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Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Ganatantra at 60
Today, Jan 26, 2010, marks 60 years since the Indian Constitution came into effect. While there is much to be said, I would like to start by re-sharing this wonderful song, which is as inspirational today as it was in 1954, when Jagriti was released.
Moving on, here is a link to the Constitution of India, which I am sure was the result of a LOT of discussions, compromises, and heartburn 50 years ago. Am putting it here, so we can all refer to it at times when we begin our heated arguments with "according to the constitution of India..." :-).
Also, here is a link to the official Republic Day Website, video and all :).
And finally, here is a clip that (with trademark JayHind irreverence) represents the current views about the R-day. Sure, we all love seeing the parade - but what is it exactly for? Does it still serve a purpose commiserate with its expenditure (not to mention the discomfort caused to those attending, participating, and stuck in traffic jams)?
Sumeet and the Jay Hind team explore (start at 00:30). [caution: may be offensive to you, but hey, the constitution contains the freedom of speech :)]
and now, back to work, and to missing the R-day laddoos :-|
Moving on, here is a link to the Constitution of India, which I am sure was the result of a LOT of discussions, compromises, and heartburn 50 years ago. Am putting it here, so we can all refer to it at times when we begin our heated arguments with "according to the constitution of India..." :-).
Also, here is a link to the official Republic Day Website, video and all :).
And finally, here is a clip that (with trademark JayHind irreverence) represents the current views about the R-day. Sure, we all love seeing the parade - but what is it exactly for? Does it still serve a purpose commiserate with its expenditure (not to mention the discomfort caused to those attending, participating, and stuck in traffic jams)?
Sumeet and the Jay Hind team explore (start at 00:30). [caution: may be offensive to you, but hey, the constitution contains the freedom of speech :)]
and now, back to work, and to missing the R-day laddoos :-|
Sunday, January 24, 2010
New Year. New Resolution
The year 2009 was a very interesting and eventful one - I got a permanent job at INRIA, an eye infection which has led to a loss of central vision in my right eye, met some great new people, co-founded my own non-profit, and got some pretty good and bad news on the personal front among other things.
So, at the starting of 2010 [yes yes, this post is a bit late :)], when the whole world was making resolutions (ever wonder why gyms have new membership deals at this time of the year?), I realized what my resolution should be.
It is simple. Only two words.
Yes, when I think of 2009, what I realize is that there were too many things that I started but could never finish, and that had been clawing at my heart. So I have begun 2010 by taking care of pending stuff. Whether they be writing book chapters, or finishing my many hobby projects.
And speaking of hobby projects, the latest flurry of pics on my blog are a result of my finishing up some long pending work on ap-pic, my very own picture hosting website, which lets me upload pictures from either my phone or my browser, and automatically posts updates on blogger, twitter, an facebook. Neat eh? :).
And now, back to finishing more things... ciao!
-A
So, at the starting of 2010 [yes yes, this post is a bit late :)], when the whole world was making resolutions (ever wonder why gyms have new membership deals at this time of the year?), I realized what my resolution should be.
It is simple. Only two words.
Finish Stuff.
Yes, when I think of 2009, what I realize is that there were too many things that I started but could never finish, and that had been clawing at my heart. So I have begun 2010 by taking care of pending stuff. Whether they be writing book chapters, or finishing my many hobby projects.
And speaking of hobby projects, the latest flurry of pics on my blog are a result of my finishing up some long pending work on ap-pic, my very own picture hosting website, which lets me upload pictures from either my phone or my browser, and automatically posts updates on blogger, twitter, an facebook. Neat eh? :).
And now, back to finishing more things... ciao!
-A
Monday, January 18, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Sunday, January 03, 2010
Saturday, January 02, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Done!
[Update: Bandage off. Feeling much better now. Check out my twitter page at http://twitter.com/animeshpathak for regular updates. Login NOT required.]
[Update 2: Met doc this morning. He says I am healing well, and I feel the same :). Flying back to Patna tomorrow morning (Jan 1st). A befitting beginning to a year that promises to be travel-filled.]
[Update 2: Met doc this morning. He says I am healing well, and I feel the same :). Flying back to Patna tomorrow morning (Jan 1st). A befitting beginning to a year that promises to be travel-filled.]
-A
www.animeshpathak.in
--sent from my Google HTC Magic--
Friday, December 25, 2009
Santa and the Eye
[Update: Doc appt postponed to 30th. Flying into Chennai on 27th, coming back on 1/1/10]
First of all, Happy Santa Day to you! May the bearded rep from Coca Cola grant you all your gift-related wishes :).
Moving on to the second topic - My eye. [those who don't know about my eye issues, please click the link]
On Monday, December 21, Dr. Lingam Gopal of the Sankara Nethralaya examined my eye. After looking at my fresh angiography, he said there there is more trouble in my eye than there was on Nov 3, when my last angio was done in Paris!
Apparently, there are new blood vessels forming behind my retina, or technically:
Basically, if they don't stop this, my vision could further deteriorate.
The good news: treating this will only take three injections of Avastin, once a month.
The bad news: the injections need to be given directly in the eye!
So, yeah, on the 27th of Dec (this Sunday), Dad and I will go from Patna to Chennai so I can get a shot on the 28th. The other two will be given by my doc in France, who is in agreement with Dr. Gopal's diagnosis and proposed treatment.
Other than that, life is good. Had a good time at HiPC in Kochi, and then in Chennai. Currently enjoying with mom and dad at Patna. Let's see what eye-related gift Santa brings for me. Maybe this?
:)
First of all, Happy Santa Day to you! May the bearded rep from Coca Cola grant you all your gift-related wishes :).
