Why the day Dr Kalam demised shouldn't be a Holiday?

The day when Dr. Kalam left us should be celebrated but it should never be declared a national holiday. By doing so, we will disgrace our President Kalam, who has started to work at a tender age to support his family and kept doing so till his last moment on this planet. He has worked with passion and dedication throughout his life.

I got goosebumps when I learnt that he died as per his conditions like he lived on his conditions.

He wanted to be remembered as a TEACHER and wanted his goodbye to be short, really short. He wanted to work till his last moment and didn't wanted to wait for death on his bed.

Even Gods, cannot deny the wish of our beloved man and he died as giving a lecture as a TEACHER and had worked till his last breath.

He has always encouraged people to follow their passion and chase their dream. If you don't feel inspired to do what you do. Either start doing so or quit it and start doing something that you truly love.

A true Patriot and a real legend, Dr. Kalam died giving lecture on " Creating a Liveable Planet Earth". He was concerned about the following things on his last day

• Was sad over the death of innocent people in attack in Punjab.
• Was concerned about the negative effects of Terrorism and felt that it is a major concern.
• Was upset over the disruption of Parliament. Wanted to take feedback from IIM Shillong students after his lecture about it.
• Wanted the solider (on the escort vehicle) who was standing during his road journey from Airport to IIM shillong to sit down. As, he failed to get him seated, requested to meet that solider later. Dr. Kalam greeted him few hours before his demise. He shook his hand, said thank you buddy. “Are you tired? Would you like something to eat? I am sorry you had to stand so long because of me”.
• Was worried that some children are not taking care of their parents.

Rest in Peace the true legend, Dr. Kalam. Please submit your personal experience or anything related to Dr, kalam at the quora blog Library of Kalam

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Opening Scene and Plot of a Movie on our beloved Dr. Kalam

The opening scene would be of Dr. Kalam standing tall in an auditorium  to deliver lecture to thousands of students and there will be pin drop silence. Then you hear "  Chase your dreams.  Turn your adversities into your biggest opportunities. Be like an eagle who avoid rain by flying above the cloud."  and then full round of thunderous applause and the movie begins

The Plot would be how one man inspires the nation of billions to think as a unit and deliver on the Mission of India 2020 . It will focus on  "How we are becoming a developed country with our social and family values enact. How every village is on the way of self sufficiency, How every single person counts and contribute in the nation building? 

How communal tensions are things of the past and communal harmony is the new buzz word. How we become more considerate about others? How we learn to appreciate and encourage others without any expectation? How the country overcomes corruption? How the country has broken all stereotypes and  have eliminated the  evils of the society.

How every single person has realized that they have to be stronger, better and compassionate.

"If you want to shine like a sun, First burn like a sun" - APJ Abdul Kalam 

Have you meet Kalam sir, if yes then please share your experience at Library of Kalam for others to cherish his memories through you. 

Pic via Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati

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Miss you Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

India has lost the chief architect of the national vision, INDIA 2020. Death has made him immortal. We lost the great man but his essence will always remain forever. You don't believe me, close your eyes and remember him

" Don't you see our angel smiling"

He worked all his life for India and the world at large. May now he rest in peace. Amen!

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Most Unfair Advantage a person can have

Intelligent Spouse

Beauty shall pass with time, Money shall pass with ignorance, Job shall pass with recession, Fair skin shall pass with age.

Slim body can turn into a pumpkin, High social status can turn into Low (by misfortune) but one thing shall not pass and that is Intelligence. 

An Intelligent spouse can really make your life beautiful.

Many wants to marry someone with good looks, slim body , Fair skin, Fat paycheck and/or high social status, leaving the chance to get an intelligent spouse to their luck or karma.

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A two liner sad story

"He wanted to ignite our minds with a lecture on Livable Planet Earth. But, seldom we knew that he was needed more to make a Livable Heaven, first"

- RIP Dr. Kalam

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Are males treated unfairly in India?

Yes, and unfortunately it goes unnoticed.

Many housing society don't prefer to rent out flats to bachelor males even if they shell out more money. 

Around one month ago, my father called to inform that 2-3 bachelor college students are willing to take our flat on rent. Then he added I think we shouldn't rent it out to bachelors as our housing society doesn't allow it. 

(after an uncomfortable silence) 

Me- I don't know what to say. Even I am a bachelor staying in someone else's flat and I know how difficult it is for us to get a flat on rent.

Dad- I will ask those college students to move in when they want.

PS- Our housing society has decided not to rent out flats to bachelors. My Dad convinced other members to change their stand and I'm proud of it.

