Dearth in Scientists

Higher studies have become one very important aspect in today’s competitive world. Having a higher degree not only gives one the edge over others, it helps one grow into a more complete personality professionally. In engineering as well, things are no different. India holds strong reverence among the international community when it comes to producing quality graduates in the engineering arena. IIT’s undoubtedly are the key to this image, along with a number of other NIT’s and private colleges, which have over long time shelled out individuals who have proved their worth in the international market. But what happens to the Indian quality of education when it comes to going a step further? Why do students still wish to go abroad to countries like United States for their Masters?

The answer is simple. Undergraduate education provides an overall picture of basic technology, and exposes students to a variety of topics in a span of four years. Post-graduation on the other hand, involves the student to clearly define an area of interest and then delve into research activities. It expects the student to be aware of the fundamentals, and then start attacking some of the problems in the area. Though Indian education stands up in providing basic education and exposure, research-oriented studies are not much on the ground. As one progresses on the ladder of education, research becomes prominent with every step. And with this, comes the requirement of modern facilities and infrastructure to be able to support research and development in educational institutions. Indian institutions of higher education lack competitiveness in this context, rendering students to go to foreign countries to pursue further education. The exposure that a student gets in the foreign education system is remarkable, which is always a boon for a career to take-off.

In a recent IBN-CNN report, the number of students opting for careers in the science stream is in a state of low. The number of PhDs India produces a year is 4,500, which is dismally low as compared to China’s 20,000. Certainly, reasons like engineering jobs being less lucrative and also the higher degree of competition in the field are acceptable for such a performance of the Indian research community. But something that doesn’t seem to be paid heed to is the fact that deluge of Indian science and engineering students are running to foreign countries to complete their research degrees. As a result, they end up researching for that country, and earning much higher salaries as compared to what one gets in India. The bottom-line: India falls short of the expected numbers to sustain its development.

There is no simple solution to the problem of shortage of research work and scientists. The research facilities in India would have to be improved, along with making it a well-paid job. Money has to be pumped into the industry, since a lot of a country’s development depends on the amount of research carried on. Students need to be made aware of the fact that there is a lot of scope for research in India, which would eventually direct them to take up such careers. Again, hopes lie on the IIT’s, which could form the first-stage for such a reform and leave a trail for other institutes to follow.

Euphoria Mehfuz.....A Review....

Hi All,

So Finally I have been able to extract some time for presenting my views on Euphoria's new album...Mehfuz..!!!

(no order maintained)
1. She's Beautiful: Technically an English song, on the theme of serious and affectionate love. Great in terms of the emotional depth the music provides to the theme.
2. Doha: A classical song, with perfect words by Kabir said out in perfect manner, extremely soft and melliflous to hear, something one may want to listen to again and again.Polly sings on two scales in the song which are superimposed with each other and played simultaneously which sound terrific. This is rather something U2 does quite often in their songs.
3. Instrument by Rikki: Again, gives that Rockish kind of a feel with full-distortion in effect.Though the solo's by Rikki and Benny, I feel, should be longer than they usually are, we die to hear more of that from them.
4. Kynass song: Filmi in nature, brought out by the typical kind of beats we get to hear in filmi songs. A decent number.
5. Savera: Something different and catchy, moderately fast with a good overall effect. Benny and Rikki's presence is clearly visible here with Polly at his peak. One of the best songs for me in Mehfuz.
6. Dil: I remember Shania Twain's song when I listen to Dil: That dont impressing me much. Something I have not been able to get into sync with till now. A mediocre track, nothing special about it.
7. Rab Jaane: Again, the theme is a message: dont think much because God is there to make the path for you a. The song flows at a constant pace with full support from the flute, which provides a different atmosphere to the song altogether. Polly sounds great in such numbers wavering his voice to and fro, here and there and literally everywhere. Absolutely amazing.
8. Ki Farak Painda: This one is the typi-Euphoria type, the one filled with masti and a young-at-heart-attitude. Definitely the song that makes you go banging your head in the air. Lyrics are very creative including names we've known for all serious romantic reasons. DJ's work is something really special here, he is just awesome with his bass'ic instincts and that really gives the song an impetus in itself.
9. Bhoola Sab: Starts off with a serious Benny solo, and gets on with highly distorted guitars, which remain for the remaining song. A decently fast track with good lyrics. I thought Polly was too soft in this song, as in he could have afforded more roughness in his voice. But, in all a very good number.
10. Bewafa: Starts off on the lines of Waise Hi from Gully, but moves onto an altogether different track after the prologue, something not really a qawalli, rather a plain love song. Mouth organ is successfully used throughout, while something sounding like a santoor is also prominent.
11. Roshni: An inspiring and positively-vibed song, filled with ups and downs and classical pieces by Polly which sound awesome since this is normally not seen in Polly's singing. Starts off slow but gradually picks momentum. Rikki's acoustic pieces provide nice support to the fast flow of the song. In short, highly recommended.
12. Mehfuz: Stunningly creative lyrics, pure music and a soft voice to blend it, what else could be required to make the perfect song. A must hear for all.
13. Soniya: Probably the most famous song of the album so far, fast paced and heavy beated, truly blessed with Polly's energetic and enthusiastic voice on top of hinglish lyrics. Top of the charts for me.

