Thursday, October 15, 2009
Sunday, October 11, 2009
The great history quiz
After getting a good score in PCM in class XIIth, I decided to go for engineering. The admission process had its share of dramas and finally after multiple stay orders and judgments from all courts going up to the Supreme Court (yes, only the President was spared from giving his opinion on the admissions issue), the classes started. Due to late starting, the first semester was more like a first quarter and got over within three months. It was time to get the journals graded. Among the subjects we had was a subject called Computer Programming 1. Now, I hate programming and hence this course was going to be a tough one. Of course, with the help of good friends in the batch, I did manage to complete all the programs. So it was with great satisfaction of having completed all the programs that I made my way to Prof. Pandey for grading my journal. He looks at the first program and mentions to me that there are lot of errors in the flow chart. The flow chart that I had drawn was not tallying with my program. I need to correct it before I get it checked. Off I go for correcting it. I return back and he finds some more errors in the same flowchart. So again I get apprehended for my mistakes and am told to make the corrections once again. Making the necessary changes once again, I head to him for grading. This time, I am quite confident that I am right. Boom...he checks it and lets me know that the mistakes have infact increased this time. "Yeh tum kaise manage kar sakte ho. Har time kuch naye galtiyaan laate ho". By now, I am quite worried and the thought does come to my mind of having no grade in CP1. After making some more changes, I head to him for the fourth time for grading the same program. This time, I get lucky. There is one more student ahead of me sailing in the same boat. This student is from the same native place in Uttar Pradesh as Pandeyji. Pandeyji asks him some questions about the historical significance of Lucknow. Being next in line, I am asked for my opinion on it. Since I have a good knowledge of Indian history, I am able to answer it. What happens next is a quiz on Indian history. Mr. Pandey asks me questions from history and for every five correct answers that I give, I get a program checked without any questions on it. Soon, I have managed to not only get my entire journal graded without any mistakes pointed out, but I have also got A+ in CP1 (or should it be history 101?). After getting my journal graded, I ask Sandeep to have a look at my programs and flowcharts and let me know my mistakes. There are a whole bunch of them and no Professor would have given me even a B+ for that. But I guess I was lucky. Since then, I have got plenty of journals graded, but it was never as fun as the CP1 with Pandeyji...
First class in the United States
After completing my B.E., I decided to follow the M.S. option. I gave my GRE in my 7th Semester and finished the application stage towards the end of that semester. The 8th semester saw the admits and the rejects coming out. It was in this term that I decided to opt for Drexel University. This university was located in downtown Philadelphia and had a good Telecommunications program. I finished the visa interview in June and in the month of September, I found myself in Philadelphia. Our term started on the 24th of September 2007 and I was eagerly waiting for this day. I was having a class on the first day itself. It was going to be DSP lecture by Dr. Walsh. All excited about it, I made my way to the class. I used to think that I was quite well versed in DSP. After the first lecture, I knew I was completely wrong.
So the first lecture starts and I am finding it very difficult to comprehend what Dr. Walsh is talking about. May be I was not that used to the accent, but I just couldn’t understand a thing what he was speaking. Sagar was sitting next to me and once or twice, I thought of asking him whether Dr. Walsh was speaking in some new language that I was not aware of. It was a weird situation where I knew something about the discussion, but I just couldn’t understand what the prof was speaking. This was a lecture I will never forget.
Fortunately by the next class, I had some exposure to people speaking fast in American accent. I could manage to understand what Dr. Walsh was saying. I managed to do decently in his course and ended up with an A-. It was certainly a relief to get through his class, especially after the experience in the first class. My first class in the United States is something I will always remember.
So the first lecture starts and I am finding it very difficult to comprehend what Dr. Walsh is talking about. May be I was not that used to the accent, but I just couldn’t understand a thing what he was speaking. Sagar was sitting next to me and once or twice, I thought of asking him whether Dr. Walsh was speaking in some new language that I was not aware of. It was a weird situation where I knew something about the discussion, but I just couldn’t understand what the prof was speaking. This was a lecture I will never forget.
