When I was going for a walk I met Mr. and Mrs. Omega who invited me to their house in the next street. I found the house compact and complete with all modern facilities. They love Mathematics so much that they named their daughters Gamma and Beta instead of Bama and Geeta. Their only son Epsilon, the youngest was puny and naughty.
As in every family, there was a sequence of events and a series of trials. Real analysis of the situations helped them to get over the trials. They were able to differentiate between right and wrong; truth and falsehood. The integrated effort of all members in the family kept them going smoothly without the complex problems getting worse.
Everyone was smart and wanted to establish his or her own identity by accomplishing something unique in his or her own field. Mr. Omega was a dynamic personality, was adored and respected by everyone in the circle of friends. He had tremendous energy to work from morning till night not only for his family but also for society. He never misused his power for personal gains. Although Mr. Omega never learnt any Linear Programming or Transportation Problems he knew how to allocate the available resources of time in proper channels and maximised his gains with minimum cost. It makes one feel that practical knowledge and experiece is better than mere theory.
The youngest epsilon was lazy, wanted maximum results with minimum effort. Sometimes he is successful. Later in life when he entered politics he knew how to tackle the various groups and subgroups and use his discrimination power and chose the best strategy out of various alternatives, although he has not done game theory or algebra in his studies. He had rational thinking and knew to take care of the prime factor among the several factors that affect any situation.
People die everyday but still everyone thinks he will live for ever. This standard error which normally people make, Mr. Omega never commits this error. He believes there is a vital behind the entire creation. He has an ideal and that too a right ideal which he thrusts on others. His belief in scriptures and meditation help him mitigate the gravity of any situation.
He is also careful and never makes the two types of errors which are generally made namely accepting what is wrong and rejecting what is right.
The uncle Mr.Euclid is very fond of his niece Beta and when her marriage with modulo5 was fixed, he made all arrangements and gifted a precious diamond ring. She used to proudly say to her friends that it is the Euclidean ring she got from her uncle. When Beta was leaving for her husband's house, her uncle, in his own characteristic way gave advice "Life is a function of several variables and to test the significance of your achievement, don't look into you bank acount, houses you own or jewels in your locker, but see the dimension of what you have given to society, and not what you have received from society. Happiness is inversely proportional to wants. Do not have expectations if you do not want disappointment."
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
"Nothing"
Nobody seems to know how to deal with it. By definition nothing does not exist, but the concept exists as concept. Contemplating on this one doesn't seem to produce much information. We are not making any progress with it and it is hard to spend time on nothing.
Why should something exist rather than nothing? Nothing exists is not a self-contradiction. Nothing is knowable, only if it is well demarcated from the non-nothing.
If nothing whatever existed, there would be no problem and no answer(? M.S. is illegible) and the anxieties would be laid to rest permanently. Since they are not, there is evidently nothing to worry about. But that itself should be enough to keep a person happy. Unless the solution be that it is not nothing that has been worrying them but they who have been worrying it.
Things that exist just exist without any reason. They are insanely there unable not to exist. The monotonous days come and go. Nothing happens that means anything.
If you ask a question why should something exist rather than nothing, some think it is meaningless like asking whether the number 2 is red or green. There is no one to answer that empirically or rationally. The significance of the question lies in the inability to answer it. The answer certainly lies outside the limits of science and philosophy.
What is there? It can be answered in a word - everything. I have nothing more to say about nothing or about something, since everything I know about something was said. But everything is something altogether is different.
If you ask me what is man in nature, I will say it is nothing in comparison with infinite, and(? illegible in M.S.) all in comparison with nothing, a mean between something and everything.
You can paint what it is. Anybody can paint what is. The real secret is to paint what isn't. But what is there that isn't? In the world of maths, the greatest gain is the discovery of nothing.
It is easy to think of instances in which nothing actually enters our experience. How much dirt is there in a cubical hole 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet? A: There is no dirt in the hole. Mathematicians can get to nothing by way of the null set. It is not the same thing as nothing. It is only a set which has no members. Is null graph useful? It has no points or edges. Is a null graph a pointless concept? It is not a question of whether a null graph exists. It is a question of whether there is any point in it? Detecting absences (nothing) can be of much value to society. In the story Silver Blaze, Sherlock Holmes made a famous deduction because he found that the dog did nothing at the right time.
