Holi for India but not the humanity

I saw the markets perched up with colors and curious apparatus that are a kid's delight because these toys give them the power to spew colorful water on each other to commemorate what they might have no idea about. Saw eager shopkeepers, curious kids and cautious parents trying, testing, bargaining and buying toys and colors to celebrate the holy festival - Holi.

Witnessing all this was also a mind that was loud aware of latest crisis that has fell upon humanity. Japan's quake, tsunami and radiation. Civil war in Bahrain that happens to be my birth place also and still home to one of my cousins, The war of independence in  Libya and Cholera in Haiti. The Hiranyakashipu has already struck this time and Holika was too late to save Prahlada.

Amidst all these thoughts racing through my mind, I was also wondering if human civilization really shares the suffering across distances? Do we care more about Japan's situation than a mention of awe about the happening? Does being connected with rest of the world means only to be informed. Should it not also raise concern and pain?

My point here is not about acting upon the crisis and running out to help. Although that would be a noble thing to do. Donating and helping always is, but I behold a deep-felt sorrow for a troubled race above an act of donation and charity because latter might be a consequence of ego and pride rather than a sense of responsibility and concern.

I wonder how many of us would postpone the ideas of having fun because of sorrow and grief being shouldered by far away inhabitants of the same kind we are.

Do we really belong to one race? Of do we believe more in living in our own niche and rejoicing, feeling sad and acting about only what affects our own haven?

On a second thought, I think it would be inappropriate to gauge the concern of people participating in the above hustle about the crisis human race is facing from mere participation in shopping for the festival. The shopkeeper might be (or have to) sell for bread for his kids, the parent want the kids to be happy and the kids are still too innocent to be concerned.

[Just a stream of thoughts]

One down, five to go

Exams they are! It has been almost two decades that I have been appearing in exams now.

One sec...! Did I mention decades to refer to a time span in my life? Damn! What do you call a person who measures his age in decades? Forget it...I'm still a student :-)

Back to the point, examinations always turn on the same cycle of thoughts. Am I prepared? Will I finish on time? Am I nervous?

To say honestly I feel no different that a 5th grader going for the exams. Some nervousness, doubt about preparation, double check stationary, loss of appetite and all are still the same :-) and in some way they are good too for if you care the least, you might end up too confident and when that happens, bad things happen.

Busy month ahead and a visit to this page tends to refresh me a bit. Going to get freshen up and get back to business with my books till sleep-does-us-apart.

You take care. Bye

The headlight leveling device - 1

Hi there again!

I mentioned a headlight leveling device that I plan to build (or fail on it) for my bike. Overall I am looking for some DIY fun. (Look for other posts with the labels in this post)

Till now I know that this apparatus is going to be a contraption of some electronics, limit switches, reduction motor, worm-gear and wiring. And also that it has to be housed in a water tight enclosure. So, it left me wondering how I will construct a container for such an arrangement. Because the components have to be precise, I needed some very finely built container that can house all the components and also allow them to operate (adjust the headlight up and down).

Acrylic sheets was the first option. But where to find them. Maybe some glazier has them. I could have also used aluminum sheet but working on that might be a bit tough with the tools I have got. So acrylic was the way.

Now there comes another need to cut it in precise shapes and that too in correct alignment. Don't think it is just a box that will be needed. Although I have not drawn anything out yet on paper, I can imagine that there will be holes, slides, locks etc to hold various components in place in the assembly. Quite interesting!

The moment of discovery was when I went to get my car's acrylic number plate fixed. I saw that they can cut quite precise shapes and pretty small fonts out of a 5-10 mm acrylic sheet!

"Cool", I thought and asked the owner that if I get them an engineering drawing sort of image, can they cut that out of one of those sheets?

He said, "why not"?

So there we are! All I have to do is get a drawing of each component that makes up the whole housing of the leveling device and get them cut out from them. I may have to file or sand or even get some redone but there is a very good possibility that I can get any kind of contraption cut out of my choice of acrylic sheet and then screw them together in shape. Although nothing is on paper yet, this, I would say is the R&D phase. :-)

Stay tuned!

Got my copy of 'Pages of Life'

The Pages of Life is a publication, a collection of poems authored by an emerging literary personality, Amritbir Kaur who happens to be an online friend of mine as well. Lucky me!

A review of the publication was also published in The Sunday Tribune on 27th Feb. Read it here.

Now it sounds a  bit odd for a Software Engineer to read an anthology of poems. I have never been good at comprehending poetry of this level of maturity and depth. Twinkling little stars, and falling London Bridge is another matter altogether. :-)

I think it will be a great experience trying to relate to the thoughts of a poetess so accomplished in her field. Let us see if I am able to gain some fruit in this garden of deep rooted thoughts.

Should let the steam off. But can't!

Hi there!
These are one of those days when 24 hours in a day and 60 mins in an hour seem just too less. There is so much to do in the next month that I am already feeling overwhelmed. Now that is not work related. That, I am already used to. It is what comes after the final bell rings at the office that the ordeal begins.

Reason? Self assigned goals, some related to academics and others related to just upgrading myself for the career goals. Why do the guyz at Redmond keep on inventing??

Some unhealthy tendons, owing to my participation in recent sports is restricting me from the lovely evening jogs also add to the steam. Another favorite stress buster gone. Gym is also on hold for a while to save time for other more important things. So how to let the steam off? Maybe meditation.

However, it is not going to last more than a month and then I shall be off to a relieving routine..sighhhhh. Till then I need to keep my nerves together and focus!

Ciao guyz , got to study!
Good night