Sunday, April 24, 2011

Tom, Dick and Harry

Who are Tom, Dick and Harry?
It was when I joined BC(Brahma Chaitanya) Hostel, I heard this word for the first time in my life - TDH. Known for glorious cultrure, BC Hostel was always on top. For every known thing there was an unknown word defined in hostel dictionary. There was no ragging in hostel, only introduction. BC Beer (butter milk) was a cool drink which can cause hangover to anyone. Prefects are the richest people directly proportional to X; Ringing phone @ mess hall always reminds the (fe)melodious voice of seniors so called friends :)
OK, back to TDH, an exciting game with two participants. Player1  will pick a chit to find a personality name of any kind(a famous personality like Sania Mirza, Anna Hazare etc). Player2 will not be knowing anything about this personality. They sit like 36, back facing each other. Player1 can only say Yes, No or Pass and Player2 can ask n number of questions to crack the personality known by Player1 and it has to be in limited time!
One example Conversion for Sachin Tendulkar could be like this:
                 P2: Politics?
                 P1: No
                 P2: Sports?
                 P1: Yes
                 P2: Ball Game?
                 P1: Yes?
                 P2: Cricket?
                 P1: Yes (off course with more excitement!)
                 P2: Indian?
                 P1: Yes, Yes
                 P2: Kapil Dev?
                 P1: NoOO (Longest No I guess! tapping his head for participants madness)
                 P2: Sachin
                 P1: Yes. Thats it.

Thats it and it took about less than 15 seconds.
Its more exciting and needs more knowledge. But most important learning by this game than anything else is being TDH. TDH is defined in wikipedia as "The phrase "Tom, Dick and Harry" is a placeholder for multiple unspecified people." TDH in my view could mean that nothing, no one or ZERO. When the game starts P2 is just another TDH and he could become Hero if he can understand the unknown partner's thought, have knowledge, take decisions for next step and learn quickly what is right. At the end of timeline, together a team can be winner of TDH to become Hero from Zero or just another TDH-just another no one.
There is one bollywood film with this title but  I didnt see it.

I am nothing, when I joined hostel, I was just another no one. another TDH. BC Hostel tought me everything. In fact I also invented words like database and HNM (Censored meanings!) for the dictionary of BC Hostel.
Most of us, who joined hostel in first year were afraid to participate but it was mandatory to participate. It took us very less to know the game and be part of it. We were excited mostly because of reactions and interactions our seniors showed towards game. These are the people who inspired us! And these were the same people who took our introduction($*@&) as well. Hats off to all seniors! We are proud to be what we are today because of you!

TDH is a game of life. When you enter into life you are no one. With all patience you have,learnability and most importantly decision taking capacity can make you winner of TDH, an identity to you, your name and your family.
Getting degree is not just about gaining marks. Marks are the most important factor to get a job. But What makes the job easier is what you learnt when you were earning degree. You will be another TDH or winner of TDH based on your learnability, decision making skills and off course knowledge. Luckiest part is, its never too late; You can change everything that went wrong till now!
Just be ready to second round of TDH!*

*Game is more interesting when partners have good UI(Understanding and Interaction).

-prati

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Request from your Friend

My Dear Friend,
As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday.
But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear. When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy.
At one point you had to wait fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me.
I noticed that before lunch you looked around, maybe you felt embarrassed to talk to me, which is why you didn't bow your Head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet.
You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don't know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend a lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn't talk to me.
Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said goodnight to your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience, more than you will ever know.... I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought, or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation.
Well, you are getting up once again. Once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!
Your friend,
GOD

Monday, April 11, 2011

Free Brand New Day - for everyone, on every day

 
The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the waters close to Japan have not held many fish for decades.
So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring in the fish. If the return trip took more than a few days, the fish were not fresh. The Japanese did not like the taste.
To solve this problem, fishing companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen and they did not like frozen fish.
The frozen fish brought a lower price. So fishing companies installed fish tanks. They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks. After a little thrashing around, the fish stopped moving. They were tired and dull, but alive. Unfortunately, the Japanese could still taste the difference. Because the fish did not move for days, they lost their fresh-fish taste.
The Japanese preferred the lively taste of fresh fish, not sluggish fish. So how did Japanese fishing companies solve this problem? How do they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan ? If you were consulting the fish industry, what would you recommend?

How Japanese Fish Stay Fresh:
To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks. But now they add a small shark to each tank. The shark eats a few fish, but most of the fish arrive in a very lively state. The fish are challenged.
 
Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired & dull, so we need a Shark in our life to keep us awake and moving?
Basically in our lives Sharks are new challenges to keep us active and taste better..... The more intelligent, persistent and competent you are, the more you enjoy a challenge.
If your challenges are the correct size, and if you are steadily conquering those challenges, you are Conqueror.. You think of your challenges and get energized. You are excited to try new solutions. You have fun. You are alive!

No one can go back and make a brand new start. But anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.*
 
* But whatever you do, never forget the past. Memories are always sweeeet. They are steps for mysterious future.