They say, we realize some parts of our brains and intellect existed only when we have to conjure up excuses, the worst being for 'Why didn't you come to the college yesterday?' . If its a friend asking the question, you happily give away details. Chances are you were driving maniacally around highways or cozying up in a movie theater.
But hey, out of the blue, your much-interested lecturer catches you on your way the canteen and asks you the same Q - "So, what Miss/saar..what were you doing yesterday? Y didn't you come to collg?" .
Instant reaction : Weak knees,quivering mouth.
You think..Damn! I should have known that was coming...Now, thinkk,think,think (read lie,lie,lie)
You say "Sir, I was sick..fever"
Sir looks at you like you gave the most boring excuse ever made-up. I don't blame sir...Fever is the most repeated,worn-out, not happening excuse !! Sometimes, I think even if i did have fever...I wouldn't give that cursed excuse...cause I wouldn't even have the lecturer sympathizing with me(cause they don't blv it). So much for actually suffering.
One day in class, every boy who stood up and was questioned about their absence said the same thing - "fever sir" . It would take a coincidence of sorts or a really dumb lecturer to have believed them. Sir got mighty put-off when even the very last boy mouthed the same excuse and said hastily " Ok.Then, get the doc's prescription paper!!" . I was happy the boy dint argue further saying that he didn't go the doc..it was mild ..or sm such stuff.
People talk creativity, innovation and out-of-the-box thinking. Our old fever- excuse could surely do with some 'makeover' .
"Brain fever" ? .. haha..pretty believable ;)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Book review: Five point Someone.
Now, here is a book that any person, regular reader or not, can pick up and read on without thoughts of food and water!
Chetan Bhagat's first and by far his most popular book, Five Point Someone(FPS) is an engaging, light-hearted take on 'what not to do at an IIT'!
The book starts off in the typical 'Chetan' style of making the story seem real. The story looks into the lives of 3 friends -Hari, Ryan and Alok and a thrilling series of events which they go through during their term in IIT. Ryan Oberoi is the rich,smart,rebellious, uber-cool guy while Alok is of the total nerdy sorts, thick spectacles and all. Hari, the narrator of the story is the average plump boy , a Ryan-wannabe.
The story kickstarts with the 3 of them being ragged, clothes-off on their first day at IIT! What follows is a strong friendship between the three, complete with their nutty ideas to 'screw the educational system and live for the moment'. Meanwhile, Hari develops a liking for Neha, Prof. Cherian's ( their ultra-strict HOD) daughter. With all this going, they realise that they are the lot who stand last in their class with 5 point something GPAs. The book goes on to elaborate on how they mess up big time(complete with Vodka and smoking grasson the campus roof) and end up realising that they were wrong all along. The move on from being 'five pointers' to five point someone, gaining an identity though not without unnecessary pains.
What you'll first observe about the book is the totally lively way in which the characters are dealt with. Although it is criticized of not having any literary value(as it is meant to be), it doesn't bore you a bit. Chetan's adjectives rock...'teeth ten years late in meeting an orthodontist'!! His language is laden with typical college lingo and humor. Being college-goers, we can easily relate to the thought process of these guys, though I must say, their adventures were far too fantasy-filled(a touch of bollywood!). But, on the whole, the book is a must-read. Its a reminder that 'shit happens' when we don't think and act straight. Whether you like reading or not, this book is a real stress-buster cause it has a familiarity by being based in India and speaks of hormones and highs.
My advice :Go read it. Half of India has read it !
Extra info. : The books is being made into a hindi movie!
Chetan Bhagat's first and by far his most popular book, Five Point Someone(FPS) is an engaging, light-hearted take on 'what not to do at an IIT'!
The book starts off in the typical 'Chetan' style of making the story seem real. The story looks into the lives of 3 friends -Hari, Ryan and Alok and a thrilling series of events which they go through during their term in IIT. Ryan Oberoi is the rich,smart,rebellious, uber-cool guy while Alok is of the total nerdy sorts, thick spectacles and all. Hari, the narrator of the story is the average plump boy , a Ryan-wannabe.
The story kickstarts with the 3 of them being ragged, clothes-off on their first day at IIT! What follows is a strong friendship between the three, complete with their nutty ideas to 'screw the educational system and live for the moment'. Meanwhile, Hari develops a liking for Neha, Prof. Cherian's ( their ultra-strict HOD) daughter. With all this going, they realise that they are the lot who stand last in their class with 5 point something GPAs. The book goes on to elaborate on how they mess up big time(complete with Vodka and smoking grasson the campus roof) and end up realising that they were wrong all along. The move on from being 'five pointers' to five point someone, gaining an identity though not without unnecessary pains.
