I can’t start my day without it. If I do, I am mostly grumpy and irritable and it’s best to avoid me then. Rarely do I refuse an offer to have it. I can entertain it in the middle of summer afternoons and as well as at midnights. And what I am going to claim now is debatable, but if it was not for tea, probably I would have been single even now. I guess it was a common affinity for tea and “adda” that created countless hours of idle conversations which I suppose is the best way to become familiar with someone, familiar enough to want to get married to that person. Tea is something I am very fond of and this is not a secret among my friends. What is unknown though is the intensity of my indulgence towards tea and the importance it wields in my life. As bachelors, friends often talk about the qualities they hope to see in their future spouse and some of the expectations they have. And it may sound incredible, but I had a criterion that she should be able to get up before me and keep the morning tea ready. Well, God had other plans. He has an amazing sense of humor.
Making tea is an art which needs to be mastered. It needs relentless practice and dedication. And should always be done with lots of laaaaav. If made in an offhand fashion, the aura associated with the whole ceremony of having tea is compromised. It’s not just the sipping part which consummates the tea-drinking experience but also the events leading to it and the subsequent arrangements that are planned for future. No tea drinking session is complete without a promise of the next one. And I know that I am not an isolated case of Tea aficionados. You should check out an essay entitled “A nice cup of tea” by one of my favorite authors, George Orwell. http://www.netcharles.com/orwell/essays/nicecupoftea.htm . There are hardliners who have given statements like “If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty” and “Tea is liquid wisdom”. My favorite is “The first sip of tea is the always the best... you cringe as it burns the back of your throat, knowing you just had the hottest carpe-diem portion - Terri Guillemets”. Seriously, Carpe-Diem (Seize the Day) is writ large on the first cup of tea. Like a magic potion.
The influence of Tea transcends common households and individuals like us. It can be traced to Boston Tea Party movement in 1773 as well as in the efforts of British rulers to have huge plantations in India and Ceylon replacing food crops which brought the irk of the natives. Of late, the Tea Party movement endorsed by likes of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin has captured the attention of millions of Americans. At least, there is something which we agree upon, even if it is “just” a cup of tea. Well, that is an ample testimony to the clout Tea holds in our life.
I would like to conclude by saying that Tea is also used by many as a test of character. I have known a lot of people over a cup of tea and formed opinion about them based on their treatment of the subtleties associated with a cup of tea. And I am not alone in this practice. In words of a former first lady of USA, “A woman is like a tea bag, you cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water - Nancy Reagan”
So long,
Anand
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Saraswati Puja at Columbus
A myriad of thoughts cross my mind when I sit back and think about the last three Saraswati Pujas at The Ohio State University (OSU). What started as a trickle is now a very elegantly flowing stream. Accolades to a handful of students who started this nice tradition. Reminds me of an Urdu shayari, which I dedicate to them,
Main akela hi chala tha, jaani-be manzil ki taraf.
Log aate gaye aur karwa banta gaya.
The first one, February 2008 Puja came as a whiff of warm breeze in the cold of the winter. I have only a second hand account of details that went in the preparations of the first version. But considering the large number of Bengalis that were involved, I can only imagine how tumultuous it would have been. I was invited to the event by a very beautiful girl with whom I fell in love with as time went by. And with whom I am going to spend the rest of my life. I have to say, there is something about Vasant Panchami that lends an amorous disposition in the air which is irresistible at times.
Of the many memories from 2008, a few remain crystal clear. Girls in beautiful sarees and salwaar-kameez. The Puja place at 1451-F and the sea of fruits and Prasadams around the Goddess. A roomful of friends. Hushed silence during Puja. The cacophony afterwards. And a nice beam of winter sun cascading through the window and creating a surreal aura that made the environment so memorable. The “core committee” had also organized a simple lunch at 1550-A. Khichdee and Aalu Choka. May be there was "paapod" and “dohi” as some would pronounce.
A few more observations, of personal nature, could not escape the notice of some of us who are more keen students of chemistry between two individuals about to fall in love or about to get the disappointment of their life. Some relationships were being endorsed (sic), others were being conceived, some in inception stage while some were being nipped in the bud. In words of Walter Scott "Oh, what a tangled web we weave". These sensitive matters are better left half insinuated, for the truth is very acerbic sometimes and often stranger than fiction. (Don’t go by my guileless looks. I am BAD if I choose to be.)
