Here I am beginning from where I left behind.
I wondered whether I had entered an all girl's class. That was so silly of me in believing it; not realizing that in college there is no such thing as separate classes for boys and girls. Suddenly a tall boy came towards me. I wondered whether I was going to be ragged. But the chap shook hands with me and said" Hi, Me Shashank." And this chap is Shashank Mehra, one of my very good friends that I have in this institution.
As I begin to pen down my experience in these two years, I am reminded of a lot of memories which are continuously hitting my brain at the moment. I entered ASCO as a student totally puzzled, confused about my future in this cruel and competitive world. However, these two years have moulded me to some extent to bravely face the world. Now coming back to the school of "gems", I would say BJMC III C. I have deliberately chosen the word gems because I have learnt a lot from them since when I met all of them.
Many people ask me as to how is it that from being a low ranked student in school and failing to even score a pass mark in my subjects, I have transformed myself to a good level of academic level. Without hesitating for a moment, I reply- that is because of the support which I have got from my classmates. This class is full of extremely talented and humble people who have a great career waiting for them ahead. Honestly speaking, the numerical equation has also contributed to a bit of my academic turnaround. When you have an astounding majority of 30 something pretty faces around you, it becomes very significant for any ordinary guy like me to make a mark in this class( I fear I might have offended many of them by my naive statement. sorry). However, I have some of the great friends in this class who have brought about a great change in my life. And inshallah, if I do something big in life these people will also have their share of credit.
An interesting incident comes into my mind while I am talking about my class at this moment. It was way back in 2008 during the initial weeks in ASCO. As I am very fond of News & Current Affairs ever since class 5, it was the presentation day in my class. Our teacher Nipunika Mam had asked us for a group presentation on the latest news personalities. Ours was the last group to present. I was very nervous as all the five groups had performed really well before me. To add to the woes, I was asked to present on behalf of my group. I was really nervous which was evident in my fumbling during speaking. After I finished speaking, I saw the class in dead silence. I was scared thinking whether I had messed everything up. But to my surprise Mam gave me a perfect 10.
That's where my story started.
( Next: People who have changed my life.)
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Prelude...Prequel.....Whatever...:P
" Mass Comm!!! What's that?"
" Why go to Noida? It’s too far."
" Why change stream after schooling in Science?"
These were the questions being asked to an 18 year old student who had just finished his schooling and was ready to face the big fierce competitive world. These questions were a part of a daily routine for this boy possessing a skeletal-like physique who had dreamt of entering the world of media ever since he was in his tenth standard. The skinny boy used to love writing stories right from the age of nine. Instead of comic books, he was made to read magazines and newspapers by his parents. Never had he imagined that a time will come exactly after ten years when he will get an opportunity to join the profession of journalism which mostly catered to newspapers and magazines.
Fast Forward. Cut to 2008. Sorry for making you all to wait so long to know who the skeletal boy is. That’s me. It was a time when I finally cleared my Class XII Board Exams successfully with a “whopping” 76%. I deliberately used this term as I hadn’t expected that I would even pass this time. As the inspirational speeches by great leaders fascinated me more than Faraday’s Laws of Electromagnetic Induction and the Ketones and Ethers failed to inspire me at all. Finally, I decided to pursue Bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Noida. The reason why I chose Amity was mainly because of its huge infrastructure and the brand status which it had attained at that time, thanks to the colossal ads in the prominent national dailies.
Finally, the day came. I left my cozy home in Dhanbad, Jharkhand to head towards a place entirely stranger to me. Noida, a city famous for IT companies, glitzy malls and the most important thing which mattered to me, Amity University.
Fast Forward. August 11, 2008. It was my first day in ASCO or in expanded notation, Amity School of Communication. I only knew what I had read about this institution on the website. I still remember I was tensed about the incidents of ragging in the colleges in recent years and being late for a week made me bite my nails in fear.
After enquiring with some people, I entered my class BJMC 1 C which was just opposite our Head of Department’s office. As soon as I entered the class bustling with the people who were my classmates, I stood still. There were girls and only girls everywhere. I wondered whether there were separate classes for girls and unknowingly I had entered an all girls…….
" Why go to Noida? It’s too far."
