I am a Father (Part 1)

[The post has been backdated to 2014]

2013 was an eventful year in our lives. We were blessed with our little baby girl, lurching us although expectedly, into a wonderful life. There are some moments you just cannot forget (or can forget due to old age). Below are some of them

It must have been April, when i got to know, i will be an dad. First reaction was of measured and controlled happiness, as happy emotions tend to make you reckless, and makes your heart in such an high place, that any small sad news can bring it crashing down 10 stories high. So with a cautious measure of happiness, i asked to confirm twice. And yes it was true. Now this news had to taken as an adult, cause now there is going to be a human being who is going to be dependent on you, reply on you, trust completely on you and be shaped by your actions.Ohh yes and movies are really stupid, as they never show a real situation, like mother and father talking over phone, and mother giving the news that she is pregnant from 1631km away.

Then wife shifted to her hometown and i used to travel 595km every weekend without fail, just to be with her. watching her grow slowly, listening the heartbeats, wanting to sleep on the tummy (i have a huge one and everyone wants to sleep on it, that was my only chance to experience the feeling). The first sonography test showing small hands, heartbeats, and many other things which, keep the memory alive.

Then the delivery date was 3 weeks away and i was planning for the leaves, already had told boss will be gone for 2 weeks. But life is not like a movie, there is no script, just god playing DnD dice. Usually i call up wife during the weekdays, and in the morning i call, and she says contractions are getting shorter, but maybe be a false alarm, but still going to the doctor. Now my mind can be split in 2 parts, one which is really worrried about her, and still my other part takes over and talks me to complete my project. Hence i get engrossed and start completing my project. When i look at the clock it's almost past the time i call her in the afternoon and i pick up the phone, tap the no's. The first answer i get from her dad is, 'You are a Dad'. I said 'Majak na karo, mummy ne aapo'. (Don't joke, give it to mummy). And she gives me the same sweet news. First thought is whether Nidhi is fine, and everyone is fine, so i relax, hangup. And stay stunned for a few min. My neighbor is watching me funnily, asking me what happened, and i am speechless for a few min. The din of the office recedes, and my mind is filled with pure joy. That is something i never let myself experience in fear of becoming very sad. But this news were something that were never going away and can never be surpassed. That moment was bliss. Even in the florescent lighted office, everything was bright, everyone was happy, the world had come to a standstill, because everyone had achieved nirvana. As i was far away, i booked a plane ticket, reached wife's place next morning, took hold of my baby, my small bundle, with wrinkled hands and feet, face as beautiful as mine, eyes as big as her mom's, the perfect solution. I asked about her health and she was little underweight, but healthy. I put her near her mom and just waited and watched.

You Need to Lose Something

On 2nd Jan, i had just came from Baroda, enjoying my daily morning schedule of reading on my mobile (Samsung Galaxy S2) and travelling. I have always hated travelling, its a big bore and makes me restless. Unless i have something to read i cannot stand it. When i don't have a book, i usually sleep. But sleeping in Mumbai local trains is like asking to be robbed or missing your station. Hence the emphasis on reading.

I have almost always arrived at Mumbai in the morning, getting less rush, hence i can get home by 6 and sleep a little. On 2nd i came back, slept, played a little on my phone, some games and was searching for all the rooted apps i can install. I was very proud that i had just rooted my phone. I waited for more than an year to root it. My inner geek would have done it the day i got it, but was not sure if the warranty will get void.

I started for my journey to office, talked to my wife and was waiting in the bus line, listening to music. The bus came it pushed for space to board the bus. Once inside something was not right, there was no music. I realized instantly that my phone was missing. It was a horrible feeling. The feeling that i had lost something was alien to me. I panicked, rushed back to the entrance, trying to get off, but the bus was in full motion. The conductor wouldn't listen to me, i was almost going to jump off the running bus. 

