her. Growing up in an impoverished family, her only dream was to make it to the top in sports world. She and many thousands like her, are born with these conditions (deep voice, facial hair, masculine feature etc etc ). Most of the times, their condition is natural, not due to intake of any steroid. But still have to undergo this humiliating scrutiny throughout their life…..

In sports, one should be clearly a male or female. I completely understand that, if one is phenotypically female, but still has some male features, then it gives them a clear edge over other female competitors in the field. But what if one is transsexual / intersex and still interested in sports??? What about them? For handicaps, there is Paralympics, but for these people? Do we get to see another Olympics for them? Is world ready for it???
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Our own Santhi Soundarajan was stripped of a silver medal won at the 2006 Asian games since she failed in gender verification test. She even attempted suicide due to so much of societal pressure and humiliation in India. Later she gave up active sports and now is a coach in her sports academy mentoring the young aspirants.

Swine Flu information

A need of the hour information

For Mac users

A friend shared this link. One of the platforms where free software's are available for Mac Evangelicals. No offense please. But whoever coined this term for Mac crazies, this is the best word :)

http://web.mac.com/simon_elliott/simon_elliott%40mac.com/Software.html

Twinkle Twinkle desi style - Mind blowing :)

Sab dard ki dava "Twinkle Twinkle little star-desi style". Tan tana....
For viewers information, this appeared in a TV serial ( Kaasalavu Nesam by K.Balachander) few years ago. Styles used in the video

1. Tamil Carnatic Music,
2. Kannada /Telugu,
3. Malayalam (Kerala),
4. Punjabi Folk,
5. Bollywood Oldies

By any chance, if you have forgotten the lyrics, here it is.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Barack, you really rock !!!

Armstrong........(Tholbala wins ???)

Armstrong………..last couple of days, media was full of this name. Armstrong, does it ring a bell??? I knew of two Armstrongs, separately, but never tried to link them. I admired both of them. Guess who… Neils Armstrong and Lance Armstrong. One who walked for the first time on moon, on july 20th, 1969 and the other who won Tour de France – a cycle racing event for 7 consecutive years. One who inspired to look beyond the horizon and the other, inspired to look into the eyes of death and still win over it.

One ignited scientific spirit by saying “That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind” and the other stood as a symbol of human spirit and said, ““Anything is possible. You can be told that you have a 90-percent chance or a 50-percent chance or a 1-percent chance, but you have to believe, and you have to fight”.

We hear about amazing achievers all the time. Sometimes it’s funny and also delightful to recall when and where we heard of them for the first time. You come across Niels Armstrong in every textbook, so did I. But Lance Armstrong…. that I came across in my friends place. She had this book “It's Not About The Bike: My Journey Back To Life - by Lance Armstrong”. I heard about him, read about him, got inspired and later even gifted the book to my younger sister who is one another inspirational figure.

Lance was the National amateur cycling champion at the age of 20. His career was shining, looking bright, till one day, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, cutting his career and may be even life. But still he survived and won over death. But the road to victory has not been smooth, which makes his story all the more compelling. Cancer had spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. He underwent surgery for his brain tumours and had less than 50% chance of survival. But he came back like a Phoenix and won prestigious Tour de France for seven consecutive years from 1999-2005!!!. He is the only person to achieve it.

Even though he couldn’t win Tour de France this year, he continues to inspire many millions and me. His foundation (www.livestrong.org) unites, inspires and empowers the cancer-affected people. He declared himself not a cancer victim but a cancer survivor.

Bravo !!!

Hasna mana hai !!! (Forbidden to laugh !!!)

Collections of leave letters and applications for your use ☺
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1. Application for leave
"Since I have to go to my village to sell my land along with my wife, please sanction me one-week leave".

2. Another one
From an employee who was performing the "mundan" ceremony of his 10-year-old son:
"As I want to shave my son's head, please leave me for two days."

3. One more gem/ Leave-letter from an employee who was performing his daughter's wedding:
"As I am marrying my daughter, please grant a week's leave."

4. From an Administration dept:
"As my mother-in-law has expired and I am on Hack=y one responsible for it, please grant me 10 days leave."
"Since I have to go to the cremation ground at 10 o-clock and I may not return, please grant me half day casual leave"

6. One more leave letter
"I am suffering from fever, please declare one day holiday"

7. A leave letter to the headmaster:
"As I am “studying in this school I am suffering from headache. I request you to leave me today"

8. Another leave letter written to the headmaster:
"As my headache is paining, please grant me leave for the day."

9. Covering note:
"I am enclosed herewith...."

10. Another one:
"Dear Sir: with reference to the above, please refer to my below..."

11. Letter written for application of leave:
"My wife is suffering from sickness and as “I am her only husband at home I may be granted leave".

12. Letter writing:
"I am in well here and hope you are also in the same well."

13. A candidate's job application:
"This has reference to your advertisement calling for a ' Typist and an Accountant – Male or Female'...As I am both(!! )for the past several years and I can handle both with good experience, I am applying for the post.

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Kat Edmonson's music video

Beginning of change

“CHANGE” – a very common word, but its impact struck me for the first time few years back during our officers training in Administrative training institute, Mysore. As part of some motivational sessions, we were given to read and discuss modified version of the book “Who Moved My Cheese”? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life' written by Spencer Johnson. It is a very simple and funny story dealing with two mice and two little people in their quest for cheese. The entire story emphasizes the need for change, being ready for changes and taking quick decisions to change the current situation. Needless to say ,we were really enthralled and motivated reading that story !!!.
Later during the discussion, the moderator of session said the following quote of Mahatma Gandhi, which is truly phenomenal.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
Several years pass by. And now its history that Barack Obama ran and won the American presidency election on the slogan “change”. There is a lot of buzz about "change".
To add to the buzz, now here I go…….

Thanks for visiting my blog :)