A New Decade and Some Life Changing Plans..

The last decade transformed me to a large extend, but all within the realms of being a student. The next decade has a major role to play. The following are some of the plans and programs that I would be going through (hopefully all, if I am normal). Please have a look and put a toast to it, this new year. More over, this is the 400th post to behold of my blog, who will be completing its 5 years at general service:

1) Completing my PhD. Getting an opportunity in form of a hope is like getting the taste of the wine. Cheers and if all turns up well, I will be getting out as a trained professional in the field of Cancer Epidemiology. Hopeful deadline: 2014.

2) Getting married. Ah..the awaited juncture of my life as almost 35% of my pals, known to me are married, but only 2% has a baby now!!! My mom doesn't know the last stat or else it would a new record being played, augmenting the first; to get married!!!

3) Doing atleast two Post Docs. Hopefully the two will be completed by 2020. Max 2018, if my PhD is being covered by 2014. These, I am hopeful to be of International stature.

4) Joining as a Scientist. By end of 2011-decade I would love to join the Indian Science contingent as a budding scientist in the field of clinical carcinogenesis. My hope.

5) Buying a Car. Now thats certain!

Hope all turns up well. Happy 2011, Happy Decade!

copyright: Somnath Paul. June 2010.

A tinge of smoke in my Vodka.

Nothing psychedelic in it...just that was sitting with my glass beside the bon-fire and enjoying the New-Half Crescent moon under the dark foggy veil of 24th December 2010. Expecting the Santa? Well..just missed him..may be!

Sparkling Smirnoff. Dec 2010, Somnath Paul.

But it was a Party more than expectation! Food (Guha Manab - Tandoor Chicken from Arambagh!); Chinese noodles; Chilli Chicken; Fried rice; Lemon; Exotic Choclates and flow of Smirnoff and White Mischief from the glass "slim" barrels! but, every party should have something and that was the Bon Fire. The roof-top Bonnie was a first in my life, but let me say- I have mastered the art, thanks to previous trekking experience!

Niladri- Bo"r"n Fire; Dec 2010, Somnath Paul.

10 souls, Enrique, Souls from our heard off experience, Plans to visit a haunted place, desire to call the souls and many more. Life goes on, 24/12/10 finished 30 minutes before midnight.

That moment, even Rajesh Khanna would have loved to live a night with Sharmila Tagore; lest I missed the cue as somethings always remain incomplete!

The Roof-Top Bon Fire; Dec 2010 Rajeswari Ramanathan

But, to see the celebrating Calcutta from the fifth floor roof top of North Calcutta was amazing! With heat in my face and chill on my spine, the warm spirit trickled down slowly... 1 sip, 2 sip, 3 sip....

(l-r) Rajeswari, Nandana, Me and Niladri.

Wish we were in a jungle!

BLAZED!!!

A Decade That Was...

2001-10.

Ten years... changing my status in great many ways.

From a pretty school guy, it turned me into a professional teacher; made me into a lover and a photo-fanatic; a decade that made me receive the only slap from a contemporary female to a decade that gave me S5, Presimates and really ultra cool Lyaad Group. It was a decade that had pushed my limits to getting transformed into a barrel, liking the bitter liquid.

It was decade when I started as well as renounced the pornographics, realized that time was short and there are many more avenues to grab the money on the loose.

It was a decade that had turned me into Sir, into a scholar and also a friend in dire needs!

Many things apart from 3 Soccer World Cups, 3 Cricket World Cups, several medallions in the Olympics, Asiads and the Common Wealth games. A spontaneous blogger now drying up with ideas to run, yet the passion remains to cross the mark and set new standards with every writing remained!

Physiology >> Genetics and now >> arsenic, its all being happening herewith in my life and the past 10 years have made me bold enough to venture out friends...be it official trips like to North Bengal (2000-01) or the Vizag/Araku (2005-06) or the unofficials to Digha (2007), Diamond Harbor (2007) and Ghatshila (2008)!

Many things and many scars get hidden beneath the million smiles that I always loved to share with all  my friends! But, it was the decade that had bereaved me of my dad... (miss you)...

But, still I look forward to 2011-2020. Ten years from now you will have a similar web-article like this, only back then...I might be writing with a different IP!!!

Lets hope!

I Loved its Creativity.

Discover Madhya Pradesh. If an advertisement is more than making you sit there for over 1 minute, speechless and nothing but admiration to the ingenuity, then the cause would be more enchanting. I have always loved the folk lore that is associated with this region. The oscillation of the string (meniature bina), the music gets you to the heart. All in shadow, depicting all the tourists spots within Madhya Pradesh, I was spell bound to see it.

Come May, I am longing to go out with mom and who knows, this place might be on the charts... I just couldn't stand aside, but share with you all the master piece... have a look:

I wonder, with all the amenities of Nature in West Bengal, why haven't the State tourism board come up with an ad? We have Darjeeling, Dooars, Maithon, Mirik, Digha, Shankarpur, Mandarmani, Sunderbans, Birbhum, Bankura, Murshidabad, Gaur, Malda, etc..etc... we have them...but we are more interested to commercialize potato against onion...green against red... there is not amber..Only Dilemma and Lively-Blues!!!

Online "Official" Gamble, Indian Media.

           Lottery, Satta are all supposedly illegal, especially the latter. The Indian Media goes on with an official version of Satta at night in programs called Online Lucky Name and Win Shows (OLNWS), like aired on Zee TV and Imagine TV named Gold Safe. Every night, since April 2010, this new magic craze for money among the Indians is being capitalized, fooling 99.9% individuals, letting them wait onine for 10-15 minutes (Rs. 12/minute), earing a lot and sharing little. The revenue generated is without any bill nor is it transparent! A few years back, ETV had aired similar shows but was protested and closed. The show genre is renewed with new aura. New Bikini clad girls talking endless shit and shouting for GOLD and SAFE..actually no one is safe from this Telephony Piracy. 