Why should something exist rather than nothing? Nothing exists is not a self-contradiction. Nothing is knowable, only if it is well demarcated from the non-nothing.
If nothing whatever existed, there would be no problem and no answer(? M.S. is illegible) and the anxieties would be laid to rest permanently. Since they are not, there is evidently nothing to worry about. But that itself should be enough to keep a person happy. Unless the solution be that it is not nothing that has been worrying them but they who have been worrying it.
Things that exist just exist without any reason. They are insanely there unable not to exist. The monotonous days come and go. Nothing happens that means anything.
If you ask a question why should something exist rather than nothing, some think it is meaningless like asking whether the number 2 is red or green. There is no one to answer that empirically or rationally. The significance of the question lies in the inability to answer it. The answer certainly lies outside the limits of science and philosophy.
What is there? It can be answered in a word - everything. I have nothing more to say about nothing or about something, since everything I know about something was said. But everything is something altogether is different.
If you ask me what is man in nature, I will say it is nothing in comparison with infinite, and(? illegible in M.S.) all in comparison with nothing, a mean between something and everything.
You can paint what it is. Anybody can paint what is. The real secret is to paint what isn't. But what is there that isn't? In the world of maths, the greatest gain is the discovery of nothing.
It is easy to think of instances in which nothing actually enters our experience. How much dirt is there in a cubical hole 2 feet by 2 feet by 2 feet? A: There is no dirt in the hole. Mathematicians can get to nothing by way of the null set. It is not the same thing as nothing. It is only a set which has no members. Is null graph useful? It has no points or edges. Is a null graph a pointless concept? It is not a question of whether a null graph exists. It is a question of whether there is any point in it? Detecting absences (nothing) can be of much value to society. In the story Silver Blaze, Sherlock Holmes made a famous deduction because he found that the dog did nothing at the right time.
Hasyam Eva Oushadham (Laughter is the only medicine)
The mismanagement, the micro and macro staff and eccentrics of the institution of fools and snobs (Asylum)
Mental college for mad, mad ras(ikas)
cordially compel you for one hour stupid programme on the failures of the Asylum
and the display of the latent talent and behaviour of the inmates through dumb charade.
Dr. Mathi Illaathavan (Senior crack, Dept. of hysteria, mysteria) will demonstrate.
Mr. King Sawyer (Aruvai Mannan) (Misguide, Yes-No-Alright Group, Software-Hardware-Underwear-UnLtd. )will comment on high lights, low lights, weak points.
Dr. Brahaspathi (Tired and retired prof. of pathology) will stammer a grief note.
Programme
8-9 AM Special function: Putting out the lamp. (Kuttuvizhakku anaitthal)
9-10 AM Golden rock and T
10- 11 AM Discursion [sic] Topic : How to escape from the Asylum
11AM - 12 noon Fasting (Unnavratam) by the gluttons - No lunch Brake [sic]
Afternoon Session
1- 2 pm Creative confusion of ideas - presided by the expert in illusion, delusion and wrong perception - Dept. of destruction
2-3 pm Rudiments of omission, commision, superstition by Prof. Zero - School of Catastrophy
3-4 pm Cultural Programme:
Provocation, "Porul Vilangaa" dance drama.
Humorous Skit "Nut Loose" by a group of crazy nuts.
Summing up: - Dr. Chit Chat (expert in prattling) Institute of mockery, Advanced Study in Jargon.
Note of Tanks [sic] will be red [sic] by a cenior [sic] auphicer, a veteran in spillink [!] and gramour [!]
Date 31.12.2000
Time: will be announced soon Venue: Open Air Theatre, Mental Hostpital,Kilpauk
CREDITS:
Persons responsible for the failures of the institution
Proof reader Blind.
Publicity officer Loony. (hmm, wonder where she got that idea)
Cinderalla, Stenographer Beauty
Computer graphics Faulty
Discount Executive (?) Hasty.
**********************************************************************************
Mental college for mad, mad ras(ikas)
cordially compel you for one hour stupid programme on the failures of the Asylum
and the display of the latent talent and behaviour of the inmates through dumb charade.