" Why change stream after schooling in Science?"
These were the questions being asked to an 18 year old student who had just finished his schooling and was ready to face the big fierce competitive world. These questions were a part of a daily routine for this boy possessing a skeletal-like physique who had dreamt of entering the world of media ever since he was in his tenth standard. The skinny boy used to love writing stories right from the age of nine. Instead of comic books, he was made to read magazines and newspapers by his parents. Never had he imagined that a time will come exactly after ten years when he will get an opportunity to join the profession of journalism which mostly catered to newspapers and magazines.
Fast Forward. Cut to 2008. Sorry for making you all to wait so long to know who the skeletal boy is. That’s me. It was a time when I finally cleared my Class XII Board Exams successfully with a “whopping” 76%. I deliberately used this term as I hadn’t expected that I would even pass this time. As the inspirational speeches by great leaders fascinated me more than Faraday’s Laws of Electromagnetic Induction and the Ketones and Ethers failed to inspire me at all. Finally, I decided to pursue Bachelors in Journalism and Mass Communication from Amity University, Noida. The reason why I chose Amity was mainly because of its huge infrastructure and the brand status which it had attained at that time, thanks to the colossal ads in the prominent national dailies.
Finally, the day came. I left my cozy home in Dhanbad, Jharkhand to head towards a place entirely stranger to me. Noida, a city famous for IT companies, glitzy malls and the most important thing which mattered to me, Amity University.
Fast Forward. August 11, 2008. It was my first day in ASCO or in expanded notation, Amity School of Communication. I only knew what I had read about this institution on the website. I still remember I was tensed about the incidents of ragging in the colleges in recent years and being late for a week made me bite my nails in fear.
After enquiring with some people, I entered my class BJMC 1 C which was just opposite our Head of Department’s office. As soon as I entered the class bustling with the people who were my classmates, I stood still. There were girls and only girls everywhere. I wondered whether there were separate classes for girls and unknowingly I had entered an all girls…….
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Reaching New Milestones of Friendship
On 28th June, India signed a civilian nuclear agreement with Canada here in Toronto during the G-20 summit. The agreement signed between Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh and his Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper hopes to revive the old friendship which the two countries had before the 1974 nuclear test. The agreement will enable India to import the atomic equipments and technology from Canada. In return, India will provide the Canadian nuclear companies an industrial access to its growing nuclear market.
The relations between the two countries have been cordial since India gained freedom from its British colonizers. The deal is very much significant as it will help to break some ice in the aftermath of the sanctions posed by Canada after the latter conducted its first ever nuclear test in 1974.However, the Nuclear Suppliers Group lifted the ban from India in the late 2008 owing to the signing of the India-US civilian nuclear deal. The relations between the two countries were cordial in the 1940’s, thanks to the personal ties between erstwhile Indian premier Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru and his Canadian counterparts, Louis St. Laurent and Lester B-Pearson. There was a mutual consent between the two states on various issues, which was reflected in various summits. Canada even helped India in 1951 when the latter was facing a severe drought in many of its provinces by providing food aid, project financing and technical assistance under the Colombo Plan.
However, the relations hit a new low as India conducted its first nuclear test at Pokharan in 1974.As a result; Canada imposed strict sanctions on India in the aftermath of a public outcry in its country. It also went to an extent of severing ties with India in 1976. However, the relations began to be normal as the erstwhile Canadian premier Jean Chretien visited India in 1996 with his two Cabinet colleagues and 300 businessmen. In return, Indian External Affairs Minister I K Gujaral paid an official visit to the North American country in the same year. Since then India and Canada have exchanged many official visits in the recent years.
On the development front, the two signed an agreement known as Canada India agreement for Scientific and Cultural Cooperation to enhance greater collaboration in the fields of science such as nanoscience, nanomedicine, biotechnology, sustainable and alternative energy technologies and earth sciences and disaster management. In order to seek vital inputs from shareholders, non-governmental organizations and municipalities, the Government of Canada has set up a group ‘Focus India’ under the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada(DFAIT), which conducts various meetings to help the DFAIT to coordinate the bilateral relations with India .The Canada India Forum for Environmental Collaboration has been working together in order to work together on key global environmental issues, the prominent one being the climate change. Currently, India is the second largest source country of immigrants to Canada. However, it is expected that it will be the main source to Canada in another few years. In 2005, Canada opened nine new visa application centers across India.