The Show

            Proper steps should be employed to stop this or atleast reduce the loot. I understand that this is a business and "may be" (as I am skeptical) they pay the winners from the masses! But the rate of loot is too high end! It should be curved. Infact, such shows are more than gambling and getting addicted. The way they chose the callers also, I am skeptical as to how fairly chosen are they?

                 I am skeptical because, in today's episode, between 12AM-12:45AM, they two host were jabbing and babbling about a picture hybrid on screen. It is that of Salman and Govinda, cusped. Its was so easy that even my three year old nephew answered! The callers that came up with answers ranging from Nelson Mandella (imagine, just for the skin hue of Govinda and Salman) and Dalai Lama!!! Gosh! it seemed that Indians, how foolish they may be taken up by these business media, are not so stupid. Deliberate and planned call, so that more and more genuine caller hold in queue, generating more revenue for them!

                      These programs, are not for GOOD! Thats for sure!

2010 and the Journey is ON...

When it comes to thinking, the sounds beckons me to go far and wild. The wild west to the wildest dreams, something like my most feared person clawing me out of the window of The Petronas or something else. Thought is versatile, but when spoken its meaning perceived by others might not be so. Then it hurts! Flawlessly mistaken, still one cannot do anything. Then problems claw in. Crowing around the temple, the birds of confusion flies, mimicking me to be a character out of the Hannah Barbara pages.

But I am not Mr. Flintstone!

Yabba Dabba Doooooooo! Yes, its important to keep your cool and persist with your work. Very important!

In the next few articles, as always, I would note down why 2010 was interesting to me.

@ Haldirams Super Mall, Ballygunge Phari, Kolkata

Cooling Smokes...

The fire had a glow four years ago or more. Stepping into the podium of under graduations, I made a very good friend, with whom friendship always meant chit-chats, fun and frolic. Somebody, with whom a lot of fun was always in store, through the alleys of College street and within the campus!

Presi Physio B.Sc 2006 Batch in 2003 picnic.

(Sadashib is missing though)

Today, 27/11/10 - 28/11/10, the juncture of the day(s), I sit down  to review those wonder years of smiles, that was nothing but went miles!

The Team from Presi Physio (2006)

(l-r) Sukesh, Kanad, Myself, The Bride, Amrita, Sayantani, Sanchari.

Miss Charmi Singh becomes Mrs Charmi Abhisek Singh. Giggs/Giggles, turned Sis turned Charmz turned Chameli turned Charms turned Chulbuli Smiler, ties the ultimate knot and I roll out some of the very memorable (most) days with her and the group.

1) The friendship turned from bitter notes to sweet, when we had a major miss understanding amongst ourselves regarding playing puppets of seniors! Those were fiery days and don't remember how this took birth, but it did! But later on, during Teacher's Day celebration it was her, who came upfront and asked me and the rest of the gang on my side to participate and so did we... that day marked a handshake... that day marked something new...

Few days later, she was chosen as Class Secretary for the Physio Batch of 2003-06 and I was chosen as the Class Representative. Sadashib was the Class Editor.

2) I still remember that day. There was just two or three days left for the New Batch of 2004 to get into Presidency,. The IC (Independent Consolidation) core committee held a meet and I took her along as the second member of the physio to represent the meeting. We had our regular tuitions at BNP (Biswanath Pyne) sir, in Howrah. It was after college, and the way it seemed, we would turn late for the pre-tuition lunch session. I asked her that we sneak out and have our lunch without notifying others. She agreed and so we sneaked out of the meet and had our lunch at Putiram well in advance. That day, I had a long talk with her and discovered her to be a very pure and lovely soul to be friend with! Loved that session with you, Giggzy!

3) Why Giggs? Well, i named her that from the famous toy store at Park Street called Giggles. The way she laughed sounded like a persistent 5-6 minutes of Giggling. and I had a password to open the vault of laughter...any one who is reading this blog and know her, can try this. It will work, unless she becomes worn out with her job! The password to unlock the vault: "Charmi!!.... 1....2...3!!!" She starts laughing! Not a mental freak....just that she is too clean hearted!

4) I don't know how much will she remember this, but I remember it as a very comic episode. Again, it was going to BNP sir's tuition. We were late and we boarded a crowded bus. It was raining outside and we had no other options. There was a child, merely 5-6 years old sleeping on the ladies seat. A lady, startled at this miss of opportunity to sit shouted out, looking at us! "Yeh kiska baccha hain!" (Whose child is it!) I was standing just behind Charmi and the angle at which the shouting lady saw and exclaimed, it seemed she targetted us! I spontaenously replied, "Humara Nehi hain!" She looked stunned for two seconds. Dejected, it seemed with the answer, she looked twice at charmi and twice at me and back again at Charmi... a look that initiated Charmi's blank look when embarrased and angry (both). The reason, the lady made it emminent that WE were Couples...DENYING OUR BABY!!! That day and till date, we laugh over the incident a lot!

.... many more stories... many incidents...

Those days of youth, fun and frolic has long gone... the smoke brings back the memories.Charmi asked me stay back today, to attend the whole ceremony, but I couldnt for other commitments!!! But would have loved to stay back..after all its one of my very dear friend's marriage...

May both you remain happy ever after! Life has started...let it never end!