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An experience one should experience in lifetime

Contribute in  building an incredible product or service 

One of the best experience of my life come from the fact that I have played my role in the building of a World Class Infrastructure Project, i.e the Mumbai International Airport Project, Mumbai, India.

A thing of beauty is a joy forever

Last year, we have inaugurated the Mumbai Airport's new Terminal, T2 which has made the nation proud. It feels so great when we use the Mumbai Airport as a passenger and get to know from fellow passengers that " This airport is truly amazing and world class".  

I am delighted to  see others feeling proud on Mumbai Airport. It was a well coordinated team effort and our individual efforts in isolation is almost negligible considering the mammoth size of the project.

Few days ago, a colleague was traveling to China and he posted an update " We have build an amazing airport". His update was well received and we all went gaga over it. It feels like it is not an airport but our baby and we feel overjoyed with every single praise for this airport.

I believe that everyone must have a experience of  being a part of an incredible product or service that makes millions proud! 

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Human Behavior: Why do I envy others who are successful in their field?

Congratulation to you for identifying and accepting that you are envious of others who are doing exceedingly well in their life.

It takes real guts to accept our shortcomings like Adriana Heguy has rightly mentioned. Many of us are never able to do it. As you have done it, half the problem is already solved. The other half can be dealt with by considering the following piece of advice.

1. Be alone and try to figure out what makes you envy others.
2. Do you want name, fame, money or anything else.
3. You said that you envy a good musician, a beautiful actress,etc
4. What you see or hear is different from reality.
5. The musician who is making you envious might be using softwares and have took 100's of retakes to produce the music which you are listening.
6. The actress whom you feel is beautiful might not be even an iota of what you are. They look beautiful because of makeup, excellent dressing sense and supporting staffs, who make them more pleasing.
7. You are  imperfectly perfect so never compare yourself with anyone else.
8. Follow James Altucher's advice and  let the envy go and replace it with a sense of respect for those who are doing well as it brings positivity in your life.
9. Find your passion, follow your dream and do things that make you happy. I have a list of things that makes me happy. You can see my list and can make your list 19 things that introverts do to enjoy life?
10. Do things you love to feel beautiful, blessed and blissful.  Be focused on your purpose in life. Chase your dreams! STAY HUNGRY STAY FOOLISH

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Why do some people support Yakub Memon?

Originally written on 3rd August,15

I do not support Yakub Memon and nobody should. But, I was shocked when I saw that some people ( cutting across religious lines) were sad at his hanging.

Here are the reasons why some people sympathize with Yakub Menon

1. Media projected that he was not the main culprit : He was hanged because of his active involvement in criminal conspiracy to carry out Terrorist activities. But, media's take on the matter is that Tiger Memon and Dawood Ibrahim are roaming free and the smaller cog in the wheel has been hanged on their behalf and it's not fair.
2. People are undermining his role in the Mumbai's Blast: Yes, I am disappointed that people fail to recognize his invaluable contributions to the shameful cause. He micro managed the finances, facilitated hawala deals, assisted Tiger Memon and Dawood Ibrahim in the planning and execution of the Mumbai Blasts. [ I am also involved in the Planning and commercial activities for a mega project and have felt that our role is often undermined compare to those who are directly involved in the execution activities. But that is a not correct and people should understand this]
3. His background disqualify him to be a typical terrorist: He was a successful Chartered Accountant and  was probably more qualified than me. He founded a couple of companies and was technically an entrepreneur. In Jail, he completed two Master degree. One in English Literature and another in Political Science from IGNOU ( Indira Gandhi National Open University). But, still he was actively involved in the Blasts which caused death to more than 250 people and injured more than 700 people. And, this is sufficient for the death penalty he got.
4. Some people feel that Death penalty is mostly awarded to those from the Minority:  This is a misplaced notion. My friend heard in a TV debate that in the last decade only minorities have been hanged. So, he got curious and on doing a little googling. we got to know that since 2000, 4 people have been hanged in India and out of them 3 ( Afjal Guru, Kasab and Yakub Menon) are Muslims.  Now based on only a sample size of 4 persons, media houses are conducting debates that only minorities have faced the death penalty in a decade or so. I don't think they were Muslims, terrorist don't have religion, like a rapist doesn't make all the men guilty.
5. Some people are against death penalty: I also belong to this category with a exception when the crime is extremely shameless. The analogy used by Balaji Viswanathan that  societies do allow killing when waging a war, has comforted me as I was also confused whether I support his hanging or not.

One request- Please don't link Islam with all that is wrong. I have Muslim friends and I feel awkward when they are let down because of acts of any Kasab or Yakub. My role Model Dr. Kalam was also a Muslim by religion but as it is said

Terrorist have no religion and so do Angels like Dr. kalam.