What you'll first observe about the book is the totally lively way in which the characters are dealt with. Although it is criticized of not having any literary value(as it is meant to be), it doesn't bore you a bit. Chetan's adjectives rock...'teeth ten years late in meeting an orthodontist'!! His language is laden with typical college lingo and humor. Being college-goers, we can easily relate to the thought process of these guys, though I must say, their adventures were far too fantasy-filled(a touch of bollywood!). But, on the whole, the book is a must-read. Its a reminder that 'shit happens' when we don't think and act straight. Whether you like reading or not, this book is a real stress-buster cause it has a familiarity by being based in India and speaks of hormones and highs.
My advice :Go read it. Half of India has read it !
Extra info. : The books is being made into a hindi movie!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Extra Classes all the way!
The institute has come up with something helpful and innovative for 3rd years.
As is common, most of the grinding for placements happens in the 3rd year.
Our college this time has appreciatively out of its way to put in its two cents into helping students to get placed well.
We third years now have 2 hours a week set aside for the training in the following fields
- English and communication skills
- Personality Development
- Aptitude and reasoning.
Most jobs look for students who are adept in the above mentioned areas, apart from having a good grip on the subject.
Last week, our aptitude class went on pretty perfect with every single person in the room wanting to learn. The questions although simple, were calling on our hibernating 10th math logic. Time spent was really worth it.
Our English class though is another different story. With English grammar basics to begin with, nobody seemed as interested in concentrating to our sir! I hope things are better next class on!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Free Software Foundation Seminar.
Last saturday, a seminar on Linux and Free Software Foundation was organised by students from our college. The session began in the afternoon and lasted for about 2 hours. The first speaker -Srikar, from VNR college gave an impressive start to the seminar. He went on to list out the main limitations of Windows Operating System (O.S) as against the USPs of Linux.Here are some of the main points from the lecture.
-Proprietary software is that which is a "private ownership" so that common man cannot excercise their access and claim to it. MS Windows falls in this category.
-Free software is that whose source code is available i.e. people have the opportunity to modify and see the actual code behind every front-end execution.This gives scope for user freedom, thus leading to higher efficiency of the software and greater levels of security.
-Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds were those instrumental in making the Free software and Linux a reality.
The talk was accompanied by a few videos shown to reinstate the fact that Linux and free software is a gainful option. There was another short-lasting talk by one Srujan from VNR.The seminar on the whole was a huge success with most of us wanting to know more about the same.
Those interested in widening knowledge and helping to spread awareness among people about the availability and advantage of free software; can submit their names to any of the volunteers-Madhu,cse3 ; Charan ece3;VishnuKanth cse 3;Rohit,ece 3;Raghu ece3.
Special thanks to the team for taking up initiative ,making things work and enlightening us.
-Proprietary software is that which is a "private ownership" so that common man cannot excercise their access and claim to it. MS Windows falls in this category.
-Free software is that whose source code is available i.e. people have the opportunity to modify and see the actual code behind every front-end execution.This gives scope for user freedom, thus leading to higher efficiency of the software and greater levels of security.
-Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds were those instrumental in making the Free software and Linux a reality.
The talk was accompanied by a few videos shown to reinstate the fact that Linux and free software is a gainful option. There was another short-lasting talk by one Srujan from VNR.The seminar on the whole was a huge success with most of us wanting to know more about the same.
Those interested in widening knowledge and helping to spread awareness among people about the availability and advantage of free software; can submit their names to any of the volunteers-Madhu,cse3 ; Charan ece3;VishnuKanth cse 3;Rohit,ece 3;Raghu ece3.
Special thanks to the team for taking up initiative ,making things work and enlightening us.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
More Rules!
When circulars come around to the classes, another fresh batch of rules is what can be most expected. The same did happen recently...
-No shirts w/o collars and jeans are a strict no-no
-Canteen has timings during which its open. Around an hour in the morn,aft and evening.
-Library too has got timings ( What the ..!!)
-Library, which was famously known for its leniency in the book-isuing process i.e. you can issue a book for half a year w/o being so much as questioned; has now become extremely strict about the same.
The incoming batch this year ll probably miss out on some major fun we took for granted. Buckle up, guys...we are getting 'professional'!
-No shirts w/o collars and jeans are a strict no-no
-Canteen has timings during which its open. Around an hour in the morn,aft and evening.
-Library too has got timings ( What the ..!!)
-Library, which was famously known for its leniency in the book-isuing process i.e. you can issue a book for half a year w/o being so much as questioned; has now become extremely strict about the same.
The incoming batch this year ll probably miss out on some major fun we took for granted. Buckle up, guys...we are getting 'professional'!
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