Me and Programmaing : LIA to ALI !

Yah, I don't do that ! BUT ever since I have started blogging I think I am learning a little bit of that as well..I don't understand the language or science behind...how all these programs or specifically this BLOG works! But somehow by looking at the Template I figured out where to make the necessary changes, so that I can add people to the blog..or add the links I want..

Today I stretched my experiment a little further. I wanted to add the following lines to 'My Vision' in the sidebar to thank all those people who are taking out their time to comment on my snaps.

"Photography is almost my obsession, and I want to be better at it. So, criticize my pictures as much as you want. Look forward to your comments, and THANKS for your time."

While editing the links I learn't that any thing written between LIA to ALI jsut appears as texts on your blog, if you exclude the "STUFF BETWEEN THE QUOTES"


<li><a href="http://2006-photo-a-day.blogspot.com/">Vikas</a></li>

(need to thank madan here, he helped me in understanding the funda behind tags and writing the above code, else i was getting the link directly! !!eeeehhh)

So I wrote what I had to write, then I had to decide a place for it. It wasn't difficult to find the end of the profile description in the template to insert LIA to ALI, where I wanted. Everything was perfect at the first go....BUT then to stretch it further I wanted these words right after "VIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE" ! And while doing so I did something such that my whole template changed to something horrible! Entire formatting was lost! The black back ground disappered! Snaps were placed here and there...!! :(

And I got totally pissed with myself...there is saying in hindi..'Khane bulo to rahne ko mangthe hain' thats what I thought! I regretted what I did. But then I got this brilliant idea, to load back the template. I though that would fix the problem. I got excited and loaded it back.

But, it lost all the edits I had made! People and Links I had added! And offcourse I did not remember the links! Got, more disappointed with myself!

Then I remembered something and got another brilliant idea. I had saved the entire template of my previous blog. I always do that before I start messing up with it. :) back was my smile!
Because then all I did was compared the current template with what I had and figured out where and what I messed up and uploaded the previous template!

So while addressing things between 'LIA to ALI' I had deleted the following :)


<title><$BlogPageTitle$></title>
<$BlogMetaData$>
<style type="text/css">
/*
-----------------------------------------------
Blogger Template Style
Name: Minima Black
Designer: Douglas Bowman
URL: www.stopdesign.com
Date: 26 Feb 2004
----------------------------------------------- */
body {
background:#000;
margin:0;
padding:40px 20px;
font:x-small "Trebuchet MS",Trebuchet,Verdana,Sans-Serif;
text-align:center;
color:#ccc;
font-size/* */:/**/small;
font-size: /**/small;
}

As I read the above code I understood why I got a BIZZARE blog, for a while...and went OFF- Blog for a while!! PHEW!! Me and Programming! Thankgod that this is not my full time job. However, thanks to the mess with 'LIA to ALI' I got to know how to make changes to the template :). BTW, I still have some lines showing up as highlighted or linked to something...if anybody can be suggest how to get rid of it, that will be great. Thanks.

Telepathy, Coincidence or just Thoughts?

Meena my freind from India, works on Gir lions, in Gujarat, India. We met at WII 2001. Another scorpio, the shy ones, who take some time to open up. We clicked right from day one. This is very common for us - its the first interaction. You either click or you always remain unnoticed!

Well as I heard our hostel warden (what was his name, I forgot, some ex-army personnel) came upstairs and was showing her, her room I stepped out of my room to check out the new girl :). First impression - very quiet, very silent. My mind said ' Naaah, not my type' And I took off with my work or something. Don't remember. Eventually I ran across her, and came to know that she is from Chennai, worked with Sukumar on Elephants and now at WII to work on Lions. Her first crush, love or marriage I would say. We happen to bump into each other quite often and we became good friends. Somebody I really had meaningful converation, interaction, fun, and arguments, outside my batch. So this was my silient Lioness! She actually IS. Won't get to know about it unless you or she lets you know her. Time rolled, I came to US, she continued with her field work and stuff. We got busy with our life. We spoke before I left India, then once in 2004 while I was here in Jan, and again on Jan 2005, when I visited India. How many hours did we speak when we spoke? Nothing less than 1hr 45 mins. Baak baaak baaak...about everything on earth.