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How do I get job at Microsoft?

Application of knowledge to solve real life problems will definitely make you a hot cake for companies like Microsoft.

If you want to get a job at Microsoft then  you must exhibit a couple of working projects on Github to showcase your talent. Then, network with someone who can bring your project to the notice of someone from Microsoft.

Action speaks louder than words.

Follow your passion, chase your dreams and I am sure that if you have the right attitude, passion and dedication then sooner or later you will be working at Microsoft.

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Cultural Difference: Indians can ask Personal questions to their colleagues

Cultural Difference: Indians can ask personal questions to their colleagues without offending them.

When I was in college, a workshop was organized by my college for interpersonal skills and body language.

The Instructor  informed that people in developed countries don't ask personal questions to their colleagues. I though what's the big deal in it. Many people don't prefer that in India as well.

But, I was shocked when he gave examples of personal questions. I am posting some of the questions that he categorized as personal questions (as per those from developed nations):

1. Are you married?
2. When you are planning to marry?
3. How many kids you have?
4. What you are doing on the weekend?

I am sure  that these questions don't come under our definition of personal questions.

So, Indians can ask personal questions to their colleagues without offending them.

Our Instructor told that he worked with an European colleague for 7 years. Although, they had great professional bonding but they never spoke about their personal lives. 

It is hard to believe and impossible to digest as my colleagues are pretty comfortable and casual about asking about wedding plans of others. Even, seniors don't shy away from asking when I am planning to marry. One colleague even asked if I can show him the photos of girls who would have approached me.  

I hope every bachelor (boy/girl) working in India can relate to this scenario.

In the elevator, I used to exchange smile with a mid aged-man, the day we talked, 
He- You look like a bachelor.
Me- Yes
He- When are you planning to get married?
Me- Smiles (It happens only in India)

---

Update- Hey, today I have intentionally shot some personal questions to a colleague to see his response. 
Background- A colleague turned 29 today. 
Me- Hey, you turned 30 today, so how does it feel to turn 30 and be a bachelor.
He- (Protested) I am not 30, just turned 29. 
Me- So, one more year to turn 30.
He- Yes, within 1 year I have to marry. [Intelligent guy :)]
Me- It's not easy man, it takes hell lot of time.
He- Hope you have not observed that I have taken frequent leaves.
Me- So what?
He- Dude, I am taking leaves to attend meetings with prospective girls.
Me- How is the experience?
He- Don't ask me. Family of one girl turned down our proposal as we don't have land in our native place.
Me- Oh! it is strange man. A 7 figure salary and a Flat in Mumbai couldn't help you.
He- Just stop pulling my leg
(I was laughing and keep pulling his leg for some more time and he was pretty OK with it. He again made me believe that Indians can ask personal questions to their colleagues without offending them.

Also see: What do people in India do very easily which can't be done by people of other nations?

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What will Robert Frost do differently if he is made the Head of NASA?

I think Robert Frost is the ideal candidate to answer this question. But, as this question presents an opportunity to me to express my wish list hence, I dare to answer this question.

If Robert Frost become Head of NASA

1. I wish he will do something to predict earthquakes. I know  seismic experts are there to deal with it. Natural Disaster like Earthquakes claims many lives as no one can predict when they will occur. I hope, NASA can make it possible to predict Earthquakes through some satellite imagery or other advanced technologies, which are yet to be invented.
2. Space Tourism- I hope he will start an annual program of space Tourism and could shortlist candidates for the same irrespective of nationality. This will increase the fascination for NASA  among the masses.
3. Virtual Museum- I hope that he will start a virtual museum which will showcase the various interesting things from the numerous missions of NASA. A virtual museum can be very popular and will create awareness about the space programs.
4. Zero Tolerance for Accidents-  NASA has very sophisticated safety standards, but still, we have lost few astronauts in the space missions. I am from India and can definitely relate to the death of kalpana Chawla. Hope, in the future, no casualty will occur in any of the missions of NASA.
5. I hope him to introduce pollution free fuels for spacecrafts and this will result in less harm to our environment due to the  space programs. Some new fuels have to be discovered for this purpose.
6. Working cohesively with ISRO: I know that relation of US and India are on peak . I hope NASA and ISRO ( Indian Space Research Organisation) will work more cohesively to create path breaking success.

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Is Rs 150 for a cup of Coffee in CCD is worth the price?

The cost is justified if we consider that CCDs are often used as 

• A hangout Point by youth
• A mobile office by startup
• A place to read, surf internet and enjoy coffee
• A decent place to meet  prospective spouse.

