Thursday, July 26, 2007

Simply CONFUSING.

Today Pramode sir gave us some assignments -- just to go through some links and find out some answers. Almost all the links he gave contain the advantages of Free Software and obviously the disadvantages of M$ Windows :) Had a look at some of them.

Sir has asked us to read about the history of Unix and all. I was searching for that. And I saw a link which is damn confusing. Here it is. I doubt anyone other can give a more complicated description than this!! Seeing it (not read), I felt it interesting to give you people a chance for reading (??) it and getting confused :)

How is it ? Is it not interesting ?

Signing off,
Hailstone.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Transition from a 'Villain' to a 'Heroine'...

Today I'm planning to write about an incident that happened yesterday. It's like a story, which is having a happy climax. In the evening, I was sitting with my parents, in the sit-out of our house. Meanwhile, my father could figure out some sounds near the corner of our compound wall. It was a bird (probably mother bird) sitting there calmly with its 11 children. It had some similarity with a duck !! I hurried to take their photo. Took 2-3 snaps.



For getting a 'close-up', I went nearer. They should have got scared by me and my camera-flash, since the parent bird flew away with a high speed. Actually, I was the one who got scared the most and ran back, with a fear of bird's attack, to where my parents stood.

So, now all the 11 children remained inside our compound and the parent got trapped on the road(road with no traffic :)) next to our house, not knowing where his/her children were.. Within 2-3 minutes crows surrounded the area with a thirst of attacking the kids, who were like orphans then. We protected them by throwing stones at crows. After a short interval of time, we could see another big bird on the road with the first one. Should be its 'life-partner'.

Atlast, my father decided to take the babies one by one to the road. He could shift one child to the road. Meanwhile, hearing the noise of their children, both the parents flew back to our compound. So, now the condition became worse -- One child outside and all the other family members together inside.

Our effort in search of the 'odd one out' were in vain. I and my mother were observing (from our terrace) the desperate family, wandering in search of the missing one. I prayed a lot for the union of the family. I was melting like a candle, since I felt -- it was because of me they had such a bad fate.

They were walking to and fro near our boundary. We too had a parallel path on our terrace corresponding to their motion, eager to know 'what is going to happen'. How caring the parents are..One among the parents walked in front, then the babies, finally the other big bird (couldn't identify the gender), seemingly to resist attack from both sides.

-Parents with 10 children-

Climax: After a long time, we could see the missing one on the road. My father was not at home at that time, and we both were not ready to take a bird in our hands. We became bewildered not knowing 'what to do?'. Meanwhile, a stranger passed the way by cycle. We stopped him and requested him to help us. He took the kid and carried it to his/her parents.

We all became happy. Thus we could see the happy family with parents and all the 11 children. Actually, I wished to take a 'family photo', but was not daring enough to go near them, as there was a chance of having a 'personal grudge' against me.

Their minds and face would have filled with joy (- my assumption-). For a long time, we could hear them making noise in glee. Would have celebrated well.
Eventhough I had a role of 'villain' in the initial stage, in the climax I was one among the heroines (the other one -- my amma :)).
There ends the story.

Even now we are not sure about what kind of bird it is..Someone said -it is duck. The other claims are 'Kulakozhi' and 'Eranda'.(dont know the english names)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I want to write one more thing, which is an entirely different subject.

--Today I had my first class at Pramode sir's IC. We had a casual talk with him -- just an informal one. We were allowed to ask questions for which he gave answers. We all have many expectations. Hope those all expectations will be fulfilled by us with his help. Will write more about PCE classes later, knowing about it a bit more.

PS. I tried to shorten the post, but couldn't cutshort 'the story'. Apologize me if it bored you.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

Monday, July 16, 2007

A blank mind (???)

It was my decision to put atleast one post in a week. Seven days have passed since I wrote the last post. I intend to stick on to my decision. So, it's time to write something over here. But, I'm not having anything in my mind, which is ready enough to be written. To be frank, my mind is blank -- a feeling of emptiness masks my thoughts.

Yes, got the topic !!!

Is it possible for a person to remain a short interval of time without having any thoughts??? I mean, I doubt if it is possible to have a 'null' state of mind. Is this state of mind, called meditation ?? I dont know. If that is meditation, I'm sure that I cant meditate. It is not possible for me to remain thoughtless even for a few seconds. I dont think that it is possible for others too. May be possible!!

In Science, we've studied "vacuum fills the space". Vacuum is filling emptiness. Just like that, the thought of 'no thoughts' fills our mind, if we are not involved in some other thoughts. Right ?