Ok, so now out of blue am I talking about her? Well because at times I don't understand how and why you get to hear from somebody you remember all of a sudden, out of blue. Well I have to say, all of a sudden because I have got so caught with classes and assignment and stuff here that unless something happen related to a person in India, you don't remember them! And it happens with us (wildlife people) more, since 8-9 months we are in a forest, almost disconnected from the world, except for your parents and family may be. Being in touch with somebody in US, forget it, impossible, unless you make efforts. Or the one in US, makes an effort. So basically am saying that I did not remember her, all of 2005, except last night.

Am reading this book by Michael Lewis 'Inventing Global Ecology' which decribes the history of my profession in India, and its impact on globalization or vice versa. He is a prof at university at Maryland and this was his Phd thesis - 'Tracking the Biodiversity Ideal in India 1947 - 1997'. After a long time am reading a ecology related book which doesn't make me go off to sleep, and just keeps me awake for the next chapter! Mostly I dose off, because either they are too hard for me to comprehend in one read or has deep ecological theories hidden within them!

Anyway so this book talks about the Ecology being introduced from the US to a world where forest, animals, people have lived together for centuries. How do you apply the science practised here (US), and takes example of the conflicting situation between Gujjar and the Elephants, addressed by Christy Williams at Rajaji National Park. He was my senior at the institute. It was so nice read his name, Govind, his driver in this book. So obsviously I was in India, as i was and whenevern am reading it. So as I read it, I remembered Meena, because she has a smiliar situation with the Maldhari's living within GIR. Its a national park but these tribes live inside the park along with Lions, Leopards and other prey species.

Just an offtrack, so I remembered her, and realised that I haven't spoken to her for a while and decided to call her this week, continued with the book and then slept off. And guess what - morning as I woke up, and switched on my laptop..I see an email from her!! I WAS JUST SHOCKED, SURPRISED! This is not the first time. These kind of things have happend even in the past. You remember somebody out of blue for some reason for a milli sec and put a thought on it and the very next moment you have response from that person! As if you your thought just travelled 1000's of Km across the ocean and mountains and got in touch with exactly whom you wanted to! How the hell does this happen? Is this telepathy? How does it work? What is the medium of communication? And how can it be so precise? And correct everytime? What is the process behind it? Is telepathy for real then? Or is it just a conincidence? If, yes then why does this happen so often, and so correct everytime?

I had all these questions running in my mind as I read her email. I wish somebody could answer these questions for me!

Ecology and Hindusim - their downfall

**** wrote it as one blog but separated it due to change of subject********

Anyway so back to the book, which has raised some thoughts in my mind, specially in context of current globalization. He addresses this issue as well. I haven't finished this book yet. This book provides me a good perspective based on the whole history of Ecology in World. It took ages in the US/UK/Europe as well to accept Ecology as a Science, and how you do it! Where is India in that context?

Conservation and Nature is not new to India. Although thats how it has been presented or practised in India. We have history of nature worshippers and still persisting in may tribes for more than 3000 years. It is the basic philosophy you come across in Vedas, or I can say 'Hindu Religion' or Hinduisim'. According to me 'Hinduism' is just a way of life, a philosophy, unlike what it is viewed as or currenly presented to the society.

So traditionally the sages, saints, philosopher's in and from India have suggested the connection between people, plants and animals. Everything is eventually connected to this one origin. Who knows what that is, but that was the premise. And the concept of Karma, suggests flow between and within them! So as a race 3000 years back if we taught and believed in this connection, when is it that the transition or the break up happen? When is it that we started using and looking at animals and plants just as resources, only to extract. People led a life dependent on these resources for ages. But some how this dependence or interdependence never led to a situation of crisis or extinction.

As I read the book I was curious to know the transition which introduced 'Conservation' or 'Ecololgy' as a new concept in India instead of it existing in Historical India. Today we have problems with population and poverty, and Ecology definately takes a back seat under the current scenario. How about globalization? How does it affect the progress of this science in rest of the world and also in India?