Dr. Mathi Illaathavan (Senior crack, Dept. of hysteria, mysteria) will demonstrate.
Mr. King Sawyer (Aruvai Mannan) (Misguide, Yes-No-Alright Group, Software-Hardware-Underwear-UnLtd. )will comment on high lights, low lights, weak points.
Dr. Brahaspathi (Tired and retired prof. of pathology) will stammer a grief note.
Programme
8-9 AM Special function: Putting out the lamp. (Kuttuvizhakku anaitthal)
9-10 AM Golden rock and T
10- 11 AM Discursion [sic] Topic : How to escape from the Asylum
11AM - 12 noon Fasting (Unnavratam) by the gluttons - No lunch Brake [sic]
Afternoon Session
1- 2 pm Creative confusion of ideas - presided by the expert in illusion, delusion and wrong perception - Dept. of destruction
2-3 pm Rudiments of omission, commision, superstition by Prof. Zero - School of Catastrophy
3-4 pm Cultural Programme:
Provocation, "Porul Vilangaa" dance drama.
Humorous Skit "Nut Loose" by a group of crazy nuts.
Summing up: - Dr. Chit Chat (expert in prattling) Institute of mockery, Advanced Study in Jargon.
Note of Tanks [sic] will be red [sic] by a cenior [sic] auphicer, a veteran in spillink [!] and gramour [!]
Date 31.12.2000
Time: will be announced soon Venue: Open Air Theatre, Mental Hostpital,Kilpauk
CREDITS:
Persons responsible for the failures of the institution
Proof reader Blind.
Publicity officer Loony. (hmm, wonder where she got that idea)
Cinderalla, Stenographer Beauty
Computer graphics Faulty
Discount Executive (?) Hasty.
**********************************************************************************
Hearty Welcome to a Drama ( based on events of 2005)
Scene 1 Tick-Tick-Tick. rhythmic beat of my heart suddenly became chaotic: Result: profuse sweat, pulse drop, dizzy, fainting.
People around get panicky. D-in-law: "Call for an ambulance - she is dying." Son: "Don't worry - just black out, must have skipped her dinner. She will be alright soon." Grandchildren: sensed the gravity of the sutuation and shut themselves in their room perhaps to pray for the g-mother's recovery.
Scene 2 Hospital. Doctors & nurses discussing seriously the condition of my damaged heart, trying to find out a solution for the problem. Every problem has a solution. Some have a unique solution, some have many solutions & a few have no solution. In my case open heart surgery was out of the question - age constraint. Bypass surgery ruled out - veins not suitable. Unanimous decision on angioplasty. Day, time and hospital all fixed.
Scene 3 Like scientists who go to distant planets by space shuttle and find out the condition of living there by taking photos and several tests, the expert doctors used the latest devices, fixed stents in the heart using balloon device & removing them after 2 days by bursting the balloons. Thus, they removed all the blocks in the main artery both on the left and on the right. The traffic jam was cleared and like policemen, the doctors regulated the flow of blood. What a marvelous and beautiful surgery. Painless, bloodless but not costless. When the bill came it is a great surprise I didnt get a second heart attack & my son didn't faint.
Scene 4 After a royal treatment for a week, I was discharged. Dr.Alcan, the best surgeon who did the surgery saved my life and sent me home with a long list of medicines to be taken regularly. Strict diet. Almost no salt, no fat, no sugar :- not worth living.
Regular check-up, frequent tests, scan, ekg, ecg, cadiogram, echogram etc. etc. All these years I knew only about gram and kilogram and not echocardiogram and EKG.
Scanning of brain revealed nothing.
Scanning of heart showed normal beat. Scanning of my purse showed the heavy amount of money which they removed without any prick.
Each time, after the blood test, I had to wait for the report - reminds me of the progress report we used to get in schools after each exam. Improve K, reduce sugar level, extra care to be taken to maintain cholesterol level, take regular walk.
Scene 5 People come to enquire about health. Their comment: "Take care." " As though it is in my hands. God takes care of everyone. You have gone down very much" - of course out of concern.
The fact which you want to forget they remind you." Are you staying alone ? Not good."
"have some help, particularly at night - for emergency to be admitted in the hospital if the next attack comes."