I have read many answers here and they have covered most of the things,I would love to add one example:

Once founder of Mc Donald's was talking to a group of people and he asked how many of them believed that they can make better hamburgers that Mc Donald's. 

Almost more than half raised their hand.

Then the Founder explained why they are a market leader in food chain restaurants across the world.

He told that we don't make the best hamburger. We are more into real estate. We give minute attention to the location of the store and the research whether a particular store or franchise will do well or not.

 We think that Mc Donald's sell Burgers but they are themselves telling that they focus more on the real estate. So, there is a rare possibility of a Mc Donald's store that is less popular. They prefer corner store and in prime locations only.

So, is the case with CCDs

PS- Long time ago, I read about this story of Mc D in the book " Rich Dad Poor Dad"

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The Biggest Mistake of my Life

This biggest mistake of my life is that I never tried to meet you. I have longed to see you in flesh. For me, you were immortal. I was wrong but not completely.

You have left your wisdom for us in the form of your books, lectures, speeches, quotes, stories. You have touched millions lives. Many must have got the opportunity to meet you.

I invite everyone who has something worthwhile to share about Dr. Kalam.

The world need his legacy to continue forever.

Keep sharing your feeling, any particular story, experience related with Dr. Kalam so that all his followers can be benefited from the experience.

Let us together strive to make Library of Kalam a wonderful treasure for all of us.

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How to figure out what I want to do with my life after college?

Here is my take to answer this question

1. Accept- Please know that you are not alone and many others are going through the same dilemma.
2. Identify- Identify your passion. If you find your passion and you are at a job that feed your soul then you will enjoy your life.
3. How to find Passion?- First try to know your likes and dislikes, your hobbies, interests, etc.
4. How to know answer to Point 3? - Start a Journal and write about your feelings, what make you happy, sad, alive, etc. After observing your thoughts and your journal for 2-3 weeks, you can start learning more about you.
5. Love what you do till you start doing what you would truly love.
6. Now, how to find what you love doing? For this, you need to explore doing various things so that you can get an idea what makes you happy.  I have my list of things that makes me happy, you can see and make one customized list for yourself. 19 Things that make me happy
7. Always try to attain Flow
8. Be in good company: Learn from others and read to others who have something good to share. Learn Lessons from Ira Singhal: The UPSC Topper in 2015
9. Shoot your specific queries to me at Career Advice & Guidance and I would respond to them as soon as possible.

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How Balaji Viswanathan has a an awesome Memory?

Originally published on Quora by me on 06th Aug 15

Let me tell you something from my experience as a two month old baby on Quora.

He is able to sustain  such a wonderful memory because:

1. He is an Entrepreneur- He has passion for reading, learning and exploring different things. When you learn from your experiences then those memories are permanent.
2. He Practice a lot- He is a voracious reader and in one of the answers has advised how we should carry a book with us always and in this way we can read hundreds of books in a year. So, by regularly feeding his mind good stuff and by  practice he has developed a good memory.
3. He knows that it is the nectar that matters. I am sure he must also agree that he could further improve his memory. What sets him apart is that he chew 100 times more information and knowledge than many like me and has a good digestive system. So, a better memory.
4. He is ex- developer of Microsoft- He must be technically sound to get a job at Microsoft. Also, it reflects that he had developed a habit of working hard and smart over the years. Memory is also a kind of Intelligence and if you are working in data driven fields then good memory is a must. He developed his memory through his hard work.
5. He is a Family man- The best thing about him is the desire to learn new things. One day I was curious to know what are the questions that Mr. Balaji has asked on Quora. His last questions are about  what new parents should do in US and best parenting advice on Quora. It shows that he is humble and keen to learn new things.
6. He has curiosity of  a child. This is the secret of  good memory.
7. He is not restricted to just the elite users: He will upvote your answers if he likes them even if you are a novice. He is open to learning from everyone.
8. He is systematic and organized-  I was reading how he is trying to make his better answers accessible, topic wise. This shows his passion and  system driven approach. He is sincere about what he do and thus a  better memory.
9. He don't do different things, he do things differently. Everyone can relate to him and that is why so many people follow him. He is popular among elite and commoners alike.
10. He indulges in healthy conversations. Once he explained me about the difference between Naya Paisa, Anna and Pie ( How many of you know the difference?), If you explain something to someone then your memory and knowledge improves.
11. He knows that with great fan following comes great responsibility. Getting on top is easy but staying at top is the real challenge. When people start admiring you and consider you as their mentor then you push your limits. He need a good memory to remember at least a few of among his lakhs of followers.

  

547 views • 14 upvotes • Written Thu

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College Memories: When you don't exist?

I have always been  a student who was somewhere between good and average.

