Sun rises in the east - learnt the hard way

We all know that sun rises in the east. Even I know, but when there was an application of this, I missed the mark way out. 

Once I wanted to go to a beach to see the sun rise. It is generally believed that beaches are the place you get to see the sunrises and sunsets. So me and a group of my friends went to a beach to see sunrise. Unfortunately that beach was on the western coast and we could just see the light coming and no sun. After so time of pondering we realised that amazing fact that sun rises in the east and we were facing west towards the beach. While we were facing there, the sun rose behind us in the buildings. So, if you are on any eastern side beaches you get to see the sun rise while if you are on the western side, you get to see the sun set. A lesson learnt the hard way.

Eye contact problem in video calls

Have you ever noticed that it is very difficult to establish eye contact during video calls? Be it in Skype, hang out or in face time you have to look at the camera to establish eye contact with a person rather than looking in the eye which is on the screen normally below the camera. 

This is feature is same for laptops, webcam enabled desktops and even in mobile cameras. The only way to establish eye contact is to look at the camera. 

This has some major disadvantages. People are comfortable talking to another if there is no need of eye contact. This is the reason telephone calls are more preferred these days rather than face to face talking. It has become much more easier through chats and SMS where there is even no need for voice. This gives extra confidence to the user. 

The progression of distance real time communication is as follows

1. Skype (real time video, no eye contact)

2. Telephone calls (real time audio, no visual, no eye contact)

3. Chats (real time, no audio, no visual, no eye contact)

If people continue in this, there will be  difficulties when they actually need to talk directly to a person. That is, a person who is accustomed to video calls will have much difficulty to establish eye contact with a person when required. 

How to keep doing something - jogging, studying

On every year beginning, most of us take resolutions. I will run for 30 mins daily in this year. I will read a chapter of a book daily. I will learn a new hobby every month. These are some of the many resolutions we take every year. 

However it happens almost always that we loose track of our resolutions two weeks down the lane. How to stay put in your resolution is a challenge which everyone is facing. One of the ways to achieve your goals is to create a network. This is being in the company of people with the same interests. The time you loose motivation to run, you will get motivated seeing others take to the road. Whenever you stop reading a book, the group which keeps on reading motivates you by discussing stuffs they read last day. 

Such small peer pressure keeps you going and helps you achieve your resolutions. So when you decide to start something, get into a group that is already doing it.

Future of Jobs-Online delivery

While looking at our future, we look at things like moving  to an IT hub for get better jobs, the moving to a city which promotes education of your children etc . I know people who sacrifice the time they spend with their loved ones while pursuing their dreams. So is it required that we move to cities, other job hubs in the future also. This may require us to shift to developed countries also. Will this be our the future?

I guess not. The future looks bright because of internet. In this age where majority of population is moving from primary and secondary to tertiary sector, there are chances that jobs can be on-line. Of-course agriculture and manufacturing cannot be done on-line. However, if there is programming, teaching, designing kind of works these can be delivered on-line. We look at a future where we can work from any corner of the world which just need to be connected with an internet. Work allocation, group discussions, submission review etc can be done using video conferencing like Skype or Google hangout. Also, such kind of delivery will enable each of us to work from the comfort of home being with our loved ones while at the same time bring savings to owners of office charges, convenience charges etc.

Beef or Chicken? The choice

In India with lot of Hindu population who worship cows, choosing a non vegetarian diet is a serious problem. Cow is considered as a sacred animal because it gives milk and so much of Indian livelihood is based on it. India has the worlds largest population of cattle and it can be a source of protein food for many. Once a cattle reaches and age and it is not profitable for a family to keep it as it is no longer a source of income, it is left open in the streets. Hence India has many wandering cows also. Even Indian non veg population don't depend on beef as an alternate source of protein rich food. As to killing of animals is considered it is better to take one life and feed 20 people rather than killing a hen to feed 2 people.

Hurting neighbors- the choice on food habits

Whether to be a vegetarian or non-vegetarian is not a decision we had taken when we were born. It is a from family culture and values one ends up as vegetarian or non vegetarian. If one comes at a stage where a decision on whether to take veg or non vegetarian, these are some of the points worth considering. 

