Tunneling Tech

Happy advanced World Environment Day to you folks. It is our collective goal to work for the furtherance of not just the society but the environment alike, in a time when the world is going through rapid climate changes. It is indeed a very exultant day for the Swiss as they open the longest rail tunnel in the world, The Gotthard Base Tunnel, quite a feat in terms of being an engineering marvel and a mega structure altogether. Kudos to the timekeepers (The Swiss) and the engineers of a glorious European nation, Switzerland.

A tunnel helps us bridge and pave our way into territories otherwise uncharted. It takes us to a parallel world, a different universe, although not literally. The impression of getting into and coming out on the other end is quite enchanting for some and horrifying for others. Technology has proven to be a similar tunneling force for the humans to yield them from the past and land them in the future. If only we had imagined to use the internet to switch on a light bulb at our homes from a distance thousand miles away, it would have seemed like a far fetched reverie a few decades ago. With the help of Internet of Things, it is now a reality. Such is the magic of technology.

It is for some rebels and misfits who were bold enough to defy the odds and help mankind into crafting the future. There is always a lot of noise in the heads of futurists. He is inundated into numerous reveries and he is forced to think aloud. He overcomes all the noise to see the music hidden in the skipped notes. Thus I bring to you the Top 10 innovations in the world of Tech and the masterminds behind the scenes.

1. Steve Jobs and Jony Ive : Product designers responsible for creating the ubiquitous Apple hardware and software designs, including the evolutionary iPhone, the iPad, the Macbook and the iOS interface. 

2. Sergey Brin and Larry Page: Co-founders of Google, aided with development of Google Glass and Google’s self-driving cars , creators of the famous PageRank algorithm that makes Google’s search engine so reliable.

3. Mark Zuckerberg: Co-founder and CEO of Facebook. He is to date the most successful representative of the Gen Y innovators.

4. Elon Musk : Co-founder of PayPal, the company which pioneered person-to-person payments online. He is also credited with founding Tesla, an emerging electric car company, and SpaceX, a technology company looking to privatize spaceflights.

5.Reid Hoffman: Founder of LinkedIn, a website which provides the largest professional social network on the Internet. Also the former COO of PayPal.

6. Braingate: A brain implant system developed by Cyberkinetics, being developed to help those who have lost the function of their limbs.

7. Abiocor Total Artificial Heart by Abiomed.

8.Adam Mayer, Zach Smith and Bre Pettis : Founders of MakerBot, company pioneering 3d printing.

9.Salman Khan : Founder of the Khan Academy. It is a free, non-profit platform with the primary goal to offer a world-class online education to anyone, anywhere.

10. Eesha Khare : Created a device (Super Capacitor) that can charge a cell phone in just 30 seconds; she was only 18 years old at the time. This super-capacitor earned her the 2013 Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award. She is using her prize money toward Harvard tuition.

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Seasons Cocktails: What are you?

Hello again lovely folks, here comes some respite from the agonizing summer heat as descents of the first spell of the monsoon embraced the earthy soil across parts of Odisha. The enjoyable weather has been pleasantly startling owing to the dreadful news of late monsoon, a few days ago. As far as us techies are concerned, most of us have been keeping busy in congregating super powers from places such as ACE Academy, TIME, IMS and Made Easy while some others interning at Multinationals; thus saving the nation. And for the silent majority, me alike, have capitulated before the supreme Sun God and preferred to be the lazy cats tugged onto our own fur, away from the sun, protected by the shady couch and the air conditioner!  Dare you disturb us! We would purr!

This outrageous alteration of weather has breathed relief into the ailing souls and has gifted us the much needed respite. But “us” would be an overstatement for not all of us hate the summer and love the magical spell of the monsoon, do you? Unlike me, a lot of people like the majestic summer sun shining in all its might, paving way for the golden peachy skies, the relaxing beaches, prospects to finally show off our brand new Ray Ban Aviator Shades and dare I skip the summer fashionistas trying out their fresh collection! This makes me wonder what weather I would prefer to be. (Had weather been a person). Umm, winter maybe. Who would you be? Let’s take a dive into the trenches of your star-sign traits and find out.

Aries

They mark the beginning of a new life, a warm period just after the gentle spring has flown out of the window. The hot headed rams are strong and are not shy from showing it. To mark their enthusiastic, stubborn nature; Summer sunshine would be ideal. Be armed with sunglasses, their sparkle might blind you!