But then it dawned, i had lost something which was very near to me. I had lost something which i had got so used to, that it was a part of my life. The phone was like an extension of my mind. Anything i wanted i could do it because of that tech in my hand. I could search for anything, book/buy stuff, record my ideas, communicate with my friends, keep up with news, read, play, draw, etc. It was an outlet of my imagination. Since i bought it, i don't remember a single day without it. Even my family knows how much i love it. There was an another emotion attached to it too. The phone had cost me 30 thousand bucks. It was more than my 2 months salary. It was a craving you have when you want something REAL bad. I had bought it with support from my wife. She didn't say no. She knew how much i wanted it and even chipped in. But it unsettled my accounts for 2 months. I had paid a very big price for buying the phone. Something i had decided i would never do again. But i was proud of what i had brought. This is a feeling that i hadn't got before

Being proud of something, is what you reallly want when you grow up. It can consume you. You are proud that you are a father, you are proud that your project was successful. Similarly you are proud that you are able to afford something which is very difficult to afford. This feeling of pride was what i had for all these months. But i never understood it. It always was in the back of my mind, but only understood it after i lost the phone.

This loss, was instant, and it hit me very hard. I couldn't think what i should do next. I sat there in the bus frustrated, feeling angry that i it was my carelessness due to which i had lost the phone. I should have been more careful. Maybe i should have put it in my bag. But loss is instant. You can never be prepared for it. And This got me thinking more.

What if i lose something very dear in the next instant. What if all my loved ones, whom without i cannot live, die the next instant. What will i do?  If you can lose someone so instantly what's the meaning of taking any relation so deep that it hurts? Will i be able to cope with the loss?

So i sat in silence. For a long time. Sad from all my thoughts.

By evening the news had spread to all. And a wonderful thing happened. My Wife cried for me. My Brother told me he is buying me a new phone. My mom dad told me they would be paying my savings for a few months. But whatever the reason, everyone was caring for me. Even though i had lost only my phone. 

Maybe losing the phone was worth enough to see how much everyone cares for you. Like i said before, sometimes you get used to something soo much that it feels a part of your life. And you tend to ignore it a bit. Relations are that thing. You get used to each and every relation, may it be to a person or an object, so much that it just becomes a word. It's only in these bad times when you really understand which has depth. 

I should not have been proud of my achievement of buying the phone. I should be proud that i have such a Beautiful family. This is my family who cares for me soo much, they are going to help me out whatever it takes. I don't need the money, i now don't even need the phone. The phone can be replaced. BUT my family cannot. 

So thanks to the incredible loss i suffered, for bringing me close to the people who are the real value of my life.

Thanks for Everything Investis

Hi All,

I will be ending my work shift today for the final time in Investis today. And I feel sad that I am leaving behind the work I helped create. In these 4 years I worked on many different tasks, although most of them were only or IQR. I saw the IQR product grow from its inception to the state it is now. That is how much I loved my work here, and I feel very sad to leave it.

But when I really thought about what I will MISS, is not working on the projects, but some small little things I have grown used to, these few years. It may be the smile the Guard Kaka gives me when I come, or how Abhish says ‘Chai’ on the 4^th floor or the 'Shabji' of Nielsen & stories from Sandeep. Or maybe how we greet each other daily, chatting on Skype, tea break gossips, Lunch buddies, Chai buddies, Buddies I made during TT all these years. I have also loved talking and chatting with many others, over books, over Tea, having Hot discussions and sharing Philosophies.

Other things memorable are my Calls with Al & Rupert, Justin’s address during the biyearly SOTN (Let me say its sad that we are in a dry state), and working with Marcus & Dom

It was great fun with all you guys/gals. 4 Years is a long time and I have meet some extraordinary, talented and humane friends here. And I am really sad that I will not be able to meet you daily now. Its sad to leave  3 of my older colleagues Manish, Chirag, Anisha after almost 7 years working together, along with Mamta, Archana, Prakash & Hardik.

The list of thanks wouldn’t be complete without mentioning AP sir, Asmani, Monali & Vaishali, along with, the Finance team of Jayesh, Prashant, Himanshu, Hiren, Bhavesh & Kaushik. Also Thanks to all those who helped me learn TT (There are many)

But to compensate, my doors at Mumbai are always open to you. If you are visiting , call me up and we can have a meetup.

Being a social Media person, it should be mandatory to put all my details here in the mail. If you love getting spammed by nice articles to read, subscribe to any of the following accounts.

Twitter: Shrikhande, BeginnersWeb, BAShrikhande

Blogs: Personal, Beginnersweb, AndroidApps

Facebook: Me

Google+: Me

LinkedIn: Me

Pinterest: Me

Quora: Me

Foursquare: Me (I am sure no can beat me at being mayor of our office)

GoodReads: Me

Trip Advisor: Me

Google Reader: Articles

Thanks for everything Investis.