I was a bit shy and reserved and had few friends from a long time. 

This incident occurred during 3rd year of engineering.

One fine day, couple of class mates  informed me that the Ma'am who taught Engineering Economics had asked me to meet her urgently.

I was wondering why she might have called me. Have I done anything wrong that I have been asked to meet her. I was concerned about my attendance, but then realized that I loved Economics and have not bunked her classes. 

But, I was getting anxious as in last 3 years no one has summoned me to meet them, it was an altogether new experience.

Finally, I reached her cabin, 

Me- Good Morning , Ma'am!
She- Good Morning
Me- Ma'am, you have asked Ravi to inform me to meet you.
She- No, I have asked him to send Rohan.

( I was shocked)

Me- Ma'am, I am Rohan
She- How come? I have never seen you in the class? 
Me- But, Ma'am I have hardly missed any classes.
She- How it could be possible? I don't recognize that you have always been in the class?

( I was wondering about what was going to happen. Why was she behaving like this?) 

Me- Ma'am, I never missed your classes, and why have you called me?

She- Well I believe you, else how could you have topped in the class and have got 45 out of 45. ( I could see that she still felt she didn't know me) 
Me- *Poker Face*

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If you are a undergrad or a Fresher looking for your first Job. I have complied my Quora answers and articles relevant for you at Career Advice & Guidance

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What should be added in your appraisal report?

I am sharing from my experience, would love to learn something new.
Appraisal reports must include the followings things done in the financial year:

1. Qualitative contributions ( All the qualitative works like mentoring a new employee, training a summer intern, being part of the employee welfare committee or any other groups affiliated with the company management)
2. Quantitative contributions ( You must have set some objectives, write about how many you have achieved)
3. What are the skills the employee has acquired or honed needs to be added. ( Add the details of the course that you completed through distance learning)
4. The training, workshop or seminars attended or conducted by you (only those worth mentioning).
5. Brief description of awards, certificates received by you.
6. Innovation done or value added to the organisation at large. ( How you have reduced time, cost or resources required to get a work done without compromising on the quality

  

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3 Things I love to do at home

1. Counselling-  When I was in college, I always wanted someone who could answer my career related queries . I was reliant on google and felt need of someone who can counsel. So, I prefer to counsel others online or offline.
2. I am a startup enthusiast- I write feedback emails to various startups. I feel happy to provide valuable inputs and the founders are happy that someone is interested in their company. Win Win Situation:)
3. Bring a small change- I had face off with big companies in the past when they had put misleading advertisements on TV. The companies failed to prove their tall claims many a times and had to edit or recall their ad. The 30 years old NPO, The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)  has featured me as ASCI Ambassador.

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Some Myths about Happiness

Here is my take on a topic which is close to my heart. I will bust some Myths about happiness:

• Happiness is the result of success - (No it is not, my office boy seems more happy than me.  The guy who was moping the washroom floor looked more satisfied and happy to me. Happiness is an attitude! (PS- Success is also relative and for me those who are happy are successful)
• Happiness is a function of money, love, power, respect, health, etc. ( No, my friends who earn more than me and are pampered more that me are less happier than me, even some of my friends who have less materialistic pleasure than me are among the happiest lot of people I know. Yesterday, I saw profile of Virali Modi, she defied death many times and reading her answers make me feel that despite being in a wheel chair she is happier than me. And, let me clarify that I consider myself as a Happy person)
• Happiness is a goal ( Happiness is not a goal. It is the by-product of our actions. Like, if we do what we love or we love what we do then we are happy. Happiness is a journey not the destination.)
• We should run behind happiness? (Don't run as you can never find it that way. Do the right things, experience the beautiful things in and around you, be less arrogant and more humble, be a little less self centered and help others for no reason and then I am sure that happiness will itself find you.

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What do you feel about tough time and tough people?

I too have a story probably not much fancy but still, I want to share it.

As a kid, I was weak in Maths and struggled a lot to get better. It was early 90s and I had been regularly punished in the class for my dismal performance.  I remember making silly mistakes in exams and then my tutor will scold me. He would often put a finger between my fingers and will press it hard as a punishment. Please don't blame him, this kind of punishment was Ok in early 90's in a sleepy town of Eastern India. Then, my father started tutoring me and slowly things started to get better. I hated maths but now,  I want to meet that Tutor to thank him for teaching a dumb student like me. He had a thankless job as I always wanted him to be sacked from his job of teaching me.  For me, he was a tough person but, he was only playing his role to make me stronger, in his own unique way. I have realized that everything happens for a reason.