Charmi and Abhisek.

Circus, citrus and cats.

Central Kolkata had been beeming with life for the past few days. Everyday, since last wednesday, the Biman dadu's good stead circus is costing thousands their time, hundreds their job interviews and millions (including the sparrows), their ears! A tryst to reach the masses, executed aptly as the people are stranded mass of dolls.... you meet them, palms cusp manner, asking for something. _________________ (fill in the blanks with your comments).

Its time for the sourly lime to make their presence felt in the market. The chill is still abrupt as the Kolkata Met office, in their rarest trick, made a good prediction of delayed winter. So is it. But, to have out cuts limed with salt, especially on days when your boss come early, makes the lemon bad...unwanted!

And Cats.... well like they purr, I did after my latest presentation which could have been way better.I fumbled, god knows why? the over all verdict...I am not satisfied and think so isn't others!

Will have to try better...lot better!

The dry season...

Dry to the bottom of the last bottle of Cognac... intoxicated with the contents of work and over loads, that the plate to serve my thoughts to all my valued readers became a playground for the flies. Soon, even the maggots were about to leave, when some zeal re-ignited the torch within me... May be Canonical Cacophony is about to come alive!!!

Come winter, may dues are to be met. The Pujas have been over by over a month and the last festivities of the Bengali Hindus is also on its way to be terminated, the Jagadhatri Pujas. Today is the ceremonious bye of Goddess in the River Ganges (environmentalists shall go ahead and tell...Ceremonious polluting the waters...). What ever...

Yesterday I was going through the Column by Mir, entitled Jab we Met-ro, on the present conditions of the metro. Its a late realization though that the pride of Calcutta (Kolkata) is on the verge of getting tagged as the Pain of Calcutta. Thanks to the lact of planning and failure in upgradation of the system, old by more than 25 years. Once considered as a master piece of the Third World nation, as Calcutta was the third city after London and New York to have such a transit system. But now, with advanced technologies bearing its glow in the cities like New Delhi and sooner, Mumbai, the Calcutta Metro remains within the dark alleys underground. Rusted and (almost) wasted.

Last year, when the Metro got an extended arm, upto Kavi Nazrul and very soon Kavi Subhash, in the southern corridor, the number of heads and the pressure on it started growing as it was the "fastest" route from North to South and vice versa. Now its the most unpredictable one. With Calcutta Airport at its worst, Metro will soon join its league unless the political parties forget the elections in hand and stop blaming as to who is throwing banana peels on the track to who is pulling the wrong chains deliberately!!!

A voice from a simple, daily passenger (me), who has to meet his job demands after clearing the family chores, daily... "Please for god's sake...never make the metro late- too late-, for its nice to see the Kareena-Sahid starrer Jab we Met rather than hear the pissing and hissing from the destination due to Met-rOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Uff...its late again!"

...............................................

9 Days...

Just the other day, it seemed that I encashed my Paycheck of September and when I sat today, infront of my Work station, the clock blinked: 9th October, 2010. Nine days gone, and I never realized. Especially the last week.

It started on 2nd October, 2010. The body ached under tremendous lethargy. With micturiation below par, thanks to the minimal water intake the day before, the physician recommended me with ORS (!!!) and Water. But the main stuff started on 4th October, 2010. I was just about enjoying my Sunday Trivia with my students, when the fever started paying me homage and since 12PM  that Sunday, the homage continued at regular intervals! The doc almost diagnosed me out with Dengue / Malaria, but also cautioned that since I have not shown COMPLETE symptoms, hence he would initiate a diagnose with Viral Fever in mind! (I prayed and so it was!)

But, this sickness made me renew my old habits, being behind the lens. Inspired by a few of my friends in Facebook (specially) and Orkut, I started looking into the world with a different aspect! Close-up Photography was something that I craved for, as I wasn't a master of that. Although I would not mention that I have taken some great snaps, but is better than the previous endurance!

I intermingled the picture with a story... some thought. I would be posting one of my best of the lot, with a feverish body and mind, I have a thought to be posted.

We see through the glasses. Infact, spectacles have a subtle notion of intellectualism! (Although some may differ, but again an argument is also induced by the specs!) In India, we worship the deity (as in the picture) of Devi Saraswati as the Goddess of Eductaion and Intellect. If the Specs determine the armour of intelligence, then a human has to cover a distance to be properly in touch with the spiritualism as well as materialistic/ realistic outcome!

Hope all liked my interpretation.

My Lens will be at service for the Puja Parikrama, 2010!!!

SSKM... The Institutional Hell.

( I take all the responsibility for this TRUE story. If found guilty for treason, I will be more than happy to know that my NEWs, surpassed Star Ananda, 24 Ghanta, Kolkata TV and other media news channel, who make news to get a better TRP!)

Responsibility begins from home, and I fear, there is NO RESPONSIBILITY by these Ad-Hoc Media Channels... Sometimes, they spill out too much stink!

27th September, 2010:

I came back home from my Lab, to find my mom shaking her head in disgust, gazing over a very intriguing debate conducted by Suman, Star Ananda. Its on the present situation of health care, where the SSKM junior doctors are on strike since Saturday, 25/09/10. Today, the situation became grim, with the Junior doctors taking aid of sticks to beat up the patient party.

Great Cook Up!

I paged my friend (to be refered as representative of Junior Doctors' Forum), who is at SSKM, junior doctor. This representative is a year younger than me and as I am, is also very irritant when things are not legal and just! I wanted to have the news from the Horse's mouth.

