I always get motivated when I see or hear about people in Sports,Arts, Discovery, Nat Geo or a different profession ...sometimes I even feel jealous on them.Because these people have chosen their passion as their career.Only very few are gifted like them.
My childhood interest was on animals & luckily even after being a software engineer I still feel that I have an affinity towards animals & agriculture.I'm interested & ready to lead a simple life but in this modern society being simple means you are not successful. Even though we don't bother about the so called society, our near & dears bother a lot, it takes long time to persuade them. Till that time if we think of holding our talent\passion with in ourselves & pursue them after few years, we might end up in a situation where we might no longer be relevant to that profession.
So the best way to succeed in life is to first realize or decide where you need to reach. Then see that whether you are in the right path or not. If you are in right path then, ur lucky-try to ensure that you never change track. If ur not in the right path, then try to have ur talent\passion as ur hobby so that ur in touch with it and wait for the right junction to change the track.......
When I was thinking of writing this post I got the below fwd mail which I think would be relevant for this post..
A boat docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village.
A tourist complimented the local fishermen
on the quality of their fish and asked
how long it took him to catch them.
"Not very long." they answered in unison.
"Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?"
The fishermen explained that their small catches were
sufficient to meet their needs and those of their families.
"But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"We sleep late, fish a little, play with our children,
and take siestas with our wives.
In the evenings, we go into the village to see our friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs.
We have a full life."
The tourist interrupted,
"I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you!
You should start by fishing longer every day.
You can then sell the extra fish you catch.
With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."
"And after that?"
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring,
you can buy a second one and a third one
and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers.
Instead of selling your fish to a middle man,
you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants
and maybe even open your own plant.
You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City , Los Angles , or even New York City !
From there you can direct your huge new enterprise. "
"How long would that take?"
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years." replied the tourist.
"And after that?"
"After wards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting, " answered the tourist, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions?That's too much for us? Well, after that?" asked the fishermen.
"After that you'll be able to retire,
live peacefully in a tiny village near the coast,
sleep late, play with your children,
catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife
and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."
"With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what we are doing now. So what's the point wasting twenty-five years ?" asked the Mexicans.
And the moral of this story is:
Know where you're going in life....
you may already be there
The End..........
Even after knowing where I need to reach, at times I feel like "....staying out longer and catch more!!!!!"
Might be I'm feeling insecure or trying to gather grains for the rainy days.... :-)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Training the Teachers- T3 Initiative!!!!!
Climate setting……,
We always talk\think about making a low performing child to do perform better or at times we think of modifying the current system or even to create a new system. But let’s really introspect whether we should really do that.
As Mr.N.R.NarayanaMurthy says- "Education, Nutrition, Shelter & Health care are the primary things that the local or federal government should be able to provide to at least all the children of the country, if not to the whole of its population." no individual or group of like minded individuals can change the current state of the country.
Instead we should strive to supplement the activities of government and should leverage the infrastructure, human resource (Teachers), and other such resources. At any case working independently will take us no where instead we (NGOs & Teachers) should work interdependently to enhance the quality of education in India.
I have seen volunteers & NGOs spending their valuable time (on weekends & their free time) only to create a feeble impact in the students. First of all we need to bow & wish them for their time & effort. Off late what is missing here is the relationship with the teachers ((@least a majority of them) who know the students better than anyone.
Researches & facts say that for a successful education system the below attributes contribute in their own way.
1. Student
2. Teacher
3. Parents
4. Curriculum\syllabus\Environment
A good citizen\human is the product of all the above stated 4 parameters.
Student * Teacher * Parent * Curriculum = Good citizen
As the rule of products, the output of the product will be zero even if any one of the input variable is zero. So let’s assume that all the variables have initial value of 1.
Conservative Education model
Conservative Education model is an approach where we are going to see the opportunities of using the existing resources, instead of waiting for things to turn out as per our expectation & then start….
If a farmer doesn’t have money to buy tractor or bulls to plough his land, thus missing the monsoon rain. Instead he could have ploughed a part of the land manually to get the mere output that could have at least solved his family’s food problem…..
CEM through Management principle
Circle of Influence (Things in our control)
Curriculum\Syllabus
Management & Teachers
Circle of Concern (Things out our control)
Students
Parents
Instead of worrying about the concerns let’s try to increase our influence.
