December 30, 2012

Digitized Generation of Today!




Gone are those days when sun was the only source of guessing the time. Then came the hourglass followed by the spring driven key clocks and our huge grandfather clocks. But what is commonly found today? Be it beautifully painted walls or the tender wrist of a 6 year-old kid, a digital watch is a must. Even daily utility machines like fridge and washing machine are marketed high time with the new digital operations. The old reel cameras have been quickly replaced with the latest digicams. In fact, accompanying them are the digital photo frames. Handwritten letters have been taken over by emails and social networking. So have the stage dramas and kathputli plays taken the form of television and cinema halls. Huge radio boxes have been substituted by mini music players or iPods which boast of up to 32GB memory storage. Whereas the simple toy cars have been revamped by the remote controlled ones. One thing which remains common to all - digitization. The letter “e” has prefixed most of our words: e-banking, e-books, e-paper, e-commerce, e-bay shopping and the list is never exhaustive.
So what has been so influential in this development? Again, it’s the letter ‘e’ which gives the three main reasons – Expeditious, exact and ease. Digitization has lead to a lot of time saving. Information can be accessed on our fingertips 24X7. There is more precision to every calculation. As a result, the productivity graph has shot up. The fact that digital products are small in size is the icing on the cake. There is no limit to the amount of data which can be stored in the form of minute chips, data cards or memory cards. Apart from this, digitized technology has found way in entertainment. The smart touch phones have become the latest muse of the young generation. Nevertheless, children are attracted more to computer games rather than going out and playing in the sun.
The older generation on the other hand, feels that the digitized systems have made things costlier than ever before and that life has become more materialistic. Electronic goods have become a mere showcase of status symbol. Although digitized systems are completely machine dependent  which leave less room for human errors; one flaw in the smallest link of this system can lead to a bundle of mishaps. We have become addicted to the digital world. For that matter, fancy a day in your life without the internet! Life would be miserable. Availability of information is to its peak; however privacy and security issues are of great concern. Increased digitization has led to a flood of data where choosing the right content has become a misery. The wide range of products on display for everything we do has reduced the gap between need and luxury considerably.
Having a look at both the pros and cons, it is difficult to decide the righteousness of digitization. Belonging to the 21st century generation, even I feel that the need of digitization is not wrong and should be encouraged. However, limits need to be set on its use, after all the beauty of this digitized world lies on how we use it.

July 07, 2012

Results With A twist




Sem II: A regular day at college. My friend and me, finished with practicals a bit early and were whiling away time. We bought a maggie from the mini-canteen and were chit-chatting while the breeze near the corridors right outside my class hit our face. Suddenly the quiet aura around took a massive u-turn. We could see all my S.E. Seniors spring out of all directions. In the spur, the two of us realized that their results were out. It was the first time we had seen results being displayed on the notice board. Over all these years, in schools and junior colleges, our results were handed out to us privately. This concept was something we had seen only in movies so far. The notice board, we realized didn't only display the results but it showcased a wide variety of emotions. Expressions ranging from shock, surprise, anger, sadness, happiness were portrayed. The scene looked horrible. Some were talking on the top of their voices and for others, their voices shrank. Some were continuously busy on their mobiles, and the others were discussing a great deal amongst themselves. This put both of us in a fix. My friend said, “Yaar, I am damn scared now. If these guys are facing so much trouble, imagine ourselves in their position.” Of course, what she just said was absolutely right. Our results were not far away. How are we, poor little F.E.'s going to handle so much pressure? What about the fact that the result is going to be an open window for our peers to poke fun at? Mutually, we decided not to worry about it for now and take things as they come.