All these comments, instead of consoling, make you get worried and scared and you lose courage in yourself
Scene 6 Doctors these days after having removed bits of our inside and a lot from outside, to the extent of making your bank balance nil, confess they have done their best and nothing more could be done. Some doctors do angioplasty and remove the blocks, but in the report they write "hyperternsion" which leads to a lot of confusion later when you go to a different doctor in a different place. That is why I prefer old-fashioned remedy - big bottles of medicine - coloured liquid. After all, you can pour them down the sink.
Last Chapter An old woman's life must be doubtless void, heart strained and empty. I must only try to fill the void and ease the aching. Better to grow old gracefully and await the last journey, having fulfilled all the duties to the best of my abilities. Enough has happened these years to fill a century. Old age neither protects nor consoles. With the grace of God, one can always win over obstacles and come out successful.
People around get panicky. D-in-law: "Call for an ambulance - she is dying." Son: "Don't worry - just black out, must have skipped her dinner. She will be alright soon." Grandchildren: sensed the gravity of the sutuation and shut themselves in their room perhaps to pray for the g-mother's recovery.
Scene 2 Hospital. Doctors & nurses discussing seriously the condition of my damaged heart, trying to find out a solution for the problem. Every problem has a solution. Some have a unique solution, some have many solutions & a few have no solution. In my case open heart surgery was out of the question - age constraint. Bypass surgery ruled out - veins not suitable. Unanimous decision on angioplasty. Day, time and hospital all fixed.
Scene 3 Like scientists who go to distant planets by space shuttle and find out the condition of living there by taking photos and several tests, the expert doctors used the latest devices, fixed stents in the heart using balloon device & removing them after 2 days by bursting the balloons. Thus, they removed all the blocks in the main artery both on the left and on the right. The traffic jam was cleared and like policemen, the doctors regulated the flow of blood. What a marvelous and beautiful surgery. Painless, bloodless but not costless. When the bill came it is a great surprise I didnt get a second heart attack & my son didn't faint.
Scene 4 After a royal treatment for a week, I was discharged. Dr.Alcan, the best surgeon who did the surgery saved my life and sent me home with a long list of medicines to be taken regularly. Strict diet. Almost no salt, no fat, no sugar :- not worth living.
Regular check-up, frequent tests, scan, ekg, ecg, cadiogram, echogram etc. etc. All these years I knew only about gram and kilogram and not echocardiogram and EKG.
Scanning of brain revealed nothing.
Scanning of heart showed normal beat. Scanning of my purse showed the heavy amount of money which they removed without any prick.
Each time, after the blood test, I had to wait for the report - reminds me of the progress report we used to get in schools after each exam. Improve K, reduce sugar level, extra care to be taken to maintain cholesterol level, take regular walk.
Scene 5 People come to enquire about health. Their comment: "Take care." " As though it is in my hands. God takes care of everyone. You have gone down very much" - of course out of concern.
The fact which you want to forget they remind you." Are you staying alone ? Not good."
"have some help, particularly at night - for emergency to be admitted in the hospital if the next attack comes."
All these comments, instead of consoling, make you get worried and scared and you lose courage in yourself
Scene 6 Doctors these days after having removed bits of our inside and a lot from outside, to the extent of making your bank balance nil, confess they have done their best and nothing more could be done. Some doctors do angioplasty and remove the blocks, but in the report they write "hyperternsion" which leads to a lot of confusion later when you go to a different doctor in a different place. That is why I prefer old-fashioned remedy - big bottles of medicine - coloured liquid. After all, you can pour them down the sink.
Last Chapter An old woman's life must be doubtless void, heart strained and empty. I must only try to fill the void and ease the aching. Better to grow old gracefully and await the last journey, having fulfilled all the duties to the best of my abilities. Enough has happened these years to fill a century. Old age neither protects nor consoles. With the grace of God, one can always win over obstacles and come out successful.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Writing: "Mathematics in Life"
2003
MATHEMATICS IN LIFE
We have stopped adding – How many new ideas we add to our knowledge. We know our knowledge is limited. But most of us are content with what we know. We want to earn but we are not equally keen to learn. “Oh! I have no time for all that.” “Oh as if they are paying me enough for what I already know.” And so on. A minute of thinking makes us aware that it is a matter of attitude.
