What Are We Looking At ?

Hi,
well,
Last Night,
I was walking back to my rooms. There was a family walking a few paces ahead of me: husband, wife and their five-yr old son walking in between them.

Road ahead was a straight one. It was a clear night. A full moon had risen just above the horizon. It was a beautiful sight... and I was looking at it mesmerized.

The kid too must have seen it, because he exclaimed," Baba to bagha chaandoba !!"

The father murmured something, but the mother shouted,'' arre neeT khaali baghun chaal.... dhaDpaDshil naahitarr !!"

The Result
.. was that the kid never once looked up at the sky till they reached their apartment.

I felt a bit sorry for the kid, and a bit angry towards the lady. No doubt her reprimand had come out of concern for her child. but in doing so, she had prevented him from savouring one of the beautiful sights in the world.

What would have happened at most, the boy might have stumbled on to something and might have had a fall. But parents were there to take are of that.

Speaking Metaphorically
... when we are looking at only at the obstacles in our path, we often lose sight of our true goal.
But if we are focused on our goals, there is God with us to care our care.

Yours,
Gautam.

Kitchen ki Duniya mein pehla kadam !!

Hi,

Well, my shift from living as a PG to an independent residence has introduced me to an area with which I had not bothered to familiarize myself so far.

Swayampaak-ghar ... rasoi ... kitchen.

Being an Industrial Chemist, I set out with the air of a lab-student about to do an experiment.... setting up the apparatus , preparing the basic ingredients, following procedure step by step, and finally testing the product to confirm whether it turned out to be the one which was originally intended.

For first couple of days, I brushed up the basics... making tea and coffee, and fixing up an occasional limbu-sarbat. Next I moved on to the advanced topic... the meal. After a lot of trial n errors, I succeeded in preparing what I consider a minimal diet for me... varaN- bhaat, baTaTa bhaaji, paapaD, loNche and koshimbir. I can survive on this for years together. (paapaD & loNche are imported straight from Goa. I have not yet reconciled with their Puneri versions).

Earlier I had great doubts whether I would survive these experiments, or indeed whether I ought to bother myself in cooking rather than ordering a tiffin. But now, my attitude has changed !! In fact, I have begun to enjoy cooking.

Even simple things like the boiling of water, or the gradual forming of cream (saay) over hot milk, or the variation in the sounds of cooker as the steam cools down, is real interesting to note, if one only cares to do so.

Our Organic Chemistry professor, Dr Mallik once remarked to girls during an experiment, " Do not be scared of lab work... after all, your kitchen is nothing but a laboratory where you carry out complex organic reactions on a daily basis."

In my case, it's been the other way round... chemistry background has paved the way for an enjoyable time in kitchen... the only difference being that, I find giving foDNee a tougher task than carrying out nitration of sulphuric acid.

Here is a Chemist's approach to preparing a simple dish.

*****************************************

Aim: To prepare KhichDee - E- Rice

Apparatus: kaDhaee (reactor vessel), a big spatula, a pair of tongues, Burner

Materials: Rice, Daal, Mirchee, Potato, Tomato, Onion, Oil,

Chemicals: Sodium Chloride (crystalline or amorphous), Liquefied H2O, Source of LPG.

Procedure:

1. Mix Rice & Daal in the ratio 3:1

2. Wash the above mixture with liquefied H2O. Remove any suspended impurities .Drain off the excess liquid.

3. Cut Mirchee, Potato, kothimbir, Tomato & Onion into small pieces.
4. FoDNee:

a> Keep reactor vessel on the burner. Switch on the source of Liquefied Natural Gas.

b> Add a small quantity of oil.

c> Until it boils, make a mixture of Jirre + Mohri + HaLad + Hing.

d> Add the above mixture to the reactor vessel as soon as oil begins to boil.

5. Immediately add the mixture of Rice and Daal and also the cut pieces of mirchee, etc. to the reactor.

6. Hold reactor steady with a pair of tongues( pakkaD) and stir vigorously the contents with help of spatula for 60 seconds.

