There is a very famous anecdote involving how the Russians and Americans tackled an interesting problem. Let me recapitulate it quickly. After both the United States of America and the erstwhile USSR sent men on to space they were facing a very interesting problem. Pens were not working as there was no gravity in space and the astronauts were not able take down observations. So, the U.S.A spent lots and lots of money (I don't know if it was in millions or billions) in research and came up with a pen that would work in space, in immense depths of sea etc... The Russians on the other hand replaced the Pen with a Pencil.
I cam to know of the second example which I am going to narrate from the telugu movie 'Kalavaramaye Madilo' It seems Ustad Allauddin Khan spotted the great flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia during the later's formative years and directed to him to go to his daughter, Annapurna devi to learn and get polished. So, when Hariprasad meets her, she tells him "You have already learnt something about music and this learning will be a hindarance to what I am going to teach you. You have to unlearn what you already learnt and learn a fresh to shine." Now, How does a person unlearn???? I thought that unlearning is much more difficult than learning. But do you know how hariprasad chaurasia achieved it? Take a guess - He started playing the flute by holding it in the opposite direction!
The leaders of the independent India in the 50's considered the population of India is one of it's greatest weakness. I think everyone was of the same opinion till the 90's. Atleast I thought so while I was a child and held that notion till the days of my under graduation. But, if you ask anyone today, they say that we are extremely rich in human resources and that's one of the biggest strengths on which we need to leverage upon.
Some of the most complex problems can be solved by simply changing the method of attack. Weaknesses become Strengths by a mere change of attitude and outlook.
Today Technology is evolving so rapidly and changing lives dramatically. We do not know where the world is heading towards. Problems prevailing for centuries will be solved in a trice and of course newer challenges which were never even dreamt of will be posed. But we should try to keep the solutions as simple as problem. We generally try to keep the solutions complicated but most of often simplicity is more effective.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
The Fourth Idiot
Note: I haven't yet watched the movie Three Idiots though I intend to do it in the near future but have read the book Five Point Someone. The reason for naming this blog The Fourth Idiot is because I was also like the characters in Five Point Someone and in all probability three idiots too.
I had always hated exams because they only taught me how to cram in but never to question. I liked the book Five Point Someone for this reason and appreciate Chetan Bhagat's views on Education system. In all probability everyone of us know that our education system is seriously flawed and that is probably one of the main reasons why 3 idiots has become a huge success. I must also note here that I was very happy when Kapil Sibal became the HRD minister for I always deemed him in high regard and believe he is taking some concrete steps in making the education system better.
Let me put forth my views however insignificant / immaterial they may be to the actual scheme of things.
Firstly, Every human being is unique. So every human being has a unique way and pace of learning . However, in my guess they may fall in different types / bands in the way they learn. In ancient India, the child was admitted in a gurukula and his education is complete when the guru says it is complete. I never understood the significance of this but it became clear to me in the past few years(probably 4 -5) that the prime reason for this was that the guru imparted education on a student to student basis.
Secondly, Every one would agree with me that one of the biggest challenges to the current education system is that the pace at which information and thereby the textbooks get outdated in today's world. However, the pace varies for various fields. Basic Sciences may have much lesser pace than technology fields.
Thirdly, Every one disagrees with the existing methods employed of evaluating a student. But we have not yet been able to find a better and uniform method to evaluate a student.In my humble opinion tests should become more and more open book based. This should be augmented by extremely good and committed faculty. Today, the student is expected to read, cram and reproduce what is already known. Instead, he may be asked to solve a problem which he has not crammed in. He should be evaluated on how he approaches the problem and not on what he knows or doesn't know. I feel that the student should not be put to time constraints and also the tests should be open-book as I mentioned.
Fourthly, I strongly feel that students willing to do research should be put in an environment that is conducive and oriented towards doing research right from their undergraduate days. This would reduce the time a Phd is created. Currently, there is a huge gap between the undergraduate / postgraduate stage to pursuing doctrate stage. Also, the stipends of Phd students in India is very less whereas they deserve much more than that.