We know many words. How often do we use them efficiently and effectively getting the best use of their meaning? It requires the art and craft of using word-tools. We need not go to adding more words to our vocabulary. We will then become mobile dictionaries. Profound thoughts can be clothed in simple words. Words worth said – His words are worth the cost of printing & publishing them.
Knowledge is not mere accumulation of facts. Wisdom lies in using the facts in the best possible manner. We cannot teach the child all that he must know to get on in life. But we can help him evolve, train him in the habit of knowing for himself, the habit of asking questions and finding answers. Knowledge is not just knowledge of physics & mathematics or any science. But it is that knowing which you know everything else. That is true knowledge – knowledge of the self. To realise this absolute truth – self knowledge you have to keep adding noble thoughts and cleanse your mind.
We have stopped subtracting. We keep repeating like parrots worn out ideas. We keep practising methods which were good in our own good old days – We must learn to subtract the concrete-like cast opinionised ideas. We tend to give sentiment an undue place. We have forgotten to think afresh. When you have to move to a new residence and are sorting out your belongings you will find you have amassed a lot of useless things for your own so-called sentimental value. This analogy applies to knowledge too. We remember so many irrelevant things but we forget to pay the bills on the right date. We forget the telephone number. We forget the pin-code. Why? It is because we have not evolved a system. We must teach the children not mere principles & formulas but a system of evolving their own methods of recording & storing facs, deleting all irrelevant & outdated data.
Many parents go mad about marks got, ranks obtained, prizes won. When can we subtract such notions from their heads? Are marks, ranks, prizes the only criteria in life? What is the purpose of life? To realize the self. Intellectual arrogance will hinder the process. Avoid this pride of academic achievements & resort to noble thoughts, learn to love everyone & develop equanimity & spread joy where ever you go. Social conditions are factors in the arithmetic of education.
We can go on multiplying these ideas if only we care. IN fact we seem next only to China in multiplying. We have not learned the art of living together, we learn to divide ourselves. Divisions of families has made houses for the aged a need. Old divisions of castes & sects are leading to new classes of castes & sects. The Almighty Rupee continues to be worshipped, the Almighty God has no place except when convenient or when one is in distress. Life is fall of problems from womb to tomb.
We should get at the roots of the equation & find out a solution. We are hopelessly busy in the business of life. We are afraid of even thinking we are the so-called clever have developed his faculty or have inherited his cleverness or been trained to be clever. The dull student is not of a condemned lot. He has a faculty all his own where he excels. But road-roller mass education has no time for him. Blind people are able to find their way. The deaf & dumb are able to communicate. We with all our senses in tact have not learned to use them to the best advantage.
The black board of light must be used. A chalk & duster of different kind is needed for the individual to evolve, to awaken his latent talent, to discover his ‘self’. Nature is the workshop. Daily living is a seminar. Life is itself an examination. A degree or diploma is not a destination it is in the journey itself.
In physics we talk of critical angle & internal reflection. These terms reveal a truth, which we have been missing because of the bad race in life, not knowing the goal we wish fore.
We think the weather is foggy but we forget to clean our specs. We think it is an uphill task (in life) but we do not think & realize that our back tyres are flat. We switch on blinding head lights of passion & desire & anger & do not even squint at the reflection mirror. The way we came holds the torch & sign post for the way we must pursue. In all our activities of life there has been an under current fed by a storage battery, hidden in the heart of this vehicle of our body which we claim as ours. We have no time to distill our thoughts & feed this battery nor the prudence to cleanse the terminals of our senses.
There is a power that moves mankind. We have not yet learned to handle the gear. We clutch at the wrong things. We create a lot of noise. Our life seems to be breaking down to a halt. We get from time to time during moments of total reflection, that critical angle of approached attitude. It takes us up a special gradient along which everything seems to be in perfect harmony. It is time we realise that the traffic of life is automatic traction controlled by invisible overhead lines. Once we realise this fluid drive life becomes a soft sailing cruise. The course has to be chartered in consensus with satellite pics.
