Heights of Orthodoxy.....

India is known as a land of diverse cultures and religions. People from different communities have different creeds. However some age old traditions are found to be militating against human nature rather than showing people the right path. Though we believe that now we live in a modern world, still there are some people having orthodox thinking domineering in their houses. It is also one of the reasons of disputes and disparity between parents and their children. I am not defending the younger generation by criticizing the elders. However there are some people who have crossed the height of orthodoxy.

I recently visited my friends house. His name was Rakesh I had not seen him for years. He lives in a nuclear family along with his parents and children. What I saw and heard there left me bewildered and speechless. My friend has two children. One boy and other a girl. I had brought them chess for them as a gift. I started explaining them the rules of chess. Suddenly I heard a shout from my back. I looked over my shoulder. The grandfather has come out of his room and for some reason he shouted. I felt it was meant for me. But I ignored assuming that here in India we have a saying Atithi devo bhava- Guest are equal to God. Then how can he shout at me. He came pulled the chess from my hand and threw it out of the house. I was scared and confused simultaneously. I couldn't fix any reason for this king of etiquette that I am receiving. Now everyone of the family were in the living room. I somehow controlled myself and managed to ask him "What happened?". The grandfather angrily replied,"You are asking me what happened. You have come here to corrupt my grandchildren's mind? You are showing them the wrong path and sowing bad seed in their brains. Rakesh what kind of friends you have?How dare he come here. Throw him out. I don't want to see him again". My friend and his wife somehow appeased him and sent him to his room. I was standing there, still perplexed. I felt like a student who is being punished for reason not known to him.

When grandfather went, Rakesh explained me that he was angry because I was teaching chess to the children. I still did not understand. Then he told me that his grandparents consider it as a juva-gambling. I defended myself by saying that it is just a game. Moreover it is a good brain exercise. Rakesh's son said,"He doesn't allow us to play snakes and ladder also". I was more than surprised,"What? He considers that also a juva". Rakesh nodded and said,"He says these things are a addiction and often lead to poker, then gambling and then there is no way back". I couldn't believe what I was hearing. There must be something wrong with the old man. Chess which is an international game has been accused to be gambling. Snakes and ladder is one of the childish games I have known. It has also been accused. However we cannot win over our elders. Ultimately I had to go to the old man, apologised for the so-called sin I had done in his eyes and promised not to repeat my sin.

Thoughts of people are so different. Somethings are taboo for one person and common thing for another. Some choose to follow their decisions, others rely on others for decisions. Some take traditions and religions so strongly that they become a part of them while others believe that religions and traditions are a means of remembering God. They shouldn't dominate our lives. I don't know who is right or what I will face after death. Whether I will perish or there will be a judgement day. I know only one thing that today I am living and I want to make the most of my one life.

Making of Wireless Car

After ice age, nomadic age and others today we are living in a age called computer age. I need not tell you about the importance of computers and its effects on day to day life. Even wireless has become a common word. Scientists are spending their nights awake diligently trying to make everything wireless. You will be surprised to know that even charging of mobile has gone wireless. Sounds incredulous, but true. Here I am going to explain you how to make a wireless car. With the advent of IC's, it has become very simple.

The components required are:

Transmitter: Receiver:

RF module 433/315 Mhz ASK type.

Encoder IC A5882E Decoder IC 5883A

Battery(9V) Batteries(9V and 12V)

Talk switch Driver IC L293D

Diodes(12) IC 7805

Antenna Antenna

Some registers are also required. To make your work simpler I would recommend to go to an Electronics Shop and ask for wireless Car 413 Mhz ASK type kit*. You will find everything you require except motors and tyres. In Mumbai you will get everything on Lamington road in Grant Road.

Cost of kit=Rs1000.

*Many wireless kits are available. Yours might be different from what I have specified.

Now in order to control say one motor, we require 2 bits of information while we need 4 bits of information to control 2 motors. The RF module used here is 433/315Mhz ASK type.

Block diagram of entire circuit:

Transmitting unit consists of transmitter module and encoder circuit.

The switches are connected to encoder 5882E which will encode the information and send it to transmitter module.