Population, poverty, resource crunch according to me are very recent problems in India, if I look at its history. Knowledge and resources were prevalant during the period of Chanakya, Nalanda, Ashoka! Ashoka, one of the great kings from India, too talks about conservation in his period. It just makes me wonder how and why did we loose such richness? Sometimes I wonder if it was the 200 years of rule and invasion by East India company, Mughal Empire and others which changed our basic principles? It just bothers me, both for my profession and history! How and why did we loose the richness? How many years will it take to return to what we were? Will another 200 years undo all the damage we went through?

I don't know. Disappoints me a bit and also focuses me on what I want to do, for the time I am here!

Mr Darcey to Meena Kardeezi..

Yah, these are the lead characters of two among ten movies I saw this weekend. Ya, 10 :) for people who know me, this isn't a surprise. Took a break by the end of spring break. All were very interesting.

Thanks to Mr. Darcey and the Bennett family which eased away the painful journey you witness with Meena Kardezi, in Chasing Freedom. It is based on real life incident of this characters life, while escaping the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and coming to US with the hope to breath freely only to remain locked up for months by the INS. Truth and reality is so disappointing and depressing at times. May be its better to be ignorant. I have never experienced the feeling of trying to run aways from ones own home because its no more safe. Wonder how it would! I thank my fate (chance) for not being born in Afghanistan, or similar countries. Anyway I won't give away the whole plot. But a nice movie contrasting two women (an american lawyer), from two different world, pursuing freedome in their own way. I don't have time to go about each and every movie, will just make a note of the movies I saw so that I can write about it whenever I get time. Watched 'Crash' too in this flush :)

Definately a well made movie. Liked how all the characters are eventually weaved togther. More than objective racial discrimination to me it seemed like the differences, prejudice, dsicrimination, and haterate that each community have towards each other, be it Asian, American, African! It is the same differences, prejudices, discrimination that a S. Indian has towards N.Indians, East Indians towards West Indians. Basic human nature is to get biased due to their experiences in life. But inspite of these differences and prejudices, during moments of crisis we all respond to humanity. And I thought that was the final conclusion of the movie. It was interesting to note how the director eventually suggests or shows that NOBODY is bad by choice. Mistakes happen for some situations in their life. That does not mean that their choices are justified, but then thats what life is all about. Anyways enough of criticism or trying to be a critic :) (which I am not!) overall a nice movie to watch. Except for the cheesy ending of Pride and Prejudice, this movie was also nice to watch. Ahhh...Mr. Darcey. I think I like the period when all you could do if you liked somebody is gather some courage to ask that person to dance! Wish I was born then :)..Since I just love the british accent, it was even more fun to watch..very gentlemen and lady like :).

Other Movies watched - 21 grams (bakwaas, unecessarily made complicated!), Insomnia, Troy (uuuuuuu...brad pit, interesting just want to make a note on how many wars in History have happened due to women?), Constant Gardner, Four Feathers (Haven't seen Shekhar Kappor' s other movies, but this was good), English Pateint (had seen this earlier) , Lost in Translation, ....and the list continues...

Now the next movie marathon will happen in Summer :)

Just an off shoot, don't forget to read about Desi Power in BBC. Goes to my archive on India!

A reply to Wife Bashing -

I almost blogged my thoughts on above topic at the following post 'How much are we valued'

My reply was more than just a comment. Hence I just posted it here, as well.

Nina, I think THIS IS A VERY SENSITIVE issue. That's why I commented on Anna's blog not to ignore the things(torture) that happens inside the four walls of many houses. You would be surprised to realise that WIFE BASHING is a very common thing, and it IS common because women don't protest. And it is this wife bashing, which leads to bashing any women who does not listen to you!