The common say why a person should be veg is to not hurt animals. People generally don't like seeing blood. Veggies accuse non veggies on feeding on their neighbours(animals). The curious question now is whether plants are not their neighbours. How can one accuse another of feeding on their neighbour which he eats his neighbour and that too by cutting out of a living tree. Imagine the pain you will go through if someone cuts your hand and eat it which you look. It is also worth noting that the plant blood is pulp. 

This makes us end with one big question, whether to harm any living thing or die in hunger!

The play of likes

If there is one person earning billions because you like some thing it is mark zukerberg. The foundation of Facebook is in its concept of likes. It is fascinating to note that one can only like something and not dislike. This gives confidence to users who publish their information in Facebook that no one will criticize or dislike their contribution. The only way to differentiate between something great and something not great in Facebook platform is the number of likes. A good contribution can gain you more likes than the other, but definitely not negative criticism. The confidence our friends in Facebook enjoy in sharing trivial things in Facebook is that you have an option to like or not like. There is no option to dislike. This creates another problem. What will one do it someone shares a picture of someone hurting somebody, or of someone losing something. Are you supposed to like that? Or remain quiet not expressing your opinion. Where is the option to strongly criticize this?

Toll roads- the play of user charges and road taxes

Toll road - why do we give money to private operator even after giving petrol taxes and vehicle taxes to develop roads. Since government is charging the users for using the roads, should not the taxes reduce or be abolished. The common argument that profitable roads are only taken for Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the non economically feasible are not is not applicable here. Government funds the private companies for the shortage in profit to take up projects which are not viable through viability Gap Funding (VGF), but this is only from the funds government obtain through cross funding from profitable projects through the concept of negative funding. 

So this makes us curious, why is there road taxes and user charges? If taxes cant be completely abolished why not at least reduce it for the user charges obtained through this innovative concept of PPP.

My experience with TOEFL

This is by far the costliest exam I have written. 170 dollars is roughly a 10500 Indian rupees. This bought a certain curiousness in me. How come this exam is so costly? Are they giving some gold coins during the test which makes it so costly? 

Before the test- be there on time and relax a bit. There is a confirmation which you have to sign stating that you won't cheat in the exam. After that they will ask you to surrender all your belongings. There is a kit and a token system. Nothing is allowed inside the exam centre. Watches, purses, pens are also prohibited and not just mobiles. At your desk you will find the necessary papers and two pencils. After surrendering everything and possessing only your ID card, you will be asked to stand in front of a camera and your picture will be taken. This is immediately synced with your work station and you will find your photo on the screen. Kind of cool eh? The earphones and keyboards were of good quality and there is nothing to be worried of on that aspect. You will have access to toilet and drinking water at your exam centre. So there is no need to carry drinking water. 

As you all might have figured out by now, the first session is reading, then listening, speaking and finally writing. Each session carries 30 marks making the total 120 marks. Any mark above 90 is considered good. 110 and above is exceptional. Each section may carry each mark but there are varying number of questions. So the questions in each section are worth different. For example, there are 14 questions per passage in reading. There are a total of 4 passages thus making it 56 questions and the total marks is 30. Hence half (0.5) mark per question. Compare this with 2 questions in writing which makes it 15 marks for each question. One interesting part which TOEFL does is the marks per question increases as you go from first question to last question. This is possible by reducing the number of questions in each section. The below table shows the number of questions in each section and their marks.

marks	Time for each section	Number of questions
30	100 mins	reading 3-5 passages, 14 questions each
30	90 mins	listening 4-6 lectures, 6 Questions each
30	20 mins	speaking 6 Questions
30	60 mins	writing - 2 Questions

Reading doesn't require you to read the full passage. You have to just read the title and starting of each para thereby getting an overall idea of the passage. You thus have to scroll through the passage and then only proceed to the questions. The system does not allow us to skip scrolling and move to the questions. There will be a pop up error which can be closed. The question and the passage from which it is taken is given side by side so you can read and comprehend it then and there. The first 13 questions are a mix of deductive, interpretative, meaning etc.. The final question which carriers 2 marks is a summary question. You will be asked to add 3 out of 6 options which is indicated in the passage. 30 marks for reading makes 7.5 marks per passage. 2 marks for the last question leaves you with 5.5 marks for 13 questions. So the mark per question is very less. So please don't spend so much time on first 13 trivial questions and loose on the 14th question. 