After class-3 or 4, Maths became my favorite subject till date. I know how much fun it was to solve challenging questions of Algebras, Calculus, etc. For me complex number was not complex at all. It made my IIT Preparation amazing. I failed at IIT JEE but still I am proud of the experience. It was another thing that it bothered me like anything when it happened. Difficult things happen to make us stronger. In my college, I have got the highest grade in my 4th sem Maths paper, which is sadly my last paper of Maths. 

Life is more than the grades we get, the job we have or the money in our bank account. The real money we earn in this life is through experience and all experiences  are good experiences. I define a so called bad experience as a tough experience, which is needed to teach us difficult lessons.

Our Failures, Tough times and Tough people teach us more about our-self. They make us push our limit and try harder. If everyone will be goody goody then we might not put that extra effort that differentiates Good from Outstanding.

Please forgive tough people if you have any hard feelings for them. If possible give them the credit for the thankless job that they did for you. And, cherish the tough times as our present is a result of our past struggles.

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How can a teacher make engineering subjects interesting?

Originally written on Quora in response to a Teacher, Seema Shah

A teacher can create interest in the engineering subjects by:

• By inspiring not educating-  The roles of teachers should be to inspire an student. Excellent teachers are able to do it, eg-  I am answering the questions of Seema Ma'am while no one is asking me to do so. If she give me a homework to write answers then she might teach but by posting the questions, she has inspired many to answer it at their convenience.
• Creativity- 5324 is 5-3+2=4, the formulas and concepts will look boring but a great teacher has the ability to find creative ways to teach something.
• Role Play- It will be interesting if once in a while, a student can be made a teacher and  teachers sit with other students and learn what he/she is explaining. Pick random students and make the situation friendly else they will feel that it is another form of punishment.
• Be a Friend- A personal connect with students can make the whole thing better for both teachers and students.
• Involve students in various decision making related what has to be taught- When they feel part of the classroom then they learn in an effective way.
• Interactive classes are more fun and rich in learning- I was a student who would tremble if he was invited to solve a question on the blackboard. When I joined the company I am working for, they sent me to their Headquarters for training on Project Management. It was the best learning experience of my life as they didn't let me  sleep. They made the classes interactive and full of activities. In two weeks, I evolved as a student.
• Teach Engineering students like a kid- Try to gauge the interest of your students, make efforts to bring them out of their shell, add value to their experience, share some interesting/ inspiring stories so that they pay attention to you. Occasionally conduct team building activities, offer advice for their career or placement. By doing these, they will develop enormous respect for you and they will swallow the boring lessons also without complaining.

PS- I am too small a creature to offer suggestions, so if you find something worth trying then it's a pleasure. If a suggestion looks absurd, put it where it deserves- a garbage bin :P; It was a joy to answer this question

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I am Kalam

Originally written in my personal journal in Nov 2011 after watching the movie " I am Kalam"

I have just watched the movie " I am Kalam" for the second time. This has touched my heart. I am born and brought up in a modest family . But, I easily co-relate with the  poor kid in the movie, who wanted to be like Dr. Kalam.

In the movie, the poor chap is working in a road side restaurant (dhaba). He is not fortunate enough to go to school. But, he learns on his own. He has the desire to study.

He is inspired to study and be a successful person like Dr. Kalam. The poor boy could easily relate with Dr. Kalam. He has heard that as a kid, Dr. Kalam used to sell newspapers and later by hard work and passion, he become the President of India. He also does odd jobs at a dhaba and hoped that he can also become a big shot someday if he studies well.

The message was loud and clear. It was like music to me as I love Dr. Kalam and admire him. I couldn't understand how he has a mass appeal cutting across all barriers like class, age, religion, region, language, etc.

Dr. Kalam is the epitome of Unity and strength. He is the hope for millions like me and that poor chap of the movie.  I am sure Dr. Kalam would be glad that he had inspired the poor chap. I am also inspired from  the movie. I need to identify my aim in life. Then, I need to educate myself to achieve it.

I feel that giving away money in charity cannot help a lot. Rather, an under-privileged must be  helped in such a way that they become self- dependent. I think that providing vocational training for free instead of giving them cash will be better and effective.

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Time Management Tips

I love project management and would like to share few lessons from it to answer this question.