The Department of Mathematics has been training the students in all the branches of mathematics excellently. They are spread all over the world like the galaxy of stars & are spreading the glory of the institution (M.C.W) They are very successful in life, because they know to apply the tools – Real analysis of the varied situations, the proper approach to the problems, a good selection of the proper strategy to test the various hypothesis & make proper decision, optimizing the benefits at a minimum time & effort. All these with good public relations, acting smart & winning the hearts of the co-workers, help them to shine in life.
The College can feel proud of bringing out such talents year after year. I wish the college ALL THE BEST.
MAY GOD SHOWER HIS BLESSINGS ON THIS INSTITUTION.
Sakuntala Abhiraman
Writing: "Eye to I"
June 2004
EYE TO I
Sakuntala Abhiraman
I had to make a decision when Honourable Mr. Cataract found a place for himself in my R.Eye and Left Eye.
After a lot of discussion with my friends, relatives, and well-wishers and having listened to their own experiences, I had to choose between Agarwal and Sankar Netralaya, T. Nagar and Saidapet, Dr. Kishore and Dr. Mohan Raj.
My favourite deity guides me whenever I am in trouble and I know, he will never let me down if only I pray to Him with wholehearted devotion. The answer came. I chose Rajan Eye care at T. Nagar, and Dr. Mohan Raj as my Eye Surgeon.
Being a sweet person right from my childhood, I had a lot of sugar in my system and had to reduce it to an acceptable level to make possible the Surgery. Dr. Vijiyakumar Diabetic specialist used to give a Mona Lisa smile each time, I went to him for checkup with prescribed tablets, one to be taken on empty stomach, one after food, one at bedtime. He also allowed some food in between, of course with a lot of restrictions. This ordeal went on for nearly a month till I became sick of this shunting between the test lab and Dr.’s Clinic. At last the sugar level came down and I was fit for Surgery.
The eventful day arrived. It was Monday. I had to reach the Clinic before ‘Rahu’ 7.30 to 9.30. So I had plenty of time to invoke the blessings of all Gods. Preliminaries got over. B.P.checkup, Eye Pressure, dilation of pupils, heart condition (I was not a heartless person). A medico in green loose Jacket (don’t confuse with citrus fruit) came to take me to the Theatre.
I had to put on a green gown (like convocation gown), a green cap, a pair of green socks (pillow cover size). I meekly followed the medico. Entered the Theatre and was ready to act in the Show.
I took a quick glance round, saw a few medicos all in green with a cap, moving about with trays full of shining instruments, medicine bottles, cotton rolls, etc., whispering to each other perhaps about the procedure. I could see Dr. Mohan at the head of the table ready to give the prick and start the show.
As I had experienced a lot of pricks at home and in my work place, this was one more, I thought, and I tried to grin and pretended to be brave although I had a fear I may do the vanishing trick.
The drama started, with powerful light focussed on my Right Eye, who was the hero of the day. I felt no pain. I could see Dr’s hand moving about with elegance, the entire area, as though he was searching for a hidden treasure. The cataract was thick and turned brown because of negligence and Dr. must have had a tough time in removing it. I could hear him saying ‘You are co-operating very well, everything is going on fine, it will be over in just 2 minutes!’ Encouraging, consoling words. I began to thank God for the successful removal of the enemy who was occupying my territory for a long time. Bottled up tension due to fear of losing my vision got released.
It was all over. I was brought to the room. The real shock came to me when I had to sign the cheque for a few thousands of rupees. Although it made a sizable hole in my purse I didn’t mind because I got the vision back perhaps to spread the mission of God for the rest of my life.
I could hear the whisper of Left Eye to Right Eye ‘Now I am ready for the rehearsal of the next show when I will be the hero’. Within 20 days I underwent the same ordeal the only difference being it was Dr. Sujatha this time.
After all I was right in my choice of selecting Rajan Eye Care because I care for the vision more than anything else.
The Cataract of (ego) was removed from my eye (I). The curtain of (Maya) was raised from my vision I now look at the bright world in the proper perspective. But what a path! I wear sun glasses to protect my eyes from the sunlight although everyone knows sun is the predominant deity to protect the eyes and all who worship Him for good eye sight. Anyway that was Dr’s advice and I have to obey. This hiding from him sun is only for a few months.
Thursday, December 25, 2008
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