Listening. Don't close your eyes and concentrate while listening. Please take extensive notes. I just had to keep on writing. I missed so many things due to my poor note taking speed. Please make sure that you concentrate on the passage to write what is necessary. Make sure to register each sentence in your mind. The written notes should only act as a way to recollect. The answers once given are final and there is no chance of a review. In the reading section, I could skip some question and come back to it. Here that is not possible. In the end I was left with 2 minutes of time because I rushed through the answers.

Speaking. This was the toughest part for me. I can speak fluently but I require 30 seconds to stabilize my tone and content. With only 45 seconds of speaking it was very difficult to cope up. U just have 15 seconds to prepare your answer so there is no scope for a rehearsal. I stumbled completely on a question. There are 6 questions and section is of 30 marks, a question is worth 5 marks. There are plenty of on-line websites and you tube guides which helps you in getting the fodder of the speech. All you have to do is fill these gaps with your ideas or listening. This is a good way ahead but requires tremendous practice and preparation, else you will mess up at the exam centre.

Writing- as mentioned earlier there are just 2 questions. One is based on a reading and listening while other is just a composition on any topic under the sun. This will not be technical or requiring vast knowledge just to create an equal platform for all. The first question requires you to answer in 220 words while the second requires 320 words. Please write more words than required because the word content matter. There is a word content in the interface which makes things easy.

NOTE - TOEFL is not widely accepted in UK institutions. They have shifted to IELTS. I got a mail from TOEFL on the day before exam making me aware of this. By then, my time for cancellation and redemption of fee was over and I had to write the exam anyway. Please double check whether your university approves TOEFL.

Strategy - pirated softwares and books

Strategy of books or of applications or Operating system which are available freely online are often confusing. What is the point of giving these things freely when they can be charged?

Often we see some books which are available online. They have the printed copies for sale in a bookstore near your home. But still they are available in readable pdf versions online. Wondered why this happens? Do you think that the publisher of these books do not have copyright to take down these free online versions?

Or, we see the Operating system (Windows) or the programs (Microsoft office) available in pirated versions online. Don't  the giant Microsoft have enough power to take down these websites?

In fact they do have the power to take down these pirated versions. But their aim is different. They are not looking for the money which this program, or Operating system or the book is going to give them. They want the users to be comfortable or addicted to Windows, Microsoft office etc.. They want to make sure that due to high cost of the products, people are not deprived of using their product. Their long term goal is to make the people addicted to their product and when the people have enough money, they go and buy the good version. 

The authors also want book to be readily available to readers so that they can have more fame than money. A highly priced book will lead to no one reading the book and appreciating the talent of the author. But if it is available freely online, many will read and the skill and fame of the author will be establishing globally.

TV vs Projector - The Choice

People are confused when they have to buy a Television, whether they should go for a 32" LCD/LED screen or a projector which can project to any size. I was also confused at this stage and decided to carry on a research. Here are some pro's and con's of using projector.

( Image courtesy: http://www.techlitic.com/projector-vs-flat-screen-tv-best.html )

Projector
Pro's
1. View at any size
2. Less strain on eyes
3. less costly compared to TV. Starts at Rs. 6,000 compared to TV which is at Rs. 20,000
Con's

1. Light in the room can make the image less clear - A dark room is needed for projector to project viewable video. 

2. Separate sound requirements - TV has both video and audio embedded. If you are going for a projector, you have to arrange a separate audio source also.

3. Dish set up box should have HDMI connector. You cannot use the same connector you use with TV on a projector. Only some set-up boxes come with the option.