The first word mentioned was " Fuck Media ". Being a sensible third party I was pretty taken back, but then, being educated I wanted to listen to the actual story. The Media, as I always know play with the news...edit them, to make them look gullible. I know this from my Presidency College Union Days...

My friend narrates me the truth. Although it started from a relatively older one, an incident occuring two weeks back, I listened... at last I was induced by my senses to advise my friend to join the protest with FORCE!

Diagnosis can always have success as well as failure, but that doesn't mean to take to violence. (I have protested this long time back, in my blog, where I mentioned that failure of treatment doesn't make a doctor killer! And that doesn't mean to hit the doctors like Hooligans!) Two weeks back, the same happened with my friend, who in the dead of the night, 3:30AM was dragged with colleagues to the Bawanipur P.S. The "treason", they couldn't make a 75% dead body alive! The media, fueled in, by advising the insensible patient party, to take the names of the Junior Docs and make an FIR. My friend said that instead of being neutral, they loved to spread the fumes of anger amongst the patient party and take good images. My friend was slapped many a times, but it was shown on TV that the patient was murdered and that beating the doctors was justified!

Coming back to 25.09.10.

Demanding on Junior Doc's security, the same docs staged a day long protest. The security was tightened but for a fortnight. The problem that was risked was entry of too many patient's relative (refered to as patient party). If any mishap happened, that resulted an agitation and a fight! Fortnight later, the security was breached by bribery. The same happened on 25.09.10. Too many patient's relatives as well as some X-factors (I will also reveal these X-Factors later on), beat up a MCH doctor, a doctor of high quality. It was night time. A commotion followed, opening the wounds, just two weeks old! The junior physicians, PGT, MBBS, House physicians sat on strike. The demand: Lack of Commitment in the name of Security. 

The strike was decided to be called off officially on 27th Sept, 2010 and the Juniors would join the work force. Sunday night, a make up incident took place that would shatter the noble decision, taken on Sunday.

The Paediatric department had a patient, at around 11PM. The on duty Junior Doc checked the child and diagnosed with min or incident and after advising medicines, asked the family of the patient to take him back, as he would be just fine! Suddenly, the patient's family members got agitated interpreting it as refusal to admit. Some more men joined the commotion (X-Factors included). The outsiders came with sticks to beat the Doc on Duty. The Doctor ran to the second floor rest room and locking himself from inside, called upon the hostel boarders. He shouted over the phone: "Come as soon as possible or you will not see my corpse as well". When the boarders (~ 50 junior docs) came down, with axed down branches, for self defense (Something provided as a Right in the Indian Constitution), found no one at the gates. The agitated party fled. Still the Doctors didn't give up!

There is a rule at SSKM. For night stay, in  critical conditions, the doctors issue RED CARD to restricted number of patient family members. This rule was implemented keeping the safety of Docs in mind.

The Junior Docs now charged into the rest room, where the family members can stay for the night, in critical emergency situation. They asked for the RED CARD. One silhouette was noticed at the corner window. The on duty doc recognized the man to be one of the leaders of the commotion. As indicated, the junior doctors rushed the man out of the campus, along with several NON RED Card Holders!

They also used some force which the STAR ANANDA and 24 Ghanta portrayed as HOOLIGAN Docs. Surprising was to learn that police came in 2 hours later and randomly caught hold of 5 Docs. As per my sister, all are brilliant students!

The question:

What is taking place? No Media is true as they use camera with out sensibility.

X - Factors: 

The State Opposition is trying to show the dilapidated state of the health affairs in West Bengal.

Then what is the ruling body doing? Commanding to join work, and accusing all bad was from the Docs' side! The reason? VOTE 2011. They want to have the votes!

Enemy of the State

The names are being announced with an ascend of the treason ladder.

#3 JAIPAL REDDY

#2 SURESH KALMADI

#1 POLITICIANS

With the Delhi footbridge collapsing, certain questions flocks my mind, rightfully voiced by Arnab Goswami (Headlines Today; man I love his conducting skill). When will the politicians step down from the sports organization?!!!

The question is When?

At this juncture I would love to name a list, of people who are wrongly at the hot places.

> Sharad Pawar; GOD! Has he ever played the ball of even a single run and he up there as the head of BCCI, the President if I want to mention.

> Suresh Kalmadi: Head of Olympic Governing body at IOA. I guess he know any kind of sport, leave aside facilities and infrastructure.

> Jaipal Reddy: He is such a short fellow that how come he manages to take the initiative of even cutting the rope of such huge structures... may be he sways to much on the ropes during cutting, for support that the elephant headed ministers' weight cost the bridge... money of the Common, going to the gutters.

> K Gill: I dont even know in which kind of subject is he specialized...leave aside sports!

Is India lacking a good healthy mind to take up the charges? I mean, when will these un-deserving politicians leave in their heavenly abode. even their sperms stinks...some ovum too...like those of Shiela Dixit, Sushma Swaraj, Mayavati.... O the latter one's rot in the ovary...!

With Judiciary at the helm, a public petition should be filed that only qualified individuals having valid degrees of administration like MBA in Sports or Event management should specifically lead these organizations... Or else they are disqualified, son of BITCHES!

I was shocked at some of the comments that Mr. CHADDI (read Reddy) had expressed to the media, after teh collapse of the footbridge, New Delhi:

#1 " Its an event of no major concern" Guess it would have been if Mrs. Sonia Gandhi was crossing underneath the bridge.

#2  " Its rained so the thing happened " So, after the CWG, we would have had a normal expectation of the bridge collapsing, next MONSOON.... here comes the RELIABLE comment from our Urban Development Minister.... more than half the budget would be found in his well planned sewers!

