Monday, May 25, 2015

RIP John Nash


Nash
Remember seeing the movie ‘The Beautiful Mind’ starring Russell Crowe? It was based on the life of one of the greatest mathematicians in Game Theory – John Nash.  His contribution to Game theory, Differential Geometry and Partial differential equations are immense. Probably his biggest contribution to the world is his 28 page dissertation paper on Non-Cooperative games (this includes the now famous ‘Nash Equilibrium’ as well) which eventually influenced almost all part of human life. He got 1994’s Nobel Prize in Economics for the same.

On 23rd of May 2015 Nash (along with his wife) killed in a road accident. He will be remembered forever for his contributions to the field of Mathematics, especially Game Theory.

RIP John Nash.

Sajeev
Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia

Friday, May 15, 2015

Grave refugee crisis in South East Asian Seas

Can you imagine the life in boats which are adrift on high seas without food or water and future is death only? Can you imagine a boat full of people trying to escape from country of their birth, fearing persecution; not allowed to enter any other country and forced to spend their life in sea (or in detention centres, if they land).

I am not talking about what will happen if Saudi attacked Iran or Iran went nuclear or IS capture Iraq; neither I am talking about IS forming a government in Syria or Russia attacking Ukrainian forces or Al Shabab capturing Nairobi. I am talking about the Rohingyas fleeing Myanmar and not able to land anywhere else. 

As per UN reports more than 130,000 people fled from Myanmar by sea; for most of them destination was Thailand, Malaysia or Indonesia. However, these countries won’t take refugees and less interested in search and rescue of refugee ships (fear is, if they rescued them, then they may have to offer asylum. After all these people don’t have a place to go back).

Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia are not alone in refusing asylum to refugees; most of the countries across the world are not. But, that doesn’t mean, international community can simply close their eyes and ignore the grave humanitarian crisis unfolding in South East Asian seas. If UN and international community can’t press Myanmar authorities regarding refugee issue then what is the use of such bodies? World is not only about oil and gas or IS or Nuclear bomb; it’s also about the numerous people dying in South East Asian seas. 

Sajeev.

References

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Whom should I believe? The mockery of justice in Jayalalithaa’s case

I really don’t know what type of mathematical mistake it was. Was the prosecution deriving something using equations from quantum mechanics? Was they trying to find some unified theory which evaded physicists for so long? Or was they writing papers on robotics?

When I checked the newspapers again, there was nothing like that. It was plain and simple mathematics; plain and simple accounting principles.

If Karnataka high court judge is right (that is again a big ‘if’) then I would like to say, Indians really deserves a better prosecution system (which anyway is correct). Why the prosecution used the same arguments for decades; without having a basic understanding of what is income and what is expenditure? Why they didn't come up with a proper balance sheet? Couldn't they approach a CA to verify whether what is assumed is correct or not?

Now if the prosecution is right in their mathematics, then what is the problem in saying so? Even though it is possible, I wonder how numerous lawyers and trial court missed the point...

I hope the heavy smoke covering this entire circus will be cleared when the case reach supreme court. 

Sajeev

Rising Radicalism in Bangladesh

Dhaka, "Bangladesh — Machete-wielding assailants hacked to death a self-professed atheist blogger, the third such attack in four months—raising fears about increasing radicalization in the Muslim-majority South Asian country" - WSJ

Voltaire essay states, "Think for yourselves, and allow others the privilege to do so, too". It's the duty of a citizen to protect and fight for the right of him(her)self and others. One may not agree an opinion, but it doesn't mean that (s)he don't even have the right to hold an opinion. 

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Stories: When God made Mothers

By the time God made mothers, he was into his sixth day of working overtime.

An Angel appeared and said, "Why are you spending so much time on this one?"

God answered and said, “Have you seen the spec sheet on her? She has to be completely washable, but not plastic, have 200 movable parts, all replaceable, run on black coffee and leftovers, have a lap that can hold three children at one time and that disappear when she stands up, have a kiss that can cure anything from a scraped knee to a broken heart, and have six pairs of hands."

The Angel was astounded at the requirements for this one.

"Six pairs of hands! No Way!" said the Angel.

God replied, "Oh, it's not the hands that are the problem, it’s the three pairs of eyes that mothers must have!"

And that's just on the standard model?" the Angel asked.

God nodded in agreement, "Yep, one pair of eyes are to see through the closed door as she asks her children what they are doing, even though she already knows. Another pair in the back of her head is to see what she needs to know even though no one thinks she can. And the third pair is here in the front of her head. They are for looking at an errant child and saying that she understands and loves him or her without even saying a single word."

The Angel tried to stop God. "This is too much work for one day. Wait until tomorrow to finish...”

"But I can't," God protested. "I am so close to finishing this creation that is so close to my own heart. She already heals herself when she is sick and can feed a family of six on a pound of hamburger and can get a nine year old to stand in the shower!"

The Angel moved closer and touched the woman. "But you have made her so soft, Lord."

"She is soft", the Lord agreed, "but I have also made her tough. You have no idea what she can endure or accomplish."

"Will she be able to think?” asked the Angel.

The Lord replied, "Not only will she be able to think, she will be able to reason, and negotiate."

The Angel then noticed something, reached out, and touched the woman's cheek. "Oops, it looks like you have a leak with this model. I told you that you were trying to put too much into this one."

"That's not a leak", God said, "That's a tear!"