Overall, the album is truly Euphoric, and has that typical flavor of the band that we've been hearing since the last 8 years...!!! Though, the songs are quite softer this time round and are more down-to-earth..!!! A more matured album in terms of music, and in terms of lyrics as well. Space has been given to each and every member of the band to display his solo pieces, and thats something good that spotlight has not only been on Polly. As it is, this doesn't happen with Euphoria, and so it was good to know that the legacy of togetherness and individual respect continues. A lot of experimentation has been done, but all with the realms of the Eurphrian boundaries. Euphoria are here to stay and the legacy of Hind rock continues to rock us all.

-Rajesh-

The story of the Genius..contd

My last post was about my description of the Genius. Kishore Kumar or Albert Einstein can be good examples to represent this category, for what they have contributed through their lives. For a general formula, people having that extra-edge right from the birth may be termed as Genius. Considering carefully, Einstein didn't have a bulb suddenly lit in his brain making him start publishing ideas at the age of 17 or even before. Neither would have Kishore Kumar been able to sing so mellifluous without having a single day of formal training in music. It's all been something in them that just did not come out until the right time. And hence, what they did further was something they needn't work hard for. It is fairly simple to say that the talent in these people existed since the time they had stepped on to the journey of the Earth. Being Genius is truly God-Gifted and this is what distinguishes them.

But within those leftover, there exists the category of self-made Genius. Sachin Tendulkar, Micheal Schumacher or Bill Clinton, all fall into this category for the manner in which they achieved success. A very simple understanding goes into it. For one to be a self-made Genius, there is no prerequisite of having brains or being too rich. But it's all based on the kind of efforts one gives into achieving his goals, well supported by his artfulness and analysing skills. There has to be a punch in the focus and determination to take you through. One also doesn't need to have any exceptional skill to create ideas, but be hardworking and broad-minded and move along the straight path. In addition, circumstances around the person also make him think of simple ways of changing the future for betterment of everyone. I think, having included all these things, there is no way one could fail and reach the desired spot.

But ofcourse, not everyone is able to muster these basic necessities and the commitments required in order to be termed a self-made person or self-made Genius. Those who reach the other end of the grid through their perseverance, can claim to be at par with the ones already there. The 4400, a television series depicts this in a very spendid way, where a teacher says that she just sees the small trail of light that glows inside every individual, and tries to bring that out through some unique ability which the student is capable of. Ofcourse, if that trail of light doesn't exist, nothing can be done.

Wh@t m@kes the Genius..??