Fast forward to 2009. I was not in the decision making body but did a hell lot of cooking. Desire for proximity to “close” friend(s) can make you do wonders. I am sure you know what I mean. It was another successful Puja. Lots of exotic cooking and more people. Puja was again at 1451-F but I think food was served at 1466-E. My mango lassi was a big hit. With growing size, practical obstacles (read human ego) had to come in play. The person, who single-handedly guided and made khichdi for everyone the previous year, suddenly got very busy with research. And this year, (he/she/it) got so busy that (he/she/it) had no time to read innocuous emails and wanted to be taken out of email list. You don’t expect this from 40 years olds. It’s funny what people can do to get some attention. Vanity rules, man. I am sure the girls in particular will agree. Satya bachan, kuon?
One incident which became the conversation of the year stands out. It is the ultimate story of human frustaapaa. A certain gentleman (lets call him Mr X or Mr F-X, where F denotes frust) showed up at Puja place three hours before the event and started throwing impertinent glances at the very feminine inmates of the house. Other “mature” male members had left the girls at the mercy of a stranger. Forgive my incompetence in coming up with a better phrase for the imprudence shown by that very ungentlemanly gentleman. But the only one which keeps coming to me is “If eyes could x-ray scan?" Boy, I can only wonder what the scene there would have been. Months later, a girl very innocently asked me “Anand- Ek baat poochoon? Kya Mr F-X ladki ke liye bahut despo hai?” I cannot help cracking up badly even now, thinking about that incident. Bechara. Badnaam ho gaya hai. Mithun da ne ek movie banayee thee – Muzrim. Uska ek gaana yaad aa gaya. “Muzrim naa kehna, mujhe logon. Muzrim to saara Zamana hai. Jo pakda gaya wo chor hai ( read despo hai) , jo bach gaya wo khidali hai”. Ha ha ha. If only I was free to divulge about other despos in campus, far worse than Mr F-X.
Finally, after two years as guest and grass-root worker, in 2010 I was given the privilege of being in the “core committee”, perhaps as an oversight, may be as a diversity candidate. Only time will reveal it. The event is being hijacked by Bengalis. But they are doing a good job. In retrospect, being part of “polit-buro” ( as articulated by a budding member) was a bad idea. It gave me financial trauma when the audit was done. Not to talk of the “immense” emotional and physical trauma during the course of planning and execution [ ref needed ;-) ]. But I enjoyed it. And felt like I was continuing the legacy which may become OSU folklore in the years to come. This one was a huge one. And kudos to all the people involved. Salaam. Salute to your enthusiasm and desire to rise above personal egos/bickerings/faux-pas/jealousy/stubbornness/lethargy and make it happen in such an awesome way. Will dedicate a separate blog for the 2010 version. I will have lots of words of praise for the “show”. And of course, I will criticize a few things. And make some recommendations so that ye Prampara jari rahei. Patta nahin kuon, suddenly abhi Mohabbatein ka Amitabh yaad gaya? Ab Amitabh yaad aaya to Shahruk kehan se door hoga,
“M m m m Maaf kijiyega Sir, jehan se main dhek reha hoon, ….”
So long, Anand
Monday, January 11, 2010
Research and how it has shaped our life.
How many times have you looked around you and wondered how much science and technology has changed the life around you? It has become such a clichéd question and doesn’t get the attention it deserves. Imagine your life without mobile phones, aero planes, electricity and internet and things fall in perspective. Really, they do. Don’t they?
Every time I make my trip to India, almost 16 hours of flying time from US, I never fail to appreciate the great piece of innovation that Wright brothers gave us. And it would be so naïve to thank just the two of them. When the captain is making the announcements, have you taken note of the outside temperature? Mere thought of a - 40 oC temperature just inches outside my seat makes me go paranoid with all kind of scary thoughts. I guess you have gone through a similar feeling and have silently, maybe subconsciously, thanked the scientists and engineers who have made flying possible for you. What a piece of work an aero plane is?
One question I often ask people is “Which technology do you think has changed life the most in your time?” Without doubt, for our times, I think it’s the wireless technology. It would be an understatement if I said that I am fascinated by the change wireless technology has brought to our life. From the time (1877) when Edison uttered the word “Mary had a little lamb” in his mouth piece to the time when Neil Armstrong’s “A giant leap for mankind” (1969) from moon, it has been one hell of a ride for the communication science and technology. Communication technology made tremendous strides during this period but it was only in our generation that it became affordable to the masses. There was a paradigm shift in the efforts made by the business class to bring the technologies available in labs and universities to our households and to our finger tips. And it’s working.