"What's the tear for?" the Angel asked.

God said, "The tear is her way of expressing her joy, her sorrow, her disappointment, her pain, her loneliness, her grief, and her pride."

The Angel was impressed. "You are a genius, Lord. You thought of everything. WOMEN are truly amazing!"

Disclaimer: '#Forwarded' label refers to stories and anecdotes send to me by friends or the ones I came across in net. I neither know the source of these stories nor its correctness. Being said that, I like the story and truly believe that readers will get inspiration/ motivation from these articles.

The sorry state of Dalits, even Gods are not allowed to enter their home

Discrimination is not new to Indians, it’s here for centuries. The belief is, over a period of time, it will reduce and soon become a part of history. However, the recent incidents from Tumkur area of Karnataka reveals the pathetic progress our nation achieved in eradicating this malaise, where people refuses to recognise others as fellow human beings.

As per the complaint lodged with Police, barbers in this area refused to cut the hair of Dalits. What more, as per The Hindu report, “at Panjiganahalli, where a case was reported of the locally powerful Nayaka community (Scheduled Tribe) preventing barbers from cutting hair of the Madiga community (Schedule Caste), the police have intervened to ensure that the latter were allowed into the salon”.

Irony is, even Gods are not allowed (by mere humans) to enter the house of Dalits. As per the reports, “When the idol is taken out during the annual Utsava, through the village to individual households, the houses of Dalits are given a miss.”

Can you believe that ‘Panjiganahalli’ is located just 140kms from India’s Silicon valley, Bangalore?

Sajeev.

References
1. Religious, gender bias greater in India for jobs, credit: Study - Business Standard
2. ‘Barbers refuse to cut hair of Dalits’ - The Hindu
3. When the gods can’t come home - The Hindu

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Stories : Delay Judgement

A lovely little girl was holding two apples with both hands

Her mother came in and softly asked her little daughter with a smile: "my sweetie, could you give your mum one of your two apples?"

The girl looked up at her mum for some seconds, then she suddenly took a quick bite on one apple, and then quickly on the other.

The mum felt the smile on her face freeze. She tried hard not to reveal her disappointment.

Then the little girl handed one of her bitten apples to her mum,and said: "mummy, here you are. This is the sweeter one."

No matter who you are, how experienced you are, and how knowledgeable you think you are, always delay judgement.  Give others the privilege to explain themselves. What you see may not be the reality. Never conclude for others.

#'Forwarded' label refers to stories and anecdotes send to me by friends or the ones I came across in net. I neither know the source of these stories nor its correctness. Being said that, I like the story and truly believe that readers will get inspiration/ motivation from these articles.

The Banana State

Till now I thought Kerala may have the highest number of holidays in India. After all, apart from normal public holidays, there are special festivals called – bandh, harthal, transportation strike, bank employees’ strike – which keeps on coming at least once in a month.

However, it is UP which wears the crown in this area. UP have holidays for,

Birth Anniversary of Maha Rana Pratap (opponents say, it is to satisfy the Rajputras), Maharshi Kashyap, Maharshi Nishadraj, former Prime Minister Chandra Sekhar, Hazrat Khwaza Moinuddin Chishti, former Bihar chief minister Karpoori Thakur, sage Parashuram, sage Valmiki and former prime minister Chaudhary Charan Singh etc. This is in addition to death Anniversaries of B.R. Ambedkar etc, weekend holidays and other national holidays.

Already officials come well after 10 in the morning and leave well before 5 in the evening. In addition to that, these much holidays. I wonder when they will get time to work. More than that, think about the people who has to go to these offices. What would have happened if India got independence some 300 years before? Will UP declare a public holiday for birth and death of each of its former CMs?

Sajeev

References
1. List of public holidays keeps expanding in Uttar Pradesh - BS

Saturday, May 9, 2015

Nightlife and Government – Do they have the right to say when to sleep?


I think whoever comes to power in India often misunderstand the meaning of governance. Authorities like to believe that, they are the guardian angel of people and ultimate repository of all moral, statutory and social authority. This misbelief is not limited to government or political parties alone, even those who claim to believe in so and so ideology have a firm conviction in this absolute power.
As per them, their interference is essential in all minute aspects of common man’s life. What he/she should wear, say; where he/she can go; what he/she can believe etc.
It is in this situation we have to look at Karnataka government’s decision to 'think about' extending nightlife in Bangalore city. As per ‘Indian Express’ report,
“state government is contemplating an extension of nightlife, at least in 5-star hotels, considering the demand from IT, BT and tourism sectors.
“Bengaluru is an international city, it is a global IT, BT hub. It attracts huge international business travellers and tourists. Then there are people who work till late in the night and find no place to go for food or beverages. We have received suggestions from all these segments for an extension of nightlife at least in 5-star hotels,” Home Minister K J George said here on Tuesday.
At present, bars and restaurants in the city have been allowed to extend service till 1 am on Friday and Saturday.
The present request is for 24X7 service, which means ensuring food and beverages service round-the-clock all seven days of the week.”
My problem with this argument is, why on 5 start hotels? Do they think that, those who don't stay in 5-star hotels are second class citizens? Why restorants has to close by 11pm or 1am epecially in a city like Bangalore where a lot of people work on late nights? Most importantly, who gave the rights to government to micromanage common man's sleeping pattern?
Sajeev
References