Hail Manmohan!

The Indo-US Civilian Nuclear Agreement has attained a clean waiver from the NSG, with many in the country hailing the Prime Minister for sticking to his guns, and others labelling it as the surrender of our sovereignity! I don't claim to know all there is to know about the deal, but here's how much I've gathered so far :

The Nuclear Deal is set to enable trade in nuclear fuel between the US and India. Though the prime motive behind this deal is to ensure consistent fuel supply, there appears to be a difference in interpretation between the two governments with regard to testing. India does not wish to surrender its right to test, for namesake that it may need to in the future. FACT : A voluntary moratorium was signed after the tests in '98 by Prime Minister Vajpayee, seeing that no further tests were required : India had already the necessary expertise to generate nuclear weapons if the times called for such measures. It is this very same BJP that argues today that we need to maintain that right, which they'd chosen to voluntarily place on the backburner indefinitely. My simple question : WHY?? For a country that already has the required knowledge, and supports the cause of de-nuclearisation and disarmament, why would tests in the future be necessary, if not to make weapons even more sinister than the ones existing??? What crime would justify the kind of havoc that nuclear detonations wreaked on the towns of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 63 years ago? Has the world not come to its senses that weapons of such potential should never be considered an option, regardless the scenario? Even in the face of whatever hell Pakistan chooses to unleash in desperate bids at destabilising the country, would/should we EVER consider the nuclear solution?

FACT : The NSG Waiver enables India to undertake nuclear commerce with the US, as well as other suppliers such as France and Russia, to create a stable supply to our generators! Regardless of whether the US opts to cut off supply IN THE EVENT of a NUCLEAR TEST, commerce can still be continued with other nations, if independent deals with them are negotiated! India has a very limited deposit of Uranium, and hence, internal supply in itself, cannot be sustained for long!

The naysayers to the deal make the following claims :

1) Nuclear Energy, in China, accounts for 6% of the total energy output. Energy security can never be attained through it. ANSWER : Aiming to increase our capacity in one alternative source of energy is better than none at all. 6% of India's energy need is still a significant amount, and will give India the kind of cushion required to develop other, still cleaner sources.

2) India's sovereign foreign policy has been compromised. ANSWER : The 123 Agreement does not mention an immediate cease to fuel supply in case India conducts a test, but states that the decision will be discussed over a period of a year, taking into consideration the circumstances that may cause India to take such a drastic step. As a test seems unlikely, even this clause may never truly come to bear significance!

Let us consider the rammifications of this deal on the political scenario of the country. The Congress and the UPA have not garnered the trust of any vote-bank by this victory : the Nuclear Deal is low on the priorities of the common man. Over the past several months, it has given the Opposition a chance to criticize every aspect of its policies, an opportunity which they've accepted with open arms! What would the Congress have to GAIN by misleading the country? To me, the answer is clear. The past year has been little but a political charade on the part of the Opposition, attempting to crush the valour and spirit of the only true visionary left in the political establishment today! The Opposition has resolved to petty mud-slinging, calling the deal Anti-Indian for deceiving the nation, Anti-Aam Aadmi for ignoring the common man's plight in pursuit of the deal, and even Anti-Muslim for establishing nuclear trade with the US! The Opposition, being the minority in the House, represents neither of these three constituencies of which it speaks! The truth, is that the Prime Minister and the Government have gone against their better political instincts and backed a deal which they realised will benefit the nation in years to come, but might cost them the next General elections. They've dared to tread a path filled with persistent Opposition thorns, but persevered! The Prime Minister, particularly, deserves acclaim for the integrity and dignity with which he has held his post, even in the face of some truly despicable remarks from the Opposition about the devaluation of his post in the past 4 years! This deal will do a lot more good to our young democracy than bad! To you, Mr. Prime Minister......JOB WELL DONE!

An MECian, I'll Be !