In my opinion, the hallmark of a good technology is the impact it has on our quality of life. And the hallmark of a great business idea is to make this available to us at affordable prices. This brings me to the next question. What technology would that be? What is the technology-business liaison, if successful, is going have the highest impact on our livesto be the future? I am a great admirer of the way research has changed our life and probably that is the reason I am in research. However, sometimes we get so engrossed in our research that we lose the bigger picture and this is when nihilism sets in. As a trained engineer and an individual who calls himself a researcher, a question that keeps popping up in my mind is " What are the next life and lifestyle changing technologies that are going to change the way this world of ours operate? " We all know that this can not be answered in few lines. So, please wait for my next post on this. I can assure you that I have given it a lot of thought and we may agree on what I have to say. If not feel free to comment. As a preemptive measure, you can also make suggestions if you like ;-)
So long,
Anand Srivastava.
Monday, November 23, 2009
The first "subway" experience
As a person fresh in USA, remember the first time you had to go to Subwayand order the sandwich. The time when you came to know that sandwiches come in forms which are different than two breads on top of each other with omellete in between them. The number of excruciating choices that you had in front of you and the turmoil of communicating those choices to the sandwich maker on other side in your very desi accent. I am talking about the phase in your american life when we still couldn't figure out the difference between 't' and 'd'. If you still haven't been, its "teehhhh" and "deeeee". It has worked for me so far. My full name used to be "Anand Srivasdava" before I learned this nuance. This point is important because if you don't pay attention, tomato is heard as "domado" and lettuce becomes leddus or laytoos when it should be lechusss. Sure way to get stuck at the first step of your veggie selection. For sometime, I didn't try lettuce or any other phonetically controversial items. Kyu-Kyu-mmm-ber comes to mind. It used to be coocoo-m-ber for me. (By the way, if kheera is cucumber then what is the english of kakkdee. Anyone?)
Any ways, as you all know, this arduous charade of getting your sub starts from selection of kind of bread and ends with the question "any drinks or chips" to which the most standard desi reply is "can I have a glass for water please?". By the time its over, a sense of achievement dawns especially if you didn't have to repeat your choices and you didn't confuse alipino's with pickles and olives. One of my friends had found the easiest way out. Everything. He used to say "everything" and smile at me. The stud types smile which said "Easy does it". But I begged to differ with him. Subway is the gateway to the american food world. The "cornerstone" of american lunch. (ref: pulp fiction ). Its the school-yard where you learn to exercise your freedom and choices on the kind of food that you want to consume. Choosing the phonetically least troublesome option is like giving up on the sea of "gourmet" choices that americanfood industry provides. If you want to enjoy the God forsaken american food, you have to learn the ropes. I know there will be times when you will say "northwest" when you meant "southwest". But you are not being fair to the money you are spending if "sour-creame" is your choice everytime you are given a choice between "sour-creame" and "Guacamole". Seriously, english is a funny language. And subway experience teaches you a lot about the need to practice the age old axiom "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". After all, satisfaction of hunger is the most primal of needs.
Any ways, as you all know, this arduous charade of getting your sub starts from selection of kind of bread and ends with the question "any drinks or chips" to which the most standard desi reply is "can I have a glass for water please?". By the time its over, a sense of achievement dawns especially if you didn't have to repeat your choices and you didn't confuse alipino's with pickles and olives. One of my friends had found the easiest way out. Everything. He used to say "everything" and smile at me. The stud types smile which said "Easy does it". But I begged to differ with him. Subway is the gateway to the american food world. The "cornerstone" of american lunch. (ref: pulp fiction ). Its the school-yard where you learn to exercise your freedom and choices on the kind of food that you want to consume. Choosing the phonetically least troublesome option is like giving up on the sea of "gourmet" choices that americanfood industry provides. If you want to enjoy the God forsaken american food, you have to learn the ropes. I know there will be times when you will say "northwest" when you meant "southwest". But you are not being fair to the money you are spending if "sour-creame" is your choice everytime you are given a choice between "sour-creame" and "Guacamole". Seriously, english is a funny language. And subway experience teaches you a lot about the need to practice the age old axiom "When in Rome, do as the Romans do". After all, satisfaction of hunger is the most primal of needs.