• Optimize-I would always try to optimize time and quality.
• Time is more than Money- Time is equivalent to money, sometimes more important than money because I have to spend more money to accelerate a project that is delayed.
• Do it now if it takes less than 5 minutes. If something is important and it will take less than 5 minutes like reviewing important reports or sending important work emails or paying my bills then I will never leave it for future because this step will cut down my to-do list and makes my life easier.
• Tame an elephant when it's a kid-Never keep important things pending and do important things before they became urgent. A small problem if ignored at the initial stage can become a monster that will haunt you.
• Make To-do Lists-However, there are always some of the things that we have to keep for future due to shortage of time. We can do them by making a To-Do List and having a target date for finishing it. Always review your list and keep striking out thing that you have finished. If you develop an habit of doing so often then you will find it easy afterwards.
• Think out of the box- I love commuting for an average of 2 hours per day. I enjoy it because my company takes care of travelling, so I can do many things while having a cosy seat. I have so many things to do like relax, take a nap, listen to some audio books, watch a movie, listen to music, taking to old friends, checking out social networking sites, etc.

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It is not easy to let go of things

Today, I spent 4 hours cleaning my cupboard but it was fun and entertaining like an old slow movie. I am not joking. I had to pack bag for my vacation so I thought why not let go of the unwanted stuffs. It was a great idea as I was already feeling bored and so had got a job to do. I first targeted clothes and realized that there are two dozen of clothes that I don't use but can be given away.

I have told my friends staying together about this and we have decided to donate all the clothes that are of no use us to a NGO I had contacted few weeks ago. They come and collect old clothes and would distribute it among poor and needy people.

Then, came the hard part, I decided to let go of my novels which I had already read. But, I was not feeling like doing away with them. So, I  immediately decided to put aside two thick competitive exams book for Mechanical Engineering. The condition of the books reminded me that I brought them for preparing for PSUs and GATE but they had only tasted dust and nothing else.

I wish I could give it to someone for free. Sadly, I don't know any family in this urban village. There are more than 2500 families in our housing complex but we don't know anyone. I think the last option would be to give it to a nearby book shop.

Even, books were easy when I went to remove the heap of papers in several files. I started going through them and they took me to flashback. The train ticket when I went to join my first job reminded me of that wonderful trip when my dad and brother accompanied me to Chennai and they went ahead to Bangalore for my brother's counselling for Engineering Colleges.

After that, I got my hands on old checkbooks and passbooks which have been obsolete but I don't know why I couldn't throw them away. Then I got my hand on few old passport size photos. I don't look like them but still how could I get rid of them. We had an orientation program when I joined L&T. I got the program schedule and man I couldn't dump it. It felt so good to remember those days. We were so excited. We were hosted in a posh resort for ten days and we had awesome food at office and resort. Ah! those days...

I got my hands on my offer letter of TCS and I opened it, smiled and kept it back safely. A thought passed my mind that by this way, I am not going to get rid of the clutter. So, have tried to do away with as many documents that didn't had any emotional value for me. The strange thing is that we are so busy in our day to day life that we hardly go through those things but dumping them still feels hard.

I had got many rakhis which is a proof that I have been away from my sister on Rakshabandhan for years. I wear rakhis for many days and then keep them safely. I will not throw them. I even have the envelope and the letter from my sister which she sends with the Rakhi. This year she had not send the letter and I was searching for it in the envelope. She was busy due to the placement season and I can understand this.

I was reminded of my Mom. When I was collecting old clothes to give to poor people then Mom would pick few old clothes and would keep it back. When asked, she would say that this was when you were born or your first birthday. I didn't felt anything then. But, today I can understand her attachment with those piece of clothes.

Vivekananda said that we must let go of attachment to people or things. I agree with him but I just thought to write down about this mundane experience as it would remind me of all those stuffs always, whenever I would read it. I doubt if anyone else reads me here. I am my only loyal reader :)

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Career: Should I keep working for a startup?

Question

I am pursuing my M-Tech as well as joined the start up side by side. I am little bit confused whether I can handle this work pressure.. 
and  how much risky is it to join a start up at age of 25 I m very indecisive(as it's not my own start up I am part of a team of 4 members)

Clarifications sought by me

1. Are they paying you enough?

2. Do you enjoy the work?
3. What is best and worst part of working there?
4. Break down your confusion into simple pieces-  Are you learning new things, Are you able to make contacts and do networking with people who can help you land in a decent job, Are you happy? Yes/No and why?

Is the startup related to your M-Tech course in any way. Please answer as much and as quick as possible :) Don't think much just write down what's goes in your mind. Don't judge your thoughts. 

Additional details provided by questioner as a clarification: 

No, they are paying just enough for expenditures (INR 3000) but they committed for more when they will have funding. 

I am enjoying as I want to work with some new concept, it was my wish to work as entrepreneur.

I am little bit tensed  because my job role is not clear as well, it's a basically data entry type work (in tech language you can say data management) 

But truth is I have to commit 8hrs a day initially (we have committed 3 days in a week)

I have studied the IME(industrial management n engineering) in that I have studied all the management related courses so you can rate this entrepreneurship with my field. 