There is a long historical and social reason behind all this. NO POINT just asking men to change. Women need to change and grow up as well, and realise that they deserve a dignified life. Earlier it was different. Most women used to live a life of a slut because they had children whom they had to take care (and most of these children eventually grow up to bash their mom'!) and they were not financially independent. Until and unless a women is resepected right from her childhood and encouraged to feel and be independent these things won't change. This world in A MAN-DOMINATED world. You cannot just ask them to give up their power and regime. The only way to deal with it, according to me is to encourage every girl/women to be independent and dignified. It's a common human attitude and a game of power, which has its roots in behavorial ecology (how the animal world functions). Male/Female does not matter. A subject will do things to dominate you, until you show them their limits.

And a person who has got the courage to beat up somebody once, will do it again. It is the same courage that we have to tell some men to F off! In the same way, the idea that 'O' HE WILL CHANGE, IS bull Shit. A man who hits ONCE will always have excuses, justification and reasoning to hit again.

In nutshell, I believe these are the basic principles and philosophy of life that are seeded in you, by your parents and family as you grow up. And it is the same philosopy that governs how you bring up your children and family. Some people are born lucky. You cannot choose the enviornment and situation you are born in, but if you don't agree to certain things you can choose to be different. No point cribbing about it.

This again leads to my favourite quote - 'Be the change you wish to see in the world - M.K. Gandhi'

INDIA RISING

An interesting 7 min capsule about India that aired on ABC recently. My best line from the caspsule 'India is a miracale' things work even within a 'Chaos' HOW ! GOD KNOWS...Am yet to figure that out!

Click the following link India Rising

Cheer's !!

EVE TEASING....

Came across a post on EVE TEASING or demonstration against Eve-Teasing I should say. It reminded me of my college days when I had to discover ways to keep off FRUSTATED MEN (old - young, didn't matter). I had to take the city bus to college everyday. Was lucky if I got a seat. If not then the day starts with shouting at these jerk. I am glad that I never succumbed to such stress and gave any chance of pleasure to such jerks! I used to carry a safety pin and I always had boots. I have used the pins couple of times very nicely, with full liberrty on people who have tried to take advantage of being in a crowded bus. I bet never have those men ever touched another girl. Because they would just scream in middle of the bus, and people will ask 'Why what happened'! They won't have any reply, and I would just look into their eyes, with a satanic smile. Am sure they would have been reminded of it even while sleeping with their wife!! I am glad that I could do this. Many of classmates could not. I had to be their care-taker. I never disliked the role but failed to encourage them to fight for themselves. Some eventually did in couple of occassions. It's not only the city buses. I have faced such incidents growing up while traveling by train. On one ocassion I grabbed the guy sleeping in the middle berth by his collar and trashed him nicely. I had the advantage of height being on the upper bunk! Kicked him nicely. Woke up everybody in the train. I still remember these incidents. Honestly speaking after I did, this I could not sleep that night. I was little worried and scared. What if these guys follow me back home etc etc. I used to live alone then in Calcutta (Kolkata). Anyway, later when I told about this to my parents, they just told me never to be scared of such situations and never let anybody take advantage of you of being a women. My dad also told, 'look whenever you are in situatoin like this, always remember that the person who is doing it also is scared within. But he knows you are weak so that gives him the confidence and courage to trouble you/' BUT once you disprove his assumption, that YOU ARE NOT WEAK and can beat the hell out of him, he would not dare to do that again.

Thanks to my parents for their upbringing, that I never feared to show my middle finger to such jerks and trash them in public if need be. My experience and independence eventually helped me in my research (and life) while in India, which needed me to travel to all sorts of places, with unkown people, through unknown means..(Bus, train, boat, tracter, Van...etc etc..) and awkward hours. Anyways, back to present. Why all of a sudden talk about all this?

Well I had a sudden adrenaline rush as I read the following post. I am glad that women are more openly encouraged to voice their discomfort. Here follows the link to the incidents of 'Eve Teasing'.

Join the march to say or encourage somebody to say 'NO' to EVE TEASING!

Cheer's to Thyself

Yesterday was a perfect evening,

After a horrible busy week,
Peaceful, Calm, Creative and Relaxed,
Was I by the time I had to sleep.
The Vision of life were as Perfect as Ever,
I Thank God, for every beautiful,
Moments that he saved for me,
To Discover...later.

Cheer's'