Friday, November 20, 2009
christmas of 2006
It’s NOT the Kill; it’s the Thrill of the Chase. And what a thrill we had in that momentous four days, Christmas of 2006. Night outs became a norm, sleeping was a sin, gambling and trying to get lucky with girls on the streets of Vegas became regular chores and poker was our religion for those three nights. If there was nothing to do, then we drove around like zombies. Even the bedouins of Sahara would have been overwhelmed by our vagabond attitude. Amlan (the Pimp), Anas (the Nice Guy, surprisingly), Suhodh (the Daddy) and me. We made an awesome foursome. While three of us incessantly talked and reminisced the good ole days of college and indulged in every whim we could possibly think, the Daddy used his ass to do all the talking, farting his way to glory, soiling every nook and corner of that Pontiac we rented.
Salt Lake City (SLC). That’s where we were supposed to spend this long weekend, supposedly skiing and relaxing in some idyllic surroundings, kind of a retreat from the “grueling” ( read boring) year that was 2006. A reunion of sort for Anas, Amlan and me, all from the Great IIT Kharagpur 2002 batch. The batch of Lallu-Patel fiasco, the batch with most election-time violence, the batch which threw shoes at random girls, the batch which made sure there was no more soap box in hostels, the batch which played hide and seek and that quintessial 29 in the main library as a part of community service punishment that was bestowed on us. With NO due respect to all past and future batches since 2002, The Best Damn Batch at KGP, the batch which Rocked.
Yes, Salt Lake City. I guess Amlan is doing something called PhD there, didn’t seem like it though. All the time, either he was driving us around or was found scratching his balls. If he was not doing either of these things, the former which we appreciated, the later we didn’t care about, he was involved in some random act of debauchery and lechery. This dude is God when it comes to hooking up. What a turn-around I have seen in him. A hardcore Baapee, who now knows French, and uses it with utmost panache, on the streets of Vegas, to get hugs and kisses from big breasted hot white damsels, what else you would call that guy? And think of it, he wrote JEE in Bengali!!!!
From Columbus, Ohio to SLC, Utah. Took me sixteen hours to reach. And no, I was not driving. Because of heavy snow, Denver airport was closed. All over the country, the flights were delayed ad-infinitum. I was stuck in Chicago for more than twelve hours. The lobbies were jam packed. Did all kind things to kill time. At one time, one member of opposite sex came over and complemented me on the book that I was reading ( Age of Reason, I guess) and like a true KGP “frust despo” junta, I saw this an opportunity to have sex and made some initial maneuvers but my advances were nipped right in the bud. Shouldn’t have tried actually, not when someone complements on a book like “Age of Reason”. Other than this, most of the other stuff that happened is not worth the mention, except probably the “State of Art” restroom which did almost everything except you know what, that voluntary pushhhh that has to come from you. I don’t want to gross everyone about it so let’s forget it for now.
... to be continued ... ( when Amlan got drunk and decided to gamble ... "hit me, hit me" episode with black jack game, and "Andy, you do the talking, you are better in negotiating ..." and much more ...)
Salt Lake City (SLC). That’s where we were supposed to spend this long weekend, supposedly skiing and relaxing in some idyllic surroundings, kind of a retreat from the “grueling” ( read boring) year that was 2006. A reunion of sort for Anas, Amlan and me, all from the Great IIT Kharagpur 2002 batch. The batch of Lallu-Patel fiasco, the batch with most election-time violence, the batch which threw shoes at random girls, the batch which made sure there was no more soap box in hostels, the batch which played hide and seek and that quintessial 29 in the main library as a part of community service punishment that was bestowed on us. With NO due respect to all past and future batches since 2002, The Best Damn Batch at KGP, the batch which Rocked.
Yes, Salt Lake City. I guess Amlan is doing something called PhD there, didn’t seem like it though. All the time, either he was driving us around or was found scratching his balls. If he was not doing either of these things, the former which we appreciated, the later we didn’t care about, he was involved in some random act of debauchery and lechery. This dude is God when it comes to hooking up. What a turn-around I have seen in him. A hardcore Baapee, who now knows French, and uses it with utmost panache, on the streets of Vegas, to get hugs and kisses from big breasted hot white damsels, what else you would call that guy? And think of it, he wrote JEE in Bengali!!!!
