I sympathise!!

It's so desparate that many parents are having over expectations regarding the future of their children. This might disturb the easy going life of many students. It's true that parents' expectations have powerful effects on children's academic performance. I agree with that. But some of them are pressurizing their children with over burden.

Today, what triggered me to write this, is the conversation, I had in the morning with my music teacher. She's so much worried about her son's future. The boy is now studying in 10th standard. It's a fact that he is not so bright in his acads, but not that bad, I guess.

That boy is a very good violinist and a good singer too, who has done many violin concerts on many stages. He participated in State Youth festival. The parents' main intention was to make him get an A-Grade in any one of the items, so that he'll be getting 30 marks additional in Board exam. And he managed to fulfill their dream.

That mother always tells him - 'study, study and study' and complains others about his studies, that too infront of him. How much he would get pricked!!! Another funny thing is that she asks me to advice him to study :)

Just now one more related instance came to my mind. It's about one among my cousin sisters, who is now studying in 9th standard. She was an energetic girl, who has now became a dispirited, calm and quiet girl.

Her parents are injecting her with those stuffs containing in quiz books and GK books. She's winning prizes too. It's some kind of spoonfeeding. Taking her to leadership development courses, abc quiz, xyz quiz, I dont know what kind of pleasure they are getting!!

She doesn't know how to mingle with others, totally in a socially inept condition. Always sitting inside the home, reading, studying or watching TV. I pity her. No... I pity her parents and feel sympathy for her. She doesn't know what she is missing/loosing. She's happy with her life inside that 4 walls. Parents have succeeded in convincing her - the whole student life is like 'this'

Many parents are like this. The whole happiness lies in their kid getting good marks and becoming school/class topper. And nothing more than that. It's good, I agree. But should try to find happiness in other matters too. They are not trying to know the potential of their children. They're not bothered about the strain taken by their dear ones. I agree that they're giving enough input. But it's something like pouring water in to a bottle, not knowing it's capacity, atleast in a few cases.

They are ready to do anything for the academical progress of their son/daughter. Not at all bothered about the growth of mind. Unknowingly, they are spoiling children's most enjoyable season of life, during which they should get enough freedom to play and run around like butterflies. And thus spoiling their future in one way or other.

Attention from parents' side is good, provided they realise children's abilities and potential . But beyond a limit, it wont do good.

I know, this is not a case with many families. Just thought of it and felt like writing.

Anyway, Thank God for giving me and my brother such wonderful parents.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS.1: Sorry, that I made you read a little lenghty post (meant for only those who read completely).
PS.2: No hard feelings.. Didn't want to criticise/blame anyone.

The mystique of Makarajyothi continues....

While watching the live telecast of 'Makaravilakku' celebration at Sabarimala, I was really wondered to see the crowd there. Millions of pilgrims from far and wide are reaching there every year, only for witnessing the celestial light called 'Makarajyothi' appering on Makara Sankaranthi.

Staunch believers of Swamy Ayyappan believe that the jyothi appears miraculously for blessing the devotees. They believe that witnessing this light brings them good luck and divine blessings. I saw it appearing 3times in the forest, with a few seconds interval between each appearance.

A divine star is believed to appear on the sky, just before sighting Makarajyothi. The whole thing lasts for a maximum of 1 minute!! And for that, how many people, ranging from small kids to aged ones reach there!!

Another argument is that 'Makara Jyothi' is an artificial fire lit by Sabarimala officials and Devaswom board, for their monetary benefits. Are they cheating these all millions of devotees?? It is said that they are lighting camphor, taken in large quantity, inside the forest and lifting it thrice. And the most important thing is no Puranas have mentioned anything about this 'celestial miraculous Jyothi'. So, it should be true.. right?? What you all say about this?

Some others believe that the Jyothi is the Arati performed by the rishis and devas residing in the hills!!! Happened to see an article in 'Kalakaumudi'. Here is it..