One day, when the shoes would stiop flying and kicks will meet the balls of these illiterate politicians and some die ON SPOT by public beating, that day they will stop playing with our name and money. How come they are so reluctant to spoil their own mother's name, GOD KNOWs... I know one thing, sometimes, some individuals grown in Brothels try to gain way to the administration and political post to use the power to know who their Dad "are"... My sympathies are with them....

A Bioscope of Olympus FX 150.

Back in August 2006, it came into my grasp after paying off Rs 11,500/- only. The big occasion would seldom go missing for a freaky photographer like me, who go by the mood. I give a self reckon to my skill as Mood-o-grapher, rather than a photographer or better say Mooderaman rather than a camera-man. Thats my way of thinking, and unlike my photoes which receive a stamp of authority, undersigned my name, I will keep the terms at common...for common use. May be after five years Oxford or Cambridge will fetch these two terms as their then "latest" amendments. Will love that though...

The big events that my camera covered or being with me are mostly spanned through the Pujas since 2006. This year, it shall be covering its 5th year, year, I have certain plans. Last year, the plans were little bamboozled by the rains and little lethargy (as I was in a corporate world, so its understood). This year, I need not mention that the work load has decreased, but the monotony that was there in the last year's job profile has gone as its more of the brain and less of the cash train! Like... "If you miss the train I am on.... * you will know the CASH has gone ... You will hear you boss shout... a 100 miles *..." Well a little innovation from my lack lustre music data base! ;-)

The year 2009, a year where lethargy maintained the Pujas. not very much roaming...just lazying around with my friends. Amongst the most memorable time that I spent was along the banks of the Ganges (Hoogli), in Princep Ghat. Always wanted to snap the Roman styled monument, with the Modern marvel of the Vidyasagar Setu in the back drop. As I wished, I got some... two days...and it was full of satisfaction.

Pujas 2009. Collage via Picasa 3.0

Faded, the memories will remain bright with then promised drink from Sanga at One Step Up at Park Street. To me, it was nothing more than luxury, coz when its festive  mood, I like to twirl the golden rum, ON THE ROCKS! So we had.... followed by something un-usual, finishing dinner at KFC! God...I must have had been out of my minds! We were....

A year more, I had one of the most appreciative picto-puja, the retro way. Styled the least... moved out the most, spanning from North Calcutta to South. Nothing...and I literally mean nothing was left un-touched. But yes, I would rue that this was the only puja, since I was in Standard XI, that I had lived through without meeting S5 or the members for once. Some how, the gang never met up! But yes, I had new friends and new company. As part of the appreciation, the folks in States relished the Kolkata Pujas through my lens... I had hoped to be in the same line in 2009, but I hoped too much and may be luck never let me capitalize!

  Pujas 2008 Collage Via Picasa 3.0

Sephia.... not vagued.

I remember 2007 as one of the most exciting Pujas of my life. Some how the snaps have gone missing, but Pujas 2007 excitement will never be. I, for the first time participated in a Stage Drama show during the Pujas. Its not new that I have been involved in this somehow...but during the Pujas...gave me the Victorian Thoughts of Drama- artists of yesteryears, acting out some entertainment for the Art-loving Bengalis. Thanks to Ankita's  residential complex to give us the opportunity to act Birinchibaba, on Saptami. I have some snaps from the rehearsals, which I am keeping as a reminiscence of Pujas, 2007.

Pujas 2007 Collage Via Picasa 3.0

Love....

Well, my digital romance started from 2006. The first Pujas and the largest images on display in this article through the collages, Pujas 2006 was a juncture between my Presidency Years and my M.Sc Years. The joint had the remnants of B.Sc with college friends going out for the last time. I remember Khotu's comment when she was in US, as that she missed my Conducted Pujas Tour through the serpentine lanes of North Kolkata. Behala and parts of South Calcutta had already been organizing good Pujas, but believe me, I never ventured past Ekdalia and Singhi Park... reservations: Didnt know the Serpentine lanes; literally speaking, South Kolkata lacks them very much.

Pujas 2006.

The battle between the North and South shall prevail. But this pujas, 2010... I will try to hop back into my 2006 shoes and span the Kolkata...for the sake of the taste of the festivals...for I think... chances for next time should never be taken!!!

I will miss S5... :(

Understanding Dilemma...

I had tried to bring back the flair of writing stories - the ghastly ones, but may be its too early for a 31st October adrenaline to fire and smog up my blog. When I came online tonight, I headed clicked onto Cutting the Chai, one of my favorites and observed the sense of professional outlook that the blog bore, when I desired to address myself into Wordpress from Blogspot. Just then, some tears from within, some unspoken words that never meant anything to the world, due to lack of correspondence, started knocking back, diluting my thoughts. This shifting always bring back memories of leaving the old and start off for the new, may be this time I will hold back!

My Priority Inbox showed a mail from a person, who once was a very good pal of mine. It mentions ideas and desires, that will bar a number of aspects from my life, but may be I was a loner and will remain so. People will always get past, destroy and move forward... nomads as we all will always be. A sms, during my college era mentioned that Friends are very Bad Tenants... When they stay they give great company, but when they leave, they tear off the wall papers and dismantle the room they had occupied for years, yonder (may be).

30 days from now, we are into the Pujas. May be I will not have any piece of S5 meeting here  in Kolkata, which hurts a bit. Sanga, Sammy, Sandy and Pachu... will miss you yet again. Aaaahhh.... I cannot dilute my tears with the thoughts of Pujas.... It was a bad start to the week...the morning saw ZERO yield of Results in my experimental work and now it seems more pestering to think that I am ending the day with sour and bitter tastes...and Mind it...the Graphiti Edition (12.09.10) of the Telegraph, Kolkata mentions in the Zoduiac Column by Kusum Bhandari, that, Leo will have a great week ahead in both professional and home front! If this is Good..then I dont want any more!!!