However, considering India’s rise as a global economic superpower, this agreement will help the sub continental giant in expanding its role on a global stage. Canada is the eighth country which has signed a nuclear deal with India. It must be however noted that India is being regarded as a potent emerging nuclear technology market, thanks to the Indo –US nuclear deal in 2008.In the recent years, Canada and India have pledged to work together to combat global terrorism of which India is a victim. The strengthening of bilateral relations with the world powers such as Canada, France, US will be of great help for India to voice its grievances on a global stage on various issues ranging from economic disparities to terrorism. The key issue in terms of national security for India has been terrorism, especially after the 26/11 Mumbai attack. It would be interesting to see how Canada helps India in applying pressure on its neighbor Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of the attack to book.
The Canada-India relations have indeed reached a new milestone in terms of India’s foreign policy. It would be interesting to see whether this relation turns out to be a symbiotic partnership or not.
Friday, June 25, 2010
The Catastrophe In- Waiting
The incidents like the Gulf of Mexico oil spill are bound to have severe disastrous effects on the environment in the years to come.
On April 30, 2010, US President Barack Obama released a statement barely seven days after an explosion in the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig one mile below the Gulf of Mexico, which triggered off a massive oil spill into the Gulf. The oil spill soon began to affect the shores of the coasts of US states of Louisiana, Mississippi.
The Deepwater Horizon, which was considered as one of the most technologically advanced drilling platforms in the world, became a victim of an explosion on April 20.The explosion gave rise to one of the greatest oil spills in the American history. The drill had already drilled a well in the sea floor and was working in one of the last stages of the operation, and was building a cement casing to reinforce the well. The oil spill was estimated to be below 5,000 barrels a day by the US Government officials on 28 April .However, barely a month later the government scientists came up with estimation of between 12,000 and 25,000 barrels a day of oil into the sea.
Apart from economy, the oil spill has had drastic effects on wildlife and the environment. The worst affected from this spill has been the US state of Louisiana. The $4.2 billion seafood industry of the state, which accounts for about 40 per cent of the US seafood supply, has been severely affected by the spill. The state is the second biggest seafood harvester and is also the leading provider of shrimps, oysters, crabs and crawfish. Moreover, the US government has declared a “fishery disaster” in the seafood producing states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Oil, some of it in thick sheets has begun to come on the shores of Louisiana wildlife reserves. The oil sleek has started threatening hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife along the Gulf Coast.
The incidents like this are bound to have severe effects on the ecosystem and marine life of our planet. The spill might trigger off environmental disasters due to petroleum toxicity and environmental disasters. As the oil spill in large amounts are a potent threat to underwater flora and fauna. The immediate effects of oil contamination are toxicity of fish and other food species. However, in case of the Mexico oil spill, the marine life has been affected as the shellfish face a bigger threat as they need surface air to breathe and in this process they might ingest the toxic oil. Similarly, those birds and animals which prey on the shellfish are also in a bigger risk of being poisoned.
Whatever the reasons might be, the ultimate bottom-line is that the incident will have a long-lasting effect on our ecosystem.
On April 30, 2010, US President Barack Obama released a statement barely seven days after an explosion in the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig one mile below the Gulf of Mexico, which triggered off a massive oil spill into the Gulf. The oil spill soon began to affect the shores of the coasts of US states of Louisiana, Mississippi.
The Deepwater Horizon, which was considered as one of the most technologically advanced drilling platforms in the world, became a victim of an explosion on April 20.The explosion gave rise to one of the greatest oil spills in the American history. The drill had already drilled a well in the sea floor and was working in one of the last stages of the operation, and was building a cement casing to reinforce the well. The oil spill was estimated to be below 5,000 barrels a day by the US Government officials on 28 April .However, barely a month later the government scientists came up with estimation of between 12,000 and 25,000 barrels a day of oil into the sea.