Fortunately by the next class, I had some exposure to people speaking fast in American accent. I could manage to understand what Dr. Walsh was saying. I managed to do decently in his course and ended up with an A-. It was certainly a relief to get through his class, especially after the experience in the first class. My first class in the United States is something I will always remember.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Mr. Professor kumar, a typical professor in an engineering college
This is a poem which was composed by me and Alhad during a lecture in our third year of engineering. KBC 2 was about to be released that time and there was lot of excitement about it. All the channels regularly ran promos of it. There was another promotional spoof making the rounds at that time. It can be found at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQCKHtt3wl8
The tune of that song as well as the other promotional ads is the inspiration behind this work. Hope you like it. Please leave comments/brickbats...
Yeh hai Mr. Professor kumar,
Bachpan se inko tha padhai se pyar,
Badi mehnat se mili inko engineering me admission,
Char saal ke badle lage aath saal for graduation,
Twelth me mara tha inhone bade style se ninety,
Engineering me inhe lage bahut saare KT,
Bahut niraash the, baar baar yaad aati thi nani,
par professor kumar ne kabhi haar nahi maani,
One day, while recollecting his technical knowledge,
Unke dost ne unhe pucha,
Kabhi professor ban ne ka socha,
Professor kumar bade soch me pade,
engineering college me ek professor bane,
Fir professor banke inhone dhoom machayi,
Har lecture me pucha, woh nahi aayi??,
engineering ke funde ko ulta ghumaya,
answer nahi aaya to student ko khopche me bulaya,
aaj bhi yeh, aaj bhi yeh karte hai dil se sikhane ka prayas,
bachchon ka hota hai future bada satyanash,
jinhone sikhe inse engineering ke funde,
exam me mile bahut saare ande,
par jinhone prefer kiya classes lagana,
exam me mila bhaiyya, umeed se dugna...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQCKHtt3wl8
The tune of that song as well as the other promotional ads is the inspiration behind this work. Hope you like it. Please leave comments/brickbats...
Yeh hai Mr. Professor kumar,
Bachpan se inko tha padhai se pyar,
Badi mehnat se mili inko engineering me admission,
Char saal ke badle lage aath saal for graduation,
Twelth me mara tha inhone bade style se ninety,
Engineering me inhe lage bahut saare KT,
Bahut niraash the, baar baar yaad aati thi nani,
par professor kumar ne kabhi haar nahi maani,
One day, while recollecting his technical knowledge,
Unke dost ne unhe pucha,
Kabhi professor ban ne ka socha,
Professor kumar bade soch me pade,
engineering college me ek professor bane,
Fir professor banke inhone dhoom machayi,
Har lecture me pucha, woh nahi aayi??,
engineering ke funde ko ulta ghumaya,
answer nahi aaya to student ko khopche me bulaya,
aaj bhi yeh, aaj bhi yeh karte hai dil se sikhane ka prayas,
bachchon ka hota hai future bada satyanash,
jinhone sikhe inse engineering ke funde,
exam me mile bahut saare ande,
par jinhone prefer kiya classes lagana,
exam me mila bhaiyya, umeed se dugna...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Two years on...
September 1st will always remain a special day for me. Its not only my grandfather's birthday, but also on this day in 2007, I had started and reached US for my MS. Its an interesting coincidence that I spent 1st September this year in India. As I look behind at these two happening years, I do realize that they have overall been two lovely and fun filled years.
I have learnt a lot in the last two years. This learning is not just restricted to the academic field, but also has served as a learning program for living and enjoying life. There have been lots of good incidences which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have also learnt a lot from the not so good incidences. I have made some terrific friends over the last two years. And most importantly, I have learnt to live independently.
As I look behind at these two years, they give me confidence that I will easily be able to pull off the next three to four years as a PhD student...
I have learnt a lot in the last two years. This learning is not just restricted to the academic field, but also has served as a learning program for living and enjoying life. There have been lots of good incidences which I have thoroughly enjoyed. I have also learnt a lot from the not so good incidences. I have made some terrific friends over the last two years. And most importantly, I have learnt to live independently.
As I look behind at these two years, they give me confidence that I will easily be able to pull off the next three to four years as a PhD student...
Friday, August 21, 2009
That unforgettable ride in the rickshaw
I just remembered this incident yesterday and decided to write about it. This happened on one Sunday morning when I was in class XIIth and was on my way to Agrawal Classes.