After four days…

The MU website published results as “pass” or “fail”, that’s it! Nothing beyond that. People who passed were curious to know their percentages and for those who failed, were not sure of the KT subjects. What a great deal of confusion it was! Finally, all of us assembled at college the next day with butterflies fluttering in our stomachs. Every minute of all the lectures seemed like ages. However, at the back of our minds, we knew that we had to be ready for surprises. Half an hour before the notice was to be displayed, everybody started gathering at the shack and expressing their concerns. Some my classmates played and sang songs like “Give me some sunshine” on the guitar. And sharp at 5, we started shouting out the countdown. 3, 2, 1… Lo behold! The notice was out and it was fiercely pounced upon and a complete fish-market situation had evolved. Roll numbers and marks were constantly yelled out. A few friends shouted out my score too. After sometime when things calmed down, we rushed to check the marks distribution and of course, providing details to friends who had not turned up to college that day. Anybody who met me had the same question to ask, “Kitna aaya?” The answer, a smile. Next was rushing home as soon as possible to find comfort, try to digest our fate, and begin the study preparations for the next semester with complete zest!
An enchanting and enthralling experience that I had as a First Year Engineering student…

July 06, 2012

It has almost been a year...


// Although my first hand at poetry, would appreciate honest views :))



It has almost been a year since I have seen you
Or even said a casual "Hi, hello how do you do?"

...

You told me I was charming
And when you went gaga over my eyes
Remembering those days
Deep down inside my heart cries

...

When I think of all those wonderful times
Those same eyes shed a tear
How do I tell this to you
I miss you a lot my dear

...

Every night before going to bed,
I still listen to your favourite Annie's Song,
Wish you were right beside me
That is just what I long

...

I may not be perfect
Maybe many qualities that I lack;
But believe me I still love you,
And hence I want you back

...

When I am feeling low
Or as I am walking alone
If I hear a ring, I think it's you
And rush towards my phone

...

As the night is falling
As upon my bed I lay;
I have a fear instilled
Your face in my memory might just fade away

...

It has almost been a year since I have heard from you...

July 05, 2012

One Jobless + Another Jobless = Awesomeness!!



Ritika sparng up with a brilliant idea suddenly and to that awesome idea of hers i replied instantly with a shayari...
and hence the saga started...
Presenting,
What two jobless people can do over the span of two days!


Kevin: Apni iss idea ko abhi ke liye dabalo
       Apni iss idea ko abhi ke liye dabalo
       Naya godrej powder hair dye...
       Bas kaato gholo lagalo!


Ritika: Ideas sambhal ke rakho abhi ye kache hain,
        Ideas sambhal ke rakho, abhi ye kache hain..
        Aap hi ki tarah
        Daag ache hain ;)


Kevin: Na kisiko honede apne idea ki khabhar
       Na kisko honede apne idea ki khabhar
       Diagram galat ho gaya ,
       Rubber de rubber! :D


Ritika: Na lagne dungi kisiko iska pata,
        Na lagne dungi kisiko iska pata;
        Jo koi bhi puchega, usko main bolungi,
        Hata sawan ki ghata :P


Kevin: Reply karne mein ho gayi deri,
       Reply karne mein ho gayi deri...
       Next station Andheri! :D


Kevin replied really late! Conveyed it too Ritika through yet another Shayari!

Ritika: Hahaha :D
        Koi baat nahi o mere yaar,
        Koi baat nahi o mere yaar;
        kal ki baatein continue karenge,
        aur baatenge khushi aur pyaar ;)


Kevin: Pyaar ki baatein na karo aap,
       Pyaar ki baatein na karo aap;
       Kahi pata chal gaya...
       Toh band bajayega aapka baap!!


Ritika: Kya kare lag gayi hai aapki aadat,
        Kya kare lag gayi hai aapki aadat;
        Aaj khustavad honge tum...
        Agneepath Agneepath :P


Kevin: Aapki iss shayari mein nahi tha maza,
       Aapki iss shayari mein nahi tha maza,
       Sudhriya zara aap nahi toh milegi mujse saza!


Ritika: Lo karli na aapne pro wali baat,
        Lo karli na aapne pro wali baat;
        Practise se hi toh seekhungi
        Aaj nahi toh kal raat..


Ritika: Sunday ho ya monday
        Roz khao ande
        Shayari gandi bani
        Toh Kevin se padenge dande :P


Yes, back to back messages. She got offended by Kevin's previous insult!