I had always hated exams because they only taught me how to cram in but never to question. I liked the book Five Point Someone for this reason and appreciate Chetan Bhagat's views on Education system. In all probability everyone of us know that our education system is seriously flawed and that is probably one of the main reasons why 3 idiots has become a huge success. I must also note here that I was very happy when Kapil Sibal became the HRD minister for I always deemed him in high regard and believe he is taking some concrete steps in making the education system better.
Let me put forth my views however insignificant / immaterial they may be to the actual scheme of things.
Firstly, Every human being is unique. So every human being has a unique way and pace of learning . However, in my guess they may fall in different types / bands in the way they learn. In ancient India, the child was admitted in a gurukula and his education is complete when the guru says it is complete. I never understood the significance of this but it became clear to me in the past few years(probably 4 -5) that the prime reason for this was that the guru imparted education on a student to student basis.
Secondly, Every one would agree with me that one of the biggest challenges to the current education system is that the pace at which information and thereby the textbooks get outdated in today's world. However, the pace varies for various fields. Basic Sciences may have much lesser pace than technology fields.
Thirdly, Every one disagrees with the existing methods employed of evaluating a student. But we have not yet been able to find a better and uniform method to evaluate a student.In my humble opinion tests should become more and more open book based. This should be augmented by extremely good and committed faculty. Today, the student is expected to read, cram and reproduce what is already known. Instead, he may be asked to solve a problem which he has not crammed in. He should be evaluated on how he approaches the problem and not on what he knows or doesn't know. I feel that the student should not be put to time constraints and also the tests should be open-book as I mentioned.
Fourthly, I strongly feel that students willing to do research should be put in an environment that is conducive and oriented towards doing research right from their undergraduate days. This would reduce the time a Phd is created. Currently, there is a huge gap between the undergraduate / postgraduate stage to pursuing doctrate stage. Also, the stipends of Phd students in India is very less whereas they deserve much more than that.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Conversation with Time
One fine day I happened to meet Time. I went to him and the conversation went thus:
Sasi: Hi, Mr. Time, How are you doing?
Time: I should be asking such questions. Not you.
Sasi: Why do you say so Mr.Time?
Time: I am changeless. I am the witness to the entire creation. You are born in me and dissolve in me.
Sasi: Hey, You are talking big and raising lot of questions inside my head !!
Time: Go ahead little one. I have all the time to answer your questions.
Sasi: Firstly, some times you appear to move very fast and sometimes terribly slow. Why is it so?
Time: That is your perception of me. Not me.
Sasi: Some times you heal wounds and sometimes you deepen them. Why is it so?
Time: Your mind is your biggest weapon. It is like the fire and I am like the wind. If your mind is feeble I will just blow it away. But if you keep it strong and sturdy I am your friend.
Sasi: You are so crucial to handle. Only 4 days ago I had a row with one of my closest friend over a silly issue. At that point of time I lost my temper but now it sounds so silly. You and Mr.Anger are very tricky guys.
Time:That's true, when you are angry, I am the best refuge. Take me and Mr.Anger has no choice but to go away.
Sasi: But it happens the other way round also. There are many times my anger would go on increasing simply because I was lost in my own thoughts and perceptions instead of communicating my concerns to my loved ones.
Time:You are true, but I even out any concerns if only you couple me with your mind and heart. Think positively and I am your best friend. Think negatively and I am your worst foe.
Sasi: Can you tell me more of your association with Mr.Knowledge and Mr.Wisdom.
Time:Why stick to knowledge and wisdom. I will tell you more than that. I am the soil in which you need to plant the seeds and nourish them to grow into plants. If you plant good thoughts and nourish them with good actions you reap good character. If you plant questions and nourish them with inquiry you reap knowledge. If you plant knowledge and nourish it with the words of your conscience you reap wisdom. If you plant your talent, however minuscule it maybe, and nourish it with hard work, and put a fence of willpower, you reap what is called as SUCCESS.
Sasi: That was very kind of you. But you still puzzle me. Sometimes I get the results of my actions immediately. Sometimes you hold those results in your bosom for so long that I lose the mapping between my actions and my results.
Time: Ha ! You have come to the crux of God's creation. I have been instructed by God to do so. He told me that it would be the cause of all fun in Life to man. That simple ability in me would what make your stint with me wonderful, colourful etc.. etc...