Student * Teacher * Parent * Curriculum = Good citizen
2 * 5 *1*10 = 100%
Also 1*10*1*10 = 100%
How good is state board curriculum?
Everyone know that a CBSE\ICSE board is far better than the state board curriculum. But have we ever though how integral calculus & Differential calculus have helped a doctor, advocate, a police man or even a public service employees ? (other than clearing competitive exams)
Focus is more on marks- at any cost, even injuring the student for the sake of it.
Children are not encouraged to take their talents seriously and pursue it as a carrier.
We can’t assure that 100% of the students shine well
Every system has it’s own pros & cons. So, Instead of blaming the curriculum, let’s see what exactly India & world needs.
Is Monoculture Good?
I hope that almost every one likes potato & rice\chapati
Because everyone like the same, why to cultivate other crops & vegetables. Every day Rice chapati & potato
How about Potato fry, Potato sub-ji, Potato sambar, even Potato juice…..
This is what is happening in our education system. Everyone likes to get good marks but, every one wants to become an engineer or a doctor…
Now don’t say, not all become engineer or doctor. It’s because they have not got the change or no marks or no money.
Finally with no other go, the ineligible, uninterested students join other courses that country is badly in need & screw up that profession…..
Solution?
We feel that T3 initiative can be one of the effective solution to solve the problem
What?
1. Set a vision
2. Collect the values that future India needs
3. Collect the best practices of Teaching
4. Train the teachers & make them as a change agent
5. Incorporate the first 3 with the curriculum & teach
How?
First 3 steps should be done by a team with different backgrounds like, educationalist, socialist, environmentalists, NGOs, EnR (Infy), if possible with government decision makers
Arrange for a session\meeting for the principals & head masters of our target schools and perceive them on this idea.
Start the induction phase for teachers & monitoring along with continuous support.
Why corporate help is needed?
At times teachers get offended if someone teaches them
Instead, they feel privileged when a corporate training is given
Queries & Suggestions are Welcomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We always talk\think about making a low performing child to do perform better or at times we think of modifying the current system or even to create a new system. But let’s really introspect whether we should really do that.
As Mr.N.R.NarayanaMurthy says- "Education, Nutrition, Shelter & Health care are the primary things that the local or federal government should be able to provide to at least all the children of the country, if not to the whole of its population." no individual or group of like minded individuals can change the current state of the country.
Instead we should strive to supplement the activities of government and should leverage the infrastructure, human resource (Teachers), and other such resources. At any case working independently will take us no where instead we (NGOs & Teachers) should work interdependently to enhance the quality of education in India.
I have seen volunteers & NGOs spending their valuable time (on weekends & their free time) only to create a feeble impact in the students. First of all we need to bow & wish them for their time & effort. Off late what is missing here is the relationship with the teachers ((@least a majority of them) who know the students better than anyone.
Researches & facts say that for a successful education system the below attributes contribute in their own way.
1. Student
2. Teacher
3. Parents
4. Curriculum\syllabus\Environment
A good citizen\human is the product of all the above stated 4 parameters.
Student * Teacher * Parent * Curriculum = Good citizen
As the rule of products, the output of the product will be zero even if any one of the input variable is zero. So let’s assume that all the variables have initial value of 1.
Conservative Education model
Conservative Education model is an approach where we are going to see the opportunities of using the existing resources, instead of waiting for things to turn out as per our expectation & then start….
If a farmer doesn’t have money to buy tractor or bulls to plough his land, thus missing the monsoon rain. Instead he could have ploughed a part of the land manually to get the mere output that could have at least solved his family’s food problem…..
CEM through Management principle
Circle of Influence (Things in our control)
Curriculum\Syllabus
Management & Teachers
Circle of Concern (Things out our control)
Students
Parents
Instead of worrying about the concerns let’s try to increase our influence.
Student * Teacher * Parent * Curriculum = Good citizen
2 * 5 *1*10 = 100%
Also 1*10*1*10 = 100%
How good is state board curriculum?
Everyone know that a CBSE\ICSE board is far better than the state board curriculum. But have we ever though how integral calculus & Differential calculus have helped a doctor, advocate, a police man or even a public service employees ? (other than clearing competitive exams)
Focus is more on marks- at any cost, even injuring the student for the sake of it.
Children are not encouraged to take their talents seriously and pursue it as a carrier.