Kevin: Ye ki apne bilkul sahi baat...
       Ye ki apne bilkul sahi baat...
       Shayari banate rehna aap hamare saath!


Ritika: Agar aapki marzi hui toh ji haan zaroor
        Agar aapki marzi hui toh ji haan zaroor
        Fir iss aadat se kahin aap na ho jaye majboor.. :P


Kevin: Shayari banana hamare baaye haath ka kaam..
       Shayari banana hamare baaye haath ka kaam..
       Kamar mein dard hua toh lagao zandu balm!


Ritika: Aapke liye ye baaye haath ka khel hoga
        Aapke liye ye baaye haath ka khel hoga
        Humare liye ye do future dosto ka mel hoga..


Kevin: Aap jaisa dost hoga mazzedaar,
       Aap jaisa dost hoga mazzedaar;
       Yadi aapne padha ho toh,
       Joginder Singh tha ek Subhedaar!!


Ritika: Aapne hume mazzedaar kya kaha,
        Aapne hume mazzedaar kya kaha;
        Dil humara garden garden hota raha!!


Kevin: Humare saath rahoge toh hamesha rahoge khush,
       Humare saath rahoge toh hamesha rahoge khush;
       I hate guys which behave like a douche!


Ritika: Shayari ke hote hain itne meethe meethe bol,
        Shayari ke hote hain itne meethe meethe bol;
        Point pe aa hi nahi paate hum,
        Ghumte reh jaate hai gol gol...
        Na chahte hue bhi ban rahi hai romantic shayari,
        Koi galat matlab na nikal lena mere dost;
        Intezaar kar rahi hai inn shayariyon ka,
        Meri wo personal dairy...


Kevin: Badi si shayari thi badi mast,
       Badi si shayari thi badi mast;
       late reply karne ke liye sorry,
       Hum thode game mein the vyast!


Ritika: Jaise aapko nahi pasand wo ladke dumbo,
        Jaise aapko nahi pasand wo ladke dumbo;
        Theek usi tarah hume napasand wo ladkiyan,
        Jo hoti hai complete bimbo!


Kevin: Aapki shayari sunke hota nahi gham,
       Aapki shayari sunke hota nahi gham;
       Hum saath mein honge toh shayari mein aur hoga dum,
       Dum se yaad aaya, kaisi thi movie Cheeni kum?


Ritika: Cheeni kum mein thi thodi cheeni kum,
        Jisme hai dum,
        Toh fakht Bajirao Singham!


Kevin: Abhi baje hai bara,
       Abhi baje hai bara;
       Continue karte hai hum humari baat,
       Kyunki zindagi na milegi dobara!


Ritika: Baat continue karenge aap aao toh sahi online,
        Baat continue karenge aap aao toh sahi online;
        Fir puchna hello how do you do? I am fine!


Kevin: Hum hamesha rehte hai online,
       Hum hamesha rehte hai online;
       Facebook only kills most of our time!


And then chatting on fb we decided to put this on our blogs! :D
Here you go with Kevin's blog:


http://fouryearsonelife.blogspot.in/

July 02, 2012

My first hand at PROgramming


I came across the word programming in my eighth grade when I had no idea of what it is. Only cin and cout of C++ was taught when I had already started feeling I knew a great deal! In fact, even after my second semester got over, i.e. a few weeks ago, i was still under the false notion that I had a taste of what coding was.

Nevertheless, after semester II exams I was determined to understand a lot more about computers. Afterall, I was finally gonna do Computer Engineering! So, here it goes...

I started thinking of how much I knew in java. Then the rest I coped up Complete Reference by Herbert and Schildt. Then "Text Twist" was already on my mind since the P.L. had begun. (Actually, I was planning on a sudoku but it failed miserably!)

And there I was firm that I was gonna do TextTwist. Initially I had thought of making packages and then putting them together. Then I realised, I sucked at it! So first got started with the layout. Placed buttons, labels, etc etc. Inspired from my classmates, I thought that the background of my game shouldnt be a block of color. And hence, there I began, using Photoshop. Just clicking on random colors and gradient styles, I managed to pull off three decent images.