And the most important thing is that  I don't have any idea about the core team concept, the rights on the share of the company and exactly what are the economic sources those leads a start up.

My Answer

It is very interesting from the point of a case study. I am able to say so because I work in a MNC but have a startup culture as I am deputed to a project site which is treated as a small autonomous unit within the company. My response is based on the learning I have acquired from working with startups as a client, from the first hand experience of people working in a startup and my keen interest in following the startups.

Let us first analyse your case:

Positives:

1. You wanted to be an entrepreneur and this is a step in that direction.
2. You enjoy working there.
3. You know the concepts of management and hence working in a startup will help you see the impact on your work clearly.
4. No work is small.  Three workers were asked a question "What are you doing?" while they were laying brick during construction. First worker replied that he was laying brick, Second worker replied that he was making a room and the third worker replied that I am contributing in building a wonderful building. All were doing the same thing but their response was different. We all have to be like the third worker as seeing the bigger picture keeps us motivated.
5. What I understand that you don't have any financial problems. So, don't worry much about the salary and right now you are doing M-Tech, so working at Startup is not a bad idea as long as you are in college provided you make a fine balance between work and academics.
6. You can make contacts with other like minded people by working at that company. It will help you in getting job offers from well established companies also.
7. Treat this as you are working on a live project as an internship. It will boast your confidence, build your knowledge and would help you during on/off campus placement. I can say so confidently as my sister told me that recruiters were impressed with the knowledge she accumulated during her internship at a startup. It provided her with an cutting edge advantage over others.
8. You get to know what you like or dislike much earlier than landing in a full time job. You can consider your current job as a mock test of your feeling that you like to work at a startup.
9. There is less hierarchy and you can see the output of the efforts you are putting. 

Not so Positives:

1. Working at a startup is a dynamic process. You have to stay outside your comfort zone and you would visit your comfort zone rarely.
2. You have to believe in the core idea of the founders else you will not feel motivated to put long hard hours.
3. Your role would not be defined. You have to be jack of all trade. Just think of it like an Indian wedding of your brother or sister. Do you have a specific role. I guess no. You have to do everything ranging from shopping, planning for the wedding venue, food, welcoming guests, dealing with emergencies, etc. You don't have a profile. Same goes for an startup. If you can happily deal with that then working for a startup is one of the best thing to do in life.
4. Your pay would be less as they have to be competitive and have to do a job at a price lesser than the established players in the market.
5. You have to work harder than those at well established companies.
6. But, the more struggle you do, the better and stronger you become. So the answer to your question that Is it better to work for Startup at 25 is a big yes. Right now, as a bachelor you can toil in long hard hours to make things happen. 

Words of caution:

1. As a fresher, don't bother much about pay. My cousins with pay as less as 10K per month are now earning more than 15+ LPA after 8-9 years.
2. We work till 60. So, in our working career of around 35 years, it hardly matters if we started with a lesser pay or a couple of years later than our peers. It is so because, life is a marathon and not a sprint. The struggle you do today will be helpful throughout your life.
3. Keep learning and updating your knowledge. Typewriting was a craze when I was a kid, it was a desirable skill. When I grew up, typewriters were replaced by computers and people who were earning their bread and butter based on their typewriting skills switched to computers as the change was essential for their survival and the move was logical and a comparatively easier one. So, moral is that we may face a crisis of job when we are 40-45 and might have to switch industry, so it is always better to keep make our self adaptable to change.
4. Don't keep all your eggs in one basket. Do many things. Participate in extra curricular activities at college, do well in academics and also work at the startup. I know you would feel killing me on reading this as it is not easy but I said what I have learned the hard way:)

Way Forward:

1. I think you should work for the startup to learn and get hands on experience even when you are in college. 
2. Don't limit yourself. Learn a bit about HR, Accounts, Marketing, Technical aspects, Getting Investors, etc. Who knows, the investor might be interested to hire you at a pay you deserve for doing a work you love?
3. Lucky things happen when we keep doing many things.
4. Take care of your health, your relationship with your loved ones and always try to maintain a good work life balance.
5. Pursue your hobby even if you don't have time because we never have time, we have to find it. In last 3 months, I wrote close to 400 posts here. In last five years, the total posts on this blog was 10-11. Only thing is that I have cut down on my sleep from 8 hours to 6 hours and I  never miss a chance to write and post something as it keeps me going.
6. Newton's First law is really true "A body in rest continues to be in rest and a body in motion continues to be in motion". So, when you get the taste of enjoying your hobby then you will find time for that. And, Newton will take care of the rest. Trust me!

Hope, this might have been helpful :)

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