7. Add a cup of liquefied H20 and a pinch of Sodium Chloride to the reactor vessel.

8. Stir again for about 120 seconds.

9. Allow the mixture to heat on medium to strong flame for about 10 minutes.

10. After the product is formed (indicated by spicy odour and fluffy nature of rice grains), the reaction is said to have reached the end-point.

Caution : USE ONLY A COMPLETELY DRY REACTOR VESSEL. PRESENCE OF DIHYROGEN MONOXIDE (H20) LEADS TO VIGOROUS INTERACTION WITH HOT OIL.

Precautions:

1. FoDNee is an exothermic process, accompanied by audio-visual effects. Keep children away from premises.

2. Do not forget to switch off the source of burner flame after reaction terminates. Failure to do so may prove hazardous to life and property.

3. Quality- assurance tests must be carried out before the product is sent for consumption by humans.

************************

Yours,

Gautam.

Book Reviews : Non Fiction

Krushna-Vivar

Mohan Apte

Rajhans Prakaashan
It explains the concept of black-holes in a great detail. Anyone who has done his/her 12th science and has read a bit about these stellar objects will not have any difficulty in grasping the concepts. Marathi needs more such books which give in-depth information without being too hard to language.
Some other books ( in English ) which I would very strongly recommend on blackholes are:
1. "Frozen Star" : George Greenstein

This is an excellently beautiful book, which explains all ideas right from novas, supernovas, neutron-stars, pulsars, black-holes, worm-holes.. A very, very, very good book...in fact I have a personal copy of it.
2."Mathematical Theory of Black Holes ": S. Chandrasekhar

I have glanced thru this ... It is very hi-funda, with loads of math equations.

3."Collapsing Universe": Isaac Asimov

Written in his impeccable style, the book makes an enchanting read.

4. A Brief History of Time: Stephen Hawking

Although not exclusively about black-holes, it is easy to understand. the entire book contains just one equation: E= mc^2.

5. Seven Wonders of Cosmos: Jayant Narlikar

A bit mathematically-loaded, it discusses some of the most exotic phenomena in outer space such as black-holes and quasars.

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The 9/11 Report

Thomas H. Kean & Lee H Hamilton

St Martins Press
It gives a complete report of the circumstances surrounding the terrorist attacks on WTC. It is supplemented with analysis and reporting by the New York Times . The language is matter-of-fact, clinical and without any added drama.

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Well, I came across this book and felt vindicated, since it provides a solid factual support for something I have been thinking all along.
Samagra Maate Narmade [Marathi]

- Dr Dattaprasad Dabholkar
This book gives an exhaustive account of the 'struggle' for Narmada Bachao Andolan... the socio-political as well as historical and geological background, the cause and effect and how it was lead by Medha Patkar, Sundarlal Bahuguna and other social activists, including Arundhati Roy. After reading the book one can't help but be dismayed by how a well-meant campaign has been lead astray by few people who are not ready to push up their ideological 'burkhaas' and look at the practical aspects without getting emotionally charged.

While in college, a debate broke out on this issue. Myself and another boy Sanath Barve were the only two who had taken a stand against Narmada Bachao Andolan. Rest of the entire class had rallied against us, crying hoarse in name of people dis-located from their homes and environmental hazards resulting due to such big projects.

I am not saying that projects should be set up at the cost of lives and property of innocent people. Indeed they ought to get more than sufficient re-imbursement for their troubles... but when the activists say that NO TO BIG DAMS, NO TO ATOMIC POWER STATIONS,.... well, someone like me begins to have serious doubts.

As mentioned in the book, Supreme Court of India, while rejecting the appeal of Narmada Bachao Samiti, remarked, "It was not a public interest litigation, but a publicity interest litigation."

As a person I have much respect for the social activists mentioned here.. Medha-ji, Sundarlal-ji, also our own Anna Hazaare-ji. These people are gold in themselves... but when they allow willy politicians to make use of them... well, that's when things begin to go wrong.

