manedge

With the last of the Nobels of 2017 having been declared, here's a look back at my post from October 2015: Every year, for the last three decades, the first fortnight of October has a special place in my yearly calendar. It is the time when the coveted Nobel Prizes are announced. The fortnight ends with the prestigious Man Booker Prize. As soon as the announcement of prizes begins, I jot down the names of the Nobel Laureates in my latest notepad. It all comes to an end with the Booker. Though it would be difficult for me to collect all my notes, as I haven't kept them carefully, technology can help me get the entire list whenever I want. There is some sort of thrill and excitement in recording the 'discoveries'. The awards always have a message. For example, this year's Nobel Peace Prize to the Tunisian Quartet is an excellent endorsement of how political systemic change can be brought about with a synergy of efforts from business interests as well as civil s...

Suddenly there has been a surfeit of acts of intolerance. Rationalists are killed for questioning ideologies, people are butchered over choice of food, ideologues are smeared with black paint for assisting a 'traitor'...and the list goes on. What I am worried is that the younger generation suddenly has 'role models' that no society needs. We have become a nation of 2-minute quick-fixers, who have an answer for everything. 

What is Concurrent Engineering? Concurrent engineering, also known as simultaneous engineering, is a method of designing and developing products, in which the different stages run simultaneously, rather than consecutively. It decreases product development time and also the time to market, leading to improved productivity and reduced costs. Concurrent Engineering  is a long term business strategy, with long term benefits to business. Though initial implementation can be challenging, the competitive advantage means it is beneficial in the long term. It removes the need to have multiple design reworks, by creating an environment for designing a product right the first time round. Why do companies adopt concurrent engineering methods? The notable business benefits of concurrent engineering make it a compelling strategy to adopt. Introducing concurrent engineering can lead to: Competitive Advantage-  reduction in time to market means that businesses gain an ed...

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/woman-should-be-covered-from-head-to-toe-says-khap-leader/article5249821.ece There is something typical about the predominant culture in the north of India. I have been in Delhi for a year now and seen the diverse cultures that have inter-mingled with the predominant groups in and around Delhi. The latest diktat from the Khap is symptomatic of this predominant culture. The Talibanisation of society is representative of the region. By forcing women to wear veils or as per a dress code the Khaps are Talibanising the society. At times I have wondered why the people behave the way they do in Delhi. But gradually I have begun to understand the rationale behind their behaviour. The predominant culture overtakes their original culture, coming as they may be from whatever region of India. Delhi-NCR is home to people from almost all parts of India. People from each region have their own culture. But gradually they begun adapting to the predominant cul...

It was indeed a curious quirk of fate that I was suddenly pushed in the role of a teacher three years ago. The time since then has been a dream run, despite the break of 11 months now. Once a teacher, always a teacher. That is how it has been for me. The love and adulation of students and teachers has kept me going through the worst phase of my life. Thanks a lot - all of you. Everyone, in his or her childhood dreams of being a teacher. The teacher is power personified. Everything that she or he does is a model to follow. We try to talk like them, walk like them and even plan to dress like them. A teacher who does not care for us is despised too. But coming down from that pedestal takes time. A teacher is held in high esteem till she or he does something drastic. But is there a recipe for success for a teacher? No, none at all. Each one has to find his or her way. We have been all affected in some way or the other with teachers whom we have held in high esteem. The moment I was o...