Is this a reality or cheating?

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: I'm not an atheist. No personal interests to hurt the feelings of believers.

The Golden chance we got..

It's only after reaching the campus today morning, we decided to set out for attending Richard M Stallman's talk which was held at UC College, Alwaye.

After 2 hours journey from Thrissur, we, 10 of us from our class reached there at around 11.15 in the morning. By then the lecture had started. Though the auditorium was almost houseful, we managed to get seats in the last row.

The talk was on "Free software in ethics and in practice". For the next 2 hrs, we had an interesting, inspiring speech on Free software. To be frank, I had to strain a little to understand his 'katta' english, because his unfamiliar accent :( Didn't get him word by word. But he could convey all his views to each and everyone of us.

He started with the drawbacks of Microsoft Windows, obviously in a sarcastic manner. Then talked about the merits of free software, regarding copyleft, emacs and many other topics too. Told about 'how and why schools should act to popularise software freedom'. Also told that we could be proud since Kerala is far above all other states in India.

Photo taken by Bristo with his camera in mobile --

"GNU/Linux respects other's freedom"

"Reject proprietary software and insist free software"

"Dont let others to have control over our freedom/power"

The description about RMS I saw there:

he started the Free Software Foundation..
he started the GNU Project..
he wrote the GCC Compiler..
he wrote the GDB Debugger..
he wrote the emacs editor..
he is a philosopher..

After the formal meeting was over, we, with 7 of our super seniors, waited to meet him personally and to invite him to our great GEC. We had to wait there for some time. Ours was the only group of students who got the chance to talk with him, that too so friendly.

For our unfortunate, he said he would not be available to come over here in the whole year 2008. Anyway, we asked his contact details and he, with pleasure, gifted his card to one among us(Devidas) and left.

Really a thrilling and inspiring experience it was!!

From there we went to Alwaye town, walked around there in search of a good hotel :) and had food finally. After that, had a short visit to Merlin's uncle's house. After having some snacks from there, we started our return journey and reached home at 6.15 in the evening.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: An interesting thing which I noticed just now - My Chettan and RMS celebrate their birthdays on the same day - March 16 :)

Have a Good Day.

For the last 3-4 years, I'm under a serious addiction. Day by day, I'm becoming a more adverse addict, I guess. I wish I could get out of this junkie. Actually I'm not an addict, but a fan of it.

Oh, forgot to tell you what make my taste buds get excited.. Here is it...


Please don't laugh..

Almost on all days, in the evening I wonder how much Good Day biscuits I took on the very same day. Even the small kids won't take this much, I guess. I know it's not so advisable a habit. But, can't help!!

Even the shopkeeper here in Nellayi(our dear near Sathyan chettan) always keeps aside a biscuit packet for me. Each and every time before opening the packet, I tell to my parents that I decided to cut short biscuit consumption. Then they ask "Why should you?" Even they are not discouraging me!!

Even though all the products of Britannia are my favourites, I'm an ardent fan of Good Day. I've tried a lot other brands too. But couldn't find a better one.

Now it has reached a stage that it's really hard to pass a day without Good Day. Is this really an addiction???

************Britannia Good Day ************

************* Tim Tim Ti Tim**************

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: Dedicated to all those who love biscuits.

Emotions.. :) ... :(

What does the word 'emotion' really mean ??

Happened to see an ad of Vodafone conveying a message - 'a calm mind can overcome even a storm'. True.. I guess. Whenever I'm in a dilemma , my brother advises me to sit and think a lot with a calm mind.

We Should be able enough to manage our emotions instead of emotions managing us. Don't let emotions to rule us or our mind. I know, it's not always possible to freeze all our emotions. Situations will come our way, where we've to give up for our/our dear one's feelings. Sometimes, it's really hard to overcome the tender feelings of our heart.

Wisdom always waits for the right time to act, while emotion always pushes for action right now! -- Read from an article.