Who says technology isn't great?

This post is written from my android phone, while remotely logged in to my windows

Mind it all apps are paid, even windows ;-)

The Dark Knight Rises : Review (Spoiler Free)

One Word : A Perfect Ending.

More Words: Pretty much everything a legend should get as an end.

Thanks : Chris Nolan for bringing such a pure and realistic Batman to the screens. And to keep the fans and comic book nerds happy with the ending. 

Review: Batman Rises is many comic book series rolled into one. And they are one of the best of the Batman series. Knightfall, Batman Returns, Rise of Ras Al Gul. But not taken in their entirety. Some might say batman rises is not as good as the dark knight, but i say its what a superhero movie should be.

Post Avengers, everyone would like to see high action movies, but Nolan gives us a movie about normal people without super powers becoming superheroes. Batman, Selina Kyle, Bane even Gordon and Blake, all are superheroes without powers. They only power they have is the will to overcome. And that is the message Nolan delivers. Take control of your fear with your will. Be fearless. Master fear. This is the message the batman comics gives us and so does Nolan.

Character:

Batman: Well acted by Bale. Strong, weak , afraid, angry, its what makes Bale a great Batman. Its possible that i cannot see any other actor as a batman for some time.

Gordon: Oldman is strong as usual, strong, silent and working in the background to give a human feel to the police force. Loved him.

Bane: Seeing what Hardy had done in Bronson this might have been a cinch. But still well acted and he does look huge, almost towering Batman and others. It shows the work Hardy has done for the act. Loved him and his bane. Only issue is the voice. But it seems all batman movies were plagued by voice problems.

Blake: An orphan policeman who helps Gordan take care of the mess Gotham is in. Love the cleaverness and resourcefull ness shown by him. 

Selina Kyle: And if you want to someone as sexy as the catwoman, there is nobody other than Hathaway for you. The way she looks sucks you into him. The way she walks makes the comic book pages jump up on the screen, but its the acting she has done which makes selina kyle live on the screen. 

Alfred: He has the most pivotal role whether it is a movie or the books. He is the only force who keeps batman a real person, and not get lost. He is the anchor which keeps Batman Bruce Wayne. Caine acts out aflred with a passion and there is no way you cannot love him here.

Final Thougts:
It's not a action movie, its a movie about overcoming your fears. Its a movie which is more near to the comic books than the previous non Nolan movies. Its a movie rooted in a real world, rather than a comic book. Its a movie which wraps up the trilogy with an end fit for its watchers, fit for the comic nerds, fit for Batman fans.

Thanks to reading.

The Biggest Challenge

The biggest challenge anyone can have is to accept that not everyone thinks like them.

Blogging while walking

A new feather in my geeky cap, Blogging while walking

A pic from my new mobile

Dad ka Sixer

ये तो माना पड़ेगा के वो मुझे आची तरह से जानते है 

Got to say , my Dad knows me very well.

Social Media and Us

I have seen many people come on late to the social media world, and then look cluelessly around. They seem like kindergarten kids on their first day, not knowing what to do. While instead of going in the school to learn something new, they are fearful of it. Its due to lack of knowledge that the fear comes. And you need a wise parent to make you understand what lies inside the school.

So what should they know when starting out on the social journey?

Social Aspect
Its social. It will have all the social obligations. You need to nurture it rather than create at random. You have to grow slowly into it. There is no jump start into it.

Start Slow
You cannot grow a tree bearing fruit in a month. Start slow, gradually making connections as you do in a company's party. All the accounts on a social network are real people with real ideas. They have their own personalities.

Find your Passion
On some social networks, your passion will play a bigger role. It will help you in every way possible to grow into it and with it. You can find many like minded persons who are willing to share with you any knowledge they have.

Help Others
So when you are finding help from others, try and help out others too. There are others who are just as clueless as you were some time back. Help them out.

Find the Real People behind the Accounts
The account or the person which you follow is a real person and you can have a face to face talk to him too. Just go for it, it will be the best thing you have done. Try some tweetups, or public events that are organized through the social networks.

Log Off
And remember to log off for a fixed time during the day, week or month. Online is not the life you live. You live with others too who care and love you more than the person behind the account you follow online.