Apart from economy, the oil spill has had drastic effects on wildlife and the environment. The worst affected from this spill has been the US state of Louisiana. The $4.2 billion seafood industry of the state, which accounts for about 40 per cent of the US seafood supply, has been severely affected by the spill. The state is the second biggest seafood harvester and is also the leading provider of shrimps, oysters, crabs and crawfish. Moreover, the US government has declared a “fishery disaster” in the seafood producing states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Oil, some of it in thick sheets has begun to come on the shores of Louisiana wildlife reserves. The oil sleek has started threatening hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife along the Gulf Coast.
The incidents like this are bound to have severe effects on the ecosystem and marine life of our planet. The spill might trigger off environmental disasters due to petroleum toxicity and environmental disasters. As the oil spill in large amounts are a potent threat to underwater flora and fauna. The immediate effects of oil contamination are toxicity of fish and other food species. However, in case of the Mexico oil spill, the marine life has been affected as the shellfish face a bigger threat as they need surface air to breathe and in this process they might ingest the toxic oil. Similarly, those birds and animals which prey on the shellfish are also in a bigger risk of being poisoned.
Whatever the reasons might be, the ultimate bottom-line is that the incident will have a long-lasting effect on our ecosystem.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Globalization:The Pros
Globalization in simple words , can be rightly defined as the exchange of ideas, goods or services beyond any geographical constraint. Wikipedia, a world renowned search engine defines it as,” a process by which regional economies, societies and cultures have become integrated through a global network of communication, transportation and trade.”Both the definitions clearly state that the aim of globalization is to bring the whole world under a single roof, hence termed as a “global village”.
When we talk about the benefits which have come along with globalization, the first thing which strikes our mind is the concept of “free trade”. In simple words, Free Trade as its name suggests, refers to the exchange of monetary trade between traders without any geographical constraints. Free Trade is facilitated by the help of a trade treaty known as Free Trade Agreements(FTA), which have helped in reducing or completely removing tariffs on trade. According to the World Trade Organization, more than 200 FTAs are in force at present. Some of the most popular FTAs are Asia Pacific Trade Agreement(APTA),North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA), South Asia Free Trade Agreement(SAFTA) etc.
Another positive impact of globalization has been in the field of media. In the early 90’s, there was an unprecedented boom in the field of media. Previously, the leading media organizations of that era were confined to the boundaries of the countries in which they were operating.But with the globalization creeping in, these media giants began to cross their borders and look towards expanding their area of operations on an international level. Many leading global media giants like News Corp., Warner Bros. Entertainment, and NBC Universal are a classic example of the globalization in the field of media.
When we talk of culture, globalization has indeed revolutionized this seven letter word.With the advent of the technology, globalization has helped to bring together people on a common platform to share their views on a common subject. The internet, which is the brainchild of this era, has connected people across the seas and reduced the communication gap between two or more individuals living maybe thousands of kilometers away from each other. Through the marvels of technology, say mobile phones, internet, cinema and television we are now globally more connected than we were ever before.
Globalization has indeed revolutionized the way we see the world. It is absolutely necessary that we should strive unitedly to make this world a better place to live in.
When we talk about the benefits which have come along with globalization, the first thing which strikes our mind is the concept of “free trade”. In simple words, Free Trade as its name suggests, refers to the exchange of monetary trade between traders without any geographical constraints. Free Trade is facilitated by the help of a trade treaty known as Free Trade Agreements(FTA), which have helped in reducing or completely removing tariffs on trade. According to the World Trade Organization, more than 200 FTAs are in force at present. Some of the most popular FTAs are Asia Pacific Trade Agreement(APTA),North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA), South Asia Free Trade Agreement(SAFTA) etc.
Another positive impact of globalization has been in the field of media. In the early 90’s, there was an unprecedented boom in the field of media. Previously, the leading media organizations of that era were confined to the boundaries of the countries in which they were operating.But with the globalization creeping in, these media giants began to cross their borders and look towards expanding their area of operations on an international level. Many leading global media giants like News Corp., Warner Bros. Entertainment, and NBC Universal are a classic example of the globalization in the field of media.