4. Bulb life. The life of the projector bulb is less and you will have to replace it once in a year. With the coming of LED projectors, we can expect a longer life.

So, my opinion, give some more time for the technology to progress before you opt for a projector to replace TV.

Outwit banks - Failed transactions

Recently I was in an ATM to withdraw money.

I did not know how much balance I had in the account exactly. 

As always, I typed a figure close to my estimate of what is remaining in the account. The transaction was rejected saying, "Transaction declined". 

I tried again, with a more closer value. Again the same happened. 

Then I put a lower figure and money was disbursed from the ATM. 

I used to do like this in the past when I did not know the exact amount of money in the bank. Only when I reached home and checked the online bank statement I recognised that SBI (State bank of India) has debited Rs. 17 each for the failed transaction. 

I was shocked for loosing Rs. 34. I searched the whether there are any recent changes in the bank policy regarding ATM and came to know that since this Jan 2014, there has been a change and they are going to penalise for failed transactions for no fault of the bank.

So, next time you are at an ATM withdrawing money, first take a mini-statement to know the balance.

(I thought of saving the paper cost by not printing the acknowledgement, but anything to save Rs. 17)

The rates for other government and private banks are much higher than SBI. 

Be cautious.

"People who learn from their mistakes are wise, but people who learn from others mistakes are wiser."

Climate of Delhi

The winters in Delhi are the ones that I enjoy the most.

It is cold, but not snowy. The cool air and breeze encourages you to sleep under your blanket all day. It is cold even in the afternoon.

Winters start by October end and ends by February end. It is said (jokingly) that North Indians take bath for the prayer of Diwali in October end and then only after Holi celebrations. 

After Holi, the temperature gradually shoots up. Delhi enters into summer in May. So the time from march to may is normal climate. With may temperature shoots up. This will continue till peak summer around June middle. Summers continue till August and then temperature starts declining slowly. August to October end is again normal climate. 

This normal climate occurs twice a year- the start of summer and start of winter. You can see children playing and even some rain during this time. This period is also called the disease phase. Common diseases in Delhi are Dengue,

Typhoid, malaria etc.

Mosquitoes are only found in this season as they would not be able to survive in peak winters or summers. 

So finally Delhi can be divided into three climates. Summer, winter and disease climate. If you are planning to visit Delhi and have a good time, I suggest winter!

How to remove pimples?

Reading blog on how to remove pimples, I found some important notes.

Some say we need to soak cotton in salt water and place it on the pimple for 3 mins. Keep repeating these steps and the pimple will be gone forever. This is a quite simple guide to removing pimples.
Some also say that lemon juice is a natural lightener. Mix lemon juice and honey and make a paste and apply on the pimple mark. May be the next time you get lemon in mess hall or with a meal, you can make a good use of it.
Also, rubbing potato slices at an interval of 30 mins will also help in lightening the pimple marks.
Compared to plastic surgery which is a quick option, the natural ones are slow but are healthy and would not have any side effects.
Rosehip seed oil is also advisable for pimple marks and also to relieve wrinkles
Alternatively, you can apply vitamin E oil or take Vitamin E supplement

Singapore is a FINE city

Recently, a friend opened up on his life in South East Asia. He says he has been to Singapore, China and Tokyo in the past few months. He says of all the places he enjoyed his stay in Singapore. 

The country is 1/8 th of Srilanka which means that it is smaller than our smallest state of Goa. The state is unbelievably clean and they have building laws which requires every building in the country to be maintained and repainted in 5 years. He said that in the Airport, there is a sign board which says that Singapore is a FINE city. FINE is written in RED which means that the people are required to pay fines to make the city fine. Even Chewing guns are banned in the country. Smoking is also banned and there is a limit on the amount of garbage to be generated per capita. The local languages are english, chinese, malaya and Tamil. There are sign board even in Tamil.

He told about Tokyo construction that labour costs are pretty high in Japan that they opt for mechanised construction. This has to be the scenario in Kerala, India also. They should mechanise construction and also the house hold activities in order to cope up with the ever increasing labour charges. He mentioned on the demolition process in Japan where in a building is brought down using hydraulic jack. 