From Columbus, Ohio to SLC, Utah. Took me sixteen hours to reach. And no, I was not driving. Because of heavy snow, Denver airport was closed. All over the country, the flights were delayed ad-infinitum. I was stuck in Chicago for more than twelve hours. The lobbies were jam packed. Did all kind things to kill time. At one time, one member of opposite sex came over and complemented me on the book that I was reading ( Age of Reason, I guess) and like a true KGP “frust despo” junta, I saw this an opportunity to have sex and made some initial maneuvers but my advances were nipped right in the bud. Shouldn’t have tried actually, not when someone complements on a book like “Age of Reason”. Other than this, most of the other stuff that happened is not worth the mention, except probably the “State of Art” restroom which did almost everything except you know what, that voluntary pushhhh that has to come from you. I don’t want to gross everyone about it so let’s forget it for now.
... to be continued ... ( when Amlan got drunk and decided to gamble ... "hit me, hit me" episode with black jack game, and "Andy, you do the talking, you are better in negotiating ..." and much more ...)
Sunday, November 8, 2009
if you are considering academia after graduate studies ...
Note: This article was written by me for Indian Student Association (ISA) newsletter after interviewing a few distinguished professors ( of Indian origin) at The Ohio State University. It was a great personal experience talking with these old men. The article follows.
Looking at them, it’s hard to believe that once upon a time they were young students and apprentices, experiencing the same joys, excitements, pangs, aspirations and fears that all of us are going through right now. I had the privilege of interviewing a few of them and the experience has been nothing less than inspiring and surreal. These professors of Indian origin at The Ohio State University are beacon of knowledge and innovation and the truest ambassadors of the great cradle of knowledge that ever was, the ancient India.
They all come from diverse backgrounds, excelling in different areas, following different paths to success. But one common thread binds them all and that is the passion that they carry with them which is so conspicuous that sometimes it can be overwhelming. Nothing was laid out to them on a golden platter. All of them have made their mark with sheer hard work and faith in themselves. In the words of Prof Chandan Sen, Professor & Deputy Director at Departments of Surgery and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, “Any immigrant will have additional challenges but we have to learn to punctuate limitations with opportunities. Success is all about passion and research should not be done for a living.” Talking to them makes you realize the beauty of the “purpose driven life” and the bliss which comes from being an instrument of change in the life of students and society.
And it came as a pleasant surprise to learn that actually all of them just love to work with students and like the freshness and vivacity that new students bring. They were all very profuse in their welcome message to the new students and felt that OSU has one of the most comprehensive programs in the whole world. Due to its huge size, the diversity in terms of opportunities is phenomenal which should be made best use for all rounded development. According to Prof Somnath Ghosh, professor at Mechanical Engineering and Material Science and Engineering, “Graduate Students don’t understand that they are a vehicle of research in the US. They should be proud to be part of the continuous metamorphosis that they are bringing in through their research….”
While following their passion for research and innovations, the respect and goodwill that these professors have generated for the Indian community in the US is immeasurable and often goes unnoticed. And from the assessment of their work it is quite evident that they are indeed the agents of change, the prime movers in the society. Prof. D K. Panda, at the department of Computer Science and Engineering, lead the Network-Based Computing Research Group. The MVAPICH software developed by his group is powering several supercomputers around the world and is being used by more than 535 organizations world-wide in 35 countries to extract the potential of networking technologies for designing high-end computing systems and servers. Going against the conventional wisdom, Prof Somnath Ghosh, an International leader the field of multiple-scale computational modeling has developed the Voronoi Cell Finite Element Method (VCFEM) which now has a worldwide following. Prof Prabir Dutta is the chair of the chemistry department and is internationally renowned for his research in high temperature sensors, artificial photosynthesis and toxicity of nanoparticles. The impact of his research transcends from automotive exhausts and power plants to medicine and safety. Prof Sudhir Sastry, at the Department of Food and Agriculture, works in the novel methods of sterilization using the influence of electric field in biological substances. Periannan Kuppusamy, professor of internal medicine, who directs one of the biggest research groups at OSU, deals with detection and imaging of free radicals which has high impact in the design of anti-cancer/pro-cardiac drugs. His research shows promise in treating ovarian cancer through improved chemotherapy techniques. Dr Chandan Sen, a truly cosmopolitan researcher, who has worked in virtually every part of the world, is an authority in the area of Regenerative Medicine and at an early age of 40, serves in several leadership positions at OSU and is at the leading edge of research in physiology.