God knows what's up ahead....

Copyright: Somnath Paul for Canonical Cacophony.

2008, Pujas.

The Call is ON: EMVT.

Time to get Techno and write something out of desire, thanks to few friends who are already paddling their feet onto the Accelerator, Brakes and Clutches, the ABC of driving.

The new age is on and with India already posing a challenge to the world for her ultra low cost model vehicle, the Tata Nano, already being on the road, its time that my Blog post # 386 talks something more exciting. And with a low on budget, space for accomodation but a super high desire, I would like to present to the Indian consumers, something very very interesting.

The idea of EMVT (Electric Motor Vehicle Transportation) was known to me, thanks to the Discovery Channel. Later on, when being associated with ZEN INTERNATIONAL, I had the opportunity to learn the art of searching and getting Gizmatic! I came across the Porsche, electric edition and the prototypes of Hyundai, back in 2009. all for electric cars. My inquistion led me to a website, to be surprised to see an Indian manufacture ruling the World with it's Electric Cars. REVA Motors, click here. The Cars...truly stylish and feels that ultra futuristic!

Now the War steepens up. With the regular, lowest cost Tata Nano coming at US$ 2200/- (Roughly Rs. 1.15 Lakhs), the Electric versions would be soon sleeking its space in the roads of the nation. The first Big name, a company of Indian origin ties up with Renault and Nissan to produce its first ULC (Ultra Low Cost???? ) vehicles which would be fully electrical, able to be cahrged on a mobile pin head. Its the Bajaj ULC.

The above model, prototype being revealed by the Bajaj MD, at an automobile show would cost as low as US$ 3000/- (Rs. 1.5 Lakhs), but rumours call it a bet at Rs 1.1 Lakhs, close the to the Tata Nano price. But just as Tata seemed to be outstered from the name game in the market, it reveals its Nanao EV, the electrical version of Nano, at the auto Show in Geneva. The picture shows the trendy Nano.

It is said that this master piece would cost Rs. 1.35 Lakhs to start off with, but in the price intensive market, even a single paise would do the required affinity towards a brand. Afterall, both being Indian having a well known expertise. Lets not forget, if Tata is one of India's biggest Multi-sectorial giant, Bajaj too played its part in making India proud, producing various electricals, apart from being India's second largest auto-bike producers!

What ever it may be, though Nano looks impressive on the go, I would call for the pricing... and by 2012, i would like to fulfill my dream!

... Follow Ups.

To carry forward with the previous post, today, I have been witness to some more nostalgia that brings the vivid pictures of my childhood. The Border, a patriotic movie and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge captured all imaginations. 5th September, the birthday of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan is being celebrated as according to his desire, as Teacher's Day, since 1964. This, being a day to mark the tryst that the teachers of the nation use to put it annualy to reap a good mind in almost every child. With galore of Oldies being played by the cable channels, this impetus was enough to trigger the thought process to recollect the good old days of my school. Each year, on the occassion of Teachers' Day, the school was being decorated to the maximum, especially the auditorium where the main programs were being organized and the staff room. e used to celebrate the music and the air of celebrations, that we always had and expected to deliver to our teachers. There was always two segments of the program, one being the soccer match where the Sirs used to participate against a student team and the cultural and game-show program, where the lady teachers used to predominate the proceedings. .....ahhh, those days of Calcutta Boys' School.

But... as every post has a twisting social values within, I would like to write about the lack lustre texture of Teachers' Day. A few sms from some of my students who never fail to forget me (ahem...am not blowing it out of proportions!) But I wonder, how the term or celebration of Teacher's Day stands, by today's standards? A Teacher, has changed the meaning, thanks to some un-toward incidents that take place day in and day out.  And the Student has also done the same somesault to change it's meaning. Some incidents:
1) A Teacher asks for a Laptop, in one of the prestigious school in Kolkata, in return to promote a child. Even after recieving the Token of Gift (understand as alms to a beggar), the greed stepped up its tempo, ending the story into a tarnished image.
2) Same school, different incident leads to a student suicide.
3) In another case, a student commits suicide because he has been greeted with THE cane, when he was trying to slip in the class late. To add to the drama, the parents were blindly adamant to punish the teacher because the teacher landed a legtimate punishment to the child... (I have been detained outside the class, for the whole day for coming late and also for missing out a few books on another occasion. Both the time, I gained respect for Mrs. Zaffar, our class teacher in Class II and one of my favorite teacher. My Mom nor Dad have moved to the court, nor did I commit some "SWEET SITE"; as I would pronounce the act in those days. ;-P )

All the above action comes from the Jet Age, that lacks dignity at the helm.

Moving into politics, I guess Dr. Radhakrishnan wouldn't have liked the trend of reservation. The authorities may increase the seats....but not decrease the opportunity for the real bright students, in the face of farce of Education system in India. Today, the Victorian structure of Indian Education system makes the brains sharper than the Americans, who prefer to take a snap shot in their Polaroids, of the Board Work, rather than take down notes! At least we can use the lines of our fingers to calculate 3+ 4 = 7!!!

Why not 2+2....! Well, I had to prove my point...the American juggernauts know that by now, after hearing the jokes on them.. being thrown at the Beer Counter at the Billy's.... eh man?!