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Baaraala Dahaa Kami [ Marathi ]

( Ten Minutes to Twelve O'clock)

- Padmaja Phatak, Madhav Nerurkar

Rajhans Publications

The book gives a detailed sketch of efforts leading to developement of the atombomb ( the Manhattan Project) as well as the developement of the hydrogen bomb (code-named the "Super").It discusses in detail the life-histories of the leading scientists like Robert Oppenheimer, Edward Taylor, John von Neumann, Leo Szilard, Enrico Fermi, Hans Beta,Otto Hann, Enrico Fermi and scores of others, whose contribution in these two projects has been rather unknown to the general public.It's a wonderful book, one of the most well-researched in Marathi (at least in my humble opinion ) and a must-have for every well-equipped library.Do read it...Apart from imparting scientific & historical knowledge, it also makes us aware of our conscience and our collective responsibilty towards the humanity.

There is another book, "Brighter Than a Thousand Suns" By Robert Yung, on the same subject. I have not read it, but just gone thru and found it equally interesting.

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ManWatching

Auhtor : Desmond Morris

Publication: Triad Grafton

Category : Anthropology

The book is about human actions, how actions become gestures, and how gestures transmit non-verbal messages.

It describes a whole range of our day-to day actions, gestures, movements, signs & signals-- most of which we perform sub-consciously. He explains how people from different communities behave in public and in private, and also analyzes the fundamental patterns which govern typical actions-reactions. Packed with almost a hundred diagrams, sketches and photographs, the book makes us aware of the fact that as a species we may have advanced technologically, but we have not yet entirely shed our 'animal' traits of being bodily active.

After reading this book, a big change has come over me. Now whenever I meet a person, my attention gets focused on firmness and duration of the shake-hand, the way he is folding his hands, distance between his legs, body tension, inclination of his head, the number of times he scratches his head or touches his nose, whether he gives a hearty laughter or a political smile, and such bizarre details.

So if anyone among you happens to meet me (I very much doubt this), don't feel uneasy. I am just putting the theory into practice, ha!!

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Here is a book on the probability theory.

A Matter of Chance

- K. D. Pawte

Publication of Information Directorate, C.S.I.R.

Probability theory has wide-spread applications in almost all spheres of human endeavor. Pure Science, Technology, Industries, Military, Management and HR.... all fields make extensive use of a number of mathematical techniques and models to achieve optimum efficiency.It is also has ample significance in our day-to-day life, esp in sports.

The book gives an introductory approach to various concepts in this expanding field. It begins with basic definitions such as sample point/space, chance, reliability, relative frequency, randomness, events, permutations & combinations, operational curve, tree diagrams,....etc.; moving on to advanced concepts such as conditional probability, Bernoulli Trials, Pascal Distribution, Binomial distribution, Poisson distribution, Gaussian distribution, Markov Process, and so on. Next come thevarious applications of the probability theory, such as applications in Newtonian Physics, Sensitivity studies,MTBF, MTTF, PERT, Queuing theory, and Operations Research. The last part is devoted to applications in cutting-edge fields such as Genetics and Quantum Theory.

Although the book does require some background in mathematics and statistics, with a little effort any one can make the subject matter easy.

A Marathi translation of this book is also available and is as good as the original one.

Sambhav- Asambhav

Translated byDr Pramod Joglekar

Mehta Publishing House

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Aswastha dashakaachi Diary

- Avinash Dharmadhikaari

Mehta Publishing House

It details musings and wonderings.. his hopes and aspirations about India. The book makes a thoughtful reading, it make you pause and think.

It is abt gritty common man and dirty politicians

......... abt failed policies and wrong decisions.

......... abt burning Punjab and explosive NEFA..

The book is abt the REAL INDIA and it sends shivers down the spine.

If you haven't read this, grab it at the earliest.I had known Dharmadhikari-ji as able IAS officer, PA to CM, and of late as founder of Chanakya Mandal. after reading his books, you come know a different facet of the man.You may also read "1,Vijaypath" by the same author. It is a must-read for every civil service aspirant.

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Aisi Prameye Rasike ( Marathi)

- Ravindra Bapat

Rajhans Publications

This is an informative as well as intersting book about Math. it discusses almost all significant branches of modern mathematics and is full of puzzles, games and problems. Those who find math interesting are sure to like this one.