The day has passed, when my future for the next 4 years was written in stone. I had my first formal glimpse inside the halls of Model Engineering College, Thrikkakara, on the 5th of September, 2008. Arriving at 9-30 a.m., we were greeted by a short speech by our Principal Prof. Suresh Kumar. He highlighted the many reasons why we should look forward to the coming 4 years of our lives, pointed out what makes MEC stand out among engineering colleges in Kerala, or even India. There have been several studies conducted by different magazines and independent media sources claiming that MEC is among the top 3 colleges in Kerala, a fact that our Principal gladly repeated to us! Following his speech, was a brief address by the student members of the Placement Cell of MEC. Our seniors spoke well, and to an extent, helped wipe away some of the doubts that had lingered at the back of my mind. Following the address, we were drawn away to separate classes based upon our respective branches, and then divided into 2 batches within each branch. The faculty seems hospitable, and the general atmosphere around the college seems very conducive to learning. Far from the strict school-like environment I had imagined, the college seemed to have a far brighter, energetic feel! The extra-curriculars in the campus seem promising as well, with a host of clubs to express your every talent. Their Technical Fest, in particular, I hear, is almost as good as IIT-Madras' 'Shaastra'! Such signs bode well for the coming years!

I realize that empty rhetoric comes naturally to the staff of most colleges on such occasions, and I know not to get overwhelmed by all that I've heard. Here, is what I know : MEC was set-up as a model for other govt. colleges in the state. Over the last 4 years, it's infrastructure has VASTLY improved, with nearly 4.5 Crores being spent in the process. It is funded by TEQIP, which means that these very facilities shall improve further as the years advance. Along with the boost in infrastructure, the placements have increased significantly. A majority of the best known software companies, home and abroad, have made an appearance @ the campus over the last 2 years. Yes, the college is smaller than most colleges in Trivandrum, and visually unimpressive, but statistics do not lie. It is the most sought-after government college in Ernakulam, and surprisingly, most students I met there had ambitions of joining MEC ever since they began studying in the 11th. A reputation of that sort isn't easily built. Of course, being a far newer college than others, the direction in which it moves depends greatly on the Principal and the management. But overall, in my estimation, the POTENTIAL for growth of MEC is unmatched by any other college in Kerala! It has come a long way in a very short span of time, and God willing, should soldier on forward!

Yes, at the moment, I could imagine myself being in 'n' different colleges, but as yet, I haven't been given any reason to believe that a B.Tech degree from MEC would do anything other than add value and belief to an as-yet fledgling career. Inspite of how good/bad the faculty turns out to be, a little extra effort will ensure that I get to talk to the companies I need and intend to!

Bidding Adieu

There are only so many words you can reserve for an essay summarizing the last 7 years of your life. I realize that much of the material may sound repetitive : fragments of it having been stated at one time or the other during my blogging foray. Several parts of it might seem cliche, predictable,unconvincing, and a variety of other things that are unintentional on my part. I have never spoken about anything in this blog that I haven't truly felt, experienced or believed in, though I do admit hiding certain details surrounding my life in the interest of those who help shape it!

By nature, I am an emotional person. Though I may try to project the opposite image at times, I am, deep at my core, incredibly sensitive. I'm proud of who I am : I may be flawed, but I accept them...for the very qualities which seem flaws to some, may seem attractive to others! Judgement is only absolute when handed out by the Creator!

I arrived in STCS a haughty, self-obsessed, innocent, and highly immature geek. Some may still argue that I'm a geek, and I wouldn't deny it either. I was slightly introvert, and always had a hard time making friends anew. The language barrier I faced when I returned to the place of my birth didn't help. I bore the brunt of many a joke, and that only worsened my problems. Inspite of my flaws, I made a fair few friends. Among them were Alok, Prithvin,Aditya, Rahul, Ron and others. They made me feel at home in a land where I still felt I didn't belong. In 8th Std, I met Akram, and I'm glad to say we've been thick friends ever since. It's not always been a smooth ride between us, we've had arguments, we both have habits that irritate the other, we've both given the other our share of bad advice...but still, as a person, I know he has more integrity than most, even if he has flaws. I hope we remain friends for more than these past 5 years. In the 9th and 10th, when I finally began to acclimatize to the environment around me, I made more friends. While the bonds of the past remained strong, I formed new, nascent bonds of friendship with others...Sidharth, Nandu, Aravind, Nashad, and several others. But to be honest, none of these became truly strong until my final two years in school. As tuition-mates as well as classmates, the walls began to break away, and these friendships solidified with time. New friendships arose where there had been none. Most notably, I managed to shred my introvert nature to an extent, befriending girls who I began to see in a new light only because I had never wanted to in the past.