Diary Of A Baby

This is something i got from the internet, and i NEEDED to share it.

15Jun:  I got attached with ovary.
17Jun:  I'm a tissue now.
30Jun:  Mom said to dad, "You're going to be a father" MOM AND DAD ARE VERY HAPPY.
15Jul:   My food is what my mom eats.
15Sep:   I can feel my heartbeat.
14Oct:   I have little hands, legs, head and a stomach. 13Nov: Today I was in an ultrascan. Wow! I m a girl.
14Nov:  I am DEAD! My mom and dad killed me. . .

WHY? :( Is it just because I was a girl?

People love to have A Mother A Wife, and of course a Girlfriend too then why not a Daughter?

Tips for First Time Interviewers

Currently my company is doing a huge round of interviews for Freshers, and its fresh to see they feel shy, scared, confused, sleeping, etc etc.. on their interview day.

I myself have gone through the routine, and i wanted to give some tips, now that i am mature enough not to be afraid of the interviewee.

1. Don't have high expectations of yourself. Most probably this will show and you will get grilled for expecting more.( Some interviewee may find this facinating, but ultimately this will lead to heavy burden on you in the future, as the company will now have high expectations from you).
2. Don't expect that your first interview will be like those in movies, where you will come out impressing everybody.
3. Don't be afraid, sometimes the person taking your interview is more afraid than you.
4. Sit straight in the room and don't sleep.
5. Don't expect your interview to finish off early, it may go on for hours. The more you engage the interviewee more better image you leave with them.
6. Bring something to keep you warm, especially for IT companies, as you may have to sit in an AC room the whole day.
7. Make friends in the room, they might be able to help if you have to go to a loo, and you are called. Or maybe in any other stuff.
8. Bring something to munch while waiting for your turn. But do mind bring something that would'nt mess the place or make lots of noises while eating.

Maybe i will add more later on. Till then just follow these.

Fruit Chart

Ok This is mighty flash and colorful, but its helpful if you are suffering as i am doing now. So have a look and choose your best fruit protector.
 

apples	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
apricots	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows aging process
artichokes	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
avocados	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
bananas	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
beans	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
beets	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
blueberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
broccoli	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure
cabbage	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
cantaloupe	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
carrots	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
cauliflower	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
cherries	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer's
chestnuts	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
chili peppers	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
figs	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
fish	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
flax	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
garlic	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
grapefruit	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
grapes	saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
green tea	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
honey	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
lemons	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
limes	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
mangoes	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer's
mushrooms	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
oats	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
olive oil	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
onions	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
oranges	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration
peaches	prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes	aids digestion	Helps hemorrhoids
peanuts	Protects against heart disease	Promotes Weight loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Aggravates diverticulitis
pineapple	Strengthens bones	Relieves colds	Aids digestion	Dissolves warts	Blocks diarrhea
prunes	Slows aging process	prevents constipation	boosts memory	Lowers cholesterol	Protects against heart disease
rice	Protects your heart	Battles diabetes	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes
strawberries	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	boosts memory	Calms stress
sweet potatoes	Saves your eyesight	Lifts mood	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
tomatoes	Protects prostate	Combats cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart
walnuts	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	boosts memory	Lifts mood	Protects against heart disease
water	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Conquers kidney stones	Smoothes skin
watermelon	Protects prostate	Promotes Weight loss	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure
wheat germ	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
wheat bran	Combats Colon Cancer	prevents constipation	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	improves digestion
yogurt	Guards against ulcers	Strengthens bones	Lowers cholesterol	Supports immune systems	Aids digestion

7 dont's after a meal

*    Don't smoke-Experiment from experts proves that smoking a cigarette after meal is comparable to smoking 10 cigarettes (chances of   cancer is higher).                                                                                         *    Don't eat fruits immediately - Immediately eating fruits after meals will cause stomach to be bloated with air. Therefore take fruit 1-2 hr after meal or 1hr before meal.                                         *     Don't drink tea - Because tea leaves contain a high content of acid.This substance will cause the Protein content in the food we consume to be hardened thus difficult to digest.       *    Don't loosen your belt - Loosening the belt after a meal will easily cause the intestine to be twisted &blocked.                                             *    Don't bathe - Bathing will cause the increase of blood flow to the hands, legs & body thus the amount of blood around the stomach will therefore decrease.  This will weaken the digestive system in our stomach.                                                                                                                                               *    Don't walk about - People always say that after a meal walk a hundred steps and you will live till 99. In actual fact this is not true. Walking will cause the digestive system to be unable to a

A Friend

“Knight F3” I said.