When our college started, we used to have Agrawal Classes on Sundays. Usually our classes would be from 7 in the morning to 1.30 in the afternoon. But this sunday, they were from 10.25 to 1.30. So I started from home. Usually I get a rickshaw immediately from the station, but on this day, there seemed to no availability of an empty rickshaw. Rickshaws passed by continuously, but none of them were empty. And while I was waiting for a rickshaw, I happen to notice a pretty looking girl standing close by also waiting for a rickshaw. Finally, after what seemed like an eternal wait, but was only about 10 mins, a rickshaw pulls up. And of course, that rickshaw stops right in front of her and picks her up. (Of course, gender discrimination is present in India. But its not only discrimination against the fairer sex. The discrimination takes place against both the sexes.) By now, I am really sure I am going to be late for my classes. And also hoping that the next empty rickshaw would not take 10 minutes to come. But as the rickshaw passes in front of me, it stops. And the girl asks me whether I want a ride to the station.
The ride to the station always felt long and time consuming. This was partly due to my habit of leaving at the last possible time so as to just catch one of my pre-decided locals. But today, this journey seemed very short. The road to the station passes parallel to the railway tracks. Since I am a big rail fan, I get happy when I see a train passing by while I go to the station. But today, I hardly paid attention when a train passed by. After what seemed to be really short ride, we reached Goregaon station. The girl swiftly paid for the fare and went her own way. And I too decided to go my own way.
It's funny that eventhough that girl obviously stayed in Pandurang Wadi, I saw her only once later (and it happened the very next week). Over time, I forgot about the incident till I remembered about it yesterday and decided to write about it here. Thanks for the reading...
When our college started, we used to have Agrawal Classes on Sundays. Usually our classes would be from 7 in the morning to 1.30 in the afternoon. But this sunday, they were from 10.25 to 1.30. So I started from home. Usually I get a rickshaw immediately from the station, but on this day, there seemed to no availability of an empty rickshaw. Rickshaws passed by continuously, but none of them were empty. And while I was waiting for a rickshaw, I happen to notice a pretty looking girl standing close by also waiting for a rickshaw. Finally, after what seemed like an eternal wait, but was only about 10 mins, a rickshaw pulls up. And of course, that rickshaw stops right in front of her and picks her up. (Of course, gender discrimination is present in India. But its not only discrimination against the fairer sex. The discrimination takes place against both the sexes.) By now, I am really sure I am going to be late for my classes. And also hoping that the next empty rickshaw would not take 10 minutes to come. But as the rickshaw passes in front of me, it stops. And the girl asks me whether I want a ride to the station.
The ride to the station always felt long and time consuming. This was partly due to my habit of leaving at the last possible time so as to just catch one of my pre-decided locals. But today, this journey seemed very short. The road to the station passes parallel to the railway tracks. Since I am a big rail fan, I get happy when I see a train passing by while I go to the station. But today, I hardly paid attention when a train passed by. After what seemed to be really short ride, we reached Goregaon station. The girl swiftly paid for the fare and went her own way. And I too decided to go my own way.
It's funny that eventhough that girl obviously stayed in Pandurang Wadi, I saw her only once later (and it happened the very next week). Over time, I forgot about the incident till I remembered about it yesterday and decided to write about it here. Thanks for the reading...
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Chemistry Pracs in XIIth, an exam to remember
Today, I am writing about the experience I had in my Chemistry practicals in Class XIIth.
The day started brightly as I went about doing the Volumetric analysis. After performing it quite nicely, went onto the second part. This one involved 8 marks for Acidic radicals and 2 marks for nature of chemical compound. As I went to the acidic radical part, adding some compound (I forget its name) gave me lot of effervescence showing presence of carbonate. With one radical already found, I didnt take much time to get the other one. With the acidic radicals done, I went on to the nature of organic compound question. The white chemical smelled a lot like naphthalene and I was quite sure it was just that. This meant that it was neutral in nature. But being the sincere student that I am, I went religiously over the different tests that we needed to perform. With the mind quite sure about the answer, it didnt take me much convincing to write the answer as neutral. With all the experiment done and the results tabulated in the answer sheet, I proceed to leave the hall.