We can’t assure that 100% of the students shine well
Every system has it’s own pros & cons. So, Instead of blaming the curriculum, let’s see what exactly India & world needs.
Is Monoculture Good?
I hope that almost every one likes potato & rice\chapati
Because everyone like the same, why to cultivate other crops & vegetables. Every day Rice chapati & potato
How about Potato fry, Potato sub-ji, Potato sambar, even Potato juice…..
This is what is happening in our education system. Everyone likes to get good marks
Now don’t say, not all become engineer or doctor. It’s because they have not got the change or no marks or no money.
Finally with no other go, the ineligible, uninterested students join other courses that country is badly in need & screw up that profession…..
Solution?
We feel that T3 initiative can be one of the effective solution to solve the problem
What?
1. Set a vision
2. Collect the values that future India needs
3. Collect the best practices of Teaching
4. Train the teachers & make them as a change agent
5. Incorporate the first 3 with the curriculum & teach
How?
First 3 steps should be done by a team with different backgrounds like, educationalist, socialist, environmentalists, NGOs, EnR (Infy), if possible with government decision makers
Arrange for a session\meeting for the principals & head masters of our target schools and perceive them on this idea.
Start the induction phase for teachers & monitoring along with continuous support.
Why corporate help is needed?
At times teachers get offended if someone teaches them
Instead, they feel privileged when a corporate training is given
Queries & Suggestions are Welcomed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Genetically Modified Foods - Good or Bad???!!!!!
What is genetic engineering of crops? What are its implications on farmers, consumers and the environment? A quick look reveals that in the history of genetically engineering crops, it has been a well established fact that genetically engineered crops do not increase the yield as it has been projected by the multinational companies manufacturing these seed types. It's a matter of grave concern that despite the fact that there is no evidence whatsoever anywhere in the world to suggest that GM crops are safe for consumption in the long run, some governments with a myopic approach to development, like in India, are planning to allow GM crops.
I'm not against GM crops, just I feel that further more research needs to be done before we ask our farmers to cultivate them.
I'm not against GM crops, just I feel that further more research needs to be done before we ask our farmers to cultivate them.
Save our Tigers!!!!!
From around 40,000 at the turn of the last century, there are just 1411 tigers left in India. What started as a Royal Sport during the olden times is now a target of Poaching and Depleting Habitat. Our National Animal is fighting for its life!
Save Tigers!!!!
SaveourTigers.com
Save Tigers!!!!
SaveourTigers.com
Monday, February 22, 2010
Paper Bags Are Better Than Plastic, Right?
________________________________________
Summary: The answer to the "paper or plastic?" dilemma is: Neither. They're roughly equal in pros and cons. While convenient addictions, they both gobble up natural resources and cause significant pollution. Get basic design benefits of a paper and plastic bag with our award-winning replacements - the ACME Bags Workhorse (the plastic bag replacement) and the EarthTote (the paper bag replacement). Same brilliant basic design as their wasteful relatives, but designed to be used thousands of times.
__________________
Issue 1: Energy and natural resources
It takes more than four times as much energy to manufacture a paper bag as it does to manufacture a plastic bag.
ENERGY TO PRODUCE BAG ORIGINALLY (BTUs)
Safeway Plastic Bags: 594 BTUs
Safeway Paper Bags: 2511 BTUs
(Source: 1989 Plastic Recycling Directory, Society of Plastics Industry.)
Of course, most paper comes from tree pulp, so the impact of paper bag production on forests is enormous. In 1999, 14 million trees were cut to produce the 10 billion paper grocery bags used by Americans that year alone. Paper bag production delivers a global warming double-whammy forests (major absorbers of greenhouse gases) have to be cut down, and then the subsequent manufacturing of bags produces greenhouse gases.
Issue 2: Pollution
The majority of kraft paper is made by heating wood chips under pressure at high temperatures in a chemical solution. As evidenced by the unmistakable stench commonly associated with paper mills, the use of these toxic chemicals contributes to both air pollution, such as acid rain, and water pollution. Millions of gallons of these chemicals pour into our waterways each year; the toxicity of the chemicals is long-term and settles into the sediments, working its way through the food chain. Further toxicity is generated as both plastic and paper bags degrade.
POLLUTANTS PAPER V.S. PLASTIC
Paper sacks generate 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.