Then with the help of Anish, Kevin and Yashaswi, the background got finalised and I could play with one word. I was content with what I had done so far. Then began the real task, adding more words. So first Iwent through all file handling tutorials, believe me, this link has got everything you need (It saved my life):
http://www.roseindia.net/tutorial/java/core/files/index.html
Next I created my own list of 6 words and it was working well. My quest increased to ore number of words.

Google- all seven letter words.
There is one link you get with many meaningless words attatched to them! It made no sense asking the player to guess a meaningless word. So another 5000 meaningful wordlist was what I got. I copied the list to a txt file. Now I had two tasks:
1. Getting rid of the numbering before every word (1 to 5000!)
2. Seperating the 7 lettered words.

Initially I thought I would write a java code for both and alter my file then, realising that I was not able to solve the endless errors I kept getting, I opened my txt file in notepad.
Kept staring it for two minutes.
Idea!!
Step 1: Edit ---> Replace
Step 2: Find what: 1
Step 3: Replace with:
Step 4: Hit Replace!
Similarly all my numberings vanished! I was elated with the little common sense that struck my brain! :P

I managed to write down a code to seperate my 7 lettered words and then collaorated it with the game. It worked! The game had everything it needed, except - the text file had words in the small case which I had to convert to uppercase.
This time coding a java program was going tough, I was dumbstruck for two days.

Then, I tried finding tools in MSword to convert toUpperCase and I failed. Suddenly, the eureka moment arrived when my very own idea of find and replace could be used! a was replaced with A; b with B and in no time z with Z :)

Ran the game again,
it was perfect! Like how I wanted it to be!!

http://www.mediafire.com/?ytcs085e172w6xb
contains a zip folder of the game.
Although my graphics are very limited, code is not a smart one, yet the feeling of getting it right still makes me happy.

The whole process was a big learning, I enjoyeds every little bit of what I did and now, I am totally on with Programming!!
The more I code, the more I love doing it.
Guess I found a new passion... :)

#OnAQuestToLearnMore

Hope, never give up...


Tried creating an analogy here, hope I got it right :)

Over and over again, TIME kept saying the same thing.." This world is too selfish and mean for you to survive".
I said "No!  Time, you waited for none and that's why you so. I have Somebody, Somebody who cares for me much more than I do. I call him a FRIEND."
Time stood still..It seemed like it wasn't moving.
It whispered, "Oh! I have heard enough of this shit..What did you get the last time too? Betrayal?"
Collecting all th goodness in my soul, I had to give an answer.
"I want to give it another try."
"Oh really? i have seen many like you. They realise things too late. I am waring you in advance, Live Alone And You Stay Calm."
Retaliating I yelled, "Just go away. You don't have a heart! My friend means everything to me. Don't you dare tear us apart."
How stupid is time, I said to myself. Unlike what people say, Its not him but friends who heal all our wounds.
When with my company, days passed into months and months onto years. Life's journey became such a cakewalk.

------------------------------ YEARS LATER-----------------------------

The whole world was conspiring against me. How sad I was, and I walked upto my friend. He looked at me and thought, "Surrounded by danger, but not a penny in the pocket. Such great talent, but equally a threat."
He said, "Umm.. Who are you?"
Yes, he failed to even recognise me!
"Dear I am your friend, don't you even remember me? Believe me, you are my only strength."
"No! Just leave, I don't want you anymore", this was all I got to hear.

Tears filled in eyes, I walked down th moonlit bridge when I heard a  murmur, "I warned you before; the world's a nightmare. You still have me, I won't leave you alone."
I didn't say a word as the tear fell off. My mind was a battlefield, 'TIME-FIREND-FRIEND-TIME-WHAT!!'
I sat down on the bridge, staring at the silent water.
Tears clogged my sight but my heart was pounding as hard as it could.
Thoughts stopped.