I speak of these friendships not because they are a testament to my likeability. I speak of them because they go a long way to show that no wall, no matter how intimidating, is impregnable! Inhibitions had always existed on both sides when each of these relationships had begun, but by crossing our own comfort zones, they dissolved away. My friends have taught me that the only walls blocking my path are the ones I create for myself....that if I'm willing to shed my inhibitions and let them, friends shall be found in any corner of the world I desire! I've learnt to live my life in such a way that I need never look back upon my past with regret. These bonds are far stronger than any I've made in my previous schools, and the hesitation I feel the day before I leave for college is the truest indication. The reality sinks in that I cannot yearn for what I can no longer have.....there will be periods where these bonds will be strained due to the lack of contact....the weakest will disappear entirely....and hopefully, a few will survive. Prayers can only take you so far, but mine will remain with all of them.....To you few, I tip my hat in gratitude for 7 years of memories!

Stand by me even when our worlds seem far apart............

"Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost"

The Day of Reckoning

31/08/08 has finally passed : My destination has been ascertained. Having missed out on a Comp Sc. & Engg. seat in College of Engg, Trivandrum by about 110 ranks, which, in my case is the equivalent of 3-4 correct answers, I must satisfy myself with what I've expected ever since my NIT dreams faded into oblivion following the rule changes. It's easy to complain that in view of new reservation for OBCs, NIT admission rule changes and the like being introduced for the first time in my very year, I've been royally screwed : But, in all fairness, that would be too lenient! My labour over the past 2 years has borne fruit, in truth, slightly dissapointingly, yet, hardly less than I deserved!

I do write this with a heavy heart, because I've seen the happiness that this 2nd allotment has brought all around me, with a majority of my friends attaining seats better than they hoped or expected! I know it's sinful to feel sorrow over others' joy, I know, but as much as I wish to deny it, there is a trace of envy in my heart. Though I may try forever to rid myself of them, I shall forever remain a slave to the flaws which make me all so human! In my heart of hearts, I will always have feelings which I wish not to have, but cannot control! I do wish my friends all the joy and happiness in the world, and all the success that they so richly deserve : there isn't, and never will be, any ill-will.......I just wish I had done enough to join them!

With that said, this is the start of a new journey, a new beginning! In losing the home field advantage and venturing forth into a new city, to a college I still don't know too well, I've taken a risk.....and a big one at that. But my path is chosen, my destination yet unknown, but the mini-voyages I must undertake within this journey are clear! I'd be lying if I said that I bear no fear in my heart, no apprehensions, no second thoughts......these are obstacles I've faced with regard to every decision I've made in my life thus far. Being a hesitant decision-maker, these tasks have never been simple or straight-forward, especially when the consequences may prove so grave to the life I lead.

Such a venture can never prove successful unless every vision of mine is painted in bright shades of optimism. To an extent, I will have to leave behind the past including the friends I've made along the way. Dealing with home-sickness is an arduous task, so to miss my friends the way I do at the moment would be painful, and would distract me from my very purpose of moving to Ernakulam. Though these few who I hold dear will remain at the back of my mind, I can't truly afford to centre my world around them anymore. Let's just hope that months or years down the line when we meet again, not too much would've changed within us to impede our conversation then! I'll have to build friendships to fill that temporary void that will develop, a situation I haven't faced for the last 7 years! One part of my life is over, and now, just as at the very beginning, I'm dependent on HIM for comfort, solace, and strength! May He guide me as he pleases, softening my falls and cradling me in His arms at my time of need, supporting me gently as I look to rise to greater heights!

 

The Road Ahead

The first year of college beckons, but unfortunately, my ability to fulfill my online commitments is under grave doubt! The question arises regarding the fate of this humble blog. Rest assured, though my updation may perhaps become more irregular, I shall undoubtedly strive to keep one and all posted on every new development! I might not have the largest reader base in the world, but I still have a debt to the few friends who care enough to visit here! Stick with me through the thick and the thin, for I promise that I'll always be a call away! My next post will probably be on the 31st, or possibly on the 1st.....a farewell message to one and all who've influenced my life oer the past seven years! Future updates, as is the case with everything else, depend upon the grace of God!