Politics within education and education for politics are the two fangs thats gripping the Indian Education system. I have always protested, and on this day, I woudl delightfully pick up the pen to protest again.  Please donot take Education as a weapon to win elections! Which ever the government that comes to the helm, they always deprive the good brain thanks to the Quota system for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes. Its a personal observation that these backwards classes live in posh locations around Kolkata. The political parties try to recapitulate the situation, on a path that is totally logic less as per the calculations! Divide on basis of Caste and Creed! In a land, where men like Mahatma Gandhi, Emperor Akbar have taken birth, tryin to erase all kind of castismn, seggregation on based of education ignites the splinter that the a secular nation like India tries to supress! Still the seggregation continues, although the Parties mention in Unity!

Copyright: Dec 2006. My M.Sc Classmates, Dept of Genetics, University of Calcutta.

Running Past My Shadow.

Can we ever Beat our Shadow, which grows longer each year...? We have to compromise with the thought that our shadows will always be nose ahead, where ever we grow! A progressive mind would comment on my last couple of lines and compare them to being pessimist, as man always run towards the Sun...so how Shadows grow in-front of you? The Laws of Physics also stays on the Critic's side, proving them right and me - wrong.

But....

Lets think it on a different frame:

How about running into the dark nights of Cold Death? The darkness smudges from the sides to bid your materialistic body a farewell.... from this Earth? Now that means running with the Sun behind you... and the shadow grows taller than you... Ah!!! Just like a Human heart, mind and desire, Physics takes my side...

Its all Relative!

Today, while going through the pages of Perspectives in Genetics and Cytology, an annual Scientific journal published by AICCG Organizing Committee, this time published from Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, a journal which I have played a part as Assistant Editor; it dawned on me that the All India Conference of Cytology and Genetics (AICCG), is almost over by nine months, last taking place in Dec, 2009. It dawned on me, that my association in the world of research has also taken a leap by ten months!

And then I turned into the pages of FaceBook....

Very recently, following one of my present Departmental Juniors, Smritikana, from Presidency College, Department of Physiology... I decided to put on the pictures of my Presidency Days (2003-2006). Since I lacked a handy and sleek digicam back in those days, most of my pics were Analog! In one pic, whose link I am sharing from facebook, I re-discovered the Goodtimes and Taste of a Good Senior Junior Relationship... something that I also mention to my Present Physiology students, to make this as a habit to interact with the seniors...

The point is: Those Days of Presi were Great... a reverberation that always makes me miss them!

The Link, click here.

The Picture:

Department of Physiology, Presidency College Picnic.

Somnath Paul, Dec 2003.

Apocalypse 2012

2012, be it predicted or technologically gagged and tagged as one of the most highly priced movie out of Hollywood, be it the Aztec calender that stops at 2012.... the World and its antenna looks up to the recent tremors in the world of space weather. Apocalypse 2012 is at which man kind stares. The Solar Maxima year, 2012-13 upholds one of the largest solar storm, thrown towards Earth, having the capacity of ~ 100 million Nuclear Bombs. Its DOOMS DAY!

Solar Flares and Solar Storms are caused by altering magnetic domains within the surface of the Sun. The Sun, as we all know is a highly molten mass Hydrogen and Helium, undertakes a fusion reaction liberating energy in form of heat and light. Due to un-equal rotation of the Sun's mass, the Equatorial regions spins at a faster rate compared to the polar caps! This churns the molten mass within the surface, creating cracks of magnetic shell on the surface; a region that is low in magnetic activity and fusion, creates black spots, called Sun Spots. The appearance of Sun Spots follows a rythm, where by it fluctuates between very low amount on the surface of the sun to large numbers. The year in which the later is achieved is called Solar Maxima and the other is Solar Minima.

Magnetic Lines of Force on Sun's Surface.

Courtesy: rst.gsfc.nasa.gov

The localized "holes" for inward and outward movement of the lines of force generates the black spots.

The Sunspots generated, conjoints and moves around on the surface and during an intense pack-up of the spots, the lines of force generates the flare of highly charged atioms / ions that can cause a number of damage to life, technology and properties.

The damage that can be dealt in a Sun Storm are:

1) Total Black out of digital communications and even the satellites will be effected.

2) High intensity of gamma rays can penetrate the earth's magnetic lines of force. If they do so, then they can cause immense degree of biological damage. God knows a whether 2012, the Apocalypse date be overcome by humans or not! Till then, we have no other options other than waiting for DOOMSDAY!

Winners...

Things have always been on change and what more, Blogger introduces the new stats section, which looks quite like Google analytics, which I have activated as well. My age have taken one more turn into the 27s...and few more grey lines have been spotted. I have also become conscious about the ripples and the cripples that have been associated lately behind eye horns! Man... ( and woman)... I am growing...ahem..OLD!

Its very hard to realize that Kolkata is losing some of its glories. With the old names in the Cinema Locality of Dharamatala and Esplanade already giving way to the Multiplexes around the city, my recent observation was regarding the hand drawn rickshaws being replaced by the tricycles... No doubt they demand less on power and energy, but the tradition goes as Kolkata (Calcutta) is the only city in the World these hand drawn carts and rickshaws still ply! Its too sad that we are living in the future super power State, called India, but we can't maintain such traditions, while our neighbors keep their Tradition's Flag hoisted up proudly. Yes I am talking about Pakistan...our neighbors who have maintained their tradition... First in post World War II they begged for some land from India and now they keep begging from the Bookies.... in their Cricket Matches abroad...! Gosh...we cant manage our tradition!!!