When we talk of culture, globalization has indeed revolutionized this seven letter word.With the advent of the technology, globalization has helped to bring together people on a common platform to share their views on a common subject. The internet, which is the brainchild of this era, has connected people across the seas and reduced the communication gap between two or more individuals living maybe thousands of kilometers away from each other. Through the marvels of technology, say mobile phones, internet, cinema and television we are now globally more connected than we were ever before.
Globalization has indeed revolutionized the way we see the world. It is absolutely necessary that we should strive unitedly to make this world a better place to live in.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Great Indian Garland Saga.......
March 24. The recent saga surrounding Mayawati's Rs 5 crore garland has become a burning issue around the country. The garland offered to the BSP chief on Kanshi Ram Jayanti on 15th March in Lucknow has ceased to be a mere publicity stunt by the ruling party and its chief. Rather it has shown that the BSP can go to any extent to win back its support base in the state.
The party through its grandeur on March 15 has tried to show that it is not behind other parties when it comes to showing the money power.Despite Opposition's hue and cry over the drain of money on the celebration, the party workers did not stop from presenting another garland worth Rs 18 lakhs, a few days later.
This clearly shows that Mayawati is in no mood to let the Dalit votes slip away from her hands amidst the resurgent Congress and a fuming Mulayam Singh Yadav. However, the garland will not improve the state which has deteriorated in terms of basic resources. The state government, in a bid to immortalise the Chief Minister has spent lavishly on erecting memorials even as the state is in dismal state. The misrule of the ruling government has given teeth to the armour of the Opposition, which is leaving no stone unturned to target the CM.
It would be interesting to see whether the government policies or the garland will benefit the state and the government or not.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Times at Connaught Place
Feb 22."bhaiya, zara golgappe toh chakh lo"(Brother, please taste my golgappas?) I turned back to see an old man of 50 something looking at me with anticipation.Actually, golgappas are balls made out of flour with mashed potatoes and water containing spices are filled into them.It is a popular snack item in India. I couldn’t resist the temptation of the spicy golgappas and pounced upon them. With watering eyes and soaring throat, I managed to eat 10 of them. I paid the vendor and set out for my next destination, the Kaventer’s.
Flashback. It was a bright sunny Sunday morning when I decided that I would not let this day go wasted. Actually, Sunday is the only day I get to sleep late till 10 in the morning.As none of my friends were willing to sacrifice their slumber for a sunny afternoon walk amidst crowded lanes of CP, I had to make up my mind to go alone.The Connaught Place was bustling with activity, as usual. Moreover, today was Sunday and many people had come to enjoy with their families. After a long spell of chilly winter, everyone was relieved that they wont have to cover themselves with sweaters.
As I was lost in my flashback, I collided with a Mercedes Benz standing in front of the Kaventer’s in the parking lot.I managed to support myself . The driver of the car stared at me scornfully. I apologized to him and felt it wise to move away from the place. Kaventer’s is a famous eating outlet in Delhi , known for its milk shakes. I had a cup full of butter scotch flavor and then advanced towards the Wenger’s just at a stone throw’s distance. Wenger’s is famous for its pastries.
It was going to get dark and I felt it necessary to go back. With a heavy heart I left the CP for the Metro station for my hostel. That was the end of myholiday.
Flashback. It was a bright sunny Sunday morning when I decided that I would not let this day go wasted. Actually, Sunday is the only day I get to sleep late till 10 in the morning.As none of my friends were willing to sacrifice their slumber for a sunny afternoon walk amidst crowded lanes of CP, I had to make up my mind to go alone.The Connaught Place was bustling with activity, as usual. Moreover, today was Sunday and many people had come to enjoy with their families. After a long spell of chilly winter, everyone was relieved that they wont have to cover themselves with sweaters.
As I was lost in my flashback, I collided with a Mercedes Benz standing in front of the Kaventer’s in the parking lot.I managed to support myself . The driver of the car stared at me scornfully. I apologized to him and felt it wise to move away from the place. Kaventer’s is a famous eating outlet in Delhi , known for its milk shakes. I had a cup full of butter scotch flavor and then advanced towards the Wenger’s just at a stone throw’s distance. Wenger’s is famous for its pastries.
It was going to get dark and I felt it necessary to go back. With a heavy heart I left the CP for the Metro station for my hostel. That was the end of myholiday.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)