Yours,

- Gautam.

Book Reviews :Business Biographies

Well, It is natural to be curious about those extra-ordinary people who manage not just tens or hundreds but literally thousands of people all over the world. Over last four months, I have specifically devoted some time to reading biographies of these people. Here are some which I would recommend strongly.

1. My Years With General Motors :Alfred P Sloan

I read this one, because Bill Gates recommended it… and rightly so! This book is all about turning a medium-sized company into a global conglomerate... and crushing competition on the way. Even though it dates back to pre-computing days, the ideas and experiences are equally useful even today.

2. Iacocca- An Autobiography : Lee Iacocca

This guy was fired from post of Vice-President by Henry Ford. He took up the reins of the bankrupt Chrysler Corp and brought it back on the track.

3. Odyssey- From Pepsi to Apple : John Sculley

He handled to extremely diverse companies with equal success, PepsiCo and Apple Computers. You get the feel of what intense competition in US industry means.

4. Made In Japan : Akio Morita

It gives a deep insight into the business logic of the Japanese people .

5. Jack - Straight from the Guts : Jack Welch

Though an auto-biography, it is entirely focussed on the author's experience as Chairman & CEO of General Electric for 20 years. Written in an unconventionally down-to-earth language, the book imparts some useful management lessons. As Welch says, there's only way... manage 10 people as best as you can, and inspire them to manage 100.

6. Business Maharajas / Business Legends :Gita Piramal

Both these books are particularly recommended because they discuss the lives of almost all the major Indian industrialists, such as Tatas, Birlas, Ambanis, Godrej, Walchand, Mafatlals and others. Marathi translations of both books are also available and are equally good.

7. Board Room : Achyut Godbole

This is the only business-biography in Marathi that I have come across. It gives brief life-histories of almost all international biz leaders, right from Rockefellers and Fords To Gates.

8. Creation of Wealth- The Tata Story: Russi Lala

This excellent book details the rise of the Tatas, right from Jamshedji Nasarwanji Tata to Ratan Tata. It focuses on the chronological buil-up of the Tata biz empire, various companies & institutions founded and the working styles of various chairmen. The book compels one to appreciate the legacy of Tatas.

9. JRD - Mee Paahilele [ Marathi ] : By D R Pendse

Mr Pendse was chief economist to JRD and his book gives an insight into the life of a legend. Marathi language needs more books of such kind. We are so fascinated by success- stories of West, that we tend to be-little or completely ignore the giants among Indians.

I am looking forward to autobiography or a biography of N R Narayan Murthy.

Then there are two more books, which are not biographies, but are written by two of most successful entrepreneurs of our time.
1. Business @ Speed of Thought : Bill Gates

It describes what Gates calls a digital nervous system, by giving examples of how a number of organizations, such as Marriott, Boeing, Dell, etc. have made successful use of it.

2. Only The Paranoid Survive : Andy Grove

It sums up my own philosophy very succinctly.... only those who are always worried about competition overtaking yourself are in a better position to tackle it successfully.

Yours,

- Gautam.

Hospital Manners

Hi,

Well, Pals, we all talk abt table manners, party manners, dressing manners, this manners , that manners. But what we need to cultivate the most is some hospital manners. Here, I have put together some points from the experience that I have had.

1. If you are not directly related to the patient, either thru family or thru office, do not visit him/her at hospital. You can always pay a visit when he/she is discharged.

2. If are a close family member, do not hesitate to ask abt financial matters. Your help might not be needed, but allow them to make the decision. Don't make their minds urself. With the costs of hospitalization today, I think it doesn’t hurt to have some extra money close-by.

3. I see no reason why one should take kids to the hospital… and infants ? oh God !

4. It is customary to take along fruits, or biscuits etc. It's a good practice. but I would suggest this : If you are visiting in morning, how abt taking a newspaper along ? and if you are visiting in evening, a magazine like "India Today" would be the right choice. I observed that a patient just doesn’t know what to do with the empty time on hand.

5. If you have any objections regarding treatment, never voice them in patient's presence. You can talk with relatives outside.