We all might have, at some point or the other in our lives, come across people who are truly Genius. The Genius, as I would like to call this character throughout my continuing essay, exists in every single area of work where humans have been known to exist. They work in a normal way and do things just as others do, but somewhere inside them lies the most significant modification they have incurred, that keeps them above each and every person around. Genius is the kind of person who has this extra bit of brain, as I would like to perceive, that gives Him the extra edge. It comes to Him naturally, whatever He does, and He doesn't have to mould his brain, not even an iota, to do what He is capable of. He doesn't need the help of any other person, and He is capable of surviving on his own, well supported by His extraordinary capabilities. He doesn't carry with Him, the badge of being different, and looks just as the person next door. He might have fun and frolic, but when it really matters, He is just required to be serious, and everything happens on its own for Him. He may do something wrong, but very seldom, and something right, always. He exists to make the Others realize, what they lack in themselves, and what they cannot achieve. Everyone knows him, well enough, but no-one can be like Him, for they dont have enough. Ofcourse, He is the only one of His kind, and should I finally say, a possible Incarnation of the All Mighty.

So do we belong to special and the restricted group of this Genius, or we seem to be lost in the remaining never-ending world of Others.

(To be Continued)

IMDB is the Real Database.!!

IMDB..the largest database of International Movies..really deserves applause. For one moment, I think that how could I be so oblivious of the power of this exceptional database, while for the other moment, I relish knowing that same power. The amount of activity and buzz that's on in this database is truly impressive.

I watched the movie Flightplan a few moments ago and immediately turned to IMDB for the some reviews. Though the reviews used to be the only reason for me to visit this site, I went on a bit further this time. For every movie, there is an independent forum running on IMDB. And imagine, thousands of posts being made discussing in full length and breadth, the movie and each of its pecularities. I feel the movie makers themselves might not have put in so much discussion as compared to the one that goes on in such forums.

And then suddenly, I realise how inactive I tend to be in this context. Everyone tends to have some or the other views on the things they see in their lives. But it's not presented always. And this is what needs to be brought out and made open. With the advent of the Internet and the opening up of such forums, one has tremendous opportunities of making himself part of these huge discussion groups, and hence contributing to the world knowledge and the power of sharing. I believe this is something we all should follow and thus maintain the pace of the world rolling.

The Indian Ocean Performance..!!

(Written on 29th January, 2006)

Well..yesterday I got the opportunity to witness one of the greatest bands in the Indian musical scene, at the IIMA FEST: Indian Ocean. I have been listening to the songs of the band since say about 2 years now. And this chance was something I couldn't afford to miss anytime. I had heard about the band's terrific performances around the country especially at last year's Mood Indigo at IITB. And somehow I was just hoping if Icould get a chance to see them perform live around here in Ahmedabad as well. Lucky for me they it was to be so.

The band simply ROCKS. There is something different and unique to identify with IO that other bands fail to acheive. IO does not play music which one may term cliche, rather their music is unique in the playing style and the use of the instruments. Neither are they classical in that sense, because they keep in mind the modern generation, and in that way they are some sort of a fusion band. But these days, as every new band tries to get the same appellation , I am pretty sure this band stands out of all of them and belongs to a different league all together. As according to the band "Urban Folk" is the term they associate with their music.

The strength of the band is the professionalism that each and every member imbibes. The lead singer, Asheem Chakravorty, is a fine singer, you ought to listen to his classical ragas and variations when he comes out in full mood. His tabla sounds so in tune with the song that you need to extract that sound from your own, it simply fuses together and is so my in sync. The bassist, Raghu Ram, huh he is another champ. You listen to any song of the band, and the bassist makes a mark in there with his small solos and pieces which complement the beats of songs so perfectly. He also sings guys, and he is simply too great at that too. In fact, the starting piece in Bandhey is by this person. Next, the lead guitarist, Sushmit Sen, I think he is the soul of the band. If it wouldn't had been for him, those solos wouldn't have been sounding marvellous. His style of playing the guitar is very unique, for he tries to make it more classical, but at the same time rocking too. His pieces are all masterpieces, and a very challenging to play indeed for an amateur guitarist. I feel is someone is able to play leads of this guy, he could claim to be a guitar's friend. And finally, the drummer, Amit Kalam. Well, Indian Ocean is not very known for their drums, but I think this is something people have not noticed more. The drummer rocks too people, by presenting the right beats at the right moment. Songs which go slow in pace suddenly pace up when his drums come in, and this brings up a lot of effect.