My vision became clearer as I saw a figure in the dim light.
Hopes build.
Things finally seemed bright.
Neglecting Time, I walked upto the figure and boldly said,


"HEY, WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?"...

June 30, 2012

Re-exam, squeezing the hell outta us!



Every year it would just be the regular very low pass percentages, high number of KTs in BEE or CP that we, the First Years had to worry about. This time, something more added to it.
The first paper Mathematics II was conducted in a regular fashion and after we came out from the exam hall, a different scenario caught our attention. A few boys, seemingly happy were yelling around, “Maine toh pehle hi bola tha!” After loads of explanations most of realized that the paper had been leaked earlier that morning via facebook and the celebration was occurrence of the leaked paper in the exam.
No sooner than this news spread, on my way back home, I had started getting facebook feeds questioning if re-exams were to be conducted. The word “re” itself started tensing me. The studious ones started worrying for their billionth revision while the others were still confused with the mess around. Ignoring everything, I moved on to study for the next Physics II paper, something I hated the most after Chemistry.
Time and again the fact that MU gives really very long holidays between consecutive papers started bothering me. Neither was I able nor study nor was I able to enjoy. Finally on the exam day, I managed to somehow finish the paper. During the post exam discussions, it dawned upon to me that again, the physics paper was leaked earlier! In fact, my very own classmate got access to the facebook group leaking the papers and the paper was posted in the class’ group itself at 7 in the morning! I was dumbstruck! Now who checks facebook notifications early morning before an exam!
The news was saddening because none of us wanted to reappear for a physics paper. Similar thing happened for BEE KT paper (Thank God I was saved!). Despite the commotion, preparation for the next paper began. I started checking facebook everyday twice without fail for any news on the next paper or the re-exams. Talking to my seniors, I realized, these things happened every year and MU never bothered to take a re-test. Meanwhile the next paper – chemistry. Everybody hoped that the paper would not get leaked to save us from a re-test! Somehow, the paper got leaked again that morning but MU managed to come up with a back-up second question paper. Heard of shit getting real? The backup paper got leaked too minutes before the exam! As a result, we were made to wait for 40-45 minutes for the third set to arrive and finally, we were just left with 3 more to go (hopefully!)
Eventually the other exams went as usual with some chaos of the question mark on the re-exam around. MU declared a re-exam for maths, physics and BEE KT paper. A facebook group “Voice against Re-exam” was formed where students were discussing their problems and a protest for the re-exam was being scheduled. Those in favor of the re-exam had become a piece of public humiliation. The protest, as expected failed; eventually we ended up giving the re-exams as they were scheduled. Imagine the KT students; they were in a real trauma! The one month and a week exam now stretched to a month and a half! We were desperately dying for the papers to finish.
After it all got over, we sighed a huge relief! For some the re-exam proved to be a boon while for the others it was a payment for boredom and laziness. Status updates like, “MU needs a plumber”, “Our exams started with maths and physics and ended with maths and physics” began to take shape. Everyone were cursing MU for ruining their vacation plans. My hostel friends specially were upset for the delay. Plus they had to book their tickets all over again. To my surprise, some were whining for their next semester classes were going to start! (Every semester classes, That’s another story all together)
Whatever be the case, it was highly unworthy of Mumbai University to do such a blunder causing inconvenience to everyone. Hopefully, neither we nor the juniors would have to face this again.

June 18, 2012

Padhi-likhi Bai - A new concept



P.S. (before the Script to ensure there is no prejudice while reading) :My second post yet, too early too be critical, yet this was pinching me since long and hence...

The very first episode of Satyameva Jayate, focussed on how important a girl child was to the Indian household. Very well discussed and lighted upon for that week. Newspapers carrying the after-effects of the show, how the episode made an impact and blah blah blah..Well after that, it was forgotten!

Anyways, this isnt what I really want to tell today. "Stri shikshit hogi toh saara desh shikshit hoga" is what was said for the promotion of girl education. It was understood, implemented, it worked!