While tracking down their life, the most notable aspect that emerged was the diverse ways in which their career took shape. Firstly, not all of them knew that they would be in academia. Prof Dutta and Prof Cheena Srinivasan, chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department, worked at Exxon and Shell respectively for around half a decade before deciding to join academia. In the words of Prof Srinivasan, he “missed being in an environment where incessant learning is involved and which is replete with freshness and hope”. Prof Sen and Prof Ghosh always wanted to be in such an environment and chose to be academicians from the word go. Prof Sastry, who is a professor in Agriculture department, has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. No one can deny this when he says that “In contemporary research, boundaries are artificial, basic principals remain universal”. All this should be enough to convince us that there are no concrete rules to success and it’s a matter of following your heart to the hilt.
Besides education and research, some of these educators have also taken up leadership positions in other walks of life. Prof Dutta leads the state wise effort, (REEL), Research Experience to Enhance Learning with a $3.3 million grant from NSF trying to change 1st and 2nd yrs UG course. Prof Srinivasan, led an effort with help of other colleagues and alumni to raise more than $20million for the newly constructed Scott laboratory. In his words, “we find ourselves in a very unique position to participate in the changes that are taking place and we should make the best out of it”.
From research and education to holding leadership positions and serving on editorial and other boards and committees takes a toll on the personal and social life these professors. But the interesting part is that no one is complaining, which perhaps is the reason for their success. They are happy and as someone aptly said, “Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values.”
Looking at them, it’s hard to believe that once upon a time they were young students and apprentices, experiencing the same joys, excitements, pangs, aspirations and fears that all of us are going through right now. I had the privilege of interviewing a few of them and the experience has been nothing less than inspiring and surreal. These professors of Indian origin at The Ohio State University are beacon of knowledge and innovation and the truest ambassadors of the great cradle of knowledge that ever was, the ancient India.
They all come from diverse backgrounds, excelling in different areas, following different paths to success. But one common thread binds them all and that is the passion that they carry with them which is so conspicuous that sometimes it can be overwhelming. Nothing was laid out to them on a golden platter. All of them have made their mark with sheer hard work and faith in themselves. In the words of Prof Chandan Sen, Professor & Deputy Director at Departments of Surgery and Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, “Any immigrant will have additional challenges but we have to learn to punctuate limitations with opportunities. Success is all about passion and research should not be done for a living.” Talking to them makes you realize the beauty of the “purpose driven life” and the bliss which comes from being an instrument of change in the life of students and society.
And it came as a pleasant surprise to learn that actually all of them just love to work with students and like the freshness and vivacity that new students bring. They were all very profuse in their welcome message to the new students and felt that OSU has one of the most comprehensive programs in the whole world. Due to its huge size, the diversity in terms of opportunities is phenomenal which should be made best use for all rounded development. According to Prof Somnath Ghosh, professor at Mechanical Engineering and Material Science and Engineering, “Graduate Students don’t understand that they are a vehicle of research in the US. They should be proud to be part of the continuous metamorphosis that they are bringing in through their research….”
While following their passion for research and innovations, the respect and goodwill that these professors have generated for the Indian community in the US is immeasurable and often goes unnoticed. And from the assessment of their work it is quite evident that they are indeed the agents of change, the prime movers in the society. Prof. D K. Panda, at the department of Computer Science and Engineering, lead the Network-Based Computing Research Group. The MVAPICH software developed by his group is powering several supercomputers around the world and is being used by more than 535 organizations world-wide in 35 countries to extract the potential of networking technologies for designing high-end computing systems and servers. Going against the conventional wisdom, Prof Somnath Ghosh, an International leader the field of multiple-scale computational modeling has developed the Voronoi Cell Finite Element Method (VCFEM) which now has a worldwide following. Prof Prabir Dutta is the chair of the chemistry department and is internationally renowned for his research in high temperature sensors, artificial photosynthesis and toxicity of nanoparticles. The impact of his research transcends from automotive exhausts and power plants to medicine and safety. Prof Sudhir Sastry, at the Department of Food and Agriculture, works in the novel methods of sterilization using the influence of electric field in biological substances. Periannan Kuppusamy, professor of internal medicine, who directs one of the biggest research groups at OSU, deals with detection and imaging of free radicals which has high impact in the design of anti-cancer/pro-cardiac drugs. His research shows promise in treating ovarian cancer through improved chemotherapy techniques. Dr Chandan Sen, a truly cosmopolitan researcher, who has worked in virtually every part of the world, is an authority in the area of Regenerative Medicine and at an early age of 40, serves in several leadership positions at OSU and is at the leading edge of research in physiology.