Sasi: But that is also the reason why there is so much misery in this world. People who commit countless mistakes, exploit others and feed on other men do do simply because they don't get punished immediately. You claim to be the caretaker of the Theory of Karma but of what use is it?
Time: Hmm ! You may have a point. But you'll have to take it up with God. I only do what I have been instructed by God. And, but for that ability of mine you would not want to lead this wonderful thing called Life.
Sasi: I do agree with you, but somehow I feel bad about it. Mr.God has not yet given me the answer though I have asked him this question N number of times.
Time: It is in me and through me that He will answer you. You will have to stick to me and keep listening to Him so that you can pick the answer when He really gives it to you.
Sasi: That was very kind of you Mr.Time.Thank you. I had really good time with you.
Time: One last thing - I am embodiment of God. Don't waste me. Treat me with utmost respect and use me to the best of your capabilities and you will stand out among other men.
Sasi: Hi, Mr. Time, How are you doing?
Time: I should be asking such questions. Not you.
Sasi: Why do you say so Mr.Time?
Time: I am changeless. I am the witness to the entire creation. You are born in me and dissolve in me.
Sasi: Hey, You are talking big and raising lot of questions inside my head !!
Time: Go ahead little one. I have all the time to answer your questions.
Sasi: Firstly, some times you appear to move very fast and sometimes terribly slow. Why is it so?
Time: That is your perception of me. Not me.
Sasi: Some times you heal wounds and sometimes you deepen them. Why is it so?
Time: Your mind is your biggest weapon. It is like the fire and I am like the wind. If your mind is feeble I will just blow it away. But if you keep it strong and sturdy I am your friend.
Sasi: You are so crucial to handle. Only 4 days ago I had a row with one of my closest friend over a silly issue. At that point of time I lost my temper but now it sounds so silly. You and Mr.Anger are very tricky guys.
Time:That's true, when you are angry, I am the best refuge. Take me and Mr.Anger has no choice but to go away.
Sasi: But it happens the other way round also. There are many times my anger would go on increasing simply because I was lost in my own thoughts and perceptions instead of communicating my concerns to my loved ones.
Time:You are true, but I even out any concerns if only you couple me with your mind and heart. Think positively and I am your best friend. Think negatively and I am your worst foe.
Sasi: Can you tell me more of your association with Mr.Knowledge and Mr.Wisdom.
Time:Why stick to knowledge and wisdom. I will tell you more than that. I am the soil in which you need to plant the seeds and nourish them to grow into plants. If you plant good thoughts and nourish them with good actions you reap good character. If you plant questions and nourish them with inquiry you reap knowledge. If you plant knowledge and nourish it with the words of your conscience you reap wisdom. If you plant your talent, however minuscule it maybe, and nourish it with hard work, and put a fence of willpower, you reap what is called as SUCCESS.
Sasi: That was very kind of you. But you still puzzle me. Sometimes I get the results of my actions immediately. Sometimes you hold those results in your bosom for so long that I lose the mapping between my actions and my results.
Time: Ha ! You have come to the crux of God's creation. I have been instructed by God to do so. He told me that it would be the cause of all fun in Life to man. That simple ability in me would what make your stint with me wonderful, colourful etc.. etc...
Sasi: But that is also the reason why there is so much misery in this world. People who commit countless mistakes, exploit others and feed on other men do do simply because they don't get punished immediately. You claim to be the caretaker of the Theory of Karma but of what use is it?
Time: Hmm ! You may have a point. But you'll have to take it up with God. I only do what I have been instructed by God. And, but for that ability of mine you would not want to lead this wonderful thing called Life.
Sasi: I do agree with you, but somehow I feel bad about it. Mr.God has not yet given me the answer though I have asked him this question N number of times.
Time: It is in me and through me that He will answer you. You will have to stick to me and keep listening to Him so that you can pick the answer when He really gives it to you.
Sasi: That was very kind of you Mr.Time.Thank you. I had really good time with you.
Time: One last thing - I am embodiment of God. Don't waste me. Treat me with utmost respect and use me to the best of your capabilities and you will stand out among other men.
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