Seeds of high ambitions in the eyes of little girls were sown. Each of them wanted to be a doctor, teacher, engineer when she grew up. She wanted to walk along with the boys giving them a neck-to-neck competition. As she moved on the quest to fulfill her thirst for knowledge, she realised what she wanted to be, what she wanted from her life. And when success was standing right at her door-step, she was shown the brutal face of reality.

What I imply here is, no doubt that girls are given equal opportunities to grow and learn however there is an end to it. Her career is given a full-stop when she is of the right age i.e. when she is ready to be married.

To carry on her man's household, she gives up all her dreams. The life full of comprimises begins. Why? Afterall, why is she told go conquer the world when you know that she will be summoned back? Why at all tell her that equality in gender exists when she has to give in forcibly at some point of time? Just because she is the girl - emotionally strong, empathetic and has courage to do so?

And surprisingly, all the men want their wives to be smart, intelligent, holding atleast a bachelor's degree and should know to cook good food, keep the house clean,know how to raise children and so on...
But they also want that she should not be working, because if she works, she satisfies the first half of the criteria but who will step into the second set?


Like what my title says, a new concept of Padhi-likhi Bai has emerged.


So what was the use of her hardwork that she put into not to just pass but to secure a good job, a position in a renowned firm? Some men say "self-satisfaction" as an answer, but believe me, it sounds as lame as it could on Earth.

However.. But.. On the other hand..
This is the major difference in the Western and Indian cultures. If women here in our country were given the complete freedom to do what they wanted to, we would be no less like Europe where children grow up in boarding schools, food is never cooked at home, inegrated families would be a distant dream.

Someone or the other has to sacrifice to make our institutions work,
and like they say:
Ladies first!

#IfOnlyLifeHadAnswersToEverything

June 04, 2012

The start of I stand today...




When asked, as a kid, What do you want to be when you grow up? "Just like Dad", would be my reply from the thousands of possibilies I could have blabbed of. Guess, it was like the *black tongue*, what I just said turned true!

Going haha about the fact that I had very liitle (rather no) knowledge on what engineers did to earn a living actually! All that my eyes caught was the fancy of owning a high-end laptop and the previlidge to tour the world in the name of 'working on a project abroad'. Cool, ain't it! would be my thoughts..

Yet, after giving the tenth boards, I was not even sure if I would have taken science or commerce stream. Had a lovely vacation and then results. 90% se jyaada aaya, Oh my God, you have to take science! Somewhere or the other I had this notion in my mind, that smart kids always opted for science and Lo Behold, I took admission in Bhavans with computer science as my vocational.

Step 2: Choosing classes!
One thing that goes hand in hand with the junior college admissions is choosing your classes. All my teachers, my friends' parents, everybody would tell my mum, "Itni smart hai, isko toh IIT karna chahiye." And again, researched for the best coaching classes, came across PACE, next day, admission done, classes shuru!

Well this was just the start of where I stand today...

2 years of complete slogging, night studies and hardwork gave all the common entrances for engineering colleges. Cleared JEE with a 7599 rank, no use. AIEEE not that good for an NIT again. As far as CET is concerned, I had loads of JEE excuses for not preparing well. In the end, my condition was like dhobi ka kutta, na ghar ka na ghaat ka!

My IIT hopes went down the drain leaving me with very little choices. Taking a drop for a year was not something in my mind. Then I heard of Mumbai University keeping some seats reserved for students giving AIEEE. My hopes arised and my search for colleges began. Came across V.J.T.I., S.P. and D.J. which had the best placements (yes, that's how I selected colleges), checked for last years cutoffs, got a fair idea that I could get in!

Despite the confidence, for my mum's satisfaction I took admission in D.J. Sanghavi, attended college for a few days there, made many friends there and when I got a chance in S.P., I switched here!

I still remember the day when I went to withdraw my admission in D.J., the principal asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Though confused at heart, I nodded affrimatively. And hence I am here, at Sardar Patel Institute Of Technology!


Well like I said, engineering was not my choice really,
#IWasWashedAwayWithTheCrowd

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