Saturday, February 14, 2009

Bangalore tales (2): A prayer I say

My two Bangalore visits last month were not only sources of professional insight but also of great personal happiness. So much so that they've made me say the following prayer ever since I've returned.


A prayer I specially say today
Dear God to seek forgiveness.
If ever I failed before this moment
to be grateful for Your acts of kindness.

A prayer of thanks I also offer
Dear God for even the times that were bad.
If not for them I wouldn't have known
the value of what I now have.

A prayer I sincerely make
Dear God so that I may hurt "someone" never.

In thought and word and
through deed I only give him joy forever.

A prayer for blessings I finally ask
Dear God to shower on the bond newly made.
I wish that neither time nor distance
to cause the love from those hearts fade.

Friday, February 13, 2009

A sweet something

To mark the occasion of Valentine's Day I am putting here this luvvlie exchange of dialogue that I came across recently.



Sweetie: Can't ever get enough of you.
So promise to come in my dreams.
Cutie: Let me be your dream tonight...
and your reality forever.

:)

Monday, February 09, 2009

True value

I have heard that to know the substance of a relationship you have to sometimes let go of it first. This normally has to do with us trying to hold on to that which is long gone.

People also say that distance makes the heart grow fonder. When you are away from someone you love, you end up falling even more deeply in love with them knowing what you are missing. Friendships that survive the gap of thousands of miles are according to me of the everlasting category. You might not be chatting everyday but these are the people who come to your help the moment you ask for it.

Occasionally we tend to take things for granted in the confidence and strong belief of our dreams' eventual culmination. A wake up call is much needed to remind us then of there real worth and for us to be thankful for what we have. I realized this today to my own peril.

I just about spoiled what I had been looking forward to for ages. "Just about" because finally the danger was averted and I could breathe a sigh of relief. But in that one hour when I thought that my flight of imagination was going to come crashing down, it dawned up on me a million times how much what was going to be snatched away meant to me.

It seems to me as if a loss or a near loss is the only way for us to find out what we truly value.

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Bangalore tales (1): Doing science in India

Last month I got a chance to attend two conferences in Bangalore and thanks to both had the joy of listening to two very passionate speakers.

Prof. C. N. R. Rao of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre of Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore and Scientific Adviser to our Prime Minister delivered a public lecture on "Doing science in India: How to succeed!" He spoke with just the perfect blend of lightheartedness and gravity. I also had the pleasure of having a discussion on a similar topic with my Boss during the flight while on our way to the second conference.

The two learned scientists said in their own ways that if you want to do well in research then firstly you must choose an interesting topic to work in. If you are in an area of significance then half your battle is won. Once there you've got to plunge into it and attempt for breakthroughs which is not easy in a highly competitive field. Over the years you should build your expertise in a particular subject while also trying your hand at other research problems. It seems that in science being a master of one is better than being a jack of all trades. Also one must never forget the age old rule of publish or perish.

But publishing a number of papers and getting invited to give lectures does not necessarily mean you've achieved success. Success in my Boss's terminology is a synonym for respect and from whom that respect is coming makes all the difference in the world. The day someone of stature in your key research area has kind words to say about you is a day you can surely rejoice.