While tracking down their life, the most notable aspect that emerged was the diverse ways in which their career took shape. Firstly, not all of them knew that they would be in academia. Prof Dutta and Prof Cheena Srinivasan, chairman of the Mechanical Engineering Department, worked at Exxon and Shell respectively for around half a decade before deciding to join academia. In the words of Prof Srinivasan, he “missed being in an environment where incessant learning is involved and which is replete with freshness and hope”. Prof Sen and Prof Ghosh always wanted to be in such an environment and chose to be academicians from the word go. Prof Sastry, who is a professor in Agriculture department, has a PhD in Mechanical Engineering. No one can deny this when he says that “In contemporary research, boundaries are artificial, basic principals remain universal”. All this should be enough to convince us that there are no concrete rules to success and it’s a matter of following your heart to the hilt.
Besides education and research, some of these educators have also taken up leadership positions in other walks of life. Prof Dutta leads the state wise effort, (REEL), Research Experience to Enhance Learning with a $3.3 million grant from NSF trying to change 1st and 2nd yrs UG course. Prof Srinivasan, led an effort with help of other colleagues and alumni to raise more than $20million for the newly constructed Scott laboratory. In his words, “we find ourselves in a very unique position to participate in the changes that are taking place and we should make the best out of it”.
From research and education to holding leadership positions and serving on editorial and other boards and committees takes a toll on the personal and social life these professors. But the interesting part is that no one is complaining, which perhaps is the reason for their success. They are happy and as someone aptly said, “Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values.”
of men and bedbugs
Remember that scene in the movie Starship Troopers when Rico and Carmen are dissecting a giant bug and the biology teacher tells them to take bugs-study seriously because bugs have millions of years of evolution behind them and are much superior species than what we make of them, probabaly smarter than us. Take it from me. She was right. No, I am not kidding. These tiny creepy ultra resilient sons of guns are the hardiest creatures I have met in ages and they just refuse to go. Like a bad dream, they resurface out of the blue once every few weeks. An outstanding testimony to their survival instincts.
The question that comes to mind is why these bugs won't leave us alone. Of all the fine healthy species on this earth, why they have chosen to predate us or rather sneak up to us and suck the life blood out of us. There are millions of species, wild and not so wild, all living in perfect harmony. Why can't they co-exist without giving us those rashes, those raised bumps on our skin, those irritating itchiness and sleepless nights. Why they can't leave us human alone. Has it ever occurred to you, especially in a half asleep irritable state in the middle of the night, that it may a deliberate act of defiance? It a taunt, an attempt to impose their superior survival genes on us, a rude reminder of our vunrebaility and their aspirations
to rule our life. After all, has it not been conjectured by some leading scientists that in the wake of a nuclear war, the bugs, led by cockroaches, would be the fittest species on earth. You don't need a lesson in Darwinian theory to guess which species will rule the earth next. Its the freaking bugs. Lets kill them before its too late.
That's what I have done this weekend. Disrupt, dismantle and destroy them from my apartment. Laundry, vacuum, boric acid spray, sterilize every nook and corner and purge my environment of these God damned filthy creatures. Hopefully I won't see them in near future. Who knows?
The question that comes to mind is why these bugs won't leave us alone. Of all the fine healthy species on this earth, why they have chosen to predate us or rather sneak up to us and suck the life blood out of us. There are millions of species, wild and not so wild, all living in perfect harmony. Why can't they co-exist without giving us those rashes, those raised bumps on our skin, those irritating itchiness and sleepless nights. Why they can't leave us human alone. Has it ever occurred to you, especially in a half asleep irritable state in the middle of the night, that it may a deliberate act of defiance? It a taunt, an attempt to impose their superior survival genes on us, a rude reminder of our vunrebaility and their aspirations
to rule our life. After all, has it not been conjectured by some leading scientists that in the wake of a nuclear war, the bugs, led by cockroaches, would be the fittest species on earth. You don't need a lesson in Darwinian theory to guess which species will rule the earth next. Its the freaking bugs. Lets kill them before its too late.
That's what I have done this weekend. Disrupt, dismantle and destroy them from my apartment. Laundry, vacuum, boric acid spray, sterilize every nook and corner and purge my environment of these God damned filthy creatures. Hopefully I won't see them in near future. Who knows?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