Taurus

They are the ideal earthlings with every inch of them imbibed with unbeatable strength and endurance. Just like the early tranquil before a storm, they remain calm until you irk them. Hell will break loose on you afterwards as you face the dark stormy clouds with frequent thunderbolts alone under their scary wrath.  Overcast Rainy season would be most compatible for these unpredictable spells.

Gemini

Like the warm, jovial spring, they could breathe life into almost anybody. With occasional gloomy downpours, Gemini stay happy go lucky, fluttering like butterflies and exploring everything that catches their curiosity. Spring defines them ideally. They are the goofy guys next door. 

Cancer

The empathetic crabs are warm and tender hearted. These moody beings are affable with a deep affinity for family. Sometimes they love being around people and at other times, stay hidden inside their shells. Like the warm spring morning, they are lovable with high chances of raining afterwards, making you sweaty palmed. While travelling with them, bring your umbrellas and napkins with you. You never know what may come!

Leo

This self-reliant, influential king loves to rule and indulge in luxury. They are bold and passionate at heart that does everything with panache. Just like a bright, lazy summer morning, they sparkle and make heads turn with their grandeur presence. No wonder they will steal your thunder. Time to dazzle!

Virgo

They are the idealists and perfectionists. They want everything to be top notch and why shouldn’t they? For they toiled hard for it. But a sudden change of plans or delay could send them to the jittery edge of their crankiness. Being volatile and emotional, they are fussy and inflexible like winter nights with cloudy skies. Hold your breath tight, for the Virgo's always right.

Libra

They know the art of balance and try to keep everyone happy. They like to keep their lives colorful with different shades of the rainbow and their friendly nature makes them popular. Nothing could be a better match than spring. Gentle and Kind, Libras make the whole world unwind.

Scorpio

Like a blizzard, they are fierce and overwhelming. Mysterious by nature, they have a magnetic aura around them. Love them or hate them; you can’t ignore them. They can get cold if fiddled with as they find it difficult to trust people. Cold wintry night with occasional blizzards is in tune with them.Get, Set, Freeze!

Sagittarius

They are energetic and have a knack for travelling. They are stable with an open mind that sometimes gets philosophical. Faithful but with a sense of detachment, they mostly resemble summer mid mornings. With heat at its height, they are like fireballs, sharp but full of life. Touch with caution!

Capricorn

The mountain goat is all about being responsible and practical. They might appear cold and harsh as they struggle for quality and productivity. But at heart, they are loyal and sensitive. They are rigid like the winter and can get selfishly cold if didn’t get what they want. They are like winter days with no snow: cold yet mellow!

Aquarius

These mighty adventurers are a symbol of humanity. They are charming and see the world vividly. They like to play it cool and confident and love to live larger than life. They ideally suit the shiny summer days. Play it cool for the summer.

Pisces

They are the dreamers and romantics. Just like the fresh blossom after the first rain, they are like free flowing poetry. They are like first downpours, giving birth to new life. Behold the fishy creatures with the golden hearts  !

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Remember Me

What if the world ends tomorrow?
Would you still hold on to me?
What if i lost my way?
Would you still come to find me?
What if i could no longer see beyond the darkness?
Would you still choose to be my light?
What if i could no longer express my agony?
Would you still understand what words couldn't express?
You and i are meant to be.
What if i could no longer put my faith in it?
Would you still make me believe?
What if I'm gone, one day?
Would you protect our memories?
What if the world ends tomorrow?
Would you remember me?

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Unapologetic

“It wasn't easy for me

It’s never easy for anybody”

That’s all he said

Before he let her immerse into the darkness

Before he ran away

Nonchalantly breaking brutally

The intangible string

Upon which old memories hung feebly

She, like a silhouette, became a hollow

Mirage of light,

Without spirit, unworthy for life

Still gathering the broken pieces of their memories

While he gets drunk every other night

And makes another heart flutter in delight

But chanting the same old tale soon after

“It wasn't easy for me

 It’s never easy for anybody”

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Nature Photography

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Capturing Imagination

“Daddy, that’s a loudspeaker!” exclaimed a younger me. I had drawn a huge triangular shape on a large A1 sheet. It was a 5 year old’s delineation of a rusty ‘Ahuja’ trumpet horn speaker. I found trumpet horn speakers fascinating. They are conical structures with a tapered frustum protruding from within them. These days you would only find them hanging atop railway platforms used to announce vital train stats. I wondered how they could produce such loud volume that reverberated through an entire field. Dad used to provide innumerous drawing sheets and color crayons so I could portray my imagination on the sheets. He used to say “This is real learning.” Time flew, I grew.