Receiving unit consists of receiver to receive the information, decoder to decode the data and driver IC to drive the two motors.

In order to drive motors, we need to connect a suitable motor driver at the output of the decoder IC. The motor driver circuit can consist of a Relay, transistorized H-Bridge or motor driver ICs like the L293D, L298 etc.

This schematic shows the use of L293D to drive a pair of DC motors/Geared Motors. The motor supply voltage can go up to 24Volts safely. But the IC supports a maximum of only 600mA current/channel; which is more than enough to drive small DC geared motors.

Add 0.22uF capacitors across both the motors to reduce the effect of noise on the circuitry. We can also add 100uF capacitor between the motor supply pin and the Gnd. Connections M1-A and M2-B correspond to Motor 1 while connections M2-A and M2-B correspond to Motor 2. These control inputs can be connected to any logic circuitry or a microcontroller.

For any queries or explanations you can contact me on rashid301@gmail.com and write a comment below.

Standards Of Beggars...

In India, we never need to find a beggar. Just step outside your home on your houses front road and you will see one. They are present everywhere, especially near Masjids, temples, churches etc. Because they earn more on these places. In due course of time, beggars have raised their standards. Just like inflation is rising every year, beggars have also raised their threshold amount. It varies from beggar to beggar.

When I was child, I could see that beggars got satisfied even after receiving Rs0.25. However it was long back. As I entered my teenage, I was surprised and taken aback when one beggar straight forwardly refused to take Rs1 and declared that I take Rs2 or more. I felt quite embarrassed and disgusted. Then I composed myself and thought, "Perhaps he has too much to beg for a rupee. He must be having a certain higher level than others".

Few years later, again I found myself in a similar kind of situation. By nature, I am altruistic. Because of this benign attitude, I tend to pity people living much below than average standard of living and extend a helping hand to them. I did the same thing that day. I offered the beggar Rs2 feeling complacent as Rs2 was not so meagre as to be denied. As a told you I was again given a shock. He refused Rs2 and demanded Rs5. Damn it, what these beggars think of themselves. They demand money as if we owe it to them and it is our congenital duty to repay the debt. I was bewildered to realize that these beggars find Rs2 too less to be accepted. Nevertheless, he must having a standard even higher than the previous one.

Not all beggars are the same. Some respect money and also the giver. My next illustration will prove this . My Engineering college had started. I was going for my morning lecture. No sooner did I reach the college, I saw an old man sitting there. Without paying much attention, I was about to pass him when he stopped me. Let me put it in his own words here. He said, "Wait boy. Can you please give me Rs5 so that I can eat a 'wada pav'. " I was surprised for two reasons. First of all, this so-called beggar is speaking in English. Secondly he is asking for money by clearly specifying why he needs it. Perhaps, he is a literate beggar who wants to walk with this modern world. . His courtesy, literacy, and emotional voice took no time to melt me. I immediately gave him Rs5. However I was later in ambivalence whether he actually needed money to eat or he fooled me. Watever it is, His standard must be even higher than the previous two.

Recently, 2 months before to be specific, I met an old man in the market. I would not call him beggar because I myself am in dilemma who he was. He approached me. He was wearing an ordinary Kurta-pyjama, had beard and was roaming like any other man there. He came and told me to give him some money as he wanted to buy medicines. I was confused for a little while. Then I thought a little and started asking him questions. "What is the medicine for? How much it will cost?"etc. To earn my faith and convince me he took me with to the chemist shop. Now I was convinced that he isn't lying. He got the medicine, I paid the chemist we had a small chat and then departed. He was one of those who refuse to beg, but have to ask for help from others for their smallest of needs. "He was a needy man, not a beggar", I thought.

Game of Sholarships....Part II(INTERVIEW DAY)

Helloooo,

It brings great pleasure to me to inform you that I had been short listed for the interview. However the way it happened is tragic for me and certainly amusing for you. Some of my friends received letter for SO inviting them for the interview to be held on Tuesday which was two days later. I was deeply disappointed for not receiving the letter. My rational wheels started churning, trying to figure out reason of my not being short listed. "What could be their criteria of selection?"."Why ain't I got selected?". Many such questions haunted me for sometime. Ultimately I gave in and took part in my friends happiness. Tuesday is full of worthless lectures meant only to torture students and waste their creative time. I bunked college and was enjoying my leisure at home. As

usual, I was surfing the net, visiting social sites, reading my scraps etc when me cell rang.