TED talks summary - 20's are critical

The talk was about how 20's are more important than the 30's. The expert tells that 20's is the right time to try partners and once you are in 30's, you will have immense pressure to settle down.

Also, your earnings are not critical as you do not have a family to support. So, do not go after money in the 20's, rather chase your dreams. How you would like to be remembered in the rest of your life is the decision you have to make in your 20's. People start working immediately after their 12th or Bachelors degree and start earning. They earn more relative to their peers in the 20's. But, what actually has to be done is to invest for the rest of your life in the 20's in the form of more studies, taking up more risks by competing in exams which can shape your career like the civil service etc.

TED talks summary - Body language defines who you are!

This is subsequent to me watching the TED talks wherein the lady told that body language defines who you are. She told that there are weak postures and strong postures in the animal kingdom. 

A strong posture is where you stretch your hand wide as in the expression when you win some thing. It goes on with the phrase, I am King. All postures where you occupy more area is called a strong posture. Keeping your leg on another leg. Stretch your hand over the next chair etc are examples of strong poses. 

The weak ones are the exact opposite. Your fold your hands, bow your face and tend to occupy less space. This happens when you are attending an interview where you are keeping your head low referring to your iPhone or to the notes you have prepared for the interview. Rather  you should be in toilet stretching your hand and feeling the happiness. She tells that when ever you take a dominant pose, your testosterone hormone level increases and she showed this with examples. She also advices to fake it till you make it. There are several things in the past where you have faked it and got it. Like having a strong eye contact. The ability to speak more.  Make a strong body posture and show that you dominate. Make it a part of your life. 

learn from your enemies

"A wise man can learn more from his enemies than a fool from his friends" - 

this was the quote in the movie Rush (2013) of the formula 1 rivalry between Nickie Lauda and James Hunt. 

apps on android mobile or tablet without internet

Without having access to internet on mobile or tablet,the only way to get those apps is to get it from third party sites like apktops.com

You need to download (.apk) file from their sites and copy it to your tablet using computer and install it. But make sure that your tablet has file manager pre-installed else you would not get to view all those copied apps into your tablet.

A lot of the common apps are there in apk form in the internet. Search and download them.

Ways to avoid stammering!

A lot of people stammer. They want to come out of it. Here are some ways which can help.

1. Speak in front of mirror for 30 mins/day

2. Read aloud - it will make you know where to pause and where to take breath. Break sentences into small bits for easy communications. Only long sentences cause you to stammer

3. Find out the words that cause you to stammer and exercise them. Its also wise to pause before using that word and tell in your mind first before speaking it out. Treat silence as opportunities.

4. Learn to speak at a moderate pace, place your breathing in between words or sentences so that it goes unnoticed.

5. When you sing you dont stammer. Try to put a rhythm in your talks. A style of talking which makes you not stammer.

Chita Vs Chinta

Chita and Chinta are words of Indian Origin.

Chita refers to the fire pyre used by Hindu religion people to cremate the dead. Made of wood and hay, there are meant to catch fire immediately and to keep burning till the dead body has completely been cremated.

Chinta refers to the thought process of a person. Our mind is always on constant battle within. There will always be a good side which says you to move in one direction and a bad side which asks you to move in the opposite. Chinta starts with you rising in the morning and ends when you go to sleep.  Your thought can be of anything under the sun (or may be even over the sun). There is a saying that only day dreamers are the ones who become successful but those dreams or thoughts should be positive and creative. So what should be pondered on is the question. Bad and worry thoughts are also common in Chinta. Grudge on person, how to bring him down the next time etc are the common negative thoughts. The problem or advantage of Chinta is that the next time you think about them, its going to be of a greater intensity. Thoughts of worry can be compared with an iron plate which is exposed to rusting. The more it is exposed, the faster it disintegrates.

There is a close comparison between Chita and Chinta in Indian sayings.

Chita can get you only once in the fire pyre but Chintha keeps burning you over and over. 

So, think of things which are creative and inspiring.

A famous quote by APJ regarding dreams is given below.