Recently, I have been enjoying pieces of mockery by MIR, in the The Telegraph. The recent one was a wit written on the condition of the roadways in the City of Joy, filled with Pot Holes! The mockery was too good. Since I donot have permissions for Re-prints, I would certainly recommend you to have a laugh, by visiting the Online edition! After all, it requires sheer innovation to compare the roads of dream in Kolkata with Hema Malini's Cheeks and the actual scenario as Om Puri's Cheeks! Cheeky!!

But anyways...all tribute to ANYONE... I have something for You Kolkata!!!

© Sep 2010. A Floral Tribute to Our Beloved City.

So who are the winners?

Guess............................................

TIme to Clean the Lens...

Roam is in the air...

Rome is in Italy....

But I can give a D and an I and a G and a H and an A and put a NEW infront of the whole Cheer Word and move ahead towards the place, South of Bengal, the coming week end...just to chillax with my friends!!! A brief and surprising get away...just going Saturday and docking back on Sunday, coz all of us will be engaged in our daily weekly routine of Work.

New Digha, a relatively quite place, placed on the coastline of Bay of Bengal, is serene with the lining of casuarina trees along the sandy banks... Relatively less crowded, this place is apt for its warmth and beauty...

So, I cleaned my lens, making it ready for the tough salty air ahead...long time (since Jan 2010), did I have a good photo session with my camera...so it awaits the fun!!!

New Digha, here we come!!!

প্রবাশী হয়ে

“আমাকে আমার মত থাকতে দাও।”

জীবনে এটাই খুব দরকার, কিন্তু লোকেদের ন্যাকামি দেখলে সারা শরীর জ্বলে ওঠে! কেন ভাই, কাজ় নেই? যেখানে যাও, এই হারজ্বালানী, ন্যাকামির ডীপোগুলি এসে ঠিক জুটে যায়! নিজের terms and condition গুলো কেম্ন যেন হারিয়ে যায়। মন খুযে বেরায় সেই সং সাজবার নাট্যমঞ্চ, যার নাম সংসার! তাই যতই গান লেখ র গাও, জীবনের আসল উতস্য হল, জীবন  দেওয়া মন্ত্রঃ কাউকে তয়াক্কা না করে এগিয়ে চলো! আসল উতস্য প্রবাসি... সনগ্রাম কে মনের ভীতরে স্থান দিও না, তার জন্যে তাহা প্রবাসের সমতুল্য, অন্য দিক থেকেও তাই... দেখা হবে!!!

Independence to Childhood: Soccer with School-mates, 2010.

.... and the tradition continues. An annual saga since 1998, this soccer match has had its own course of atrophy, moving through the serpentine lanes of childhood into the open canyon of youth and now dropping into its middle ages.

The "Schoolies" of mid twenties, accumulated yet again, under the arches of the 132years old institution, Calcutta Boys' School, to celebrate the spirit of ReUnion, with the most enjoyable activity of school days (be it bunking classes, to reaching late at tuition); Soccer has always been an integral part of a CBSeans' life. We behold the tradition laid down for so many years- the numbers might have less, but the spirit was un-putdownable. The veterans that reached the field were: Suvadip (Shyamla), Aniruddha (Ani), Arnab (Mukherjee), Arnab (Chow Chow), Debashis, Aritra (Bhowmick), Avirup (Sarkar/Robin), Sourajit (Mama), Satadru (Hata), Premjit and three more of Shyamla's pal...and me as well.

Courtesy: Arnab Mukherjee

The game started off in a different location, The Famous Philiphs Grounds. Getting into three minutes of the first half, the old and sunken minds of the aging bodies remembered that we have forgotten one tradition - to sing the National Anthem of the Nation "Jana Gana Mana". We stopped the game at the sidelines and started to delve into patriotism with a different mood, the melodious way... A melody, which in other cases made the crows jump the line, some how gathered a small crowd of localites to see what the "Mid - aged Indians" are up to.

Courtesy: Arnab Mukherjee

The game began....

The man of the match was voted out and distributed between Premjit for great Goal Keeping and Shyamla for (ahem) a boasted Hattrick... mmmmmmmmmmm... hey Guys! Did they score 3 goals???

Incidents:

* Brush and Comb: Shyamla showed signs of late onset dyslexia when he forgot the calculation of the ball... he assumed Aniruddha's head as the ball (when the ball was controlled by Ani's right leg), and BAMMM!!! One Incisor of Ani scraped some hairs from Shyamla's temple.... (on Fb, they still curse each other on brushing the teeth and combing the hair!!!)

* Fashion Parade: Shyamla's local mate cursing Shyamla, when he missed to receive the ball on two occassion... Sala gandu...khelte pare na...spikes pore fashion parade korche! (WTF, he cant play and look he is on a fashion parade with his soccer attire!) The delivery to Shyamla came from a guy who was way, way younger than him!

* Mama and his Torn Pants: Ani advanced towards the goal from the left flank.... Cover Up Cover Up!!! Then suddenly there was a splash in the muddy waters.... seemed like a Croc was in a hurry...to our surprise! It was Mama!!! Sliding with his Humongous body, catching his prey with all his might. Then  suddenly, the V shaped legs exposed a white line bisecting the Black "V"...well...the middle stitch just bid a farewell from each other.... The Croc and the Muddy Splash subsided, so had Ani...

* Goalie scares Striker: The volley by Debashis was high... Ani was placed underneath, when Hata came from behind and shouted with a 120db Tarzanous Yell...Ani froze and the ball dropped on his head!!!

But the main hero of the whole set up was the rain and the field... where ever you might be...u will not stand on stiff ground!! It was a great water polo...cum ballet!

But what ever it may come, school pals...you were missed!

Alma Mater

Courtesy: Arnab Mukherjee.