Source: "Comparison of the Effects on the Environment of Polyethylene and Paper Carrier Bags," Federal Office of the Environment, August 1988
Issue 3: Recycling
It takes 91% less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle a pound of paper. But recycling rates of either type of disposable bag are extremely low, with only 10 to 15% of paper bags and 1 to 3% of plastic bags being recycled, according to the Wall Street Journal.
ENERGY TO RECYCLE PACKAGE ONCE (BTUs)
Safeway Plastic Bags: 17 BTUs
Safeway Paper Bags: 1444 BTUs
Source: 1989 Plastic Recycling Directory, Society of Plastics Industry.
Although paper bags have a higher recycling rate than plastic, each new paper grocery bag you use is made from mostly virgin pulp for better strength and elasticity.
Issue 4: Degradability
Current research demonstrates that paper in today's landfills does not degrade or break down at a substantially faster rate than plastic does. In fact, nothing completely degrades in modern landfills because of the lack of water, light, oxygen and other important elements that are necessary for the degradation process to be completed. A paper bags takes up more space than a plastic bag in a landfill, but because paper is recycled at a higher rate, saving space in landfills is less of an issue.
At the end of the day using reusable shopping bags is the real answer!
Source: http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=7
Summary: The answer to the "paper or plastic?" dilemma is: Neither. They're roughly equal in pros and cons. While convenient addictions, they both gobble up natural resources and cause significant pollution. Get basic design benefits of a paper and plastic bag with our award-winning replacements - the ACME Bags Workhorse (the plastic bag replacement) and the EarthTote (the paper bag replacement). Same brilliant basic design as their wasteful relatives, but designed to be used thousands of times.
__________________
Issue 1: Energy and natural resources
It takes more than four times as much energy to manufacture a paper bag as it does to manufacture a plastic bag.
ENERGY TO PRODUCE BAG ORIGINALLY (BTUs)
Safeway Plastic Bags: 594 BTUs
Safeway Paper Bags: 2511 BTUs
(Source: 1989 Plastic Recycling Directory, Society of Plastics Industry.)
Of course, most paper comes from tree pulp, so the impact of paper bag production on forests is enormous. In 1999, 14 million trees were cut to produce the 10 billion paper grocery bags used by Americans that year alone. Paper bag production delivers a global warming double-whammy forests (major absorbers of greenhouse gases) have to be cut down, and then the subsequent manufacturing of bags produces greenhouse gases.
Issue 2: Pollution
The majority of kraft paper is made by heating wood chips under pressure at high temperatures in a chemical solution. As evidenced by the unmistakable stench commonly associated with paper mills, the use of these toxic chemicals contributes to both air pollution, such as acid rain, and water pollution. Millions of gallons of these chemicals pour into our waterways each year; the toxicity of the chemicals is long-term and settles into the sediments, working its way through the food chain. Further toxicity is generated as both plastic and paper bags degrade.
POLLUTANTS PAPER V.S. PLASTIC
Paper sacks generate 70% more air and 50 times more water pollutants than plastic bags.
Source: "Comparison of the Effects on the Environment of Polyethylene and Paper Carrier Bags," Federal Office of the Environment, August 1988
Issue 3: Recycling
It takes 91% less energy to recycle a pound of plastic than it takes to recycle a pound of paper. But recycling rates of either type of disposable bag are extremely low, with only 10 to 15% of paper bags and 1 to 3% of plastic bags being recycled, according to the Wall Street Journal.
ENERGY TO RECYCLE PACKAGE ONCE (BTUs)
Safeway Plastic Bags: 17 BTUs
Safeway Paper Bags: 1444 BTUs
Source: 1989 Plastic Recycling Directory, Society of Plastics Industry.
Although paper bags have a higher recycling rate than plastic, each new paper grocery bag you use is made from mostly virgin pulp for better strength and elasticity.
Issue 4: Degradability
Current research demonstrates that paper in today's landfills does not degrade or break down at a substantially faster rate than plastic does. In fact, nothing completely degrades in modern landfills because of the lack of water, light, oxygen and other important elements that are necessary for the degradation process to be completed. A paper bags takes up more space than a plastic bag in a landfill, but because paper is recycled at a higher rate, saving space in landfills is less of an issue.
At the end of the day using reusable shopping bags is the real answer!
Source: http://www.reusablebags.com/facts.php?id=7
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