Moving on to the second topic - My eye. [those who don't know about my eye issues, please click the link]
On Monday, December 21, Dr. Lingam Gopal of the Sankara Nethralaya examined my eye. After looking at my fresh angiography, he said there there is more trouble in my eye than there was on Nov 3, when my last angio was done in Paris!
Apparently, there are new blood vessels forming behind my retina, or technically:
The fundus fluoresciene angiography was reviewed and showed very clearly a choroidal neovascular membrane beyond the existing chrioretinal scar.
Basically, if they don't stop this, my vision could further deteriorate.
The good news: treating this will only take three injections of Avastin, once a month.
The bad news: the injections need to be given directly in the eye!
So, yeah, on the 27th of Dec (this Sunday), Dad and I will go from Patna to Chennai so I can get a shot on the 28th. The other two will be given by my doc in France, who is in agreement with Dr. Gopal's diagnosis and proposed treatment.
Other than that, life is good. Had a good time at HiPC in Kochi, and then in Chennai. Currently enjoying with mom and dad at Patna. Let's see what eye-related gift Santa brings for me. Maybe this?
:)
Thursday, December 10, 2009
First They Came for the Minarets
[Have been thinking of posting this for some time now, and R also reminded me. Here goes.]
Some weeks ago, O pointed me to a controversy in Switzerland, where there was a referendum happening, which would amend the Swiss constitution to ban the construction of minarets, the slender towers that often accompany mosques.
N, our group's concerned muslim, complained about how he had a bad feeling about this, and that things will be very bad if this ban passes. I, the ever optimist, asserted that the Swiss people are better than that, and they would certainly not allow such a stupid thing to come to pass. After all, their parliament had, on many occasions, thwarted similar efforts aimed at banning minarets at local levels.
Needless to say, I was wrong.
The referendum had a 53.4% turnout, and 57.5% people voted to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland.
Craziness I say! [and laziness, on behalf of those who did not vote]
Definitely makes me think of this epic poem from WW-2, and of what might soon be happening in other countries. N tells me there are similar discussions being launched in France too, and a French colleague of mine admitted, with sadness, that if a similar vote happened in France today, the results would be similar to the Swiss ones :-(.
And in case you have any doubts that this was an anti-islam or racist ballot, I present to you the "promotional" poster for this campaign.
[from wikipedia]
I guess my views and anger/frustration are best expressed by Jon Stewart in the clip below.
***
And as if this was not enough, I came across this wonderful piece in the LA Times which pointed out how (in)security about one's employment is a bigger contributor than (lack of) education in whether or not one will believe in conspiracy theories. Given stupid anti-people votes such as the Swiss one are a result of too many people believing in lies, and given that the world's economic situation isn't in its best shape, I can only shudder at the thought of what other "democratic" actions are to come.
So, what do _you_ think?
Some weeks ago, O pointed me to a controversy in Switzerland, where there was a referendum happening, which would amend the Swiss constitution to ban the construction of minarets, the slender towers that often accompany mosques.
N, our group's concerned muslim, complained about how he had a bad feeling about this, and that things will be very bad if this ban passes. I, the ever optimist, asserted that the Swiss people are better than that, and they would certainly not allow such a stupid thing to come to pass. After all, their parliament had, on many occasions, thwarted similar efforts aimed at banning minarets at local levels.
Needless to say, I was wrong.
The referendum had a 53.4% turnout, and 57.5% people voted to ban the construction of minarets in Switzerland.
Craziness I say! [and laziness, on behalf of those who did not vote]
Definitely makes me think of this epic poem from WW-2, and of what might soon be happening in other countries. N tells me there are similar discussions being launched in France too, and a French colleague of mine admitted, with sadness, that if a similar vote happened in France today, the results would be similar to the Swiss ones :-(.
And in case you have any doubts that this was an anti-islam or racist ballot, I present to you the "promotional" poster for this campaign.
[from wikipedia]
I guess my views and anger/frustration are best expressed by Jon Stewart in the clip below.
***
And as if this was not enough, I came across this wonderful piece in the LA Times which pointed out how (in)security about one's employment is a bigger contributor than (lack of) education in whether or not one will believe in conspiracy theories. Given stupid anti-people votes such as the Swiss one are a result of too many people believing in lies, and given that the world's economic situation isn't in its best shape, I can only shudder at the thought of what other "democratic" actions are to come.
So, what do _you_ think?
Sunday, December 06, 2009
French Dinner with Bhai
My bhai (brother) was visiting me in Paris this past week, and we ended his trip with a visit to the Loire valley, where we visited the chateaus of Chambord, Cheverny, and Chenonceau.
But more about that later.
For now, I want to talk about the wonderful local dinner we had at Cheverny, where we spent the night. Here is a slideshow for your viewing pleasure. If you cannot see it, click here to go to the album directly.
cheers,
-A
P.S. As a sneak peek for the pictures still to come, here is Tintin's home
But more about that later.
For now, I want to talk about the wonderful local dinner we had at Cheverny, where we spent the night. Here is a slideshow for your viewing pleasure. If you cannot see it, click here to go to the album directly.
cheers,
-A
P.S. As a sneak peek for the pictures still to come, here is Tintin's home
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Fatak!
Today is world AIDS day [how you can help], and so I figured I will share with you one of the best street-play songs I have seen in a movie.
For the non-hindi speakers, they are singing about the "bumble-bee (bhanwra) of AIDS" who is not your friend, and can bite you if you are not careful. So swat it - FATAK!
Stay safe people, and remember this slogan "Check, and then mate" :)
For the non-hindi speakers, they are singing about the "bumble-bee (bhanwra) of AIDS" who is not your friend, and can bite you if you are not careful. So swat it - FATAK!
Stay safe people, and remember this slogan "Check, and then mate" :)
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