It was 1:30 p.m. My friend Sameer who had gone for the interview called me. He told me that although I did not receive letter, my and my friend Gautam's name were present in the list of interviewee and we can come for the interview. Also our interview was scheduled at 3 p.m. The news was more of a shock to me than a felicity. Damn, I am not prepared. I have not visited the venue before. I won't be able to reach on time. What to do?. In this dilemma, I saw that Gautam is calling me. He asked me to meet him at the station so that we could go together. Sounds good, it helped me to calm down and think logically. We went there in hurry trying our level best to reach as soon as possible.

The moment we reached, a Madam in the class where all candidates were sitting told us that since we are late, our interview will be taken in the last. It could be seen with two different angles. First is that, the interviewers will be very tired by the end and will not bother to trap us in their sphere of questions. Second is, since we are last, they will not take interest in our forms and all and we will be shoved off without proper conduction. I always try to be +ve, so I chose the former.

We sat there for 3 hours. Candidates who are done were encircled and asked what questions judges are asking. Nobody was sure about the criteria of selection. Some were asked technical questions, others economical, some on family background and worst some on general knowledge. We began framing our answers for all possible situations. As time drew nearer, my hear pounded louder and faster. Finally it was my turn. I kept reminding myself to show confidence and be honest as much as possible.

When I entered the room, there were three judges sitting and one chair with a table for candidate. I took a seat and interview began.

Judge 1: Why are you late?

Me: (Slightly loudly to show confidence) "Sir, I had not received letter?"

Judge 2: Who informed you then?

Me:(loud again) My friend who came her saw my name and informed me.

Judge 3(lady): Are you angry?

Me:No Madam(maintaning my loudness).

Judge 3: You sound like you are angry.

Me: (softly this time)Sorry Sir. errr Madam.

Judge 1: Your income is pretty high. I don't think you need scholarship.

Me:(damn, these judges)(I began giving all possible excuses)"Sir, though my income is high, expenses are also high. I have three siblings. Their expenses, college fees, tuition fees, then my sister got married last year, also my grandparents are going for Haj this year. Also these involves a lot of expenditure. If I get this scholarship, it will reduce some burden on my father.

Judge 2: But scholarship is not for that. Scholarship is meant for travelling expenses.

I became quite. Damn it, I will never be able to convince them. I gave in.

Judge 1: O.K, you may go. All the best.

The interview was very bad. They directly told me that you will not get scholarship as your fathers income is high. However, now I am free. All my friends are in jittery and tension. They don't know what the outcome will be. They desperately want scholarship, yet their interview was not so good as to confirm their grant. As for me, though I am out of the race, it was a great experience for me. It was my first interview ever and I had the privilege of confronting my fear, nervousness, anxiety. I didn't gain money but something more valuable which gives satisfaction to me. It is EXPERIENCE.

Game of Sholarships....

Being an Engineering student, I know that today education is a commercial business. Some people having big contacts manage to get some seats in their hands. Then they sell them at their own prices by the name called "donation". What more, seats sell like hot cakes and again the rich has advantage over the poor. A rich person's child need not worry about his merits and extra-curricular activities certificates. The family background is financially strong enough to get him entry pass of anything from amusement parks to schools, colleges and foreign studies. It is the poor who has to suffer. He works hard to get goods marks in academics, takes part in extra-curricular activities to earn some certificates so that he can put it in his resume and increase its weightage. In addition to this, he will run to the organizations for scholarships to provide him financial aid.