I developed the habit of painting in my early childhood. Though I wasn’t a good painter in any sense, but I was given a small area of freedom of expression. I was given the clean white sheet which was mine. I could draw anything on it, just anything. That could be a hat, a cat, a dog, a car or any whiskery person I found captivating on the road. So I tried mastering the art. Mum and Dad invigorated me to follow my intuition and draw just anything I liked. This is how it should always be. When I’ll become a father, I’ll make sure I fully equip my children with tools that they can use to express themselves. Times will change and the medium will change, but they will keep on innovating and inventing as they would not fear to tread the untrodden.

From the past few months, I had been researching quite a lot about DSLR cameras online. I watched YouTube clips where filmmakers sought to DSLRs to create some film sequences. I was glued to how they could take studio quality photos and documentary style movie. I have always had the creative soul inside me. Always wanted to create things with tools that I found enchanting. I had stopped painting long back, and was very idle since past few months. I didn’t write for the blog, didn’t research on anything new. I wanted a new passion that I could develop. So I had the urge to have one. I called dad and asked him. He assured me that he would get one for me during the Puja holidays. I was happy. I was finally getting a new tool.

By a certain turn of events, dad told me that he couldn’t get me the DSLR. I was gloomy. It felt like I was denied my freedom of expression. I requested him if he could reconsider my plea. He just asked for time. And I had none. If I have an urge, and I train my brain that I can’t have it, then my faith on the idea is prone to flinching and wavering. But something about this passion endured it. I was losing sanity at the thought that I really wouldn’t have it. I was looking too hard for a silver lining but could find none. Being a father is not easy. Dad somehow detected that I badly needed it.

So dad surprised me by gifting me a Canon EOS 700D. My first DSLR. Thank you dad. Thank you for keeping the flame of creativity alive inside me. On our way back home with the DSLR, dad enquired me, “Remember the time in your childhood you used to waste the outsized A1 sheet sketching huge triangular shapes and called them loudspeakers?” I blurted “Yes dad.” He said, “I used to provide you them so you could always keep on expressing yourself and I made sure you never ran out of sheets.” “This DSLR is just another such sheet. So go ahead and capture your imagination.” It was one of those exultant moments that I wouldn’t forget the rest of my life.

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Being Human!

Today I watched a poignant movie which deeply fascinated me. Any guesses which one it could be?

It wasn't any Bollywood melodrama piece or a Hollywood tale of romance. It was about us, Humans!

‘Human’ is an authentic movie, directed by an artist and filmmaker, Yann Arthus Bertrand; led by two nonprofit organizations: Bettencourt Schueller and Good Planet Foundation. Based on unique thoughts, this movie delicately portrays the in-numerous human lives and emotions: their tears, laughter and fears, etc… across the globe with a quest for the answer to an imperceptible question ‘what makes us human?’

For three years, he traveled to around sixty countries, meeting new people, comprehending their hopes and struggles and capturing those precious moments, making the whole process worthwhile.

The movie comprises of interviews of some eminent persons like Cameron Diaz who talks about her incredible career and shares her learning experiences since childhood. She also discloses her hardest times when she lost her father. Other than her, there were others like Jose Mujica, the former president of Uruguay who discusses about his struggles to bring a transformation in the society towards upliftment. He talks about his setbacks and the enduring fortitude to still strive for it. He meticulously describes that the true essence of happiness lies within and why in this consumer society, sobriety is essential.

While it was emotional to watch some fearless souls like Francine Christopher share her experience of the concentration camps, during the Hitler reign (It was deeply moving to see that old lady speak about their heart rending moments as they struggled to survive each day), there were others who expressed the true value of love and joy which resides in the simplest pleasures.

The pertinent questions regarding sorrow, happiness, frustration, a human undergoes everyday and their indubitable, gripping answers, portrayed in unforgettable ways will leave your soul engrossed to the core.

There were uncountable touching tales which couldn't be sufficed or restrained in a piece of paper but can only be understood and sensed through the eyes.

Click here to watch :https://humanthemovie.withgoogle.com/

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