Enough for today!!! Otherwise, working out a solution for this paradox will push me in to a state of insanity.

Actually, today I'd a plan only to put a nice(??) picture. Here it is ....
A photo of a beautiful flower (from our garden), taken today evening.


Conclusion: So, my mind was not fully blank, since it had a thought of blankness :)

Signing off,
Hailstone.

Sunday, July 8, 2007

Wah TAJ Wah !!!




Day before yesterday, ie on 7-7-07, our TAJ MAHAL has been declared as the 7th wonder of world. Yes, it proved to be the apt date for announcing 7 wonders of world. Otherwise, we would have to wait for another 100 years for such an awesome date.

The campaign for the selection of 7 wonders of modern world was launched by SWISS group. In the intial stage 200 nominations were got. As you all know, the selection was done by a global poll through SMS and internet. A criticism now arised is that this campaign, selection and all was did only for the private profits/benefits of Swiss group and a number of mobile phone companies, among which Airtel is the most benefited one in India.

Since Swiss is not an authorised or accepted organisation like UNESCO, this claim may be true. Even if the rumour is true, the selection is wholly based on votes made by the people all over the world. And the outcome of the campaign turned favourable to us, Indians.

Thus one more feather to the crown of Indian heritage and India. TAJ proved to be the pride of India.

So lets give a grand salute to Swiss too.

Taj Mahal (a.k.a Valentines Mahal) can be literally called as a monument of love. I wonder how much did Shah Jahan love Mumtaz, for he made such a beautiful monument in memory of his loving wife. It is known as a beautiful romantic poem written in white marble.

10 reasons which made the name of Taj confirmed in the list of wonders -- I read this in an article. Eventhough all have similar meaning, it seemed interesting.

1. Taj is the symbol of love forever.
2. Taj is the symbol of sacrifycing life to someone you love.
3. Taj is the symbol of peace.
4. Taj is the symbol of pride and honor.
5. Taj is the symbol of purity.
6. Taj is the symbol of beauty and perfection.
7. Taj is the symbol of dream.
8. Taj is the symbol of dedication.
9. Taj is the symbol of Indian heritage.
10.Taj is the TAJ OF INDIA.



Years back, me with my father infront of TAJ MAHAL.

TAJ, Hatsoff...

PS.1: Dedicated to all those who voted for TAJ.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

Monday, July 2, 2007

How 'Blessed' we are !!!


This heart touching incident happened 2-3 weeks back.
I had my first year university exam on that day. Got in to a bus from Thrissur to my college. I took a side seat, which I always prefer and was observing everything that I could see through the window. A heavy rain was shot unexpectedly so that I'd to close my window and gave in to the frightening thoughts of exam That day I had Mechanics paper .

Just after some time a lady got in to the bus with a small girl. She may be 4 or 5. She looked so smart and cute. Let us call her Ammu. They took the seat next to me, which was the only one unoccupied. I think Ammu was not in a good mood, as she started fighting with her mother. She wanted to sit in the front seat . She wailed so loudly that everybody in the bus had a notice over her. Her attack was offered even to me !! But, I love her. Really, she looked so innocent, with that bobbed hair and all.

After Ammu became calm, I'd a friendly talk with that lady. I was shocked to hear from her that the kid is a mentally challenged girl. She is studying in a special training school. That mother explained me about the school and the children there.From her talk, I could make it -- Ammu has enough IQ (Doctors told this), but she is not able to communicate with others. Can identify things, but cant reproduce her feelings and thoughts. She is not able to play with other children of her own age. She told ( with all her feelings in those words ) that no doctors and no tests could diagnose the actual problem with her child. Since the child's IQ level is ok, no medicines can be given.

The only thing which will help is to talk with Ammu more and more making her know how to communicate and reply. She told the girl has improved a lot with in the last 1 year, during which she spent most of her time in school.

As the time for me to leave the bus came, I called Ammu, to which she had no response. Then I touched her face and said 'bye', waving my hands. To my surprise, she waved me back and had a sunny smile on her face. That smile could even sweep away my fear for exam (Even though, the paper was very tough :) ).

That mother's words were not that emotional. She didnt curse her fate. May be because she got accustommed to her present condition. But, I could feel her intense love for her child (all mothers are alike !! ). She is longing, expecting and working sincerely to make her child capable of joining in an ordinary school, playing with many friends etc.

Let us hope that will happen in another 3 or 4 years.

Now, I'm thinking how blessed / lucky ( meant for atheists) we all are. Right ??

Signing off,
Hailstone