I dont know what made me do this, but as I reached the entrance, I turn back and head to the internal examiner, Mrs. Paranjpe. I inform her that I completed my exam and could I leave. She feels that I should verify answers before I leave. (Dont ask me why she did it, even I am wondering the same all these years. I was the only one with whom she confirmed the answers and she didnt even know me. I surely am thankful to her for doing so.) In a confident manner, I give her my results from the volumetric analysis and acidic radicals. As I come to the nature of compound question, I get informed that my answers to the previous questions are correct. As I tell her that the compound was neutral in nature, I see a horror filled look on her face. I get shocked to know that my answer is wrong. I am informed that I should go back and do it again. But the problem is I have already submitted my answer sheet.
As I worry about my 2 marks (and 2 marks mean a lot in PCM), Mrs Paranjpe talks with the external examiner about my mistake and requests her to give me another chance for that experiement. Fortunately the external examiner is a very kind lady. She agrees to giving me a second chance on one condition. That I show her the results after every test. As I await the compound to be given to me by the peon, I am quite worried. As I add a basic solution to it, I get a small effervescence. I show the external examiner and her first question is "Pehle kahaan tha effervescence?" (Where was the effervescence when you did it earlier?). I give a smile and tell her that I have no idea how I missed it.
The fun is not yet over. Now that I have done the experiment again, I need to write the results in my answer sheet. And the external examiner cant find my answer sheet. After searching for five minutes, I finally get it. Making the necessary changes, I finally submit the corrected answer sheet again.
As I look back, I really want to thank both the examiners for their kindness. Those 2 marks meant a lot to me and decided the path that I took. When I had decided to shift to Sathaye, I was told by many people that since there are hundreds of students in Mumbai Colleges, the examiners are not that linient and helpful towards students. Hence I should have continued plus two in Boisar. But having this experience has made me understand one thing. However number of students may there be, when a student needs help, teachers are always there to provide it.
The day started brightly as I went about doing the Volumetric analysis. After performing it quite nicely, went onto the second part. This one involved 8 marks for Acidic radicals and 2 marks for nature of chemical compound. As I went to the acidic radical part, adding some compound (I forget its name) gave me lot of effervescence showing presence of carbonate. With one radical already found, I didnt take much time to get the other one. With the acidic radicals done, I went on to the nature of organic compound question. The white chemical smelled a lot like naphthalene and I was quite sure it was just that. This meant that it was neutral in nature. But being the sincere student that I am, I went religiously over the different tests that we needed to perform. With the mind quite sure about the answer, it didnt take me much convincing to write the answer as neutral. With all the experiment done and the results tabulated in the answer sheet, I proceed to leave the hall.
I dont know what made me do this, but as I reached the entrance, I turn back and head to the internal examiner, Mrs. Paranjpe. I inform her that I completed my exam and could I leave. She feels that I should verify answers before I leave. (Dont ask me why she did it, even I am wondering the same all these years. I was the only one with whom she confirmed the answers and she didnt even know me. I surely am thankful to her for doing so.) In a confident manner, I give her my results from the volumetric analysis and acidic radicals. As I come to the nature of compound question, I get informed that my answers to the previous questions are correct. As I tell her that the compound was neutral in nature, I see a horror filled look on her face. I get shocked to know that my answer is wrong. I am informed that I should go back and do it again. But the problem is I have already submitted my answer sheet.
As I worry about my 2 marks (and 2 marks mean a lot in PCM), Mrs Paranjpe talks with the external examiner about my mistake and requests her to give me another chance for that experiement. Fortunately the external examiner is a very kind lady. She agrees to giving me a second chance on one condition. That I show her the results after every test. As I await the compound to be given to me by the peon, I am quite worried. As I add a basic solution to it, I get a small effervescence. I show the external examiner and her first question is "Pehle kahaan tha effervescence?" (Where was the effervescence when you did it earlier?). I give a smile and tell her that I have no idea how I missed it.
The fun is not yet over. Now that I have done the experiment again, I need to write the results in my answer sheet. And the external examiner cant find my answer sheet. After searching for five minutes, I finally get it. Making the necessary changes, I finally submit the corrected answer sheet again.
As I look back, I really want to thank both the examiners for their kindness. Those 2 marks meant a lot to me and decided the path that I took. When I had decided to shift to Sathaye, I was told by many people that since there are hundreds of students in Mumbai Colleges, the examiners are not that linient and helpful towards students. Hence I should have continued plus two in Boisar. But having this experience has made me understand one thing. However number of students may there be, when a student needs help, teachers are always there to provide it.
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