I'm wondering why should I go for such insane useless thouhts!! Anyway, putting a halt here. Don't want to make you all get bored. I too don't want to get bored :)

So, bye for now.

Signing off,
Hailstone.

Am I alone??

This thought was haunting me during last 2-3 days in college. For the first time, I felt loneliness in my class room.

Last monday or tuesday I told one of my friends(not in that serious mood) that I was getting bored. She in a surprise exclaimed "Priya getting bored in this class!! That won't happen". I replied nothing.

The fact is, even though our whole class is a one single union, there are kutti kutti gangs in our class. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a member of all gangs. I used to run around and disturb the discussions (if any) in all groups. I don't want to get tied up among one group of friends.

But... I dont know what happened to me last week (Or what happened to others). I felt that I didn't have the citizenship of even one gang. Now I'm wondering what all thoughts I had in my mind last week..

Majority of my friends(whom I consider as good friends) are not in the same range of frequency of my thoughts. I'm ready to get tuned to their frequency. I'm ready to get shifted up or down. But many are not willing to do that... etc...etc.. like that a lot of useless conceptions I had. A couple of incidents in the class forced me to think so. To be frank, I felt - I'm alone locked in a secluded cottage of boredom.

Last friday, I was actually desperate thinking all these. My mind and thoughts were soo cloudy with many misconceptions(??). Many of my friends could find my change of mood. Even some of them asked me 'why are you mood off?' I didn't have any proper answer. But, 2/3 of them could guess the reason too. Even now, there is some blurdness in my mind. I know my classmates will read this and ask me.. But I dont have any clear cut answer.

After this, had a small chat with a friend regarding this. He asked me not to go for such insane thoughts and told me the fault is with my mind . Might be correct.. no.. it should be correct. May be because of the climate change :)

How can I be alone in my OWN class!! I've heard that some of the VIP's have dual citizenship. Like that, I believe I'm having multi citizenship :) How is it possible for everyone to have parallel thoughts!! Everyone will be having their own identity, views, thoughts and concepts.. right??

Now, I'm thinking why should I put this as a blog post. Anyway, I wrote this much.. and all these are the thoughts which churned my mind a lot. No injustice in giving you all a chance to read this.. is there?? But I'm telling you again, this is not a clear reflection of my mind. But, a blurd reflection!!

Signing off,
Hailstone.

PS: I wrote frankly the conceptions I'd in my intellect. Not claiming that all are true. But I wish those all were some misunderstanding from my part.

Screwed up!!!

Today had my first class in S4. In the first hour itself, a teacher caught me.As usual, there was a not-bad shouting from our class. As he has not even a bit of teacher look, I didn't notice him coming. I was walking around distributing 'aravanapayasam' (brought by one of my classmates) among all. Then itself, he would have noticed me.

When he came in, silence filled the whole class room immediately. Then he started speaking. His voice was so feeble that we couldn't hear him properly. After enquiring others I understood that he was asking whether we wanted to have class today or not.

Since it was our first class on the very first day, none of us wanted to have class. I called out 'no sir' in a funny manner. For my un-luck, none of others tried to break the silence. Hence my voice was heard a little louder than what I had wished/expected :( After giving a frightening look, he asked me to stand up, take the bag and get out of the class. Oops!! I was shocked actually..

I: Sorry sir... sorry sir.. I was just... I didn't mean anything sir.

Sir: Take your bag and get out. Same is the case with others too who don't want to attend the class.

I (with a baffled look): Pardon me, sir. I told that since this is our first class. I want to be here if you are taking the class.

Sir: Sure??

I: Yes sir.

Sir (in a KBC - Bachan style): Confident??

I: Yes sir.

Sir: Hmm..Ok sit down.

With a sigh, I thanked God in relief. After that I managed to be a 'pakka' good student listening to his lecture which continued for another one and a half hours.

Signing off,
Hailstone.