“Pawn E6” he replied.

As I sat before him, a feeling of friendship came over me. I thought to myself “Why don’t I play regularly
with him. He wouldn’t mind, and it’s better than playing chess over Facebook”.

But today i wanted something else too. I wanted to find the friend in him. I wanted to bond with him,
like we used to do when I was 8. I still remember he used to put me on his lap and say ‘hodi hodi hodi
hodi’, and then used to throw me on a pillow. It was fun for me, and a huge weight on his legs. Even
after all day’s work, playing with me used to de-stress him, even though the words weren’t invented yet.
I remember him coming directly to home, to me.

10 Minutes into the game, he was beating me like crazy. I have already lost my Bishop and Rook, and
in the process of losing my Queen. This reminds me of the first time he took me out for a morning run.
Being in 7th didn’t mean I could run fast. Still he said “Run fast, walk fast, if you don’t you will get fat and
lazy”. I am 95kg now. I was the only one whom he would take out for a run, although it didn’t last due to
my frequent complains.

20 Minutes in the game I am already losing interest in the game. This feels awfully familiar to the phase
in life where I lost interest in studies and immersed myself in computer games. Frequent complaints
from him didn’t take me out of it. Maybe he couldn’t see his friend so addicted to the PC.

I have already lost most of my major players now; he has systematically destroyed all my pieces. And
still I am happy. Maybe I don’t give as much time to him now, but today I feel I want to give him the
friendship he deserves. I want to play Chess with him for the whole life ahead he has.

I want to give him the Friend he deserves. I want to give my Father a friend today.

Munnar Trip

We just recently had a trip of Kerela, staying at Munnar and Thekkdi.

Below are some of the pics i took

This is the new gate of Vadodara Railway Station. Just royal and goes with the architecture in Vadodara.

Audience of Beginner's Web

After lots of blogging and trying out new articles and reading other compititive blogs i have decided the content of my blog.


I must say its too late to decide what it should be, but to make my content different from other, i had to do a soul search.

This is what i don't want my blog to be....

1. Its not a tech news site.
2. Its not a copy paste medium for other people's articles.
3. Its aim is not to produce content, but to produce good articles.
4. Its not a money making machine.

What my site really stands for...

1. Its a site for everybody interested in good tech articles.
2. Its a site especially for those who want to learn, and not spoon fed.
3. Its a site for the learner and not the learned.
4. Its a site where original content is published.

Maybe i might add more later, but right now this explains my blog to my readers.

Bolt and fastener chart: what's that dingus called?

From: Bolt and fastener chart: what's that dingus called?

A test Image upload from Picasa.

Some Long hair, making me look like my wife's hair. Cut now. though

Fwd: 10 Skills You Need to Succeed at Almost Anything

via Ian's Messy Desk by Ian McKenzie on 7/31/08

Public Speaking

1. Writing
2. Self Management
3. Networking
4. Critical Thinking
5. Decision Making
6. Math
7. Research
8. Relaxation
9. Basic Accounting

Scientific Methods to Catch a Lion

How to catch a lion (Science)

1. Newtons Method:
Let, the lion catch you.
For every action there is equal and opposite reaction. Implies you caught lion.

2. Einstein Method:
Run in the direction opposite to that of the lion.
Due to higher relative velocity, the lion will also run faster and will get tired soon.
Now you can trap it easily.

3. Schrodinger Method:
At any given moment, there is a positive probability that lion to be in the cage.
So set the trap, sit down and wait

4. Inverse Transformation Method
We place a spherical cage in the forest and enter it.
Perform an inverse transformation with respect to lion.
Lion is in and we are out.

5. Thermodynamic Procedure:
We construct a semi-permeable membrane which allows every thing to pass it except lions.
Then sweep the entire forest with it.

6. Integration Differention Method:
Integrate the forest over the entire area. The lion is some where in the result.
So differentiate the result PARTIALLY w.r.t lion to trace out the lion.