6. A hospital is not a place to flaunt ur medical expertise, unless you happen to be a doctor… and even if you are one, I think it would be better practice to talk with the patient's doc rather than with the patient.

7. We say we must keep the patient happy, make him/her smile as much as we can, etc.Yes, agreed. But some people just overdo it. The very fact that someone is hospitalized means something is wrong. I don't think that cracking jokes, roaring laughter, slapping each other on the back, showing camaraderie is a proper thing to do in a hospital. There might be other people around with serious problems.

Well, this what I can think of off-hand. I would be glad if you could add to it.

Yours,

Gautam.

Chaand Fir Niklaa ...

Hello,

Well, a couple of days back; I just couldn't get myself to sleep. So I took a chair and went out on the terrace. It was pournima and the moon was shining with its full splendour.

Looking at it, a thought came into my mind...We see only the same side of the moon, right? Then this moon must be the same sight which Shivaji Maharaj must have seen, so would have Einstein, Napoleon, Vivekanand,...

The same moon will be visible to Bill Gates and Lata Mangeshkar

…..and this is the same moon which Jayant must have seen during his life

... and this must be the same moon which will be visible from 'her' house.

All these people might be away from me in space and time, but there is one thing which makes some kind of connection between us.

The moon.

Yours,

Gautam.

Load-shedding: A Positive Side

Hi,

well, as people from Pune and Maharashtra are well aware, the load-shedding is being implemented with full force in the state. Initially for me it was a frustrating experience, not being able to do a damn thing. But of late, I am discovering the positive side of it. Here are a few examples:
* I am back to old-fashioned writing --writing with help of a pen & paper!

* I have visited most of famous landmarks in and around Pune : the Kaatraj snake-park, the Shinde Chchatri, Sinhgad fort, Saaras Baug, Kelkar Museum, Parvati , the famous trio of Vaishali-Rupaali-Waadeshwar, Baal-Gandharwa Rang Mandir and many other places.

* I have developed laziness into a fine art. After all, it requires much skill and patience not to do anything at all for hours together.

* I have taken to solving puzzles, and cross-words, and found that I am quite good at it.

* I usually work/read/compute/write late into night, often upto to 2:00 am. So a nap in daytime during load-shedding doesn’t do much harm.

* I have discovered that it is not a bad thing to talk to neighbours, esp when they are young and cute-looking. Hey,dont look at me like that .... didn't Christ appeal to us ," Love Thy Neighbour" ?!!

* I am a voracious reader, so I can always turn to books when there is nothing else to do .

Of course, this doesn’t mean that I wish load-shedding to continue forever. On contrary, I hold that un-interrupted power is a hallmark of a developed nation and a right of every citizen.
Yours,

Gautam.

Can Human Behaviour be Predicted ?

Hi,

Well, The general perception is that it isn't possible to predict human thoughts and actions in mathematical terms. I beg to disagree. I think that we will indeed have a mathematical theory which will describe human behaviour. I got this idea from chemical kinetics.

At the turn of 20th century, the motion of gas molecules was considered to be too random to be formularized. But work done by some great guys like van't Hoff, Arrehnius, van der Waal, Boltzmann , and of course, the omni-present Einstein, helped to formulate what is today known as the Gas Laws. The Gas Laws do not tell what a particular molecule will do at a particular instant. they only tell us about the average pattern.

Similarly, a mathematical theory of human behaviour doesn’t mean that we will be able to predict whether the girl to whom you proposed will say 'yes', or 'no'.(......though I hope it does , ha !). You might object that we can talk about equations only of in-animate entities such as molecules, but not in case of humans, coz we have a mind of our own. But you will observe that experiences that we feel unique to ourselves are somewhat common. Moreover, our reactions to a particular situation are also quiet predictable.

In fact, a part of such a theory is already into existence. It is called as " Game Theory", pioneered by John von Neumann, and further developed by John Forbes Nash. I happened to read an elementary book on this subject, and found it quite exciting.

It might take a decade for a complete theory of human behaviour, or it may even take a century, but am sure it will come eventually. I only hope that some Indian does it.

- Gautam.