In yesterday's performance, there were two things to preserve as mementos. The first one was the piece on the bass, where Raghu and Asheem both play at the same time on the same instrument. Raghu had the guitar with him, and Asheem was bent in front of him with his hands rolling on the front side of the bass guitar. I just couldn't imagine such a thing was happening, two players on the guitar, one from back (the usual mode) and the other in front, both playing pieces interspersingly. It was like a jugalbandi, but on the same instrument. Absolutely awesome.

The second thing to relish from the nite was the percussion being played by Amit. For the song Ma Rewa, he came out of his drums armor, and stood up right in front with some sort of a bottle in hand. And imagine he played that for the song's entire duration. The sound from the percussion was absolutely amazing. He made the song rock with that different kind of sound beats.

I have some videos of the nite, if anyone would like to have it, let me know. Though they are not of very good quality, they are the best we could have managed. Send me a mail at {rajesh.bachani@gmail.com} if you want to get the feel of the band's LIVE Performance.


Have fun

**Rajesh**

Are you Serious..???

There are times in this world when one has to stop going with the flow and start to change direction from normal swift. Thats when one has has to settle for his priorities and work really hard in order to have those priorities see the dawn of the day. And thats what ive realised in the last one month, having identified my dreams and putting in days and nights to have that right within my reach.And when people comment on this behavior of mine with sentences like you've become very serious or you are a very sincere person, for one second i feel like having making them weep for this hooey, but then the very next i somehow realise its not the right thing. Is it my fault that ive finally decided what I have to become or what I atleast wish to attain from my life, that people very covertly try to signal me that im doing something seriously wrong or abnormal. Is it my fault that people have no aspirations from their lives whatsoever and have no goals for their future for they also like their fathers wish to have some mundane small 5000-buck-paying job and expect to be satisfied with their respective lives. Or is it my fault that the world seems to be so easy-looking to these people that they somehow dont realise the worst face of this bestowing form of life. I simply feel sad for these people who, having lived through the first 20 and the most crucial years of their lives, fail to abreast themselves with the competetion they are to face in this sucking and funny world of its own diabolic type.

Well, regarding i being a very sincere person, thats very much true, because i believe in doing the job at hand in the best possible way. Now even if that demands me to do something which may hurt others, or of which others may feel ashamed to be with me or whatsoever, I dont care for them and their thoughts. When one has put in money and the zeal to achieve something, why should he not put his 101% to have it. Or should he leave it in the midst of gloom and uncertailty. A job done half-heartedly is equivalent to having not done it at all..and thats what I am trying to say. With terrific interest in clearing GRE, for example, but in no interest in investing time for the imperative efforts and not showing up at the coaching inspite of having spend hard-earned money of your parents, makes that interest of yours worth nothing, not a single penny. And this is exactly what my colleagues are doing..!!

I see people coming to my room every now and then sniffing chances of gaming and having fun for sometime..which ultimately turns out to be long time though. And I feel something fishy going on in their minds for they see me doing work seriously every time and not all interested in wasting time like them on non-sense of a job. Just moments ago, a guy came up and asked of my roommate,"kahan hain .??", very laconic were his words. And he didnt even wait for the answer, having seen I was busy and doing something at my desk. Yes gaming is the prime reason people come over here, this gareeb-khana of mine. And why not, they get to have some timepass, or probably getting away with some server initiation back to their cubicles for continuing on with it all together, fighting for some football..or killing their oppositons amidst clamorous shouts and strident atmosphere surrounding. So when they see me, with some different kinda sight and shoot out questions at me, like what the shit you are doing, and why the hell are you wasting your time on holy shit like this, through their lucid non-verbal language, I get dubious over the issue of my acts and my decisions. I know, one would say why does this guy have to care about what people say or think about him, but frankly speaking, its difficult to avoid these emotions and perceptions. Simply put, why dont people realize their dreams and proceed like me to finally feel smugged with it, rather than me being the only one on the court and doubting over the validity of my seriousness amidst a bunch of people who are on the other side of the grid.