One such organization came to my college D.J Sangvi. Let it be called SO(not real name to avoid controversy). Now SO had its own eligibility criteria. Student must have more than 75% aggregate and its income from all sources must be less than 50,000 per month. Today, students are more than satisfied if they can avoid ATKT lest about 75% which is like getting 90% in 10th standard. However as some students cross 90 in 10th, similarly some very bright students do manage to cross 75% in Engineering. Fortunately I was one of them. They had asked to give the attested copies of all the mark sheets, certificates, certificates of event participation and file return of income. It made my life very hectic for 2 -3 days. Collecting everything and doing attestation, we tried our level best to put as many certificates as possible to improve our chances of getting selected. The worst part is, all these was done so that we can get short listed for their interview. After interview if they found us eligible, then only we receive scholarship.

I along with my friends applied for the scholarship and am hoping to get response from them.

Environmental Awareness.

I was attending a lecture when our professor informed us that some environmentalist Bill McKibben from U.S has come to give a seminar on Global Warming. I was so irritated to hear this. Who wants a lecture on EVS, damn? Its going to be so boring. When I reached there the whole conference room was filled with annoyed students like me. We sat and Bill began his presentation and I was captivated by his speech.

He told us that carbon content in atmosphere has reached 390ppm(parts per million) while the number estimated by scientist and geologists for healthy environment is 350ppm. This increase in carbon has resulted in so many hazards all over the world. It has raised the temperature of earth by 1 degree Celsius. All glaciers are melting due to which the sea level has raised. Also the climate has become uncertain. Mumbaikars witnessed tides 5.5m high, the highest tide of the century. Also the rainy season came very late this year in the end of June. Now 2 days back torrential rain and floods claimed 227 deaths in India, out of which 200 died in Andra and Tamil Nadu. All these are known to be the effects of global warming.

He also told us that America which has 4% of world population itself produces 25% of world pollution. All of us were bewildered. This is because of their surplus use of resources like petrol, coal, natural gas, electricity etc. India is getting affected because it is estimated that India must have 33% of land under forestation, however today there is only 12% forest land. Thus we not only need to protect the existing forests but also bring more land under forestation.

The good news: This year the world’s leaders will meet in Copenhagen in December to reach agreement on a new climate treaty, we need them to go farther than they’ve planned to go: we need to make sure they’ll pay attention to the latest science and put forward a plan that gets us back to safety.

So here’s the plan. On October 24, we need you to organize an action in the place where you live, something that will make that most important number visible to everyone. People in more than 1000 communities around the globe have already announced plans—they’ll be school children planting 350 trees in Bangladesh, scientists hanging banners saying 350 on the statues on Easter Island, 350 scuba divers diving underwater at the Great Barrier Reef, and a thousand more creative actions like these. At each event, people will gather for a big group photo that somehow depicts 350--and upload that photo to the web 350.org. As actions take place around the world, we'll link all the pictures together electronically via the web--by the end of the day, we'll have a powerful visual petition linking together the entire planet that we can deliver to the media and world leaders.

If you want to contribute and help us in safety of our earth and human beings then join us on http://www.350.org. We will help you to initiate and spread the message in your area.

Thank you.

Eid Mubarak....

Hurrah! it is Eid today.

After fasting for the whole month, Muslims celebrate their happiness as an auspicious festival called "Eid". People are so excited and joyous on this day. They get up early in the morning, with the first ray of sun, have bath and get ready for Namaz. Muslims wear their traditional clothes kurta-pyjama, put itr(liquid for good smell, but not scent), eat something sweet, usually 3,5 or 7 dates dipped in milk and go to Eid-gah(the place where Eid Namaz is performed) for Namaz. It is surprising to see such a large crowd that gathers for Namaz. Mats are even put up on streets for people. then Namaz is performed with full discipline. After Namaz people cuddle each other greeting them"Eid Mubarak". Even strangers are wished with the same enthusiasm and affection. And then the tradition of meeting people begins...

On this day, Muslims visit their relatives houses, wish them affectionately and eat shewaain. Even people who haven't seen each other for years meet each other. Such gatherings rejuvenates people's love for each other and bring them closer. Children also enjoy themselves a lot. They receive Eidi(a small sum of money) from elders.They use this money to buy toys, sit on different types of rides that come in the area, chocolates etc.

Eid is a festival celebrated in peace without any noise. It has a very special importance in every Muslims life. It is a sign of unity among them which shows that even if they don't meet regularly they are still together and remember each other.